Hinduism Stack Exchange
Hinduism Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [dharma-shastras]

Dharmaśāstra (Sanskrit: धर्मशास्त्र) is a genre of Sanskrit texts, and refers to the treatises (shastras) of Hinduism on dharma.

Dharma Shastras are part of the Hindu Smritis constituting divergent commentaries and treatises on duties, responsibilities and ethics to oneself, to family and as a member of society.

312 questions
6
votes
0 answers

Have any Hindu acharyas commented on the amendability of Dharma Shastras?

A poster writes "This samudrolanghana [loss of caste due to seafaring] was made up fear so that Brahmins learned in Vedas don't move out of the country and lose the Veda sakha." However, this is all quaint now because Hindu priests are clamoring to…
S K
  • 1
  • 4
  • 22
  • 79
4
votes
5 answers

Why are our scriptures contradicting so much? A Bramhana can beat anyone as he wishes?

My dear followers, never treat a learned brāhmaṇa harshly, even if he has sinned. Even if he attacks you physically or repeatedly curses you, always continue to offer him obeisances.Just us I always carefully bow down to brāhmaṇas, so all of you…
Sethu Srivatsa Koduru
  • 7,612
  • 1
  • 12
  • 32
4
votes
0 answers

Do one needs to follow his own Dharma Sutra or all Dharma Sutras?

I have read that there are many Dharma Sutra like Apasthamba Sutra, Gauthama Sutra, Baudhyana Sutra,etc. My question is that Do we need to follow only his own Dharma Sutra got by birth or all of the Dharma Sutra?
venkatesh a
  • 199
  • 1
  • 6
4
votes
0 answers

What all should we do (which we are not doing) according to shastras?

Shastras are nothing but a set of rules which a 'manava' should follow or else he can not be termed as 'manava'. In our urban life style we skip many of these rules, so I wanted to know some of the basic ones.
Pratyush
  • 41
  • 1
4
votes
1 answer

Can ladies take head bath after dark?

According to dharma shastras, are ladies allowed to take bath by pouring water on their head after dusk, in the dark ? I heard someone say it is a bad thing, similar to ladies leaving their hair untied.
ram
  • 8,076
  • 2
  • 30
  • 57
3
votes
1 answer

What is the meaning of Apastamba Dhramsutra 2:11:29:11?

I was reading Apastamba dhamrasutra and found this. The knowledge which Śūdras and women possess is the completion (of all study). About which knowledge, Apastamba is talking which women and even shudras posses but Brahmanas not?
Sanatan Darshan
  • 8,149
  • 1
  • 16
  • 50
3
votes
0 answers

How to thank god in sanskrit/hindi in Sanatan Dharm?

How to thank god in sanskrit/hindi in Sanatan Dharm? As christians use hallelujah, muslim use allahmudillah !!
OM-ॐ
  • 321
  • 4
  • 13
2
votes
1 answer

Can foreigners become Hindu- Sanatani?

Can a non-Indian person trust Sanatan Dharma, follow it and so become Hindu?
user22667
1
vote
0 answers

The first ones Sadhya Devas responsibilities

Alright, My question here : Sadhya gods from Purusha Sukta vs other references, still remains unanswered. The motivation for that question is as follows. Suppose you are a Sadhya Deva, you consult with other Sadhyas. You can compare that to the…
Gopal Anantharaman
  • 1,368
  • 6
  • 16
1
vote
0 answers

What is the punishment for those who discriminate on basis of birth?

Is there any punishment in Sanatan Dharma for those who discriminate on basis of birth. By discrimination, I mean depriving someone of some basic rights like education, drinking water from public water body, entering a temple etc. merely on basis of…
Lokesh
  • 2,093
  • 12
  • 27
1
vote
0 answers

regarding performing marriage of son within one year if death of father in law

I had performed the death rituals of my father in law since he does not have sons and my wife being his elder daughter. Now I have a doubt that whether I can perform my elder son's marriage with in one year.
G SRINIVASA RAO
  • 11
  • 1
0
votes
1 answer

Why do Dharma Sastras say that a Sudra sitting on same chair of Twice Born Castes must have his buttocks cut off?

Manu Smriti 8.281 : A low-caste man who tries to place himself on the same seat with a man of a high caste, shall be branded on his hip and be banished, or (the king) shall cause his buttock to be gashed. Comparative notes say Gautama (12.7).—‘If…
Sethu Srivatsa Koduru
  • 7,612
  • 1
  • 12
  • 32
0
votes
0 answers

Is crossing the ocean (Samudrollanghana) a taboo in Hinduism?

As per the below wiki link, crossing the ocean is considered a taboo in hinduism. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kala_pani_(taboo) The link gives quote from a dharmashastra which prohibits crossing the ocean. I am not sure how this is interpreted…
user16581