DharmaSastras

 Marriage Manu Bhagwan clearly defines the duties of a man and a woman engaged in a conjugal relationship, which is prescribed by the divine laws. Let's now see the rules of a marriage etc.. Na Daathva Kasya Chit Kanyaam Punardhya: Vichakshana: Dathva Puna: Prayachanhi prapnothi purusho nrutham: Desc: Having given away his daughter in wedlock to a man, the father should never get his daughter re-married. It's a grave sin to do such illegal marriages, which are never authorized by the scriptures. Modern-day women (of all varnas and religions) use the law of divorce for their convenience and try to remarry someone, of their interest. Such kind of acts are grave sins and the courts of law should never entertain such activities.  In a Vedic wedding, the girl's father washes the groom's legs, feeds him Madhuparka, and pleads the bridegroom to take care of his daughter for her lifetime. So under no circumstances, the girl's father breaches his agreement with the groom and...

We all keep hearing about Manu Bhagavan's Dharma Shastras and their significance in our day to day life. It forms the basis for the modern "Hindu" religion and the lifestyle of any common Indian. Not only the Hindus but also the Christians, Muslims, Jains, and all others in the Vedic land follow Dharma Shastras directly or indirectly. The word Dharma could be interpreted as righteousness or religion or faith (based on the context). In this context, it could be translated as righteousness. Manu Bhagavan clearly states the role of 4 different classes of men in society and asserts the significance of various social rules. The word Varna means color and society has been divided into four different classes, based on their social responsibilities. This has nothing to do with the caste differences etc... as projected by the modern-day politicians. Brahmins are supposed to pray for social welfare, conduct yagnas etc.., while Kshatriyas were strong warriors bringing forth victory ...

agnyAdheyaM pAkayaj~nAnagniShTomAdikAn makhAn | yaH karoti vR^ito yasya sa tasyartvigihochyate || 2\.143|| 2.143. He who, being (duly) chosen (for the purpose), performs the Agnyadheya, the Pakayagnas, (and) the(Srauta) sacrifices, such as the Agnishtoma (for another man), is called (his) officiating priest. Such great mahathmas, who perform all paaka yagnas,  and Srauta yagnas, and officiates the yagnas for others is revered as a Ritwik! Paka yagnas are performed with the fire acquired at the time of marriage. Since this agni does not get separated (unlike Srautagni) it's called Ekagni! ( All Smartha karmas are performed on Ekagni) Similarly, Paka yagnas are 7 in number - and they are all performed in Ekagni! At the time of marriage, Oupasana & Sthali Pakam are done, and then daily - twice Oupasana, monthly twice Shali Pakam (on Prathamai) are performed.  After performing Paka yagnas, a Sad Gruhastha becomes eligible to get Agni Adhanam from one, who is already performing...

Manu Smirti is what all Smarthas and all other Brahmanas follow! Yagna rakshanam is an integral part of the life of a Brahmana! adhyApanamadhyayanaM yajanaM yAjanaM tathA | dAnaM pratigrahaM chaiva brAhmaNAnAmakalpayat || 1\.88|| Six duties of a Brahamana are : Adhyaapanam - Teaching Vedas Adhyayanam - Learning vedas Yajanam - Performing Yagnas Yaajanam - Leading / Officiating Yagnas Daanam - Giving gifts (in a yagna) Pratigraham - Taking gifts (in a yagna) Thus each brahmana is supposed to be learning Sroutam and doing all six of the above duties!  Performing Paaka Yagnas, Havir Yagnas & Soma Yagnas are an integral part of any brahmana!

bhUtAnAM prANinaH shreShThAH prANinAM buddhijIvinaH | buddhimatsu narAH shreShThA nareShu brAhmaNAH smR^itAH || 1\.96|| brAhmaNeShu cha vidvA.nso vidvatsu kR^itabuddhayaH | kR^itabuddhiShu kartAraH kartR^iShu brahmavadinaH || 1\.97|| Of all creations, living beings are the best! Of all living beings, the ones which can think are the best! Of all the living beings, which can think, Humans, are the best! Of all Humans, Brahmanas are the best! Of all Brahmanas - (Veda) Vidvamshas are the best! So, among all Brahmanas, the ones who learn Srouta Sutram, and the performance of yagnas are considered to be the best! Of all Vidvamash: one who perform great yagnas like Poundreeka, VajaPeya, AthiRatra, etc.. and other Soma yagas are the best! and among those who perform, Maha Yagnas, those who possess Brahma Gnanam are considered the best! Thus performing Srauta Yagnas is indirectly mentioned as the level before attaining Brahma Gnanam! Such is the greatness of Yagnas!

Dharma Sastras are the basis for today's life! There have been various Manus, Goutama, and others who have composed Dharma Sastras - but Manu Smriti is the most common one! The very word Smriti means - to remember - meaning, basic code of conduct to be remembered always by all human beings!  Whenever a situation arises - as in what is right and what is not, when one's own judgment may fail, we always fallback to elders and finally to Dharma Sastras for reference! Based on Dharma Sastras , only modern-day Indian society has been formed!  There are no caste-based differences or slavery preached there (as propagated by the books of mlecchas).  While there are a variety of topics covered there - like criminal laws, civil laws, varnasrama dharma etc.. - the gist of Dharma Sastras is not to cause any harm to others!