Guidelines for Authors and Editors

With reference to the quality of the articles maintained in Dharmawiki the following sections deal with the guidelines to be adhered to by Dharmawiki editors and guest authors. Guidelines can be of three different sections pertaining to quality of concept content, quality of the written content,

Content Guidelines

• content should strictly adhere to Dharma Point of View policies.
• topics should be related to Vedas, Hindu traditions, shastras, sampradayas etc. Subjects such as films, fiction books, novels, games, politics, stocks and investments, biographies etc are not included on this portal
• use primary Samskrit sources, approved translations, texts, academic research papers, Ph.D theses available in libraries and Shodhganga repository and other scholarly sources for references
• content should be crisply summarized and verifiable by referencing reliable sources
• hearsay and personal opinions are not factual evidences, attribution to the authoritative source is important
• unpublished work is not to be produced here
• all copyrighted material should be presented after taking permission from the appropriate author or contributor
• copying and closely paraphrasing a copyrighted material is not allowed
• controversial and contentious statements about any topic should be avoided
• personal and pointed reference to any other faith or community is not allowed
• political and religiously inflammatory statements, videos, images are not allowed
• differences in the philosophical views between different sampradayas are to be presented in an unbiased, nonjudgmental manner
• psychoanalysis and interdisciplinary extrapolation is not accepted
• difference of opinions may be expressed gracefully
• readers and authors may express their opinions in the Talk and Discussion pages of any particular article
• healthy debate about any aspect is promoted on the talk and discussion pages
• scholars and senior guides are consulted by the editors/moderators for all clarifications expressed
• editors and moderators will address questions with a time delay due to shortage of staff

Formatting Guidelines

Formatting Guidelines are constantly being refined over time and they include the style of presenting data

• Use the Formatting Guidelines document to understand the usage of different tools
• Cite the texts available in archives or any other open source
• transliteration of samskrit slokas and mantras are to be presented (use ISO format)
• check the article for appropriate format, editing and technical specifications (such as heading, subheading etc).
• be mindful of the language, choice of words used, clarity of thought presented as this forum reaches all parts of the globe
• subject and topics are reviewed by moderators and after discussions with the seniors some changes may be suggested.
• refrain from spending excessive time on just one article to achieve perfection as the subject is vast
• inclusion of summary tables, flowcharts to transmit the concept effectively is an added advantage

Software Guidelines

Wiki syntax is easy to learn and is available for reference at the bottom of the edit box where you type your contents. More information is available in the User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.

• Quick Reference of Wiki Syntax and A collection of code snippets will be of help.
• Knowing them you will be able to format your article by making some text bold, making headings and sub-headings, adding images, videos or google-gadgets into your article thus making it rich and useful.
• Interlinking of articles (using the hyperlinking feature of wiki software) enables one to develop a structure and hierarchy in content matter

• Samskrit text can be entered using devanagari keyboard
• You can also create data sheets and tables
• You can also make collapsible blocks which expands when clicked
• and many more things

• Preferred language of the text is English; but articles in Hindi are also welcome. Knowledge in typing Devanagari is an added advantage.