Changes

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

Every person leads a life irrespective of the civilization he belongs to. But every civilization has a characteristic way of living (जीवनशैली), which, as per that civilization’s convictions, is superior to the way other civilizations live. And the basis this characteristic way of living are the perspectives of life that the civilization is founded upon. And underlying the way of living and the perspectives of life are the perspectives about the world vishwa dristhi (विश्वदृष्टी ) or tattvajnana (तत्त्वज्ञान)) that the civilization is founded upon. The world view and perspectives toward life held by the civilization tend to influence an individual’s relationships with other entities, which include all movable and immovable (चराचर) entities.   

Every person leads a life irrespective of the civilization he belongs to. But every civilization has a characteristic way of living (जीवनशैली), which, as per that civilization’s convictions, is superior to the way other civilizations live. And the basis this characteristic way of living are the perspectives of life that the civilization is founded upon. And underlying the way of living and the perspectives of life are the perspectives about the world ie. vishwa dristhi (विश्वदृष्टी - worldview) and tattvajnana (तत्त्वज्ञान - foundational philosophy) that the civilization is founded upon. The world view and perspectives toward life held by the civilization tend to influence an individual’s relationships with other entities, which include all movable and immovable (चराचर) entities.   

== Core Idea and Vision ==

== Core Idea and Vision ==

Dharmawiki lays the foundation in creating a universal forum and spearheading a campaign for bringing to light the numerous perspectives of sanatana dharma expounded in the ancient Vedic traditions. The core idea is to bring the reader closer to the the original sources - the Vedas and Vaidika Vangmaya (Vedangas, Puranas, Kalpas, Nirukta).  

Dharmawiki lays the foundation in creating a universal forum and spearheading a campaign for bringing to light the numerous perspectives of sanatana dharma expounded in the Vedic traditions.The core idea is to bring the reader closer to the the original sources - the Vedas and the Vaidika Vangmaya (Vedangas- Kalpas and Nirukta, Darshanas, Itihasas, Puranas, etc.).  

== Objectives ==

== Objectives ==

# Easily approachable structure of the articles gives the comprehensive information sought for by the masses.

# Easily approachable structure of the articles gives the comprehensive information sought for by the masses.

# Scholarly views about principles of Sanatana dharma (Punarjanma, Moksha) are collected through personal interaction with learned scholars in Samskrit forums and a record of such conversations are presented under the Discussion heading. 

# Scholarly views about principles of Sanatana dharma (Punarjanma, Moksha) are collected through personal interaction with learned scholars in Samskrit forums and a record of such conversations are presented under the Discussion heading. 

# Fundamental concepts of Dharmas - the moral code of conduct applicable for every living being under different circumstances are presented. Example : Judicial aspects from Manusmriti, Dharmashastras. A first hand information from scholars about the traditional view-points of socially contentious topics (Example : Yama-Yami samvada) are included.

# Fundamental concepts of Dharma - the moral code of conduct applicable for every living being under different circumstances are presented. Example : Judicial aspects from Manusmriti, Dharmashastras. A first hand information from scholars about the traditional view-points of socially contentious topics (Example : Yama-Yami samvada) are included.

# Lucid presentation of ancient practices such as Nityakarmas (Aupasana and Agnihotra) serve as reference manuals (of conventional practices) to promote their revitalization in the society.

# Lucid presentation of ancient practices such as Nityakarmas (Aupasana and Agnihotra) serve as reference manuals (of conventional practices) to promote their revitalization in the society.

# Topics that are profound with esoteric insights of ancient seers provide an insight into the characteristics of the vedas and vedanta. Examples : Vidya (Brahmavidya, Bhumavidya, Panchagnividya), Mahavakyas, Yajna (Srauta yajnas), Margas (Paths in life and for enlightenment) such as Pravritti and Nivritti, Shastras (Nyaya and Mimamsa).

# Topics that are profound with esoteric insights of ancient seers provide an insight into the characteristics of the vedas and vedanta. Examples : Vidya (Brahmavidya, Bhumavidya, Panchagnividya), Mahavakyas, Yajna (Shrauta yajnas), Margas (Paths in life and for enlightenment) such as Pravritti and Nivritti, Shastras (Nyaya and Mimamsa).

== Dharma Classification ==

== Dharma Classification ==

Manifold are the topics that have been included under the Dharmasastra from very ancient times.  From very ancient times '''''Truth''''' is exalted above everything else. Rig veda (7.104.12) says    <blockquote>सुविज्ञानं चिकितुषे जनाय सच्चासच्च वचसी पस्पृधाते । तयोर्यत्सत्यं यतरदृजीयस्तदित्सोमोऽवति हन्त्यासत् ॥१२॥</blockquote><blockquote>''"True  speech and false speech run a race against each other. Soma protects out of the two what is true and what is very straight-forward and strikes down what is false."'' </blockquote>The conception of rta in the Rigveda is a sublime one and is the germ of the later doctrine of the rule of dharma. The Dharmasutras of Gautama, Baudhayana, Apastamba, and Vasishta deal in greater or less detail principally the following subjects:

Manifold are the topics that have been included under the Dharmasastra from very ancient times.  From very ancient times '''''Truth''''' is exalted above everything else. Rigveda (7.104.12) says    <blockquote>सुविज्ञानं चिकितुषे जनाय सच्चासच्च वचसी पस्पृधाते । तयोर्यत्सत्यं यतरदृजीयस्तदित्सोमोऽवति हन्त्यासत् ॥१२॥</blockquote><blockquote>''"True  speech and false speech run a race against each other. Soma protects out of the two what is true and what is very straight-forward and strikes down what is false."'' </blockquote>The conception of rta in the Rigveda is a sublime one and is the germ of the later doctrine of the rule of dharma. The Dharmasutras of Gautama, Baudhayana, Apastamba, and Vasishta deal in greater or less detail principally the following subjects:

      

      

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|style=width: 1100px; font-style: italic;|

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|style=width: 1100px; font-style: italic;|

* '''Varna Dharmas''' (four classes)   

* '''Varna Dharmas''' (four classes)   

* '''Ashrama Dharmas''' (Brahmachari, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasi)   

* '''Ashrama Dharmas''' (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa)   

* '''Samskaras''' (performed on an individual)   

* '''Samskaras''' (performed on an individual)   

* '''Panchamahayajnas''' (yajnas to expiate the 5 debts of man)   

* '''Panchamahayajnas''' (yajnas to expiate the 5 debts of man)   

* '''Suddhi''' (Purification of persons, vessals, clothes)   

* '''Shuddhi''' (Purification of persons, vessals, clothes)   

* '''Dana''' (Charity)   

* '''Dana''' (Charity)   

* '''Asaucha''' (impurity during birth and death)   

* '''Ashaucha''' (impurity during birth and death)   

* '''Antyesthi''' (performed on the deceased)   

* '''Antyesthi''' (performed on the deceased)   

* '''Shraddha''' (performed for deceased ancestors and relatives)   

* '''Shraddha''' (performed for deceased ancestors and relatives)   

* '''Stri-Purusha Dharmas''' (duties of husband and wife)   

* '''Stri-Purusha Dharmas''' (duties of husband and wife)   

* '''Vyavahara''' (judicial procedures and laws)   

* '''Vyavahara''' (judicial procedures and laws)   

* '''Apattdharmas''' (actions permitted in extreme difficulties)   

* '''Apaddharmas''' (actions permitted in extreme difficulties)   

* '''Prayaschitta''' (sins and how to expiate them)   

* '''Prayashchitta''' (sins and how to expiate them)   

* '''Karmavipaka''' (results of evil deeds in past lives)   

* '''Karmavipaka''' (results of evil deeds in past lives)   

* '''Shanti prakriya''' (rites for propitiating planets)}}  

* '''Shanti prakriya''' (rites for propitiating planets)}}  

From the above list it can be understood that the concept of Dharma is a far reaching one, embracing the whole life of man. The propounders of Dharmasastra meant by Dharma not a creed or religion but a mode of life or a code of conduct, which regulated a man's work and activities as a member of society and as an individual. Dharma was intended to bring about the gradual development of a man and enable him to reach what was deemed to be the goal of human existence. From this standpoint various divisions of dharma were suggested. Classification of dharma was primarily based on Shrutis (Vedic texts and rites) and Smritis (Classes and Stages of life), thus exist

From the above list it can be understood that the concept of Dharma is a far reaching one, embracing the whole life of man. The propounders of Dharmashastra meant by Dharma not a creed or religion but a mode of life or a code of conduct, which regulated a man's work and activities as a member of society and as an individual. Dharma was intended to bring about the gradual development of a man and enable him to reach what was deemed to be the goal of human existence. From this standpoint various divisions of dharma were suggested. Classification of dharma was primarily based on Shrutis (Vedic texts and rites) and Smritis (Classes and Stages of life), thus exist

# Srauta Dharmas

# Shrauta Dharmas

# Smarta Dharmas

# Smarta Dharmas

Aptly, in modern thought processes, the dharmic paradigm encompasses<ref>Rajiv Malhotra. (2011) ''[[Being Different]]''</ref>

Aptly, in modern thought processes, the dharmic paradigm encompasses<ref>Rajiv Malhotra. (2011) ''[[Being Different]]''</ref>

#integral unity ('''dharmik tattvajnana''')

#integral unity ('''dharmik tattvajnana''')

#perspective of life ('''dharmik jeevan dristi''')

#perspective of life ('''dharmik jeevan drishti''')

#codes of conduct ('''dharmik vyavahar sutra''')

#codes of conduct ('''dharmik vyavahar sutra''')

#systems and structures ('''dharmik vyavastha''')

#systems and structures ('''dharmik vyavastha''')

Some elements of the dharmik perspective of life that are based on such a dharmic paradigm  

Some elements of the dharmik perspective of life that are based on such a dharmic paradigm  

*'''Satya''' (Truth) :  The famous words of Taittriya Upanishad may be recollected where at the end of the student's education the teacher places Truth in the forefront of his exhotation and dharma next.  

*'''Satya''' (Truth) :  The famous words of Taittiriya Upanishad may be recollected where at the end of the student's education the teacher places Truth in the forefront of his exhotation and dharma next.  

<blockquote>वेदमनूच्याचार्योऽन्तेवासिनमनुशास्ति । सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर ।</blockquote>Satya has 13 aspects and shloka 21 says that non-injury to all beings in thought, word and deed, good will and charity are the eternal dharma of the good.<blockquote>अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा। अनुग्रहश्च दानं च सतां धर्मः सनातनः॥ (Maha. Sant. 12.162.21)</blockquote>

<blockquote>वेदमनूच्याचार्योऽन्तेवासिनमनुशास्ति । सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर ।</blockquote>Satya has 13 aspects and shloka 21 says that non-injury to all beings in thought, word and deed, good will and charity are the eternal dharma of the good.<blockquote>अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा। अनुग्रहश्च दानं च सतां धर्मः सनातनः॥ (Maha. Sant. 12.162.21)</blockquote>

*'''आत्मा ॥ Soul''' : The Gautama Dharmasutras (8.24-26) expound the eight qualities of the Soul.  

*'''आत्मा ॥ Soul''' : The Gautama Dharmasutras (8.24-26) expound the eight qualities of the Soul.  

<blockquote>अथाष्टाव् आत्मगुणाः ॥ दया सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिर् अनसूया शौचम् अनायासोमङ्गलम् अकार्पण्यम् अस्पृहेति ॥ (Gaut. Grhy. Sutr. 8.23)</blockquote><blockquote>dayā (दया ) kṣānti  (क्षान्ति) anasūyā (अनसूया) śaucam (शौचम्) anāyāsaḥ (अनायासः) maṅgalam (मङ्गलम्) akārpaṇyam (अकार्पण्यम्) aspr̥heti (अस्पृहेति) </blockquote>

<blockquote>अथाष्टाव् आत्मगुणाः ॥ दया सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिर् अनसूया शौचम् अनायासोमङ्गलम् अकार्पण्यम् अस्पृहेति ॥ (Gaut. Grhy. Sutr. 8.23)</blockquote><blockquote>dayā (दया ) kṣānti  (क्षान्ति) anasūyā (अनसूया) śaucam (शौचम्) anāyāsaḥ (अनायासः) maṅgalam (मङ्गलम्) akārpaṇyam (अकार्पण्यम्) aspr̥heti (अस्पृहेति) </blockquote>

*'''Sarvavyapatvam''' : Consciousness is all pervading. Thus life is unlimited in space.  

*'''Sarvavyapakatva''' : Consciousness is all pervading. Thus life is unlimited in space.  

*'''Punarjanma'''<nowiki> : Rebirth as a means to fulfill the missed opportunity of self-fulfillment, in earlier lives, with no achievement made at any stage lost. It is an assurance that life shall not fail. It is not aimless or endless transmigration of life as pessimists understand or fatalists believe. It is positive way of life-fulfillment. In line with this eternity, creation and destruction are cyclic and mutually complementary. [example of seed that grows into tree, gives rise to more seed that fall to the ground again and each seed, in its destruction gives rise to more trees]</nowiki>

*'''Punarjanma'''<nowiki> : Rebirth as a means to fulfill the missed opportunity of self-fulfillment, in earlier lives, with no achievement made at any stage lost. It is an assurance that life shall not fail. It is not aimless or endless transmigration of life as pessimists understand or fatalists believe. It is positive way of life-fulfillment. In line with this eternity, creation and destruction are cyclic and mutually complementary. [example of seed that grows into tree, gives rise to more seed that fall to the ground again and each seed, in its destruction gives rise to more trees]</nowiki>

*'''Moksha'''  

*'''Moksha'''  

#Vasudaiva Kutumbakam

#Vasudaiva Kutumbakam

#Aatmavat sarva bhuteshu [Chanakya niti: matravat para daresu, para dravyesu lostravat]

#Aatmavat sarva bhuteshu [Chanakya niti: matravat para daresu, para dravyesu lostravat]

#'''Ahimsa''': Non-violence to any aspect of the law of life, and not merely avoidance of blood-shed or cruder forms of violence in terms of war, racial conquests, human suppression or infringement of human dignity. [ahimsa paramo dharmo, himsa dharma tathavia ca]

#'''Ahimsa''': Non-violence to any aspect of the law of life, and not merely avoidance of blood-shed or cruder forms of violence in terms of war, racial conquests, human suppression or infringement of human dignity. [ahimsa paramo dharmo, himsa dharma tathaiva ca]

#'''Shraddha''': Not merely faith in the wisdom and comfort of cosmic forces that lead to this evolution, but development  of human personality in terms of the stuff suitable for the mind and speech in such a way as suits the path of perfection. It is implicit faith in something sublime. Man and his essential ‘stuff’ are identical from this angle. Body, mind and intelligence are ‘made’ and we can so feed them with food, thought and expression, appropriately in gradual steps to achieve this purpose. Conviction, courage, wisdom, right choices, the desire for self-improvement, love, cooperation, harmony and right vision – are all products shraddha. Trust in God’s elevating Grace, and the faith that good will triumph over Evil, also form this shraddha.

#'''Shraddha''': Not merely faith in the wisdom and comfort of cosmic forces that lead to this evolution, but development  of human personality in terms of the stuff suitable for the mind and speech in such a way as suits the path of perfection. It is implicit faith in something sublime. Man and his essential ‘stuff’ are identical from this angle. Body, mind and intelligence are ‘made’ and we can so feed them with food, thought and expression, appropriately in gradual steps to achieve this purpose. Conviction, courage, wisdom, right choices, the desire for self-improvement, love, cooperation, harmony and right vision – are all products shraddha. Trust in God’s elevating Grace, and the faith that good will triumph over Evil, also form this shraddha.

Lifestyle based on Purushartha  

Lifestyle based on Purushartha  

#'''Tapas''': Hard efforts to integrate faculties of bodily potencies with those of mind and speech and yoking them to achieve unity of personality. Tapas can be dharmik or adharmik. When engaged favourably (such as Bhagavad Gita yada samharate chayam …Kurma), such integrated effort can help one can visualize God, achieve immortality and eternal service to cosmos, subjectively as well as objectively. It is complete tuning of body, mind and speech to the total evolution of the spirit to its fullness. Self-control comes as a first step in an eight-fold path called yoga.  

#'''Tapas''': Hard efforts to integrate faculties of bodily potencies with those of mind and speech and yoking them to achieve unity of personality. Tapas can be dharmik or adharmik. When engaged favourably (such as Bhagavad Gita yada samharate chayam …Kurma), such integrated effort can help one can visualize God, achieve immortality and eternal service to cosmos, subjectively as well as objectively. It is complete tuning of body, mind and speech to the total evolution of the spirit to its fullness. Self-control comes as a first step in an eight-fold path called yoga.  

#Sannyasa: Renunciation of all that is not conducive to this evolution, and not merely ‘asceticism’, for its own sake; or abandonment of unavoidable duties appropriate to contexts, professions, and personalities upholding society manifoldly; it is not a negation of life or unhealthy withdrawal from life which tantamounts to escapism.  Positively it means giving more to the society than taking. And depositing one’s all in God, and worshipping as His agent, refraining from selfishness or attachment to fruits of appointed duties. It is an attitude of life for all and throughout life.  

#Sannyasa: Renunciation of all that is not conducive to this evolution, and not merely ‘asceticism’, for its own sake; or abandonment of unavoidable duties appropriate to contexts, professions, and personalities upholding society manifoldly; it is not a negation of life or unhealthy withdrawal from life which tantamounts to escapism.  Positively it means giving more to the society than taking. And depositing one’s all in God, and worshipping as His agent, refraining from selfishness or attachment to fruits of appointed duties. It is an attitude of life for all and throughout life.  

#Three-fold Yoga: Man can attain God by a Yoga in three steps of Action, Knowledge and Devotion, while in this life, and practice his vocation in his own field of action and stage of spiritual evolution. Yoga is not an abnormal activity away from outside its legitimate scheme or sphere. The three-fold yoga consists of

#Three-fold Yoga: Man can attain God by a Yoga in three steps of Action, Knowledge and Devotion, while in this life, and practice his vocation in his own field of action and stage of spiritual evolution. Yoga is not an abnormal activity away from outside its legitimate scheme or sphere. The three-fold yoga consists of

##Activity (profession) supported by knowledge and inspired by Devotion

##Activity (profession) supported by knowledge and inspired by Devotion (Karmayoga)

##Knowledge of the self, sustained by life and activity, and filled with Devotion

##Knowledge of the self, sustained by life and activity, and filled with Devotion (Jnanayoga)

##Devotion sustained on activity and inspired by this knowledge and of the relation between self and God

##Devotion sustained on activity and inspired by this knowledge and of the relation between self and God (Bhaktiyoga)

In the table below, we contrast some basic differences in the paradigms, perspective of life and the world between the dharmik and the adharmik paradigms.

In the table below, we contrast some basic differences in the paradigms, perspective of life and the world between the dharmik and the adharmik paradigms.