Dharma Point of View

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

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 take the reader closer to the the original sources - the Vedas and the Vaidika Vangmaya (Vedangas- Kalpas and Nirukta, Darshanas, Itihasas, Puranas, etc.) thereby sensitizing him/her about the various dharmik perspectives that lead to self fulfillment and a holistic existence.

श्रूयताम् धर्मसर्वस्वम् || Listen to the Essence of Dharma

श्रूयतां धर्मसर्वस्वं श्रुत्वा चाप्यवधार्यताम् | आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत् || (Vishnudharmottara Purana 3.253.44)

śrūyatāṁ dharmasarvasvaṁ śrutvā cāpyavadhāryatām | ātmanaḥ pratikūlāni pareṣāṁ na samācaret || (Vishnudharmottara Purana 3.253.44)

Please listen to the essence of Dharma and having listened to it, bear in mind. The essence of Dharma is: Whatever is adverse (or Unfavourable) to us, we should not adopt (operate) that in case of others.

Padma Purana also reverberates the same concept.(1.19.335). Our primary efforts are to bring to light and present the unbiased dharmic perspectives on social, economic, political and cultural aspects presented in Shrutis, Smrtis, Puranas and Shastra granthas.

We strive to lay a strong foundation of religion, philosophy, ethics, codes of conduct, and common laws on which the reader may contemplate and build his/her character with more specialized principles suited to his/her intellectual and emotional temperament. It is directed to the building up of a character - pious, dutiful, strong, self reliant, upright, righteous, gentle and well-balanced - a character which will be that of a good man and a good citizen leading a Dharmik Lifestyle.

लोकसङ्ग्रहम् || A Common Ground

As Yojakas (योजकाः । organizers) we aim to bring together the diversity of the intellectual thoughts, establishing the foundational unity (एकवाक्यता) in Bharatiya Shastra Granthas. It is inclusive enough to unite the most divergent forms of Hindu thought, but exclusive enough to leave outside it, forms of thought which divides humanity.

Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara stands unrivalled in the depth and splendour of its philosophy, while it yields to none in the purity of its ethical teachings and in the flexibility and varied adaptation of its rites and ceremonies.

अमन्त्रमक्षरं नास्ति नास्ति मूलमनौषधम्‌ । अयोग्यः पुरुषो नास्ति योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः॥

There is no syllable which is not a mantra, no plant which is not of medicinal value, no person totally unworthy, but what is rare is the one who can facilitate or harness these to good use.

धर्मसारम् इदं जगत् || Universe is The Essence of Dharma

Our vision is to compile, discuss, promote, disperse and assimilate the dharmik knowledge seen in all aspects of the Universe and Life, enabling a scholar and novice to interact on a universal forum. We actively advocate a holistic approach towards life expounded in our traditional treatises for the betterment of the generations to come.

धर्माद् अर्थः प्रभवति धर्मात् प्रभवते सुखम् । धर्मेण लभ्यते सर्वं धर्मसारम् इदं जगत् ॥ [रा. ३.९.३०] (Ramayana 3.9.30)

From righteous duty wealth arises, from righteousness happiness will result, by righteous ways (of life) everything is attained. This universe (world) is the essence of dharma.

Objectives

Dharmawiki serves as a common comprehensive reference platform for both the novice and the scholars and actively promotes

1. Initiation of resurgence of ancient time-tested knowledge of dharmic lifestyles to promote holistic approach towards life in the generations to come.
2. Language resource creation (wikisource) its development and population with the knowledge base from ancient Sanskrit Vedic sources.
3. Aiming to capture, complement, supplement and disseminate knowledge India's integral practices.
4. Bringing to light the unbiased dharmic perspectives on social, economic, political, and cultural aspects presented in Vedic literature.
5. Providing a technological workspace to bring forward the views of traditional scholars (mainstream or otherwise) and their scholarly works that have been unexplored.
6. Developing narratives grounded in dharmic traditions for mainstream subjects such as medicine, sciences, economics, judiciary, chemistry, geology, ecology, astronomy, mathematics and vocational subjects.

Distinguishing features

1. Dharmawiki articles tap into the traditional well-established research heritage of India, reflected in the intellectual writings and translations of Indian scholars, whose knowledge base was founded on the guru-shishya parampara.
2. Compilation of the subject matter involves extensive research of Vedic literature available both in libraries and on reliable internet sources. (Shodhganga, Vedic Heritage Portal, Internet Archives, Digital Library of India and Sanskrit Literature sites such as Sanskrit ebooks and Sanskrit Documents). Research thesis works of modern day research students (published in shodhganga), find an expression in Dharmawiki articles.
3. Subject matter is supported by direct quotations from vedic and vedantic literatures to remove ambiguity, numerous interpolations and extrapolations thereby allowing the readers to independently develop unbiased thoughts (based on the presented primary sources). 
4. Sanskrit content material (words, slokas, mantras) is used to improve the subjects’ visibility and promote usage. References to grammatical texts, Shabdakalpadruma, Vachaspatyam, Nirukta reinforce the concepts. 
5. Easily approachable structure of the articles gives the comprehensive information sought for by the masses.
6. 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. 
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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).

Concept of Dharma

Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharatavarsha, our beloved Motherland. On account of its antiquity, utility and universality the very mention of that word rouses the conscience of an individual in this land.

Ultimately it is Dharma which holds together all the entities of the Universe.

धारणाद्धर्ममित्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः। यत्स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)

That which supports, that which holds together the peoples (of the universe), that is Dharma. Manifold are the topics that have been included under the Vedas and Dharmashastras from very ancient times. From very ancient times Truth is exalted above everything else. Rigveda (7.104.12) says

सुविज्ञानं चिकितुषे जनाय सच्चासच्च वचसी पस्पृधाते । तयोर्यत्सत्यं यतरदृजीयस्तदित्सोमोऽवति हन्त्यासत् ॥१२॥

"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."

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:

• Varna Dharmas (four classes)
• Ashrama Dharmas (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa)
• Samskaras (performed on an individual)
• Panchamahayajnas (yajnas to expiate the 5 debts of man)
• Shuddhi (Purification of persons, vessals, clothes)
• Dana (Charity)
• Ashaucha (impurity during birth and death)
• Antyesthi (performed on the deceased)
• Shraddha (performed for deceased ancestors and relatives)
• Stridharma (special duties of women)
• Stri-Purusha Dharmas (duties of husband and wife)
• Vyavahara (judicial procedures and laws)
• Apaddharmas (actions permitted in extreme difficulties)
• Prayashchitta (sins and how to expiate them)
• Karmavipaka (results of evil deeds in past lives)
• 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 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

1. Shrauta Dharmas
2. Smarta Dharmas

Aptly, in modern thought processes, the dharmic paradigm encompasses

1. integral unity (dharmik tattvajnana)
2. perspective of life (dharmik jeevan drishti)
3. codes of conduct (dharmik vyavahar sutra)
4. systems and structures (dharmik vyavastha)

Dharmawiki Editor

Dharmawiki portal is a platform for like-minded people, to read, discuss and contribute to the knowledge base of the subjects of Hindu Dharma and Shastras discussed here. Generally speaking it is a public source of narratives for widely accepted knowledge systems of Vaidika Dharma or Sanatana Dharma.

Scholars, academicians, research students, philosophers, and other general users may discuss and contribute to the topics by giving their views and debating on the Talk and Discussion tabs of a particular page.

Editors contributing to topics on Dharmawiki should adhere to the following guidelines

• crisply summarized and verifiable by referencing reliable sources
• topics should be related to Vedas, Hindu traditions, shastras etc
• copying and closely paraphrasing a copyrighted material has to be avoided
• all copyrighted material should be presented after taking permission from the appropriate author or contributor
• avoid controversial and contentious statements and if have to be stated

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