Dr. Satyan Sharma @sharmasatyan Twitter profile

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

2 months

My article on this World Sanskrit Day. In this, I present personalities who belonged to communities which are taken to be situated at the bottom of caste-hierarchy, and yet they contributed to the corpus of Sanskrit language directly or indirectly.

Lest we forget Sanskritists situated at the bottom of caste-hierarchy

On the World Sanskrit Day 2024

link.medium.com

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

I hope that some day Indians would stop calling Ganga as Ganges.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Kamars (scheduled tribe) believe that after creating earth, when Bhagavan Mahadev allotted jobs to people, He gave Kamars axe, bow and arrow and said, “Go and hunt, practice dhahiya agriculture, and make utensils of bamboo.” In the screenshots is a Kamar head. (1/2)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Wonder how ‘चण्डीगढ़’ is today also popularly pronounced as ‘चन्दीगढ़’. Many in and around Chandigarh are surprised when I tell them that ‘Chandigarh’ has the name of देवी चण्डी in it.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

The problem is that some Hindus readily embrace the highest wisdom as stated in Advaita Vedanta or Yoga, but reject and demean the prescribed process by which such wisdom is to be attained and realised.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Important message from Śrī Bhāratī Tīrtha Mahāsvāmī jī

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

He’s seen refusing to leave their hereditary lifestyle and place to move elsewhere. It seems that it’s also because of the idea that their lifestyle has been given to them by Mahadev, and hence it’s divine. Ref.: Prasar Bharati’s documentary on the Kamar tribe. (2/2)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Sacred thread ceremony in Scheduled Tribes There are some Scheduled Tribes in India, which practise the sacred thread ceremony for boys who have reached adulthood or are about to get married. They are Dharua, Kora, Kotia, Omanatya, Pentia and Bhottada tribes. [SS of Omanatya]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

Ādi Śaṅkarācārya has acknowledged the laukika method through which Śūdras could access Vedas and the knowledge preserved in them. Vācaspatimiśra & Ānandagiri tell that the laukika method includes reading books and so forth. +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

During the time when Manusmṛti was composed, there also were: ∙ People who were marrying freely with different varṇas and jātis ∙ People born of such marriages who weren't known publicly in that manner ∙ Śūdra kingdoms and kings ∙ Non-Kṣatriya kings ∙ Śūdra teachers (1/3)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

The priest or Disari of the Bhumia tribe (scheduled tribe) wearing something like janeu (sacred thread). Such priests are chosen from among the tribe.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

9 months

A day from the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Gets up early in the morning, visits Devi's temple at Nagarkot. Does Darshan, performs rituals, makes generous offerings to temple & Brahmans. Goes to Kangra and arranges for a 'hom' ritual for the next day. +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

“Those who say that Śūdra doesn’t have a gotra because he isn’t the offspring of a Ṛṣi, are surely fools.” - Kamalākara Bhaṭṭa (Śūdradharmatattva) [He quotes Hemādri to state that Śūdras have ‘Kāśyapa’ gotra]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

As a reference was today’s event of Kashi Vishwanath corridor, where the woman announcer said ‘Ganges’ instead of ‘Ganga’.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

A work commissioned by the erstwhile king of J & K Śrī Raṇavīra Siṃha, authored by Kavi Gaṅgārāma for purification of those who had been made Mlecchas by force. It makes way for making them Āryas again.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

A Śūdra character named Viṣṇunāga in Śyāmilaka's Pādatāḍitaka (~5th century CE) says : "I am Ārya, of pure conduct, of good lineage. I have studied Śabda (Vyākaraṇa) & Hetusamaya (Nyāya). I am an officer of the King.." [1/2]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

Hereditary priesthood in the Scheduled Tribes of India The post of Priest in the following scheduled tribes is hereditary: Kondadora, Oraon, Parhaiya, Malhar, Jatapu, Ho, Kutia Kandha, Dongaria Kandha, Juanga, Lanjia Saora, Kharia, Paudi Bhuyan etc.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Circa 1860 Benares. Students learning writing. How many students have been shown wearing sacred thread or yajñopavīta? Is even the teacher wearing it? [1/2]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

A Sanskrit text (निबन्ध) named 'दयानन्दमतमर्द्दन', refutation of Swami Dayanand Saraswati's ऋग्वेदादिभाष्यभूमिका. The author is Pandit Govind Ram, a resident of Phagwara (Punjab), who was a Sanskrit teacher at Lahore Govt. school. It was published in the year 1878. (1/2)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

While reading the paper 'Sudra Rulers and Officials in early medieval times' by H. S. Kotiyal, found a citation of Kumārila Bhaṭṭa where he says that all four varṇas are seen doing 'rājya' (kingship). "तच्च राज्यमविशेषेण चत्वारोऽपि वर्णाः कुर्वाणा दृश्यन्ते" (1/2)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Is Dvija's life privileged & easy? Maharṣi Vyāsa states clearly that the life of initiated Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas & Vaiśyas is difficult. They cannot act as per their wishes. He unequivocally says : "They are subservient (to Śāstric rules) in all of their activities." [1/3]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

Probably the only or the first contemporary Sanskrit work dedicated to the re-interpretation of the Pañcabhūta theory in the light of particle physics and the like. It’s a work by Kavirāja Upendranāthadāsa Bhiṣagācārya. This is the 2nd edition from 1962.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Mādhavācārya says that the Dharmaśāstric ideal Brāhmaṇa & others, do not exist in the Kaliyuga. So should the Dharmaśāstra, which is based on 4 varṇas, be lost completely? He replies - it's better to apply it as much as possible, instead of completely losing it. [1/3]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

11 years

Sometimes it's better to freeze one's thought as a picture. So I did it. @JaclynGlenn @RichardDawkins http://t.co/FvgzNLRk7p

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

In the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, noticed the custom of smelling the forehead instead of kissing it. Many a time Daśaratha smells the forehead of Rāma and other sons. The expression is ‘मूर्ध्नि उपाघ्राय/आघ्राय’.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

"Moon gets its light from the Sun" From a 6th-7th century CE commentator of Ṛgveda (1.84.15), Skandasvāmin, who further quotes 7th-5th century BCE Vedic etymologist Yāska.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

The queen of Khairigarh Shrimati Surath Kumari, authored a Hindi translation (with notes) of Adi Shankaracharya's Tattvabodha, published for the 2nd time in the year 1918. In the book, she tells that she studied the text directly from her Guru. (1/2)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

4 years

#indianphilosophymemes 1/6

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

From Chandigarh’s official website.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 months

Dewri temple of Ranchi has 6 tribal pujaris (Pahans) who perform rituals along with Brahmin pujaris. The temple is dedicated to goddess Durga, in her sixteen-arm form. It is said to be 700 years old.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

4 months

Traditional texts like Dharmaśāstras need to be understood through the traditional methods of interpretation. Why? Take a look at this: In Manusmṛti (chapter 4), it's been told to not practise Ṛgveda & Yajurveda while Sāmaveda is being recited. Why? +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

11 months

In 1623, Pope Gregory XV issued a constitution, in which converted Christian Brahmans were allowed to wear the sacred thread, use ablutions & Sandal. The sacred thread was to be given by a Catholic priest & the string composed of 3 threads was to represent holy trinity. [1/2]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Short but important statements by the commentators of Dharmaśāstras 1. Medhātithi (on Manusmṛti 10.73) "A person isn't to be respected just because of his jāti. Instead the qualities (of the person) are to be respected. Jāti cannot protect a person lacking in qualities." 1/3

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Where it all started The first Devanagari Sanskrit font was created by an Indian blacksmith, Shri Panchanan Karmakar, which was used in the book 'A Grammar of the Sungskrit Language' of W. Carey, published in 1806. [1/3]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

In Manusmṛti, from 2.228-2.237, a man is told to always act in accordance with his mother, father and Ācārya. To serve these three is told be parama-tapas (highest austerity). Manusmṛti doesn't make even a man literally free. Śuśrūṣā is the foundation of dharma.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Knowledge of Sanskrit grammar is a prerequisite for studying Sanskrit texts. As the British records of the 19th century note, the study of Sanskrit grammar was open to all classes of the then Indian society. Some excerpts from the records of different regions : [1/2]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

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Where there is a system, there must be; 1. Niyamas (rules), 2. Niyāmakas (basis for the rules), 3. Niyamyas (on which the rules are applicable). The Niyāmakas shall differ based on Niyamyas, leading to specific Niyamas. A specific trio leads to a specific result. +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

11 months

Opponent: Ritual killing of animal is adharma, because it is the killing of a living being, just like the killing of a Brāhmaṇa. Kullūka: Invalid. Because Śāstra permits it. Even the example you've cited (that killing of a Brāhmaṇa is adharma) is known through Śāstra itself. +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

If Manusmṛti represents 'Brahmanism', then the idea that casteist remarks/slurs are bad, could be called a 'Brahmanical' idea. [Refer to Manusmṛti 4.141 (jātihīnāṃśca nākṣipet)]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

What's special about Āryāvarta? Medhātithi answers : "Ārya-s are born there again and again. Even after repeatedly conquering it, Mleccha-s do not stay there for a long time." (His commentary on Manusmṛti 2.22)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

5 months

Basic manners to be followed when food is served to you. From Manusmṛti 2.54, translated by Sir Ganganatha Jha. [1/3]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

11 months

The original question which was to be answered: Did Brahmins hold a monopoly on knowledge in ancient India? The question answered: Did Brahmins hold a monopoly on Vedas? Vedas are not the only source of knowledge. Refer to the 14 Vidyāsthānas. +

Upword

@upword_

11 months

Did Brahmins hold a monopoly on knowledge in ancient India? Let's explore the reality behind this claim. The pursuit of knowledge was not restricted to any specific caste, and there were instances of non-Brahmin scholars making significant contributions to various fields,

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

Rev. J. D. Webb sees some Brahmins doing a ritual. He asks them what they're doing, and one of them replies, "Ham tamasha karte hain". I think the Brahmin didn't want to explain it to him. He rather gave a sarcastic reply. (1/2)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

A good book for those who want to do an in-depth grammatical study of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya’s works.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 months

Batukprasad Sharma Shastri in this excerpt asserts that a Shudra has no right to education/studying. The second ss is a description of 'Vidyārambha' ceremony from 'Śūdradharmatattva' of Kamalākara Bhaṭṭa. It is the beginning of Shudra's education.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Have been told since childhood to not move feet while sitting ("बैठे हुए पैर नहीं हिलाने चाहिए"). Seems like Āpastambadharmasūtra 2.8.20.13 tells the same.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Learnt of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya's statement on śāstras from Dr. Maṇi Drāviḍa Śāstri's speech. It states that śāstra isn't like the master who forces his servant to do something, instead śāstras are like Sun, lamp, etc. which merely tell what favours puruṣārtha & what doesn't.(1/2)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

4 months

The same book tells that the 'Moutchis' (Mochis) are tanners and shoe-makers. They also painted on canvas. Although they are 'Shoudras' (Shudras), they're told to be wearing the sacred thread, as seen in the painting from the book.

Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

4 months

Vardapa, the chief of 'Moutchis' caste in Pondichery. As the head of his caste, he dispensed justice and ensured the maintenance of the customs of his community. Not just this, he was also a painter, an artist. +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

Did Manu create caste? Did Brahmans create caste? Answer by Dr. Ambedkar "One thing I want to impress upon you is that Manu did not Give the law of Caste and that he could not do so. Caste existed long before Manu. He was an upholder of it and therefore philosophised about it, +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 months

This trend of #BrahminGenes tells a lot about the lack of Śāstra-education among many young Brahmins. In the SS is Medhātithi's commentary on Manusmṛti 10.5. The verse provides a definition as to who is a Brahmin (or Kshatriya, etc.). If one were physically identifiable, +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

"Hindu schoolmaster overseeing four boy pupils" Hand-coloured engraving published Rudolph Ackermann, London, 1822.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Loved this artwork included in the ‘पतञ्जलयोगप्रदीप’ published by Gita Press.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 months

In my region, the Hindu marriage ceremony is like a party. The ritual portion of it is performed after the party activities. Have seen people expressing restlessness during the rituals. The 'sacred' seems to have gone to the background.

Raghava Krishna | రాఘవ కృష్ణ

@Anviksiki

3 months

Almost 50% of marriages in younger generation within extended family and social circle are ending in divorces within a year or two. Other half is too afraid to marry. A silent social catastrophe. Exponential exposure via SM inflates expectations even as it shrinks resilience.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Mahodaya has labelled the metaphysics in Indian philosophy as 'all claptrap'. To be truly claptrap, it should be silly and not worthy of being believed. Let's take the Advaita Vedāntic idea of 3 kinds of existences : +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

As per Manusmṛti : 1. After conquering a territory, a king should give protection to the people of that territory & grant remissions to royal family. (7.201) 2. As per desires of the people, he should place, someone from that royal family, on the throne. (7.202)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Some excerpts from 'Essay on the National Custom of British India Known as Caste, Varna, Or Jati' by Robert Needham Cust, published in 1881. 1. He says that it is wrong to believe that members of any caste are restricted to a particular livelihood. [1/3]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

In his 'Māṃsatattvaviveka', Mahāmahopādhyāya Viśvanātha Nyāyapañcānana Bhaṭṭācārya discusses the Śāstrīya validity of eating meat. In his conclusion he calls those who dislike meat (eating etc.) as the followers of Buddha's ideology.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Composed a hymn for Śiva in all 7 vibhaktis of 'Śiva', in Śikhariṇi meter. (1/2)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Just randomly opened a page of Shashi Tharoor’s ‘Why I am a Hindu’ while I was in a bookstore. Found this. As per Tharoor, Rig Veda has some ‘original books’ and Purusha Sukta is a ‘later interpolation’.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

A small lesson by Lord Viṣṇu on how to interpret rules laid down by Smṛtis, Purāṇas, etc. Knowing that Lord Viṣṇu is staying with a Cāṇḍāla, a learned Brāhmaṇa hints at the Cāṇḍāla being utterly impure based on Smṛtis, Purāṇas, Āgamas & Vedas. (1/5)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

The power of Namaskāra toward Devas Ṛgveda 6.51.8 tells about how powerful is Namaskāra toward Devas : It bestows everything. It holds Pṛthivī & Dyuloka. Devas are in its control. It destroys sin. [Translation based on Sāyaṇabhāṣya]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

After he insulted his Guru Cāṇakya (per Cāṇakya's plan), Candragupta says that even when his insults were fake, he felt as if his mind was about to drop into a hole in the ground (from shame). He asks; those who actually insult their Guru, how doesn't shame break their heart?

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Guru Nanak, while describing the ills of the society of his times, says this; "स्रिसटि सभ इक वरन होई धरम की गति रही" "All the (people) of the world have become (of) one varṇa and Dharma has been lost."

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@sharmasatyan

1 month

Purī Śaṅkarācārya ji narrates an incident where Śrī Karapātrī Svāmī met Bengali Brahmins who had been forced to eat beef, etc. He quoted the following verse & told them that they weren't polluted. बलाद् दत्तं बलाद् भुक्तं... (मनुस्मृति ८.१६८) +

करपात्री जी ने कैसे बंगाल के दिग्गज विद्वान ब्राह्मणों को बचाया l

How Karpatri ji Saved the Powerful & Learned Brahmins of Bengal!*DONATE: UPI Code : GovardhanMath@allbankAccount details:ALLAHABAD BANK- A/C NO- SB 212 2499 ...

www.youtube.com

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

From a book published in 1874. It tells that the Dhair (described as outcast) was one of the village council. He was the protector of village boundaries, an authority regarding the sites of houses in village. For his services they were given rent free lands. (1/2)

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@sharmasatyan

2 years

Q. How to tell if a person had performed the rituals and duties of their varṇa & āśrama in their previous birth? A. If they very much want to know Brahman in this life, they had performed those in their previous life. (Source: Bhāmatī on Brahmasūtraśāṅkarabhāṣya 3.4.36)

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@sharmasatyan

11 months

Sant Kabir ji had access to Vedas and Smṛtis?

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

11 months

Why perform ‘mere’ rituals? Answer by former Kāñcī Saṅkarācārya Śrī Candraśekharendra Sarasvatī :

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@sharmasatyan

1 year

Śrīdharācārya (10th century CE) states that sunlight, moonlight & so forth are white because of lack of any interference. It's in case of an interference that other colours appear. So, for him, Sun's colour is white. [1/2]

What Color Is the Sun?

Yellow, white or maybe even green—the sun’s hue depends on how you see it

www.scientificamerican.com

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@sharmasatyan

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∙ Brāhmaṇas who were students of Śūdra teachers ∙ Brāhmaṇas who weren't trained in Vedas ∙ Brāhmaṇas who were servants ∙ Women who were performing Yajñas by themselves ∙ Women who were members of non-Vedic sects (2/3)

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@sharmasatyan

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Ghosts reciting Vedas through humans Ānandagiri, while commenting on the Śāṅkarabhāṣya of Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣat 3.3.13, makes a mention of places like Vaṅgadeśa, where women, Śūdras, etc., who're not trained in Vedas, recite Vedas under the influence of Brahmagraha.

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@sharmasatyan

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Danteshwari temple has had Kshatriya pujaris from a single lineage, since around 800 years.

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@sharmasatyan

3 years

Sant Ravidas honourably mentioning all the great Rishis as bhaktas of God.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

If it is about lack of change in Sanskrit, Sanskrit could be called stable instead of dead. May be it's about the feeling they want to evoke by calling Sanskrit as dead, the feeling of carrying and holding on to a corpse.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

"...(O Indra!) make my intellect as sharp as the edge of a sword." - Ṛgveda 6.47.10, of Ṛṣi Garga Bhāradvāja [...चोदय धियमयसो न धाराम्]

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@sharmasatyan

2 years

Seems like the earliest recorded non-varṇa usage of the word 'Brāhmaṇa' is found in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad (4.4.23). It's in the sense of 'the one who has realised Brahman'. +

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@sharmasatyan

3 months

Śrī Saccidānanda Śivābhinava Narasiṃha Bhāratī Svāmī (Golden Sayings, ch. 6)

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@sharmasatyan

2 years

Commentary of Ṣaḍguruśiṣya on Aitareya Brāhmaṇa 14.6 cites Āryabhaṭa to support the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa's statement that the Sun stays stable and doesn't rise or set.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

11 months

These 3 things lead to unending benefits: 1. Dāna-s done in secrecy. 2. Japya-s (mantras etc.) which aren't revealed. 3. Knowledge which isn't accompanied with pride. [Bṛhatparāśarasmṛti 4.67]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Aśvaghoṣa's (~1st-2nd century CE) observation in his text Vajrasūcī is worth noting. He tells that even in the families of Kaivatras, Rajakas & Cāṇḍālas, saṃskāras like Cūḍākarma, Muñja (Upanayana), and so forth are performed. He says that they're called as Brāhmaṇas.

Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Sacred thread ceremony in Scheduled Tribes There are some Scheduled Tribes in India, which practise the sacred thread ceremony for boys who have reached adulthood or are about to get married. They are Dharua, Kora, Kotia, Omanatya, Pentia and Bhottada tribes. [SS of Omanatya]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 months

In 1836, a case came in Durgapur for excommunication of Brahmins who performed yajnas and pujas for a Shudra person of Behara caste. The case was sent to Akhilachandra Nyayaratna Sharma for analysis. He invalidated excommunication by citing a Dharmashastra text. +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

A Śūdra born to the family of those who're experts in Mantravicāra? In a manuscript of 'प्रशस्तिकाशिका' of 'बालकृष्ण', where one learns how to write words of praise for people of all varṇas, specifically via letters, I found something interesting. On backside of folio 13, (1/3)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

4 months

Regarding the so-called 'caste privatisation of books', it's worth noting that since at least 9th century CE, a real-world situation of a Śūdra reading the written Vedas has been mentioned. Vācaspati Miśra & Ānandagiri mention them. Screenshots here: +

Joseph T Noony

@JoeAgneya

4 months

Imagine if Krishnadevaraya made the Portuguese transfer printing technology. And mass printed the Vedic corpus & Siddhantas. Caste privatisation of books would've eroded. A reform India badly needed but had to wait for EIC rule! Would Rayas have faced resistance if they tried?

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

The lack of honest effort for basic research leads to the mistake that; ‘the prohibition of ‘upanayana’ ceremony means prohibition of education.’ Those who commit this mistake, could read about a ceremony called Vidyārambha, which is open to all varṇas. 1/5

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

11 months

Puṇya of not eating meat Traditional commentaries on these verses, especially on the verse from Yājñavalkyasmṛti tell that if a Brāhmaṇa abstains even from eating the meat which is allowed by Śāstras, he attains the phala of Aśvamedha Yajña and gets all his desires fulfilled.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 months

From William Ward's book "A View of the History, Literature, and Religion, of the Hindoos" published in 1824. Persons of all castes depicted here, do not substantially differ in clothing (and appearance).

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

"यावत्संसारम् एष धर्मः" - मेधातिथि (मनुस्मृति २.१) "जब तक संसार (रहेगा), तब तक यह (वैदिक) धर्म (विद्यमान रहेगा)"

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

One complete circle Nāgeśabhaṭṭa in his Vrātyatāprāyaścittanirṇaya quotes Matsya Purāṇa to say that in Kaliyuga there shall be only one varṇa, like there was only one varṇa in Satyayuga.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Read the story of a Cāṇḍāla named Mūka, mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa), with whom Viṣṇu stayed in the form of a Brāhmaṇa. Mūka served his parents with utmost love and sincerity, which pleased Viṣṇu. Mūka was given supernatural perception also.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

11 months

Got to know that at the Charbhuja Nath temple of Krishna at Rajsamand, Rajasthan, the pujaris are Gurjars. As per legends, their ancestor was instructed by Krishna to perform puja for him. There are around 1000 families, members of which take this responsibility.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Śaṅkarācārya Śrī Bhāratī Tīrtha Mahāsvāmī on chanting the names of Bhagavān. [From the video: ]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

∙ Women who did not follow the rules and customs of the society ∙ Śūdras who were wearing the symbols of Dvijas ∙ Śūdras who were not directly serving the Dvijas ∙ People who served Śūdras, etc. (3/3)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Purāṇasāra of Śrī Vidyāraṇya A comprehensive text where the various topics of Purāṇas ranging from Dharma to Brahman, have been presented. Purāṇas being accessible to all people in a Śāstrīya manner, the aim of the text seems to be educating them in Dharma & Brahman. [1/2]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

While writing my PhD thesis, I came across many ancient Sanskrit texts where ideas of great scholars were challenged, both in a polite as well as blunt manner. Curious to know if their disciples took it as an insult or as a part of the Śāstric process.

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

Upanayana of women : King of Jaipur, Mahārājā Savāī Jayasiṃha 17th-18th centuries CE, commissioned a text titled 'Vrātyatāśuddhisaṅgraha'. Along with discussing Vrātya men, it also mentions that Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya & Vaiśya women are eligible for Upanayana. [1/2]

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

पूरब जनम हम ब्रांह्मण होते, वोछे करम तप हीनां। रांमदेव की सेवा चूका, पकरि जुलाहा कीन्हां॥ - सन्त कबीर दास, पद ४४, राग आसावारी ‘पूर्व जन्म में मैं ब्राह्मण था, किन्तु ओछे कर्मों वाला और तप से हीन था। और राम देव की सेवा से चूक गया, अतः मुझे पकड़ कर जुलाहा कर दिया गया।’

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

3 years

Rote learning VS ancient Indian tradition of education 1.) In Śāṅkhāyaṇa Āraṇyaka 14.2, it's said that the one who, having studied the Veda, doesn't know the meaning of it, is like a pillar, and bears the burden, while the one who knows the meaning, alone prospers. (1/10)

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

Maharṣi Vālmīki : If Śūdras read/recite Rāmāyaṇa, they shall attain superiority/greatness. Commentator Govindarāja : But Śūdras are only allowed to hear Itihāsa etc. due to 'śrāvayeccaturo varṇān...', so only a brief reading is allowed, or 'read' here means 'hear'. +

Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

The Mahābhārata verse 'श्रावयेच्चतुरो वर्णान्…' itself seems clear on the subject of letting all 4 varṇas hear Vedas if Brāhmaṇas are made to sit in the front row. Śrī Karapātrī Svāmī has refuted such an interpretation by citing some verses from Mahābhārata. +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

2 years

Maharṣi Patañjali has made it easy for anyone who finds it difficult to meditate on objects given to them. He says: यथाभिमतध्यानाद्वा (योगसूत्र १.३९) One can make one's mind stable by meditating on anything one desires. You need not force it to become stable. +

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Dr. Satyan Sharma

@sharmasatyan

1 year

A closer reading of Manusmṛti makes it clear that without following Sāmānyadharma, performing Viśeṣadharma becomes a futile exercise.

Kushagra Aniket

@KushagraAniket

1 year

Kautilya has listed 5 components of Dharma, Shri Krishna: 7, Vidura: 8, Yajnavalkya: 9, Manu: 10, and Narada has listed 30. This is the universal Dharma that must be followed by everyone - before one even considers Varna-based Dharma. How many are following even 5?

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