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Shambuka Story: Vindicating Rama

  Shambuka Story: Vindicating Rama The Shambuka story is one of the controversial portions in the Ramayana, assuming Uttara Khanda is canonical. While I do think Uttarakhanda is a latter addition to the Valmiki Ramayana, I still believe its core narratives were from the same tradition as the main Valkmiki Ramayana. The Shambuka story is basically Rama killing Shambuka for doing austerities as a Shudra (something prohibited in the Treta Yuga), which led to the death of a brahmin boy. This incident has sparked uproar for its seeming casteism. This blog post will try to vindicate Rama and try to show the histoircal and theological context that this narratives plays out in.  When Rama encounters Shambuka, he asks him who he is and what he is doing. When Shambuka confirms Rama's suspicion, he kills him on the spot with his sword.     Chapter 76 of the Uttarakhanda " “O Rama, I was born of a   Shudra   alliance and I am performing this rigorous penance in or...
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The Indology Interpratation is Best for Hinduism

 The Indology Interpratation is Best for Hinduism Up until now, I have been trying to analyse the Smriti texts from a traditionalist point of view, not resorting to the indology perspective where the texts like Manusmriti are a product of certain socio-political context as opposed to literally being divine revelations by sages and gods. However, I realise, that in order to defend Hinduism, we must adopt the indological position.  Hinduism can use the Indological interpratations, because,  being a pagan religion, it has and still can evolve with the times. The Egyptian religon in the Old Kingdom was different from when it was during the Middle Kingdom or New Kingdom. Why should Hinduism be different.  Moreover, if you believe in evolution, which most Hindus do, you are forced to treat these texts as compilations of laws and customs merely attibuted to divine beings for symbolical purposes. Think about it. As per the Puranic accounts, Swayambhuva Manu lived at the star...
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Shudras and Sanskrit: A Small Note

 Shudras and Sanskrit The Shudra is prohibited from Sanskrit, however, I will through my analysis show that this prohibition is much more nuanced that it meets the eye. Remember that we want a blend of liberalism and conservatism when analysing the scripture. The first source of the prohibition of Sanskrit for Shudras comes from the Skanda Purana 7.28.70: " 70. He should not have a tuft of hair on the head ṇor should he wear the sacred thread. He should not even utter  Saṃskṛta  language. He should not read a Vedic passage nor should he resort to  Trairātra  (fast for three nights). "    However, we should analyse this passage in full: " 54. If a Brāhmaṇa pilgrim does not beg for alms despite being in difficulties, if he is truthful and resolute in meditation, he renders service to the Tīrtha itself. 55.  Puṣkara  in  Kṛta Yuga ,  Naimiṣa  in  Tretā Yuga , Kurukṣetra in  Dvāpara  and Prābhāsika in Kali  Yuga...
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Women's Right to Vedic Study

 Women's Right to Vedic Study Prologue: The literature, especially on Mimamsa, is vast and too much for me, so I would like ti thank an acquaintance I met on social media who has provided me with the relevant texts and even offered their own view points for me to use. Introduction In a previous post, I argued for the right of married women to Vedic study. Now I will establish the right for all (Dvija) women for Upanayanam . Normally, people would cite women like  Lopamudra or Gargi or Sita  as evidence of women doing Vedic chanting, but the common response is that they are exceptions on account of being Uttama Stri . I will actually accept that response, and for the course of this article I won't cite Uttama Stri  as proof for Vedic study for women.  I also have made some standardized hermeneutical principles to stream line my arguments. You can refer to them here: https://bharatasamskriti.blogspot.com/2024/03/new-hermeneutical-principles-for.html?m=1 Origin of ...
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