Saturday, December 27, 2025

DHARMA SASTRAM- 2 QUESTION & ANSWER FORMAT

 

HARI! OM!

Q. 1.  Which of the following statements does dharmashastra say about desire?                                      a. One should not undertake any action with desire/out of desire.                                                                b. Those actions and duties which are prescribed in the Vedas are desirable.                                              c. It is natural for desire to arise in everyone, hence one should indulge in it within acceptable bounds.    d. One should not develop desire over anything.                                                                                       A. 1. It is natural for desire to arise in everyone, hence one should indulge in it within acceptable bounds.

Q. 2. Who among the following are most suited to acquire the knowledge of dharma?                             a. Those who are guided to the right path by wise seers.                                                                          b. Those who are well-versed in the Vedas.                                                                                                c. Those who are not attached to the material wealth and pleasures of this world.                                      d. Those who have led a fulfilling Grhastha life and are ready to undertake Vanaprastha Ashrama.           A. 2. Those who are not attached to the material wealth and pleasures of this world.                                Q. 3. Match the correct direction facing which a person should eat food, corresponding to their desired goal, in the following table:

S.No.

Goal

S.No.

Direction

i

Liberation

a

West

ii

Long Life

b

North

iii

Wealth

c

South

iv

Fame

d

East

 

 

 

 

A.3.  i  Liberation – Eat food facing SOUTH                                                                                              

         ii Long Life-   Eat food facing EAST                                                                                             

         iii  Wealth -    Eat Food facing WEST

         iv Fame – Eat Food facing NORTH         

Q.4. For Kshatriyas, the upanayana samskara should be done within the age of_____.                                   a. 16 ;   b.6 ; c.8 ;  d.22                                                                                                                                A. 4.  For Kshatriyas, the upanayana samskara should be done within the age of 16.      

Q. 5.  TripadA is known as “braHmaNa: mukham”. What does it refer to?                                               a. Omkara;  b. River Ganga;  c. Savitri mantra;  d. the 3 Vedas                                                                   A.5. The tripada is the 3 vedas.      

Q. 6. How does a learned brahmin acquire the benefit (phala) of chanting the Vedas, by performing the gayatri mantra-japa?

A. 6.The Gayatri Mantra is a powerful tool for holistic well-being and spiritual growth. The inner state is elevated and positively, influences the surrounding environment. 

A learned Brahmin is benefited with mental clarity, relief from stress, stability of emotions, protected from negative forces.

By regular practice of Gayatri Mantra Japa with correct pronunciation, the physical body energy is enhanced through the chakras and healing of any dosas also takes place.

However, chanting during sandhya kalaam only, need be with devotion, focus, understanding of the meanings and following of the rules strictly, as timing, body posture, focus, intention or attitude.

  Q. 7. Explain Manusmrti’s views on excessive consumption of food, based on the verse beginning “anArogyamanAyuShyam..”                                                                                                                   A.7. The sloka, advices against excessive eating. Overeating causes illness, reduces lifespan, prevents heaven, brings demerit and makes one disliked. So over eating should be avoided. 

Q.8. Who is a “Jitendriya:”? What is the importance of “indriyanigraha” (control over the senses)?

A.8. Jitendriya (जितेन्द्रिय) refers to “one who is self-controlled” representing a desirable characteristic of a true practitioner. He who has become absorbed in one object, silently not thinking of anything else, having abandoned everything prior is free from any undertaking. He is a friend to all, endures all, is indifferent [to all things], his senses controlled (Jitendriya), his fear and anger have ceased, his desire slain, [this] man is free”.

Indriya-nigraha is necessary to attain mokṣa from trans-migratory existence. Mokṣa can be attained either through Jnana or through  bhakthi . For either of these paths, mind  is the chief mode of  Sadhana or spiritual practice. Since the Indriyas' or the sense-organs are allowed to go towards the sense-objects, it can make the mind impure or distracted and hence, there is a great need to reign them in. This is the meaning of the word Indriyanigraha.

The Indriyas' must be directed towards the objects or persons associated with God. By doing so, they bring in pure vibrations that help the aspirant to cleanse the mind. This summarizes the importance of  Indriyanigraha, which is nothing but control of senses. 

Q.9. How should a shishya conduct himself towards his guru, according to Manusmrti and Gurugita?

A.9. Guru-Sishya relationship is a Parampara or a tradition. It is considered that this relationship, based on the genuineness of the guru and the respect, commitment, devotion and obedience of the student, is the best way for subtle or advanced knowledge to be conveyed. The student eventually masters the knowledge that the guru embodies.

In this tradition or parampara, the shishya remains with his or her guru as a family member and gets the education as a true learner

Diksha(formal initiation): A formal recognition of this relationship, generally in a structured initiation ceremony where the guru accepts the initiate as a  Shishya and also accepts responsibility for the spiritual well-being and progress of the new Shishya. 

Shiksha (transmission of knowledge): Sometimes this initiation process will include the conveying of specific esoteric wisdom and/or meditation techniques.

Gurudakshina, where the Shishya gives a gift to the Guru as a token of gratitude, often the only monetary or otherwise fee that the student ever gives. Such tokens can be as simple as a piece of fruit or as serious as a  Thumb, as in the case of Ekalavya and his guru Dronacharya.

Guru Gotra, refers to the practice of adopting the name of guru or the parampara as one's gotra (surname) instead of gotra at birth. The disciples of same guru, especially in the same cohort, are referred to as guru bhrata (brother by virtue of having same guru) or guru bhagini (sister by virtue of having same guru).

 

 JAI HIND! JAI SANATHANA DHARMA! 

No comments:

Post a Comment