Dating In Hinduism: Exploring Religious Sin And Taboos

Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world and is also referred to as a way of life. One source states that dating is not a sin in Hinduism, but pre-marital sex is not allowed. Another source states that dating without sex is not wrong but can have unwanted long-term effects.

Pre-marital sex is considered a sin

Hinduism is a religion and a way of life with over 1 billion followers, making it the third-largest religion globally. As one of the world's oldest religions, its beliefs on relationships and sex vary across its believers. While some Hindus believe that sex is a distraction from the pursuit of Moksha, or liberation from suffering, others see it as one of the most beautiful and legitimate pleasures on earth—but only within marriage.

Dating is not considered a sin in Hinduism, but pre-marital sex is. Hinduism teaches that sex should only occur between a husband and wife. This is because marriage is seen as a lifelong commitment between two families, and sex outside of this union is considered to bring shame to both the couple and their families.

The Manusmriti, a Hindu text, forbids sexual intercourse with a virgin girl outside of marriage and outlines provisions for the atonement of this sin. Additionally, the Parashara Smriti declares that unmarried maidens becoming mothers are traits of the Kali Yuga, when irreligion will overthrow religion.

The Chandogya Upanishad also refers to general rules of conduct, independent of one's ashrama (stage of life), and states that sleeping with a teacher's wife is a sin. This text also mentions that sleeping with a virgin maiden is considered equally as bad.

Some Hindus believe that pre-marital sex with a Hindu girl will cause her harm, as she will be known as a doshavati, and her children will be ineligible to perform even the funerary rites of their parents.

However, it is important to note that Hinduism is practiced in many different ways, and there are varying opinions on this topic. Some Hindus may not see pre-marital sex as a sin, especially in modern times and Western cultures, where casual sex is normalised. Ultimately, the intention and potential harm caused to others are considered more important than strict rules.

Drinking alcohol depends on caste

Hinduism is a diverse religion with many different sects and interpretations of religious texts. While some sects forbid the consumption of alcohol, others permit it, and still, others include it in their rituals and ceremonies. The consumption of alcohol is influenced by factors such as caste and gender.

Brahmins, the highest-ranking caste of religious leaders, are forbidden from drinking alcohol. This prohibition also extends to other upper-caste groups who are strict vegetarians. However, there are differing views on alcohol consumption among the other three Varnas or castes.

The Vishnu Smrti (22:84) states:

> The ten intoxicating drinks are unclean for a brahmana, but a Kshatriya and a Vaishya and Sudra commit no wrong in drinking them.

The Manusmriti, a key text outlining the norms and codes of conduct for various social classes, also presents conflicting messages. While it states that drinking alcohol is one of the biggest sins, it also mentions that there is no fault in drinking liquor, and abstention only brings greater rewards:

> There is no sin in the eating of meat, nor in wine, nor in sexual intercourse. Such is the natural way of living beings; but abstention is conducive to great rewards.

The Manusmriti further outlines different regulations for alcohol consumption among the castes. While the Kshatriya caste, comprising warriors and rulers, is allowed to consume alcohol in moderation as part of their social and ceremonial functions, the Brahmins are generally discouraged from consuming alcohol due to their spiritual and religious responsibilities.

The Garuda Purana also acknowledges the differing views on alcohol, stating:

> Used judiciously, wine relieves a person of worries; otherwise, it leads one to hell (through excessive use). It gives the ability to work, helps the natural functions, and blesses with beauty. Judicious use of wine is like that of the nectar of immortality.

The Brahmanda Purana includes a dialogue between Indra and Sage Brihasapati about liquor, indicating a level of acceptance, or at least acknowledgment, of alcohol within this sect.

Tantric Hinduism, which includes some of the more esoteric Hindu beliefs, allows for the consumption of alcohol as Prasadam, meaning it is first offered to the gods as Naivedyam.

Overall, while some Hindu sects do allow for alcohol consumption, the general recommendation is that drinking is optional in moderation or best avoided altogether. Hindus in certain sects or those committed to strict adherence to Hindu recommendations on food and drink will abstain from alcohol.

Dating is not a sin

Dating is not considered a sin in Hinduism. However, pre-marital sex is considered wrong in Hinduism. Hinduism does not allow sex with anyone other than one's wife. In fact, a woman engaging in pre-marital sex is known as a doshavati, and children born to her are ineligible to perform even the funerary rites of their parents.

Dating can bring a lot of love and compassion into one's life. It is normal to feel lonely and want to be in an intimate relationship. In the Western world, particularly in the US, dating is often synonymous with having sex. However, dating does not necessarily have to lead to sex. One can date without sex, and it is not considered wrong per se in Hinduism.

The key principle in Hinduism is to not harm others. As long as one's intentions are right and their actions do not cause harm to others, it is generally considered permissible. Hinduism is a religion as well as a "way of life", and it is up to the individual to follow the way of life that works for them.

While dating may not be a sin, it is important to consider the potential long-term effects, both for society and one's personal life. For those who wish to raise their children in the Hindu faith and pass down unique family traditions, it may be best to limit dating to the purpose of marriage to a Hindu partner of a similar background or to opt for an arranged marriage. However, if one intends to let their children assimilate into American culture and is not insistent on them being extremely religious, there is little point in avoiding dating, especially if that is what appeals to them.

Ultimately, Hinduism does not provide a rigid structure that must be followed. It is a flexible religion that allows individuals to make choices that align with their own beliefs and values.

Sins can be atoned for by penance

In Hinduism, the concept of sin is different from that of Abrahamic religions. There is no concept of original sin, and no one can ever be truly free from sin until Judgment Day as in Christianity. Instead, sin in Hinduism is an aspect of a duality, with its opposite being virtue or dharma.

Sin in Hinduism is a consequence of desire-ridden actions, evil nature, karma, Maya and dereliction of Dharma. It is not a rigid rule book, and the concept of sin is not found in the Vedas or the Puranas. However, the idea of sin forms the basis of Hindu ethics and morality, and its purpose is to facilitate order and regularity in the world, enforce Dharma, and allow the evolution of beings through a corrective and punitive process.

Hinduism teaches that sins can be atoned for by penance, also known as Prāyaścitta in Sanskrit. This term refers to voluntarily accepting one's errors and misdeeds, confession, repentance, and performing penance to undo or reduce the karmic consequences. It includes atonement for intentional and unintentional misdeeds. The ancient Hindu literature on repentance, expiation, and atonement is extensive, with the earliest mentions found in the Vedic literature.

• Abhiśasta (public confession): Visiting homes as a beggar, seeking forgiveness, confessing one's crimes, and asking for food.
• Anutāpa (repentance): Loathing one's evil actions, reminding oneself, and repeating, "I shall not do that again".
• Prāṇāyāma (restraint of breath): Performing breath control exercises similar to yoga.
• Tapas: Practicing austerity such as celibacy, wearing wet clothes until they dry, sleeping on the ground, or fasting.
• Homa: Performing a fire sacrifice accompanied by kusmanda mantras.
• Japa: Reciting Vedic prayers audibly, inaudibly, or mentally.
• Dāna: Giving gifts such as a cow, horse, land, butter, sesame seeds, or food to the needy.
• Upavāsa or Vratas: Restricting one's diet by eating bland foods or small quantities as a self-reminder of penance, sometimes with vows.
• Tirtha (pilgrimages): Going on foot to distant pilgrimage sites or bathing in holy rivers.
• Upavasa (restricting diet or fasting) and Vrata: These are the most common forms of penance prescribed in the Dharma texts of Hinduism.
• Śāntis: Rites performed to come to terms or create peace with fears, doubts, portents, or omens.
• Atonement or expiation: Performing Vedic rituals to overcome defects or errors, resolve sins that may result from various offenses, and correct blemishes in character or conduct.
• Austerities, tapah: Removing sins and impurities from the mind and body through penances, fasting, virtuous conduct, self-control, celibacy, non-violence, truthfulness, austere living, and the practice of silence.
• Rituals and sacrifices: Performing Vedic rituals or sacrifices to remove impurities that may arise from birth, actions, relationships, accumulated karma of past lives, place or direction-related problems, defects in the design of a house or building, negligence of duty, improper conduct, sickness, disease, and association with evil people and practices.
• Prayers and Mantras: Reciting prayers and mantras such as the Gayatri, Panchakshari, or the syllable Aum, which are believed to have the power to remove sins when correctly chanted a certain number of times.
• Recitation of scriptures: Reciting sacred texts such as the Brahmanas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, Tantras, Puranas, and the epics to cultivate knowledge, sattva, and overcome sins and impurities.
• Vratas: Performing ritual observances, fasting, and adhering to strict codes of conduct to overcome the consequences of sinful karma, adversity, suffering, or impurities.
• Visiting pilgrimages: Going on pilgrimages to sacred places, hills, and rivers, which are believed to have the power to cleanse sins and grant either a good birth or liberation.
• Bathing in sacred rivers: Bathing in sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Kshipra, Krishna, or Godavari is believed to remove all sins and ensure liberation.
• Yoga and Meditation: Practicing Pranayama, meditation, and the Eightfold practices of Patanjali's Yogasutras to atone for sins and facilitate liberation.
• Blessings of saints and gurus: Seeking blessings from self-realized saints, sadhus, and mahatmas, who are believed to possess supreme knowledge and divine powers to cleanse and bless those who approach them for help.
• Virtuous conduct: Accumulating virtuous karma by practicing non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, contentment, cleanliness, happiness, austerity, self-study, and devotional service to God.
• Dana (gift-giving): Giving gifts such as food, cattle, gold, silver, land, water, or contributing to the construction of a temple or water tank.

Cheating on your partner is a sin

Hinduism considers marriage a sacred and sanctified relationship, and cheating on your partner is a sin. Adultery is a mortal sin and is considered a serious breach of dharma. According to the Hinduism dictionary, adultery is sexual intercourse between a married individual and someone who is not their spouse.

Hinduism does not support adulterous liaisons, and individuals who engage in such acts face severe consequences, including public disrespect, societal humiliation, and, in some cases, even physical punishment. The Hindu Marriage Act explicitly prohibits polygamy and prescribes punishment for those who violate the law.

The ancient Hindu law books reflect a discriminatory approach and gender bias, with harsher punishments for women involved in adulterous relationships. Literary evidence suggests that ancient Hindu society did not condone adultery, and there are various stories in Hindu mythology and folklore that illustrate the severe consequences of such acts.

Hinduism views marriage as a sacred bond that extends over several lifetimes, and the sanctity of this bond must be maintained and upheld at all times. The marriage vows are meant to ensure that both spouses remain faithful to each other and perform their obligatory duties to uphold dharma.

While dating is not considered a sin in Hinduism, premarital sex is generally discouraged. According to some sources, premarital sex is explicitly stated to be wrong in Hindu scriptures, and individuals who engage in such acts may face negative karmic repercussions.

Overall, Hinduism strongly condemns cheating and adultery, considering it a sin and a breach of the sacred commitments and bonds of marriage.

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