Kritya Kalpataru is a significant Sanskrit text written by Lakshmidhara in the 12th century CE. It serves as a comprehensive compilation of Dharma, drawing from the Dharmashastras and Puranas. The text is divided into fourteen sections or kandas, each addressing specific aspects of Hindu dharma and daily life. Here’s an overview of the kandas:
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Brahmachari Kanda: This section deals with the duties of a brahmachari (celibate student). It outlines the principles and practices that a student must follow during their educational phase, emphasizing discipline, learning, and the maintenance of celibacy.
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Grihastha Kanda: Focuses on the duties of a householder (grihastha). It includes guidelines for leading a righteous life, managing household responsibilities, and fulfilling social and familial obligations.
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Naiyata Kala Kanda or Ahnika Kanda: This section outlines the daily rites a householder should perform. It includes rituals, prayers, and practices that are to be observed on a daily basis to maintain spiritual discipline and household sanctity.
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Shraddha Kanda: Discusses rites for ancestors (shraddha). It provides detailed procedures for performing rituals that honor and appease the ancestors, ensuring their peace and the well-being of the living descendants.
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Dana Kanda: Covers donations and gifts (dana). It elaborates on the types of donations that should be made, the appropriate recipients, and the auspicious times for giving, highlighting the importance of charity in Hindu dharma.
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Pratishtha Kanda: Deals with setting up and consecrating images (pratishtha). This section provides instructions for the installation and consecration of idols and temples, ensuring they are sanctified and fit for worship.
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Puja Kanda: Focuses on worship (puja). It includes the various forms of worship, rituals, and ceremonies to be performed to different deities, enhancing the devotee’s spiritual connection.
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Tirtha Kanda: Addresses sacred places and pilgrimages (tirtha). It lists important pilgrimage sites and the merits of visiting these places, encouraging devotees to undertake pilgrimages as a means of spiritual purification.
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Vrata Kanda: Discusses vows (vrata). This section explains various vows that can be undertaken by devotees, their significance, and the procedures for observing them.
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Shuddhi Kanda: Covers purificatory rites (shuddhi). It details the rites and rituals for purification, both physical and spiritual, necessary to maintain cleanliness and sanctity in daily life.
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Rajadharma Kanda: Focuses on the duties of kings (rajadharma). It outlines the ethical and moral responsibilities of rulers, including justice, governance, and protection of the subjects.
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Vyavahara Kanda: Deals with laws (vyavahara). This section provides a comprehensive legal framework, including civil and criminal laws, dispute resolution, and the administration of justice.
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Shanti Kanda: Discusses rites for propitiation (shanti). It includes rituals and ceremonies aimed at pacifying deities, averting calamities, and ensuring peace and harmony.
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Moksha Kanda: Focuses on the means of attaining liberation (moksha). This section outlines the spiritual practices and philosophical understandings necessary for achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Context and Similar Texts
The Kritya Kalpataru serves as a handbook for the basic Hindu way of life, providing a detailed guide for adhering to dharma through various stages and aspects of life. It aligns closely with other significant texts such as:
- Chaturvarga Chintamani by Hemadri (13th century CE), which similarly compiles various aspects of dharma and religious practices.
- Viramitrodaya (17th century CE), another comprehensive text that covers a wide range of topics related to Hindu law and dharma.
Together, these texts form a critical part of Hindu literature, offering in-depth guidance on the religious, social, and ethical duties prescribed in Hindu tradition.