What kind of references are valid in answers? Are modern works allowed?

Question

This is a question about what kind of references have to be provided when writing answers on Hinduism.SE.

My basic question is: Are modern shlokas, scriptures, views, sayings etc. valid when using them as references? Or are only references from the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and other ancient texts considered valid?

Also, what time frame is considered ancient or non-modern? Can a reference given to prove a point from plays, poems, fictional plays etc. valid? E.g., are Kalidasa's plays considered valid and authentic? Books and scriptures of what period i.e., pre-modern, pre-medieval etc. should be referred to for writing answers?

Return to FAQ index

Answer 1

From lowest quality to highest quality of references (according to me).

• Wrong reference [for example, misquoting]

  These should be avoided as they could be misleading.

• Missing reference (for example, a link that doesn't work]

  These are to be avoided, if the answer contains only the link.

• Extremely Broad reference (for example, reference: Veda, Good luck!]

  Specific is always better. Because the information can be verified or understood easily by going to the respective chapter and verse.

• Opinion

  Opinions are ok, if backed up with logical inference or scriptural inference. Otherwise, they need to be avoided.

• Blogs or Yahoo Answers,etc

  Blogs are usually unreliable and they simply contain other people's views.

• Wikipedia

  Wikipedia is not as unreliable as blogs, but still they are not considered a substitute for actual references. For more details, visit Is it OK to cite Wikipedia in answers?

• Puranas, Sayings of Saints, Authoritative texts (example: Yoga Sutras, Vivekachudamani, etc)

  Some people regard Puranas as highly authoritative texts. However in certain things, Puranas contain conflicting and sometimes sectarian literature. Similarly the sayings of saints are regarded highly by most Hindus. However there is usually disagreement between saints of different sects and also sometimes the question of is X a saint is not agreed by all.

• Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Gita

  These are considered Highest Truth by Vedantins. However they can be interpreted in numerous ways, which are sometimes conflicting. Also many disagree on the actual number of authentic Upanishads.

• Direct quotes from Gita, Veda, etc without relying on commentary

  Probably the best kind of reference if available. So that there need be no scope for interpretation. The answer would be crystal clear.

So the higher in the list, the higher the likelihood of getting upvotes. The lower entries have risk of getting deleted or changed to comments. The middle values usually either get less upvotes or sometimes downvotes as well.

Kalidas poems, etc. would be considered as 'Sayings of Saints' according to me and therefore, perfectly valid references!

Modern Shlokas may be considered authentic according to me, if, there is either a sect that accepts it, or a saint who quoted it.

All the best.

Answer 2

Are modern shlokas, scriptures, views, sayings etc. valid when using them as references? Or are only references from the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and other ancient texts considered valid?

It should depend on the subject of the question asked. All the questions here can be classified into 2 categories,

1. Questions revolving around Dharma, Mokśa or Adṛṣṭa phenomenon (About teachings of Hinduism)
2. Questions revolving around history, archaeology, etc., which can't be answered from scriptures & are basically about meta-Hinduism (i.e, about Hinduism, not about teachings of Hinduism)

Now, For the questions falling in the 1st category, reference(s) to either scriptures or works of a valid authority belonging to one of the sect of Sanātana Dharma must be accepted, nothing else. And works of an ācārya or peeṭha-adhipati of any sect/peeṭha makes for a valid authority. About the questions falling in the 2nd category, researches of a scholar(s) can be permissible as a reference.

For example,

• References to Osho's works mustn't be allowed as references here because he is like us only with some following. Quoting him is akin to quoting some content of my blog. You can't quote my opinions as answers here, however published somewhere sophistically, similarly you can't quote Osho, etc. here.
• References to the works of Swami Vivekananda would be allowed as references here because he was the peeṭha-adhipati of RK mutt.

Also, what time frame is considered ancient or non-modern? Can a reference given to prove a point from plays, poems, fictional plays etc. valid? E.g., are Kalidasa's plays considered valid and authentic? Books and scriptures of what period i.e., pre-modern, pre-medieval etc. should be referred to for writing answers?

Consideration of time frame would become irrelevant provided whatever that has been said prior to the last quotation come into affect. i.e, if it's coming from Swami Vivekananda then it can be valid whereas if coming from Osho then invalid.