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Concept of Śiștācāra
Hukam Chand Patyal
0.0. An attempt is made in this paper to discuss the concept of śistacara
('practice or conduct of the sistas' [ʻlearned or virtuous persons']). The word śista (< śās- (substituted by śis-, vide P. 6. 4. 34; 8. 3. 60; also see Vāyu P. i. 59.33; Matsya P. 145. 34)'. The earliest occurrence of the word sista adj. 'taught, instructed' is met with in AV. 2. 29. 4; 5. 26. 4
etc. also cf Śat Br. 13. 1. 6. 1 wherein sistāḥ prajāḥ means clever children'. 0.1. In ancient India, law was closely connected with religion. According to
the Dharma-texts, the whole body of dharma (sacred law) can be divided into three parts - namely ācāra 'rules of conduct or established practices'; vyavahāra 'rules of government and judicature or jurisprudence'; and prāyaścitta 'atonement or penance and expiation' (see especially the
division of Manu Sm. and Yājña Sm.). 1.0. The main contents of the Dharma - and Smrti - texts are concerned with
the duties of men in different stages of life, namely studenthood, householdership, renunciation, asceticism; they are also concerned with dietary regulations, and also with the rights and duties and functions of kings. These texts also deal with socio-religious matters, such as purificatory rites, funeral ceremonies, modes of hospitality, daily
observances etc. They are also concerned with juridical matters. 1.1. The term ācāra-religious custom, established usage—is transcendent
law, and that should be very carefully observed by a twice-born person (Manu Sm. 1. 108). The term dharma is the most comprehensive and important term in the whole range of Sanskrit literature. It embraces sacred law and duty, justice, religious merit etc. Many Dharma-texts enumerate three sources (mūlas) of dharma, namely the Veda, Tradition,
