we tend to get bogged down by minor procedural aspects.

While discussing Pranayamam, the discussion suddenly turned over to a Pramanam or Authority on touching the right ear.. Obviously praanaayamam is a breath exercise, involving control of intake and exhalation of air to and out of our lungs.. The fingers are to be used for closing the nostrils in the process, one can understand.. But touching of the ear.. which has obviously nothing to with the core process becomes a major point of discussion.. My view on such subordinate issues..

"the touching of right year saying "om hariH om" is a shistaachara.(traditional noble practice). we touch water also..

this is done on conclusion of every japam... or after chanting any part of Vedas,Shastras etc.

You are talking of Pramanam.. usually even the statements in Vedas can often contradict..

upanishads, dharamasasras, smruthis.. all hold varied views on many issues..

And there are concepts which are on core issues,

and concepts which are just procedural in nature..

Core issues are to be carefully studies and followed..

Procedure is important too..

But some leeway is always possible..

I find that when I try to post on core issues, the discussions are precipitated by minor procedural issues, which can vary with time, place, traditions and so on..

Smartha procedures... in Kerala and Tamilnadu vary, they are different for Vaishnavas, Shaivas and so on..

The glory of Hinduism is in its unity in diversity..

Ekam sat Vipraa Bahudhaa vadanti

In such matters where the basic structure of our faith is not exactly involved, it is simply meaningless to say or imply that what the individual poster follows is the only right path..

I can understand if in a discussion of Faith, if someone says I do not respect the tradition, and I do not think there is a Divine being, he may have to be excluded..

But difference in procedures is not of much significance..

If we look for pramanams for many things, we will reach funny situations..

I have tried to read many parts of the procedural aspects of Dharamasastrams and could not help feeling that many are not capable of being followed these days..often we feel stunted

And while expounding Dharmasastrams, the authors quote various rishis and scholars and we would find that many such views are diametrically opposite to one another.

We can follow the Individual paths of our ancestors according to the local traditions.. but should never try to say some other person following a variant path in procedure is not right."