Adi Shankara quotes Dharma Shastras like Manu in his Brahma Sutra Bhasya several times. So he accepts them.

Yes, he is one of the main people or founder of SMARTA sect which follows SMRITIS. He gave smritis abnormally high status and ignored all other scriptures as he loved caste. He was also against Shaivism presumably for the same reason.

I ain't speaking for any sects but one of Shaiva Tantras Kamika Agama even describes size of Tripundra to be worn by 4 Varnas and doesnt allow Chandalas to wear it !! Now what will you say for this ? @R.Kaushik P.S Bro - I accept Vishnu = Shiva = Devi

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru 1) When we say Tantra it generally means 64 granth. These can be 3*64 or more. Agamas are different texts and not Shruti like Tantra except in few sects There is no caste in Tantrik sects like Kaula, Kapalika, Aghori etc. 2) There is nothing wrong with that. It is for people in mode of life who are still attached to lineage, work etc. Kamika Agama 22.114-116 speaks about equality of caste as another possibility. For example - "If equal state of initiation is noticeable among many disciples... If equality is observed among many disciples with regard to caste and sacraments"

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru Sarvajnanottara Agama also clarifies this "For the seekers belonging to all castes and stages of life, different rules pertaining to directions, locations, appropriate time and so forth are prescribed .... But no such different rules are laid down for those who are devoted to the path of knowledge." It asks to totally reject caste system "Having completely abandoned all those attachments related to his.. lineage, caste.. the refined and enlightened seeker should contemplate the essential nature of his own self" Varna can also be changed as per Shiv Purans & Tantras

Thanks a lot brother. Could you just give the verse numbers. I was so dipressed that day reading Kamika Agama verses. Was reading Shiva Agams. @R.Kaushik

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru himalayanacademy.com/saivite-scriptures/… Kamika Agama 22.114-116 says it is possible to observe equality of caste and himalayanacademy.com/saivite-scriptures/sarvajnanottara-agam‌​a Sarvajnanottara agama 2.34 asks to discard caste & lineage. 2.41 says there are rules for people FOLLOWING caste life and not for those who leave it. Those who leave it are all equal.

Thanks bro, Bro I want to show you one picture, how could I show it ? COuld you come on Gmail / Hangouts etc ? @R.Kaushik

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru sorry... what's it about?? You can post the image here imgur.com/upload and send me a link here to the image :)

Bro thanks for the link SEe this : imgur.com/a/KAaOxaL @R.Kaushik

Also can you please quote change of Varna as per Shiva Tantras? Shiva Purana allows Sudra to become Mantra Bramhana thats all I know. What about Chandala ?? @R.Kaushik

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru That is just reference to Varna, nowhere do Vedas mean by birth. Please see this - hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/40884/21097 - There are at least 7 references against Brahmins based on birth.

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru Tantras are meant to be kept secret but you can look at all Tantrik sects like Kaul, Aghori, Kapalik, Kali-Tantriks, Nath (from which Yogi Adityanath belongs) etc. almost all their members are not Brahmins. But still here is one example of Chandala vs Brahmin hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/46401/21097 and same scripture says Vedic varnas are lost (just like Agama says) once you are initiated into Tantra.

I read these answers bro. Thanks a lot for the second link ! Its brilliant ! I myself wrote an answer saying Shudra Rishis in Vedas. Why so self contradictory is my question ! @R.Kaushik

Thanks @SethuSrivatsaKoduru :) Other Purans like Vishnu, Brahma & Srimad Bhagvat also give lots of information on changing Varna. So Vedas, Puranas, Tantra & Itihasa (especially Mahabharata) are all full of examples of Varna change or anti-caste statements !!

Bhagavata does give on one instance SB 7.11.35 , Mahabharata at many places and Shiva Purana at one instance. Thanks a lot for your help bro ! Sorry if I was rude @R.Kaushik

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru Bhagavat Puran in 7.11 calls 2nd birth into higher Varna as purification... and says in 2.4 that all kinds of people like "Kirāta, Hūṇa, Āndhra, Pulinda, Pulkaśa, Ābhīra, Śumbha, Yavana, members of the Khasa races and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified" .... From the kṣatriya known as Agniveśya came the celebrated brāhmaṇa DYNASTY known as Āgniveśyāyana (SB 9.2) .... There were EIGHTY-ONE younger ones, all born of Ṛṣabhadeva and Jayantī..... They all became perfectly qualified brāhmaṇas [from kṣatriyas].

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru That last one was from (SB 5.4.13). Now here is another one ..... From the son of Manu named Dhṛṣṭa came a kṣatriya caste called Dhārṣṭa. Although the Dhārṣṭas belonged to the kṣatriya caste, they were able to convert themselves into brāhmaṇas. (SB 9.2.17) .... So there are too many examples in ONLY Srimad Bhagavatam !!

Thanks a loooot bro !!!!You know a looot !!! @R.Kaushik

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru I try :) There are lot of examples in Brahma & Vishnu Puranas also if you want them I will be happy to post

some of them

@R.Kaushik Why not ! Please do if you are free ! Could I contact you rhough mail etc?

Verse 5.26 tells us how they first changed to Vaishyas in their life.... then they later in life changed to Brahmin

And as usual, Shivji is speaking against caste based on birth --- (Shiva in Brahma Purana Chapter 115. 41-42) Vaishya born in Kshatriya family becomes Brahmin after maturing53-65 Shiva - "Neither the womb of birth... Conduct is the real cause. All men are brahmins if their conduct is pure"

Now moving to Vishnu Puran

Prishadh was son of King (Kshatriya) Daksha but became a Shudra. Further he did Tapasya to achieve salvation after repenting. (Vishnu Puran 4.1.14, Parasara)

The sons of Nabhag became both Brahmin and Kshatriya (Vishnu Puran 4.2 beginning)

Various different kshatriyas became mlecchas (Vishnu Puran, 4.3.18)

Satyavrata was degraded to chandala (Vishnu Puran 4.3.7)

Shaunak became Brahmin though born in Kshatriya family. (Vishnu Puran 4.8.1)

There are many more !! But some people will never tell you ;) And sorry but I can't give out any contact details!!

As per Manusmriti, Vyasa should never have got initiated and he would not be Brahmin. Most Hindu scriptures are written by non-Brahmins...... Just few more examples:

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru

@SethuSrivatsaKoduru Thanks for reading :) Both were Brahmins, but Vyas was not born into such a family, unlike Valmiki who was born to both Brahmin parents. Mother of Vyasji was Varnsankar herself !!! Look up Satyavati. As per modern Manusmriti Varnsankar should not marry 4 Varna people.... and Varnsankar are not eligible for initiation!! So Vyasji should not have even worn sacred thread lol