texts: Why did Tvastar, the father of Vritra fashion the Vajra that killed his own son?

texts:
The Shatpatha Brahmana states that Vritra was created by Tvastar to avenge the killing of Trisiras by Indra. However, many verses in RV call Tvastar the creator of Vajra for example Rigved 1.32.1 says:

  1 I WILL declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the Thunder-wielder.
  He slew the Dragon, then disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the mountain torrents.
  2 He slew the Dragon lying on the mountain: his heavenly bolt of thunder Tvaṣṭar fashioned.
  Like lowing kine in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the ocean.

My question is, why did Tvastar, create the only weapon that could destroy his own son?


texts:
Bhragu, Vashishta etc. seems to be the first Brahmins.

Priyavrata and Uttānapāda seems to be the first Kshatriyas.

Is there any mention about the first Vaisya either in guna based or birth based varna system?

EDIT:

I have removed Shudra part as it's already asked in Who was the first śūdra to be born or appear on Earth? question.


texts:
I had a dream of lord shiva standing he was completely white. He was standing right in the center of  a wooden bark artifact that I have above my bed.
Saw it twice. Will never forget the image


texts: I recently inherited this little statuette, yet with my little knowledge of Hinduism, I don't know who it is.


texts:
I am not fully sure whether this is the most appropriate site to ask this question. If it is not, please suggest a more proper one.

I am currently learning sanskrit and have been meaning to acquire a paper version of Mahabharata and some other books. In doing so, I have stumbled across the Clay Sankrit Library. It seems to have been a great project (it is said that it dissolved a few years ago), but I cannot tell whether they managed to print everything they set out to print.

Hence, my questions are as follows (in no particular order).

What is a good way to purchase Mahabharata and other works in hardcover paperbacks in good print, but without them being rare collector's editions?
How are Clay's books? Is the print quality good?
Is Clay's collection complete? That is, if one purchases it, will he have the complete Mahabharata or will something be missing?

Much appreciated.


texts: How is our physical body made of Panchabhutas?

texts: Indian Philosophy says Panchabhutas make composition of our body. Panchabhutas are Earth Water Air Fire Sky. How can they make our physical body? Isn't our Physical Body made of cells as science proves?


texts: What does Vishishtadvaitins mean when they say Lord Vishnu is antaryami?

texts:
Sri Vaishnavas says Vishnu is antaryami which means He is residing within the soul. But I am unable to get this concept exactly. Do they mean In a particular part of the soul, he is residing,  like a center of mass? But what about then other parts in the soul, he is not residing in other parts of the soul? If he is residing in other parts then duality between Vishnu & Jiva ceases to exist. But if he doesn't reside all over the Jivatma then how he is omnipresent?

So keeping above sub queries in mind, can anyone explain what does it mean when we say Lord Vishnu is antaryami?


texts: What are the arguments to show that the other Vedas are less authentic than the Rig Veda Samhita?

texts:
It is a belief of some neo-Hindus or modern Hindus that the Rig Veda Samhita (RVS) is the true scripture or foundational scripture of Hinduism, while the other Vedas like the Yajur Veda, etc. are less authentic.
This belief originates from western indologists who say that the rig veda was first composed, then yajus, then sama, and lastly atharva.
Moreover, they also claim that the Samhita portion of each Veda is more authentic than the other portions like Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads especially.
From this it follows that the other Vedas have to be interpreted in accordance with the Rig Veda Samhita, and some even go so far as to say that those Vedas have interpolated verses, since the content of those verses is supposedly not mentioned in the RVS.
For example, the Yajur Veda purusha sukta (PS) hymn has extra verses than the RVS PS hymn. In those extra verses, one verse states that Lakshmi is the wife of the Purusha. But since these extra verses are not mentioned in the RVS PS hymn, it is concluded that it is an interpolation.
Second of all, "less authentic" does not mean "not authentic", and so it would still be "authentic". So then why not accept the PS of the yajur veda?
My question is, what is the basis for asserting that these Vedas are "less authentic" than the RVS?
As a matter of fact, no ancient Vaidika or Rishi has ever asserted that the other Vedas are less authentic than the RVS. Scholars like Vyasa, Jaimini, Shabara, Adi Shankara, and Kumarila Bhatta all hold that all four Vedas are equally authoritative since they are all  apaurusheya.
So what are the arguments to show that the other Vedas are less authentic than the Rig Veda Samhita?


texts: Matsya avatar is known as the first avatar of lord Vishnu and Varaha comes after that but Varaha came in First Manvantar while Matsya came in seventh. Can someone explain.


texts: If I do seriously  bad karma against other guy, I will obtain result of it. But my question is what will happen to other guy why should he suffer from me. Had he done previously bad karma so is he suffering from my hand? If not How his suffering is balanced out?


texts:
There are 3 gunas - Sattva, Rajas, Tamas.

There are 5 jnana indriyas - hear, touch, see, taste, smell

and 5 karma indriyas - hands, feet, speech, procreation, waste

These above 10 are our only means of interacting with the world. And in the world, there are many items which have a mixture of above 3 gunas, some dominating others.

Question is - For each of the above organs of knowledge and action, what are the corresponding stimuli that will increase Satva guna in the person ?

e.g.
For ears - hearing Bhagavan's Nama increases Sattva.
For hands - doing puja increases Sattva

Our senses constantly ask for gratification. It is very hard to sit still and do nothing. But doing whatever the senses please also leads us further down in samsara because most attractions are filled with Rajas + Tamas. On the other extreme, it is also hard to be engaged in devotion all the time like saints, since most people are loukikas

So, since it's not easy to 'slay' the senses, how to engage all 5 senses constantly in such a way that only Sattva guna predominates
i.e. what are all the Satvik attractions available for a wordly-minded person ?


texts: Significance of House-warming (Griha pravesham) ceremony

texts: In Indian tradition,before a newly constructed house or rented house is occupied Griha pravesham(house warming ceremony) is performed.What are the real significances of this ritual? What is the consequence of not performing this ritual?


texts: Origin and meaning of the Saraswathi shloka

texts:
What is the origin and meaning of the following shloka

Om Sri Gnana Saraswathi devathayai namaha,
śaradiṃdu samākāre  parabrahma svarūpiṇe
vāsarā pīṭha nilaye sarasvatī namostute


texts: What is the story Shiva spilling his semen in the case of Manasa's birth?

texts: In this question,it is discussed that Manasa was born when Shiva's semen  touched a statue carved by Kadru.Can someone provide me with the story of this?Does it have any scriptual basis?


texts: Are there any critical analyses of Hindu myths?

texts:
First of all, myths do not mean tall tales because by 20th century people realized that all the myth around the world has a secondary element of truth.

Now, there is an incident in Greek myth Odyssey where Odysseus and his companions got stuck on a island. The island had a lot of cattle and they happened to be dearer to God Helios, so killing them or consuming them was strictly forbidden. His companions anyways eat them, and made Helios furious, and they all died after Helios cursed them.

Since consumption of cattle was not forbidden in Greek culture, scholars explained this incident as an indication in change in food habits of Greeks at that time may be because cattle became scarce.

Similarly, there are many incidents within the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata like the Agni-pariksha of Sita, various incidents of Gandharva vivaha, etc., which the writers deliberately included to maintain some kind of status quo or describe some sort of social fabric? Or are these incidents simply included to justify existing rituals?

So my question is:

Did any one do a comprehensive critical analysis of Hindu myths within the purview of social, moral and ethical framework?


texts: Does anyone know the name of demons who got the boon from shiva to forever sing his prayers and stay in shiva's ears?

texts: Who are the demons who got the boon from shiva to forever sing his prayers and stay in shiva's ears? I believe they formed his earrings, but not sure about that story.


texts: Who is Ratri devi? Is she same or different from Devi Kaali?

texts:
Here is Ratri Suktam from Rig Veda

CXXVII

  1.WITH all her eyes the Goddess Night looks forth approaching many a spot:
  She hath put all her glories on.

  2 Immortal. she hath filled the waste, the Goddess hath filled height and depth:
  She conquers darkness(Tamas) with her light.

  3 The Goddess as she comes hath set the Dawn her Sister in her place:
  And then the darkness vanishes.

  4 So favour us this night, O thou whose pathways we have visited

  As birds their nest upon the tree.
  5 The villagers have sought their homes, and all that walks and all that flies,
  Even the falcons fain for prey.

  6 Keep off the she-wolf and the wolf, O Urmya, keep the thief away;
  Easy be thou for us to pass.

  7 Clearly hath she come nigh to me who decks the dark with richest hues:
  O Morning, cancel it like debts.

  8 These have I brought to thee like kine. O Night, thou Child of Heaven, accept
  This laud as for a conqueror.

Now this is a hymn dedicated to Goddess of night Ratri devi. In this hymn She is called   the conqueror/destroyer of darkness/Tamas and She shares similar function of devi Kaali of the Agamas. So, is there a difference between two goddess or Is Ratri devi a form of Kaali maa?


texts: I have heard about Kakabhusundi, who described the cycle of creation and recreation of the universe. Who was he? and how had he attain such knowledge?


texts: Where does the four states of consciousness occurs in an individual?

texts:
Most of you might know according to Upanishads, there are the four fundamental states (4 states of consciousness) that a Jiva goes through...

Waking (conscious),
Dreaming (Unconscious),
Deep sleep (Subconscious) and
Turiya (consciousness /Absolute)

The first 3 states are what are experienced by us as living beings and able to differentiate wakefulness from sleep and dream. The 4th state (Turiya) is the consciousness of Brahman, which is simply experienced through yoga.

My Question:

Where does these four states of consciousness occurs in an individual?


texts: What is Mindedness(chitt ekaagrata) based on Hinduism?

texts:
There are many ways to find yourself, As per Hinduism Mindedness(chitt ekaagrata) is one way to find yourself.

I've also read that using of Mindedness with proper practice and Idol Worship, Which makes our life better as like became more concentrated, more active etc.

So there is any method of how to do that and how that helps.


texts: Why Shiva (an asectic god) has family while most other Gods don't?

texts:
Shiva or Mahadev is generally considered a deity of Sanyasi/yogis. Shiva himself is the greatest yogi and lives in Smashan. But unlike most other Hindu gods, he has a proper family. Parvati is his wife, and he has two sons (Kartikeya and Ganesha) and one daughter (Ashoksundari).

I wonder why a Sanyasi god has a family while most other gods don't.? Even if they have family they a not generally portrayed as one!

Edit: @AnkitSharma has given a nice answer but I already know what he is saying. I know that many gods have family (note that many of them have children only, they never lived as a whole family). But Shiva family live with each other like any other normal family. And it had got so much popularity, in any Hindu family at least one of Shiva's family member is worshiped.

I want to know are there any historical reason such that Aryan-Native mix-up or any philosophical or mythological reasons behind it. Why Shiva a Sanyasi (asectic) god (Many Shiva followers are also Sanyasis & do not believe in family life) is associated with a concept such as marriage & family?


texts: Why did Krishna punish Yudhishthira for lying after telling him to lie?

texts:
Drona was an exceptional fighter in the Mahabharata war and was unkillable on the battlefield. So to kill him, Krishna told the Pandavas to lie that Drona's son, Ashvattama, was killed, so that Drona would stop fighting and Drishtyadumna would kill Drona. Krishna says:

  This foremost of all bowmen is incapable of being ever vanquished by
  force in battle, by the very gods with Vasava at their head. When,
  however, he lays aside his weapons, he becomes capable of being slain
  on the field even by human beings. Casting aside virtue, ye sons of
  Pandu, adopt now some contrivance for gaining the victory, so that
  Drona of the golden car may not slay us all in battle. Upon the full
  of (his son) Aswatthaman he will cease to fight, I think. Let sonic
  man, therefore, tell him that Aswatthaman, hath been slain in battle.

In that same passage, Krishna also says that lying in such a situation is not a sin, and advises Yudhishthira to lie to Drona:

  "Meanwhile, O monarch, Govinda, knowing that Drona, that foremost of
  warriors, was capable of sweeping all the Pandavas off the face of the
  earth, became much distressed. Addressing Yudhishthira he said, 'If
  Drona fighteth, filled with rage, for even half-a-day, I tell thee
  truly, thy army will then be annihilated. Save us, then, from Drona.
  under such circumstances, falsehood is better than truth. By telling
  an untruth for saving a life, one is not touched by sin. There is no
  sin in untruth spoken unto women, or in marriages, or for saving king,
  or for rescuing a Brahmana.'

The Pandavas listened to Krishna's advice and lied to Drona that his son died.

However, after the war was over, the Pandavas were punished for this specific act of deception and were punished for this sin by experiencing an illusion of hell! This is what Yama told Yudhishthira in hell:

  O son of Pritha, thy brothers, O king, were not such as to deserve
  Hell. All this has been an illusion created by the chief of the gods.

  Thou hadst, by a pretence, deceived Drona in the matter of his son.
  Thou hast, in consequence thereof, been shown Hell by an act of
  deception. After the manner of thyself, Bhima and Arjuna, and
  Draupadi, have all been shown the place of sinners by an act of
  deception.

The question is, why would Krishna, the supreme Brahman, tell the Pandavas to lie, and then punish them for it!?

Source


texts:
My gotra is Gargeya and I belong to a brahmin family. But I don't know who was Maharshi Garga.

Please tell me story if anybody know.


texts:
In Narayaniya portion of the Shanti Parva in Mahabharata, Sri Hari tells Narada:

  Assuming a form that is manifest, I dwell, at present, in the heavens. At the end of a thousand Yugas I shall once more with-draw the universe into myself. Having withdrawn all creatures, mobile and immobile into myself, I shall exist all alone with knowledge only for my companion.

He is saying he alone will exist after withdrawing everything mobile or immobile into himself. So who will remain? Who is the companion mentioned?


texts:
When and how did Arjuna's Chariot bursts into flames?

Who had burnt out Arjuna's Chariot?

What happened to Hanuman who was sitting on the flag of this Chariot?


texts: Reason for friendship between Indra and Takshaka

texts: Takshaka and Indra are friends as per Mahabharata Khandava Vana burning episode. Is there any specific reason for their friendship?


texts: Who is sage Jalabimba and what is his connection to Vishnuswami and the Rudra Sampradayam?

texts:
As I discuss in my question here, Vishnu is said to have taught the principles of Vaishnavism to four disciples: Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva and Sanatkumara. And in turn they started the four main Sampradayas or traditions of Vaishnavism: Sri Sampradayam, Brahma Sampradayam, Rudra Sampradayam, and Kumara Sampradayam. Almost all Vaishnava sects belong to one of these Sampradayas; for instance the Sri Vaishnava sect (which I belong to), the Ramanandi sect (which I discuss here), and the Swaminarayan sect (which I discuss here) associate themselves with the Sri Sampradayam.  And the Madhvacharya sect and the Gaudiya Vaishnava sect (which ISKCON belongs to) associate themselves with the Brahma Sampradayam.  But my question is about the Rudra Sampradayam, the one founded by Shiva.

The most famous Acharya associated with the Rudra Sampradayam is Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Pushtimarg sect which worships the Srinathji form of Krishna (which I discuss here).  The reason that Vallabhacharya's followers consider themselves part of the Rudra Sampradayam is they believe that Vallabhacharya was in the disciplic succession of Vishnusvami, an earlier Vaishnava Acharya associated with the Rudra Sampradayam.  But in this journal paper, G. H. Bhatt argues that Vallabacharya did not actually belong to the disciplic succession of Vishnusvami, and that Vishnusvami believed in a dualistic philosophy that has no connection to Vallabacharya's philosophy of Shuddhadvaita.

But my question isn't about Bhatt's claim, but about one of the pieces of evidence that he uses to support his claim.  He quotes the Ramapatala, a purportedly centuries-old work from the Ramanandi sect which gives some information about Vishnusvami's sect.

  [I]n the school of Vishnusvami, Vishnukanchi is the Dharma-Shala, Markanda is the Kshetra, Indradyumna is the Vilasa, Sayujya is the Mukti, Jagannatha is the deity to be worshipped, and so also Kamala, Tulasi is the mantra, Tripurari is the Shakha, Vamadeva is the Acharya, Nayana is the Dvara, Puroshottama is the Dhama, Harinama is the food, Sunanda is the Parshada, Yajus is the Veda, Shukla is the Varna, Achyuta is the Gotra, Krishnaparibhrama near the Vata, Jalabimba is the rishi, and Nandika is the deity.

Now some of these are understandable; Vishnukanchi is a reference to the town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, which as I discuss here is the home to the Varadaraja temple, and Vishnusvami is said to have some connection to the building of the Varadaraja temple.  Markanda, Indradyumna, Jagannatha, Kamala, and Puroshatthama are all references to the Puri Jagannath temple, which is where Vishnusvami is said to have established a Vaishnava Matha, now controlled by Vallabhacharya's followers.  Tripurari and Vamadeva are things associated with Shiva, which makes sense considering that Vishnusvami was in the Rudra Sampradayam.  Sayujya is a reference to the form of liberation which I discuss here. And Yajur and Shukla may be references to the origin of the Pancharatra tradition from the Shukla Yajur Veda, which I discuss here.

But my question is, why does the Ramapatala say "Jalabimba is the rishi"?  Who is the sage Jalabimba and what is his connection to the Vishnusvami sect?  His name means "reflection in the water" if that helps.  Is it possible that Jalabimba is one of the gurus in the disciple succession between Shiva and Vishnusvami?  Does anyone know anything about the Parampara of the Rudra Sampradayam before Vishnusvami?

By the way, on a side note the Ramapatala should be taken with a grain of salt, because it was published by the Ramanandi sect Acharya Bhagavadacharya, and as I discuss in this question Bhagavadacharya published other documents of dubious authenticity.


texts: Does Shakuntala's son Bharata have a role in the naming of Bharatavarsha?

texts:
As is stated in Srimad Bhagavatam, Fifth Canto, 3rd sloka,

  Formerly this planet was known as Ajanābha-varṣa, but since Mahārāja Bharata’s reign it has become known as Bhārata-varṣa.
  (Reference)

Unlike common belief, this Bharata is the son of King Rshabhadeva, a partial avatara of Lord Vishnu.
But in the Mahabharata, the whole of Bharata race, and by extension, the country, is named after the son of Dushyanta and Shakuntala, who was also called by the same name.

So, my question is, what role does Shakuntala's son have in naming India as Bharatavarsha, if it was already named so? And if it was rechristened as "Bharatavarsha" twice, what was the name between the first and second Bharatas?


texts: If rebirth/reincarnation is true then what is one's first birth/incarnation?

texts:
I think the question in the title is complete and needs no further explanation :)

EDIT 1:
@SwamiVishwananda answered here that there is no first birth. But if there is previous birth, maybe that previous birth is the first birth so the question now becomes what is one's previous birth?


texts: What are the various attributes or qualities of Lord Narayana as per the scriptures?

texts: What are the various attributes or qualities of Lord Narayana as per the scriptures, for eg. omniscience, omnipotence, etc.?


texts: Body can move automatically ? Or there is somebody or now days or may be confidential God is moving ? If all this questions answered is yes GOD is created and moving. Then one last question what we are doing in this miserable world with three types of life childish, youngish and old age with limited life ? Thank-you.


texts: In Sankalpa mantra of Sandhyavandanam 'upasishye' means?

texts: The meaning of 'upasishye' and 'preetyartam'.


texts: What are the name of Hindu months based on Sun-god?

texts:
This question The story behind Names of Hindu calender Months? describes the popular name of Hindu months. These are as follows:

  Chaitra, Vaiśākha, Jyeṣṭha, Āṣāḍha, Śrāvaṇa, Bhādrapada, Ashvin, Kārtika, Agrahāyaṇa (Mārgaśīrṣa), Pauṣa, Māgha, Phālguna

These months are related to Moon-god and may be called as Lunar Months. Now I am looking for the name of Hindu Solar Months.

So my question is, does Hindu Solar Months exist? If yes, which scripture describe of the name of months related to Sun-god? And are those name of months related to twelve Adityas?


texts: Hevajra & Nairātmyā are Lord Siva & Ma Parvati respectively?

texts:
Three major branches of Buddhism along with their percentage of practitioners are

Mayāyāna - 53.2%
Theravad - 35.8%
Vajrayana - 5.7%

My interest is Vajrayana here. As you can see through the link, it is Tantrik tradition of Buddhism. Moreover, it is highly related to Shaivism (according to the link ).

Now Hevajra is considered to be the first enlightened being in Vajrayana. Some of the characteristics of Hevajra are happened to be as follows-

He is dark blue in color.
He appears from a syllable Hum which is appeared on a lotus. ( NOTE- Hum is pranava for Lord Shiva )
Each face of Hevajra has 3 eyes.
He is wrathful yet compassionate.
He dances with his consort Nairātmyā in ecstasy.
He has skulls with him.

At other places we found Hevajra is accompanied with 8 more females which are his consorts. Their name are as follows -

Gauri , holding a moon.
Cauri, holding a sun vessel.
Vetaali, holding a pure water.
Ghasmari, holding a medicine.
Pukashi, holding a vajra.
Savari, holding ambrosia.
Chandali, holding a drum.
Dombi, With hands dancing.

So, my question is basically whether there are any texts in Scriptures or Tantra ( Buddhist or Hindu ) which can be taken as sufficient to claim Hevajra & Nairātmyā as Lord Shiva & mother Parvati respectively.


texts: Why are Kshatriyas allowed to eat meat and other castes aren't?

texts: Why are only Kshatriyas allowed to eat meat? Surely the Brahmins should be allowed to eat meat as well because they are at the top of the caste system. Also since Dalits aren't technically in the caste system do they still practice Ahimsa?


texts:
The guru at the time of initiation takes on himself the sins of the disciple and suffers so much from physical maladies.

My question:

Is this true? Is this why many gurus suffer from various diseases?
Are there any reliable sources from our scriptures that can support this statement, if true?


texts: Can forgetfulness be considered as a sin?

texts:
Consider a person has forgetfulness as a habit, I.e., forgetting small things or small details regularly.

Does it consider as a sin?

Is there any incident in scriptures where a person forgets about something for a short period of time which has to be remembered resulting problem/pain in others life?


texts: Who was the sage who asked his disciples to guard his wife while he was away?

texts:
What was the name of the rishi who asked his disciple to watch over his wife while he was away? When he was away, Indra approached his wife.

Where does this story occur in Mahabharata. I can remember the story but I do not know which chapter it was.


texts: My name is Lokesh Sharma and my gotra is "Ratna Bhardwaj". I want to determine my Sutra, Shakha and Pravaras. Could someone please help me?


texts:
What is the story of Savitṛ deity? I am really confused between him and Surya, are they related? As per Wikipedia:

  Savitr disappeared as an independent deity from the Hindu pantheon after the end of the Vedic period.

But most of that wikipedia page made me more confused. So what does scripture say about Savitṛ? Is he and Surya same or different?


texts:
I understand from vedic scriptures that God created the souls and gave free will in the spiritual world, but the souls denied God's love and become materialistic. So Inorder to teach the souls a lesson God created this temporary material world and trapped the souls here so that the souls can understand materialistic desire is impermanent and only God's love is pure and eternal.

  My question is why God is forcing us to love only him and surrender to him?. Why the souls in spiritual world can't love other souls but should love only God?. Why God gave free will, but when the souls exercised the free will, God punished the souls?. Why the father is possessive of his children and why not let them be happy in the eternal spiritual world as everything even material things are eternal there?.


texts: Are the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali available online in Devanagari anywhere in copy/pastable text format?

texts: I am looking for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Sutras_of_Patanjali, do these exist in copy/pastable Devanagari anywhere online?


texts: Does Visuchika mantra need any initiation

texts:
Visuchika mantra is present in Yoga Vasistha and is given below in Sanskrit along with English translation

विषूचिकाभिधाना सा नाम्नाप्यन्यायबाधिका । तस्या मन्त्रः।
ॐह्रींह्रांरींरां विष्णुशक्तये नमः । ॐनमो भगवति विष्णुशक्तिमेनां ॐहरहर
नयनय पचपच मथमथ उत्सादय दूरेकुरु स्वाहा हिमवन्तं गच्छ जीव सः सः सः
चन्द्रमण्डलगतोऽसि स्वाहा । इति मन्त्री महामन्त्रं न्यस्य वामकरोदरे ।
मार्जयेदातुराकारं तेन हस्तेन संयुतः
The mantra runs thus said:—“There lives Karkati, the Rakshasi, in the
north of the snowy mountain; her name is Visuchika, and it is for
repelling her power that I repeat this mantra; Om, I bow to hring,
hrang and ring, rang—the powers of Vishnu, and invoke the Vaishnavi
powers to remove, destroy, root out, drive away this choleric pain,
far beyond the Himalayas, and afar to the orb of the moon. Om (amen)
and swaha (soho), be it so”. Let these lines be held on the left arm
as an amulet.
[14, 69: Story of visuchika, 3: Utpatti khanda, Yoga Vasistha]

If a person is interested in chanting this mantra then is it mandatory to take initiation from an eligible guru (who already attain perfection in this mantra) or can chant it without any initiation?


texts: How was Yudhisthira able to enter heaven alive when Krishna himself could not go to Vaikuntha in his own human body?

texts: Krishna was incarnation of Vishnu. In Mahaprasthanika Parva, it describes Yudhisthira entered heaven alive when Krishna dies which is the reason why Pandavas and Draupadi renounce the world. How was Yudhisthira able to enter heaven alive when Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu and Supreme Personality of Godhead did not go to Vaikuntha in his human body?


texts: Stories about Rudrani and meaning of Hreem

texts: Can you please give me some rare and interesting stories about Rudrani in particular? Also why is Devi said to be the embodiment of Hreem?


texts: Why "Margasheersha" month is auspicious?

texts:
In "Bhagavad Gita", Bhagwan says "I am Margashirsha amongst the months". But majority of the Hindu festivals and Muhurtas fall not in "Margashirsha" month.
In fact, as this Q
discusses, "Kartik" month is very auspicious.
Then why Bhagwan says so?


texts: Which Kshatriya and Vaishya communities continue to wear the Yajnopavitam today?

texts:
We know from the Manusmriti that the first three Varnas (Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas) are obligated to wear the Yajnopavitam.

Nowadays, it seems only Brahmins wear the thread and so it's even referred to as the "Brahmin thread".

So I'm wondering, are there any Kshatriya or Vaishya communities today who still wear it?


texts: What are some early exemplars of thought experiments in Hindu scriptures?

texts:
A category of experiments called Thought Experiments are considered doyens among the pillars that support and exemplify process of Enquiry. Some of the examples include Schrodinger's Cat in a box, Zeno's paradox, Einstein's Chasing a beam of light and some lesser known ones such as Maxwell's Demon, Brain-in-a-vat, Ship of Theseus and Prisoner's Dilemma.

This leads to the obvious question: What are some of the exemplars of specific thought experiments that have been devised historically within Hinduism that unequivocally reveal and/or justify specific ideas of Vedas?


texts: In which scripture, does Sage Narada ask for the boon that Lord Rama's name be the superior of all names?

texts:
Moonstar2001 in response to a question said:

  There is a story that in one of the rama avataras, sage Narada asked Rama for the boon that the name "Rama" be more potent than any other names of the lord. Rama granted him this wish.

Now in which scripture is this story mentioned?


texts: What is the significance or benefit of chanting Maha Mrityunjay Mantra?

texts:
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra:

  ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
  उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्
    ...
  tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam
  urvārukamiva bandhanānmṛtyormukṣīya mā'mṛtāt


texts: Why did the Pandavas sit quiet when Draupadi was being disrobed by Dushasana?

texts:
In Mahabharata, when Draupadi was being disrobed by Dushasana, why did the Pandava’s sit quiet? Is there any other reason besides the fact that they had already lost in the gambling and had become slaves?

The primary duty of a husband is to protect his wife. How could Yudhisthira fail to understand this?


texts: Is liberation possible only through a human birth?

texts:
In the Gita we see that even after the attainment of any loka one has to come back (as a human being) - Aabrahma bhuvanallokaah (8.16) and Ksheene punye martya lokam vishanti (9.21).

It seems therefore that liberation/moksha is possible only during human birth (Jeevan Mukti) or just after (videha mukti). Is this true ? In other words do we have any evidence that suggests that liberation/moksha is not possible in other births - even of devas etc..?

Note: Vivekachudamani does extoll human birth a lot, but does not specifically say that liberation/moksha is possible only during human birth. Or am I mistaken ?


texts:
Is there life on the other 8 planets according to Hindu scripture?

I know there's life on the Sun (Suryaloka) and the Moon (Chandraloka).


texts: Is Ganga a wife of Vishnu according to Vishnu Purana?

texts:
We all know that Ganga is the wife of Shantanu according to Mahabharata.
But I heard somewhere that Ganga is the wife of Vishnu.
Is it true?
Pls give proof from Vishnu Purana.


texts: Fire and water in the process of creation

texts:
The process of creation is accepted as:
Akash → Vayu → Agni → Water → Earth
This is said by Sri Shankaracharya in the BU (Brihadaranyak Upanishad) 1.2.1 commentary:

As he was worshipping, water, an all-liquid substance forming an
accessory of the worship, was produced. Here we must supply the words,
'After the manifestation of the ether, air and fìre,’ for another
Śruti (Tai. II. i. i) says so, and there can be no alternative in the
order of manifestation

On the other hand, BU 1.2.2 says:

Water is Arka. What was there (like) froth on the water was solidified
and became this earth. When that was produced, he was tired. While he
was (thus) tired and distressed, his essence, or lustre, came forth.
This was Fire.

Agni was created before water, so which Agni came after Prajapati was tired?
My other doubt is why Sri Shankaracharya said the cause of fire is water and that fire rests on water, when the fact is that water came after fire.

What is this Arka? Water, that accessory of worship, is Arka, being
the cause of fire. For, it is said, fire rests on water.
-- Sri Shankaracharya commentary on BU 1.2.2


texts: What's the difference between puja (पूजा), vandana (वंदना) and stuti (स्तुति)

texts:
There are some synonyms for puja (पूजा) like vandana (वंदना), archana (अर्चना) and stuti (स्तुति).

Is there any difference among them?


texts: What are the spiritual benefits of worshipping God moon?

texts:
As God moon is connected to feminine aspects of brain (emotions, love, devotion etc). Will worshipping God Moon helps us to ( helps mean being lubricant or catalyst )  make us femininely strong, i.e emotionally strong?
Also, As god sun is connected to intellect, god moon is connected to mind (manas) so will it help to control mind as well?


texts: What are first step towards starting tapasya ? What scripture describe Tapasya at best and it's methodology?

texts: Tapasya (Tapa) is said to be part of realizing your inner strength and much more. Our Rishi, kshatriya, everyone who have a glorified description in our scripture have been a tapasvi. In modern days ,I don't know we preserve that knowledge of tap. If we have what are first steps towards Tap. What are methodology for Tapa.


texts: Means by which Devotion , Knowledge and Detachment, can be integrated together in the Kaliyuga

texts: What is the means explained by Lord Shri Krishna, by which  Devotion, Knowledge and Detachment, can be integrated together in the Kaliyuga?


texts: Difference between saguna brahman and sakara brahman

texts:
Saguna brahman refers to the parabrahman with gunas.

Sakara brahman refers to the brahaman taking an akara(shape).

Are they same? The doubt then can be rephrased as the following two questions:

Do every parabrahman with guna(s) necessarily have a shape? and
do every parabrahman with a shape has any one of the three gunas?


texts: What is the meaning of three-headed Bhairav idols and Shiva Purana 3.8.2?

texts:
Shiva Purana 3.8.2 states:

Bhairava is the prior form of Siva, the great soul. Fools who are deluded by Śiva’s Māyā do not know about it.
Bhairavaḥ pūrṇarūpo hi śaṃkarasya parātmanaḥ | mūḍhāstaṃ vai na jānanti mohitāśśivamāyayā

Does this mean Bhairav is the primal/real/actual/original form of Shiva? Is the original form of Sadashiva (supreme god) also 3 headed Bhairav?


texts: How many divisions of time in the Hindu Scriptures?


texts: Are there siddhas/yogis living today in Bharata ? Have any of you met one?

texts:
Siddhas or Yogis are those who have gained super-human powers through meditation or tapas. The Ashta-Maha siddhis detail some of these. But there are other 'smaller' siddhis as well.
e.g. in Ramakrishna Kathamrita, they mention a Pavhri baba who subsists only on air.

Have any of you met such a person while traveling in India ?

What powers did they exhibit ?


texts: Was Rama Avatar a result of four different curses?

texts:
The Ramayan tells us that Lord Vishnu incarnated as Rama on the request of the demigods when the three worlds were being tormented by the tyranny of Ravan. But the Yog Vasishtha adds an interesting detail about the curses which led Vishnu to be born on the earth as Rama:

  57 Sanatkumara, who was devoid of desires, had been residing at the abode of Brahma, to which Vishnu,
  the lord of the three worlds, was a visitor from Vaikuntha.

  58 The lord god Vishnu was welcomed by
  all the inhabitants of the Brahmaloka as well as by Brahma himself, except by Sanatkumara. The god
  Vishnu addressed Sanatkumara,

  59 “Sanatkumara, it is ignorance that makes you forsake your desires
  for fear of rebirth, therefore you must be born under the name of Sara-janma to be troubled with
  desires.”

  60
  In return, Sanatkumara denounced Vishnu by saying, “Even as all discerning as you are, you shall
  have to sacrifice your omniscience for some time, and live as an ignorant mortal.”

  61 There was another curse pronounced upon Vishnu by the sage Bhrigu who, seeing his wife killed by
  Vishnu, became incensed with anger and said, “Vishnu you shall have also to be deprived of your
  wife.”

  62 Vishnu was again cursed by Vrinda to be deprived of his wife, on account of his beguiling
  her (in the form of her husband).

  63 Again, when the pregnant wife of Devadatta was killed from fear
  on seeing the man-lion figure of Vishnu (Narasimha),

  64
  the leonine Vishnu was denounced by the
  husband who was sorely afflicted at the loss of his wife.

  65 Thus cursed by Bhrigu, Sanatkumara, Devadatta and Vrinda, Vishnu was obliged to be born on this
  earth in the figure of a human being.

I am aware of the curses by Bhrigu & Vrinda but not sure about the other two. Does any other scripture mention these two stories?


texts: Planning Bhoomi pooja after death of My father's elder brother

texts: My Periyappa (My father's elder bother)died before one month.Thirty day rituals has completed.Now My family are planning do Bhoomi pooja. Shall we do this? Some people used to say, we have to wait for 3 months. Please suggest the good way.


texts:
Why it is believed that it will give positive effects only if it is Lord Shiva's own wish to perform Tandava and not of others?

It is believed if someone else ask GOD to do Tandava it gives negative results. Examples : Lohitang's birth when Natyacharya asked GOD Shiva to do Tandava.


texts: Celibacy - Methods proposed by scriptures for a student

texts:
Celibacy is considered as one of the greatest virtues of a student seeking knowledge.

What are the methods proposed by Hindu scriptures, by which a student can keep his/her celibacy or practice of abstinence intact, in this new age?


texts: Why does Manu Smriti declare temple priests as sinful?

texts:
"Physicians, temple priests, sellers of meat, and those who subsist by shop-keeping must be avoided at sacrifices offered to the gods and to the manes." (Manusmriti: 3/152)

  "(Food) given to a seller of Soma becomes ordure, (that given) to a physician pus and blood, but (that presented) to a temple-priest is lost, and (that given) to a usurer finds no place (in the world of the gods)." (Manusmriti: 3/180)


texts: Why did Kaikeyi send Lord Rama on Vanvas?

texts:
The most popular story is that Kaikeyi's maid poisoned her mind. Due to this, she sent Lord Rama on a Vanvas.

Although, I heard a different story in a Katha recently. The story goes like Lord Rama was to be coronated as the king. Although, he knew this was not his purpose of descent (of being an avatara). He shared this dilemma with Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi suggested the solution that she will send him on Vanvas. Rama said that she will become infamous for thousands of years to come. Although, Kaikeyi said that she was fine with that as long as she was born as his mother in the next birth too. Hence, Lord Rama was born as Lord Krishna, and Kaikeyi took rebirth as Yashoda.

Is there any version of the Ramayana that mentions this story?


texts: Is the Dyaus mentioned in Vedas as Indra's father the same as the Vasu Dyaus?

texts:
According to Rig Ved Verse 1.164.33 Indra is born of Dyaus and Prithvi - the Sky Father & Earth Mother:

  33 Dyaus is my Father, my begetter: kinship is here. This great earth is my kin and Mother. Between the wide-spread world-halves is the birth-place: the Father laid the Daughter's germ within it.

Again RV Verse 4.17.4 mentions:

  4 Thy Father Dyaus esteemed himself a hero: most noble was the work of Indra's Maker, His who begat the strong bolt's Lord who roareth, immovable like earth from her foundation.

Verse 1.191.6 also mentions the same:

  6 Heaven is your Sire, your Mother Earth, Soma your Brother, Aditi Your Sister: seeing all, unseen, keep still and dwell ye happily.

It is interesting to note that Dhara or Prithvi is also one of the Ashta Vasu so my question is - Is Dyaus Pita the same as the Dyaus mentioned as a Vasu? Additionally, is he the same person who was cursed to have been born as Bhishma?


texts: Why did god create us even though he knew that we will partake in adharma?

texts: God knows that humans will partake in adharma. So why did he create us?


texts: Name all the hundred Kauravas in Mahabharata

texts: Name all the one hundred Kauravas (Dhritarashtra's sons) who were born in pots.


texts: What should a Shudra do in order to eligible to read Vedas?

texts:
Context: I found out after a lot of research that my ancestors were either Kshatriya or there is some sort of story that they were sprung up from Lord Shiva. But neither my family from atleast 3 gens has wore the sacred thread nor I have done it till yet (I am 18). So, I am Shudra. (If you don't agree, please clarify.)

Questions:

What path should I follow in order to eligible to read Vedas?
What is the process of removing caste altogether after finding a guru?


texts:
The general belief about Nandi (related to Lord Shiva) is that he is a bull who is generally in human form but at times changes into the form of a bull. But after reading Shiva Purana, I feel that Nandi is not the bull but a person who has an appearance similar to Lord Shiva. See the below snapshot from the Shiva Purana- Vayuviya Samhita II Chapter 41.

Also, in some instances I found that both Nandi and the Bull present at the same time.

Can someone please confirm whether he is a bull or not?
If he is not the bull then, who is the bull who is often seen with Lord Shiva?


texts: What is the meaning of various honorific prefixes with "Sri"?

texts:
We see many gurus, babas, saints with honorific titles such as

Sri Sri

108 Sri

1008 sri etc

What does these prefixes indicate?


texts:
Is it true that Sugreeva's elder brother Vaali was stronger than Lord Rama himself?

How is it possible for a vanara to be more powerful than a God?


texts: Where Padma Purana says that a parrot can learn to chant the Hare Krishna maha mantra?

texts:
There is a verse in the Padma Purana which says that a pet parrot can learn to chant Hare Krishna ...

Where is that verse located in the Padma Purana?


texts:
Significance of Chaitra Navratri ?
Rituals to be followed ?
Why people keep fast on chaitra navratri and reason behind it ?
Why it is celebrated for nine days and nights ?


texts: Translation of Rig Veda 1.160.4 (Earth supported by pillars)

texts:
I often hear critics use this verse to claim that the Vedas say the earth is supported by pillars. Can someone explain the real meaning of this?

  HYMN CLX. Heaven and Earth.

  Among the skillful Gods most skilled is he, who made the two world-halves which bring prosperity to all;
  Who with great wisdom measured both the regions out, and established them with pillars that shall never decay.
  Extolled in song, O Heaven and Earth, bestow on us, ye mighty Pair, great glory and high lordly sway,
  Whereby we may extend ourselves ever over the folk; and send us strength that shall deserve the praise of men.


texts:
What is Lalitha Sahasranaamam? Why is it important?

During what times of day can one recite it? What are the important verses in it?

What is the history of it?


texts: What are the varnas (castes) of Lord Hanuman and Jambavan?

texts:
Hanuman was the child of Añjanā and Kesari. Both Anjana and Kesari belonged to the  Vanara clan.

Is the Varna System mentioned in our scriptures applicable only to human beings or is it applicable to Vanaras as well?

In any case, what is the varna (caste) of Hanuman?

Likewise, what is the varna of Jambavan (father of Krishna's third most important wife Jambavathi)?


texts: Is there any online Anukramanika (Index of Sages and deities) for Krishna Yajurveda?

texts:
Is there a list of seers and devatas of the mantras of krishna yajurveda?

Is there any online reference which details the chapters of Krishna Yajurveda and its related rishis and devatas?


texts: Why is sage Bhrigu called the son of Varuna the ocean god?

texts:
The Taittirya Upanishad makes up the seventh, eighth, and ninth Vallis (sections) of the Taittirya Aranyaka of the Yajur Veda.  The last of these three Vallis is called the Bhrigu Valli, and this how its first chapter begins:

  Bhrigu Vâruni went to his father Varuna, saying: "Sir, teach me Brahman." He told him this, viz. Food, breath, the eye, the ear, mind, speech. Then he said again to him: "That from whence these beings are born, that by which, when born, they live, that into which they enter at their death, try to know that. That is Brahman."

Now Bhrigu is a very famous sage; as I discuss in this question, he is the father of Sukracharya guru of the Asuras, and as I discuss in this answer and this answer, he was the one who cursed Brahma that he could never be worshipped, and cursed Shiva that he could only be worshipped in Linga form.

But my question is, why is he given the surname "Varuni" in this passage, and why is Varuna the ocean god called "his father"?  Bhrigu is usually described a son of Brahma, not Varuna.  Could this be similar to how the sages Vashishta and Agastya have the surname Maitravaruni, even though they were originally sons of Brahma, because they were reborn as sons of Mitra (god of friendship) and Varuna?


texts: How many souls are there in our universe?

texts:
When Lord Krishna was advising Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, Sri Krishna  told that no one dies if we kill them.Those who are killed, start their journey as jiva and these jiva cannot be destroyed or created

The jiva who lost their body finds another body and start to live in it. If this cycle is repeated throughout the whole yugas, Isn't the number souls constant? If so what is that number?


texts: How can Kundala of Karna protect him in battle?

texts:
In mahabharatha Karna's Kavacha and Kundalas made him invincible in   battle.

Kavacha armour protecting his chest.

In which way kundalas protect him which are in his ears ?


texts:
For all the natural & social aspects like water, fire, animals, wind, earth, trees, engineering, sex, day/night, knowledge, maths, strength -- we have certain kind of deity.

Ancient civilization must have knowledge of electricity thanks to thunderbolt. In today's time, we cannot imagine anything without electricity.

Is there any God for electricity (Vidhyut)?


texts:
I have heard some Doha of Kabir (couplet) or somewhere else like this:

  Ramchandra keh gaye siya se aisa kaliyug ayega,
  Hans chugega dana dunaka, kauvva moti khayega

Means

  Ramchandra told Sita such kaliyug will come that a goose will eat little grains and crow will eat pearls.

Here crows means bad people and goose means good people (will have less benefits).

So what did Lord Rama tell Sita about kaliyug? Please explain.


texts: There are many accounts of Krishna using a flag with the Garuda Emblem on his chariot. I'd like to know if the color of the flag is mentioned anywhere?


texts:
Mantras Similar to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h-u-qfvTyc
Are there anything in Hinduism to be in Happy State as much as posible..


texts: How did the seers maintain time regularity for rituals?

texts:
The clocks are recent inventions. I wish to ask how could the seers of ancient India note the exact nuances of time for rituals?
Like, for example, in Krishna Janmashatami, Shivaratri, or Navaratri, the poojas and rituals have to done in night time, when there is no sunlight and shadow lengths for reference. But still, the rituals required proper scheduling and timing of various things. How did they maintain these? And how were the exact birth charts written when births happen at night? Did they use sand -filled pots or water filled pots? Any light on these things? Thanks beforehand.


texts: What do Hindus believe about extra-terrestrials?

texts:
Many religions believe in aliens and all those extra-terrestrial creatures.

What is the Hindu conception of aliens like?


texts: What is the meaning of Atharva veda 4:34:2?

texts:
This is what I found on a Hindu critique blog vedkabhed on Wordpress.

  अनस्थाः पूताः पवनेन शुद्धाः शुचयः शुचिमपि यन्ति लोकम् |
  नैषां शिश्र्नं प्र दहति जातवेदाः स्वर्गे लोके बहु स्त्रैणमेषाम् ||

  anasthāḥ pūtāḥ pavanena śuddhāḥ śucayaḥ śucimapi yanti lokam |
  naiṣāṃ śiśrnaṃ pra dahati jātavedāḥ svarge loke bahu straiṇameṣām ||

  Boneless, pure, cleansed with the wind, brilliant, they go to a brilliant world. The fire does not burn their male organ. In Swarga they get plenty of women. [Atharvaved 4:34:2]

Is it the actual description or a distorted one?


texts: Do we have any information about other wives (except Riddhi, Siddhi) and grandsons of Lord Ganesha mentioned in any texts

texts:
I recently came across a WhatsApp message which showed that there is a temple in Indore, India called Shri Shri Vidya Dham which is the only temple that has idols of full family of Lord Ganesha. Full family here means:

Lord Ganesha
His 5 wives, ie, Riddhi, Siddhi, Tushti, Pushti and Shri
2 sons, ie, Shubh and Laabh
2 grandsons, ie, Aamod and Pramod

Here is a picture of the temple:

I have already heard and read about Lord Ganesha's wife Riddhi and Siddhi and His sons Shubh and Laabh, but I have not heard of Tushti, Pushti, Aamod and Pramod. I wanted to ask whether we have any scriptural reference for them and any stories about them like who were these ladies and how did they got married to Lord Ganesha. Also did they along with Aamod and Pramod have any roles/responsibilities.


texts:
As per Ramayana, Rama had 3 Brothers, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

When Rama is exiled,Bharata goes to Rama and asks him to come back to Ayodhya but Rama refuses. Though deeply disappointed, Bharata returned to Ayodhya after receiving a promise from Rama that he would return promptly at the end of the fourteen-year exile and ascend the throne.

As per Hanuman chalisa verse, तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई (meaning, You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata) which clearly shows deep Love between Rama and Bharata.

Lakshman is the younger brother of Rama and close companion of the god Rama, Lakshman  serves Rama and Sita reverently during the exile.

Lakshmana is specially attached to Rama, and when Rama marries Sita, Lakshmana marries Sita's younger sister Urmila.Later, when Rama goes on exile for fourteen years on the insistence of Kaikeyi, Lakshmana leaves his wife Urmila and joins Rama.

Lakshman also built hut for Rama and Sita to live in Panchvati, as per Wiki Link.

This indicates how close and dear Lakshman was to Rama.

Is there similar incident/occasion exist in Ramayana that shows Love/closeness between Rama and Shatrughna?

How was the relationship between Rama and Shatrughna?


texts: How to prove that Nirvana term in Gita isn't borrowed from Buddhism?

texts: What is the evidence to show Gita and Upanishads are Pre Buddhist?The term Brahma-nirvana appears in verses 2.72 and 5.24-26 of the Bhagavad Gita. According to Zaehner, Johnson and other scholars, nirvana in the Gita is a Buddhist term adopted by the Hindus. Zaehner states it was used in Hindu texts for the first time in the Bhagavad Gita, and that the idea therein in verse 2.71-72 to "suppress one's desires and ego" is also Buddhist. According to Johnson the term nirvana is borrowed from the Buddhists to confuse the Buddhists, by linking the Buddhist nirvana state to the pre-Buddhist Vedic tradition of metaphysical absolute called Brahman.


texts: Should we study or not study on Saraswati Puja?

texts: Saraswati Puja is soon coming and like any other year, my parents have told me to not study on the auspicious day. In fact, in most Bengali households, studying is forbidden on Saraswati Puja. However, at the same time, I have seen some non-Bengali families believing that it is necessary to study on Saraswati Puja. Are these just mere superstitions having a geographical/cultural divide? Or do any of these beliefs have any scriptural justification?


texts:
Elders in community say full shaving of head is not allowed for those with living father (parents). Only at the death of the father the head is full shaved and after that one can shave any time.
Here full head shave I mean without tuft (Shikha). At chudakarma, upanayana or brahmacharya days head is shaved but tuft is left. But clean shave not allowed.
Any references in scriptures why this is not allowed, or any references which prescribes clean head shave at death of parent?
Note: question is not about shaving head at temples like Tirupati (even that is not allowed in my community; we have to keep the tuft).
Also, question is not about Chudakarma.


texts: Is Krishna the only avatar among dashavatara who had more than one wife?

texts: Is it true that Krishna is the only avatar who was married to more than one woman?


texts: Is Raktavija's fight with Shiva ever mentioned in any scripture?

texts: I have always heard about Raktavija and his fight with Durga and Kali and how he is annihilated. But during my visit to Elephanta caves, a tourist guide was telling a different version of story by replacing Kali with Shiva. Is this version of Shiva killing Raktavija is mentioned in any hindu scripture?


texts: Why Kukke Subramanya temple has a Madhwa mutt?

texts:
This question is specific to kukke Subramanya temple present in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka (refer : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukke_Subramanya_Temple).

The main presiding deity is Subramanya i,e, a Shaiva deity. But the governing mutt belongs to Madhwa sampradaya i.e. Vaishnava sampradaya. Does anyone know the reason for this? Just curious to know the real history.

Also, as per temple history, Adi Shankaracharya stayed here during his digvijaya yatra and composed strotra praising the deity. So why not a Shankara mutt in this place?
Just curious to know the real history. No question of hurting any faith here.


texts: Who are the "Pauranikas" who believed in 30 Tattvas and 8 Pramanas?

texts:
As I discuss in this question, one of the most popular forms of Shiva worshipped in South India is the young sage Dakshinamurthi, whose name literally means "the South-facing form".  The Advaita philosopher Adi Shankaracharya composed a poem about Dakshinamurthi called the Dakshinamurthi Stotram, and his shishya Sureshwaracharya wrote a commentary on it called the Manasollasa.  In this excerpt from the Manasollasa, Sureshwaracharya describes the theories of different philosophical schools concerning how many Tattvas or elements reality consists of:

  The doctors of Samkhya-Shastra enumerate twenty-four tattvas (principles) comprising the five bhutas (elements of matter), the five vital airs, and the fourteen indriyas (organs of sensation and action).  To these adding Mahat, Time, Pradhana, Maya, Avidya and Purusha, the Pauranikas enumerate thirty principles. Adding to these Bindu and Nada, Shakti and Shiva, Shanta and Atita, the doctors of Shaivagama enumerate thirty-six principles.

Now it's well-known that followers of Kapila's Samkhya school believe in 24 Tattvas (25 if you include Purusha), and that followers of Shaiva (and Shakta) Agamas believe in 36 Tattvas.  But my question, who are the "Pauranikas" that Sureshwaracharya alludes to, who believe in 30 Tattvas?

The closest theory I could find is that of Pashupata Shaivites, who believe in 31 Tattvas as described in this section of Anandagiri's subcommentary on Adi Shankaracharya's Mandukya Upanishad Bhashya.  Their list has some overlap with the Pauranika list, but there are some differences, like Pashupata Shaivites believing in Tattvas called Rāga, Kalā, and Niyati.

In any case, since they're called Pauranikas, I assume their beliefs are based on the Puranas.  So does anyone know if the Puranas ever describe this theory of 30 Tattvas?

EDIT: Narayana Bhattar mentions the Pauranikas in this excerpt from his Manameyodaya, in the course of listing the number of Pramanas or means of valid knowledge accepted by different schools of Indian philosophy:

  Perception and inference, similarly authority and analogy, presumption and negation - these are the six means of valid knowledge for those who think like us. Charvakas speak of one; the Buddhists and the Vaisheshikas speak of two; Bhasarvajna and the Samkhyas speak of three; Udayana and others speak of four; the followers of Prabhakara speak of five; we and those well-versed in Vedanta speak of six; the Pauranikas, however, speak of eight, adding inclusion and tradition.

So out of all the philosophical schools listed, the Pauranikas believe in the greatest number of Pramanas.


texts: Was Vishnu's incarnation sage Narayana married?

texts:
As I discuss in this question, one of the most prominent incarnations of Vishnu in ancient times was the sage Narayana, twin brother of the sage Nara and son of Yama god of death. Nara and Narayana were famous for engaging in Tapasya (deep meditation) in Badrikashrama, and at the time of the Mahabharata they were reborn as Arjuna and Krishna. Apparently Narayana carried out a five-night (Pancharatra) Yagna and then became the entire universe, so people started following so-called Pancharatra texts, scriptures originating from Narayana himself which gave detailed procedures for worshipping him. As I discuss in this answer, the Pancharatra texts were extremely important in the development of mainstream Vaishnavism.

But my question is about Narayana himself.  In this encyclopedia article, Madeleine Beardeau makes a rather curious claim about him:

  Simultaneously an ascetic in the forest and a householder with his wives and his sacrificial fires, he provides the mythic model for the vanaprastha, the one who has settled in the forest, the theoretical stage in every human life between the stage of the householder and that of the total renunciant.

My question is, is Beardeau right that sage Narayana was married?  If so who were his "wives"?

Presumably if he was married, he'd be married to an incarnation of Lakshmi (or Bhumidevi); as I discuss in this answer the Vishnu Purana says "For in like manner as the lord of the world, the god of gods, Janárddana, descends amongst mankind (in various shapes), so does his coadjutrix Śrí."  But are there any scriptures that's describe Narayana having wives?


texts:
I want to know the details story of ritual place Haridwar and "Har ki pauri".
There are many famous places in Haridwar.So I would like to know the story behind Haridwar pilgrimage place.


texts: Why are Hindus vegetarian? What is the real meaning of the word 'mamsah' (मांसः) or meat?

texts:
Generally, Hindus are vegetarian. They avoid mamsah i.e flesh of animals like meat, fish - because it means their suffering and death. Some avoid eggs also. Atleast it is very limited, and they don't eat it daily like western countries, and avoid it during religious functions.

What is the reason behind this ? Is compassion/ahimsa the only reason ? Is it voluntary or compulsory ?

Is there any punishment for eating meat ? Is there any reward for avoiding meat ?
What is the real meaning of the word 'mamsah' (मांसः)? Does it have anything to do with why they are vegetarian ?


texts: In Mahabharat who were Dhitrashtra & Pandu incarnations of?

texts:
The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharat mentions which gods and demons incarnated on earth at the time of Mahabharat giving details about even obscure kings. Curiously enough it does not mention anything about the previous births of Pandu and Dhritrashtra though it does mention that Vidura was the personification of Dharmaraj:

  He who was known as Dhritarashtra born of the seed of Krishna-Dwaipayana, and gifted with long arms and great energy, also a monarch, of the prophetic eye, became blind in consequence of the fault of his mother and the wrath of the Rishi. His younger brother who was possessed of great strength and was really a great being known as Pandu, devoted to truth and virtue, was Purity's self. And, O king, thou shouldst know that he who was known on earth as Vidura, who was the first of all virtuous men, who was the god of Justice himself, was the excellent and greatly fortunate son of the Rishi Atri.

So my question is - Is it mentioned anywhere in the Mahabharat or any other scripture what the previous births of these two sons of Ved Vyas were?


texts: Scripture showing ways to summon Gandharva, Yaksha and Kinnar

texts: Is there any Scripture which provides complete information on how to summon Gandharva, Yaksha and Kinnar?


texts: What is the relationship between cause and effect according to Nyaya Sutras?

texts:
Nyaya Sutra, written by Maharishi Gautama,  is the foundational text of the Nyaya school of thought, one of the Shad-Darshanas in Hinduism.

Amongst other things, this text talks about the theory of causality. The reference provides interpretations by multiple authors on such a relationship.

What are the Shlokas in the Nyaya Sutras which give the essence of relationship between cause and effect? I am looking for the original Shlokas with translation.

For those who are interested in such a relationship, this question talks about the Viasheshika viewpoint on the cause and effect relationship. This question talks about the Advaita viewpoint.


texts: What is the purpose of Maa Baglamukhi Yantra?

texts:
Recently heard about 'Maa Baglamukhi Yantra' so was curious to know more about this yantra.

My questions:

What exactly is the purpose of this yantra?
Who was the first person who used or we can say was originator of this yantra?
Any other interesting facts (worth sharing) associated with this yantra?


texts: What are the various etymological derivations for the word "Upanishad"?

texts:
One I have found myself from a commentary on one Upanishad.

It says the word is derived like this:

  Upa (meaning near)+ Nishanna (specially present).

So, "near which, sons, animals-like fruits of Upasanas, are specially present". So, going by this derivation, Upanishad refers to an Upasana or a form of worship.

What are some other etymological derivations for the word?

Please use only scriptures as references while answering.

NOTE- Although I prefer that the answers should be scripture based but since I am not getting any answers like that I have relaxed the condition a bit. So as to accommodate answers like the one that Pandya has posted.

But I will accept an answer that is based on the scriptures.


texts: In Buddhism, which I’m more familiar with, there is vipasanna meditation, in which you focus on your breath. This helps achieve nirvana. Now how do Hindus meditate to reach their nirvana/moksha? In the same way or differently? I read before that Hindus meditate “on the self” but how do you do that? What is “meditation on the self”?


texts: What's the source of the story that involves hijras (transgenders) and Rāma?

texts:
Devdutt Pattanaik in this YouTube video discusses gender and sexuality in Hinduism. There he mentions an incident from the Hijra Rāmāyaṇa that involves the transgenders and Rāma. From Wikipedia, here's the full story:

  In some versions of the Ramayana, when Rama leaves Ayodhya for his 14-year exile, a crowd of his subjects follow him into the forest because of their devotion to him. Soon Rama notices this, and gathers them to tell them not to mourn, and that all the "men and women" of his kingdom should return to their places in Ayodhya. Rama then leaves and has adventures for 14 years. When he returns to Ayodhya, he finds that the hijras, being neither men nor women, have not moved from the place where he gave his speech. Impressed with their devotion, Rama grants hijras the boon to confer blessings on people during auspicious inaugural occasions like childbirth and weddings. This boon is the origin of badhai in which hijras sing, dance, and give blessings.

What's the original source of this story? Is this from an independent work called Hijra Rāmāyaṇa?


texts: What is the source of this (?) hymn? What does it mean?

texts:
I saw a WhatsApp forward about an "extremely difficult poem". It sounded like a hymn to me. My transliteration from the original Malayalam:

nrtyadhUrjjaTi karagataDamarukaDumuDumupaTuravaparipanthinyah
kalpakshmAruha vikasitakusumajama dhurasamadhurimasahacaariNya
manthakshmAdharavimathitajalanidhighumughumugha naravamadamanthinyah
shailAbdhIshwara nrpvara! vidadhatu budhasukhamayi tava vacasam shreNyah.

Is this from a smriti or Hindu text? What does it mean? How, and on what occasion, does one chant it?


texts: Where in Brahmanda Purana it is mentioned about Parthasarathy Temple?

texts:
The official website of Parthasarathy temple's history section states that according to Brahmanda Purana, king sumathi requested Venkatesha to grant him darshanam of Geethacharya.

I would like to know in which Bhaga/adhyaya/sloka of the Brahmanda Purana it is said so.


texts: How does a bad spell (Tantra or Maran Vidhya) work?

texts:
There is one type of sadhu called Aghori, which also has one sub-type called Kapalik.

While reading a book on Pujya Mota, I found that a Kapalik used a bad spell on Pujya Mota to make him, his Sishya (student). I also found similar stories in other books and came across people who believe in these spells. So how do these spells actually work? How it possible that one just speaks a tantrik mantra and it hurts others?


texts: Can you change your long-term Bhaagya / Destiny / Future?

texts:
I think many of us have heard of this statement

भाग्यं फलति सर्वत्र, न च विद्या, न च पौरुषं or Bhagyam phalati sarvatra, na cha vidyaa, na cha paurusham

Which basically means that knowledge and masculine courage/being energetic are useless as everything is based on your Bhaagya / Destiny. Is this based on any sacred scripture?
I have heard that you can easily change your long-term destiny by performing some austerities. In fact, even weak and destructive planets can be changed.
Which view is correct according to different scriptures?


texts: Debate between Maṇḍana Miśra and Ādi Śankara

texts:
I have read that there was a debate between Maṇḍana Miśra, an exponent of Mīmāmsā, and Ādi Śankara, an exponent of Advaita, in which Maṇḍana Miśra's wife was the judge. Ādi Śankara won the debate and Maṇḍana became an Advaitin and a disciple of Ādi Śankara.

What is the original source of this account? Is there an English translation of it?


texts: What order should I read the Vedas and Upanishads in?

texts: Is there any particular order in which I should read the Vedas and Upanishads? If so, in which order should a starter read for better understanding of the aspects stated in them?


texts: If Sugriva is son of Surya like Karna, why Sugriva did not have celestial armor and earrings like Karna?

texts:
And the lord of light thereupon made her conceive and begot on her a son who became the first of all wielders of weapons. From fear of relatives she brought forth in secrecy that child who had come out with earrings and coat of mail.

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01068.htm
Mahabharat states that Karna, son of Surya was born with armor and earrings. If that is the case, why did Sugriva, who is also a son of Surya from Ramayana where supernatural powers were much more common than in Mahabharata, why did he not have a celestial armor and also the celestial earrings?


texts: Is very word of the Vedas eternal according to advaita vedanta?

texts:
Advaita vedanta believes that vedas are eternal and authorless.
So do advaita vedanta believe that every single word of the Vedas is eternal and authoritative.(every verse of the Vedas is eternal)
Or it is just philosophy of the Vedas (karma, Moksha dharma)


texts: Each yuga in all mahayuga is different/same?

texts:
Its been questioned many times in this forum  about “why vyasa had to divide vedas in every dwapara yuga.” When I was reading brahmanda purana I have got indirect reference to characteristics of same yuga in different mahayuga.

Perhaps Same yuga in different mahayuga might be slightly different in characteristics

Here are the verses of Chapter 32 of brahmanda purana.

Verse 114-119 quotes that

  Whatever occurs in one set of four Yugas happens in the others also in the same manner and in the same order.In the same manner, differences also are produced in every creation. They are restricted to thirty-five and they are remembered as neither less nor more. “

Verse 126-127 quotes that "

  Thus the lord always evolves the classification of castes and stages of life in the former Yugas and arranges the intrinsic features of the Yugas."

Does it implies that , there are 35 different varients for each yuga for different mahayuga ?


texts: Who were the people who survived the Kurukshetra war?

texts: How many people survived the great war in the Mahabharata? Obviously, the Pandavas, Krishna, Ashwaththama, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Draupadi come to mind. Are these the only ones?


texts: What is the story of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga?

texts:
Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance.
Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is described in Koti Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana in the chapter "Dwadash Jyotirlinga Mahatmya". It states:

सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्री शैले मल्लिकार्जुनम् ।
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालमोंकारे परमेश्वरम् ।।
केदारं हिमवत्पृष्ठे डाकिन्यां भीमशङ्करम् ।
वाराणास्यां च विश्वेशं त्रयम्बकं गौतमीतटे ।।
वैद्यनाथं चिताभूमौ नागेशं दारुकावने ।
सेतुबन्धे तु रामेशं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये ।।
द्वादशैतानि नामानि प्रात्यस्त्थाय यः पठेत् ।
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तं सर्वसिद्धिफलं लभेत् ।।
Somanath in Saurashtra, Mallikarjuna in Shri Saile, Mahakala in Ujjaiyana and Parameshawara also manifested as Omkara. Kedara in Himavat and Bhima Shankara in Dakinya. Vishewaswara in Varanasi and Trayambaka in side of Gautami. Vaidyanath in ChitaBhumi and  Nageshwara in forest of Daruka. Rameshwara in Setubandha and Ghusmeshwara in Shivalaya. These name of 12 Jyotirlingas who recites in morning, he gets freed from all sins and is eligible to get all Siddhis.

There are twelve Jyotirlingas mentioned in the similar popular verse.

Saurāṣṭre Somanāthaṃ ca Śrīśaile Mallikārjunam
Ujjayinyāṃ Mahākālam Omkāram Mamleśhwaram
Paraly Vaidyanāthaṃ cha Ḍākinyāṃ Bhīmaśhaṅkaram
Setubandhe tu Rāmeśaṃ Nāgeśhaṃ Dārukāvane
Vārāṇasyāṃ tu Viśveśaṃ Tryambakaṃ Gautamītaṭe
Himālaye tu Kedāraṃ Ghuśmeśaṃ ca Śivālaye
etāni jyotirliṅgāni sāyaṃ prātaḥ paṭhennaraḥ
saptajanmakṛtaṃ pāpaṃ smaraṇena vinaśyati

I have already asked a question about Somanath What is the story of Somanath Jyotirlinga? and Mallikarjun What is the story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?. Now I want to know the story of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling.
Please mention the scriptural reference.
Mahakaleshwar temple is situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

By LRBurdak - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3797963


texts: Does each of us have a causal body within us?

texts:
Causal Body is ignorance as per Advaita.

Here's an article i came across that was posted on an advaita website. Here's the link- Article no. 1. There it's mentioned that causal body does not reside within us and yet it has been called a body by Shankaracharya, because as per Shankara, a body is that which dies. Just like the flesh body dies, the same way thru knowledge, ignorance or avidya also dies and so in that sense, he calls it a body, but at the same time the author of the article says that causal body doesn't reside within us like how the subtle body resides. So I guess as per this article it's like an energy existing or floating all around us, but not within us as a separate body.

Then in another article the following has been said about the causal body-

  Before creation the Subtle and Gross Bodies exist as seed form or unmanifested form in the Causal Body, and during creation they manifest. During creation (srishti), the Subtle and Gross Bodies arise from the Causal Body, and during dissolution (Pralaya), they go back into the Causal Body . . . Matter can never be produced or destroyed. Matter always exists. So before creation too the Subtle and Gross Bodies must have existed in potential form. That potential form is called the Causal Body.
  The Causal Body has got the longest life compared to the other two bodies. Even the Subtle Body gets dismantled during dissolution (Pralaya), but the Causal Body continues even after the dissolution of the universe.
  Here's the link- Article no. 2

Now according to this article, the description of causal body is similar to Mula Prakriti, which is the Avyakta or the Asat from which all manifests and in the end during annihilation, all is pulled back into it and stays in unmanifested state.

So what exactly is Causal body as per ADVAITA?


texts: Questions regarding the number of verses in the Bhagavtam

texts:
SB 12.13.4-9

  The Brahma Purāṇa consists of ten thousand verses, the Padma Purāṇa of
  fifty-five thousand, Śrī Viṣṇu Purāṇa of twenty-three thousand, the
  Śiva Purāṇa of twenty-four thousand and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam of eighteen
  thousand. The Nārada Purāṇa has twenty-five thousand verses, the
  Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa nine thousand, the Agni Purāṇa fifteen thousand four
  hundred, the Bhaviṣya Purāṇa fourteen thousand five hundred, the
  Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa eighteen thousand and the Liṅga Purāṇa eleven
  thousand. The Varāha Purāṇa contains twenty-four thousand verses, the
  Skanda Purāṇa eighty-one thousand one hundred, the Vāmana Purāṇa ten
  thousand, the Kūrma Purāṇa seventeen thousand, the Matsya Purāṇa
  fourteen thousand, the Garuḍa Purāṇa nineteen thousand and the
  Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa twelve thousand. Thus the total number of verses in
  all the Purāṇas is four hundred thousand. Eighteen thousand of these,
  once again, belong to the beautiful Bhāgavatam.

This clearly states that Srimad Bhagavatam has 18000 verses. But if you count all of the verses, only 14094 verses are there in Bhagavata Purana, even if you add the original Sanskrit verses. Why does Bhagavata Purana contradict itself?


texts: Powers of Hanuman, made forgotten or Locked up?

texts:
As per Ramayana, Hanuman was made to forget about his powers due to his mischievous behavior as explained here.

But, it makes more sense that the powers were more of locked-up within him, instead of simply making him forget those.

For instance, if he had great strength, and he was made to simply forget about that, the strength is still there, and if he punches someone unaware of his strength, he might end up killing him.

Or
if he simply tries to jump, he might end up landing way far ahead than expected, causing trouble and a lot of confusion within him.

So, my question is, Were the powers merely made forgotten, or locked up? and if forgotten, are there any explanations about how he coped up with situations like these after the curse?

Or might be only his 8 Sidhis explained here are made forgotten.


texts: Is the placement of Jupiter (Guru) in the sixth house good or bad?

texts:
Suppose, Jupiter or Brihaspati Graha is placed in the 6th house from the ascendant in some chart.

Is this placement considered good for bad for the native?

Some say it's not good but some others say that, since Guru is always a beneficial planet, it's good.


texts: Story of Lord Brahmas Palace " Aparajita"?

texts: What is story of Lord Brahma's Palace "Aparajita" (अपराजिता)? Which is according to This book , is located in his world and   mentioned in "Kausitaki Upanishada".


texts: Who did incarnate as AchArya Abhinavgupta?

texts:
From wiki,
AchArya Abhinavagupta (c. 950 – 1016 AD) was a philosopher, mystic and aesthetician from Kashmir. He was also considered an influential musician, poet, dramatist, exegete, theologian, and logician – a polymathic personality who exercised strong influences on Indian culture.
He was born in Kashmir in a family of scholars and mystics and studied all the schools of philosophy and art of his time under the guidance of as many as fifteen (or more) teachers and gurus. In his long life he completed over 35 works, the largest and most famous of which is Tantrāloka, an encyclopaedic treatise on all the philosophical and practical aspects of Trika and Kaula (known today as Kashmir Shaivism). Another one of his very important contributions was in the field of philosophy of aesthetics with his famous Abhinavabhāratī commentary of Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharata Muni.
My question is, is there any work where he has been regarded as incarnation of some God?


texts: Why the head of a dead person is hit when the body was consigned to the flames?

texts:
As a ritual, during Antyeṣṭi, the dead person's head is hit with a bamboo stick in between the burning of the whole body. As far as my understanding goes, this is done so that the person won't remember all the deeds and person of this birth in the next birth.

But on the other hand, I believe that Ātma departs from body right after the person dies. Or because Ātma leaves the body, the person dies. Then, what is the benefit of hitting the head?


texts: What did Bhishma do when he was on the bed of arrows?

texts: I have heard that in Mahabharata Bhishma was made to lie on a bed made of arrows by Arjuna after dropping his weapons. I want to know in detail what all did Bhishma do in his arrow bed. Whether Bhishma was feeling so bad because of the pain and what are the set of events that occurred when Bhisma was in arrow bed. What he did at that time and what was his state of mind at that time?


texts: I have seen that mango leaves kept in the kalash during puja ritual. Why are mango leaves kept in the kalash during puja ritual?


texts: will there be another influential pure devotee of Krishna in the remaining time of kali yuga?

texts: We've had Jesus, Lord Chaitanya, and Srila Prabhupada who has shared valuable knowledge of God and lead by example of how to serve The Lord with pure devotion. Will there be a time (in Kali Yuga) where the world could experience a spiritual advance being such as the 3 mentioned above?


texts: How did Karna die in his previous birth?

texts:
In his previous birth Karna received a boon that he can survive death a 1000 times.

And to kill him once one has to pray to god for 1000 years.

Then how did he die?


texts: Can combination of ghee and honey be consumed?

texts:
I've heard that as per Ayurveda the combination of ghee and honey is considered as opposite food (Viruddha Ahara).
However, in the preparation of banana rasayana both honey and ghee are put together. Banana Rasayana being a traditional item how can it be wrong?
Banana Rasayana


texts: Is it vedanta that reconciled all the religions(ways) in Bharat during dwapara and thretha yuga?

texts:
In Mahabharata and Ramayana, we can find wide variety of traditions, rituals. Each one was encouraged. We can see the shaktism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Saura etc.,
So, we can say that there are multiple ways in Hinduism before Kali yuga.
My doubt is that how did all the branches got reconciliation during Dwapara and Tretha yugas and people lived without any discrepancies between branches? Which inherent quality of Sanathana dharma did it? Is it Vedantha satra or any other central agency like king?


texts: It is said that what happens in the present or future are all governed by God

texts:
If it is true that all the things are governed by gods. Does that mean that we don't have previledge to become what we want to be. Or even how we live our life?

If these things are pre defined, like

Where we are born?
Whom we marry?
Who we encounter in our life?
When we die or where we die?

Or can we change our life. Can anyone provide any good information on this?


texts: As I know, in Sabha Parva it is described that Bhagadatta punished the Naraka and Mura Yavanas. These are the same Naraka (son of Varaha and Bhumi) and Mura (the commander of Naraka)? If so, if Bhagadatta punished the two, why did Krishna kill them both and why Aditi's earrings, as well as the 16000 women, were still captive? Or were they different people?


texts: Fairness of pre-marital relation based on that of Satyavati and Parashara

texts:
Why did Satyavati and Parashara have a child out of wedlock?
Why did she then marry Shantanu?
Based on this, does it mean pre-martial relationship is fair?
Was their relationship really bodily, because he was a great sage how could he lust someone?


texts: What did Swami Vivekananda mean when he said "God spoke in Sanskrit"?

texts:
I read this quote by Swami Vivekananda:

  God spoke once. He spoke in Sanskrit, and that is the divine language.

What did he mean by this?


texts:
What are all the curses given by sage Durvasa?

If possible list all such curses and also the persons to whom the curses were given.


texts: Is this how we measure our spiritual level?

texts:
Please see the image. Is this how we can measure our spirituality?

I think I am at 250. I am satisfied with it. What should one do if he is satisfied with his present level of spirituality?


texts: What is the meaning of this Divya Prabandham verse?

texts:
viShNuChitta in his Periyazhwar Thirumozhi 4.7.10 (overall pasuram #400) says:

மூன்றெழுத்ததனை மூன்றெழுத்ததனால் மூன்றெழுத்தாக்கி மூன்றெழுத்தை
ஏன்றுகொண்டிருப்பார்க்கு இரக்கம் நன்குடைய எம்புருடோத்தமனிருக்கை
மூன்றடி நிமிர்த்து மூன்றினில் தோன்றி மூன்றினில் மூன்றுருவானான்
mU^nR^ezhuttada^nai mU^nR^ezhuttada^nAl mU^nR^ezhuttAkki mU^nR^ezhuttai
e^nRuk^oNDiruppArkku irakkam^ na^nguDaiya ^empuruDottamanirukkai
mU^nRaDi nimirttu mU^nRi^nil to^nRi mU^nRi^nil mU^nRuruvA^nA^n
The three syllables A-U-M, by three-syllable Nirukta, become the three, Akara-Ukara-Makara. Contemplating the three syllables OM expanded to three words with Namo-Narayanaya shows the three aspects of the Atman in three relationships with the Supreme manifested in three forms.

I was very confused by the lists of three in this verse, and I don't know Tamil. What are the "three aspects", "three relationships" and "three forms" referenced in this verse?


texts: Which is right varna based on birth or varna based on Guna and karma?

texts:
Which is right varna is based on birth or varna is based
On guna and karma ? In view of advaita followers
The kamakoti peetham tell that varNa is by guNa but guNa is by birth
But vaishanvas tells that varna is based on Guna and karma by not birth
Which is Truth


texts: Which Hindu Scriptures contain post Mahabharata historical events?

texts:
I'm searching for a list of all Hindu scriptures containing post Mahabharat historical accounts. So far, I only know that some Puranas, RigVedic accounts of Battle of Ten Kings, and a scripture known as Rajtarangini.

I'm just searching for a list of scriptures which have historical information, not the actual content pinpointed, as has been asked in the other question.


texts: Do Camel and Moose carry any significance when dreamt of, as per Hinduism?

texts: Are Camel and Moose vahanas of any specific deity?


texts: Which scripture talks about the story of Kubera robbing a temple of Shiva?

texts:
This encyclopedia of Hindu mythology says the following about how Kubera became a god:

  There are two versions of how Kubera was elevated to the stature of a god. The first version postulates that Kubera performed stringent austerities for thousands of years and, as a reward, was promoted. Another rather more romantic version is that one day Kubera had gone to rob a temple of Shiva, who is the king of robbers. During the robbery Kubera's taper had somehow been blown out. No matter how hard the dwarf tried he could not relight the taper. Nevertheless, he persisted with his efforts no matter how nefarious they were and, on the tenth attempt, he succeeded. Shiva is a benign god who is often pleased by the most illogical of efforts. This perseverance of Kubera's in his attempt to rob the god's temple won him much admiration from Shiva who subsequently granted the dwarf access to the Hindu pantheon of gods.

I know the 'first version' is narrated in Uttara Kanda of Ramayana where Kubera (a.k.a Vaishravana) practiced severe austerities and impresses Lord Brahma.

But what's the source of the alternate story where Kubera robs a temple of Shiva? Is it mentioned in Padma Purana?


texts: What happens to the horse after the Ashvamedha Yagya?

texts: We all have heard and know about the Ashvamedha Yagya. But what will happen to the horse after Yagna? My question is about horse.


texts: how do I know anyone has ever had true Darshan of a diety instead of thoughtforms or trickster spirits?

texts:
Reading stories of how great mahatmas had darshans of gods and goddesses gives me hope that my sadhana is not in vain.but how do I know they aren't thoughtforms or trickster spirits?for example,just to use a example,my Ishta is kali-tripurasundari in the form of aanandamayi maa,and I believe for example,that ramakrishna and his wife had intimate encounters with this devi.but how do I know these weren't tulpas-thoughtforms?or even trickster spirits?how did they know this most importantly?

I come from a tibetan buddhist backround,and people have darshan of buddhas and Gurus(thru their baindava-shakti deha body from a hindu pov) all the time.I heard from atleast 3 lamas(Tibetan Guru) including the great mahasiddha kongtrul rinpoche that these Yidams are actually just thoughtforms.that was dissappointing for me at the time.

how do I know that when someone has a Darshan of a God/Goddess that these arent also thoughtforms created unintetionally thru devotion of millions of worshippers?or worse,spirits playing a role?in NDEs this is a huge problem actually,trickster spirits playing roles as whatever the recipient wants to have a vision of basically.

how did the recipient saint know this?how do we know that kali,tripura sundari,bhairava for example truly exists in the way we hindus think they do?

Thanks for any help

I hate having such doubts,but it comes with the territory.

no offence intended.I'm just trying to learn.all the Gurus I email questions to,ignore me for some reason so Im stuck asking people that probably wont know.

Edit:the saint/sage question asks how to identify a saint or sage,i am asking how to know a vision of a diety is really a diety or not...these are seperate questions.


texts: Did any indian philosopher try to address the omnipotent paradox?

texts:
Can [an omnipotent being] create a stone so heavy that it cannot lift it.(Source)

So did an Indian philosopher or a hindu philosopher answer this question?
Or is there any answer to this question according to hindusim or hindu philosophy?


texts: If Veda vakyams are "eternal" because they are repeated every kalpa, then why can't other vakyams also be eternal because they are repeated?

texts:
Some people say that the veda-vakyams are eternal because they are repeated every kalpa. So vakyams like "yathA purvam akalpayat" (he created the universe just as before) are eternal. But so what? Even laukika (ordinary) statements like "Today is a hot day", "my wife is beautiful", etc. are repeated by millions of people every kalpa, and hence they are eternal.
Even statements contradicting the Vedas like "there is no God" are repeated every kalpa by millions of atheists. So if the Vedas are "eternal" in this sense, then their eternality has no significance because they would be just like nitya-laukika (eternally ordinary) statements.


texts:
In the Vedas there are two paths mentioned Karma Kanda & Jnana Kanda. First one goes through Karma and then one comes to Jnana.

At the same time it's often mentioned that there are also the paths of Bhakti & Raja.

If we look closer they're part of the Karma or Janna practices. However some people don't see it like this and say either one of those can bring you to the goal.

Could someone clarify this?


texts: Can a person before upanayana perform anga nyasa and kara nyasa?

texts:
When I read kavachams, sahasranamamas and ashtothrams, there is mention of anga nyasa and kara nyasa.

I am yet to be initiated into gayathri.

Can I do anga and kara nyasa?


texts: What is the most confidential knowledge in Bhagavad-Gita spoken in BG 18.64?

texts:
BG 18.62 reads as

  tam eva śaraṇaṁ gaccha sarva-bhāvena bhārata

  O scion of Bharata, surrender unto Him utterly.

Bg 18.63

  iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā

  Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more conﬁdential

18.64

  sarva-guhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ iṣṭo 'si me dṛḍham iti
  tato vakṣyāmi te hitam

  Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme
  instruction, the most conﬁdential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me,
  for it is for your beneﬁt.

18.66

  sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ
  sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

  Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall
  deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

Krishna suggests to surrender in 18.62, and then calls it more confidential knowledge in 18.63. In 18.64,Krishna says he is going to teach most confidential knowledge and says in 18.66 to surrender.

In 18.61-62 & 18.65-66, the process suggested is the same 'bhakti' /'surrender' . Then what is the most confidential thing that Krishna says in 18.64?


texts: Who was Srividya upasaka Sri Bhuvanananda Natha?

texts:
One of the well-known name in the South Indian Sri Vidya tradition is Sri Bhuvanananda Natha.

Is there any brief info about his life events and upasana?


texts: A Peepal tree has grown on the terrace of my house. Now I know if it is not uprooted its roots will dig in deep into a room's ceiling below the terrace. I also know that Peepal tree has got religious value and is said to be sacred. I want to know is it OK if I directly uproot the tree or there has been some religious procedure described anywhere.


texts: Did Rukmini (Lord Krishna's wife) had any role behind Mahabharata war?

texts:
Did Rukmini say anything to Lord Krishna before Mahabharata begin? Lord Krishna  totally supported the war and he wanted to be on Pandava's side. Did Rukmini supported these all decisions?

Is there any role of Rukmini behind Mahabharata war?


texts: Can a Goddess give birth to an ugly child?

texts: Goddesses are all powerful, all knowing, all present. So my question is can a Goddess give birth to an ugly child? (Ugly child means a child with disgusting features like face with pimples, protruding eyes,misplaced eyes, defective ears etc...)


texts: Which Upanishads are quoted in sage Vyasa's Brahma Sutras?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, each of the four Vedas consists of four portions: Samhitas, the core part of the Vedas which consist of verses heard from the gods; Brahmanas, which provide instructions on the proper conducting of important rituals; Aranyakas, which provide a guide to rituals meant for forest-dwellers and hermits; and Upanishads, which consist of conversations between teachers and students which clarify the philosophical message of the Vedas.  Traditionally there are said to be 108 Upanishads in total; here is the canonical list of Upanishads given in the Muktika Upanishad of the Shukla Yajur Veda.

Unfortunately, the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads is notoriously unreliable, as I discuss in this answer, because it was passed down by a poor oral tradition process (as opposed to the painstakingly rigorous process used to preserve the Vedic Samhitas).  Students in the disciplic succession could freely add works to the list, some works in the list are very likely not genuine Upanishads, like the Kali Santarana Upanishad as I discuss in this question.  So we can't be sure of the authenticity of an Upanishad just because it's included in the Muktika canon.

On the other extreme, there are the Mukhya Upanishads, the ten Upanishads that Adi Shankaracharya wrote commentaries on.  Adi Shankaracharya commented on the oldest of the Upanishads, so we can be confident in the authenticity of these ten.  But I'm wondering whether we can expand the set of confirmed Upanishads.  As I discuss in this answer, Vyasa, the sage who compiled the Vedas in the first place, also composed a work called the Brahma Sutras, a work summarizing and systematizing the philosophical teaching of the Upanishads.  The most popular school of Hindu philosophy, the Vedanta school, bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras.

So my question is, what are the Upanishads which are quoted from in the Brahma Sutras?  Vyasa, being the compiler of the Vedas, would presumably know exactly what the actual Upanishads are.  So if an Upanishad is quoted in the Brahma Sutras, there be little doubt about its authenticity.  You can read the Brahma Sutra here, as well as Adi Shankaracharya's commentary on it (the Brahma Sutra Bhashya) here and Ramanujacharya's commentary (the Sri Bhashya) here.  These commentaries give the source of each quote, but does anyone know if there's a definitive list of all the quotes or all the Upanishads from which quotes are taken?


texts: Hinduism sacred texts written outside India?

texts:
Ramayana and Mahabharata the two epics were composed in India in ancient times. Afterwards they reached in different parts of the World like Indonesia and Bali.People on those parts accepted and absorbed these hindu texts as part of their culture.

Like wise are there any hindu sacred texts (about hinduism only) written outside of India in those times and got absorbed or became part of hindu holy texts or grantha?

Not from recent times but from thousands of years back.


texts: The first ones Sadhya Devas responsibilities

texts:
Alright, My question here :
Sadhya gods from Purusha Sukta vs other references, still remains unanswered. The motivation for that question is as follows.
Suppose you are a Sadhya Deva, you consult with other Sadhyas. You can compare that to the "Grey council" of Minbaris in Babylon 5 ( See https://babylon5.fandom.com/wiki/Grey_Council). Suppose you run into a very minimal civilization with a fixed set of same sex members. What would be good advice?

For procreation

Give work for sustenance.

This is very similar to Asuras, Devas and Humans clueless went and stood before Brahma and he said "Da" (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad) and each of them understood it in their context and proceeded. Do our scriptures or any analysis of the same talk about such things such as Manusmṛti? In a way, that is applied Dharma don't you think? Thanks for your time.


texts: How two brothers Bali and Sugriv become enemy to each other?

texts: In Ramayana, Bali and Sugriv were two brothers, but for what reason they become enemy to each other?


texts: Tonsuring story of Neela Devi giving her hair to Lord Vishnu

texts: How long have Indian people known about the legend of Neela Devi giving her hair to Lord Vishnu after he was hit on the head and lost some hair? is this a well known story in India? Has it been around for a while? Does anyone know which Hindu scripture it can be found in?


texts: What is the tradition of wearing bangles for some days after marriage?

texts:
In North India, I observe that my female colleagues wear bangles(and a lot of them) for some days after their marriage.

I have tried googling it, but haven't found much help from google. So, what exactly is the tradition called?

And also, is there any specific amount of time(days) for which they are supposed to wear the bangles?


texts: Rashi in Jyotisha - Sirodaya, Prushtodaya and Ubhayodaya

texts:
Shri Bangalore Venkata Raman in his book Hindu Predictive Astrology briefly mentions three types of Rashis - Sirodaya, Prushtodaya and Ubhayodaya.

What are these Rashis?

More importantly, where do these concepts find application?


texts:
An Arya Samaji recently claimed to me that the Vedas do not talk about bhakti-yoga but only jnana-yoga and karma-yoga. Is he right to say that the concept of bhakti is not present in the Vedas.

Note: Please do not quote from sectarian Upanishads.


texts: Need explanation on Ramana Maharshi's advice on surrendering to conquer destiny

texts:
Question for the quote as below: How will surrender help one conquer destiny? I am new to Maharshi's teachings.
*Quoted as below:
Khanna: Is there destiny? And if what is destined to happen will happen is there any use in prayer or effort or should we just remain idle?
Bhagavan: There are only two ways to conquer destiny or be independent of it. One is to enquire for whom is this destiny and discover that only the ego is bound by destiny and not the Self, and that the ego is non-existent. The other way is to kill the ego by completely surrendering to the Lord, by realizing one’s helplessness and saying all the time: ‘Not I but Thou, oh Lord!’, and giving up all sense of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ and leaving it to the Lord to do what he likes with you. Surrender can never be regarded as complete so long as the devotee wants this or that from the Lord. True surrender is love of God for the sake of love and nothing else, not even for the sake of salvation. In other words, complete effacement of the ego is necessary to conquer destiny, whether you achieve this effacement through Self-enquiry or through bhakti-marga.
(Source: Day by Day with Bhagavan, 28-6-46)*


texts: Name of the Demon who can finish the Mahabharatha in just a second?

texts: What was the name of the demon who said to Lord Krishna that "I can finish the Mahabharata war  just in second, but I need your Permissions"? & then Lord Krishna didn't allow him to do so.


texts:
Apsaras are said to be so beautiful that they enchant and mesmerize even Rishis.

How do Apsaras look? What are their physical characteristics and physical appearance?