texts: Whose bow Sri Rama broke - Varuna's or Shiva's?

texts:
In Ayodhya Kanda, Sita, while narrating her marriage episode to Anasuya, wife of Sage Atri, states that Janaka himself received a great bow from Varuna, the god of Water (rain-god), but not from Lord Shiva.

  महा यज्ने तदा तस्य वरुणेन महात्मना |
  दत्तम् धनुर् वरम् प्रीत्या तूणी च अक्षय्य सायकौ || (Ayodhya Kanda 118th Sarga 39th Sloka)

  In ancient days, Janaka on the occasion of a great sacrifice, received with affection from Varuna (वरुणेन महात्मना) the rain-god, an excellent bow with two quivers that should never lack arrows.

  असंचाल्यम् मनुष्यैः च यत्नेन अपि च गौरवात् |
  तन् न शक्ता नमयितुम् स्वप्नेषु अपि नर अधिपाः || (Ayodhya Kanda 118th Sarga 40th Sloka)

  That bow was so heavy in weight that no man could lift it up nor any of the kings were bale to bend it even in their dreams.

  तच् च दृष्ट्वा धनुः श्रेष्ठम् गौरवाद् गिरि सम्निभम् |
  अभिवाद्य नृपा जग्मुर् अशक्ताः तस्य तोलने || २-११८-४३

  Seeing that excellent bow, resembling a mountain in weight, and being unable to lift it up, the princes offered salutation to it and went away.

  सुदीर्घस्य तु कालस्य राघवो अयम् महा द्युतिः |
  विश्वामित्रेण सहितो यज्नम् द्रष्टुम् समागतः || २-११८-४४
  लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा रामः सत्य पराक्रमः |

  After a very long time, this Rama born in Raghu dynasty with a great splendour possessing a true valour, along with his brother Lakshmana together with a sage Visvamitra, came to witness a sacrifice.

  इत्य् उक्तः तेन विप्रेण तद् धनुः समुपानयत् || २-११८-४७
  निमेष अन्तर मात्रेण तद् आनम्य स वीर्यवान् |
  ज्याम् समारोप्य झटिति पूरयाम् आस वीर्यवान् || २-११८-४८

  Hearing the words of Vivamitra, Janaka caused the bow to be brought there. The mighty and the valiant Rama bent that bow merely within an instant and immediately stringed the bow with the bow-cord and drew the bow to the full.

Now, the question is, whose bow did Sri Rama actually break? The prevalent story is Sri Rama broke Shiva's bow.


texts:
It is a fact that the term "Hindu" derives from the river "Sindh". But most of Hinduism's tenets and teachings derive from the Vedas. Why wasn't it named after the Vedas, but it's rather given a name derived from a river?

Can anyone shed light on this?


texts: What are the boons got by Kunti from Karna?

texts:
EXPLANATION :

I ask this qusetion because of confusion about kunti getting a boon from karna
The boon was karna should not kill the pandavas except arjuna and karna should not use same astra twice against arjuna ?

QUESTION :

As karna refused to use the same astra twice and any of the pandavas were not killed by karna is this boon got by kunti true ?
Or is it a myth created by movies please refer clearly ?


texts:
Namaskar to all saintly ladies and gentlemen
I'd like to know the whole procedure to cure diseases by drawing Mrityunjaya yantra.
I need confirmation the following procedure. If these are not good enough or not precise, please correct me.

drawing Mrityunjaya - five-pointed star.
drawing the three eyes of Lord Shiva in the middle of five-pointed star.
drawing eight petals around the five-pointed star.
this ritual has to be done on Trayodashi the 13th day.


texts: Is there any mention in the scriptures that every God has to have a temple of his/her own? I'm asking this because the number of temples have increased by a very large number in the past few years.


texts: I am in the city of Varanasi.  I want to know what makes Varanasi so special in Vedic memory ? Are there any references to Varanasi in the Vedas ?


texts: What is good karma? What is bad karma? Who defines it?

texts:
Who defines 'good' or 'bad' karma - like this is bad and this is good?
It depends on time or generation?
Is there any book, Veda or any other holy book, where it's defined?


texts: I would like to read and learn our Hindu scriptures. I do not know where to start at. As I understand the primary source of all knowledge is from the Vedas. I have a very basic understanding of Sanskrit which I am sure will not allow me to understand the non translated versions of these scriptures but I do have a solid grip on Hindi. Any suggestions on where to start, books to read, authors, publications or other sources would be really helpful.


texts:
This is my doubt, and now again...

Is Gayatri and Yogic practice compatible with Pure Bhakti practice or not?!

Explanation:

I have practiced many things and sādhanas, I'm not the first day, BUT...
I have always practiced and loved Mantra yoga & Bhakti Yoga....The last years mainly concentrating on Šrīman Nārāyana bhakti and mantra path...

AND - I always have been very much Anti-Yoga and Anti-Chakra, Anti-Kundalini person... From my inner experience - most Kundalini things are sexual energy -related and Tantric things - and I would like to be as far as possible from that part of popular practice... Even more as a celibate person - and I can see around so many so called "pseudo-yogis" with aroused sexual energy and not able to observe strict celibacy....Also - I am not doing any conscious Pranayamas - when I was young - I did tried some pranayama, my brain went out of usual, and since then I am very adverse to any breath regulations.... However - I believe the breath is controlled by Mantra practice themselves...

With above told - I don't feel any tantric negative influence while doing Nārāyana japa.... just a Pure Bhakti....

Also to mention - there are some pandits - who are trying to scare off people, telling - you cannot do this or that mantra without diksha, etc.... - I believe - if I surrender to God - there can never be any negative influence, just Divine Will; but if I do some Kundalini - there indeed can be negative influence, etc....

Now - I hear very often - it is considered very beneficial to do Gayatrī (Devī Gāyatrī) mantra...

But again - I am very concerned to do Gāyatri japa practice, because the explanation of Gāyatrī - always come from Yogic persons - they tell you - Gāyatri arouses Kundalinī, that chakra, that chakra, blah, blah, blah... I don't want to arouse any of my chakras, for God's sake... I only wish to pray God and surrender to God's Will... I don't care about their chakra/ kundalini staff...

So - I cannot decide to do Gayatri practice or not... (I do a little bit anyways, a few times every prayer time, but that is not a serious dedcated practice)


texts: Was Ubhaya Bharati right in asking a question related to Kama Sutra?

texts:
I would like to split question into two parts:

1) Ubhaya Bharati was appointed the judge between Adi Shankaracharya and Mandana Mishra. After Mandana accepts defeat from Shankaracharya, why was Ubhaya Bharati allowed to ask question?
Example: An umpire in a cricket game cannot play the winner of two opponents. His job is just to give a fair decision. In such a case, why was Ubhaya Bharati allowed to ask a question?

2) Adi Shankaracharya was an expert in Advaita, religion and philosophy. Why was it necessary for Shankaracharya  to answer a question related to Kama?
Example: An expert in physics need not answer a question related to surgery. Moreover in a seminar of physics, people will not entertain question unrelated to that topic. Hence Shankaracharya  could have simply bypassed the question as it was not related to the topic of discussion.


texts: Is chanting without concentration effective?

texts: Sometimes I chant the name of Lord Rama without concentration absentmindedly. Is this form of chanting effective?


texts:
Why did Kali yuga need King Parikshit's permission to enter King Parikshit's kingdom?

Who authorised and empowered King Parikshit to control Kali yuga?


texts: Why is Moon on Lord Shiva's head only shown as crescent?

texts:
The story that of, how the Moon god ended up in Lord Shiva's hair, goes like this:

Moon god had to get relief from the disease that he got by his own fault. He came to know that the only remedy for his disease is to be in Lord Shiva's hair. So he prayed to Lord and received a great boon of staying on the Lord's head.

I want to know why in all temples, Moon in Lord Shiva's head is always in curve shape (crescent), not as a full moon or some other positions as we see regularly in the sky.

Is there any reason for this? Is there any place or temple that shows Lord Shiva having other moon shapes?


texts: Does Rakshasas belongs to human species?

texts:
Is Rakshasa a separate species or a group of people in human species?

I mean, does Rakshasa means a bad/immoral human or entirely different from human species? Rakshasa


texts: Proper resources in scripture of side effects of Nav Grah mantra

texts:
Some people say that if Nav Grah beej mantras are not chanted properly then they have side effects as well.
Questions:

Which texts in ancient scripture (shastras) describe the beej mantras of Grahas and their methodology of chanting?

Which text describes bad effects of Nav Grah beej mantra?

Again I am emphasizing on proper description in scripture not by some astrologers.


texts: What to do when a self-imposed vow is broken? Is there a punishment?

texts:
What to do when a vow of controlled (self-imposed) brahmacharya has been broken? The vow is not actually a vow of celibacy (as in the case of a Sannyasin). Here the aspirant controlled himself by this vow for a month by thinking about Lord Shiva.

Now what kind of punishment must the aspirant undergo for the breakage of such a self-imposed vow?


texts: Who are Ashta Dikpalakas? what is their job?

texts:
What are the duties & responsibilities of Ashta Dikpalakas? Are they considered gods/demigods? Can they be worshiped for any specific purpose?

Why are Ūrdhvā & Adho dikpalakas are not prominent?

I heard eating, reading, worshiping/sadhana, travelling in each of these directions will bestow something! Is it true? If yes, please explain.


texts:
Bestiality is possibly the most abnormal and perverted form of sexual intercourse where a human being unites(sexually) with an animal.

Presumably ,some Hindu temples in India depict bestiality through sculptures found on their walls.

Now,based on that some people may jump on to conclusion that "Hinduism" supports/promotes it.

So,i want to know what do the Hindu Scriptures say on bestiality.Since,its called  the "Sanatana Dharma" we can expect that it will not avoid it by saying too vulgar/taboo/offensive to discus and will have a definite say/stand on the issue.


texts: Does Sanatana dharma differentiate between living and non-living entities?

texts:
I entered into a debate with my friend regarding origins of life and on why classifying objects as "living" and "non-living" is one of main problems of science, since this immediately raises the question of origins of life.

Given that in Hinduism, people worship earth, sun, etc., which are considered "non-living" according to science, does Sanatana dharma also classify "objects" as those that possess life and those that do not possess life? Or does it say everything has "life"?


texts: What is the story of Indra restoring the vitality of Shashvati's husband?

texts:
Rig Veda Book 8 Hymn 1 is dedicated to Indra and sings his glories while calling him to partake of the soma juice being prepared for his sake. The ast verse of the hymn mentions something like this:

  33 Playoga's son Āsaṅga, by ten thousand, O Agni, hath surpassed the rest in giving.
  For me ten bright-hued oxen have come forward like lotus-stalks from out a lake upstanding.
  34 What time her husband's perfect restoration to his lost strength and manhood was apparent,
  His consort Śaśvatī with joy addressed him, Now art thou well, my lord, and shalt be happy.

I am assuming that the first two sentences are talking about the man who has organised the yagnya but I want to know what is the story of Shasvati's husband being restored to his health by Indra?


texts: Is cooked or uncooked rice offered in rudrabhishek? If so, which one? Or is it both?


texts: According to the Ramayana, Dasharatha had 3 wives, but in some books they say he had 60,000 wives. Which one is true?


texts: What are the "Three Worlds" referred to in the Bhagavad Gita 3.22?

texts:
What are the "three worlds" being referred to in this shloka of the Bhagavad Gita?

न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन |
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि || 3.22||
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣhu lokeṣhu kiñchana
nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva cha karmaṇi
"There is no duty for me to do in all the three worlds, O Parth, nor do I have anything to gain or attain. Yet, I am engaged in prescribed duties."

I have searched to find some commentaries on this shloka but there aren't any that I can find that directly address the part of the shloka referring to the "3 worlds".
Are they the Underworld, Earth and Heavens? If so, can this be verified in any way? Is this referred to in another part of the Mahabharata outside of the Gita? This is giving me quite the headache.


texts:
Present Caste System is a modified Varna Dharma by Britishers.
There are many subcategories even for a single Caste. (more than 7 in some cases)
I didn't see any scriptures mentioning subcategories in any Varna.

MY QUESTION :

Do/did Varnas also have subcategories like Caste or Jati ?


texts: Is there any specific deity who cuts sins?

texts:
As per Hinduism is there any specific deity who cuts sins or all deities cut sins?

Narada muni when cursed Lord Vishnu then Lord Vishnu told Narada to chant 'Om Namah Shivay' which would cut sins of Narada? Why?

Also, Lord Rama established Shiva Lingam to cut the sin of Brahm Hatya  (Killing Ravana).

Also, Lord Krishna told Pandavas to worship Lord Shiva to cut the sins of Mahabharata. Why Lord Krishna, Lord Rama or Lord Vishnu can't cut sins? Is it that only Lord Shiva cuts sins as he is destroyer of sins.


texts: Is sneezing before commencing work considered a good or bad omen?

texts: It is popularly believed that sneezing immediately before commencing any kind of work is a bad omen or it brings unfavorable results, is it really a bad omen or it's actually considered good?


texts: Why did Vedvyasa mention his shishya Jaimini's opinion/saying in Brahma Sutra?

texts:
I started reading the BrahmaSutra and have completed 1.2. I found Vedavyasa mentions Jaimini in his sutra:

  साक्षादप्यविरोधं जैमिनिः।।1.2.28।।
  Jaimini (declares that there is) no contradiction even (if by Vaisvanara) (Brahman is) directly (taken as the object of worship).

And

  सम्पत्तेरिति जैमिनिस्तथा हि दर्शयति।।1.2.31।।
  Because of imaginary identity the Supreme Lord may be called Pradesamatra (span long). So says Jaimini because so (the Sruti) declares

Note: Quoted English translation from here.

We know that Jaimini was a student (शिष्य) of VedVyasa and is popular for the Mimamsa school and Mimansa Sutra. So, I just think how was it happened that VedVyasa mention Jaimini's opinion/saying in his Sutra and then also taught him? In other words, Jaimini should (had) given Mimamsa Sutras before the BrahmaSutra of VedVyasa.

So, following questions are raised in my mind:

Why did Vedvyasa take his student Jaimini's saying/opinion in his Brahma Sutra.
Was Brahma Sutra written before or after Jaimini's Mimamsa Sutra?


texts: Why vibheeshana did not choose to be neutral?

texts: Vibheeshana loved his family . It was plausible for him to be neutral and not take sides with sri ram . why did he choose to end up in the camp of sri ram inspite of possiblity of being killed ?


texts:
Is judging a person blindly or using poor judgement to judge someone discouraged in Hinduism? Is it a sin? If yes what punishment would be granted for committing such a sin.?

EDIT: Blind judgement may also include
Forming an opinion WITHOUT  careful thought. And believing such opinion to be completely true or factual without doing any verification or research. For example, if a person say Mr. A accuses Mr. B of committing a certain crime. And if Mr. C blindly believes Mr. A's accusation to be true without asking Mr. A to provide any evidence. Is it sinful on Mr. C's part to blindly believe a person's accusation.
Blindly believing an innocent person to be a culprit might be harmful to the innocent person. For example a person  gets falsely accused of rape and most people blindly believe that he is a rapist and start shaming him. This might cause depression or sadness to the innocent person as he doesn't want to be called a rapist. In such a case the people blindly believing him to be a rapist, are those people bound to a sin? I hope you get my point.


texts: Does Hinduism acknowledge the existence of other religions?

texts:
Hinduism isn't a religion but a way of living. Koran and Bible both mention Hinduism, Islam and Christianity and treat Hinduism and themselves as a religion but nowhere in a Hindu text Hinduism is considered a religion (at least not in my knowledge).

Is there any mention of other religions in any Hindu text?


texts: Clarification on Arjun's statement on Bhima's marriage?

texts:
As per Mahabharata: Adi Parva: Swayamvara Parva: Section CLXLIII, the intelligent king (Yudhishthira) told Dhananjaya,

  'By thee, O Phalguna, hath Yajnaseni been won. It is proper, therefore, that thou shouldst wed her. O thou withstander of all foes, igniting the sacred fire, take thou her hand with due rites.'

Arjuna, hearing this, replied,

  O king, do not make me a participator in sin. Thy behest is not conformable to virtue. That is the path followed by the sinful. Thou shouldst wed first, then the strong-armed Bhima of inconceivable feats, then myself,...

But, Bhima was already married to Hidimva by that time. So what does that mean?

And why this point was not raised when Bhima got married to Hidimva that he should not get married before Yudhisthira?

Later, Yudhishthir also says similar things

  I am unmarried still, and Bhima also is so amongst the sons of Pandu. ~ Did Kunti explicitly told Pandavas to marry Draupadi?


texts:
You are supposed to say this mantra (sloka?) after performing any ritual to atone for any errors made:

  yasya smṛtyā ca nāmoktayā tapojñayākriyādiṣu
  nyūnaṃ saṃpūrṇatāṃ yāti sadhyo vande tamacyutam

  यस्य स्मृत्या च नामोक्तया तपोज्ञयाक्रियादिषु
  न्यूनं संपूर्णतां याति सध्यो वन्दे तमच्युतम्

  I praise that Eternal Lord by remembering whom and uttering whose name all deficiences are supplied in every sacrifice and ceremony.

This mantra is cited in the commentary on the Yajnvalkya Smriti called the Mitākṣarā here.

Which scripture is this mantra from?


texts: How Lord Shiva got name as "PanchaMukhan" and when did he become Five faced?

texts: Would like to know how Lord Shiva got name as "PanchaMukhan" ,what are 5 names ? Any images of this PanchaMukhas?? Also when did he become five faced?


texts: Which verse in Ramayana is Devdutt Patnaik referring here?

texts:
In this site, Devdutt Patnaik states the following:

  In mythology, it is said that when Rama was returning to Ayodhya from his forest exile, he noticed that the kinnaras, or queer people, were waiting outside the city.

Which verse is he referring to ?


texts:
Has there ever been an avatar cycle that matches the zodiac?
This doesn’t quite make sense except with animals crab, Scorpio, Aquarius, etc.  it makes sense mostly.
Another way to phrase my question do avatars have birthdays that match a specific month?


texts: Which Verses in VedaSamhitas,Brahmanas,Aryanyakas) speak of ultimate reality as Brahman and knowing Brahman alone is purpose of life and by realizing thus-the world becomes illusion ?


texts: Are Narada Purana and Brihannaradiya Purana the same

texts: the words seem to literally mean "Narada Purana" and "The Big Narada Purana".  are they the same work?


texts: Did Sukracharya invite Lord Srinivasa for marriage with Goddess Padmavathi?

texts:
When I went to Tirupati a week ago, I read the story of Venkateswara on the walls of the main temple. It says Sukracharya invited Lord Srinivasa for marriage with Padmavathi on behalf of Gods. I could not take photo of this as I was inside the main temple.

How could Sukracharya invite Srinivasa for marriage on behalf of Gods, when he (Sukracharya) clearly hates Lord Vishnu as Lord Vishnu killed his mother? Did he really invite Srinivasa?


texts: Does the Skanda Purana classify Puranas into Sattva and Tamas?

texts:
It is well known that Padma Purana classify Puranas into three which is shown below:

Sattva: Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Naradeya Purana, Garuda
Purana, Padma Purana, Varaha Purana
Rajas: Brahmanda Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Markandeya Purana,
Bhavishya Purana, Vamana Purana, Brahma Purana
Tamas: Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Linga Purana, Shiva Purana,
Skanda Purana, Agni Purana

Padma Purana also says Sattva Puranas lead one to heaven and Tamo Guna Puranas lead one to hell.

However, I heard from someone that Skanda Purana classifies 10 Shaiva Puranas as puranas with Sattva Guna and Vaishnava Puranas as puranas with Tamo Guna, so if Vaishnava Puranas contradict Shaiva Puranas, only Shaiva Puranas should be accepted as Pramana.

Is this classification really mentioned in the Skanda Purana? If yes, please provide Canto and chapter number.


texts: I have been reading an English translation version of Shri Bhagwatam and in that it is mentioned that Shri Krishna did not kill Bana the son of Bali.He did not kill him because he has promised Bali not to kill anyone from his family. It is also stated that Bali was a descendant of Prahlada. I want to know that how is Bali related to Prahlada? Also when did Lord promise Bali not to kill any of his descendants?


texts: A forgotten episode of "RAMAYANA"-AKAL BODHAN OF RAMCHANDRA

texts:
This is written in "RAMAYANA" once Ramchandra ready to worship Devi Durga became impatient because Devi Durga was not listening to his prayer.
    The worship was arranged so that Pandavas become victorious in the war against Kauravas.
        There was no immediate result of Ramchandra's prayer.
      At last in desperation, Ramchandra wanted to damage his one eye in an attempt to become semi-blind.his eye became blueish. Finally, SRI RAMCHANDRA gave up his effort. This is called "AKAL BODHAN" OF SRI RAMCHANDRA IN RAMAYANA. The worship was the beginning of an effort to be victorious against RAVANA who abducted his wife Sita.

    My question is and I would like to know SRI RAMCHANDRA was wise as a king should be. Why he suddenly went to sacrificing his eye. which NO GOD OR GODDESS WILL GIVE HIM BACK OR COMPENSATE?

         I would like to know why this episode is omitted from the Hinduism site. The episode is found  IN RAMAYANA WRITTEN BY KRITTIVAS OJHA IN 15TH CENTURY IN BENGAL. THERE IS NO REFERENCE OF UNTIMELY AWAKENING OF DEVI DURGA[AKAL BODHAN] FOR WORSHIP IN VALMIKI RAMAYANA.RAM HIMSELF STARTED AKAL BODHAN[UNTIMELY INVOCATION]AND WANTED THE UNTIMELY WORSHIP TO PERPETUATE IN YEARS TO COME. THE LAST LINE IS AN ANSWER, NO PERSONALIZED ADVICE IS SOUGHT.


texts: Is initiation/diksha carried over to the next birth?

texts: When we are on the path of self realization we know the first step should be to get initiated/diksha from a guru, but my question is if the person/soul was initiated in the previous birth and before attaining salvation the person died and when he/she is born again will initiation be required again or will that soul be directed on the spiritual journey automatically? Because it is said that even the common man can attain the state of a great Sadhaka as a result of Sadhana carried out in several births and attain the stage of eternal bliss (Brahmananda).


texts: In Shiva temples, special poojas are performed during Pradhosham. What is the reason behind observing Pradhosham? Are there any specific requirements that ought to be observed during Pradhosham?


texts: What is the source of the Sanskrit śloka that lists the four corner-stones of dharma?

texts:
Vedah Smritah Sadaachaarah Svasyacha priyamaatmanah,
  Etad chaturvidham praahuh saakshaat Dharmasya lakshanam

  The four corner-stones of Dharma are Veda, Smriti, Sadaachaara and above all,
  one's own Inner Conscience.

The above Sanskrit śloka can be found at the end of this book (Dharma Bindu - Essence of Dharma Shastra).

What is the source of this śloka? Which scripture contains this?

  yaś caturguṇasaṃpannaṃ dharmaṃ veda sa dharmavit
  aher iva hi dharmasya padaṃ duḥkhaṃ gaveṣitum [MB, Shanti Parva, 12-130.019a]

Above, Bhishma seems to make an indirect reference to it in the Mahabharata and that reference has been used in this answer.


texts: Are Sudras not allowed to study any scriptures of Hindusim?

texts:
O  Adi shankaracharya and Acharya Ramanuja commenting on Brahmasutras said

Sudras are not allowed to study or hear any Vedas.
If a sudra studies or hears Vedas he should be punished.
Reading or Hearing about Vedic knowledge will destroy ignorance.
QUESTION :
Are Sudras allowed to read scriptures other than Vedas ?
Why they are not allowed to study them ?


texts: Does Govardhana Mutt accept the authenticity of Bharati Krishna Tirthaji's "Vedic Mathematics"?

texts:
"Vedic Mathematics" is a book by Bharati Krishna Tirthaji, who served as the Shankaracharya of Sringeri Mutt from 1921-1925, and as the Shankaracharya of Govardhana Mutt from 1925 until his death in 1960.  It was during his time in the latter position that he gave a series of lectures in which he claimed to have discovered a set of 16 Sutras in the Parishishta (appendix) of the Atharvana Veda which describe advanced mathematical techniques.  He then wrote a book on the same subject, known as "Vedic Mathematics", which was published posthumously in 1965.

But most scholars don't accept the authenticity of the book, for reasons described in journal paper.  For one thing, published editions of the Parishishta of the Atharvana Veda do not contain these 16 Sutras.  Also, the mathematical techniques that Bharati Krishna Tirthaji describes are reminiscent of European arithmetic tricks.  (See here for the real mathematics of the Vedic period.). But my question is, what does Govardhana Mutt believe about the authenticity of the book, given that Bharati Krishna Tirthaji was one of their Shankaracharyas?  I would ask about Sringeri Mutt as well, except that Bharati Krishna Tirthaji lectured on this subject while he was the Shankaracharya of Govardhana Mutt.

Bharati Krishna Tirthaji's shishya Manjula Tirvedi says this in her introduction to the "Vedic Mathematics" book:

  Obviously these formulas are not to be found in the present recessions of Atharvaveda; they were actually reconstructed, on the basis of intuitive revelation, from materials scattered here are there in the Atharvaveda.

But have any Shankaracharyas of Govardhana Mutt who came after Bharati Krishna Tirthaji's time discussed the book?


texts: How to tell if your guru is god-realized?

texts:
I know that many scriptures in Hinduism emphasize the guru as the path to God, and the importance of finding a guru that will truly help you achieve your goal. I am having an issue with my current guru, though, because I cannot tell if he is truly god-realized? How will I know if he is truly a god-realized guru?

His philosophy has a heavy focus on doing one's duties on Earth in a proper way according to scriptures, but there is not a heavy emphasis on bhakti (even though there is a strong emphasis on prayer).


texts: What was the nakshatra and gotra of Ravana?

texts:
I was looking for details about Ravana's nakshatra but could not find reliable information.Is there any Texts that mention Ravana's nakshatra and other astrological details?

For the gotra,I found out that Ravana's gotra was the Devgana Gotra,but I don't know which Texts mention this.

If possible please cite all the available Texts.


texts:
Namaste,

When making food for naivedyam, is it ok to save half of it, especially the stuffing (poornam) and use it next time to make fresh food (example: poli, kozhukkattai, etc) and offer it to god?

That is, if the stuffing gets to be too much, you can save it and reuse it to make fresh food for offering to god again in future?


texts:
Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda, ChaturVimsha sarga, verses  8-9:

  Mansarovar is on Mt.Kailasa, and from Manasa sarovar flows a river close to Ayodhyapuri. Because this has originated from a lake, saraH, this is known as Sarayu.  And because it flows from Brahma's Lake it is a merited river.

The current Sarayu river looks like it comes from Rakshastal and not from manasa sarovar.

Also according to Matsyapurana, adhay 121, shlok 14-17:

  "Sarayu river flows west from Mansarovar"

But the current sarayu river flows south from Rakshastal. So if this is the case, how can we say that the current Ayodhya is real? and where is Ayodhya?

Note: I do not wish to offend anyone regarding my question. Our current thirthas are as holy regardless of their authenticity and I respect their location. Being a Hindu, I would never disrespect any thirth just because they do not match with shastras. Many thirthas have changed locations and this is why I try to find their original location. Sorry if I have offended anybody.


texts: Does anyone know about history of Lord Vishwakarma? please write details about it.


texts: Where in Vedas it is written that Vedas are incomplete without Ithihas and Puranas?

texts: All scholars agree that Vedas should be understood completely when you interpret Vedas with Puranas and Ithihas. Where in Vedas it is stated like that?


texts: What part of the Sama Veda Samhita is the Udgitha?

texts:
A traditional Vedic yagna (fire-ritual) would be conducted by three main priests - a Hotar who would chant hymns from the Rig Veda Samhita, an Adhvaryu who would chant hymns from the Yajur Veda Samhita, and an Udgatri who would chant (or rather sing) hymns from the Sama Veda Samhita.  (The Samhitas are the core part of the Vedas, consisting of verses heard directly from the gods.). Now the reason the Sama Veda priest was called an Udgatri is because the Udgitha is the name for a certain portion of the Sama Veda Samhita.

My question is, what part of the Sama Veda is the Udgitha?  You can read the Sama Veda here, as you can see, it's divided into two Parts, each of which has a bunch of Books, each of which consists of a bunch of Chapters, each of which consists of a bunch of Hymns with ten verses or less.  So which hymns are included in the Udgitha?

Note that if you search for the term Udgitha, you'll often come across assertions that "Om is the Uditha."  Such assertions originate in the Chandogya Upanishad, but the reason the Chandogya Upanishad refers to the sound Om as the Udgitha is because the Udgitha portion of the Sama Veda is sung beginning with Om, as described in the beginning of the Chandogya Upanishad:

  Let a man meditate on the syllable Om, called the udgîtha; for the udgîtha (a portion of the Sâma-veda) is sung, beginning with Om.

So let me be clear that this question is not about Om.


texts: Gaṇeśa or gaṇapati means "lord or leader of the gaṇas" where gaṇa means "flock, troop, multitude, tribe." This means that Gaṇeśa is a title and not his name. When Parvati create him, wasn't he given a proper name before he became the leader of the Gaṇas—perhaps when he had his original head?


texts: What Hinduism verse is similar to the following Christianity verse?

texts:
What verse is most similar to the following verse in Hinduism?

Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31


texts: Why did Vishnu need to incarnate as the son of Jamadagni to defeat Sahastrarjuna? Why not just kill him himself (using his true form)?

texts:
The question is based on this quote from Mahabharata (Vana Parva Section 115)

  And grown resistless by the virtue of a granted boon, he ever mounted
  on that car, trampled upon gods and Yakshas and saints on all sides
  round. And all the born beings wheresoever placed, were harassed by
  him. Then the celestials and the saints of a rigidly virtuous life,
  met together, and thus spake to Vishnu, the god of gods, the slayer of
  demons, and possessed of prowess that never failed, saying. 'O blessed and revered lord, for the purpose of preserving all the born beings,
  it is necessary that Arjuna should be killed by thee.' And the mighty
  ruler of the Haihaya tribe placing himself on his celestial car,
  affronted Indra, while that deity was enjoying himself with Sachi, his
  queen. Then, O Bharata's son, the blessed and the revered god
  (Vishhnu) held a consultation with Indra, with a view to
  destroying Kartavirya's son. And on that occasion, all that was for
  the good of the world of beings, was communicated by the lord of gods;
  and the blessed god worshipped by the world, to do all that was
  necessary, went to the delightful Vadari wood which was his own chosen
  retreat for practising penances.

Did people start considering Kartavirya Sahastrarjuna a Rakshasa? Vayu Purana also labeled him as a good righteous king but Mahabharata says that he was a evil king. And if so, then why did not Visnu kill him the moment he harassed the Devas?


texts: Stories Of Yagnavalkya Rishi (याज्ञवल्क्य ऋषि)

texts:
What is the Story Of Shree Yagnavalkya Rishi giving back his Knowladge to his Guru Shree Vaisampayana (वैशंपायन).

What is the story of Shree Yagnavalkya Rishi and Godess Saraswati?


texts: Do the same avatars repeat in each chaturyuga?

texts:
The Manache Shlok in Marathi mentions that Ramayana happens once in a Kalpa.

  मना कल्पना कल्पिता कल्प कोटी| नव्हे रे नव्हे सर्वथा रामभेटी|| मना कामना राम नाही जयाला| अति आदरे प्रीती नाही तयाला||

Explanation of this consisted that Ramayana happens once in a kalpa. I am curious to know if all the ten avatars of Vishnu repeat in each Chaturyuga (Mahayuga).


texts: Do we have any account of Nand and Yashoda's daughter's afterlife?

texts:
In Shreemad Bhagavatam, we have read that infant Krishna was replaced by an infant girl by Vasudeva. This girl was the daughter of Nanda and Yashoda and when Kansa tried to kill that girl she changed to a goddess (not sure but I think Devi Durga or Yog Maya) and informed Kansa that his kaal is somewhere else.

Now my question is about this girl child. I wanted to know, if she is a goddess then which goddess and do we have any account of her afterlife, and if she came for just this role then what was the purpose of such a small role by a goddess?

We generally see Gods/Goddesses being reincarnated to do some important task but this task would have been done by even an Akashvaani.


texts: Which scriptures describe the importance of Sarva-pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya?

texts:
Which scriptures mention the significance of Sarva-pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya and the day (or amavasya) of the year this needs to be observed?

I'm looking for verses from scriptures and their translation.


texts: Do Gita talks about or mention Upanishads?

texts:
Gita talks about Vedas

BG 10.22: I am the Sāma Veda amongst the Vedas, and Indra amongst the celestial gods. Amongst the senses I am the mind; amongst the living beings I am consciousness.

It also talks about Brahma Sūtra.

BG 13.5: Great sages have sung the truth about the field and the knower of the field in manifold ways. It has been stated in various Vedic hymns, and especially revealed in the Brahma Sūtra, with sound logic and conclusive evidence.

But does the Gita talks about Upanishads or mention it?


texts: Are there any verses in the scriptures which proclaim Vishnu and Shiva to be one and same?

texts: As we know, Vaishnavism and Shaivism are two largest sects within Hinduism.While Vaishnavas believe Vishnu as Supreme,Shaivas believe in Shiva as Supreme. My question is, if there is any reference in scriptures (preferably Vedas) where  Vishnu and Shiva are proclaimed to be one and same. I remember reading somewhere that in Mahabharata, Vishnu is considered same as Shiva. Is it true? what about other scriptures especially Vedas?


texts: Story behind Lord Mahavishnu lying on a 5 headed serpent in the ocean

texts: What is the story behind Lord Mahavishnu lying on a serpent with 5 heads in an ocean?


texts: Did the Purva Mimamsa school think the Devas have no intelligence?

texts:
Udayana's Nyaya Kusumanjali is a Nyaya-Vaisheshika work which seeks to logically prove the existence of God. In this excerpt from the Nyaya Kusumanjali, Udayana describes how the Prana Pratishtha ritual makes the presence of a Deva enter a statue:

  The deities become conciliated in the ceremonies of consecration, and show it by coming to take up their residence, i.e. by the appropriation of the image and self-consciousness thereto; but by the touch of an impure person such appropriation and self-consciousness are rendered void.  Even on the Mimansaka view which disputes the intelligence of the deities, we can say that it is the idea that the worship has been performed in a due manner, and that the image has been duly consecrated, - this idea also being necessarily accompanied by the absence of the touch of any impure person, - which constitutes the image's fitness as an object of worship, and the ceremony's importance lies in its contributing to produce the idea

I asked about the "impure person" part in my question here, but now I'm interested in the part in bold.  My question is, is it true that the Purva Mimamsa school believed that the Devas had no intelligence, i.e. no capacity to think?

Now as I discuss in this answer, the Purva Mimamsa school believed a lot a strange things about the Devas: that they don't have bodies, that they do not consume offerings made in Yagnas, that they're not allowed to do Yagnas themselves, and that the only role they play in Yagnas is that offerings are made with reference to them as recipients.  And in this excerpt from his commentary on the Purva Mimamsa Sutras, Shabaraswami says that it would not hurt the Purva Mimamsa position if someone said that the Devas are just words:

  Says the Opponent - "In that case it is the word that becomes the Deity." Answer - This is an idea that it is not for us to refute; because such an idea, if expressed, does not militate against our view; on the contrary it lends all the more strength to the view [that different names of the same Deva should not be substituted for one another].

But are there any Purva Mimamsa works which say that the Devas have no intelligence?


texts: What is the purpose of reciting Sri Rudram Laghunyasam and also the time and precautions to take.Can it be recited without performing any physical Pooja or offerings.


texts: Why did Adi Shankara promote idol worship?

texts:
Today Adi Shankaracarya's Adavaitvaad is a prominent philosophy in Hinduism but if we go through his life, we see that he not only preserved the idol worship practices across India but actively promoted it through certain rituals like 'Panchayatan' pooja and composed numerous 'Stotras' for various deities. This probably could be the start of Polytheism or at-least the formal establishment of the Polytheism in Hindus.
As per my understanding Advait vedanta doesn't accept the notion of personal God/Godess. Then why didn't Shankara eliminate the idol worship?


texts: How many commentaries are there of the Srimad Bhagavatam?

texts: I would like to have the list of commentators of the Srimad Bhagavatam (the one dedicated to Lord Krishna). How many of these commentaries have being translated to English? Are any of the commentaries available online?


texts: What scriptures describe the story of Rama visiting Vishnu in Vaikuntha?

texts:
Most people only know of occasions in which two different incarnations of Vishnu met, for instance the encounter between Rama and Parashurama in the Ramayana.  What is not as well known, however, is that Vishnu's incarnation Krishna (along with Arjuna) once met Vishnu himself, as I discuss in this question.  But apparently this isn't the only such incident.  This excerpt from a journal paper published by Asiatic Researches in 1810 recounts a story it says is in the Patala Kanda of Padma Purana, about an occasion when Rama, accompanied by Shiva, goes to Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu.

In the Padma Purana, section of Patala, or the infernal regions, Suta is introduced relating the most wonderful exploits, and mighty deeds of Ramachandra, who came originally from the White Island, as we have seen before[.]...  Ramachandra, having the advantage of a self-moving car, performed in a few days, in company with Mahadeva....  He then advanced towards the Lokaloka mountains, and Shambu or Shiva ... ascended his vimana, or vehicle, and with wonderful speed, soon overtook Rama.  They then descried the Lokaloka mountain, on the summit of which are the paths of the planets.... Thus assisted with the refulgence of Shambhu, they arrived into the land of darkness, where there are no living creatures.  There, one hundred millions of Yojanas from the limits of light, in that land of darkness, is Maharajatabhumi[.]. In the middle of it is Narayanapura, resplendent like one hundred millions of suns.  Rama was astonished at this wonderful sight, in the land of the blessed, and the paradise of Vishnu....
Rama ... immediately made puja to Achyuta, or the incorruptible god.... Vishnu and Lakshmi, with myriads of yogis, came out to meet their guests, no having worshipped them, carried them to Narayanapura.  Vishnu asked, "How have you come to this place inaccessible to mortals?" ... Shambhu answered "He is a portion of your essence: we saw a path, and we followed it, and he wishes very much to see your consort."

Rama is eager to see Lakshmi, as Sita has apparently died already, but he leaves quickly because he has taken an Ekapatni Vrata.
But my question is not about the story itself, but rather about where it's from.  The journal paper claims it's from the Patala Kanda of the Padma Purana.  You can read the Padma Purana using the links in my answer here; I can't seem to find the story at first glance.
So does anyone know what chapter it's in, or whether it's found in other scriptures?


texts: Why did Lord Rama give a second chance to Ravana, but not to Vali?

texts:
In Ramayana, Lord Rama gave a chance to Ravana to surrender and sent Angada as his ambassador for peace conciliation. This was because mercy befits a warrior.

Why didn't Rama, for the same reason, give a chance to Vali to surrender and give Sugriva his rights to the throne of the Vanara kingdom?


texts:
In the Internet we see many sites which claim that Mantras are locked in Kaliyuga. Are the mantras really locked? Why are they locked?
Also does anyone know methods to unlock Mantras which can be propagated in public if they are locked?


texts: when is the first unequivocal reference to Narasimha, the avatara of Vishnu?

texts:
In the ultimate Vaishnavite purana, Vishnu-purana - Narasimha hardly exists.  Hiranykashipu repents and Vishnu gives him boons.  It is parenthetically mentioned that he was killed by Narasimha, but the "near-invincibility" boon is absent.

Vaishnavite partisans claim to see Narasimha in Rig Veda

  I WILL declare the mighty deeds of Viṣṇu, of him who measured out the earthly regions, Who propped the highest place of congregation,
  thrice setting down his footstep, widely striding.
  For this his mighty deed is Viṣṇu lauded, like some wild beast,
  dread, prowling, mountain-roaming; He within whose three wide-extended
  paces all living creatures have their habitation.

Nothing associates lions with mountains.  Whatever this means, it is pure fancy to say that Narasimha appears in Rig Veda.


texts: Is there any subtle explanation to Shiva's manifestation as Sri Dakshina Murty?

texts:
This question is not a duplicate  of the following  question.
What scriptures mention Shiva's Dakshinamurthi form?
This answer under the above question, explains that Dakshinamurty form of Lord Shiva is described in Suta Samhita of Skanda Purana in Mochak Kathanam of Mukti Khanda.
My question is as follows:
Is there any esoteric explanation to Shiva's manifestation as Sri Dakshina Murty, as a Guru of all Sages which are like embodiment of Dharma tree and who have transcended even Vedas, they are sitting around that Banayan tree?


texts: Being passionate of something not spiritually good?

texts: I love maths and computer science, so does that mean I am in moha? Or attached to worldly things which not good in path of reaching god?


texts: Why did Gandhari, a re-incarnation of Mati and a model wife, have to suffer so much?

texts:
All the characters of the MHB cast and reap karma--whether from a past life, or their present; but I cannot find a reason that Gandhari should have to suffer so much when she was the ideal wife and incarnate of Mati--who by a thin thread, I see is another name for Saraswati.

One theory-she was "Zinging" Dritarastra with a "see how YOU like being married to a blind woman" bad attitude, and also she felt envy that Kunti delivered while she had to carry her baby for 2 years- I just don't see why her impatience or irritation at finding out her future husband was blind, could cause her to suffer such a horrible life of having envious sons (like her) and watching them get killed.

Three questions:

Is Mati another name for Saraswati?
Why would such a model mother be punished so severely?
Are there any stories about Mati that would explain her karma?


texts: How did Lord Krishna teach Balarama [his own brother] to get rid of his Ego? What was the plan he made that Balarama turned good after that incident?


texts:
What do Hindu scriptures says about abortion ("a deliberate termination of pregnancy")?

Was it a sin at some point in the past? If so, why?

Have any modern Hindu gurus, like Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Prabhupada, etc., commented on it?


texts: Did Lord Vishnu pray to Lord Ganesha? If yes, in which scripture is it written?

texts:
Certain websites claim that Lord Vishnu prayed to Lord Ganesha. Now if this story is true, in which scripture is this story written? The following is the story as presented by these websites:

  One day Lord Vishnu got annoyed very badly when his conch (Valampuri shankh) got missing. After some time he heard the sound of his conch form the side of Mount Kailash i.e. Lord Shiva’s home. On finding his conch with Lord Ganesha, he requested Lord Shiva to get his conch back from him. Lord Shiva as a solution asked Lord Vishnu to perform a ceremonial activity (Pooja) that can please Lord Ganesha. Lord Vishnu on adhering to the suggestion of Lord Shiva offered prayers to Ganesha.

  Lord Ganesha being pleased with Lord Vishnu returned his conch. After this incident, Lord Ganesha was given the name of Valampuri Ganesh which means Ganesha with the trunk facing the right direction.


texts: Is the eternality of the Vedas contradicted by brihadaranyaka upanishad 2.4.10?

texts:
As from a fire kindled with wet faggot diverse kinds of smoke issue, even so, my dear, the Rg-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, Atharvahgirasa, history, mythology, arts, Upanishads, verses, aphorisms, elucidations and explanations are (like) the breath of this infinite Reality. They are like the breath of this (Supreme Self).[brihadaranyaka upanishad 2.4.10]

So as the verse says, "the breath of this infinite Reality" means all four vedas, upanishad, history, mythology, are from the breath of God.
They must have come after the God.
Eternal : without beginning or end
So the question comes if the Vedas have beginning they be must have an end; so how can the Vedas be eternal.

 I think this supports Nyaya and Samkhya's interpretation, of non eternal vedas.


texts: Why does Chinna Jeeyar Swami carry a bunch of sticks and a flag attached to them?

texts: Why does Chinna Jeeyar Swami carry a bunch of sticks and a white cloth or flag attached to them? What is the significance of these sticks? Why isn't it just a single stick; why should it be a cluster of sticks? Why are these sticks sometimes covered in cloth?


texts: Is it permissible to transgress scriptural injunctions when they are against your conscience?

texts:
According to accepted answer for question: What to do when scriptures go against conscience? and the second highest voted answer, it is permissible to transgress scripture when scripture is against reason and when you personally feel it is wrong!

My conscience tells me killing and raping is A-Okay! Also, Adolf Hitler has justified in his masterpiece, Mein Kampf, that genocide of the weak races is logical, and that religious injunctions are irrational!

However, I'm afraid I might go to hell because Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita:

16.23: "He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination"!!!

So I am unsure, should I follow Krishna's words or follow my own whims (conscience) like Hitler and kill and rape people!?


texts: What are the canonical texts in Hinduism for morality and ethics?

texts:
There are several texts in Hinduism which flirts with the idea of morality and ethics. Itihiasa texts like Mahabharata and Ramayana gives a subjective aura around the subject of morality, notably the conversation between Yudhisthira and the Yaksha and the conversation between Rama and Vashishta in Yoga Vashista.

Also, there are dharmasashtras like Manusmriti, Yagyavalkyasmriti etc which lists out dos and don'ts in a more enumerative sense. So, does the yama-niyama of yogasutras. But I have a feeling that dharmasashtras and yogasutras are not talking about morality/ethics rather jurisprudence. For I believe, laws are not related to morality/ethics.

Also, I understand that dharma or 'righteous behaviour' is often described as a combination of kula-dharma, jati-dharma, manava-dharma, pashu-dharma, mano-dharma, sad-dharma, sva-dharma.

So, my question is is there a canonical set of rules which all the parampara/texts above agree upon? Or if someone can comment upon the aforementioned points?


texts: What Vedic mantra says you can kill Brahmanas bearing arms?

texts:
In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma gives advice to Yudishthira and the Pandavas concerning how to be a good king and how to be good person, while he's lying on a bed of arrows after the end of the Kurukshetra war.  But in this chapter of the Shanti Parva, before he speaks to Bhishma Yudhisthira first speaks to the sage Vyasa, about various kinds of sins and how to repent for them.  In particular, Vyasa says that although killing a Brahmana is unusually one of the worst sins, that does not apply to Brahmanas who are so evil that they take up arms in battle (which Brahmanas are prohibited from doing):

  If a Brahmana well acquainted with the Vedas takes up arms and rushes against thee in battle for killing thee, thou mayst proceed against him for taking his life. By such an act the slayer does not become guilty of the slaughter of a Brahmana. There is a mantra in the Vedas, O son of Kunti, that lays this down, I declare unto thee only those practices that are sanctioned by the authority of the Vedas. One who slays a Brahmana that has fallen away from his own duties and that advances, weapon in hand, with intent to slaughter, does not truly become the slayer of a Brahmana. In such a case it is the wrath of the slayer that proceeds against the wrath of the slain.

My question is, what is the "mantra in the Vedas" that speaks of killing Brahmanas who have taken up arms In battle?

As I discuss in this answer, each of the four Vedas each of the four Vedas consists of four portions: Samhitas, the core part of the Vedas which consist of mantra 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.  So if it's a mantra it would presumably be in the Samhitas of the Vedas.  But the Samhitas focus on praising the gods, not on discussing what humans should or should not do.  So I assume Vyasa is just using mantra in a loose sense of "verse in the Vedas".

So are there any verses in the Brahmanas or Aranyakas of the Vedas which sanction killing Brahmanas who have taken up arms in battle?  That's the part that provides instructions for humana, kthough it mostly revolvea around Yagnas.  If it helps, here is Vyasa's statement to Yudhisthira in Sanskrit:

  17 pragṛhya śastram āyāntam api vedāntagaṃ raṇe |
       jighāṃsantaṃ nihatyājau na tena brahma hā bhavet ||
   18 api cāpy atra kaunteya mantro vedeṣu paṭhyate |
       veda pramāṇa vihitaṃ taṃ dharmaṃ prabravīmi te ||
   19 apetaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ vṛttād yo hanyād ātatāyinam |
       na tena brahma hā sa syān manyus taṃ manyum ṛcchati ||

Assuming Vyasa is actually saying the Vedic verse in the passage, it would probably be verse 19, since Vyasa first says that this is confirmed in a verse in the Vedas and then he says verse 19.

So is verse 19 found in the Vedas at all?  Vyasa is the one who compiled the Vedas, so he would certainly know what's in it.


texts:
Is it to get rid off loneliness, to attain lustfulness, to have more commitment, sacrifice, inheritance, safeguard wealth and oneself? Or what exactly?
People do get married before these questions raise during their early age. Parents don’t give any options to their kids to think before getting married.
Need to understand in Hindu ideology, is marriage essential and mandatory?


texts: HOW can morality be a part of karma when societal rules change from culture to culture?

texts: Within sanatan dharma we consider karma to be universal ... but there are differences in the social rules between differing cultures on our planet. So how can this description of karma be accurate? I mean, it can hardly be universal if something is considered immoral in one city and perfectly acceptable in another.


texts: How will the Kalki avatar look like, appearance-wise? I have heard he'll have a sword and ride atop a horse. Is it true?


texts: In which Kalpa/Manvantar did the gods became immortal for the FIRST time?

texts:
We are all aware how the gods became immortal after consuming Amrit but I came across another interesting story about how they gained immortality even before drinking the elixir. Shatapatha Brahmana 2.2.2 mentions the following story:

Now the gods and the Asuras, both of them sprung from Pragâpati, were contending with each other. They were both soulless, for they were mortal, and he who is mortal is soulless. Among these two (classes of beings) who were mortal, Agni alone was immortal; and it was through him, the immortal, that they both lived. Now whichsoever (of the gods) they (the Asuras) slew, he, indeed, was so (slain).

Thereupon the gods were left inferior. They went on praising and practising austerities, hoping that they might be able to overcome their enemies, the mortal Asuras. They beheld this immortal Agnyâdheya (consecrated fire).

They said, 'Come, let us place that immortal element in our innermost soul! When we have placed that immortal element in our innermost soul, and become immortal and unconquerable, we shall overcome our conquerable, mortal enemies.'

They said, 'With both of us is this fire (Agni): let us then treat openly with the Asuras.'

They said, 'We shall set up (or, establish within ourselves, â-dhâ) the two fires,--what will ye do then?'

They replied, 'Then we shall lay it down (ni-dhâ), saying, Eat grass here! eat wood here! cook pap here! cook meat here!' Now that fire, which the Asuras thus laid down, is this same (fire) wherewith men prepare their food.

The gods then established that (fire) in their innermost soul; and having established that immortal element in their innermost soul, and become immortal and unconquerable, they overcame their mortal, conquerable enemies.

Not sure when this incident happened and why did they need to drink the Amrit later. Perhaps they lost their immortality after the curse of Durvasa and it had to be regained through Amrit in the previous Manvantar. But irrespective of that, I want to know which Kalpa or Manvanatar did the gods FIRST become immortal? Are there any details mentioned in any other scriptures?


texts: What is the meaning of "Ganpati Bappa Morya"?

texts:
I heard this many times but don't know what it means.

Is Ganpati another name for Ganesha?

What is bappa and Morya?


texts: Do Hindus have specific dress code guidelines in their dharma shastras (scriptures)?

texts: Are there any specific teachings related to how Hindus should dress in the public? In Islam, for instance, it has been outlined that women must wear a hijab or nikab. Islam has very clear instructions when it comes to clothing. Do Hindus have clear instructions on how, what, when or what not to wear based on special or non-special events?


texts: Has Bhaskara's second-oldest Brahma Sutra Bhashya ever been translated into English?

texts:
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa that summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads. You can read the Brahma Sutras here; they consist of concise aphorisms, so people usually read them with the help of a commentary. The oldest surviving commentary was Adi Shankaracharya's Advaita commentary, and the next famous commentary was Ramanujacharya's Visistadvaita commentary

But there was another commentary written between these two, by the philosopher Bhaskara.  He wrote his commentary shortly after the time of Adi Shankaracharya, and it was written from the point of view of Bhedabheda, a philosophy according to which the Jivatma or individual soul is simultaneously the same and different from Paramatna or the supreme soul.  This may seem paradoxical, but Bhaskara believed that the individual soul was an Upadhi or limited version of the unlimited Brahman, similar to the view of the Saiva Siddhanta Church as I discuss here.  In any case, most secular scholars believe that Vyasa and the other pre-Shankara Vedantic philosophers all subscribed to some kind of philosophy of Bhedabheda, probably similar to Bhaskara's philosophy given how much it seems to have been in agreement with Baudhayana's vritti (which I discuss here).

So my question is, is Bhaskara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras available online in English?  It's available in Sanskrit in print form here.  But has it ever been translated into English, and if so is there an online version of it?

I find it strange that no one would ever translate the second-oldest commentary on the Brahma Sutras, and yet I haven't come across any translations.  By the way, for more information on Bhaskara's philosophy, see P.N. Srinivasachari's book "The Philosophy of Bhedabheda", which you can read here.


texts: References to Varanasi in Ramayana and Mahabharata

texts: An ongoing study by IIT Kharagpur shows that civilization may have existed in Varanasi as long as 4500 BC. My question is inspired by this study. What are the references available to Varanasi or Benaras in Ramayana and Mahabharata?


texts: Where do I find this Advait (non dual) philosophical quote by Nammalvar?

texts:
Alvars were devotees of Lord Vishnu who propagated Vishnu devotion in ancient India. One of the Alvar named Nammalvar said the following (found from Teachings' of Ramana Maharshi book) -

  In ignorance, I took the ego to be the Self, but with right knowledge the ego is not and only you remain as the Self.

So, the saint is establishing his and Lord Vishnu's self/Atma as one based on his  Advaitin experience. I want to know where do I find this quote?


texts: Is Atma both the Witness and Non-Witness of existence?

texts:
In the question here ,I ask about who performs the actions of our senses ?
In reply I have been told that the Atma performs the actions of our senses but is not the experiencer of the fruits of the actions. He is just a witness.
However it is also said that when we die, the Witness ceases to be the Witness because there is nothing to be witnessed.

So my question is : Can Atma be both the Witness and non-Witness?


texts: Was Rishi Vyasa the great grandson of Rishi Vashishtha?

texts:
The wiki articles on the following 4 Rishis says that: Rishi Shakti was the son of Rishi Vashishtha (to whom the text Yoga Vashishtha - a conversation between him and Shri Rama is ascribed), Shakti's son was Rishi Parashara (who wrote the Jyotisha text Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra) who was the father of Rishi Vyasa (who wrote the Mahabharata).

This implies that Rishi Vyasa the great grandson of Rishi Vashishtha. The articles do not provide any references. Is this lineage recorded in the scriptures?


texts: Has the current day India become a mlecchadeśa? Is it still fit for sacrifices?

texts:
Commenting on Manusmṛti 2.23, Medhātithi says:

  In fact, the name ‘mlecchadeśa’ is to be taken literally, in the sense that it is ‘the country of mlecchas’; so that if mlecchas happen to conquer a part of Āryāvarta itself and take their habitation there, that also would become ‘mlecchadeśa.’

Does this mean after the British and European occupation of the Indian subcontinent, bharatavarṣa has become a mlecchadeśa? Therefore, was temporarily unfit for sacrifices?

He adds:

  Similarly, if a certain well-behaved king of the Kṣatriya-caste should happen to defeat the mlecchas and make that land inhabited by people of the four castes, relegating the indigenous, mlecchas to the category of ‘Chāṇḍāla,’ as they are in Āryāvarta, then that which was a ‘country of the mlecchas’ would become a ‘land fit for sacrifices.’ And this for the simple reason that no laud is by itself defective; it is only by association that it becomes defective, just as it is when soiled by impure things. Hence, even apart from the countries designated here as ‘fit for sacrifices,’ if, in a certain place, all the necessary conditions are available, one should perform his sacrifices, even though it be a place where the spotted deer does not roam.

Does this mean after India gained its independence from the British it had become Āryāvarta again or should the Indian Prime Minister (assuming he's equivalent of a Hindu king) also belong to the kṣatriya caste for India/bharatavarṣa to again become fit for sacrifices?


texts: Why did Vishnu incarnate as Buddha after delivering Gita?

texts: Vishnu as Shri Krishna, delivered Gita as the most hidden knowledge where the soul leaves the body & takes rebirth in a new body. On the other hand Buddha said, there is no soul, it's when the karma is exhausted, the living being is liberated from Samsara. Shri Krishna said only through bhakti one can be delivered and go to His abode as final destination. Buddha taught the liberation is through meditation, which is a sign of a tapasvi. Why would the way to liberation have different opinions?


texts: Exceptions from adherence to strict rules of mantra chanting

texts:
While reading a book "Ancient Science of Mantras" by Om Swami, I have come across a chapter called exceptions. According to this book Shiva at one occasion found a devotee wrongly chanting the Maha Mrityunjay mantra. On the advice of Devi Parvati, he made an exception that some Mantras that include Mantras of Krishna, Mantras from Vedas and His Panchakshari Mantra will be free from any adherence to strict grammatical or initiation rules. The book says that  a devotee will only benefit and not be harmed by the chanting of these even if done wrongly. I want to know the document or shastra that says this?

Appreciate your kind help


texts:
Actually, I do not deeply understand this quote given below.

“Attachment is the strongest block to realization.” Neem Karoli Baba

What is the exact meaning of this quote by Neem Karoli Baba?


texts: Touching water after daily puja - sãdhanã bad?

texts:
I have heard

that one must not touch water after having finished their daily
pújã/upãsanã - पूजा/उपासना. This is because, that due to mantra-uccharaña - मंत्रोच्चारण while doing sãdhanã - साधना, a great amount of sound vibrational energy due to the mantra is
generated and thus, subsequently, the spiritual power of the person is
increased.
However, immediately touching the water after one's sãdhanã is finished, results in the
transfer of the spiritual energy ( that's generated in the body) directly to
the water and the sãdhaka - साधक,  looses all the spiritual merits
done for that particular sãdhanã. Thus, one must refrain from,
immediately touching any water after finishing their pújã-sãdhanã and
wait for sometime on pújã-ãsana only, for the generated energy to be
well absorbed within the body.

So, what might be the scriptural references for these beliefs, if any?


texts: Is Pitra Dosh in Kundali specific or densty specific?

texts: My question is not what is pitra dosha? That I already know. My question is pitra dosh is person specific or affected to whole lineage of person? Is it genetic decease which a person inherit from ancestors or is it kundali specific caused by sin in pastlife?


texts: What is the need for hell when we also have to suffer the reactions of karma

texts: It is my understanding that we all have to either enjoy or suffer for our actions good or bad- in millions of life times if we continue to be in ignorance. That being the case, what is the need to punish people in hell again? I guess the same can be said of heaven also. Why do we have to enjoy in heaven and then also enjoy the results of good deeds on earth?


texts: Did Krishna summon Brahmas from countless other universes to teach our Brahma a lesson about ego?

texts:
Once, Lord Brahma grew very conceited about his creation and started bragging about the various responsibilities he had. Lord Krishna, the Supreme One, smiled at this.
A few moments later another Brahma from another universe, with five heads, came to Krishna and gave him the status-report of his universe. He was followed by 10 headed and 100 headed Brahmas, who alike reported to Krishna about their own universes, and so on. The four headed Brahma of our universe was ashamed at his own conceit. (Brahmavaivarta Purana)


texts: Can husband and wife follow different gurus?

texts: If a married woman is initiated with one guru and her husband follows a different guru, which guru should the woman follow?


texts: Is Brahma Kumaris considered as a part of Hinduism?

texts: I was wondering whether they are part of Hinduism or work as a separate organisation.


texts: Fight Between Lord Jagannath And Laxmi at the time of Rath Yatra; known as Hera Panchami. Does anyone know about Hera Panchami mythology and the reason to celebrate it?


texts:
Is there  any mention of consuming egg in any sastra or puran?

I mean details vidhi about

when to consume when to avoid.
what are the merits or demerits .
food value
how to consume etc etc

if yes then please provide the details


texts: How is Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda saṃhita different from Śukla Yajurveda?

texts:
Are both Śukla and Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda saṃhitas derived from the same parent source or are they totally independent from each other?

Are there any mantras common to both?


texts: Who is Shani and is there a connection with Saturday?

texts:
Who is Shani and is there a connection with Saturday ?

I am living in India for three months and have heard the name mentioned a few times.

Today I saw a man in orange robes and was told he was asking for donations for Shani as it was Saturday. I don't know if this is true but it is what I was told.


texts: Namaskara,I would like to know what are the views on evolution in Hinduism(with vedic reference)


texts: A question regarding the 'pranama-mantra' of 'Prabhupada'

texts:
As the following reads, Swami Bhaktivedanta (the founder of ISKCON)  treats ISLAM and CHIRTANITY as essentially one with Vaishavism.

  Again and again God has sent His messengers to this material world to re-establish religious principles. Different messengers have revealed different scriptures in different languages accord-ing to time, place, circumstances and the intellectual capacity of the people. In this way the Vedas, Avesta, Torah, Bible and Qur'an were made available for the benefit of mankind, to bring them closer to God. Despite the different languages and different ages in which these scriptures were presented, the knowl-edge and guidance is essentially the same. .As far as the process of each scripture is concerned, some details and rituals differ, but in essence it is all the same.

  Srila Prabhupada: Islam is also Vaishnavism.

  Dr. Patel: Mohammedanism is not Vaishnavism.

  Srila Prabhupada: No, no. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu talked with the Pathanas (Muslims). He proved that "Yourreligion is Vaishnavism." (Moraing walk. Bombay, 17/02/74)

  Prabupada :We Adore Lord Jesus Christ

  Jesus Christ was such a great personality—the son of God, the representative of God. He had no fault..Jesus is our Guru. (https://back2godhead.com/srila-prabhupada-speaks-out-on-christ-christians-and-krishna/)

It is really intersting to note that while he thinks that Sri Adi Sankar's philosophy is dangerous, as in

  The Mayavada is a very dangerous philosophy. It has made the whole world atheistic. (https://krishna.org/mayavada-a-very-dangerous-philosophy-morning-walk-mp3-audio/)

Reference : http://www.harekrsna.de/artikel/islam.htm#1.

Mohammad's and Christ's are venerable according to him.

On the other hand, the very well known 'pranam mantra of Swami Bhaktivedanta reads

  namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
  nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine (Reference many sites like : https://www.iskconbangalore.org/blog/srila-prabhupada-pranama-mantra/ and https://iskcondesiretree.com/page/pranam-mantras)

  •Meaning : Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanya deva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

My Question is : If ISLAM and Christanity and one with Vaishnavism in essence, how can the Western Coutries be referred to as 'filled with impersonalism (Nirviseshavaada) and Voidism(Sunyavaada) whom he delivers ?

By the way, 'Nirvishesha-Vaada' is sanskrit terms that refer generally to Advaita-vaada (as the Nirguna Brahman is Nirvishesha or devoid of any quality) and 'Sunnya-vaada' is a sanskrit term that refers to Buddhism and very often Advaitavaada is criticised as Buddhism in disguise by the Vaishnana sects. So its also very surprising how the religions of the foreign countries are referred to by these two terms.


texts: I have read many scriptures but not sure about how sheshnaag became a bed for God Vishnu. Prabhu sheshnaag is son of kadru and he was granted a responsibility by Brahma to hold earth on his head. Any other information regarding this is helpful, and please correct me if I am missing anything.


texts: At what age was Lord Krishna killed by the hunter?

texts:
Does anyone know at what age Lord Krishna was killed by the hunter (the rebirth of Vali)?

Are there any scriptural references available for this?


texts: What is the intention of the following Rigvedic verse to the Spirit

texts:
Rig Veda Book - 10 Hymn 58 is dedicated to Maanas which Griffith translates as Spirit. I am sharing  the mantras  here:

  1 THY spirit, that went far away to Yama to Vivasvān's Son,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  2 Thy spirit, that went far away, that passed away to earth and heaven,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  3 Thy spirit, that went far away, away to the four-cornered earth,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  4 Thy spirit, that went far away to the four quarters of the world,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  5 Thy spirit, that went far away, away unto the billowy sea,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  6 Thy spirit, that went far away to beams of light that flash and flow,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  7 Thy spirit, that went far away, went to the waters and the plants,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  8 Thy spirit, that went far away, that visited the Sun and Dawn.
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  9 Thy spirit, that went far away, away to lofty mountain heights,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  10 Thy spirit, that went far away into this All, that lives and moves,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  11 Thy spirit, that went far away to distant realms beyond our ken,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

  12 Thy spirit, that went far away to all that is and is to be,
  We cause to come to thee again that thou mayst live and sojourn here.

It seems to me it is an exhortation to the soul to come back from afterlife to resume its journey in the mortal realm once again. But I want to know if any commentaries tell us what is the purpose or intention of this particular verse.


texts: Is the shower into 72000 nadis repeatable?

texts:
Suppose a person has Kundalini activated and crossed all chakras and reached sahasrara. Then a shower will happen and flow through all 72000 nadis of the yogi.

Does the shower happen only at first time when kundalini reaches sahasrara or is it repeatable at any time later?


texts: What scriptures describe Parashara asking for Moksha for everyone?

texts:
In 7 minute mark of this lecture, the Sri Vaishnava lecturer U. Ve. A.S. Rajagopalan Swami explains the importance of Sharanagati, or complete surrender to Vishnu as a means of getting Moksha, using the analogy of a father-son relationship.

  So the connection that is already there, father-son relation, but the son is doing all the trespassing of the Vedas and everything, father is getting angry, and what can you do? You can go and tell the father, “Don’t worry about any of those things, excuse everything, and give Moksha for everybody?”  Who are you to tell? And he’s not going to listen if you say.  Even Parashara Rishi told “Give Moksha to everybody.” He didn’t give that.  So what else can you can do?  You can go to the [Jivatma] and say, “Why don’t you do something to attract your father, so that you can enjoy that?” So the most interesting concept in the Visistadvaitam, Swami Desika says, is [Sharanagati].

I’m interested in the part in bold.  My question is, what scriptures describing the Rishi Parashara, father of Vyasa, asking Vishnu to give everyone Moksha?

Parashara is the author of the Vishnu Purana, so perhaps the Vishnu Purana contains this request.


texts: How did Hanuman manage to survive after he got cursed?

texts:
Hanuman once got cursed that he would not remember his powers until someone reminded him of his powers. But the effect of that curse ended when Lord Jambavanth reminded Hanuman of his power before he jumped over the sea to reach Lanka of Ravana.

But when Hanuman was cursed, he was still a kid and at that time he had a lot of enemies like Vaali and Ravan. How did he survive or protect himself from them?


texts: Does gold plating of Idols affect their energy?

texts: We have Idols of Vishnu, Sridevi and Bhudevi of metal, dating back to many generations. We would like to gold plate the Idols. After they are gold plated what are we supposed to do so that the Idols can regain the Energy? If prana prathishta will help, how to do it?


texts: Do the followers of Ramakrishna Mission consider bible and quran to be authentic and holy?

texts: What are the views of Ramakrishna Mission on the authenticity of bible and quran? if they do then is it supported by the life and teachings of Ramakrishna?


texts: What is the story of Shiva's grandson Adi?

texts:
While going down the rabbit hole of identification movie question long back I fall on this  Wikipedia page which mentions about Asura Andhaka's son Adi (also Shiva's grandson) who takes the form of Parvati to seduce Shiva with a toothed vagina but got slain. But this story sound very odd to me and I tried to search about it but to no avail.

Do any scripture mention about Adi and how he died?


texts: Can Brahman be realized without following the 32 Bramha Vidyas of Upanishads or without even studying Upanishads?

texts:
Non Dwijas aren't qualified to acquire knowledge of Brahman from Vedas(Upanishads) but can acquire so from Itihasas and Puranas. Are there any meditational techniques prescribed in them to realize Brahman for Non Dwijas? Can Brahman be realised without the 32 Upasanas in Upanishads? If yes what are those meditational techniques in Itihasas and Puranas prescribed to realize Brahman? How did Vidura etc all attain Bramha Jnana and Yajnavalkya also says learn Bramha Jnana from Sudras in Mahabharata.
Reading Astavarka Gita Avathuta Gita Bhagavadgita Ribhu Gita etc all bestows knowledge of Brahman and prescribes meditational techniques?
Note : I am aware of Varna system which can change also but please don't give me that answer. Kindly answer from traditional way.


texts: Sayan Panchangam based solely on movement of Sun

texts: If we want to construct Panchangam only on the basis of movement of Sun because Moon is Chhaya Grah,how will the panchangam differ from Lunar one


texts: Who is the culprit of all this Prapancha when I was, is and shall continue to be ONE?

texts: Who was responsible or what was responsible for making me forget who I am? How did this Universe start when there were no two? How did I separate myself from myself and create this Prapancha?


texts: Are any new writings in the sukta form created recently?

texts: I would like to know about any recent literature which were written in the form of sukta.


texts:
After marriage, women have to wear a mangal sutra. Why is that?

Is it obligatory?


texts: Is it necessary for one to have children?

texts:
In Hinduism, is it a sin if a couple decided to have no children?

TL;DR

I am 25 years old and leading a worse life throughout my life. I always wished I wasn't born here. When I think of my child, things pop up in my mind are

Unemployment
Poor wages
Unethical workplaces

so forth (unless she/he is the most brilliant child in Asia).

I can't choose to remain unmarried since I am just a normal human.


texts: What is Shani's vakra Drishti? Is it bad or good? What are its consequences? Is there any role of karma to remove vakra Drishti if one is likely to have? What should one do or don't do if one is having that?


texts: Which mantras should be recited to properly worship Lord Rudra?

texts:
Apart from Gayatri mantra

ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि
तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥

Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi
Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat॥

and Rudram- Chamakam and Namakam. Are there any other specific mantras or puja to worship Lord Rudra ? Or my question is "What is the proper way to worship Lord Rudra" ?


texts: Which is the oldest known reference to a 7 day week in Hindu scriptures?

texts:
I thought of this question after reading about day-wise restrictions on shaving/haircut

These weekly day-wise restrictions must have started after a 7 day week was established.

Which is the oldest known reference to a 7 day week (or a particular day of the week) in Hindu scriptures?

(Note - This question lists some (not all) scriptures with references to the week or weekdays, but it  does it mention which one is the oldest)


texts: Is the Shiva Tandava Stotra a mantra? Can anyone sing or chant the Shiva Tandava Stotra?

texts:
I am not a Brahmin, and I am not initiated either (is it called "diksha"?), meaning  that I do not have the adhikara.
Hence, obviously, I cannot chant mantras, but is it okay for me to chant or sing the Tandava stotra? Note that I don't understand Sanskrit either.


texts: How are Indra and Saraswati related, when the bijakshara Aim - (ऐं) related to both?

texts:
In spiritual realm bijaksharas have a vital place.  Many mantras carry bIjaksharas, apart from the deity's name.
For example:  chamunda mantra
“Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Viche”

In general Aim bIjakshara is related to Saraswati.  In Rig Veda, Saraswati Suktam appears, wherein Saraswati was eulogised as eliminator of majic spells and demons, as Indra did.

aindra indicates that related to Indra.
As per this answer,   the bijakshara Aim - (ऐं) related to Indra.

My doubt is
If aim (ऐं) is related to both Indra and Saraswati,  then how are Indra and Saraswati related  to each other?


texts:
Most Hindus believe that Lord Krishna had 16108 wives. Can someone explain this?

I have heard that, according to Srimad Bhagavata, the number "16108" has a different philosophical meaning. What does Srimad Bhagavata say about this?


texts: Why is thread ceremony not performed for girls?

texts:
There were many women in  ancient times who became sages in their own right.

Why then was sacred thread ceremony not prescribed, at least for some girls willing to follow any recommended strict restrictions?

Have there been some exceptions anywhere or at anytime?


texts: Is the concept of "The Seamstress" found in the Vedas?

texts:
The Pali suttas of Buddhism only mention the Four Vedas as sacred Brahmin texts; giving the impression of both predating the Upanishad period.
In the Pali suttas of Buddhism, there is an account of a Brahmin guru named Bāvari (in the locality of Assaka, near to Mūḷaka, close to the bank of the Godhāvarī River) who sends out his disciples to speak to the Buddha Gotama. One of the Brahmin Bāvari's disciples named Tissa Metteyya is said to have asked Buddha Gotama the following question (per the Pali text):

Kassa no santi iñjitā;Ko ubhantamabhiññāya, Majjhe mantā na lippati;
Kaṃ brūsi mahāpurisoti, Ko idha sibbinimaccagā
Who is the wise man, who has known both ends, and is undefiled in the
middle? Who do you say is a Great Man? Who has gone beyond the
seamstress (sibbini) here?”

In the Vedas or, otherwise, Upanishads, is there any account of these persons (Brahmin Bāvari; Tissa Metteyya; etc) and, in particular, the notion/concept of "The Seamstress"?


texts: How to convince ourself of the presence of Lord?

texts: This is an era of science in which humans are everything. All the stuff we heard about god is only in the books and there is no proof of god (if there is, then I don't know about it). At a time like this how could we really convince ourself and others that there is god? What is the need of worshipping since it's nowhere written to worship god?


texts: How to discard old photos and idols in a dignified manner? Please give authentic suggestion with support from scriptures.


texts: Why Karna and Drona didn't use Brahmastra against Ghatotkacha?

texts:
Both Karna and Drona were capable of using Brahmastra while battling Ghatotkacha.
Drona didn't use brahmastra and in the end Karna used the Divine Weapon that can be used only One Time against Ghatotkacha which was given by Lord Indra.

QUESTION :

Why Both Drona and Karna didn't kill Ghatotkacha by using Brahmastra ?


texts: What is **Brahamana** in the Vedas and what is the role of them?

texts: I want to know about the Brahmanas, I'm looking for help.


texts: Do we have complete knowledge/texts of Shaivism & Vaishnavism?

texts:
Bharata is a country where many invasion took place: Alexander, Chengiz Khan, Mohammed Bin Qasim, Timur, Nadir Shah, Ahmed Shah Abdali, and British etc.

And, many of them tried to destroyed our thriving heritage including precious scriptures. It is said that British maligned many scriptures with intention of ruining our spiritual culture (which they succeeded). Also, they took away many scripts, scrolls etc. with them and they are kept in the various museums across United Kingdoms.

From time to time, different forms of Shiva and Vishnu imparted knowledge in different forms and domains to different sages, rishis, brahmins, rashtriyas etc. for well-being of humanity. And, I suppose when storing of scripts in the form of written knowledge was practiced, we wrote it down all the acquired knowledge and pass it down as inheritance for new generations to come.

So, currently, if not original, do we have all texts or knowledge in good condition and without tempering with us or we have knowledge gap?

I am looking for authentic answer.


texts:
How do Sri Vaishnavas know that the Alwars were incarnations of Nitya Suris?

Nitya Suris are the eternally inhabitants of Vaikunta who have never entered samsara.

The Alwars were ancient Tamil saints who sang the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham, which are considered equivalent to the Vedas according to Sri Vaishnavas.

My question is, how do Sri Vaishnavas know that these saints were incarnations of Nitya Suris?

Now there is a scriptural prophecy for at least one of the Alwars, namely Nammalwar, which says that he will be an incarnation of Vishvaksena (a nitya suri), but what about the other Alwars? Are there scriptural prophecies for them?


texts: Does Kundalini Shakti once awakened cures all major disorders of mind and body?

texts:
Kundalini Jagran is considered as one of the  greatest experience of one's life.
Does an awakened Kundalini cures diseases of body and mind? How does this  happen? How safe it is to awaken the Kundalini Shakti?


texts: Verse Describing Potential of Soul and Human Body in Sanskrit?

texts:
Is there Any song, shloka, mantra, stotra in Sanskrit,   Tell Us
About the Powers of our Soul, Greatness of it.
Tell Us About Our Potential,
Powers of this human body, the amazing abilities of soul, which fills us with Confidence, Motivates Us..etc

Song Mantra Shloka(any verse) Dedicated and speaks about Us, Humans, Our Souls..
    Example:
        Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
        Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
        It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us
    The Kingdom of God in within man, not one man, nor a group of men,
    but in all men, in you, you the people have the power!”

I was Just watching Motivating Videos in Youtube.. In Video they were describing the powers, potential of soul, potential of Human Body. The example given in Question is from the Video.. Then I thought if there is any such shloka/verse/song in Sanskrit, Describing potential, and greatness of Human Body and Soul.. Like there is Hanuman Chalisa, to describe the Potential of Hanuman..similar for a soul, human body potential.


texts: Where does Rig Veda states about Cyclical Nature of Creation?

texts:
It is a common belief in Hinduism that the nature of creation is cyclic. Continuous creation and destruction happens in certain intervals of time. Most of such ideas are found in Puranas and also in Bhagvad Gita.

But do the Vedas also state about Cyclical nature of Creation? I've heard there is a verse in RigVeda which states about Cyclic Nature of Creation.

Where is that verse in Rig Veda and what it means?


texts: Are there instances of considering any Goddess as a female lover?

texts:
As per this link below, the gopis considered Krishna as their male lover, as part of their devotion to him -

https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/10/29/10-11

Raasa leela is also described in scriptures as below -

https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/10/33

In these instances, the female devotee treats God as a male lover.

Similarly, are there instances where male devotee(s) treat (any) Goddess as a female lover? Please note, by the word Goddess, I do not mean apsaras. I am talking about the supreme brahman who has taken a female form.


texts: What is the historical origin of Yadavas?

texts:
From my reading of Mahabharata Yadavas do not appear to be a strong or prominent clan in India prior to the rise of Shri Krishna.

Rather most other high houses of bharata seems to look at Yadavas with a bit of disdain. Is it true? Does anyone know why ?


texts: What do we know about the future Mahayugas?

texts:
Background:

The four Yugas (Satya, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali) together make up one Mahayuga.  1000 Mahayugas make up one Kalpa, which is one day in the life of Brahma.  After the Kalpa is over Brahma goes to sleep, and there's a Pralaya which destroys the three worlds, at the end of which Brahma wakes up and creates the world anew.  But as I discuss in this answer, in addition to being divided into 1000 Mahayugas, a Kalpa is also divided into 14 periods known as Manvantaras, in which a figure known as a Manu rules over humanity. Since there are 14 Manus who rule in a given Kalpa, each Manu rules for about 71 Mahayugas.

Now unless Hinduism Stackexchange manages to survive past the Kali Yuga (!), we are all currently living in the 28th Kali Yuga of the Vaivasvata Manvantara.  There are plenty of scriptures that talk about past, present, and future Manvantaras.  And there are scriptures that talk about the first 28 Mahayugas of the Vaivasvata Manvantara.  For instance, as I discuss in this answer the Vishnu Purana lists the Vedavyasas or compilers of the Vedas in the first 28 Dwapara Yugas of the Vaivasvata Manvantara.  And the Shiva Purana discusses the various Yogeshwara incarnations Shiva has taken in the first 28 Mahayugas of the Vaivasvata Manvantaras, including Lakulisha whom I discuss here.  And there are various references in the Puranas to incarnations of Vishnu in the first 28 Mahayugas, as I discuss here.

But my question is, what do we know about the future Mahayugas of the present Vaivasvata Manvantara?

I only know about two things that will happen in the 29th Mahayuga (i.e. the next Mahayuga):

In the 29th Satya Yuga, Shantanu's brother Devāpi and Rama's descendant Maru will re-establish the lunar and solar dynasties, as described in this chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam:

  After the one thousand celestial years of Kali-yuga, the Satya-yuga will manifest again. At that time the minds of all men will become self-effulgent.... Devāpi, the brother of Mahārāja Śāntanu, and Maru, the descendant of Ikṣvāku, both possess great mystic strength and are living even now in the village of Kalāpa.  At the end of the Age of Kali, these two kings, having received instruction directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, will return to human society and reestablish the eternal religion of man, characterized by the divisions of varṇa and āśrama, just as it was before.

As I discuss in my answer here, in the 29th Dwapara Yuga, Drona's son Ashwatthama will become the next Vedavyasa or compiler of the Vedas.  This is described by Vyasa's father Parashara in this chapter of the Vishnu Purana:

  In the next Dwápara, Drauńi (the son of Drońa) will be the Vyása, when my son, the Muni Krishńa Dwaipáyana, who is the actual Vyása, shall cease to be (in that character).

But what else do we know about the 29th Mahayuga?
And are there any scriptures which mention events in later Mahayugas of the Vaivasvata Manvantara?
If not, how is it that we have information in Hindu scripture about events in all future Manvantaras of the present Kalpas, but absolutely no information about the 30th and subsequent Mahayugas of the present Manvantara?


texts: Are demons (asuras) a manifestation of the supreme being?

texts: Hinduism acknowledges god as omnipresent - he is present everywhere and in every soul. He is said to have created the cosmos. Then, why did he create demons and does he manifests in demons too?


texts: Why does Krishna consider/believe the devotee who worship him as saguna superior than who worship as nirguna?

texts:
At the starting of 12th chapter of Bhagavad Geeta, Arjuna asked:

  एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते ।
  ये चाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां के योगवित्तमाः ॥

English translation (from vedabase):

  Arjuna inquired: Which are considered to be more perfect, those who are always properly engaged in Your devotional service or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested?

Krishna replied:

  मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ।
  श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः ॥

English translation:

  The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who ﬁx their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect.

So, I want to know why Krishna considers worshipping as sagun superior than worshipping as nirguna? though both attain the god (BG 12.3-4)


texts: How much percent of one's income should be given to charity?

texts:
Daana has been praised in the Rig Veda and the Upanishads.

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.3. says

  तदेतत्त्रयँ शिक्षेद् दमं दानं दयामिति

essentially glorifying generosity, compassion and mental restraint.

According to Hinduism, what percentage of one's income should be donated?


texts:
Ashtottara Shatanamavali do exist for several gods and goddesses. Ashtottara Shatanamavali contains 108 names corresponding to that particular diety.

What is the purpose of ashtottara Shatanamavali?

Is it just to enumerate  108 aspects of the diety( for knowledge)? or will have some phalasruti for every ashtottara shatanamavali?


texts: Is Lord Krishna from South of India since lot of Kshatriya Yadav families were from the South?

texts: It is quite possible that Lord Krishna later must have gone to North and thence to Dwarka. Also his color was brown which might indicate a south Indian origin .


texts:
"Rãma Nãma Satya Hai"

"राम नाम सत्य है"

i.e.
The name of Ram is the truth, is commonly chanted by Hindus while carrying a dead body to be cremated.
What might be its scriptural origins? Is it a universal practice within all hindu cults? How prevalent is this practice, across various Samprãdayas (सम्प्रदाय) of Hinduism?


texts: What is "Das Mahābhārata Und Seine Theile" about? Is there an English translation of the same?

texts:
The German Sanskrit professor Adolf Holtzmann has a written a 4-volume book on the Mahābhārata titled Das Mahābhārata Und Seine Theile. It's available at archive.org.

What is this book and its 4 volumes about? Is there an English translation of the same?


texts: What do the Devas do with offerings of sacrificial blood in Yajnas?

texts:
It is known that whatever is offered to the Devas in Yajnas is consumed by them. So things like milk, butter, ghee, soma, meat, liquor etc are all eaten and drank by the Devas.

For example, Vyasa smriti says:

  Milk, wine, honey, and clarified butter are the articles which the gods are fond of... (38)

However, in the Ashwamedha yajna, after the horse is killed, its blood is offered to Rudra in the Agni fire.

  He offers the first oblation of blood by means of the gullet of the gomrga. The gomrga is cattle, and the Agni Svistakrt is Rudra. He thus shields the cattle from Rudra. And in the country where this libation is offered, Rudra does not attempt to injure the cattle.

What do Rudra and the Devas do with offerings of sacrificial blood in Yajnas? Do they consume it like the other offerings?


texts: Is it more helpful in any way to worship multiple deities?

texts:
I live in central India and I haven't met many people who only worship one particular deity or God. They may be partial to one over others, but they worship all dieties. Most temples also contain multiple idols.
I wonder if there are any benefits to this path of God realisation over worship of one single deity.


texts: What is scriptural reference for the concept of Brahma Rakshasa?

texts:
As per this wikipedia article Brahma Rakshasha are Sprit with quality of brahmin as well as Rakshasha. Can someone please tell what is

Origin of the concept
Scriptural reference where this concept is part of
Any further place to study more about it
Cultural practice involving the concept of Brahma Rakshasha


texts: What is the story of Vishnu incarnating as a mango tree in the Dandaka forest?

texts:
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya.  My question is about Pillai Lokacharya.  In this excerpt from his Tattva Traya, Pillai Lokacharya discusses the different forms of Vishnu described in the Pancharatra worldview - Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Antaryami, and Archa.  In particular, Vibhava refers to Vishnu's avataras or incarnations:

  Of His own sovereign will alone, the Lord becomes a secondary incarnation, just as, of His sovereign will alone, He, in his primary incarnations, chooses to manifest Himself by His own all-transcendant form look like the form of a man, beast, or plant.

I'm interested in the part in bold.  Vishnu's various incarnations as humans and animals are well-known, but I've never heard of him incarnating as a plant.  Here is what the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Prathivadi Bhayankaram Annangaracharya says in his commentary on the Tattva Traya:

  Vibhava or the incarnate forms of the Lord are infinite in number, with the difference that some of them are primary while the others are only secondary.  The primary avatars like Rama, Krishna, Matsya, Kurma, etc., the dwarf mango tree in Dandakaranya, etc., arose through the Lord's will.

My question is, what is the story of Vishnu's incarnation as a dwarf mango tree in the Dandaka forest?  The Dandaka forest is where Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita were living when Sita was kidnapped by Ravana.

So does this tree play a role in the Ramayana? Page 220 of this book says that that Vishnu's mango tree incarnation is mentioned in the Vishvaksena Samhita, one of the Pancharatra Agamas.  But it's never beeen translated into English.


texts: Please let me know the correct pronunciation of God Shiva's Beeja or moola mantra- is it hauh or hraum or haum?


texts: Can someone help me with proper pronunciation of Mahamrityunjaya mantra? I see different type of pronunciation on the internet. So what's the proper vedic chanting?


texts: Do all VedAnta philosophies, that is, philosophies based on badarAyana's brahma sutra, reject creation of souls by God?


texts: Were any of Vishnu's avatars (besides Kalki) foretold in advance?

texts:
The coming of Lord Vishnu's 10th and final avatar, Kalki, has been long foretold (see this answer for detail).

I am curious as to whether any other avatars were similarly foretold in advance. If so, where did the prophecies come from, and how did people at the time react to them?


texts: What are different symbolic representations behind lingam?

texts: I know shiva lingam is call Mark of God, some shiva lingams are phallic symbols mainly in tantric traditions, some represent brahmand, I want to know what different scriptures say about different symbolism behind shiva lingam.


texts:
Bhumi is the coat the dress of Atman so if all  sentient beings are born.
 How did  Atman become a jiva Atman ?