texts: What is the location of this verse from Skanda Purana?

texts:
Madhvacharya in 52nd verse of his sarvasastra tattparya nirnaya which is the first chapter of Mahabharata Tattparya Nirnaya quotes the following verse from Skanda Purana

skAnde.apyuktaM shivenaiva shhaNmukhAyaiva sAdaram  shivashAstre.api
tad grAhyaM bhagavachchhAstrayogi yat
It is also said with earnestness to Shanmukha by Siva himself in the
Skanda Purana (as follows): Though declared in Siva treatises it must
be accepted, being in accordance with the scriptures of the Lord(Vishnu)

Which means to the extent Shaiva scriptures agree with Vaishnava scriptures, they can be accepted, otherwise not. When there is contradiction, Vaishnava scriptures are to be accepted.
The above verse is also quoted by Jiva Goswami in Paramatma Sandarbha.
Can anyone give me the exact Khanda, chapter and corresponding verse number?


texts: Bhakti Parampara saints from South Indian states

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I am familiar with some of the Bhakti Parampara Poet-saints from Western and Northen part of India and their works. Some of them are -:

Saint Dyaneshwar - commentary on Shree Bhagavad Gita (Dyneshwari, Bhavarthdeepika)

Saint Tukaram - Abhanga , Kirtan (community-oriented group singing and dancing form of Bhakti)

Saint Eknath - Eknathi Bhagvat.

Saint Namdev - Abhangas , Bhajans.

Saint Muktabai - Preachings to Saint Changdev.

Saint Ramdas- Shri Manāche Shloka, advises to mind about  ethical behaviour and love for God.

Saint Tulsidas - Shree Ramacharta Manas.

Saint Meerabai- Bajan.

Saint Kabir-  Kabir -Dohe.

These Saints are Representing Bhakti Parampara Or Bhakti Tradiation.

But I don't know much  about  Similar Bhakti Parampara Saints from South India region i.e., Namely from the States Kerala , Karnataka , Tamil Nadu , Andhra Pradesh

So I want to know more about some of the Saints who are associated with Bhakti Parampara or Bhakti Tradiation. Preferably from 12th century to 16th Century and about their literary works.

Note - You can give answer state wise also.


texts: Does 'mleccha-desha' refer to the followers of Abrahamic faiths in general or foreigners in Bhavishya Purana?

texts:
http://www.mahapurana.com/bhavishya-purana/bhavishya-purana-the-prediction-of-indias-kings/
From Bhavishya Purana we can find Krshnamsa words addressed to Baliraja:
These demons should never come to Aryadesha (India) with you, all of you should stay always in mleccha-desha and eat the followers of mleccha-dharma.
Baliraja became upset hearing these fearful, terrible words.
Then Krishnamsa said: as long as I‘m in this world you should simply stay in your home,
after that you come here and do whatever you like‖.
From another website it is found:
https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mlecchadesha
"Mlecchadeśa (म्लेच्छदेश).—a country inhabited by non-Āryans or barbarians, a foreign or barbarous country; कृष्णसारस्तु चरति मृगो यत्र स्वभावतः । स ज्ञेयो यज्ञियो देशो म्लेच्छदेशस्त्वतः परः (kṛṣṇasārastu carati mṛgo yatra svabhāvataḥ | sa jñeyo yajñiyo deśo mlecchadeśastvataḥ paraḥ) || Ms.2.23.
Derivable forms: mlecchadeśaḥ (म्लेच्छदेशः).
Mlecchadeśa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mleccha and deśa (देश). See also (synonyms): mlecchamaṇḍala.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary
Mlecchadeśa (म्लेच्छदेश).—m.
(-śaḥ) The countries bordering on India, or those inhabited by people of a different faith and language; defined to be any, where the black antelope is not found. E. mlecch a barbarian, an outcast, deśa country."
क्या म्लेच्छ लोग गैर भारतीय पैदा हुए हैं या केवल अब्राहम विश्वासी हैं?
WHAT ABOUT CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM INDIANS? ARE THEY MLECCHA-DESHA?
In short, does the term mleccha-desha, and mleccha-dharma refer to foreign ideologies like Christianity or Islam, or is based on race/geographical location?
For example, would Indian Muslims and Christians be considered mlecchas in the context of this citation? They satisfy the desha condition (ie. they reside in India), but do not satisfy the dharma condition (they do not follow the dharmic approach to life.)


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Wikipedia states that a metrically restored version of Gayatri Mantra would have "váreṇiyam" instead of "vareṇyaṃ" i.e,

  tát savitúr váreṇiyam
     bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
  dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt

Has it ever been chanted with "váreṇiyam" instead of "vareṇyaṃ" anytime in ancient rituals?


texts: What is the original name for "O bull like heir of Bharata"?

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What is the original name used in the ancient MahaBharata for the translation: "O bull like heir of Bharata"?  I find the English translations as in the title given above many times in the MHB translations i.e.: Penguin Classics pg.18 verse 15-20

  Thus this ocean-bounded earth was filled with long lived people, O bull-like heir of Bharata.


texts:
Can Anyone Describe that
What is the role of "sect" in Hinduism ?


texts: Are there any references in Puranas to justify the deification of epithets, which is contrary to Rig Vedic principles?

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Rig Veda II.1 states that there is only one Brahman, though attributed different epithets like Indra, Vishnu, Rudra, etc., to denote different actions of the same Almighty. The same was reiterated in RV I.164.46:

एकं सद विप्रा बहुधा वदन्त्यग्निं
ekaṃ sad viprā bahudhā vadantyaghniṃ
Though it is One, inspired poets speak of it in many ways

The Puranas on the other hand eulogise Vishnu, Shiva, etc, by deification, and demean Indra, Agni, Aswins, etc,  even though according to Vedas, Indra, Agni, Aswins, etc, were  epithets much like Vishnu and Rudra, thus advocating sectarian movements like Vaishnavism, Shaivism, etc.
Deification of epithets is anti-Hindu or anti-Sanatana Dharma. Advocating sectarian movements like Vaishnavism, Shaivism, etc., is contrary to Rig Vedic principles.
So are there any references in Puranas to justify the deification of epithets, which is contrary to Rig Vedic principles?


texts: Who is Ishwar according to Advait Vedanta - Lord Shiva or Vishnu?

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Ishwar is Saguna Brahman who has created the world out of Maya according to Advait Vedanta. Although Ishwar too is illusion according to it, who is Ishwar actually - Lord Shiva or Vishnu as both can not be Ishwar of same creation.  Or none of them is Ishwar?

Note: whenever Advait of Lord Vishnu or Shiva is established, it is established as Nirguna Brahman only. I want clear explanation on the level of Ishwar or Saguna Brahman as there can not be 2 Ishwar.


texts: Are Brahmavadini women allowed to marry and have sex?

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Brahmavadini women are women who learn the Vedas, recite mantras, and do Yajnas, as stated here.

My question is, can they marry and have sex with their husbands?

According to the translator's note of the Mitakshara, they can:


texts: How to become a celestial Sage like Narada?

texts: How can I or anyone become a celestial Sage like Shrí Narada.?


texts: Similarities and differences in the four vedas

texts: What are the similarities and differences in Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana Vedas? To my knowledge maximum come from Yajur Veda. Next comes Rig. Third place for Sama and the last for Atharvana. Do the four vedas teach the same thing? If so for example why there is difference in ceremony procedure  among vaishnavite, Saivite and Rayars [disciples of Raghavendra swamy] although they come from yajur? Any Vedic reference for this.


texts:
My question is about this mantra -

Om Kleem Krishnaaya Govindaaya Gopeejana vallabhaaya

Paraya Param Purushaaya Paramathmaney

Para Karma Manthra Yanthra Thantra

Aabhichara Aushadha Astra Shastraani

Samhara Samhara Mrithyur Mochaya Mochaya

Aum Namo Bhagavathey Maha Sudarshanaaya

Deepthrey Jwaala Pareethaya Sarwa Dhikshobhana Karaaya

Hoom Phat Brahmaney Param Jyothishey Swaaha

In what Purana/Veda is this found? Can you provide more details about its origin and usage? I am looking for original sanskrit documents, in particular any resources about vaishnava tantra would be useful as I believe this mantra falls into that category.


texts: What does Hinduism say about keeping the photo of a deceased child (who was a young adult)

texts:
What does Hinduism say about keeping the photo of a deceased child who was a young adult at the time?
Can his/her portrait be kept in the living room surrounded with garland?


texts:
What is the story of Ashvatthama's mani (jewel)? How did he get it? What purpose did it serve?

Also, what is the Aishika weapon used by Arjuna? Is it a dagger?

  After that, Ashvatthama, the son of Drona, determined to storm the Pandava's camp by surprise at night, and to annihilate the Pandava-army while peacefully lulled in the lap of sleep. Bent on avenging the death of his father Drona, he stealthily entered the Pandava's camp, and brooding over the death of his illustrious progenitor, he severed with his sword the heads of Dhrishtadyumna and the five sons of Draupadi. Arjuna, maddened by the agonising waitings of Draupadi, took the fugitive miscreant a captive, and cut out of his (Ashvatthama's) head the famous gem with the means of his Aishika-weapon. [Garuda Purana, Ch. 145]


texts: Evidence shloka that time and material energy are eternal?

texts: To discuss with scientist, I have to prove that time and material energy, Maya, are eternal or no  beginning  and end by reference shloka . Someone pandit, could you help me, please.


texts: Rishi, Chandas and Devatha of Panchakshari Mantra according to Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita?

texts:
According to Shukla Yajurveda Madhyandina Samhitha, the Rishi of Panchakshari Mantra is Vamadeva, Chandas is Pankti and Devatha is Sadashiva or Rudra.
Who is the Rishi and what Chandas is according to Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita?  Kindly provide the source as well.  Thank you.


texts: Why adharma rises after each avathar of lord vishnu?

texts: God come to earth for destroying adharma but why  he is coming again and again isn't one avathar enough for him to destroy adharma? Why he can't destroy adharma within one avathar?


texts: I know Dhakshinamurthi is a form of Shiva. Jupiter is one of the nine planets(navagraha). But I often find in texts and in the internet these two names are used interchangeably like there is no difference between them. From my understanding Jupiter is Brahaspathi a sage who is a rival of Shukracharya. Is there any relationship between Shiva and the guru (Jupiter ) ?


texts: Why didn't Lord Ram try to prove Mother Sita's Purity but rather chose to exile her?

texts:
Lord Ram exiled Mother Sita to follow his Raja Dharma as his peoples doubted Mother Sita's Purity.
Many of the people other than Lord Ram and Lakshmana witnessed Mother Sita's Agni Pariksha
King Sugreeva,King Vibishana and Entire Vanara army witnessed the Agni Pariksha or Agni Pariksha can be again performed.
Those people's can be used to Prove Mother Sita's Purity.
Banning a women who didn't commit any Sin is Adharma.

QUESTION :

Why didn't Lord Ram try to prove Mother Sita's Purity rather exiled her ?
Why Lord Ram accepted and followed People's doubt as it was not True and was Adharma ?


texts: How does Advaita answer the Seven-Anuppatti of Ramanujacharya

texts: What answer is given by Advaitins as reply to Ramanuja's seven-questions over Advaita such as, Aashraya, Tirodhan-Anuppatti, etc.


texts: Are there any avatars of Devi mentioned in Vedas but not in scriptures(e.g. puranas) and vice versa

texts: Are there any avatars of Devi which are not mentioned in Vedas but there is a mention of them in puranas. Also are there any avatars, which are not a part of puranas and itihasas but in shrutis(Vedas, upanishads) ?


texts: What is the difference between Mahadeva, Shiva, Shankar and Rudra?

texts:
What is the difference between Mahadeva, Shiva, Shankar and Rudra ?

where do they came from ?

what are their duties?


texts: According to Advaita, what is the difference between Ishwara and Brahman?

texts: I would like to know the difference between Ishwara and Brahman. If Ishwara is saguna rupa of Brahman then is it real or maya?


texts: What scriptures describe Shwetadvipa being underground with gates at Tirupati and other places?

texts:
In Hindu cosmology, the Earth is said to have seven Dvipas or islands.  Many people (myself included) believe that the seven Dvipas refer to the seven continents, which is why Hindu rituals in India refer to Jambu Dvipa, and Hindu rituals in America refer to Krauncha Dvipa.  But others believe that Jambu Dvipa or even just Bharata Varsha refers to the entire Earth, and that other Varshas or Dvipas are located on other planets.  But I just heard another theory in the 19:30 mark of this interview with Ramana Dikshitar, the chief priest of the Tirumala Venkateshwara temple.  Ramana Dikshitar says that Shwetadvipa, which is the abode of Vishnu's Vyuha Vasudeva form (whom I discuss here), is actually located underground.  Here is my translation of what he said in Tamil

In our Puranas, Shwetadvipa is something that's spoken about often.  It is also said in those works that liberated souls who are in Shwetadvipa, that is Jnanis, Siddhas, they come daily and worship the Lord.  It is said say that here Siddha Purushas live, never having sadness, anger, hatred, and other qualities, always happy, always sweet, they live and enjoy.  It is said that they are a parallel civilization, that is, they follow our customs above ground, but it is said that underground they have huge, gigantic cities.  For these cities, there is said to be large land as well.  Certain facts are given, that for these people to come above ground, there are gates in various places, and that when they want to, they come, mingle with humans, and go.  It is said that there is a gate in Tibet, that there is one in South America, and that there is a gate in the Pacific Ocean....
If we come to the case of Tirupati, in the time of the Ramayana, it is said that Rama, while going to Lanka in search of Sita, along with Lakshmana and the Vanaras, came here and stayed on the seven hills for three days.  On that occasion it is said some Vanaras saw a secret cave in the forest with a gate, and that they went and saw what was inside.  It is said that there was great city, and that in the city everyone was, really tall, really happy, and that they were enjoying.  It is said that there were really big royal roads, chariots, horses, everything.  And it is said that in the middle of the city, in a beautiful palace a Mahapurusha was sitting, and when he saw the Vanaras he said "They are on a divine mission, so don't harm them.  Just give then fruits and send them on their way."  In the Ramayana it is said that the Vanaras told Rama about all this.  That cave is called Vaikuntha Guha.  When you look at all this, you can see that Shwetadvipa is real.  To this day you can see the mouth of the cave in the forest.  I have seen it.

Now the story of the Vanaras seeing Vaikuntha in a cave is described in this excerpt from the Tirumala Sthala Purana, the temple scripture of the Tirupati temple which consists of quotes from various actual Puranas as I discuss here.  Does anyone know which Purana this particular story comes from?
But my main question is, what scriptures describe notion that Shwetadvipa is underground and that there are gates to Shwetadvipa on various places on the Earth?And where did Ramana Dikshitar get the information that there are gates in Tibet, South America, and the Pacific Ocean.
Obviously those names wouldn't occur in Hindu scripture, but are there scriptures which mention ancient place names as locations of gates to Shwetadvipa, and did Ramana Dikshitar just give their modern equivalents?


texts: Why does Lord Shiva apply ash on His body?

texts:
I have seen many photos and images of lord Shiva with his white body color. I listen that he was applying ashes on His body but don't know why.

I like to know the story about Lord Shiva applies ash on His body.


texts: Is their any Stotra, Stava, Stuti, et cetera for Mohini?

texts:
Vishnu manifested into Mohini and gave Devas the ambrosial nectar, and rendered Daityas bereft of Amrita. Then She even cut Rahu Ketu apart.

There have always been innumerable Stutis of each Avatara of Vishnu. In some stotras of Vishnu, Mohini is sometimes collectively worshipped with other Avataras usually in Sahasra Naama Stotras of Hari.

Are there any Stora, Stuti, Stava, et cetera for Mohini?


texts: Did Kaurav's son participate in the Mahabharata battle?

texts:
In Mahabharata we have read/heard and seen in television shows that when the Mahabharata battle took place, all Pandava's son (i.e Abhimanyu and the rest) participated.

But did Duryodhana & other Kaurav's son participate in the Mahabharata battle or they didn't?


texts: Why are men who don't wear yajñopavītam asked to wear one during certain rituals?

texts:
I've seen this practice where the archaka or priest asks the person doing certain rituals like the Śrāddha to temporarily wear a yajñopavītam or something similar (quickly made out of a towel), I suppose, to make the kartā eligible for performing the rite.

Is there a scriptural guidance for such practice i.e., temporarily wearing a yajñopavītam and then removing it after you are done?

PS. This is not a duplicate of the more generic questions:
1. Is Janeva (Yajñopavītam or sacred thread) limited to Brahmins only?
2. Why don't Sudras wear a sacred thread?


texts: Who composed Chandrashekara Ashtakam? And what is its accurate verbatim meaning?

texts:
I want to know who composed this ashtakam and where to find its precise meaning. Not a mere latu sensu translation but a verbatim one with genuine original Sanskrit even polysemic restrictively applied meanings to each words.
Ashtakam or Shatakam.


texts: How did Saraswati end up as "wife" of Brahma?

texts:
According to Shatapatha Brahmana, Brahma conceives a passion for his own daughter but the gods condemn Brahma, even the goddess goes away from Brahma.

  Prajāpati conceived a passion for his own daughter,--either the Sky or the Dawn. 'May I pair with her!' thus
  (thinking) he united with her.
  This, assuredly, was a sin in the eyes of the gods. 'He who acts thus towards his own daughter, our sister, [commits a sin],' they
  thought.
  The gods then said to this god who rules over the beasts (Rudra), 'This one, surely, commits a sin who acts thus towards his
  own daughter, our sister. Pierce him!' Rudra, taking aim, pierced him.
  Half of his seed fell to the ground. And thus it came to pass.

When the gods and goddess herself were against Brahma and his lust then how did Saraswati end up as a wife of Brahma? Is there some explanation in any Veda Purana?
Why is there this discrepancy in this story, it is akin to a deer which runs away from hunter but then comes back to get killed under the hands of that very same hunter.  This story doesn't make sense.

Also do Vedas really say that Saraswati is married "wife" of Brahma? Which Veda says that?

Is she married wife or consort/companion as some other people say?
How can gods allow such sin when they were against it the first time?

What is their actual relation? The dharam shastras place very harsh punishment for incest then how did Brahma get away with this sin?

How can people even accept that saraswati is wife of his own father?


texts: A soul never does any karma, still carries Karma in afterlife?

texts:
Atma does no karmas. Jeev (Body, mind) does Karma.
Now these Karmas done by the jeev, decide (or have impact) on next life.

But the only connection between the body of current life and the body of next life is Atma.
So, does the Atma carries the first life's karma with it to the next body? Or is it that "someone" is maintaining a separate record of all karmas done by everyone?


texts: What was said by swami Vivekananda about Hinduism in Chicago Speech?

texts:
He has given a great speech about Hinduism and makes feel proud of us on our culture and Hinduism. I have only always one thing in his that speech "All my dear Brothers and Sisters". I didn't hear anything else.

Here, I just want some brief description of his speech.


texts:
It is said that there are 10s of reasons as a consequence of which Karna met his death, what are they?

How is he eligible for heaven and liberty, as quoted here?


texts: Can we do Mantra japa while consuming non vegetarian on a daily basis?

texts: I have a particular condition which makes me unable to consume more carbohydrate food. I usually stay active and consume a balanced diet with meat included. Lately I wanted to start sandhyavandan and japa of gayatri mantra and kaal bhairav mantra daily. Can I do that while following my current food habits? I know that meat is a rajasic food. Please Someone elaborate.


texts: There are 16 sanskar in Hinduism in which 9th sanskar is Karn Chhedan. Why is it required ? I googled and found it is done for good health. Can anyone explain it logically. I don't see it relatable.


texts:
I have a few years practising meditation and kriya Yoga but still don't know whats the difference between Samadhi and Nirvana, for me are like the same concept but in different religion.

¿Is it experienced in different ways?

I ask for this because on meditation I want to focus on the differents concepts in order to work one or another.


texts: Chest breath or stomach breath while doing yoga, pranayama and meditation?

texts:
Lot of gurus preach to take breath in chest, in this process chest will expand and stomach will shrink while inhaling. They give reason that lungs have oxygen absorbing capacity so we should breath to lungs/chest.
And lot of other gurus preach to take breath in stomach, in this process stomach will expand while inhaling. They give reason that stomach breath is natural as all new born child do stomach breath so we should also.
And lot of other gurus preach that one should not guide breath, breath itself will find its way so we should not worry about chest breath or stomach breath. They ask to just pay attention to breath.
Which one is correct way of breathing and why?


texts: What is the reason behind Lord Krishna joining Pandavs instead of the Kauravs

texts:
I am aware that Shakuni advised his nephew to get Lord Krishna's alliance at haste because although he did not like him; he understood that there is no one that holds more power.

Arjuna too understood this and came to Dwarika(I think) to get the lord's support.

If I remember correct Duryodhan arrives first but since the Lord was asleep he sits near his feet. Arjun however arrives after but stands next to the lord. Once the lord awakes he sees Arjun first so he decides to join him.

But Duryodhan arrived first so what was the reason behind the lord being biased towards Arjun? Was it simply because he saw him first or he knew that Pandavas resembled good and Kauravs did not?


texts:
At the beginning of work we say ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः ||  , pray to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles etc.

Is there any mantra to be said at end of puja or work, praying that the work may give good results?


texts: Are all Vedas and Puranas written by humans only?

texts:
I don't know about writers of all puranas or vedas but when ever I hear about a writer of any purana or veda then it's always a human. Are only humans allowed to write puranas and vedas? Is this a rule, a coincidence or anything else?

There are many more yonies like Deva yoni, Yaksha, Naag, Rakshas (there were some great rakshas also) and many more whose name I don't remember right now. Why they(people of any other yonies or lokas) didn't write any Vedas/Puranas? Does that mean, devotion can be found in humans the most? Or there is another reason? Or may be they have written but I am not aware of it.

The only non-human example I know is Ravana. I heard he is the one who write all vedas in form of music or song/poem, so that people can (kind of) sing shlokas and that will be helpful for people to easily grab knowledge because when we learn something in musical form then we understand much easily and early.

But Ravana did not write all vedas by himself. Vedas already were written, he only translate them in musical form on request of Lord Shiva (that's what I heard).


texts: Was Kosala under the control of Kashi in the time of Bhishma?

texts:
In the Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 105 when Satyavati coaxes her son Vyasadeva to give her grandchildren, he say this:

  'If the princess of Kosala can bear my strong odour, my ugly and grim visage, my attire and body, she shall then conceive an excellent child.'
  'Let the princess of Kosala clad in clean attire and checked with ornaments wait for me in her bed-chamber.'

And then:

  Satyavati then went to her daughter-in-law and seeing her in private spoke to her these words of beneficial and virtuous import, 'O princess of Kosala, listen to what I say.'

So, what do they mean by this? Weren't Ambika and Ambalika the daughters of the king of Kashi?


texts:
It is personal to follow dharma. But still there are necessary to follow some rules like nitya krama and niyama.

Why is it necessary to follow Nitya Karma and Niyama(rules)? Also practically how many of them can be followed individually for a samsari?


texts: Do any scriptures besides the Atharva Veda mention anything about Bhang or marijuana?

texts:
Do any of the scriptures mention anything about Bhang or marijuana.

I am aware of the atharva veda reference.

This is not a possible duplicate of "are drugs allowed question".

I just want to know if the herb was mentioned in any of scriptures


texts: How famous/popular was Krishna during his time in other countries?

texts:
Kurukshetra war is like a transition from dwapara yuga to kaliyuga.

During the war, were people in other countries aware of the war? Did people in other countries know about Krishna?

If it didn't affect their lives in any way in other countries, then is this yuga transition mainly for Indians?


texts: Does Yamunacharya think that Shruti doesn't take precedence over Smriti?

texts:
Yamunacharya was a medieval Sri Vaishnava scholar who lived a generation or two before the time of Ramanujacharya. He is considered one of Ramanujacharya's gurus, even though they never met.

Yamunacharya wrote a work called the Agama Pramanya, or "Proof of the validity of the Pancharatra Agamas," which as the name suggests, attempts to show that the Vaishnava Pancharatra Agamas are authoritative.

In that work,  he says:

  Therefore, even if there were a conflict between the Bhagavan's
  doctrine [Pancharatra Agamas] and the Veda, there still would be
  option between them; but we have already expounded that there is no
  conflict between them at all.

  Opponent's objection: However, how can the venerable author of the
  Bhashya [Shabara's bhashya on Jaimini's mimamsa sutras] state that
  those parts which are in conflict are invalid: "If there be conflict,
  it is carefully eliminated."

  Yamunacharya's refutation: This statement means that those of frail
  minds, who are not strong enough to plunge into the deep ocean of
  rules of interpretation, must not be disrespectful to the Veda.

The opponent is referring to this sutra of Jaimini:

  When there is a conflict (between Veda and Smriti) the Smriti should
  be disregarded; because it is only when there is no such conflict that
  there is an assumption (of a Vedic text in support of Smriti)

This is the reason why many Hindu scholars say that Shruti takes precedence over Smriti. However, Yamunacharya thinks that Jaimini just wrote that sutra so people who are not intelligent enough to reconcile apparent contradictions between smriti and shruti should just accept the vedic text so as to not disrespect the veda.

Does Yamunacharya think that all smritis have as much authority as shruti, or does he think that only the pancharatra agamas, which are smriti, are equivalent to the Vedas?


texts:
What is the Difference Between Puran and Veda?

Vedas give importance to yagna, and mantras and their chief gods are Indra Agni and Rudra.

A granth is an old scripture. Vedas Puranas Upanishads are all granths. even kama sutra is a granth


texts: does the soul go somewhere when we deep sleep?

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I listen our soul goes to Yama when we deep sleep and records our every karma daily.

I don't think it happens with us and we couldn't know/remember that event


texts: Did Shakuni hate both the Pandavas and the Kauravas?

texts: I had read it somewhere that Shakuni hated both the Pandavas and the Kauravas in Mahabharata. Why was it that he wanted to create a conflict between both the families?


texts: Where does sage Vashishta describe Vishnu's immeasurable greatness?

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In the Srimad Bhagavatam, after describing Vishnu's incarnation (avataram) as Vamana the dwarf, it says this:

  One who is subject to death cannot measure the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Trivikrama, Lord Viṣṇu, any more than he can count the number of atoms on the entire planet earth. No one, whether born already or destined to take birth, is able to do this. This has been sung by the great sage Vasiṣṭha.

That's the Prabhupada translation; here's the Aadhar translation:

  The great saint [Vasishthha Muni] stated in his mantras that no mortal human being subject to death or destined to be reborn can measure the glories of Lord Urukrama, just as no one is capable of counting the number of atoms of the earth.

My question is, what exactly did Vashishta say, and in what scripture does he say it?  The name Vashishta is not even in this verse; it just says "iti āha mantra-dṛg ṛṣiḥ puruṣasya yasya", meaning roughly "thus it was said about Purusha by a rishi who was a seer of mantras". (Purusha is a name for a form of Vishnu described in the Vedas.)  All Prabhupada says in his commentary is this:

  Vasiṣṭha Muni has given a mantra about Lord Viṣṇu: na te viṣṇor jāyamāno na jāto mahimnaḥ pāram anantam āpa. No one can estimate the extent of the uncommonly glorious activities of Lord Viṣṇu."

But where is this mantra from?  I assume it's from one of the Vedas, because otherwise it wouldn't mention the fact that Vashishta is a seer of mantras; the Vedas are the collection of the mantras that was heard by seers (dhrishtas) from the gods.  But where in the Vedas is this mantra found?  My first thought would have been the Purusha Sukta, a hymn from the Rig Veda, since the verse refers to Purusha, but the seer of the Purusha Sukta is Vishnu's incarnation Narayana, not Vashista.  (See book 10 hymn 90 in the Rig Veda Anukramani in this answer.). So it must be somewhere else.


texts: What is the difference between Samadhi and Samapatti?

texts: Patanjali Yoga Sutras mention Samadhi and Samapatti, what is the difference between them?


texts: What is the scenario when Shiva consumed halahal (poison) as per Shiva purana

texts: Please describe briefly about the incident, when Shiva had consumed poison in the request of gods & to keep low the body temperature of Lord Shiva, moon was placed on his head & how gods have offered water and belpatra as per Shiva purana.


texts: When a person is alive what sort of dhana he has to give and to whom? What are the virushasana benefits he will attain?


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Refer what is Maya here It has acquired almost everyone in this world. Consider me as one of the worst cases. I am willing to control "Maya" and attain at-least consciousness. I know attaining moksha may take several seconds/minutes/hours/years etc.,  at-least I need to control it.

What are all the ways to control Maya and attain consciousness. I am willing to pray god regularly but due to Maya I cannot full fill my prayers, is there any mantra you would recommend? are there any practices?


texts: Was the story of Great deluge taken from Rig Vedic mantras?

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The story of Great deluge was narrated in  Satapatha Brahmana , Bhagavata Purana and the Matsya Purana, as well as in the Mahabharata.

However, I have found the following epithets from Rig Veda.

Rig veda III.27 was dedicated to Agni

  धिया चक्रे वरेण्यो भूतानां गर्भमा दधे | दक्षस्यपितरं तना || 9

  He was made supreme by the insight . I have held the seed of all
  beings, the father of discernment in an extended form.

  नि तवा दधे वरेण्यं दक्षस्येळा सहस्क्र्त | अग्ने सुदीतिमुशिजम ||  10

  I have placed you supreme, you who are made by strength, by the word
  of discernment, O Agni, shining brightly and inspired

  अग्निं यन्तुरमप्तुरं रतस्य योगे वनुषः | विप्रा वाजैः समिन्धते ||   11

  The Fire, the controller, who crosses the waters, in the Yoga of
  truth, the sages enkindle you with power

Agni or Indra or Vishnu, etc, was eulogised as Brahman in Rig Veda.

Can we infer from the epithets mentioned in bold form, that the story of Great deluge was taken from Rig Veda?


texts: Avasthas in which the perception of time does not exist

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Afaik, there are at least five states for humans. They are Jagarth (wakeful), Swapna (dream), Shushupti (deep sleep), turiya, and turiyatheetha.
We know for sure that the perception of time exists in Jagarth and Swapna.
We know for sure that the perception of time does not exist in Shushupti.
In which other states do the perception of times doesn't exist?
Consider moksha also if it does not fall into turiya or turiyatheetha.


texts: The ambiguous nature of swadharma in the Gita

texts: In the Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna to fulfil his dharma of Kshatriya by fighting to establish dharma and order in the world. What would Krishna have told an soldier in Duryodhanas side, to disobey his master and dishonor being a Kshatriya and lay down his arms or fight for an adharmic force, this is assuming every human has the capacity to know what is dharma and adharma, as we see in our complex world, things arent so black and white and good vs evil. Krishan himself sent his soldiers to fight for Duryodhana giving them no choice but to join an adharmic force.


texts: Who was Akritavrana, the follower & witness of Parshurama's actions?

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Section CXV of the Vana Parva of Mahabharat mentions a rishi called Akritavrana who used to reside on the Mahendra hill, the abode of Lord Parshurama. In the Mahabharat, he narrates the entire life-story of Parshurama to the Pandavs & Yuddhisthir interestingly addresses him with the following words:

  "Yudhishthira said, Thou hast been a follower of the mighty Rama, Jamadagni's son; thou must, therefore, have been the eye-witness of all the deeds achieved by him in former days. I, therefore, request thee to narrate to me how the members of the military caste were vanquished by Rama on the field of battle, and what the original cause of those conflicts was.'

I want to know who this rishi was who witnessed the deeds of Lord Parshurama in the 19th Treta Yuga and lived long enough to tell the Pandavs about them in the 28th Dvapar!


texts: Why do Hindus believe in cremation instead of burial?

texts: The other two major religions, Christianity and Islam both practice burial after death. What factors influence the Hindus to practice cremation instead?


texts: What is the relation between Krishna's cowherd wife Nappinnai and his queen Satya?

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Most people know about Radha, who is said to have been Krishna's lover and his favorite among the Gopis, whom Krishna spent time with during his childhood in Vrindavan and Gokulam. Yet the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member) doesn't emphasize Radha. In part that's because Sri Vaishnavas focus on the Vishnu Purana and the Srimad Bhagavatam, neither of which even mention Radha's name. But as I discuss in this question, Sri Vaishnavas do recognize a figure similar to Radha, known as Nappinnai.
The story of Nappinnai is mentioned in a variety of scriptures, including the Harivamsa, the Garuda Purana, and the poems of the Alwars.  Nappinnai was the daughter of Yashoda's brother Kumbhaka and the incarnation of Vishnu's third wife Niladevi (whom I discuss here).  Krishna married Nappinnai after defeating the seven ferocious bulls of Kumbhaka.
Now this story bears a striking resemblance to the story of Krishna's queen Satya.  As I discuss in this answer, Krishna is said to have married Satya after defeating the seven bulls of Satya's father Nagnajit, king of Ayodhya.  I had previously assumed that this resemblance was due to some confusion in how Hindu scripture was transmitted; perhaps Satya was based on Nappinnai or vice versa.  But then I came across this chapter of the Garuda Purana, which says this:

The maiden ... was born in the house of Kumbhaka and was called Nila. Kumbhaka was the brother-in-law of Nandashobha.  He was the first who carried Kavya to the Pitris.  He was abiding on the mount Vrishabha, at that time.  I went to his house, O best of birds.  Being unconquerable, by the boon conferred by lord Shiva, I killed him and was married to Nila.
In her second birth, Nila was born as the daughter of Nagnijit, Kavyavaha. In the Swayamvara of Nila, I controlled seven bulls who by the favour of lord Shiva were uncontrollable by gods and mortals.  I conquered kings who had assembled at the ceremony I married her.  Thus Nila was born twice on earth and married to me.

So my question is, what is the relation between Kumbhaka's daughter Nappinnai and Nagnajit's daughter Satya?  Was it that Nappinnai died and was reborn as Satya?  Or did these two incarnations of Niladevi live side-by-side as wives of Krishna?
Here is what Madhvacharya says in this excerpt from his Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya:

Later Shri Krishna left to the residence of Nagnajit, and in the swayamvara restrained seven oxen.  They were oxen with the strength of daemons due to the boon of Shiva and could not be restrained by anyone else.  All the other kings were defeated by them.  Later Shri Krishna married Nagnajit's daughter Niladevi.  Another maiden by name of Nila who was cowherd earlier entered her body.  One person had incarnated in two forms.

So what does it mean to say that Nappinnai "earlier entered [the] body" of Satya?  Did they merge when both were alive, or did Nappinnai die and her soul go to Satya, or was Nappinnai's soul also born in Satya's body while Naappinnai was alive the whole time?
Are there any scriptures that discuss what happened to Nappinnai in later years?


texts: What is the story of the seven young male figures shown in Tirupati's inner Gopuram?

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I'm currently visiting India, and I just went to the world-famous Tirumala Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati.  I noticed something interesting in the Nadimipadi Kavali, the white inner Gopuram of the temple which contains the Vendi Vakili or silver entrance.  (Although the silver entrance is far more recent than the Gopuram itself.) On the top of the Gopuram you can see a lion face, which I assume represents Vishnu's incarnation Narasimha.  Just below it, there are seven male figures.  They're clean shaven and they're wearing sacred threads.

My question is, who are these figures?  When I showed it to my family they offered three guesses: the Vasus, the Saptarishis, and the Sanatkumaras.  But the Vasus are eight in number, the Saptarishis are bearded, and the Sanatkumaras are four in number.  So who are they, and what is their story?

I would give a picture of the seven figures, but I can't seem to find a close-up picture of the inner Gopuram.  If anyone can find one, I'd appreciate it.


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There are plenty of restrictions for a grihastha woman to participate in sex.
Some restrictions include forbidding the sex of Ekadasi, Amavasya,  Poornima, Sunday.
Is the ban on some special days, independent of women, is for health purposes? Or is there any other reason behind such restriction?
Note that I am not asking for restrictions that are based on women such as restrictions based on her menstrual cycle.


texts: Is reincarnation or rebirth mentioned in the Vedas (Samhitas)?

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Reincarnation is a concept of Hinduism mentioned in the Upanishads, Puranas, Bhagavad Gita, but I could not find its mention in the Veda Samhitas.

Is it mentioned in the four Vedas, that is in the Vedic Samhitas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda or the Atharva Veda?


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Recently I started learning how to play Flute.

While practicing I was asked by a senior priest near by, not to play Flute in night. On asking reason he gave me some incomplete clue stating it is some thing to do with Lord Krishna.
I just wanted to know is there a valid reason behind it or it is wrong statement?


texts: Meditation, Eternity, Immortality and Asuras

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It is said that if we medidate and remember GOD always, we will reach Vaikunth i.e. the abode of Lord Vishnu. We can become Eternal and Immortal. Basically we will live with the GODs. Does that mean we are immortal or eternal?

Also, Asuras meditated a lot and got many boons but why were they not immortal since they meditated a lot? Why did Lord Brahma not grant them a wish to become immortal wherein by going to Vaikunth by praying and meditating we supposedly become immortal. We don't suffer as human being.


texts: As per my knowledge, at the start of Kaliyuga all gods left from earth and no one knows where they went. Till Kaliyuga they were staying on earth so where they all went and how/when will they come back.Also, why did they leave and if there is a better place/planet they aware of ,so why we are here. Why did they left us here?


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Is it sin to criticize Hinduism?
Can one find faults in the Vedas and upanishades, or even criticize the guru for something the Student doesn't agree with.

By criticize I don't mean to mock or to make fun of religion.

Criticize : indicate the faults of (someone or something) in a disapproving way.


texts: In Yajurveda there is written “Naasptimasti” means there is no idol of god and still we do worship of idols?

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I was told that in Yajurveda it is clearly written “NAASPTIMASTI” means don’t make idols. Still people do, why ?
And in Gita, they mentioned that make idols of god.
Can anyone tell me this?


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In Bhagavad  Gita Chapter 8 Verse 1: Arjuna asked it to Krishna that What called Adibhuta(Matter)?

  किं तद्ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किं कर्म पुरुषोत्तम |
  अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते || 1||

Translation:-
Arjun said: O Supreme Lord, what is Brahman (Absolute Reality), what is adhyātma (the individual soul), and what is karma? What is said to be adhibhūta, and who is said to be Adhidaiva?

But lord Krishna define it briefly in :SBG: Chapter 8 Verse 4:

अधिभूतं क्षरो भाव: पुरुषश्चाधिदैवतम् |
अधियज्ञोऽहमेवात्र देहे देहभृतां वर || 4||

Translation:-

O best of the embodied souls, the physical manifestation that is constantly changing is called adhibhūta; the universal form of God, which presides over the celestial gods in this creation, is called adhidaiva; I, who dwell in the heart of every living being, am called Adhiyajña, or the Lord of all sacrifices.

My Question is that is there any complete definition of Aadibhuta(Matter) in any hindu scripture?


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In Mahabharata, when Duryodhan is captured by Gandharvas in forest, Yudhishtir tells Bhim to go save him. Bhim refuses. Yudhishtir then advises Bhim that if there is an internal family feud, it is 100 karuavas vs. 5 pandavas. But against an external entity, it is 105 vs. Others. Then Bhim goes and saves Duryodhana.

Are there any instances in scriptures where the Divide & Conquer (Bheda) was successfully implemented ? Similar to what Westerners did in India before independence.

Are there any recommendations on how to guard against it ('united we stand') ? e.g. agreeing to agree on certain opinions, agreeing to disagree on others, figuring out which opinions are worth fighting for, and which are worth setting aside.

There is a related story I think in Mahabharata about how a rat and a cat temporarily make friendship so that the rat can escape from a fox, and the cat can escape from a hunter. Anyone know the reference for it ?


texts: Who obtained Karna's kavach and kundala?

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In the Tamil book, Villibharatham, it is mentioned that it was Lord Krishna who disguised himself as a Brahmin to obtain the kavach and kundala of Karna. This view is made popular by this movie song as well.

However I have read contrasting view that it was Indra, Arjuna's father who went to Karna disguised as a Brahmin. Which of these is correct as per the original scripture?


texts: Why does an avatar of God need to go to Gurukul (school)?

texts: Lord Vishnu has taken many avatars as a human being. During his avatars like Ram and Krishna, he went to Gurukul (school) like a normal human goes. Now being an avatar, he already has all the knowledge then what is the reason that an avatar needs to go to Gurukul and learn like a normal human?


texts: What/where is the origin of "every time I carry you this way"

texts: I was recently reading Heinrich Zimmer's Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization and encountered his explanation of the cycles of Yuga's. He recounted from one of the Puranas the description of Vishnu in his boar incarnation turning to the goddess earth and remarking "Every time i carry you this way..." I was quite moved by this translation but I have not been able to find it's original form in the Puranas. Would anyone be able to point out where in the Puranas this comes from or provide the Sanskrit translation?


texts: Why goodness is taught and hailed?. It is taught in our holy texts that certain behavioural attributes and attitudes are way to attain bramah. Why only such traits can bring you enlightenment and can set you free? Why not bad traits hailed and have same value as good ones?


texts: What are types of fasting, does all yield same result?

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I've seen good questions on fasting here. I would like to know types of fasting like some do it half day, some full day, some previous day noon to next day noon, some takes only lime juice, some takes only fruit juices, some even without water.

Can all of them give same result?
What are the right procedures?
How one should choose among?


texts: Had striding of Vali towards 4 oceans daily occurred before formation of Himalayas?

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In Ramayana, Surgiva narrates the strength and speed of Vali as follows:

  समुद्रात् पश्चिमात् पूर्वम् दक्षिणाद् अपि च उत्तरम् | क्रामति अनुदिते
  सूर्ये वाली व्यपगत क्लमः || ४-११-४

  "Before the dawn of sun Vali unweariedly strides from western ocean to
  eastern, and even from southern to northern for offering water
  oblations to the rising sun.

We all know that there was no ocean available in Northern side of India right now, except Himalayas.

However, modern theories say that there existed Tethys ocean, before  continental collision or orogeny along the convergent boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

Thus, can we infer that the incident of Vali performing Sandhyavandana in 4 oceans occurred  before formation of Himalayas?


texts: Who are the Sri Vidya Gurus mentioned by Bhaskararaya?

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Sri Vidya is a Shakta sect which believes that the goddess Lalita Tripurasundari is supreme.  Now one of the most important texts of the Sri Vidya sect is the Lalita Sahasranamam, found in the Lalita Mahatmya of the Brahmanda Purana, so the 18th century Sri Vidya philosopher Bhaskararaya wrote a commentary on it.  In this excerpt of his commentary, Bhaskararaya discusses a verse in the Lalita Mahatmya which says that Lalita Tripurasundari was worshipped by gods, humans and Siddhas:

"87. There were also a multitude of Devas, a multitude of men, and a multitude of Siddhas ; and Devi Lalità allowed herself to be seen by them all."
"A multitude of Devas (Divyaugha)" the holy Brahmarşis, Visvāmitra, etc. The Siddhas are Sanaka, Narada and other Yogins. The Rudrayamala, says, “Devi was attended by many crores of rulers of Quarters, by many crores of Moons, Suns and Vasus, by many crores of Yogins such as Sanaka, and by many Saptarisis and by many Naradas." Or, the word "Ogha" (multitude) of Devas, men, and Siddhas, may mean the different assemblies of Gurus. For there are seven Gurus of Gurus (Parama-Gurus) headed by Paraprakasanandanatha, eight Parapara-Gurus headed by Gaganānandanatha, and four Apara-Gurus headed by Bhoganandanatha. These three assemblies of Gurus are indicated by the words "Devas", "men", and "Siddhas" respectively. The above explanation follows the view of the followers of Kamaraja, but according to the School of Lopā nedrã, and according to the divisions of Viclydis, as described in the Jnanarnava etc., there are many groups of Gurus headed respectively by Misranandanātha, and others. The gradations among the Gurus can only be learned through the instructions of a Guru.

My question is, who are the Paramagurus, Parapara Gurus, and Aparagurus referred to by Bhaskararaya?  Their names are listed in full in chapter 3 of of the Nityotsava, a work by Bhaskaraya's shishya Umanandanatha, as described in this web page:

A large section on the different gurus in the Shri Vidya tradition follows this section, and, as in the Ganapati section of Nityotsava, these are divided into celestial, siddha and mortal gurus, both for the vidya (mantra) that begins with Ka (Kadi) and for that which begins with Ha (Hadi).
The celestial gurus in the Kadi group are listed as Paraprakashandanatha, Parashivanandanatha, Parashaktyamba, Kauleshvaranandanatha, Shukladevyamba, Kuleshvaranandanatha and Kameshvaryamba. The siddha aughas are Bhoganandanatha, Chinnanandanatha, Samayanandanatha and Sahajanandanatha. The manava augha consists of Gaganandanatha, Vishvananandanatha, Vimalanandanatha, Madanandanatha, Bhuvananandanatha, Lilanandanatha, Svatmanandanatha and Priyanandanatha. At the close of this lengthy section, mantras are given for other, unknown gurus.

But who are these figures?  Presumably they  must be ancient, since Bhaskararaya thinks the Brahmanda Purana is referring to them.  Are they referred to in Hindu scripture, or in the works of earlier Sri Vidya philosophers, or what?  Does anyone know their stories or when they lived?


texts: Are there any references in the Vedic Scriptures prohibiting the ostentatious and lavish style wedding ceremonies?

texts: I wonder do Vedic scriptures speak of the simplicity required in the wedding ceremonies? And do they prohibit the lavish and ostentatious display of wealth  in marriage ceremonies?


texts: If Rigveda is often believed to be a still mostly undeciphered text , then how come there're still translations of it openly available?

texts: If its really as tough to translate or understand as some say because of its archaic sanskrit, then how so many people, including some foreigners have translated it in english ?


texts: Where can I know about the eight forms of Lord Ganesh from Mudgala purana?

texts: I would like to know where can I find a complete English version of the Mudgala Purana and also the eight forms of Lord Ganesha.


texts: Why can we eat 'living' plants but not 'living' animals?

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I attended a session of a priest. He described how eating non-veg food is disfavoured in Hinduism. He told us that a verse of Bhagavad-Gita says that eating non-veg food is evil.

Priest: If you eat non-veg food, you share the karma of killing an innocent animal.
Me: Plants are also living beings. Eating them should also be equally bad.
Priest: Yes, thats why you should only eat food offered to Krishna, so the Karma on it is removed.

Later on, a thought came to me which confused me:

Why can't I just offer animal flesh to Krishna and then eat it?

I am not asking "why is non-veg forbidden" but rather "why is there a difference between eating plants and eating animals?".
P.S. I am strictly vegetarian.


texts: Which is the oldest known Hindu text in recorded history?

texts: I know that Vedas are the oldest Hindu scriptures. Although, this question is limited in context to finding out which Hindu text is considered oldest in recorded history i.e. with its year of origin recorded.


texts: How does the concept of reincarnation fit in with heaven and hell?

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I am trying to understand how the concept of the 7 heavens and 7 hells fits in with reincarnation in Hinduism.

It was my understanding that a person with Sattvic qualities would be reborn to Sattvic parents, and those with Tamasic qualities would be reborn in demonic wombs (according to the Gita) or as an animal.

However, then I was confused by reading of the concept of seven hells where people who have committed different kinds of sins would be punished and likewise 7 heavens.

How can both reincarnation and heaven and hell be true and how is heaven different to Moksha?


texts: Lord Shiva is called the destroyer. Destroyer in what sense?


texts: According to Smarta, all of three of the "Trimurti" are equal. But why isn't Brahma given the same significance as Vishnu and Shiva?

texts: Even Puri Shankaracharya said that chanting the name of Narayana and Shiva would have the same benefits. However, why don't anyone give such importance to Brahma?


texts: If every word of the Veda is eternal, then how does it have historical references?

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The traditional interpretation of the Vedas is that every word of it is eternal, they are the "blueprint" of creation remembered by Ishvara at the beginning of creation, and sound vibrations revealed to sages at the beginning of creation.

This is what Ramanujacharya has to say about it in his Sri Bhashyam in verses 1.3.27 to 1.3.29, you can read it here, but I will paraphrase each sutra's commentary:

1.3.27: The gods (devatas) are positions of universal administration and not just limited to individuals with those names. So at the beginning of creation, Brahman remembers the Vedas, speaks those names, and those positions are created. When let's say one Indra dies, Brahman creates another one. Creation is based on the Veda.

1.3.28: In addition to gods, this eternity also applies to Rishis like Vishvamitra, etc. The rishis aren't the authors of the verses, but just the revealers who heard it from Ishvara.

1.3.29: Every cycle (kalpa) of creation is similar, being based on the words of the vedas.

From these verses, it appears that the Vedas are a "blue print" for creation, that creation is based on the Vedas, the words of the Vedas are eternal (meaning the blue print is eternal), and that the death of the gods or creation does not mean the lack of eternity of the Vedas, since they are always known by Brahman and created again during the next cycle.

If this is so, then how can the Vedas have political and historical events? From those above sutras, it makes sense for devas and rishis, but how can this be applied to political events like the Battle of 10 kings described in the Rig Veda, which gives the names of kingdoms and the names of the kings themselves? Based on the sutras above, does this also mean there will be an India every creation with those same kingdoms and kingly names?


texts: Dharma Shastras on Black Money, Corruption and paying Interest

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What does dharma shastras say about Black Money and Corruption

In India giving Bribery is a common act one has to go through it one day or the other. If one has given Bribe is he doing Adharma, if yes then how can we repent for the sins accumulated by Bribery and Black money generated in The parallel Economy .

Does paying of Interest account for Bribery, is it Adharma to pay Interest.


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It is commonly seen that in many Vedanta texts and discourses we hear of moksha. I have also asked a related question here.

I want to know how does the Vedas describe moksha?

Are there any specific statements in the Vedas which talk about  the word moksha and its nature?

(P.S: Kindly limit the references from actual vedas or mukhya upanishads in a direct manner. Please avoid opinion and commentaries of sanyasins/sadhus etc.)


texts: What is the experience after or during enlightenment?

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I am very eager to know about the experience during and after enlightenment.

Can anyone please help me to answer this question?
Do people see a huge amount of light or see God in a 'Shakara' form?

I don't know much about this, please correct me in case the question is not correct enough to be answered.


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I'm just curious to know, How old is earth according to hinduism?

As of science it is  4,500,000,000.

If we calculate this 4.5 billion years into Hinduism, 1041 Mahayugas, which is equal to 1 kalpa i.e 1 day of lord Brahma. But as of Hinduism, 50 years of lord Brahma have elapsed and this is the first 'day' of the 51st year.

According to Hinduism calculations based on age of lord brahma, age of earth must be 155,521,972,949,115 years. If lord brahma created earth on his first day of his birth.

I found one link which states, according to Hinduism earth is created and destroyed for regular intervals of time. Is that true?

Are there any texts that mention about age of earth in Hinduism? Or
Did Hinduism mention when and where it was created (any belief)?

Please give brief explanation on this topic.


texts: Do the Vedas mention mixed-castes (Varṇa Saṅkara-s)?

texts:
The famous Purūṣa Sukta doesn't mention Varṇa Saṅkara-s. Kṛiṣṇa also didn't talk about Varṇa Saṅkara-s despite of concerned raised by Arjuna,

adharmābhibhavāt kṛiṣhṇa praduṣhyanti kula-striyaḥ
strīṣhu duṣhṭāsu vārṣhṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ - BG-v1.41

though Kṛiṣṇa went on to mention & talk about four varṇa-s. The literal meaning of Varṇa-Saṅkara is corruption of Varṇa, not loss of Varṇa, as if some amount of sand has been mixed with soil. Moreover, as discussed here, the taints of Varṇa-Saṅkara could wither away from society within 7 generations if successive generations are taken care in particular ways (i.e, the sullied soil due to mixture with sand could also be made unsullied). Therefore, it reduces us with only 4 varṇa-s— either pure or impure ones.
So, I wonder if Varṇa-Saṅkara-s have been mentioned in the Vedas? I'm quite aware of several names of the Varṇa-Saṅkara-s mentioned in Smṛiti-s, Mahābhārata, etc. but I am specifically looking for their mentions in the Vedas.

I mean with Varṇa-Saṅkara-s, here, by progenies out of mixture of castes.


texts: I'm an American and a Christian, and I don't know a lot about it but I think Hinduism just seems really beautiful and intriguing. I've heard of Hindu Atheists and one person told me it's more a way of life, so I'm wondering if it's possible to be a Christian Hindu? And if so how, and where do I start learning about Hinduism ?


texts: Which are these so-called Garuda scriptures, by mastering which, one can digest even poison?

texts:
In the KulArnava Tantram, Lord Shiva says to Mother Goddess:

  Shaive tattva parijyAnam gArude vishabhakshanam | Jyotishe
  grahanam sAram kaulehanugrahanigrahau ||

  Meaning

  The essence (sAra) of Shaiva scriptures is Tattva ParijyAna (i.e
  knowledge of Tattva-s or principles), that of Garuda scriptures is
  Visha Bhakshanam, the essence of Jyotisha scriptures is determination
  of eclipses and etc and that of Kaula scriptures is Anugraha and Nigraha
  Shakti.

  KulArnava Tantram 11.71

Meanings of few of the terms are as given below:

Visha Bhakshanam- Consumption of poison. That is, the so-called Garuda scriptures grant the power by which one can digest even poison (Visha)

Anugraha Shakti- The power of bestowing grace. This is one of the powers that God and Guru have.

Nigraha Shakti- The power of subjugation or controlling. This also is one of the powers that God and Guru have. (For example, "Indriya Nigraha" means "control of the senses").

Which are these Garuda scriptures, by mastering which, one can digest even poison (or in other words make it ineffective)?

Garuda, of course, is the bird-mount of Lord Vishnu and he is against the snakes which in turn are linked to the most deadly poisons. So, that these scriptures might be related to Garuda can be guessed.


texts: Does the first verse of Nammalwar's Thiruvaimozhi intentionally spell out AUM?

texts:
The Tamil TV serial "Ramanujar" is about the life story of Ramanujacharya, the most famous Acharya of the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member). (You can watch past episodes here; it's a great show.) In one recent episode, Ramanujacharya as a boy is learning the Vedas from his father, when his father mentions that the Vedas begin with the Pranava, i.e. the word Om, which is made of the letters A, U, and M.  Ramanunacharya responds that the first three lines of Nammalwar's Thiruvaimozhi also begin with the letters A, U, and M.
For those who don't know, the Alwars are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu.  The Alwars are crucially important figures in the history of Vaishnavism, it is the beliefs and principles embodied in the Alwars' poems that gave his rise to the Sri Vaishnava sect.
Now as I discuss in this answer, one of the most famous Alwars was Nammalwar, who spent his life under a banyan tree.  The collection of his poems, the Thiruvaimozhi, is often called the "Dravida Veda", or South Indian Veda.  Here's the first verse of the Thiruvaimozhi:

Uyarvu aRa      uyar nalam    udaiyavan       yavan avan
Mayarvu aRa           madhi nalam             aruLinan    yavan avan
Ayarvu aRum        amarargaL           athipathi            yavan  avan
thuyaraRu                 sudar adi          thozhuthezhu  enmananE!
Higher than the highest good - it's posessor - who    He
Remover of ignorance, giver of true knowledge, and grace - who    He
Remebering always -the liberated souls- their Supreme Lord - who    He
The Dispeller of sadness, with luminous feet: prostrate before them and get uplifted - Oh my mind

As you can see, the first letters of the first three lines can be rearranged to spell out AUM.
So my question is, does the first verse of Nammalwar's Thriuvaimozhi intentionally spell out AUM as the TV serial suggests, or is it just a coincidence?
This web page contains information from a lot of different commentaries on the Thiruvaimozhi, but it doesn't mention this fact.  Are there any other commentaries or works by Sri Vaishnava Acharyas which say that the verse spells out AUM?


texts: Appropriate time to do amavasya tharpanam in the below instance

texts: There are certain instances that amavasya starts from 7 am and ends the next day by 6/15 am. In this case on which day to do the amavasya tharpanam? The previous day it starts from 7  am that is one hour [assume the sun rise at 6 am] after sunrise. The next day it ends by 6/15 am where the thithi is there during sunrise. Normally tharpanam to be performed by 11 am but now due to office workings it is done by 8 am. In the above case on which day the tharpanam for pithrus to be done?


texts: Is akshaya(अक्षय) used as substitute of thousands (numbers) any where?

texts:
Akshaya in Hindu texts is generally translated as everlasting, forever etc.,

Does Akshaya is used anywhere in the scriptures as a substitute for large numbers (hundreds, thousands etc.,)?


texts: What was the chat between Lord Krishna and Arjuna in Kurukshetra when Yudhishthira insulted Arjuna's Gandiva?

texts:
When Yudhisthira once insulted Arjuna and his bow Gandiva, Arjuna tried to kill Yudhishthira because he had a vow that if anyone spoke badly about his Gandiva then he will kill that person.

Lord Krishna then comes to the rescue and says something which both maintains Arjuna's vow and also saves Yudhishthira's life.

How did Krishna resolve the conflict?


texts:
To support His opinion that as per the scriptures, a  sannyasin has NO restrictions on food, Sri Advaita Acharya, a friend of Lord Sri Chaitanya quotes the following part of a scriptural sloka:

  nAnna-doshena maskari (Sri Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Khanda, chapter 12, sloka 374)

What is the full sloka? Please cite the origin also.


texts: The number of syllables in the Rig Veda - 4,32,000

texts:
This wiki article on Rig Veda says that there are 4,32,000 syllables in all the shlokas combined. It also says that the Shatapatha Brahmana of the Yajur Veda mentions this.

Where is this mentioned? Did they actually count the total number of syllables?


texts: Why did Lord Hanuman stop the path of Bhima during the exile of Pandavas in Mahabharata?

texts: I think this is true because Lord Hanuman is Chiranjeevi and he was also found in the top of the chariot of Arjuna during the battle of Kurukshetra. But I can't understand what is the reason to stop the path of Bhima.


texts:
I just discovered some benefits of ayurveda but I do not know almost anything about this; and in order to live better I would like to arrange my routine (food, time, habits, etc.) as it is prescribed for my main dosha.

To accomplish this I would appreciate it if you cold recommend me any extensive good book to buy in Amazon about this beautiful topic.


texts: How much logical it seems when it's stated that in Mahabharata, queen Gandhari had 100 sons?

texts: I would like to know, is it in some way possible that a couple can have 100 sons ? I am trying to focus more on it's scientific reason. If a marriage of a girl occurs say at 10 years of age, and let's say after every 9 months, she delivers a baby. Then it should take approx 900 months to give birth to 100 babies. That is around 75 years. Which is about 10+75 = 85 .  So, what actually happened?


texts: Do Sadhu, Sant, Rishi and Muni mean the same thing? How are these terms defined?


texts: References to tenets of Samanya dharma in Sruti

texts:
The various tenets of Samanya dharma like Satya, Ahimsa, Shaucha, Asteya and Indriya Nigraha etc. are present in various Smritis, Puranas, and even Mahabharata.

Can anybody give references to them individually or collectively in Sruti- Veda Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka or in Upanishads?

Thank you,
Nithin


texts:
What are the ways to worship the water in Hinduism?
Is there a way to slaughter chicken or other animals to the water and worship it by giving it blood?


texts:
In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna that since he is Kshatriya, he should do the war and do his duties of being a kshatriya. Earlier we had brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra. And Krishna tells Arjuna that one should do his duties. But now in this age, how do we decide our duties?

EDIT: Lord said that the brahmins are the head, the kshatriyas are the hands, the vaishyas are the stomach, and the shudras are the feet of the Lord. I wished to know that since the lifestyle of humans has changed so much, how does one know his duties now? This does not answer my question


texts: What's the story of Shravan Kumar's parents?

texts:
As discussed in this QnA, the name "Shravana Kumara" (श्रवणकुमार), as is genrally captured in our popular imagination, is not actually found in the Valmiki Ramayana based recensions. The old couple killed by Dasharatha are just referred to as parents of some Hermit Boy, without any mention of the name - "Shravana Kumar".
I'd like to know the origin of the name "Shravana Kumara". Which scriptures mention it?
Further, I remember listening in a Srimada Bhagvatam Katha paṇḍāl (मंडप), the prologue to Shravana Kumara's story,

whence his shudra mother and vaishya father  maintained an illicit relationship with each other, and thus committing adultery with their respective spouses and also breaking the varna-ashrama dharma, set forth by the great Manu.
And thus on the order's of the Aja, (the then King of Ayodhaya & Shri Rama's grandfather), they were adjuciated for an exile outside the country along with, sentenced to be blinded for their crimes. In the exile, the two surrendered themselves to the Lord, and were blessed with a boy. The boy being highly devoted to his parents, he got married but the wife although  propitious towards her husband, was ill-willed for her in-laws, leading Shravana Kumara to abandon his wife and  set forth on a pilgrimage journey with his parents. This is where the main incidents of the "popular story", involving Dashratha occured.

Are there any scriptures that give some reference to the above mentioned story of  Shravana Kumar's parents?*


texts:
Why is She called

Vidyadatri (Goddess who provides knowledge)
Vagdevi (Goddess of speech)
Veenapani (Goddess carrying veena in her hands)
Hansavahini (Goddess who sits on swan)

Is there any story Which includes someone praying to Godess Saraswati, Godess Saraswati gives knowledge/wisdom (Vidyadatri), removes his ignorance, correcting nonsensical speech (Vagdevi) gives a weapon/tool so that he can gain more knowledge (Giving Veena or Book) , What is the significance of veena (Veenapani), swan or peacock (Hansavahini).


texts: I know that the present Mahabharata is of 1,00,000 verses. Is there any site where I can read the Bharata (24,000 verses)?


texts: Where is the verse quoted in the Kaushitaki Upanishad about the Vedas as body parts of Brahman?

texts:
As I discuss in the 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 which summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads. You can read the Brahma Sutras here. In any case, Adhyaya 3 Pada 3 of the Brahma Sutras describes the Brahma Vidyas, 32 lessons found in the various Upanishads which can each lead you to Brahman if you meditate on them. You can see the full list of 32 Vidyas here.
One of these Brahma Vidyas is known as the Paryanka Vidyas, and it's described in the first chapter of the Kaushitaki Brahmana.  Part of the chapter describes soul seeking Moksha and his conversation with Brahman (although Advaitins would say that this is merely Saguna Brahman or Ishwara, AKA Sriman Narayana.) Here is part of that conversation:

Brahman says to him: 'Who am I?' He shall answer: 'That which is, the true' (Sat-tyam).
Brahman asks: 'What is the true?' He says to him: 'What is different from the gods and from the senses (prâna) that is Sat, but the gods and the senses are Tyam. Therefore by that name Sattya (true) is called all this whatever there is. All this thou art.'
This is also declared by a verse: 'This great Rishi, whose belly is the Yagus, the head the Sâman, the form the Rik, is to be known as being imperishable, as being Brahman.'

My question is, where is this verse from?  Is it a verse from the Vedas, or somewhere else?
Note that I'm not asking for the meaning of the verse; that's presumably discussed in the various commentaries on the Upanisahad.  I'm just looking for the origins of the verse.

Yajūdaraḥ sāmaśirā asāvṛṅmūrtiravyayaḥ ।
Sa brahmeti hi vijñeya ṛṣirbrahmamayo mahāniti ॥


texts: Are Christian practices deeply influenced from Hinduism

texts:
I am always intrigued by how similar the stories of Jesus Christ and Krishna are. Both had to take shelter from evil forces and both were brought up care taker parents. The only difference is Krishna was born 5000 years ago and Jesus about 2000 years ago. I believe there are lot of practices in Christianity which seem to have been taken from Hinduism. What other practices might have been taken from Hinduism ?

Its common to borrow the good practices from other religions, but if you borrow something and don't give due credit and start labeling the religions as pagan then there is a problem. Case in point is the decoration of Christmas tree - it was borrowed from the so-called pagan religion without giving due credit.


texts: How to make Muntha chart using vedic astrology?

texts:
I have seen that some websites ( like astrosage.com) creates muntha chart and then calculate the varshfal aka "Yearly Predictions". I've found them to be quite accurate.

I would like to learn to create a muntha chart.Can someone explain how do we create a muntha chart using vedic astrology?


texts: Can anybody tell me that who was the wife of Ghatotkacha?


texts: What happened to Ravana's body after his death?

texts: As per this YT Video, it is said Ravana's body antim samskara never happened and some tribe people tried to cure him but couldn't make any success. Is this really true? If not what really happened with the body after his death?


texts: Was Ganga mentioned in Rig Veda VI.45.31 the river Ganga?

texts:
Rig Veda VI.45.31 says

  adhi bṛbuḥ paṇīnāṃ varṣiṣṭhe mūrdhannasthāt | uruḥ kakṣo na ghāṅghyaḥ
  ||

  Brbu hath set himself above the Paṇis, o’er their highest head, Like
  the wide bush on Gangā's bank.

My question here -  Was Ganga mentioned in this mantra, the river Ganga?


texts: How did ancient Hindu scholars interpret the continent theory of Hindu scripture?

texts:
The Hindu scriptures state that there are 7 dvipas or islands, and each is surrounded by a particular liquid.

For example, Jambudvipa is surrounded by an ocean of salt water.

From the Srimad Bhagavatam:

  Jambūdvīpa is also surrounded by an ocean of salt water.

  Plakṣadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of sugarcane juice.

  Sālmalīdvīpa is surrounded by an equally broad body of water called
  Surāsāgara, the ocean that tastes like liquor.

  Kuśadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of liquid ghee.

  Krauñcadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of milk.

  Śākadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of churned yogurt.

  Puṣkaradvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of very tasteful water.

Where are these islands and oceans? What did ancient Hindu scholars say about the location of these islands and locations?


texts: How many years have passed since the departure of Lord Krishna to the start of Kali Yuga?

texts: Kali yuga started 5000 years back is a well known fact. My question is did it start immediately on the day Lord Krishna ended His avatar or some time after that? I read some where that after Lord Krishna, a period of Yuga Sandhi existed for some time and only after that did Kali Yuga start. Can some one clarify based on scriptural evidence?


texts: Why is the language of avesta and Vedas similar?

texts:
Doesn't the language similarity between avesta and Vedas put "apaurausheyata" of Vedas to question?
Many verses of vedas are repeated in avesta.


texts: Concept of Brahman according to different commentators of the Brahma-Sutra

texts: Sri Adi Sankaracharya and the Acharyas of four major Vaishnava sects have written commentaries on Brahma-Sutra. How is the concept of Brahman different in each commentary from the other? A am asking only for brief answers. Not just the definition of different philosophies as discussed in the forum previously.


texts: How to identify the shannavathi (96) days of an year for tharpanam?

texts:
Shannavathi Tharpanam - means 96 days of oblations to our elders. While this answer beautifully explains how the count 96 is arrived, I am still perplexed on how to identify them on the calendar/panchangam(almanac)?

To avoid a dead link, I quote the answer that I referred here:

  1) Number of Shraddham or Tharpana per year:

  Shannavathi - 96 days when Shraddham or atleast Tharpana is to be
  performed.

  The following are the 96 days:

  Amavasya - 12

  Masapirappu (Sankramanas) - 12

  Pournami - 12

  Kruthayugathi - 1

  Threthayugathi - 1

  Dwaparayugathi - 1

  Kaliyugathi - 1

  Vaithruthi Yogas - 14

  Vyatheepatha Yoga -14

  Mahalayathi -16

  Ashtaka - 4

  Anvashtaka - 4

  Thisroshtaka -4

  Apart from the listed days above, one has to perform the Tharppanam on
  the Eclipse days and also on the next day to Mathru/Pithru Srardha
  days.

  According to the Vaidhyanatheeyam and Srivaishnava Deepika, a dutiful
  Brahmin has to perform 96 tharppanams in a year, as stipulated in the
  Vedic scripts. Listed above are the days on which a Brahmin has to
  perform his duty in Thila tharpana roopam. Out of these, the Mahalaya
  Tharpanam can be done with Hiranyam or with Brahmmana bhojanam also;
  if not on all the sixteen days, any one day that one considers himself
  as most important – viz. Mahabharani, Madhyashtami or on his mathru/
  pithru srardha thithi days that falls during Mahalayam.

  If one cannot afford to perform the Tharsha Srardham known as Thila
  tharppanam on all the above days, one should stick to minimum possible
  on Amavasya, Mesha Sangramanam, Dakshinayana punyakaalam, Thula Vishu
  Punyakalam, Utharayana punyakalam, Mahalaya Tharpanam (one day),
  Visible Surya/Chandra Grahana days and also on the next days to
  Mathru/Pithru srardha.

  2) Shraddham and Tharpana in life time:

  (i) Pinda Tharpanam at Badrinath:

  The Pinda Tharpanam at Brahma Kapalam, Badrinath is to be done atleast
  once in life time by all.

  (ii) Shraddham and Tharpanam at Gaya:

  The following are to be performed atleast once in life time by all at
  Gaya.

  a) Pinda and Thila Tharpanam at the riverbed Falgu

  b) Pinda Tharpanam at Vishnupadam

  c) Shraddham at Gaya

  d) Pinda Tharpanam at Akshayavada Source(s):
  http://www.trsiyengar.com/id139.shtml C. Sri Vidya Rajagopalan · 8
  years ago

Of these listed days, it is easy for me to find:

  Amavasya - 12
  Masapirappu (Sankramanas) - 12
  Pournami - 12
  Mahalayathi -16

While I have no clue on how to find:

  Kruthayugathi - 1
  Threthayugathi - 1
  Dwaparayugathi - 1
  Kaliyugathi - 1
  Vaithruthi Yogas - 14
  Vyatheepatha Yoga -14
  Ashtaka - 4
  Anvashtaka - 4
  Thisroshtaka -4


texts:
In Ramayana, was Ram regarded as a deity and incarnation of Vishnu from the very beginning, or was he deified in subsequent editions of the epic?

Did anyone ask Ram to prove his divinity?

Did Ram perform any miracles in Ramayana?

Did Ram perform any miracles in Ramayana to prove his divinity?


texts: Why Devi Bhagavata Purana, being a Purana for feminine deity, insults women?

texts:
Devi Bhagavatam 2.6.46

  अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गे गन्तुं परन्तप।
  येन केनाप्युपायेन पुत्रस्य जननं चरेत्॥ ४६ ॥

  Pandu, living in ascetics' Hermitage, heard mistakenly thus- A sonless person has no chance to go to heaven.
  Therefore, by any or the other mean, bring into effect the birth of a son.

Devi Bhagavatam 1.4.15-16

  अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गो नैव च नैव च।
  पुत्रादन्यतरन्नास्ति परलोकस्य साधनम् ॥ १५ ॥
  मन्वादिभिश्च मुनिभिर्धर्मशास्त्रेषु भाषितम् ।
  पुत्रवान्स्वर्गमाप्नोति नापुत्रस्तु कथञ्चन ॥ १६ ॥

  There is no prospect in the after birth of the sonless; never, never
  will Heaven be his. Without son, there is none other who can be of
  help in the next world. Thus in the Dharma S’âstras, Manu and other
  Munis declare that the man who has sons goes to Heaven and the sonless
  one can never go to Heaven.

Devi Bhagavatam 1.15.18-20

  जलूकेव सदा नारी रुधिरं पिबतीति वै ।
  मूर्खस्तु न विजानाति मोहितो भावचेष्टितैः ॥ १८ ॥
  भोगैर्वीर्यं धनं पूर्णं मनः कुटिलभाषणैः ।
  कान्ता हरति सर्वस्वं कः स्तेनस्तादृशोऽपरः ॥ १९ ॥
  निद्रासुखविनाशार्थं मूर्खस्तु दारसङ्ग्रहम् ।
  करोति वञ्चितो धात्रा दुःखाय न सुखाय च ॥ २० ॥

  The fools do not understand how the women suck the blood out of
  persons like leeches, for they get themselves deluded by their
  gestures and postures! The lady of the house, whom the people call
  kântâ, the beautiful one, steal away the semen virile, the strength
  and energy in the way of giving them happiness as sexual intercourse,
  and their minds and wealth and everything by their crooked love
  conversations; so see what greater thief can there be than a woman? In
  my opinion, those that are ignorant are certainly deluded by the
  Creator; they accept wife to destroy their own pleasure of happiness.
  They can never understand that the women can never be the source of
  pleasure; they are the source of all miseries…

Devi Bhagavatam 9.38.4

  तत्त्वज्ञानविहीना च स्त्रीजातिर्विधिनिर्मिता ।

  O Bhagavân! The woman kind has been created by the Creator as devoid
  of any Tattvajñâna or true knowledge

Devi Bhagavatam 9.1.142-143

  अधमास्तमसश्चांशा अज्ञातकुलसम्भवाः ॥ १४२ ॥
  दुर्मुखाः कुलहा धूर्ताः स्वतन्त्राः कलहप्रियाः ।
  पृथिव्यां कुलटा याश्च स्वर्गे चाप्सरसां गणाः ॥ १४३॥

  Those that are sprung from Tamo Guna are recognised as worst and
  belonging to the unknown families. They are very scurrilous, cheats,
  ruining their families, fond of their own free ways, quarrelsome and
  no seconds are found equal to them. Such women become prostitutes in
  this world and Apsaras in the Heavens…

Devi Bhagavatam 9.35.18-21

  प्रकोपवदना कोपात् स्वामिनं या च पश्यति ॥ १८ ॥
  कटूक्तिं तं प्रवदति सोल्मुकं सम्प्रयाति हि ।
  उल्कां ददाति तद्वक्त्रे सततं मम किङ्‌करः ॥ १९ ॥
  दण्डेन ताडयेन्मूर्ध्नि तल्लोमाब्दप्रमाणकम् ।
  ततो भवेन्मानवी च विधवा सप्तजन्मसु ॥ २० ॥
  सा भुक्त्वा चैव वैधव्यं व्याधियुक्ता ततः शुचिः ।
  या ब्राह्मणी शूद्रभोग्या चान्धकूपे प्रयाति सा ॥ २१ ॥

  If any woman, being very furious with anger, chastises and uses harsh
  words to her husband, she goes to Ulkâmukha Kunda for as many years as
  there are hairs on his body. My servants put fiery meteors or torches
  in her mouth and beat on her head. At the end of the term, she becomes
  a human being but she has to bear the torments of widowhood for seven
  births. Then she is again born as diseased; when at last she gets
  herself freed. The Brâhmana woman, enjoyed by a S’ûdra, goes to the
  terrible dark Andhakûpa hell

Devi Bhagavatam 1.5.83

  अनृतं साहसं माया मूर्खत्वमतिलोभता ।
  अशौचं निर्दयत्वं च स्त्रीणां दोषाः स्वभावजाः ॥ ८३ ॥

  Falsehood, vain boldness, craftiness, stupidity, impatience,
  over-greediness, impurity, and harshness are the natural qualities of
  women.


texts:
What does Parashara Smriti tell about Upanayana Samskara?
Parashara Smriti tells that all can have sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana).


texts:
The story available  in Puranas about incineration (burning) of Manmatha (God of Kaama)  by Lord Siva is as follows:
Indra and the gods are suffering at the hands of the demon Tarakasur, who cannot be defeated except by Shiva's son. Brahma who advises that Parvati woo Shiva; their offspring will be able to defeat Taraka. Indra assigns Kamadeva to break Shiva's meditation. To create a congenial atmosphere, Kamadeva (Manmatha) creates an untimely spring (akAl vasanta).
After he awakens Shiva with a flower arrow, Shiva, furious, opens his third eye, which incinerates Manmatha instantaneously and he is turned into ash.

Compared to Srimad Ramayana, Puranas can be considered as very recent.
The decimation of Manmatha was told differently by Sage Valmiki in his Srimad Ramayana.
Sri Rama and Lakshmana proceeding with Vishvamitra sojourn in a hermitage at a place, where River Ganga and River Sarayu are confluent.  There they have seen a hermitage of sages with contemplative souls, and who are practising supreme ascetics for many thousand years.
On seeing that merited hermitage Sri Rama and Lakshmana are highly pleased and enquired as whom hermitage belong to?  Sage Viswamitra replied as follows: (Bala Kanda 23 Sarga 11-15 Slokas)

कन्दर्पो मूर्तिमान् आसीत् काम इति उच्यते बुधैः | तपस्यंतम् इह स्थाणुम्
नियमेन समाहितम् || कृत उद्वाहम् तु देवेशम् गच्छन्तम् स मरुद् गणम् |
धर्षयामास दुर्मेधा हुम् कृतः च महात्मना ||
"Sthanum was practising ascetics at this place.  When Love-god was with
his body wise men used to call him Kama, the passion,  that Love-god
with his naughty intent braved god of gods (देवेशम्) at this place.
The  God of gods (देवेशम्) was returning after his marriage along with
his followers, namely the Wind-gods (मरुद् गणम् |) , and that great
soul disapprovingly roared at Love-god.
अवध्यतः च रुद्रेण चक्षुषा रघु नन्दन | व्यशीर्यन्त शरीरात् स्वात् सर्व
गात्राणि दुर्मतेः
"And Rama, the wrathful eye destroyed the lewd-minded Love-god making
all his limbs to fall down from his body."
तत्र गात्रम् हतम् तस्य निर्दग्धस्य महात्मनः | अशरीरः कृतः कामः
क्रोधात् देव ईश्वरेण ह ||
"There the body of Love-god is evanescent when that great soul burnt it
down, and by the anger of that god of gods, Love-god is rendered as a
bodiless entity."
तस्य अयम् आश्रमः पुण्यः तस्य इमे मुनयः पुरा | शिष्या धर्मपरा वीर
तेषाम् पापम् न विद्यते ||
"This merited hermitage thus belongs to Sthanum and, oh, brave Rama,
these sages abiding in virtue are his disciples at one time, thus sin
is unverifiable with them.

While narrating the above story, Sage Valmiki uses the word Devesham (देवेशम्),    which were interpreted by many as Lord Shiva.
But according to Valmiki Ramayana, which closely adopted the Vedic Pantheon,  Devesham (देवेशम्)  refers to Lord Indra. In Aranya Kanda he was praised as vibhuDeswaram (Chief of Gods).
Further, the Devesham in this story decimates  the Manmadha  with roar

hum kritascha ( हुम् कृतः च) like Sage Kapila decimates 60,000 sons of King Sagara to ashes.

And, the Devesham in this story was returning after his marriage along with his followers, namely the Wind-gods, when he decimated Manmadha to ashes but not before his marriage.
Wind-gods (मरुद् गणम् |), were the sons of Diti, the wife of Sage Kashyapa, and step mother of Lord Indra.
Diti seeks for a son to kill Indra because Indra and other gods have killed her sons in the battle after churning Milk Ocean. But Indra, being her stepson arrives at her place of asceticism, with view to destroy that Indra-killer. On a fateful day when Diti failed to maintain the procedure of vow, Indra enters her womb and dissects the foetus into seven fragments.   At the request of Diti, Indra blesses the seven segments of her foetus to become sapta marut gaNa-s, The Seven Wind-gods.
So they started  moving with Lord Indra but not with Lord Siva.
Hence, in my view the actual eliminator of Manmadha was  Indra but not  Shiva as commonly believed.
Is it correct?


texts: Why do some Advaitins wear an Urdhva Pundra made of ash?

texts:
Originally, most Advaitins had Vishnu as their Ishta Devata, but nowadays most Advaitins have Shiva as their Ishta Devata.  Kanchi Mahaperiava, the former Shankaracharya of the Kanchipuram, explains the reason for the shift, in an interview found in the end of the book "History of Early Vedanta Philosophy":

  Some Shankaraites are Vaishnavas; they bear the mark in three white vertical ash lines. But many others are Shaivas; they bear the mark of their own. Some other bear no mark. After Shankara there came many Tirthankaras: Ramanuja, Madhva, Vallabha, etc.  They were mostly followers of the Vishnu cult.  So, as a counteraction to them, most of the Shankaraites became Shaivas. This is why we find so many Shiva worshippers among the Shankaraites. I myself am just indifferent to these distinctions. (The Shankaracharya bore only one white horizontal line on the forehead then.) For example, when a devout believer prostrates all his body on the ground, I confer benediction upon him, touching him on the forehead with my hand, saying: "Narayana!" On that occasion I have the god Vishnu in mind. But when I observe the Linga worship, I am a worshiper of Shiva. I am neither Shaiva, nor Vaishnava.

I'm interested in the part in bold.  I've never seen an Advaitin wear an Urdhva Pundra made of ash before.  For those who don't know, an Urdhva Pundra or Namam is a symbol Vaishnavas wear on their forehead.  It consists of three vertical lines and is usually made of schistose mica (Thiruman) along with either turmeric or sandal paste (Srichurnam), in contrast to the Shaivite Tripundra which consists of three horizontal lines and is made of Vibhuti or white ash. My question is, what is the origin of Advaitins wearing an Urdhva Pundra made of ash?

Is it described in any scripture? Or is it just meant to be a compromise between the Vaishnava Urdhva Pundra and the Shaivite Tripundra?


texts: Unity in Diversity concept in ancient Hindu scriptures?

texts:
Bhārata Bhāgya Vidhātā (Bangali : Dispenser of the destiny of India) is a five-stanza Bramho hymn in Bengali language  Here dedicated to Supreme divine God or Parabrahma who is the dispenser of the destiny of India. Also this is the original hymn composed by Rabindranath Tagore for the national anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana.
This National anthem of India convey us the message of Unity in diversity.
Here is the text of National Anthem of India -

जन गण मन अधिनायक जय हे, भारत भाग्य विधाता।  पंजाब सिन्ध गुजरात
मराठा, द्राविड़ उत्कल बंग  विंध्य हिमाचल यमुना गंगा, उच्छल जलधि तरंग।.
तव शुभ नामे जागे, तव शुभ आशीष मागे। गाहे तव जयगाथा  जन गण मंगलदायक जय
हे, भारत भाग्य विधाता। जय हे, जय हे, जय हे, जय जय जय जय हे॥
Jana gaṅa mana-adhināẏyaka jaya hē Bhāratabhāgyavidhātā! Pañjāba
Sindhu Gujarāta Marāthā Drāvida Utkala Baṅga Vindhya Himācala Yamunā
Gaṅgā ucchalajaladhitaraṅga Taba śubha nāmē jāgē, taba śubha āśiṣa
māgē, Gāhē taba jayaẏagāthā. Jana gaṅaṇamaṅgaladāẏaka jaya hē
Bhāratabhāgyavidhātā! Jaya hē, jaya hē, jaya hē, jaya jaya jaya jaya
hē..

My question is - Are there any similar Verses ,text, quotes written in ancient Hinduism literature like Vedas , Upanishads ,Puranas ,Stotras etc. Which mentions about unity in diversity of Bharat Varsha of that time  and about  divine God Dispenser of the destiny of India.?


texts: What is the difference between God and Devi-Devta or are they same?

texts:
Is there a difference between God and Devi-Devta or are they same?
As we know there are thousands of devis and devas, are they the same as God or is there any difference between them? If they are different, then what is the difference?

What is the exact count of God, Devi, Devtas? Are there crores of Devi Devtas?


texts: Is there a BORI critical edition of Rigveda available online?

texts:
BORI critical edition of Mahabharata is available online on sanskritdocuments.org

This article on hindustantimes.com says that BORI has ancient manuscripts of Rigveda.

Is there a BORI critical edition of 'rigveda' which is available online?


texts:
Ok first I am a Muslim and I don't get why God creates poor people and rich people, and why that kind of inequality needs to exist.

That is why I am here, I know that I am not the body "I am I".
I want to know whether this "I" is affected by karma or not, who is the real doer of all karmas?   Can you state that "I" didn't have reincarnation at all  based on "my" previous karma because that "I" cant be affected by karma/sin at all?

Can Atma makes karma or sin?

What is the first karma that Atma made that forced him to become animal or human?


texts: If a Brahmin doesn't perform duties as per his varna, is he still called as brahmin?

texts:
Normal duties of Brahmana varna are waking up early morning, learning and chanting Vedas, etc, But if a Brahmin doesn't perform these duties, is he still respected like other brahmins who perform these duties regularly?                        I am providing a verse from Manusmriti.

  अविद्वांश्चैव विद्वांश्च ब्राह्मणो दैवतं महत् ।
  प्रणीतश्चाप्रणीतश्च यथाऽग्निर्दैवतं महत् ॥ ३१७ ॥

  avidvāṃścaiva vidvāṃśca brāhmaṇo daivataṃ mahat |
  praṇītaścāpraṇītaśca yathā'gnirdaivataṃ mahat || 317 ||

  Learned or unlearned, the Brāhmaṇa is a great divinity; just as consecrated or unconsecrated, the fire is a great divinity.—(317)


texts: How does Vedanta (Uttara Mimamsa) school prove their Astikya (Existence of God) using Shabda pramana?

texts:
How does Vedanta(Uttara Mimamsa) school of Indian philosophy prove their Astikya (Theism) using Shabda(or Agama) pramana, and also how is Shabda pramana established as a valid pramana.

It would be great if this question received answer from all                     Tri-mathasthas's (Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, Dvaita schools of Vedanta) point of view. You can answer either from any one of the three schools or you can answer from multiple schools.

This question is follow up question of this question, where the arguments of Vedanta school was summarized.

It would be in the best of interest of all if the answer is elaborate enough to make the point as to how Vedas are established as Authoritative pramana and other concerning topics.


texts: Are there any influences of other religion on Hinduism?

texts: In ancient time, Hindu tradition and culture had been ruled many regions in the world. But, when time passed other religion had come. So, they were taken and debt some traditions. So, Which influences were found in Hinduism of other religion?


texts: What would be the authentic source for Śrāddha vidhi?

texts:
As the Wikipedia defines it:

  Śrāddha or Shraaddha (Sanskrit: श्राद्ध) is a Sanskrit word which
  literally means anything or any act that is performed with all
  sincerity and faith (Śraddhā). In the Hindu religion, it is the ritual
  that one performs to pay homage to one’s 'ancestors' (Sanskrit:
  Pitṛs), especially to one’s dead parents. Conceptually, it is a way
  for people to express heartfelt gratitude and thanks towards their
  parents and ancestors, for having helped them to be what they are and
  praying for their peace. It also can be thought of as a "day of
  remembrance." It is performed for both the father and mother
  separately, on the days they became deceased.

In my view this is one of the most diluted and flexed ritual and it is so flexed to individual's convenience that no longer it is clear what is authentic and what is not.

What would be an authentic reference pramana for this topic? Of course, Garuda Purana comes close to this topic explains about the first few days, but it does not explain what has to be done as a guide for those monthly, yearly occurrences of shraaddha.

Update

I happen to stumble upon a PDF document in one of my old hard drive.  After searching the Internet, I could see it online here. While it deals with many aspects, it says (related to this question):

  According to Vaishnavism, Bhagawan Sri Varaaha Murthy performed the First Sraaddham in Bhaaratha Kandam under the
  guidance of Sage Bodhayana Rishi (Soothrakari) in a lengthy procedure. However, after some time, Sage Aapasthamban (one
  of the Soothrakari) concised the lengthy procedure and this is practiced now days. Detailed Sraaddha Niyamam
  (nomenclature) is well explained in a grantha called ‘Smrithi Mukthaphalam”.


texts: Lothiang was the ‘ansh’ of lord shiva and was born from the ‘Shwet bund’ perspiration and sweat of Lord Shiva when he was performing tandav. What is his story?


texts: What gods or forms are worshipped/revered in Sri Vaishnavam?

texts: I would like a comprehensive list of who is worshipped in Sri Vaishnavam. It would be really nice if it included many of Sri Vishnu's form.


texts: How to know the traditions to follow for events?

texts:
How do we know about any important traditions to follow during a marriage or vrata or festival etc.

What are all the items required, how to follow the process, what are good days to do it etc.

Earlier parents used to remember the things but now a days every one became busy and difficult to remember them, and approaches priests in temples for suggestions but is there a way to know them from internet.


texts: Are non-Hindus secretly assisted by asuras and rakshasas in their translations of the Vedas?

texts:
It is known that pitrs and devas assist brahmanas in their performance and dissemination of dharma, which includes interpretation of the vedas with the correct meaning.
It's also known that rakshasas and asuras have a malevolent influence in the spread of adharma on Earth through humans. For example, in the mahabharata war, Bhishma was possessed by a daitya (asura) to do adharmic acts.
My question is, are non-Hindus secretly assisted by asuras and rakshasas in their translations of the vedas to distort its meaning?
I have good reason to suspect that it is the case, but is there any definite scriptural backing to support this?


texts: Does Madhwa say that some souls will be eternally damned even if they do good deeds?

texts:
It says in Quora that according to Madhwa

The souls are divided according to 3 different classes

Satvic & mukti Yogyas: These souls are born certified as the highest class with the guaranteed eligibility of liberation & a place in hell. They can go through many lives doing whatever they wish without fear of divine punishment as ultimately they end up in a good place.

Nitya Samsaras: They will go through eternal cycles of life & death without recourse to any final resolution or destination for all their efforts.

Tamo-Yogyas: These are the ones destined for eternal damnation, they get created with a one way highway to hell. They can do all the good things and be the best of people but they’re damned as hell. They go through various lifetimes with various karmic dynamics but finally end up in hell.

And when Pralaya occurs, will these souls be released from eternal damnation according to Madhwa?


texts: Which scripture mentions about Kayarohana?

texts:
Kayarohana is a practice in Hinduism in which a person disappears instantly if (s)he wishes to die.
Which scripture mentions about kayarohana?


texts: What are the symbolisms associated with the fingers of the hands?

texts:
I read somewhere recently that with your palm facing you and going clockwise (anti-clockwise if left hand), starting from the middle finger, the Panchabhuta in order of creation are represented. To be clear, this implies

Middle Finger - Akasha
Index Finger - Vayu
Thumb - agni
Little Finger - Ap
Ring Finger - Prithvi

Is this enumeration correct? Which sources, if any, speak of this?


texts: Is Duryodhana awarded as leader of Rakshashas by Lord Shiva?

texts: I want to know if there is any reference in our puranas saying that Duryodhana is awarded as leader of Rakshashas by Lord Shiva. The reason for his birth is a boon to Rakshashas or something along that line.


texts: How worship will help to merge with brahman?

texts:
How can worship help to get self-realization?

If I chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' continuously, then will that give me moksha?

If Chanting is also part of worship, what is the connection between chanting and self-realization?

Please let me know if any underlying process that relates both?


texts: Does the Aitareya Brahmana ask sudras to serve the other three castes?

texts: I'm sorry, I don't know the exact verse however I'm attaching a verse from (Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda, Published 1922, The Panini Office, Allahabad)


texts: Has there been any commentary on "Soundarya Lahari" by any scholar from Sri Shankaracharya's lineage?

texts: This page describes Soundarya Lahari as being authored by sage Pushpadanta and Adi Shankara. While there are many who believe this to be incorrect attribution, I am more interested to know if any scholar or acharya from the sampradaya of Sri Adi Shankara has written a proper commentary on this text. If yes, would appreciate being given the exact source material, online or offline.


texts: What are the different schools of thoughts in Hinduism and what is the difference between each of them?

texts:
There are many schools of thought in Hinduism that have their own philosophy and their own way to attain Moksha.
From this Hindu point of view, there are six major schools of orthodox (astika) Indian Hindu philosophy—Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṃsā and Vedanta.
So what are they and what is the difference between each school for the foreign sophistry based research scholars?
Only tell about the major difference between each school of astika


texts: I tried google search but I found nothing about mathas in pashupata shaivism. I am interested in becoming a ordained monk in hinduism sub-school pashupata shaivism. I would like to know where those mathas are located and if they have their own websites.