texts: How do Sri Vaishnavas and Gaudiya Vaishnavas interpret a certain Advaitic line in Bhagavatam 1.1.1

texts:
This line in bold, to me, looks like dropping a hint of Advaita. However I know Sri Vaishnavas and Gaudiya Vaishnavas differ on their views of unreality. Forgive me for using the Advaita lens, but could anyone please explain the Sri Vaishnav and/or the Gaudiya Vaishnav interpretation of Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.1:

  जन्माद्यस्य यथोऽन्वयाद् इतरतश्चार्थेषु अभिज्ञः स्वराट्  तेने
  ब्रह्म हृदा य आदिकवये मुह्यन्ति यत्सूरय: ॥  तेजोवारिमृदां यथा
  विनिमयो यत्र त्रिसर्गोऽमृषा  धाम्ना स्वेन सदा निरस्तकुहकं सत्यं
  परम् धीमहि ॥

  janmādy asya yato ’nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ  tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ  tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ
  yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ’mṛṣā  dhāmnā svena sadā
  nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi

  Let there be the salutation of the original appearance of Him,
  Vāsudeva, the Fortunate One, from whom, being present here and in the
  beyond, for the purpose of recollection and full independence, the
  Vedic knowledge was imparted in the heart of the first created being
  [Lord Brahmā]. About Him the enlightened [as surely also the ordinary]
  souls are, like with a mirage of water to the [fire of the] sun, in a
  state of illusion wherein, through the action and reaction of the
  modes of material nature, there is the [apparent] certainty of the
  factual. I meditate upon Him who is always self-sufficient, the
  transcendental [supreme and absolute] truth and the negation free from
  illusion.


texts: If the sins due to bad past life karmas are removed or destroyed by extreme devotion in this life, will the devotee still suffer?

texts:
The Agastya Nadi Jyotish revealed some of the sins I had made because of the bad karma I did in last life. I am a devotee and I chant GuruMantra everyday for an hour. Will it help me(people like me) escape the sufferings due to past life sins as it is said that taking Lord's name destroys sins? If one is ought to suffer because of bad Karma even if sins related to it are destroyed then what's the use of destroying sins by chanting the name of Lord? Is bad karma and sin synonymous? What Shastras say about this?
I am using example of mine only to explain the question. I have no intention to gain personal advice. The situation like mine is generic and has been explained here just to provide the context.


texts: Who will become immortal in this Katha Up 2.3.14?

texts:
यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा येऽस्य हृदि श्रिताः ।
अथ मर्त्यो'मृतो भवत्यत्र ब्रह्म समश्नुते ॥ १४ ॥
yadā sarve pramucyante kāmā ye'sya hṛdi śritāḥ |
atha martyo'mṛto bhavatyatra brahma samaśnute |
When all desires clinging to the heart of one fall off, then the mortal becomes immortal and here attains Brahman.(Katha Up 2.3.14)

In this verse who is becoming immortal?
Because souls is immortal and was immortal and the body is mortal.

BG 2.20: The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The soul is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.

Soul was never mortal but this verse is say he will become immortal("then the mortal becomes immortal"), so who will become immortal .
Is it the body because it is mortal and subjected to death?


texts: Are any English translations of the Parashar Samhita available online?

texts: The Parashar Samhita is an interesting book that chronicles the life of Lord Hanuman as narrated by Rishi Parashar, the author of Parashar Smriti and the Parashar Hora Shastra. I found the Sanskrit version of the text but am not able to find a verse by verse English translation. Does anyone know of a credible source?


texts: Why there is not Hinduism in Europe, Africa, N.A, S.A, Australia?

texts: Hinduism is only in few country in Asia. Is that mean All God or Goddess born in India only for India ?


texts:
According to the Wikipedia page on Hindu diet, an excerpt from the Atharva Veda (the chronologically last one of the four) says that

  Those who eat flesh uncooked, and those who eat the bleeding flesh of
  men, Feeders on babes unborn, long-haired, far from this place we
  banish these.

My question is if the religious Hindu texts haven't explicitly prescribed any particular eating preferences, why is this act of eating non-conventional meat (e.g. beef or pork) frowned upon by some of the conservatives?

I've had the opinion that Hinduism is a religion of universal acceptance and the eating habits of a person has got nothing to do with the Hindu religion.

Is this true or does Hinduism have some specific culinary instructions for its followers?


texts: Is it bad to undergo Upanayana ceremony for the first time?

texts:
Is doing upanayana for the first time a curse? What if a Hindu person wants to undergo yagnopavitam ceremony for very first time?

I have heard many sansthans have started doing sarvajanik yagnopavitam ceremony so if persons who have not done it before want to do it for first time they can undergo the same. My concern is whether the upanayana ceremony causes any danger to the family or the person who undergoes it for the first time.


texts: What is the theological position of Arya Samaj?

texts: I would like to know how Arya Samaj perceives God(Brahman).Do they consider themselves Advatins or Dvatins (Or even Vedantists for that matter)?


texts: Are there any references of Solar Cycles in our scriptures?

texts:
Just wanted to know more about 'Solar Cycles' from scriptures point of view, their effects on human race or entire earth for that matter.
So my question is are there any references of Solar Cycles in our scriptures citing reasons/causes/effects etc?
Please cite authentic references in your answers.


texts: What is the story of Paurnamasi and Nandimukhi?

texts:
Sri Rupa Gosvami, the disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, has written two very beautiful plays called Vidagdha Madhava - Clever Krsna and Lalita Madhava - Charming Krsna.

Vidagdha Madhava describes the pastimes of Krsna in Vrndavana and Lalita Madhava those pastimes of Dvaraka.

Now both these dramas begin with an introduction by two characters Paurnamasi and Nandimukhi. They even appear during the interludes of the plays to add in some extra background story. So who are these two characters?

This page describes Paurnamasi as the mother of Sandipani Muni (the Guru of Krsna and Balarama) and the disciple of Narada. Nandimukhi is said to be the daughter of Sandipani. Paurnamasi is also called the incarnation of Yogamaya. But then Yogamaya has incarnated as Yashoda's daughter. So does this mean there were two incarnations of Yogamaya?

P.S. Since I came across both Paurnamasi and Nandimukhi only in these two plays, I do not expect any references from sources other than Gaudiya Vaishnava literature. But if any exist, please do share them.


texts: Sita- Avatar of Lakshmi goddess or next birth of a pious woman?

texts: In Ramayana, I have read somewhere that Sita is Avatar of a pious women who was a devotee of God Vishnu in previous birth. Please let me know the related sloka from Ramayana?


texts: What is the story regarding birth of Surya

texts: I want to know the Puranic inscriptions regarding birth of Surya. How sun planet was created? When it was created? Why he is sometimes considered as direct expansion of Vishnu?


texts: Is there any mention of geeta before sankara bhashya?

texts:
Gita is believed to be a chief text of vedanta.

It is one of the three fundamental texts of vedanta.

It is said that the first mention and commentary of gita is done by sankara which is about 1000 years ago.

Is there any text prior to sankara bhashya which mention about it ?

Any scholars prior to sankara who quoted it ?


texts: What defines a "hero," from a Hindu perspective?

texts:
For some context, see this question, which I will also summarize: I plan to run a Dungeons & Dragons game soon for some people who follow Hindu faith. For those unfamiliar, it's like a cooperative story-telling experience where the players will be given choices and help shape the story.

The problem I'm facing is that D&D is a game of adventure, and heroes. And I would like to open my mind to be more inclusive of the Hindu view of a hero, specifically because D&D has a system called alignment which, although contentious, is a core component of the system. (Since there are spells/rituals like Protection From Evil, or Hallow, which makes ground holy)

I don't want my story to use my own cultural biases and force my players to adapt to a traditionally-western view of morality or heroism, I would rather make these values inclusive to what they would already view as good/lawful/evil/chaotic to facilitiate easier roleplaying from my players. (Make it easier to get into the minds of their characters, like method acting)

So, I would like to ask you, would you please explain to me what traits or actions define a "hero," from the Hindu perspective?

I apologize, my knowledge of Hinduism is pretty limited. I understand a little about the major deities described in the Bhagavad Gita and I've read summaries of the Ramayana, but I couldn't explain things like:

Why does one become favored by the gods?
What qualities make Rama heroic, aside from his status as an avatar of Vishnu? Was there a reason he was selected to be Vishnu's avatar?
Are there qualities that are viewed as traditionally "heroic?" In the west, and Christianity, there's heavy emphasis placed on things like charity and selflessness. I'm sure these are quite universal among many religions, but are there any tenets of Hinduism that are held more highly, from the perspective of "heroic" traits?
Similarly, are there any traits that are regarded as very "unheroic" or "villainous?" (again, from Christianity, the seven "deadly sins")
Finally, are there any things I should completely avoid when structuring a story in this way? I don't plan to cause offense with my story, so what things would be considered completely offensive to consider and should be left out completely? (e.g. again from Christianity, the Bible does depict ritual animal slaughter, but this would be frowned upon to promote as a typically modern Christian view)

I feel like I should state, in closing, that I do not plan to actually incorporate Hindu gods and texts into my campaign (since I don't know enough to do that properly, and would likely cause offense) -- D&D has its own set of gods and religions and I will be using those in-game, but I want these gods to have a slightly more Hindu-friendly view of morality so I can construct situations where my players can feel traditionally heroic.


texts: Which Purana has Shiva Ashtottara Stotram?

texts:
The Shiva Ashtottara Stotram  which starts as

  शिवोमहेश्वरश्शम्भुः पिनाकी शशिशेखरः .....

is said to be given by Vishnu to Parvati. Which Purana contains this 1) stotram 2) Dhyana sloka which starts os Dhavala Vapusham... and 3) what is story behind vishnu telling this to parvati?

Please mention the Khanda and Chapter of the Purana.


texts: What is the earliest reference to Vishnu's incarnation Kapila?

texts:
As I discuss in this question, in the Bala Kanda of Ramayana, Vishwamitra tells Rama and Lakshmana the famous story of the descent of the Ganga river to the Earth. As described in this chapter of the Bala Kanda, Rama's ancestor Sagara once conducted an Ashwamedha Yagna (horse ritual), and Indra, fearing that the yagna would make Sagara too powerful, stole the sacrificial horse so that Sagara couldn't complete the ritual. So Sagara sent his sons to look for the horse, and they scoured the earth trying to find it. As described in the next chapter, Sagara's sons finally found the horse near the ashram of the sage Kapila:

  But all those great-souled and great-mighty ones with terrible dash have seen the Infinite Vasudeva in the form of sage Kapila there in the northeast, and oh, descendant of Raghu, they have also seen the ritual-horse moving nearby that sage Kapila, thus all of the sons of Sagara obtained a matchless delight....  'You the malicious one, you have indeed stolen our ritual-horse, and in fact, you should know that we who arrived here are the sons of Sagara.' Thus Sagara's sons shouted at sage Kapila....  Oh, Rama of Kakutstha, then that great-souled sage Kapila, rather Vishnu with unimaginable power, has rendered all of those sons of Sagara as heaps of ashes by virtue of his 'hum' sound.

It was the quest to scatter the ashes of Sagara's sons in a holy body of water that motivated Sagara's descendant Bhagiratha's famous quest to bring the river Ganga from Devaloka to Earth.

But my question is about this passage's reference to the sage Kapila.  For those who don't know, Kapila was an ancient incarnation of Vishnu, born to Brahma's son Kardama and Swayambhuva Manu's daughter Devahuti.  He was the founder of the Sankhya school, one of the six Astika or orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, according to which the universe consists of Purushas or conscious beings interacting with Prakriti or unconscious matter.  The Bhagavad Gita is based in large part on a theistic version of Kapila's Sankhya philosophy.

In any case, my question is, is the Ramayana the earliest Hindu scripture which refers to Kapila?  There are plenty of references to Kapila after the Ramayana; this chapter and the subsequent chapters of the Srimad Bhagavatam describe the birth of Kapila and how he taught his mother Devahuti.  But are there any references to Kapila before the Ramayana?  Do the Vedas or Upanishads mention him?


texts: How can Lord rama consume meat without sacrificing it to the dieties first?

texts: All scriptures unanimously agree that eating meat without sacrifice is a sin, then why is there no mention of Lord rama sacrificing animals, there are no verses which directly state that he ate meat but are all indirect speculation, how can one be sure that he really did eat meat?


texts: Origin for six ways to make chitta pleasant

texts:
Consider the following six ways to achieve pleasant Chitta quickly

Ekantha vaso (Being alone)

Laghu bojanadi (Taking enough food)

Mounam (Maintaining silence)

Nirasa (Lessening desires)

Controlling indriyas

Controlling tongue

What is the origin of these methods? Who told it and which scripture contains it?


texts: Who is the first man or woman born in this yuga or in any other yuga?

texts:
Regular process is mother will give birth to new baby.

Then who is the first man or woman born in this yuga or in any other yuga? How were those first persons born?

Were they born as babies or directly as adults?

Edit

this question is not duplicate as this , because i didt got solution for those first persons born as babies or adults ?


texts: What are the specific qualities of Lord Shiva's trishul?

texts: Does any epic or purana describes about Lord Shiva's trishul briefly? Specially Shiva Purana & Mahabharata, if I'm not wrong, Upamanyu had described something about Shiva's trishul to Lord Krishna in Mahabharata. Please describe anything mainly from these two holy books.


texts: What is Madhvacharya's argument against Brahman being the material cause of the universe?

texts:
Madhvacharya is the proponent of the Dvaita school of Vedanta because he doesn't believe that Brahman is the material cause of Jivatmas and Prakriti.

But what is his main argument against it?


texts: Why is Krishna portrayed with huge eyes at Puri Jaganath temple?

texts:
Krishna and his siblings Balarama & Subhadra are portrayed with huge eyes at the Jaganath Temple at Puri. This kind of portrayal is not seen in other temples. Is there any story behind this?

Deities at Jaganath Temple, Puri:


texts: How does Hinduism explain extinction of species?

texts: Extinction of species is no myth and it is not a theory like Evolution which couldn't be verified at present, as many species becoming extinct day by day. How Hinduism explains this? What if a widely discussed and important animals in Hinduism (like the spotted deer, through which only we can identify the land where Vedic Dharma prevails) become extinct?


texts: Does the Gita contradict the Vedas in these verses and if yes, is there ANY universally accepted hierarchy of authority among scriptures?

texts:
Krishna in Bhagavad Gita says:

2.42-43 Those with limited understanding, get attracted to the flowery words of the Vedas, which advocate ostentatious rituals for elevation to the celestial abodes, and presume no higher principle is described in them. They glorify only those portions of the Vedas that please their senses, and perform pompous ritualistic ceremonies for attaining high birth, opulence, sensual enjoyment, and elevation to the heavenly planets.
2.44 With their minds deeply attached to worldly pleasures and their intellects bewildered by such things, they are unable to possess the resolute determination for success on the path to God.
2.45 The Vedas deal with the three modes of material nature, O Arjun. Rise above the three modes to a state of pure spiritual consciousness. Freeing yourself from dualities, eternally fixed in truth, and without concern for material gain and safety, be situated in the self.

Question:

In these verses above, is the Bhagavad Gita not fully accepting the authority of the Vedas?
In case these specific verses are going against authority of Vedas, then how can scriptures be ordered in a hierarchy of authoritativeness? (i.e. do we believe what the Vedas say or if the Gita is against the Vedas, then do we believe the Gita and the same goes for any other scriptures as well).

Note: I ask the above notwithstanding the fact that as per: Is the hierarchy of scriptures discussed in any scripture or in the works of acharyas?, the Gita would be considered part of the Itihasa (Mahabharata).


texts:
I heard many stories about deeds of Indra and other gods in Puranas.

For e.g. rape of Ahilya by Indra, rape of Tara by Saima etc. So my question is how can a God do this?

Are they really God? If they are not God why did Vedas praise them? Is there anything from Hindu scriptures, especially in Vedas or Upanishads, that denies them as God?


texts: What are all the reasons for which gods/Devas are depicted as fighting each other?

texts:
As per me, mostly it seems like "boon conflict" someone is given a boon by God A for protection and God B wants to attack him for something else.  classic case is the banasura story - he picks a fight with krishna but siva is boon-bound to defend him and a war allegedly happens between siva and krishna bexause of that.

What are the other reasons for which two or more gods fight with one another? Do the reasons indicate a definite pattern?


texts:
I was listening to this beautiful video

https://youtu.be/sMHeBEVnKL8

I found these parts :

1) Gananam Tva Ganapatim -  from Rig Veda (2.23.1)

2) After that become :

praNo devee saraswatee vaajebhirvaajineevatee | dheenaamavitryavatu || 4 ||

wich i found in II saraswatee sooktam (rigveda samhitaa)

Then the video finish with part 5/11 (what i am interested into)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1m2Z9LR1ww

After the saraswatee sooktam , what is the text chanted in part 5/11?

Thank you in advance for help

Also , someone can translate in english :

praNo devee saraswatee vaajebhirvaajineevatee | dheenaamavitryavatu || 4 ||


texts: Why Ganesha is covered with saffron(sindoor)?

texts: We know Hanuman is covered with Saffron paste. But why is Ganesha covered with saffron paste. It is not seen in temples in southern part of India but most of the Ganesha's idols in northern part of India and all idols in the Ashta Vinayaka temples are covered with saffron paste. Why is it?


texts: Why is Durva grass offered to Lord Ganesha?

texts: Why is the Durva (or scutch grass) offered to Lord Ganesha? What is the reason behind it? Does this grass have any ayurvedic properties? Why is it considered sacred?


texts:
I have a wish. I want Lord Shiva to appear before me.

Would you please tell me what should I do to attain this?


texts: Where all, in Hinduism, can we find connection with modern scientific ideas?

texts:
Hinduism, in my knowledge, has a lot of philosophical ideas that staggeringly matches modern science. I've heard (in various stories, which i don't remember) some mentions of infinity (Lord Shiva's lifeline), anti-gravity (pushpak viman), thermodynamics, quantum theories, etc.
Anyone know real solid resemblance to modern scientific findings and age-old literature?


texts: Who are the daughters of Lord Shiva? What are their stories?

texts:
We all know that Shiva has two sons, Kartikeya and Ganesha. But I heard that he has three daughters too. I also heard that these daughters are worshipped in some parts of India.

Is this true? If yes, who are the daughters of Lord Shiva? What are their stories?


texts:
The keshetra of the Anandaful ,  Beautiful Golden Womb - Golden Egg known as Hiranyagarbha the seed of all is located where ? Is it
Beyond Nirguna Brahman or is it within Sarguna Brahman?


texts: Do Vedas contain stories and instructions on Dharma or only Hymns and mantras?

texts:
My assumption was Vedas contain only Srutis or eternal truths(an enshrined in the Mantras) and that stories and Dharma bhodhanas are a subject of Vedanta and Puranas. But the following verse(if not a later interpolation) casts doubts on that assumption. Are there any other stories of a similar nature in the rest of the Vedas?

Lopamudra's plea to her husband, Agastya
"For many long years in the past, both by day and by night,
And in the mornings, have I wearied myself serving you;
Now decay impairs the beauty of my limbs;
What then?—Let husbands approach their wives.
The ancient sages who attained truth,
And talked of truth with the very gods,
They did beget children, but did not break their penance
Therefore should the wives be approached by their husbands." (Rg Veda i, 179, 1-2)


texts: How does Hinduism explain about Aliens or Dinosaurs?

texts:
I know we have Vedas and other sacred writings which explained many things even before scientific discoveries were made like distance of sun, rotation and revolution of earth etc.

But what and how does those scriptures explain about Aliens and Dinosaurs?. We are pretty sure that they exists or existed and how is it explained?.

I have this feel that hinduism or be it any religion and very idea of God were all put forward only after the evolution of humans. I am not denying the existence of god or completely agree about the existence. I am just curious to know and find relation in whatever I understand.


texts: Why chant any mantra besides gayatri mantra

texts:
I am a hindu rediscovering my religion in my 20's. I am doing 1008 gayatri mantra daily and strive for perfect pronunciation and intonation
I was wondering if the gayatri mantra was such a powerful mantra, then why don't people exclusively chant gayatri mantra daily?


texts: Why is the "Dasa Avataram" concept considered a debatable topic on this site while Scriptures make clear mention of them?

texts:
Since the concept of Dasavataram doesn't even exist in Hindu
  scripture, this is sort of a moot question

This was posted by Keshav Srinivasan as a comment under this question.Comments with the same purport has also been posted by several others as well.

But the fact is that the Todala Tantra not only clearly states about the Dasa Avataras but also mentions their co-relation with the Dasa Mahavidyas.

As i quote from here:

  The last chapter of todala Tantra equates Vishnu’s ten incarnations
  with the ten Mahavidyas as follows:

  “Shri Devi said: Lord of Gods, Guru of the universe, tell me of the
  ten avatars. Now I want to hear of this, tell me of their true nature.
  Paramesvara, reveal to me which avatar goes with which Devi.

  “Shri Shiva said: Tara Devi is the blue form, Bagala is the tortoise
  incarnation, Dhumavati is the boar, Chinnamasta is Nrisimha,
  Bhuvaneshvari is Vamana, Matangi is the Rama form, Tripura is
  Jamadagni, Bhairavi is Balabhadra, Mahalakshmi is Buddha, and Durga is
  the Kalki form. BhagavatÌ Kali is the Krishna murti.” (Todalatantra,
  chapter 10)

Is Todala Tantra not considered a "scripture"? OR are the concerned users not aware of its existence?


texts: Where can be found references about ways of Shiva testing his students And disciples? Please provide some texts in the answers.


texts: What was the reason behind the clash between Vashishtha and Vishwamitra?

texts:
I am not sure but I heard that there was some clash between Vashishtha and Vishwamitra before the Ramayana. We can say like the cold war. But in Ramayana, both were worked with Ayodhya happily.

If there was a clash between both of them? Then which incident happened that they came to close each other?


texts: Could anyone please help me identify/translate this sanskrit mantra? I am grateful. Thank you.


texts: Why date of any "Hindu festival" changes every year?

texts:
'Christmas' occurs on 25th December every year.

But why the dates of Hindu festivals vary from year to year?

Are there any references of this in Hinduism?


texts:
I know, every text book is directly or indirectly related to vedas. This 'Ayurveda', has a 'Ved' in it.

By meaning it seems its another type of veda, but being four veda pillared, I didn't found any reference of it being of any four.

As going in between discussion, I'm sure its not any one of four vedas, yet it has a 'ved' ending with it.

I just wanted to know its relation to Vedas(Direct One, as I posted every text has at least indirect relation to veda) or if not why it got the name 'Ayurveda'.

I don't want to be offensive in nomenclature of the book, yet what I know the way Sanskrit words are created is scientific, and 'Ayur' meaning life and 'Veda' meaning 'science'(Sorry I don't have any relative english word for it.)


texts: what is the highest abode for Vaishnavite sects?

texts:
Srivaishnavites and Madhwites seem to regard Vaikuntha as the highest abode.  For Gaudiyas it seems to be "Goloka" -

I am looking for a systematic exposition of the conception of the ultimate endpoint of jivas in Vaishnavite sects.


texts: Does Geeta have gender and caste discrimination verses?

texts:
In Geeta, Chapter 9 verses 32 and 33 have implications related to the superiority of particular varna and gender over the others.

The verse states that "EVEN Women and Shudra can attain God". Does this mean that in general circumstances they are not able to attain god ?

  maam hi paartha vyapaashritya ye (a)pi syuh paapa-yonayah |

  striyo vaishyaas tathaa shudraas te (a)pi yaanti paraam gatim ||9.32||

Let us see its meaning in the Sankara bhashya which is the first and most famous commentary on Geeta.

Sankara Bhasya:

  maam hi yasmaat paartha vyapaashritya - maam aashrayatvena grheetvaa,
  ye api syu: paapa-yonaya: ; paapaa yonir yeshaam te paapa-yonaya: ;
  syu: - bhaveyu: | paapa-yonaya: paapa yonir yeshaam te paapa-yonayah
  paapa-janmaana: | ke te ? ity aaha—striyo vaishyaas tathaa sudraa:
  tepi yaanti - gacchanti, paraam - prakrshtaam gatim ||9.32||

  for; O son of Prtha, ye api, even those; papayonayah syuh, who are
  born of sin;-as to who they are, the Lord says-striyah, women;
  vaisyah, Vaisyas, tatha, as also; sudrah, Sudras; te api, even they;
  yanti, reach, go to; the param, highest; gatim, Goal vyapasritya, by
  taking shelter; mam, under Me-by accepting Me as their refuge.

Note what he has said here – papayonaya: are those who are born sinners (papa janmaana:) ke te? - Who are they ? striya: - women, vaishya: people of the vaishya caste, sudra: of the sudra caste.

Further, the verse 9.32 shoud not be read in isolation. While the verse 32 defines papa yonaya:, the verse following that ie 33 defines punya yonaya: as per shankara bhashya:

  kim punar braahmanaa: punyaa bhaktaa raajarshayas tathaa |

  anityam asukham lokam imam praapya bhajasva maam ||Geeta 9.33||

shankaras bhashya :

  kim punar braahmanaa: punyaa: punya-yonayo bhaktaa raajarshayas tathaa
  raajaana: ca te rshaya: ceti raajarshaya: | yata evam, ato(a)nityam
  kshana-bhanguram asukham ca sukha-varjitam imam lokam manushya-lokam
  praapya purushaartha-saadhanam durlabham manushyatvam labdhvaa
  bhajasva sevasva maam ||9.33||

Brahmins and kshatriyas who have taken to austerity are punya yonaya:. Now if you link this verse 33 with verse 32 you will know that while Brahmins and kshatriyas are classified as punya yonaya: vaishyas sudras and women are defined as paapa yonaya: isn’t this quite explicit ?

Now many scholars have interpret this verse of 9.32 in a different way like this,

O son of Pritha, those who take shelter in Me, though they may be sinners, women, vaishyas [merchants] and shudras [workers]—can attain the supreme destination.

Here they have separated "papayoni" as a separate FOURTH category apart from women, vysya, and Shudras. But this does not fit as a meaning because in the preceeding verse, the word "punya-yoni" an antonym of "Papayoni" related to kshatriyas and brahmins is used.

Even if that is the case then grouping women, shudra, vysya with papayoni is not a good remark either. It equates them to a lower category of sinners or low grade people.

So how do such verses find its place in geeta which brands women and shudras etc as born sinners? Is it a possible interpolation?


texts:
In this talk about different sampradayas, Shankaracharya Nischalananda says Adi Sankara and Madhwa agree on their interpretation of the last shloka of chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita.
He also says although there is difference there is also a lot of agreement among the Sampradayas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjbyVuYUwVc

क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोरेवमन्तरं ज्ञानचक्षुषा |
भूतप्रकृतिमोक्षं च ये विदुर्यान्ति ते परम् ॥35॥

Those who know thus through the eye of wisdom the distinction between the field and the Knower of the field, and the annihilation of the Matrix of beings, -they reach the Supreme.

please explain what he means.


texts: How to reconcile Vasishta's statement on eldest son inheriting throne with Dasratha's proclamation?

texts:
As seen in this answer Dasratha invited the assembly to debate his decision to coronate Rama and presented the pros and cons of Rama's candidature with a neutral viewpoint.
But as per verse 35 of the 110 Ayodhya kanda sarga, Vasishta says

इक्ष्वाकूणाम् हि सर्वेषाम् राजा भवति पूर्वजः |

पूर्वजेन अवरः पुत्रो ज्येष्ठो राज्ये अभिषिच्यते || २-११०-३५

The eldest son only becomes the king in the entire Ikshvaku race. When the eldest son exists, the younger son will not become a king. The eldest son only is anointed to the crown.

Now how does one reconcile the above two incidents. If eldest son was to become King in Ikshvaku then why did Dasratha go on to explain pros and cons of Rama being the heir ?
On a related note, if it was given that eldest son was to be crowned king then Manthara would not have waited till the Dasratha's announcement to poison Kaikeyi's mind.


texts: Was/is there a caste/subcaste designated to actually kill the animal at animal sacrifices?

texts:
An example of a specialized occupation in Tamil Nadu is the inherited, highly stigmatized office of funeral drummer and graveyard attendant, called vettiyan (drawn from the Paraiyar subcaste).

Is the actual killing of the sacrificed animal considered an act unfit for high castes?

However in this contemporary example, Brahmins seem to have done the killing:

https://www.deccanherald.com/content/544227/brahmins-hold-yaga-sacrifice-goats.html


texts: What is the complete shloka on marriage ages written in new Vishvnath temple, Varanasi

texts:
In 2013-14, I visited new Vishvnath temple (in BHU), Varanasi. Inside temple, many shlokas are written on its wall. One of them states the suiatable age of marriage,  I remember only few words from it:

For man the suitable age of marriage was written as पञ्चविंशति (25) and for woman as षोडश (16).

Can anyone please tell the complete shloka and it's source?


texts: Whether in every mahayugam same events reoccur with same avatarams and same souls taking birth , following same karma cycle as was in last mahayugam ?


texts: Does the surya namaskara mantra declare surya as Brahman?

texts: I can't find any text of this vedic mantra.where does it declare surya as supreme brahman?


texts: Which mantra or shloka to be chanted while taking a bath?

texts:
In Hinduism, there is importance of taking bath before doing rituals, and an important part of ritual purification in Hinduism is the bathing of the entire body.

It is considered auspicious to perform this form of purification before any festival, before visiting a temple or performing a worship. One not only purifies one's body but also the mind during taking a bath.

Below is one famous shloka that I am aware of, typically used while taking a bath

  गङ्गेच यमुने चैव गोदावरी सरस्वति । नर्मदा सिन्धु कावेरी जलेऽस्मिन्
  संनिधिं कुरु ॥

Meaning: In this water, I invoke the presence of divine waters from the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri. These rivers are considered as goddesses and I pray to them for considering me for their blessings.

Are there any other similar shloka/mantra recommended in Hindu scriptures which one can chant when taking a bath?


texts: Is there a mantra for the worship of kamadeva in any authentic text

texts: Looking for a mantra to worship kamadeva


texts: Are there any surviving quotes from Baudhayana's commentary on the Brahma Sutras?

texts:
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 Vyasa which summarizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads.  You can read the Brahma Sutras here; they consist of concise sayings, so people usually read them with the help of a commentary.  Numerous commentaries have been written on them, by proponents of various Vedantic philosophies, but the two most prominent commentaries are the Brahma Sutra Bhashya of Adi Shankaracharya and the Sri Bhashya of Ramanujacharya.  But there was another commentary much older than those two.

In Ramunjacharya's day, the only commonly known interpretation of the Brahma Sutras was Adi Shankaracharya.  But Ramanujacharya felt that Adi Shankaracharya had twisted the meaning of the Brahma Sutras to suit his Advaita philosophy and that properly understood, the Brahma Sutras were actually consistent with the Visistadvaita philosophy that characterized Ramanujacharya's Sri Vaishnava sect.  In an attempt to find the true meaning of the Brahma Sutras, Ramanujacharya procured a commentary on the Brahma Sutra by Baudhayana, an ancient sage who had written numerous supplements and commentaries on the Yajur Veda. In contrast to Adi Shankaracharya, who viewed the Upanishadic philosophy of the Brahma Sutras in isolation, apparently Baudhayana thought that the Upanishads could only be understood after studying the Vedas.  In any case, relying on the meaning of the Brahma Sutras given by Baudhayana, Ramanujacharya was able to write a new commentary on the text which argued that Vyasa had really intended to convey the philosophy of Visistadvaita Vedanta.

Unfortunately, as far as I can tell there are no surviving copies of Baudhayana's commentary.  But my question is, are there at least fragments or quotes of the work which survive?  Does Ramanujacharya ever directly quote Baudhayana in the Sri Bhashya?  If there are any fragments, are they available in English translation?


texts:
As per folk stories Dear Lord Krishna cried when He meet his Friend Sudama. Another story is Krishna cried when meeting paternal brother Uddhava in Dwarka.

Is there any scriptural reference of the same when krishna cried?


texts: Can yantras be used a remedies for Doshas in horoscopes and nakshatras?

texts:
Is it possible to use yantras to resolve Doshas in horoscopes and nakshatras and if so:

1.Is it common practice to use yantras as a remedy?

2.For e.g in the case of a graha dosha,mantras are usually chanted to pacify the graha devta. But how do yantras resolve Doshas.


texts: Can the Yajnopavitam be ever removed after once the person has initiated?

texts: I have heard that the yajnopavitam cannot be removed ever after once initiated. However, I have also heard Ramakrishna Paramahamsa removed his own one countless times. What do the scriptures say about the removal of the yajnopavitam after initiation?


texts: Was Gaudiya Vaishnavism influenced by Madhwa's teachings?

texts:
I read that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had met and was guided by Sri Vyasa Tirtha.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyasatirtha

If this is true, are there Gaudiya doctrines/practices that are influenced by Madhwa's teachings?


texts: Did Sri Rama visit Hatya Haran teertha (Prabhaskar Teertha) to purify himself?

texts:
Did Sri Rama visit Hatya Haran teertha (Prabhaskar Teertha) to purify himself of the sin of Brahma Hatya due to killing of Raavana?

The Sthala Purana of Hatyaharan Teertha as it is popularly known in Uttar Pradesh is about 25 kms from Naimisharanya Teertha. Namisharanya in Sitapur District UP is about 150 kms from Lucknow and 180 kms from Ayodhya. The Sthala claims it to be Prabhaskar Kshetra.

There is a mention of Prabhaskar Teertha in Shiva Purana. According to the story,  In SatyaYuga Shiva and His Consort came to wander around Naimisharanya. The forests were so serene and calm that Shiva sat down to meditate and Parvati wandered around the forest.  Suddenly she felt thirsty, but finding no water asked the Devas to fetch some for Her. Surya Deva appeared and offered his kamandalu to Parvati to drink and while She was drinking a few drops fell on the ground and became a tank – teerthasthala.  When Shiva and Parvati were ready to leave the place, Shiva named the Sthala as Prabhaskar Kshetra.

It is said that in Treta Yuga, after defeating and killing Raavana, on His way back to Ayodhya, Sri Rama came to Hatyaharan Teertha to wash away the sin of Brahmahathya He had incurred in slaying Raavana [if true, then Raavana was not an Asura as made out but a Brahmin]. I find no mention of this visit or Praayaschitta in Valmiki Ramayana.

My questions are:

(a)   Did Sri Rama visit Hatyaharan Teertha on His way back to Ayodhya?

(b)   Is this teertha indeed the Prabhaskara Kshetra referred to in Shiva Purana?

(c)   In which scriptures / epics is the story of Sri Rama performing praayaschitta for Brahmahathya at Prabhaskara Kshetra described?


texts: How this many caste classification occured - different in different states?

texts:
Was this many classification were there in ancient India .I believe there were only 4 classification of  people in Purana.

Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra

Why we have this many caste classification and very different caste in every state.

How , Why and when this happened ?


texts: What's the alternative to fire used in Yajna or homa?

texts:
Sometimes, especially in foreign countries maybe, due to fire alarms or similar state laws governing the infrastructure, which might forbid fire lighting inside home, it might not be possible at all, to perform a Yajna ( यज्ञ )  or homam at home, which involve lighting up havan agni (हवन अग्नि )  or ritualistic fire.
I have heard or read somewhere, that if circumstances doesn't permit, one may use water as an alternative to fire.
Does, this kind of practice have any scriptural validity?


texts: How do I explain akasha (sky - one of the Panchamahabhuta) to a scholar?

texts:
Out of the Five-Elements only akasha is the one I am unable to understand till now. How is it related to the earth or a material body? Though we know it's different from air and recedes into outer space, how is it possible to add akasha as an element which forms our body?

How do I explain this to a scholar and explain its significance?


texts:
When I searched for Kakabhusundi on wikipedia, it was written that -----

The conversations happen between Shiva and Parvati, Sages Bharadwaj
and Yajnavalkya and finally Kakbhushundi and the king of birds,
Garuda.It has also been said that whenever Lord Rama takes an
incarnation on earth in different ages Kalpa (aeon), Kakbhushundi
flies away and shift to Ayodhya to watch the child plays of Rama,
because of his devotional love for Rama.

But in Devdutt Patnaik's Sita it is written -----

Kakabhusundi had listened the Ramayana from Lord Shiva.

So, which of the above to believe?


texts: Is gita 2:45 asking us to reject the Vedas?

texts:
BG 2:42 : Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this.

Is this verse saying that we should reject vedas?


texts: What is the yagna that allows any dwija to do another varna karma

texts:
In the movie Bajirao Mastani, Baajirao Ballad Maratha Peshwa (Bramhin by birth) performs a Yagna after every battle he fights, in order to clear the sin of fighting war as it's a sin to fight if you are not a kshatriya.

So this means that any bramhin can fight in war by performing specific yagna, and even a Bramhin or Vaishya can do kshatriya karma in special circumstances? What did Lord Parshurama do in order to fight like that of kshatriya? Similarly any kshatriya can do bramhin karma or vaishya karma if yes then is the method same?

What is that yagna which allows one to do different varna karma? What are other methods to perform another varna karma, like kshatriya doing bramhana/vaishya karma visa versa?


texts: Are there any Puranic or other references / pictures to Shiva having Five-headed Vasuki?

texts: Are There any Puranic or other references / pictures to Shiva having Five-headed Vasuki? Or for Lingam or Amba. Appreciate Your help!


texts: What is the "param dhama" that Lord Krishna refers to in Bhagavadgita

texts:
In the sloka 6 of Chapter 15 Bhagavadgita: Lord Krishna gives a hint of the physical appearance of his loka where he says

"na tad bhasayate suryo
na sasanko na pavakah
yad gatva na nivartante
tad dhama paramam mama"

It means

"The Supreme abode of mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by fire. One who reaches it never returns to this material world."

By this sloka Lord Krishna implies that which is eternal or indestructible is independent upon the material constituents, for humans it is impossible to think of a world that is not lit by sun, moon, fire or electricity.

By giving a description Lord raised the eyebrows of human conscious to think of what is beyond material worlds.

It is of much relevance as the supreme lord himself speaks of it.

What is the dhama that Lord Krishna refers to in this sloka is it Vaikuntha, Goloka or any other world? Give documentary evidence in support of your answer
If not by sun, moon or fire then what illuminates the param dhama ?


texts: Hindu traditional book about people skills, making friends and influencing people

texts: Is there a Veda, Puran,Aagama or any ancient Indian book that talks about how to manage people in an organization, make friends and influence people?


texts: This question is continuation of What can one do to enjoy death or the dying process? . From answers I learned devotion can be the mArga to enjoy death process. Now my question is How to remain conscious while dying? because to enjoy anything one must be conscious.


texts:
After reading this answer, I am curious to know how many kilometers or miles are equal to one yojana.

Below is some of the information taken from the above link. Here a league equals one yojana

  The sphere of the earth (or Bhúr-loka), comprehending its oceans,
  mountains, and rivers, extends as far as it is illuminated by the rays
  of the sun and moon; and to the same extent, both in diameter and
  circumference, the sphere of the sky (Bhuvar-loka) spreads above it
  (as far upwards as to the planetary sphere, or Swar-loka). The solar
  orb is situated a hundred thousand leagues from the earth; and that of
  the moon an equal distance from the sun. At the same interval above
  the moon occurs the orbit of all the lunar constellations. The planet
  Budha (Mercury) is two hundred thousand leagues above the lunar
  mansions. Śukra (Venus) is at the same distance from Mercury. Angáraka
  (Mars) is as far above Venus; and the priest of the gods (Vrihaspati,
  or Jupiter) as far from Mars: whilst Saturn (Sani) is two hundred and
  fifty thousand leagues beyond Jupiter. The sphere of the seven Rishis
  (Ursa Major) is a hundred thousand leagues above Saturn; and at a
  similar height above the seven Rishis is Dhruva (the pole-star), the
  pivot or axis of the whole planetary circle. Such, Maitreya, is the
  elevation of the three spheres (Bhúr, Bhuvar, Swar) which form the
  region of the consequences of works. The region of works is here (or
  in the land of Bhárata).

I am very desperate to know how much our ancients know about mathematics, I want to compare those calculations with the current ones.


texts: Was one of Uyyakondar's shishyas a relative of Nathamuni?

texts:
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. The 4000 verses of the Alwars were compiled by the Vaishnava Acharya Nathamuni into a book called the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam, which is considered by many to be the "Dravida Veda", or South Indian Veda. It's the principles and beliefs embodied in the Alwars' poems that Nathamuni used to found what we now call the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I am a member).

Now Nathamuni's chief disciple was Uyyakondar, also known as Pundarikaksha.  Uyyakondar's shishyas are listed in this excerpt from Vedanta Desikan's Rahasyatraya Sara:

  Uyyakondar had five disciples; they are: - Manakkal Nambi, Thiruvallikeni Pan Perumal Araiyar, Settalur Sendalangarar, Sri Pundarika Dasar, and Ulagaperumal Nangai.

Manakkal Nambi was Uyyakondar's chief disciple, but I'm interested in the second name, "Thiruvallikeni Pan Perumal Araiyar". Thiruvallikeni is the ancient name for Triplicane, the site of the Parthasarathi Vishnu temple which I discuss here. And Araiyar refers to Araiyar Seva, a practice introduced by Nathamuni where the Alwars' poems are set to song and dance.  So that means this shishya of Uyyakondar was the one performing Araiyar Seva in the Parthasarathi temple.  Nowadays Araiyar Seva is only done in Sri Rangam and a few other temples, but this webpage indicates that in the olden days many temples including the Parthasarathi temple used to do it.

Now at least in the Sri Rangam temple, the Araiyars (people who do Araiyar Seva) are all from Nathamuni's family.  So my question is, was Thiruvallikeni Pan Perumal Araiyar a relative of Nathamuni? Or were the Araiyars of the Parthasarathi temple not related to Nathamuni?

By the way, regardless of the answer, Uyyakondar's shishya Manakkal Nambi at least had one of Nathamuni's relatives as a shishya, namely Nathamuni's grandson Yamunacharya,


texts: Can I have Gangadhareshwara Idol (not the Linga) to perform Abhyanjana, Abhisheka and pura?

texts: I'm worshiping our family deity Jaganmaate Omshree Gangadevi and I'm the priestess too. I, now want to install Lord Gangadhareshwara in idol form (not the Linga form). What are the steps I need to take.


texts:
Which scripture says that during eclipse all water become pure like Ganges water?
This page make the following claims:

During eclipse all waters are equivalent to Ganges water and all
Brahmins are equivalent to Vasishta.

I would love to have answers to the second question as well, which is:
Which scripture claims that during eclipse all Brahmins are equivalent to Maharshi Vasishta?
Edit-Adding the  exact Sanskrit verses which i found on this page:

During the �Grahana Kaala�, Go-Bhu-Hiranyaadi Daanaas would accord
far-reaching benefits. It is stated: Sarvam Gangaa samam toyam, Sarvey
Vyaasa samaah Dwijaah, Sarvam Bhumi samam daanam grahaney Chandra
Suryayoh/ (On occasions like Lunar or Solar Eclipses, all kinds of
waters are like Ganga water; all Brahmanas are like Vyasaacharya; and
all kinds of charity are as good as Bhu daana).


texts:
Mayureshwara is an incarnation of Lord Ganesha in the Treta Yuga. Mayureshwara's vehicle is a peacock (and hence the name, Mayura which means "peacock" in Sanskrit), unlike Ganesha's usual vehicle, the rat.

The temple of Mayureshwara is present in Moregaon in the state of Maharashtra in India. The locals there mention that the temple is the starting point of the Ashtavinayaka circuit.

In the book, Ganapati: Song of the Self, By John A Grimes (P#37), he clearly mentions that:

  Morgaon is regarded as the most important of the asta vinayaka temples for four reasons: it is the adhya pitha of the Ganapatya sampradaya...

The question is, what exactly is the legend of Mayureshwara and in which religious text is it mentioned?


texts:
I want to know the most recent use of Astras either by Gods themselves or by learned individuals.

Are there any references to use of astras after mahabharatha by learned individuals?


texts: Was Krishna himself a stithpragya purusha?

texts:
I am an avid follower of Krishna's Bhagavad Gita. I came across the following

Krishna mentions

  śrī bhagavān uvāca prajahāti yadā kāmān sarvān pārtha manogatān |
  ātmany-evātmanā tuṣṭaḥ sthita-prajñās tad-ocyate || 2.55 ||

  The Lord said: When one relinquishes all the desires arising in the
  mind, O Arjuna, when one is satisfied in oneself with the Self, then
  one is said to be of steady wisdom (sthita-prajña).

If Krishna mentions that stithpragya is the way of life, then why does he do so many things such as help Arjun in every possible way and help him win the war?
If he was stithpragya why was he one-sided showing attraction towards Arjuna and aversion towards Duryodhana?

I mean no disrespect to the book, readers, followers and Krishna himself, it would be great to know why does he contradict himself?


texts: Are there verses from scriptures which list 24 tattvas according to Sankhya Darshana?

texts: As we have seen previously that Hinduism believes in the field-fielder (Kshetra–Kshetragna) theory. Prakruti is the field and Purusha is its fielder. Similarly, body is a field (kshetra) and the soul is its fielder (kshetragna). According to Sānkhya scriptures, Prakruti or the nature consists of 24 physical entities or elements (tattvas), whereas, Purush, also known as Ishwar, is a quite distinct eternal entity or ontological element (tattva). Are there any scriptural references viz from darshanas or smritis or other scriptures for these tattvas?


texts: Differences in explanation for this verse "Yato vā imāni bhutāni jāyante" which describe the parabrahman

texts:
In few upanyasams by Srivaishnava scholars, on the question of what is Brahman, I have come across this verse from Taittirīya Upanishad -

  Yato vā imāni bhutāni jāyante; yena jātāni jivanti; yat prayantya-bhisamviśanti; tat vijijnāsasva; tat Brahmeti.

How does the explanation of this verse differ between advaita and visishtadvaita?


texts: I have heard that in Mahabharata after the kuruskhethra war. Yudhishtira became the emperor and later he handed over his kingdom to parikshith and so on. So my question is how did Hastinapuri empire collapse?


texts: Is Kuvera Rākṣasendra? Where is Rākṣasendra mentioned in the Mahābhārata? What is the source [Ann.111]?

texts:
Source: https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rakshasendra. It says it means Rāvaṇa (I find this unlikely), or Kuvera (which would bring about more questions, but will also answer a few). Where in the Mahābhārata is Rākṣasendra mentioned?
From searching online, I find the majority of the "sources," claiming Rāvaṇa is Rākṣasendra claim  [Ann.111] as a source. These sources also claim that Rākṣasas are aboriginals, which does not make sense for a 101 different reasons, ranging from they are way, way too big (e.g. in the Kalki Purāṇa) to their ancestry clearly being different to humans. Thus, I'm doubtful this source is a good one.
e.g
Brahman: The Discovery of the God of Abraham
By Prof.M.M. Ninan
The book A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History ...
By John Dowson mentions Rākṣasendra as Kuvera (twice). Does anyone have the full quotes from the book? (I only saw snipets)
Also, does anyone know if the idea that Kubera and Kuvera are the same is surported in scripture, or are their descriptions just similar due to Rākṣasas and Yakṣas doing everything together?


texts:
Turmeric is used in many religious occasions and ceremonies in Hinduism in various ways. It is especially used during marriages in many ways.

Turmeric is also used to make Ganesha and other gods/goddess

I know that turmeric has many health benefits and medicinal uses but don't know the religious importance for turmeric in Hinduism. Can anyone explain how the tradition of using turmeric in various religious ceremonies started and its religious importance?


texts: How many types of Gita spoken by Lord Krishna(Vishnu) himself?

texts:
Another Question Suddenly raised in my mind, I know that there is Bhagvad-Gita which is told by Lord Krishna. But I heard about other Gita which is told by lord krishna like Uddhav-Gita, So, Do you know the exact number of the Gita which is told by lord krishna him-self?

Note:The Question is Different from this question: Difference between different types of Gita (Uddhava-Gita, Rudra-Gita etc.)
Because, I want to know the Gita which is told by lord himself with name.

So Please Share your idea with some valid resources like from Our Scriptures.
Thanks.


texts: how can I start Tantra sAdhnA? which all are the scriptures I need to study to have in-depth knowledge?

texts:
I am new here and have many questions.
I am interested in Tantric sAdhnA and first I need to study the Tantric scriptures in details. I have studied yogA-VedAnta and Buddhism in detail also mahAmUdrA and dzogchen path (only study). I practice the direct path of ramanA maharshi .

can anyone please help me on starting the Tanric path?
I am well versed in Hindi and English. do I need to learn Sanskrit very well to study them?
Do we have Hindi/English translations of Tantric scriptures which are accurate?
Is there anyone practicing Tantric sAdhanA  or someone well versed in Tantra scriptures that can help me ?


texts: Why and how Rath-yatra in Ahmedabad started?

texts:
As today is the day (29th June 2014) when Lord Krishna, Subhadra and Balram goes on a Rath yatra and that's famous in Jagannathpuri.

Since last 137 years that's happening in Ahmedabad, Gujarat as well and it is said that  Jagannath puri and Ahmedabad's Rath yatras are very famous.

I know about the Jagannathpuri story but I've have any idea about Ahmedabad's Rath yatra.

Why is that famous in Ahmedabad as well?
Is there any story behind it?


texts: Did Trisiras predict his own death in a Vedic hymn?

texts:
Trisiras (AKA Vishwarupa) was the three-headed son of the divine architect Tvashta (AKA Vishwakarma).  He was extremely devout, even serving as temporary guru of the gods when Brihaspati had abandoned the gods out of anger.  But then Indra, seeing how powerful Trisiras was, and fearing that he would aid the Asuras (demons) with his power, decided to kill Trisiras by cutting off all three of his heads heads.  Here is how the Srimad Bhagavatam describes it:

  Once upon a time, however, the King of heaven, Indra, understood that Viśvarūpa was secretly cheating the gods by offering oblations on behalf of the demons. He became extremely afraid of being defeated by the demons, and in great anger at Viśvarūpa he cut Viśvarūpa’s three heads from his shoulders.

Incidentally, Indra's killing of Trisiras led to the creation of the demon Vritrasura, and the deed Indra is famous for in Hindu scripture is the killing of Vritrasura.

But my question is about Trisiras' religious activity.  As I mentioned above, Trisiras was a very devout individual, and the Rig Veda Anukramani states that Trisiras son of Tvashta was the seer of one of the hymns of the Tenth Mandala of the Rig Veda.  (See Book 10 Hymn 8 in the Rig Veda Anukramani in my answer here.). The hymn is mainly about Agni the fire god, but this is how the hymn ends:

  Through his wise insight Trita in the cavern, seeking as ever the Chief Sire's intention, carefully tended in his Parents' bosom, calling the weapons kin, goes forth to combat.  Well-skilled to use the weapons of his Father, Āptya, urged on by Indra, fought the battle.  Then Trita slew the foe seven-rayed, three-headed, and freed the cattle of the Son of Tvaṣṭar.  Lord of the brave, Indra cleft him in pieces who sought to gain much strength and deemed him mighty.  He smote his three heads from his body, seizing the cattle of the omniform [Vishwarupa] Son of Tvaṣṭar.

That is a description of the death of Trisiras!  As I discuss in this answer, the verses of the Vedas originate from sages called Dhristas who heard these verses directly from the gods during deep meditation.  And the Anukramani says that the person who heard the verses in this particular hymn was Trisiras himself!

So did Trisiras foresee his own death?  Are there any other scriptures that say that he knew he was going to die beforehand?


texts: Does time to awake kundalini depend on the sins of the individual?

texts: Does the quantity (magnitude) of sins of an individual affect the time to awake kundalini for a beginner?


texts: kali and Tripura sundari as both adya shakti in different times?

texts:
are there any sri vidya gurus that consider both kali and tripura sundari as adya shakti?why do enlightened masters of different lineages consider one above the other?if they are both enlightened and omniscient shouldn't they agree?

  Kaulas have been criticised as their works emphasise love and death, but they were always realists. Many tantras establish that the terrifying Kali and the benign Lalita are two sides of the same coin. This coin or currency is called life. Lalita, with her waxing moon, represents creation, and Kalika with her waning moon dissolution. Each is a complete symbol, of high sublimity and loaded with spiritual significance.

do you know wich tantras say that they are two sides of the same coin?


texts: Are there any non-ISKCONic translations of the Chaitanya Charitamrita in English?

texts: I would like to read a non-ISKCONic translations of the Chaitanya Charitamrita in English. Could anyone suggest me any?


texts: Does the Adiyogi of Sadhguru have a scriptural basis

texts:
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has a large following in India and abroad. His main sculptural work is the Adiyogi Statue in Velliangiri hills, Coimbatore.
Does the Statue have any Sthala purana or is it referenced in any ancient scripure? I mean, though Lord Siva is an important deity of Hinduism, and there are references in some Tantric and yogic texts that Lord Siva as Adinatha first taught the yogic principles to either Parvati (Svara Yoga/ Shiva samhita) or Yogi Matsyendra natha ( Hatha Yoga). But the particlar facts that Sadhguru states do not seem to have a scriptural basis. Some selected facts he states are: (taken from here )

This first transmission of yogic sciences happened on the banks of Kanti Sarovar, a glacial lake a few miles beyond Kedarnath in the Himalayas, where Adiyogi began a systematic exposition of this inner technology to his first seven disciples, celebrated today as the Sapta Rishis. This predates all religion. Before people devised divisive ways of fracturing humanity to a point where it seems almost impossible to fix, the most powerful tools necessary to raise human consciousness were realized and propagated.

and

In the yogic culture, Shiva is not seen as a God. He was a being who walked this land and lived in the Himalayan region. As the very source of the yogic traditions, his contribution in the making of human consciousness is too phenomenal to be ignored. Every possible way in which you could approach and transform the human mechanism into an ultimate possibility was explored thousands years ago. The sophistication of it is unbelievable. The question of whether people were so sophisticated at that time is irrelevant because this did not come from a certain civilization or thought process. This came from an inner realization. This had nothing to do with what was happening around him. It was just an outpouring of himself. In great detail, he gave a meaning and a possibility of what you could do with every point in the human mechanism.

Thanks beforehand.


texts: AFAIK, Rig veda says, every star is related to a God and hence everyday is special day(festival) to worship a specific god, what are those stars and to which god does they relate to?


texts: Does Shri Vishnu have any sons or daughters?

texts:
As we know that Mahadev ji have two sons and Shri Brahma ji have many sons but i never heard that Shri Vishnu have any son(s)?
If they have any son(s) then please provide the names? and if they don't have any sons then why?


texts:
Ramayan preached by Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao garu. As per Ramayan, those who listen to Ramayan will get Moksha (Phala sruthi I.e. fruits of listening). Not only the one who listened, family member before and after 7 generations of the person so listened will also attain Moksha. So, if a person who listened commit suicide, will such person get Moksha?
Or if a person commit suicide in Kasi, will such person get Moksha. As it is generally told that a person who dies in Kasi will get Shivaikya (Moksha and Parvati matha will let the person dying in Kasi sleep on her lap, Lord Vinayaka will assist Parvati amma by giving last breath with his trunk).


texts: Did Sri Ramakrishna learn the mantra 'Jiva-seva' from Sri Trailanga Swami?

texts:
According to a biography of Sri Trailanga Swami, Sri Ramakrishna learned the mantra 'Jiva-seva' from Sri Trailanga Swami, which He later gave to Swami Vivekananda.

Is there any reference of this in the authentic biographies of Sri Ramakrishna?


texts:
Lets see some Vedic quotes which says earth is static.

Oh Man ! He who made the trembling earth static is Indra. (Rig Ved 2/12/12)

The God who made the earth stable (Yajur Ved 32/6)

Indra protects the wide earth which is immovable and has many forms (Atarv Ved 12/1/11)

Let us walk on the Wide and Static earth (Atharv Ved 12/1/17)

Is this correct? If not, what is the actual meaning of these verses?


texts:
I would need two prayers from Rig Veda in romanized Sanskrit for chanting, does someone know where to find them?

tvam trata tarane chetyo bhuh pita mata sadamin manushanam

May you be our saviour, protector, father and mother of mortals forever.

brhaspatirnah pari paatu pashchaadutottarasmaadadharaadaghaayoh

Brihaspati protect us from the rear and from above and below from harm.


texts: How do our Past life desires and thoughts influence our nature in present life?

texts:
Shankaracharya in his Gita Bhasya 18.41 says " Karma is action arising from and fashioned by past thoughts and desires. The Gunas cannot manifest themselves without a cause. Nature is the tendency? Samskara or Vasana in living beings. This is acired by them in the past births. This manifests itself in the present birth and produces its effects."
As previously discussed, we see Brahmanas like Aswathamma having noble birth acting in evil way and Vidura born as Sudra and doing noble deeds. People from humble backgrounds like Narendra Modi, APJ Kalam, JC Bose,Sachin Tendulkar rose to greatest intellectual heights despite their parents not perusing these tasks. Then how is Shankaracharya comment justified?


texts: Why don't we see Lord Shiva living on Kailash if he really exists?

texts:
In olden times it was said that Mahadev lived on Kailash mountain, which was difficult to climb thousands of years ago. But in modern times, people are able to climb mount Kailash and no traces of Mahadev is found. Also no trace of Lord Shiva is found through Satellite images.

Did the Lord vacate this place? If yes, where is He now?
Does lord Mahadev really live on Mount Kailash even today?


texts: Did Lord Rama or Lord Krishna ever convince any Rakshasa?

texts: Did Lord Rama or Lord Krishna ever convince any Rakshasa and also did the Rakshasa changed his attitude to only spiritual life leaving behind all his sinful actions and follow them?


texts: Why are there religious restrictions on women?

texts:
From what i have seen women are more religious than men.But there are many prohibitions on them when it comes to participating in religious acts.Restrictions that are imposed upon men are far less in comparison.

Also,widows are not allowed to be part of any auspicious ceremony.

What is the basis of imposing such religious restrictions on women & in particular on the widows?


texts:
We get a life based on our past life. If we have done something bad in our past life, we suffer in this life and so on and so forth.

But my question is, after death also, if we have done something bad, we go to Hell and suffer. Then why do we get a bad life in our next life?


texts: What is the story of Bheemshankar Jyotirlinga?

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

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

There are twelve Jyotirlingas mentioned in the similar popular verse.

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

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

By SaurabhJain at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Kiran_Gopi using CommonsHelper., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12142756


texts: What is the position of the supreme deity's spouse in different Vaishnavite sects?

texts: Lakshmi,Sita and spouses of Krishna.  What is their position according to Srivaishnavites,Gaudiyas et al?  Are they also supreme or are they subservient to the supreme deity?


texts: Which Alwars mention the gods whom they're incarnations of?

texts:
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. The collection of their 4000 poems, known as the Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, is considered by many to be the "Dravida Veda", or South Indian Veda. The Alwars are crucially important figures in the history of Vaishnavism; it's the principles and beliefs embodied in the Alwars' poems that ultimately gave rise to the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member).

Now as I discuss in this question, the Alwars are believed by Sri Vaishnavas to be incarnations of various attendants and attributes of Vishnu; here is who each Alwar is an incarnation of:

Poigai Alwar - Vishnu's Panchajanya Shankha
Bhoothath Alwar - Vishnu's Kaumodaki mace
Pey Alwar - Vishnu's Nandaka sword
Thirumazhisai Alwar - Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra
Nammalwar - Vishnu's general Vishwaksena
Madhurakavi Alwar - Vishnu's bird Garuda
Kulasekhara Alwar - Vishnu's Kaustubha gem
Periyalwar - Vishnu's bird Garuda
Andal - Vishnu's wife Bhumidevi goddess of the Earth
Thondaradippodi Alwar - Vishnu's Vanamala garland
Thiruppan Alwar - Vishnu's Srivatsa mark
Thirumangai Alwar - Vishnu's Sharanga bow

Now since the Alwars' poems are in praise of Vishnu, you'd naturally expect them to contain references to numerous attributes and attendants of Vishnu.  So my question is, which of the Alwars mention the gods that they themselves are incarnations of.  For instance, does Nammalwar (whom I discuss here) ever mention Vishwaksena, the general of Vishnu's army whom he incarnated from?

The reason I ask is that I'm wondering if the Alwars tried to avoid mentioning the gods they were incarnated from.  For instance, Periyalwar's famous Thirupallandu poem praises various attributes of Vishnu, but it neglects to mention Garuda.  Perhaps that's because Periyalwar did not want to praise himself.  Also, it might shed light on why Sri Vaishnavas associate each Alwar with a specific god.

You can read the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the compilation of all the Alwars' poems, here.


texts:
It is often seen that people who worship gods at temple rung bells when they enter the temple.

These bells are hung generally near the idols or at the entrance of the temples. They are also rung while the devotees are performing Aarti.

Even at homes, people have small bells which they ring before they sit for puja (Act of worship)

So whats the reason behind ringing those bells?


texts: What does Sri Caitanya Carita 2.15-16 mean?

texts:
Sri Caitanya Carita 2.15-16 says this:

  .....Then, the Lord, who is known as the annihilator of the armies of the demons, gave breast milk to those most exalted of godly men. And, as they gazed upon the Supreme Lord, whose beautiful eyes were filled with tender compassion, His associates felt joy. (Sri Caitanya-carita 2.15-16)....

My question is, what do these verses mean?  How do Prabhupada and other Gaudiya Vaishnavas interpret these verses?


texts: Can a God or Goddess possess a human's body? In Hindi, the term is called "Mata Ana" / "Mata khelna" / "Mata ka Darbar"

texts:
I've come across such instances, after which the person possessed by the God/Goddess goes into a trance like state and answers questions/grants boons, which sometimes come true.
This occurrence is common and I have seen videos of people and also know people who are regularly possessed by a God / Goddess. There are many videos on YouTube too. Can this happen? If yes, how does it work?
This sometimes happens during Navratri. In Marathi, it's called "Angat Devi" (Goddess in body). In some cases, the person is able to call the God / Goddess at will (several times a week).
This is a serious question, I really need to know. I can share videos on YouTube if needed.
I read the other related question on this topic and my query was not fully satisfied, so I request you to please keep my question open.
How are the boons coming true? How are they able to tell about past events accurately?


texts: What is the reason for not shaving during Shravan Month?

texts:
In Hinduism there is month named "Shravan" which known as very holy month of Lord Shiva. Many People do fast during this month. Some people do fast only on every mondays and some does full month.

It is seen that some people who do fast are not shaving or cut their hair during whole month.

So what is the reason/story behind this ?

I have already read the question

Why do some Hindus observe fast during the month of “Shravan”?
Why we don't eat non-veg, don't intake liquor and some people don't shave while Shravan Maas?, but none of this contain the answer for what I asked in the question.


texts: What gives the "spiritual - theological authenticity" to modern compositions like Chālīsās & ārtís?

texts:
Hanumāna Chālīsā is by far, one of the most popular devotional hymn to a God. It's authorship is credited to Tulsídāsa, although few other sources might also call it as a later interpolated addition (by some followers of Tulsídāsa), to the original authored works by Tulsídāsa.
Anyway, almost all major deities in the present popular hindu culture have a separate Chālisā devoted to them? Some of these deities  are - Surya, Gayatri, Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, Ganesha, Shani, et al.
So, my question is, who are these authors of  various Chālīsās? I mean, obviously each Chālīsā generally mention its authors' name in either the penultimate or the final couplets of the respective Chālīsā. So, are these authors to considered, exalted devotees or personalities, just like we attribute it to Tulsídāsa?
For example:- Tulsídāsa is considered an exalted devotee of the Lord and it is from this devotion of his perhaps, the Hanumāna Chālīsā is attributed with so much of credibility and authority as a sacred hymn.
But, what about all the other Chālīsās? What drives their prowess as an authoritative & effective composition hymn?
How might one, decide on the "Spiritual - Theological authenticity" of any of these devotional compositions?
One reason that maybe assigned is that, it's Bhakti and faith of the compiler, which gives them the credibility and the power for its effectiveness in alleviating dukha in its various forms, and thus, its considered befitting for us normal humans to recite them.
But, I'm more of looking for some specific scriptural (or from relevant acharyas) inferences or injunctions, which say something on the credibility of these kind of "new or neo-authors"  based compositions, as effective hymns in alleviating the problems of the devotee.
Can all these recent compositions (like Chālīsās, ārtís, etc) be considered on a par level with the  eternal Vedic hymns or the ancient Paurāṇika Stotras?

Specific  references from the scriptures and relevant - competent gurus, acharyas or known commentators will be much appreciated.


texts: How does the soul returns in the dead body when a dead person is revived using Amrita?

texts:
There are many references in our scriptures when deads are revived to life using Amrita and Mrita Sanjeevani Vidya..

A common accepted vedic doctrine is that soul (along with manomaya, vijnamaya and aanandmaya kosha) leaves the body when the gross body (sthula sarira) isn't able or fit to keep it. When a person becomes dead then soul along with those koshas already leave the body. Then when person are sprinkled with Amrita how those koshas along with soul return the original body ? How can they have relationship with gross dead body even after they leave the body?

Some of examples of reviving the dead are mentioned in scriptures are:

In Valmiki Ramayana Yuddha Kanda Chapter 120 Indra revives the whole dead vanara sena after agnipariksha of Sita (ie.  some Vanars revived even after more than 2 weeks after their death).
In Sambhava Parva LXXVI of Mahabharata, Shukracharya revives Kacha (son of Brihaspati) when his body pieces are given to jackals, when his body paste is dissolved > in ocean and when his body is reduced to ashes.
In Vana Parva CCXLIV Indra revived the dead Gandharvas by sprinkling amrita. There are also many other examples of Shukracharya reviving dead, some sages reviving dead, some great saints of Kaliyuga are also credited of reviving the dead (e.g. Tulsidas).

Hence my questions are:

 How does the soul of person return when Amrita is used?

 How can soul have connection with the dead gross body ?

 Is there any time limit for the use of Amrita and Mrita Sanjeevani Vidya?

Which Vedic doctrine best explains this process?

 What happens when Amrita is used in the dead body of that person who has already taken rebirth?

 Can Shukracharya revive Rishi Dadhichi from Vajra of Indra (Dadhichi's bone) using Mrita Sanjeevani Vidya?


texts: Why children born in Moola, Ashlesya, Jyeshta and Maga Nakshtras (stars) are considered inauspicious?

texts: There is a saying that a child born in Moola, Ashlesya, Jyeshta, Maga is inauspicious. Is this properly explained in any religious books? This question is pursuant to astrology.


texts: South Indian Vaishnava temple tradition of blessing with a conical cap (kirita)

texts:
While having "darshanam" in South Indian Vaishnav temples, the priest keeps a  conical cap (kirita) on devotee's head.
What might be the significance of this tradition?


texts: Do Early Upanishads say World is Real and hence conflicting with Advaitha's doctrine of World as Unreal?

texts:
Richard Jones in his Morality and Shankara's Advaitha Vedanta writes

The earlier Upanishads took the phenomena of the world to be real —
Brahman is merely the root (KU II.3.1), “the real of the real”
(satyasya satya) (BU II.1.20), the fire producing equally real sparks
or the spider spinning the equally real web (BU II.1.20; MU I.1.7; SU
VI.10), the colorless light refracted into the equally real colored
lights through a prism (SU IV.1). But to Shankara, only Brahman
is real (sat) and everything else is unreal (asat).

Is there any place for unreality of this World in the Early Upanishads??


texts:
We know typically there are three paths towards Moksha: Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga & Karma Yoga. Sri Vaishnava sampradaya, the famous Vaishnava sampradaya, the basic tenets of which are said to be founded by the Alwars and further expanded by Acharyas like NathaMuni, Yamunacharya & Ramanujacharya, believes in Sharanagati (शरणागति) which simply means complete surrender to Vishnu.

Bhakti Yoga also appears conceptually similar: worshipping & surrendering to Bhagavan/Ishwar.

I want to post one question regarding a comparison of both the paths.

What is the difference between Bhakti Yoga & Sharanagati?
What are the advantages of Sharanagati over Bhakti Yoga according to Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya?


texts: Where is it mentioned that chanting Krishna is more powerful than chanting Rama's name?

texts:
I came across a topic in which it is explained that 1000 times chanting Vishnu equals chanting rama's name 3 times and I have a subsequent question.

I have heard in the temple that chanting Krishna's name is more powerful than chanting Rama's name x number of times (I think x was 1000 but I am not sure). Where is this mentioned in the scriptures?


texts: I'd like to know what kind of hell are waiting for liars or deceiver who mislead people to wrong path other than Dharma or liberation from material world?


texts: Did Shalya promise Yudhisthira that he would demoralize Karna?

texts:
according to

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalya

  Deducing why Duryodhana had desired Shalya in the first place, Yudhishthira demanded from Shalya that he would demoralize Karna and dampen his spirits when he eventually became Karna's charioteer. Shalya promised to do so


texts: What is the story of Kasi Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga?

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

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

There are twelve Jyotirlingas mentioned in the similar popular verse.

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

I have already asked a question about Somanath What is the story of Somanath Jyotirlinga? and Mallikarjun What is the story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga? and Mahakaleshwar What is the story of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga? and Omkareshwar What is the story of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga? and Vaidyanath What is the story of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga? and Bheemshankar What is the story of Bheemshankar Jyotirlinga? and Rameshwaram What is the story of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga? and Nageshwar What is the story of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga?. Now I want to know the story of Vishwanath Jyotirling.
Please mention the scriptural reference.
Vishwanatha temple is situated on the bank of River Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

By Unknown - http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15799coll123/id/78278, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30895506


texts: Who is ayappa swamy? Who are ayappa swamy's parents?

texts: I have always wondered about who ayappa swamy is.


texts: Was Maareecha's taking form of a deer in Ramayana an interpolated story?

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Maareecha , a demon and an associate of Ravana, appears in 2 episodes of Valmiki Ramayana.

In Bala Kanda, while trying to defile the Yagna of Sage Viswamitra, he was thrown into the Ocean by the Maanava astra discharged by Sri Raama.
In Aranya Kanda, he was eliminated by Sri Raama, while unwillingly assisting Ravana in diverting the attention of Sri Raama.

Sage Valmiki says through Sri Hanuman - वञ्चयित्वा वने रामं मृगरूपेण मायया। - "deceived Rama in the guise of a deer and abducted Janaki " (10th sloka of 31st Sarga of Sundara Kanda).

Again in the Sundara Kanda Sarga 34 and in Sloka 32 Sri Hanuman says - अपकृष्याश्रमपदान्मृगरूपेण राघवम्। - Ravana, who abducted you deceitfully in the form of deer.

So it was Ravana alone, who diverted the attention of Sri Rama and Lakshmana in the form of Deer, and abducted Sita. Mareecha was not mentioned here.

Can we interpret these statements of Sage Valmiki that though Maaricha advised Ravana against abducting Sita, but really did not assist Ravana and that the later episode in which his elimination was mentioned,  was an interpolated story?

26-6-19 Edited

As the  answers posted by 2 members do not satisfy me, I request the moderators to decide, with respect to bounty offered, as per the rules of this site.


texts: According to Hindu literature, how Asuras (demons) are interacting with Maya? What are relevant passages where someone can start studying about this?


texts: How to reconcile the two sayings of the scriptures?

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Our scripture says:

  महाभारते । १ । १५९ । २७ । “आपदर्थे धनं रक्षेत् दारान् रक्षेत् धनैरपि । आत्मानं सततं रक्षेत् दारैरपि धनैरपि ॥”)  AtmAnam satatam rakshet.(Mahabharata, 1.159.27)  One should always protect one's own life.

Another scripture of us (Gita, 3.35) says:

  svadharme nidhanam sreyah. It is better to die than to accept 'para-dharma'(here dharma does not necessarily mean 'Religion')

For example, a brahmin's dharma are worshipping, working as priest, studying the scriptures and teaching them. But in these days it is difficult for many brahmins to live following these 'dharma'-approved duties and they are compelled to accept other professions.

They are NOT violating the first order. But may be they have to deviate from the second.

How to reconcile thses two scriptural injunctions? Does any scriptures or saint throw any light?


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Aarti(आरती) is one of the popular Hindu religious ritual of worship in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aarti also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when lamps are being offered.

When Aarti is done, the priest usually circulates the Aarti Plate or Lamp to all devotees present right there.

But it seems everyone have their own way of "receiving" this Aarti. Some people cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead or some other don't cup their hands and just takes it with un-folded palms.

My Question is : What is the correct way of receiving/taking/consuming the Aarti as per Hinduism? Are there any scripture which helps disclosing this information?


texts: What is the meaning of the word VISHWA (world) in Hinduism

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Many Hindu scriptures talk about some events which occurred all over the Vishwa or world. Does the world here mean then undivided Bharat (from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka to Myanmar) as there was no trace of Hinduism outside Bharat?
E.g. After the death of sati, lord shiva danced in anger with the dead body of sati all over the world but there are 51 shakti pith only in India, none outside of India.


texts: Alternatives to animal sacrifice during Vedic yajnas, according to Brahmana texts?

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I seem to remember having read somewhere that one or more of the ancient Brahmana texts (maybe Shatapatha Brahmana) allow performing Vedic yajnas by providing alternatives to animal sacrifice, like for example, pishta pashu (animal figure made from flour).
Can anyone provide the reference?


texts: Every Brahmin does aachman (purification) in the name of Vishnu. Then on whose name shukracharya will do so (aachman)?

texts: Is shukracharya does aachman in the name of Vishnu or any other way? Because every Brahmin does aachman in the name of Vishnu. So what about shukracharya who hates Vishnu.


texts: Why did Agni serve as the priest for two kings?

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In my question here, I discussed an excerpt from the Aitareya Brahmana of the Rig Veda which lists various kings who have performed the Rajasuya Yagna, the ritual to become an emperor.  Now here is another excerpt from the Aitareya Brahmana which lists various kings who have performed the Rajasuya Yagna, along with the priests who officiated:

  This food Rama Margaveya proclaimed to Vishvanta Saushadamana... This also Tura Kavasheya proclaimed to Janamejaya Parikshita; this Parvata and Narada proclaimed to Somaka Sahadevya, to Sahadeva Sarnjaya, Babhru Daivavridha, Bhima of Vidarbha, Nagnajit of Gandhara; this Agni proclaimed to Sanshruta Arimdama and to Kratuvid Janaki; this Vasishta proclaimed to Sudas Paijavana.  All of them attained greatness having partaken of this food.  All of them were great kings; like Aditya, established in prosperity, they gave heat obtaining tribute from all the quarters.  Like Aditya, established in prosperity, he gives heat, from all the quarters he obtains tribute, dread his sway and unassailable, who as a Kshatriyas when sacrificing partakes thus of this food.

"Proclaiming the food" is a description of one of the parts of the Rajasuya Yagna, by the way.  In any case, some of these kings are regognizable; Janamajeya son of Parikshit was Arjuna's great-grandson, Nagnajit of Gandhara was Shakuni's uncle as I discuss here, and Sudas Paijavana was the victor of the famous Battle of Ten Kings as I discuss here.

But my question is about Sanashruta Arindama and Kratuvid Janaki.  Who are these two kings, and why would Agni the fire god serve as the priest for their Rajasuya Yagnas?

Kratuvid Janaki might be related to Sita's father Janaka.  But do any other scriptures mention Sanashruta and Kratuvid, and/or describe their interaction with Agni the fire god?


texts: Does Lord Vishnu really look like as shown in images?

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Like human form as a blue skinned deity . Having four arms , and very beautiful form.
Does Lord vishnu really look like this , or is this metaphor ?
metaphor as in 4 arms means omnipotence of Brahman in four directions and beautiful form means brahman is "beautiful" ? but brahman is formless.


texts: Please provide all the scripture references where Hare Krishna Maha mantra is mentioned except Kalisantarana Upanishad?

texts: Maha mantra is Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.


texts: How many English translations are there of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita apart from the ''The Bhagavad Gita As it is''?

texts: I am planning to read the Srimad Bhagavad Gita in English but I don't know which English version I should read. It would easier for me if somebody gave me the list of all English versions of the Bhagavad Gita. (No need to mention the ''Bhagavad Gita As it is'' version by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada)


texts: Is there any hierarchy for Devi's incarnations?

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In this question's answer, the hierarchies of Lord Vishnu's incarnations are listed.

Is there a similar hierarchy for Devi's incarnations? If yes, what is that hierarchy?


texts:
Please help to find out:

How exactly do Brahmins Nambudiri define their Nakshatras?
They define the Nakshatra along the Moon's course in equal sectors along the ecliptic, i.e. in conventional signs of Nakshatras?
Or they track the Moon in real constellations, i.e. in the Nakshatra asterisms?

If they use the signs of the Nakshatras, as in the rest of India, then what Ayanamsha do they use?

How many Nakshatras do they use, 27 or 28? The four Vedas and the Brahmanas contain both lists.

Do they follow the rule from the second book of Shatapatha Brahmana that Nakshatras are powerless in the daytime and are replaced by the Sun, as a kind of universal "Nakshatra"?


texts: Are two Jnana-related Vedic hymns of Vamadeva ever used in Yagnas?

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As you can see in the Anukramani I provided in my answer here, the sage who heard most of the hymns in the Fourth Mandala of the Rig Veda was the sage Vamadeva, a descendant of the sage Gautama. Two of the hymns of this Mandala deal mainly with Garuda's theft of the Soma/Amrita (nectar of immortality) from Devaloka.  But as I discuss in this question, the beginnings of these two hymns are considered by the Upanishads to be of profound philosophical significance.  Here is how Rig Veda Book 4 Hymn 26 begins:

  I was aforetime Manu, I was Sūrya: I am the sage Kakṣīvān, holy singer. Kutsa the son of Ārjuni I master. I am the sapient Uśanā behold me.
  I have bestowed the earth upon the Ārya, and rain upon the man who brings oblation. I guided forth the loudly-roaring waters, and the Gods moved according to my pleasure.
  In the wild joy of Soma I demolished Śambara's forts, ninety-and-nine, together; And, utterly, the hundredth habitation, when helping Divodāsa Atithigva.

And here is what the Brihadaranyaka Upanishads says about it:

  Verily in the beginning this was Brahman, that Brahman knew (its) Self only, saying, 'I am Brahman.' From it all this sprang. Thus, whatever Deva was awakened (so as to know Brahman), he indeed became that (Brahman); and the same with Rishis and men. The Rishi Vâmadeva saw and understood it, singing, 'I was Manu (moon), I was the sun.' Therefore now also he who thus knows that he is Brahman, becomes all this, and even the Devas cannot prevent it, for he himself is their Self.

Similarly here is how Rig Veda Book 4 Hymn 27 begins:

  I. As I lay within the womb, considered all generations of these Gods in order. A hundred iron fortresses confined me but forth I flew with rapid speed a Falcon.
  2. Not at his own free pleasure did he bear me: he conquered with his strength and manly courage. Straightway the Bold One left the fiends behind him and passed the winds as he grew yet more mighty.

And here is what the Aitareya Upanishads says about it:

  And this has been declared by a Rishi (Rv. IV, 27, 1): 'While dwelling in the womb, I discovered all the births of these Devas. A hundred iron strongholds kept me, but I escaped quickly down like a falcon.' Vâmadeva, lying in the womb, has thus declared this.** And having this knowledge he stepped forth, after this dissolution of the body, and having obtained all his desires in that heavenly world, became immortal, yea, he became immortal.

But my question is, are these two hymns of Vamadeva ever used in Vedic Yagnas?

The reason I ask is that as I discuss in this question, the Isha Upanishad occurs in the Samhitas of the Vedas, but Adi Shankaracharya claims that it is never recited during Vedic Yagnas because it deals with Jnana.  So I wanted to examine whether two other Vedic hymns that are considered to be about Jnana are also excluded from Yagnas.

So does anyone know if Rig Veda Book 4 Hymns 26 and 27 are ever mentioned in the Brahmanas or Aranyakas of the Vedas?  It would help if I could find whether these two hymns also occur in other Vedas, that way I could look in the Brahmanas and Aranyakas of those other Vedas.  Does anyone have an index of what hymns of the Rig Veda occur in other Vedas?


texts:
I would like to know if the statement Dharma Himsa Tathaiva Cha is authentic and if it has any scriptural reference. I know that Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah is a statement from the Mahabharata. Other than Swami Chinmayananda's article (wherein he does not provide any scriptural reference) I haven't found any reference for Dharma Himsa Tathaiva Cha.

Just to be clear, by scriptures I mean The Upanishads, Puranas, Gita etc..not articles written by Swamis, Gurus etc..

Thanks !


texts:
I am looking for explicit mention in KMG Mahabharata that Karna learnt vedas from Drona (will be helpful if there are passages that show he conducted vedic rites). I don't think he learnt vedas from Parshurama but I might be mistaken.

The reason being Manusmriti and other dharma shastras seem to indicate that children born out of Pratiloma marriages (e.g. Suta) are not eligible to learn vedas. So any reference will be helpful .

EDIT

I came across the following in Udyoga Parva

  O son of Radha, thou hast worshipped many Brahmanas fully conversant with the Vedas. With concentrated attention and mind free from envy thou hast also (on many an occasion) enquired of them after truth. Thou knowest, therefore, O Karna, what the eternal saying of the Vedas are.

Seems that he had knowledge of the vedas after all. But does it mean sutas can learn vedas? Even Vayu Purana seem to say otherwise verse 28-29


texts: How much was the population in Satya yuga?

texts:
As we know in Satya yuga people lived for about 1 lakh years.

Then how many years they spend in childhood, at what age will they become adults?

At what age usually they were married  ?

Also, what was the population at that time. because as people average age is 1 lakh years, definitely there will be more population than Kali yuga.


texts: According to advaitins, which brahma sutra says that the world is mithya?

texts:
Advaitins believe that the world is mithya. There are advaita commentaries on the brahmasutras, most notably by Shankara himself. So according to advaitins, which brahmasutra or sutras say that the world is mithya?

EDIT: Replying to comments. According to the advaita school, the brahmasutras DO teach advaita alone. So it is reasonable to ask which brahmasutra teaches that the world is mithya. Secondly, a question about where brahmasutras teach that the world is satya, is irrelevant here. If someone wants to know this, they should post it as a separate question.


texts: Why do some people confuse Shudras with untouchables?

texts: In various questions in this platform, I have seen people classifying Shudras as untouchables whereas in reality, Shudras are a caste within the pale of the Varnâshrama system but untouchables(antyajas) are considered to be outside the pale of Varnâshrama. Then why this confusion persists ?


texts: Who was the preceptor of Seeradhwaj King Janak?

texts:
Who was the preceptor of Seeradhwaj King Janak & what is the Brahma Vidya that he taught to him?
Why does Shri Krishna cite Seeradhwaj Janak as an illustrious example of the Karma yoga in Bhagawat Gita Chapter 3 Verse 20:-

Karmanaiva Hi Samsiddhim
Asthita Janakadayah
Loka-Sangraham Evapi
Sampasyan Kartum Arhasi
karmaṇā—by work; eva—even; hi—certainly; saṁsiddhim—perfection; āsthitāḥ—situated; janaka-ādayaḥ—kings like Janaka and others; loka-saṅgraham—educating the people in general; eva—also; api—for the sake of; sampaśyan—by considering; kartum—to act; arhasi—deserve.


texts: Why do people feed to crow during Sraddha?

texts:
People do Sraddha for dead elders ( specially parents ). After finishing the pooja & giving dakshina to Bramhana the last step is to feed the crow.

So What is the importance to feed the crow for Sraddha vidhi?


texts: Were Periyalwar and Andal reborn as cowherds?

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The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya.  My question is about Pillai Lokacharya.  In his Sri Vachana Bhushanam, Pillai Lokacharya discusses how caste only matters while the body exists, whereas devotion to Vishnu is beneficial even after the body is gone:

  It has been said that he who has knowledge and such of the meaning of the Veda, without being a Bhagavata, is like a saffron-loaded donkey.  Though a king, the Lord Kulasekhara desired births as a bird and as an inanimate object.  Periyalvar, chief of Brahmanas, and his blessed daughter (Andal) imposed upon themselves birth as cowherds. When rags (i.e. the body with its defects are removed), all will come to the nature of the best of women (the Goddess Lakshmi).

This is the poem of Kulasekhara Alwar's Perumal Thirumozhi being referred to, where Kulasekhara Alwar wishes to be born as various animals and inanimate objects in Tirupati.  (It's the reason why the threshold of the Tirupati Garbagraha is called the Kulasekhara Padi.)  But I'm interested in the part in bold.  My question is, were Periyalwar and Andal reborn as cowherds?

Or is Pillai Lokacharya speaking metaphorically, and talking about Periyalwar and Andal imagining themselves as cowherds in Vrindavana in their poetry? Are there any commentaries on the Sri Vachana Bhushanam which clarify this?


texts: What are the ill-effects of having Mangalik Dosha?

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What are the ill-effects of having Mangalik Dosha in one's Rashi and Lagna?

Please cite answers from actual Vedic Jyotisha and not pop culture beliefs.