texts: Does Hinduism allow chanting translated Vedic mantras?

texts:
A fella gave me an idea about translating Hindu texts to Chinese and others for preaching. Chinese chanting mantras in their native Chinese. Does Hinduism allow or recommend this practice?

E.g., this is the translation of Mahamrtyunjaya mantra:

Does Hinduism allow such translation and then chanting of mantras by reading from native Chinese script?


texts:
They all are located at 79° longitudes. What is surprising and awesome is that how the architects of these temples many hundreds of kilometers apart came up with these precise locations without GPS or any such gizmo like that.

Kedarnath 79.0669°
Kalahashti 79.7037°
Ekambaranatha- Kanchi 79.7036°
Thiruvanamalai 79.0747°
Thiruvanaikaval 78.7108
Chidambaram Nataraja 79.6954°
Rameshwaram 79.3129°
Kaleshwaram N-India 79.9067°

What is the significance of 79 ?


texts: Which varna are 'Hindu' Buddhists part of?

texts:
There are a lot of our scriptures mentioning Gautam Buddha as one of Vishnu's avatars. You can see this Wikipedia post for the list
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha_in_Hinduism
If it is so under which varna do they come,like should they be allowed to perform the Sacred Thread ceremony and other vedic ceremonies ?
I want to know whether our scriptures give any guidelines on which varna do Buddhists belong (ideally, if our scriptures call Buddhists as Hindus,they should give details about their varna).
I am not talking about conversions here


texts: How one can travel to Astral Realms like Indraloka or Vaikuntha etc. without being dead? Is there any method described in Shastras??

texts: The saint Tukaram is very famous in Maharashtra who had travelled to Vaikuntha with his human body. It is said that Lord Vishnu himself came to take him to His abode. Who else have travelled to Astral realms with the human body? I have read about many Yogis who can travel to astral realms but not with the material body but with an astral one. How is this possible? Do Shastras or Tantra books or Puranas have described methods of astral travelling?


texts: Is Ekadashi Tithi ruled by Rudra or Vishnu?

texts: Wikipedia says Rudra is the ruling deity of Ekadashi, but I have seen an answer here based on the Puranas that says it is Lord Vishnu. So which one of them rules the Ekadashi?


texts:
Is Shiva gita same as Ishvara Gita or are they different?

What is its relationship with Kurma purana?

Is Shiva gita an authoritative scripture/pramana for any shaivite sect (agamic or non-agamic sect)?


texts: Why is the death of Abhimanyu considered unfair?

texts:
After reading the death of Abhimanyu by BORI and KMG, I asked myself since then, why is his death considered so unjust?

Was he attacked in a group? Yes, but the attack only broke his bow, his horses, his chariot, his sword and the wheel of his  chariot. Sure, they threw arrows at him, but Abhimanyu had armor so strong that it was hard to pierce, that's why Drona said it was impenetrable.

In fact, those warriors allowed him to kill a brother of Shakuni, some rathas and soldiers. He then killed the horses of Dussasana's son, and they met in a mace fight where Abhimanyu died in a fair fight.

The truth is that I found Alambusha's death, he died too brutally, much worse than Abhimanyu. Because unlike Abhimanyu, he was pierced on all sides and received such a strong blow from Ghatotkacha that all his bones broke.

Also, as far as I know, Karna broke his arc front, because BORI and KMG never mention that he attacked Abhimanyu from behind, neither Krishna nor Arjuna considered him cut by Adharma.

So, my question is, why is Abhimanyu's death is considered unfair if Alambusha died more brutally, and Shalya died in a similar way?


texts: My great grandmother used to chant Brahmopanishad. Its wordings were: Kalatrayaa bodhitam brahma; Sarvakaala bodhitam brahma..."Could someone tell me where I can find this upanishad?


texts:
Scriptures seem to indicate all cows irrespective of their species to be sacred but I have heard about some traditionalists' claims that only Indian cows are sacred.
Is there any scriptural support of their claims?

Although it appears in Vaiśeṣika Sūtra-s that hump is a sine-quo-non condition for a cattle for being a cow, it might also mean that the Sutra has written so owing to the availability of such only cows in the past?

VS-2.1.8. That it has horns, a hump, a tail hairy at the extremity,
and a dewlap such is the admitted mark of being a cow.

Also, the sutra seems to indicate something else if we go by the context therein. i.e, the object of attention isn't the cow in the Sutra.


texts: What is/are the punishment(s) for corruption?

texts:
Corruption is a dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery. More particularly, Bribery is a specific offence which concerns the practice of offering something, usually money, to gain an illicit advantage and corruption is an abuse of a position of trust in order to gain an undue advantage. For bribery, here is a similar question & answer. But I'm interested in Corruption.

What are/is punishment(s) for doing corruption in this life?
What are/is punishment(s) reserved for doing corruption in afterlife?


texts: What is the meaning of verse 2.5.13 from Srimad Bhagavatham?

texts:
The verse is:

  विलज्जमानया यस्य स्थातुमीक्षापथेऽमुया
  विमोहिता विकत्थन्ते ममाहमिति दुर्धियः ॥ २.५.१३ ॥

  Meaning: The illusory energy of the Lord cannot take precedence, being ashamed of her position, but those who are bewildered by her always talk nonsense, being absorbed in thoughts of “It is I” and “It is mine.”

Why does this verse say Lord's illusory energy is ashamed of her position? To whom this verse is pointing? What position it is?

I'm confused because Goddesses are considered to be Lord's energies and this verse is saying ashamed of their (her) position. So, please explain me.


texts: What is a chalisa and what is the importance of chalisa?

texts:
In Hindu dharma we have many gods and deity's and also we have different chalisas for them like Shiv Chalisa, Hanuman Chalisa and others.

My question is - what is a chalisa and what is its importance?

Why do we read it, what does it symbolize and why so many chalisas?


texts: Does Gita say bhakti is topmost in any verses?

texts: Does Bhagavad Gita say bhakti is best of all processes anywhere? If yes, does it say it is the only process for realizing god?


texts: What's the relationship between Durga and Shakti?

texts: From what I read online both Durga and Shakti represent the female principle. What's the difference between them?


texts:
Someone know the figures or can give me some information on how to do these mudras:

chakra Mudra
chapa Mudra
laDDuka Mudra

Thank you.


texts: Will Adi shakti be born again in the near future or has been born in past ? If yes ,then when ? What do we know about these incarnations?

texts:
Adi Shakti is Prakriti herself, so she dies. But she takes rebirths to unite with Shiva again and again.

So my questions are:

Will Adi Shakti be born again in the near future or has been born in past? If yes , then when ? What do we know about these incarnations?


texts: I want to know how to use some atharva ved mantra which is related to health? Is it any special vidi to use them?


texts: What is the best translated Telugu version to understand Vedas as it is in sanskrit?

texts: I'm very much interested to know and understand the vedas. I'm Telugu student. So I can understand Telugu versions. Please help me.. It's been  1 year I'm searching for the answer in every platform available in internet. Please help me or guide me.


texts: Can someone please recommend books on advaita epistemology. Suggestion of both classical and academic works would be equally helpful.


texts: Relation between Laxmi poojan and returning of Lord Rama on the same day

texts: Is it just a coincidence or is there any relation between Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya from 14 years of exile and the worshipping of Goddess Laxmi on the same day i.e. Diwali


texts: What's the significance of the name Panchashikha?

texts: Panchashikha is a character who appears in the Mahabharata. I found the name interesting. A shikha is the tuft of hair that remains after an upanayana ceremony. Why would someone be named Panchashikha (5 shikhas)?


texts: Did Hindu people eat the meat of Bulls and Oxen, but not the Cows?

texts: Did the Hindu people eat the meat of Bulls and Oxen, but not the cows?


texts:
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam says here (quoted below)

  pañcamaḥ kapilo nāma
  siddheśaḥ kāla-viplutam
  provācāsuraye sāṅkhyaṁ
  tattva-grāma-vinirṇayam

that is,

  Lord Kapila, foremost among perfected beings, gave an exposition of the creative elements and metaphysics to Āsuri Brāhmaṇa.

Īśvara Kṛṣṇa's Sāṁkhya Kārikā verse 70 reads as follows:

  Etat pavitram agryam, munir āsuraye anukampayā pradadau |
  āsurir api pañcaśikhāya tena bahulīkṛtaṃ tantram |70|

that is,

  This foremost, purifying doctrine, the sage (Kapila) imparted to Āsuri out of compassion; Āsuri taught it to Pañcaśikhā, by whom this doctrine was propounded extensively.

Who is Āsuri Brāhmaṇa and why did Lord Kapila exposit sāṅkhya to the same?


texts: In hinduism how has "Kala" or time been described?

texts: How exactly time has been defined? And are their any stories related to starting and ending of time in Hinduism scriptures?


texts: Did mantra siddi ever happen without guru initiation?

texts: Either from scriptures or from history, did mantra siddi ever happen to a person by just mantra chanting, along with other conditions but without any initiation of the mantra by physical guru?


texts: Why did Drupada tell Drona non-kings cannot be friends with kings?

texts:
As seen in this section of Adi Parva , Drupada's words when Drona came to him were

Then the son of Bharadwaja, endued with great prowess went to king Drupada, and approaching that monarch, that tiger among men, said, 'Know me for thy friend.'
Hearing this Drupada said, 'One of low birth can never be the friend of one whose lineage is pure, nor can one who is not a car-warrior have a car-warrior for his friend. So also one who is not a king cannot have a king as his friend. Why dost thou, therefore, desire (to revive our) former friendship?'

The same section mentions there is friendship between their fathers. Moreover Drona found merit in Drupada's words, and therefore after winning over the kingdom with the help of Pandavas he too reiterates the same when returning half the kingdom back to Drupada.
If what they say is true, then does it mean that their fathers had it wrong ?
Related question: The popular story goes that Drona approached Drupad because his family was in dire straits. Is there reference to it in any other part of KMG Mahabharat or is it just another creative interpolations of our times?
EDIT
Previously the question was asking for the basis of saying low-birth and pure lineage matters when it comes to friendship. Understood that is not the case


texts: Who are Naman and Murkalan as referred to in Thirumaalai Pasuram?

texts:
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their devotional poetry in praise of Vishnu. One of the alwars is Sri Thondaradippodi Azhwar. In his lifetime, he composed two hymns Thirumaalai and Tiruppalli Ezuchi in the dedication of Lord Ranganatha.

In Thirumaalai Pasuram of Sri Thondaradippodi Azhwar, there is a verse (snapshot below) that discusses how the denizens of Naraka upon listening to the auspicious discussion between Naman and Murkalan got elated as if they are in Swarga.
Click here for a verse-by-verse translation of Thirumaalai Pasuram in english, the verse in the snapshot is the 12th verse, here is the referenced translation of the same:

  My heart indeed goes out to the unfortunates who fall into purgatory swayed by false tenets without realizing that the very mention of the name of the Lord whom residence in Sri Rangam, will redeem. Is it not that Hell was transformed to Paradise when Yama was heard to explain that mention of Krishna’s name was reason for Mudgala’s salvation?

It seems clear from this that Naman is reference to Yama, what is the origin of this name?
Who is this Murkalan/Mudgala who Yama is speaking to?


texts: Why are some brahmins called Dwija or twice born?

texts: I have heard this term Dwija a lot in this site but I am not sure why are some brahmins called Dwija or 'Twice Born'. I know not all but only some special ones are called Dwijas but how are they different from the other ones. Do we have other similar terms also for Thrice born or N times born ?


texts: Who divided/rearranged the brāhmaṇas, āraṇyakas and upaniṣads?

texts:
According to SB 12.6.50 it appears Vyāsa (Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana) only rearranged the Vedic mantras into four parts:

  50. Just as (out of a heap of mixed up)
  precious stones of the same kind are assorted and kept in
  separate heaps, he (Vyāsa) selected and classified the Vedic
  Mantras as belonging to the category of the Ṛg, Atharvan,
  Yajus, and Sāman and thus compiled four Saṃhitās or collections out of those (formerly mixed up) Mantras.

So who classified the various brāhmaṇas, āraṇyakas and upaniṣads into the four Vedic branches? Was it Vyāsa's disciples?


texts: Do Agama Shastras talk about materials that can be used for making idols?

texts: We have granite in the South, marble in the North. There are bronze idols, Saligrama idols, something called pancha-loha.  Are there any prescriptions as to what materials can be used to make idols?


texts: Do any Vaishnavite Puranas glorify Siva in places?

texts:
For example, Varaha Purana

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/sathvishayam/UuQQF62dwwU

  To cap it all, Chapter 58 (Saubhagya Vrata) corroborates this point unequivocally - we have seen this already.

  yA shrIH sA girijA proktA yo hariH sa trilocanaH || 3 ||
  evaM sarveShu shAstreShu purANeShu ca gadyate |

  etasmAd anyathA yastu brute shAstraM pRRithak tayA || 4 ||
  rudro janAnAM martyAnAM kAvyaM shAstraM na tad bhavet |

  viShNuM rudra kRRitaM brUyAc ChrIr gaurIti nigadyate || 5 ||
  etayor antaraM brUyAt so .adhametyucyate janaiH |

  taM nAstikaM vijAnIyAt sarva-dharma bahiShkRRitam || 6 ||
  Meaning: Lakshmi is identical with Girija and Hari is identical with three-eyed Rudra. It is so declared in all Shastras and Puranas. Any Shastra or Kavya which states otherwise is not worthy of its name. Vishnu should be considered as Rudra and Lakshmi as Gauri. He who speaks of difference between them is lowly (Adhama) among people and should be considered an atheist outside the field of Dharma.)

'


texts: Who all changed sides in the Mahabharata battle?

texts: I have heard that there were some people who changed sides from the Pandavas' army to the Kauravas' army and vice versa during or just before the battle. Can anyone please name all such people and also the reason for the change?


texts: Exiting from the cycle of rebirth according to Saivism

texts:
In the Buddhist tradition , starting from Gautama, The Buddha opened a way to practically exit from Samsara.
What about the Saivism? It is said that Shiva can grant to the devotee liberation from the circle of existence. What are the most important passages of the scriptures where is stated?


texts:
As per a previous question asked on this site, we know that Lord Hanuman was a bachelor,

  Surya grants him a boon that he will still be a bachelor even after
  marriage as a Prajapatya Brahmachari and will maintain his celibacy.

But stories claim that Makardhwaja is Lord Hanuman's son. How is this possible when the excerpt suggests that Lord Hanuman was a bachelor?


texts: Why is Lord Hanuman also referred as "Bajaranga Bali"?

texts:
The name "Bajaranga Bali" is quite famous especially in the northern parts of India. There are popular movies made with this name, such as Bajrangbali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

However these names are not found [easily] in the Ramayana or Mahabharata texts.
How has this name become quite famous?

Related: Why is lord Hanuman known as "Pavan putra Hanuman"?


texts: I want to know the story of death of Lord Krishna. Please,somebody answer my question.


texts: Is Nandi (bhakta/vehicle of Mahadeva) married or bachelor? If he is a bachelor, then how and why does he possess knowledge of the Kamasutra? Is it appropriate for bachelors to study scriptures with sex-education?


texts: Can a person who has done bad karma and not yet received its fruits, still achieve moksha? What do the scriptures say about it?


texts: Is a devotee of lord Hanuman required to maintain his chastity?

texts:
I usually feel guilty when I feel attracted towards a girl due to the fact that I'm a hanuman bhakt.

As from what I've heard from my elders that Hanuman bhakts are required to maintain their chastity atleast until they get married.


texts: If giving Dana to anyone is adharma then why temples give AnnaDana to anyone?

texts:
EXPLANATION :

Scriptures oppose giving Dana to those who that does not deserves it.
In temples AnnaDana is given to Anyone who comes to the temple.
In my personal experience i had seen many people who stay near the temple and live by it as 3 TIMES a day Anna Dana is given.
These kinds of activities can make a person to become Lazy and give up work

QUESTION :

Why Temples where learned Brahmins are Present follow this way of giving Dana to Anyone ?
Is there any Previlage to AnnaDana besides the other Danas (Money,Land,etc,..) ?


texts: Why did lord Shiva defeat Arjuna in Mahabharata?

texts:
When Pandavas went into exile, Arjuna was searching for divyastra. That time Lord Shiva met him in a disguise. He fought with Arjuna and then Arjuna was defeated by Lord Shiva.

Why did he fight with Arjuna? Did he want to teach any lesson to Arjuna?


texts: Difference between andhra paatha and dravida patha

texts:
Namaste.
I am doing some research on the above topic. Can someone please help me understand the differences/point to any resources ?
In the same context, please throw some light on aryans/dravidians.
Many thanks in advance.


texts: Is Heaven a static place or is it constantly changing?

texts: What is the actual description of the Heaven according to Hinduism. Is it a static place or does it change with the times ? Do you think there would science related things in Heaven example - cars, planes, iphones etc ?


texts: Does Gita support doctrine of eternal samsara?

texts:
We find these verses in 16th chapter of Gita.

  tān ahaṁ dviṣataḥ krūrān saṁsāreṣu narādhamān kṣipāmy ajasram
  aśubhān āsurīṣv eva yoniṣu

  āsurīṁ yonim āpannā mūḍhā janmani janmani mām aprāpyaiva kaunteya
  tato yānty adhamāṁ gatim

English translation by Swami Prabhupada:

  BG 16.19: Those who are envious and mischievous, who are the lowest
  among men,I perpetually cast into the ocean of material existence,
  into various demoniac species of life.
  BG 16.20: Attaining repeated birth amongst the species of demoniac
  life, O son of Kuntī, such persons can never approach Me. Gradually
  they sink down to the most abominable type of existence.

English Translation By Swami Gambirananda

  16.19 I cast for ever those hateful, cruel, evil-doers in the worlds, the vilest of human beings, verily into the demoniacla classes.
  16.20 Being born among the demoniacal species in births after births, the foods, without ever reaching Me, O son of Kunti, attain
  conditions lower than that.

English Translation By By Dr. S. Sankaranarayan

  16.19. These hateful, cruel, basest men, I hurl incessantly into the inauspicious demoniac wombs alone in the cycle of birth-and-death.
  16.20. Having come to the demoniac womb, birth after birth, and not attaining Me at all, these deluded persons, therefore, pass to the
  lowest state, O son of Kunti !

English Translation By Swami Sivananda

  16.19 Those cruel haters, worst among men in the world, I hurl those evil-doers into the wombs of demons only.
  16.20 Entering into demoniacal wombs and deluded, birth after birth, not attaining Me, they thus fall, O Arjuna, into a condition still lower than that.

English Translation by Shri Purohit Swami

  16.19 Those who thus hate Me, who are cruel, the dregs of mankind, I condemn them to a continuous, miserable and godless rebirth.
  16.20 So reborn, they spend life after life, enveloped in delusion. And they never reach Me, O Prince, but degenerate into still lower forms of life.

Krishna seems to suggest eternal samsara and all translated those verses that way.

Do these verses of Gita support eternal cycle of birth and death for some living beings and they have no way out?


texts: Why is it necessary to burn incense stick while praying?

texts: If you do not light a lamp while doing a prayer and reciting any mantras. But it is necessary to burn an incense stick. This is practised by Buddhist too. Why do we need to do so?


texts: Do the Karma Kanda of Vedas themselves anywhere say performing rituals won't give us liberation?

texts: Karma Kanda of Vedas, Vedangas are treated as Apara Vidhya and Upanishads are treated as Para Vidhya, since the former only give us rebirth and Upanishads provide us Knowledge of Brahman, through which we can attain Moksha. This is what Mundaka Upanishad 1.1.4-5 says. But I would like to know if the Karma Kanda of Vedas, especially Brahmanas themselves anywhere say they won't help in achieving liberation.


texts: When was the expression "Sanatana Dharma" first used and what does it mean?

texts: Does it mean it has existed forever and would exist forever?  Does it mean it is changeless?  The evidence shows that India is now only 80 percent Hindu and there are all kinds of forces trying to reduce this number. How does this square with Hinduism being "Sanatana Dharma"?


texts: Does the Dvaita Vedanta school of thought of Hinduism believe in eternal heaven?

texts:
https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/44487/22556
This is an answer to the question that I asked about different schools of thought in Hinduism.
In the Dvaita Vedanta school it is written that the soul dwells in heaven after moksha.
So, do they really believe in eternal heaven?


texts: What is the reason behind considering number 12 as special?

texts:
Purna Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years. It is also believed that spiritual progress happens in practitioners in the cycle of 12 years  i.e., it takes 12 years of disciplined practice to change a habit. Mantras, Japas and Pranayamas are practiced in multiples of 12.

Why we use number 12 and what are the secrets of number 12?

EDIT:

More examples of 12:

  A man controlling the seminal fluid for twelve years develops a special power. He grows a new inner nerve called the nerve of memory. Through that nerve he remembers all, he understands all. (source)
  Where was Arjuna for 12 years when he was exiled?


texts: Are the Kauravas considered Sinners while the Pandavas not?

texts:
Are the Sinners found in both sides (Kauravas and Pandavas) or the Kauravas alone were antidharma?

I mean: why when the Pandavas king Yudhishthira ascended to heaven he saw Kauravas smiling and in a good state while his near relatives in a bad situation and suffering?. If this was an illusion, then where it is mentioned in the Epic?.

What about marriage of one woman by the Five brothers,
a Common wife, isn't  this a Sin, even we may consider it as a Crime?.

What about  a Hundred brothers and one sister of the same bulk? Isn't this a good thing?


texts: How can these two lines from Mahopanishad be reconciled?

texts:
SOURCE

I-1-4. Then we shall expound the Mahopanishad. They say Narayana was alone. There were not Brahma, Shiva, Waters, Fire and Soma, Heaven and Earth, Stars, Sun and Moon. He could not be happy.

This line is absolutely foundational for the doctrine of Hari-Sarvottamatvam for  Madhwites and Srivaishnavites.
But

V-113. ‘He who cherishes with the (creative) and liberating imagination (the thought that) all this is spirit, that the perception of difference is nescience, should renounce this (nescience) in all possible ways.

Which is purely advaitic, - proclaiming Jeeva-Brahman identity.
Have Vaishnavite teachers explained this?


texts:
In the beginning of any ritual, one has to say Sankalpam - a formulaic utterance where you tell the devatas where and when in the Universe the ritual is being conducted, the purpose of the ritual, etc,.

My question: what is the purpose of the Sankalpam? Is it to inform the devatas of something they don't already know, or what? Please quote the relevant passage(s) from scriptures.


texts: Did 'Cinema Songs' exist during Hiranyakshipu's time?

texts:
The English translation of a hymn by Prahlada in Srimad -Bhagavatam (7/9/40) reads as

  My dear Lord, O infallible one, my position is like that of a person who has many wives, all trying to attract him in their own way. For example, the tongue is attracted to palatable dishes, the genitals to sex with an attractive woman, and the sense of touch to contact with soft things. The belly, although filled, still wants to eat more, and the ear, not attempting to hear about You, is generally attracted to cinema songs. The sense of smell is attracted to yet another side, the restless eyes are attracted to scenes of sense gratification, and the active senses are attracted elsewhere. In this way I am certainly embarrassed.

Did cinema-songs exist at the time of Hiranykasipu and Prahlada? Any evidence other parts of Bhagavatam or any scripture?

Reference : https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/7/9?d=1


texts: Are there contemporaneous or near-contemporaneous accounts of the embalming of Ramanuja's body?

texts:
All we know is that there is a body at Srirangam temple that is claimed to be that of Ramanuja - preserved for centuries using no known embalming techniques.  I have read that even some priests at the temple deny this.

When was the first account that said that his body was embalmed?

Do any temple-records say Ramanuja's body is embalmed there?


texts: How did King Kakudmi reach Brahma Loka with his daughter Revathi?

texts: I read that King Kakudmi with his daughter Revati reached Brahma Loka experiencing time-dilation. Can anyone tell me how they managed to travel?


texts: Where I can find Gita-mahatmya in original devanagari script (7 slokas in Devanagari script) from Introduction to Bhagavad-gita of Srila Prabhupada

texts:
(1)
  gītā-śāstram idaṁ puṇyaṁ  yaḥ paṭhet prayataḥ pumān
  viṣṇoh padaṁ avapnoti  bhaya-śokādi-varjitaḥ

  (2)
  gītādhyāyana-śīlasya  prāṇayama-parasya ca
  naiva santi hi pāpāni  pūrva-janma-kṛtāni ca

  (3)
  mala-nirmocanaṁ pumsāṁ  jala-snānaṁ dine dine
  sakṛd-gītāmṛta snānaṁ  saṁsāra-mala-nāśanam

etc

rest is in the end of introduction.

According to Wiki, it is from Uttarakhanda of Padma Purana, but where is it exactly?


texts: Is there any method to change your veda and sutras?

texts:
Dwija varnas i.e. Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas use specific sutras(known as GrhyaSutras from specific vedas for doing sandhyakarma, and shraddhakarma etc for e.g. A rigvedi brahmin who belongs to ashvalyana sutra/shakha  uses it to do his daily sandhyavandana.

I want to know weather one can change the sutra associated with his family and gotra, because there are many cases where the system is long forgotten due to effects of time.

There might be a possibility of changing or reassigning the shakha by a rishi but there are no more rishi's so it is not an option.

I also want to ask if anyone can become Chatur-vedi by studying all vedas but maintaning his own veda shakha.


texts: Are there any Shaiva or Shakta refutations that "Narayana" is a proper noun?

texts:
According to Panini, Sanskrit grammar says that the "Na" in "Narayana" turns it into a proper noun. A proper noun applies to that specific being unlike a common noun, like Shiva, which can apply to anyone since it just means "auspicious."

So, if a verse says "Narayana created the universe," and another verse says "Shiva created the universe," then "Shiva" in that verse actually means Narayana, since "Shiva" is just a common noun, so that that verse would mean "The auspicious one created the universe."

Do Shaivas or Shaktas refute that Narayana is a proper noun?


texts: Who is Kutsa and how did Indra beat him?

texts:
Book 4 Hymn 26 of the Rig Veda says begins with this verse:

  aham manur abhavaṃ sūryaś cāhaṃ kakṣīvāṃ ṛṣir asmi vipraḥ |
  ahaṃ kutsam ārjuneyaṃ ny ṝñje 'haṃ kavir uśanā paśyatā mā ||

  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'm interested in the part in bold.  Who the "I" is is a complicated issue which I discuss here, but suffice it to say that it's talking about the deeds of Indra.

So my question is, who is this Kutsa and how did Indra beat him?


texts: ill effects of not fulfilling a vow- Tirupati

texts: From ancient times, pepole visiting tirupati take a vow of tonsuring their hair if their wish gets fulfilled. What happens if a person doesn't fulfill this vow? He took a vow of tonsuring his hair if his wish gets granted.His wish gets granted but he dont want to tonsure his hair now.Will God punish him for this?


texts: Scriptural authority for conversion of non-Hindus

texts:
Taking into consideration the birth based practice of Varnashrama prevailing for a couple of millennia, kindly give a clear scriptural sanction/ permission from the ultimate— apaurusheya Vedas, Smrutis or Upanishads only— for converting non- Hindus to Sanatana Dharma ( excluding (ghar wapsi). Pl do not provide historical examples or opinions from saints, neo- vedantists/ universalists/reformers etc. They are more like exception.

I have checked all the other answers suggested to me.  These are full of opinions and overwhelming number of them are not backed by any scriptures. Saying Shruthi is silent about it because back when Vedas were bestowed on us, there were no other non-hindus is a speculation.  Secondly, if Vedas only dealt with what was the then prevailing situation, we are indirectly saying they are obsolete!! Secondly, the much touted Arya Samaj is mentioned as doing shuddhikaran conversions based on Devala Smriti but if that is so, this Devala Smriti deals with only reconversions or ghar wapsi and not conversions of non-Hindus.  This is what I find--
K.M. Munshi in his work "Chakravarti Gurjaro translated into Glory that was Gurjaradesa says quote-

  Devala, the author of the Smriti of the name, is placed between A.D. 800 and 900, when the fortunes of Islam in Sind, as stated before were on the decline. He also wrote his Smriti while in Sind. The movement represented by him appears to be largely responsible for the active campaign of reconversion from Islam, which led the Muslims to seek asylum in al-Mahfuzah, a fortress specially constructed for the purpose.
  Devala gives sanction to the practice of reclaiming mlechchhanita - a person converted by the mlechchhas. It deals with the problems of those who were kept as slaves by the mlechchhas and compelled to do unclean things, like killing cows, sweep the leavings of the food taken by the mlechchhas, taking flesh of asses, camels and pigs, and the forbidden food or drink. As regards women abducted or raped by the mlechchhas, the smriti shows a breadth of vision difficult to find in any Dharmasatra of later age.

So, this Devala Smriti written in 800 AD after the advent of all the three Abrahamic religions is the only text I could find and that too only for ghar wapsi which is not what I have asked about.

My question is not asking for opinions, historical examples or certificates given by converting bodies but the shastra pramaana that all of them should be finally relying on.


texts:
In the book 'Sri Sarada Devi - Holy Mother' there are references in quite a few places of the Holy Mother preparing betel rolls for The Master, also we know that Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa died of throat cancer (as the book states), so just curious to know whether the cause of his death was chewing betel rolls having tobacco etc that lead to throat cancer?

Second part of the question, did Sri. Ramakrishna Paramhansa died in samadhi like his disciple Swami Vivekananda and was he aware of his death time just like Vivekanada was??


texts: Why do we perform pradakshinam (circumambulation) clockwise?

texts:
When circumambulating a temple or an idol (i.e. perform pradakshinam), we do so clockwise. Now, it's obvious that we need to have everybody circumambulating in the same direction, or else people would run into each other. But why do we specifically do so in a clockwise direction? Is there a scriptural basis for this, or is it merely traditional?

(I assume clockwise circumambulation is a universal practice; if not, please correct me.)


texts: Person who dies on Ekadashi, never goes to hell?

texts:
I heard if any person dies on Ekadashi then he never gets any kind of suffering in afterlife. Normally yamduta (workers of God of death) comes to get soul but on Ekadashi day yamdutas are forbidden to take any soul with them. On ekadashi Dharmaraja (instead of yamduta) himself comes to take soul.

So is dying on Ekadashi (Lord Vishnu's day) really that beneficial? Is it true that Lord Vishnu never let anyone go to hell if he gets death on Ekadashi?


texts: What is the reason behind men/women tying a waist band?

texts: I have seen many men wearing a waist band or thread around their waist, red or black color. It's called Karbuta in Marathi. Is there any significance behind wearing it?


texts: Are there some bhajans particularly appropriate for mourning a loss?

texts:
In Buddhism there are some sutra chanted typically at a funeral.
Hindu bhajans are more musical than mere sutra chanting, but are there some bhajan culturally linked to mourning the loss of a loved one?

I don't mean specifically something chanted at the funerals proper, but rather some religious song that could be listened to in private to accompany the sadness.

I suspect that in this spectrum the popular music genre is more developed than the religious one.


texts: Subrahmanya Shodasa Nama Stotram from Skanda Purana

texts:
Kindly let us know if anyone has the knowledge of the chapter number and verse numbers where the Subrahmanya Shodasa Nama Stotram occurs in Skanda Purana.

Thanks in advance.


texts: Are children of Brahmin parents also Brahmin by caste?

texts: Is caste based on birth? Is it inherited? Do any scriptures support birth based caste system?


texts: Did the practice of polygamy in ancient India have the effect of preventing other men from getting married?

texts:
In contemporary India, due to the practice of female infanticide over several generations, the male to female gender ratio has been heavily skewed, and the country has more men than women. As a result, many men complain that they can't find a wife.

  The male-skew in India's sex ratio has increased significantly since the early 20th century. In 1901 there were 3.2 million fewer women than men in India, but by the 2001 Census the disparity had increased by more than a factor of 10, to 35 million.This increase has been variously attributed to female infanticide, selective abortions (aided by increasing access to prenatal sex discernment procedures), and female child neglect. It has been suggested that the motivation for this selection against female children is due to the lower status and perceived usefulness of women in India's patriarchal society.

Similarly, the practice of polygamy has the effect of creating more lifelong celibate males, since the pool of single women for marriage is reduced.

On the other hand, polygamy is useful when there is a gender imbalance in which women outnumber men, and polyandry is forbidden in Hinduism.

Does any Hindu scripture talk about the sociological ill-effects of polygamy?


texts: How do Hindu scriptures define Ākāśa? Is it space or vacuum or something else?

texts:
How do Hindu scriptures define Ākāśa?

A little bit of background:

Ākāśa -> Vāyu -> Agni -> Jala -> Pṛthvī – this is the order of creation of the 5 elements.

Their corresponding qualities are – sound, touch, sight, taste and smell – which are each inclusive of the previous element's quality. Meaning, if there is a place in this universe where Vāyu exists, we can hear & feel it, but cannot see, taste or smell. If there is a place where Agni exists, we can hear, feel & see it, but cannot taste or smell.

Modern science says sound cannot travel in vacuum. But light does because we can see Sun which is 100 million miles away. According to the order of elemental creation, where light exists, sound can too.

So, is vacuum not same as Ākāśa? I thought ākāśa just meant space where something can exist or move about.


texts: Sculptures on the Hindu temples of the Ajanta and Ellora caves

texts:
The Ajanta caves have temples in the range of a 100 kms which have many Hindu temples. (There are Jain and Buddhist temples too).

The Ellora caves also have a lot of Hindu temples, greater in proportion as compared to the Ajanta caves.

These Hindu temples have sculptures which depict many homosexual acts.

Can these sculptures be taken as an indicator of Hinduism's support towards homosexuality and that 'Hinduism does not see homosexuality as a crime'?

If not, what was the intention of these sculptures on the temples?


texts: Knowledge of sexual relations using Jyotish

texts:
Can astrology predict a native's spouse's virginity through his/her birth chart?

If yes, what methods are used to find out the same?


texts: What was the shakta lineage of Sri RAmakrishna?

texts:
It is known that Sri Ramakrishna was initiated by a Bhairavi, who was believed to be from the Vaishnava sect.

Later he was also initiated into Sannyasa-Vedanta by TotApuri Maharaj.

What was his lineage for shaktism ?
Was it from Bhairavi mAtA herself or from someone else ?


texts: Where is Sita Rama’s date of marriage mentioned?

texts:
Shri Sita Rama’s marriage is celebrated on the Vivaha Panchami day which falls on the 5th date of Shukla Paksha of the Margashirsha/Agrahayana month. As per this site, the said date has been mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana, however it doesn’t seem to be there, except a small mention of Uttara and Purva Phalguni Nakshatra in the Balakanda 72.13
The Ramcharitamanas hints at the wedding being in the month of Agrahayana but doesn’t mention it’s exact date. The relevant chaupai no. 3 of Doha 312 is as follows:-

मंगल मूल लगन दिनु आवा। हिम रितु अगहनु मासु सुहावा॥
the root of auspiciousness, the day of marriage arrived - the Hemant season and beautiful month of Agrahayana.

Does any recension of Valmiki Ramayana elaborate on the above mentioned date?

If not, Which other scripture mentions the above mentioned date as Shri Sita Rama’s marriage date?


texts:
According to this extract from the Uttarakhanda of Padma Purana there is a Goddess named Kotara/Kotaraksi that was worshiped by Aniruddha (Krishna's son) during his battle against Banasura. Krishna established her tirtha at the bank of a river.

  1-13. A little away from it is the excellent Siddhaksetra, O goddess.
  Formerly Aniruddha was chosen by Citralekha for Usá.

  He was taken to Banasura's city formerly and he stayed in his (i.e.
  Banasura's) house. Checked by nooses and arrows, he then remembered
  Kotaraksi.

  She is actually the power of Visnu, always engaged in protecting (the
  devotees). Krsna installed (the image of) this goddess here on the
  bank of the river. Due to the hymn of Aniruddha, returning to Dvaraka,
  after having vanquished Banasura in a battle, she actually came near
  (him).

She seems to be the same goddess mentioned in this portion of Harivamsa known as Kotavati.

Although I am more interested in this sentence that Mahadeva narrated to Parvati:

  Kotaraksi has a universal form. She has great divine power. She is
  superior in strength. She in Tripura, is the destroyer of Tripura; is
  Siva and of the form of Siva. She is said to be the daughter of
  Sarasvati. She is Durga. She removes misery. She is Bhairavi,
  Bhairavaksi, and Laksmi, to whom the people (i.e. devotees) of the
  goddess are dear, O Chief goddess. Thus various names (of her) are
  mentioned.

How did Kotara come to be Sarasvati's daughter? I am assuming this refers to the Goddess Sarasvati consort of Brahma.

Here (page 601 of the pdf) are the Sanskrit verses of the above quote if it helps. I've put them up as a screenshot because the copy-paste translated them as gibberish.


texts: Why each day of the week is dedicated to a particular god?

texts:
As the title explains, why do we have specific days to worship specific gods? For example

Sunday - Lord Surya
Monday - Lord Shiva
Tuesday - Lord Ganesha
Wednesday - Lord Vithal
Thursday - Sai Baba, Lord Vishnu
Friday - Mahalakshmi
Saturday - Hanuman, Shani Bhagwan

So is there any reason behind this?


texts: Are there any references of robots in Ancient India?

texts: I know that our ancestors in Ancient India (Bharath)  were advanced. I just wanna know if there are any references of robots in our Hindu Scriptures?


texts: Can one sit in a Yogic posture (Asana) when not performing spiritual activities like meditation?

texts:
Can one sit in an asana (e.g. half-lotus / full lotus) in a non-meditative context such as when using the computer / browsing the internet? Or is it an offense?

I tried to search online but found no articles covering this. Are there any rules as per the scriptures if it is allowed? I just would like to sit stably since I tend to slouch and get out of form with chairs (forward head, etc.) and would also like to use the time I take up with computer to spend conquering asanas.


texts: Did Swami Vivekananda speak this statement? Please give the location where he says so

texts: When More and more people start thinking for themselves, start placing reason over faith, science and logic over irrationality and blind belief and superstitions, that will be the day when Hinduism will succeed.


texts: What is the importance of the Tulsi plant (Holy basil)?

texts: The Tulsi plant has a significant role in Hinduism and its rituals. It is considered a holy plant, and in front of every Hindu house, there will be a Tulsi plant. Why is it considered a holy plant? What is the textual basis for treating it as holy?


texts: On what basis do some people claim Krishna is really the only ultimate God?

texts:
Some people say Krsna is the ultimate supreme personality of Godhead. It is also mentioned by them that all scriptures, in fact, declare this fact.

Also, I hear that the stories, facts, and other information about other Gods is true but it's all valid on the material platform. But the ultimate reality and the only God who is omnipresent and authentic across all universes and platforms is Krsna.

What is the basis for this claim?


texts: How exactly did the killing of Abhimanyu violate the agreed-upon rules of war?

texts:
Many on one - Abhimanyu was a Maharathi or something - I believe they can be attacked by many at the same time.
He fought till the end and never surrendered.
The Kauravas didn't come looking for him - he went looking for them.  When he penetrated their Vyuha,  were they supposed to go into meditation like Drona at the time he was killed?
Arjuna exacted revenge for this only from Jayadratha who only blocked the escape route and not from any of the warriors who actually killed him - it was plain vengeance and not reprisal for Adharma.  Abhimanyu took youthful risk and paid for it - that's all there was to it.

Nothing seems Adharmic about his killing to me.

Did Bhishma on the arrow-bed chide Drona for this?

Why is the killing of Abhimanyu included in the litany of Adharmic acts of the Kauravas?


texts: Why Krishna took life of Barbarika before Mahabharata

texts:
I am wondering why Krishna took life of Barbarika as guru-dakshina from Barbarika as he was assumed to be the most strong contender in the Mahabharata about whom everyone was worried with his undefeated power of 3 arrows that he was having. Barbarika was called "Teen Baandhari"

The reason mentioned is that Barbarika gave guru-dakshina to his guru that Barbarika will always fight from the weaker side and Krishna was worried that there would be a time when his side(Pandavas) will be strong and Kauravas will be weak then Barbarika will fight against them.

But, as Barbarika was son of Ghatothkach and the grandson of Bheem, he was willing to fight with Pandavas and he was having power to kill all enemies within minutes with the power of 3 arrows that he was having.


texts:
I am deeply interested in receiving any printed Rig-Vedic hymns with khila vaakyams (supplement verses) arranged with swaras (tone for recitation).

EDIT:

What are "khila vaakyams"?

FYI:

We have the verses in Rig Veda divided into various sookthams to some of which later supplemented with more verses by section of its authors. These are khila vaakhyams. E.g. In RV Sooktham No. 191 of 10th Mandala, we find the verses beginning with the wordings such as 'samgyana mushanavadad samgyanam varoonovadat...'


texts: Can I write or highlight verses from scriptures?

texts: I just started to read the Gita and I was wondering if I could write or highlight important verses,slokhas and more in it. Can anyone help me please ? Thanks.


texts:
This answer clarifies that the men or women who participates in illicit sex is considered as sinner and undergoes punishment in Taptasurmi naraka.

My doubt is whether the multiplicity of illicit sex matters? I mean whether the punishment in hell depends on the number of times the corresponding person involves in such activity or on the number of times the corresponding person participates with distinct participants?

Is there any expiation for the sin of illicit sex?


texts: I heard that there is book by this name. It states the karmas and the results of them.


texts:
In chapter 26 of the Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda states (paragraph 14) that, and I quote;

  The scriptures aver that man requires a million years of normal, diseaseless evolution to perfect his human brain sufficiently to express cosmic consciousness.

Does anyone know to which scripture Yogananda is referring to here?
Also, what could Yogananda mean by "perfect his human brain", what would be different in the brain structure or composition or functionality of a highly advanced spiritual adept as opposed to someone of lesser spiritual development?


texts: Women who ruled kingdom being Jivan muktha

texts:
I heard about a women ruled a kingdom after becoming Jivan muktha.
The story from yoga vasista goes like this:
A women attains the state of Jivan muktha. Her husband leaves kingdom and goes to forest for attaining moksha. She understands it and rules the kingdom and also helps her husband in another form.
What is the name of the women? I need an answer from Yoga Vashishtha only.


texts: Is the hierarchy of the precedence of testimony only dependent on the category of scripture?

texts:
It is generally believed that Vedas can override Epics if needed and Epics override Puranas if needed.

But a recent question arose - "in the same scripture is there a hierarchy of testimony , perhaps something like God > Deva > human ?

Does any scripture address this?


texts: Why is there a huge difference regarding the liberation of Parikshit in the Mahabharata and the Bhagavatam?

texts:
The Mahabharata, one of the two Itihasas, begins with the tale of the Sarpa Satra of King Janamejaya, during which the epic was narrated to him by Janamejaya. The Sarpa Satra was a 12-year Yajna conducted by Janamejaya to avenge his father Parikshit's death by the Snake Takshaka, by killing all the snakes. Fortunately (?) this act of his was stopped by Sage Astika, the son of Jaratkaru and Manasa Devi. (Here too there is a difference, as in the Bhagavatam, Janamejaya is stopped by Brhaspati.)

Now, the background of this story is the death of Parikshit. In the Adi Parva, it is described that Maharaja Parikshit, while hunting, gets thirsty and reaches the Ashrama of Maharshi Shamika. When Maharshi Shamika doesn't respong to his request for water, due to his meditation, Parikshit gets angry and drapes a dead snake around the Maharshi's neck and leaves. He is noticed by the sage's son Shringi, who pronounces a curse on the King to be killed by the Snake King Takshaka within seven days.

When Parikshit is informed, he becomes paranoid and builds a high tower, inaccessible to all but him, and resides within it with all his supplies. But Takshaka decides to enter one of the fruits to be taken for Parikshit. He stops a rishi named Kashyapa (not the famous Kashyapa) who had been on his way to chant the Mrta Sanjeevani on a dead Parikshit and bring him to life, thereby obtaining lot of rewards. Takshaka gives Kashyapa a lot of wealth and then enters a fruit. When Parikshit bites into the fruit Takshaka comes out and bites him back, killing him. (The Devi Bhagavatam adds that Parikshit attains Moksha when his son listens to Devi Bhagavatam (!) and worships Devi.)

But the Srimad Bhagavatam is unaware of the above story from the tower building part. In Srimad Bhagavatam, as soon as Parikshit knows of his fate, he goes to the banks of the Ganga, where he meets several rishis, led by Shukadeva Gosvami, who imparts to him Srimad Bhagavatam within seven days, following which Parikshit is free from all desires, and in the midst of all the rishis happily accepts death as Takshaka (who has here too stopped Kashyapa) bites him and burns him to ashes.

So, why this huge difference between the two stories? Because the Parishit and Shukadeva story leads to Srimad Bhagavatam, and the other to Devi Bhagavata directly and indirectly to the Mahabharata (since the story of the tower is present in the Mahabharata.)

We can not dismiss this as an interpolation, because there seems to be no cause for interpolation; if anything it only advances the plot.

So, once again, why is there such a glaring difference between the two scriptures?


texts: What to do when scriptures go against conscience?

texts:
TL;DR WHAT TO DO WHEN SCRIPTURES GO AGAINST CONSCIENCE?

What to do when Parshara Smriti go against my conscience? How can I treat a chandala (I do not even know what that means, except that it is a low caste) differently from a Vaishya? How are they different? Even if they did bad karma, does not mean I will not even look at them. And there are verses that say menstruating women are impure. I can understand that. But, one verse was especially immoral, from chapter 7-

  The mother, and the father, and likewise the eldest brother, all these
  three relatives will go to hell, if before menstruation they neglect
  to marry the girl

What kind of Dharma has been prescribed in Parashara Smriti? Marrying a girl so young? I have come to believe Parashara smriti is highly interpolated.

In any case, the question stands. If a scripture goes against my conscience, will I attain bad karma if I do not follow it. This is a general question and does not pertain to Parashara Smriti.


texts: After how many days should an engagement or marriage be organised after the demise of a family member?

texts: My grandfather's younger brother's aunt passed away. We want to organise a legal marriage/engagement. So, after how many days can we organise that? It's a non veg engagement.


texts: There was a mention of "Samudra Manthan" (the churning of the ocean) in Hindu mythology. Why was it performed? Please also mention the items which resulted from the churning, with a small explanation for each.


texts: Avataravaada and vedanta, are there any contradiction?

texts: What is stance of Vedanta on the concept of avatara? Does Vedanta support that god comes to earth in form of a human?


texts:
pāñchajanyaṁ hṛiṣhīkeśho devadattaṁ dhanañjayaḥ

pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahā-śhaṅkhaṁ bhīma-karmā vṛikodaraḥ

Then, Lord Krsna blew His conchshell, called Pancajanya; Arjuna blew his, the Devadatta; and Bhima, the voracious eater and performer of Herculean tasks, blew his terrific conchshell called Paundram.

what  is the difference  between Pancajanya , Devadatta and Paundram?


texts: Who spoke the Lakshmi ashtakam & did Lakshmi really kill Kolhasura?

texts:
The Lakshmi Ashtakam which starts as

  Indra uvācha:

  Namosthesthu Maha Maye,
    Sree peede, sura poojithe,
    Sanka , chakra, Gadha hasthe,
    Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe.      1

  Namasthe garudarude,
  Kolasura bhayam kari,
  Sarva papa hare , devi,
  Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe.      2
      ...

Who is the composer of this ashtaka? Is it Indra as its starts as Indra uvācha or someone else?  Where else does this get referred to?

Also, it is believed that Goddess Sri Lakshmi is fully loaded with karuna and had never punished anyone. In that case the phrase Kolasura bhayam kari means that she killed Kolasura, after which the name of the city Kolhapur has arrived:

  Hindu mythology holds that Kolhapur was founded by Kolhasur, a
  Rakshasha (demon spirit). Kolhasur was killed by Lakshmi(Ambabai) ( or
  Mahalakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity). Kolhasura's
  dying wish was to have the city named after him and his wish was
  granted.

What is the backing for the statement that she killed Kolasura or any other asura for that matter?


texts: How many Lord Indra temples are there in India?

texts:
Are there any temples in India which are exclusively dedicated to Lord Indra?

If yes, then where are those temples located?

If no, what are the reasons for Lord Indra not having temples dedicated to him?


texts: Is there a reference to Puranas in the Atharvaveda?

texts:
Atharvana Veda 11.7.24 says:

ऋचः सामानि च्छन्दांसि पुराणम् यजुषा सह ।
उच्छिष्टाज्जज्ञिरे सर्वे दिवि देवा दिविश्रितः ॥ २४॥

Is this a reference to Puranas (the traditional well-known Puranas like Agni, Matsya, Kurma, Skanda, Shiva, Padma, Varaha etc)?


texts: Mangalagiri Panakala (Panagam) Narasimha's miracle

texts: A small town near Vijayawada named Mangalagiri. On the top of the hill Lord Narasimha in sitting posture blesses all. His mouth is wide open. Panakam(Panagam) is made of jaggery mixed with water with dried ginger, elaichi and will be in liquid form. If one jug full  of Panakam (Panagam) is given to the archaka and he pours in Narasimha's mouth exactly half of the Panakam (Panagam) will be consumed by Lion god and the rest he will give as Prasad to devotees. Not even a single drop will go more than that half jug. Any evidence from puranas for this miracle. I went once and experienced this amidst a good darshan.


texts: How pure were the castes at the time Manu-Smriti was written?

texts:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b012.htm
Mahabharata seems to suggest caste-mixing was already happening:

"Bhishma said, 'The Brahmana, the Kshatriya, and the Vaisya are regarded as the three regenerate orders. To wed in these three orders has been ordained to be the duty of the Brahmana, O Yudhishthira. Through erroneous judgment or cupidity or lust, O scorcher of foes, a Brahmana takes a Sudra wife. Such a wife, however, he is not competent to take according to the scriptures. A Brahmana, by taking a Sudra woman to his bed, attains to a low end in the next world. He should, having done such an act, undergo expiation according to the rites laid down in the scriptures.

"Bhishma said, 'For the Kshatriya, O delighter of the Kurus, two wives have been ordained. The Kshatriya may take a third wife from the Sudra order. Such practice prevails, it is true, but it is not sanctioned by the scriptures

Does Manu-smriti mention how numerous mixed-caste people were from the standpoint of when it was written?
There is no scholarly consensus about its date - so if any information is available for any epoch in the range given below it would be acceptable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manusmriti#Chronology

Eighteenth-century philologists Sir William Jones and Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel assigned Manusmriti to the period of around 1250 BCE and 1000 BCE respectively, which from later linguistic developments is untenable due to the language of the text which must be dated later than the late Vedic texts such as the Upanishads which are themselves dated a few centuries later, around 500 BCE.[11] Later scholarship, shifted the chronology of the text to between 200 BCE and 200 CE.[12][13] Olivelle adds that numismatics evidence, and the mention of gold coins as a fine, suggest that text may date to the 2nd or 3rd century CE.[14]
Most scholars consider the text a composite produced by many authors put together over a long period. Olivelle states that the various ancient and medieval Indian texts claim revisions and editions were derived from the original text with 100,000 verses and 1,080 chapters. However, the text version in modern use, according to Olivelle, is likely the work of a single author or a chairman with research assistants.[15]


texts:
There is a prevalent story about the marital status of Sri Hanuman that He was married to Suvarchala, the daughter of the Sun.  However, this story does not find place in Srimad Ramayana, which is an authoritative text on Ramayana.

However, the following slokas from Srimad Ramayana does give an indirect reference to his marital status.

The following slokas are from Sundara Kanda.  Sri Hanuman, after scrutiny of all women of Ravana, thinks as follows:

पर दार अवरोधस्य प्रसुप्तस्य निरीक्षणम् || ५-११-३७
इदम् खलु मम अत्यर्थम् धर्म लोपम् करिष्यति |

"My seeing sleeping house of other people's wives will do a great deficit to dharma."

न हि मे पर दाराणाम् दृष्टिर् विषय वर्तिनी ||५-११-३८
अयम् च अत्र मया दृष्टः पर दार परिग्रहः |

"My sight is indeed not in the matter of other wives here. These other's wives have been seen by me."

Nowhere in Srimad Ramayana, the marital status of Sri Hanuman was described.

My doubt :   Here Sri Hanuman was saying पर दाराणाम् - other's  wives.  If Sri Hanuman was a celibate, as per prevalent stories, he should have said WOMEN, but he said other's wives.

Can we conclude he was in fact a married person?


texts: What was Dronacharya's response during Draupadi's Cheerharan?

texts:
Did Dronacharya say or do anything to stop it?

If not, why so?


texts:
Paramatma is said to be one is Eternal,Formless and etc,... Source of Creation.
We also know Adi Parashakthi and is said to be the Divine Mother and source of Energy.
Also said to be Creator of Trimurthi's.

MY QUESTION :

Who is Adi Parashakthi? Is this the creator of the Trimurtis?


texts: How samskaras are manifested as per Vedanta philosophy?

texts:
How exactly the latent impressions that are submerged in our subconscious, arise at the surface of our conscious mind. I know they arise as vrittis or thought waves, but what triggers them to rise in the first place? ... Some say it's our desires that awakens or manifests the samskaras ... but i always thought that once samskaras and memories arise as vrittis, they give rise to desires and those desires forces us to act in a certain way.

Can someone please explain how the samskaras arise, how the desires arise, and how the memories arise? In other words, which happens first or which gives rise to which? Thnx.


texts: evidence silokas: transmigration even among animals and plants and insects or devatas

texts: I need the evidence shlokas that explain that soul's transmigration even among animals and plants and insects or devatas for convincing those who do not believe soul's transmigration among them.


texts: How can Spiritual Practice bestow happiness to a man and why should someone peruse spiritual path? What if perusing Spiritual path yields more unhappiness to a person?


texts: Do Hindu scriptures talk about how to handle conflicts between prescriptions in scripture and the secular law of the land?

texts:
Organizations like PETA seem to be working through the judicial system to end the practice of animal sacrifice. A recent example of this was a petition by another organization to end animal sacrifice at Gadhi Mai, which was cleared by the Supreme Court.

Jesus said "render unto caesar what is caesar's". Do Hindu scriptures talk about how to handle conflicts between prescriptions in scripture and the secular law of the land, particularly in animal sacrifice?


texts: What is thirumuruga thirumangalya yagam?

texts:
What is a pooja conducted at pradaosham called thirumuruga thirumangalya yagam? Pradosham  conducted in temple.

Below are the pics


texts:
Different cultures/religion give a different story on the origin of Humans.

Christianity speaks about Adam being the first human.

Greek mythology says Zeus created first human in his form.

Is there a similar story to the origin of humans in Hinduism.? Which books deals about it.?

Or Does Hinduism support Darwin's theory of humans evolving from monkeys(lower life forms).?


texts:
From this site:

Basavanna says:
I will pour insects in the mouth of one who identifies, Hari (Vishnu) with Hara (Siva)
Hari has ten births and death,
Brahma has countless births and deaths,
Is Hara subject to such births and deaths?

Which work of Basavanna contains this statement?
Note: Please avoid fuelling controversy to this post.


texts: What is the source of the verse "Ajnanta-jnapanam sastram"?

texts: There is a popular Sanskrit phrase Ajñāta-jñāpanam śāstram which means scriptures are meant for something which cannot be known through empirical evidence. What is the source of this phrase?


texts: Is there any mention on number of sleeping hours in texts?

texts: Is there any mention on the minimum or maximum number of sleeping hours for humans in Vedas or puranas?


texts: Does Mahabharata say anywhere that sun is parabrahman

texts:
Valmiki Ramayana contains Aditya Hridayam which (at-least indirectly) says that sun is parabrahman ?

He is Brahma the creator, Vishnu the protector of the Universe, Lord
Shiva the god of destruction, Skanda (son of Lord Shiva), Prajapati
(the ten lords of creted beings), Indra the ruler of gods, Kubera the
bestower of riches, Kala the Time-spirit, Yama the god of retribution,
Soma the moon-god and Varuna the ruler of the waters.
[8, Sarga 105, Yuddha Kanda]

Similarly, are there any verses in Mahabharata that says sun is parabrahman?


texts: Do any Veda take about expanding universe?

texts: Does Rig Veda or any Veda say about expanding the universe?


texts: Scriptural definitions for caste, Varna, class and tribe

texts:
The words such as Varna, caste, class, tribe etc., was used extensively in Hinduism scriptures.

Please provide the definitions for each of the listed along with a single person example as shown below;

Example: Krishna is kshatriya by Varna, yadava by caste, X by tribe etc., (let say).


texts: Did Swami Vivekananda idealize Ekalavya for modern students?

texts:
Ekalavya learnt many things by just considering Drona as his teacher. But he is on the side of Adharma.

Many websites are claiming that Swami Vivekananda told the following lines

  Ekalavya, an ideal for modern students, learnt archery without any external help. By self-effort and faith in one’s power, longing for knowledge and by self-reliance, one can do miracles.

Was it really said by him?


texts: Meaning of Sadhana , Tapasya and Yoga (साधना ,तपस्या & योग)?

texts:
In spiritual practices of Hinduism or Adhyatma ,We often hear these three words -:
1) Sadhana 2) Tapasya 3) Yoga.

My questions are -:

1) Are these terms  similar or related to each other?

2) What are the actual meaning and significance of these terms  in relation with our General as well as Spiritual life (Adhyatmik life).


texts: Recently Swami Nikamanda Maha Desikar's 750th birthday celebrations took place. At what instances he got the special titles “Vedanthachariyar”, “Sarva thantra Swatantrar” and “Kavithargiga Simham”  and from whom?


texts:
I would like to understand the definition of the term 'devotion' from two different perspective:

Bachelor person (brahmchari)
Married person

Reason is that as a bachelor you are free to opt for any path if you are seeking spiritual growth, but as a married man you have constraints so obviously the definition of devotion varies for them.

How do we come to a conclusion that a person be it a bachelor or a married guy is totally devoted? What are the parameters that will eventually define it?


texts: How to differentiate between a spiritual experience and a mental disorder or delusion?

texts:
Many spiritual teachings ask the followers to develop detachment towards worldly objects and events. Certain meditation techniques ask the followers to be a mere spectator to one's thoughts and get emotionally detached. Few spiritual people report having spiritual experiences like out-of-body or having seen a deity in their dreams or in daylight.

There has been a case where a devote person in my neighborhood started seeing god everywhere and lost his sense of surroundings, and was ultimately subjected to electric shock treatment by his relatives.

My question is, how do a follower of spiritual practice differentiate between a spiritual experience and a mental or neurotic disorder like 'dissociative disorder'?


texts: How is each month divided into 27 nakshatra?

texts:
So I was delving into nakshatra and pada and Rashis and I am confused how is a month divided into 27 nakshatras.

This is what I know so far.

So nakshatras are the lunar mansions (imagine home were the Moon resides) when the Moon (on its rotation around the Earth) crosses the elliptical of the Earth round the Sun. By doing a simple calculation we can see that there would be 27 such crossings (nakshatra) and each spanning for 13.33 degree. So when I imagine a year I imagine it to be 27 nakshatras (with further subdivisions) and each month approximately equal to 2.25 nakshatras.

I was comfortable till then. Then I looked into the panchang of this year and I noticed that every month has all the nakshatras. How is this possible ? What am I misunderstanding ?


texts: Vedas said about only 4 castes based on job. Then how these much castes came

texts:
Vedas tells about 4 casetes
Brahmin, Kshatriya, Shudra and vaishya based on jobs.

But now, there are many castes like nambissan, namboodiri, thiyya, nair, etc. etc.

How this splitted?


texts: Is there a stotra for worship of Brahma?

texts:
In my horoscope the Atmakaraka is Brihaspati and the Amatyakaraka is Shani.
Brahma is Adhidevata for Brihaspati and Pratyabhidevata for Shani, therefore I think I could get great benefit from worship of Brahma.
Unfortunatelly I cannot find any stotra for Brahma.
Does someone know any?


texts: Does anyone know of any prayer to Prahlāda Daitya?

texts:
Various Asura are mentioned as praying to Prahlāda often and so does Naranārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, after Prahlāda Daitya concedes defeat and decides to be friends with them/him. I just want to know if any of these prayers are actually stated (other than the stories themselves and Prahlāda's names).
Hopefully one like the prayer to the first human here: Where is the verse(s) about Sāvarṇi (a name of the first human) in the Ṛgveda (Rig Veda)? Who are Sāvarṇya and Saraṇyū?
Otherwise, can anyone list all Prahlāda's names, so you can make a DIY prayer, to show how a prayer to Prahlāda would sound/feel?
Here are the ones from scripture or short for stories in scripture I can think of:
Prahlāda, Daitya, Daityendra, Viśvavallabha, Bhṛṅgivallabha, Balivallabha, Virocanavallabha, Virocanajanaka, Devivallabha, Devidhava, Devyasusama, Ditinandana, Ditiśāntakāra, Sahasrābhāvavijaya, Naranārāyaṇasakha, Mṛtyuñjaya, Viśvarūpa, Viṣṇusa, Rāmanāmasa, Śiva, Indra, Ajātaśatru, Viśvapriya, Śarabha, Vajrakavaca, Viśampa, Nāyaka, Devāsuranamaskṛta, Andhakamardana, Bhṛṅgisakha, Virocanājīvanatakāra, Virocanasakha, Viśvāntaka, Viśvāmiṣa, ...


texts: Rise again of Vijayanagara Empire after fall

texts:
The mighty Hindu kingdom declined and could not easily rise up in a short time to its former glory.. in the absence of its founder king.
Why no restorative forces automatically entered into action in its quick revival?
At the behest of a single ruling British commander Indian majority Hindu followers opened fire killing fellow Hindu believers at Jalianwala bag...all for an employee's salary?
Nationalistic revolutionary movement for Indian independence spanned coolly laid back from 1857 to 1947, a good part of one century.
Is there something in the faith that accepts defeat and subjugation for too long.. as a needed survival philosophy?.. in spite of BG's extortion to self-defend against injustice..?
If so what advises are given in olden times .. Manu Smriti, Kautilya Neethi etc..to observe restraint and under which circumstances should one agree to lie low?


texts: How does Karma theory explain premature deliveries and the death of infants?

texts:
Sometimes, infants are born prematurely and die shortly thereafter.  Is it possible to explain such tragedies using the karma theory?

Has it got to do with the karma of the parents or the infant child or both?


texts: Which Truth should be revealed and which should be hidden?

texts:
As in Mahabharata Lord krishna asked Yudishtra to Lie as his guru's son Aswathama was dead although it was a elephant it was a Lie,and it was for dharma.
Yudishtra was not so willing to lie as it is adharma but as the lord alknowing said in that situation lie is good as for dharma

QUESTION :

Lord Krishna was a god and so he was confident in that situation but as a conditioned soul how can we choose the path of telling and hiding a truth.

EXAMPLE :

A women who has a daughter to be married has wrong affair with other man should be revealed or not ?
If not revealed she would not be punished and she will continue to do adharma.
If we reveal it then the family name will be completely destroyed and her daughter's marriage will not occur as everyone thinks as a mother same as the daughter.
Or it should be revealed after her marriage and if later revealed it will be also like hiding?
There many situations that arise while telling a truth.
Is there any definite scriptural way to tell and hide the truth in the world?


texts: What is the source of the following sloka?

texts:
The following lines I got in Ahnik-Krittya by Shyamacharan Kaviratna Vidyavaridhi (that supports the members of HisE  offering bounty!:))

  sreyo'rthino hi purushAh paratushi-hetoh kashtarjitani api dhanani parityajanti. For getting the optimum, individuals sacrifice even their hard-earned wealth.

What is the source of this sloka ?


texts: Why does Matsya Purana say Ramayana has 525000 verses?

texts:
The glorious story of Ramayana, sung by the sage Valmiki, at the instance of Brahma also extends to a hundred crore of slokas. Brahma narrated the original Ramayana to Narada, the latter revealed it to Valmiki, who gave it to the world and which is a means of giving Dharma, Kama and Artha. And in which way the famous epic exists in the world, and contains 5,25,000 slokas.
  (Matsya Purana, Chapter 53, Verses 71-72)

But we all know that even Ramayana itself says it has only 24000 verses divided into seven cantos. Then why does Matsya Purana say Ramayana has 5,25,000 verses?


texts: How many years will take to become a almost completely purely spiritual person?

texts:
Nowadays im practicising  spiritual  and it is very difficult to  control the mind. we know  that  in ancient times  there was no internet and no technology , so  at that time  people  are easily  control their own minds    but  in this  modern era lots   of disracted thing  are everywhere , so  its  is  very  very  difficult  to control  our minds

My question is that  in this  modern times , How many  years will take  to become a  almost   completely purely spiritual person  ?


texts: Why is the bow regarded as the foremost of weapons?

texts:
In this section of the Mahabharata, Nakula says:

  The bow, O grandsire, is regarded as the foremost of weapons in this world.

My question is, what reason does the Mahabharata give for the bow being the foremost of the weapons.

For example, Nakula and Bhishma actually think that the sword is the foremost of weapons. Nakula says:

  My mind, however, inclines towards the sword, since when the bow, O king, is cut off or broken, when steeds are dead or weakened, a good warrior, well trained in the sword, can protect himself by means of his sword. A hero armed with the sword can, single handed, withstand many bowmen, and many antagonists armed with maces and darts.

And Bhishma agrees:

  Of all weapons, O son of Madravati, the sword is the foremost. The Puranas truly declare that it was first wielded by Mahadeva. As regards the bow, again, O chastiser of foes, it was Prithu who first created it.

But why is the bow the foremost according to Hindu scriptures?


texts: What is the definition of sorrow according to Sri Krishna, what are the main reasons of sorrow?

texts:
According to Sri Krishna,  What is sorrow? and what are the main reasons of sorrow in one's life?

How can someone overcome from it?


texts: Which first book should i start with in Hinduism?

texts: I am a new reader to this. I want to start with a book. Which book should i start with ?


texts:
Reading about Kalpa on this site, my understanding is:

Current Brahma completed 50 years
Currently Brahma is in 51st year and on first day of the 51st year
Each of Brahma's day includes one Kalpa (day) and one Night (Pralaya)
Brahma's year consists of 360 Brahma days
So, Brahma has completed 50 years times 360 days times one Kalpas/Pralaya for each day.
Which means, 18,000 Kalpas and same number Pralayas already completed in current Brahma's time

First question: is my understandings correct?

This answer mentions about multiple Kalpas. When 18 thousand Kalpas completed, the list in this answer are the recent Kalpas? Are there any more details about previous Kalpas in scriptures?


texts: Conjunction of Moon and Rahu in all birth charts

texts:
I heard from several sources that moon and Rahu are enemies.
Is it true in astrology in general?
If yes, what can be the consequences if a person has conjunction of Moon and Rahu in the three birth charts, namely, Lagna, Navamsa, Chandra?
If there are many sub-cases, such as room number in which they present, then which scripture deals with their conjunction in detail?


texts: Who was the Yoga Guru of Swami Vivekananda?

texts:
I know that Swami Vivekananda's Mantra Guru was Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. But this is about his Yoga Guru (if he had any).
In Hinduism the importance Guru is paramount.
Swami Vivekananda himself explains the importance of Guru in spiritual practice as follows:

Every soul is destined to be perfect, and every being, in the end,
will attain the state of perfection. Whatever we are now is the result
of our acts and thoughts in the past; and whatever we shall be in the
future will be the result of what we think and do now. But this, the
shaping of our own destinies, does not preclude our receiving help
from outside; nay, in the vast majority of cases such help is
absolutely necessary. When it comes, the higher powers and
possibilities of the soul are quickened, spiritual life is awakened,
growth is animated, and man becomes holy and perfect in the end.
This quickening impulse cannot be derived from books. The soul can
only receive impulses from another soul, and from nothing else. We may
study books all our lives, we may become very intellectual, but in the
end we find that we have not developed at all spiritually. It is not
true that a high order of intellectual development always goes hand in
hand with a proportionate development of the spiritual side in Man. In
studying books we are sometimes deluded into thinking that thereby we
are being spiritually helped; but if we analyse the effect of the
study of books on ourselves, we shall find that at the utmost it is
only our intellect that derives profit from such studies, and not our
inner spirit. This inadequacy of books to quicken spiritual growth is
the reason why, although almost every one of us can speak most
wonderfully on spiritual matters, when it comes to action and the
living of a truly spiritual life, we find ourselves so awfully
deficient. To quicken the spirit, the impulse must come from another
soul.
The person from whose soul such impulse comes is called the Guru — the
teacher; and the person to whose soul the impulse is conveyed is
called the Shishya — the student. To convey such an impulse to any
soul, in the first place, the soul from which it proceeds must possess
the power of transmitting it, as it were, to another; and in the
second place, the soul to which it is transmitted must be fit to
receive it. The seed must be a living seed, and the field must be
ready ploughed; and when both these conditions are fulfilled, a
wonderful growth of genuine religion takes place. "The true preacher
of religion has to be of wonderful capabilities, and clever shall his
hearer be" — आश्चर्यो वक्ता कुशलोऽस्य लब्धा ;
Source

Yoga, being one the foremost spiritual practices, also needs to be learnt directly from a Guru. And, Swami Vivekananda was known to be an adept Yogi.

So, from whom did Swami Vivekananda learn Yoga? Who were his Yoga Gurus (if any)?


texts:
How does he get so much power that he can even break Bhima(or a statue) into pieces in Mahabharat after Pandavs wins againt Kouravas.

Who gave him that power?(I am not sure but I heard that he got 1000 Elephant power)
How much Power he had?


texts:
I had visited 'Kurinji Andavar' Temple situated at 'Kodaikkanal' earlier & am curious about it.
On searching, found that as per the Tamil literature, Kurinji means 'hill region' and Andavar means 'God', hence Lord Muruga is referred as 'God of hill'.
(Murugan means Kartikeya).
Now the question --
What is the reason behind choosing Kartikeya as God of hill?


texts: Were there two Vijaya bows belonging to Indra at time of Mahabharata?

texts:
As seen in the answer here , Karna had Vijaya bow. Karna had obtained it from Parashurama, who in turn had obtained it from Indra.

But it seems that Rukmi (brother of Rukmini) too had Vijaya bow that belonged to Indra. Udyog Parva mentions that he was a friend of Indra and had obtained it from his preceptor Drona. Don't think it was the Kuru guru Drona as the former is mentioned somewhat differently

  And Rukmi was a disciple of that lion among the Kimpurushas who was known by the name of Drona, having his abode on the mountains of Gandhamadana

It is stated

  And that mighty-armed warrior had obtained also the bow named Vijaya of celestial workmanship, belonging to the great Indra, and which was equal to Gandiva in energy and to also Sarnga (held by Krishna).

And he had this bow with him when he came to offer his services to Pandavas

  And Rukmi having obtained the bow called Vijaya whose twang resembled the roar of the clouds came to the Pandavas

Now Karna and Rukmi had fought when Karna had gone on his digvijay yatra in which Karna seems to have gotten the better of Rukmi

  Then going to the south, Karna vanquished the mighty charioteers (of that quarter) and in Dakshinatya, the Suta's son entered into conflict with Rukmi. After having fought dreadfully, Rukmi spake to the Suta's son saying, 'O foremost of monarchs, I have been pleased with thy might and prowess. I shall not do thee wrong: I have only fulfilled the vow of a Kshatriya. Gladly will I give thee as many gold coins as thou desirest.'

But there is no mention of either of the Vijaya bows in this encounter. Besides Rukmi approaching Pandavas was after the encounter with Karna

So question is if there are other references to two Vijaya bows belonging to Indra? If there is only one bow then who was holding it and at what point in time during Mahabharata.


texts: The Actual Process & Reason Of Performing Kanya Puja during Navratra?

texts:
The traditional Kanjak Puja or Kanya Puja is also an important feature of Navratras. At the time of Pooja, the girl is considered to be an ‘avatar’ of Durga on earth and worshipped. Kanya Pujan or Kanjak Pujan is performed with a belief that young girls are the replica of Goddess Durga. The devotees invite girls at homes and offer ‘bhog’. The faith is that Goddess Durga, who is worshipped in nine avatars during Navratri, gets pleased by `KanyaPujan’. This ritual is celebrated on the eighth and ninth day of Navratri. The nine names of the Goddesses the nine girls can be represented as:-
1. Kumarika
2. Trimurti
3. Kalyani
4. Rohini
5. Kali
6. Chandika
7. Shanbhavi
8. Durga
9. Subhadra
However, I am not aware of the actual process, rituals & reason of performing Kanya Puja during 'Navratra'.


texts: Significance of weapons in Vishnu's Chaturvyuha avatars

texts: I read somewhere that the combination of weapons in the four hands of Vishnu's chaturvyuha avatars results in 4 factorial or 24 combinations of Vishnu's tattvas but what do each of these signify?


texts:
Suppose someone is born with a Saturn-Sun conjunction or Saturn-Mars conjunction in their natal birth chart.  Will this ever go away in the person's lifetime?

It is said that people with debilitated Sun might have less luck in first half of life, but life will improve in second half.  Any similar concept for graha drishti?


texts: Why is killing a brahmin considered sin while killing other caste people is not?

texts:
This question itself is motivated from this other question: What are different types of sins?

Where the accepted answer cites some points from scriptures:

  Maha-pataka:  Killing a Brahman, drinking liquor, theft, violation of the preceptor's bed.
  Jatibrhamsa-pataka: Beating a brahmana, smelling liquor or garlic, living through begging, etc.

That made me wonder why god or whoever created us would say something like that? I mean killing or beating any living being is a sin, then why is it written explicitly for Brahmins?

Sometimes I feel like all the scriptures written by Brahmins are biased toward Brahmins?


texts: Were there multiple Adi-Shankaras as claimed by some people?

texts:
I came across this surprising tweet just today. It claims that there were multiple Adi-Shankaras. The gentlemen mentions Sringeri records verify this. To my knowledge, this is something new that I have never come across.

So, the question is what are those records and what proof do they offer to the existence of multiple Adi-Shankaras?


texts: What's the difference between reflection and reflecting medium in advaita?

texts:
I know that the reflecting mediums are the upadhis called mind or ego, also called subtle body or antahkarana, which is like a mirror where the cosmic Atman shines. This reflecting medium or subtle body is also called jiva.

But what exactly is the reflection then?

I mean if original consciousness is the cosmic universal atman, and reflecting medium / subtle body is the jiva, then what exactly is the reflection (also called chidabhasa and pratibimba)?

What is this reflection? Is it different from the jiva?
Please help me understand it. Looking forward to Pradip's answer on this matter :)


texts: What is the origin of Ganapathi Atharvasheersh?

texts: Where do we find the Ganapati Atharvasheersh in scriptures? What is the meaning of the word 'Atharvsheersh'. Who is the writer of it (Rishi Ganak or Atharvan)?


texts: Why does Bhagavan Krishna use the phrase "other deities" in Gita (7.20)?

texts:
We all know that Srimad Bhagavad Gita is coming from the mouth of Sri Bhagavan. There is a well known difference between Bhagavan or The God and devatas or the deities. Sri Krishna is the God and not a deity. Why then does He use the words 'the other deities' in sloka 20, chapter 7?

कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः।
तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया।।7.20।।

English Translation By Swami Gambirananda:

7.20 People, deprived of their wisdom by desires for various objects and guided by their own nature, resort to other deities [OTHER DEVATAS] following the relevant methods.

Other deities can only be uttered by someone who Himself is a deity. So why does He use the words 'other deities' instead of just 'deities'?


texts: Which are the 10 Mahapuranas dedicated to Shiva according to Skanda Mahapurana?

texts:
The largest Mahapurana, Skanda Purana of Shaiva sect in Kedara Khanda 1 says:

अष्टादशपुराणेषु दशभिर्गीयते शिवः। चतुर्भिर्भगवान् ब्रह्मा द्वाभ्यां देवी तथा हरिः॥ or ‘अठारह पुराणों में दस में शिव-स्तुति है, चार में ब्रह्मा की और दो में देवी तथा हरि की है।’

Which means out of the 18 Mahapuranas there are 10 of Shiva, 4 of Brahma, 2 of Devi and Vishnu each.

Vaishnavas and their Puranas classify 18 Mahapuranas with several dedicated to Vishnu and sometimes they do not consider Shiva Purana at all. So what are the lists of Shaivas? I heard of these:

Linga
Skanda
Shiva Rahasya
Shiva Dharma
Shiva
Maheshwara
Bhairava
Shivadharma
Shivadharmottara
Vamana
Kurma
Vayu

I also know that Dattatreya Purana is very important for some Shaivas. Can you please give some lists in Shaiva or Shakta Puranas, and by these sects?


texts: Looking for some scriptural verses which say that Lord Ganesha is tarpanapriya (fond of tarpana)

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Most of us know that Lord Shiva is Abhisekhapriya or one who loves to be bathed. Similarly, Lord Vishnu is Alankarapriya or one who is fond of wearing ornaments.

Similarly, i know that Lord Ganesha is called Tarpanapriya. Or one who loves the act of Tarpana (the act of offering water through the Deva Tirthas on our hands).

It is believed that all the pains and sufferings of the universe reside in the belly of Sri Ganesha (this is something that i have been told by one of my Gurujis) and that's why its being depicted as so large. And, by doing Tarpana we remove those pains from His belly and thereby give him appeasement.

I am looking for some Puranic verses which explicitly state Lord Ganesha as Tarpanapriya.

NOTE- Even only one verse will do.


texts: Should vrat be continued if it is interrupted by ashouch/sutak?

texts: Let's say someone was doing vrat for the whole duration of Navratri. Then there is a a death in the family during this period. Should the person continue the fast or not? Is there a proper method mentioned to come out of fast in such conditions?


texts: Where in scriptures it is written that those who die in Varanasi will never return to this material world?

texts: There is a common notion that those who die in Varanasi will get Mukthi. As a result, hundreds of Hindus are settling in Varanasi during their old ages. Where it is written in scriptures that those who die in Varnasi will get Mukthi?


texts: What are love and marriage according to Hinduism?

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What is love according to Hinduism? What is marriage according to Hinduism?

What do scriptures say about them?


texts: Is there any online link available to read all 4 vedas?

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I am very keen to find online books which contain all full 4 vedas.

I have search online but not able to find any good reference.

It will be great help if anyone refer me such link.


texts: What are 36 kinds of weapons & tactics of the war?

texts:
In Shiv Rahasya on 11th chapters Lord Shiva giving commandments to Kaliyuga people. Here is characteristics of a King.

  The King shall favour peace above war. He shall not start a war without just cause. But if
  assailed by the enemy, he shall be fearless in defending himself and his realm. He shall be skilled
  in the use of the thirty-six kinds of weapons and in tactics of war. He shall
  enter the battlefield like an elephant entering a lotus pond. He shall be brave in battle,
  magnanimous in victory and unbowed in defeat. 11.58

I want to know what are those 36 kinds of weapons & tactics of war?


texts: In ancient Gurukula System after the education, the students are required to give Guru Dakshina to their respective Guru. Why is this practice when we have stayed with the master and served him all through the childhood? And why does the Guru demands for a particular thing as Dakshina ?


texts: What arguments are made by scholars and non-Śāktas to prove the Devī Bhāgavata isn't a major Purāṇa?

texts: As the title says, what are the arguments usually made by scholars and non-Śāktas (Vaiṣṇavas & others) when they say the Devī Bhāgavata Purāṇa doesn't belong in the list of 18 Mahā-purāṇas?


texts: Saraswati mantra for recitation and need for guru

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What is the meaning of the mantra?

  (om) वद वद वाग्वादिनी स्वाहा ।

Is the Saraswati mantra needs a guru's initiation to recite (without om)?


texts: Does Law of Karma apply on animals/birds?

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I wanted to know whether Law of Karma applies on animals/birds and other non-human creatures?
Since all the animals(if not all), are dependent on other animals/creatures for food/living; how the law of Karma justified when these animals kill other animals?
Is there anything specified in our Vedas in this regards? Please share the link, if possible.


texts: I got down the first part, it's Om namo Bhagavate. But the handwriting is confusing.


texts: Why does Hindus add "Darbha Grass" to every food during moon eclipse?

texts:
Today is Moon Eclipse, so my mother added "Darbha Grass" to every food. Why so?

Why Hindus add "Darbha Grass" to every food during moon eclipse?


texts: Were Krishna and Vyasa able to see (not imagine) future?

texts: According to some scenes in Star Plus Mahabharata and BR Chopra's Mahabharata (a TV series), it looks like both of them (Krishna and Vyasa) could see future. Did it actually happen in Vyasa Mahbharat?


texts: Was Nathamuni originally an Ekadandi Sanyasi?

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The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita.  One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting Advaita beliefs about Sanyasa.  Advaitins believe that Sanyasis should discard their Yajnopavita or sacred thread, cut off their Shikha or tuft of hair, and walk around with an Ekadanda or single rod.  Sri Vaishnavas, in contrast, believe that Sanyasis should keep their sacred thread and Shikha, and walk around with a Tridanda or bundle of three rods.

Now one of the Advaita arguments Vedanta Desikan refutes is the argument that Advaita practices of Sanyasa should be followed because they have been followed by good people in the past.  Here is how Vedanta Desikan responds to that:

  It cannot be [valid], because (a) mere custom that goes against Vedic and other authoritative statements is inadmissible; (b) we do not find the abandonment of the sacrificial cord in the Puranic eulogies of renouncers such as Panchashikha and Durvasa; (c) we do not hear of its abandonment by [Arjuna] and others who imitated the conduct of renouncers; (d) this practice lacks the quality of a (true) custom that one should conform to, because the lineage of Bhaskaracharya, Yadavaprakasha, and Blessed Nathamuni, who belonged to your group, has been broken, and because of the sum of disagreements that has been introduced into your faction.

I'm interested in the part in bold.  The translator says "Many former Advaita renouncers, such as those mentioned, have repudiated this Advaita custom."  So that means these three figures were originally Advaita-style Ekadandi Sanyasis and then they repudiated this practices later on.

Now Bhaskaracharya is the author of the second-oldest commentary on the Brahma Sutras.  He subscribed to a philosophy called Aupadhika Bhedabheda, and he's known for his critiques of Ekadandi Sanyasa, though I didn't know that he started out as an Ekadandi Sanyasi himself.  Yadavaprakasha was the original guru of Ramanujacharya, and he subscribed to a philosophy called Svabhavika Bhedabheda.  Ramanujacharya left Yadavaprakasha and became a Sri Vaishnava, and then later on Yadava Prakasha converted to Sri Vaishnavism and became Ramanujacharya's shishya!  In the process, Yadava Prakasha switched from being an Ekadandi Sanyasi to a Tridandi Sanyasa, and he even wrote a manual describing the correct practices for Sri Vaishnava Sanyasis.

But I'm interested in the third figure mentioned, Nathamuni.  For those who don't know, Nathamuni was an important Sri Vaishnava Acharya.  He was the one who compiled the Alwars' poems into Naalaayira Divya Prabandham, and he codified the beliefs and principles embodied into the Alwars' poems into what we now call Sri Vaishnavism and Visistadvaita.  My question is, before Nathamuni became a Sri Vaishnava, was he an Ekadandi Sanyasi?  If so who was his original guru who initiated him into Sanyasa, and what sect of Hinduism did that guru belong to?


texts: Sita's shadow was taken by Ravan, since Ram knew that then why did he wage a war against Ravan. Did Lord Vidhnu take Ram avatar primarily to kill Ravan and it was all a plan?


texts: Are there yajnas in the Vedas to prevent seduction by Gandharvas and Apsaras?

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There are many stories in Hindu scriptures of Apsaras seducing men.

Are there any incantations and rituals one can do to prevent these beings from seducing humans?


texts: Do individual persons have corresponding mudras according to body Constitution?

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Kapha body means earth + water.. So is there corresponding mudra for that person ie thumb joined with ring and little finger?
And what will be the effect.. Will dosha get balanced?


texts: Why does soul leave the body only when the body cannot support further life?

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Suppose a person X had a severe accident, body almost completely destroyed. If we think of X only as a body, then he will surely die as the body cannot support further life. But we define death as soul leaving the body. Therefore it is soul that should initiate the process of death.
Yet we see that deaths take place when the body cannot support further life. That is why, we have medical reasons like Heart Attack, Cancer, Accident, Old age etc. for almost every death on the planet. How is this fact (of soul leaving the body only in poor condition) explained in light of our well-established knowledge that it is departure of soul that causes death?

In other words; if a person is destined to die at a certain time, why there has to be a bodily cause (disease, accident, fall etc.) before to produce death as effect ?

Do we have something in any scripture related to this?

[EDIT: Removed the controversial part: "Soul not attached to body"]


texts: Which Mleccha languages were revealed by the Asuras?

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According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, the Mlecchas speak the languages of the Asuras of Patala.

  The gods then cut her off from the Asuras; and having gained possession of her and enveloped her completely in fire, they offered
  her up as a holocaust, it being an offering of the gods. And in
  that they offered her with an anuṣṭubh verse, thereby they made her
  their own; and the Asuras, being deprived of speech, were undone,
  crying, 'He ’lavaḥ! he ’lavaḥ!'
  Such was the unintelligible speech which they then uttered,--and he (who speaks thus) is a Mleccha (barbarian). Hence let no Brahman
  speak barbarous language [Mleccha languages], since such is the speech of the Asuras. Thus
  alone he deprives his spiteful enemies of speech; and whosoever knows
  this, his enemies, being deprived of speech, are undone.

Which Mleccha civilizations and languages speak the languages of the Asuras? Is it Chinese, Arabic, African, etc?

Does any scripture specify which Mleccha languages are revealed by the Asuras?


texts:
What exactly are yakshas? Is it good or bad to worship them? Will they get angry if you stop praying to them?

My point is that should we worship Kubera even if he is a yaksha or is he evil being that would want something in return like jinns,evil minded?


texts: What are some mantras which are dedicated to Lord Indra?

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As we know that Lord Indra is the most important Vedic deity.

I want to ask if there is literature available for Lord Indra's worship. (except Vashitha Ganapati muni books)

Are there mantras (vedic/tantric/puranic) available for worship of Lord Indra?


texts: Why are menstruating women (at least in the Brahmin community) asked to be separate from the family for three days?

texts: I am just curious for what religious reasons there might have been. In certain sects of Hinduism, women are asked to not enter the kitchen, eat and sleep separately from the rest of the family, not enter temples, etc. when they are menstruating. One obvious reason may have been sanitary reasons, but it is still followed in 2014 when it is no longer a reason. Are there any other, religious reasons for this?


texts: Punishment of intercourse between children below 13 or 12?

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I saw some children who were siblings and still they were doing sexual activity even though they were kids and their big friends told them to do so, are they still punishable according to Sanatan Dharma?
I know they surely didn't generated kama but surely any other desire, are they punishable?
If they are what are their punishment?


texts: Are grooming/dress rules prescribed for Brahmins?

texts: For example, are Brahmin males required to maintain a Shikha, be freshly bathed and bare-chested while performing rituals or wear dhotis in a certain way?


texts: Apart from the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, is Goloka Vrindavana mentioned anywhere?

texts: Goloka Vrindavana, the spiritual abode of Lord Krishna is mentioned in many places in the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Are there any other puranas apart from these where Goloka Vrindavana is mentioned?


texts: Which Gita verses did Rajinikanth refer, while announcing his entry into politics?

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Famous actor Rajinikanth did a grand announcement of his entry into politics on 31st December, 2017. During his speech, he referred Gita in following context:

  "Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kada Chana - Krishna (Karnan) told Arjun in Kurukshetra - Put your efforts, result is mine.  ---  (1)
  Wage war, if you win you will rule the country. if you are killed in war, you will go to heaven. If you do not go to war, they will call you a coward." ---  (2)
  [video source]

What is the translation of the Sanskrit verse "Karmanye..."?
Which are the other verses in Gita related to "cowardice & waging war"?


texts: Is it a sin if one leaves his wife and children and take sannyasam?

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From the sage Pattinathar and Raghavendra left the home and families (for example in the kaliyuga). I thought this is a sin and make a guilty feelings since families are only our depends and we promised to our wife on our marriage ceremony to take care till our death.

Can you please explain?


texts: Why the name Bṛhadratha mentioned in Rig Veda 1.36.18? Does Bṛhadratha here mean legendary Bṛhadratha dynasty of Magadha?

texts:
अग्निना तुर्वशं यदुं परावत उग्रादेवं हवामहे |
  अग्निर्नयन नववास्त्वं बर्हद्रथं तुर्वीतिं दस्यवे सहः || Rig Veda 1.36.18?

Meaning:

We call on Ugradeva, Yadu, Turvaśa, by means of Agni, from afar;
Agni, bring Navavāstva and Bṛhadratha, Turvīti, to subdue the foe.

Who is Bṛhadratha mentioned in the above verse? Is he the founder of Magadha dynasty?


texts: Which is the correct Trayakshar Mrityunjaya Mantra- Om Haum Joom Sah OR Om Joom Sah