texts: Who is Goddess Gayatri? Is she another form of Saraswati or Saraswati in Parashakti form?

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Summary:
Is Goddess Gayatri another form of Savitri (Saraswati) or Savitri in Parabrahman form?
If yes, can we conclude that the word ‘Savita’ in the Gayatri mantra is representative of Savitri and mantra as such is dedicated to her; and hence called Gayatri Mantra?

Question:

As per this below picture, Goddess Gayatri is said to be an epithet of Goddess Saraswati (Savitri). According to it, Rigveda 3.62.10 affirms that Devi Saraswati had taken the form of Goddess Gayatri to worship Suryadev.

Chapter 17 of the Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa of the Padma Purana while enlisting 108 names of Goddess Saraswati (Savitri) says:-

गायत्री वेदवदने पार्वती शिवसन्निधौ।
देवलोके तथेंद्राणी ब्रह्मास्ये तु सरस्वती॥२०९॥
Gāyatrī at the (time of the) recitation of the Vedas; Pārvatī near Śiva; Indrāṇī in the heaven; Sarasvatī in the mouth of a brāhmaṇa.

(However in the same section there’s another story of a cowherdess named Gayatri, to whom Brahma is married. She seems to be different from the Gayatri form of Saraswati)

As per this dhyanam video (don’t know the source of this mantra), between 40 seconds to 1 minute, Goddess Gayatri is called Hamsavahini (swan vahana), Brahmani, Brahma Loka Nivasini; all of which are characteristics associated with Goddess Saraswati (Savitri).

As per the Wikipedia on Goddess Gayatri, in the Puranic Gayatri section, it is said that various Puranas call Gayatri the same as Saraswati and Savitri, and as Lord Brahma’s wife.

Goddess Gayatri is commonly represented as the wife of Vishwakarma (creator of the world not the architect god) which seems to be Lord Brahma in Parabrahman form. (As per the below picture)

Based on the above statements, can it be concluded that :-
(i)Saraswati (Savitri) and Gayatri are one and the same or merely different forms of the same goddess?
(ii) Gayatri is the Parashakti form of Saraswati and Vishwakarma is the Parabrahman form of Brahmaji, just like when talking of Devi Durga as Parabrahman she is represented as Adi Shakti?
If we conclude that Savitri (Saraswati) is the same as Gayatri, -
(i) Since the Gayatri mantra is called as Gayatri Mantra, but contains the word Savita (तत् सवितु र्वरेण्यम्), can it be said that the word Savita is representative of Savitri (Gayatri) and hence synonymously called Gayatri Mantra or does it denote the sun only?
Further merely based on any dhyana shloka being different, can they be considered separate goddesses?
Kindly note this is not a duplicate of- Was Goddess Gayatri really a cowherdess?


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Is there any mention in vedas,upanishadas,gita or puranas
About expanding universe not about bigbang after that


texts: Why are Yama or Agni or Matarishvan not worshipped even though they are Forms of the Supreme God?

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The Rigveda 10.164.46 states:

ekam sad viprA bahudhA vadanti agnim yamam mAtrishvAnam Ahuh ||
The sages describe the one existence (ekam sat) in many ways. It is called as Agini, Yama, MatrishvAn.

But these forms are no longer worshipped by most hindus regularly in spite of being mentioned as the Forms of the Supreme God by the Highest Authority!
Indra is also such a form Who was glorified by the Vedas.
What is the reason behind this?


texts: Myth/Customs related to shaving & hairwash

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I have heard a lot of myth related to shaving beard and moustache.

  Those whose father is alive should NOT shave.
  We should not Shave on Thursday(because wealth might go away) and Saturday.
  There are people who think that cutting hair on Saturdays help cut down Saade Sati of Shani Dev.
  It is also believed that one should not wash their hair or clothes on a Thursday.
  There is also a myth for not cutting hair or shaving on Tuesday

There are many stories about shaving and hair wash in Hinduism which are practiced by many religious people.

Being a Senior technocrat, We are expected to be clean shaved. Shall I go without taking care of  specific DAYS or is there any combination of allowed days which let us manage with these customs as well as our daily life style.

Please share some other myths related to this.


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In many scriptures and stories, sages and saits curse others when they get upset or someone does them wrong. In some cases this can be considered as an act of self-defense (even saits need to protect their material integrity), but in many it seems to be just abusing their mighty powers. One such example could be rishi Durvasa, who appears to get angry at the slightest pretext and shows very little mercy.

This seems very confusing to me, because I always felt the virtues of a sait are compassion, forgiveness and their goal is to relieve the human kind from suffering, not the opposite.

My hyphotesis is that by bringing a curse on a sinner, it acts as a penance and thus the person can get rid of his/her bad karma in this life. But this explains only some of the cases, in many others the action that provoked such a curse is just s tiny mistake, like in the case of king Nriga.


texts: Is cutting vegetables sin according to Sanatana dharma?

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Is cutting vegetables treated as sin according to Sanatana dharma?
If so, how can one purify oneself of the sin?
Is there some sort of prayer or respect one needs to offer the vegetables before we cut them?
Similarly, is there some sort of prayer or respect one needs to offer food before we consume food in general?


texts: How can Kubera give loan to Supreme God Vishnu/Venkateshwara?

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Since Lord Vishnu is considered supreme God of universe (at-least from Vaishnava's perspective), so each and every part of universe comes under him.

If this is the case how can Kubera lend huge amount of loan to supreme God and how can he put a condition that Lord Venkateshwara cannot return to Vaikunta until he clears his debt?

There is a well known story that Kubera gave loan to Srinivasa during his marriage with Padmavati.

Is there any reason/logic for Kubera to do like this? Can someone help me in understanding this concept? I didn't get much information outside of this site.


texts: What are the outcomes of Kaivalya and Sayujya mokshas according to Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

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As discussed here, the Upanishads describe the state of Kaivalya as the detachment/seperation of the Self from Prakriti.

According to Advaitins, Kaivalya is said to be the ultimate state/moksha where a Jiva attains non-duality with Brahman. The Samkhyans and the Jains, who don't believe in Brahman, as well as followers of the Yoga School of Patanjali, who do believe in Brahman, consider Kaivalya to be the ultimate state for liberation as well.

On the other hand, there are two opinions regarding Kaivalya in the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya. The Thenkalai Sri Vaishnavas or followers of Pillai Lokacharya, regard Kaivalya as eternal and Jivas who reach this state to attain the outermost realms of Vaikuntha. The Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas or the followers of Vedanta Desikan, on the other hand, believe Kaivalya is not eternal and Jivas who reach this state are not free from the cycle of rebirth.

However, I want to know what Gaudiya Vaishnavas say about this. I know Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe in an impersonal Brahman which unlike Advaita, is simply effulgence of Krishna's body. So do Yogis who attain Kaivalya merge into the impersonal Brahman too according to Gaudiya Vaishnavism? Or do they simply attain Goloka or Vaikuntha or some other inferior Loka? What have Gaudiya Vaishnava acharyas said regarding this? Basically, what is "Kaivalya" to them?

EDIT: It seems from this site and this site that Srila Prabhupada and Satyanarayan Das Babaji that Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe Advaitins attain Sayujya, the state by which one merges into Hari attaining bliss. So does that mean Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe Sayujya and Kaivalya are different terms used for the same type of liberation. Or is Kaivalya something different which Advaitins don't attain? Also, according to Satyanarayan Das Babaji, it does seem Sayujya, the state which Advaitins attain, according to Gaudiya Vaishnavas, is eternal.


texts: What is the difference between living beings and dead matter according to scriptures?

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I am trying to understand from a spiritual point of view what distinguishes the dead from the living.
I read in Bhagavad Geeta 7.5 that there is an inferior and superior nature of the self. The superior living on the inferior.
But what exactly is the difference?
I am confused because this implies that only living beings such as humans, animals, cells, etc. have a soul and dead matter doesn't. But then in the Upanishads it is stated that the Self (Soul) is everything.


texts: How applicable is the phrase "I am God" to Hinduism?

texts: "I am God" if a human said it, truly believing it, that is. I know there are concepts like those of Brahman and Paramatma which indicate a unity of divinity, as well as the Sanskrit phrase "Tat twam asi" and the Bhagavad Gita's message (which seems to center a lot on the individual)...but do these add up such that the phrase "I am God" has some validity?


texts: Was the happiness of Kauravas in heaven an illusion?

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According to the Mahabharata, after entering the Svarga (heaven) with a human body on Indra's invitation, Yudhishthira witnessed that Duryodhana "was seated on a beautiful throne and he shone with the splendour of the sun and around him stood in attendance the goddess of heroism and other entities of righteousness". Yudhishthira found this insufferable and reminded the dwellers of Svarga about his sinful deeds.
Following that, Narada smiled at Yudhishthira and explained that Duryodhana had suffered for his sins, and that ultimately, Duryodhana was a warrior who had defended his dharma and fought bravely and valiantly, having been a great ruler, a true friend, and a terrible foe.

Was the happiness of Kauravas in heaven real or an illusion?
Narada words indicates that the happiness of Kauravas was real, i.e: they have some sins but also they have good deeds.


texts: Effects of Retrograde Saturn posited in the 7th house

texts: How does one get affected if Saturn is in the 7th House of Relationships, Marriage?. Also what happens if Saturn is Retrograde?.


texts: How long did Vamana take for his second step? Any Scriptural references

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So, how long did Vishnu in Vamana avatar take for his first and second step to scale the universe and Earth? For him to grow big and encompass visible universe, the space and heavens...and finally Earth. How long exactly did that take?
Any Scriptural references appreciated.


texts: Which Purva Mimamsa philosophers think Brahman is the soul of the Vedas?

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As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa that summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads. (You can read the Brahma Sutras here.) But the Vedanta school didn't always have the dominant position in Hindu philosophy; before the time of Adi Shankaracharya the dominant school of Hindu philosophy was the Purva Mimamsa school, which I discuss here. In contrast to the Vedanta school which is devoted to analyzing the Jnana Kanda of the Vedas, i.e. the Upanishads, Purva Mimamsa focuses on analyzing the Karma Kanda of the Vedas, i.e. the Samhitas and Brahmanas.

Now as I discuss in this answer, the Purva Mimamsa school was often borderline agnostic/atheist. But some Mimamsakas, particularly the Purva Mimamsa Acharya Kumarila Bhatta and his followers, believed in the existence of a supreme being, although they did not believe that this being was responsible for creating the Universe. (They thought the Universe was uncreated and eternal.)  But I just found an interesting statement in this excerpt from Kumarila Bhatta's Tantra Vartika which sheds light on one role that he did envision Brahman as playing.

The context is a discussion of a statement in the Vedas which says that "the vessel must be washed" in a Jyotishtoma Yagna.  Now the question arises whether the intention of the sentence is that you should only wash one vessel, since it says "the vessel", or whether you should wash all the vessels.  But then an objection is raised: how can we even speak of the intention of a Vedic sentence?  When we're dealing with a humanly composed work, we can speak about the intentions of the author.  But the Vedas are authorless and eternal, so how can we speak about intentions?  Kumarila Bhatta responds that we can speak of the intentions of the soul which is present inside the Vedas:

  Or again, the "Intention" or "Non-intention" spoken of might refer to the Intelligences ensouling the various Vedic collections, Rigveda and the rest[.]... And the Veda also, which is spoken of the "Sabda-Brahma", is ensouled by a single Great Soul; and hence the Rigveda etc., which are spoken of separately, all belong to the soul, and are endowed with conscious intelligence.... In this manner, it is quite possible to attribute, on the strength of the potency of the injunctive, the said "Intention" and "Non-intention" to the soul of "Sabda-Brahma", which pervades all the Vedas; and there is nothing incongruous in speaking of "Intention" and "Non-intention", even in the direct sense of these words, with reference to the Veda, which is beginningless and endless.

I find the statement in bold interesting for two reasons. First, because Kumarila Bhatta is embracing the theory of Sabda Brahman, which is usually associated with the Sphotavada school of Bhatrihari and the Kashmiri Shaivite sect.  And more importantly, because Kumarila Bhatta is declaring Brahman to be the soul of the Vedas/Sabda Brahman; here is the the bold statement in Sanskrit

  shabdabrahmeti yac cedaṃ shastraṃ ved khyam ucyate |
  tad apy adhiṣṭhitaṃ sarvam ekena paramatmana ||

So Kumarila Bhatta is clearly referring to Paramatma, aka Brahman.  This is interesting because the Purva Mimamsa school is adamant that if Brahman even exists, Brahman is not the author of the Vedas, and doesn't even have the knowledge required to compose the Vedas!  So my question is, which other Purva Mimamsa philosophers think that Brahman is the soul of the Vedas?

Do any followers of Kumarila Bhatta discuss this subject in their works?


texts: What is the reason of reverberations in the mind?

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One usually finds it sometimes some song is constantly being played in the mind even against one's wish. My question set is as follows -

Without the engagements of ears, how can one listen/hear those sounds? It is similar to asking how without eyes one can see the dreams?
How one can stop the play of these sounds?
What is the reason of these reverberations, lastly?

How quality scriptures anwer these questions?


texts: Where can I read the Bhagavad Gita with the commentary of Vishwanath Chakravarti Thakura in English in a PDF version?

texts: I would like to read the commentary of Vishwanath Chakravarti Thakura of the Bhagavad Gita in English in a PDF version. Can anyone provide me the site where I can download the relevant PDF file?


texts: Which shloka of which mandala of Rigveda - are part of Rigvedic "samhita"?

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As every veda has four parts.

Which shloka of which mandala of Rigveda - are part of  Rigvedic "samhita" ? Is there any list available?

which list of shloka/mandala are part of rigveda brahmana

which list of shloka/mandala are part of rigveda aranyak

which list of shloka/mandala are part of rigveda's end upanishadik part


texts: On what basis is a soul born as male or female?

texts: From this question Does a soul have any gender? it is known that soul doesn't have any gender. But when a child is born from mother's womb it does have a gender (male, female, or neuter). So, why is a gender-less soul converted to a specific gender? I think it is based on Karma, but does any scripture explain this?


texts: What is the story behind Karna and the Two golden Mountains?

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There is story in other sites and many people say this story of Karna and the two golden mountains
This story is about Karna and Arjuna giving dana of the two golden mountains and the story concept varies with many sites and many people.

QUESTION :

What is the real story behind Karna and the two golden mountains ?

Please give the answer from a trusted site.


texts: This is a question I have about Hinduism. How does Hinduism believe they should treat those inside and outside of their cultural frame?


texts: Time left to rescue Sita from the day of her kidnap

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I have been watching Ramayana these days and the timeline of Ram's exile confuses me. (My knowledge for this question comes from the TV Serial, So please correct me If I am wrong)

As per my understanding, Sita was kidnapped by Rawan in the 13th year of their exile. That means they should be back to Ayodhya by the that year's no-moon of Katik month. (The day of Diwali).

But when Ram kills Vali and Sugreev was about to launch a search mission he said that as Monsoon time is here they should wait for 4 months and will begin the search when the month of Katik starts. That leaves only 15 days of their exile. Or am I wrong here and this indecent was actually a year earlier and they had 1 year left.

So exactly how much time was left from the day Sita was kidnapped?


texts: What are the Siddhis associated with each of the Chakras based on the scriptures?

texts: What are the Siddhis that are obtained by mastering each of the Chakras through kundalini according to our scriptures? Please mention your sources in the answers.


texts: What does Parayan(पारायण) mean? and how to do it?

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I have certain question related to Parayan.

What does Parayan(पारायण) mean?
Is there any ritual to do before & after Parayan?
Importance & Use of Parayan.
Is there any reference for Parayan?


texts: If Hinduism has only 33 gods made of brahman, then who are the many Graam devtas that we have?

texts: I have understood that primarily we have 33 gods and these gods are brahman attribute forms of parabrahman But if we go to any tiny village of the country, there will be some graam devta or the village deity. Some deities are installed and some deities are swayambhu. I have seen quite a few people claiming to have experienced the miracles of these devtas. Some even claim to have been possessed by these devtas. Some even go ahead and claim to have seen the deities in human or spiritual form. How is this possible?


texts: Which Darshana ShAstras were available during the Krita and TretA yugas?

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We know that in Hinduism we have the six philosophies (Darshana) collectively known as the Shadadarshana.

They are- SAmkhya, PAtanjala, NyAya, Vaisheshika, PurvamimAmsA and Uttara MimAmsA (also known as VedAnta).

My questions:

1) Out of these six Darshanas which ones were available in Krita and TretA yugas ( when the people were more strong both physically and intellectually as well as more righteous)?

2) Also, if more than one were available, do we also know which one among them was the more (or the most) "popular" (one)?


texts: What is the difference between Bhakta and Para Bhakta?

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I would like to know the difference between Bhakta and Para bhakta?

Is there any difference in how they worship?
Is there any difference in their character?
Do they do more Poojas than bhaktas?


texts: Are Hennas Tattoos and how do they fit into Hinduism?

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Are Hennas tattoos and how do they fit into the equation?

  Often, they start on the hand and the design goes up and down both arms. It's important to note that henna tattoos aren't really "tattoos." Henna only stains the skin. A henna tattoo will fade in time, about 2-4 weeks, depending on the type of henna that has been used.


texts: Why there was so much hatred towards Karna on the part of Bheeshma and Dronacharya?

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During the time of war also, they did not let Karna do war. They always insulted every given chance against Karna. Is it just because Karna is a Sut Putru? Or they just hate him that Karna was a strong warrior and supporter to Duryodhana. Or they believed caste system a lot? Or why?
Is Karna a lesson for every person in Kaliyug to just give and not expect anything? When a great warrior and donor like Karna was not able to get anything for him what he deserved. Even his body was also not cremated on Earth in deed, human in Kaliyug can nowhere match to his sacifices. So is this a lesson to be learnt from his life?


texts: Is padvallabh avatar of Lord Dattatreya? Are there any other avatars of Lord Dattatreya? I have heard that there are four avatars. Please give story of them.


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Hanuman is an important character in the epic Ramayana. He is called as the son of the wind God as he was born by the grace of the wind-God. His mother was Anjani and father was Kesari.

Hanuman himself describes it in Sundara Kanda chapter 35:

  कौरजो नाम वैदेहि गिरीणाम् उत्तमो गिरिः |
  ततो गच्छति गो कर्णम् पर्वतम् केसरी हरिः || 5-35-80

  "O Seetha! There is a mountain called Malyavan, which is the best among mountains. From there, a monkeys called Kesari went to another mountain called Gokarna."

  तस्य अहम् हरिणः क्षेत्रे जातो वातेन मैथिलि |
  हनूमान् इति विख्यातो लोके स्वेन एव कर्मणा || 5-35-82

  O Seetha! I am born in the womb of the wife of that Kesari the monkey, by the grace of the wind-god. By my activity alone, I am renowned as Hanuma in this world.

The other details are not described in this chapter.

But in the Yuddhakanda chapter 28, when the messengers of Ravana, Shuka and Sambada describe the strength of army of Vanaras, Shuka explains about Hanuman as follows:

  ज्येष्ठः केसरिणः पुत्रो वात आत्मज इति श्रुतः |
  हनूमान् इति विख्यातो लन्घितो येन सागरः || ६-२८-१०

  jyeṣṭhaḥ kesariṇaḥ putro vāta ātmaja iti śrutaḥ |
  hanūmān iti vikhyāto langhito yena sāgaraḥ || 6-28-10

  This monkey, by whom the ocean was traversed, is the eldest son of Kesari. He is known as the son of wind-god and famously called as Hanuman.

This verse implies that he had siblings. Generally, people tend to think that Bhima is the brother of Hanuman. Yes, he is but he was not the son of Kesari as mentioned in the Ramayana.

Did Hanuman have any siblings?
What is their story?


texts: Niṣedha padārthas (items prohibited from eating)

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Can some one explain me about Niṣedha padārthas i.e., items prohibited from eating?

I have heard about few vegetables which were grown by Vishwamitra out of anger, therefore, they're not to be consumed. Does anyone know which scripture mentions these?


texts: Why did Dasharatha perform Ashwamedha to beget children?

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Reference: Balakanda 8th Sarga
Why did Dasharatha propose performance of Ashwamedha to beget children? Ashwamedha is primarily to establish supremacy over other kings. I am unable to understand the logic or dharma behind this.


texts: Are there traditions outside of South India of devotees merging with God and disappearing?

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case 1: Nandanar

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

  Nandanar entered the holy fire chanting the name of Shiva and reappeared in a new purified form. He looked like a Brahmin sage, wearing matted hair (characteristic of a Shaiva) and the sacred thread worn by Brahmins across his chest. His body was smeared with sacred ash. The gods showered flowers on the Nayanar from heaven and the Brahmins cheered. With the Brahmins, Nandanar went in the garbhagriha and saw Nataraja. The Nayanar disappeared in the image of Nataraja and became one with Shiva.

case 2: Andal

  It is also believed that Ranganatha of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple married Andal, who later merged with him."


texts: What is the story of Narad's birth to a maid?

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Shrimad Bhagvatam mentions the following about Devarishi Narad's birth:

1.1.7     Naradji’s Advice to Ved-Vyas
Naradji told him that though he had created great epics, yet all of them lack a devotional description of God. That was why his soul was still writhing. Naradji also suggested him to describe the glory of Hari, or neither his voice, nor his creation would ever get pure. Devarshi Narad then narrated the tale of God and the glory of His devotees to Vyasji and said, "O great soul, look at the effect of devotion and company of the pious people that I have become Devarshi from an ordinary son of a maid".

This question has a comment that states the same but nothing in detail. I know he was the son of Brahma so most likely this story is from a previous birth. I want to know According to scriptures, what is the story of Devarishi Narad being born from a maid?


texts: Why does Prakirti / MahaKundalini Shakti descend from her blissful state into worldly phenomena?

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The descent of prakriti essence via her beautiful creative power known as Maha Kundalini Sakti is there for all those who have eyes to see. The world of phenomena has been created and her work is done and she is now still within the blissful remnants of herself in the vessel at the base of the spine.
Who or what was the cause of her descent ?


texts: Why do Advaitins strive to realize Brahman if only Brahman exists?

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If, as Advaitins say, only Brahman ultimately exists then why do saints like Shankaracharyas and others strive to realise Brahman and for that live an austere life? After all, in Advaita Brahman itself cannot be realised as no one is there to realise it.

As from paramarthik point there is no bondage, liberation, jiva, world and from vyavharic point any idea, experience, realisation, nirvikalpa samadhi is a time bound process, and will turn Brahman into objective thought that involves the use of concepts such as mind, space and time.

What they do to solve this unbridgeable, cognitively closed gap?


texts: Are the Punishments in Manu Smriti and other Shastras literal?

texts: Few verses of Manu Smriti like Manu 8.279-282 seem so offensive and against basic Compassion. Are they literal Punishments or just warnings not to commit bad acts???Even Shankaracharya quotes a verse to pour lac in ear of Sudra hearing Veda...Can you please present proof that these statements aren't literal?


texts: Arjuna is gifted Chakshushi by a Gandharva

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Subsequent to their miraculous escape from the house of lac in Varnavat, the Pandavas along with their  mother Kunti ,roamed around/lived in the forests for a long period of time.
One day, Arjuna had a very fierce encounter with a Gandharva in the forest,whom he defeated using Celestial weapons.The Gandharva gave each of the Pandava brothers a hundred steeds, born in the country of the Gandharvas.The Gandharva also gifted Arjuna the unique science of Chakshushi.
What is Chakshushi?
What are the details of the story?


texts: Sect which holds only a particular hymns of Vedas as canonical, rest as not Then whether that sect is fully valid hindu/sanatani sect?

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Question 1) There is a sect X in India, which is more of sankhya/yogic practices sect.  This sect revers only vedas and patanjali yoga sutras as revered texts, but it does not hold it(esp. vedas) as canonical text. It treats them more as respectable texts. And hence, it holds that there are many parts of vedas which are problematic/unncessary , so it leaves them out.

So now my question is that, as vedas are not canonical texts in this Sect, so can we consider them a fully valid hindu/sanatani sect or not?

Question 2) There is a sect Y in India; which holds "only one particular upanishada as canonical", and it does not consider rest of vedas or gita etc even in its discussion. So can it be considered a fully valid  hindu/sanatani sect or not?


texts: Visvaksena : a jivaatma or a Visnu tattva?

texts: There's a nityasuri of Lord Visnu called Visvaksena who is described as being the Commander-in-Chief of Lord Visnu's army. There's also an incarnation by the same name. Are these two the same Person? Is Visvaksena a jivaatma or a Visnu tattva? Please provide scriptural references if possible.


texts: What is validity of different translation of word" Mamsah"?

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I have come across the many translations where "Mamsah" is translated as fruit or as root vegetable. As I am attaching here.

The original translation As per my belief should be

  तां तदा दर्शयित्वा तु मैथिली गिरिनिम्नगाम् ।
  निषसाद गिरिप्रस्थे सीतां मांसेन छन्दयन् ।।

  इदं मध्यमिदं स्वादु निष्टप्तमिद मग्निना ।
  एवमास्ते स धर्मात्मा सीतया सह राघवः ।।
      (वाल्मीकि रामायण, अयोध्या काण्ड, 96, 1 व 2)

  Having shown to Sita the mountain-river Mandakini and gratifying her with meat, Rama sat on the mountain slope. Righteous Rama was seated in Sita's company and remarked saying "This meat is sacred. This is savoury roasted in fire". (Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodha Kanda 96:1-2)

My question is

What is validity of Different translation of Mamasah word done which is different then the etymology of "Mamsah" Word which is already discussed here.

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


texts: Sankalpam: Replacing terms like 'Jambo dweepe', 'Bharata varshe', etc

texts: Should Sankalpam change depending on where it is taken? Which words of the Sankalpam should change if it performed in the US/UK? I refer to terms like Jambo dweepe, Bharatha varshe, etc.


texts: Is consuming non vegetarian food allowed in case of survival?

texts: Is non vegetarian food allowed to be consumed in case of survival? Is there any reference in the ancient scriptures?


texts: Looking for scriptural source that introduce Brahmanas

texts:
I know about Brahmanas (ब्राह्मण ग्रंथ) as described at BharatDiscovery, what they are, how they originated, part of Vedas, association with Samhita, Shakha etc. I mentioned them in some of my posts like this, this and this. But I'm missing scriptural sources.

Similar problem (with having scriptural source) I had about Vedas, how they came into existence, Vedvyasa's division into four Vedas, and how Shakhas formed etc. But recently when I found that information available from Srimad Bhagvatam (12.6) and when I read, I felt contented/happy as having scriptural source!

Hence, I'm looking for scriptural source that mention or describe:

What are Brahmanas?
How are they originated? and their association with Samhitas.
Inclusion of Aranyaka & Upanishads. (If possible)

Recently we have been having some questions viz. What are the Vedas technically?, Do the Vedas themselves talk about the jnAna and karma kAnda?, Are Upanishad's really parts of the Vedas?. Though I've posted one answer claiming why to consider Brahmanas part of Vedas, but I think we need scriptural source that introduce Brahmanas.


texts:
I tried to google this question and in Wikipedia it is not very clear.

The above link suggests that India is called Bharat because of Emperor Bharata (son of Shakuntala and Dhushyant) whereas this link suggests it is named after Bharata Chakravartin (Gomateshwar).

Which story is the correct one?


texts: Mantra, Stotras on Nataraja, Dakshinamurty?

texts:
Is There Any Mantra, Stotra, Sukta..etc..anything related to Nataraja, Dakshinamurty..etc..especially connected to Apasmara..
What is the story, Is Apasmara under Dakshinamurty OR Nataraja...Want to read detailed story..


texts: Are religions (generally) inducing fear in humans in the name of hell to make them believe in God?

texts:
There are different kinds of pleasures and pains both physical and mental pain and there are also various tastes like sweet, sour, hot etc., Some like sweet and some are allergic to sweet (which may even cause death) like wise, Mostly in this world people enjoy physical pleasure and their are fear of physical pain. But there are some kind of people who enjoys physical pain (masochist - a person who enjoys pain) and hates pleasures. If all the punishments are going to be given from Garuda Purana in this world for the masochist he is really going to enjoy every punishments given to him like in heaven. This does make the sense that pain and pleasures are different tastes. So why does hell chose a particular taste("Pain") just because people are feared of it and they will believe in religion?

Forever theory of hell and heaven Hinduism is good in this part (re-incarnations). I do not accept some religions saying Hell is forever. One cannot be punished forever for 1-1xx years of his/her life span. I appreciate this concept here. So no more question here. I am not comparing Religion X with Hinduism.

THE PRIME SIN
Here I include all religions (including Hinduism) but not limiting/comparing/complaining one religion with another.

The prime sin in most of the religions is itself, Not believing their own God. Say there are X religions in the world and I belong to Hinduism and I do believe in God (Yes I believe in all Hindu Gods). So this makes me a non-believer of X-1 religions. So, Do I need to suffer in X-1 hells? this makes no sense. How Hinduism address this? If somebody (not-be so don't blame) says Hinduism is the only religion, take another person with different religion does he need to suffer in our hell just because he trusted the wrong God?


texts: Which philosophy is the most popular in Hinduism?

texts:
I have read in this forum that "Vedanta" if by far the most popular philosophy of Hinduism.

There many who believe that the Yoga is the most popular one and there are also other philosophies based on Shaivism , Shaktism , Agama etc.

I want to know which is the most famous hindu philosophy and what are the references for that claim?


texts: If Brahman is unattached, why does It remain attached to a devotee?

texts:
This answer to the Riddle of Epicurus says:

  These activities do not in any way bind Me, because I remain detached like one unconcerned in their midst.

  Gita 9.9

  There is, however, one exception.

  Whoever, being devoted to me solely, engage themselves always in contemplation and worship of Me - to such ever-steadfast devotees I ensure the procurement of all their wants (Moksha) and the preservation of their assets (worldly interests).

  Gita 9.22

  God helps only His devotees.

Why does or Why should a devotee get a special pass to getting their prayers answered? Doesn't it negate the answerer's earlier statement that "Brahman is unattached"?

Also, is the implication here that non-devotees don't get their wishes fulfilled or their 'worldly interests' preserved?

And what does it mean when a devotee's prayers don't get answered in this context? Or that's not a possibility because the claim being made here is that a devotee's prayer will be answered at any cost?


texts: Are there temples where the deity is simply called "Vishnu"?

texts: All Vaishnavite temples I have been to - the deity is called something other than "Vishnu", like "ranganatha" or "Venkatachalapati".


texts: What is the story of Kameshwar Temple (Karon), Ballia?

texts:
There is a Shiva temple in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh at a place known as Karon, which goes by the name Kameshwar Dham. What is the significance of this place and what is the story behind this temple?

This Hindi Wikipedia article describes the story as described in Valmiki Ramayan.


texts: Which are the books to be read for Spiritual and Physical pleasure?

texts:
can any one suggest the books to be read for Spiritual and Physical pleasure?

I have been in a dilema thought of reading Kamasutra but then a thought comes it is sin.

We all know gathering knowlede is good however it should not be put to wrong use.

Thanks.


texts: Is Taittireya Samhita of Yajurveda is a different book or a chapter of Yajurveda?

texts: Like Sri Valmiki Ramayana consists of chapters like bala kanda,sundar kanda etc,so the Taittireya Samhita is a chapter of Yajurveda or a different book?


texts: understanding these slokas of the shiva gita

texts:
There are only brief explanations for the lines of Shiva Gita, and unlike Swami prabhupada's work on Bhagwad Gita As it is, I haven't been able to find a similar work on Shiva Gita, hence I am having trouble understanding the following slokas:

तासामत्रास्ति का हानिर्यया कुप्यन्ति देवताः ।
पाराशर्योऽथ मामाह यत्पृष्टं शृणु वत्स तत् ॥ ८॥
नित्याग्निहोत्रिणो विप्राः संति ये गृहमेधिनः ।
त एव सर्वफलदाः सुराणां कामधेनवः ॥ ९॥
भक्ष्यं भोज्यं च पेयं च यद्यदिष्टं सुपर्वणाम् ।
अग्नौ हुतेन हविषा सत्सर्वं लभ्यते दिवि ॥ १०॥
नान्यदस्ति सुरेशानामिष्टसिद्धिप्रदं दिवि ।
दोग्ध्री धेनुर्यथा नीता दुःखदा गृहमेधिनाम् ॥ ११॥
तथैव ज्ञानवान्विप्रो देवानां दुःखदो भवेत् ।
त्रिदशास्तेन विघ्नन्ति प्रविष्टा विषयं नृणाम् ॥ १२॥
ततो न जायते भक्तिः शिवे कस्यापि देहिनः ।
तस्मादविदुषां नैव जायते शूलपाणिनः ॥ १३॥
यथाकथंचिज्जातापि मध्ये विच्छिद्यते नृणाम् ।
जातं वापि शिवज्ञानं न विश्वासं भजत्यलम् ॥ १४॥

It is the part where Suta Ji, asks vyas rishi why would gods get angry if you recite shiva gita to anyone(as I understand), the Hindi translation is as given in this pdf. I couldn't really make any sense out of what was written in the corresponding slokas. If anyone would be kind enough to explain me what these slokas mean it would be really helpful.


texts: Did the Ancient Indian Rishis keep Shikha?

texts:
Shikha is a lock of hair on the crown on a shaven head. In the modern times, it is mostly worn by priests.

It is believed that traditionally all Hindu men kept Shikha, but later this was restricted to priests.

However, Maharishi Vashishtha is described to have long hair which is tied to a bun.

I want to know whether Maharishis were exempted from this requirement, or was the Shikha not as widespread in ancient times as believed?


texts: What happens when mantra initiation is done by an ineligible guru?

texts:
Siddhi for many mantras will happen only if the person who is reciting them undergoes initiation of mantra by a guru.

Does the siddhi of a mantra occur if initiation is done by a guru who is not eligible to initiate?

Are there any explicit statements stating about siddhi to a person who is reciting a mantra after initiation from an ineligible guru?


texts: Is there any modern interpretation for Indra's curse to women and other entities?

texts:
Scriptures say that Indra killed Vishwroopa. It causes a Brahmahatya sin to Indra. Some entities then shared the guilt of Indra.
The following passage from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam contains detailed list of curses

Although Indra was so powerful that he could neutralize the sinful
reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa, he repentantly accepted the burden
of these reactions with folded hands. He suffered for one year, and
then to purify himself he distributed the reactions for this sinful
killing among the earth, water, trees and women. In return for King
Indra’s benediction that ditches in the earth would be filled
automatically, the land accepted one fourth of the sinful reactions
for killing a brāhmaṇa. Because of those sinful reactions, we find
many deserts on the surface of the earth. In return for Indra’s
benediction that their branches and twigs would grow back when
trimmed, the trees accepted one fourth of the reactions for killing a
brāhmaṇa. These reactions are visible in the flowing of sap from
trees. In return for Lord Indra’s benediction that they would be able
to enjoy lusty desires continuously, even during pregnancy for as long
as sex is not injurious to the embryo, women accepted one fourth of
the sinful reactions. As a result of those reactions, women manifest
the signs of menstruation every month. And in return for King Indra’s
benediction that water would increase the volume of other substances
with which it was mixed, water accepted one fourth of the sinful
reactions. Therefore there are bubbles and foam in water. When one
collects water, these should be avoided.
[6-10, 9, 6,  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam]

Thus deserts on earth, flowing of sap in trees, menstruation in women and bubbles, foam in water are affected by Indra's sin.
Are there any modern scriptural interpretations for this story?


texts:
As far as I know, Udhakashanti mantra is recited during upanayanam and seemantham, but what are the verses recited as part of this and what is the significance of that mantra?

Thanks in advance for your answers.


texts: Are curses(saapa) effective in Kali Yuga?

texts:
Our Puranas and other Mahagranthas like Ramayana & the Mahabharata contains numerous examples of curses(saap)(& boons ofcourse) and how their effectiveness shape future events.

In Mahabharata itself we find many instances viz;Karna being cursed by his Guru Parasurama,Sri Krishna cursing Aswatthama ,Sri Krishna in turn getting cursed by Gandhari.And, all those curses fructified.

But that was Dwapara.What about Kali Yuga?

Are curses equally effective in this age as well?


texts: Why Ram used a duplicate Sita in Ramayan?

texts:
Before Sita harana, Ram exchanged original Sita from Agni. And no one knows it.
Anyway Ravan could not harm a duplicate one then what would happen if original Sita were not exchanged? why the original Sita was not there?


texts: Was Shiva a minor god during Vedic times?

texts:
I know Lord Shiva is one of the Trinity. A lot of temples dedicated to him especially in South India. The god is worshipped by millions. But I came across a link which is about a different proposition. But below are the words which bewildered me.

  Shiva, a Puranic god, started small as Rudra (meaning savage or wild)
  in the Rig Veda. A minor god, with only two and a half hymns dedicated
  to him

Below is the full link.
https://scroll.in/article/844874/how-shiva-was-transformed-from-a-meat-loving-deity-to-a-vegetarian-god

How much truth is there in this article?
Was Shiva really a minor god during Vedic periods ? If the article is false I would like to know
that when was the Trinity first mentioned in Vedas ?


texts:
I was fasting since from 3 Years, But today one of my friend said that while taking dinner, I should start fast after the sunrise .

Is it true?

So, I want to know at what time one should start a fast ?


texts: Why doesn't the holiness of Ganga spread to all the cities on its bank?

texts: Ganga is a holy river. All the cities which are on the banks of the river Ganga should be sacred but this is not the case. For example Varanasi is a sacred city but Kanpur is not, even though both are on the banks of Ganga. Ideally all the Ganga cities should be sacred but it is not so. Why ?


texts: Which scriptures mention about Sutak dosha (various prohibitions on child birth)?

texts:
Generally there are various prohibitions when a child is born in a family. It goes upto several days like 11 days which is called Sutak period. There are also various community rules regarding no. of days.

So, I want to know which scriptures mention about Sutak dosha? Most probably it's mentioned in Smritis. What are prohibitions on it? Upto how many days does it extend ?

Also, Is Sutak dosha mentioned in Vedic sources like Samhitas, Brahmanas, Upanishads etc... ? Is it at least mentioned in Mahabharata?


texts: What is the Importance of bride kicking grain bowl while entering in-laws house?

texts: Is it also practiced in new house opening ceremony? What does this act signify? Isn't it dosha towards Annapurna?


texts: What is the name of the form of dakhisna kali that is seen in the copulating position

texts:
We often come across this form of dakṣiṇa kālī:-

  ]1

The one below her is kālabhairava, and both kālabhairava and kālī is on top of Shiva. It is said that this is the "highest form" of dakṣiṇa kālī, but what is the name of this form?

Note: Image is hidden for some reason, hover to view.

EDIT 1: This is to point out, that unlike the comment, which says that there is no such kali, and it is just some artistic fascination. I would like to mention this picture from the 17th century bronze kali, as posted by the national museum.

EDIT 2: some comment mentions that, this is a bhairavi sadhana in some tantrik tradition, and there is no such form of kali. I would like to point out that kali is a Tantrik devi and there is no kali otherwise. And by this thread, one can clearly see that this is not a bhairavi sadhana.


texts: Who added the interpolations in hindu mythology? Why were they added? How is it decided that it's a possible interpolation?

texts: Uttar-kand of valmiki ramayana is called an interpolation, similarly few chapters of balkand are interpolations.


texts: Who was the first śūdra to be born or appear on Earth?

texts:
Who was the first śūdra (or the śūdra-couple) to be born?

Likewise, who was the first brāhmaṇa, the first kṣatriya and vaiśya to be born?

Some might argue, the first śūdra could not have been born because that would make his/her parents also śūdra and then they would become the first śūdras. So we end up with an infinite regress. To avoid this problem, assume the first śūdra (or the śūdra-couple) just appeared on Earth and were not borne of a womb, then the question becomes: Who was the first śūdra (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, etc.) to appear on Earth?

Note: This question assumes the caste-system to be birth-based, so I'm not looking for answers/comments that argue that varṇa is guṇa-based or varṇa is independent of birth.


texts: Why is Dhoomaavatii not to be worshipped in Kali yuga?

texts:
Dhoomaavatii is one of the Dasha Mahaa Vidyaas.
Extreme warning has been given not to worship her in Kali Yuga.

  Na Prakashyam Na Prakashyam Na Prakashyam kalau yuge

is what the line before the colophon of the kavach says.
I am purposefully not giving the links to the above for obvious reasons.
Those who already have knowledge about this should share.


texts: Till what extent a Chandala is untouchable?

texts:
The Mit. on Yājnavalkya III.30 quotes a verse of Vyaghrapada that if a caṇḍāla or patita comes nearer to a person than the length of a cow's tail, then the latter must take a bath and another verse of Brhaspati to the effect: ‘a patita, a woman in her monthly period, a woman freshly delivered and a caṇḍāla should be
kept respectively at a distance of one yuga, two, three and four'. As yuga is four cubits, this means that a caṇḍāla cannot approach within 16 cubits(16*50 Centimeters) of a caste Hindu
Can't we reject such laws? Avoiding touch for hygienic purpose is good but isn't this too cruel?Krishna says to bow down before even Chandalas and meditate his presence in them and Gita speaks to feel others pain as ours and see Krishna alone in heart of all beings and be kind and compassionate to them. Why cant we speak to Chandalas avoiding touch at a safe distance and talk with them kindly?


texts: Who is narada muni and who is father and mother of narada muni ?

texts: Who is Narada muni and who is father and mother of Narada muni? How did he become a devotee of Sreeman Narayana.


texts: What happened after one has broken from the cycle of death and rebirth according to Vedas?

texts: There are many different beliefs, what happens to some one who has broken from the cycle of death and rebirth according to hindusim. Which one is correct.


texts: When did lord Hanuman fight with Ravana?

texts:
By reading @krishna's comment on this answer, come to know that lord Hanuman was not that powerful to fight with Ravana.

So when did Hanuman fight with Ravana?

Read the comment below

  Hanuman fell into a swoon when hit by Ravana and when by Hanuman,
  Ravana recovered quickly and got up to fight again. Hanuman salutes
  Ravana for his energy and strength and declines to fight Ravana any
  further.

Another thing I want to ask is Did Vali have the power of 60,000 elephants? If so How did he get such power?

I already know about the boon to take half of the energy of his opponents, but power of 60,000 elephants is a different thing.

Another question would be when did Vali fight with Ravana?

  Vaali, just plucked Ravana and put him in his arm pits and roamed
  around the world.

What is the story behind this?


texts: Does the Jataka account of Krishna have any basis in Hindu scripture?

texts:
The Ghata Jataka, one of the Jataka Tales that form part of Buddhist scripture, recounts the life of Krishna in a way that mostly parallels conventional Hindu accounts, except for one notable incident that would be quite unfamiliar to most Hindus.  It goes as follows: "one clearly beloved son" of Krishna dies, and as a result Krishna "half dead with grief, neglected everything, and lay lamenting, and clutching the frame of his bed."  In response to this, Krishna's younger brother Ghatapandita starts wandering in the streets, raving like a madman about how he wants a rabbit from the moon.  Krishna realizes that wanting someone who is born to never die is just as impossible a request as wanting a rabbit from the moon, so he is convinced to stop mourning the death of his son.

The conceit, of course, is that Ghatapandita is supposed to be Buddha's previous birth and Krishna is supposed to be the previous birth of Buddha's disciple Sariputta.  But my question is, do any of the details of this story have a basis in Hindu scripture, for instance in the Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana)?  Is there any younger brother of Krishna corresponding to Ghatapandita?  (Krishna does bring the earlier babies of his mother Devaki back from the dead, so he would have had six physically "younger" brothers, but none of their names are close to Ghata.)  Is there any story about Krishna losing a "beloved son" and mourning the loss?  All of this seems quite out of character, so I'm somewhat skeptical.


texts:
We all know Chanakya a.k.a Kautilya, the author of Arthashastra.
I would like to know that, who was his Guru and which school of thought did he follow?


texts: Where can i get original versions of the Devi Bhagavata and Markandeya Puranas?

texts:
I am looking for the original version of the Devi Bhagavata Purana and (or) other Puranas which has lots of information about Devi Durga.

I have the short version of it but it does not have anything about mata Durga. That is more like a Bhagvata Gita.

I also want the Markandeya Purana in its original version. Anybody knows from where to get them?


texts: How can we identify a self realized person?

texts: What are the symptoms of a self realized person? How can I know whether I realized self or not?


texts: When and at what instance Dhruva Maharaj fight with Yakshas?

texts: Dhruva Maharaja fought with Yakshas. When and at what instance did this happen?


texts: Can I chant these stotras without initiation?

texts:
Can I chant
1. Mantra matruka stava and 2. Mantra matruka pushpamala stava
without initiation as these contain panchadashi mantra (which is to be practiced only after initiation under the guidance of a guru as far as I know) and are named mantra stavas.

The second one is said to be written by Shri Adi Shankaracharya, I don't know about the first one. If some body has any clue as to who is the author of the first stava please let me know.

And also please let me know if there are any procedures to be followed if one decides to chant these stavas.


texts:
What are the ways to clear past life karmas with parents & other people? How to forgive people & accept them regardless of your suffering?

I'm wanting to know the tangible ways of working with my past life karmas.
For example will this kind of imaginary remedy work?
If I pray God to clear my past life karmas with specific people, will it work ? If so, please tell me the name of the Hindu God temples that I must visit ?
If it’s possible, should I visit temples with those specific ppl or it’s ok if I can imagine them, ask for forgiveness, acceptance when praying?


texts:
Sex  is an activity involving multiple benefits. In India, according to scriptures, the primary purpose of marriage is to have progeny and then the other uses are gaining sexual pleasure, the performance of religious rites,  and through them experiencing bliss or happiness.
Nowadays, there are plenty of perverted interpretations regarding sex.
I heard that Adi Shankaracharya interpreted/compared sex for progeny as a divine Yagna.  In which scripture did Adi Shankaracharya compare sex for progeny as a Yagna and what is his Yagnic parlance of sex?


texts: Are Brahmins really the main people of Hindus?

texts: I know that Brahmins are very important in Hindu religion. Many rishis were Brahmins and some Gods were also Brahmins. Brahmins learnt the Vedas and taught the people. Does this mean Brahmins are the main people of Hindus?


texts: Which are the methodologies for interpreting Vedas?

texts: Recetly I read that Sayanacharya's Bhashya on Vedas is Yajnika or ritualistic interpretation. So, I want to know what are the schools or means of interpretation of Vedas?


texts: Why should not we hang our ancestral (dead) photos near with God's photo?

texts: As a human, I feel that after dead my ancestral soul are bind with God. If so why can't I allow to hang their photos with the God's? Is it abnormal thing to do?


texts: What is the punishment for simply being an atheist and not committing blasphemy?

texts:
I want to know what punishment is given simply for being an atheist.

I don't want to know how atheism is accepted, but rather what the scriptures hold against you, if you practice atheism and do not agree to perform ritual duties.

Assume that the atheist hasn't said anything ill about God or vedas.(no blasphemy)


texts: Why did Lord Krishna tell Bhagwat Gita only to Arjuna and not anyone else?

texts:
I have gone through Hindu Mythological books and found that Bhagwat Gita is told only to Arjuna by Lord Krishna at Kurukshetra.

Is there any specific reason of not telling Bhagwat Gita to anyone else other than Arjuna?

If Bhagwat Gita is complete knowledge of KARMA then why didn't Lord Krishna give that knowledge to all Kauravas and Pandavas?


texts: What types of [non-intimate] friendly touches are allowed with other women?

texts:
As per scriptures, is it allowed for men to touch either married or unmarried women, not from own family, with or without her permission?

The touch I used here refers to handshakes, keeping hands on her shoulder,  pulling or pushing etc.,  which generally friends use to do.


texts: Who are allowed to put Akshathi on couple performing puja?

texts:
In a Tamil thread ceremony function, who all can put akshathai. Can this be put only by senior members who are elder to the one performing the pujai (Dampathis)? Can this be put by a non Hindu person (Christian) ?

Who are allowed to put akshati and bless the couple?


texts: What are some online sources to get unabridged Hindu Scriptures or to learn Hinduism?

texts:
What are some good websites to find unabridged versions of Hindu Scriptures and to learn Hinduism (with proper interpretations)?

Also, see:

Where can I find/get basic information about Hinduism on the web?
Where can I find the Hindu scriptures in Sanskrit with Hindi rendition/translation?
Complete English translations of Puranas
I want to learn Sanskrit. Can anybody guide me how to start?


texts: Is Kaal Bhairava Ashtakam inauthentic work of Adi Shankar?

texts:
Here a user claiming Kalbhairava Ashtakam is an inauthentic work of Adi Shankaracharya.

As for obvious reasons, works of Vaishnavas on Lord Shiva can be considered inauthentic or can be seen with careful eyes I would like to know the proofs other than of Vaishnavas which prove inauthentic nature of Kalbhairava Ashtakam.


texts: Where in the Narada Purana is the prophecy of Ramanujacharya?

texts:
As I discuss in this question, the Sri Vaishnava sect of Hinduism (of which I'm a member) was founded by Nathamuni, based on the beliefs and principles embodied in the poems of the Alwars, a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu.  But at the time of Nathamuni, Sri Vaishnavism was just a small cult in the town of Sri Rangam in Tamil Nadu.  As I discuss in this answer, Sri Vaishnavism only became a major sect of Hinduism after the time of Ramanujacharya, by far the most famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya.

According to Sri Vaishnavism, Ramanujacharya was an incarnation of Adiseshan and a reincarnation of Balarama.  In this answer, I discuss numerous Hindu scriptures that mention Ramanujacharya.  But there is one mention of him that I'm trying to track down.  In his book "The Life and Teachings of Sri Ramanujacharya",  C. R. Sreenivasa Ayyangar gives a quote from the Narada Purana which prophesies the birth of Ramanujacharya.

  His primal manifestation was as Ananta [Adiseshan]; his second as Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama; his third as Balabhadra the elder brother of Krishna; and once again he will come down on Earth in the Kali Yuga.

My question is, where in the Narada Purana is this quote found?  The book says it's from the Yadavachala Mahatmya of the Narada Purana, and I've heard other people saying the quote comes from the Yadavagiri Mahatmya of the Narada Purana.  Either way, the phrase means "Greatness of the Yadava mountain", a hill in Melukote, Tamil Nadu which is the site of the famous Cheluvanarayana Swami Vishnu Temple.

But I can't find a section with that name in the Narada Purana.  You can read the table of contents to the Narada Purana here.  And you can read the Narada Purana via DSpace, the digital repository of the West Bengal Public Library Network; here are links to all five volumes (in English):

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5

So which of these volumes has the Yadavachala Mahatmya?  And does anyone know specifically where the quote I'm lookingg for is?


texts: Sadhya gods from Purusha Sukta vs other references

texts: In the Purusha Suktam of Rig Veda 10.90 ‘Sadhya Santi devah’ Looks like refers to the Sadhya devas. There are other references to Sadhya devas in several Puranas. The list of Sadhya devas seems to be different in each reference like 12 of Prajapati etc. Do we know of any non-puranical references to Sadhya devas besides Purusha Sukta and their names?


texts: I want to know the surname of Lord Krishna. Is there any reference from scriptures which points to Krishna's surname?


texts: Is the Vaikhanasa commentary on the Brahma Sutras available in English?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, one of the early movements that was important in the development of Vaishnavism was the ancient Pancharatra movement, whose sacred texts consisted of detailed procedures to worship the sage Narayana, an ancient incarnation of Vishnu. Since the Pancharatra texts originated from Narayana himself, they are followed by pretty much all mainstream Vaishnava Sampradayas, whether Sri Vaishnavas, Madhvas, Gaudiya Vaishnavas, etc. But as I discuss in this question there's another group of Vishnu-worshippers who worship Vishnu according toan entirely different set of texts, the Vaikhanasas.  They form a tiny minority, but they run a lot of famous Vishnu temples including the world-renowned Tirumala Venkateshwara temple.

In any case, compared to mainstream Vaishnavas, Vaikhanasas put less emphasis on Vedantic philosophy and more emphasis on rituals; Vaikhanasa doctrines are more about the construction and worship of idols and the like.   But like the vast majority of Hindus, they still subscribe to the Vedanta school of philosophy.  And the defining text of the Vedanta school is the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa which summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads.

And so like most sects, the Vaikhanasas have a commentary on the Brahma Sutras.  It was written by Srinivasa Dikshitar, a 13th century Vaikhanasa priest of Tirupati, and it's known as the Lakshmi-Visistadvaita Bhashya.  Its philosophy is similar to the Visistadvaita philosophy of the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya, with one important difference: whereas Ramanujacharya believed that Brahman/Vishnu was "Visista" or qualified by souls and matter, Srinivasa Dikshitar believed that Brahman was qualified by Lakshmi.  In that way it's similar to the Lingayat philosophy of Shakti Visistadvaita, which I discuss here, except Shiva and Shakti are replaced by Vishnu and Lakshmi.

But my question is, has Srinivasa Dikshitar's commentary on the Brahma Sutras available in English?  This excerpt from a journal paper by D. Sridhara Babu says it was published in Sanskrit in Telegu script in 1896:

  Srinivasa Dikshita's commentary on the [Brahma Sutras] together with Sunderaraja Bhattacharya's sub-commentary was first published in Telegu characters in Madras in 1996. This work has been edited by Srinivasa Tatacharya and Vasudeva Bhattacharya.

But is it still in print or available online, and has it ever been translated into English?  The reason I ask is that I want to compare it to Ramanujacharya's Sri Bhashya, his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, and see how these two flavors of Visistadvaita differ on their interpretation.


texts: Ayyanar is a popular Hindu village god of Tamil Nadu. However, while I was reading up on him , I found out there he was actually Ayyappa, who is said to be the son of Shiva. However, he is generally believed to be a avatar of Shiva. How is Ayyannar related to Shiva?


texts: Which deity should be worshipped to have marriage or son early in life?

texts: What should one do to have marriage or son early in life? Which deity should be worshipped for this purpose?


texts:
In one of my questions I asked about Sanyasa and its related things. In Sanyasa ashram, a sanyasi wears saffrons robs and removes or keeps panchkeshi.

I was under the impression that Sanyasa is the final state but later on from one spiritual book, I came to know that there is one more state after sanyasa. But I didn't find what is it.

What is the next stage after Sanyasa?
What is the purpose of having a next stage after Sanyasa?


texts:
This translation says:

king Yudhishthira, entered that palatial sabha having first fed ten thousand Brahmanas with preparations of milk and rice mixed with clarified butter and honey with fruits and roots, and with pork and venison.

But the shloka I found for this is:

घृतपायसेन मधुना भक्ष्यैर मूलफलैस तथा

The next sentences in the translations also talk about meat offering but struggling to find Sanskrit verses for any. Please can someone help me.


texts: Why do Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas believe that Advaita liberation is not eternal?

texts:
Members of the Sri Vaishnava sect of Hinduism, especially the Iyengars (Sri Vaishnavas who are Brahmanas), are divided into two sub-sects, Thenkalais and Vadakalais. These two sub-sects both agree on the Visishtadvaita philosophy of Ramanujacharya that characterizes the Sri Vaishnava belief system, but they have several fine-grained but important doctrinal differences; my answer here lays out the main points of dispute. In this question, I asked about one such difference.  Now I'd like to ask about another difference, described in this webpage:

  Regarding Kaivalya

  Vadakalai View

  (i) Kaivalya is inferior to Paramapada
  (ii) Kaivalya is not eternal
  (iii) Kaivalya is situated Outside Paramapada

  Tenkalai View

  (i) Accepted
  (ii) Kaivalya is eternal
  (iii) Kaivalya is within Paramapada but in its outermost parts.

This is also mentioned in this webpage quoting from a journal paper:

  Kaivalya (Isolation)-Moksa (or Soul-sight or Soul actualization; or the State of Atomic-aloofness).

  [Vadakalais] say that this state is temporary.

  [Thenkalais] say it is perennial. The soul wished for it, strove for it, and got it. What it got is eternal, by its own making. Where, then, is extrication from this state? Being a spiritual state, return to material planes is cut off. Being a soul-state, rising to Divine-planes or God-state is shut off.

For those who don't know, Kaivalya, AKA Ekatva, is a conception of Moksha where an individual completely realizes the nature of his Atma and achieves a state of abstract and impersonal self-actualization.  It is the highest goal for followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Advaita Vedanta.  Vaishnavas, in contrast, think that even higher than Kaivalya is the attainment of Vishnu in his abode of Paramapada.  (According to Advaita, the individual's Atma is the same as Paramatma, but in Visistadvaita they're not the same, which means that an individual who tried to realize his Atma would fall short of attaining Vishnu.)

So the issue under consideration is, do souls who follow Advaita and attain Kaivalya ultimately return to the cycle of birth and death, or do they remain in Kaivalya eternally?  Vadakalais say that Kaivalya is temporary and that souls ultimately return to Samsara where they'll have further opportunity to attain Paramapada.  Thenkalais, on the other hand, say that souls who attain Kaivalya never leave it, and are thus unable to progress to the inner parts of Paramapada where Vishnu is.

So my questions are,

Why do Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas believe that Kaivalya liberation is not eternal?
What arguments have Vadakalai Acharyas like Vedanta Desikan made on this subject?
Are there any scriptures that Vadakalais believe demonstrate the temporary nature of Kaivalya?


texts: What is the story of Pushkaravarta clouds that cause Pralaya?

texts:
I came across this term while reading the Meghdootam by Kalidas. Pushkaravarta is the name of the flood clouds of the world-destroying deluge. This commentary on the book states:

  Indra is the king of Heaven and the clouds. He sends us rain. The rain and the clouds obey his behest. When Brahma created the world, clouds sprang up in the lineage of King Pushkaravarata. It has been mentioned in the Brahmanda Purana that the cloud which brings the most terrible of rains is called
  Pushkaravarta. When everything on the earth is to be destroyed, this cloud brings torrential rains. Below are the screenshots for reference.

Is the story of these clouds being born in the lineage of the said king mentioned in any scriptures? Are there any other stories about them?


texts: What is the mantra for Shiva and Parvati equivalent to "SITA RAM" and "RADHA KRISHNA"?

texts: Even Vishnu has mantras like "OM LAKSHMI NARAYANA NAMAHA" but what is the famous mantra for the couple SHIVA/PARVATI?


texts: Types of Dana (दान) a person should give during his lifetime

texts: What are the types of Dana one should give during his lifetime, to whom and at what circumstances?


texts: What is the source of "Dharmecha Arthecha Kamecha Naathicharami" verse?

texts:
Consider the following interpretation of a slokha, which is used during marriages

  In righteous, wealth and desires, one should follow other and should
  listen one another

The slokha looks like Dharmecha, Arthecha, Kamecha Naathicharami.

From which text the above slokha has been taken?


texts: Why transliteration of ब्रह्म is Brahman instead of Brahma?

texts:
I have been reading some of the Upanishads in Bengali/English translation. Some of these translations also have the original Sanskrit (Bengali/Devanagari script).
I noticed that the English transliteration use the term "Brahman" instead of "Brahma" for ব্রহ্ম or ब्रह्म. Why has the extra "n" been added to "Brahma" and when did that usage start?


texts: Is there any mention about Nala in Vedas?

texts:
In Mahabharata and some puranas, we can find about Nala.

Is there any mention in vedas regarding Nala?


texts:
In Dattatreya Stotram Narada had extolled ( नरदेन  प्रकीर्तितम ) the divine qualities of Dattatreya, son of Atri/ Anasuya long long ago.
Dattatreya Sanskrit Stotram
It is believed that in Kali Yuga Dattatreya took births again in the 15th century.
So how did the Stothram directly authored by Narada survive for so long to be handed down to us in our times? Can we assume the kirthans came down in time by popular word of mouth?


texts: What is the moral stance towards milking of animals/cows?

texts:
The chief function of lactation is to provide nutrition and immune protection to the young after birth. Consuming milk of the mother (e.g., cow), meant for her offspring strikes to be a heinous deed. It suggests as a thoughtless act of making progeny suffer as well as considerable possibility of mother's distress.

Difference from Consuming milk and dairy causes bad karma?
Karma refers to aftereffects + intent of an action. The aforementioned Question and it's answer is focused primarily on former part. While this question addresses later concern solely.


texts: What time period during daytime is known as Vinda?

texts:
In Ramayana, Jatayu at the time of his death stated the following

  "In which spell of time Ravana has gone taking away Seetha, that spell is named as Vinda... if any riches are lost during that spell, the original possessor of those riches will repossess them very quickly... oh, Kakutstha, he that Ravana is unmindful of that fact and stole Seetha only to loose her... [3-68-12, 13a]

The link further mentions that there are 15 spells of time at daytime and they have their own effects on humans.And Vinda also known as Vijaya is the 11th spell. Any action initiated in this spell of the day entails adverse effects, in so far as that aim and action of the initiator.

So which period in day time does the period Vinda correspond to? Does it change during the course of the year ?


texts:
In his book "God Talks with Arjuna", Paramahansa Yogananda says this:

God manifests in creation as the Cosmic Vibration, which expresses itself as Cosmic Sound and Cosmic Light. The Cosmic Sound or Aum is the synthesis of all the sounds of the highly vibrating life forces, electrons, protons, and atoms. By listening to Aum, the yogi becomes a true brahmachari or one who is attuned to Brahman. By deep concentration the devotee can hear Aum at any time and in any place....
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Aum (Om) is spoken of as the symbol of Ishvara or God. This great authority on yoga refers to Aum as a Cosmic Sound continuously flowing in the ether, unutterable by any human voice, and fully known only to the illuminated.

My question: Cosmic sound is referred to as AUM (OM) but what is cosmic light referred to as?


texts: Are there any scriptures which say man is distraction for woman?

texts: I heard that for a spiritual aspirant who is a male, women are considered a great distraction. Are there any scriptures/verses which say opposite i.e for woman, man is considered distraction?


texts:
Consider the concept of rebirth in Hinduism.

Is there any established definition for rebirth in Hinduism?

Hinduism supports the idea of rebirth.

As per my understanding, in general, the following will not transfer during rebirth

Body of the organism
Thoughts of the organism

Then what is the actual entity that transfer during rebirth?


texts:
Are All Veda samhitas pan-geographic? That is, do veda samhitas pertain only to Bharatavarsha or to the entire world of creation.
This doubt arises because of two things I find contradictory. Many saints and scholars are of the opinion that all veda samhitas are the breath of brahman and as such contain universal principles. But, the mantras in several veda samhitas deal with practices and identities peculiar to the indian subcontinent. Why is this? Or are there different veda samhitas corresponding to different geographical regions, which we do not know much.
I think that the later versions of the shruthis, like brahmanas, aranyakas and upanishads were largely man-made, hence not pan-geographic. But, for samhitas, it seems not clear.  Any light on this? Thanks beforehand.


texts: Is applying sindoor compulsory after marriage?

texts: Is applying sindoor after marriage mandatory or just a choice? Do Hindu scripture say anything about applying sindoor after marriage?


texts: Need reference to verses or suktas vedas supporting aryans migration into Indian subcontinent

texts:
To clarify - I am not looking for answers supporting or refuting aryan migration into or out of India. I have seen answers to similar questions. Also not looking for modern genetic or environmental theories in support or against.
I'm merely asking for contemporary evidence in form of Vedic suktas and optionally Summary of justification for the author's saying so. Avestan evidence, though may not be contemporary is also welcome.
Examples:
Nadistuti RV 10.75 is used to speculate here to be showing the aryans finally settled in Ganga region and are listing the rivers their ancestors followed.
Marut Sukta RV 5.53 is speculated to be telling how an aryan tribe entered Indian subcontinent indirectly. The claim being one needs to be familiar with geography to write such a poem.


texts: Chapter-13, Verse-34: Why Lord Krishna says "... Sun alone lightens the whole universe ..."?

texts:
With current progress in science and technology it's a known fact that there are more than 10^22 stars in the visible universe. Many of them are much bigger, brighter than our Sun and exist even before. Our Sun is just medium sized and one of the many stars.

Since Shri Krishna himself is a form of supreme god, he must know that our Sun alone cannot lighten the whole universe. But in Chapter-13, Verse-34 he still says so:

  yathā prakāśayaty ekaḥ kṛtsnaṁ lokam imaṁ raviḥ
  kṣetraṁ kṣetrī tathā kṛtsnaṁ
  prakāśayati bhārata

Translation:

  O son of Bharata, as the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does the living entity, one within the body, illuminate the entire
  body by consciousness.

I see the similar translation everywhere. But god cannot make such mistake irrespective of the era of scientific knowledge.

Does that mean that the word lokam refers to the earth alone?


texts:
The siddhas who have several mystic powers can do a lot of things that an ordinary man cannot do.

Now, I would like to know whether they can travel in time too? Did Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita said about this or did any Vedas or Upanishads or Tantra Shastras?


texts: Is Varahi Devi Trishati available? I want soft copy

texts:
I search for "Sri Varahi Devi Trishati", either stotra or namavali
"Varahi Devi Trishati 300 names" in any language.

I search in telugu, hindi, sanskrit, english, tamil or what ever language.

Could any one help me?


texts: Where is this story of death of a Hindu avatar found?

texts:
As a child I heard this story about a Hindu avatar which has stayed with me as I find it very interesting.

It's regarding death of one of the Vishnu's avatar (or that of an another Hindu god). The avatar was sent to do a particular thing on earth but after doing that he becomes too indulgent in the family life of the avatar. That is he forgets he is a God and continues to live life like an ordinary man with love for his wife and family. On seeing this, the gods then send somebody to kill the avatar so to release him from worldly life and bring him back to heavens.

Can somebody please provide more details about this story as in who this avatar was and other information?


texts: How did the Advaita Acharya Gaudapada meet Vyasa's son Shuka?

texts:
The most prominent thinker of the Advaita Vedanta school is Adi Shankaracharaya, but he wasn't the founder of Advaita; Adi Shankaracharaya's guru Govinda and Govinda's guru Gaudapada were also Advaitins.  As I discuss in this question, Gaudapada is famous for his commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad.  But I'm interested in Gaudapada himself.
As you can see here, according to Advaitin tradition Gaudapada was the student of the sage Shuka, son of the sage Vyasa, and then the Advaita Sampradaya is traced back through Shuka's ancestors: Vyasa, Parashara, Shakti, Vashishta, Brahma, and ultimately Vishnu.  My question is, what is the story of how Gaudapada met the sage Shuka?
I've found one possible story which is from a seventeenth-century work called the Patanjali Charitam.  In this account Gaudapada starts out as a student of Patanjali, the ancient grammarian and author of the Yoga Sutras. But Gaudapada displeases Patanjali, who curses him to turn into a Brahmarakshasa or cannibalistic demon.  The only way for Gaudapada to be free from the curse is for someone to correctly answer a Sanskrit grammar question.  After many years of roaming the forest as a Brahmrakshasa, Gaudapada finally comes across Govinda, a boy who correctly answers the question.  Gaudapada then proceeds to teach the boy all about Sanskrit grammar, and this finally frees Gaudapada from the curse.  After he returns to his human form, Gaudapada goes to Badarikashrama, where he meets the sage Shuka and becomes his disciple. Then years later, Govinda goes to Badarikashrama and finds out that Gaudapada is now an Advaita Acharya, so he decides to become his disciple (taken from this forum post):

After Gaudapada taught the boy, he was released from the curse. He then went northward searching for a guru. Having heard that Sukadeva was identified with the entire universe, he felt a desire to become his sishya and learn from him. After a long search he met Suka at Badari and was initiated by him into Advaita Darshana....
After searching in various places, [Govinda] finally went to Badari and met his old guru who had taught him grammar. He learnt that Gaudapada had become a sannyasi. He too took sannyasa from him. From then on, he was called Govinda Bhagavadpada.

So are there any older works that confirm the story given in the Patanjali Charitam?  Are there any alternate accounts of how Gaudapada and Shuka met?  I'd like to try to find the oldest known story of their meeting.


texts: Which Sri Vaishnava Acharya drew this world map based on the Mahabharata?

texts:
This picture, showing a world map based on the Mahabharata, is often circulated on the Internet:

It’s based on this chapter and subsequent chapters of the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata.  But my question is not about the accuracy of this map or it’s relation to the Mahabharata, but rather who drew it.

Most websites I could find say that the famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya drew it, e.g. this website:

  The first ever world map was sketched thousands of years ago by Indian saint Ramanujacharya, who simply translated the following verse from Mahabharat and gave the world its real face.

But this website says the later Sri Vaishnava Acharya Thiruvenkata Narayana Jeeyar drew:

  The map in question was not drawn by Sri Ramanuja (1017-1137). It was actually drawn by Sriman Thiruvenkata Ramanuja Jeeyar (1806-1877).

So my question is, who really drew it.  Note that I don’t want answers that discuss the nature of the map, or answers speculating about who might have drawn it.  I want definitive proof of who actually drew it.


texts: What liberation technique taught by Shree Ramana Maharshi?

texts: Ramana Maharshi was an enlightened master from the last century, what technique did he prescribe to know the self or become self realized?


texts:
According to Shastra, every man has three debts in his life. These debts are:

1) Deva Rina - debt to Devas, who provide us with rain and food.

2) Rishi Runa - debt to Rishis, who give us knowledge.

3) Pitru Runa - debt to ancestors, who give us birth.

Normally, the last debt, Pitru Rina can only be fulfilled by producing a male child. However, I have heard adopting a male child can also fulfil this debt.

My question is, do any scriptures (probably from any Dharmashastra) explicitly state that adoption fullfills this debt?


texts: Is Ravana ever depicted as fighting with more than two hands?

texts:
from Encyclopedia Britanica:

Goddess Durga fought wielding weapons in many arms.

In the Banasura-Krishna fight, Banasura used all his thousand arms with five hundred bows to rain arrows on Krishna.

It would have been advantageous for Ravana to use more than two arms while fighting.


texts: Will my present identity as Dheeraj survive after Moksha?

texts:
Everyone takes birth and dies and then takes rebirth or attains moksha.
My question is: Will I as Dheeraj survive after attaining moksha? Will I be able to remember myself as Dheeraj in the past? After attaining moksha, will I be able to remember the good and bad deeds I did as Dheeraj ?


texts: Can you get rid of bad karma by self harm?

texts:
If someone is inflicting pain on himself because he wants to get rid of bad karma, will he be able to get rid of bad karma like this?
And is there any way to get rid of bad karma other than suffering its consequences?


texts:
A human is identified in terms of 3 bodies, 3 States  and 5 Koshas or Sheaths.

The Atman or soul is covered by three bodies, which are:

Karana sharira (Causal body),
Sukshma sarira (Subtle body) and
Sthula sharira (Gross body).

  According to Hinduism human individual has three bodies: a Physical or Gross body (Sthula Sharira), a Subtle body (Linga/Sukshma Sharira), and  a Causal body (Karana Sharira).

  The life span of each of the bodies is different. The Gross body depends on gross food therefore has short life span, compared to subtle body that depends upon thoughts and feelings, therefore can survive longer. The Causal body survives the longest since it needs only peace. The soul is different from these three bodies. The soul does not need anything since it is the experiencer, observer and therefore it is eternal.

  The term which we call death is the fall of the gross body. Once the soul is completely detached from its causal body it goes to the abode of God. The soul survives along with the subtle and causal body where samskaras are stored. A man must take birth again and again with the help of a gross body till all the Samskaras are consumed. You can consume Samskara (karma-phala) only in a human life with the help of conscious living and power of will. This is not possible in any other life and that is why a human life is considered as extremely important from a liberation point of view. (There are three things which are indeed rare and are due to the grace of the God. They are 1) human birth, 2) longing for liberation and 3) protecting care of a perfected sage – The Guru.)

The gross body is the outermost covering of the Atman and the Subtle body is the middle covering of the Atman while the causal body is the final/innermost covering of the Atman. At the time of death, both the Causal and Subtle body (that remain together but) separate from the physical body.

My questions are:

Where does a Soul attach to these bodies?
Where and how does the physical body, the subtle body and the causal body attach to each other? Specially, attachment of Sukshma sharira (Subtle body) and Sthula sharira (the Gross body).
Can a spiritually-enlightened person see Karana sharira (Causal body) and Sukshma sharira (Subtle body) of ours with his/her naked eyes or with Divya dhristi?
Can we see our own Karana sharira (Causal body) and Sukshma sharira (Subtle body) through meditation?
Why is the life-span of each of the bodies different in different people?
Why does Sukshma sharira (Subtle body) called as Linga sharira?
Can living beings other than humans also consist of these 3 bodies?


texts: Does the state of Moksha differ for different sects?

texts: In another question, I asked if Ajamila attained Moksha and the reply was "He attained the abode of Vishnu".  Is that only a Vaishnavite definition of Moksha?  What other definitions exist in scripture?


texts: Can the time lapsed from Ramayana to Mahabharata be inferred from scriptures?

texts:
We know Ramayana was before since Mahabharata talks about the killing of Ravana.  If one looks at material life, nothing much seems to have changed.  If anything Ramayana had superior technology such as flying machines.

Can Mahabharata be dated in relation to Ramayana using Hindu, Jain and Buddhist scriptures?


texts:
Krishna had killed Barbarika, the grandson of Bhima, after watching his archery skills. Barbarika could have ended the war within a single day.

Although Barbarika had vowed to take part in the weaker side, which mean than initially he would have fought with Pandavas. Then, with the Kauravas and then with the Pandavs again.

But, Krishna could have asked Barbarika to forego his vow, and fight for the Pandavas.


texts: Where can I find Manu Smriti with Sanskrit & Hindi translation?

texts: I want Manu Smriti with Sanskrit slokas and their Hindi translation. Where can I find it?


texts: Varaha Jayanti : Is there any scriptural reference?

texts:
It seems like on 4th Sept., as per the Hindu Calendar, there is Varaha Jayanti. Usually Jayanti refer to the birth. As per this link it is stated that this day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu.

Of course, Varaha (Sanskrit: वराह, "boar") is the avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu in the form of a boar and as per Hinduism, Varaha symbolizes the resurrection of the earth from a pralaya dissolution of the universe and the establishment of a new kalpa

My Question: Is there a scriptural ref. which explicitly states Varaha birth/Jayanti with month/year information?


texts: What does "Gita Anvay Yog Samanvay" mean?

texts: What's the meaning of the phrase Gita Anvay Yog Samanvay? And can someone elaborate it for ease of understanding?


texts:
Ganesha is a important hindu deity.
Is there any mention of Ganesha in the Vedas?


texts: Discrepancy in Tarakamaya War as described in Padma Purana

texts:
Tarakamaya war was the 5th of the 12 wars fought between Devas and Asura.
The background was as follow :
Maharishi Atri performed very difficult tapasya. So difficult was the tapasya that Atri’s energy was thrown up into the sky which in turn hurled it down onto the earth. This energy then gave birth to Soma. Brahma took Soma up into his chariot and drove the chariot around the earth twenty-one times. From whatever energy was left after Chandra had been created, the herbs were born.
Chandra also performed very difficult tapasya and after the meditation was over, Brahma appointed Chandra lord over seeds, herbs and stars. Chandra also performed a Rajasuya yajna as a celebration of his lordship. This gave him a lot of pomp, wealth and respect.
But all this glory turned Chandra’s head. The guru of all the devas was Brihspati and Brhaspati’s wife was Tara. Chandra kidnapped Tara. Despite Brihaspati’s repeatedly requesting him to return Tara, Chandra refused. A war began between the two sides. Since Shukra, the guru of Asuras, did not like Brihaspati he took Chandra’s side. Indra and other devas fought on side of Brhaspati.
Discrapancy
Now as per this section of Padma Purana, Soma is now fighting on side of Devas. See the verses that describe the army of Devas

22b-23a. Soma (i.e. the Moon), of white horses, having cool rays, delighting the world with lustre full of cool water, shines (i.e. shone) in his chariot.

23b-26a. The demons saw that Soma, who was accompanied by Stars, whose rays were cool, who was the lord of brāhmaṇas, whose form was marked with the shadow of a hare, who removed the nocturnal darkness, who was the lord of the Stars in the sky, who gave nectar, who was the immutable lord, who was the store of pure herbs and of nectar, who was the great lot of the world, who was agreeable, who was full of nectar, who had the snow-weapon, and who remained (in his chariot).

and then later again in verses 123-124 we have Indra commanding Soma

Śakra, who helped the gods to prosper, being delighted, said, “Let it be so,” and ordered Soma, having cold weapons, to fight at the head (of the army):

“O Soma, help Varuṇa for the destruction of the demons and the victory of the gods.

So question is how do one reconcile the above verses with the fact that Soma was fighting against other Devas in Tarakamaya war ?


texts: What is Difference between Hinduism and other religion?

texts:
What is difference between Our gods and other religion gods ?
According to Puranas


texts:
Consider the following statements of Indra from Mahabharata

Assuming then the shape of a Brahmana, Sakra descended on the Earth and addressing the bird, said,--O Suka, O best of birds, the
grand-daughter (Suki) of Daksha has become blessed (by having thee as
her offspring).
[Section 5, Anusasanika Parva, The Mahabharata]

Who is Daksha in this context and what is his family tree?


texts: Nandikesvara Gayatri in Maha Narayana Upanisad

texts:
The Taittiriya Maha Narayana Upanisad is available in two forms (called by different names - long form, short form, Andra paatam etc). One of the versions / recensions contains Gayatri mantras for many deities including Sri Nandikeshvara.

The mantra is as follows -

  Om tatpurushAya vidmahE
  chakratuNDAya DHeemaHI
  tannO nandi prachOdayAt

My question is, does any one know the context / story / philosophical interpretation behind the expression chakratuNDAya ? Does it mean Nandikeshvara held the chakra tight / pressed (in HIS hands or mouth)? Which chakra / discus does the mantra refer to? What does it really mean, and what is the context? Any additional references in this regard would be helpful.

For additional reference & those interested - The Linga Purana gives a different gAyatri mantra as follows. But my question is about the mantra that appears in the Taittiriya MahA NArAyana Upanisad.

  OM harivaktrAya vidmahE
  rudra vaktrAya DHeemaHI
  tannO nandi prachOdayAt


texts: Can a person who undergo samadhi state once loose his power of going to samadhi?

texts:
Consider a person who undergoes samadhi state once.

Is there a possibility that the person looses the power to reach samadhi state after that?


texts: Is "Democracy" naturally in accordance of "Dharma" (righteousness)?

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"Democracy" was not famous until last few centuries. Famous political system till then was "Dynastic". i.e. the dynasty was not only prevalent among the ruler clan (i.e. Kshatriya), but also intellectuals & priests (Brahmana), business class (i.e. Vaishya) and the worker or server class (i.e. Shudra).

In such social systems, generations after generations, people would try to perfect only certain skillset without giving way to their passion towards other fields.

Democracy is different in following ways:

It gives freedom of speech and action to everyone (limited by constitution)
It's contagious -- i.e. From topmost system (ruling) to the bottom most system (family), everyone can express their right/wrong views without fear
Everyone are treated as same; e.g. the vote/opinion of intellectual is not counted higher than the normal worker
Ruler is obliged to people and not the other way around
Ruler is non permanent & volatile; The advantage of his/her genes are not trivially carry forwarded; Their children have to start from 0 to get into power

Above points, if read carefully looks lucrative on face value, but are also detrimental towards basic social system. A good answer may point out nature of Dharma and how the democracy would satisfy/dissatisfy it?

Can democracy naturally uphold Dharma?  (naturally = without "if"s)

Related: Democracy in Hinduism


texts: What is the actual definition of Vedanta?

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There are many versions of Vedanta available and most of them have drastic differences and contradictions.

So is Vedanta is a loosely coined term or does it have a concrete definition?

What is its relation to the philosophy?

If veda-anta is something beyond/other than the Vedas then it cannot be called as vedanta at all.

Further, there are no divisions such ad Veda-aadi, veda-madhya then how come we have something like veda-anta?

If its a part of the Vedas then these philosophies also form the part of the so called KarmakAnda.


texts: Did Krishna's devotee Uttanka ever attain Moksha?

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I am currently visiting India, and I just went to the Adi Keshava Perumal Vishnu Temple in Sri Perumbudur, the birthplace of the famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya.  On the walls of this temple are depicted the Divya Desams, the 108 sacred places of Vishnu which I discuss in my question here.  Now two of the Divya Desams are not even on Earth!  First there's Vishnu's ocean of milk or Thiruparkadal, and then there is Paramapadam, which Sri Vaishnavas believe is the abode of Para Vasudeva or the supreme Vishnu, and is the destination for those who have attained Moksha.  (See my answer here for more information on Para Vasudeva.)

In any case, in the temple's depiction of Paramapadam, I saw the usual attendants of Vishnu, like Garuda and Vishvaksena (whom I discuss here), but I also saw two human figures, Uparichara Vasu and Uttanka.  Uparichara Vasu was an ancient king who was the father of Shantanu's wife Satyavati.  As I discuss in this answer, he was cursed by some sages to fall deep within the Earth, but then he ultimately attained Vishnu's abode of Paramapadam, as described in this chapter of the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata.

  [Uttanka is on the left, Indra as Chandala on the right]

But my question is about the other figure shown, Uttanka.  Uttanka is most famous for his grand quest to obtain the earrings of a queen for his guru's wife.  But after that, he became a sage who lived in the Maru desert. (This desert was created by Rama's Brahmastra, as I discuss in this answer.)  Uttanka was a great devotee of Krishna (while Krishna was on Earth), so Krishna showed him his Vishwarupa form and granted him a boon that he would always be able to quench his thirst in the desert.  Krishna then asked Indra to give Amrita to Uttanka, but Indra decided to test Uttanka by taking the form of a Chandala untouchable urinating into a pot.  The Chandala offered the pot to Uttanka, but Uttanka refused and thus did not receive Amrita!  But as a consolation prize, Krishna granted Uttanka the boon that rainclouds would come whenever he was thirsty, as described in this chapter of the Ashwamedha Parva of the Mahabharata:

  "On those days, O regenerate one, in which thou wilt feel a desire for water, clouds well-charged with water will rise over this desert. Those clouds, O son of Bhrigu's race, will give thee savoury water to drink. Verily, those clouds will become known in the world as Utanka-clouds." Thus addressed by Krishna, Utanka became filled with gladness, and to this day, O Bharata, Utanka-clouds (appear and) shower rain on and deserts.

But my question is, if Uttanka didn't drink Amrita and Krishna only gave him a boon for rainclouds, why is Uttanka depicted in Paramapadam?  When and how did he achieve Moksha?

Are there any scriptures which describe Uttanka attaining Moksha?


texts: Why Lord vishnu praises and lauds Indra deva s majesty according to Rig veda?

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There are some verses In Rig veda which says Lord vishnu extols Indra deva s majesty like-

when visnu,through thine(Indra's)energy,strode wide those three great steps of his,then thy two beautifull bay steeds carried thee on.(Rig veda 8:12:27)
visnu,varuna,mitra sing thy (Indra's)praise: In thee the maruts' company have great delight".(Rigveda8:15:9)
"this majesty of his,Visnu extols and lauds,making the stalk that gives the meath flow forth with might"(Rigveda 10:113:2)


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In 99th Adhyay of Udhyog-Parv of Mahabharat.

When Krishna went to Hastinapur as a peace delegate.

In the assembly of Hastinapur, Devrishi Narad told a story about his visit to Patal-Lok with Matli (charioteer of Lord Indra).

Here, he describes an EGG which is placed in Patal-Lok, which is of unknown origin and is said to detonate at the time of Pralay (Pralay-Kal).

This is a rough translation about what Devrishi-Narad said:

  This egg has been placed beneath the ocean. Since the time of creation, this egg has neither broke nor has moved. No one is aware of its parentage or family or origin. It is being said that, at the time of apocalypse (Pralay-Kal), a huge fire will emerge from its core, that will burn through all the sentient and non-sentient species of all three worlds, destroying all three worlds with it.

Refer to the images below for actual verses and hindi translation

My question is: Are their any more references or description about this EGG, anywhere else.

To me, this seems like some kind of nuclear time-bomb placed in Patal-Lok (or ocean bed), that will detonate and cause the apocalypse.


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We find many scriptures which are said to be authored by first Shankaracharya. But when we go through them we find it that the author cannot be Sankara for some obvious reason mentioned below. Why and how is then he acknowledged as the author ?

In a well known stotra "Devi aparadha kshamapana stotram" we find that author says that he has become very old as he has crossed 85 years so wants to take refuge in the goddess. But we know from various biographies that Sankara lived only for 30-40 years and not 85 !!

परित्यक्ता देवा विविधविधसेवाकुलतया
मया पञ्चाशीतेरधिकमपनीते तु वयसि।
इदानीं चेन्मातस्तव यदि कृपा नापि भविता
निरालम्बो लम्बोदरजननि कं यामि शरणम्॥५॥

  O, Paravati Ma, Mother who has given birth to Ganesh, while I do
  prayers to other gods, I remain busy with different kinds of works,
  all gods have left me because I 'm eighty-five years, and I can not
  give them all the prayers. I am despaired and I can not expect any
  help from them. If you also leave me at this time where shall I go for
  support except to you?

In a famous hymn "Subramanya Bhujangam" the author mentions about blessing his wife and children. But we know that sankara never married or have any children.

kaLathram suthA bandhuvarga pashurvA, naro vAtha nAree gruhe ye madheeyA
       yajantho namanthah stuvantho bhavantham, smaran thascha te santu sarve kumAra | 28

  {Oh Lord Kumara! Let my wife, children, relatives, friends, other men
  and women in our household, venerate Thee! Praise Thee! And always be
  absorbed in Thy thoughts!}.

Apart from this, there are many texts whose author is said to be Sankara but the real authorship is still disputed by the mutts. I think in Yoga taravali the author says he achieved enlightenment by following path of yoga.

Yogataravali

Sarva Vedanta Sidhaanta Saar Sangraha

These are some of the texts which are NOT accepted by Sankara mutts as genuine.
So now we should understand that they have denied the authorship because of some strong reasons and not because they were "not able to understand the intellectual meaning".

Question-Is Shankaracharya wrongly attributed as author to many hymns?


texts: Is Vyāsa being the compiler/divider/arranger of Vedas recorded anywhere in the Vedas themselves?

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There are several Purāṇic references, e.g., SB 12.6.50 that say Vyāsa (Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana) arranged the disorganized 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.

However, do any of the Vedas themselves say this?


texts: How come sage Valmiki did not know about Rama up until Narada narrated to him? When the birth of Rama was celebrated and everybody knew him

texts: I started reading Ramayana and had this doubt so thought would be better to ask it here.


texts: Hiranyakashipu told everyone to worship himself as God, was he correct according to advaita?

texts: Main tenets of Advaita is to realize that you are God, But Hiranyakashipu did the same, Was he correct according to Advaita? He had acquired Astama siddhi  because of which he is able to travel to vaikuntha, but not able to see Vishnu, which no Asura or other godly being done including Prahalad, Arjuna.