texts: Who is the daughter of Surya mentioned in Rig Veda 10.85?

texts:
The Rig Veda Book 10 Verse 85 describes the bridal of Sun-god's daughter who is called Surya as well:

  6 Raibhi was her dear bridal friend, and Narasamsi led her home.
  Lovely was Sūrya's robe: she came to that which Gatha had adorned.

  7 Thought was the pillow of her couch, sight was the unguent for her eyes:
  Her treasury was earth and heaven ẉhen Sūrya went unto her Lord.

  8 Hymns were the cross-bars of the pole, Kurira-metre decked the car:
  The bridesmen were the Aśvin Pair Agni was leader of the train.

  9 Soma was he who wooed the maid: the groomsmen were both Aśvins, when
  The Sun-God Savitar bestowed his willing Sūrya on her Lord.

As far as I am aware the sun-god had two daughters Yami & Tapti but I haven't read of them having any association with Soma. So I want to know who the sun-god's daughter was whose marriage is being talked about here?


texts: Are some richas in Rigveda dedicated to Vishnu from Adityas and not from Trinity?

texts:
Vishnu is in Adityas (sons of Aditi) too.

Bhagavad Gita 10.21

  आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान्।
  मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी।।10.21।।

  Of the sons of Aditi, I am Vishnu; of the luminaries, the radiant Sun; of the Maruts, I am Marici; of the stars, I am the Moon.

Vamana (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is Aditya (son of Aditi) or Upendra (younger brother of Indra). Vishnu is mentioned in Adityas in this question's answer too.

In Rigveda, as more preference is given to 33 koti (type) Devas (12 Adityas, 8 Vasus, 11 Rudras, 2 Ashvins (or Prajapati and Indra in another list) and their family) and not to the Trinity directly (I mean preference is given via a post named Prajapati (to Bhrahma) and Rudra (an incarnation of Lord Shiva)).

So, are there some richas of Rigveda dedicated to Vishnu who is from Adityas and not from Trinity?

English translation of Rigveda 1.22.18 might be talking about Vamana (from Adityas) but not sure. Are there any other richas, as one member of this user has asked this and this question which means there must be some richas which are dedicated to Vishnu from Adityas or Vishnu from Adityas is mentioned in richas which are dedicated to Indra.

And another user of this site replied to my comment on this question that "if it's mentioned as Vishnu in the Vedas then it has to be Vishnu only, if it was Vamana then they could have said Vamana",

What will be the interpretation of Bhagavad Gita 10.21, is this Vishnu from Trinity or Vishnu's incarnation as a son of Aditi?


texts: Is it Dhruva padam or Dhruta padam in Dhyanam before Rudram?

texts:
I've seen two versions of dhyanam before Rudram (Namakam).

āpātāḷa-nabhaḥsthalānta-bhuvana-brahmāṇḍa-māvisphurat-
jyotiḥ sphāṭika-liṅga-mauḷi-vilasat-pūrṇendu-vāntāmṛtaiḥ |

astokāpluta-meka-mīśa-maniśaṃ rudrānu-vākāñjapan
dhyāye-dīpsita-siddhaye dhruvapadaṃ viproஉbhiṣiñce-ccivam ||

and this devanagari version

आपातालनभःस्थलान्तभुवनब्रह्माण्डमाविस्फुर-
ज्ज्योतिः स्फाटिकलिङ्गमौलिविलसत् पूर्णेन्दुवान्तामृतैः ।

अस्तोकाप्लुतमेकमीशमनिशं रुद्रानुवाकाञ्जपन्
ध्यायेदीप्सित सिद्धयेऽद्रुतपदं विप्रोऽभिषिञ्चेच्छिवम् ॥

I also have a book with me in Telegu which had also printed dhruva padam. So which  one is the correct one?
So is it stable path or fast path?


texts:
I have read a lot about it that even if it is not the highest mountain on the planet  there is something which makes this mount unique because when ever a person goes there to climb on it, either there is so much snowfall that one has to back off or else some how their plan cancels.

It is amazing that no one has ever been able to even start climbing mount Kailash.

I want to know is there anything in hinduism which says something about it?


texts: Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu left only 8 verses of his instruction in his writing known as Shiksastakam. What are they?


texts: Where is this Srimad Bhagavatam verse about the different forms of Moksha?

texts:
According to Vaishnavism, there are six kinds of liberation from Samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth). They're each defined in relation to Vishnu, since Vaishnavas consider Vishnu to be the supreme goal:

Ekatva, or oneness with the Atma
Salokya, or living in the same world as Vishnu
Sarshti, or having the same opulences as Vishnu
Samipya, or being a personal associate of Vishnu
Sarupya, or having the same form as Vishnu
Sayujya, or having the same experiences as Vishnu

I discuss Ekatva in my question here.  But the real goal for Vaishnavas is Sayujya, where one has the privilege of eternal service to Vishnu and one has the same blissful experiences that Vishnu himself has.  In this verse of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the sage Kapila says that a devotee of Vishnu should reject the other five forms of liberation:

  A pure devotee does not accept any kind of liberation — sālokya, sārṣṭi, sāmīpya, sārūpya or ekatva — even though they are offered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

But apparently this isn't the only Srimad Bhagavatam verse that makes this point.  In his work the Virodha Parihara, the Sri Vashnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan quotes another verse:

  It is said in Bhagavatha,

  ḻokeśu viśnūh nivasanthi kecith

  samīpam rccanthi ca kecidhanye

  anye thu rupam sadhrsam bhajanthe

  sāyujyam anye sa thu mūkśaukthah

  '[S]ome live in the same realm with
  the Lord which is sAlOkya; others live very close to Him, that is,
  sAmeepya; Yet others acquire a form similar to Him known as sArupyam;
  Some others enjoy the same pleasures with the Lord, that is sAyujya
  which alone is called mOksha.'

My question is, where is this verse in the Srimad Bhagavatam?  At first glance I'm not able to find it. Are there any translations or commentaries on this work of Vedanta Desikan that provide a verse number for this?


texts: Would the ultimate goal of attaining Moksha lead to extinction of humans?

texts:
Illicit sex is wrong. Even sex in marriage is only for procreation. Sex takes one away from the ultimate goal of Moksha. This materialistic world is a place of suffering and pleasure, but more biased towards suffering. From all these what I infer of is

in the ideal world would be to not have sex at all, not even for procreation.
Why bring children into the suffering. Also if humans vanish from earth, it would be a lot less suffering place.
Isn't it ideal  that everyone becomes Krishna follower and give up on material desires including sex completely.
If everyone follows this, the final state will lead to extinction of human species (I am not trying to save the species here, I am neutral to what happens to the human species)

I had asked these questions to a devotee already and his answer was this is not practical as all people will not become sanyasis. But my question is not about what is practically achievable. My question is what is the best case scenario if we follow the teachings of Gita.

I am not convinced by the previous answer as it just means that we humans exist mostly because of the deeds of people who are(or were at the time of the act that lead to a new human) ignorant(I do not disagree with this - this probably is real).

I expect logical and unbiased answers.
Please be aware of "Confirmation bias" while answering.

Do not quote parts which confirms to the side you pick while answering, also recall and cite quotes which go against the side you have picked.


texts: We have the concept of Kala Chakra (wheel of time) in both Buddhism and Hinduism.  Which scriptures talk about Kalachakra?


texts: Which Mahabharata verse does Swami Vivekananda refer to show earliest humans were Brahmins and they denigrated to lower varnas as time progressed?

texts:
In the Kumbakonam lecture of 1897, Swami Vivekananda said the following:

  We read in the Mahâbhârata that the whole world was in the beginning peopled with Brahmins, and that as they began to degenerate, they became divided into different castes, and that when the cycle turns round, they will all go back to that Brahminical origin. This cycle is turning round now, and I draw your attention to this fact. Therefore our solution of the caste question is not degrading those who are already high up, is not running amuck through food and drink, is not jumping out of our own limits in order to have more enjoyment, but it comes by every one of us, fulfilling the dictates of our Vedantic religion, by our attaining spirituality, and by our becoming the ideal Brahmin. There is a law laid on each one of you in this land by your ancestors, whether you are Aryans or non-Aryans, Rishis or Brahmins, or the very lowest outcasts. The command is the same to you all, that you must make progress without stopping, and that from the highest man to the lowest Pariah, every one in this country has to try and become the ideal Brahmin. This Vedantic idea is applicable not only here but over the whole world. Such is our ideal of caste as meant for raising all humanity slowly and gently towards the realisation of that great ideal of the spiritual man who is non-resisting, calm, steady, worshipful, pure, and meditative. In that ideal there is God.

Which Mahabharata verse does Swamiji refer to here?


texts: Biological origins of life - Chandogya Upanishad

texts:
This wiki article says that the Chandogya Upanishad discusses the possible ways of biological origins of life.

What are these ways?

And, which Shloka talks about this?


texts: What is the story behind the celebration of the Magha Navaratri?

texts: I read somewhere that tomorrow is the beginning of the Magha Navaratri in which the Mahavidyas are worshipped. What is the story behind this celebration can anyone share something from the Puranas or other scriptures?


texts:
I have observed that many Hindus today put a strong focus on liturgy (rituals, cracking coconuts, offering flowers, lighting diyas etc) and narratives (Hindu mythological stories,Puranas, Ramayana,Mahabharat etc). Whilst these aspects of Hinduism may be important, can they be said to be essence of Hinduism?

There is a rich spiritual philosophy within the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Gita. However I have seen that many Hindus today have little interest or knowledge on these topics.

I understand that Hinduism is very diverse and pluralistic and every person will choose a path suitable for them. But having said this what is the true goal of Hinduism?

If you say it is moksha, or self realization then why does there appear to be so little focus on this? Why is there so much attention to the more superficial aspects of Hinduism? What are today's Hindus trying to achieve by being Hindu?

Is Hinduism really 'just a way of life' with no real purpose or meaning?


texts: Did Adi Shankara say that women and low castes cannot attain moksha?

texts:
According to a Facebook post, Adi Shankara taught his followers that women and low caste people are exempted from attaining moksha. This is what the bizarre post said:

  Vedanta holds that this teaching can only be practiced by worthy people with good qualities. Shankaracharya holds the view that Vedanta is only meant for Sannyasis. From his viewpoint, women and lower castes are not able to practice under this system.

Did Adi Shankara indeed discriminate on the basis of caste and sex?


texts: Is it true that at Tarapith, bhoga is first offered to Bamakhepa and then to Tara Maa?

texts:
I had heard that at the Tarapith temple (Birbhum, West Bengal), food offerings (bhoga nivedana) is done first to Sri Sri Bamakhepa and after that to Maa Tara, the reason being that no mother can eat before her child eats.

Is it true?


texts: What scriptures describe Shani as having six eyes?

texts:
I just came back from a trip to India, and one of the places I visited was my dad's native village of Kuchanoor. It's the site of the famous Kuchanoor Shanishwaran temple, one of the few temples in the world for Shani, god of the planet Saturn. For those who don't know, Shani is the son of Surya, the Sun god and his second wife Chaya, whom I discuss in this answer. Shani is in charge of dispensing good and bad fortune, and so people often come to Kuchanoor if they've been adversely affected by the gaze of Shani.

But my question is about the Shani idol in the Kuchanoor temple. It's a Swayambhu or divinely created statue, but it's not an anthropomorphic statue, rather it's a vague slab akin to a Shivalinga, on which various ornaments have been attached.  Here is a picture of it:

My question is, why is Shani depicted as having six eyes?

Dasharatha's hymn to Shani in this excerpt from the Padma Purana doesn't mention the number of eyes, it just calls him Vishalanetra or having big eyes.  But are there other scriptures which say that he has six eyes? Dhyana Shlokas, which I discuss here, would be a good place to look for the details of Shani's appearance?

Also, if he does have six eyes, what is the reason for that? Shani is infamous for the ruinous power of his glance, as I discuss here, so does he have so many eyes to in order to gaze at people?


texts: The story and Principle of adding "shree" "श्री" before our sacred religious books?

texts: What is the story and principle behind adding the word "shree" श्री. Before our sacred religious books like "Shreemad Bhagvat श्रीमद भागवत " , Shreemad Bhagvad Gita श्रीमद भगवदगीता" etc. When was this tradiation born.?


texts: Is the Bengali translation of Padma Purana available online

texts: I am searching for authentic Bengali translation of Padma Purana with Sanskrit sources, specifically the portion of Uttar Khand containing Glorification of Srimadvagabad Gita (Chapter 175-192, Part.VIII & IX of N.A.Deshpande's English translation). I have uploaded the relevant portion (English) here. If Bengali translation is unavailable online then can any linguistic scholar help me by translating it.


texts: What is the difference beween śodaśākṣari and Pancādaśi mantras?

texts:
I would like to know the difference between the Pancādaśi and śodaśākṣari(षोडशाक्षरि) mantras, of course apart from the fact that the later contains one more akshara.

Why is the śodaśākṣari kept so secret?

If you don't know about the Panchadasi, here is the explanation.


texts:
Can Rakshasas do Vedic Yajnas?

Are there instances where Rakshasas were doing Vedic Yajnas, like in the Ramayana?


texts: "Once Yogi, Twice Bhogi, Thrice Rogi" -- What should be the number of meals per day?

texts:
There is a famous saying in Hindi, which translates to:

  "In a day -- A person in Yoga (Yogi - SAtvika) eats 1 time, A Consumer (Bhogi - RAjasika) eats 2 times and and a Sick (Rogi - TAmasika) person eats 3 times [or more]".

Probably this is a folklore.
However, according Bhishma, a righteous person should eat twice:

  Two times have been appointed by the deities for human beings to take their food, viz., morning and evening. During the interval one should not eat anything. By following this rule about eating, one is said to observe a fast.  [Anusasana parva]

What do other scriptures say about total meals per day (1, 2 or more)?
Many medical practitioner & gym trainers promote for 6 small meals against 2 full meals for everyone -- common man or bodybuilder. Is it ok?
If twice eating is prescribed then out of breakfast, lunch and dinner, which has to be skipped?


texts: Did Bhima kill the Vikarna(brother of Duryodhana) in the battle of Kurukshetra or not?

texts: I have listened Vikarna was the only Kaurava who questioned the humiliation of Draupadi, the wife of his cousin Pandavas after they lost her in a game of dice to Duryodhana.Is this the reason why Bhima did not hit Vikarna


texts: Can I offer Bel leaves as offering in Hanuman temples?

texts: Since Hanuman is avatar of shiva, can I offer Bel leaves as offering in Hanuman temples?


texts: What scriptures describe Vishwamitra and Vasishtha carrying the Earth?

texts:
This excerpt from the newly released Amar Chitra Katha comic book "Saptarshi" tells a story I hadn't heard before.  In this account, the sage Vishwamitra visits the ashram of the sage Vasishta, who is telling his shishyas about how Japa or repeating the holy names bestows the greatest power on a person.  But Vishwamitra disputes this, saying that Dhyana or meditation bestows the greatest power.  To resolve their disagreement, Vishwamitra and Vasishta go to Vishnu, but he's busy and leaves his serpent Adiseshan to settle it.

Adiseshan says it is difficult for him to think while he is supporting the Earth on his hoods.  So Vishwamitra offers to hold the Earth for him, using the power of meditation to give himself strength.  But he's not able to hold it on his head for even a minute, so Adiseshan gives it to Vasishta.  Vasishta chants Vishnu's name, and is thereby able to hold it on his head.  And so Vishwamitra finally concedes that Japa is more powerful than Dhyana.

My question is, is there any scriptural basis for this story?  Amar Chitra Katha comic books are sometimes based on scripture and sometimes based on folklore, so I'd like to find out which it is in this case.

The only other Rishi I know of who carried the Earth was the sage Kashyapa, who did it twice as discussed in my answers here and here.  On a side note, assuming the story is true, Vishwamitra and Vasishtha presumably used Mahima Siddhi or the power of becoming large to get big enough to hold the Earth.


texts: Are there sources other than this Mahabharata verse where Shri Veda Vyas is told to be reincarnation of Sage Apantaratamas?

texts:
In Brahma Sutra Bhashya of Shri Shankaracharya, while writing Bhashya for 3.3.32
Acharya says

apAntaratamo nAma muniH kali-dvApara-sandhau vyAsatvena sambabhUva
A sage named 'apAntaratamas' incarnated in the confluence of Kali and
dvApara yugas with the name / position of 'vyAsa'.

I found this verse of Mahabharata in support of above statement
Mahabharata, Shanthi Parva, Section 337, Verse 53-57

English Translation. (Note: The chapter number is different because of different editions)
Mahabharata, Shanthi Parva, Section CCCL (350)

Having said these words unto the Rishi Apantaratamas, otherwise called
by the name of Saraswat, the Supreme Lord dismissed him, saying unto
him.--Go. I am he that was born as Apantaratamas through the command
of Hari. Once more have I taken birth as the celebrated
Krishna-Dwaipayana, a delighter of the race of Vasishtha. 2 I have
thus told you, my dear disciples, the circumstances, of my own former
birth which was due to the grace of Narayana in so much that I was a
very portion of Narayana himself. Ye foremost of intelligent persons,
I underwent, in days of yore, the austerest penances, with the aid of
the highest abstraction of the mind. Ye sons, moved by my great
affection for yourselves that are devoted to me with reverence, I have
told you everything relating to what you wished to know from me, viz.,
my first birth in days of remote antiquity and that other birth
subsequent to it (viz., the present one)!"

Does this information regarding Shri Veda Vyas being a reincarnation of Sage Apantaratamas mentioned anywhere else other than the above passage whether in Mahabharata or any other ancient scriptures?


texts: Can it be precisely known exactly how much amount of Vedas has been lost?

texts:
We all know that we have lost a huge volume of our Scriptures including the Vedas.A huge amount of Agama Texts are also lost.

For example ,AFAIK,Rig Veda itself originally contained 8 Shakhas but of them currently  only one is extant(the Sakala Shakha).And,similarly for the other Vedas.

Is there any way to calculate precisely the amount of Vedas that has been lost?For example-30% of the Vedas has been lost -Can we conclude something like that?


texts:
The Wikipedia entry on Kamasutra does say it is a Hindu religious text, but as Wikipedia cites two references both of which are not of Indian origin, and then there is another reference which says :

  The Kamasutra is neither exclusively a sex manual nor, as also
  commonly used art, a sacred or religious work.

While it is clear that Vātsyāyana himself was a Hindu philosopher, I am trying to find if there is any evidence in any other religious text about Kamasutra?

The origins of this question is from a comment on another question here where this was disputed and I felt its an injustice to leave the discussion without full clarity.


texts: What is the story of Ashokasundari, third child of Lord Shiva and Parvati?

texts: Kartikeya and Ganesh are two commonly known sons of Lord Shiva and Parvati, but very few know that they had three kids. When and how did that third child Ashokasundari born? What is the full story related to the third child of Lord Shiva and Parvati?


texts: What is the mythological origin of Vastu?

texts:
Hindus follow principles of Vastu Sastra for construction purposes. Vastu Sastra can be defined as follows:

Vaastu is an ancient Indian science of architecture and buildings
which helps in making a congenial setting or a place to live and work
in a most scientific way taking advantage of the benefits bestowed by
nature, its elements and energy fields for enhanced wealth, health,
prosperity and happiness.

What is the origin of Vastu Sastra? Do Puranas mention any legend behind this Vastu Sastra?


texts: Common interpretation of Shiva purana concerning: Who is the greatest Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva?

texts:
Is there a consensus between

Followers of Vishnu,
Followers of Shiva,
Followers of Brahma,
And adherents of Advaita Vedanta

Concerning the conclusion from the quarrel between Vishu and Brahma and the test proposed by Shiva to decide: Who is the greatest? see Shiva Purana: Vidyeshvara Samhita.

Note: I do not ask for an interpretation from each group or school, but whether a consensus exists.


texts: Rishis, Sadhus performing meditation, penance poses

texts:
As we watch the Holy epic Mahabharata, we see Sadhus, Rishis and even the asuras performing meditation and penance (Tapasya) poses for years as a example standing on one leg with two hands folded (Namaskar) to please Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma so that they will be offered boons from them.
Realistically and ideally, it is really difficult to perform this meditation pose as we are born as human beings.
How these difficult meditation poses were performed by them?


texts: Why didn't Kamsa keep Vasudeva and Devaki in separate cells?

texts:
Kamsa was told by a mystical voice that Devaki's 8th son shall kill Kamsa himself.

So he puts Vasudeva (Devaki's husband) and Devaki in a cell, and whenever they have a child, he goes and mercilessly kills him/her.

If he was so desperate to stop his death, then why didn't he put Devki and Vasudev in different cells? That would stop any child from coming.


texts: Is there any relationship between Sat, Chit, Ananda, and the Three gunas Sattva, Rajas and Tamas?

texts: I wondered if there were any relationship between those concepts.


texts:
I often encounter the term, or reference to, a "Veiled Durga"

Can anybody explain the circumstances under which we find that Durga is veiled, or any reason or story at all that will explain the "Veiled Durga" reference?


texts:
Since we all know that man is evaluation from monkeys.

Previously all our anscestors were monkey.

So law of karma today, do gets applied to Monkeys also?


texts: What is Māyā according to Śaṃkara Vedānta? What are its characteristics?

texts:
Besides Śaṃkara Vedānta, Kaśmīri Śaivism, which is another monist/advaita school of Hinduism too talks about Māyā. According to it, the basic definition of Māyā is -

मियते अनय इती माया।
Meaning: That power by which experience is experienced in a particular way is Māyā.

In other words, that power which makes experience measurable, i.e limited & separates the 'this' from 'I' & 'I' from 'this' & excludes things from one another is Māyā.
Māyā draws a veil on the self, causes sense of duality. In simple words, Brahman¹ put goggles to see his own grandeur to see himself. These goggles are what Māyā Tattva & the cause of Māyā. But certain points are to kept in the mind -

Māyā is the power of Brahman. Therefore, Māyā is controlled by Brahman. There is no separate existence of Māyā .

Māyā draws veil in the experience but doesn't create an experience of inexistence. In simple words, through Māyā whatever is being perceived is actually present in Brahman it is just that our perception is limited which is not allowing ourselves to see divinity in the perceived objects. ( Perfect explanation of "All that is Brahman alone"). Maya is not creating perception of something which is not present in Brahman in any form!

Also, there are 5 products of Māyā which are covering. It is like what happens the moment Brahman wears goggles ( Māyā Tattva ). How Brahman's experience changes (Short summary)?

Kalā - Brahman starts feeling it² doesn't owe everything.
Vidyā - Brahman starts feeling it doesn't know everything. It forgets its omniscience.
Rāga - Brahman forgets it's all satisfactory nature & thus develops desires. In other words, Brahman forgets its completeness.
Kāla - Brahman forgets its timelessness or eternity & see eternity as past, present & future.
Niyatī - Brahman forgets the freedom of pervasiveness (vyApaktA).

Thus, herein all about Māyā explained according to Kaśmīri Śaivism.
Now, I'm interested to know similar explanation on Māyā according to Śaṃkara Vedānta.

What is Māyā? Basic definition? It's role? It's products?

From where Māyā comes?

What are its characteristics?

How can it independently exist outside Brahman?

1-- In Kaśmīri Śaivism, Brahman is not passive unlike Śaṃkara Vedānta. Brahman is active here. It's nature is Prakāśavimarśaya. In short, Prakāśa is Siva & vimarśaya is Śaktī. Brahman thus here has capability to create, maintain & withdraw the universe & there is nothing existing outside Brahman.
2-  such pronoun is used as Brahman transcends gender.
Note- here Māyā is briefly explained but I wanted a detailed answer.


texts:
Did Karna fail in Draupadi swayamvar while hitting target or Draupadi simply denied marrying him even if he would hit target?

And if she denied, how moral/right was it? What was the reason her denying it?

EDIT:

This question is marked duplicate, but it's not a duplicate. The question that claim to be original has an answer, which can't be trusted.
See my query here.


texts: Is Kundalini Concept alien to Vaishnavism?

texts: The references mentioned in this answer to the Kundalini Concept are based on Smartha concept and inclined to Shaivism. Is there any comment or reference to such concept in the Pancharatra Agamas/ Vaishnava Agamas or anywhere in Vaishnavism?


texts: What is the story of Vishnu killing sage Bhrighu's wife Kavyamata?

texts:
In the Bala Kanda of the Ramayana, Rama is hesistant to kill the Rakshasi (demoness) Thataka because she's a woman, but the sage Vishwamitra tells him that even the gods have fought women when they were engaged in evil:

Compassion regarding the elimination of a female is ungermane, oh, best one among men, since a prince has to effectuate it intending the welfare of four categories of society.... To the nominee who bears the burden of kingdom this is the age-old duty, and hence oh, Rama, the legatee of Kakutstha, eliminate this infamy, as goodness is inevident in her, isn't it? Oh, Rama, the protector of people, we have heard that Indra once eliminated Manthara, the daughter of Virochana, when she wished to annihilate earth, haven't we?  And Rama, once Vishnu wiped out even the wife of sage Bhrigu and sage Shukracarya's mother when she wished the world to become one without a governing factor, namely Indra.

I already asked about Indra killing Manthara here, but now I'm interested in the story of Vishnu killing Sukracharya's mother.  For those who don't know, Sukracharya is the guru of the Asuras (demons), god of the planet Venus, and son of the sage Bhrigu.
The only account I could find of Vishnu killing Sukracharya's mother is from the Fourth Skanda of the Devi Bhagavatam.  In this account, Sukracharya goes to pray to Shiva in order to acquire a mantra to help the Asuras defeat the gods.  The gods take advantage of Sukracharya's absence to launch an attack on the Asuras.  Since the Asuras can't turn to their guru for help, they instead turn to Sukracharya's mother, who knocks the gods unconscious with her magical powers.  Sukracharya's mother then threatens to "devour" Indra, so Indra asks Vishnu to kill her:

Seeing the Daityas thus attacked, the mother was furiously irritated and told them she would make all of them overpowered by sleep by her tapas strength, clarified intellectual force.  So saying she sent the Goddess of sleep who at once overpowered the Gods and made them all lie down on the grounds senseless. Indra with the other Devas lay there dumb, and miserable.  On seeing Indra thus stupefied by sleep, the Bhagavân Visnu told Indra to enter into His body. He would then carry him to another place and he will be better.  Indra entered into the Visnu’s body; and, under His protection, he became free from sleep and fear.
On seeing Indra thus sheltered by Visnu and fearless, the mother of Kâvya spoke: "O Indra! I will devour you with Visnu today by my Tapas force. All the Devas will presently see all this and my extraordinary power."  ... Indra, on hearing the Devas cry aloud, told Visnu, "O Madhusûdana! I am more bewildered in particular than yourself.  O Mâdhava! No need of any further consideration. Before this wretch, inflated with pride by her tapasyâ, burns us, better cause her death as early as possible."  When thus requested by Indra who was very much perplexed, Bhagavân Visnu quickly remembered his Sudars’ana disc...  The disc, the ever obedient weapon of Visnu appeared instantly at his remembrance; and Visnu, becoming angry as prompted by Indra held the disc in His hand, and, hurling it off on the S’ukrâ’s mother, severed off her head quickly.

The story ends with Sukracharya's father Bhrigu bringing his wife back to life and cursing Vishnu to be born repeatedly on earth in various incarnations (avataras).
Unfortunately, the Devi Bhagavatam is widely regarded as not being an authentic Hindu scripture; it's purportedly an Upapurana (minor Purana), but it's not mentioned in the canonical lists of Upapuranas given in the Mahapuranas.  So my question is, are there any other scriptures that tell the story of Vishnu killing Sukracharya's mother?  The story took place sufficiently long ago that it's alluded to by Vishwamitra in the Ramayana, so is it possible that it's mentioned in the Vedas?  Is the story mentioned in Puranas other than the Devi Bhagavatam?


texts: Which Shaiva sampradayas do twelve Jyotirlinga adhere to?

texts:
The Jyotirlingas are twelve of most holiest tirthas for Shaivas. They are -

  Somnath in Gir Somnath, Gujarat

  Mallikarjuna in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

  Mahakaleswar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

  Omkareshwar in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh

  Kedarnath in  Rudraprayag,  Uttarakhand

  Bhimashankar in Maharashtra

  Vishwanath in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

  Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra

  Vaidyanath in Deoghar, Jharkhand

  Nageshvara in Dwarka, Gujarat

  Ramanathaswamy in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu

  Grishneshwar in Aurangabad, Maharashtra

So my question is,which Sampradaya do these twelve Jyotirlingas belong to.Which Agamas do they follow in their daily rituals(like Vaishnavas follow their Agamas like different Panchratras etc).


texts: Commentaries for Shiva taking linga form from Shiva Maha Purana

texts:
Puranas of Sanatha dharma allows different types of interpretations. Some are historical, some are metaphorical, some are symbolical, some are allegorical, some are scientific facts including astronomy etc.,
The actual truth can be obtained from the commentaries of great practitioners of Sanathan Dharma.
There is a story in Shiva Purana describing an incident of Lord Shiva taking a linga form and Parvathi taking Yoni form. The story is from Chapter 12 of Koti Rudra Samhitha of the Shiv Purana.
In short, Lord Shiva performed a Leela and most of the Leelas are generally misunderstood by many people. I think, the same is happening with the Leela of Shiva taking the form of Linga as described in the scripture Shiva Purana.
In this context, is there any commentary by any great practitioners of sanathan dharma for the story cited above?
Note: Please read the story from the link I provided. It is long enough and hence I did not paste it here.


texts:
I came across this video on youtube, which mentions Shiva's dance after severing Brahma's fifth head and being explained the nature of what was created; can this story be found in any scripture? Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MlM1hkAfCk


texts: Vijayadashami - Reference of Arjun's victory

texts:
Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent.In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma.In the northern, central and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of "Ramlila" and remembers god Rama's victory over the Ravan. On the very same occasion, Arjuna alone decimated more than 1,000,000 soldiers and defeated all Kuru warriors including Bhishma, Drona, Ashwatthama, Karna and Kripa, a significant example of victory of good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma).
Question:
Ramayana - (Lord Rama) happened before Mahabharata (Lord Krishna) both being avatars of Lord Vishnu.
So how both the events taking place on the same day?
Killing Demon Ravana by Lord Rama & Arjun defeating great warriors on the same day.
Note : Vijayadashami festival celebration dates are different every year.
Did Arjuna defeated the mighty warriors in a different era (Mahabharata)  with different dates and not on the same day?
References-   One ,Two  ,Three,Four


texts:
Devi or Shakti is the feminine form of the Divine.

What are the names given to the Devi in the Tripura Upanishad of the Rig Veda?


texts: How did Lord Krishna teach a lesson to Satyabhāma to get rid of her ego? What was the plan he put into action?


texts: What are the occupations of brothers of a king?

texts:
In general, the elder son of a king will become the next king, if eligible.

In which occupations the brothers of the next king (elder brother) will settle? Does it depends on individual or will there be any occupation for them?


texts: blonde haired and blue eyed people in Bharata varsha in earlier yugas

texts:
I am interested in knowing whether people in Bharata varsha in earlier yugas had blonde hair and blue eyes(the combination). Or is that combination foreign to Bharat varsha ?

Usually these are attributed to colder climates and northern latitudes Northern European. But presuming Bharat was a lot cooler in earlier yugas was this combination found in ancient Bharata varsha ?

I have read the word  Harikesha in many texts of descriptions of deities but I am unsure whether ordinary humans had these characteristics.

To me the first encounter of a blonde haired/blue eyed person would have happened when Alexander's armies entered Northern India but are any other descriptions of such encounters in earlier yugas?


texts: Is taking deeksha important in current situation or time?

texts: Is taking deeksha important these days? Because according to some scriptures it was said that without talking deeksha, your worship will be incomplete.


texts: Form of Devi attached to Ardhanarishwera form of Shiva

texts: As per this video, Devi Siddhidatri, 9th form of Goddess Durga is attached to Ardhanarishwera form of Shiva. Is it correct? If not, then which form of devi Durga is she? Looking for scriptural reference.


texts: What is the English translation of brihadaranyaka-upanishad Verse 6.4.3-6?

texts:
Brihadaranyaka-upanishad Verse 6.4.3-6 :

तस्या वेदिरुपस्थः, लोमानि बर्हिः, चर्माधिषवणे—समिद्धो मध्यतः—तौ मुष्कौ; स यावान्ह वै वाजपेयेन यजमानस्य लोको भवति, तावानस्य लोको भवति य एवं विद्वानधोपहासं चरति; आसां स्त्रीणां सुकृतं वृङ्क्ते; अथ य इदमविद्वानधोपहासं चरति, आस्य स्त्रियः सुकृतं वृञ्जते ॥ ३ ॥
एतद्ध स्म वै तद्विद्वानुद्दालक आरुणिराह; एतद्ध स्म वै तद्विद्वान्नाको मौद्गल्य आह; एतद्ध स्म वै तद्विद्वान्कुमारहारित आह, बहवो मर्या ब्राह्मणायना निरिन्द्रिया विसुकृतोऽस्माल्लोकात्प्रयन्ति, य इदमविद्वांसोऽधोपहासं चरन्तीति; बहु वा इदं सुप्तस्य वा जाग्रतो वा रेतः स्कन्दति ॥ ४ ॥
तदभिमृशेत्, अनु वा मन्त्रयेत—
यन्मेऽद्य रेतः पृथिवीमस्कान्त्सीत्, यदोषधीरप्यसरद्यदपः ।
इदमहं तद्रेत आददे पुनर्मामैत्विन्द्रियम् पुनस्तेजः पुनर्भगः ।
पुनरग्निर्धिष्ण्या यथास्थानं कल्पन्ताम्, इत्यनामिकाङ्गुष्ठाभ्यामादायान्तरेण स्तनौ वा भ्रुवौ वा निमृज्यात् ॥ ५ ॥
अथ यद्युदक आत्मानं पश्येत्तदभिमन्त्रयेत—मयि तेज इन्द्रियं यशो द्रविणं सुकृतमिति; श्रीर्ह वा एषा स्त्रीणां यन्मलोद्वासाः; तस्मान्मलोद्वाससं यशस्विनीमभिक्रम्योपमन्त्रयेत ॥ ६ ॥
tasyā vedirupasthaḥ, lomāni barhiḥ, carmādhiṣavaṇe—samiddho madhyataḥ—tau muṣkau; sa yāvānha vai vājapeyena yajamānasya loko bhavati, tāvānasya loko bhavati ya evaṃ vidvānadhopahāsaṃ carati; āsāṃ strīṇāṃ sukṛtaṃ vṛṅkte; atha ya idamavidvānadhopahāsaṃ carati, āsya striyaḥ sukṛtaṃ vṛñjate || 3 ||
etaddha sma vai tadvidvānuddālaka āruṇirāha; etaddha sma vai tadvidvānnāko maudgalya āha; etaddha sma vai tadvidvānkumārahārita āha, bahavo maryā brāhmaṇāyanā nirindriyā visukṛto'smāllokātprayanti, ya idamavidvāṃso'dhopahāsaṃ carantīti; bahu vā idaṃ suptasya vā jāgrato vā retaḥ skandati || 4 ||
tadabhimṛśet, anu vā mantrayeta—
yanme'dya retaḥ pṛthivīmaskāntsīt, yadoṣadhīrapyasaradyadapaḥ |
idamahaṃ tadreta ādade punarmāmaitvindriyam punastejaḥ punarbhagaḥ |
punaragnirdhiṣṇyā yathāsthānaṃ kalpantām, ityanāmikāṅguṣṭhābhyāmādāyāntareṇa stanau vā bhruvau vā nimṛjyāt || 5 || [SOURCE]

What is the English translation of these verses. Thses verses are not translated in the website.


texts: Difference between Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samyama, Samāpatti, Samādhi and Kaivalyam

texts: One can come across these terms in the Patanjali Yoga sutras and the Tantra texts. I want the exact definition of each of the above, difference(subtle or obvious) between them and examples to illustrate the process/practice in action.


texts: is the tradition of invoking Ganesa at the beginning of pujas and undertakings in real life known in North India also?

texts:
sects that reject Siva and deities related to him are excluded of course.  The serial on Ganesa running right now says Siva's first attempt to fight the tripurasuras failed because he didn't invoke Ganesa (his own son !!) first.

http://pulivahanan.wikifoundry.com/page/What+is+the+significance+of+the+pillaiyar+suzhi%3F

"It is a faith amongst practicing hindus that before commencing any work Lord Ganesha’s blessing is sought, the work undertaken will be accomplished without any obstacles, therefore all Hindus invoke him with the firm belief that he will take care of every obstacle that they come across"


texts: Have any Hindu acharyas commented on the amendability of Dharma Shastras?

texts:
A poster writes "This samudrolanghana [loss of caste due to seafaring] was made up fear so that Brahmins learned in Vedas don't move out of the country and lose the Veda sakha."

However, this is all quaint now because Hindu priests are clamoring to come to the US - not just for religious visas but citizenship. The center of Hinduism has also started shifting to the US.

Given that this samudrolanghana rule is not followed by many Hindus (priests included), have any Hindu acharyas commented on the amendability of dharma shastras in general?


texts: Did the 10th day or 11th day ceremony after the death of a close relative originate due to the Mahābhārata war?

texts:
I heard that, after the Mahābhārata war, Yudhiṣṭhira went into depression for having killed so many people. He did not like how the war ended. Then Bhīṣma advised him to conduct a Rājasūya yāga so he could meet new kings, forget the bad memories from the war and start a new life. Some people say that this is the origin of the 10th day or 11th day ceremony we Hindus perform after the death of a close relative.

Is this true?


texts: Is there a list/book of all Mantras, their Rishis/seers & the Dieties corresponding to each?

texts: Is there a list or collection of all mantras, their rishis & their deities ?


texts: Is the feeling of "Deja Vu", a glimpse of self realization?

texts:
As per below post, a philosophy called "Eternal Return" states that all events are repeating infinitely & hence predetermined.
Does "Free Will" really exist, even if universe repeats itself in perfect pattern?

However, one cannot remember what's going to happen or happened in the past, unless one's destiny is determined to know that info at that moment.
Once a person knows that the events happening around him/her, are happening by themselves & the Self is not the doer,  then that's "Self realization".

  BG 5.8, 5.9 — "'I' certainly don't do anything" is believed by knower of fundamentals (tattva gyAna) - even while seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving, dreaming, breathing, talking, discarding, accepting, opening, closing; -- "Senses only are acting in the subjects of senses" - is understood.

A while back, in this context, I had come across following phenomenon:

  Déjà vu (/ˌdeɪʒɑː ˈvuː/) is the feeling that the situation currently being experienced has already been experienced in the past. Déjà vu is a feeling of familiarity, and déjà vécu (the feeling of having "already lived through" something) is a feeling of recollection.

Being part of Atman (the self or the supreme One), surely many of us would have had this feeling at various points of life.The feeling goes away in moments.

Question:
Is "Deja Vu" a form of Self realization? (any scripture supports that)


texts:
There is a story, in which, Arjuna on forgetting the method of using Pashupatastra{divine weapon given by Lord Shiva}, went to Mount Kailash along with  Lord Sri Krishna(in the sukshma sharira or subtle body form),to learn the divine mantra again.

Lord Shiva asked Arjuna to bring a weapon from a nearby divine lake.

Since it was difficult to access the weapon,Lord Sri Krishna and Arjuna chanted the  Sri Rudram and the weapon then came into their hands.

What are the details of the story? How did Arjuna succeed in learning the method of using the Pashupatastra again?


texts: What would be a very good English translation of Mahabharata in prose which is complete and unabridged?


texts:
We all know that Kripa is a chiranjevi.

From a famous preacher I heard that Kripa exists in Himalayas and is known to many people. Is it true?

Any evidence regarding this from Hindu texts?


texts: What's the English transliteration of this Sanskrit mantra?

texts: Can someone please give me the English transliteration of this Sanskrit mantra? How do you say it in English?


texts: What is the view of shankara vedantins on kundalini yoga?

texts:
There is a book which deals with spiritual pursuit of one of the pontiff of the sringeri sankara mutt

He has discussed his experiences on various subjects including kundalini yoga in this book

http://svfonline.net/yoga-enlightenment-and-perfection.html#

What is the overall view of sanakara vedanta on this subject?


texts: What are the basic facts and summary of what the Rigveda is about?

texts: I'd like to know more about the ancient book Rigveda. However, I think I need some basic information on this book first before I start to read it - so any shortcuts on what would be some good introduction, basic facts and a summary of what the Rigveda is about?


texts: Who are Gramadevathas found especially in South India?

texts:
Common names of these Gramadevathas are Ankamma, Poleramma etc.

What is their relation to Lord Shiva?
Can we Worship Lord Shiva along with Gramadevathas? See this blog.


texts: How to keep conch (shanka) after pooja (puja)?

texts:
How to keep the conch (Shanka) after pooja (puja)?

Should it be filled with water and kept next to idol?
Should it be kept upside down with no water in it?


texts: Can a Brahmin shave off his mustache on his daughter's engagement,or marriage?

texts: I just want to know whether a Brahmin can shave off his moustache on the occasion of his daughter's engagement or marriage. Are there any other occasions where Brahmins can be clean shaved?


texts: Is there a list of the 8800 difficult verses of the Mahabharat?

texts:
Mahabharat is the world's largest poem containing around one lakh (100000) verses composed by Vedavyasa. Because writing such a large text is a difficult task Vedavyasa took the help of lord Ganesha who wrote it for Him.

However, Ganesha put the condition before Vedavyasa that his pen should never stop while writing, i.e. Vedavyasa should not stop reciting the verses even for a moment while Ganesha was writing. Vedavyasa agreed to it and put the condition before Ganesha that he should stop writing when he failed to comprehend or understand any verse. Ganesha agreed to it and the work of writing commenced.

In course of narrating, Vedavyasa recited 8800 difficult verses that even lord Ganesha took some time to understand. In those times Vedavyasa would think and compose other verses. Those 8800 are very difficult verses which only few persons know and understand as per the Mahabharata. So is there a list of those 8800 difficult verses of Mahabharata somewhere?

Reference: Mahabhrat, Adi Parva - 1


texts: Are Suparnas an intelligent supernatural species?

texts:
The Manusmriti lists some celestial or supernatural races as being related:

3.196 - The Barhisads, the sons of Atri, are declared to be the Pitṛs of Daityas, Dānavas, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, Uragas, Rākṣasas, Suparṇas and Kinnaras.

All these races are known to be intelligent, including the horse-headed kinnaras.
However, Medhatithi thinks that Suparnas are just animals:

‘Suparṇas’—are a particular kind of birds.
...
The purport of this laudatory description is that—so essential is the performance of Śrāddhas that even Daityas, Dānavas and Rākṣasas, who generally interfere with sacrificial performances, cannot avoid it; nor even animals, who have no intelligence and no memory. [referring to the Suparnas]

There is also another mention of Suparnas in the Manusmriti:

12.44 - Cāraṇas, Suparṇas, hypocritical men, Rākṣasas, and Piśācas—represent the highest state among those partaking of the quality of ‘Tamas.’—(44)

Here Medhatithi also says they are a particular kind of birds:

‘Suparṇas’—a particular kind of birds.

However, I don't think Suparnas are just birds, because in verse 3.196 above, the Suparnas are mentioned alongside other intelligent species. If the Suparnas were just birds, what would be their significance in listing them alongside the other great intelligent races?
Also, there is a species of intelligent birds called the Garudas, of which Garuda and Aruna (charioteer of Surya) are members of. The Garudas feast on the Nagas in Patala.
So what scriptures describe the Suparnas?


texts: How is semen helpful in Self Realisation?

texts:
I would like to know how is semen helpful in Self-realisation?
Some people masturbate and waste a lot of semen. If it is preserved, what kind of benefit do they get over the people who masturbate ?

Can a person who masturbate be a maharshi? What is the difference betweeen Maharshi and Paramahamsa?


texts: I found about this new Goddess called Vimala, who is worshiped with Jagganath at Puri. She is said to be a "Tantric" goddess. However,there is a confusion between who her husband is, Shiva or Vishnu/Jagganath. Who is her real husband?


texts:
Pooja koti samam stotram
Stotra koti samam japam
Japa koti samam dhyanam
Dhyan koti manor layam

What is the meaning of manor layam in the above Shloka ?

Note : On some other sites samolayah is also used in place of manor layam, which one is correct ?


texts: Is Lord Shiva First Vaishnava (Devotee of Lord Vishnu)?

texts: My question is that Lord Shiva is also Vaishnava (Devotee of Lord Vishnu). Because I read this fact before from one scripture, so anybody can attach that scripture which claimed that Siva is greatest Vaishnav.


texts: What is the spatial status of Jeevatma according to Dwaitha Vedanta?

texts:
My information trading this comes exclusively from the lectures of Vidyavachaspathi Shri Bannanje Govindacharyaru.
In a lecture he said Dwaitha treats Jeevatma as an atom, that is Jeevatma is point like, dimensionless.
https://youtu.be/0qLZP56Tzks?t=750
But here he says that a Rishi divided his body into many body to exhaust his Prarabdha karma, which was quoted by Shri Madhwacharya.
https://youtu.be/NiIuuyW_IRo?t=1865
If Jeevatma is atom like, how was it spilt? Or in which body was the soul. If soul was in only one body, were the rest of the bodies soul less? Or if the soul is present in all the bodies then it had to be split, but even after being split how does the experiencer remain same? Different pieces of atma should experience differently, if the experience is same then how is the experience connected?
What is the spatial status of Jeevatma in Dwaitha?


texts: What is the overall role of Yantras? Are they used in Vedic ways of worship also?

texts: If Yantras have a more defined role in Tantric ways of worship, then why householders or those not following Tantric methodologies insist on keeping Yantras at their places of worship? What is the overall role of Yantras in the Vedic/Tantrik worships? Are yantras used in Vedic Are the Yantras mostly associated with female form of the Lord?


texts: What is the significance of smearing of Kumkuma on the chest by women in the scriptures?

texts:
Srimad Bhagavatam, while describing the consorts of Lord Krishna, such as Srimati Rukmini and others, and the close associates of Lord Krishna such as the gopikas and the women in Mathura, frequently uses the motif of Kucha Kumkuma, i.e. kumkum or saffron powder smeared on the women's breasts.
Some instances are as follows:
In Bhagavatam 10.47, in Bhramara Gita, when Srimati Radharani addresses the Bee and indirectly talks to Uddhava, she mentions,

"O honeybee, O friend of a cheater, don’t touch My feet with your whiskers, which are smeared with the kuṅkuma that rubbed onto Kṛṣṇa’s garland when it was crushed by the breasts of a rival lover! Let Kṛṣṇa satisfy the women of Mathurā. One who sends a messenger like you will certainly be ridiculed in the Yadus’ assembly." SB 10.47.12

When describing Srimati Rukmini and Krishna's lovers' quarrel in 10.60, Shukabrahmam describes

With her tender foot, effulgent with the reddish glow of her nails, she scratched the ground, and tears darkened by her eye makeup sprinkled her kuṅkuma-reddened breasts. There she stood, face downward, her voice choked up by extreme sorrow. SB 10.60.23

Even the Mahabharata contains a similar motif in the Vana Parva, Chapter 12. When Draupadi laments about her plight to Krishna, Vaishampayana describes,

'Saying this the mild-speeched Krishna hid her face with her soft hands like the buds of lotus, and began to weep. And the tears of Panchali begot of grief washed her deep, plump and graceful breasts crowned with auspicious marks. Vana Parva 12

Though while not mentioning Kumkuma, he mentions auspicious marks.
Therefore, the question is, what exactly is the significance of this motif of Kumkuma smeared breasts, and was it a widespread practice in ancient Indian society?


texts: What are permissible number of chanting japa/mantra? Whats its reason?

texts:
Scripture reference for these numbers

What is its science, Is chanting 10 times less effective than chanting 9 times..

Should mantra/japa to be chanted number of time (say 3) in one sitting?

Which is more effective..

Chanting in one sitting or chanting with time gaps in between chants..but keeping counts..

lets take number 3..

Which is more effective

a) Chanting Mantra Daily Once For 3 Days.. so chanted 3 times; days taken 3

b) Chanting Mantra 3 times in Single Day with time gaps..like 1hr/2hr etc gap in
between chant.. so chanted 3 times; days taken 1

c) Chanting Mantra 3 times in one sitting.. no time gaps between consecutive chants

It is said that number needs to be quadrapled in kaliyuga.. Is it True?

Can someone list permissible numbers in Ascending Order.


texts: Pooja during Menstrual period, Hindu Brahmin

texts:
We had a big argument y'day at hour house over pooja during Menstrual period.

My wife wanted to do Sravan somvar rituals during her 3rd day of period. She cooked Kheer and wanted to put it as a Prasad in front of God. She actually asked my mom to put the prasad in Mandir. Since my mom knew she is on her periods she said this is not right thing to do as its against ritual and not to perform any pooja or put prsad in front of god. This turned into very heated argument between both of them. My mom was very adamant about her not to perform rituals and my wife's response was I never object your ways when you perform pooja so please let me do it my way!

Usually, its not a problem for me as I think as long as you perform pooja with good intentions, you could do it as the way you want. However, my mom is visiting us for couple of months and I understand her point. I took my mom's side and told my wife to skip rituals this week. She could do it the way she wants when mom is not here. My wife was really mad at my behaviour.

I was thinking all night if I took the right stand?

My wife was arguing about where in Hinduism its mentioned that Women are not supposed do Pooja during menstruation?

Overall, Gist of all my writing is, I would like to know if female is allowed to perform Pooja rituals at home during menstruation period?

Thanks.


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Please allow me to preface the question because, as a foreigner who did not grow up with Sanatana Dharma, my practice probably differs from yours.

All of my life when traveling statues, stones, a shrine, and other objects specific to the culture of the area have made their way to me. I never set out to buy, for example, a specific statue. I would simply browse a local vendor and suddenly something would call out to me. Several pieces were given to me at a crucial juncture in my life. These are from places all over the word, but, for me, they all speak to different aspects of the divine—which I see as One.

So, I have recently moved and I started putting these pieces on a desk in the corner. Though I did not intend for it to happen as I was laying them out, I realized that I was intuitive building a kind of altar. For the week or two I have been in this new home I have kept up the altar and have certainly felt its effectiveness.

However, the surface on which everything sits (and in which my incense and other tools are kept) is a desk. My friend and neighbour needs a desk and I do not require this particular piece of furniture to be the piece of furniture on which the objects are aligned.

I have been looking at buying a mandir, but they clearly are meant to sit on top of another surface—otherwise everything would be too low to the ground. Is there a name for the table, shelf, or surface on which a home temple sits? What sort of thing should I be looking for? A simple end table from a large "big-box store" feels inappropriate.


texts: Can one purchase a flat after marriage of girl child in the family? Are there any restrictions?

texts: Can one purchase flat after marriage of a girl child in the family ? Are there any restrictions?


texts: Which of the Hindu texts mostly concern with scientific studies of the past?

texts:
I understand that Hinduism has a rich body of scriptures. I know that Mahabharata and Ramayana are the epics from which ordinary people are entertained and derive values from. And there are the Vedas, Upanishads, etc.

I am more interested in those texts through which, relatively speaking, a greater amount of scientific knowledge were passed down. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying all the other information is not important, but I am very interested in the scientific ones, if any.

I mean, are the scientific facts contained in a specific book/chapter or is it riddled across the texts? How do we go about extracting the facts from fiction?


texts: Did Lord Krishna stop the knowledge of Divya-astras from coming to Kali-yuga?

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Did Lord Krishna stop the knowledge of Divya-astras from coming to kali-yuga?

If yes, please provide the scriptural reference.


texts: What is the difference between Thenkalai and Vadakalai sects of Sri Vaishnavism?

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For those who do not know, there are two main sects of Sri Vaishnavism: Thenkalai and Vadakalai.

The Vadakalai sect wear their namam, or thiruman, in a "U" shaped pattern with manjal or yellow like this:

And the Thenkalai sect wear it in a "Y" shaped pattern with kunkumam or red like this:

While this difference is probably the most visible one, I am not completely sure whether I fully understand the differences in the theological beliefs of the two sects.

Could someone please articulate what are the major disagreements between these two branches?

Also, for those who are interested, one of the differences in ritual was previously discussed here, but for this question I would like to know more about the differences in belief.


texts: What are the miracles associated with Sri TirugnAna-sambandar?

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He is one of the most famous nayanars of South India.

As he is well known for his devotion towards Lord Shiva.

What were the miracles in his life ?


texts: Where can I find/get basic information about Hinduism on the web?

texts:
I think getting information and knowledge about Hinduism is very useful for knowing and learning about Hinduism. So, I want to ask:

Where can I find/get basic information and knowledge about Hinduism on the web?

Note: Recommend the resources that are written by Indian academics rather than Western or Christian .


texts: Is moksha only for the current universe or for forever?

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The creation and destruction of the universe happen an infinite number of times.

The current universe we are living in will end someday and then after the new universe will come.

If a person gets moksha in this universe then will he escape from birth and death cycle of only the current universe or for all future universes?


texts: Just wondering if there are any works like Narayaneeyam which is a condensed version of Srimad Bhagavatham, similar to Purana of Lord shiva, Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, etc., in Sanskrit language?


texts:
According to Ashrama System, there are four stages of life:

Brahmacharya
Grihashtha
Vanaprashtha
Sannyasa

So, Can one only take Sannyasa after Vanaprashtha or even before Vanaprastha? More precisely I want to know when can one take Sannyasa?

Is there any scriptural guidance about when to take Sannyasa?


texts: Except for baudhyana dharma sutras which other dharma sastras talk about loss of caste due to sea voyage?

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Baudhayana Dharma-sutra, composed about 2,000 years ago, maybe
  earlier, lists this "Samudrolanghana" or "Sagarollanghana" as the
  first of many reasons for loss of castes (II.1.2.2).

Are there other dharma sutras prohibiting sea voyages?


texts: Marriage tradition of brushing the grooms legs, hands, shoulders and head

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This year I had to opportunity to visit an Indian wedding being a friend of the groom. It was a very interesting experience and I would like to give a presentation in my home country about it. To do that I would like to make sure I explain accurately the different traditions.

On of the ceremonies consisted in the groom's family and close friends using a brush made of something like a pine tree branch, putting it in three(I think) bowls - one seemed like olive oil, one some yellowish powder and one more - and then brushing that against the groom's feet, palms, shoulders and head. Every now and then someone would put toothpaste on him and at the end the family put something like yogurt on his head. We were also supposed to pour fruit juice all of this ending up to be a huge mess. It was a lot of fun for everyone but the groom :) Also they told us the groom was supposed to wear yellow during the ceremony.

I asked my Indian friends about the meaning of the ceremony and about more details but it seems they were also not sure about that. Could someone please explain what is purpose of this ceremony and help fill in the details that I am not sure about? What is the content of the different bowls? Why yellow clothing?

EDIT: adding more details I missed out in my initial post:

The wedding happened near Bagdogra
The ceremony was indoors (in fact in the hotel where we and the groom were staying)
The tree used for brush was not exactly pine - it had long soft needles, maybe closer to


texts: How many days are there in one Yuga (each of the four Yugas)?


texts:
Indra frequently sends down Apsaras for men who try to do lots of Tapas to distract them.

Suppose one wants to intentionally get an Apsara. How much Tapas should one do for Indra to send down an Apsara for him?


texts: Is Sati meeting with Rama a form of time travel?

texts: In the Shiva purana it is mentioned that Sati went to see Rama. Is this a form of time travelling to the future as Rama did not exist when Sati was alive?


texts: Which is the most trusted bhagvat gita version available?

texts:
There are many versions of bhagavd gita.

I am reading one provided by iskcon. But if at all, there is version with better description and contents.

Which one is the best to refer?


texts: I want to use it but people say it's against office policy and only for cultural reasons we can. Could somebody give me some advice on what shall I do?


texts: Is Ramashtakam an independent work of Vyasa or part of a Purana?

texts:
Ramashtakam which you can listen here on YouTube, is an octet on Lord Rama and is attributed to Vyasa. It also ends with the following:

  Ramashtakam padathi ya sukaram supunyam,
  Vyasena bhashithamidham, srunuthe manushya,
  Vidhyam sriyam vipula soukhyamanantha keerthim,
  Samprapya deha vilaye labhathe cha moksham. || 9 ||

  He who reads or hears this octet on Rama, which is easy to understand,
  which gives rise to good deeds, which is written by Sage Vyasa, would
  get knowledge, wealth, pleasure and limitless fame. And once he leaves
  his body, he would also get salvation.

Is Ramashtakam an independent work of Vyasa or is it taken from a Purana? Where does it appear in Hindu scripture?


texts: Was Vasavi Sakti more powerful than Pasupata?

texts:
During the Kurukshetra war, after Karna killed Ghatotkhasa with the Vasavi Sakti weapon; Krishna started dancing.

Seeing this Bhima asked why he did so when the son of Bhima was killed.

To this Krishna replied that if Ghatotkasha was not killed then Arjun was sure to be the victim the next day.

What I could not understand is: Arjuna possessed the Pasupata, and the Vajra....then, how would he fail to counter the Vasavi Sakti weapon ?


texts: Age difference between Bhishma & Abhimanyu

texts: Bhishma had the boon "Ichchha-Mrutyu" (one who can decide when to die). So he saw four generations of his family. I just want to know, what was the age difference between Bhishma & Abhimanyu in the Mahabharata?


texts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalki

At the end of Kaliyug, the 10th and last incarnation of Vishnu is said to come as Kalki. Are there incarnations after Kalki, at the end of Dwapara yuga after this age? Do the incarnations "start over", or could they be expected to be completely new ones unlike the ones before?


texts: Book recommendation for Ashtavakra Gita with original shlokas

texts:
I want to read the Ashtavakra Gita.

I find difficulty in finding the right translations and explanations. Can someone name some widely used translated forms of this book which contain the original shlokas.


texts: What is the story of Vasishta and Agastya's brother Matsya?

texts:
Most people only know about the fact the famous sage Vasishta, guru of Rama, was one of the mind-born sons of Brahma.  But as I discuss in this question, Vasishta is no longer the son of Brahma.  Currently Vasishta and his brother Agastya are the sons of Mitra god of friendship and Varuna the ocean god, produced by those gods out of attraction to the Apsara Urvashi.  Here is how this chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam describes it:

  Agastya and Vasiṣṭha Ṛṣis were the common sons of Varuṇa and Mitra, the tenth son of Aditi. Upon seeing Urvaśī, the celestial society girl, both Mitra and Varuṇa discharged semen, which they preserved in an earthen pot. The two sons Agastya and Vasiṣṭha later appeared from that pot, and they are therefore the common sons of Mitra and Varuṇa.

But this excerpt from the Brihaddevata, an ancient work by the sage Shaunaka, provides an additional detail to the story:

  Of these two Adityas [Mitra and Varuna], when they saw the nymph Urvashi at a sacrificial session, the semen was effused.  It fell into a jar containing water that stood overnight.  Now at the same moment two vigorous ascetics, the seers Agastya and Vasishta, there came into being.  Now the semen having fallen in various ways - in a jar, in water, on the ground - the sage Vasishta, best of seers, was produced on the ground; while Agastya was produced in the jar, (and) Matsya, of great brilliance in the water.

My question is, what is the story of this figure Matsya who was born in the water?  Did he also become a sage like his brothers Vasishta and Agastya?  Is he mentioned in any other scriptures?

Now in my question here I discuss how in the Aranya Kanda of the Ramayana, Rama, before visiting the Ashram of Agastya, first visits the Ashram of "Agastya's brother."  Could this brother be the same as Matsya?


texts: It is said that Krishna fulfilled Kubja's physical desires, in other words, they had sex, is that true? If yes, is there any vedic reference to it?

texts:
Disclaimer - I am not using word sex in any derogatory manner to insult the Lord. For me sex is very natural phenomenon
There is a story about Kubja that she wanted to go physical with Krishna and Krishna being open to everything, fulfilled her desire by actually going into sex with her.
Is that true?
Are there any references to it?
It is said that after this physical fulfillment she got above all lust, but before going above lust did the Lord Krishna actually fulfill her physical desires?


texts: Are there different recensions of valmiki ramayana?

texts: Just like puranas have different recensions, if there are different recensions of valmiki ramayana too then, are there any critical edition of ramayana to correct interpolations in it?


texts: Why Bhishma wrote Vishnu Sahasranama stotram?

texts: I have read Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram. I have found its author which is Bhishma But I haven't found why he wrote Vishnu sahasranama stotram.


texts: Many Palm leaf Astrology centers exist in south India. It is said that Agastya has written astrological predictions in palm leaf. If that is so only one set of palm leaf should exist. But so many are there at present. Is ther any evidence in Hindu scriptures or mythology about this palm leaf astrology?


texts:
I heard that Navnath are the 9 saints who were born in Kaliyuga. They were so powerful and full of spiritual energy that even Devas were unable to defeat them. Question is, in Kaliyuga, how those great saints can even exist (Since in Kaliyuga it's hard to find such great saints). What's the purpose of existence of those great Sages in Kaliyuga?

Which scriptures talk about Navnaths? And what it says about them?


texts: Which Scriptures say Shiva is easily pleased than rest of Gods?

texts:
It is said Shiva is easily pleased as is also His name- "AshuTosha" or "Quickly (Aashu) Satisfied (Tosha)".

But which Scriptures specifically mention that He is the easiest to please or easily pleased than rest of Gods. Such lines are there in each Purana of other Gods too saying that the particular deity of Puraana is easily pleased. So why is it said 'Shiva is easiest to please than others and rest of Gods'.


texts: Are all human beings capable of self-control?

texts:
I have been trying to find an answer to this according to the Hindu holy texts, but I cannot find reference to this in the Gita.

Are all human beings capable of self-control or are there human beings that cannot control themselves even if they try to exert discipline? For example, what about in the case of a person who sexually assaults people, claiming that they cannot help it and that they have no control over their actions.

Another example being Tourrette's syndrome. People with this disorder uncontrollably exclaim swear words and seem to not be able to do anything to stop themselves.

Is it possible for a person to have absolutely no control over their urges or is this false?

What do the scriptures say about the nature of discipline and control? If it is possible that some people have no control, how do we distinguish those who do bad things because they can't help it from those who can?


texts: Are Gods punished for their mortal sins?

texts:
If a God in his/her incarnation commits a sin is he/she ever punished? Or are they exempted from punishment because they are Gods?

Examples will help.


texts: Is it true that a person can only become Vaikhanasa by birth and not by Samskara?

texts:
To follow Vaikhanasa one must belong to the family lineage of Vaikhanasa tradition unlike the pancha ratra in which anyone can adopt it by deeksha.
is this notion true ?

If so then is it not discrimination?


texts: Do the words of Krishna in the Gita support birth-based caste?

texts:
this is not a duplicate of

Does the Bhagavad Gita declare that caste is based on birth?

in answer to which the words of Arjuna are cited:

  1.41 - When unrighteousness prevails, O Krishna the women of the clan become corrupt; when women become corrupt, there arises intermixture of castes.

  adharmābhi-bhavāt kṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kula-striyaḥ | strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ || 41 ||

...

  1.43 - By the crimes of the clan-destroyers who bring about intermingling of castes, the ancient traditions of the clan and caste are destroyed.

  doṣair etaiḥ kula-ghnānāṁ varṇa-saṅkara-kārakaiḥ | utsādyante jāti-dharmāḥ kula-dharmāśca śāśvatāḥ || 43 ||

This question asks did Krishna, in his own words, support birth-based caste.

Because of the infinite ambiguity of Sanskrit,  Swami Mukundananda, denies that even Arjuna was talking about caste:

https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/1/verse/43

  दोषैरेतै: कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकै: |
  उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्मा: कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वता: || 43||

  BG 1.43: Through the evil deeds of those who destroy the family tradition and thus give rise to unwanted progeny, a variety of social and family welfare activities are ruined.

This question asks what Krishna said, in his own words about birth-based caste.


texts: What is the proper way to say 'good bye' in Hinduism?

texts:
As we used to say Ram Ram or Jay Shree Krishna to greet when we meet someone, what is the proper good bye greeting in Hinduism?

I used to say 'bye, take care', but I want to change this to a proper way.

Is there any resource which mentions how to say hello and bye religiously?

As I'm a Hindu who lives in a Muslim country where they say 'Allah Hafiz', I want to know something for Hindus as well.


texts: Does the concept of stava(stotra) siddhi exist?

texts:
It is well known that a person can achieve siddhi on a mantra following the rules of sastra.
Is there such a concept of attaining siddhi on a stava?


texts:
http://www.hindi2dictionary.com/paryayvachi/sursari.html
the Hindi dictionary gives

शब्द   पर्यायवाची
सुरसरि  त्रिपथगा, जाह्नवी, सुरसरिता, सुरधुनी, गंगा, देवनदी, मंदाकनी, भगीरथी, विश्नुपगा, देवपगा, ध्रुवनंदा
Sursari Tripthaga, Jahanvi, Sursarita, Surdhuni, Ganga, Devnadi, Mandakani, Bhagirathi, Vishnupaga, Devpaga, Dhruvnanda


texts: Can someone translate this Navagraha shloka and tell me what verseform this is?

texts:
The Ekashloki Navagraha Stotram reads:

  ādhāre prathame sahasrakiraṇaṁ tārādhavaṁ svāśraye
  māheyaṁ maṇipūrake hṛdi budhaṁ kaṇṭhe ca vācaspatim
  bhrūmadhye bhṛgunandanaṁ dinamaṇeḥ putraṁ trikūṭasthale
  nāḍīmarmasu rāhu-ketu-gulikānnityaṁ namāmyāyuṣe

What is the translation of this Navagraha Shloka?


texts: I am gonna install Lord Vishnu's deity. So I would like to know what is Lord Vishnu's favourite food.


texts: Hinduism on sexual desire and its conceptualisation

texts:
Hinduism seems to be the oldest supporter and spreader of Celibacy. But as far as my little readings are concerned, Hinduism doesn’t distinguish the sexual desire from other material desires, it just talks about all human desires and asks the believer to renounce it (but doesn’t tell how).
I’m looking for something, something original like Vedas, Shri MadBhagvatam, Puranas where celibacy is delineated. Hinduism talks about the senselessness of the body, it says sex desire is the desire of want of body but body is unreal and is made up of all the bad material things one shouldn’t go after them, I want a detailed view of Hinduism on sexual desires and how the ancient sages attained celibacy (I think the sage Vishwamitra once got seduced by a heavenly singer).
What Hinduism has to say about body and sexual desire? Does it have the same concept (with different words) that it’s all about dopamine and release of good-feeling hormones during orgasm?


texts: Why do many Gods and Goddesses bear a serpent?

texts: I've observed that many Gods in one form or the other bear a serpent. For example, Devi Durga holds a serpent in one hand. Is there a spiritual significance to this?


texts: Available sources for the 108 Upanishads?

texts:
Although we know that there are 108 Upanishads, only 12 are popular in discourse and it is said that most of the original copies of Upanishads were lost or stolen from Hindu mutts by the Western Indologists. What are the names of the 108 Upanishads? Is the list given in this accurate? Also a 1 line description of what each of these Upanishads deal will be of great help.

P.S. It is said that the most authentic record of the Upanishads available is Darah Shikoh's translation of around 50 Upanishads. Is there a book that is a compilation of Shikoh's and all the available (Indian) translation of upanishads?


texts: Is time taveling possible according to Hinduism?

texts:
Not necessarily sending body to past or future but also transferring consciousness to different time periods.Is it supported in Hindu scriptures?
The only time I know about transfering consciousness was when Adi Sankara transferred his consciousness to a dying king...but as far as i know that king might ve been a contemporary of Sankaracharya.


texts: Any books or links for information over Granthas on Vimanas?

texts:
There are some granthas on Vimanas like Vaimanikashastram by Bharadwaj Rishi and Samaranganasutradhar written by Bhoj Raja.

Can anyone share the name of books available or any source which is authentic enough to provide information for the same?

I want some translation in English or Hindi, especially for समरांगणसूत्रधार (Samaranganasutradhar) because it has info about aerial warfare.


texts: Can anyone explain and prove Veda agama pramanya and its Apourusheyatva?

texts:
The core of Hinduism is Vedas. One can be regarded as Hindu only when he or she accepts Vedas.

Vedas come under the category of Agama pramana or Shabdha pramana.

Before it comes
1. Pratyaksha or Empirical and
2. Anumana or Logical proofs

Only when these two fail to give us knowledge the Agama pramana becomes relevant.

On top of this the entire of proof of Vedas rests upon it being Apourusheya.

So how do we prove Veda Apourusheyathva and then establish Veda pramanya?


texts: Did people in Mahabharat era worshipped Lord Ram?

texts:
Were there any references of Lord Ram, Lakshman and how he won over Ravan in Mahabharat to take as a learning in the time of Mahabharat?

I am asking this question due to a hidden question which goes like:

Did people in Mahabharat era worshipped Lord Ram and his idols?


texts: What Hindu Scriptures say that Universe has diameter of fifty crore yojana?

texts:
Srila Prabhupada said that humans never went to Chandraloka as it requires enlightened soul and opined humans might have gone to other planet such as Rahu. He said whole universe is panchshat-koti-yojana which means fifty crore yojana or panchashat or four billion miles in diameter.

Can i know which scriptures (preferably vedas or upanishads or puranas; not the work of Astronomers such as Aryabhatta) cite this calculation?


texts: In purana, any incident boy marrying girl older than him?

texts:
Is there any story in Hinduism were girl is older than boy?
Now a days, we see many people marrying older women ( many celebrities) this is accepted according to Hinduism?


texts: Gautama Buddha was the 9th avatar of Lord Vishnu. Buddha himself was a Kshatriya and he was the founder of Buddhism. But he was a Hindu and he had created his own religion. So, does this mean Buddhists are a type of Hindus?


texts:
In this translation of Mahabharata, it says Drupada wanted distruction of Bhishma and hence asked for son from Shiva.

king Drupada, O monarch, paid his adoration to the god Sankara for the sake of offspring, resolving in his mind to compass my destruction and practising the austerest of penances. And he begged Mahadeva, saying, 'Let a son, and not a daughter, be born unto me. I desire, O god, a son for revenging myself upon Bhishma.'

Why did Draupada wanted to end Bhishma? What was the cause of the hatred between them?


texts: How Dronacharya (Royal Guru) died in Kurukshetra?

texts:
In Mahabharatha, I heard two different stories on Dronacharya's Death: One which says that Arjuna with a heavy heart shoots an arrow at Dronacharya and kills him.

Another one is Yudhishtira spreading a news that 'Aswattama' (An Elephant name) is dead. But Dronacharya think Ashwatthama (his son) died, with broken heart he dies by letting Dhrishtadyumna kill him.

Which one was true here?

And "Lord Krishna hold a thread in his hand during the death of Dronacharya", Why and What is the significance of holding thread at that time?


texts: What is the Balatibala Mahamantra which was taught to Rama by Sage Vishwamitra?

texts:
In Ramayana we see that Sri Vishwamitra imparted a special mantra called "balA-atibalA" to Sri Rama and Lakshmana which is considered to be immensely helpful in both spiritual and materialistic domains.

What is this mantra and what is its significance?


texts: What is the chronological order of events mentioned in Devi Mahtmya/Durga Shaptshati?

texts:
Devi Mahatmya or Durga Shaptshati is one of the most important Shakta scriptures. It is present in Markandeya Purana. Basically it tells the story of King Suratha and a Vaishya who go to Medha Rishi where they learn about Devi Shakti and her various forms.
I want to know the chronological order of the events mentioned in this text. The main events of which I want to know order that is MahaYuga/Yuga/Manuvantara are-

King Suratha being defeated by his enemies leaving for forest where he find a vaishya who was forced to leave his house. Both of them go to Medha Muni's Ashram where even violent animals are living peacefully with other beings. I want to know when this incident happened.

Sri Vishnu slaying Madhu Kaitabh demons.

Mother Goddess slaying mahisasura.

Mother Goddess slaying Raktabija,Dhumralochan and other demons ultimately killing Shumbh-Nishumbh.

Mother Goddess predicting Her future incarnations of Raktadantika and Shakambari among others.
RaktaDantika will be an incarnation of Devi to kill asuras who are torturing Sages in Himalayas.
And Shakambari being a incarnation for saving the world after 100 years period without any rain.
I want to know when will these incarnations of Devi come to earth.

King Suratha and Vaishya ultimately praying to Mother Goddess. Mother Goddess gives boon to King Suratha to be Manu and Vaishya was given Moksha. I want to know King Suratha will be Manu in which Yuga/Manunvatara.

I want to know the Yuga/Manuvantara in which the above events took place.


texts: What is the relation between Niti , Nyaya and Dharma?

texts:
Ruling Lands of great Kings are said to be complete in Niti , Nyaya and Dharma without any decline.
While solving problems, these three must be there in judgement and one must only live considering these three.(A common Saying in South)

MY QUESTION :

What is the relation between Niti , Nyaya and Dharma ?
Why these three are always said together ?


texts: I have heard a few stories about the deity brahma and saraswati. I felt disappointed and I hope it is not true.I hope incest is wrong(incest between daughter and father,brother and sister, and mother and son)is strictly against the law of nature and shouldn't be encouraged in any religion.


texts: What are the astrological implications of fasting on saturdays?

texts: I am thinking of fasting on saturdays, but I want to be careful about doing it. If you know the astrological effects of fasting, let me know.


texts: Why do both Advaitins and Dvaithins believe that Mithyathva or Falsity of world cannot be true?

texts:
In the famous Advaitasiddhi vs Nyayamrutha debate.
Here in Chapter VIII, page 77
First Vyasatirtha poses the following dilemma.
Is the falsity of world true or false?
Then he proceeds to show how both of the options are not tenable to Advaita.
He first shows how Mithyathva or falsity cannot be true. Then proceeds to show how falsity cannot be false. Which is disputed by Advaita Siddhi and the debates ensuses whether falsity of falsity of the world is tenable to Adviata or not.
Both Advaita and Dvaita seem to agree that falsity of world cannot be true. I couldn't understand this. Can any one please explain why falsity of world cannot be true?


texts: What is the minimum eligibility to see an Yaksha?

texts:
Is it possible for a human being to see Yaksha?

If yes, what is the minimum eligibility for a human being to see an Yaksha in Kaliyuga?


texts: How was the nature of rama in all phases of his life?

texts: We mostly hear about notorious and very diverse nature of Shri Krishna, personally I have never herd about the nature of Shri Rama in his various phases of life and the amount of knowledge he posses (in case of krishna his wisdom is well propagated as Shrimad Bhagwad Gita). Krishna had a body made out of full sattva and because of that his body never aged beyond 25 years so he was like gods who do not age. What about lord Rama? People also talk about the Thunderous characteristic voice of Shriman Narayanas purna avatars did Rama had such voice and what is the reason of having such deep voice?


texts:
I am looking for Sanskrit shlokas for the below sections in English.
Starting from:

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by the Pandava in that assembly of Rishis, the worshipful Markandeya of high ascetic merit replied, 'Agneya (Son of Agni),...........(rest of the paragraphs)

And, the next paragraph in the translation:

Thou art devoted to Brahma, begotten of Brahma, and versed in the mysteries of Brahma. Thou art called Brahmasaya,.......(rest of the paragraph)

The Sanskrit version of this is here, but it is missing the verses for above paragraphs.
Any other sources? Please help.


texts: What was the actual reason for Krishna to kill washerman?

texts:
The following episode from Bhagavatam clearly says that Krishna got angry on washerman and then killed him.

  SB 10.41.32: Seeing a washerman approaching who had been dyeing some clothes, Krishna asked him for the finest laundered garments he had.

  SB 10.41.33: [Lord Krishna said:] Please give suitable garments to the two of Us, who certainly deserve them. If you grant this charity, you will undoubtedly receive the greatest benefit.

  SB 10.41.34: Thus requested by the Supreme Lord, who is perfectly complete in all respects, that arrogant servant of the King became angry and replied insultingly.

  SB 10.41.35: [The washerman said:] You impudent boys! You're accustomed to roaming the mountains and forests, and yet You would dare put on such clothes as these! These are the King's possessions
  You're asking for!

  SB 10.41.36: Fools, get out of here quickly! Don't beg like this if You want to stay alive. When someone is too bold, the King's men arrest him and kill him and take all his property.

  SB 10.41.37: As the washerman thus spoke brazenly, the son of Devaki became angry, and then merely with His fingertips, He separated the man's head from his body.

  SB 10.41.38: The washerman's assistants all dropped their bundles of clothes and fled down the road, scattering in all directions. Lord Krishna then took the clothes.

  SB 10.41.39: Krishna and Balarama put on pairs of garments that especially pleased them, and then Krishna distributed the remaining clothes among the cowherd boys, leaving some scattered on the ground.

Krishna didn't tell that he killed to give moksha. There should be a genuine reason for killing a person and the quarrel with Krishna is absolutely not a genuine reason to do such killing (I feel).

It's nice if the answers avoid the following trivial ones(unless strongly referred):

1) To give moksha.

2) Being almighty god.

3) Due to quarrel and anger.

Is there any other genuine reason for killing an ordinary washerman, who is not even a Kshatriya? Does any other text(s) explain this incident in detail?


texts: What text/scripture does this commonly propagated verse appear in - 'aaputrasya gatir nasti svargo naivaca naivaca'?

texts: It is commonly quoted during discourses on vAlmIki rAmAyana, but I cannot find any verse in vAlmIki rAmAyana that contains this often quoted verse, which means 'without a son you have no chance of getting into heaven'. Online sites say it is said in 'shruti'. But what text of Shruti does it appear in exactly?


texts: Samudra Manthan and the role of Alcohol - Suras, Asuras and Varuni

texts:
The relationship between Samudra Manthan and alcohol came up in a comment thread to another question, with one commenter stating that alcohol was forbidden in Hinduism because Daanavs drank alcohol and lost the chance at the amrit (nectar of immortality).

I tried to follow up on this thread myself, and came across these seemingly contradictory bits of information:

  Varuni or Sura, goddess and creator of alcohol - taken - somewhat reluctantly (she appeared dishevelled and argumentative) - accepted the demons. [source = wiki mentioning Horace Wilson's translation of Vishnu Purana]1

.

  According to the Vishnu Purana, during the Samudra manthan or "churning of the ocean", the daityas came to be known as asuras because they rejected Varuni, the goddess of sura "wine", while the devas accepted her and came to be known as suras. [source = wiki mentioning Roshen Dalal's Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide]2

Then there's the point that Varuni is the consort of Varuna - who is a Sura - the god of water, but also has the distinction of being referred to as an Asura in the Rig Veda.

Given all this, can someone clarify what exactly was going on with Varuni (and wine!) during the Samudra Manthan? Do the epithets 'suras' and 'asuras' have any relationship to 'sura' ie. 'wine' and if so, what is that?


texts: How many years does it take for Saptarṣi constellation to pass from Maghā to Pūrvāsāḍhā?

texts:
I don't have any idea on how Saptarṣi constellation passes from one nakshatra to another. Consider the following lines from

When the great sages of the Saptarṣi constellation pass from Maghā to
Pūrvāsāḍhā, Kali will have his full strength, beginning from King
Nanda and his dynasty.
[32, 2, 12, Bhāgavata Purāṇa]

It says that Nanda dynasty was started when Saptarṣi constellation passed from Maghā to Pūrvāsāḍhā.
I want to know about the frequency of the aforementioned transition. In how many years does this happen generally?


texts: How can Yuddhistirha be son of Yamraj ji if Yamraj Ji himself incarnated as Vidura

texts: I have recently learned that Vidura Ji is the incarnation of Yamraj ji because of the curse given by Rishi Mandavya. But it is known that Pandu and Kunti ask Yamraj ji for a son (Yuddhistira).So I am confused How is it possible?


texts:
Spiritualism is commonly referred as a practice of specific religious thoughts and belief in afterlife or spirits. Basically, the word spiritualism has no specific definition as it’s meaning differs from person to person, place to place and religion to religion. But where ever we go; we can discover that spiritualism is superior than any other religion and it’s basic principle stands with three mighty words (truth, faith, and belief).

"How can I describe Spiritualism in Hinduism?"


texts: Why Shikhandi is named after Lord Shiva?

texts:
One of the important characters in Mahabharata war is Shikhandi who was one of the reason for the defeat of Bhishma during the Mahabharata war.

Below is the brief story of previous life of Shikhandi:

  Shikhandi had been born in a previous lifetime as a woman named Amba.
  Along with her sisters Ambika and Ambalika, she was taken by force by
  Bhishma from their Swayamvara. He presented them to Satyavati for
  marriage to Vichitravirya, the crown prince of Hastinapur.
  Vichitravirya married only her sisters, because Amba told Bhishma that
  she had been promised to the Salwa, the King of Saubala and was not
  ready to marry anyone else. Hearing this from her, Bhishma sent Amba
  with grandeur to Shalva's place. But Shalva rejected her as well, in
  shame of losing the combat against Bhishma at the Swayamvara. Amba
  then returned to Bhishma and demanded that he marry her. He declined
  since he had already taken a vow of celibacy. Enraged that she was
  going to be an unmarried woman, she swore to kill him, and tried to
  persuade other kings to wage a war with Bhishma.

In next birth, Amba is born as Shikhandi to take a revenge against Bhishma.

Now, as per the shiva-sahasranama stotra, one of the name of Lord Shiva is Shikhandi

My Question is : Is there a scriptural reference where there is mention of why Shikhandi is named so(named after Lord Shiva)?

By the way, the meaning of Shikhandi is : The Lord with beautiful matted hair.


texts: What rules do Devas have to follow? Do human dharma shastras apply to them?

texts:
It is well known that Draupadi had 5 husbands. Ordinarily, this would be a huge sin for human women. However, Draupadi was an incarnation of a Deva (Devi), particulary Sachi (wife of Indra). Specifically, Madhvacharya says she was the amalgamation of all the wives of the Devas.

Therefore, Vyasa in the Mahabharata says she was pure and could not be tainted by sin. Kumarila Bhatta says this:

  The unlawful intercourse of the five Pandavas with a common wife has been very well explained by Vyasa himself: "Draupadi appeared, in full bloom of youth, out of the sacrificial altar, and as such she is Lakshmi herself [meaning just opulent; not actually Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi], consequently, she does not become tainted by her intercourse with many owners." To the same effect, we have also the following: "The Brahmarishi pointed out her wonderfully beautiful form to be superhuman, inasmuch as the great souled beautiful one (Draupadi) became younger day by day." All this tends to show that she was not an ordinary human being; and hence she has been spoken of as 'superhuman' (and as such her actions are not to be judged by the ordinary standard of human proprieties). It is for this very same reason that Krishna himself promised to Karna that Draupadi would go to him on the sixth day (after having been with the Pandavas for 5 days). If it were not on account of the superhuman character of the woman, how could such an authoritative person as Krishna himself have promised such a transgression?

This shows that the Devas are not bound by rules humans are very much bound by.

What set of rules do Devas have to follow?


texts: Was Vishnu's 9th avatara (Buddha) really about deluding the athiests? If so, then why?

texts:
This linked answer took me a long way towards solving this riddle but didn't quite answer it. According to it, Shrimad Bhagvat clearly states that the purpose of Vishnu's incarnation as Buddha was to delude the people who are envious to the Gods (read athiests):

  tataḥ kalau sampravṛtte sammohāya sura-dviṣām
      buddho nāmnāñjana-sutaḥ kīkaṭeṣu bhaviṣyati [SB - 1.3.24]

This view is also prominent among many other schools of Hindu Philosophy.

Now I'm not challenging the existing scriptures, but simply trying to understand why. What sense would it make to "delude" some people by denying moksha, if they aren't going to get it in the first place? More over, seeing what Buddha has brought into the world (non-violence, meditation, etc.), that doesn't seem to be delusional at all. How do you explain that?


texts: What is the story of Dhruva Tara (North Star)?

texts: The Dhruva Tara (North Star) is believed to be a holy star in Hinduism. What is the story behind it?


texts: What's difference between Rishi, Rajarishi, Maha Rishi, Brahma Rishi and Saptarishi?

texts: I have heard a lot about those rishis. I know these are categories or may be level/rank of rishis. "Rishis" are bottom level and "Saptarishi" are top level. But what made them any of these? I mean, If one has become Rishi then how he can become Maharishi or Brahma rishi or any other. And what's the difference between them? Any  scriptures describes this concept?


texts: If we think thoughts about consciousness with the mind, does it imply mind is aware of consciousness?

texts:
We think everything in our minds. Even when one talks about pure consciousness he is referring to one's own thoughts which are products of mind. Now consciousness is the changeless perception of these changing thoughts. When one talks about consciousness, the mind which is forming thoughts about consciousness, must necessarily be aware of consciousness in the first place right?

In other words, how is the mind able to form coherent thoughts and logic about something, if it's not aware of it? Does this imply that consciousness has causal powers over the mind, causing it to think whatever consciousness wants? But consciousness cannot want anything because it is a perception of "wanting" itself. So how is it even possible to talk/think about consciousness if the mind is like a mechanical bull driving the cart we call our body? The charioteer is the consciousness within us.

If mind thinks about consciousness, then what is really happening? Are we saying that our minds do whatever they like and our consciousness simply observes? But that would imply that we don't have free will, only the mind has free will. Even if we grant the mind free will, how does the mind form a thought about that which observes it? Isn't the mind an object of observation? So how can an object of observation think about the process of observation?


texts: On what basis/definition/Minimum Parameters the Sikhism is considered as a separate religion than that of Hinduism?

texts:
Many scholars have stated that the Granth contains specific references to Hindu gods such as Rama and Krishna. Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, declared: “Na koi hindu na koi mussalman" (No one is Hindu or Muslim)”

Nevertheless, in the Adi Granth he compiled around 1600 AD a little over 11,000 names of God that appear over 95% are of Hindu origin: Hari, Rama, Gopal, Govind, Madhav, Vithal and others. Some like 'Allah, Rab, Malik' are Muslim. The exclusively Sikh word for God, Wahguru, appears only 16 times.

If the Guru Granth Sahib were to be examined, there is no difference between Hinduism and Sikhism because the Granth is based on the Hindu scriptures and beliefs.The Granth invokes the name of

Krishna 10,000 times
Rama 2400 times
It invokes Parabrahma 550 times
Omkar 400 times
It invokes the authority of the Vedas, Puranas, Smritis about 350
times
The names of the Nirguna Absolute – Jagdish, Nirankar, Niranjan,
Atma, Paramatma, Parmeshwar, Antaryami, Kartar – are invoked 2600 times.
Those of Saguna deity – Gobind, Murari, Madhav, Saligram, Vishnu,
Sarangpani, Mukund, Thakur, Damodar, Vasudev, Mohan, Banwari,
Madhusudan, Keshav, Chaturbhuj, etc, – are invoked 2,000 times

In the entire Guru Granth Sahib, the Vedas are respected and referred to as sacred. Guru Gobind Singh states that

  The Vedas originated from Brahma and the path of the Vedas is the only path for the people to follow:.

Guru Tegh Bahadur is executed explicitly for his defense of the Hindus of Kashmir, he is executed in the company of his Hindu devotees. Guru Gobind Singh composes a paen to Rama – Ramavatara – and another to Krishna – Krishnavatara.

He declares as his aspiration:

  Sakal jagat mein khalsa panth gaaje
  Jage dharma Hindu, sakal bhand bhaje

  Let the path of the pure prevail all over the world
  Let the Hindu dharma dawn and all delusion disappear.

He declares as his goal:

  Dharam vedamaryaada jag mein chalaaun
  Gaughaat kaa dosh jag se mitaaun

  May I spread dharma and prestige of the Veda in the world. And erase from it the sin of cow-slaughter.


texts: What is Yoga according to Bhagavad Gita?

texts: What is the meaning of Yoga according to Gita? Is there different types of Yoga? Significance of the word "Yoga" used many times in Bhagavat Gita?


texts: Who are the leading Vedic scholars in India?

texts: The ones who have most knowledge about the vedas. Though the coming question can be vague, yet How should one decide his Guru?


texts:
In manidwipa varnana Devi is praised with her husband.
In durga saptasathi devi says to the servant of sumbha she marries a man who defeats her.

Is she married?


texts: Lord Vishnu is called Aravamudhan in Kumbakonam and parts of Tamil Nadu.What does the name mean and signify?


texts: Works of Acharya Utpaladeva from Kashmiri Shavism?

texts: Acharya Utpaladeva was the one who set the base for Kashmiri Shaivism philosophy in order to understand it in a better way. I know 2 of his works i.e. Shivastotravali and Ishwarapratyabijnakarika. Are there any other texts which he wrote? Can someone help to list all of them?


texts: What is the historical origin of Goddess Kali?

texts: I somewhere read Kali is a non-Vedic tribal goddess. Later Kali was assimilated into Hinduism. What is the historical origin of Kali?


texts:
The scriptures state that there are an infinite number of Brahmas, and an infinite number of universes that have their own planetary systems.

Can one go to another from this earth?


texts: Rules for wearing yagyopavit by women (yes it is possible)

texts:
I was going through this post answered by @Keshav Srinivasan , the following photograph (2nd in the answer)

Depicts Shriman Narayana with his two wives, now begins my question is the goddess are wearing a Yagyopavit (yes look closely near nabhi/solar-plexus)!! Is there any scripture mentioning this or it is just an artistic imagination , depicting empowered women at the time of creation of this sculptor.