texts: Which puran describes about the curse of kashyap rishi by which Shiva had to behead his son?

texts: I have not found any description in shiv puran, that Shiva was cursed by kashyap rishi, by which he had to behead his own son Ganesha? Then which puran describes about it?


texts: According to most scholars, atheism is a part of Hinduism. However, are there any verses in the Puranas or the Mahabharata that condemn atheism?


texts: What is the punishment for a person who is not Hindu?

texts: I want to know that if a person is non hindu then what is the punishment for him after dying as a non hindu.


texts:
In Shiva Sutra, III.4 it is mentioned about Pranavayu that

  this is a way of meditation to concentrate on Prana i.e. on the expiration and inspiration of breath from the centre of the body upto a distance of twelve fingers in the external space. The mind has to be concentrated on the starting point of the breath from the centre and the ending point at a distance of twelve fingers from the center which is known as the end of dvaadashaanta the distance of twelve fingers. The external distance is known as baahya dvaadashaanta and internal (the starting point) is known as antar dvaadashaanta . One has to concentrate on the points Where the expiring and inspiring breaths stop for a split seconds.

My question is what is twelve fingers in this context ?


texts: Why Goddess Durga was worshiped on dusshera?

texts: Dusshera is the day the Ravana was killed by the Rama, but Hindus worship Goddess Durga instead of Rama on dusshera ? Why so?


texts: Universe inside atom in Hinduism (Sanatana dharma)

texts:
Sanatana dharma says that universe can exist inside atoms.
Yoga Vasistha, a scripture of Sanatana dharma, mentions across its body about the universe(s) inside atoms.
I am quoting a small example from it

There are numberless worlds of creations, in earth, water and air and
in everything under the sky, as if they are compressed or carved in
the body of a huge block of stone.
[14, 70, 7, Yoga Vasistha]

Are there other scriptures in Sanatana dharma that mention the same fact of atomic universes?


texts: Are there any curse associated with Padmanabhaswamy temple & Sabrimala of Kerala, India?

texts:
Padmanabhaswamy kshetra and Sabrimala area are 2 of the most sacred places in the state of Kerala, India.

In recent years, there have been certain controversies associated with them, where the honorable high court and supreme court of India were found intervening.
e.g. certain vaults of Padmanabhaswamy temple were opened or are waiting to be opened[1]; similarly there are issues with women's entry to the Sabrimala area[2]

It appeared as of that there had to be a reason for such restrictions.
Are there any historical curse involved, which may affect the surrounding areas of these sacred places?


texts: According to Hinduism, What is the objective of human life? Further what should be our ultimate goal?


texts: Significance of a SADGURU, in the confusing age of Kali

texts:
In times today people are living into full of temporary information overriden constantly, without much time devoted to learning about self.

Is there any way one can devote himself to a SADGURU without deviation caused by the Maya of selfishness ~to how personalities like SWAMI VIVEKANANDA did, while also completing worldly duties.

There's only selfishness, marketing and business attitudes seen everywhere.

Even in school children there's some sort of digital habits ingrained which seems to destroy their natural way of thinking, which makes them think spirituality is just for old/time pass/passive and helpless peoples of society.

Cause: They aren't given a spiritual shelter unlike past, which can let them Know the fact that this material world is just a reflection, so has no meaning without the spiritual side of life- just like a bulb has no meaning without electricity.


texts: Is it true that Lord Shiva's description is different in Vedas?

texts: The description of Lord shiva is holder of Trishul and damaru, holder  of pinaka bow, Ganga flowing from his head, having a moon on head, having snake in his neck,having 3 eyes,having body covered by ashes, his wife Parvati mata and his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya,wearing animal skin.usually this is the description of Shiva so is this same description found in Vedas as I heard his description is different in Vedas and different in Puranas.


texts: Is it true that Sri Krishna's flute is still hidden somewhere in India?

texts:
After the death of Sri Krishna, what happened to his belongings? I heard somewhere that his flute is still hidden in some secret place in India.
Is there any scriptural evidence to prove that his belongings other than his heart are hidden somewhere in India.


texts:
I have been wondering for quite a long time now about the symbol for 'OM' and it's association with 'Shiva'. My questions are:

Are Om symbol ॐ & Shiva correlated, if yes then how exactly? (the question duplicate of this does not throw any light on why OM symbol is usually used with Shiva while the answer associates it with all 3 Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh + it says more about A,U,M rather than the symbol itself. For instance why & how did this symbol first appear?)
Is there any association between 'Linga' and Om symbol ॐ ? (the duplicate question doesn't throw any light on this part as well)
Who the first one to use Om symbol ॐ, are there any scriptures that point out to this fact? (answer to this part is there and acceptable)


texts: Rules for chanting Oṃ namo bhagavate Vāsudevāya

texts:
Is there any rule for chanting Mahamantra :-

Oṃ namo bhagavate Vāsudevāya

Or can any one chant this anywhere at anytime (while travelling, eating, sleeping, resting on bed) as we can do nama smarana(taking name of lord).


texts: What are the different types of Divine love mentioned in the Narada Bhakti Sutras?

texts: Narada Bhakti Sutras or aphorisms of love was a text written by Narada Muni. In this, he talks about the various attributes of Bhakti or Divine love. What are the different types of Bhakti as mentioned in it?


texts: Does Rig Veda talk about Vishnu using weapons?

texts: There is very little anthropomorphic description of Vishnu in the Rig Veda. He assists Indra in his battles, but it is not clear if he himself is depicted as fighting.


texts: Where does the Linga purana mention Lord Krishna giving veena to Narada muni?

texts:
From SB 1.6.32

Narada speaking:

  देवदत्तमिमां वीणां स्वरब्रह्मविभूषिताम् |
    मूच्छरयित्वा हरिकथां गायमानच्श्रराम्यहम ||32||

  deva-dattām imāṁ vīṇāṁ svara-brahma-vibhūṣitām
   mūrcchayitvā hari-kathāṁ gāyamānaś carāmy aham

  Translation: And thus I travel, constantly singing the transcendental message of the glories of the Lord, vibrating this instrument called a vīṇā, which is charged with transcendental sound and which was given to me by Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  Purport -: The musical stringed instrument called the vīṇā, which was handed to Nārada by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is described in the Liṅga Purāṇa, and this is confirmed by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī. This transcendental instrument is identical with Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Nārada because all of them are of the same transcendental category . . .

So, I want to know the episode from Linga purana which mentions about Lord Krishna giving Veena to Narada muni.


texts: According to Hinduism at what time the life begins?

texts: In my view the life begins at the time of forming zygote inside the mother's womb. My question is that what is the view of Hinduism about "the beginning of a life"?


texts: How can one achieve "siddhi" in Hinduism?

texts:
I have heard recently about Guru Siyag who chanted 3 lac Gayatri Mantra(I don't know exact number) and attained "siddhi" according to him and his followers. Check out any youtube video of Guru siyag. He says he removes cancer from people who follows his "sidhdha" meditation!!

My question is how can one achieve "siddhi"? How many types of "siddhi" are? Is it true by chanting mantras "siddhi" come?

Does God gives supreme powers? is this "siddhi"? How and When? If I chant some x mantras will I be able to hold powers from GOD? How many mantras in day?


texts: What is the story of Shiva fighting Rama and Hanuman?

texts:
This page mentions a battle between Lord Rama and Shiva at the time of the Ashwamedh Yagnya and states that it is from the Shiva Purana:

  A war that went unnoticed among us. Shiva Purana mentions a war between Lord Shiva and Lord Rama in Treta Yuga (त्रेता युग). In Ayodhya empire, Lord Rama’s younger brother Satrughan took the lead of Ashwamedha yagna (अश्वमेध यज्ञ) and became undisputed winner. He also got support and assistance from great titans such as Lord Hanuman, Sugrew, son of Bharat Pushkal etc.

At another place I saw someone mention a similar story in which Hanuman fought with Shiva to protect Rama's army and this story was claimed to be from the Padma Puran. I didn't find either of these stories in these Puranas so need to ask - Is there any mention of Lord Shiva fighting with Lord Rama or Hanuman during the Ashwamedh Yagnya or otherwise?


texts: Whenever i try to meditate, my mind wanders in all directions. Random things happen, i feel like that I'm lucid dreaming. I'm just wondering if it is normal to happen or we can control it? Is there any proper way to meditate at one point?


texts: Most Hindu stories are told by someone in another story. How do you know you can trust the narrator?

texts: Is there any way to tell if a narrator is trustworthy or not. Do scriptures ever deal with the issue of which narrators are trustworthy and which are not? This is especially true for stories within stories, where there is technically no reason for the narrator to be right e.g. Arjuna or Duryodhana.


texts: What will be the next Yuga after Kali Yuga?


texts: When does Sanchitha Karma becomes Praarabdha Karma? What decides its transformation?

texts:
There are three karmas: Sanchitha, Praarabdha and Aagaami.  It is my understanding that how and where we are born and other things happen in a particular life is based on the Praarabdha Karmas, which are supposed to be ripened sanchita karmas for this life.  We would still carry the old sanchita karmas and take rebirths as they ripe.
My belief is not all sanchita karmas become praarabdha karmas at the same time.  Each one takes its own time based on its intensity.

Can some one explain how sanchita karma becomes praarabdha karma and what decides when it should be done?

Why does not the sanchita karma become praarabdha karma immediately for next life in that case we will have only aagami karmas (if we do not follow karma yoga) to carry to next life?


texts: Did Max Müller say any positive things about India and Hinduism?

texts:
Here is a citation, about Indian culture in general:

  If I were to look over the whole world to find out the country most richly endowed with all the wealth, power, and beauty that nature can bestow—in some parts a very paradise on earth—I should point to India. If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions of some of them which well deserve the attention even of those who have studied Plato and Kant—I should point to India. And if I were to ask myself from what literature we, here in Europe, we who have been nurtured almost exclusively on the thoughts of Greeks and Romans, and of one Semitic race, the Jewish, may draw that corrective which is most wanted in order to make our inner life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal, in fact more truly human, a life, not for this life only, but a transfigured and eternal life—again I should point to India.

Are there examples of his praise of aspects of Hinduism?

Its not for nothing that Vivekananda would call him a reincarnation of Sayana or that there were Max Müller Bhavans all over India which seem to have been renamed Goethe Institute now.


texts: What is the vaahan (mount) of Lord Hanuman?

texts: Does Lord Hanuman have a mount (vahana) like all the other Gods? I got this doubt when I have seen a camel before Hanuman in a temple like Nandi before Lord Shiva.I searched the internet about this and got this answer but not satisfied by it. Is this true? It is nowhere mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana. Is this mentioned in any other scripture? If so please explain with sources.


texts: Draupadi's connections with Sri Krsna and Agni Dev?

texts:
Goddess Draupadi-Panchali is sometimes referred to as Krsnaa, and sometimes as Agniputri or Agnijoytsna. Does this mean she has some sort of family or karmic connection with Sri Krsna and/or Agni Dev? What is her relation to these deities?

(I can understand the title of Agniputri since the Mahabharat in Adi Parvan states that she and were born out of Drupad's yajna, but do the texts bring anything more explicit about this?)


texts: Are Brahmins allowed to cross the sea (means foreign countries like America,Australia,etc)?

texts: I have heard many of people refusing to cross sea saying that It is wrong.So please I want a Clarification about this and also If any references from Scriptures will be nice and Thanks in advance.


texts: The Matsya Purana states that the Srimad Bhagavatam was written in the Saraswati Kalpa? Does the Devi Bhagavatam mention in which Kalpa was it written?


texts:
Brahmadev has a lifespan of 100 years and after that he dies.

I have certain questions about his death.

How does he die?
What happens to his wife Devi Saraswati after death of Brahmdev?
If Brahmdev life span is 100 years then is it true for Devi Saraswati?
As there is new Brahmdev after 100 years likewise is there new Devi Saraswati.


texts: What are all the scriptural basis for Results of Karma?

texts:
In other words, on what ‘basis’ the result for your actions are determined. I have seen very many references to how we should live our life so we accumulate Good Karma etc. in Vedic and non- Vedic sources like Sathyam Vadha, Dharmam Chara etc. I have also seen that we should not depend on the result of our actions and in fact offer that itself to Brahman in Gita.

However, I have not seen any direct reference on the basis of Karma phala determination in any source very clearly. There are some hints. I also know divisions of Karma (Sanchitha, Prarabda etc.) and what accumulates, what doesn’t, and what we bring into when we are born and what we carry forth when we leave etc. as well as Nitya Karma. But not very clear on how Karma phalam is determined.

Any scriptural references as to how this is determined would help. Without proper and clear definition, and grey areas, there are loopholes that entities could make use of for justifying immoral, unethical and overall incorrect actions correct?

Any proper scriptural references appreciated. Older the better.

My question is different from Origin of Karma and such references from scriptures.

For e.g Who decides for e.g  "being high up in heaven, an eternity with Surya, eternal life, a long life, being invited first, becoming chief of your village, a horse, a bullock, gold, food, a bride, the light of heaven, the Universe"  AS RESULTS for your good karma of "giving Dakshina to the Brahmanas performing your Yagna". What is the Justification for such a result assignment and not something else?

More generally, What MUST be the Scriptural BASIS of such  RESULT assignment for Good OR Bad Karma? Whoever may be the decider.

How am I to find out if this is in Rig Veda that is not Tampered by Vyasa's Sishya for e.g? Where are the cross references? If you leave the result vague and ad-hoc instead of a Sound scriptural basis then the adoption of Good Karma is Vague too correct? That is the motivation behind this question.


texts: If soul gets rebirth into another body, will pinda pradanam and shraddha rituals reach that soul?

texts:
I had a big doubt from many years, but didn't get a chance to get it clarified. As we all know punarapi jananam; punarapi maranam from Adi Shankaracharya's Bhaja Govindam which means until all of our karma is destroyed, our soul will continue in samsara (birth, death and rebirth cycle).

Also, we know that whenever we die our soul goes through various lokas (like pitru loka) and the son of the departed jiva should perform shraddha ceremony and do pinda pradanam for deceased soul, so that the deceased soul gets some kind of peace.

So my query is after death soul will get re-birth based on it's papa and punya? If soul gets rebirth into another body how does pinda pradanam and shraddha rituals reach that soul?

Our shastras say son should do shraddha ceremony till end of his life for his father and forefathers, so if father's soul has already taken rebirth how does these shraddha cermony and pinda pradanam reaches to that soul? Do our shastras or Garuda Purana mention anything about this?

Can anyone kindly clarify on this? Please let me know if my question is not clear, I will update it accordingly.


texts: Do gods and goddesses know all languages?

texts: Is it true that gods and goddesses know all languages? If true, where it has been mentioned?


texts:
Karna is widely known as Daana Veera Karna. What are the incidents from the Mahabharata that establish this?

This question talks about a lot of other qualities Karna had.


texts: Did Drona help Ekalavya after taking guru-dakshina?

texts:
In Mahabharata, Drona asked for the thumb of Ekalavya as guru-dakshina.

After receiving it, did Drona gave any special vidya or any other help to Ekalavya?


texts:
Mahabharata, in this translation, says Hiranyavarman gave his daughter to Drupada's son Shikandini (Drupada said she is his son when she was a girl). Hiranyavarman was about to attack Drupada and all the sorted when Shikandini temporarily became male.
During these passage, Drupada keeps addressing Hiranyavarman as "my brother". More here.

The reply to these words of my brother that thou hast said unto me, O Brahmana, will be carried to that monarch by my envoy!

And,

Hearing that testimony, the ruler of the Dasarnakas was filled with great joy, and wending then unto his brother Drupada, passed a few days with him in joy.

In the previous sections also there are referenced as brothers.
Question is, of they (three two kings) were brothers, Hiranyavarman's daughter and Drupada's son (daughter) will be brother and sisters. So, marriage was between brother-sister here?


texts: If karma works, why are so many evil or corrupted people successful?

texts:
The world have so many evil or corrupted people who are successful.

If karma is applicable to people, why do good people have to struggle?


texts: Was Manasa the daughter of Shiva or sage Kashyapa?

texts:
I am little confused here, I thought Manasa was the daughter of Shiva but wiki says she was daughter of sage Kashayapa:

The Puranas are the first scriptures to speak about her birth. They declare that sage Kashyapa is her father, not Shiva as described in the later Mangalkavyas.

What exactly do our scriptures tell us?


texts: How did the Pandavas escape a death- trap at Varnavata?

texts:
A deceptive plot was hatched by Duryodhana and his friends, to get the Pandavas, along with their mother Kunti, killed at Varnavata.

However, the Pandavas were forewarned by Vidura about the possibility of  danger to their lives, during the stay at Varnavata.

Eventually, the Pandavas escaped the danger and the  death-trap at Varnavata.
How did the Pandavas escape the death- trap at Varnavata?
What are the details of the incident?


texts: How does Sonadanda's characterization of a Brahmin agree or disagree with other definitions in scripture?

texts:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/dob/dob-04tx.htm

Dialog between Sonadanda the Brahmin and the Buddha:

"
11. Now the Blessed One became aware in his own mind of the hesitation in the mind of Sonadanda, and he thought: 'This Sonadanda is afflicted in his heart. I had better question him on his own doctrine.' And he said to him: 'What are the things, Brahman, which the Brahmans say a man ought to have in order to be a Brahman, so that if he says: "I am a Brahman," he speaks accurately and does not become guilty of falsehood?'
"

.....................

"
13. And drawing his body up erect, and looking round on the assembly, he said to the Blessed One: 'The Brahmans, Gotama, declare him to be a Brahman who can accurately say "I am a Brahman" without being guilty of falsehood, who has five things. And what are the five? In the first place, Sir, a Brahman is well born on both sides, on the mother's side and on
the father's side, of pure descent back through seven generations, with no slur put upon him, and no reproach, in respect of birth--

'Then he is a repeater (of the sacred words), knowing the mystic verses by heart, one who has mastered the Three Vedas, with the indices, the ritual, the phonology, and the exegesis (as a fourth), and the legends as a fifth, learned in the phrases and in the grammar, versed in Lokâyata sophistry, and in the theory of the signs on the body of a great man--

'Then he is handsome, pleasant to look upon, inspiring trust, gifted with great beauty of complexion, fair in colour, fine in presence, stately to behold,--

'Then he is virtuous, increased in virtue, gifted with virtue that has grown great--

'Then he is learned and wise, the first, or it may be the second, among those who hold out the ladle{1}.'

"

They have a dialog in which Sonadanda drops all but two requirements:

"
14. 'But of these five things, oh Brahman, is it possible to leave one out, and to declare the man who has the other four to be a Brahman, to be one who can accurately, and without falling into falsehood, claim to be a Brahman?'

'Yes, Gotama, that can be done. We could leave out colour{2}. For what does colour matter? [121] If he have the other four--good birth, technical training, virtue, and wisdom, as just set forth{3}-Brahmans would still declare him to be a Brahman; and he could rightly, without danger of falsehood, claim to be one.'

'But of these four things, oh Brahman, is it possible to leave one out, and to declare the man who has the other three to be a Brahman, to be one who can rightly, and without falling into falsehood, claim to be a Brahman?'

'Yes, Gotama, that could be done. We could leave out the verses. For what do the verses matter? If he have the other three--good birth, virtue, and wisdom--Brahmans would still declare him to be a Brahman; and he could rightly, without danger of falsehood, claim to be one.'

'But of these three things, Brahman, is it possible to leave one out, and to declare the man who has the other two to be a Brahman, to be one who can accurately, and without falling into falsehood, claim to be a Brahman?'

'Yes, Gotama, that could be done. We could leave out birth. For what does birth matter? If he have the other two--virtue and wisdom--Brahmans would still declare him to be a Brahman; and he could rightly, without danger of falsehood, claim to be one.'

"


texts: How does Vishistaadvaita philosophy explain 'jiva' name for Lord Shriman Narayana

texts:
In the Vishnu Sahastranaam, there is a name 'jiva' assigned to Lord Shriman Narayana.

  jivo vinayita sahskhi mukundomita vikramahaa

According to Vishistaadvaita Philosophy jiva and Bramhan are different entities and Bramhan pervades everything, Bramhan resides inside the jiva as Antaryami. Bramhan is Shriman Narayana, but if jiva is a name for Bramhan (as in the Vishnusahastranaam) does it mean that Jiva is Bramhan , if so it inclines towards Abheda or Advaita Philosophy instead of Ghataka or Vishistaadvaita philosophy.


texts: While I have found some speculative answers to this question, I would like to know something more accurate and philosophical rather than the usual clichés. I personally don't think he was a villain and Draupadi was not molested


texts: Does Hinduism believe divorce and remarriage is moral?

texts: Does Hinduism believe divorce and remarriage (while the divorced spouse is still alive) is moral?


texts: Ma Kali in the form of a child in my dream: Is there any meaning to this?

texts:
In our dreams, we might see things that we think of while awake, or things that we like to think of. I don't suppose this one in particular had any meaning to it; most probably it was just like any other random dream.
In my dream, she had the appearance of a child, and she looked no more than 6 or 7 years of age. She had a blue-skin complexion ("Shyama"?, at least that is what we say in Bengali). She had extremely long hair, covering most of her body, and large eyes. But she did not have the garland of heads, or weapons in her hands, or even her 3rd eye. And she had only two arms. However, in my dream, I definitely did recognize her as Ma Kali. Among many things that I saw in that dream, there was a large but dark and dingy room, in which there was a rather ordinary wooden shrine, upon which there were innumerable small murtis and photos of Ma Kali. The room's door led to a very long and dark corridor, and on the other end of that corridor was another room, but an empty one. While exiting this room (the empty one) later, I saw her, present in the form of a young child.
This was most likely a random dream and nothing significant, as I neither possess any knowledge about dharma (illiterate, to be honest), nor am I wise, by any definition. I have seen many different weird things in my dreams anyway. Note that I have spent quite some time lately thinking about Ma Kali, and her temples in Kalighat and Dakshineshwar, as an attempt to reconnect with my Hindu heritage.


texts: Is the daughter of Brahma in shatpatha brahmana Sandhya the nymph or saraswati?

texts:
The story of Brahma lusting after his daughter due to arrow struck by kama deva is present in shatpatha brahmana, my question is, is the daughter called Sandhya or saraswati, because there is differing legend in some puranas some say Brahma lusted after her nymph daughter sandhya not saraswati.

If there is difference between the Vedic and puranic version, Vedic version has to be accepted, if I'm correct.


texts: How various 'Kavach Stotras' from Hindu Puranas can protect women from suffering molestation and other severe crimes?

texts:
We come across various Kavachas or Armours of deities which claim that the one who reads them will be protected.
Nowadays we see the crimes against women are ever increasing.  Isn't it the right time to test these scriptures? I feel we must print these kavachas and distribute them to various women activists and women welfare groups. Is it practical? How can we who love Hinduism and aware of it's glory save women from the horrible sufferings of brutal crimes happening these days?


texts: Why did the Brahmins before Uddalak not have the knowledge of the other world while Kshatriyas did?

texts:
This story from the Chandogya Upanishad 5.3-10 states something very interesting:

Shvetaketu was distressed and felt very much humiliated at this. So he returned home and asked his father Uddalaka, “Revered father, you told me that you have instructed me well. But when prince Pravahana asked some five questions, believe me, I could not reply even one of those. How then did you say to me that I was sufficiently educated?” Saying this to his father, Shvetaketu then narrated the whole story about the five questions and his awkwardness in the assembly of the Panchalas.
Uddalaka, the loving father of Shvetaketu, listened everything carefully and replied: “Believe me my dear child. I myself do not know anything about any of these questions. If I had that knowledge, do you think that I have ever withheld it from you?” Saying this to his son, Uddalaka decided to go the assembly of Panchala to learn about this knowledge from prince Pravahana.
In the palace of Pravahana, Uddalaka was received with due respect. The next morning when he presented himself at the assembly, Pravahana told him respectfully, “Sir, I offer you wealth which is dear to all. You can demand as much as you please.” At this Uddalaka said, “O great prince, let the wealth remain with you. Tell me about the questions you have asked to my son. I am thirsting for the knowledge of the other world.”
The prince was perturbed and yet pleased with the attitude of the Brahmin sage. He then requested Uddalaka to stay with him for a long time. At the end of the period Pravahana said to Uddalaka, “O revered Gautama (another name of Uddalaka), prior to you this knowledge never went to any Brahmin. This knowledge has been traditionally known only to the Kshatriyas. It is only now and for the first time that a Brahmin is receiving it from a Kshatriya king.” Saying this, Pravahana started giving Uddalaka the answers to all the questions he had asked to Shvetaketu.

While the questions and their answers are interesting in their own right I want to know how did the Kshatriyas have this knowledge and Brahmins didnt?


texts: Did Rantideva kill cows and cook in his kitchen to feed the hungry?

texts: I was listening to Mahabharata audio podcasts. My doubt was when Rishi Kaushika met the butcher in Mithila nagara, did the butcher mention that king Rantideva also killed many animals including cows and later cooked them in his kitchen to feed the hungry and the needy?


texts: What's the relation between Shiva and Maa Lakshmi?

texts: I am asking this because it happened that I have noticed the mention of one portion of Sri Sukta dedicated to Maa Lakshmi, into a complete full Rudra Path chant (namakam and chamakam together); also I have noticed the mention of Maa Lakshmi in a final shloka of the Shiva Tandava Stotram and in the Maa Lakshmi Sri Sukta there is also God Shiva mentioned. Hence I was wondering what is the link, history, or and relation between Goddess Maa Lakshmi and God Shiva.


texts: The great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn according to the Scriptures

texts:
Astronomers use the word conjunction to describe meetings of planets and other objects on our sky’s dome. They use the term great conjunction to describe meetings of Jupiter and Saturn, the two biggest worlds in our solar system. The next great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be December 21, 2020. It’ll be the first Jupiter-Saturn conjunction since the year 2000, and the closest Jupiter-Saturn conjunction since the year 1623! At their closest, Jupiter and Saturn will be only 0.1 degrees apart. That’s just 1/5 of a full moon diameter.

According to this other table, these are the names of the planets:

Who is Vrihaspati , the God associated with Jupiter and
How  is considered the Winter Solstice (21 December) according to the scriptures?


texts: Is it ok to eat Prasada (naivedhya offered to God) during fasting day? Normally it is said that prasada must not be declined. Eating will break fasting vow?


texts: It could mean faith in a particular diety, mantra, ritual, remedy etc. What does faith mean and what does it involve? Does any scripture describe faith?


texts: Is it obligatory for a mleccha householder to marry?

texts: There are two options to most Hindus, householder or ascetic. Householders must get married. Is this law obligatory on foreigners as well? And what type of marriage would foreigners engage in? One of their own traditions?


texts: Why Malyavaan & Asumbanan were certified by Sita along with Vibhishana that they are good souls?

texts:
When Sita was in Ashoka vana, she praised Vibhishana along with Malyavaan and Asumbana.  This appears in Sundar Kand (not clear under which sarga). I was able to find a site which hosts English translation:

  Is there no saint or learned person in this country who can advice you
  and put you in right path. I can't say like that, considering the
  fact great people like Vibhishana, Asumbanan, Malyavan are residing
  here. Don’t you listen to them. Do not ignore the words of learned
  people and indulge in a sinful activity. You are paving way for
  destruction of yourself and your country.

What are those good deeds performed by the duo who was in par with Vibhishana in the mind of Sita?


texts: What is the story of Babruvahan as per Vyas Mahabharat?

texts:
Babruvahan was son of Arjun and Chitrangada. But his story has different versions from different places i read. In some, Ulupi trained him to kill Arjun to later revive him.
What was this story according to original Mahabharat?


texts: What is a good approximation for how long humankind has been on Earth (as homo sapiens), according to Hinduism/Vedic scripture? I have read some texts on how we came to be, but have not encountered any clues as to how long we have been here, in this current form.


texts:
I found from a post (see question no.5) , Brahma is the priest in Atharva Veda. As all 4 Vedas are given by Brahma, then who are the priests of remaining 3 Vedas?

As Vedas are for knowledge then, What is the need of a priest in Vedas?


texts: Where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu used to originally reside?

texts: Lord Shiva is a resident of mountain Kailaasa which is in the Himalaya i.e. in-laws place. Lord Vishnu is resident of Kshirsagar i.e. also a in-laws place. So my question is - Where did Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu reside originally?


texts:
Can someone please explain me these theories of advaita vedanta in simple words.
The information that is out there on the internet is a little hard for me to grasp.

Ajati-vada
Abhasa-vada
Drishti-Srishti-vada
Parinama-vada
Vivarta-vada

Thank you.


texts:
Why was Dhritarashtra blind?

Was it to do with something in his past life? I have heard that his mother closed her eyes during niyog and therefore he became blind. Is that the only reason or something to do with his past life?


texts: Why don't husbands change their dress code after wife's death like the women who wear white saree after husband's death?

texts:
Wife at the time of husbands death wear white saree and does not put Kunkumam on her forehead.
She also does not participate in certain functions and seeing her is considered as a Bad Omen.
Husbands don't change their life style even in a small way.

QUESTION :

Why husbands don't change their dress code after wife's death like the women who wear white sarees after husbands' death ?


texts: Who did Vishnu appear before in Thiruvahindrapuram, Bhumidevi or Bhumadevi?

texts:
I'm currently visiting India, and I went to the town of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu.  It contains a place called Thiruvahindram, one of the 108 Divya Desams.  As I discuss in this question,  the Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. The Alwars are crucially important figures in the development of Vaishnavism; it is the principles and beliefs embodied in the Alwars' poems that ultimately gave rise to the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member). The Alwars praised many Vishnu temples and other sacred places of Vishnu in their poetry; a sacred place of Vishnu that was praised by at least one Alwar is called a Divya Desam, and there are 108 of them; see the list here.

In any case, there are many special things about Thiruvahindrapuram.  The main Vishnu deity is called Devanatha Perumal:

Once the gods needed help to defeat some Asuras, so they prayed to Vishnu in Thiruvahindrapuram.  Vishnu appeared and killed the Asuras with his Sudarshana Chakra (discus weapon).  Afterwards he wanted water, so his bird vehicle Garuda started digging for water with his beak, creating a body of water known as Garuda Theertham.  But he was taking too long, so Vishnu's serpent Adiseshan used his tail to quickly dig a well for Vishnu.  Another thing about this place is that right next to the Devanatha Perumal temple is a hill, formed from a part of Mount Oushadi which fell while Hanuman was carrying it.  (I discuss that story in my answer here.)  And on top of that hill is a temple to Vishnu's incarnation Hayagriva, who appeared before the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan.

I could ask so many questions about this sacred place, but for now let me just ask one.  The priest of the Devantaha Perumal Vishnu temple said that the sage Markandeya and Bhumidevi engaged in Tapasya (deep meditation) here, and Vishnu appeared before them.  When I heard this, at first I just assumed that this was about Vishnu's wife Bhumidevi, goddess of the earth; Vishnu married her after she engaged in Tapasya.  But then I went to the famous Upillaiappan Vishnu Temple near Kumbakonam.  That is where Vishnu, in his Venkateshwara form, married the sage Markandeya's daughter.  Markandeya's daughter was an incarnation of Lakshmi and her name was Bhumadevi.

So my question is, who is it that Vishnu appeared before in Thiruvahindrapuram?  Did he appear before Bhumidevi goddesss of the Earth, or before Bhumadevi daughter of Markandeya?  The latter seems more plausible to me, since it would make sense that Markandeya and his daughter would together engage in Tapasya in order to get Vishnu as a groom.


texts: Are there any low-caste Vaikhanasa priests?

texts:
I recently learned that the priest of the Vishnu temple in my native village of Poondi is a low-caste person.  The notion of a low-caste person serving in a temple didn't surprise me, since in the Sri Vaishnava sect it's a well-established practice for low-caste people who have performed Sharanagati (complete surrender to Vishnu) to perform service to temples.  But I was more surprised to learn the priest was not a Sri Vaishnava, but rather a Vaikhanasa.

As I discuss in this answer, one of the early movements that was important in the development of Vaishnavism was the ancient Pancharatra movement, whose sacred texts consisted of detailed procedures to worship the sage Narayana, an ancient incarnation of Vishnu. Since the Pancharatra texts originated from Narayana himself, they are followed by pretty much all mainstream Vaishnava Sampradayas, whether Sri Vaishnavas, Madhvas, Gaudiya Vaishnavas, etc. But as I discuss in this answer, there's another group of Vishnu-worshippers who worship Vishnu according to the different set of texts, the Vaikhanasas. Vaikhanasas place more emphasis on rituals than in high-minded philosophy; while mainstream Vaishnavas are committed to elaborate Vedantic philosophical systems, like Dvaita or Visistadvaita, Vaikhanasa doctrines are more about the construction and worship of idols and the like. The vast majority of Vishnu-worshippers follow Pancharatra, but there are several Vaikhanasa temples in India, including the world-renowned Tirumala Tirupati/Venkatesshwara temple.

In any case, it seems that the priest in my native village of Poondi belongs to the "Bhattacharya" community, which is apparently a community of low-caste Vaikhanasa priests.  My question is, are there any sources that discuss this community? And assuming this community does exist, what is its origin?  As I discuss in this answer, the Vaikhanasa system was founded by the sage Vikhanasa, who taught it to four sages, Atri, Marichi, Kashyapa, and Bhrigu.  And Vaikhanasas believe that they're "Garbha Vaishnavas", i.e. that the child of Vaikhanasa parents is initiated into the system by Vishnu while they're still in the womb.  So how could a system which began with four Brahmins and which believes that only the offspring of Vaikhanasas can be a Vaikhanasa ever acquire low-caste members?

And is true that the Vaikhanasa system allows low-caste people to be priests?  My understanding is that of the two systems, Pancharatra is a bit more liberal on caste than Vaikhanasa; Wikipedia says this:

  With the rise of the Shri Vaishnavas the Vaikhanasas declined in their temple role. Rāmānuja, leader of the Shri Vaishnavas and the first organiser of temple administration at Srirangam Temple, replaced the Vaikhanasa system of worship with the more liberal Pañcaratra system, expanded the fivefold division of temple servants into tenfold, and gave an important part in ritual to sudra, lowest caste, ascetics. This change spread to other Vaishnava temples.

And judging by this excerpt from the Vaikhanasa Dharma Sutras, their views on the caste system seem to be perfectly orthodox.  So how could the Vaikhanasas accept the Bhattacharya community and allow them to be priests?


texts: What scriptures mention the all-consuming eternal fire burning North of the Himalayas?

texts:
If you've read the Vishnu Purana, then you're probably familiar with the story of how Vyasa's father Parashara, upon learning that his father Shakti had been killed by the Rakshasa Kalmashapada, decided to perform a Yagna to kill all the Rakshasas in the world.  But then he was persuaded not to carry it out, and his decision to spare the Rakshasas was rewarded with a boon that gave him the knowledge needed to narrate the Vishnu Purana, as described in the first chapter of the Vishnu Purana.

What's not as well-known, however, is what happened in the aftermath of the aborted Yagna.  Here is what this chapter of the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata says:

  Thus addressed by Pulastya, as also by the intelligent Vasishtha, that mighty Muni--the son of Saktri then brought that sacrifice to an end. And the Rishi cast the fire that he had ignited for the purpose of the Rakshasas' sacrifice into the deep woods on the north of the Himavat. And that fire may be seen to this day consuming Rakshasas and trees and stones in all seasons.

My question is, what scriptures describe this fire to the North of the Himalayas, which can be seen "to this day"?  Of course "this day" was 5000 years ago, but the way it's described it sounds like an eternal flame.

Now Hindu scripture says a variety of odd things about the land on the other side on the Himalayas, often called the land of the Uttarakurus.  It's often referred to as a "land of the gods".  In this chapter of the Aitareya Brahmana of the Rig Veda, Atyarati promises to give the Earth to Vasishta as soon as he conquers it, but then he refuses to give it because he hasn't conquered Uttarakuru yet. Vasishta curses him, because Uttarakuru is the land of the gods and thus unconquerable, so Atyarati has tricked him.  I may post a question about Uttarakuru later.

But in any case, are there any other scriptures that discuss the all-consuming fire set by Parashara North of the Himalayas?


texts: How many Saptrishis have been mentioned in scriptures? Which Yuga did they belong too?

texts: Were there only seven Saptrishis? Were there any females amongst Saptrishis? Are they ever mentioned as doing parikrama around Sun or Earth? Have there been multiple sets of Saptrishis during various ages? During which Yuga did Saptrishis live?


texts: Source of Ramayan and Mahabharath which were written originally

texts:
I read almost all the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
But my question is:

At present where are the original Ramayana and Mahabharata manuscripts which were written by  Valmiki and Vyasa Maharshi?
Do they still exist or are they decomposed?


texts: What is the difference between Shiksha and Pratishakhya granth?

texts:
Are Pratishkhya granth and Shiksha the same?

I want to know the rules of pronouncing letters in samhita of Shukla Yajurveda, Madhyandini shakha. Should I look for a Shikha granth or Pratishakya?


texts: How does Dayananda Saraswati explain the Purusha Sukta of the Rigveda?

texts:
Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati was believer in pure Vedic Hinduism (as per his notion). Now he wrote Rigveda bhashya on Rigveda.

Purusha Sukta is hymn 10.90 of Rigveda. Read it on Wikisource.

Now, I want to know how Dayanand ji himself explained Purusha sukta. It is of very critical importance.

Archive.org contains his bhashya but in all the mandalas listed there, I am not able to find it even after searching.

Can somebody explain here or give exact direct link to Dayanand Saraswati's explanation of Purusha sukta?


texts: What are the names of Yamunacharya's disciples?

texts: How many disciples were there of Yamunacharya sage and what are their names?


texts: Aryan Migration theory—evidence for and against it in the Vedas

texts:
Aryan Migration theory is a hotly contested topic. The proponents of the theory cite Vedic verses which talk of ancestors recording their memories of a cold desolate homeland and their fear of fauna like foxes therein (Central Asia) and also the importance of pole star in the their marriage rituals. They also talk of the similarities between Indo-Iranian languages and similarities between Zoroastrian and Brahmin customs and traditions—especially the similarity between the Brahmin Yagnopavita and Zoroastrian Sudreh and word by word similarities between some Zend Avestan and Vedic verses.

The supporters of Out of India theory (OIT) on the other hand suggest that the presence of names of rivers like Saraswati, Ganga, Yamuna, etc in the Vedas are indicative of an early Indian ancestry.

Among the Migration theorists there are different variations—that it was a peaceful and gradual migration, like immigration and cultural diffusion; that it was violent and pushed Dravidians southward; that Aryans were nomads in Central Asia and composed the Vedas and developed high culture only after they came to India; etc.

Without dwelling into the multitude of investigative tools like genetic evidence, archaeology, linguistics, etc and sticking only to the Vedas, where do the verses point to in terms of our ancestry?


texts:
Can shudra wear thread on waist ?
What  Dharma Shastra is telling that shudra can wear thread around their waist(A ceremony which is called Molathadu in Telugu)?
If not, then any sacred thread for shudra ?


texts:
One thing I'm a bit confused about:

Hinduism says we must escape the cycle of birth and death and attain moksha. But how are we to do this and how is this related to karma?

If my actions are very negative in one lifetime will there be a chance to progress towards to this goal in the next lifetime?

Say I'm a very evil person in one life, surely, as a result of this bad karma, my next birth will see me in a worse situation/circumstances where it will be increasingly more difficult to attain this goal of Hinduism? Thus will I not essentially be in a downward spiral, never being able to progress spiritually?

Can anyone offer a non-theistic explanation of how this works in Hindu philosophy?


texts: Why do most saints put Shiva Namam on their forehead?

texts:
Most of the saints I have seen like Vishwamitra, Gautama Maharshi, Sri Madvirat Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy, Shirdi Sai Baba, Adi Sankaracharya etc put Shiva Namam on their forehead.

Is it because they are saivites?
Is it because Lord Shiva gives powers faster than Lord Vishnu?


texts: Is phalashruti applicable to people who read translated versions?

texts:
Many Hindu texts have phalashruti for even reading the texts or even for reading a single shloka of such texts.

In this context I got the doubt:

Is phalashruti (for reading) applicable to those who read in the Sanskrit language only?

If people are reading such texts in English or in their own local language then are they eligible to get the phalashruti for reading?


texts: Who is this Hindu( most likely Gujrati) guy, who speaks on Krishna( mostly)

texts:
I have received some forwarded messages( the sender does not know the name) and he talks very good on Hinduism Krishna and philosophy.
I will appreciate if this community help me identify the name of this gentlemen. I guess he is from Gujarat.


texts:
Beggars always ask for something without giving any goods or services in return. Thats why they are often despised.

However, when we pray to God, we often make requests without giving anything in return. How is this different?


texts: What is Hierarchy/levels of beings from humans to Brahman?

texts:
In various references, incidents, anecdotes etc we come across beings like human, Deva, Gandharva, Yaksha, Pitru, Aditya, Rudra, Vasu (not Vaasu), Naga, Asura, Pitru etc.

While the Bramhasutra explains about the happiness of bramham (not the 4 headed Bramha) it says if the human happiness is considered as 1x, then Deva's happiness is 10x and Bramha's happiness is 100x and bramham's happines is 1000x.  I might not be correct with the number, but just used it to indicate the levels that is quoted here.

So with the above levels and with the names of the beings said, what are levels of beings which supposedly start from Bramham till human. Of course the level goes beyond human as animals and plants and so forth.

Can the such levels in descending order be provided?

Edit:
This site says (link is now dead) in Tamil:

  தைத்திரீயத்தில் —ஆனந்தவல்லி ,இப்படிக் கூறுகிறது

  ஸ ஏகோ மானுஷ ஆனந்த : | தே யே ஸதம் மானுஷா ஆனந்தா  ஸ ஏகோ மனுஷ்ய

  கந்தர்வாணாமானந்த : | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | தே யே ஸதம் மனுஷ்ய

  கந்தர்வாணாமானந்தா : | ஸ ஏகோ தேவகந்தர்வாணா மானந்த : | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய

  சாகாமஹதஸ்ய | தே யே ஸதம் தேவகந்தர்வாணா மானந்தா : | ஸ ஏக :
  பித்ருணாஞ்சிரலோகலோகானாமானந்த : | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | தே யே ஸதம்

  பித்ருணாஞ்சிரலோகலோகானாமானந்தா : | ஸ ஏக ஆஜானஜாநாம் தேவானாமானந்த : |

  ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | தேயே ஸத மாஜானஜாநாம் தேவானாமானந்தா : | ஸ ஏக
  கர்மதேவானாம் தேவானாமானந்த : | யே கர்மணா தேவானபி யந்தி | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய

  சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | தே யே ஸதம் கர்மதேவானாம் தேவானாமானந்தா : | ஸ ஏகோ

  தேவானாமானந்த : | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | தே யே ஸதம் தேவானாமானந்தா :

  | ஸ ஏக இந்த்ரஸ்யானந்த : | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | தே யே
  ஸதம்இந்த்ரஸ்யானந்தா : | ஸ ஏகோ ப்ரு ஹஸ்பதேரானந்த : | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய

  சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | தே யே ஸதம் ப்ரு ஹஸ்பதேரானந்தா : | ஸ ஏக ப்ரஜாபதேரானந்த :

  | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | தே யே ஸதம் ப்ரஜாபதேரானந்தா : | ஸ ஏகோ

  ப்ரஹ்மண ஆனந்த : | ஸ்ரோத்ரியஸ்ய சாகாமஹ தஸ்ய | ஸயச்சாயம் புருஷே |

  இப்படிச் சொல்லிக்கொண்டே போகிறது

  ஆனந்தம் நூறு மடங்கு பெருகுகிற தாம்( நூறு என்பது அளவிட முடியாதது என்று
  பொருள் )
  1.மனுஷ்ய ஆனந்தம்
  2. அதைவிட நூறு மடங்கு கந்தர்வ ஆனந்தம்
  3. அதைவிட நூறு மடங்கு தேவகந்தர்வ ஆனந்தம்
  4. அதைவிட நூறுமடங்கு பித்ருக்கள் ஆனந்தம்
  5. அதைவிட நூறு மடங்கு தேவர்களின் ஆனந்தம்
  6. அதைவிட நூறு மடங்கு இந்த்ரனின் ஆனந்தம்
  7.அதைவிட நூறு மடங்கு ப்ருஹஸ்பதியின் ஆனந்தம்
  8. அதைவிட நூறு மடங்கு ப்ரஹ்மானந்தம்
  9. அதைவிட நூறு மடங்கு பரப்ரஹ்மானந்தம்

A rough translation (by me):
Anandhavalli in Thaittiriya Upanishat says a Sanskrit verse and its meaning:
Ghandarva's happiness is 100x human happiness
DevaGhandarva's happiness is 100x Ghandarva's happiness
Pithru's happiness is 100x DevaGhandarva's happiness
Deva's  happiness is 100x Pithru's happiness
Indran's happiness is 100x Deva's happiness
Bruhaspathi's happiness is 100x Indran's happiness
Bramha's happiness is 100x Bruhaspathi's happiness
Parabramham's happiness is 100x Bramha's happiness.

And for a good translation, you can see a discussion thread on India Divine.org on same topic.


texts:
We have met in the past Yuga. We are meeting again in this Yuga. We will meet again in next Yuga. And so on... Is there an end to this suffering , in general not just my own ,of taking birth and rebirth? If yes then will the next Yuga come to end forever?

EDIT: The answer seems to be No because Brahma repeats the cycle of birth and rebirth after a certain period. Note that the question was not about my birth or rebirth. Question was about our birth and rebirth. Since Brahma recreates the world there is no end to suffering in general. An individual may escape the suffering but collectively we will meet again in the next cycle. Therefore there is no end to the suffering.


texts: It is said that Lord Hanuman still lives on the earth, If it so where does he live?

texts: I have heard a lot that Lord Hanuman is immortal but I want to know where he lives?


texts: Why are buffaloes sacrificed during Maa Kali's Puja?

texts:
First of all, this isn't meant to hurt anyone's sentiment.

In which scripture, is the ritual mentioned?

Secondly, is it allowed to take the meat in the form of prasad? Why or why not?  [1]

Edit (4/10/2020) : The second question has an answer here

Notes:

Usually, I see members from a particular Hindu tribe take the body of the animal to their village for consumption. Others (usually non tribal Hindus) don't consume it. On the other hand, goats, pigeons, etc form part of the prasad during the festival.

If references specific to Shakti tradition is not available, general reference to animal sacrifice can be provided for the first question.


texts: Has there been any figure in the scriptures which travelled back in time?

texts: I have seen topics which mention time dilation in Hinduism but I am specifically looking for travelling back in time.


texts: What are the age limits for an Agamic initiation? Can a very old person be initiated as well?

texts:
For the Vedic initiation (the Upanayana) the prescribed ages(when to perform the initiation) are given in various scriptures like the Manu Smriti etc. And, the age limits till which the disciples can be initiated are also given.

2.36. In the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation (upanayana) of a Brahmana, in the eleventh after conception
(that) of a Kshatriya, but in the twelfth that of a Vaisya.
2.38. The (time for the) Savitri (initiation) of a Brahmana does not pass until the completion of the sixteenth year (after conception), of
a Kshatriya until the completion of the twenty-second, and of a Vaisya
until the completion of the twenty-fourth.

I am looking to know about similar (upper and lower) age limits (if any exist at all) for the Tantric/Agamic initiation.
Can a very old person be initiated as per the Tantras? Similarly at what age a person becomes qualified for a Tantric initiation?


texts: Where can I get the complete English translation of the Chaitanya Mangala?

texts: I would like to read the Chaitanya Mangala by Lochana Das in English. Can anyone provide me some links to read it?


texts: I once saw an image of Lord Vishnu wearing a sacred thread which Brahmin's wear on their body. Does this mean that Lord Vishnu is a Brahmin?


texts: Is there a sect in Hinduism that reject reincarnation?

texts: There are many sects in Hinduism that have their own beliefs. So it there any sect that reject reincarnation.


texts:
Now a days many people claim to be a saint. Is there any method to differentiate real saint and fake saint.

UPDATE.

A person can have only 1 Guru in his lifetime.

But if I come to know there is a saint and i want to go for his/her darshan then is it possible for me to identify that the person is saint or not.
Because if that saint is not true then then I am wasting my time & energy.


texts: Do worshippers of Lord Vishnu also worship Lord Ganesh? I am learning about the Hindu religion is very interested in becoming a follower of the Hindu religion I am also looking for reading materials that anyone would suggest.


texts:
So, I was just reading up some Feng-Shui stuff, and I realized that sleeping in front of mirrors is apparently not good, as it may lead to something called 'soul-stealing'

Attached are a few websites claiming the same-

Mirror and Feng Shui - 1
Mirror and Feng Shui - 2

Do Hindus also believe in this practice? Is there any mention of the 'best sleeping position' in Hinduism? Does a mirror in front of a bed really change anything?


texts:
Vidura is a well-known character in Hinduism. He is the brother of Pandu, Dhritarashtra. He is an expert in analyzing dharma.
Dhritarashtra has 101 children and Pandu has five children.
Does Vidura have any children?


texts:
I have heard a story that in the period before war, when Krishna projects that even though he wishes peace, others like Bhima are going for war. Sakadevan points that by binding Krishna, one can stop war. Later he binds him by his devotional mind to prove his point. Krishna requests him to release him.
Which version of Mahabharata has this story.


texts:
People say that there once existed a "Dwarka Nagri" that Sri Krishna had made
Is temple in Dwarka still visible?
Are any remains visible under water?
What is the proof that there once existed a temple


texts: Bhagavad Gita and views on other religions?

texts: I love the Bhagavad Gita's take on everything and I am very pro-Krishnaism, however I am slightly confused on the Gita's view on other religions. Does the Gita claim that the "god" described in Christianity, Islam, etc. is ultimately the same in the form of the Supreme Godhead? Is this interpretation correct?


texts: Who created Datta Bavani? Please provide some introduction of the creator.


texts: Why do Devas stop people from attaining Brahma Vidya?

texts:
Why is it that gods do this? Adi Shankaracharya says there are 3 people stopping one from self-realization:

The individual himself
Other people
Devas

Swami Sarvananda in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad says,

  This invocation is chanted because it is believed that even gods thwart the path of an aspirant striving for God-realization. So, if they are propitiated in the beginning, the course is expected to go smoother.

The invocation he is speaking of is: "Sam no Mitrasam Varunaha.... etc"

But why would Devas do this? Isn't it an Asuric or Raksha quality to stop people from worshipping? Throughout Smrti Asuras and Rakshasas disrupt Yajnas, etc.

However, in the Vedas we see Devas themselves teaching others how to realize God. Devas are probably self realized if they teach others about it. In the Kaushitaki Upanishad there is the conversation between Indra and Pratardana. Pratardana asks Indra to give him a boon that he wants, and Indra says to meditate on Brahman.

In the Bhrigu Valli of the Taittiriya Upanishad, Varuna, who is the father of Bhrigu, teaches Bhrigu about Brahman and how to meditate on him.

Now in the Itihasas Indra tries to stop people from gaining tapo-shakti, but this is different from attaining Brahma-Vidya.

So why would Devas stop people?


texts:
Someone told a priest that he wants to pray in reverse and the priest told him this:

  You are praying like Om Namah Shivay currently. So you need to pray now Shivay Namah Om.

So my question is what is reverse chanting and what does it signify?


texts: What is the reason behind Lord Rama's disappearance?

texts:
I believe Lord Rama is a symbol of Perfect man (as Son, Husband, Father and King), but still I don't know the reason for Rama's disappearance.

According to Padma Purana

  "Disappearance of Sri Rama from earth happened when he entered voluntarily into the Sarayu River. This divine event is described as the death of Lord Rama. The story of the disappearance of Sri Ram is mentioned in many Hindu scriptures".

Any reason behind this?


texts: Rituals to be followed on confirmation of legal divorce

texts: What are the rituals to be followed by a girl who has recently obtained legal divorce?


texts: Is significance of Astrology mentioned and advocated in Hinduism Scripture?

texts: Is anywhere the significance of astrology indicated in any of the Vedas or other documents and also whether it advocates the use of Astrology for finding remedies for the problems one faces in his life on earth?


texts: Shri Krushna's revelation of his real identity

texts:
Shri Krushna had made many others understand "who is he" -- Shri Narayana himself, supreme Brahman.
But after revealing his real identity, he made them forget the revelation by using "Maya", the illusive power.

Reason maybe "the time was yet not right and those people had to yet go through their sufferings (prarabdha)".
Examples being Yashoda, Devaki, Vasudev, Sudama, etc.
For Yashoda, it's mentioned in SB 10.8

But, to some others such as Arjuna, Bheeshma, Kunti, Akroor, Muchukunda, he didn't make them forget the truth.
These people always knew the truth.

What might be the reason?


texts:
When I read Adi Parva about the families of the gods and how they were classified, I read that when Brahma gave ten wives to the Dharma, they were "the ten doors of the Dharma":

  13 नामतॊ धर्मपत्न्यस ताः कीर्त्यमाना निबॊध मे
   कीर्तिर लक्ष्मीर धृतिर मेधा पुष्टिः शरद्धा करिया तथा

  14 बुद्धिर लज्जा मतिश चैव पत्न्यॊ धर्मस्य ता दश
   दवाराण्य एतानि धर्मस्य विहितानि सवयं भुवा

IAST Transliteration:

  13 nāmato dharmapatnyas tāḥ kīrtyamānā nibodha me
  kīrtir lakṣmīr dhṛtir medhā puṣṭiḥ śraddhā kriyā tathā

  14 buddhir lajjā matiś caiva patnyo dharmasya tā daśa
  dvārāṇy etāni dharmasya vihitāni svayaṃ bhuvā

English translation (by K. M. Ganguli):

  Listen
  as I recount the wives of Dharma according to their names. They are ten in all--Kirti, Lakshmi, Dhriti, Medha, Pushti, Sraddha, Kria, Buddhi, Lajja, and Mali. These are the wives of Dharma as appointed by the Self-create.

Translation to English by Bibek Debroy:

  Listen to me as I recite the names of Dharma’s wives—Kirti, Lakshmi, Dhriti,
  Medha, Pushti, Shraddha, Kriya, Buddhi, Lajja and Mati. As decreed by the one who created
  himself,20 these ten wives of Dharma are the doors to Dharma.

So my question is, what are the ten doors of the Dharma and its symbolism?


texts: Does Varaha have only one tusk(ekashringa)?

texts: I read somewhere that Varaha has one tusk instead of two. Is that true?


texts: Resources to Astronomical references in Hinduism

texts:
I'm a grade teacher, who is going to introduce astronomy to 12 year olds. I want them to have a phenomenalogical understanding of the subject. From there I want to present the models in existence. In my quest to understand the subject better, I have been ridden by questions as to why text books today do not talk about our scriptures and Vedic literature that have references to the various phenomenon that we observe in the sky.  I am sure that with such a deep spiritual background our Vedic texts must have had references to Heliocentric  models or gravity much earlier than the western world.

I want to introduce them to the Indian mantras that indicate to these phenomena as well as tell them stories from the myths that refer to these as a part of my lesson while teaching about the understanding of the universe from a the Western discoveries. But I do not know where to begin.

Hence this question here.

Kindly provide me with references to resources that talk about History of astronomy in Hinduism e.g.,( books that talk about various myths in Hinduism with respect to the constellations, or on astronomical calculations and theories)


texts: Were the 100 Kauravas, Jarasandha, Kamsa, Shakuni, Shishupala and other kings avatars or portions of demons?

texts:
In Adi Parva, it tells that Gods, Apsaras, Daityas, Demons, and Gandharvas took birth as men. Which asuras were born as hundred kauravas, shakuni, shishupala, jarasandha, shalya and others?
In Adi Sambhava Parva, it describes the incarnations of gods, demons, apsaras, and gandharvas on earth. Which asura was born as Duryodhana?


texts: If ShriKrishna knew Karna and Arjuna are brothers, why did not he stop their fight?

texts: ShriVishnu knows everything, yet He lets Pandavas and Karna be at fight. Moreover, Karna, born to ShriSurya, the Illuminator of whole Universe, had to suffer worse than the most unfortunate mortal.


texts: What is the meaning of "Vidya Vachaspati"? I know it is a title. Who used to get this title in ancient India? What are the qualifications the native needs to have to be entitled as "Vidya Vachaspati"? There are other titles that Hindu scholars used to get, such as "Mahamahopadhyay". How "Vidya Vachaspati" is different from "Mahamahopadhyay"?


texts: sharaNAgati and anugraham in Viśiṣṭādvaita

texts:
sharaNAgati is unconditional self-surrender to Sriman Nārāyaṇa and anugraha is the divine grace and compassion of Perumaal that qualifies and authenticates bhakti.

According to Viśiṣṭādvaita, what is the relationship between the two?
Given that one is not possible without the other, how does one break free of Saṃsāra?


texts: Can anyone provide me the English transliteration of the famous hymn sung by Lord Indra to Mother Lakshmi in the Vishnu Purana?

texts: There is a famous hymn sung by Lord Indra to Mother Lakshmi in the Vishnu Purana (Book 1, Chapter 9) after the Devas had regained immortality. Could anyone provide me the English translation transliteration of the hymn?


texts: Does kanyadana mean donating or gifting a bride?

texts: I have read so many articles on this topic! does Sanatan Dharma support kanyadaan? Kanya = Maiden Daan = Donation


texts:
When were women allowed to have multiple husbands without sin?

According to this answer, the Rishis permitted this practice at one point in history:

  King Pandu well-acquainted with all rules of morality, replied ... But I shall now tell thee about the practices of old indicated by illustrious Rishis, fully acquainted with every rule of morality... women formerly were not immured within houses and dependent on husbands and other relatives. They used to go about freely, enjoying themselves as best as they liked ... they did not then adhere to their husbands faithfully, and yet, O handsome one, they were not regarded sinful

During what time period was this allowed?


texts: How do modern-day temples preserve the purity of the Prana-pratishtha of the installed idols?

texts:
By law, no Hindu can be denied entry to temples.

In Tamil Nadu, the law says that anybody can be the priest as long as he/she shows the required scripture/agama knowledge.

Some temples allow worshipers to touch/hug the main idol.

There is a question at this site asking if the touch of certain persons removes the prana pratishtha.

What steps do temples that allow worshipers these  freedoms take to preserve the prana pratishtha?


texts: Which Gods besides Vishnu have been declared as Supreme and/or Brahman in the Mahabharata?

texts:
Vishnu,Narayana,Vasudeva,Janardana and Krishna have been declared supreme many times in Mahabharata.
Which other Gods have also been declared as supreme, the origin of everything or Brahman in the Mahabharata?


texts: What is the difference between desire and papa and punya?

texts:
what is the difference between desire and punya and papa. Punya and papa also seems to be a desire because i like to give good things to that person which means i am
desiring good things should be given to that person. Similarly papa also seems to be a desire.


texts: How to chant Shatru samhara mantra dedicated to God Murugan?

texts:
Shatru samhara mantra will help to develop good personality via destroying bad thing on mind ?

and How to chant the mantra ?


texts:
What does aṣṭa-akṣaram and pañca-akṣaram mean?
I guess it has do something with the Dravida (South-Indian) Vaishnavites and Saivites.


texts: Why are Daityas Sattvic according to the Manusmriti?

texts:
NOTE: This question is NOT a duplicate of this question.

The Manusmriti has this verse about the types of bodies one can enter due to different Gunas. Here are the bodies can can be born in due to being Sattvic:

  12.39 - I am now going to describe, briefly, in due order, those migratory states into which one falls through each quality [Guna] from among these.

  ....

  12.48 - Ascetics and hermits, Brāhmaṇas, celestial beings, lunar asterisms, and Daityas represent the first state partaking of ‘Sattva.’

This verse talks about the bodies one can be born in due to partaking in Sattva, as well as the actual Guna composition of the bodies, because another verse says:

  12.81 - With whatever disposition a man performs an act, the fruit thereof he reaps with a body of that same quality.

And Medhatithi's commentary for verse 81:

  When a man performs a certain act with a disposition partaking of the quality of ‘Sattva,’ or of that of ‘Rajas,’ or of that of ‘Tamas,’—the act also partaking of one of these same qualities of Sattva, Rajas or Tamas,—then it is ‘with a body of the same quality’—i.e., by one abounding either in Sattva or in Rajas or in Tamas—that ‘he reaps the result thereof,’—this result also partaking of either Sattva or Rajas or Tamas.

But my question is, why are Daityas said to be Sattvic in this verse? Daityas are Asuras (demons) who live in Patala and frequently attack the Devas in Swarga, and commit planetary genocide. Here is what Hiranyakashipu, a Daitya, did on Earth:

  SB 7.2.10 — While I am engaged in the business of killing Lord Viṣṇu, go down to the planet earth, which is flourishing due to brahminical culture and a kṣatriya government. These people engage in austerity, sacrifice, Vedic study, regulative vows, and charity. Destroy all the people thus engaged!

  SB 7.2.11 — ..... When the brāhmaṇas are killed, no one will exist to encourage the kṣatriyas to perform yajñas, and thus the demigods, not being appeased by yajña, will automatically die.

  SB 7.2.14 — The demons set fire to the cities, villages, pasturing grounds, cowpens, gardens, agricultural fields and natural forests. They burned the hermitages of the saintly persons, the important mines that produced valuable metals, the residential quarters of the agriculturalists, the mountain villages, and the villages of the cow protectors, the cowherd men. They also burned the government capitals.

This doesn't sound very Sattvic.

Now, elsewhere, in other scriptures, Asuras are said to partake of the quality of Rajas.

From the Srimad Bhagavatam:

  SB 7.1.8 — When the quality of goodness is prominent, the sages and
  demigods flourish with the help of that quality, with which they are
  infused and surcharged by the Supreme Lord. Similarly, when the mode
  of passion is prominent the demons [Asuras] flourish, and when
  ignorance is prominent the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas flourish. The Supreme
  Personality of Godhead is present in everyone’s heart, fostering the
  reactions of sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa.

  SB 11.25.19 — With the increase of the mode of goodness, the strength of the demigods similarly increases. When passion increases, the demoniac [Asuras] become strong. And with the rise of ignorance, O Uddhava, the strength of the most wicked [Rakshasas] increases.

What do other Manusmriti commentators, like Bharuci, say about this verse? Perhaps this could be a case of Kalpa-bheda, and Daityas were Sattvic in some Kalpa or time period.


texts: What does Krishna say in Bhagavad Gita about his relationships to the Tri-murtis?

texts: Does he say that Vishnu & him are the same?  Interestingly, the word "narayana" never occurs in the Gita.  Does he say that the other Gods are all parts of him?


texts: What is the relation between trees and gods?

texts:
I heard of Navagraha vana(garden of trees representing 9 planets), Nakshatra vana(trees representing 27 stars), Devatha vana(trees representing each god).

What are those plants? Does worshiping give the equal benefit of worshiping murthi in the temple? Are there any special benefits? If possible, can you also attempt to describe how to worship each of them with one-liners!


texts: The Mahabharata we have today belongs to which Kalpa?

texts:
The story of Parikshit and Suka in the Srimad Krishna Bhagavatam is different from that of the Mahabharata. This has made people use the argument of Kalpa Bheda that the Mahabharata occurred in a different Kalpa. Now, the Srimad Bhagavatam states it was written in the present Kalpa:

  “parimāṇaṁ ca kālasya kalpa-lakṣaṇa-vigraham |
  yathā purastād vyākhyāsye pādmaṃ kalpamatho śṛṇu ||” (SB 2:10:47)

  Translation: O King, I shall in due course explain the measurement of time in its gross and subtle features with the specific symptoms of each, but for the present let me explain unto you the Pādma-kalpa (i.e. the Svetavaraha Kalpa).

Does the Mahabharata state in which Kalpa it was written?


texts: In the Vishnu temples theertha Prasad is offered and thereafter sadari is kept. Some archakas say do not apply the theertha after consuming because sadari is kept on the head which is Nammalwar [sadagopan]. If we apply the remaining theertha it is like abusing sadari as our salaiva also will go on our head with the left out small pinch of theertha. But in big temples like Ranganathaswamy temple of srirangam they will not say this. Any puranic evidence for this.


texts: What was the name of Ganesha before beheading done by Lord Shiva?

texts: What was the name of the Ganesha before beheading done by Lord Shiva?


texts: Should parents be worshipped before the gods?

texts: I do know that parents are like gods to their children. I have seen families where some worship God first then parents but also vice versa. Which one is the correct way?


texts:
Rig Veda Book 10 Verse 72 mentions a curious story about Surya's birth:

  7 When, O ye Gods, like Yatis, ye caused all existing things to grow,
  Then ye brought Sūrya forward who was lying hidden in the sea.

  8 Eight are the Sons of Aditi who from her body sprang to life.
  With seven she went to meet the Gods she cast Martanda far away.

  9 So with her Seven Sons Aditi went forth to meet the earlier age.
  She brought Martanda thitherward to spring to life and die again.

The meaning of Mart-anda literally is 'dead foetus' so some scholars believe Surya was born dead and later revived. I want to know is this story of Surya being born dead and revived later given in any scripture?


texts:
I am a 22 year old Polish woman, non-hindu. Last night I had a dream about Durga Devi. The world was taken over by demons, it was all on fire, huge fire and flames everywhere. Me and some 2 other people that I've never seen before were asked by Devi if we allow her to fight. We agreed. Durga was tall as a building. She was riding a lion. She started to kill all the demons and put down the huge fire with a single small breath.
What can it mean? I think this might mean that Durga will be there for me and help me fight even the biggest problem in my life. What you think?


texts: Why Brahma Kumaris encourages woman to restrain from sex?

texts:
It is obvious from the name of the organization that it is mainly a women-centric organization. Also, the name suggests that they give stress on restraining from sex. Indeed they do precisely what their name suggests. They recommend complete celibacy. Here is what their website says -

"Celibacy is seen as the basis for cultivating a safe and pure way for people to be and live together. This choice can make people stronger in themselves, more autonomous and more self-confident. It liberates both genders from their over-reliance on each other and supports greater equality. The Brahma Kumaris view celibacy as fundamental to self-realization and to recreating a loving relationship with God and to creating a culture of peace and non-violence."

However, Hinduism never criticized what is natural. Vedas, Tantras, Smritis never looked down with contempt on procreation.
Also, just going by common sense, if they do not have sex, how they are supposed to have a society in the first place?


texts:
How to know whether I've attained mantra siddhi?
How do I understand that how far I'm in attaining it?


texts: What is the concept of God according to hindusim?

texts: I a confused because Shiv puran say Shiva is the supreme God. Bhagavata gita say Krishna is supreme God. Vedas say Indra  is supreme God. Upanishad say the God is one without second. But on the other hand you have purna which have some conversation between God's like SHIVA VISHNU AND BRAHAM.


texts: Which scripture describes Lakshmi pacifying Narsimha?

texts:
Lord Narsimha is one of the prominent Vishnu's incarnation. Vishnu is believed to have taken Narsimha avatar to destroy the demon king Hiranyakashipu, as described in Shrimad Bhagwat

Also, in the Wikipedia it is mentioned that after killing Hiraṇyakaśipu, none of the present demigods are able to calm Narasiṁha's wrath. After Hiraṇyakaśipu was killed, the Lord continued to be very angry, and the demigods, could not pacify Him.

So in order to pacify Lord Narsimha, all the gods and goddesses call his consort, Lakshmi, who assumes the form of Pratyangira and pacifies the Lord.

My Question is : Which scripture describe Lakshmi assuming form of Pratyangira, also called as Narasimhi, to pacify Vishnu?

Side Note: As per Shrimad Bhagvat, it is Prahlāda who came forward and pacified the Lord’s anger, and not Lakshmi.


texts:
A pure soul is considered to be the same as the Supreme Soul,i.e Brahman.As per my knowledge,I know that the soul consists of:

1.Mind

2.Intelligence(Buddhi)

3.Ego(Ahankar)

If a pure soul merges with the Supreme Soul,does that mean that the soul loses its identity and therefore stops thinking?If thats the case,maybe we can assume that the mind exists only in the realms of maya and therefore be a product of maya.

Also,when a soul merges with the Supreme One,does that mean that it is ego-less and therefore stops acting on its own?


texts:
Being a Brahmin, I do observe Fast. But literally,I don't know its importance. I wondered, how being hungry whole day could fulfill your wish. Do GOD pleases when people are hungry?

As, I am a Punjabi and I also studied in Gurbani

Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji said:

  Chhod Ann (food,bhojan) Jo Kare pakhand, Na suhagan ( married ) Na oh rand (widow women)

So, I just want to know how being hungry can fulfill our wish ?


texts: Why are Vedas not called Drushya rather than Shruti?

texts: Vedas are called shruti. But they are seen by Rishis, called DrushTAras. Since the Rishis saw the Vedas in some form, then Vedas should be called Drushya instead of shruti. Or the Rishis have to be called ShrOtRu. Why is not that usage in vogue?


texts: Chanting Devi Mahathyam (Durga Saptashati)

texts:
I would like to chant the Devi Mahathyam but may not be able to do the full text together in a single sitting or in a day. So if I am to split the chapters across days, are there any prescribed format for it?

I assume each day I will start with Argala, Keelaka and Kavacham followed by some chapters, say max 3 per day. What all should be chanted post the chapters daily?

Are there existing rules for this to be chanted as a Saptaha or in 9 days etc?


texts: Why did BORI excise the Vyāsa-Gaṇeśa conversation from its critical edition of the Mahābhārata?

texts:
The following extract is from the introduction to The Mahabharata: Volume 1 by Bibek Debroy.

  There are many different versions or recensions of the Mahabharata. However,
  between 1919 and 1966, the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) in
  Pune produced what has come to be known as the critical edition. This is an
  authenticated text produced by a board of scholars and seeks to eliminate later
  interpolations, unifying the text across the various regional versions. This is the text followed in this translation. One should also mention that the critical
  edition's text is not invariably smooth. Sometimes, the transition from one
  shloka to another is abrupt, because the intervening shloka has been weeded out.
  With the intervening shloka included, a non-critical version of the text
  sometimes makes better sense. On a few occasions, I have had the temerity to
  point this out in the notes which I have included in my translation. On a slightly different note, the quality of the text in something like Dana Dharma Parva is clearly inferior. It couldn't have been 'composed' by the same person.

  It took a long time for this critical edition to be put together. The exercise
  began in 1919. Without the Hari Vamsha, the complete critical edition became
  available in 1966. And with the Hari Vamsha, the complete critical edition
  became available in 1970. Before this, there were regional variations in the text and the main versions were available from Bengal, Bombay and the south.
  However, now, one should stick to the critical edition, though there are
  occasional instances where there are reasons for dissatisfaction with what the
  scholars of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute have accomplished. But
  in all fairness, there are two published versions of the critical edition. The first one has the bare bones of the critical edition's text. The second has all the regional versions collated, with copious notes. The former is for the ordinary
  reader, assuming he/she knows Sanskrit. And the latter is for the scholar.
  Consequently, some popular beliefs no longer find a place in the critical edition's text. For example, it is believed that Vedavyasa dictated the text to Ganesha, who wrote it down. But Ganesha had a condition before accepting. Vedavyasa would have to dictate continuously, without stopping. Vedavyasa threw in a counter-condition. Ganesha would have to understand each couplet before he wrote it down. To flummox Ganesha and give himself time to think, Vedavyasa threw in some cryptic verses. This attractive anecdote has been excised from the critical edition's text. Barring material that is completely religious (specific hymns or the Bhagavad Gita), the Sanskrit text is reasonably easy to understand. Oddly, I have had the most difficulty with things that Vidura has sometimes said, other than parts of Anushasana Parva. Arya has today come to connote ethnicity. Originally, it meant language. That is, those who spoke Sanskrit were Aryas. Those who did not speak Sanskrit were mlecchas. Vidura is supposed to have been skilled in the mlechha language. Is that the reason why some of Vidura's statements seem
  obscure? In similar vein, in popular renderings, when Droupadi is being
  disrobed, she prays to Krishna. Krishna provides the never-ending stream of
  garments that stump Duhshasana. The critical edition has excised the prayer to
  Krishna. The never-ending stream of garments is given as an extraordinary
  event. However, there is no intervention from Krishna.

What reasons did the Bhandarkar Institute offer to edit out the Vyāsa-Gaṇeśa conversation from its critical edition of the Mahābhārata?


texts: How to tell if a new scripture is authentic, according to scripture?

texts:
The dating for the Purāṇas is not given in scripture, meaning one could easily conclude they are still being composed to account for language changes, changes in theme, etc.
Anyway, say a new scripture appeared one day, how would one know it was true or not? If it is complicated enough, you might be able to determine a mortal human did not write it, but what about a malevolent supernatural force? Does the scripture ever address this issue and tell you how to spot a real new scripture from a false one e.g. a list of features a true scripture must have?


texts:
One of the accomplished vedanta philosopher and acharya desikan is famous in southern india.

Whose avatara is he believed to be?


texts: Where are the Raikvaparna villages mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa which summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads. You can read the Brahma Sutras here. In any case, Adhyaya 3 Pada 3 of the Brahma Sutras describes the Brahmavidyas, 32 lessons found in the various Upanishads which can each lead you to Brahman if you meditate upon them. You can see the full list of 32 Vidyas here.

Now as I discuss in this question, one of these Brahma Vidyas is the Samvarga Vidya, and it is found in Prapathaka 4 of the Chandogya Upanishad. It was taught by a cart-driver named Raikva to the king Janashruti Pautrayana.  The story goes roughly as follows.  Janashruti was a great king who performed numerous Yagnas and was extremely magnanimous in his generosity.  As a result of his deeds his face shone with a powerful aura.  Once two birds were flying near him and one bird told the other bird that they should stay away from Janashruti because his aura might burn them.  The second bird responded, "Don't speak of Janashruti as if he were like Raikva of the cart".  Janashruti immediately wanted to find this Raikva, and he approached Raikva with great riches and asked Raikva to teach him Brahman.  Raikva refused, because Janashruti asked in an arrogant manner.  But then Raikva ultimately dedided to teach him after Janashruti came back and asked in a more humble manner, as described in this chapter of the Chandogya Upanishad

  Then Gânasruti Pautrâyana took again a thousand cows, a necklace, a carriage with mules, and his own daughter, and went to him.  He said to him: 'Raikva, there are a thousand cows, a necklace, a carriage with mules, this wife, and this village in which thou dwellest. Sir, teach me!'  He, opening her mouth, said: 'You have brought these (cows and other presents), O Sûdra, but only by that mouth did you make me speak.' These are the Raikva-parna villages in the country of the Mahâvrishas (mahâpunyas) where Raikva dwelt under him.

My question is, where are the Raikvaparna villages that Janashruti gifted to Raikva?

Now this excerpt from the Setu Mahatmya of the Skanda Purana says that Raikva lived on the Gandhamadana mountain near Rameshwaram.  So since Janashruti said that he was giving Raikva the vilage Raikva was living in, are the Raikvaparna villages in the viciniy of Rameshwaram?

The other clue we have is the Chandogya Upanishads' statement that the Raikvaparna villages are in "the country of the Mahavrishas".  But this book suggest that the Mahavrishas were in North India, and yet Rameshwaram is at the Southern tip of India.  So what's going on?

There are actually two mountains called Gandhamadana, one near Rameshwaram and one in or near the Himalayas, so I suspect there may have been a transcription error in the Skanda Purana, and that Raikva may have actually lived in the Himalayan Gandhamadana.  In any case, are there any other scriptures that mention the Raikvaparna villages, or modern places in India which have names close to Raikvaparna?


texts: Is there any difference between Moksha and Heaven?

texts: In Hinduism, the destination is called as Moksha. At the same time, the heaven also  there. Are they both same? Normally, Moksha is considered as our spirit mix with God. And heaven is another state of happy life in another world. Can anyone explain the difference between these?


texts: Sources describing rituals for collecting herbs

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I have found the following ritual for collecting herbs in the Kamaratna-tantra, which is a Hindu tantra from the 14th century (although its contents may be derived from older source).
Are there more sources describing rituals/mantras for collecting herbs?

To collect medicinal plants a man should fast over night, and in the following morning, after offering salutations to Mahadeva, should approach the plant with due respect and utter the mantra (No. 1)—

“Ye betāl, pishāsa, rākshas, and creeping animals that live in the plant, go away at the command of Shiva.”

Then the plant should be saluted by uttering the mantra (No. 2)—

‘Oh mother, thou hast they birth in the nectar, and thou incresest strength and vitality. Let me drive away the sins and diseases.’

After this the plant should be dug with a flawless weapon while uttering the mantra (No. 3)—

‘I dig thee with the same sacred hand with which Brahmā, Bhrigu, Indra and Varuna dug you.’

After this prayer, mantra (No. 4) should be recited—

‘Oh mother, what is my fault? May the divine life depart from this plant, so that I may be saced from the sin of uprooting and cutting it. Go thou to heaven doing good to me.’

After this prayer, the medicinal plant should be dug on a Sunday in Paushyā lunar mansion and in the Rabi Yoga while uttering the eight-lettered mantra (No. 5). The plant should then be cut after reciting the six-lettered mantra. (No. 6)
source


texts: What is role of Lord Hanuman in Mahabaratha?

texts: Could someone know about Lord Hanuman helped/role in the Kurukshetra. And who requested himself to resides in the Arjuna's chariot flag either Beema or Lord Krishna.


texts: What is tapasya? How it is done? Are Samadhi ,Sadhana and Tapasya the same thing?

texts: Many asuras , rishis and devtas is said to have performed tapasyas for several hundred years to please and get boons from other gods .Parvati also did tapasya as brahmacharini for several hundred years although she was a human (life span of humans less than 100 years).


texts: How do Rakshasas look? Physical appearance of Rakshasas?

texts: What are the various physical appearances of Rakshasas?


texts: Can one study during morning twilight for acquiring any branch of knowledge

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Consider the following statements by Bhishma in Anusasana Parva of Mahabharata:

  1) One should wake up from sleep at the hour known as the Brahma
  Muhurta and then think of both religion and profit.

  2)  The Rishis, in consequence of their adoring the two twilights with
  great regularity succeeded in attaining to longevity. Hence, one
  should, restraining speech, say one's prayers regularly at the two
  twilights. As regards those Brahmanas that do not say their prayers at
  the two twilights, a righteous king should set them to accomplish such
  acts as are ordained for the Sudras.

  3) One should not, O king, sleep at the evening twilight. Nor should
  one study at such an hour for acquiring any branch of knowledge.

  4) They who sleep at any of the twilights, or at nightfall or who go
  to sleep in a state of impurity, have their lives shortened.

From the above statements, it is clear that one should neither sleep nor talk during both twilights. One should not study during evening twilight.

My doubt is

Whether a person can study for acquiring knowledge during morning twilight? If no, which slokha is explaining that restriction.

Are there any scriptural statements that either support or deny it?


texts: How to focus on third eye while meditating?

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My question is simple. others find it duplicate but still it's unique in terms of meditations next level.

I read that, for meditation, there are many different ways to stay focused.

e.g. focusing on breath, third eye, heart beat etc..

But, while meditating I can't find anything like third eye or any part of it.

So, what's the base?


texts: What's the philosophical difference between various schools of Vedanta philosophy? According to dualism (Dvaita), Jivatma and Parmatma are two different things; non-dualism (Advaita)- Jivatma and Parmatma are same, and also there are others schools viz., Dvaitadvaita, Vishistadvaita, Upadhika, Shuddhadvaita, Achintya, and Neo-Vedanta. So, what's the basic difference among these schools? Please explain me!


texts: Is there an English translation of "Sarvartha Siddhi" by Vedanta Desika?

texts: I'm looking for an English translation of "Sarvartha Siddhi" by Vedanta Desika. In fact I'm only interested in one part of it, "I.69", in which a reference to Yadavaprakasa and his theory of time is made. But if there's a translation of the whole work, that would be great. I've been looking for it for weeks but found nothing. Thanks.


texts: Why some sentences written in Sanskrita are called Mantra (Powerful)?

texts:
Can a normal sentence be powerful ?

Why/how a Mantra have power ? Is there any proof ?


texts:
Lord Shiva is said to be in 'tap' (तप) for Yugas, but Lord Shiva is one of the Trimurti gods and also the Mahadev, then why is he in tap?

. It is said that he prays lord brahma, and Lord brahma prays lord vishnu and Lord vishnu then lord shiva, thus completing the circle. (To ensure no one is supreme amongst the three). Is there some other reason behind this?

P.S. why do the Trinity gods do tapasya?

What is the goal behind their Tapasya ?


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Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11 (Siksha Valli) declares that:

  मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव ॥ ४ ॥

  mātṛdevo bhava | pitṛdevo bhava | ācāryadevo bhava | atithidevo bhava || 4 ||

  4. Treat thy mother as a God; as a God treat thou thy father; as a God shalt thou treat thy teacher; thy guests as Gods shalt thou treat.

It is understandable that one should treat one's mother, father and guru as God itself. But what's the need to treat one's guest too as God?


texts: Ramanujacharya faced hassles to hear Ramayana. From whom he faced the difficulty and of what type and what was the reason for it? Finally he heard the Ramayana from that person.


texts: What is the story of the Asura Dhanvi attaining the position of Indra?

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As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school. But there are five other Astika or orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy: Purva Mimamsa, Samkhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, and Nyaya. My question is about the Samkhya school, founded by the sage Kapila.  Verse 53 of Ishwara Krishna's Samkhya Karika, one of the defining texts of the Samkhya school, describes the different races of beings:

  aṣṭavikalpo daivas tairyagyonaśca pañcadhā bhavati |
  mānuṣyaścaikavidhaḥ samāsato bhautikaḥ sargaḥ ||

  The divine class has eight varieties, the sub-human has five and the human has one (only). Such, in brief is this creation.

The eight varieties of divine beings are Brahma, Prajapati, Indra, Pitri, Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Pishacha. Now this excerpt from the Yukti Dipika, an ancient commentary on the Samkhya Karika of unknown authorship discovered in the 1930's, responds to the objection that this classification scheme excludes Asuras:

  Objection: "The demons also should be mentioned." ... Proponent: No, because they are included in the above only. The demons are included because they were the gods earlier. The demons were the gods earlier.  Moreover, because of their being Indra alternatively. The state of Indra is found in the shruti alternatively with reference to Dhanvi, etc. Similarly, because the Yakshas are identical with the Rakshasa.  The Kinnaras and Vidhyadharas are included into Gandharvas because of the similarity of their nature. The diseased souls are included into ancestors because of their similarity in respect of having the same lord.

I find this reasoning somewhat tendentious, but I'm interested in the part in bold.  My question is, what is the story of the Asura Dhanvi attaining the position of Indra?

I've heard of other Asuras taking over Swarga, like Prahlada and Mahabali, but I've never heard of Dhanvi.  What scriptures describe him?  Is he mentioned in the Vedas as the Yukti Dipika suggests?


texts: Is there an astronomical representation for the cycle of 60 Samvatsaras?

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Here is an extract from Wikipedia :

  Samvatsara is a Sanskrit term for "year". In Hindu tradition, there are 60 Samvatsaras, each of which has a name. Once all 60 samvatsaras are over, the cycle starts over again. On occasion, one will be skipped, as the count is based on the zodiac position of Jupiter, whose period around the Sun is slightly less than 12 years (the full cycle of 60 covers five Jovian years).

Is there an astronomical representation for the cycle of 60
Samvatsaras ?

Remark: The zodiac position of Jupiter (Brihaspati) is not a sufficient explanation because five Jovian years correspond to 59 years and 113 days, so that there is a shift of 252 days for every cycle of 60 years.


texts:
There are Kavachas for several gods and goddess.
Is it a mantra? If yes, then which mantras falls into the category of Kavacha? If no, then what is the exact (scriptural) definition for Kavacha?


texts:
What is the story of the king Narishyant the eldest son of King Marut?
In Which yuga he was born?
Who was his mother
Sukesha- the daughter of Kekaya or Saindhavi- the daughter of Sindhuraaj or Vayushmati- the daughter of Chediraaj?


texts: Which scripture contains the story of Mahidasa Aitareya?

texts:
There is one famous story of Mahidasa Aitareya in upanishad/purana.

Which scripture described about him and his life?

I suppose it is in Aitariya aranyaka but I am looking for exact reference.

Edit:
I had seen a passage which says that Mahidasa was born of a shudra woman

  "3.2. According to Sri Sayana-charya, Mahidasa was the son of a sage
  (identified by Dr. Radha Kumud Mookerji as Sage Visala) who had many
  wives, among whom was Mahidasa’s mother Itara. She came from a lower
  caste. Itara   named her son after her chosen deity Goddess Mahi the
  Mother Earth. Mahidasa the neglected one was gifted with a natural
  aptitude for study and learning. By dint of his sheer genius Mahidasa,
  years later, rose to eminence. Mahidasa called himself Aitareya the
  son of Itara; and, named the texts compiled by him – Aitareya Brahmana
  and Aranyaka – in fond memory and in honor of his mother Itara."

So another question is was Mahidasa a Shudra?


texts: Did Krishna fail in his quest to restore dharma to the world?

texts: Kali yuga was on the door anyway, and even the time before wasn't marked by righteouusness with the catastrophe of the war and the destruction of yandavas just to name a few.


texts: War between Karna and Arjuna - Mahabharata

texts: I have seen many people tell that before the Kurukshetra war in Mahabharata, no war was fought between Karna and Arjuna. But some people also tell that there had been various wars between Karna and Arjuna before the Kurukshetra war in which Arjuna defeated Karna many times. What is the truth? Who was considered more powerful between the two and on which basis?


texts:
Have gods stopped sexually reproducing?
Why no more sons and daughters of dieties come in circulation?

PS: I don't wish to offend others by using above words.  I am just curious to know why.


texts: What is the meaning of term "ignorance" in Upanishads and Vedas?

texts: The word ignorance is related to knowledge of Brahman or what.


texts: Who is currently holding post of Lord Bramha? Is there any description about his previous births and what are the karma he did that got him to this post?


texts: What is the proper method of disposing deity idols which are broken?

texts: Jaya Radhe! Can someone explain me about broken idols of deities? There was a broken Buddha in the apartment building I live. I read they had to be thrown into the river or lake but what karma has a person of they place the deity in front of another's house? More directly, not properly disposed?


texts: Why is it that almost all gods residing on Earth reside on a mountain?

texts: Almost all religious places in India are located on the peak of a mountain. Why have they chosen that place? Is there any belief underlying that?


texts:
Whats does this means in "The institutes of vishnu book" :

  A woman who keeps a fast or performs a penance in the lifetime of her lord, deprives her husband of his life, and will go to hell.

Is women fasting a sin?


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Most of the kings and rulers in Ancient Hinduisms almost always are dynastic. They got the kingdom just because they are born to king.

Ramayana is the classic example: Lord Rama is born as the eldest son of Kaushalya and Dasharatha, ruler of Ayodhya Kingdom. As per the traditions during those times, ultimately son of Dasharatha ruled the Ayodhya Kingdom. Even when Rama was sent for exile, it was Dasharatha's other sons who were ruling the Ayodhya Kingdom.

This is just one example of dynasty based rule and many such examples can be given from Mahabharata and other Hindu scriptures.

The irony is the Country India which is home to Hinduism and has largest population of Hindus is now a largest parliamentary democracy with almost no history(to the best of my knowledge) of being governed by the rules and laws of democracy.

My Question is: Are there any Hindu scriptures which mentions the need or necessity of Political democracy, the governance system for the people, by the people?