texts: What are the duties of 6 sagun swarup of Narayan and 4 Nirgun Swarup

texts:
I have heard or read long time back that there are 6 sagun swarup and 4 nirgun swarup of Narayan. in the universe.

Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Sankarshana, Brahama, Vishanu, Mahesh.

And 4 Nirgun swarup:

NarNarayan, LakhamiNarayan, I don't remember other 2 names.

I would like to know what are the duties of Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha. and Also the name of other 2 Nirgun swarup.

Thanks


texts: I was watching lakshmi Narayan 1951 movie, Laxmi reincarnates on earth as bhuvan Mohini, while purandar indra and his enemy cousin Arishtanemi try to abduct her, then Arishtanemi with help of vritra, kicks out devas along with indra out of heaven. Then indra goes to Dadhichi maharishi to learn Brahma vidya. So who was Arishtanemi, is he son of vinata, mother of danava, vasuki/sarpas? And where is his and purandar indra's story told?


texts:
Although it might look a bit kiddish I am curious to know is there any description present in any of the Hindu scriptures that tells us about where the heaven and hell actually are. I have heard sometime that it's closer to Himalayas, or it's just a plain thought. Also, I have heard that there are various realms in both heaven and hell where a person ascends/descends based on his karma.

There are some texts which tell the distance between the earth and the sun like 'Yug Sahastra Yojan par bhanu' in Hanuman Chalisa. Is there any such text about Heaven and Hell's distance from earth?


texts: Why according to Vyasadeva, Shaiva-mata is inconsistent with the Vedas?

texts:
In our Vedas/ Upanishads, Vishnu/Narayana, Shiva/Rudra and Uma/Devi are all names of the Supreme Godhead. They same holds for different Puranas also.

Why does then Vyasadeva declare the Shaiva Mata as inconsistent with the Vedas in His Brahma-sutra by saying :"patyur asamanjyasyaat"?


texts: English translation of Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari (Kumara Vyasa Mahabharatha)

texts:
Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari, Kannada version of Mahabharatha written by Kumara Vyasa, is said to exact version of Mahabharatha.This kannada version consists story of Aswathama. after Krishna's curse. Wikipedia states,

  In a Kannada version of Mahabaratha written by Kumara Vyasa, the author claimed that he wrote Mahabaratha by listening to Sage Aswatthama. It was said in different sources and alternate theories that, in order to escape from the curse of Lord Krishna, Aswatthama approached his Parama Guru (guru's guru) Lord Parasurama, who was also an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Parasurama felt pity at Aswatthama and agreed to help him. It was said that Aswatthama was only an instrument in Lord Shiva's plan to exterminate all the evil people from earth. Since it was Lord Shiva who entered into Aswatthama's body and exterminated Pandava forces, Aswatthama was absolved of all sins. It was said that Pandavas met Aswathama once again 36 years later when they were travelling to the Himalayas to seek pardon from Lord Siva for their heinous crimes in war. The description says Pandavas found Aswatthama happy in the company of Lord Parasurama and Sage Durvasa in an ashram on the banks of river Ganga and Aswatthama was found free from all curses. It was believed that Lord Parasurama and Maharishi Durvasa initiated Aswatthama into Sakthi worship, which is considered to be the supreme of all modes of worship. By worshiping Adi ParaSakthi, the mother of Lord Brahma,Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, Aswatthama bypassed the curse of Lord Krishna

Wiki cited Kannada Version  as reference. I want to read Aswathama chapter in that book.

Where can i get english translation of that kannada Mahabharatha or just Aswathama episode of that book?


texts: When was Ravana hit by the Sudarshana Chakra?

texts:
[Note: To be clear, I am not asking why Ravana wouldn't be harmed or killed by the Sudarshana Chakra; that's obvious.  I'm asking why and under what circumstances Vishnu launched the Sudarshana Chakra at Ravana.]

In the Sundara Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, Hanuman sneaks into Ravana's palace and sees Ravana sleeping.  And in particular he sees Ravana' arms:

  That Hanuman also saw the wealthy Ravana's arms tied with golden armlets thrown apart, resembling flag staffs raised in honor of Indra.  Those arms had wounds made by stabbing from the pointed edges of tusks of Iraavata and fleshy shoulders smeared with diamond and hit by Vishnu chakra.

My question is, what is the story of Vishnu hitting Ravana with his Sudarshana Chakra (discus weapon)?  This excerpt from the Uttara Kanda of the Ramayana describes how when Ravana was attacking Devaloka, Indra asked Vishnu for help in fighting Ravana.  But Vishnu refused, saying that Ravana had a boon that he couldn't be killed by any god, but that he would soon incarnate on the Earth as Rama to defeat him:

  Do not fear, hear what I have to say.  He is invincible by virtue of the boon, and that vicious-souled one is incapable of being vanquished even by the celestials and Asuras. Irrepressible by virtue of his prowess, that Rakshasa, with his son, shall accomplish a mighty object. O lord of celestials, even if I am requested by thee, I shall not withstand the Rakshasa, Ravana in the conflict. Without slaying the enemies in the encounter Vishnu doth never go back — but it is hard to fulfill my desire from Ravana, well protected by the boon. However I do promise before thee, O lord of the Devas, O performer of hundred sacrifices, I shall, soon become the cause of this Rakshasa's death.  I shall soon destroy Ravana with his family in due time and afford delight unto the Devas. I speak the truth unto thee, O king of the Devas, O lord of Sachi; do thou divested of fear, fight, O thou gifted with great strength, along with the Devas.

So if Vishnu didn't fight Ravana during the battle of Devaloka, when did he hit Ravana's shoulder with the Sudarshana Chakra?


texts:
Samudrika Shastra is a part of the Vedic tradition.Many people in the vedic ages, utilized this knowledge for studying the human face, body features,body aura etc. This tradition assumes that every natural or acquired bodily mark, encodes its owner's psychology and destiny. Elevation, depression, elongation, diminution, and other marks become relevant. There are five main types of human elements in terms of the Samudrika: Agni(Fire), Vayu(Air), Jal(Water), Akash(Sky,Space) and Prithvi(Earth).

Which are the authentic texts, for understanding Samudrika Shastra?


texts: In Hinduism, what exactly is a lie? And is lying adharma?

texts:
I would like to know what is considered a lie in Hinduism? Sometimes we speak good but we speak the same thing in a different way which appears as a lie to the listener but it's not really a lie.

In Hinduism, is speaking lie, adharma?

Some situations however force us to speak lies in order to save the good people.

For example, there is a story that i have heard in which a hunter hunting for an animal comes to a Sage and asks whether he has seen it or not.

Sage says, "what the eyes can see, the mouth can't speak and what the mouth can speak, the eyes can't see".

He didn't utter a lie because he was intelligent and he escaped from the situation.

But everyone may not exhibit such intelligence. Is speaking lie in that situation considered adharma?

Also, what about silly things like:

When someone asks what's the time, saying 9:00 when it is 8:58.
Showing answers to a friend (who might fail) in an exam.
Pretending as speaking on phone inorder to make others believe that he is actually speaking on the phone (though he isn't lying to them explicitly, it is only a matter of perception of the one who sees). Is it adharma?

The above ones (lies) don't necessarily harm them, but still is it considered adharma?

What do Vedas and Lord Krishna say about this?


texts: What was the conversation between Ravana and Lakshmana when Ravana was on death bed

texts:
Please provide verse too and sources.
What are the conversations between them and where it is mentioned with verse numbers.
There are no shastric evidence in other questions


texts:
We all know that Gita is a part of Mahabharata. But it is very difficult for me to find it in Mahabharata. Please help me.

Note:- Clearly mention the parva and chapter


texts: Are there rules how Hindus should be named?

texts: Many non-Hindus on conversion take on Sanskrit-based names connected with Hinduism.  On the other hand I know of at least one gentleman who has converted to Sri Vaishnavism and has kept his Christian name.  Do scriptures say anything about this?


texts: I do night shift till 4 am so what will be the normal fasting start time . Fast with one time meal I.e only dinner .


texts: Why does SB 9.10.9 say that it was Rāma (and not Lakṣmaṇa) that disfigured Śūrpaṇakhā?

texts:
Why does the Śūrpaṇakhā incident in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.10 differ from the version found in Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa?

  Canto 9: Liberation

  CHAPTER TEN

  The Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra

  ...

  Text 4: To keep the promise of His father intact, Lord Rāmacandra immediately gave up the position of king and, accompanied by His wife, mother Sītā, wandered from one forest to another on His lotus feet, which were so delicate that they were unable to bear even the touch of Sītā’s palms. The Lord was also accompanied by Hanumān [or by another monkey, Sugrīva], king of the monkeys, and by His own younger brother Lord Lakṣmaṇa, both of whom gave Him relief from the fatigue of wandering in the forest. Having cut off the nose and ears of Śūrpaṇakhā, thus disfiguring her, the Lord was separated from mother Sītā. He therefore became angry, moving His eyebrows and thus frightening the ocean, who then allowed the Lord to construct a bridge to cross the ocean. Subsequently, the Lord entered the kingdom of Rāvaṇa to kill him, like a fire devouring a forest. May that Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra, give us all protection.

  ...

  Text 9: While wandering in the forest, where He accepted a life of hardship, carrying His invincible bow and arrows in His hand, Lord Rāmacandra deformed Rāvaṇa’s sister, who was polluted with lusty desires, by cutting off her nose and ears. He also killed her fourteen thousand Rākṣasa friends, headed by Khara, Triśira and Dūṣaṇa.

Is this a translation issue? If not, how did this error creep into SB?


texts: Why did Rukmini stop Lord Krishna from eating beaten rice given by Sudama a second time?

texts:
In one of the popular stories from the Bhagavatam, Sudama visits his old friend Sri Krishna at his palace with beaten rice. When Lord Krishna was going to eat the beaten rice a second time, suddenly, his wife Rukmini stops him from eating more.

What was the reason behind that? Why did Rukmini stop him?


texts: Can the existence of God be understood through yoga?

texts:
Are the metaphysical truths of Hinduism achievable through the different techniques of Yoga (like breath meditation) without any preconceived notions or are we to rationally believe in them first and then meditate upon them to internalise them?
Is it possible for someone to understand God by just following Patanjali's yoga sutras while not actively trying to believe in them?


texts: Significance and meaning of Krom bija mantra

texts:
There are some moolamantras, which involves krom .
Whats the significance of this bija mantra. Does it represents any Goddess or any God. and the way, klim bija mantra represents attraction, does krom represents anything? if we chant the moolamantras of Goddessess/God which has krom bija, what kind of benefits we are getting.


texts: Do hindu sects have doctrines as to whether or not other sects can provide liberation?

texts: I remember reading that Madhwas don't believe Sri-vaishnavites would achieve moksha.  I also remember reading right on this board Sri-vaishnavite theories as to how people worship other deities for many births until being born vaishnavite to achieve liberation.


texts: How to determine the exact Gregorian date of Thaipusam

texts:
In brief, I'm unsure as to why some dates for Thaipusam seem to differ by one or two days from the dates of the full moons.

For more detail:

I'm attempting to write some code to determine the exact Gregorian date of the Thaipusam public holiday in Malaysia for any given Gregorian year.

According to either of the following articles on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Malaysia

Thaipusam is celebrated on the first full Moon in the Tamil month of Thai (which is based on the Hindu solar calendar).

This yields the correct result for some years, but I am finding exceptions. For example if we consider the current Gregorian year (2020):

Implementing the algorithm for converting from the Hindu solar calendar to Gregorian date that can be found in [1], I find that the month of Thai in Gregorian year 2020 is from 15th January 2020 to 12th February 2020. It can be easily verified that the only full moon within that period is on 9th February 2020 at 07:30 GMT. Converting this to Malaysian time would give us 9th February 2020 at 15:30. Yet from multiple data sources (including the above Wikipedia article) I am seeing the date of Thaipusam as the 8th February. Any idea why this is?

Ideas I've had so far are:

Countries do have a tendency to roll public holidays, i.e. for Malaysia if the holiday falls on a Sunday it is moved to the next Monday (see: http://www.kabinet.gov.my/bkpp/pdf/akta_warta/1946_12_16_holidayordinance_sarawakcap8.pdf). The 9th Feb is a Sunday, but this has been moved to the Saturday rather than the Monday.
Some countries also operate on an observational basis for such events. At 15:30 in Kuala Lumpur the full moon would not be visible. So this could be a reason to shift it to the day before (yet I have found no evidence to back up this hypothesis).

Hopefully I am just missing something fairly trivial. Would be very grateful if someone could shed some light on this.

[1] Reingold, E., & Dershowitz, N. (2018). Calendrical Calculations: The Ultimate Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781107415058


texts: What are the different endings of Ramayana and Mahabharata as seen by the sage crow Kakabhushundi?

texts: I have read that Kakabhushundi was a crow that had seen 11 different endings of Ramayana and 16 of Mahabharata. If this is true, what are the other endings of Ramayana and Mahabharata?


texts: Was Ram Bhagwan Ji sighted in recent times?

texts:
Was Ram Bhagwan Ji sighted in recent times ? I mean some reliable story of  darshan etc.
I have read a lot on the internet but want to see what people have to say.


texts: Is there any mention of law of motions in Hindu scriptures?

texts:
Are there any references to laws of motion in Hindu Scriptures like Vedas, Upanishands, Puranas or elsewhere?

Note: Answer only from Hindu Scriptures or provide views of Hindu Acharyas on this topic. Don't speculate.


texts:
What are the branches in the Vedas ? There are 1131 branches in Vedas, some of them are extinct.
Then how we can say that the Vedas are in their original form ?

  वेदों की शाखाएं क्या हैं ? वेदों
  की ११३१ शाखाएं बतलाई जाती हैं,
  जो बहुत सी लुप्त हो गई हैं, तब यह कैसे
  माना जाए कि वेद मूल स्वरुप में ही हैं ?


texts: Why is Mars has it name Mangal (auspicious)?

texts: मङ्गल means auspicious but Mangal is considered as papa graha in astrology. Why is that, does anybody know the explanation?


texts:
Who is Bhuma Purush?

There is mention of Bhuma Purush in Bhagavat, at the time Arjun and SriKrushn goes in the lok of Bhuma Purush to rescue the son of Bramin. Where BhumaPurush tells Krishna to complete all the task soon. and reminds him time has come for you to leave the earth.

Do we have any other reference of Bhuma Purush in other scriptures?


texts:
A year ago I had found a very interesting book on Lord Shiva's teachings named as Shri Shiv Rahasya (You can read here) which I thought inauthentic mere by looking at it. But after reading it just for sake of intellectual itching I found it coherent with other scriptures mainly Agamas, like it is talking about 36 tattvas, deriving from Durvasa or Triyambaka, describing various yogic teachings, yam, niyam etc (for the reasons I have answered from this book in many answers). In fact, I didn't find any single contradiction there. Also, at the end the book claims how the teachings in it came from Lord Shiva as follows -

  The Supreme Lord Himself revealed this Teaching to the Holy Sages, Duravasa,
  Nageshanatha, Kapalin and Anandanatha.
  Sage Duravasa Who Dwells Afar imparted it to his disciples, Tryambakanatha,
  Amardakanatha and Shrinatha, and these transmitted it to their disciples. I myself heard it from
  these and I have spoken it to you. Do you now impart this Greatest of Teachings to others that
  the Command of the Lord may be brought to pass.
  Thus spoke Venerable Sage and God-Seer Vyasa, the worshipful son of Great Yogi
  Parashara and Charming Satyavati. May Shiva's Grace and Peace be eternally upon them all! ?
  Here ends the Secret of Shiva spoken in verses twelve hundred and thirty. Over the
  centuries, Shiva's Eternal Teaching had become corrupt. Deprived of His Guiding Light, the
  World could no more tell Truth from Untruth. Yogi Soma-Natha, the humble devotee of Lord
  Shiva, like a dutiful gardener at the command of his Master, after enquiring into the Truth, has
  mended and set in order the course of the great stream of Spiritual Instruction known to the wise
  as Shri Shiva Rahasya (The Glorious Mystery Of Supreme Reality), that it may nourish the
  Divine World Garden through which it majestically flows, causing it to flourish and bear fruit for
  the welfare of all. May the Lord be pleased with my work and may it by His Grace bring Peace
  upon Earth! May all Souls be happy! Obeisance to the Supreme. OM.

Now consider 84th verse it seems the book is of recent creation, maybe of 21st century, although teachings are ancient. The compiler of the teachings (Like Veda Vyas is compiler of Vedas) is said to be Somnath which I discuss in this question. Somnath is a divine secret Guru of current world sent by Lord Shiva to propagate spirituality. (at least what the book claims).

So, I want to know whether any scholar talked about the book? Or is the book available in Sanskrit? Is there any more information about the book - like of publisher, introduction, preface etc? Or Is the book an Agama with different name? Do any scripture mentions that Lord Shiva gave instructions at the arrival of Kaliyuga as the book claim? Or are there sufficient evidences to prove the book an inauthentic one?


texts: Making others feel good with words - Is it Punya Karma?

texts:
If I make some one feel good, irrespective who he is(good/evil, poor or rich, Boss or subordinate), by saying good words, good compliments, by praising for their achievements or good qualities. Can it be considered as Punya Karma?

What Hindu Dharma Sastra is saying about this?


texts: "Mantra", "Yantra", and "Tantra" are terms in the Sanskrit language.  Can someone with expertise define their true meaning in the context of Vedic philosophy and how the three terms may be inter-related?


texts: Why is Shiva purana called a Tamasic purana?

texts:
I have this confusion from a long time as to why other texts categorize Shiva Purana as a Taamasic Purana.

None of the holy books say bad things, same is with this book.

I have read this and I don't find any reason for calling it as Taamasic.

Can anyone please let me know the reason?


texts: How many stages are there in Samadhi? Does Patanjali yoga sutras mention different stages of Samadhi?

texts: Patanjali yoga sutras mention 8 stages to reach ultimate union with supreme. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyan, and Samadhi. But while reading tamil literature yesterday,it is mentioned, there are 18 stages in Turiya but have not explained in detail. Does Patanjali yoga sutras or any other yogic, tantra text mention about different stages of Samadhi?


texts: In what scenarios, is adultery not punishable?

texts:
According to below post, Hindu (& even other religious) texts condemn Adultery:
Clarification regarding adultery, extra-marital relations

From wiki article, however Hinduism has diverse views:

  Ancient texts of Hinduism offer different views on adultery. For example, Wendy Doniger notes Rigveda verse 4.5 as declaring adultery is evil.[92] A more nuanced view is expressed in some smritis. Richard W. Lariviere notes[93] that verse 13.60-61 of Nāradasmṛti qualifies when adultery is not a punishable crime; for example, if a woman comes to a man's house on her own volition and has consensual sex with him even though she is not married to him, then it is not adultery. Further, sex with a married woman was not a punishable crime provided the woman initiates the sex of her own volition, and she has been abandoned by her husband or if her husband is eunuch or her husband does not care. Another text, Manusmriti, declares adultery by husband or wife to be wrong, as well as includes a discussion about sex outside marriage after both the husband and wife consent.

Now the bold text above, is similar to what I read few year back, in a news addition by Swami Sacchidananda, where he suggested something similar for widows [mostly without scriptural basis].

Are there such texts, which suggest scenarios when adultery [may be wrong, but] is Not punishable?


texts: How deceitful tactics in Mahabharata war different from adharma?

texts:
In the Mahabharata war, Krishna adopted many deceitful tactics to overcome Kauravas in the war. The sole purpose was to establish Dharma. But, can Dharma be established through deceitful means? Then, how is it different from adharma?

Clearly, ways of killing Bhishma, Karna, Drona and hitting Duyordhan's thigh are high examples of deceit ways Krishna employed during the war.


texts: Who are the Chatur Bhaginyadinis mentioned by Adi Shankaracharya?

texts:
In chapter 9 verse 25 of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says this:

yānti dēvavratā dēvān pitṛnyānti pitṛvratāḥ |
bhūtāni yānti bhūtējyā yānti madyājinō.pi mām৷৷
Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; and those who worship Me will live with Me.

Here is what Adi Shankaracharya says in his Bhagavad Gita Bhashya:

Deva-vratah, votaries of the gods, those whose religious observances [Making offerings and presents, circumambulation, bowing down, etc.] and devotion are directed to the gods; yanti, reach, go to; devan, the gods. Pitr-vratah, the votaries of the manes, those who are occupied with such rites as obsequies etc., who are devoted to the manes; go pitrn, to the manes such as Agnisvatta and others. Bhutejyah, the Beings such as Vinayaka, the group of Sixteen (divine) Mothers, the Four Sisters, and others. And madyajinah, those who worship Me, those who are given to worshipping Me, the devotees of Visnu; reach mam, Me alone.
yānti gacchanti dēvavratāḥdēvēṣu vrataṅ niyamō bhaktiśca yēṣāṅ tē dēvavratāḥ dēvān yānti |
pitṛn agniṣvāttādīn yānti pitṛvratāḥ śrāddhādikriyāparāḥ pitṛbhaktāḥ |  bhūtānivināyakamātṛgaṇacaturbhaginyādīni yānti bhūtējyāḥ bhūtānāṅ pūjakāḥ |  yānti madyājinaḥ madyajanaśīlāḥ vaiṣṇavāḥ māmēva yānti |

I'm interested in the part in bold.  Some of these figures are recognizable; you have Ganesha and you have the Matrikas, a group of goddesses worshiped by Shaktas.  But my question is, who are the "Chatur Bhaginyadinis" or Four Sisters mentioned by Adi Shankaracharya?
Are they Shakta goddesses as well?


texts: Any verse in the Chaitanya Charitamrita where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says that Srimad Bhagavatam is the greatest of all puranas?

texts:
(SB. 12:13:16)

  Just as the Gańgā is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among deities and Lord Śambhu [Śiva] the greatest of Vaiṣṇavas, so Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the greatest of all Purāṇas.

The above verse is used my many Krishna-centric Vaishnavas to say that the Srimad Bhagavatam is the greatest of all the puranas. I have heard from many people that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu himself recommended this purana to all Vaishnavas. But is it mentioned in the Chaitanya Charitamrita that Mahaprabhu himself recommended this purana? Apologies to anyone offended by my question.


texts: Why some of God and goddess sitting on Lotus flower?

texts:
As you can see in many pictures of god and goddess sitting or standing on lotus flower.

Is there any specific reason on sitting or standing on lotus flower?

And in some pictures of god and goddess shows folded one of their leg while sitting on their respective vahana or on lotus flower.

What does this signifies?


texts: What scriptures mention Shiva's Dakshinamurthi form?

texts:
One of the most popular forms of Shiva worshipped in South India is the sage Dakshinamurthi, whose name literally means "the South-facing form".  Dakshinamurthi is the subject of the famous Dakshinamurthu Stotram, a hymn commonly attributed to Adi Shankarcharya (although this is disputed) which says this:

  It is strange to see the very old disciples and the very young teacher,
  who sit under a banyan tree, with the teacher always observing silence, and the students getting all the doubts cleared.

The story as I understand it is that Shiva incarnated as a young sage named Dakahinamurthi, who sat under a banyan tree and silently imparted wisdom to the Sanatkumaras, four sages who are mind-born sons of Brahma.

My question is, what scriptures mention the sage Dakshinamurthi?  I assume he's mentioned in various Shaiva Agamas, but it's very hard to date Agamic texts.  And he is discussed in the Dakshinamurthi Upanishad, but that's believed by many to be a late text.

Is he discussed in the Puranas?  All I've found is a passing reference in this excerpt from the Narada Purana, which says that a hymn to Shiva called the Shiva Nyasa was heard from the gods by Dakshinamurthi:

  The deity of this (nyasa) is Ardhanarisha, the sage Dakshinamurti and the metre is Gayatri.  The application of this mantra is for attaining everything.

I suppose it's akin to how the sage Narayana, an incarnation of Vishnu, was the seer of mantras to Vishnu like the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda, which I discuss here.

Also, this forum post claims that Dakshinamurthi is discussed in the "Suta Samhita" of the Skanda Purana, but the Motilal Banarsidass translation of the Skanda Purana is divided into Khandas, not Samhitas, so I'm not sure what part of the text constitutes the Suta Samhita.

Does anyone know any other scriptures which discuss Dakshinamurthi?


texts: Why do Swami Ayyappa images have Namam symbol on the forehead?

texts: Why do swami Ayyappa images seem to have Namam symbol on the forehead? Is there any story behind that? He is the son for both Hari and Hara so shouldn't pattai be applied to swamy's forehead?


texts: Why do Srivaishnavas consider sayujya to be highest of all liberations?

texts:
There are different types of liberation namely:

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

Sayujya, or having the same experiences as Vishnu

Bhagavatam talks about first 5 kinds of liberation.

Where is sayujya defined and talked about?

Why is sayujya considered topmost liberation by Shri Vaishnavas? Why are others inferior?


texts: How to obtain original sanskrit literature on Samaveda Sandhyavandana?

texts:
I have the sandhya vandana (nitya karma) in my mother tongue, where the sanskrit words are phonetically translated into my language. I perform this once daily.

I noticed similar copies in other languages too.

So there must be a original base version in Sanskrit, which everyone is copying from?

Could anyone help me find a place where I can get/buy the Sanskrit version?
I am learning Sanskrit now, so I want to be able to refer the source myself.


texts: Is selfness concept in Gita is aplicable in Kaliyug ? Yes/No

texts:
In Gita its said that u should become selflessness and statement is given below
“Through selfless service, you will always be fruitful and find the fulfillment of your desires”
― Bhagavad Gita
I thinks selflessness concept in Gita is not applicable in  Kaliyuga..
Because if we become selfless we will become poor and poor
Suppose u  have a-lot of money  and  u donate to all needy people , then u will have nothing
suppose u help other  then ur time will be wasted and u will ruin own life   because time is money
In carrer also , suppose if u r preparing for civil service exam ( UPSC exam) , u have to very selfish and selfish  then only  u become topper .
Suppose  u are  selflessness person  and u are  helping  other by giving  some knowledge to needy aspirant of UPSC candidate , then u r wasting ur own time  and u will not qualify even civil service exam
So we have to think only about self.Then only we become successful person.If we think about other then we  will not become successful.


texts: In which scripture is the earth first personified as a female deity?

texts:
Bhūmi, Bhudevi represents Mother Earth in Hinduism.

As far as I know, she had been personified as such in the Varaha Purana .

Any earlier references?


texts: What Vedanta philosophy is followed by Varkari Vaishnavas?

texts: Which Vedanta philosophy is followed by people belonging to the Varkari sect?


texts: What are the some books that relate Hinduism to science?

texts:
I was reading a book by Dalai Lama called "The universe in a single atom"   which relates Buddhism to science.

Similarly, it would be great to know of some books that relate Hinduism to science.

Some books, which can give me some cognitive and theoretical understanding of the religion of Hinduism.

By the way, religion is not just a religion to me, it is much more than that.


texts: What is meaning of swastika (卐) symbol in hinduism

texts: I see 卐 symbol in one or two Hollywood movie(s) but I know its a Hindu symbol.So I want to know what is meaning of swastika symbol. is it used in other religions also?


texts: What is the life span of the people who are living in lower planetary systems (from Atala to Patala lokas)?

texts: It is mentioned in the puranas, that there are fourteen planetary systems. I would like to know, What is the life span of the people who are living in lower planetary systems (from Atala to Patala lokas).


texts: Does epic like Mahabharata mention about Lord Shiva's personal life events?

texts:
Does it mention about -
     1. Marriage of Shiva & Parvati
     2. Birth of Kartikeya & Ganesha
     3. Consuming poison during churning of ocean
     4. Birth of Andhaka
  Or some other events?
I know Mahabharata mentions about the destruction of daksha sacrifice by veerbhadra, but it doesn't mention sati & all that (just like other puranic stories).
Bhagwat gita 10th chapter mentions about kartikeya & gives a hint of samudra manthan while describing about Ucchaishrava horse.
Please give reference from accurate versions of  Mahabharata.


texts: What are the meaning of the names: Rudra, Maruth, Vasu?

texts:
I'm trying to translate the "Legend of the Virtuous Crane" from this video: Vanvasa Parv By Sadhguru | Mahabharat into my own language. But however, I have a hard time understanding 3 words that originate from Sanskrit literature.

It seems that the boy from the video (56:12 - 56:19) is saying:

Are you Rudra?
A Maruth?
Or a Vasu?

What is the meaning of those "Names", and what is the context in which Yudhishthira is saying those words from Yaksha Prashna story?


texts:
Wendy Doniger is a celebrated indologist and has written many books on Hinduism.
Amongst other things, here is what she says on the Bhagavad Gita

  “The Bhagavad Gita is not as nice a book as some Americans think…Throughout the Mahabharata … Krishna goads human beings into all
  sorts of murderous and self-destructive behaviors such as war…. The
  Gita is a dishonest book …”

  — Wendy Doniger, Professor of History of Religions, University of
  Chicago.

  Quoted in Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 November, 2000.

What is the response to this according to Hinduism? Is there any truth in this kind of perspective?

I ask a question about the viewpoint of her student Devdutt Pattnaik here.


texts: When how and why did Atman separate from the greater Self and when how and why the diversification into the multitude of sentient beings ? Is this separation and diversification only an illusion ?


texts: Do I need initiation to say a beeja/bija mantra?

texts:
I wanted to know if I can say the Durga bija mantra “duṃ”
Can I say this mantra while getting the full effects of the mantra without initiation?

  “oṃ duṃ durgāyai nama:”


texts: Why does Devi Bhagavatam say some Agamas as tamasic?

texts:
Here is what Devi says in 7th skanda, 39th chapter. https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/devi-bhagavata-purana/d/doc57430.html

  The Śāstras that are extant, as contrary to the Śrutis and Smritis,
  are all Tāmasa Śāstras, Mahādeva has framed these Vāma, Kāpālak,
  Kaulaks, Bhairava and such like Śastras for fascinating the people;
  else he has no object in framing them.

Sanskrit verse is as follows:

Why does Devi say that Vāma, Kāpālak, Kaulaks, Bhairava agamas are tamasic in nature. How do they contradict shruti? Why Lord Shiva has to delude the people?
Which agamas fall under each of the above categories?


texts: Astanga yoga never talks about theism. Is it agnostic philosophy?

texts: While Astanga yoga speaks much about reality and nature is much detailed fashion , I hardly see any reference that can qualify theism. Is it an agnostic philosophy or I am just getting it all wrong?


texts: In spite of his promiscuity why is Indra worshipped?

texts:
Indra was considered as king of Gods. But if we see his personal life, we learn that he has kidnapped many females few of whom were married and few were unmarried. Some of these were daughters/wives of Rishis/Kings.

So in spite of his promiscuity why is Indra worshipped by the people?


texts: What scripture contains the verse "Rupashabdavibhagacha"?

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

Now unlike the Vedanta school, which believes that Brahman dispenses rewards and punishments based on people's actions, the Purva Mimamsa school believed that actions create an Apurva or unseen entity, and then that Apurva later brings about a positive or negative result for the person who did the action.  In this excerpt from Shabara's commentary on the Purva Mimamsa Sutras, the defining text of the Purva Mimamsa school, Shabara argues that Apurvas must exist, because actions no longer exist after they're finished so they cannot directly lead to a result:

  If it be argued that "on the strength of the declaration of a certain result following from a certain sacrificer, it may be presumed that the act of sacrifice itself does not perish", the answer is that such a presumption cannot be right; because of the Act itself we do not perceive any other form[.]

Now in this excerpt from Kumarila Bhatta's Tantra Vartika, a subcommentary on part of Shabara's Bhashya, Kumarila Bhatta responds to the objection that Shabara's statement that actions are not perceived is incorrect, since actions are by their very nature perceptible to the senses.  Kumarila Bhatta clarifies that Shabara simply means that we do not perceive the action at the time when it bears fruit, not that the action is never perceived:

  [In reply to this theory, the Bhashya says - 'we do not perceive any shape of the Action', and against this it is urged that] "This assertion is not quite correct, because Action has been distinctly mentioned as perceptible  by the Senses, under Sutra 'Rupashabdavibhagacha'." ... What is meant by the assertion that no shape of Action is perceived is that we are not cognizant of any such form of Actions that would enable them to function at a future time, and as for the impermanent forms of Actions that are perceived, these can be of no use in the bringing about of the final Result.

I'm interested in the part in bold.  My question is, what scripture contains the Sutra "Rupashabdavibhagacha"?  This Sutra apparently signifies that action is perceptible to the senses.

In principle this Sutra could be from the Purva Mimamsa Sutras, but I don't think the Purva Mimamsa Sutras contain any such statement.  So I'm thinking that it's most likely from one of the other Darshana Sutras, like the Nyaya Sutras, Vaisheshika Sutras, etc.


texts: Did Kumarila Bhatta and Shankaracharya persecute the Buddhists?

texts: In the description of this question, the questioner gives proof from Biographies of Shankaracharya and Kumarila Bhatta that Buddhists including women and children were killed. Is this true?? Do Vedas/Smritis sanction genocide of non-believers (buddhists etc)?


texts: Are there details of the fight between Chitrangada and the gandharva with the same name?

texts: I want to know if there are details of the fight between Chitrangada (brother of Bhishma) and the gandharva with the same name.


texts: Is it a fact that the city of Shimla is named after Goddess Shyamala?

texts:
Is it a fact that Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh is named after Goddess Shyamala?

What is the image of the Goddess?


texts: Effect of Nav-graha as per age of the person

texts:
Does the texts dealing with Astrology mention anything about the effect of the nine planets on a person vis-a-vis their age?
For example, I have heard from several people that the Moon Planet (graha) ( सोम ग्रह)  exhibits the maximum effect on a person during his childhood, i.e., until age of 12.
Does this kind of range find mention in any authentic texts and also similarly exist for other planets too?


texts: What is the story of Lord Shani's wife Neelam?

texts:
As discussed in this QnA, the Tamil version  attributes Mandha Devi & Jyesta Devi as Shani dev's wife. However, the more commonly accepted or albeit, say, as per the popular stories, it is the gandharva Chitraratha's daughter called Dhāminī or Māndā, is mostly referred to as Shani's wife.
In several popular stories:

She is said to be the one to have caused the Vakrī dṛṣṭi (वक्री दृष्टि ) of Shani owing to his too much devotion towards either his tutelary deity, Shri Krishna or his guru Lord Shiva or either because of too much pre-occupation with his position of the "Karma-adjuciator (कर्म फल दाता )" of the mankind. Due to either of the cases, the final result being him neglecting his wife and thus the resultant curse of vakri-drishti. Thus, whomsoever he shall look onto or into, that person will suffer in some form or another. A popular recession of which is found in several alternate stories of the Lord Ganesha beheading episode where it's due to Shani looking at the newly manifested Vināyaka, which leads to his head being decapitated, in contrast to the rather the more popular recension of beheading by Shiva himself.

Anyway, my interest more lies with the occasionally alluded First wife (and in some cases kind of twin sibling too ?) of Lord Shani, Nīlama or Nīlā or Nīlimā
The Wikipedia page goes on as:

In Hinduism, Neela is known as Neelima or Neelamratna. She is the first consort of Shani and mother of Kuligna. She balances and increases power of Shani and is the goddess of the gemstone sapphire. She has the power of fifth head of Brahma. Her son Kuligna is a Rishi. Her husband, Shani, also married a Gandharva lady, Dhamini.

The page further quotes the plot of a popular TV series based on Shani Deva and quotes as:

According to the series, Neela and Shani both created by Shiva at the same time. But, Shani was Sakaratmaka Shakti (Positive energy) and Neela was Nakaratmaka Shakti (Negative energy). After birth of both, Neela was imprisoned by Lord Vishvakarman in his loka when she was in form of energy but after 12 years of her birth she came in body form.

So,

Which scriptures talk about the vakri-drishti curse by his wife, Dhāminī on Shani ?

What are the scriptural sources for Nīlimā, as either Lord Shani's wife or as per that TV show, the 'negatively created twin energy formed along with Shani, by Lord Shiva '?

It would also make sense for Nīlimā, to be as his wife considering we have a Nīlamaratna, i.e., the Blue Sapphire stone which is intricately connected with Shani and its remedial measures as per Jyotisha treatises.

What's the validity and the implication of that Wikipedia's statement - "She has the  power of the fifth head of Brahmā (ब्रह्मा)" ? As I recall, the fifth head was chopped off by Shiva at the beginning of creation itself. So, did somehow the head reconnected as a manifestations of Nīlimā? Any story in the scriptures on the same ?


texts: Does Atharva Veda 12.1.17 says Earth is fixed?

texts:
Kind, ever gracious be the Earth we tread on, the firm Earth,
  Prithivī, borne up by Order, mother of plants and herbs, the
  all-producer---- Griffith Translation.


texts: How Sattva Guna Lord Vishnu killed Demons or evil people in his incarnations?

texts:
Lord Vishnu is associated with Sattva Guna. Sattva Guna means purity and good.

How sattva guna dominated Vishnu were able to Kill Rakshasa such as Ravana and Kamsa?
Does Only Vishnu have Sattva Guna not his Avatars( Narasimha,Rama and Krishna)?


texts: What exactly is dehi according to advaita and vaishnava school?

texts:
People of Advaita sect believe that Atman never remains locked or trapped IN the body. The same thing has been said by many hindoos in quora as well. (They are followers of advaita).

If what the advaitins believe is true, then what exactly is dehi? In the Bhagavad-gita it has been said that dehi dwells within the body and keeps changing bodies like old clothes.
If dehi is not Atman, then what is it?
Need an answer from both dualistic (vaishnava) and monistic (advaita) point of view.


texts: Can someone explain me the meaning and process of passing hands upon fire then on the face?

texts:
I'm very new to hinduism, and I have seen this happening several times, but I cannot find any info about it.

Thanks a lot.


texts:
I am looking for verses in scriptures which mention homosexuality specifically, that is man having sex with man or woman having sex with woman, not vague terms like napumsaka or kliba which can mean anything like neuter, hermaphrodite or transgender. Only verse I have been able to find so far has been Manusmriti 11:175 from http://www.hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/hinduism/dharma/manusmriti_2.asp AND http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu11.htm

  A twice-born man who commits an unnatural offence with a male, or has intercourse with a female in a cart drawn by oxen, in water, or in the day-time, shall bathe, dressed in his clothes.

Does anyone know any other verse from dharmasutras or dharmashastras which prescribe penance for homosexual act or verse from any puranas which describe tortures suffered by homosexuals in hell?


texts: Can a non-Indian person trust Sanatan Dharma, follow it and so become Hindu?

texts:
Preface:
I didn't find nowhere in the Shastras which I have read, nor in other books, if a person who was born inside a Western Country and feels devotion for Sanataan Dharma conducts of life, Devas and yog practices, can be truly regarded as Sanataani or Hindu by the Indians.


texts:
Count of beads according to Yuga.

111 for Kaliyuga ?

In Hinduism there is 1 mala of 108 beads.

Is it true that 108 beads mala is for Dvapara Yuga while 111 beads mala is for Kaliyuga ?

Would like to know in Hinduism, are number of beads in one mala decided
according to Yuga; Treta , Dvapara and Kali ?

On Wikipedia, Prayer Beads page,

According to Vedic scriptures 103 beads were used during Treta Yuga, 108 beads during Dvapara Yuga, and 111 beads in Kali Yuga.

Wikipedia Prayer Beads


texts: Which Divya Prabandham commentators discussed this Kishkindha Kanda verse?

texts:
In the beginning of the Kishkindha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, Rama and Lakshmana reach the banks of the lake Pampa, and Rama laments as all the beautiful things he sees around him reminds of Sita, who has just been kidnapped by Ravana.  In particular, he says this:

  padma kesara saṃsṛṣṭo vṛkṣāntara viniḥsṛtaḥ |
  niḥśvāsa iva sītāyā vāti vāyuḥ manoharaḥ ||

  Like Sita's sighs, the captivating wind blows, passing through the trees after mingling with lotus filaments.

Now Govindaraja, the Sri Vaishanava commentator on the Valmiki Ramayana, says this about this verse:

  This shloka has been commented upon by the authors of the commentary on the Dravidopanishad.

For those who don’t know, Dravida Upanishad, or “South Indian Upanishad”, is a term used to refer the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the collected poems of the Alwars which are central scriptures in the Sri Vaishnava sect.

So my question is, which commentators of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham discuss this Kishkindha Kanda verse?  Numerous Sri Vaishnava Acharyas have written commentaries on various parts of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham; here are some of the commentaries just on Nammalwar’s Thiruvaimozhi:

Thirukurugai Piran Pillan’s 6000 Padi
Nanjiyar’s 9000 Padi
Vadikesari Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Jeeyar’s 12000 Padi
Periyavachan Pillai’s 24000 Padi
Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai’s Eedu

And Periyavachan Pillai also wrote commentaries for most of the rest of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.

So which of these, if any, discuss this Kishkindha Kanda verse?  Are there any subcommentaries on Govindaraja’s commentary which shed light on this?


texts:
In purans there is avtar of lord vishnu.
https://images.app.goo.gl/b2qMNkdSe2VCwegy5
But purans are mythology and should not be taken seriously as many scholar say.
So what is the actual human evolution in vedas. And not from purans.
And even if you take lord vishnu incarnation it is not completely true because the first life form start around 3.5 billion years age and it was a micro organism and not a fish.


texts:
I came to know Varaha deity in Srimushnam temple taken in procession during festival times. Can anyone confirm this and explain the reason behind this act.

  Another important temple is the Bhuvarahaswami Temple in Srimushnam
  town, to the northeast of Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. It was built in the
  late 16th century by Krishnappa II, a Thanjavur Nayak ruler. The
  image of Varaha is considered a swayambhu (self manifested) image, one
  of the eight self-manifested Swayamvyakta Vaishnava kshetras. An
  inscription in the prakaram (circumambulating passage around the main
  shrine) quoting from the legend of the Srimushna Mahatmaya (a local
  legend) mentions the piety one derives in observing festivals during
  the 12 months of the year when the sun enters a particular zodiacal
  sign. This temple is venerated by Hindus and Muslims alike. Both
  communities take the utsava murti (festival image) in procession in
  the annual temple festival in the Tamil month of Masi
  (February–March). The deity is credited with many miracles and called
  Varaha saheb by Muslims.


texts:
Wikipedia says that Rig Veda mentions about pest control.

  The Rig Veda, which is about 4,000 years old, mentions the use of
  poisonous plants for pest control.

Which excerpt of Rig Veda talks about pest control?


texts: Why did the ancient Indians name Mars as "Angaraka"?

texts: The ancient Indians (Vedic) named Mars as Angaraka which means Son of the Earth. Is there any mention of the "Angaraka" in the Vedas?


texts: Has Balaram ever reincarnated in this world?

texts: Scriptures say Balaram the older brother of Krishna departed this world whilst in a mediative state and the white spirit snake left through his mouth, and not through Brahmarandhra. Does that mean he will be reincarnated and if so is there any evidence of this reincarnation ?


texts: Can somebody provide the Parjanya sukta with English translation?

texts: I want the mantras (Sanskrit) and English translation of Parjanya sukta(mantras which will bring rain). Can somebody provide me?


texts: What to do with sandyavandanam water? Can it be drunk?

texts: Normally we throw away the water left over after sandayavandanam or pour it under a tree. Can I drink the water instead of throwing it away? Can it enhance my health? Also can others drink it?


texts: Was a Brahmastra ever fired on Vishnu, Shiva or Brahma? If not, what would happen if fired on them?

texts:
I have read many incidents in which the Brahmastra was invoked and then later revoked.

But was a Brahmastra ever fired on Vishnu, Shiva or Brahma or it came close to being fired on one of them?

If it was never fired, what would happen if it's fired on one of the Trimurti and not revoked?


texts: If Hinduism is not the same as Sanatana Dharma, in what way are they different?

texts: That the names Hinduism was given by foreigners means nothing.  After all, "India" is a foreign-origin name.  Sanatana Dharma by definition extends back to the remotest past and would live forever.  Is Hinduism different in this regard?


texts: Should we consider ISKCON devotees as Hindus or not?

texts:
We all know that International Society for Krishna Consciousness has widespread all over the world. These people are very good devotees of Krishna, followed of non violence.

But many of them say they follow only Krishna and he is the only almighty God. The core principle of Hinduism is एकं सत् विप्राः बहुधा वदन्ति| truth is one, wise men call it by different names. This is a very important principle and every Hindu must follow.

ISKCON devotees are good in Bhaktiyoga but they believe that Bhakti is only way to moksh. So should we consider these people as Hindus or not?


texts: Is life predefined to some extent... what will happen in our life in future?

texts:
All Vedic astrology proves that, after many predictions of life.....if its true how will be focus on something, which we desire in our life, when its fixed we may not achieve that.

Many times in life we also feel this type of situation when after so much effort in life we have not got the proper results, others got that without effort or some effort.....then what is the role of karma if we will not get the things which are not in our destiny..


texts: Why does Hinduism not encourage converting people of other religion?

texts: I have asked many people but haven't got a satisfactory answer. Not only Hindus reluctant to convert other people, but also it is extremely difficult for people from other religion to become Hindu. Why is that?


texts: Why have six threads after marriage in Yagnopaveetham (Poonal or Janeu)?

texts:
As a follow-up to this question, why does the number of threads in Yagnopaveetham increase to six after marriage? Does it also increase with each child born?

Are these guidelines present in our scriptures? It will be helpful if you could cite them.


texts: What does scriptures say about dealing with family conflicts from an Advaitic point of view?

texts:
We do not have control over the family that we are born in.

But by gods grace, past Karma, etc. if an individual is somehow able to develop deeper understanding about his true self.

Then how would you deal with issues, conflicts, misunderstandings that may arise in the family.

Does one just not participate/intervene at all?


texts: When did Meenakshi Avatarana and the subsequent rule of Meenakshi and Sundareshvarar's descendants occur?

texts:
One of the most famous temples of Tamil Nadu is Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai. It is the abode of Goddess Meenakshi, and avatara of Devi Parvati and her consort, Lord Sundareshvara, an avatara of Lord Shiva. The divine couple married each other in the Tamil Month of Chitthirai (Sanskrit: Chaitra), and their marriage festival is celebrated grandly till date as the Chittirai Thiruvizha.

In a work called Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam by Paranjothi Munivar, are described 64 Divine Leelas of Lord Sundareshvara, from the time he ruled the city of Madurai and the Leelas he subsequently enacted for his descendants. These Leelas describe a series of Kings who ruled Madurai and performed heroic acts, including conquering Indra himself.

Devi Meenakshi's father was King Malayadhvaja of the Pandya Dynasty. Incidentally, there are references in the Mahabharata that King Malayadhvaja fought in the Battle of Kurukshetra, including this chapter from the Drona Parva which describes the valour of King Malayadhvaja. This would place the Leelas of Meenakshi-Sundareshvara in the early Kaliyuga.

But in Srimad Bhagavatam, Dasama Skandha, Chapter 79, Lord Balarama's pilgrimage is described, and in the 15th verse, it is said, "Dakshinam Mathuram Tatha", or that Lord Balarama visited Southern Mathura (Madurai). So is this a reference  to the temple of Meenakshi Devi (thereby placing her further back in time) or is it a reference to Lord Kallazhagar (Lord Vishnu and the brother of Devi Meenakshi), who resides near Madurai?

And would the above information mean that the Pandya Kings who succeeded Sundareshvarar were contemporaries of the Azhvars, who also lived during that period?


texts: Some of the texts that I know of are devi bhagwat mahapuran, devi mahatmya. What are some other texts dedicated to matas?


texts: According to Wikipedia, Lord Rama and Sita have twins named Lava (Luv) and Kusha (Kush). From childhood I have also learnt that Lord Rama had twins. While reading this question, I came across this comment that mentions that Kusha was made by Valmiki as a clone to Lava and that Lord Rama has only one son Lava. Can anyone clarify which of these is true?


texts: What is the story of Somanath Jyotirlinga?

texts:
Lord Shiva has been worshipped in linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Godesses Saraswati in Linga Purana states:

सर्वं लिंगमयं लोकं सर्वं लिंगे प्रतिष्ठितम् ।
तस्मात्सर्वं परित्यज्य स्थापयेत्पूजयेच्च तत् ।।
The whole world is identical with the Linga. Everything is founded on the Linga. Hence, one shall eschew everything, install the Linga and worship it.

The above verses itself establishes glory of Linga. Among the Lingas also there are 12 major Jyotirlingas which are most important. Shiva Purana in Koti Rudra Samhita, DwadashaJyotirlinga Mahatmya Chapter sates:

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

There are twelve Jyotirlingas mentioned in another similar popular Shloka too which is as:

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

The first Jyotirlinga mentioned is Somanatha Jyotirlinga. I want to know, what is the story of formation of Somanath Jyotirlinga? Why Lord Shiva manifested himself in Somanath Jyotirlinga? And how this Jyotirlinga get its name?
Please mention the scriptural reference.
Somanath temple is situated in Saurashtra (Gujarat).

By Anhilwara - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18227742


texts: Regarding some questions on date of composition of Puranas

texts: It is said that Bhagavata Purana was composed by Vyasa at the end of Dwapara Yuga. In that Purana, all the other major Puranas are mentioned. However, a chapter in Skanda Purana seems to have mentioned 12th century Jain king. If a 12th century Jain king is mentioned in Skanda Purana and that Skanda Purana is mentioned in Bhagavata Purana, does this all of them are written around 12th century AD?


texts:
In this passage of Mahabharata, it says Bharata's sons were slayed, and he got another son through sacrifice.

Bharata begat upon his three wives nine sons in all. But none of them were like their father and so Bharata was not at all pleased with them. Their mothers, therefore, became angry and slew them all. The procreation of children by Bharata, therefore, became vain. The monarch then performed a great sacrifice and through the grace of Bharadwaja obtained a son named Bhumanyu.

The TV serial on Mahabharata depicted that Bharata handed over the kingdom to the son of his general because he didn't consider his own sons to worthy.
So, the link above is a translation error or is it the TV serial is incorrect? Any other references on this please? Thank you.


texts: Is it possible to stay full time at a temple/religious location for an year or so?

texts:
Since over a year I've this disconnect with everything around me, people and work and everything else and now, sometimes have suicidal thoughts.

I wish to stay away from all this and find a meaning to life. I don't have much money with me.

I want to stay at a temple or some similar institution for some time, maybe a year or two, maybe longer. Is there any such institution where I can stay.

What policy does ISKON follow? I am willing to do work or volunteer for their activities etc but I can't spend much money. Please suggest if I should post this to some other site if Hinduism.SE isn't appropriate.

I'm a 25 year old boy in India.


texts:
As per Hinduism we have 6 lokas above us Bhuloka (Earth):

Bhuvar Loka
Swarga Loka
Mahar Loka
Jana Loka
Tapa Loka
Satya Loka

There is wide spread belief that those who reach Swarga Loka will return.

What will happen to the karma they have done in Swarga Loka?  As Swarga Loka is only for the Jivatmas who had accumulated lots of Punya, then by definition, they can only perform positive karma in that case. If positive karma is performed in Swarga Loka why do they return back to the Earth?
If there is no effect for the positive karma done in Swarga Loka for the Jivatmas, what will happen to karma performed in Swarga Loka when they return to Earth?
If the above (there is no effect for the positive karma done in Swarga Loka) is true then why are there other Lokas such as Maharloka, Janaloka, and Tapaloka? What would Jivatmas in these Lokas do? Are they wasting their karma just waiting to return back to Earth?


texts: How can a brahmin attain powers in Kaliyuga similar to the Trikala Gnana brahmarshi's or Saptharishi's in other yugas?

texts:
How can a brahmin attain powers in Kaliyuga similar to the power of Trikala Gnana brahmarshi's or Saptharishi's in other yugas?

Examples: Vasishta, Agasthya, Atri, Gautama, Kashyapa, Bharadvaja, Durvasa, Jamadagni, Bhrigu, Parashara, Vyasa, Koushika, Suta etc.

How can a Brahmin live and lead a family life in the path of Saptharishi's in Kaliyuga without income/money?


texts: What scriptures describe the phenomenon of Fire Eclipses?

texts:
Just like Vaishnavas follow Pancharatra Agamas and Shaivites follow Shaiva Agamas, Shakta follow Shakta Agamas, aka Shakta Tantras. (I discuss an exception that proves the rule here.) One such Shakta Agama is the Matrikabheda Tantra.  In this excerpt from the Matrikabheda Tantra, Shiva tells Parvati about different kinds of eclipses:

  Oh, listen to me! The eclipse is a very good occasion. It is of three kinds, relating to the Sun, Moon, or fire respectively. On the forehead of Sakti (Durga) fire exists, in her left eyes glows the Moon and in her right eye the Sunshine. These three types of eclipses originate differently at the time of union of Siva with Parvati.  When the left eye of Parvati is kissed by Siva, the lunar eclipse occurs. At the time of kissing of right eye the solar eclipse takes place and at the time of his kissing the fore-head the fire eclipse is generated. But as the fire is the hidden energy of Siva hence fire eclipse can not be seen outwardly.  Rahu, Siva and Sakti are considered to be three qualities. The union of Siva and Sakti causes eclipse. The time when Siva and Sakti unite is thought to be an auspicious hour pervaded with divinity or bliss.

Now solar eclipses and lunar eclipses are well-known astronomical phenomena. But my question is, what scriptures describe fire eclipses?

Also, the passage says that fire eclipses are not visible, but is it possible to calculate when they occur?  After all, Rahu, Ketu, and the other Upagrahas or shadow planets are not visible, yet their location can still be calculated mathematically.  So is it similarly possible to mathematically calculate the location of the fire which is said to be "the hidden energy of Siva"?


texts:
According to wikipedia article of Arishadvargas it states

  According to the Hindu scriptures, Kama and krodha or lust and anger are responsible for all kinds of difficult experiences which we have in our lives.

And according to purusharth it is one of the goals of life.

So i am confused here. Any explaination would be helpful.

  the question is different because here in wikipedia it says kama is bad for life also where as it is one of the goal.


texts:
Vyuha refers to emanations of Lord Vishnu. There are 4 vyuha forms of Lord Vishnu:

Vasudeva
Sankarshana
Aniruddha
Pradyumna

Now, I have heard that each of these Vyuha forms of Lord Vishnu have their own lokas. My question: Where are these lokas located? Are the 4 Vyuha lokas a part of Vaikuntha itself or they have a separate location? Do the  Pāñcarātra Āgamas say anything about these lokas?


texts: Was the name mArIcha (मारीच), a demon in Raamayana, adopted from the word marīcikā (मरीचिका)?

texts:
marīcikā (मरीचिका) means mirage.

https://www.sanskritdictionary.com/?q=mar%C4%ABcik%C4%81&iencoding=deva&lang=sans&action=Search

Mirage means an unrealistic hope or wish that cannot be achieved or illusory appearance of water in a desert

Mirage is an illusion. My doubt is whether the name mArIcha (मारीच), a demon in Raamayana, adopted by Sage Valmiki  from the word marīcikā (मरीचिका), for indicating his character as an illusion?


texts: Is there anything in Hinduism to refute the idea that plant species are controlled by a single soul?

texts:
I feel like the most sensible answer to how plant souls work when plants can have cuttings is to say plants are single souled and the entire species is controlled by one soul. This makes sense with Hindu stories like the curse on the Ketaki flower somehow applying to all of them. Is there any scripture that contradicts this idea?
In case you don't see the conundrum, how does the cutting survive when the origin plant dies? The new soul also can't rely on a small vessel otherwise the soul wouldn't be able to exert enough control to control the body, especially for organisms without brains, like plants.


texts: What is the basis of intonation marks with respect to vedic chantings? Why does it not applicable in puranic or Geeta chanting?


texts: What is the truth behind the practice of Sati? How is it related to Hinduism?

texts:
Many people use the practice of Sati (सती) as a weapon against Hinduism to point out that it is full of bad practices. I have heard that it was limited to one particular community in one of the states where women sacrifice their life after the death of their husbands. As India has a culture with variability, there will be differences and uniquely strange practices among the various communities within this culture. But people against Hinduism use 'Sati' to defame the whole culture and they are thinking that the practice was common among all Hindus in India in past. Can someone clarify the things for the whole community?

It is a bit of history about our religion, but it is important to clarify the things among ourselves.


texts: Why is it said that we shouldn't keep a copy of Mahabharata at home?

texts: It is widely believed that keeping a copy of Mahabharata at home is not good. Can anyone tell me the reason behind this?


texts: What are the uses and significance of Vaijayanti Mala? Is it only offered to lord Krishna?


texts: Generally Bhishma Ekadasi is celebrated on Magha Suddha Ekadasi. It is learnt that Bhishma died on Ashtami. Why the festival is being celebrated on Ekadasi?


texts:
I read this on a forum:

  Sahadeva could predict the future, but he was also cursed to die if he revealed it to anyone. He didn't reveal the outcome of the war to Krishna.

Also, this question says that Sahadeva could do this because he 'ate part of Pandu's brain'!

I would like to know the original story from the Mahabharata.


texts: Why does every God has a symbolic animal or bird?

texts:
Is it for protecting the animal or the bird?

Or is it because the God likes a particular animal or bird?


texts: What would be good books to read to learn the basics?

texts:
I know practically nothing about Hinduism, which is a problem, considering that more than a billion people believe in it. This strongly suggests there's something going for it.

As a curious agnostic, what English-language books would people recommend for me to understand the basics of what Hindus believe and the evidence for the truth of it? Preferably available as E-books or on Kindle, preferably written in a reasonably straightforward style?

Apologies for bothering you with my ignorance. Thanks.


texts: Did Sai baba of Shirdi mention anywhere that he will born again?

texts: During his lifetime, do Shirdi Sai mention that he will born again?


texts: Is there any planetary arrangement described for end of the world in Hindu scriptures?

texts: Is there any planetary arrangement described for the end of the world in Hindu scriptures? If yes then please describe.


texts: Are there any sudra or outcaste seers in Vedas?

texts: There are many mantra drastas (seers) like Kathaka, Mandukya etc in the Vedas.. Are there any seers who are sudras or outcastes?


texts: Do most pre-medieval major scriptures have advaitic passages in them?

texts: Scriptures denying Advaita started appearing around the time of Ramanuja.  But before that - do Vedas, Upanishads,Brahmanas, Aranyakas, epics and Puranas all have some passages in them that are advaitic?


texts: Do Pretas and Bhootas roam around for eternity unless rites are performed for them?

texts: If rites and rituals are not performed for their liberation, would these pretas/bhootas roam the world for eternity?


texts: Which texts mention Patanjali other than Yoga Sutras? Which scriptures mention that Patanjali is an incarnation of Shesha?

texts: Do texts besides Yoga Sutras mention Patanjali? In which Shruti and Smriti text Patanjali is mentioned as an incarnation of Shesha?


texts: How did Hindu scholars determine that North America is Kraunchadvipa?

texts:
According to the Hindu scriptures, there are 7 continents or dvipas named:

Jambu ("Indian Blackberry tree")
Plaksha ("Ficus religiosa (Peepal) tree")
Shalmali ("Bombax tree")
Kusha ("grass")
Kraunca ("Mountain")
Shaka ("Pine tree")
Pushkara ("Maple tree")

Each continent is surrounded by a particular liquid. Jambudvipa is surrounded by an ocean of salt water. Kraunchadvipa is surrounded by an ocean of milk.

  Krauñcadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of milk as broad as the island
  itself - Bhagavata Purana

Hindu priests and scholars have determined that the North American continent is Kraunchadvipa. Before poojas, temple priests recite a "sankalpa", announcing the time, location, yuga, etc of the pooja or yajna they are about to perform. In India they say "Jambudvipe, bharata varshe", etc. In the US, they say "Kraunchadvipe, ramanakavarshe", etc.

My question is, how did they determine that North America is Kraunchadvipa? This continent is not surrounded by an ocean of milk. It is surrounded by salt water just like Jambudvipa.


texts: Why did Sri Krishna say he is Indra among Devatas?

texts:
Sri Krishna, while equating himself with greatest among all living beings and non-living things among various sects, says in Bhagavad Gita as follows:

आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान्।

मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी।।10.21।।

Adityanam, among the twelve Adityas; aham, I; am the Aditya called Visnu. Jyotisam, among the luminaries; amsuman, the radiant; ravih, sun. Marutam, among the different gods called Maruts; asmi, I am; the one called Marici. Naksatranam, among the stars; I am sasi, the moon.

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः।

इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना।।10.22।।

Vedanam, among the Vedas; I am the Sama-veda. Devanam, among the gods-such as Rudras, Adityas and others; I am vasavah, Indra. Indriyanam, among the eleven organs, viz eye etc.; I am the manah, mind. I am the mind which is of the nature of reflection and doubt. And I am the cetana, intelligence [It is the medium for the manifestation of Consciousness.], the function of the intellect ever manifest in the aggregate of body and organs; bhtanam, in creatures.

रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम्।

वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि मेरुः शिखरिणामहम्।।10.23।।

Rudranam, among the eleven Rudras, I am Sankara; and yaksaraksasam, among the Yaksas and goblins; I am vittesah, Kubera. Vasunam, among the eight Vasus; I am pavakah, Fire; and sikharinam, among the peaked mountains, I am Meru.

Sri Krishna gave this discourse to Arjuna almost at the end of Dwaapara yuda, i.e, nearly 5000 years ago.  He said that he is Indra among Devatas (33 Gods).
He also said that he is Vishnu among Adityas and Shankara among Rudras.
Why did not he say that he is Vishnu or Shiva among Devatas?


texts: Where is the verse(s) about Sāvarṇi (a name of the first human) in the Ṛgveda (Rig Veda)? Who are Sāvarṇya and Saraṇyū?

texts: I tried control-f-ing to find the mention of Sāvarṇi but it did not work.


texts: Why are Vishnu and Narayana mentioned as separate deities in Tantra?

texts:
According to he Paschima-Aamnaya of Tantra, Krishna, Gopala, Narayana, and Vishnu are different deities (Sastramulak Bharatiya Shaktisadhana,  Upendrakumar Das, RMIC, page 1049).

Can anybody provide the dhyana-mantras of Vishnu and Narayana from this scripture so that the differece between them becomes clear? In Bengal, Sri Vishnu is worshipped by the dhyana-mantra of Narayana seated in the Savitri-mandala and so we do not treat theses two deities differently by the way.


texts: What are different Vadas associated with different philosophies?

texts:
We know that there are six Astika schools of philosophy (Darshana, Sanskrit: दर्शन) which are Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimansa and Vedanta. And further there are sub-schools of Vedanta viz. Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, Shuddhadvaita, Achintya Bhedabheda etc. There are also some other popular philosophical schools e.g. Kashimiri Shaiva and Shiva Siddhanta.

Now, each Darshana has a canonical text (Sutra) which defines and describes core concept/principles of particular doctrine. I found that there are some popular established theory (Vada, Sanskrit: वाद) in relation to particular doctrine.

For example, as I've discussed in this post Vivartavada is one which Adi Shankaracharya explained for his preaching on Advaita, Ajatavada is one which Gaudapada established in his Karika on Mandukya Upanishad. So, Vivartavada and Ajatavada are two theories of Advaita. Similarly, later on I found that Vishishtadvaita believes in Parinama-Vada and Sankhya in Satkarya-Vada. So, I'm interested to know others also.

Hence, I want to know What are some popular Vadas (theories) endorsed by different philosophies?

Answer providing/listing popular Vadas in relation to respective Darshana with just a little (to avoid question becoming too-broad) explanation,  citing source from text of respective philosophy would be very useful.


texts: What is the significance of visiting temple on amavasya day?

texts:
Is there any significance to visiting temples on Amavasya Day?

Or are there any restrictions in doing so?


texts: Why does the soul fall prey to maya, when it resides in the body?

texts:
I myself am an admirer of the Bhagavad Gita, and am a strong believer of its teachings. There is something, however, that still raises a question in my mind, that I cannot answer fully. I however believe that it arises because I have not yet fully understood its essence. It is said in Gita, that the Aatma (soul) is supreme, in the sense that it cannot be scorched by the fire, pierced by the weapon, dried by the wind,or soaked by the water. In other words, in its very true form, it is unaffected by any sort of external physical force.

Why is it then the situation, that when it resides in a mortal body, it forgets its true nature and falls prey to the trigunas (sattva, raja, tama) of maya?

If this did not happen, then there would not be any necessity for the Lord Himself to be incarnated and teach the supreme lesson to the trapped soul! Or, is it something, that is beyond the limits of our thoughts?


texts: Were the harsher punishments laid out in smṛtis actually carried out or they merely served as a deterrent?

texts:
Were some of the harsher punishments laid out in smṛtis like the Manu actually carried out (any real examples?) or they merely served as a deterrent?

From Manusmṛti:

  On abusing a Brāhmaṇa the Kṣatriya should be fined one hundred; and the Vaiśya one hundred and fifty; or two hundred; the Śūdra however deserves immolation.—(267)

  Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

  For the Śūdra ‘immolation,’—in the form of beating, cutting off the tongue, actual death, and so forth, to be adjusted in accordance, with the exact nature of the abuse.—(267)

  If through arrogance, he teaches brāhmaṇas their duty, the king shall pour heated oil into his mouth and ears.—(272)

  In a case of adultery, a non-Brāhmaṇa deserves the penalty ending in death; as the wives of all the four castes are always the most deserving of protection.—(359)

  If a man of equal status violates an unwilling maiden, he deserves immediate death; but if he violates a willing one, he shall not suffer death.—(364)


texts:
For human the soul is child of supreme soul. Soul takes birth and leave the body until it gets MOKHSA. But what about animal's soul, will they always take birth as animal and who is supreme or manager of their soul.
We have some proof that after death human takes birth as human again. What about animals and insects?


texts: Complete English translation of Kumārila Bhaṭṭa's Tantravārttika

texts:
In his two volume work, Ganganath Jha appears to have only translated the first three chapters (out of the total twelve listed below) of Kumārila Bhaṭṭa's Tantravārttika. Has any other scholar translated the Tantravārttika in full? Is it available online for free or purchase?

  Mimamsa Sutra consists of twelve chapters:

  In the first chapter import of the collections of words which have various meanings is discussed. Such as, injunction (vidhi),
  explanatory passage (arthavada), hymn (mantra), tradition (smriti)
  etc.
  In the second chapter, discussions relating to the difference of various rites, refutation of erroneously proofs etc. are held.
  In the third chapter, sruti, sense of the passage (linga), context (vakya), and their respective weight when in apparent opposition to
  one another, the ceremonies called pratipatti-karmani, things
  mentioned incidentally (anarabhyadhita) and the duties of the
  sacrifices are expounded.
  In the fourth chapter, the influence on other rites of the principal and subordinate rites, the fruit caused by the juhu and
  dice-playing, which forms a subordinate part of the rajasuya sacrifice
  are explained.
  Fifth chapter discusses relative order of various passages of sruti, different parts of sacrifice etc.
  In the sixth chapter, the persons qualified to offer sacrifices, their obligations, the substitutes for materials used in sacrifices,
  expiatory rites and the different sacrificial fires are made clear.

  7-8. In the seventh and eight chapters, transference of ceremonies and transference by virtue from one sacrifice to another are discussed.

  In the ninth chapter, adaptation of hymns when quoted in a new context (uha), and melodies (samans) and mantras are discussed.
  In the tenth, the discussion revolves around the non-performance of the primary rites and dependent rites, offerings to grahas, etc.
  In the eleventh chapter, there is discussion on tantra (combining several acts one), and avapa (performance of an act more than once).
  In the twelfth chapter, prasanga, tantra and cumulation of concurrent rites (samuchchaya) is explained.


texts: Is the ultimate purpose of life only to serve God?

texts:
I wonder at this question, because as with most major religions, it seems all you are mostly meant to do is to serve/devote yourself to God. It also seems that even in Hinduism this is the only way to unite with God? Why can't we just be good, why must we worship, what we must do in order to worship?

Is there nothing else that we are meant to do? The concept of "worship" just makes me more like we are enslaved to God.


texts: In which parva of Mahabharata was Ganga's curse to Amba is mentioned?

texts: I got to know about a tale, of Ganga's curse to Amba to become a river without water or something similar to that because of her attempt to kill Bhishma. What was that exact curse and in which parva of the Mahabharata it's mentioned or is it from some other Hindu scripture or folktale?


texts: In which hindu scripture, savitar(god of speed) is mentioned?

texts: Recently I came across a name Savitar (God of speed). And as a Hindu I never heard this name.So in which scripture we find the description of this deity.


texts: Lemuria is a mythological place said to exist in Indian ocean, below current indian sub-continent.Was it ever mentioned in texts.


texts: What is the exact scriptural meaning of Shraddha?

texts:
In chapter 4 verse 39 of Geetha, lord Krishna told that a person with Shraddha achieves gnanam.

In this context what is the exact meaning of Shraddha according to scriptures?


texts: I want to know that where is Lord Brahma's Brahmaloka nowadays? Was Brahmaloka destroyed or anywhere in this universe?


texts: Do Hindus think two Sikh clans are descended from Lava and Kusha?

texts:
It is said in Sri Dasam granth, authored by Guru Gobind Singh,  that the Bedi and Sodhi clan of Punjab are descendants of Kush and Lav respectively, the sons of SriRama.

It is said the Bedis got their name so because they studied the vedas for a long time , and hence came to know as 'Vedis' , or 'Bedis' (as 'B' = 'V' in many north indian accents)

I know hindus will not consider Sri Dasam as an authentic source, but i wanna know what they think of this subject as certain hindu authors have quoted Sri Dasam granth.


texts: Is it acceptable for Sages to marry and have a family?

texts:
According to my understanding, a Sage is a person who has broken all the earthly bonds and intensely devoted to God. Such persons distance themselves from all kinds of material and physical pleasures.

But legend has it that great sages like Agasthya and Vashishta were married. How is it acceptable for a person who has renounced worldly pleasures to marry and indulge in physical pleasures? Or, is my understanding about the sages wrong?


texts: I am a Hindu, not very religious. A few days ago, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I want to go after Kreem Beej Mantra Sadhana for the recovery of my mother. I want to know everything about the mantra, the pros and cons of it, and whether I have to offer any puja to Kali? If yes, I'd like to know the full procedure. I'd like to know if I really need a guru for this purpose. What if I do this particular type of sadhana without any guru?


texts: Where in Padma Purana the following verse about parampara is located?

texts:
Sampradaya-vihina ye mantras te nisphala matah
  Atah kalau bhavisyanti catvarah sampradayinah catvarah sampradayinah

  Sri-brahma-rudra-sanakah vaisnavah ksiti-pavanah
  Catvaras te kalau bhavya hy utkale purusottamatAtah kalau bhavisyanti

Meaning:

  'Any mantra that does not come in disciplic succession is considered
  to be fruitless. Therefore, four divine individuals will appear in the
  age of Kali to found disciplic schools. The founders of these four
  Vaisnava sampradayas are Laksmi or Sri, Brahma, Rudra and Sanaka
  Rishi, and the acaryas of the Kali Age who follow their lines will
  appear in the holy city of Purusottama in Orissa.

This verse looks like a prediction of various Vaishnava Sampradayas which appeared in Kali age. Now where this verse is located in Padma Purana?


texts:
Reference material or book on Vainayiki vidya - enforcing discipline.

or Is there any book where I can study 64 Arts / 14 Vidyas.


texts:
Upaniṣads like Maha Upaniṣad [linked with Samaveda], Narayana Upaniṣad [linked with Krishna Yajurveda] and Tejobindu Upaniṣad [linked with Yajurveda] all are minor Upaniṣads.
So are they (minor Upaniṣad) Shruti or Smriti?


texts: There is a temple in Maharashtra named 'Khandoba Temple'. In the temple, people worship Khandoba Mahadev. Who is he?


texts:
What is the Story of Vishnu's incarnation Chaitanya?

  According to Bhavishya Puran  Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was an
  incarnation of Lord Sri Krishna.

My Question is What Story Behind this Incarnation Of Vishnu?


texts:
Is world is just an output of imagination? and all the people (family, friends) are an output of imagination and not real?
If yes, how it happens, when and why this imagination occurs.


texts: Why do Vedas have śākhās? Are all of them apauruṣeyā?

texts:
This table lists the Vedas and their extant śākhās under the Saṃhitā column. My question has to do with the śākhās.

  Note that the bracketed terms in the Saṃhitā column are names of the
  different śākhās, which are versions or recensions of the same
  texts. Terms in parenthesis indicate synonymous titles.
  Source: hinduismtoday.com

What is the need for Vedas to have śākhās? Why isn't there just one true copy/branch for each of the four Vedas?

Were the śākhās created by their founder sages because the Vedas were revealed to them a little differently?

Do followers of each śākhā believe their version to be the true copy/revelation? If yes, does it make all Vedas of all śākhās apauruṣeyā (authorless)?

Now this chapter of the book Hindu Dharma: The Universal Way of Life says:

  Krsna Dvaipayana came to be called "Vedavyasa" for having divided the Vedas into four and then having subdivided them into 1,180 recensions. "Vyasa" literally means an "essay" or a "composition". Classifying objects is also known as "vyasa".

Is the claim that Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana himself divide the four Vedas into various śākhās true? If yes, why did he divide them further?


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I need a consolidated list of who killed whom in Ramayana. List should be like this:
Ram - Ravan
Ram - Kumbhkarn
Laksman - Meghanad
Laxman - Atikay
Hanuman - Akshay Kumar

I couldn't find this info at one place.


texts: What happens to jivas and heavenly bodies during pralaya?

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Do all jivas merge into god? What about the physical bodies as the human science today says atom is undestructible?

(I would appreciate a neutral,non-sectarian question otherwise make sure your answer would not hurt the beliefs of other sects as much as possible)


texts: Is caste system only for humans? What about animals, Asuras, Devas etc. Does caste system also apply to them?


texts: Why Uddhava Gita starts differently - are there different Uddhava Gitas?

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I found some texts on Uddhava Gita online:

first
second
third # this is amazon preview, but you can preview chapter 1
sloka 1

They all start differently:

first start with suka uwacha
second starts with badarayadi uwacha
third starts with shri bhagwan uwacha

So, I'm a bit confused with which one is to be followed. Are these all different Uddhava Gitas?
P.S: Please tell me what this canto 11 chapter 6 to 29 means given in the first link.


texts: How did Ravana get the golden city of Lanka?

texts: In the Ramayana, we know that Ravana was the King of the golden city of Lanka. How did he get this city? I know very little other than that it was offered by Shiva.


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Gita 9:32

  O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth-women, vaisyas [merchants], as well as sudras [workers]-can approach the supreme destination.

What is correct interpretation of Bhagavad gita 9:32?


texts: Who are the sons of Suryadeva, the sun god?

texts: There are some gods who are sons of Suryanarayana. Who are the sons of Surya?


texts: Why did Ekalavya become Lord Krishna's arch rival? Was he punished because he was a Shudra?

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While debating on Quora on how the Bhagavad Gita does not advocate the present day birth-based casteism, a user pointed out that,

  From Vishnu Parva, Chapter 84, it seems that Krishna with his Yadavas built a city near Ekalavya's village, without his permission; attracted by its natural resources. This story reminds very much of how the Indian government routinely destroys Adivasi villages for mining extractions.

It'd be great if someone provides proper references to:

The above story from Vishnu Parva (Vishnu Purana? or Vishnu Parva of Harivamsha?)
Reason behind their rivalry
Actual reason behind Ekalavya's assassination


texts: Where can we find reference of the story of Holika burning instead of Prahlada?

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I have checked some of the places where the story of Prahlada-Nrisimhadev-Hiranyakashipu is mentioned, for eg: in the Narasimha Purana, the Srimad Bhagavatam and Vishnu Purana for a mention of Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika, but I failed to find the popular story of Holika who sits taking Prahald on her lap and instead of Prahlad herself gets burnt.

Though I found in Vishnu Purana, 1.18 that the Daitya Brahmanas produced Mantra-agni (KRtyA) to burn Prahlad but instead they themselves got into danger and Prahlad saved them.

So I would like to know whether this story has a basis in any of the Maha-Puranas or Upa-Puranas or may be some Sthal Purana or when did the story first appear and where?


texts: Why does Gaudapada say the Uttarakurus cannot be proven by perception or inference?

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As I discuss in this question, in Hindu philosophy there are three main Pramanas or valid means of knowledge: Pratyaksha or sensory perception, Anumana or inference, and Shabda or scriptural testimony.  And there is hierarchy of these Pramanas, as described in verse 6 of Ishwara Krishna's Samkhya Karika:

  sāmānyatastu dṛṣṭādatīndriyāṇāṃ pratītiranumānāt ।
  tasmādapicāsiddhaṃ paro'kṣamāptāgamāt siddhaṃ ॥

  By means of Inference based on Analogy, the objects beyond senses are proved; that which is not proved by this (Inference) and cannot be directly perceived, is proved, by Valid Testimony.

Now the Samkhya Karika Bhashya, attributed to the Advaita philosopher Gaudapada, gives some examples of things which cannot be proven through perception or inference, and thus require scripture to establish:

  That which is not proved by this (Inference) and cannot be directly perceived, is proved by Valid Testimony. For example:—Indra, the king of gods; the northern Kurus; the nymphs in the Heaven;—all these imperceptibles are proved by Valid Testimony.

Now it's understandable that the existence of Indra and the Apsaras of Swarga cannot be proven through perception or inference.  But my question is, why does Gaudapada say that the existence of the Uttarakurus, who live on the other side of the Himalayas, cannot be proven through perception or inference.

This is of a piece with a bunch of strange statements that Hindu scripture makes about the Uttarakurus.  For instance the Aitareya Brahmana describes the land of the Uttarakurus as unconquerable by humans.  And in this chapter of the Sabha Parva of the Mahabharata, Arjuna tries to conquer the land of the Uttarakurus but is told this by the guards at the border of the kingdom:

  O son of Pritha, this country can be never conquered by thee. If thou seekest thy good, return hence. He that entereth this region, if human, is sure to perish. We have been gratified with thee; O hero, thy conquests have been enough. Nor is anything to be seen here, O Arjuna, that may be conquered by thee. The Northern Kurus live here. There cannot be war here. Even if thou enterest it, thou will not be able to behold anything, for with human eyes nothing can be seen here.

The part in bold is relevant.  I find all this strange, since there are now plenty of humans who live on the other side of the Himalayas.  But regardless, even if it is true that the land of the Uttarakurus cannot be perceived by humans, why is it that their existence cannot be proven by inference?  If you went, like Arjuna, to the border of the kingdom and spoke to the guards, couldn't you infer the existence of the Uttarakurus from the existence of their guards?


texts: From where can i get kashyapa shilpa shastra in english?

texts: Have tried to search a lot, but couldn't get one. please help if anyone has


texts: Which scripture explains Sapta padi mantra used in Hindu marriage?

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There are seven mantras recited during Hindu marriage ritual. Each mantra is recited with each encirclement around fire by bride and bridegroom together. It is said that they take oath in front of Agni god to live together happily and to perform duties enunciated in mantras. But looking at mantra where the term 'bhava'  is used in every mantra, it conveys the meaning - 'to become' like different forms of Agni ; starting with "Ish eka padi' which resemble  with 'ajA eka pAt' which is RigVedic connotation for Sun; and also the second one - 'urja' the energy. Since oath is taken before Agni not before any other god, it seems to be a Vedic ritual of marriage where Agni is first and foremost god. The following are those mantras:-

Om Ish eka padi bhava
Om urje dvi padi bhava
Om rayo poshan tri padi bhava
Om maayo bhavya chatus padi bhava
Om prajambha panch padi bhava
Om ritumbha sat padi bhava
Om sakhe sapt padi bhava

It appears that there is no scripture explaining  these mantra as described here. However many scriptures are aware of these mantras. Since marriage is a regular affair for priests, it might be possible that these mantra persisted and carried forward through the memory of officiating priests like RigVeda.

My question here is - Can we provide literal interpretation of these mantras to explain 'what is it'?


texts: How does Sri Madhvacharya interpret Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.5.11?

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Shukdeva advises Raja Parikshit in Srimad-Bhagavatam (12/5/11):

aham brahma param dhaam brahma aham paramam padam/evam samikshya cha aatmanam aatmanimaadhaya nishkale
English Translation: Think: I am Brahman, the Absolute Abode, the final destination and attach the Self to the ever-unstinted Brahman.

Interestingly, Sukadeva at the end of Bhagavatam does not advise King Parikshit to pray to God for liberation. He advises to think: I am Brahman.
How does the Sri Madhvacharya interpret the above sloka?


texts: Is kartikeya married or unmarried? Why is he not worshipped widely even after he had always protected mankind from evil powers?

texts: Why is he not worshipped widely even after he had always protected mankind from evil powers? Can anyone answer it? I know he is worshipped widely in south India and north Indians think he is responsible for creating widows as he is a war god. But that's not fair because all he ever did was to save mankind from evil powers. So are we not supposed to be thankful to him?


texts: Shankara's Gita Bhasya says that the Self transmigrates. Is this true?

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Advaitins mostly believe that the Self doesn't transmigrate and that it's the subtle body (known as jiva/jivatma) that actually does. But then in Shankara's Gita bhasya it is mentioned that the self changes bodies like we change garments. Below is a translation of Bhagavad Gita 2.22 (the original text can be seen here):

  Just as a man casts off worn-out clothes and puts on others which are new, so the embodied (Self) casts off worn-out bodies and enters others which are new.

Here is Adi Shankara's commentary (translated by Alladi Mahadeva Shastri):

  Just as, in this world, a man casts off the clothes that have been worn-out and puts on others which are new, in the same manner, like the man (of the world), the embodied Self abandons old bodies, and, without undergoing any change, enters others which are new.

Here's a diagram of the Self dwelling in the innermost region. Is this what Shankara meant in his verse, that this in-dwelling Self travels along with the five sheaths? Or did he mean something else?


texts: Why god choose earth for life, why not others?

texts: I want to know that why god choose earth for life and why not other planet. He is god after all and could have choose to create organism which can sustain as life in other planets the. Why only earth why not others?


texts: I have heard that there are treatises on Yoga from Rishis other than Patanjali and one of them is from Rishi Jaimini. Is this true? What are the other Yoga treatises available today and is there any translations of the same?


texts: Is shaving or hair cutting not allowed for both the father and his children on the same day?

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Is shaving or hair cutting not allowed for both father and his children on the same day? Any reason?

Related


texts: Was Shukla Yajurveda unknown to Vedavyasa?

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While answering the question about Shakhas of Vedas, I've read the verses of Srimad Bhagvatam and found that Yajnavalkya, upon the commend from (his Guru) Vaishampayana, vomited (relinquished) or given back the mantras of the Yajur Veda that he learnt from Vaishampayana. Those mantras are then called Taittariya Samhita or classified as Krishna Yajurveda.
Yajnavalkya then worshiped Surya Deva to get those Yajur mantras which are even unknown to Vaishampayana!
Quoting verses from Srimad Bhagvatam (similar story available from Vishnupurana, quoted in this answer to Why is Yajurveda classified as Krishna and Shukla?) :

SB 12.6.66 — My dear brāhmaṇa Śaunaka, Yājñavalkya then desired to find out new yajur-mantras unknown to even his spiritual master. With this in mind he offered attentive worship to the powerful lord of the sun.

SB 12.6.73 — Sūta Gosvāmī said: Satisfied by such glorification, the powerful sun-god assumed the form of a horse and presented to the sage Yājñavalkya yajur-mantras previously unknown in human society.

By reading that those hymns of Yajurveda (now called Shukla Yajurveda or Vajasaneyi Samhita) were not even known to Vaishampayana, following questions came in my mind:

If Shukla Yajurveda were not known to Vaishampayana, then it may be not known to even Vedavyasa or if Shulka Yajurveda were known to Vedavyasa, he didn't give/teach to Vaishampayana or any other Shishyas?

Since Shukla Yajurveda is first known by Yajnavalkya he would be Drashta of whole the Shulka Yajurveda but we know that there are Mantra Drashta Rishis who got these hymns of Shukla Yajurveda

Image source: Gayatri Pariwara Yajurveda Samhita - Part 1

So, Yajnavalkya was not Drashta of any hymns of Shukha Yajurveda (Though there is mention of Aditya- Yajnavalkya as seer for 33.55-34.58 hymns however I'm not sure whether he is the same Yajnavalkya who got Yajurveda from Surya). That means Shukla Yajurveda was also there before Yajnavalkya got from Surya i.e. as eternal as other Vedas.
If my above understanding is correct then following question comes in my mind:

Was the Shukla Yajurveda unknown to Vedavyasa? if yes then How did Shukla Yajurveda lost before Yajnavalkya got from Surya?


texts: What scriptures describe Shanta as Dasharatha's daughter?

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Most people are only familiar with Dasharatha's four sons - Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna.  But there is a common story that Dasharatha also had a daughter.  The story as I understand it goes roughly as follows: before the birth of Rama or any of Dasharatha's other sons, Dasharatha and Kausalya had a daughter by the name of Shanta.  Now Kausalya's sister Varshini was the wife of Romapada king of Anga, and the couple were unable to have children.  So Varshini once asked Dasharatha, jokingly, whether he would give his daughter Shanta to her and her husband.  But Dasharatha took the request seriously and agreed to give his daughter to Romapada.  Romapada raised Shanta, and eventually married her off to Rishyasringa, the sage who carried out Dasharatha's Putrakameshti Yagna that produced Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna.

But none of this is mentioned in the Ramayana.  The (very entertaining) story of Rishyasringa and how he got married to Shanta is described in great detail, but Shanta is just described as Romapada's daughter;  for instance it says "the king of Anga will beget a fortunate girl named Shanta" and when Dasharatha talks to Rompada he just says "your daughter princess Shanta".  There's no mention that Shanta is actually the biological daughter of Dasharatha.  The Vana Parva of the Mahabharata similarly says "And [R]omapada, the desire of his heart fulfilled, bestowed his daughter Santa on Rishyasringa in marriage."

So my question is, what scriptures, if any, mention the fact that Shanta is Dasharatha's daughter?  There are many retellings of the Ramayana in the Puranas, so maybe one of them mentions it?  Or is it a later folk legend with no basis in Hindu scripture?


texts: Where Ram Stuti is located in Ramcharitmanas?

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Where is the Ram Stuti
"Bhaye Prakat Kripala Deēen........"
located In Ramcharitmanas?
Actually, I bought a Ramcharitmanas and I was searching for the Stuti but didn't get it yet. Can Anyone Help me in finding out where it is situated?


texts: Why did Lord Krishna pick up the Govardhan Hill only with his little finger?

texts: Lord Krishna pick up the Govardhana Hill and saved Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra deva, But the use of an only little finger there is any specific reason?