texts: What were Shri Krishna's sons doing during Mahabharat war?

texts: Sri Krishna had many sons but I am unable to find any reference of his sons in Mahabharata war. So where were they during the war?


texts: Who was Rishi Etesha and why was he racing with Surya?

texts:
I had earlier asked a question on Indra taking away a wheel from Surya's chariot and from the answer by Pushkar it turned out that he had done that to help his friend Rishi Etesha:

  There was certain vedic Rishi named Etesha. Long time ago he was competing/fighting with surya. Surya was riding in his chariot at that time. When Surya's chariot was coming from the front of the Rishi, Indra stopped the chariot and pulled one wheel of his chariot to protect Rishi Etesha. And later with this wheel did slayed his foes. So Indra did took away the wheel to protect Rishi Etesha as well as with it to slay his enemies.

I want to know who was this rishi, how was he friends with Indra and what led to this race between him and the sun-god?


texts: Did Arjuna really win against the Kauravas all alone in Virata Kingdom Battle

texts:
Lately I have grown interest in the Mahabharata and Hinduism. I haven’t read the books but I watched B R Chopra’s Mahabharata and the Star Plus Mahabharata. In the old one, it was shown that Arjuna defeated the Kaurava army including Bhishma Pitamaha, Guru Drona, Kulaguru, Angaraja Karna, all alone just after the Agyatavasa. But in new the Mahabharata Bhishma stopped the fight and no one won or lost.
What really happened?


texts: Why can Tulsi leaves only be picked on certain days?

texts:
I've heard that it is not allowed to pick the leaves of a Tulsi plant on certain days such as Dwadasi among others. This is why Acharyas advise against using store-bought Tulsi in offerings.

Which specific days are these, and why is it not allowed to pick Tulsi leaves on them?  Could one theoretically pick several leaves on the valid days and use them in Pooja during the days when it cannot be picked?

Also is there a specific protocol to be observed for the act of actually picking the leaves off of the plant?


texts: Giving Alms (Donation/charity) with the intention of getting merit will give me merit?

texts:
If someone gives alms (Donation/charity) in form of anything.
If his intention is to get merit. Then will he actually get merit out of that karma?


texts: Panchopachār pūjā is performed by using 5 different substances. What is the Method of performing Panchopachār Pūjā?


texts: In saptha vyasanalu, "speaking rudely" is also there or not

texts:
In saptha vyasanalu, is speaking rudely is also there?
That means man is not by nature rude, only addicted to that character.
Please  any body explain.


texts: What are some of the famous patriotric hymns/verses about Bharatavarsha found in Hindu scriptures?

texts: Are there any famous patriotic/nationalist hymns/verses about Bharatavarsha or jusr one's own country found in the Vedas, Itihasas or any Hindu scriptures?


texts: Do Hindus believe that Idols make a person spiritually closer to God?

texts: Is the idol target of worship or is God the target? Is the idol used only to get nearer to God? If yes how can an idol bring us nearer to God?


texts: In the time of Ramayana & Mahabharata, which gods were worshipped outside India?

texts: Ramayana and Mahabharatha happened Before Christ. We are aware of Ramayana & Mahabharatha happened in Hindu Land. But i wonder what about the rest of the population in the world at that time. Whether there were people existing in the globe, rest of Asia like in European countries? If they did exist, who was their GOD and whom were they following?


texts: When did Lord Vishnu perform Vaishnava Yajna?

texts:
From Mahabharata's Vana Prava

The name of that sacrifice worthy of virtuous persons, is Vaishnava. No person save the ancient Vishnu hath performed it before. This mighty sacrifice vies with that best of sacrifices—the Rajasuya itself.

When Duryodhana wanted to perform Rajasuya Yajna, priest advised him to perform Vaishnava Yajna in place of Rajasuya. He also told him that no one hath performed Vaishnava Yajna beside Lord Vishnu. I want to know that when Lord Vishnu perform such Yajna? Is there any scriptural proof in it's support?


texts:
Sahadeva, after eating a part of his father Pandu's brain, got the power to see the past and the future.

So he came to know that these things will happen:

Game of dice
Draupadi's insult
Kurukshetra war

Considering the outrage of modesty of a woman that too his wife, couldn't Sahadeva have blurted out the truth? (He needn't have revealed the 1st  and the 3rd things)

Now that it was fate if he had revealed the happenings he would have died, couldn't he have sacrificed himself at least to protect his wife's modesty?

Why didn't he do so?


texts: Shloka of below translation from Devi Bhagvatam Book 11 Chapter 1

texts:
I'd like to know the shloka of below translation from Devi Bhagvatam, Book 11, Chapter 1:

"Nârâyana said :– S’ruti and Smriti are the two eyes of God; the Purânam is His Heart. Whatever is stated in S’ruti, the Smriti and the Purânams is Dharma; whatever else is written in other S’âstras is not Dharma."

I read this wonderful translation by Rickross.


texts: What does Hinduism say about harming the body?

texts:
Sanathana Dharma followers does rigorous practice of worship by various ways to lessen the love on one's own body like taking cold water bath even in winter, walking on burning coal, fasting, panchagni sadhana, inserting small trishul/velayud through cheeks & tongue.

Can anyone practice these anytime? Are there any guidelines on who can do, where, when, why & how?  Is layman's (follower's)belief enough to save the self from the harm or any puja/mantra/yagna which is done parallel to these saves them from the harm?

In my opinion, one how has the knowledge and is still not able to control himself shall do all these. But I observe everyone practices these with minimal knowledge. Most of them now-a-days apparently does only for worldly pleasures? What does scriptures say about these people?

Dharma on one hand says human life is very valuable and asks one to protect his body till he gets salvation and on other hand it describes how to do rigorous practices to speed and take sadhana to the next level. How to co-relate and understand these?


texts: Is there any significance of not having haircuts on Tuesdays and Fullmoon day?

texts:
It is enforced at my place and many of Brahmins community to not have haircuts on Tuesday, Full Moon Day, Birth days

May i know the reason for the same if there is any significant aspect behind these custom?


texts: Are the four Kumars incarnations of Lord Vishnu or Shiva?

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According to the Bhagvat Purana the four Sanat Kumars are described as the incarnations of Lord Vishnu but I cam across this remark in the comment section of Vishnu Puran:

  Linga P. describes the repeated birth of Śiva, or Vámadeva, as a Kumára, or boy, from Brahmá, in each Kalpa, who again becomes four. Thus in the twenty-ninth Kalpa Swetalohita is the Kumára, and he becomes Sananda, Nandana, Viswananda, Upanandana; all of a white complexion: in the thirtieth the Kumára becomes Virajas, Viváhu, Visoka, Víswabhávana; all of a red colour: in the thirty-first he becomes four youths of a yellow colour: and in the thirty-second the four Kumáras were black.

I searched the linga purana that does mention the above order of manifestations but does not call them Kumars. Is there any link between these groups of four kumars and the original four Sanatkumars?


texts: According to guṇa-based varṇa system, at what age can one be certified a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, etc?

texts:
According to proponents of guṇa-based varṇa system (i.e., those that do not believe you are born into one specific Hindu varṇa), at what age can a person be certified as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, etc?

Or according to this system, are qualities (guṇas) that describe the 4 four varṇas acquired throughout one's life and at no point can anyone draw a line and say 'this person used to behave like a śūdra and now he's graduated to brāhmaṇa?'

In other words, there are no clear age boundaries between the varṇa transitions? E.g., a kid with accelerated learning can behave like a brāhmaṇa while a 60-year-old can continue to behave like a śūdra because he was lacking in the right kind of learning?


texts: Why does Lord Ganesha have a mouse as his vehicle?

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How did Lord Ganesha get a mouse as his vehicle? Is there a story behind this?

And what does the mouse signify?


texts: What do we mean by pure consciousness when we address Brahman?

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After going through so many online articles i'm still not sure what exactly is Brahman as per advaita. Yes it can't be grasped by our limited senses but those who did describe "IT" has said the following-

Some say, Brahman is everything.
Does this mean, even non living objects like rocks, mountains, rivers, chairs, cars, are they all Brahman?

Some say, Brahman is the atman inside us (living beings) and those who realize their own soul to be the eternal aspect, attain moksha.
Does this mean, advaitists are atheists, since they don't consider a higher creator entity and consider their own soul to be the only object of realization ? ... If there's no God as per advaita but only embodied atmas as Brahman, then does this mean, we atmas as a whole created galaxies, solar systems, planets etc. before entering into gross flesh bodies?

And finally, there are advaitists, who say Brahman is pure consciousness. Now i'm going to ask who's consciousness? Individual consciousness or universal consciousness? And what is meant by universal consciousness.

Please explain these three in a simplified manner. To me duality makes more sense, but hinduist monism aka advaita is a lot more hard to grasp, especially if you're not a hindu.


texts: What scriptures describe Kapila, Panchashikha, and Durvasa carrying Sanyasi staffs?

texts:
The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita.  One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting the Advaita view that those who have attained Brahmajnana do not have to follow the rules of Varnashrama Dharma.  Among other things, Vedanta Desikan responds to the Advaita argument that walking with staffs is for Sanyasis who haven't attained Brahmajnana yet, not Sanyasis who have attained it:

  As to the assertion: "The taking of a staff pertains to the non-enlightened", that too is just rash talk, because the staff is enjoined specifically with reference to the enlightened.  How can you, a man of supereminent wisdom, conclude that great seers such as Kapila, Panchashikha, and Durvasa, who are stated in the Itihasas and Puranas to have worn ochre robes and topknots and to have carried staffs, as well as Shankara and other founders of your doctrine, and men such as Lord Nathamuni, Bhaskara, and Yadavaprakasha, are all unenlightened?  Now that is the cry of a non-Vedic doctrine, and so it pleases nobody.

I discuss Nathamuni, Bhaskaracharya, and Yadavaprakasha in my question here.  But I'm interested in the part in bold.  My question is, what scriptures describe Kapila, Panchashikha, and Durvasa carrying Sanyasi staffs?

Kapila is the name of the founder of the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy, and the name of an incarnation of Vishnu born to Kardama and Devahuti, who may or may not be the same person as I discuss here.  Panchashikha was a Samkhya philosopher who was Kapila's shishya's shishya.  And Durvasa is a Rishi who is the son of Atri and an incarnation of Shiva.  But where in the Itihasas and Puranas are their Sanyasi staffs mentioned?


texts:
Is there a an online copy of English translation of Pramanavarttika of Shri Dharmakirthi?
Of the available links only second chapter is available. I'm looking especially for the first chapter.
If the full version is available, please provide the link for it.
Note: Pramanavarttika, even though a Buddhist text, is very relevant to Hinduism as it discusses Hindu schools of Samkhya, Nyaya and Vedanta and tries to refute them logically.


texts: What is the story of Trayambakeshwara Jyotirlinga?

texts:
Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance.
Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is described in Koti Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana in the chapter "Dwadash Jyotirlinga Mahatmya". It states:

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 Saurashtra, 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 the similar popular verse.

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

I have already asked a question about Somanath What is the story of Somanath Jyotirlinga? and Mallikarjun What is the story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga? and Mahakaleshwar What is the story of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga? and Omkareshwar What is the story of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga? and Vaidyanath What is the story of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga? and Bheemshankar What is the story of Bheemshankar Jyotirlinga? and Rameshwaram What is the story of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga? and Nageshwar What is the story of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga? and Vishwanatha What is the story of Kasi Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga?. Now I want to know the story of Trayambakeshwara Jyotirling.
Please mention the scriptural reference.
Trayambakeshwara temple is situated in Nashik, Maharashtra.

By Niraj Suryawanshi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29271240


texts: What prayaschitta can be done when last rites are not performed for the departed soul?

texts:
My grandmother who was 85 expired today. She had no sons, only a daughter (my mother) and as my mother's health is not good relatives and others said she should not do any last rites. Neither can my dad perform them, people said, as it would be bad for their kids and for their home. So, no last rites were performed for my grandmother.

What can be done now to make her soul rest in peace after we have not performed any regional traditional rites? Now we are being told that we cannot do any shraaddha karma for her and my parents are in real guilt that they couldn't do anything for her at the end of her life.


texts: Do generational curses exist in Hinduism?

texts: The Bible talks about generational curses. Does Hinduism have generational curses? If so, please include some verses describing them.


texts:
At what age did Arjuna recieve the knowledge of Srimad BhagavadGita from Sri Krishna? Do our holy scriptures mention anything regarding this?

Thnks a lot.


texts: Following Your Passion/ Dreams against Hinduism?

texts:
A lot of people are talking about following their passion and living the life they dream of. Living the life of freedom.
That makes complete sense to me as one should live life rather than making it count. Just want to know if it is accepted in Hinduism.


texts: Why are nava grahas in a temple placed such?

texts:
When we visit a navagraha mandapa(where the nine planets are placed) in a temple, we observe a distinct placement of the planets. No planet faces other planet. But in reality, a planet faces other planet at some point of time.

.

Is there a reason why these planets are placed such in temples?


texts:
Is there any hymn or verse for not having any kind of good/bad dreams? How can one skip dreams or illusion?

In Vishnu sahasra namavali I found one

  Om dusvapnanashanay namah

But it is not working as expected.


texts: Are the medicinal plants in Sri Lanka proofs of Hanuman?

texts:
I am wondering whether the medicinal plants in Sri Lanka are really proof of Hanuman's feat of bringing the mountain of medicinal plants for Lord Ram's aid.

Or is their existence just a co-incidence, and does not have to do anything with Lord Hanuman's story?


texts: Which calender is correct ? Poornimantha (month ending with poornima) or Amantha (month ending with Amavasya)?

texts: Which calender is correct ? Poornimantha (month ending with poornima) or Amantha (month ending with Amavasya) ?


texts: Why are parts of Rig Veda repeated in the other Vedas?

texts: If other Vedas have repeated and expounded upon Rig Veda, why read all four Vedas? Isn't Rig Veda enough?


texts: What is the reason of creation according to Vishishta Advaita?

texts:
According to

Kashmiri Shaivism : Reason of creation is the proof of existence of Shiva. As heat is inevitable in presence of fire, similarly Shakti is inevitable in presence of Shiva & this Shakti is no different than the world itself. Further, being a completely monistic or Advait philosophy, according to it all sufferings, enjoyments etc are of Shiva only in innumerable forms.E.g, insects, trees, demons etc all are Shiva covered with Malas only. In, short this system argues there is no individual existence or the one who suffers or enjoys, he is Shiva only who suffers or enjoys then what's your problem with creation? Further, creation is an ecstasy or bliss of Shiva in material form which doesn't seems bliss just due to perception of duality or ignorance that Individual thinks himself separates from Shiva & considers himself different. To remove such ignorance, one can liberate in this very life no matter whether one is women or belong to any caste.
Advait Vedanta : This is another the most famous Vedantic non dual or monistic system who believes there is no creation at all from absolute point of view, creation is the result of Avidya which Brahman is unaware of. Actually what they say is the perception full of duality is what the creation is & this perception is only due to avidya. So, this system argues Brahman didn't create the world & sufferings (In other words there is no world or sufferings), it is due to avidya only then why to question Brahman/God for sufferings or creations?
Shaiva Siddhanta: This is dual system which argues Shiva creates the universe to liberate bound souls having Mala/impurity by default since eternity. You can read here. Thus, this system shows benevolence of creation & Shiva, But this system along with other dual or semi dual systems are questionable to me as you can see here.

Btw Having stated in short the arguments laid by those systems, Now I am interested to know the arguments given by Vishishta Advaita regarding the reason of creation? i.e, Why Lord Vishnu creates the world? Does this system give the same arguments like Shaiva Siddhant?


texts:
I heard that as per the compositions of Azwars, The Ramavatara took place not to kill Ravana and Kumbhakarna, but to correct bhAgavata apacharam.

1) First of all, is that true? Is that mentioned in any of Azwar's pasurams? What apacharam was corrected, and who committed it?
2) If not explicitly mentioned in any of the Azwar's works, is that a belief held by the followers of Sri Ramanuja's school?
3) Has His Holiness Sri Ramanujacharya or Sri Vedandta Desika or Sri Manavala Mamunigal commented this way?

Any answers with details (references if possible) will be helpful. Thanks in advance.


texts:
Most of you might know, we have to experience the result of any karma(Prarabdha karma)done by us. Any Prarabdha Karma is inevitable.

  According to Sri Swami Sivananda: "Prarabdha is that portion of the past karma which is responsible for the present body. That portion of the sanchita karma which influences human life in the present incarnation is called prarabdha. It is ripe for reaping. It cannot be avoided or changed. It is only exhausted by being experienced. You pay your past debts. Prarabdha karma is that which has begun and is actually bearing fruit. It is selected out of the mass of the sanchita karma."

Mostly we assume that whatever is happening in awake state(state of consciousness) that is a result of our Prarabdha Karma. I would like to know about Prarabdha Karma while sleeping.

My question is:

What does happens to Prarabdha Karma while sleeping? Or Is sleeping itself a result of Prarabdha Karma?


texts: What is the story of Svarbhanu, the asura responsible for eclipse?

texts: There is an existing question that has reference to mention of Svarbhanu in Rig Veda. But I am more interested in related stories - be it from brahmanas, ithasas or puranas. Specifically, what was his origin ? How did he become enemy of Surya dev? When did Indra strike him down and how did Sage Atri find and restore Surya dev


texts: Maha Ganapathi moola mantra Nyasa needed ( inlcuding Bija, Shaktih and Keelakam please)!

texts:
Maha Ganpathi moola mantra nyasa mantras varies . Please suggest the most popular or authentic Bija, Shakti and Keelakam to be used prior to japa of 28 syllable mantra

Thanks in advance


texts: Where can I read Prabodha Sudhakara of Adi Shankara in English?

texts: Adi Shankaracharya's little known philosophical work is Prabodha Sudhakara. I am interested in reading it. Where can I read this work in online in English?


texts: Is invincibility in a battle dharma or adharma?

texts:
Background:

Many warriors like Bhishma, Indrajit, etc., had boons which made them invincible in a battle.
Even Karna had Kavacha and Kundalas which made him invincible (or almost immortal) in any battle.
If one battles with invincibility then there is no chance for him to be defeated by others and to defeat him, others are forced to take the path of adharma.

Examples:

Sugriva defeated Vali with the help of Lord Rama by striking him from behind.
Lakshmana defeated Indrajit by stopping his yagna with the help of Vanaras.
Arjuna defeated Bhishma with the help of Shikandi.

Question:

So if having these kinds of boons is dharma (i.e., allowed) then why should such warriors be defeated using adharma?
If possessing boons that makes one invincible in a battle, adharma, please explain why it is adharma.


texts:
Do Vedas talk of temples? Were there any temples in the Vedic era?

If yes what are some of the references?

If no then is temple worship a post Vedic concept?


texts: Can we perform amavasya(new-moon day) tharpanam during the second day of amavasya?

texts: If amavasya(New moon day) falls on two days ,(i.e., from today afternoon to tomorrow after), can I perform tharpanam on the second day morning? Please clarify. This situation comes to everyone's life when first day was missed due to unavoidable reasons?


texts: Do Shudras have samsakaras according to smritis?

texts:
Do Shudras have samskaras prescribed for them? If yes, how many samskaras can they undergo according smriti and which are they?
Can a shudra go to Gurukula?


texts: Does Hindu culture allow eating Hotel food?

texts: Does Hindu culture allow eating hotel food? I have heard that Swaminarayan and Brahma Kumaris say not to eat food at a hotel or restaurant. Why?


texts: Questions about various incarnations of Vishnu

texts:
I have one question about various incarnations of Lord Vishnu (the question may have sub questions).  I remembered from Bhagavata purana, many incarnations are either the incarnation of Maha Vishnu or Kshirothakasayi Vishnu.  I would like to know if Lord Vishnu is supreme, who is catur vyugas and who are Karanodakasayi vishnu, Garbodaga sayi vishnu and Kshirodaga sayi vishnu?

Are they existing separately or they manifest from one Lord Vishnu and after performing various pastimes will they merge back to Vishnu?  For example, Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna are existing separately now or Lord Krishna merged back to Lord Vishnu? If they merged, how they will satisfy the devotees, if one wants to associate Lord Krishna in vaikuntas?

If some incarnation is coming out from Lord Vishnu and merging back him, that means Vishnu is changing and his activities are coming under time correct? how to understand this Vishnu is beyond time?

Please explain in simple English or Tamil is the best language for me to understand.

I may ask further questions to understand this subject clearly based on the answers.  Please refer the sastras or Sri Ramanuja Acarya's teachings, as much as possible.


texts:
I always read and listened that Rama was avatar of Vishnu, But I was listening to RamCharitManas katha by Shri Prembhushan Maharaj.During the katha he said , according to Puranas Rama was avatar of Brahm not vishnu, Maharaj is telling that Bharata is Vishnu avatar and Rama is avatar of Brahm, going on saying that all the TV serials showing Rama as avatar of Vishnu were wrong. I never heard or read this before, I know he is very famous and learned in scriptures.

Here is link of Ram katha where he says Rama was Brahm avatar not Vishnu https://youtu.be/JSpRPFAL3Pw?t=1605

Can anyone please clear, Whether Rama was Vishnu or Brahm avatar,if you could add references that would be very helpful?


texts: Where in the Mahabharata does Krishna discuss Archa forms of Vishnu?

texts:
The Tattva Matrika is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan about the Sri Vaishnava philosophy of Visistadvaita.  Among the topics discussed are the five types of manifestations of Vishnu described in the Pancharatra Agamas: Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Antaryami, and Archa.  Para refers to the supreme form of Vishnu who dwells in Vishnu’s highest abode of Paramapadam; Vyuha refers to Vishnu’s four forms known as Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha; Vibhava refers to Vishnu’s avatarams or incarnations; Antaryami refers to the form in which he dwells in the heart of living beings; and Archa refers to the form Vishnu takes in his statues.  In this excerpt from the Tattva Matrika, Vedanta Desikan discusses the glories of the Archa form:

  In this Image Form, there is a harmonious blending of the two states of master and vassal (seshi and sesha). Universally, Bhagavan is the Seshi while all the souls are his seshas; whereas in the Image Form, the devotee becomes the seshi and Bhagavan, the Sesha! The Lord remains under the control of the priest and the devotees, allows Himself to be decorated by them in the manner they choose, and also accepts all types of food offerings made by them, and at the times chosen by them. Thus He exhibits infinite patience while remaining under the control of His devotees. Further, He condones the deficiencies in their prayers and offerings. Another indication of His voluntary subordination to His devotees, which arises out of His supreme independence, is that He allows Himself to be transferred from one devotee to another just as a piece of property, as in cases of division of Salagramas in households, on partition of a bequest. However, in order to establish that this Image Form is no less divine and powerful than the other four Forms, Bhagavan Krishna has declared in the Mahabharata (Mausala-parva) that His Para Form in Sri Vaikuntha has voluntarily appeared as the Image Form in the created world for the benefit of mankind. Hence those who worship the Image Form are really worshipping the Transcendental Para Form.

I’m interested in the part in bold.  My question is, where does Krishna discuss Vishnu’s Archa form in the Mahabharata?

The translator says it’s in the Mausala Parva of the Mahabharata.  You can read the Mausala Parva here; I can’t seem to find it. So is it in some other part of the Mahabharata?  In any case it wouldn’t be surprising, considering that Krishna discusses worship of Archa forms in the Uddhava Gita.


texts: What is the purpose of Shadari in a temple?

texts: I have heard that the Shadari is a symbolism of God's feet (patham) and he blesses you when it is kept over your head. I am not certain if this is correct, if someone could explain in detail it would be enlightening.


texts: Can we keep the Siva Linga at home and is this good or bad for families? Some of the Lord Shiva's devotees are advising me to avoid the Shiva Linga to keep in home.


texts: According to rig veda, the God is one. Can anyone tell who is one and only God ? Is it Shiva,Vishnu or Brahma ?


texts: Is faceless rudraksha powerful than all faced ones?

texts:
I currently have Panchamukhi Rudraksha. Is nirakara (faceless) Rudraksha more powerful than all faced ones? According to
http://www.shivamrudraksha.com/face-less-rudraksha-with-om-mark.php


texts: What are the steps for a person to take if he/she wants to convert to Hinduism?

texts:
What are the steps to take if a person wants to convert to Hinduism?
Is it possible for anyone to convert to Hinduism?


texts: Did Ramanuja comment on Brahma Vaivarta Purana?

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

  The text is notable for identifying Krishna as the supreme Reality and asserting that all gods such as Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Ganesha are same, and all are incarnations of Krishna.

This might have been added after Ramanuja's time.  Since Vishnu Purana says Krishna is a part of a part of Vishnu, Ramanuja would have had issues with elevating Krishna to supremacy.


texts: Draupadi's desired qualities in her husband in previous birth

texts: What were the 14 qualities desired by Draupadi in her previous birth in her husband which leads her marrying Pandavas in next birth?


texts: Are there any English translations of Madhva's and Ramanuja's Gita Bhasya?

texts:
I'm looking for English Translations of Ramanuja's and Madhvacharya's Gita commentaries in physical/printed book format.

Are there any English translation of Ramanuja's Gita Bhasya, other than the one by Swami Adidevananda? I would prefer a translation of a monk/scholar who is connected to the Sri Sampradayan order, since i think they're the ones who'll be able to describe Ramanuja's Gita interpretations in a genuine manner.

When it comes to Gita bhasya of Madhvacharya, I can't find any in English that's available for purchase in actual book format.


texts: If so, please provide the verses. It would also be helpful if you provide a link.


texts: What are the effects of Pranayamam according to Hindu scripture?


texts: What is the summary of the Ninth Canto of Devi Bhagavata Purana?

texts:
Recently, I came across the Devi Bhagavata Purana. In it were many interesting and informative topics. However, I am unable to understand the Ninth Canto of the Purana, owing to fact that I find the English used there too "Shakespearean" for me. I can only understand that there was Krishna at the beginning and he split into Mula Prakriti and himself. Other than that, I am unable to understand the rest of the text there. When I researched about the Ninth canto of this Purana, I only found that it was about Radha.

Can someone summarize the part on Radha, Krishna and the creation of the universe from the Ninth Canto?


texts: Is there any dharma Shastra that we can use now?

texts: Is there any dharma Shastra that we can you in mordern days like these days?


texts: What is Beyond Paraparam in Saiva Siddhanta?

texts:
2945: Transcendental Union Beyond Word and Speech
  As salt in water, in Lord I mixed,
  Transcending Param and Paraparam states,
  Beyond word and speech I in union merged;
  "How was It?"-you ask
  "It was It"-I say.

It's from Tirumantiram

Please someone explain me. Does that mean there's something beyond Paraparam?


texts: What is the correct orientation of a domestic Shiv Lingam? Where the Yoni should face? Any position is formally allowed or should be positioned for example facing North or South? In this case , can someone document the answer with references?


texts: Do the Vedas claim that Moon is farther from the Earth than the Sun?

texts:
Wikipedia article on Brahmagupta, the Indian mathematician and astronomer, claims the following.

  In chapter seven of his Brahmasphutasiddhanta, entitled Lunar Crescent, Brahmagupta rebuts the idea that the Moon is farther from the Earth than the Sun, an idea which had been suggested by Vedic scripture.

So where in the Vedas is this claim made?


texts: Which Dharma Shastra books is Devdutt Patnaik referring to here?

texts:
In this article on his website, Devdutt Patnaik says:

  The Dharmashastras need to be located in this context. They were books
  that speculated on appropriate human conduct. They focussed more on
  “upper” castes and were relatively indifferent to “lower” castes.
  Written by Brahmins in the period that saw the composition of the
  Ramayana and Mahabharata, they have a relatively casual attitude
  towards non-vaginal (ayoni) sex. This could even refer to anal/oral
  sex between adult consenting men and women, not just between men, or
  between women.

Which books & verses in those books is he referring to here?

He has also written an article titled : How to Conduct a Same-sex Wedding Based on Indian Rituals

https://devdutt.com/articles/applied-mythology/society/how-to-conduct-a-same-sex-wedding-based-on-indian-rituals.html

Although he doesn't mention them in the article, are there any scriptures which he might unknowingly be referring to ?

He also claims that the existence of the word 'napumsak' is proof that our scriptures endorse homosexuality.

Do our scriptures simply acknowledge the existence of 3rd gender, or do they also whole-heatedly accept them acting upon their desires ?


texts:
Brahmins and temple priests have/kept Shikha (शिखा)/choti (tuft of hair) at the back of head head. So,

What is the significance of Shikha?
In other word : What is the purpose/importance? What Shikha indicates/stands for?
Who must have Shika?


texts: Why demons take birth ? And they do not vanished as they do anything wrong?

texts:
God knows everything like present , future and past than why did they not vanish the demons as they take birth. These demons upset the earth by their act like killing , raping , corruption etc.

From my point of view If any person doing any wrongful act than he/she should die immediately. Than why god do not give punishment at the same time when any thing become wrong


texts:
In many pictures of Swami Vivekananda, it is seen that he is wearing a saffron turban.As per wiki article on Swami ji, it is said he was a Hindu monk. My question is, was it a Hindu monk culture to wear turban or was it his personal life style that he adopted?

For reference, Here is a picture from same article taken in Chicago:


texts: Exact lyrics and meaning of the eulogy to Bhishma in Mahabharata

texts:
I am seeing differing versions of a eulogy to Bhishma cited from the Mahabharata literature.

One version is:

  Kshatriya satyawadi cha

  Tapasvi neeyata vrata

  Ripushmati dayavanastha

  Tsamat bhism prishaspithah

The other version is the following,

  Kshatriya satyavaadi cha

  Tapasvi neeyata vrata

  Ripushmati dayavanascha

  Tasmat bheeshmo Vrishah Smritah

There is not much difference between the first three lines of the two differing versions, but the last lines seems to convey (from my limited knowledge of Sanskrit) markedly different meanings.

I'm not sure which portion of Mahabharata the passage is from, but if it is from the earlier chapters where Bhishma is introduced as a young Kuru prince, then the use of 'pithah' doesn't make sense.

I'd appreciate it if someone can quote the exact verse from an authentic source of Mahabharata and also explain the entire meaning of the passage.


texts: What do scriptures say about Lake Manasarovar?

texts:
I have heard it said that Lord Shiva abides in yoga on Mt. Kailasha and that darśana thereof destroys attachment to delusion.

I found information about Mt. Kailash in the question How is Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, described in Hindu scriptures?. But, what do scriptures say about Lake Manasaravar? I have heard it is also sacred and those who scale the mountain dip in the lake.


texts: Is nagas in temple related to Kundalini?

texts:
Does naga in temples represent kundalini?
If yes how can it be used for ones spiritual enhancenent?
What are the mantras one can use to worship it?


texts: How should I start learning Vedas? Any advice on books (with proper explanation of text) to choose will be helpful as I am a novice.


texts:
Some of the sources of Pramana in Vedantic philosophy are Shabda (scriptures), Pratyaksha (direct perception) and Anumana (inference).

In Vedantic philosophy, Shabda occupies the highest source of truth. Are there any rules regarding interpretation of Shabda with respect to Pratyaksha? Can they contradict each other? In today's world what constitutes Pratyaksha? Does new knowledge obtained from Pratyaksha have any effect on the interpretation of Shabda?


texts: Is Shiva really first teacher of Yoga? How was Yoga developed?


texts: What is Importance of patri in puja ritual and Why are tulsi leaves used while offering naivedya?


texts: What stanzas in Vyasa Mahabharata convey that Sri Krishna held Bhishma as adharmic or protecting adharma?

texts:
In Gita, Sri Krishna  tells Arjuna that Bheeshma, Drona & Karna were already slain by him, so Arjuna shouldn't worry and just kill his enemies. That is a very indirect message.

Were there other instances where Sri Krishna explicitly mentions his displeasure on Bheeshma's conduct (silence during draupdai disrobement for example)?


texts:
Pushhpadanta was a Gandharva singer, in the court of Indra{the Lord of Heaven}.It is said that Pushhpadanta composed a prayer praising the greatness of Lord Shiva.

This prayer later became well known as the Shiva Mahimna Strotram.Many scholars have expressed their adoration for Lord Shiva with poetic and devotional verses.But,among all the Strotras(hymns of praise), the one created and composed by Gandharva Pushhpadanta is believed to be  one of the most popular.

What is the story behind the composition of this prayer by the Gandharva Pushhpadanta?

What  are the benefits of chanting the Shiva Mahimna Strotram?


texts: Does chanting Holy Names while doing worldly duties generate any punya karma?

texts:
Does chanting of holy names while doing worldly duties (like travelling, working at home, etc.) generate any good (punya) karma?

In this case sometimes one may or may not pay attention to what is being chanted.

Is this kind of chanting holy name useful?


texts: Mantra for better memory, concentration, brain-power

texts: Please suggest anyone to do Mantra at home daily for Memory, Concentration and Brain-Power? Since last few months I couldn't remember such a small things in my daily life.


texts: What is the pooja vidhi of maa Gauri as described in shastras?

texts:
Virgin girls in India worship maa Gauri. Now my questions are as follows:

What is swaroop (form) of maa Gauri? In detail, what is in her hands, what is the colour of body? what does she wear and How the murti of maa should be.
How to do Gauri pooja?
what are the days and festivals should be celebrated?
What are the days on which fast be observed?


texts: Vivekananda said Brahmins ate beef, is this correct?

texts:
In one of the lecture by Swami Vivekananda, he told:

The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 3/Lectures from Colombo to Almora/Reply to the Address of Welcome at Madura

  ...There was a time in this very India when, without eating beef no Brahmin could remain a Brahmin...

So, Does it mean that Brahmins ate beef? or what message does Vivekananda try to convey?


texts: What sin is committed in pastlife or this life so that one has to undergo KemeDrum Yog? Any remedy?

texts:
What sin is committed in pastlife or this life so that one has to undergo KemeDrum Yog? It is said that past life deeds cause such yog. So I want to understand why this yog is given in kundali? Any remedy to solve it?

It is believed that this yog is inauspicious and the person can either become too opulent by corruption or too poor by being impecunious. moreover, the planet moon has no other planet in order in horoscope which forms this yog. This yog is inauspicious. So we can understand some bad deeds must be there.

EDIT:

KemDrum Yog is formed in person's life is Moon in horoscope has no other auspicious planets but rahu or ketu in sequence.


texts: Scriptures and characters from previous Manvantras

texts:
The names of Manus during the previous and future Manvantras are known, but are there any scriptures, puranas from previous manvantras that survived the pralaya?

Apart from the pre-ordained Yuga cycles and human actions that are characteristics of the Chatur Yugas, do the characters and stories repeat in each Manvantra or are they unique everytime?


texts:
I was wondering whether the scriptures mention any special classification for female warriors. The general classification of rathi, maharathi, etc... are applied generally to warriors as seen in this wiki article. But the absence of any women in the list and the presence of women warriors in the two epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) raises the question whether they were given a special classification or the same applied to them?

Also, are there any special titles which had been awarded to any of the female warriors?


texts: What are the Agama scriptures? Are they related to Shruti/Vedas?

texts:
I know that Hindu scriptures classified as Shruti and Smriti but don't know much about Aagama.

I would like to know about Agama Scripture:

What are the Agama Scriptures?
Are they related to Vedas?
How did they originate or come into existence?
And are they classified as Shruti or Smriti?


texts:
Were there any characters like Ahiravan and Mahiravan in Ramayana? What did they do in Lord Rama's battle against Ravana?

I heard they captured Lord Rama and Laxmana. Can someone explain this incident?


texts: Did Draupadi do agni-pravesha before having sex with each of her Pandava husbands?

texts:
Some answers on this site say that Draupadi did agni-pravesha before meeting each husband. Those answers don't provide any citations from the Mahabharata.
The first answer says he "heard in an upanyasam", and the second answer doesn't even provide a source.
Regardless, this is contrary to what is normally said of Draupadi being an exceptional case of polyandry. For example, in this section of the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira justifies his marriage of Draupadi by citing previous examples of polyandry, as well as following polyandry on the order of his mother:

"Yudhishthira then spoke, saying, 'My tongue never uttereth an untruth and my heart never inclineth to what is sinful. When my heart approveth of it, it can never be sinful. I have heard in the Purana that a lady of name Jatila, the foremost of all virtuous women belonging to the race of Gotama had married seven Rishis. So also an ascetic's daughter, born of a tree, had in former times united herself in marriage with ten brothers all bearing the same name of Prachetas and who were all of souls exalted by asceticism. O foremost of all that are acquainted with the rules of morality, it is said that obedience to superior is ever meritorious. Amongst all superiors, it is well-known that the mother is the foremost. Even she hath commanded us to enjoy Draupadi as we do anything obtained as alms. It is for this, O best of Brahmanas, that I regard the (proposed) act as virtuous.'

Pandu in the Mahabharata even says that polyandry was permitted at one time.
Does the Mahabharata actually say that she did agni-pravesha before meeting each husband every year?


texts:
This is a bit confusing. Sometimes public use dharma in the same sense as the English word religion.

But as per Wikipedia entry for Dharma:

  There is no single word translation for dharma in western languages.

Is it true?


texts: Why does ISKCON images depict Mahaprabhu with sikha, sutra, kanthimala and tilakas?

texts:
Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya took Dashanami sannyasa from Sri Keshava Bharati by leaving His sacred thread and 'Sikha', as mentioned in the Sri Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. As a Sankara-sect monk, He also did not use any 'kanthi-mala' or 'tilaka' as is evident from the only authentic image drawn by a painter on the initiative of King Prataparudra that is preserved till now.

But in ISKCON images, He is always shown with sikha, sutra, kanthimala and tilaka.

Can someone explain the reason?


texts: Is the word Hindu mentioned in any Sanatan scriptures?

texts:
Is the word 'Hindu' mentioned in any Sanatan scriptures?

Because there is lot said and lot to be said on the word Hindu. I went through different old literature but did not find the word Hindu.


texts: Why Shodasha occupies special place in hindu worship?

texts: Quite often we see  shodasha or no.16 is given high importance why?  Right from Shodasha samskara. Shodasha upachara pooja. Shodashi mantra. Shodashi  upasane of Lord as specified in satprashno upanishad. Is this all related in any way? What is its significance. Please brief or give reference for each Shodsha samskara, Shodash upachara pooja and Shodashi upasane of lord in satprashno upanishad and then specify what is 16th step that is connecting all? Even though by Guess we can see its Mukhyprana tattva or Vayu which is jiva kala abhimani in 16th step through which only completes all samshkara, pooja and upasane. but want to know from experts and any scriptual basis for this mukhyaprana or Vayu tattva reference.


texts: What are the etymologies and literal meanings of the words (kṣatriya, śūdra, etc.) used to indicate one's varṇa?

texts:
For brāhmaṇa, there is already a question here: What is the etymology of brahman/brahmin?

For śūdra, Monier Williams says "of doubtful derivation". Apte says:

  शूद्रः [शुच्-रक् पृषो˚ चस्य दः दीर्घः  Uṇ. 2.19]

I'm not sure what that means though.

What are the literal meanings and derivations of kṣatriya and vaiśya?


texts: Can Sanyasins perform Vedic rituals even after renunciation?

texts:
One of the members posted that "for those who renounce worldly life (sanyasins)  self alone is the sacred thread So they can do any Vedic rituals also"

How can someone perform vedic rites like Yajnas and other rituals without a Sacred thread and wife?
If he is willing to perform vedic rites then why there is a need to renounce itself?


texts: Will size of people increase when Kali yuga will change to Satya yuga?

texts: It is said that in Satya yuga people were a lot larger than today in Kali yuga. And it is said in Bhagavata purana and in several other places that when Kalki avatara will destroy all sinners at the end of Kali yuga, then all saints which will be still alive at that time will feel a great relief and thus a next Satya yuga will begin. But the people in Kali yuga are really small compared to Satyua yuga standards! Will these survivors suddenly increase in height?


texts: Is there any reference to how vedic mantras revealed to Rishis?

texts:
I would like to know how it happened .
1) Like did Rishis , for instance Vishvamitra or Vashishta would give up attachments and go to forests to do penance and then , for how many tens of years they did penance ?

2) How did they come to know a vedic verse came to them ? what was the process of revelation like ?

3) How much portion they got each time ? like just a mantra for 10 years of penance or entire mandala of rigveda ?


texts: Is Brahma the personified Brahman?. Is there any sect or Philosophy or philosopher who think that Brahma is the personified Brahman?. Why not Brahma is the personified Brahman, aren't they both have the same name, Brahma/Brahman?. I think it is not acceptable that all gods are manifestation of the absolute Brahman, the more acceptable is that there's one god who is manifestation of the absolute Brahman, I think he is Brahma.


texts:
Which mantras will help to concentrate.

Sometimes it's difficult to concentrate or focus on a particular thing. Our mind always get deviated. How to avoid this.


texts: Did Lord Rama really worship Lord Shiva?

texts:
Traditionally, the Ramayana is attributed to Valmiki. The Hindu tradition is unanimous in its agreement that the poem is the work of a single poet; the sage Valmiki, a contemporary of Rama and a peripheral actor in the epic. The story's original version in Sanskrit is known as Valmiki Ramayana.

Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is considered as the Adi Kavya, equivalent to Veda itself. As per Valmiki Ramayana there is no instance which shows that Lord Ram worshipped Lord shiva.

But the latter traditions (Ramcharitmanas) and Puranas (Shiva Purana) show that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva and also he installed a Shiva Linga which now became the famous temple of Rameshwaram.

How far are these latter traditions and puranas are to be accepted when the Valmiki Ramayana doesn't mention of Lord Rama worshipping Lord Shiva?

Is there any other scriptural evidence regarding the worship of Lord Shiva by Lord Rama which is as valid source as Valmiki Ramayana?


texts: Is the practice of kundalis matching part of the core Hindu doctrine?

texts:
The answer to this question: What is the significance of Kundali in Hindu Family  seems to indicate that Hindu astrology is a core component of the Hindu doctrine.

My understanding is that the core texts of the Hindu doctrine are the Rigveda and according to this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology

  ... historical documentation shows that horoscopic astrology in the Indian subcontinent came from Hellenistic influences, post-dating the Vedic period.[4]

Which seems to suggest that Hindu astrology may have been assimilated later on into the Hindu doctrine.

It seems that kundalis is something practiced by families that believe in Hindu astrology but since that was a later addition to the Hindu doctrine it is not a core component but rather a historical accident.

I know that in this SE site, western sources are frowned upon, so I would like to request more reliable sources to understand if indeed the idea of kundalis matching has any basis in the Hindu doctrine.


texts:
As I've read that there are different types of gods; some having physical forms(demi gods) and some having no forms and the Supreme one being BRAHMAN.

Does this mean that all these categories of divine beings can hear or be conscious of prayers of human beings  and tapasya?

For example lets say a devotee prays to lord Shiva or Rudra by repeating some mantra for some fruit. Then considering his devotion is very strong, do Shiva/Rudra becomes conscious of this prayers himself and give some fruits or merits to the prayer either it be knowledge, peace or power?


texts: In which agamas/Puranas the 10 mahavidyas are mentioned?

texts:
The 10 mahavidyas are-

1)kali-The ultimate form of Brahman

2)Tara-The Goddess as Guide and Protector

3)tripura sundari-The Goddess Who is "Beautiful in the Three Worlds

4)Bhuvaneshwari-The Goddess as World Mother, or Whose Body is the Cosmos

5)bhairavi-The Fierce Goddess

6)chhinnamasta -The self-decapitated Goddess[5]

7)dhumavati-the widow goddess

8)baglamukhi-The Goddess Who Paralyzes Enemies

9)Matangi-the Prime Minister of Lalit

a
10)kamala-the Lotus Goddess; the "Tantric lakshmi.

I want to know that which oldest agamas,Puranas or Itihasas mention the 10 dasha mahavidyas.In Wikipedia Kinsley says that origin of 10 mahavidyas cannot be older than 12th century,Is it true?If not then which scriptures mentions the 10 mahavidyas


texts: Why is a red piece of cloth tied to the vehicle?

texts:
When worshiping a vehicle I have seen many times that a red piece of cloth is tied to it. What is the actual reason behind tying a red colored cloth and some bangles with it?

Please share answers only on scriptural basis and don't post pseudoscience answers like it's because red has highest wavelength or something, it wards of evils, prevents accidents, etc.


texts: What does the story "Gajendra Moksha" depict?

texts:
I did not understand the story.
As it was Gajendra's mistake to go in the pond,(He should have been cautious), why did Lord come to save him, as he was responsible for the problem?
Why doesn't "Survival of the fittest" apply here?
Why did God come to save him only after Gajendra called him?If he could have come earlier what difference would it make?
If I am in a problem created by my previous mistakes which I was not cautious about and now if it is leading to suffering.What would God do?Will he save me or will he say "You created the problem, you suffer".As there are different stories I am not able to understand the mindset of God,therefore am failing to ask(i.w what and how to ask)
Doesn't God come until and unless we call him?Is it not correct to try the best from one's end, like Gajendra did till his last energy?
Does the story imply the foolish act of Gajendra of not calling God quickly or any other?
Please give me clarity.


texts: Are Srimad Bhagvatam and Srimad Bhagvad Mahapurana the same?

texts:
I have seen two books — Srimad Bhagvatam by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedant Swami Prabhupada and another named Srimad Bhagvad Mahapurana by Maharishi Vyasadeva. Are these two the same? I saw that the content isn't matching. Here's an excerpt from Srila Prabhupada's Srimad Bhagvatam:
oḿ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
janmādy asya yato 'nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ
tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
tejo-vāri-mṛdāḿ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo 'mṛṣā
dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaḿ satyaḿ paraḿ dhīmahi.
This is the first chapter's first verse in Prabhupada's book. But the first chapter's first shloka in Vyasadeva's Bhagvad Mahapurana isn't matching. In a nutshell, are these different books?
Source: Krsna App


texts: How does one interpret the Brahma Sutras, when the Sutras by themselves are vague?

texts:
Because the Brahma Sutras are almost impossible to understand without the appropriate context, and because very few people read them without the help of a commentary (like that of Ramanuja's or Shankara's), how did scholars know the meaning of each Sutra when the Sutras by themselves are vague?

For example, sutra 1.1.5, or the 5th sutra, in Sanskrit is eekshaternaashabdam, which translated literally is:

  On account of thinking, that which is not based on the Scriptures, is
  not.

Ramanuja takes this to mean:

  On account of thinking, that which is not based on the scriptures [viz the Pradhana] is not [the Sat mentioned in the scriptural text relating to the first cause].

But how come Badarayana left out important words like Pradhana, Sat, and First Cause from this Sutra, and left it to later Acharyas to fill in the blanks?

This is why I asked in my previous question if Badarayana himself ever wrote a commentary on the Brahma Sutras he compiled, but it turns out he never did.

So how does one know what each Sutra is really talking about? In the 5th Sutra above particularly, how does one know that "is not", is referring to "is not the first cause"?


texts:
"Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya" is a famous example.  There are innumerable negative mentions of "Tamasic puranas".

Are there scriptures that say Tamas isn't a negative quality?

Ramakrishna has a parable that says that in order to achieve liberation, one must transcend all three gunas.


texts: Did RamaKrishna bless Rupa Goswami in his previous life?

texts:
I remember reading a story about how Ramakrishna in his previous life had blessed gaudiya vaishnava saint rupa goswami. That is a book in my local language and had small introduction to over 60 spiritual people that lived.

I can't recollect that book's name(I read many such books in childhood & I don't have those books now).

Do followers of RamaKrishna believe this story? If yes, what are the details of the story?


texts:
Is Neo-Vedanta a sect of Hinduism?

This wikipedia article says this:

  Neo-Vedanta..... are terms to characterize interpretations of Hinduism
  that developed in the 19th century. Some scholars argue that these
  modern interpretations incorporate western ideas[4] into traditional
  Indian religions, especially Advaita Vedanta, which is asserted as
  central or fundamental to Hindu culture.[5]

And then it says:

  Although neo-Vedanta proper developed in the 19th century in response
  to western colonialism, it has got deeper origins in the Muslim period
  of India.[7]

So, Neo-Vedanta seems to be a de-facto sect of Hinduism.


texts: What was the real story of Bhima's oath about drinking DushAsana's blood? Are there other such instances in mythology?

texts:
According to this video from BR Chopara's MahAbhArata, Bhima is seen taking a fierce oath. Earlier he also suggested of cutting Dushasana's hand which dragged Draupadi.
In this episode, Bhima is seen acting upon the oath.

Are these all according to scriptures?
Are there further instances in mythology of drinking blood?


texts: Which scripture mentions the verse "Sanghe Shakti Kali Yuge" used by RSS?

texts:
The verse "Sanghe Shakti Kali Yuge" means " Unity is strength in Kali Yuga". It's mostly used by RSS(which is also known as Sangha) and other Sangh Parivar organizations emphasizing the importance of unity in Kali Yuga.
Though in this video titled Praying to Devi Chandi & Vinayaka give immediate benefits in Kali Yuga by Goverdhan Math Shankaracharya Ji, He uses this verse to describe how worship of  Devi Chandi/Durga who is combined Shaktis of all Devas and Lord Ganesha who is the lord of Ganas, give benefits easily in Kali Yuga as both are deities of unity.
He further describes how both Ganesha and Chandi are deities of Sangha, that is unity.
So my question is, what is the scriptural basis of this verse?


texts: What good deeds saved Taksaka from Sarpa Yajna?

texts:
Kadru cursed her children Sarpas/Nagas that they would be killed in Janmejaya's Sarpa Yajna. Later Lord Brahma modified the curse a bit that only evil would be killed.

But Taksaka seems to be evil after looking at instances where he killed Parikshit and troubled Utanka in completing his guru dakshina task. Due to these reasons both Janmejaya and Utanka wanted to kill Taksaka. Sarpa yajna was actually organised to kill Taksaka but still he survived from this yajna.


texts: I have heard the word 'VIHITHA KARMA" frequently. What is the real meaning of VIHITHA KARMA. and How does one defines it?


texts: Do nyaya school believe in incarnation of God(avatar)?

texts: Do nyaya school believe in avatar of God(God taking incarnation).


texts: What are the essential rituals for a wedding according to Hinduism?

texts:
This wiki article discusses the various aspects of marriage in Hinduism.

According to Hinduism, what are the necessary and sufficient rituals for a wedding?

e.g. Is Saptapadi an essential ritual or just a recommended one?


texts: How many commentaries are there on the Purva Mimamsa Sutras?

texts:
The Purva Mimamsa Sutras written by Jaimini is one of the most important Indian philosophical texts and forms the basis of Mimamsa school of thought.

Now, how many commentaries are there of these Sutras? I'm only aware of the Sabara Bhashya. Are any of these commentaries translated in English and  available free online?


texts: Why is Shiva, Hanuman, Gayatri are shown with 5 heads, but not Vishnu or Durga?

texts: Shiva, Hanuman, Ganesha and Gayatri deities are shown with 5 heads in idols but not Vishnu or Durga? What's the reason for this?


texts: What is the meaning of the 9 sacred threads in janoi?

texts: I am soon going to undertake Upanayana(Yagnopavitam) and I was researching and I couldn't find any straight answer to my question and I would be grateful for any help.


texts: I heard of an incident in which Suryadev was once killed by Lord Shiva. Can somebody explain to me what is this incident and what Surya's mistake was? And also, please let me know how he became alive again. Please also include the source reference for this story.


texts:
Ravana did many adharmas and got curses which let to the entire destruction of the asura race and him.

QUESTION :

How many curses were given to ravana and what were the reasons for giving them to him ?


texts: Why did SriSailapurna say Sri Ramanuja's brother that Lord Shiva is 'Lila-dveshi'?

texts:
I read in a biography of Sri Ramanujacharya that SriSailapurna asked Sri Ramanuja's brother Govinda, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva, to discard Shiva and worship Narayana instead, as Lord Shiva is 'Lila-dveshi'.

Lila means Divine play. Lord Shiva has many divine plays as mentioned in the different puranas. What is the connotation of the word 'lila-dveshi' as per the scriptures?


texts:
Amavasya and monthly tharpanas we perform only for pithrus. But
during Chaturmasya period, tharpana is being done on Madhya Ashtami or Maha Barani to the pithrus [forefathers] along with Karunya pithru. We keep additional bhugna for karunya pithrus.

Is there any scriptural reference on what basis we perform tharpana for karunya pithru?

Note on Karunya pithru ---  Any elders in the family left home and  died in mysterious circumstances, death caused to them by wild animals etc.


texts: Why is it called Karna with such a name instead of Vasushena in Ranbhoomi?

texts:
This is something that intrigues me, since according to Vaishampayana, Karna was called "Vaikartana Karna" after donating his armor to Indra (which happens in Vana Parva) but in Ranbhoomi (battle field) he is called Karna, and not Vasushena (his name of birth).

So, my question is, why was Karna called with such a name if he still did not donate his armor? Does the donation of his armour happen in Adi Parva? It is not a question of his other names, it is a question about why it is so called if it received the name "Vaikartana Karna" after the donation of its armor.


texts: How to make kundali from DOB and Time without Internet

texts: How people used to do it in past. Atleast we must know how to determine panchangam


texts: What is the significance of jyotirlinga?

texts:
What is the significance of Jyotirlinga?
Are these temples or just ling placed on ground?
Also why there are only 12 Jyotrilinga? Also at specific places only?


texts: What are the original Sanskrit verses where astronomical and seasonal references are made in Mahabharata, and the internal chronology of the verses?

texts:
This is regarding the research of dating of Mahabharatha War.
There are too many speculations on internet ranging from 6000 BC to 500 BC all giving their own explanations with different interpretations of astronomical verses present in Mahabharatha.
I am looking for a through resource, interpretation agnostic, all the original Sanskrit verses and rough literal translation, which makes references to Astronomy, Seasons, Internal timelines etc in chronological order.
I found many but all of them seem to be incomplete, while they mention some, they miss out on others.
I will put some helpful resource links in comment section


texts: What style of marriage did Arjuna use to marry each of his wives?

texts:
How many wives did Arjun have?
This question suggests 4 wives - but it says on Quora that KMG says he had more.
Out of Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa, Paishacha, which style of marriage did Arjuna use with each of his brides?


texts: Why was Hindu scripture written in poetry format rather than descriptive text?

texts:
I have one question:

Why was hinduism scripture written in poetry format rather than descriptive text?


texts: Difference between 9 direction gods in Balinese Hinduism and other Hinduism

texts:
I was at the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan in Bali, Indonesia, where I took the following photos, which – I was told by our guide – represents the 9 direction gods, their color, and their weapons.

Center is Shiva, North is Vishnu, but I don't remember the rest. However, our guide clearly said Indra does not belong to the 9 gods. Later I looked up this wikipedia page which seems to have conflicting information. Then there's also Surya Majapahit which also shows some difference.

What are the 9 directional gods in Hinduism in Bali, and how are they different from other Hinduism traditions?


texts: What is the story of Lakshmi getting curse to have a elephant head?

texts: Going through this Wikipedia article, I saw about Lakshmi getting a curse to have an elephant head. I never heard this before and Wikipedia is not always reliable. So wanted to know the exact story from scriptures.


texts: In brief, what is the thematic outline of Rig Veda 10th Mandala?

texts:
I want to have a basic understanding of the contents and focus of Rig Veda 10th Mandala.

What is the brief thematic outline of Rig Veda 10th Mandala?


texts:
How many days did Ravana keep Sita confined?

I have searched many sites over the internet but wasn't able to find an answer to this question. Can anyone help me?


texts:
In some youtube sites I can find this word in Sanskrit: नॉनस्टॉप, which reads as "nonstop", but when I learned to read Sanskrit, the teacher (I got couple of them) did not mention the second character after "na" with kind of "half-circle" on top.
Where did it come from? Are there some more of these kind of characters?
Thank you!


texts: Did Adi Shankaracharya support animal sacrifice?

texts:
I had always assumed that the Advaitin philosopher Adi Shankaracharya opposed animal sacrifice in Vedic Yagnas (fire-rituals).  Here is what this blog post says, for instance:

  In the 7th century A.D. the great philosopher Adi Shankara stopped animal sacrifice wherever he went – from Pashupatinath in Nepal to Kanchi Kamakshi in the south (he walked all over India).

But now I've found reason to believe otherwise. As a proponent of Advaita, Adi Shankaracharya was part of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy.  And as I discuss in this question, the defining text of the Vedanta school is the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa which summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads.  You can read the Brahma Sutras here.  In any case, Vyasa discusses the issue of animal sacrifice in Adhyaya 3 Pada 1 of the Brahma Sutras:

  If it be argued that rites (invoking killing of animals) are unholy, we say, no, since they are sanctioned by scriptures.

And here is what Adi Shankaracharya says about this Sutra in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras:

  We proceed to refute the remark made by the pûrvapakshin that sacrificial works are unholy because involving harm done to animals ... Now from scripture we derive the certain knowledge that the gyotishtoma-sacrifice, which involves harm done to animals (i.e. the animal sacrifice), &c., is an act of duty; how then can it be called unholy?--But does not the scriptural precept, 'Do not harm any creature,' intimate that to do harm to any being is an act contrary to duty?--True, but that is a general rule, while the precept, 'Let him offer an animal to Agnîshomau,' embodies an exception; and general rule and exception have different spheres of application.

So does that mean that Adi Shankarcharya was actually in favor of animal sacrifice?  Is the claim that he went around stopping animal sacrifice incorrect?  Or was he in favor of animal sacrifice at one point in his life and against it at another?


texts: In Hindu culture, is it mandatory to bathe everyday?

texts: Like the question says, do the scriptures say that we should clean our bodies with water every day? What happens if one forgets or does not feel like showering? is it classified as a sin?


texts: What is the size of the soul according to the different Astika schools?

texts:
There are two kinds of schools of Indian philosophy, Astika and Nastika. Astikas accept the authority of the Vedas, whereas Nastikas reject the authority of the Vedas. The Astika schools are part of Hinduism, while the Nastika schools fall under the broader category of Dharmic faiths. Now there are six Astika schools:   , Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, and Vedanta. (They're all dead other than the Vedanta school, which encompasses most Hindus today as I discuss here.)

Now the Astika schools don't agree on much beyond the authority of the Vedas, but one thing they do agree on is the existence of the soul and the fact that it's different from the body.  But my question is, what is the size of the soul according to the different Astika schools?  Do they think it's atomic in size, or the same size as the body, or omnipresent, or what?

EDIT: To be clear, I am talking about the size of the Jivatma.  I am not talking about the size of Paramatma, although of course Advaitins think they're one and the same.

EDIT 2: My question is not a duplicate, because it's about the views of the different Astika schools.


texts: What scriptures describe Mahabali stealing Vishnu’s crown and Garuda giving it to Krishna?

texts:
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya.  My question is about Vedanta Desikan.  The Yadavabhyudayam is an epic poem composed by Vedanta Desikan about the childhood of Krishna.  I just found an interesting incident in this excerpt from the Yadavabhyudayam:

āghātavasmanamaraṇyabhāgedhāraṇyakaiśritadhenubhāvaiḥ ।
kenāpi tasyāpahṛtaṃ kirīṭaṃ pratyāran prekṣata patrinātha ॥
daityādvairocanāḍhyālabhujopanītaḥ ।
kṛṣṇasya maulī kṛtabahebūḍe nyastaḥ kirīṭo nibiḍīvabhūkha ॥
Garuda, bringing the crown of Sri Krishna, which had been taken away by some one, saw Sri Krishna, whose path was smelt by the Aranyakas assuming the form of cows in the forest.  The crown of the Lord lying on the milky ocean was brought by Garuda from Bali, the son of Virochana and placed upon Sri Krishna's head adorned with peacock feather and became fit to it.

The translator says Garuda gave the crown to Krishna because he “was the same as Sri Narayana lying on the Milky ocean from whom the crown had been formerly stolen by Bali.”  My question is, what scriptures describe the demon Mahabali stealing Vishnu’s crown, and Garuda retrieving the crown and giving it to Krishna?
Apparently there’s a similar story connected with the Cheluvanarayana Vishnu temple in Melkote, Karnataka, except with Mahabali replaced with his father Virochana.  Here is what Wikipedia says:

Vairamudi, the diamond crown, was stolen from Sriman Narayana, when he was asleep at his abode in the Ksheera Sagara (Milky Ocean), by Virochana. Virochana was the king of demons and the son of Bhakta Prahlada. Garuda was asked by the lord's devotees to bring back the crown. Garuda went after Virochana to the nether world, fought with the demon king and flew back with the crown.  According to the legend it is believed that Vairamudi lost its blue gem on the crest while Garuda was bringing it. The blue gem is believed to have fallen near Nachiar Koil, a temple town in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The gem turned into a stream, called the Manimuttaru, which to this day flows in Thanjavur. On his way, he saw Bala Krishna playing with his friends in the mid day sun at Brindavana. Garuda protected the Bala Krishna from the sun by placing his wings as the shade & placed the crown on his head. The local legends of Melkote claim that Krishna presented [the] Cheluva Narayana [statue] with this crown.

But do either the Virochana version or the Mahabali version have a scriptural basis?


texts: Why did Brahma ask Vyasa to write Mahabarata?

texts: I want to know the reason why Brahma asked Vyasa to write Mahabarata.


texts: Does any of the gods or goddesses ever cry?

texts: Does any of the Gods or Goddesses ever cry even up to this very day like we humans do?


texts: What is the symbolic significance of Maa Lakshmi offering bel fruit (Shree Phal) during her Shiv Puja.?

texts:
The story of origin of Bel Fruit is associated with Goddess Lakshmi. The link.
While in skanda Purana it is said that the bilva tree appeared from maa parvati's sweat and she resides in it.
The Importance of Bilva Fruit in Worship of Shiva
Symbolically, Shiva is like the bell fruit – hard outside but soft inside.
A story mentioned in the Brihad Dharma Purana states that.:
Maa Lakshmi used to offer 1000 lotuses to Lord Shiva on every puja. Once, two lotuses went missing from those thousand ones. At the time of worship when Lakshmi became extremely worried then Lord Vishnu said that Lakshmi's two breasts are as pious and auspicious as lotus and that she can offer those to Shiva.Then she cut off her breasts and offered them to Shiva. Shiva was pleased by her devotion and blessed her that, from now onwards her breasts will be there on the Bilva tree as its fruits and will be called as shree phal.
Acc to Sri Bilva Shtakam, bel tree grew from the breast of Maa Lakshmi.

"Lakshmyaascha stana utpannam Mahaadeva sadaa priyam, Bilva vriksham prayachchhaami eka bilvam Shivaarpanam. Darshanam bilva vrikshasya sparshanam paapanaashanam,  Aghorapaapasamhaaram eka bilvam shivarpanam." ~
"Born from the breasts of Goddess Lakshmi, the Bilva tree is ever dear to Mahadeva. So I ask this tree to offer a Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva. To have darshan of the Bilva tree, and to touch it, frees one from sin. The most terrible karma is destroyed when a Bilva leaf is offered to Lord Shiva. The pale green leaves are aromatic. There are sadhus who sustain themselves on Bilva leaves alone. Every part of the bilva tree is useful, the root, bark, leaf, flowers and fruit –all have great medicinal value.!"

Shree Sooktam, praises goddess Mahalakshmi as.

“aadityavarNE tapasOdhijaatO Vanaspatistava vrukshOtha bilvaha
Tasya phalani tapasaa nudantu maayaanta raayaashcha baahyaa alakshmeehi”
"Oh Lakshmi, who is as bright as the sun, that noble tree, Bilva was brought forth by your devout austerities (tapas). May the fruits of the tree drive away my misfortunes and poverty both internal and external."

In “mahALakshmi ashTotara shatanaama stotram” we find Goddess Lakshmi described as “bilva nilayaM” the one who dwells in the Bilva Tree. -”Bilva nilayAm varArOhAm yashasvinIm”.
Though it already has the answer which states that.:

"Lord Vishnu said that Lakshmi's two breasts are as pious and auspicious as lotus and that she can offer those to Shiva."

But I am still confuse.
So my question is why breast why not any other body parts like lord vishnu who gave his Lotus eye to lord shiva because she is also called as kamal nayani means the one with the lotus eyes.?
Is it because breasts are considered as a symbol of nourishment (philosophically) n as a Shiva lingam is considered as the nirguna form of parambramha which symbolises the whole universe (as the universe is a combination of purusha and prakriti only) and maa Lakshmi as the wife or shakti of lord vishnu (whose duty is to nourish or preserve the universe) is also a nourisher n it was her duty and also lord shankar consider her (in form of maa Sita) as a mother just like lord vishnu consider maa Tripura sundari (a form of maa parvati) as a mother.? Can it be the reason.?


texts: From which Hindu text the following slokha has been taken?

texts:
The slokha is

"Avasyam anubhogthavyam kritham karma subha asubham; naa bhugtham ksheeyathe karma kalpa koti sathairapi"

Is it from vedas or puranas or any other text?


texts: Does the Manusmriti have verses discriminating against Brahmins?

texts:
Why does the Manusmriti have verses discriminating against Brahmins?

For example:

  A twice-born person, having, through folly, drunk wine, shall drink
  wine red-hot; he becomes freed from his guilt, when his body has been
  completely burnt by it. — (90)

  (Manusmriti verse 11.90 - Expiation of drinking Wine (surā)

  ‘Red hot’— Though the text uses the word ‘varṇa’ colour, yet it is
  mere heat that is meant; as is clear from what follows, about ‘the
  body being burnt.’—(90)

  (Medhātithi’s commentary)

  ...according to Nārāyaṇa the death-penance is meant for all twice-born
  men partaking of liquor distilled from grains, and by Brāhmaṇas who
  have drunk any of the three kinds of liquor described under verse

  (Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha)

  Gautama (23.1).—‘They shall pour hot wine into the mouth of a Brāhmaṇa
  who has drunk wine; he will be purified by death.’

  Āpastamba (1.25.3).—‘A wine-drinker has to drink exceedingly hot
  liquor, so that he dies.’

  (Comparative notes by various authors)

This is discriminatory and against human rights. Why is the scripture so unfair to Brahmins that it prohibits them from having a simple beer?

Sometimes I feel like all the scriptures are written by Shudras and are biased toward Shudras.

Are these anti-Brahminical interpolations?


texts: Significance of five shikhas (tuft) during upanayanam

texts:
Most of traditional brahmins have a Shikha (long tuft in english) at back of their head.  Shikha is believed to posses great power and so it is touched to establish a power source inside it during nyasa process. But a child is initiated into the stage of Brahmachari, a ceremony called Upanayanam(sacred thread ceremony) is held. During this ceremony, the child is left with five shikhas in five directions.
What is the significance of these five shikhas. Is this tradition limited to some states and some sects of brahmins or is it same for every sect?


texts: What is the difference between द्विष and शत्रु in Puranic literature

texts: I came across the word द्विष in Durgasapsati and I figured that it meant शत्रु. Is that true or is there a difference between the two?


texts: Can Sanyasis be rulers according to scriptures?

texts:
These days, many Sanyasis have entered politics. The most notable example would be perhaps Yogi Adityanath, the chief-minister of the largest state in India, Uttar-Pradesh. However, many spiritual authorities such as highly respected Swami Vivekananda is said to have been critical of Sanyasis who indulge in politics.

My question is:

Do any scriptures allow Sanyasis to be rulers?


texts:
Kānwar Yātrā (कांवड़ यात्रा): In the month of Shravan, Millions devotees (from North India) walk for hundreds of miles to collect holy water from the Ganga to offer in their local Shiva temples. This is known as Kānwar Yātrā (कांवड़ यात्रा).

What are the legends associated with Kānwar Yātrā (कांवड़ यात्रा) and which scriptures mention them?

Update:

This question might be related with What's the significance of worshiping Shiva in the month of Shravan? but it's not duplicate. I am concerned with Kānwar Yātrā (कांवड़ यात्रा) where water is brought in a different manner (on shoulder with the help of a bamboo stick with Ganga-jala pots on both ends).


texts: Why didn't anyone ask for infinite wishes for a boon?

texts:
We know that if one person does a lot of Tapasya, then he can get a boon from Bhagawan Bholenath. We also know Ravana also once got a boon from Shiva ji. There are many times that even Lord Vishnu gives boons.

Let's say a very cunning person does a lot of Tapasya Bhagawan Sri Rama, and consequently Lord Rama appears after many years of the man's Tapasya and asks the man to wish for anything.

This cunning man decides to ask for infinite wishes. Would God fullfil his wish? What are the consequences of such a wish? And why hasn't anyone (for example evil Ravan) never asked for such a boon?


texts: What are the names of the 48 followers of Ramanujacharya?

texts: As far as I know, Ramanuja had 48 followers. What are the names of these 48 disciples of Ramanujacharya? Please provide their pictures, if available.


texts:
Atimaharathi is a warrior who can face 720,000 warriors single-handedly and can fight 12 maharathi warriors at the same time. Arjuna acquired Pashupatastra and other celestial weapons from gods in heaven. Usually in Mahabharat,there were maharathi class warriors and Aimaharathi class warrior means someone more powerful than Maharathi. The five classes of warriors are Rathi, Atirathi, Maharathi, Atimaharathi, and Mahamaharathi.
Is Arjuna a Maharathi or Atimaharathi class warrior?


texts: Can anybody share details about Ritu Samskara?

texts:
As far as I am aware of the Ritu Samskara performed at the onset of menstruation of a girl is usually depended on various local traditions and one may not find any details about it in smritis.

Yet, I would like the learned members to share-

If any secondary literature gives any details about the ritual.
Any details about in which different regions of India it is celebrated and how it is celebrated there.

Anecdotal explanations will be appreciated as well.


texts: Why Lord Muruga is not worshiped in north india as much as he is in south india?

texts:
Why  North Indians don't worship Lord Murugan(Karthikeya) as much as they worship Lord Ganesha?

But this doesn't happen in South India.


texts: Who is Lord Dattatreya and Lord Dakshinamurthy? What is their relation with other avatars? When did they originate? What is their true timeline?

texts:
I know many say lord dattatreya and lord dakshinamurthy are guru rupas or avatars of Vishnu and shiva, but are they really? Can someone really tell the truth?
Also what were they doing in other kalpas and yuga's?


texts: What is the deep meaning of this quote given by Kabir?

texts:
All know that the drop merges into the ocean, but few know that the ocean merges into the drop by kabir
actually  im not getting this  quote .What is  the deep meaning of this quote


texts: What would constitute saatvik food for a person high in vaat?

texts:
If I am not mistaken what is considered to be saatvik food for one may not be for another. It depends on the degree of the following doshas in individual- vata, pitta and kapha .

As per Ayurveda, each of three energies (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) believed to circulate in the body govern physiological activity. Their proportions determine individual temperament and physical constitution. Is this true?

Can someone help explain the various tastes based on these three terms backed by scriptures ?

Assuming above is true, please advise what would be the food to avoid for a person high in vaat.


texts: What is the duty of Indra? What is Indraloka?

texts: What is the duty of Indra given by God & what is in Indraloka that all rakhshasas and asuras want to win Indraloka? Do they get any power if they win Indraloka or is there anything like whoever wins Indraloka also rule Prithviloka?


texts: Is it true Lord Shiva had incarnations too?

texts: Unlike Vishnu Lord Shiva had no incarnations ? If he did then apart from the Rudra in the form of Hanuman what other forms did Lord Shiva incarnate as ?


texts: What Sri Vaishnava works discuss Dasharatha's Sharanagati to Parashurama?

texts:
The Rahasyaratnavali is a short work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan on the subject of Sharanagati, complete surrender to Vishnu as a means of attaining Moksha.  And Vedanta Desikan himself wrote a commentary on this work, known as the Rahasyaratnavali Hridayam.  In this excerpt from the Rahasyaratnavali Hridayam, Vedanta Desikan discusses the fact that one person can perform Sharanagati on behalf of another person:

  “This surrender of the burden may be effected either by oneself or by an Acharya and the like on one's behalf.”

  This means: Just as the fruit of the Prapatti will be attained by a person if he adopts it himself the fruit will no doubt accrue to a person if it is performed on his behalf by the Acharya and the like:

  Since the performance of certain religious rites by the father and others on behalf of the son and the like is quite in accordance with the Sastras, even though there is a general rule that the fruit of an act enjoined by the Sastras will accrue only to the doer of the act.
  Since there are statements by the sages Parashara and Saunaka to the following effect: "May Lord Hari confer on all souls the prosperity of being free from birth, old age and so on." “When I have now meditated on Vasudeva, who is the ruler of all rulers and the creator of the Universe.”
  Since there are stories of many other Maharishis.
  Since it is seen that Prahlada, Vibhishana, Dasharatha, Draupadi and others have performed [Sharanagati] on behalf of some of those connected with them.

I discuss the Parashara part in my question here.  But now I'm interested in the part in bold.  Most of these examples are recognizable: Prahlada performed Sharanagati to Narasimha on behalf of his father Hiranyakashipu, Vibhishana performed Sharanagati to Rama on behalf of his four attendants, and Draupadi performed Sharanagati to Krishna on behalf of the Pandavas.  But I'm interested in the other figure mentioned, Dasharatha, here is what the translator says:

  Dasharatha sought to protection of his sons from Parashurama.

That is a reference to this chapter of the Bala Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana:

  On hearing that sentence of Bhargava Rama, then king Dasharatha became a pitiable one, and with a downcast face and adjoined palms said this: "Aren't you a Brahman with inviolable ascesis, and whose rancour on Kshatriya-s has calmed down long back. Why this hostility again. It'll be apt of you to award aegis to my sons, for they are yet youngsters.  Aren't you from the bloodline of Bhargavas who always conduct themselves in self-study of Vedas and self-principled ways? Haven't you readily discarded weapon-wielding on your promise to Thousand-eyed Indra? Such as you were, you on becoming a dedicatee to probity, haven't you given the planet earth to Kashyapa and haven't you repaired to forests, and haven't you flagged yourself on Mt. Mahendra? Or, oh, insurmountable sage, have you chanced upon us for a total annihilation of ours? When Rama is singularised and eliminated, nay-said that we all will be living."

  Thus Dasharatha had gone on appealing in his love for his sons.  While Dasharatha is speaking in that way that intransigent Bhaargava Rama of Sage Jamadagni uncaring for those merciful words of Dasharatha addressed Rama of Dasharatha alone.

My question is, do any Sri Vaishnavas discuss the nature of this Sharanagati by Parashara? For other scriptural examples of Sharanagati, like those Bharata, Vibhishana, and Draupadi, various Sri Vaishnava works like Vedanta Desikan’s Rahasyatraya Saram and Abhayapradhana Saram and Pillai Lokacharya’s Sri Vachanabhushanam analyze the nature of each Sharanagati.

So are there similar analyses in this case, like whether Dasharatha had all five Angas of Sharanagati, whether he had the Adhikaram to do Sharanagati for this fruit, and whether Parashurama had the Gunas of a Sharanya in this case?


texts: Is any scriptures says that, Without chanting the names of the God, we are all living dead?

texts: How does someone considered as a living dead if not chanting the names of God?


texts: In which of the 4 Vedas procedures of ritualistic worship are mentioned?

texts:
Details of worship procedures are laid down in which Veda?
Like details of how to do a Puja or Homa?


texts: What is the significance of pan and supari in yagna?

texts:
In northern India whenever we perform any yagna we keep the pan, supari, batasha at the base of the havan kunda and then start the yagna.

Although in various other ritual performances we use pan and supari at other places too, so what is the relevance of using it as par as my understanding pan, supari is related to chewing tobacco habits so how it is relevant in our hindu culture ?


texts: What is the story of Samaveda Shakas destroyed by Indra?

texts:
While reading one research thesis from Shodhaganga, I've noticed following line at the information about Shakas on Samaveda.

According  to  Śaunaka  there  were  1000  śākhās,  but  they  were  destroyed  by  Indra  when  they  studied  by  the  pupils   on  the  day   of  Anadhyāya27.
 27 सामवेदस्य किल सहस्रभेदाः भवन्ति । एष्वनध्यायेष्वधीयानास्ते शतक्रतुवजेणाभिहताः ।
Caranavyuha,3.1.

It says that Shakhas of Samavedas were destroyed by Indra, citing sanskrit text from Charanavyuha which is a work of Shaunaka which mention the quoted line.
So, What is the story of Indra destroyed the Shakas of Samaveda?


texts: The philosophical school to which Yadava Prakasha belonged

texts:
Is there any authentic history of Yadava Prakasha? Was he really an Advaitin? There is the popular belief that he was a Svabhavika Bhedabheda Vaadin. His views are said to be examined by the Sri Bhashya. And now followers of Ramanuja are 'reconstructing' Yadava Prakasha doctrine and Bodhayana doctrine from the Sri Bhashya.

So, is there any finality about Yadava Prakasha having been an Advaitin and later a Bhedabheda Vadin and finally a Vishishtadvaitin? Madhvas list 21 schools which he rejected and one is Yadavaprakasha's.


texts:
There are many mantras dedicated to Hanuman. Some popular choki mantras are "Ekamukhi", "Panchmukhi", "Ekadhashamukhi" etc. Recently I've heard/remembered about Shabar mantras (शाबर मंत्र) which in Hindi. They're believed very powerful with instant effect. So, I want to know about:

What are Shabar mantra?
Why are they called "Shabar"?
Who has written them?

Are Shabar Mantras written/dedicated to Hanuman only or there are Shabar mantras for other deities also?


texts:
The traditional schools of south Indian vaishnavism place Azwars around the beginning of Kali Yuga. That raises a bunch of questions and thoughts in my mind -

Do the language constructs (Tamil) used by The Azwars align with the early Tamil literature (of Sangam period or prior)?
Some accounts (like wikipedia) suggest that Sri Nathamuni lived during the same time as Sri Nammazhwar did. It also seems like Sri Madurakavi Azwar was born before Sri Nammazwar. Looks like all the three saints had overlapping time period. But Azwars like Sri Kulasekhara Azwar lived latter and much after Nathamuni. If all these are true, how could Sri Nathamuni have compiled the Divya Prabhandam including the works of Sri Kulasekhara Azwar and Sri Thirumangai Azwar, when they lived at a much later time period (and after the period of Sri Nathamuni)
A shorter / condensed form of those two questions is - can someone point me to any research studies in this regard? Broadly speaking, the time and works of the Azwars. I am looking for something like a critical edition that provides a research perspective.

I do understand that often the religious accounts differ from the historical ones, or conclusions based on a critical study. While I respect the religious views, and appreciate faith oriented answers to this question, what I am really seeking is something like a critical edition, or a research study or a published paper on this subject.


texts: Are the Vedic Gods Prajapati and Brahma the same?

texts:
In early Vedic books, like Rig Veda (Hiryanyagarbha Sukta), Shatapata Brahmana, the verses of Atharva Veda and in Yajur Veda, Lord Prajapati is the creator.According to Shvetashvatara Upanishad and Mundaka Upanishad, Lord Brahma is praised as the creator.

So are Prajapati and Brahma the same with different names? Do any scriptures tell us that they are the same?


texts: Tapasya cleanses body of all toxins, especially solid, liquid, fat, pitta and kapha natured, (as well as perhaps nadis as well, though I'm not sure about this) by Divine purifying rays of the Sun, so that only vayu, Vata/prana remains, can freely flow inside body without any blockage, as well as ensures that purusha can come and reside in body, nadis, but does it end up removing all dhatus including ojas/Tejas, as well, as side effect/byproduct, while cleansing the body? Is that why alternative purifying methods such as nadi shuddi, various Pranayama which in turn stimulate nadis to produce heat/agni to purify, sweat out only toxins, from within, are more endorsed/popularised/mainstream than tapasya?


texts: A Chandala is a person who disposes corpses. As Hindus don't even touch a person if anyone in his household is dead, a chandala cannot be touched by anyone as he always deals with disposal of corpses. After disposing, is there any ritual for him to purify himself so that anyone can touch him?


texts: Is it a sin to alter or tamper with scriptures?

texts:
If a person interpolates scriptures with a good intent e.g., by replacing offending/controversial words/verses that are not current with the times, but doesn't disclose the modifications to maintain the authority of the scripture over the masses, does the person gain any puṇya by doing so?

Similarly, if one alters scriptures with a malicious intent, e.g., by inserting an authentic sounding verse in an important scripture for personal gains e.g., to prove superiority of one Hindu sect over the other, or a king could secretly sponsor additions to Manusmṛti so he can maintain tighter control over his subjects, does it constitute a sin?


texts: Did Lakshmi come out of Samudramanthanam in the Ramayana version?

texts: In the twitter feed of eminent Srivaishnavite lecturer/teacher Velukkudi Krishnan - somebody asked the above question.


texts:
In Mahabharat, I noticed that Shakuni has done many adharma in support of Duryodharna but at some point were they not correct?
It was Yudishter fault in dice game to put forward his wife and brothers.
It was Draupadi who laughed at him.
Pandavs were actually not Pandu Putra.
He does not believe in caste system.


texts: In modern era debates, was calling your opponent's source “Interpolated” a debating tactic?

texts: One reads about early modern debates in which one side would cite Puranic material. Are there instances when the opponents called it "Interpolated" to refute it?


texts:
Vedantins consider Sanyasa the path of liberation and most of their acharyas have taken up sanyasa in order to attain jnana.

If so then are shudras also allowed to take up sanyasa for the pursuit of moksha?

If yes then which are the vedanta schools/ sects which allow shudras for sanyasa

if no, what are the reasons behind it?


texts: Which Vishnu takes 10 avatars? Maha-Vishnu or Garbhodakasayi Vishnu who is among Tridev?

texts:
This material world is created, maintained for some time, and again annihilated by the will of the Lord. The ingredients for creation and the subordinate creator, Brahma, are first created by Lord Visnu in His first and second incarnations. The first purusa incarnation is Maha-Visnu, and the second purusa incarnation is the Garbhodakasayi Visnu, from whom Brahma is created. - SRIMAD BHAGAVATA

Srimad Bhagavatam has talked about two different Vishnu's prevading with one being eternal. So which Vishnu takes the avatars?


texts:
Is there any classification in Yoga?

If yes, what are the names of different types of yogas along with further classifications?


texts: Are tathastu devatas(ashwini devatas) real? Will they fulfill everything we utter?

texts:
It is said to me that tathastu devatas come around 5'O clock or sometime in the evening. At that time, we should speak only good and positive words because, those gods will make our wish come true.
So, what if our enemies wish some bad to happen to us at that time? Will they fulfill?
Are tathastu devatas real?
What I have seen on a video regarding this is

What ever we wish for us/others, will become true to ourselves. That means if we pray for our wellbeing, it will happen. If we pray for others bad, the same will happen to us.

What about this?  - if we just utter in the flow of words like if we scold others normally in daily life like idiot or stupid.   (Sorry for using these words in this community, just to make you know what exactly I want to say.)


texts: Why didn't Bhishma choose to end his own life?

texts: Bhishma was given the boon to die whenever he wished to. After seeing all the atrocities against the Pandavas, why did he not take his own life and spared them the trouble of fighting against him?


texts: Why there is gap of 15 days in Shravan Maas of North Indians and Maharashtrians?

texts: I'm pretty much aware of Shravan Maas, we don't eat non-veg and alcohol; some people don't even shave but why there is a gap of 15 days in Shravan Maas of North Indians and Maharashtrians?


texts: What is the meaning of "supreme personality of godhead"

texts:
This is in reference to Text 11 of Chapter 9 from Bhagavad Gita. I have 'Bhagavad Gita As It is'. I often come across this term 'supreme personality of godhead'and Lord Krishna is associated with this term. I often think of a person when I come across the term "supreme personality of god head".

Edit:

My question is not about "what is Param Bhramha". My question relates to the usage of specific term in a book and how should it be interpreted.


texts:
I have read/heard in various places that Sanskrit is considered sacred or true or special. These sources sometimes claim that the sounds used to speak Sanskrit have a beneficial effect on the body.

Except for being the language for Hindu religious texts (scripture), does Hinduism regard the Sanskrit language as sacred/true or special in some intrinsic way?


texts: Is the concept "numerology" based on Hindu Scriptures?In particular which Texts give the rules of how to relate the Navagrahas with the numbers?

texts:
The order of the Navagrahas is as follows:

  Aditya/Surya(Sun)Soma/Chandra(Moon)Angaraka/Mangal/Kuja(Mars) Budha(Mercury) Brihaspati(Jupiter) Sukra(Venus) Sani(Saturn)Rahu and Ketu.

This order can be found in Vyasa Krutha Navagraha Stotram and similar stotrams and even in the following small prayer dedicated to them :

  Soorya souryamadendhurucha padaveem , sanmangalam mangala,¬ Sad budhim
  cha budho Guruscha kurutham Shukra sukham , sam sani,¬ Rahur bahu
  balam karothu vipulam Kethukulasyonnathim,¬ Nithyam preethikara
  bhavanthu bhavatham sarve prasanna Graha

  Let sun give me courage , Moon give high position , Mars grant
  auspiciousness,¬ Let mercury give good brain , Let Jupiter give great
  numbers , Venus give pleasure ,Sani peace, Rahu give me physical strength and
  Kethu greatness of our family,¬ And let all the planets be pleased
  with me and start liking me.¬

So,the most natural way of associating the nine numbers 1,2..to..9 with the Navagrahas is this:

Sun-1,Moon-2,Mars-3,Mercury-4,Jupiter-5,Venus-6,Saturn-7,Rahu-8 and Ketu-9.

But those who are familiar with the subject of Numerology will know that this is not quite the order that is followed .

In numerology they follow this:

Sun-1,Moon-2,Jupiter-3,Rahu-4,Mercury-5,Venus-6,Ketu-7,Saturn-8,Mars-9.

So,quite different from the association given further above.

My Questions-

Which Hindu Scriptures give these rules of Numerology  and in particular the rules regarding which number is to be associated with which of the Navagrahas?