texts: Why did Vishnu in Vamanavathar push Bali into the netherworld?

texts:
For what fault or great sin did Vishnu punish Mahabali by pushing him to Pathala?
Mahabali was known to be a pious person, even direct paternal grandson his great devotee Prahlad , a king kind to his people whom he ruled very well.

As per the  declaration -  "Yada Yada hi Dharmasya Glanir Bhavathi Bharatha, Abhyuthanamadharmasya Tadatmanam SrijanyaAham'."

The God takes self-birth Avatars to destroy evil sinners and re-establish dharmic order. But Mahabali Emperor had no bad track record, even was directly blessed by Vamana himself before deportation to Pathala and so on, then what was the cause or provocation?


texts: What is the meaning/context of Rig Veda 10.149.1?

texts:
Rig Veda 10.149.1 reads;

  SAVITAR fixed the earth with bands to bind it, and made heaven
  stedfast where no prop supported. Savitar milked, as ’twere a restless
  courser, air, sea bound fast to what no foot had trodden.

Critics of Hinduism often claim that this mantra says earth is fixed according to Vedas. What is the real meaning/context of this mantra?


texts: What is the prayaschitta for chanting the Gayatri Mantra without initiation?

texts: Do scriptures mention any sort of prayaschitta for people who have chanted the Gayatri Mantra without initiation?


texts: In the Vedas, does the word 'manuṣya' ever have a special meaning?

texts:
The Sanskrit word 'manuṣya' ordinarily means 'a man, a human being'.

In the four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda & Atharvaveda), are there any situations or contexts where the word 'manuṣya' is used to describe, not merely the anatomically 'homo sapiens' species, but a higher moral character or a higher spiritual mentality?


texts: Who was the eldest among the sons of Lord Rama and his brothers?

texts: In Ramayan Lord Rama and his brothers have sons who is the eldest among these children.


texts: How many verses he has composed on Lord Shiva and what are the famous ones from his composition? Which state he belonged to?


texts: Why is Bhagwan incarnating as Kalki in this(particular) Kaliyuga?

texts:
Many people know about The Cycle of 4 Yugas and DashaAvatars of Shriman Narayana ,but very few know that the Dashaavatars are not bound to the cycle of 4 Yugas. The Avatars of Bhagwan are infinite in number and he incarnates randomly, so technically Dashaavatars are distributed over the entire Kalpa, starting from Varaha avatar before the beginning of Shweta Varaha Kalpa(current Kalpa).

This will help those who want to understand Hindu time distribution.

My question is related to the future avatar Kalki Avatar. Since there were many Kaliyugas prior to this Kaliyuga, then why didn't Bhagawan appear in previous Manvantara Kaliyuga? Is this Kaliyuga the most polluted?


texts: Which Shiva mantras can be chanted without initiation?

texts: I have heard that nama japa can be chanted without initiation. If this is true, then can someone advise such mantras?


texts: Where can I find side by side compilation of Vedanta Sutras and the corresponding verses from Srimad Bhagavatam?

texts:
Srimad Bhagavatam is considered natural commentary of Vedanta Sutras by Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

That is the reason Gaudiya school didn't explicitly subscribe to Vedanta school till 17th century. Then for some secondary reasons, Baladeva Vidyabhusana commented on prasthana trayi(Vedanta Sutras, Bhagavad Gita & principal upanishads).

Govinda Bhasya is the commentary of Baladeva Vidyabhusana on Vedanta Sutras. This commentary is also in the similar style as previous acharyas of other schools.

Is there any work which shows corresponding Bhagavatam verses to each Vedanta Sutra?

Eg: VS 1.1.1 -> SB 1.2.8-11
    VS 1.1.2 -> SB 1.1.1
    VS 1.1.3 -> SB 10.16.44
    VS 4.4.22 -> SB 10.88.26, SB 2.8.6


texts:
If one is interested to perform penance for Lord Indra, what is the procedure to follow?
How long does it take for this to succeed? Does the person get boons? Are there any books available?
Usually, they say it is impossible to do penance without a guru, where can we find them?
What is the mantra to do this?

To which Hindu god/goddess do people perform penance to get boons and in a short period of time?


texts:
There were (and still are) many divisions in Hinduism. According to historical facts, these divisions were very deep rooted in the society during the Medieval period. It is also known that there were serious clashes between them.

In South India, especially during the Chola rule, there were four main religions. Buddhism, Jainism, Saivism and Vaishnavism (yes, Saivism and Vaishnavism were separate religions back then, atleast that's what history says). There were clashes between Saivism and Vaishnavism. For instance, King Kulothunga Chola II ordered to uproot Govindaraja Swamy from Thillai Nataraja temple (a Saivite temple). Then during the 16th century, Krishnappa Nayak seems to have ordered the re-installation of Govindaraja in the temple, amidst strong protests from the Saivites.

Though Buddhism and Jainism have maintained their status as separate religions, Saivism and Vaishnavism, once clashing sects, are now united under Hinduism. Today, there is no enemity among Saivites and Vaishnavites, as far as I know. The Saivites visit Vaishnavite temples and Vaishnavites pray at Saivite temples. Even other sects like Shaktism, Kaumaram easily mingle with others.

What or who led to this unification of once clashing divisions of Hinduism?


texts: NOTE: I am not just talking about Krishna, but all Devatās. Most answers here tend to be Vaishnava-centric, and only cite examples involving Krishna or Vishnu.


texts: Can a person attain moksha involuntarily?

texts:
Most of the people practice, in their lifetime, some or other paths established by scriptures to get moksha. Some may use rama nama, some may use yoga, some may use jnana marga, etc.,
Each path may take a lot of time and constant practice. After that, the aspirant can get moksha according to the scriptures.
Are there any instances in scriptures that a person gets moksha involuntarily? That is, the aspirant didn't consciously perform any practice for moksha, but got moksha.


texts: What exactly are incarnations according to Sri Vaishnavism?

texts:
Sri Vaishnavism believes that Vishnu is source of all incarnations, including Krishna and Rama. They consider Krishna to be purna avatar(complete incarnation). My question is how do they view bodies of avatars. For eg. Do they believe Krishna's body is suddha sattva not made of matter or just a normal body made of 8 elements. What exactly do they mean when Krishna is considered purna avatar. What other avatars are considered purna avatars? How do they view other avatars?

Are the body of the avatar and soul same? or is it that in the body of avatar, paramatma resides and thus he is considered avatar? How is avesha avatar different? Do they have material or non-material body?


texts: What are the astrological combinations in a horoscope that predict the subject will be atheistically inclined?

texts:
Here, by " Atheist" i mean a person who does not have faith in God or one who does not even believe in his existence. One who does not care for religious instructions, religious scriptures etc.

My own horoscope have some combination, for example, which is supposed to make me an "Adrishta VAdi" or "one who believes in Destiny as an all-powerful entity". And, i am exactly like that.

Likewise, i want to know:

Question: What are the astrological combinations in a horoscope that predict that the subject (jAtaka) will be atheistically inclined?

Note 1) I am looking for planetary combinations along with their names (for eg- Kemadruma, BudhAditya, Gajakesari etc are some names of such combinations).

Looking for, some placements or combinations like malefics placed or aspecting the 5th house (known as the place of mind), the 9th house (known as the Dharma SthAna, the place of Dharma) etc. Or the RAhu-Ketu axis being placed on 1-7 houses, or 5-11 or 3-9 houses etc.

Note 2) I am looking for answers citing some authoritative Jyotisha scriptures only. I am not looking for answers that quote from random blog-spots.

My purpose here is- If we can get to the root of the problem beforehand, then may be we can tackle it by using the remedy-tools that Jyotisha prescribe.


texts: Why didn't Bhishma, Drona and Karna attain moksha? Why didn't they live with liberation as life's goal?

texts:
Great knowledgeable persons like Bhishma, Drona, Karna and others from Satya, Treta and Dwapara yugas didn't attain moksha; they went only to heaven.

Since vedic knowledge and righteousness was widely spread in the previous yugas, people would have been fully aware of the path to liberation.

Questions:

How come knowledgeable persons like Bhishma, Drona and Karna lived a life knowing that the liberation is the life's goal and they didn't live according to it?
Or is that they just didn't know that liberation is the goal of one's life?


texts:
I don’t know if this has been asked before.

Why are some idols in standing position and some idols in sitting position in temples? Is there any logic behind the same?

I have always thought Ganesh Prabhu should always be in sitting position in temples however I have seen numerous temples where He is in standing position.

Are there any rules or explanation for the same?

Thanks.


texts: How we can do pooja on Amavsya to please our pitras?

texts: How we can do pooja on Amavsya to please our pitras & get favor to get down the affect of pitradosha


texts: When Hindus buy milk are they required to only buy milk from cows that are not sent to be slaughtered?

texts:
Vegans don't buy milk because of the cruel life dairy cows are subjected to and because they eventually get slaughtered. Given that cows are sacred for Hindus I was wondering if Hindus share the concern with vegans about the treatment and fate of dairy cows, and are required by their religion to buy only milk obtained from milk production facilities or operations whose cows are not sent to be slaughtered.
Related questions:

Consuming milk and dairy causes bad karma?
Eating Beef as a Hindu (specially enlightening regarding the issue)


texts:
Where does this shloka appear?
"Astadasa Puranesu Vyasena Vachanam Dwayam, Paropakaraya Punyaya – Papaya Para Peedanam"


texts: Is becoming a brahmin best for us? if yes then why? are we discouraged if we choose a different path?


texts: Is an Upapurana less authoritative than a Mahapurana?

texts:
We have lists of 18 Mahapuranas (the major Puranas) and  we also have lists of 18 Upapuranas (the minor ones).

Brihannandikeswara, Samba, Brihannaradiya etc are the names of few such Upapuranas.

My question is just because they are minor Puranas are they of less authority compared to the Mahapuranas? Or the distinction between the two categories is simply technical in nature (viz: a minor Purana will have 5 signs whereas a major one will have 10)?

A similar question can be asked for the Smritis and Upasmritis.


texts: Meaning of inaction in action and action in inaction in Bhagavadgita 4.18

texts:
Where is the meaning of "inaction in action and action in inaction" in Bhagavadgita 4.18 ?

karmany akarma yah pasyed akarmani ca karma yah sa buddhiman manusyesu > sa > yuktah krtsna-karma-krt
Word for word:  karmani — in action; akarma — inaction; yah — one who;
pasyet — observes; akarmani — in inaction; ca — also; karma — fruitive
action; yah — one who; sah — he; buddhi-man — is intelligent;
manusyesu — in human society; sah — he; yuktah — is in the
transcendental position; krtsna-karma-krt — although engaged in all
activities.
Translation:  One who sees inaction in action and action
in inaction is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental
position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.

http://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/4/18


texts: Which one is a Jyotirlinga "Omkareshwar" or "Mamleshwar"

texts: I have read in wiki about Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. Before I knew this one is called Omkareshwar, But when I read in wiki, they call it Mamleshwar. I got confused. Can anyone give insight on it? Thank you.


texts: Did Karna ever spare Arjuna's life in Kurushetra? Or he only spared other four pandavas' lives but never Arjun?


texts:
How did Vrishbhanu (father of Radha) life end? What happened to him?
At which point of situation Vrishbhanu life ended?  What happened to Radha after that?


texts: What was Shri Rama's response after the death of Kumbhakarna and Ravana?

texts: I remember watching in one of the versions of Ramayana on TV that Shri Rama praised Kumbhakarna as a great warrior after he was killed. Did Shri Rama respond in any manner to their deaths? If so, what was the response?


texts: Why there are so many different ways of Puja in sri vidya? why All Gurus started new different Puja, which shashtra one should refer to learn SRI VIDYA. ?


texts: On what grounds are the Vedas divided ?  There are many suktas and mantras in two or more Vedas which are chanted  differently. I am a novice, so I apologise if I have transgressed some rules while asking this question.


texts:
In Mahabharata

Mahabharata 8.12

  When that host was being thus struck and slain by heroic warriors the
  Parthas, headed by Vrikodara, advanced against us. They consisted of
  Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi and the five sons of Draupadi and the
  Prabhadrakas, and Satyaki and Chekitana with the Dravida forces, and
  the Pandyas, the Cholas, and the Keralas, surrounded by a mighty
  array, all possessed of broad chests, long arms, tall statures, and
  large eyes.

Mahabharatha 3:88

  And, O Yudhishthira, in the country of the Pandyas are the tirthas
  named Agastya and Varuna! And, O bull among men, there, amongst the
  Pandavas, is the tirtha called the Kumaris.

Mahabharata 5.19

  And similarly, Pandya, who dwelt on the coast-land near the sea, came
  accompanied by troops of various kinds to Yudhishthira, the king of
  kings.

Mahabharata 7.23

  Steeds that were all of the hue of the Atrusa flower bore a hundred
  and forty thousand principle car-warriors that followed that
  Sarangadhwaja, the king of the Pandyas.

If they are mentioned, which means Tamil dynasties existed at that time. However here the author claimed that Cholas didn't exist before some century and has given proof. If they didn't exist, could these verses be an interpolation?


texts:
One of my Sri Lankan friends claims that Ravana spoke Sinhalese.
Is there any place in the Ramayana where the sage Valmiki mentioned about the language of Ravana and his people?


texts: Is the sannyasa lineage of Sri Adi Shankara Vedic or tantric?

texts:
According a biographer of Sri Ramakrishna (Vaikunthanath Sannyal : Sri Sri Ramakrishna Leelamrita), in the Vedic age, there were no FORMAL sannyasa. It was started by Sri Adi Sankaracharya 'most probably' by following the 'Tantrika-Paasupata' system.

Is there any evidence of whether its just an assumption?


texts: Which Scripture mentions the famous Shiva Tandava Stotram?

texts:
Shiva Tandava Stotram is a hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva and it describes the daily evening dance of Tandava. It also poetically describes destroying aspects of Shiva. Shiva Tandava Stotram mentioned by Dr. Sarasvati Mohan on Sanskrit documents website has two Slokas which are less known.

  निलिम्प नाथनागरी कदम्ब मौलमल्लिका-  निगुम्फनिर्भक्षरन्म
  धूष्णिकामनोहरः ।  तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनींमहनिशं  परिश्रय
  परं पदं तदङ्गजत्विषां चयः ॥ १४॥

  प्रचण्ड वाडवानल प्रभाशुभप्रचारणी  महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनी जनावहूत
  जल्पना ।  विमुक्त वाम लोचनो विवाहकालिकध्वनिः  शिवेति
  मन्त्रभूषगो जगज्जयाय जायताम् ॥ १५॥

The above two slokas are not known to many. I checked for Shiva Tandava Stotram in two variants of Uttara Kanda of Ramayana (Manmatha Nath Ramayana and on this site). Both of them don't have Shiva Tandava Stotram.

What Scripture (Ithihasa or Purana or any Smriti) has Shiva Tandava Stotram? Please provide Sankrit text if possible.


texts: Have any Swaminarayan commentaries on the Brahma Sutras been translated into English?

texts:
Vishnu is said to have taught the principles of Vaishnavism to four disciples: Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva and Sanatkumara. And in turn they started the four main Sampradayas or traditions of Vaishnavism: Sri Sampradayam, Brahma Sampradayam, Rudra Sampradayam, and Kumara Sampradayam.  Now the Sri Sampradayam, the one started by Lakshmi, is most famous for containing the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member).  But this isn't the only sect that traces its origins to the Sri Sampradayam.  There's also the Ramanandi sect, which Tulsidas the author of the Ramcharitmanas belonged to.  And then there is the Swaminarayan sect, which is the subject of my question.

Swaminarayan was a Vaishnava thinker who lived in the eighteenth century.  His followers consider him to be an incarnation of Vishnu, specifically a rebirth of the sage Narayana whom I discuss here.  In any case, Swamninarayan was a disciple of Ramanand Swami, who claims to have received initiation from the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya in a dream, which is why the Swaminarayan sect considers itself part of the Sri Sampradayam. (Personally I find that odd, but that's a discussion for another time.) Swaminarayan subscribed to the Visistadvaita Vedanta philosophy of Ramanujacharya, with some modifications: Ramanujacharya believed that there were three Tattvas or substances in the worlds: Chit or souls, Achit or matter, and Ishwara or Brahman.  Swaminarayan, on the other hand, believed in five Tattvas: Jiva, Ishwara, Maya, Brahman, and Parabrahman.

Now like the vast majority of Hindus, the Swaminarayan sect subscribes to the Vedanta school of philosophy, and the defining text of the Vedanta school is the Brahma Sutras, a work by Vyasa which summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads.  You can read the Brahma Sutras here; they're usually written with the help of a commentary.  So my question is, are any Swaminarayan sect commentaries on the Brahma Sutras available online in English?

Now apparently the Swaminarayan sect has written two commentaries on the Brahma Sutras.  First there's Muktanand Swami's Brahma Sutra Bhashya Ratnam, which you can read here in Sanskrit and Gujarati.  Then there's Bhadreshdas' Brahma Sutra Swaminarayan Bhashyam, published in 2009, which is available in print form in Sanskrit.  But have either of these commentaries ever been translated into English, and if so is there an online version of them?

The reason I ask is that I'm interested to see what the differences are relative to the Sri Bhashya, Ramanujacharya's commentary on the Brahma Sutras.  Both of them would be written from a Visistadvaita point of view, but as I said there are differences between Ramanujacharya's Visisitadvaita philosophy and Swaminarayan's Visistadvaita philosophy.


texts: According to Hinduism what are the higher realm? Please give reference from vedas

texts:
According to hinduism, what are the higher realm?  Please give reference from vedas.
How long can one live in higher realm?


texts: Does Narasimha Avatara occur in Vishnu Purana?

texts: I read in Google groups that it doesn't. Can anyone with access to Vishnu Purana verify this?


texts: Is Tulasi a single jeeva or a class of jeevas or something else?

texts:
Tulasi is the most sacred plant in Hinduism, from worship to death bed Tulasi is required. In other words, Tulasi is an integral part of Hindu rituals.

What is Tulasi - a single jeevatman or a set of jeevatmans?

The possibility of single jeevatman in multiple sharira or mixed avatar of single Tulasi is rejected because only brahman can do that, and clearly Tulasi is not brahman.


texts: I was looking at Arya Samaj’s translation of Vedas on onlineved.com and found that the Rig Veda is missing Mandala 7-10. Why is that? Also the way they cite the verses is quite different than the traditional method.


texts: Is there any difference between religious books and religious tv serials?

texts:
Few days ago I had an arguments with one person on instagram on one topic. suddenly our discussion turns towards Shree Ram and our discussion turned into religious topic. Here are some parts of discussions (as I remember) which will help you to understand what is my question.

He: Civilised people is not what you are saying because even Shree Ram killed bali with fraud, how you will see Ram on this?
Me: Don't give example of Shree Ram without knowing the full truth. He did it on purpose of protecting dharma and spread justice
in world. I use to watch Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan on YouTube almost
daily. I know all fact about it. If you wanna know more on it then go
and watch by yourself.
He: ahaha you are telling me on behalf of a tv serial lol. What you will find from a serial. Go and read Ramayan and Ram
Charitmanas... Only after reading these books you will come to know
about it.
Me: (got little agry after reading his last comment) Why not tv serial? You think books are more genuine than TV serial? May be you
don't know but let me tell you for your information that the books
that you use to read are Published by companies and writer of those
books will be a writer from today's time. If you will see writer name
of Ramayan then you won't see Balmiki written on it but instead it
will be name of some writter who just wrote this book. The actual
Ramayan of Balmiki can't be found. So the writer of books and writer
of TV serial script are both from today's time, not from Satyug or
DwaparYug. Then on what basis you believe books are more genuine than
serial since both are written by companies (publisher company and tv
serial maker company).
He: (stated laughing at me and earagantly reply with some very bad words) I read books and also watch serials, so I know what's the
difference between them. Go and read books then you will come to
know.

Note: Although he said he knows the difference since he has seen both but still I believe he just faking it so that he won't loose the arguments and the bad words he used in last comments (that i didn't mentioned) are proove of this coz when people start loosing any arguments then they start getting personal.

But now I actually want to know is there any difference between knowledge provides by books and TV serial? Both shares same incidents of Lord Ram's life and teachings then what could be possible difference between them.

Can't I say that I know all about my Lord Ram's life because I have watched Ramanad Sagar's Ramayan? Or I will be applicable of saying this only when I will read Ram Charitmanas?

UPDATE

I got some useful comments but still not got clear answer. I know serials can add stuff to increase TRP but I am not talking about all serial but only Ramand Sagar's Ramayan because I believe this is most trustworty serial ever made on Ramayan.

If some one has read books and also watch serial of Ramanad Sagar then Please point out what difference are there. Give example of some incident which are in book but not in serial and which are in serial but not in book.

Right now I am getting reply only based on assumptions which might be right or might be wrong.


texts: Where is Bhagavad Gita referred to as Hari Gita?

texts: I heard that Bhagavad Gita is referred to as Hari Gita. I don't know the exact reference. Where is it referred as Hari Gita?


texts: According to Dvaita theory why did the Paramatma populate the earth?

texts:
Paramatma and Jeevatma live happily in the Vaikuntha Loka. Jeevatma is doing his karma by praying to Paramatma. Paramatma is doing his Karma by bestowing blessing on his followers.

Now my question is: If everything was so fine in Vaikuntha Loka, then why did Paramatma created the human body which is made up of filth and is the cause of suffering?


texts: Any historical proof for places mentioned and incidents narrated in The Mahabharata?

texts:
Are there any proofs in our present time that attest to the incidents narrated in The Mahabharata?

To add to that any proof to say Lord Krishna existed and how strong he was?


texts: What are the Kashmir Agamas defended in Yamunacharya's lost work?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, one of the early movements that was important to the development of Vaishnavism was the ancient Pancharatra movement, whose sacred texts or Agamas consisted of detailed procedures to worship the sage Narayana, an ancient incarnation of Vishnu. Since the Pancharatra Agamas originated from Narayana himself, they're followed by pretty much all mainstream Vaishnavas today.

But there was a time when some people, particularly the Purva Mimamsa school of Hindu philosophy, rejected the Pancharatra Agamas because they believed that the Vedas were the only legitimate Hindu scriptures.  So as I discuss in this answer, the early Sri Vaishnava Acharya Yamunacharya composed a work called the Agama Pramanya to defend the scriptural authority of the Pancharatra Agamas.

That isn't the only work that Yamunacharya composed, however.  He also composed a work called the Kashmir Agama Pramanya, which is now lost.  But Yamunacharya alludes to it in this excerpt from his (regular) Agama Pramanya, in the course of refuting the argument that the customs of Pancharatra-following Brahmins are contrary to Vedic practices:

  Those who perform the forty sacraments which are enjoined by the Ekayana scripture ... properly follow the rules laid down by the grihyasutras of their own shakha and do not abdicate their brahminhood because they fail to follow the rites of a different shakha[.]... It follows that the non-observance of certain rites enjoined by different shakhas does not mean that either one forfeits his brahminhood - that the Ekayana shakha is preterpersonal scripture has been enlarged upon in the Treatise on the Validity of Kashmira Agama, and is therefore here not further discussed.

For those who don't know, as I discuss in my answer here some people believe that the Pancharatra tradition originated in a now-extinct Shakha or recension of the Shukla Yajur Veda known as the Ekayana Shakha.  (See my answer here for more information about Vedic Shakhas.)

In any case, my question is, what are these "Kashmira Agamas" that were defended by Yamunacharya's lost work?  The only Agamic texts from Kashmir I'm familiar with are the Shaiva Agamas, which are used in Kashmir Shaivism, but it would be strange for a Sri Vaishnava Acharya to write a defense of Shaiva Agamas.  Are there any Vaishnava Agamas from Kashmir, and was Yamunacharya's work a defense of those?

And what is the connection of the Kashmira Agamas to the Ekayana Shakha, given that Yamunacharya wrote a defense of the scriptural validity of the Ekayana Shakha in his Kashmira Agama Pramanya? If both the Pancharatra Agamas and the Kashmira Agamas originated from the Ekayana Shakha, what is the difference between them?


texts:
After the curse to Jaya and Vijaya from Kumaras , Vishnu appeared before them, and the gatekeepers requested Vishnu to lift the curse of the Kumaras. Vishnu said that the curse of the Kumaras cannot be reversed. Instead, he gives Jaya and Vijaya two options. The first option is to take seven births on Earth as a devotee of Vishnu, while the second is to take three births as his enemy. After serving either of these sentences, they can re-attain their stature at Vaikuntha and be with him permanently.
My question is regarding those two options. What is actual meaning of those options why did Vishnu gave like that?
Why being enemy of lord was faster way to go to adobe of Lord? Is this case true for all souls?


texts: Are non-Hindus allowed inside Tirumala Veṅkaṭēśwara Temple? Do they need to sign a waiver?

texts:
Are non-Hindus allowed inside Tirumala Veṅkaṭēśwara Temple?
I heard that for a non-Hindu to enter the temple, they need to sign a waiver. Is this true? Also, is it a recent development or restriction?
If so, what exactly does this waiver say or look like?

Note:
1. This is related to but not a duplicate of: Why are non-Hindus not allowed inside temples?
2. I'm looking for credible sources of information, so, no Wikipedia, Quora.com or random blogs in answers please.
3. News articles are ok to cite in your answers provided they actually interviewed TTD management on this.


texts: I see a lot of stuff that sort of show that Jainism is related to Hinduism.For example, Was Parsvanatha, the 23rd tirthankara of Jainism, an avatar of Lord Shiva? Asks if Parsvanath, the 23rd tirthankara of Jainism was an avatar of Lord Shiva.


texts: How did Karna lose all the battle against Arjuna?

texts:
I've heard that Arjuna & Karna had various wars before the main war of Maharabharata and Arjuna won all the times.

How did it happen? Because Karna was better warrior than Arjuna which was revealed by none other than Lord Shri Krishna after Kurukshetra war was over.

So the question is

Did Arjuna defeat Karna easily?
Was Lord Shri Krishna with Arjuna at that time and did he help him while battling with Karna?

What exactly happened? Can I get answer in detail?


texts:
In which avastha/bhaava does Chinnamasta falls? Does it belong to Srividya Krama?
Its heard that, people should not go for this Sadhana for "getting things done" --experiencing materialistic pleasures!
Is it termed as "dangerous" similar to " Yakshini Sadhana (karnayakshi kind of...)"
and what dangers we encounter,if we start Chinnamasta Moolamantra jaap.


texts: Why does Devi Mantras contain the name of the Demons She slayed?

texts:
Goddess Durga got her name after slaying the Demon Durgamasur, there are mantras such as "Om Durgaye namaha", She got the name Mahishashura Mardini after slaying Demon Mahishashur, again there are mantras such as "OM MAHISHASHURA MARDINIYE NAMAHA", again She has the name Chamunda as the result of slaying Chanda and Munda. I don't understand, why the demons name appear in the Goddess's mantras/name. Aren't we worshiping the demon indirectly by chanting their name, what is the idea behind including their name in sacred mantras?

Where we don't see any such demon names concatenated to Hindu gods such as Shiva/Vishnu/Krishna who have also killed demons


texts: Did Indra kill his step-mother Danu, the mother of Danavs?

texts:
Like Aditi, the mother of Adityas (including Indra), Danu is one of the wives of Kashyap Rishi who is the mother of Danavs. This Rigvedic Verse that describes the killing of the dragon Vritra by Indra says:

  8 There as he lies like a bank-bursting river, the waters taking courage flow above him.
  The Dragon lies beneath the feet of torrents which Vṛtra with his greatness had encompassed.

  9 Then humbled was the strength of Vṛtra's mother: Indra hath cast his deadly bolt against her.
  The mother was above, the son was under and like a cow beside her calf lay Danu.

  10 Rolled in the midst of never-ceasing currents flowing without a rest for ever onward.
  The waters bear off Vṛtra's nameless body: the foe of Indra sank to during darkness.

Does this imply that Danu was killed or is she just lying by her dead son's side? Are there any scriptures that elaborate on this? If Danu was dead would that mean there were no more Danavs born after Vritra?


texts: Is Indra of the Vedas the rain god Indra?

texts: After seeing the answer here, I have a feeling that the Indra of the Vedas is not the rain god Indra we have in the Puranas. Do any verses in the Vedas show the Indra mentioned there is the same as the rain-god?


texts: Do the scriptures talk about procedures that a Brahmin has to do before eating food?

texts: What are the procedures that a Brahmin has to follow before having food. I have seen the process of sprinkling water, but what is the whole process? What is the mantra one has to chant at that time?


texts: What is the story of the woman who lifted a mountain?

texts:
Parashara Bhattar was a famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya who became the head of the Sri Vaishnava sect after Ramanujacharya departed the Earth.  He was the son of Ramanujacharya’s shishya Kurathalwan, and he’s the Sri Vaishnava commentator on the Vishnu Sahasranamam.  In any case, Parashara Bhattar once imparted to his chief disciple Nanjiyar ten words of advice for Prapannas, those who have performed Sharanagati or complete surrender to Vishnu.  Here is his sixth word of advice:

  Do not focus on the ordinary Shastras and instead focus on the special Shastra which is Bhagavad Vishayam. Even in matters of performing rituals, do the same. One has to be steady in this and not have any doubts. There is no need to question this as "This is possible only for a few such as Bharata and Thirukkannamangai Andan.” Even a wild horse can be tamed over time. For those who have a young and steady heart, this is not difficult. Is it not said that a woman started by lifting a small stone, then a rock and so on, till she lifted a whole mountain?

Bhagavad Vishayam refers to the poems of the Alwars and the commentaries on them.  But I’m interested in the part in bold.  My question is, what is the story of the woman who lifted a mountain by first lifting smaller rocks?

Is it mentioned in any scriptures, or is it just a folktale? Do any Sri Vaishnavas works shed light on this?


texts: Why yogam and karnam are always vishnu in sankalpam?

texts:
Panchangm, the Hindu almanac is called so because it comprises of five parts (panch - five, ang - part).  The five parts are:

Thithi (ex: Ekadeshi, prathamai, panchami etc)
Vaaram (Bhaanu-Sunday, Indhu-Monday, Sthira-Saturday etc)
Nakshathram (Ashwini, Abhabarani, Sathabishak etc)
Yogam (sidha, marana, amirtha etc)
Karanam (kowlava, karasai, badhirai etc)

In sankaplam:
    hariH om tat
    SrI govinda govinda govinda!

    asya SrI-bhagavato mahApurushasya
    vishNor AjnayA pravartamAnasya
    adya brahmaNe dvitIya-parArdhe SrI-Sveta-varAha-kalpe
    vaivasvata-manvantare kaliyuge prathamapAde
    jambudvIpe, bhAratavarshe, bharatakhaNDe,
    SakAbde, meror dakshiNe pArSve
    asmin vartamAnAnAm vyAvahArikANAm
    prabhavAdi shashTi samvatsarANAm madhye
    vRsha nAma samvatsare
    dakshiNAyane, grIshma Rtau, SrAvaNa mAse, Sukla pakshe,
    paurNamAsyAm Subha-tithau(1),

    Sthira-vAsara(2)-sravaNa-nakshatra(3) yuktAyAm,

    SrI-vishnu-yoga(4) SrI-vishnu-karaNa(5) Subha-yoga Subha-karaNa
    evam guNa-viSeshaNa viSishTAyAm,
    asyAm Subha-tithau,
    ...

The aspects of the panchangam of the time of the performance of the sankalpam are used. However it is always said vishnu yoga and vishnu karana instead of the yogam and karnam of that moment.
Why is this so?


texts: What chapters of Mahabharata deal with Dharma?

texts: What chapters specifically of Mahabharata best explains Dharma?


texts: Is it possible, by any means, for a brahmin to perform nitya karmas or any rituals with sikha untied?

texts:
AFAIK, any act done without wearing the upavita and the sikha tied is like an act not done. These are the first prerequisites and there are obviously few others as well.

Now, the doubt arose in my mind after seeing what Chanakya did.

Supposedly,

  Chanakya is said to have taken an oath to leave his śikhā untied
  until he humbles the Nanda kings who insulted him.

Then being a Brahmin, how was he able to perform his daily rites and other rites for so many years?

Note that, here my question is not exactly how Chanakya did his nitya karmas with sikha untied but generally is it possible at all to do so? Are there any shortcuts given in the scriptures?


texts: What are the teachings of saint JanA bAi?

texts:
She was one of the famous.saints in the vArkari bhakti movement.

What were the principles she preached?


texts: What are the meanings given by Satya Sai to various names of Arjuna?

texts: Satya Sai baba gave very insightful meanings into each name of Arjuna. What are the meanings?


texts: Does the word "Ishwara" have a specialized meaning in any school of philosophy?

texts:
ईश्वर mf(ई). master, lord, prince, king, mistress, queen, AV. ; ŚBr. ; Ragh. ; Mn.  &c. [ID=29882]
God [ID=29884]
the Supreme Being, Mn. ; Suśr. ; Yājñ.  &c. [ID=29885]
the supreme soul (आत्मन्) [ID=29886]

Thats what the dictionary says.  "Ishwar Allah tero naam" goes the popular song.

Does it have a specialized meaning also?

The background for this question is this post

Can there be any Taratamya of deities in Advaita?

  Advaita seems not be totally clear whether deities are real or only part of Maya. Most Advaitic teachers like Sankara,Ramakrishna and Ramana Maharishi also advocated Bhakti to a deity or deities to their disciples

And Swami Vishwananda's reply

  The bhakti that the various saints you refer to advocated is to Iswara, not to a deva.


texts: Which scripture has the story of the prostitute and the Sannyasi?

texts:
They lived across from each other and the Sannyasi would throw a pebble into a pile for each time somebody visited her.  Soon the pebbles became a small hill and he would tell her "look at the mountain of sins you have committed".

She would pray to God constantly for forgiveness.  When they both died, the prostitute went to heaven and the Sannyasi to hell.


texts: Why was Yudhishtira accompanied by a dog during the ending stages of his life?

texts: Is there any reason why  a dog was chosen as Yudhishtira's. Is it mentioned in the Mahabharata?


texts: Why is Yajurveda classified as Krishna and Shukla?

texts:
As we know, One single Veda is divided into four Vedas.

Rig Veda
SamaVeda
Yajur Veda
Atharva Veda (Believed to be divided later)

Vedas were divided by Krishna Dwaipayana on the basis of the usage of the  mantras in the Yagnas.

All the Vedas do not have classifications except the Yajur Veda.

Why is there two classifications in YajurVeda i.e., Shukla(White) and Krishna(Black)?


texts: What are the flowery words of vedas mentioned in geeta?

texts:
In geeta 2.43 it cautions people not to get attracted to flowery words of vedas.

What are these flowery words which are talked upon ?

When vedas.themselves prescribe rituals then what is the point in cautioning people?


texts: What are some similar verses to Gita 2:26

texts:
BG 2.27: Death is certain for one who has been born, and rebirth is inevitable for one who has died. Therefore, you should not lament over the inevitable.

Can you give some similar verses from the vedas. That says "Death is certain for one who has been born".


texts: What is the story of Prahlada being held hostage by the gods?

texts:
Most people only know the childhood of Prahlada, who was rescued from his from Hiranyakashipu by Vishnu's incarnation.  What is less well-known, however, Prahlada's adulthood.  As king of the Asuras, Prahlada was a formidable enemy of the gods, and he even managed to conquer Devaloka, although Indra was able to get it back through trickery as I discuss here.  But through all of this he still maintained the noble character of his childhood; he was the one who inculcated devotion to Vishnu in his grandson Mahabali.  And when Mahabali was defeated by Vishnu's incarnation Vamana, both Prahlada went along with Mahabali to Patalaloka, and he later attained Moksha.

But now I've come across across incident in Prahlada's life.  I found it in this excerpt from the Prabhasa Kanda of the Skanda Purana, which discusses how long different demons ruled the three worlds for:

  Hiranyakashipu shone as the king for one hundred seven million two hundred eighty thousand years. He was the emperor of the three worlds.... After his term was over, Bali became the king for ten million three hundred sixty thousand years.  When Bali continued to be the king, Prahlada was held as hostage by the Suras.  Indra and other famous (Suras) killed the Asuras with their valour.  The rule of the Daityas continued thus for ten Yugas without any enemy.  Then for eighteen Yugas, the entire region of the three worlds was protected carefully by Mahendra.

My question is, what is the story of Prahlada being held hostage by the gods during Mahabali's reign?  How was he taken hostage, and how was he freed?

He must have been freed, because Prahlada was present during Mahabali's encounter with Vamana.  So did Mahabali mounted a rescue mission for his grandfather, or did he pay the gods a ransom, or what?


texts: Why did Lord Rama pray to Goddess Durga?

texts: Lord Rama is an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Goddess Durga being the external (Maya) potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, why did Lord Rama perform a Yagya of Goddess Durga before killing Ravana as mentioned in Ramayana?


texts:
I don't think this yoga was mentioned in bhagavad gita, does it have any origin in the vedas?
This yoga is mostly associated with Shiva.
It seems to me that there are at least two parts of hindu philosophy. One talks more about what the gita, uphanishades etc, and other is is more based on Shiva and his path.
So where does tantra yoga fit in all of this?


texts: Shouldn't there be time dilation when Riksharaja took Vali and Sugriva to Brahma lok?

texts:
We know at least two incidents where individuals experienced time dilation as per our scriptures - 1) King Kakudmi traveling to Brahma lok with his daughter Princess Revati 2) King Muchukunda fighting on the side of Devas against Asura

The third incident is indirect - Arjuna travel to Swarga lok before the war

However there seems to be another incident which takes place as per Uttara Kanda of Ramayana , where time dilation should have taken place. This was when Riksharaja took his new born sons Vali and Sugriva to Brahma lok after their birth. There Brahma consoled him and asked him to become king of vanaras at Kishkindha

  Thereupon taking them, he came to the abode of Brahma.
  Beholding his son Riksharaja with Ins sons, Brahma, the
  grand-father of the celestials, consoled him in diverse ways.
  ......

  ......Brahma, having said this, the
  celestial emissary, with Riksharaja before him, proceeded to
  the highly picturesque city of Kishkinda. And having
  entered there with the velocity of the wind, he, at the command of the Patriarch, crowned the leading monkey Riksharaja as king;

It is clear from above that it was Riksharaja visiting Lord Brahma and not the other way around. From Princess Revati's example we know that 27 chatur yugas had elapsed when she was in Brahma Loka. But why don't we see something similar in Riksharaja's case ? Is it because Uttara Kanda of Ramayana is an interpolation ?


texts:
Can I say Sankhya as the oldest hindu philosophy has influenced all the other darshanas like Vedanta? That implies all astika darshanas are derivative from Sankhya, not necessarily conflicting or contradictory.

Let's get the example Advaita Vedanta vs Samkhya:

Sankhya says there is phenomenical world and the observer of phenomenical world.
Advaita says there is phenomenical world and the observer of phenomenical world, but the observer is the unmanifest and the phenomenical world the manifest of the same principle - Brahman.

So, for me Advaita Vedanta looks like a panentheistic adaptation of Sankhya saying the duality is illusion because both comes from Brahman and only Brahman is real per se.

Seems like Sankhya defines the obvious relationship of human and nature and Vedanta (any school) adds the mystical view on human, nature and Brahman.

Yes, I know sankhya and yoga have close relationship, so I don't want to discuss yoga here.


texts: What Scriptures other than Ramayana describe Vishwamitra cursing his sons?

texts:
According to Telugu folklore, meaning of word "Andhra" is believed to be "Tribe". Maharshi Vishwamitra curses his sons to go to south and lead a tribal life. Those tribes are believed to be "Andhra". So, Andhraites are believed to be descendants of sage Vishwamitra.

This curse is described in Balakanda of Valmiki Ramayana.

  श्व मांस भोजिनः सर्वे वासिष्ठा इव जातिषु |  पूर्णम् वर्ष सहस्रम् तु
  पृथिव्याम् अनुवत्स्यथ || १-६२-१७

  " 'You all will be whirling around the earth totally for a thousand
  years taking birth in the race that subsists on dog's meat, like the
  sons of Vashishta.' Thus Vishvamitra cursed his sons. [1-62-17]

But here Vishwamitra says to whirl around the earth. But this book mentions it differently.

  The compassionate Vishwamitra beckoned his sons and asked one of  them
  to sacrifice his life and replace this boy. What had gotten into
  their father? How could their father be so foolish and consider giving
  up one his own sons to save someone else's life? Vishwamitra's sons
  refused to sacrifice their lives for their cousin's. The great sage
  realized that his boys did not know that a sage had to dedicate his
  life  to serve others. And here they were — all looking to live for
  themselves rather than being happy for being offered a chance to
  serve others through their own lives. Disappointed, Vishwamitra
  cursed his unworthy sons to a life of selfishness in tribal
  communities.

There's another variant of the legend where Vishwamitra curses his sons to go "ANDHA" (blind) and live a life of tribals to the south of Vindhyas and with time Andha became "Andhra".

So, are they any other Hindu Scriptures which describe the story of Vishwamitra cursing his sons?


texts: Can Jivatma take the position of Lord Rudra?

texts:
Lord Rudra is Human destructive aspect of Supreme Shiva or Sada Shiva.

According to Vaishnav philosophy Lord Vishnu as Maha Vishnu lays in the Causal ocean and breathes out the number of universes. How Vishnu creates and maintains the universes is described in my answer here.
So when a universe is created, there are 3 personalities that are directly incharge of

Maintenance-Lord Vishnu
Creation-Lord Brahma
Annihilation -Lord Rudra.

Lord Vishnu is Vishnu-Tatva or Sva-amsha(direct expansion) of Maha-Vishnu;i.e. to say Jiva can never become Vishnu in a universe.
Brahma is generally a jiva-tatva(Jivatma; a living entity like us) but sometimes when there is no living entity qualified to take up the position of Brahma, Lord Vishnu takes up the position of Brahma.

  If in some kalpa there is no suitable living entity who can act in
  Brahmā’s capacity, Garbhodaka-śāyī Viṣṇu Himself becomes Brahmā and
  acts accordingly.

Now as I've said in very 1st statement of this question,Lord Rudra is Human destructive aspect of Supreme Shiva or Sada Shiva.
That is, He is Shivatma(Shiv-tatva**).

But here is what Srila Rupa Goswami says in His Laghu-Bhagavatamrit.

  The scriptures explain that, as Brahma' is, so Siva is sometimes a
  jiva soul and sometimes an amsa-avatara like Lord Sesha.

Here Rupa Goswami gives analogy of Lord Shesha, thats because Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe that Shesha-Nag on whom Lord Vishnu lies is expansion of Vishnu(Vishnu-Tatva); whereas Shesha-Nag who carries universe on His hoods is a separate ; and He could be a Jivatma sometimes.

Now my question is

Is lord Rudra always an expansion of Shiva(i.e. Sada-Shiva ; just like Anant-Shesha being always an expansion of Lord Vishnu); or can a Jiva become Lord Rudra sometimes in a universe?

** Shiva-Tatva ,Jiva-tatva, Shakti-tatva, Vishnu-Tatva: These are different types of living entities that I've heard of in Vaishnav terminology.


texts: What is scriptural source of the verse whose translation is " Your head can be given, ..but the Shodashi Vidya of the Devi can not be given"?

texts:
There is a famous saying associated with Sri Vidya which goes like this:

  "Your head can be given, your soul can be given but the Shodashi
  Vidya of the Devi can not be given"

Here reference is to a powerful and secret mantra of Mother Goddess.

Recently, i have found the original sloka,  translation of which is the above saying.

  AsyA MahAtyamtulam Jihvakotisatairapi | Vaktum Na Sakyate Devi Kim
  Punah Panchabhinarmukhaih || Api Priyatamam Deyam SutadAradhanAdhikam
  | Rajyam Deyam Siro Deyam Na Deyo ShodhashAkshari ||

  ...........

  [Lord Shiva says to Devi] Its unmatched greatness can not be described
  even if someone has hundred crores of tongues. How can my five faces
  describe its greatness then? The most loved objects of someone, son,
  wife, wealth, kingdom and even one's head can be given, but
  shodakshari can't be given

By studying the verses that are found along with these verses, i am guessing that the verses are from one of the Yamala Texts (like Rudra Yamala, Brahma Yamala, Vishnu Yamala etc). Or it can be present in some other Agamas as well.

Question- Which Agama is the source of the verses in question?


texts: What are the basic rules for Nirahara Samyama?

texts:
I read some where that Vedic science even gives us the choice of living without food. This can be achieved through a yogic process called Nirahara Samyama by which we learn to awaken our bio memory to produce energy from prana, water and sunlight, just like plants or trees.

What are the basic rules to be followed for this? Are there any scriptures that point out in this direction?


texts: What is duration of tithi according to Hindu panchang?


texts: How does giving up food and water help yogis?

texts:
I would like to understand the fundamental reason behind giving up food and water by some yogis:

What exactly happens to the physical body, mental body or energy body by such actions?
If that has a specific purpose then does the yogi go back to a normal diet once the mission is accomplished or he stays with it for remaining life?


texts: How many forts of Shambara did Indra really destroy?

texts:
Why do these verses of Rigveda contradict each other on the number of Shambara's forts destroyed by Indra? How to reconcile these differences?
90 forts.

Rig Veda 1.130.7 “For Pūru thou hast shattered, Indra ninety forts, for Divodāsa thy boon servant with thy bolt, O Dancer, for thy worshipper. For Atithigva he, the Strong, brought Śambara from the mountain down…”

100 forts

Rig Veda 6.31.4 “Thou smotest to the ground the hundred castles, impregnable, of Sambara the Dasyu…”
Rig Veda 2.14.6 “Ye ministers, to him who as with thunder demolished Śambara’s hundred ancient castles…”

99 forts

Rig Veda 2.19.6 “…And Indra, for the sake of Divodasa demolished Sambara’s nine-and-ninety castles.”


texts: Does Bhagavata Purana say moon has its own light?

texts:
SB 5.20.12

  [The inhabitants of Salmalidvipa worship the demigod of the moon in
  the following words.] By his own rays, the moon-god has divided the
  month into two fortnights, known as sukla and krsna, for the
  distribution of food grains to the pitas and the demigods. The demigod
  of the moon is he who divides time, and he is the king of all the
  residents of the universe. We therefore pray that he may remain our
  king and guide, and we offer him our respectful obeisances.


texts: Why don't we do complete 'Pradaxina' (Circumambulation) of Shivalingam?

texts:
Why don't we do complete Pradaxina of lord Shiva - Shivalingam?

In a Shiva temple from a panditjee over there I've heard that we can't do complete Pradaxina of Shivalingam because he is Ardhanaareshvar. Later I came to know about the story of how lord Shiva known as Ardhanaareshvar, but my question remains there only.

I've read many blogs but didn't get answer about this.


texts: What are all Rituals and Benefits of DEVSHAYANI EKADASHI?

texts: Lord Vishnu is said to be the creator of the world and the manager of destiny. He can be seen sitting on the many-headed snake who is said to be the ‘Kalswarup Sheshnag –The king of snakes’. He has a smiling and calm face with a lot of intelligence in his eyes. He is also said to be the kindest God, who immediately fulfills the wishes of his ardent devotees. Keeping in mind his kindness and blessings on us, here is the day on which we should for sure pray Lord Vishnu. The effects will be immediate and fruitful. That day is none other than Devshayani Ekadashi. The day he wakes up is known as Prabodhini Ekadashi


texts: Who is superior in term of religious status: elder brother`s wife or paternal uncle`s wife?

texts: Need explanation with quotes from shastra


texts: I am looking for an accurate pictorial description of the so called Gokarna Mudra

texts:
From how to perform achamana as found in the Devi Bhagavata Purana:

  Firstly make the ordinary Âchaman three times, and, while inhaling, drink a little of the water of Âchaman, repeating “Om
  Kes’avâya Svâhâ, Om Nârâyanâya Svâhâ, Om Mâdhavâya Svâhâ.” Then wash
  your two hands, repeating “Om Gobindâya Namah, Om Visnave Namah.” Then
  by the root of the thumb rub the lips repeating “Om Madhû sûdanâya
  Namah, Om Trivikramâya Namah.” So rub the mouth, repeating “Om
  Vâmamâya Namah, Om S’rîdharâya Namah.” Then sprinkle water on the left
  hand, saying “Om Hrisîkes’âya Namah.” Sprinkle water on the legs,
  saying “Om Padmanâbhâya Namah.” Sprinkle water on the head, saying “Om
  Dâmodarâya Namah.” Touch the mouth with the three fingers of the right
  hand, saying “Om Samkarsanâya Namah.” Touch the nostrils with the
  thumb and forefinger saying “Om Vâsudevâya Namah, Om Pradyumnâya
  Namah.” Touch the eyes with the thumb and ring-finger, saying “Om
  Aniruddhâya Namah, Om Purusottamâya Namah.” Touch the ears with the
  thumb and ringfinger saying “Om Adhoksajâya Namah, Om Nârasimhâya
  Namah.” Touch the navel with the thumb and little finger saying “Om
  Achyutâya Namah.” Touch the breast with the palm, saying “Om
  Janârdanâya Namah.” Touch the head saying “Om Upendrâya Namah.” Touch
  the roots of the two arms saying “Om Haraye Namah, Om Krisnâya Namah.”

  While sipping the Âchaman water on the right hand, touch the right hand with your left hand; otherwise; the water does not become pure.
  While doing Âchaman, make the palm and the fingers all united and close, of the form of a Gokarna (the ear of a cow) and spreading the
  thumb and the little finger, drink the water of the measure of a
  pea. If a greater or less quantity be sipped, then that would amount
  to drinking liquor.

Till date, i have found a variety of descriptions of this particular mudra called the Gokarna Mudra. Varoius websites provide different descriptions and one does not match with the other.

The latest picture i found is from this page:

Now, this picture is not quite matching with textual description given in the above Purana passage.

So, I am looking for the accurate pictorial description of the so called Gokarna Mudra.

I will accept the answer provided the reference in it is from a website or a book which i consider as trustworthy and authentic.

I myself have books that discuss several mudras used in worship like Leliha, Galini, Ankusha, Grasa etc but none provide anything on the Gokarna mudra.


texts: What is the story of Rishi Durvasa and King Ambarish?

texts: I want to know the story of Rishi Durvasa and King Ambarish. Please somebody answer my question!


texts: How do we start reading the vedas and puranas along with our kids?

texts:
What are few guide lines for start studying scripture along with our Kids?
Vedas/Puranas are to be learnt under the guidance of a guru.
They are not bed-time stories to read with children.
So what is the exact guidelines in terms of Age, and order of scripture etc?


texts: I have heard stories of Surya getting married to Vishwakarma's daughter but I don't know the name of Vishwakarma's wife. Who was she and what is her story?


texts: What is the name of the person who reconciled a line from Rudram to dakshinamurthy and Adi Shankaracharya?

texts:
Consider the following lines from Rudram and their translation

Nama kapardhine cha vyupthakesaya cha
Salutations to him who has a crown of hair and to him who has a shaved head

I heard that a person reconciled the above line as follows
The Siva with crown of hair is Dakshinamurthy and with shaved head is Adi Shankaracharya
What is the name of the person who gave the above statement.


texts: Who are the seven mothers who taught Agni?

texts:
While reading the Sama Veda I came across a hymn to Agni which states something interesting:

  Agni, thy faithful servant I call upon thee with many a gift,
  As in the keeping of the great inciting God.
  To Agni, to the Hotar-priest offer your best, your lofty speech,
  To him ordainer-like who bears the light of songs.
  O Agni, thou who art the lord of wealth in kine, thou Son of Strength,
  Bestow on us, O Jatavedas, high renown
  Most skilled in sacrifice, bring the Gods, O Agni, to the pious, man:
  A joyful Priest, thy splendour drives our foes afar
  Taught by seven mothers at his birth was he, for glory of the wise.
  He, firm and sure, hath set his mind on glorious wealth

  Book 2 Chapter 1 Decade 1

Who are these seven mothers referred to in this verse?


texts: What is the oldest scripture which explains how a temple should be built?

texts:
What is the oldest (surviving) Hindu scripture which explains how a temple should be built, maintained, and what should be its day-to-day affairs?

Is an English translation of the same available?

Is the same scripture followed even today if someone wants to build a new temple?

Note: This is not a dup. of What do Hindu scriptures say about Hindu temples? which looks too broad and should probably be closed. This question is specific to scriptures explaining how a temple should be constructed/maintained/run.


texts: Who are these first commentators on Bhagavata?

texts:
Sridhara Svami's Bhavartha dipika is the oldest full commentary extant now. Before Sridhara, however Madhvacharya commented whose commentary is also extant called Bhagavata Tattparya Nirnaya. It is a brief commentary where he commented only on 1600 verses.

Jiva Goswami mentions two old commentaries on Bhagavata of Chitsukha and Punyaranya in his sandarbhas. Jiva and Sanatan goswamis mention at times 'chitsukha's version reads as...' when there is different reading of a particular verse and explain the meaning with different reading of the verse as well.

Commenting on SB 10.3.44: Jiva mentions

  Chitsukha had reading janyate

Commenting on SB 10.2.16: Jiva says:

  Śrī Citsukha (the Māyāvādī commentator on Bhāgavatam) comments as
  follows: mana āviveśa pauruṣaṁ dhāmeti sambandha iti

Sridhara also quotes Chitsukha's in his commentary.

Madhvacharya's Bhagavata tattparya nirnaya was a response to Punyaranya's commentary which is advaitic. That's why Madhva primarily interprets advaitic sounding verses of bhagavata and he comments on 10th and 11th Canto which tend to verge on monism. Other cantos are cursorily treated by Madhva.

Both the commentaries of Chitsukha and Punyaranya are not extant now. Who are these commentators Chitsukha and Punyaranya? Which century did they live?


texts: What are the different Vaishnava interpretations on the nature of Lord Vishnu's physical form?

texts:
I understand that Lord Vishnu's body is aprakrita, composed of sat-chit-ananda, but is it understood to have a physical reality?  i.e. four arms, two legs, one head, two eyes, five fingered hands, ie, a basic humanoid form that predates the creation of humans.

How does it contrast with the Advaita understanding of nirguna brahman?


texts:
There are many upanishadic statements.

I want to know why these four only are considered mahavakyas?

  Prajnanam Brahma (प्रज्ञानम् ब्रह्म)
  Aham Brahma Asmi (अहम् ब्रह्म अस्मि)
  Tat Tvam Asi (तत् त्वम् असि)
  Ayam Atma Brahma (अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म)

Which other schools consider them as mahavakyas?

Are there any Upanishad statements which indicate duality and thus they can be made mahavakyas? I know one. For eg: brahmaiva san, brahmapyeti "Becoming brahman, one enters brahman".(Brh. Ar: 4.4.6). This indicates two even after liberation, since author of action must be different from object.

A non advaitin can choose this as a mahavakya and interpret advaitic mahavakyas differently.

Why not this be a mahavakya?

The full verse translation from here is:

  And here there is this verse: "To whatever object a man's own mind is
  attacbed, to that he goes strenuously together with his deed; and
  having obtained the end (the last results) of whatever deed he does
  here on earth, he returns again from that world (which is the
  temporary reward of his deed) to this world of action." 'So much for
  the man who desires. But as to the man who does not desire, who, not
  desiring, freed from desires, is satisfied in his desires, or desires
  the Self only, his vital spirits do not depart elsewhere,- being
  Brahman, he goes to Brahman

Paingal Upanishad seems to have those statements (but only two of them match), since Adi Shankara cited this upanisahd according to this website, did he himself quote those verses?

In any case, I am more looking towards logical explanation of why these four are chosen?  Who is the first advaitin to say these four as mahavakyas, which means when did they enter into advaitin books for the first time and how did he justify choosing these four over other statements?


texts: Which Sri Vidya Guru Parampara does Adi Shankaracharya fall in?

texts:
Adi Shankaracharya aside from being a Vedantin scholar is also described by many to have been a Sri Vidya Upasaka. The Soundarya Lahari, a principle Sri Vidya text, is often attributed to Him.

In the Sri Vidya Sampradaya, there are three distinct Guru Paramparas namely Lopamudra, Hayagriva and Ananda Bhairava.

Which particular Guru Parampara does Adi Shankaracharya fall in?


texts: What is meant by "revolution of Sun's apogee"?

texts:
While reading Translation of the Surya Siddhanta and of the Siddhanta Siromani(1861) - Bapu Deva Shastri, I stuck in the follwing.
Chapter I, verse 41 & 42

In a KALPA (4.32 billion years), there are 387 revolutions of the Sun's Apogee (about the earth), 204 of Mars' apogee, 368 of Mercury's apogee, 900 of Jupiter's apogee, 535 of Venus' apogee and 39 of Saturn's apogee.

Now my question is what is meant by 387 revolution of Sun's apogee? It will be helpful if someone can explain this.


texts: For how many days was the Ramayana war fought?

texts:
The Mahabharata war is famous for its 18 days. However, the number of days the Ramayana war lasted isn't so popularly discussed as the Mahabharata war.

So, for how many days was the Ramayana war fought?

On which tithi (lunar day) did it start and finish?


texts: Does the Vishnu Sahasranamam call Vishnu Amaritasha or Amritamsha?

texts:
In the ISKCON commentary on the Srimad Bhagavatam, various scriptural quotes are given in support of Gaudiya Vaishnava beliefs about the forms of Vishnu and his incarnations.  In particular, this quote from the Vishnu Sahasranamam is given:

  Also from the Mahābhārata: amṛtāḿśo 'mṛta-vapuḥ.

This means that Vishnu is Amritamsha, or he whose incarnations are eternal, and Amritavapuh, or he whose body is eternal.  And indeed, this quote is found in the BORI critical edition of the Mahabharata:

  100 kumudaḥ kuṃdaraḥ kundaḥ parjanyaḥ pavano 'nilaḥ

  amṛtāṃśo 'mṛtavapuḥ sarvajñaḥ sarvato mukhaḥ

The Southern recension of the Mahabharata says the same thing:

  kumudaH kundaraH kundaH parjanyaH pavano.anilaH.

  amR^itAMsho.amR^itavapuH sarvaj~naH sarvatomukhaH.. 13-254-102

Despite all that, I have reason to believe that the verse actually says "amritasho amritavapuh" rather than "amritamsho amritavapuh".  That is to say, I think it's possible that Vishnu is described "Amritasha", which means he that consumes or gives nectar, rather than Amritamsha.

The reason I suspect this is that all the commentaries on the Vishnu Sahasranamam I've come across say that it's Amritasha.  Here is what this excerpt from Adi Shankaracharya's commentary says, for instance:

  The drinker of nectar (Amritashah)

  Being himself the source of nectar; or he who gave the nectar to Devas and himself participated in it; i.e. the nectar obtained by the churning (of the ocean of milk); or whose desire is for Amrita, i.e., immortality.

And here is what the Sri Vaishnava commentator Parashara Bhattar says:

  Amritaasah— He Who feeds with Nectar. He feeds His devotees with the Nectar viz, His auspicious qualities.

And here is what the Gaudiya Vaishnava commentator Baladeva Vidyabhushana says:

  amRtam
  ayAcitam moksham ASayati bhojayati bhkatAn iti amRtASah – He Who
  feeds – bestows moksham to His devotees unasked, is amRtASah.

So what's going on here?  Did all the commentators get the verse wrong?  Or is the verse given in the BORI critical edition and the Southern recension of the Mahabharata incorrect?

Does anyone know whether there are other manuscripts or recessions of the Mahabharata which say "amritasho" rather than "amritamsho"?


texts: Where is the Saraswati river according to Hindu scriptures?

texts:
According to Hindu scriptures, the three main rivers are Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. As we all know, rivers Ganga and Yamuna are present in India.

But where on the current world map is the Saraswati river according to Hindu scriptures?
Is any incident mentioned in scriptures about Saraswati river becoming invisible?

PS: I know the answer according to science but not according to Hindu scriptures. According to science, it was present in Afghanistan and it has dried up.


texts:
Are Haircuts to be avoided on Saturdays as it is considered inauspicious in Hinduism?
If Yes, Are there Hindu mythologies behind this?
https://www.hinduismfacts.org/why-dont-hindus-cut-hair-nails-on-saturdays/


texts: one possible meaning of name Ramchandra?

texts:
I heard it means "reflector of Brahman"

Ram means "Vishnu/Parbrahman".

Chandra - moon, thus indicating said person is reflection of god's virtues as the moon reflects sun(light).

I was told that even seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu was named for thus reason.


texts: Why cant Hinduism accept Guna Based Flexible Varna system as Buddhism?

texts:
Buddha says "While the differences between these species are defined by their birth,the differences between humans are not defined by their birth.In individual human bodies you can’t find such distinctions. The distinctions among humans are spoken of by convention.For name and clan are assigned as mere convention in the world.Arising by mutual agreement,they’re assigned to each individual.For a long time this misconception has prejudiced those who don’t understand.Ignorant, they declare that one is a brahmin by birth.You’re not a brahmin by birth,nor by birth a non-brahmin.You’re a brahmin by your deeds,
and by deeds a non-brahmin.(https://suttacentral.net/mn98/en/sujato)


texts: Where do the Brahma Sutras say number is not a quality?

texts:
The Vedanta Karikavali is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Buchchi Venkatacharya summarizing the tenets of Visistadvaita.  In particular, Visistadvaita says that there are two kinds of inanimate entities, Dravya or substance and Adravya or non-substance.  Adravya refer to Gunas, i.e. qualities of substances. They're enumerated in verse 14 of the Vedanta Karikavali:

  The Sattva (goodness), Rajas (activity), Tamas (darkness or dullness), Shabda (sound), Sparsha (touch), Rupa (color), Rasa (taste), Gandha (odour), Samyoga (union) and Shakti (potency) are the ten kinds of Adravya (non-substance).

Other philosophical schools disagree on the number of Gunas.  For instance, some philosophers think there is another Guna called Samkhya or number, which tells you how many of something you have.  But Buchchi Venkatacharya rejects this view in verse 29 of the Vedanta Karikavalivali:

  The enumeration of Samkhya (number) etc. as separate Gunas (qualities) as distinct from our ten is contradicted by the Sutrakara himself and is therefore rejected.

I'm interested in the part in bold. When a member of the Vedanta school says "the Sutrakara says this", the Sutra text they're referring to is usually the Brahma Sutras.  So my question is, where do the Brahma Sutras reject number and other things as distinct Gunas?

You can read the Brahma Sutras here, but I can't seem to find this statement at least at first glance. Are there any Sri Vaishnava works that clarify this?


texts: Is Indra being a temporary post described in Vedas?

texts: I'm asking from all four part of Vedas, was Indra ever changed?


texts: How has the rise of literacy changed Hindu practice?

texts:
In the past, Hindu practice and belief were transmitted largely through oral tradition and localized cultural practices.

What are examples of changes in Hindu practice or belief as a result of the rise of literacy?


texts:
Does niyoga mean surrogacy?
In the Mahabharata vyasa did tubectomy like that only.
In case of Vichitravirya's wives did vyasa do surrogacy?
Does AyurVeda tell about this niyoga?


texts: Why are they called Pandavas and Kauravas?

texts:
In Mahabharata, why are Arjuna and his brothers called Pandavas and Duryodhana and his brothers called Kauravas?

Is there any reason to call them like that?


texts:
I learned from internet that there  are 16 shastras, But I didn't find valid source for list of those shastras.
Can you tell me please the what are those 16 shastras?
Are there any upa-shastras (sub-shastras) like upavedas and upapuranas?


texts: Did Ramakrishna ever follow any Shaiva sadhna?

texts:
Ramakrishna followed various paths of Hinduism.I read somewhere that he was born in a Vaishnava family who had Kula Deva as Lord Rama. It is well known that he followed Shaktism by worshipping Kali . He was even initiated in tantra by Bhairavi Brahmani and in Vedanta by Totapuri. These are only some of the traditions in which he was initiated to.
So my question is did he ever got dikhsha in Shaivism by any Shaiva guru from any sect like Pashupata,Nath,VeerShaiva,Shaiva Siddhanta, Kashmir Shaivism etc?


texts: Interesting things in Garuda Purana chapter 15

texts:
While listening to today's Garuda Purana disclosure found a beautiful chapter 15 (An Account of the Coming to Birth of People who have done Good) .

  In this chapter The Purana in detail explains how and when the seed of
  birth to be sowed to get good child and also explains the details on
  how the embryo becomes child.

  This is the technology still medical science is not able to crack
  which has been cracked by Indians thousands and thousands of years
  ago.

  It even explains beyond first
  anatomy of an pregnant women so called done by Leaonordo DA VINCI
  similarly all other chapter are excellent and give details of life and
  death.

  Beyond death some people say it is fantasy but one who sees
  the chapter 15 with science will agree that this is fact known by
  Hindus Thousands of years ago.


texts: On which days should one not study the Vedas?

texts:
From Brahmanda Purana's Anusanga Pada Chp35

28-30. There are fifteen Vājins. They are the disciples of Yājñavalkya viz.—Kaṇva, Baudheya Madhyandina, his son, Vaidheya, Addha, Bauddhaka, Tāpanīya, Vatsa, Jābāla, Kevala, Āvaṭī, Puṇḍra, Vaiṇoya and Parāśara.[7] These are mentioned as Vājins. They are fifteen excellent men. The branches of Yajur Mantras should be known as one hundred and one.

Jaimini taught his son Sumantu.[8] Sumantu taught his son Sutvan.

32-33. Sutvan taught his son Sukarman. Sukarman quickly studied a thousand Saṃhitās and expounded them to a thousand disciples who had the splendour of the sun. As they were studying during the days (when they should not be studied) Indra slew them.

Thereafter, for the sake of his disciples he performed Protest fast unto death (Prāyopaveśana). On seeing him furious, Indra granted him a boon.

Now my question is with respect to verses 32-33. Where can I find references to the days on which studying Vedas is prohibited ?


texts: In Ramayana the sanskrit word that is used to describe 'year' is 'वर्ष (varṣ)'. Is that equal to 'year' as we describe today (one revolution of earth around sun)?


texts: Context of the following stanza in Rig Veda?

texts:
In which context the following stanza has been mentioned in the Rig Veda Samhita (verse 10.16.5)?

  अव सर्ज पुनरग्ने पित्र्भ्यो यस्त आहुतश्चरतिस्वधाभिः |

  अयुर्वसान उप वेतु शेषः सं गछतान्तन्वा जातवेदः ||

I mean who is saying to whom and the purpose of using the term etc.,


texts:
Some scriptures contain the word kala sarpa. It is treated as an inauspicious thing.

What exactly is kala sarpa?


texts: In which yuga was Dattatreya born? Was it Dwapara yuga or Kali yuga?


texts: Verses for detachment from Arishadvarga or Shadripu?

texts:
Verses for detachment from Arishadvarga or Shadripu:

Lust (Kama)
Anger (Krodha)
Greed (Lobha)
Arrogance (Mada)
Attachment (Moha)
Jealousy (Matsarya)

स्त्रीष्वध्यासितचित्तस्य ये पुंसः शुक्रबिन्दवः।

ते सुखाय न मन्यन्ते स्वेदजा इव ते तथा॥५५॥

The drops of semen of a person who is lustful with his mind engaged in women when dropped, they cannot make him comfortable like the drops of sweat.

This Verse prevents My lustful thoughts.. I want verses which detach Me from Arishadvarga or Shadripu..

Indra deva is said to test person with Arishadvarga or Shadripu.

Any Mantra on Indra Deva related to Arishadvarga or Shadripu..


texts: What is the relationship between cause and effect as enunciated in the Yoga Vasistha?

texts:
Yoga Vashishtha is a text in which Maharishi Vashishtha gives knowledge to Shri Rama. It is in the form of conversation between the two of them.

How is the relationship between cause and effect explained in this text?

For those interested, the aforementioned relation is also discussed in these questions: in Vaisheshika Sutras, Nyaya Sutras and Advaita.


texts: Is there any easy method/systematics method to attain self realization in short time duration?

texts:
Is there any easy method/systematics method to attain self realization ?
I have read the story of Budhha . He take 5 years to attain self realization
But it is very long time duration . I want to attain self-realization in 5-6 months
Like in education we do Bsc and Msc  and we complete our graduation in systematics manner.
Is there any systematics  method to attain self realization(mukti) ?


texts: Fundamental difference between jivan mukta and saguna parabrahman

texts:
Saguna parabrahman is a parabrahman with gunas (say Krishna).

Jivan mukta is a person who attained moksha but living due to prarabda (say Jada bharata).

What is the fundamental difference between a jivan mukta and saguna brahman?


texts: Is there any scripture that tells story about Lord Vishnu and MahaVishnu?

texts: As per the Shiva Purana, there is a main God Shiva who is Nirakara and thereafter his physical manifestation who is known as Shankara. I know that different Hindu texts about different Gods treat their God as the Supreme nirakaar God, e.g. Mahavishnu, Parabramha, Devi Shakti, etc who created the other Gods and started the universe. I wanted to know whether such story exists in the case of Lord Vishnu as well that there is a Mahavishnu and then there is (are) Vishnu(s). I think such story exists but I have not read such Lord Vishnu-related texts. Can anybody please let me know if there is such extract anywhere in Hindu texts which tells the existence of both MahaVishnu and Vishnu? Also, please don't confuse Vishnu with his later incarnations such as Lord Rama or Lord Krishna.


texts: Is it true that Indra was a supreme God in Vedic time?

texts: Many Indologists say that Indra is the greatest deity in Rigveda. Is it true that Demi God Indra was greater than Shiva and Vishnu ?


texts: What is the benefit of writing ramakoti book or sivakoti book?

texts:
If one cannot chant god name without getting initiation then what is the benefit of writing "sri rama" ir "om namah sivaiah" for 1 crore times?
Where it is mentioned to write sri rama or om namah shivaiah?


texts:
The popular Srivaishavite kalakshepam performer Dushyant Sridar said this in a recent Tamil lecture.
Is this supported by scripture?
This is not a duplicate, because in the other question, the answer is given as 12 feet and there is no direct citation.  A very knowledgeable lecturer said 8 feet and I want to know if Ramayana says the same thing.


texts: Any powerful Mantras on God of Energy? Or Mantra for energy so that I never get tired? I know about Bala Atibala. I have had Upanayana.


texts: What is the description of Radha's birth from Garga Samhita?

texts:
I want to know the description of Radha's birth from Garga Samhita. It's described at 8th chapter of Canto 1 of Graga Samhita.

I've gone through the English translation of Garga Samhita as per suggested in this answer but translation of some verses are missing (only first eight verses of Garga Samhita 1.8 are translated).


texts:
We have been told by Pandit that according to the book Vastu Puja and Satyanarayana Puja are not to be done on a single day.
Can perform Vastu Puja and Satyanarayana Puja in same day?


texts: What is the name of sandipani muni's wife?

texts: What is the name of sandipani muni's wife ?


texts: Why did Lord Shiva fight with Lord Vishnu?

texts:
What were the reason(s) behind the fight between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu? I think the Harivamsa Parva of the Mahabharata narrates this incident.

The story goes like this:

  Mahadev makes Goddess Lakshmi realise that she has done a mistake by
  suspecting Lord Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi pleads with Mahadev to bring
  Lord Vishnu back. Mahadev goes to the Patal Lok in Vrishabh’s disguise
  to bring Lord Vishnu back. Mahadev and Lord Vishnu fight with each
  other.
  Their fight continues for years. Ganesha promises Parvati to
  put an end to Mahadev and Lord Vishnu’s fight. Lord Brahma becomes
  worried as Lord Vishnu attacks Mahadev with Narayana Astra.

What is the actual story?


texts: Names of Brahmavadinis in our puranas and vedas

texts: I want to know about exemplary women who realised brahman and became brahamavadinis mentioned in our puranas and vedas. Few names and their short backstory will suffice.


texts: Where in the Rāmāyaṇa does this quote appear? Who said this?

texts:
Tell me where it is being said & by whom?

  The fragrance of the flower is never borne against the breeze;but the fragrance of human virtues diffuses itself everywhere.


texts: Is there any God who doesn’t regard law of karma as fundamental aspect of Universe?

texts:
Law of karma is fundamental to life as is elucidated by Lord Krishna in Bhagwat Gita.
However I think there are Gods who do not regard law of karma as fundamental aspect of Universe. Mostly they are outside Hindu religion.
But is there any God in Hindu religion who does not require your karma to be pure to give you a boon ?


texts: How many years did Pandavas rule the Hastinapur after winning the battle of Kurukshetra?

texts: When Pandavas won the battle of Kurukshetra at that time Dhritarashtra was the ruler of Hastinapur. After that, he went to exile with Gandhari and Kunti. Then Pandavas ruled in the Hastinapur and established the rule of religion. How many years did they take the time for this religious establishment in Hastinapur?


texts: From where do priests get invocation(Avahana) and other Mantras related to Shirdi Sai Baba?

texts:
From where ( which Hindu Scripture) do Hindu priests get Mantras related to Sai Baba's worship?

Like invocation(Avahana) & other Mantras?

This question is relevant because Sai Baba is ritualistically worshiped in many Hindu Temples of India and elsewhere very much like other Vedic Deities.

And the first step in a Hindu Puja is Avahana or invocation of the Deity .

Now, since Sai Baba is not mentioned in any Scriptures ,how are the priests getting Mantras needed for his worship in temples?

Are they manufacturing Mantras ?

Please note that i'm only talking about Mantras that are needed for ritualistic Puja & not about prayers and other mental ways of worship.

Also,i don't see my question as duplicate of this question.Because i'm specifically asking about Hindu Scriptures that contain Mantras related to Sai's worship .

My question is not about whether he should be worshiped or not.

Please also note  that this is not about demeaning any religious figure nor about challenging one's faith.

I'm just curious to know how are the priests getting the needed Mantras,that's all.


texts: What is Vaishno devi story? I have heard that Hanumanji fought with kaal bhairav in this story, is it right? Because Kaal Bhairav asked meat and wine instead of vegetarian food.


texts: Is there any mention of Swastika in Vedic mathematics?

texts: Is Swastika possibly a physics or mathematics symbol, like ohm or pi?


texts: How do astrologers writes a Horoscope of new born child? Can they be accurate in determining one's life partner or destiny?


texts: What is the shloka in the movie "Arjun: The Warrior Prince" during the marching of the battle and also while Arjun attacks in the end?

texts:
I am including the two links for the part of movies, where the shloka is used:

Marching: https://youtu.be/ifKr5Nxf0wc?t=222

Attacking: https://youtu.be/H3-D6yeGJm8?t=25


texts: Does a Sannyasi have a caste? Or it gets dissolved upon taking Sannyasa?

texts:
Usually, during taking Sannyasa, a Sannyasi discards his sacred thread by throwing it into the fire pit. Similarly, he discards his crown tuft (the Shikha).

1.Does that mean he has lost his caste (by birth)? Or does he still retain it?
2. Does the caste-system dissolve upon taking Sannyasa? Or in other words, are there any differences between a Brahmin Sannyasi and a Kshatriya Sannyasi (as far as their castes are concerned)?


texts: Does the Vishishtadvaita school accept the Kaivalyopanishat? What is its status?

texts: The Kaivalyopanishat reads like a Shiva-specific one with 'Uma sahayam parameshwaram ....' and also at the end specifies Sri Rudram as the means to attain to the goal. Is this acceptable to Vaishnavas in general and srivaishnavas specifically?


texts: Was Ravana not able to lift the Earrings of Hiranyakashipu?

texts:
This website says that Ravana was not able to lift the earrings of Hiranyakashipu. It says it was when Ravana went to Patala to take help of Maharaja Bali that this event happened.

It says:

  So Bali said, "Yes, that's right. This is the earring of Hiranyakasipu. During the fight between Hiranyakasipu and Lord Nrsimhadeva, this earring fell down here. In your previous birth you were Hiranyakasipu, and the Lord killed you. You were much more powerful than you are now. You can't even pick up this earring that you used to wear. Now Visnu has come again, and He will surely kill you." But even after that example, Ravana couldn't understand. He left the kingdom of Bali.

Where is this story mentioned in our scriptures ?


texts: Many religions have stated clearly that indulgence in sin, specifically sin related to lust in some way is detrimental to spiritual growth. Is there anything in Hinduism that provides a way to prevent oneself from being lustful? Is there a way to seek forgiveness for lustful actions?


texts: What is the significance of Kundali in Hindu Family

texts:
When a baby is born in Hindu family the very first thing they do is prepare a Kundali of that child.

In that kundali they draw a chart like

From this kundali the future of that guy is predicted. It is also used
to match with the kundali of the other person before a couple decides to marry.

So what is the main significance of this kundali in our life? and in what ways does it affects us?


texts:
Who is Allah according to Hinduism?
What do Hindu scriptures say about Allah?
Are there any references to him in Hindu scriptures?
BTW, I saw some blogs stating Shukracharya as Allah and all Muslims as demons in Hinduism.Who is this Shukracharya?


texts: What are the beliefs related to lunar and solar eclipses?

texts: What are the beliefs related to Lunar and Solar eclipses according to Hindu culture? I have heard that they are the result of trouble making by Rahu and Ketu by devouring the sun/moon for a while.


texts: Is Shiva Sankalpa Suktam also a Khila Sukta of RigVeda?

texts:
Khila Suktas of RigVeda are those Suktas which are associated only in Baskala Shakha of RigVeda and not in Sakala Shakha. For eg. Sri Suktam of RigVeda is also a Khila Sukta.

Shiva Sankalpam Sukta is a part of Vedas. In the 34th chapter of Vajasaneyi Samhita Shukla Yajurveda first six mantras form Shiva Sankalpa Suktam. They all end with the line:

  तन्मे मनः शिवसंकल्पम् अस्तु ।
  tanme manaha: ShivaSankalpam Aastu

  May my mind do Sankalpa of Shiva.

However this website states that:

  The 33rd chapter of Kanva recension of Yajur-veda contains only the first mantra.  The 34th chapter of the Vajasaneya recension has six. These are the most well known. Less known is the apocryphal version in the Khila-suktas of Rg-veda (Khila-sukta 33), containing 26 mantras.

So, Is Shiva Sankalpa Sukta also a part of Khila Sukta of RigVeda?

Particularly I'm interested in the verse 14 of the Hymn:

  On the charming peak of Kailasha mountain is the home temple of the Peace-creator Shiva; gods rejoice in that. May such my mind be of beautiful and divine resolves, filled with Shiva-thoughts. -14

As a sidenote, Srikantha Shivacharya in his Brahma Sutra Bhasya 3.2.35 also quotes Shiva Sankalpa:

  Even in the Siva-Sankalpa, He is declared to have faces on all sides. In the Atharvasiras, the Paramesvara is said to have many faces, feet, and so on. He is said to be associated with the Universe as an integral part of His being :
  "This Maya, indeed, as Prakriti, man should know and the possessor of Maya as the Mahesvara. All this universe is pervaded by that which forms a limb of His."

So, can someone post here Shiva Sankalpa Khila Sukta of RigVeda in Sanskrit? At least I want to confirm whether Shiva Sankalpa Sukta also forms a part of Khila Sukta of RigVeda or not?


texts:
To attain god people do a lot of meditation, some worship god by doing rituals with discipline, some do vedic sacrifices.

Consider the case of seeing him (not a material desire). Some people have to do a lot of meditation, but for some people he responds without doing much meditation. Does it depend on karma of when he has to respond?

Even the rakshasas do meditate to see Lord Siva, they will be with strict discipline in doing their meditation. But how will Lord Siva decide that it is the time to respond. He knows that the desire of Rakshasas will be evil. Why can't he just test more, the patience of them by taking a very long time? So that they get vexed and stop meditating?


texts: Do expiation(prayaschitta) in scriptures work for a person who do sin with the help of the corresponding expiation?

texts:
Scriptures in Hinduism contains expiations for sins.

If a human intentionally does a sin, with support (knowledge) of corresponding expiation, and then performs expiation. Then does the expiation work?

Example: A person knows that S is a sin. The person knows that P is prayaschitta for S. The person intentionally committed the sin S by thinking that he can do P. After doing S, if he performs P. Do P work now?


texts:
The question is so clear:

Is Moksha the end of samsara, i.e: the end of reincarnation, the end of repeated cycles of reincarnation. Or it is the end of suffering, i.e: reincarnation is eternal and there are many Mokshas, each Moksha in one incarnation?

What if there's no suffering in one's life and no samsara debt and One lives in this very life a rightful life, all this means the end of reincarnation?

I think reincarnation is eternal, i.e: there can't be life of atmas without incarnation.

I don't accept that I was insect or frog or an animal in a former life.

I accept reincarnation according to Druze dogma.

Salvation in Christianity is the end of suffering and the sin.


texts: Is consciousness temporary? How can Brahman exist eternally?

texts: After Moksha, since we don't have a body, we have no Consciousness or Existence , then how can we conclude that Brahman exists? Because Consciousness and Existence cease to exist after death. I am not able to understand how can Consciousness exist after Moksha.


texts: Is there a taboo about a younger groom marrying an elder bride? Any references where a younger groom marries an elder woman?

texts: As the question says, are there any taboos/guidelines or any references to authoritative texts or incidents where a younger groom marries an elder woman?


texts: I'd like to know the Sanskrit shloka of Padma Purana Srsti-khanda 19.336. Here is the English translation; "Listen to the essence of dharma, and after listening, put it into practice: Do not perform acts towards others that you find displeasing to yourself.”


texts: Where in the Vedas is the verse Sītā refers to in Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa found?

texts:
In Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, while trying to convince Rāma that he should let her accompany him to the forest, Sītā makes the following statement wherein she refers to a verse/mantra from the Vedas.
Where exactly is this verse ('iha loke ca pitṛbhir yā strī ... pretya bhāve api tasya sā') found in the Vedas?

प्रेत्यभावे हि कल्याण स्सङ्गमो मे सह त्वया।
श्रुतिर्हि श्रूयते पुण्या ब्राह्मणानां यशस्विनाम्।।2.29.17।।
इहलोके च पितृभिर्या स्त्री यस्य महामते।
अद्भिर्दत्ता स्वधर्मेण प्रेत्यभावेऽपि तस्य सा।।2.29.18।।
प्रेत्यभावेऽपि even after death, त्वया सह with you, मे to me, कल्याणः auspiciousness, सङ्गमः union, यशस्विनाम् by the famous, ब्राह्मणानाम् brahmins', पुण्या pious, श्रुतिः statement from the Vedas, श्रूयते is heard, महामते O highminded one, या स्त्री that woman, इह लोके in this world, पितृभिः by parents, यस्य to whom, स्वधर्मेण in accordance with one's own tradition, अद्भि: with waters, दत्ता is given, प्रेत्यभावेऽपि even after death, सा she, तस्य belongs to him.
My union with you, O highminded one, is auspicious even beyond death. A woman, given away by her parents in accordance with traditional offerings of water belongs to him even after death and lives with him. This is a statement from the Vedas quoted by famous brahmins.


texts: Was Shwetaketu born in a previous Kali Yuga?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, how the Vedas originated is that from time immemorial, sages known as Dhrishtas heard sacred verses directly from the gods during a state of Tapasya (deep meditation), and then in the Dwapara Yuga they were compiled into the four books we call the Vedas.  But this chapter of the Apastamba Dharma Sutras, a text associated with the Yajur Veda, says that such sages are not born in the Kali Yuga:

On account of that (transgression of the rules of studentship) no Rishis are born amongst the men of later ages.

But some in their new birth, on account of a residue of the merit acquired by their actions (in former lives), become (similar to)
Rishis by their knowledge (of the Veda),

Like Svetaketu.

Here is what Haradatta says in his commentary on these Sutras:

Amongst the avaras means "amongst the men of modern times, those who live in the Kaliyuga." No Rishis are born means "there are none who see (receive the revelation of) Mantras, Vedic texts." ...
How is it then that men in our days, though they transgress the rules prescribed for students, learn the four Vedas with little trouble? (The answer is), By virtue of a residue of the reward (due) for the proper observance of those rules (of studentship) in a former Yuga. Therefore Âpastamba says, Sûtra 6 "But some," &c. New existence means "new birth (life)."  ...
Like Svetaketu. For Svetaketu learned the four Vedas in a short time; as we read in the Khândogya Upanishad (Prapâthaka VI, 1).

As I discuss in this question, Shwetaketu is the son of the sage Uddalaka Aruni.  An important part of the Chandogya Upanishad is a dialogue between Shwetaketu and his father, during which the famous Mahavakya "Tat Tvam Asi" is mentioned.
But my question is, what Yuga was Shwetaketu born in?  The reason I ask is that the Apastamba Dharma Sutras seem to be saying that Shwetaketu is an example of the kind of person who was born in the Kali Yuga, but was still able to learn the Vedas quickly like a Rishi would due to his actions in a past birth.  And indeed, this chapter of the Chandogya Upanishad says Shwetaketu learned the Vedas in a mere 12 years, whereas the standard pace for learning all four Vedas is 48 years.
Yet in this chapter of the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, Pandu describes Shwetaketu as someone who was born in the distant past:

It hath been heard by us that there was a great Rishi of the name of Uddalaka, who had a son named Swetaketu who also was an ascetic of merit.... Thus, O timid one, was the existing usage established of old by Swetaketu, the son of Uddalaka, in defiance of antiquity.

So considering that Pandu lived in the Dwapara Yuga, Shwetaketu cannot have been born in the present Kali Yuga.  So is it possible that he was born in some past Kali Yuga?  If so, which Mahayuga was he born in?
The only clue I've come across is the fact that Shwetaketu was the uncle of the sage Ashtavakra, purported author of the Ashtavakra Gita, and Ashtavakra visited the court of a king named Janaka.  But it's not clear to me whether this refers to the famous father of Sita, because pretty much all the kings of Mithila were known by the name Janaka.  The Janaka visited by Ashtavakra is probably the same Janaka mentioned in the Upanishads, but I don't know whether this Janaka is the same as the father of Sita, whose given name was Siradhvaja.
By the way, on a side note Shwetaketu was not the biological son of Uddalaka Aruni, as I discuss here.


texts: What was the significance of blowing (sounding of) the transcendental conch-shells in the Kurukshetra war?

texts:
Tasya sanjanayan harsham kuruvriddhah pitaamahah;
  Simhanaadam vinadyocchaih shankham dadhmau prataapavaan. 12.

  His glorious grandsire (Bhishma), the eldest of the Kauravas, in order to cheer Duryodhana, now roared like a lion and blew his conch.

  Tatah shankhaashcha bheryashcha panavaanakagomukhaah;
  Sahasaivaabhyahanyanta sa shabdastumulo’bhavat. 13.

  Then (following Bhishma), conches and kettle-drums, tabors, drums and cow-horns blared forth quite suddenly (from the side of the Kauravas); and the sound was tremendous.

  Tatah shvetair hayair yukte mahati syandane sthitau;
   Maadhavah paandavashchaiva divyau shankhau pradadhmatuh. 14.

  Then also, Madhava (Krishna), and the son of Pandu (Arjuna), seated in their magnificent chariot yoked with white horses, blew their divine conches.

  Paanchajanyam hrisheekesho devadattam dhananjayah;
   Paundram dadhmau mahaashankham bheemakarmaa vrikodarah. 15.

  Hrishikesa blew the “Panchajanya” and Arjuna blew the “Devadatta”, and Bhima, the doer of terrible deeds, blew the great conch, “Paundra”.

  Anantavijayam raajaa kunteeputro yudhishthirah;
   Nakulah sahadevashcha sughoshamanipushpakau. 16.

  Yudhisthira, the son of Kunti, blew the “Anantavijaya”; and Sahadeva and Nakula blew the “Manipushpaka” and “Sughosha” conches.

  Kaashyashcha parameshwaasah shikhandee cha mahaarathah;
   Dhrishtadyumno viraatashcha saatyakishchaaparaajitah. 17.

  The king of Kasi, an excellent archer, Sikhandi, the mighty car-warrior, Dhristadyumna and Virata and Satyaki, the unconquered,

  Drupado draupadeyaashcha sarvashah prithiveepate;
  Saubhadrashcha mahaabaahuh shankhaan dadhmuh prithak prithak.18.

  Drupada and the sons of Draupadi, O Lord of the Earth, and the son of Subhadra, the mighty-armed, all blew their respective conches!

In the Bhagwat gita chapter -1, verses 12 to 18, most of all (above mentioned fighters name) blew (to sound) their transcendental conch-shells (shankas) start of the Kurukshetra war.

What was the significance of blowing (sounding of) the transcendental conch-shells by respective warriors?


texts: Did Krishna stay in touch with Pandavas after the war?

texts: I read somewhere that Vidur informs Pandavas about Krishna’s death & they didn’t know about it until Vidur informs them. Also Vidur didn’t reveal this info on his own & only gives out the info after the Pandavas ask about Krishna.


texts: Do scriptures describe the effects of Brahmastra?

texts: Brahmastra is debated to be similar in nature to Atom/Nuclear bomb. But my question is, do scriptures describe the effects of Brahmastra?


texts: What is the difference between Thirunadu and Paramapadam in Sri Vaishnavism?

texts:
The famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya was once asked by his shishya Vangipuram Nambi what the obstacles to Moksha are. In response, he gave a list of 83 obstacles to Moksha, known as the Virodhi Pariharam. The 58th item on the list is "Ukti Virodhi", which means "speech is an obstacle".  Here are some of the types of speech which Vangipuram Nambi lists as falling under this obstacle:

  Referring to those who reached Thiruvadi as merely dead, referring to those who reached Paramapada as those who reached Thiruvadi, referring to those who reached Thirunadu as having gone to Paramapadam, not referring to persons devoted in the pride of Acharya as having reached Acharyan Thiruvadi.

Let me explain what this means.  Sri Vaishnavas believe that attaining Moksha involves going to Vishnu’s supreme abode of Paramapadam (aka Vaikuntha).  There the soul will have Sayujya or equality of experience with Brahman.  It will have the same infinite bliss that Sriman Narayana has, and as an outpouring of that bliss it will engage in Nitya Kainkaryam or eternal service to the Thiruvadi or holy feet of Sriman Narayana.  And, if the soul was extremely devoted to a Sri Vaishnava Acharya while it was alive, then in Paramapadam it will perform service to the Acharyan Thiruvadi, i.e. the holy feet of the Acharya.

So Vangipuram Nambi says you shouldn’t refer to those who attained Paramapadam as merely those who have died, you shouldn’t refer to those who have gone to Paramapadam as those who have attained the Thiruvadi of Sriman Narayana, and you shouldn’t referred to those who have attained Acharyan Thiruvadi as those who have attained the Thiruvadi of Sriman Narayana.

But my question is, why does Vangipuram Nambi say you shouldn’t refer to those who have attained Thirunadu as those who have attained Paramapadam?  Thirunadu is Tamil for “holy country”, and it’s usually used as a synonym for Paramapadam.  But is there some subtle distinction between the terms Thirunadu and Paramapadam, such that we can distinguish between people who attained one rather than the other?


texts: If Sahadev was a big astrologer who knew the results of the war before hand why couldn't he save his sons?

texts:
If Sahadev was a big astrologer who knew the results of war before hand why couldn't he save his sons and may be his brother's son ?

Please don't tell me Krishna cursed him not to reveal.

He can't reveal it but why he couldn't save his sons alone being a Kshatriya warrior


texts:
This is what Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita:

  Of the Ādityas I am Viṣṇu, of lights I am the radiant sun, of the
  Maruts I am Marīci, and among the stars I am the moon.

Let's focus on    of the Maruts I am Marīci part.

Marichi is the son of Brahma, as discussed in this post. Below is the mention of Marichi, in that discussion.

  Kashyapa is the son of Marichi, one of the mind-born sons of Brahma

Now as per the Wikipedia, the the Marutas (Sanskrit: मरुत), also known as the Marutagana and sometimes identified with Rudras, are storm deities and sons of Rudra and Prisni.

My Question is: Why Marichi is called Marutas(sons of Rudra and Prisni) when Marichi is considered as the son of Brahma?

Is there any scripture reference which describe Marichi as Maruts (apart from Bhagavad Gita shloka which is mentioned above).

Or did I get it completely wrong and that Marīci(mentioned in Bhagavad Gita) and Sage Marichi are 2 totally different people?