texts: Was sage Aitareya born out of Shudra woman?

texts:
In one of online answers I've found sage Aitareya who wrote Aitareya Upanishad was born out of Shudra woman!
Can anyone give reference to support or reject this claim?


texts: Does caste matter for a person converting to Sanatana Dharma? Will he be fully accepted as a Hindu though he has no caste?

texts: Is it true that if a person converts to Sanatana Dharma, he still cannot be fully accepted as a Hindu because he has no caste? If it is so, then how can such person convince others that he is a sincere devotee of any Hindu God?


texts: Why do Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe in Brahma samhita?

texts: Can anyone tell me why do Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe in Brahma Samhita?


texts:
I belong to Gaargya gotra and follow the Yajurveda (Madhyanddinya). Our family does not remember the "sutra" of the Yajurveda that our clan was supposed to follow.
I was wondering if Yajurvedis of Gaargya gotra follow one particular sutra? Or could I just assume it to be Apastambha?
According to this: https://www.vedicjyotishkrti.in/details-of-garg-gotra/ its Katyayana.


texts: Are there any scriptures in Hinduism equivalent to the Vedas?

texts:
The Vedas are in sanskrit. Are there any scriptures which are considered equivalent(i.e as respected) as the Vedas? They do not necessarily have to be in sanskrit.

In Tamil, the Divya Prabandham is considered as Dravida Veda and conferred as fifth Veda. Does any other indic language have a scripture that merits being recognized as a fifth Veda? I do not mean translation of Vedas into other languages but original works which are considered equivalent to Vedas.


texts:
I have heard that Padma Purana gives wrong descriptions of God such as Vishnu creating Shiva.

Does Padma Purana tell us real or duplicate stories?


texts: I heard "Har Har Mahadev", that is call for "Mahadev" But I want to know the meaning of "Har" in "Har Har Mahadev"?


texts: If Parameshvara is svatantra karta as per Vedanta, and if everything pre decided as per lords will, whatever we're doing is God doing actually, so is he the Cause of Evil


texts: What are the qualities of a true Vaishnava?

texts:
According to the Chaitanya Charitamrita, a true Vaishnava has to have the following 26 qualities:

He is very kind to everyone
He does not make anyone his enemy
He is truthful
He is equal to everyone
No one can find any fault in him
He is magnanimous
He is mild
He is always clean
He is without possessions
He works for everyone's benefit
He is very peaceful
He is always surrendered to Krishna/Vishnu
He has no material desires
He is very meek
He is steady
He controls his senses
He does not eat more than required
He is not influenced by the Lord's illusory energy
He offers respect to everyone
He does not desire any respect for himself
He is very grave
He is merciful
He is friendly
He is poetic
He is expert
He is silent

Are there any other scriptures that talk about the qualities of a true Vaishnava? What about Vaishnava saints and acharyas? What do they say regarding this?


texts: Difference between Vaishnava agamas and tantra

texts: There are two main agamas according to which Vishnu temple puja is performed, namely, Vaikhanasa agama and Pancharatra agama. In addition to these modes of worship, Vishnu temples in the West coast, particularly, Kerala, follow tantric way of worship. How does the tantric way of worship differ from the other two Vaishnava agamas in terms of rituals and philosophy?


texts: Pralaya Mention or related Pralaya Verses in Rig Veda or Only in Krishna leela or other puranic stories

texts: Are there any references to last prlaya in vedas or puranas ? verses appreciated


texts: Is there any ancient story in which individuals are born in the opposite sex in the rebirth?

texts:
Hindus believe in rebirth. We have several ancient stories on that. In many of our stories, if a male or a female dies, he or she takes rebirth in the same sex.

Is there any story in our mythology in which individuals are born in the opposite sex in their rebirth?


texts: How do Advatins classify Vaikuntha and other lokas according to their philosophy?

texts: Do advaitins believe in Vaikuntha and other lokas and see them as eternal?


texts: What are 3 sins mentioned in Shivastotravalli?

texts:
Shivatotravalli is one of the great work of Kashmiri Acharya Sri Utpaladeva. In chapter 2 verse 3 he says:

  "O Paramatma Deva! Because of being full of bliss "balsamic", because of destroying all 3 sins "Restful", and because of burning this worldly differences, your Indescribable well-being form "AgniSwarupa"; My salutations to your all these 3 forms!"

In the bold part of above verse, there is mentioning of 3 sins. What are these 3 sins?


texts: Who are the (Sixteen?) Mothers referred to by Sri Adi Sankaracharya?

texts:
In His commentary of Gita (9/25), Sri Adi Sankaracharya included  "Vinayaka, the group of Sixteen (?) (divine) Mothers, the Four Sisters" in "Bhutas" (Beings worshipped).

Who are these Sixteen (?) Mothers and (And the Four sisters?)

He is known to have accepted the Mother Goddess and Ganesha in Pancha-Devatas according to popular belief.

UMA HAIMAVATI is accepted by Acharya Sankar as the Saguna Brahma in His commentary of the Kenopanishad.

Kindly cite proper sources.


texts:
From the childhood I was knowing that Yudhishthira had lied just once at the time of Guru Drona Vadha and that was also the half truth half lie. But recently, I came to know that Yudhishthira had also lied at the time of Ajñātavāsa. He had given the wrong introduction to King Virata.

Yudhishthira, came before Virata and addressed him, saying, 'O great king, know me for a Brahmana who, having lost his all hath come to thee for the means of subsistence. I desire, O sinless one, to live here beside thee acting under thy commands, O lord.
Yudhishthira said, "My name is Kanka, and I am a Brahmana belonging to the family known by the name of Vaiyaghra. I am skilled in casting dice, and formerly I was a friend of Yudhishthira."

What I understand from its literal meaning is that Yudhishthira had given wrong introduction of himself. So, my question is Did Yudhishthira lie more than once or is there any other hidden meaning of above sentence?
Please note that, I have a huge respect towards Yudhishthira when it comes to speaking truth. The question came in my mind when I have heard a discussion like this.


texts: How is Nirguna Brahman Nirguna if he is Sachidananda?

texts:
We know that Nirguna Brahman is Sat, Chit and Ananda.
Are not Sat, Chit and Anandas themselves gunas? As they are qualities.
Reference, Tattva Bodha of Shri Shankaracharya.


texts: Praying original mantra vs praying with the meaning of mantra in different languages

texts:
Does praying or worshipping with the meanings of Mantras (or translation) in other languages give an equivalent results?

For example praying the original Gayatri Mantra and praying it's meaning in other languages say in Hindi give same result?

It could be any mantra.


texts: It is bit heavy and it is almost 8 inches tall. What type of conch is this? Can we use it to blow or do we keep it in the puja?


texts:
What is the Shiva Stuti?

Please explain what the Shiva Stuti is.


texts: Do Vaishnavites accept the ancient origin of the Harihara or Sankaranarayana concept?

texts:
In this excellent answer
Harihara literature
Swiftpushkar traces the concept to ancient scriptures.
However, in
If some of the early Alwars used to consider Venkateswara as Shiva and Vishnu both then what's the proof of it?
it is said that

By the way, the story of Vishnu's incarnation Shankaranarayana is given in this passage from the Kuresha Vijayam, a 16th century account of Kurathalwan's debate in the court of the Shaivite Chola king:

In the puranic age, one staunch Vishnu baktha set his journey to Prostrate Sri Ranganatha. On his way he was completely exhausted and was terribly hungry. He found a temple nearby and decided to cook the food inside the temple and do the Aradhana to Perumal before consuming it. To his surprise, he found that to be a Shivalaya (Shiva temple). Being a true Vaishnava, his conscience did not allow him to cook there and he came out. But he fainted due to starvation. At that juncture, Sriman Narayana appeared in disguise in front of the baktha and offered help. The Baktha explained the he could not cook in Shivalaya. Lord Vishnu explained that it is not a Shiva temple but the deity inside is Vishnu. He then took the Baktha inside the sanctum and showed His true form with Sanka and Chakra as Vishnu is the antaryami of Shiva. Thus the Shankara Narayana Moorthy came to existence. This is only a leela performed by Lord with His baktha.

What is the position of the major Vaishnavite sects on the Haihara or Sankaranarayana concept?


texts: Do Hindu scriptures say anywhere something to the effect that vaishnavites are God's chosen people?

texts: There is a famous video from a talk show in Tamil in which a woman shows up and claims she was born an Iyengar only due to great punya or some such thing.  Is there scriptural support for the notion that God loves Vaishnavites more than others?  And what do Southern Vaishnavites mean by "sarvebhyo vaishnavebyo namah" ("salutations to all vaishnavas") which they recite on religious occasions?


texts:
In the Mahabarata are referred five different incarnations (Vamadevascha ) of Mahadeva:
Sadyojata of White Colour ;
Vama Deva of Red Complexion;
Agoresha of blue complexion;
Tatpurusha of Yellow Complexion;
Ishana as Sada Shiva of Ash Complexion who is the Embodiment of Vidya , Creative Energy and Sublimity;
Where is possible to find more informations about them?


texts:
Yama Smriti is one of the eighteen Smriti which is no more extant.

Till when it is in existence and when did (in which year) we lose that scripture?


texts: Has lord Rama ever been defeated in battle?

texts: I've seen so many questions similar to this and most of the answers are highly opinionated or confusing. So thought of sharing my logic and opinions to all by explaining nature of Sri Vishnu and who wins the battle between lord Rama and others.


texts: Which is the Gomanta mountain, to which Krishna & Balaram fled?

texts:
Chapter 39 of Vishnu Parva of Harivamsa gives a conversation between Lord Parshurama and Shri Krishna where he is telling them about the Gomanta mountain:

  tatashchyutA gamiShyAmaH sahyasya vivare girim |
  gomantamiti vikhyAtaM naikashR^i~NgavibhUShitam ||2-39-64

Leaving this place let us go to the mountain, located in the gap of sahya, famous as gomantam, decorated with a beautiful peak.

  sopAnabhUtaM svargasya gaganAdrimivochChritam |
  taM vimAnAvataraNaM giriM merumivAparam ||2-39-66

Like the steps of heaven, high like a mountain in the sky, that mountain like meru, is a landing place for aerial vehicles.

  UrmimantaM samudraM cha apAradvIpabhUShaNam |
  prekShamANau sukhaM tatra nagAgre vichariShyathaH ||2-39-68

Watching the sea, full of waves and decorated with many islands, you can wander on the peak of the mountain comfortably.

Wikipedia says that Gomanta kingdom corresponds to the modern state of Goa and from the description it seems likely but my question is - Which mountain in this region corresponds to the mountain described by Parashurama which served as the landing base of Vimanas?


texts: Differences between Siddha, a Sannyasi, a Bhakta and Rishis?

texts: What is briefly the main difference between a Siddha, a Sannyasi, a Bhakta and a Rishi?


texts: What are the different types of Yagya (Yajna) and what are their benefits?

texts:
What are the different types of Yagya(यज्ञ)? It is also spelled as Yajna.
What are the purposes and benefits of Yagya?


texts: Why did Shri Krishna vow not to take weapons in hand during the Mahabharata war?

texts:
Lord Krishna was a representative of Dharma during Mahabharata. He said that the war between Pandavas and Kauravas was dharmayudhdha. He also said that everyone must participate in dharmayudhdha. He said the same thing to his elder brother Balarāma after the battle between Bhima and Duryodhana.

He indirectly helped the Pandavas a lot—and they won the war because of his help. So, why doesn't Krishna participate directly in the war?

I read he made the decision because,

  He said that both the Kauravas and the Pandavas were equally dear to Him. It pained His heart that both are going to war.

—Quora

But, I don't believe this is the reason because He never supported the Kauravas even after Duryodhana asked first for him instead of Narayani Sena.


texts: Does Kunti pray to Krishna to always give her troubles so that she would always remember him?

texts: I remember this as folklore - does this occur in any scripture?


texts: What scripture does the Kamokarshit Mantra come from?

texts:
Alfred Lord Tennyson said "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love."  Well, in the Summer a Brahmana's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of Avani Avittam!  Avani Avittam, aka Upakarma, is a ritual performed on the Dakshinayana day in August where Brahmanas change their sacred thread.  That's because traditionally you are supposed to begin Vedic study on the Dakshinayana day in August, and stop it on the Uttarayana day in January.  And then you resume Vedic study in the next August. (Between January and August students would study subjects other than the Vedas.)

Proceeding at this pace, it would take 12 years to learn one Veda, and 48 years to learn all four.  But in the Kali Yuga, students are not willing to wait so long to learn the Vedas, so violating scripture they learn the Vedas all year long.  So the Avani Avittam ritual includes a Prayaschitta where you repent for not taking the mandatory break between January and August.  Here'sthe procedure for it, from the Avani Avittam ritual I follow:

  harirom tat। śrī govinda। govinda। govinda।
  asya śrī bhagavata: mahāpuruṣasya śrīviṣṇorāgyayā pravartamānasya ādyabrahmaṇa:, dvitīya parārdhe, śrīśvetavarāha kalpe,vaivasvata manvantare, kali yuge, prathame pāde, jambūdvīpe, bhāratavarṣe, bharatakaṇḍe, śakābde, mero: dakṣiṇe pārśve, asmin vartamāne, vyāvahārike prabhavādi ṣaṣṭi saṃvatsarāṇāṃ madhye manmada nāmasaṃvatsare, dakṣiṇāyane, varṣa rutau, simha māse, śukla pakṣe, pourṇamāsyām śubhatithou, sthira vāsara, daniṣṭā nakṣatra yuktāyāṃ, śrī viṣṇu yoga, śrī viṣṇu karaṇa, śubha yoga, śubha karaṇa, evaṃguṇa viṣeṣaṇa viṣiṣṭāyām asyāṃ, pourṇamāsyām śubhatithou śrī bhagavadāgyayā bhagavat kainkarya rūpaṃ taiṣyām pourṇamāsyāṃ adhyāyotsarjana akaraṇa prāyaścittārthaṃ aṣṭottara sahasra/śata sankhyayā kāmokārṣīt manyurakārṣīt mahā mantra japaṃ kariṣye।

  Then do japa (kāmokārṣit manyurakārśit) कामोकार्षीत् मन्युरकार्षीत् 1008 times or 108 times. After this do "mādhyāhnikam".

So as you can see, you are supposed to do Japam or repeated chanting of the mantra "kāmokārṣit manyurakārśit", which means "Desire did it, anger did it."  The idea is that you are saying that desire and anger are what led you to commit the sin of not taking the mandatory break between January and August, and you are asking forgiveness for that sin.

Now the notion that desire and anger are the causes of sin is mentioned in chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita.  But my question is, what scripture does the mantra "kāmokārṣit manyurakārśit" come from?  It's referred to as a Mahamantra, so I assume it comes from some important scripture.


texts: Results of doing pooja with vs without mana (interest/Mind)

texts:
Is there any thing said in our(Hindu) scriptures (vedas or upanishads or any other puranas etc.,) which says about results (Or pala) of doing  pooja/Yajna (etc.) with out keeping mind on them (I mean thinking of other things while pooja etc.,) vs the results(or Pala) obtained  keeping mind while doing pooja.

Also I have seen some answers which says doing Manasika Pooja (i.e without using any physical things to do pooja and just doing that in mind) will give similar results to the equivalent pooja, and I am NOT asking whether Manasika poja has any result difference with its counter part.


texts: Does the brahman have the prakrutik body just like human beings have?

texts: Does the brahman has ears, eyes, legs and hands? If so, what are the sources which specify about the body structure for brahman? What do Dvaita, Advaita and Vishishadvaita say about it?


texts: Does a person with awakened kundalini stay in moksha state?

texts:
We know that a jivanmukta is in moksha state.

But is it true that a person whose kundalini is awakened is in moksha state?


texts: Does the word for tonsure "neelalu" come from the legend about "Neela Devi" giving her hair to Lord Vishnu?

texts: I was wondering if the word for tonsure "Neelalu" comes from the name of the princess "Neela Devi" because she gave her hair to Lord Vishnu after he was hit on the head and lost some hair. I would love to find a source for the word "Neelalu" (where it comes from) I know that there is a holy hill "Neeladri" named after Neela Devi


texts: How can the cycle of creation and destruction be eternal if it relies on manifestations that must have originated from Brahman in the past?

texts: If everything originated from Brahman, then how could the cycle of creation and destruction be eternal if it relies on Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, because all three are physical manifestations that must have originated from Brahman as well. Would this not mean that the cycle of creation and destruction had a beginning?


texts: Are there any traditional biographies for Vaishnava Alwars like Periya Puranam is for Shaiva Nayanars?

texts: I am really interested in learning more about Alvars and Nayanars. While Periya Puranam is a traditional biographies of Nayanars(I read about it online). Are there any such biographies about Alwars?


texts: What are the eight defects or handicaps in Ashtavakra?

texts:
Ashtavakra is a greatly celebrated sage and composer of Ashtavakra Geeta. His name means- Eight(Ashta) bends with(Aavakra)- One with Eight Bends or bodily defects or handicaps.

So what are his Eight Handicaps?


texts:
I found the following dialogues between Shri Hanuman and Vibhishana while going through Sundara Kand of Shri Ramcharit Manasa. And I came to know that Vibhishana is a true devotee of Lord Shri Rama and he was masterless going by the verses below. Because he was masterless, Lord Shri Rama graced him by sending Lord Hanuman ('the saint' in the verses).

  सुनहु पवनसुत रहनि हमारी। जिमि दसनन्हि महुँ जीभ बिचारी॥
  तात कबहुँ मोहि जानि अनाथा। करिहहिं कृपा भानुकुल नाथा॥1॥
  sunahu pavanasuta rahani hamåri, jimi dasananhi mahu jeebha bichari.
  tåta kabahu mohi jåni anåthå, karihahi krupå bhånukula nåthå.1.

  तामस तनु कछु साधन नाहीं। प्रीत न पद सरोज मन माहीं॥
  अब मोहि भा भरोस हनुमंता। बिनु हरिकृपा मिलहिं नहिं संता॥2॥
  tåmasa tanu kachu sådhana nåhi, preeti na pada saroja mana måhi.
  aba mohi bhå bharosa hanumantå, binu harikrupå milahi nahi santå.2.

  जौं रघुबीर अनुग्रह कीन्हा। तौ तुम्ह मोहि दरसु हठि दीन्हा॥
  सुनहु बिभीषन प्रभु कै रीती। करहिं सदा सेवक पर प्रीति॥3॥
  jau raghubira anugraha kinhå, tau tumha mohi darasu hathi dinhå.
  sunahu bibhishana prabhu kai riti, karahi sadå sevaka para preeti.3.

  भावार्थ:-(विभीषणजी ने कहा-) हे पवनपुत्र! मेरी रहनी सुनो। मैं यहाँ वैसे ही रहता हूँ जैसे दाँतों के बीच में बेचारी जीभ। हे तात! मुझे अनाथ जानकर सूर्यकुल के नाथ श्री रामचंद्रजी क्या कभी मुझ पर कृपा करेंगे?॥1॥
  तामसी (राक्षस) शरीर होने से साधन तो कुछ बनता नहीं और न मन में श्री रामचंद्रजी के चरणकमलों में प्रेम ही है, परंतु हे हनुमान्! अब मुझे विश्वास हो गया कि श्री रामजी की मुझ पर कृपा है, क्योंकि हरि की कृपा के बिना संत नहीं मिलते॥2॥श्री रघुवीर ने कृपा की है, तभी तो आपने मुझे हठ करके (अपनी ओर से) दर्शन दिए हैं। (हनुमान्‌जी ने कहा-) हे विभीषणजी! सुनिए, प्रभु की यही रीति है कि वे सेवक पर सदा ही प्रेम किया करते हैं॥3॥

  Hear, O son of the wind-god, how I am living here: my plight is similar to that of the poor tongue, that lives in the midst of the teeth. Will the Lord of the solar race, dear friend, ever show His grace to me, knowing me to be masterless? Endowed as I am with a sinful (demoniac) form, I am incapable of doing any Sådhana (striving for God Realization); and my heart cherishes no love for the Lord's lotus-feet. But I am now confident, Hanumån, that lord Råma will shower His grace on me; for one can never meet a saint without lor∂ Hari's grace. It is only because the Hero of Raghu's race has been kind to me that you have blessed me with your sight unsolicited.
  Listen, Vibhisana: the Lord is ever affectionate to His servants; for such is His wont. Tell me what superior birth can I claim-a frivolous monkey vile in everyway, so much so that if anyone mentions our name early in the morning he is sure to go without any food that day.

Does this mean Lord Hanuman is the spiritual guru of Vibhishana?

Why I'm assuming this is because, God himself knows who needs a guru and sends a guru to his true devotee. Getting a guru only happens by God's grace. Actually, it is not the disciple who finds the guru, it is the guru who finds the disciple.

If Lord Hanuman is not the spiritual guru of Vibhishana then:

Who was the guru of Vibhishana?
Is there any reference available on this?

References :
 - Astrojyoti
 - Webdunia


texts: How could Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath accept Advaita Vedanta being in the Ramanandi-sect?

texts:
Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath, a renowned saint from Bengal was from the Ramanuja-Ramananda Sect. He used tilaka as per Ramanuja-Ramananda sect and was revered by many saints from all sects and religions all over India.

He in His books wholeheartedly accepts all the paths including Advaita Vedanta.

How was this possible?


texts: Do the Mimamsa Sutras of Jaimini and the Samkhya Sutras of Kapila explicity reject the existence of a creator?

texts:
As some of you must be knowing, Hindu philosophy comprises of six schools of thought:

Vedanta
Mimamsa
Samkhya
Nyaya
Vaisheshika
Yoga

Of these, the Mimamsa and Samkhya schools are considered atheistic as they reject the notion of a creator of the universe. My question is whether or not the Mimamsa Sutras of Jaimini (the core text which the Mimamsa school is based on) and the Samkhya Sutras of Kapila (the core text which the Samkhya school is based on)
explicitly rejects the existence of the creator?

P.S. I'm aware that a section of the Mimamsa school and the Samkhya acknowledges the existence of Brahman. However, both schools reject the notion of Brahman being the creator of the universe.


texts: Each God has a specific trait in Hinduism

texts:
If we see, each of the god in Hinduism has some quality. For example, we say that lord Ganesha is a god of Wisdom, lord Shiva is for destruction, Hanuman for strength and so on.. They signify these traits in some or the other way...

Hence the question arises that why each of the god has some special quality about them and why they can't be one?

If lord Brahma is the creator then why he cannot destruct or maintain instead of Shiva and Vishnu doing those tasks? So the question is why not a single god but various gods with particular significance (quality) about them?

To give more examples :-

Lord Shiva - Destroyer
Lord Brahma - Creator
Lord Vishnu - Maintainer
Lord Hanuman - Strength
Lord Ganesha - Wisdom / Wealth(Riddhi Siddhi) / Knowledge
Goddess Saraswati - Knowledge
Goddess Laxmi - Wealth
Kubera - Wealth
Yama - Death
Kamadeva - Human Love

So as we see, each of the god is specific to one work, no common trait, they are unique in their own ways and they are not recognized for any other thing.

For example, no one will say that lord Shiva is a god of Wisdom / Wealth. Also am sure if lord Brahma can create then he can certainly destroy but no, we have a separate god for that task so why is that so?


texts: Where is Ashwatthama now and upto which age he will be alive?

texts:
Ashwatthama, one of the seven immortals, is still alive.

But can anyone tell where he is now? Many people claimed seeing him; he was much taller than an average man, peculiar was his physique too.
When will be his curse lifted? Can anyone tell?

(To see him, one has to be devoid of all physical comforts and all mundane existence and obviously should have the zeal for the omnipotent knowledge! Difficult, heh??)


texts: Where can I read Muvāyirappaṭi Guruparamparāprabhāva in English?

texts: I would like to read the Muvāyirappaṭi Guruparamparāprabhāva, the biography of the great Vaishnava acharya, Sri Ramanujachaya, in English. Can anyone provide me a link for it?


texts: What was Swami Vivekananda's opinion on the Mimamsa School?

texts: Swami Vivekananda is known to have been a follower of the Vedanta and Yoga schools. However, Swamiji also is said to have taught that all paths lead to the same God. So what was Swamiji's opinion of the Purva Mimamsa school which was a rival of the Vedanta school? Did he ever criticise the Purva Mimamsa school?


texts: Is there any text that talks about events that happened in previous manvantara?

texts:
In Hinduism there is a concept of cyclic time. Manvantara is a unit of time.
So is there any text that talks about events that happened in previous manvantara.


texts: What is the meaning and interpretation of Bhagavad Gita 4.11?

texts:
One English translation of this verse (by Swami Adidevananda) is as follows

  Whoever resort to me in any manner, in the same manner do I favour them; men experience Me alone in different ways, O Arjuna.

Another translation (by Swami Sivananda) goes as follows:

  All who in whatever way surrender unto me, I reward them accordingly. All mankind follows My path O Arjuna, in all respects.

I would like to get a detailed interpretation of this verse.

Can the following be possible interpretations?:

1) People who don't have sound and detailed knowledge of vedic rituals can only worship the Lord in whichever way comes intuitively to them with their limited knowledge, yet the Lord acknowledges their worship and rewards them accordingly. For eg., the kitten cannot speak the human language. However, when it is hungry it keeps meowing and chasing its human owner. Its human owner, though he cannot understand the cat's language, understands that it is hungry and rewards it with some food, milk, etc.

2) We can reach out to God in whatever manner we choose, he will acknowledge it and reward us suitably.


texts: How does Upadhi create Bheda in Abheda Brahman according to Advaita?

texts:
TLDR: It's easy to explain confusing a rope to be a snake. But how is spatial dimension imagined? Does Brahman have spatial dimension. If yes how is that not Bheda? If no, then how is spatial dimension created by maya?

The classic Advaitha metaphor is the pot and house, Ghatakasha and Matakasha. Where the Space inside House is divided by the wall of Pot into Space inside pot.

The Analogy
Here wall of Pot is the Upadhi, which out of One Space(House Space) demarcates and creates two Spaces(House Space and Pot Space). So if there are many Pots people will think there are many Spaces. But there is only one House Space which is divided by the wall of Pot into multiple Spaces.

Advaitic Explanation
Advaitins say in the same way Upadhi made of Maya, creates multiple entities by demarcating Brahman, and creates the illusion of duality. These multiple entities are an illusion as the Upadhi itself is an illusion as it is made from Maya, so in reality, there is only one entity, Brahman.

Dvaitic Objection
So far so good, but Shri Madhvacharya in his Upadhi Khandana, asks a very interesting and important question.
He says in the analogy offered the Space is equated with Brahman. But Space has spatial difference (Deshiya Bheda). You can travel in Space, you can go from ONE place to ANOTHER place in Space. The wall of Pot only divides this already present Bheda. But in Brahman there is no Bheda, let alone Deshiya Bheda. So what exactly does Maya Upadhi divide?

How does Maya Upadhi create Bheda in Abheda Brahman? This is not explained in the exmaple.
Are there any answers to this objection from the Advaitic tradition? What is it?

The above objection is my paraphrasing of Shri Madhvacharya's objection. In his original work he also discusses a vikalpa and asks questions regarding Upadhi creating Bheda which lead to Anavastha in logic(Argument ad Infinity). I could not quite understand this.
It would be helpful if the answer includes a brief explanation and clarification of the objections raised by him. I here cite a relevant extract of Upadhi Khandana.

The position that Upadhi gives rise to difference is also untenable.
Upadhi can only highlight an existing difference and not create it
afresh. Like in the case of a pot that could only be a medium to
demarcate a region of space that already exists.
If the pot were to create a region in the space afresh, would it do it
by contacting a region of space or otherwise? In the former case, one
must agree that the region already exists apriori. If the pot could
demarcate without contacting the region, then anything can demarcate
anything. Also, is the contact of the pot accepted to be only to a
region or to the entire space? It cannot act as a demarker if it
contacts the entire space. If it is contact a region, that means the
space has several such regions by default. If not, there will be an
infinite-regress.


texts: How do Spiritual Masters,Yogis Avatars and Demons transcend the veil of death and appear in the here and now?

texts: Do Spiritual Masters, Yogis, Avatars and Demons of the past transcend the veil of death and appear in the here and now of this phenomenal world and if so how do they do it and where have they come from?


texts: Are there sub-schools of Dvaita Vedanta?

texts:
Are there sub-schools of Dvaita Vedanta, other than Madhava school?
Madhava adopts Eternal Damnation for the third category of jivas. Are there sub-schools of Dvaita which adopt Universal Salvation of all classes of Jivas?


texts: Can a Kshatriya ask for alms according to Hindusim?

texts:
I've read somewhere, most probably in some shastra, that in case of scarcity or lack of resource, and if it's a question of survival, a Kshatriya can ask for alms. What are your views regarding this?

Kindly adhere to shastras only with reference if possible.


texts:
After describing Sri Rama's structure, capabilities to Sita, Sri Hanuma introduces himself as follows:

  तस्य अहम् हरिणः क्षेत्रे जातो वातेन मैथिलि | हनूमान् इति विख्यातो लोके
  स्वेन एव कर्मणा || ५-३५-८२

  "O Seetha! I am born in the womb of the wife of that Kesari the
  monkey, by the grace of the wind-god. By my activity alone, I am
  renowned as Hanuma in this world."

I have read in manybooks that Sri Hanuma got that name "Hanuma" because his Jaw - हनु  was badly damaged when Indra discharged his Vajra.

However, Sri Hanuma was saying in this sloka that he got that name based on his activity alone.

What is that activity due to which he got the name 'HANUMA"?   Can anybody explain?


texts: Under What Circumstances Would Demon Be Given Nectar Churned from Ocean

texts:
The Gods and Demons United to churn the ocean of many gems.

In the end, Gods and Demons fought over who would have nectar.

Lord Vishnu disguises himself as Mohini and serves nectar to the Gods.

But didn't Demons help to churn nectar?

Under what circumstances would Lord Vishnu give them their 50% the nectar they helped churn?


texts: He is depicted as Bali's doorkeeper in this serial I am watching about Ganesa.  Which Purana says this and was that as atonement for Vamana's trickery?


texts: is the Hindu sect you are born into considered your svadharma?

texts: if yes - then Bhagavad Gita would say that you shouldn't convert to another sect.  I am asking this question in regard to the Vaishnavite temple a smarta guy opened in New York state.  To me it is jarringly "in your face" given how many great, established eclectic Hindu temples exist in the area.  Did he feel all this life that he was a vaishnavite trapped in a Smarta body/mind/soul?


texts: Why is the Madhurya Bhakti Bhāva (Kaanta Bhakti) considered the topmost or the best bhāva (sentiment), that a devotee can practice?

texts:
As per this QnA , the different kinds of Bhakti-Bhāva / Rasa (i.e., Mode/Types of Devotion), which includes: Mādhurya, Vātsalya, Sākhya, Santa, Dāsya., aren't to be found in any of the authoritative scriptures, but are the later views of eminent āchāryas of some relevant sampradāyas.
Further, in this QnA, the accepted answer proclaims that:

.... There remains no personal desire but only the desire for the Lord's happiness. Mādhurya Bhāva is the top most devotional sentiment which only a few, out of the many, practice properly. And for those few, God is truly their everything;....

So, my question is:

Why is the Mādhurya Bhāva ( Sweetness/Love Sentiment ), is to be specifically eulogized as the best or the highest or the pinnacle of devotion, among all the known bhāvas ?

Because, as far as my limited knowledge goes, I'd like to believe that there can't be a sense of high/low or ranks/partisanship, in case of Bhakti (devotion), be it of any kind.
Since, The Supreme is said to be:

Tvam-Eva Maataa Ca Pitaa Tvam-Eva।
Tvam-Eva Bandhush-Ca Sakhaa Tvam-Eva।
Tvam-Eva Viidyaa Dravinnam Tvam-Eva ।
Tvam-Eva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva ॥

Meaning:
You Truly are my Mother And You  Truly are my Father.
You Truly are my Relative And You Truly are my Friend.
You Truly are my Knowledge and You Truly are my Wealth.
You Truly are my All, My God of Gods.

And, thus I'd believe that, comparing or ranking one kind of bhakti (mode of Devotion) with other kind, and thus, one kind of bhakta (devotee) with other kind of bhakta (devotee) , is both an insult to the devotee and thus the God itself.
Hence, for example: Categorizing Bhakti (devotion) into various classes or categories, will be like explicitly proclaiming, that, the Bhakti-Bhāva of Dhruva was better than that of Prahalada, or the Bhakti-Bhāva of Rishi Mārkandeya is lesser or not as much "good", as that of Lord Hanumāna. Or The elephant Gajendra's or Nārada Muni's devotion is not "topmost" or "not in its pinnacle", as compared to that of the Gopis.
Therefore, to mitigate the doubts, thus posed by me, I'd very much appreciate that the Answers to my question posed above, to take into account these two perspectives while answering:

The acceptability and viewpoints of various sampradāyas or schools on these explicit categorization of different types of Bhakti into ranks.
i.e., How well is this concept of " types of 'Bhakti-Bhāva' " accepted/rejected and endorsed (and explained), by various Schools or sects within Hinduism?

The perspective and viewpoints of the original Sect(s) (or schools) which propounded or, accept this theory of "rank based categorization of devotion and devotees". i.e., How do they explain the doubts posed hereon by me ?


texts:
The following image is of an unknown goddess. Does anyone know the name of this goddess?

Sitting on the shoulder of Vetala with a sickle in right hand and a severed head in left hand.


texts: What are the legends behind Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?

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

never heard of it till I stumbled on the wiki article.

So what are the legends behind celebrating Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?


texts: What is Vayu Siddhi and how to attain it? Are siddhis necessary for Moksha achievement?

texts:
Reading the Samhita of Shiva and some other recommendations of the Swami Sivananda Saraswaati, I came across the term vayu siddhi.
The English translation roughly explains what it is but I wish to better understand what it is, if is it necessary to attain this siddhi in order to get Moksha? and more generically in which way are the  siddhis relevant  in the reaching of the Moksha?


texts: Is "The Law Of attraction" found In Hindu Scriptures?

texts:
The law of attraction is the belief that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts people can bring positive or negative experiences into their Life. For an example a persons wants to buy a car, for that if he repeatedly thinks that the car will come to him, then in short limit of time, the car will arrive to him i.e., when we think something positively, that object gets attracted to Us. Wikipedia of Law Of Attraction  says that Hindu verses contain this thought and even Swami Vivekananda travelled in the US explaining this new thought. Even in Hinduism it is said the whole universe is Brahman and our atman is identical to Brahman.

So where is this thought found in Hindu Scriptures? (Upanishads,Bhagavad Gita,Vedas). Is this related to Law of Karma or totally different?


texts: Why did all Uppandavas (Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach and all other children of Pandavas) die in the Kurukshetra war?

texts: Was there any specific reason as to why all of pandavas sons die in the kurukshetra war? Some reason associated with their karma of their previous births?


texts:
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa that summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads. You can read the Brahma Sutras here. In any case, in Adhyaya 3 Pada 2 Sutra 4 of the Brahma Sutras, Vyasa says this:

sūcakaś ca hi śruter ācakṣate ca tadvidaḥ
(Not altogether) for it (the dream) is indicative (of the future), according to null; the experts also declare this.

This translation is written from the viewpoint of the Advaita philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, who interprets this Sutra as saying that even though dreams are an unreal creation of the Jiva, they still have an element of truth insofar as they can predict the future.  (This is in contrast to other commentators who think this Sutra is saying that the fact that dreams predict the future imply that they're created by Paramatma, not the Jiva.)  Here is what Adi Shankaracharya says in this section of his Brahma Sutra Bhashya:

Well then, as dreams are mere illusion, they do not contain a particle of reality?--Not so, we reply; for dreams are prophetic of future good and bad fortune. For scripture teaches as follows, 'When a man engaged in some work undertaken for a special wish sees in his dreams a woman, he may infer success from that dream-vision.' Other scriptural passages declare that certain dreams indicate speedy death, so, e.g. 'If he sees a black man with black teeth, that man will kill him.'--Those also who understand the science of dreams hold the opinion that to dream of riding on an elephant and the like is lucky; while it is unlucky to dream of riding on a donkey, &c.; and that certain other dreams also caused by special mantras or devatâs or substances contain a particle of truth.--In all these cases the thing indicated may be real; the indicating dream, however, remains unreal as it is refuted by the waking state.

I discuss the black-skinned man with black teeth in my question and answer here.  But now I'm interested in the part in bold in bold.  It's understandable that Mantras or gods could cause prophetic dreams.  But my question is, what "substances" cause prophetic dreams.
Are these substances ingested, or what?  Do any scriptures shed light on this?


texts: What is the scriptural origin of Dashakshri mantra hum pavannandanaya swaha?

texts: Hum Pavannandanaya Swaha is Hanuman mantra and it is also called Veer Sadhna mantra.


texts: How shiva became Tripurari ? I have heard that Brahma became charioteer and other deities became chariot? And still they say shiva does not need anything but was playing with the stuff of devas?


texts: Where did Vivekananda say "Anything against science is not religion?"

texts:
In this interview, K. S. Bhagawan quotes Swami Vivekananda as saying whenever there's a conflict between the two, science takes precedence over religion.

  Why should developing a spirit of inquiry be seen as going against a particular people or religion? It’s not so. Scientific inquiry is essential for everyone. Swami Vivekananda said nearly 125 years ago, "If there is anything against science, it is not religion. And you should reject it." He had a great scientific outlook and I look upon him as a spiritual mentor.

Did Vivekananda really say so (or something to that effect)?


texts: Is there a comprehensive list of traditional sects sorted by region and principal deity/ies or principal guru with addresses of their branches?

texts:
Is there a comprehensive index of traditional sects in India sorted by region and principal deity/ies or principal guru with addresses of their offices/branches?
I imagine this would be very helpful for people eager to be initiated into the worship of the Ishta of their choice.


texts: What are the reference from the vedas about Yuga, Manvantara and Kalpa?

texts:
There are 4 yugas and 1 yuga cycle is 43,200,000 years.
Satya Yuga equals 1,728,000 Human years
Treta Yuga equals 1,296,000 Human years
Dvapara Yuga equals 864,000 Human years
Kali Yuga equals 432,000 Human years
1000 such Mahayuga is called a day/night of Brahma or Kalpa. So 1 day of Brahma is 2000 Mahayuga.
Each 1000 Mahayuga is divided between 14 Manus. 1 Manu rules 71.42 Mahayuga. Therefore 1 Manvantara is 71(approx) Mahayuga
Therefore 1 year for Brahma is 360 Brahma Years i.e 360*2000=720000 Mahayuga.
The lifespan of Brahma is hundred years i.e 72000000 Mahayugas.
So can you give verses from the Vedas and Upanishads that say this?.


texts: Where can I read Shakta Agamas online in English?

texts:
I'm searching for Shakta Agamas online in English. Can anybody provide me the relevant links or PDFs to read these Agamas?

P.S. So far, I could only find Kularnavara Tantra. You can read it here.


texts: Does the word Shiva have different meanings and interpretation in different texts?

texts:
Upon reading the insightful answer What is the meaning of the word Shiva I was both enlightened as well as perplexed.
In the answers, various references to different texts give different meanings to this word.
For example one answers says the word means auspicious, pure ( this is also mentioned in Wikipedia ) but the answer says that one who does not exist, other answers depict other, more divine meanings.
I saw one of Sadhguru's video yesterday, he says the literal meaning of Shiva is that which is not and calls him Adiyogi, what reference or text he is commenting from, or this is own interpretation of the word?
I am not a linguist but if Shiva is a Vedic Sanskrit word, then it should have a specific meaning, interpretations with different context is another matter, then why there seems to be much confusion regarding its literal meaning?
PS: I am in no way capable or even want to criticize different texts at all, I just want to understand the differences with the actual meaning of the word.


texts: In the Ashvalayana Ghriya Sutra, during a munja of a Kshatriya it is dictated that the munja/girdle should be made out of a bowstring. Since it was written when Kshatriyas or solders used bows and arrows and they might not have access to synthetic materials like Nylon etc., how was bowstring constructed in ancient times and with what material? Does any hindu scripture mentions bowstring's composition? I think Mahabharata or Ramayana might have these details as these books mentioned big wars and great kshatriyas.


texts: Details about the verse: "Tvameva Mata Ca Pita Tvameva"?

texts:
There is a famous verse as follows:

त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव ।
त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव ।
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणम् त्वमेव ।
त्वमेव सर्वम् मम देव देव ॥
You Truly are my Mother And You Truly are my Father .
You Truly are my Relative And You Truly are my Friend.
You Truly are my Knowledge and You Truly are my Wealth.
You Truly are my All, My God of Gods.

I want to know its origin and is there any specific deity addressed in it or it is a general Shloka that can be dedicated to any God?


texts: Did Ramakrishna say that he will take birth again?

texts: I read story that Ramakrishna said that he would once again take birth after 100 years or 200 years. Is it recorded in detail in any of the authentic biographies?


texts: How does ramayana mention atharva veda and brahma priest?

texts:
praaciim hotre dadau raajaa disham svakula vardhanaH adhvaryave
  pratiiciim tu brahmaNe dakSiNaam disham || 1-14-43 udgaatre ca tathaa
  udiiciim dakSiNaieSaa vinirmitaa | ashvamedhe mahaayaj~ne svaya.mbhu
  vihite puraa || 1-14-44

  As the promoter of his own dynasty that king Dasharatha donated
  eastern side to hota, western to adhvaryu, and southern to brahma. And
  to udgaatanorthern side is given in donation. These were the donations
  stipulated in that great ritual, ashwamedha, by the Self-Created
  Brahma from earlier times. [1-14-44,43]

  iSTim te.aham kariSyaami putriiyaam putra kaaraNaat | atharva sirasi
  prok{}taiH mantraiH siddhaam vidhaanataH || 1-15-2

  "I will procedurally conduct the ritual contained in the preamble
  of adharva-veda with procedural hymns, called putra kaameSTi i.e., the
  ritual that bestows sons, for your benefit." [1-15-2]

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/bala/sarga15/bala_15_frame.htm

At all the other places in bala kanda and uttara kanda and other middle kandas, ramayana only mentions 3 vedas with 3 preists, but in the mantra above it mentions fourth vedas? Given the fact that atharva veda mentions parikshita its clear it was compiled after mahabharata, so 3 vedas in ramayana makes sense.

Brahma priest post only came after vyasa how can ramayana mention it?

On the other hand wikipedia mentions that the preist who conducted putrakameshti was Rishishringa well versed in yajurveda, atharva is not mentioned-

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putrakameshti


texts: Manu 2.14 - Any examples of conflicts in Vedic texts? Is Manusmṛti itself a Vedic text?

texts:
Manusmṛti 2.14 says:

  श्रुतिद्वैधं तु यत्र स्यात् तत्र धर्मावुभौ स्मृतौ ।
  उभावपि हि तौ धर्मौ सम्यगुक्तौ मनीषिभिः ॥ १४ ॥

  śrutidvaidhaṃ tu yatra syāt tatra dharmāvubhau smṛtau |
  ubhāvapi hi tau dharmau samyaguktau manīṣibhiḥ || 14 ||

  Where there is conflict between two Vedic texts, both are held to be Dharma; both have been rightly pronounced by the wise to be Dharma. — (14)

Questions:

Does Vedic texts here literally mean the Vedas?

Does the above dictum apply when two Purāṇas also disagree with each other?

Is the Manusmṛti itself considered part of these Vedic texts?
What prompted Manu to write the above?

In other words, are there any examples from the Vedas (or the Vedic texts) where such conflicts exist?
From a practical standpoint, if two Vedic texts contradict each other on a certain dharma, and both are right, which dharma should a layman follow?

P.S. This is related but not a duplicate of Any examples where a Smriti has contradicted a Sruti statement?


texts: Who are agnihotra and darshapUrNamAsa obligatory for?

texts: I have been trying to read dharmasUtras and smRRitis about the daily and fortnightly yajnas. These are very rarely performed these days. They are definitely obligatory on some people according to these texts, but there are various qualifications for it. What qualifications make the agnihotra and darshapUrNamAsa obligatory? Please try to find a comprehensive list from dharmasUtras and smRRitis, including by varNa and Ashrama, as well as others.


texts: Why has God created material system/universe?

texts:
Was He not satisfied with His Transcendental worlds?
Why He manifested (tranformed into gross and subtle components) His illusionary material potency "maya", somewhat a punishment based system of birth and death, heaven and hell, for jivatma (Souls; part and parcel of His conscious marginal potency) when He is known to be an ocean of mercy?

The question has been asked many a times, but no satisfactory answers have been found.

Some say it is His sport for time pass, for change, because He was getting bored. Doesn't make sense because He is the Supreme Bliss, and He has His Kingdom of timeless eternity. And also, no reason for mercy on souls, like that of Mahavishnu's case, which comes into picture after the very first creation.

  And second part of it, why is the human birth in this material domain considered so important by the scriptures?

N.B. The question is not about cyclic creation/manifestation of material universes by Mahavishnu after "mahapralayas", when the jivas (souls, with causal body) were resting (semi-liberated) in the "mahodar" of Mahavishnu.


texts: What is the significance of tying a string of lemon and chillies?

texts:
We will see Chilli and lemon hanging on a string over doorways everywhere. This is called "Nimbu Mirchi Totka" in Hindi.

Image Credits : Google Images

What do our Hinduism say about this belief? What is the significance of this?


texts: Why Krishna wanted to support Pandavas even when both Pandavas and Karuavas were wrong in dice game?

texts:
I watched in Star Plus Mahabharata that:

Balarama says it was more adharma of Yuddhisthir than Duryodhana. And says, "why did he bet his wives and brothers, when he could simply quit". He was the reason of everything that happened that day.

At this, Krishna agrees and says to Arjuna sometimes you have to forget your dharma for good reasons.

According to Krishna, Yuddhisthir, Bhishma etc. knew Dharma but they were egoist in the game of dice.

Now, I don't say this is part of authentic Mahabharata, but it doesn't seem wrong either.

And personally, my mind deviates to think that Yuddhisthir made the biggest mistake than Duryodhana. He was responsible for whatever happened. And since they were daas, stripping draupadi wasn't adharma. Even the game of dice rules were fair. (I may be wrong. I've asked this here to clear doubt, if you want to see).

So, when both did adharma, why Krishna wanted to support Pandavas more than Kauravas?

(The incident when Krishna gave choice to Duryodhana and Arjuna for choosing Narayana army or himself is a different thing).


texts:
I don't have much knowledge about Lord Hayagriva, just known that he was the one who provided vedic knowledge to Lord Brahma,he has horse head, was an avatar of Lord Vishnu, white in color, and symbol of wisdom and knowledge. And this is also not from very trustworthy sources.

Wanted to know, his history as per written in trustworthy textures. Please try to avoid Wikipedia, and throw me light with actual textures(translated).


texts: Do these Garuda Purana verses say that Karma is supreme and acts on all?

texts:
I came across interesting verses in Garuda purana verses (1.113.14-16)

  Bhima, Arjuna and others were born as princes, they were pleasing and delightful like the moon; they were valorous, truthful, brilliant
  like the sun and were kindly protected by Lord Krishna. Even they were
  subjected to abject misery by the influence of evil planets; they
  had to beg for alms.; if fate is adverse who is capable of what ? The
  current of previous actions tosses every one about.
  Obeisance to Karma which forces Brahma to work like a potter in the bowls of cosmos by which Visnu was cast into distress of ten
  incarnations; by which Rudra was compelled to beg for alms with a
  skull in his hand and at the behest of which the sun goes round and
  round in the sky.
  The donor was King Bali, the receiver Lord Visnu himself, the gift consisted of whole Earth and that too in the presence of learned
  brahmins. What did he get in return ? Only bondage. O Fate ! obeisance
  to Thee—who workest as it pleasest thee.

What are the stories of each god that caused them to be bound in that manner?

But, we also hear statements from Gita that "I am not bound by any karma" etc..

Does the Garuda purana verses prove supremacy of karma over all the gods as well?


texts:
Marriage in Sanātana Dharma was or is never a personal matter instead it is a social matter and responsibility. We all know that, there is no concept of "divorce" in Hinduism. But somehow, our law today is as such. People have divorce for different reasons. If a person gets a divorce by getting accused of something he or she has not done. I believe most laws today are in favor of women. On the other hand, there also many cases of women who were harassed by their in-laws and husbands. I've personally have seen such cases both in case of men and women.

Questions:

Case-1: If a girl elopes after marriage or takes a divorce by false accusation on the husband and his parents just to remarry or be with another male who is dear to her. Is that allowed? Is that justified in anyway? What would happen to her and her family? What happens to her divorced husband and his family? Is he allowed to remarry or has to stay a lifelong bachelor without marriage?
Case-2: Same questions as above with the man-woman roles reversed.

Because people who take divorce willingly upon agreement, that is their problem. But the cases in which either wife or husband is of bad character and gets a divorce by force (i.e., by blackmailing that he or she will do suicide or kill) or by strategy, the innocents are getting punished whose life  and family is getting ruined.

More Questions:

Is remarriage for the innocents (man or woman) allowed as per Hindu scriptures? Are there any prayaschitha karmas (compensatory or purification rites)?
If a divorced male or female does any puja or holy bath or japa or any punya karma, will he or she get punya? Are they even allowed to do any punya karma at all?

NOTE: Please support your answers using scriptures or words of acharyas.


texts: Could anybody learn the secrets of celestial weapons?

texts: I think there is some condemnation of Drona the Brahmin for encroaching on the realm of warriors. Is there a prohibition on non-Kshatriyas learning those weapons?


texts: Does punishment on earth ensure no negative karma is built?

texts:
Let's say I end up stealing for which I am punished upto 6 months in prison. Is it safe to assume that I won't be building any negative karma because I have suffered for my actions ?

Or should I go with this understanding - It was in my Prarabdha karma to be in prison for 6 months this life. My act of stealing (kriyamana karma) is added to my sanchit karma.

Would be helpful to get references from scriptures


texts: Is Hanuman really 'Hanumat' in Sanskrit Ramayana?

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Bibek Debroy says in his Ramayana translation, 'Hanumat is a case in point, where Hanuman seemed to be too contrary to grammatical principles'.

What grammatical principle is that? Is it really Hanumat in the Sanskrit original?


texts: Which Manusmṛti verses were written exclusively for vaiśyas and śūdras?

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In his column What exactly is the Manusmriti?, Devdutt Pattanaik makes the following claim.

  Of the nearly 2,500 verses, more than a thousand are for brahmins, more than a thousand for kings, statecraft and governance, only eight for vaishyas and two for shudras. Clearly, the focus is not the entire society, but the brahmins, and their relationship with the kings.

What are those 10 verses which are meant for vaiśyas and śūdras?


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My cousin has seen a symbol similar to this at 'Ujjain Simhast Kumbh 2016'. He send this to me wondering if I recognize it, but I don't.

Does anyone know anything about this symbol?


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Namaskaram

I am not from a Brahmin varna and a married female from a Hindu family. I’m currently involved in Krishna consciousness and bhakti and service to Bhagavan. I hear a lot of upanasam from Sri Sampradaya of Sri Ramanujacharya and would like to know if I can become his guru parampara disciple and get a guru to guide me to saranagati and service to Bhagavan. I don’t know the procedures and details but I am interested to  further my spiritual knowledge in Krishna bhakti. Please guide me.


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Despite having the knowledge of Mrit Sanjeevani Mantra (मृत संजीवनी मंत्र) - which could bring back anyone dead back to life again, Why didn't  (or not able to maybe) Shukracharya revive Hiranyakasha, Hiranayakashipu, Meghnad or Raavan etc?
Can I get specific instances where he exactly used the Mrit Sanjeevani Mantra and was successful in reviving.
Is there any kind of limitations on what kind of dead person is eligible to be revived.
For example - burnt to ashes or decapitated or other forms of death?
Or whether who killed the person also matter?
For example - if the person was killed by Shiva or Shakti or Vishnu, can that be revived too?
( I watched in this show Vishnu Puran, where Shukracharya says that he cannot revive a particular demon because it was killed by Vishnu himself)


texts: Why is Lord Shiva called indivisible, Ram & Ravan in Shivaay Trailer?

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I recently watched Shivaay trailer thus asking few question on this.
1) In this trailer why Lord Shiva is called Indivisible. I know its literal meaning but what it means mythologically.
2) Why is Shiva called Mahaekaki i.e. loneliest of all?
3) Why is this line said,"Ram bhi uska, Ravaan bhi uska"? I know Ravaan was Shiva Bakht but Ram was Vishnu avataar.


texts: Who is the avatar of whom in between both Vishnu-Krishna and Lakshmi-Rukmani-Radha.?

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It's gonna be a long question so please bear with me and read this question till the end.
Its kind of common (though unnecessary and absurd) to have arguments between different sects like Shaivas, Vaishnavas and Shaktas about who is supreme and all though they are one only but still I can understand their point of view but recently I have seen arguments between vaishnavas themselves in different public forums saying lord vishnu is greater than lord Krishna and vice versa which is strange and it's also same for maa Lakshmi, maa rukmani and maa radha.
I have grown up watching mythological tv serials like vishnupurana, jai shree krishna, repeat telecasts of ramayana, mahabharata, etc, and from childhood only I have always believed that lord Krishna is the 8th avatar of lord vishnu and maa rukmani is the avatar of maa Lakshmi. We believe that maa radha is a devotee of lord Krishna like other gopis. We also have this saying "Among all aradhika(devotees), devi radhika is the foremost (Shrestha) aradhika." Even lord Hanuman said that he saw mata sita in mata rukmani. In this question you can see that lord Krishna and Arjuna went to meet lord vishnu and in this question you can see nara, narayana, krishna, hari are 4 brothers and sons of dharmaraj (like lord rama, lakshmana, bharata and shatrugana) where nara took birth as arjuna, narayana took birth as krishna, hari went to vaikuntha and krishna went to goloka. So it became more complicated plus especially the gauriya Vaishnavism says that it's lord Krishna who is the avatari and source of lord vishnu and mata radha source of mata lakshmi and some say mata lakshmi's full avatar is maa radha. Purunas like vishnu purana say lord vishnu is the source of lord Krishna but Puranas like Brahma vaivarta purana says it's the other way around. And same for mata lakshmi, mata rukmani and mata radha. So it's so confusing.
Now I have 3 sources one is saying lord vishnu is the source of lord Krishna, other one is saying it's lord Krishna who is the supreme and another one is saying that they are all brothers and different gods only.
So my question is for both lord vishnu-lord krishna and maa lakshmu-maa rukmani-maa radha.
Who is really whose Avatar and why.?
I hope this question doesn't offend anyone in any way.


texts: Why is Mohini not one of the Dashavatara of lord Vishnu?

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Dashavatara refers to the ten Avatars of lord Vishnu, which are :

Matsya
Kurma
Varaha
Narasimha
Vamana
Parashurama
Rama
Krishna
Buddha
Kalki

But apart from the above, lord Vishnu has one more Avatar i.e Mohini, which is a female avatar of lord Vishnu and the only female Avatar.

Than why Mohini is not one of the Dashavatara of lord Vishnu?


texts: Is there any curse on Tanjore big temple by sage karuvuraar and that's the reason politicians doesn't enter the temple through main entrance?


texts: Do the Vedic Samhitas mention the Mahakavyas?

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The following are the 4 Mahakavyas, mentioned in the Upanishads, taking about the Advaita Philosophy:

Prajñānam Brahma (प्रज्ञानम् ब्रह्म) - "Insight is Brahman," or "Brahman is insight" - (Aitareya Upanishad 3.3 of the Rig Veda)
Ayam Ātmā Brahma (अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म) - "This Self (Atman) is Brahman" - (Mandukya Upanishad 1.2 of the Atharva Veda)
Tat Tvam Asi (तत् त्वम् असि) - "That essence (tat, referring to sat, "the Existent") are you" - (Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 of the Sama Veda)
Aham Brahmāsmi (अहम् ब्रह्मास्मि) - "I am Brahman" - (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yajur Veda)

In his book ‘Satyarth Prakash’, Swami Dayanand Saraswati says that Mahakavyas are a myth created by brahmins.
Therefore, my question is, do the Vedic Samhitas mention the Mahakavyas (and therefore the Advaita Philosophy)?
Kindly note: This is not a duplicate of What are the Mahakavyas?, which I have even linked above. I’m looking for their mention in Vedic Samhitas and not an explanation for what they are.


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I had a few questions about this:

Can we pray to Lord Narayana from any location, or does it have to be in a temple or in front of an idol or picture?
Can we pray in simple English or any other language or does it have to be a Sanskrit shloka?
Can we ask for the removal of our problems/difficulties, etc.?


texts: Does Vaishnavite scripture extol the superiority of Garuda over the vahanas of other Gods?

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Vishnu is considered superior to all, Lakshmi is considered superior to the spouses of other Gods - how about their mounts?

Is there scripture putting Garuda over Nandi et al?


texts: Why do Hindus shave a baby's head (first hair cut)?

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Why is it that people shave babies' head, be it a boy or girl, when they go for the baby's first haircut? According to my sub religion i.e. Vaishnav (Gujarati), we call it as a Mundan (Head shaving ceremony).

This is done after a specific period of time after the birth of the child, and as far as I know, most of the Hindu sub castes follow this pratha (tradition/practice).

According to me, Hindus shave their head when some relative, or a close member of their family dies.

So what's the reason behind shaving the hair off for the first time after the birth of the baby?


texts: How can permanent ishwara create impermanent effects?

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How can a permanent being have temporary cognition due to the fact that objects and conditions are impermanent? How can a permanent being which is a permanent cause,create impermanent effects?

I am hindu but saw this buddhist argument and don't know how to respond.

thanks or any assistance


texts: Where can I find an online version of the Adhyatma Ramayana?

texts: I am looking for an accompanied translation in either Hindi or English. A translation done by an Indian author would be preferred.


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Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and Parashurama is an avatar of Lord Vishnu and also a devotee of Lord Shiva.

I know TV serials/comic stories are just baseless so I want to know if Ravana has come into contact with Parashurama during his childhood or his early life before Ramayana took place.

I know one incident where Parashurama kills Sahasrabahu (Kartavirya Arjuna with 1000 arms) who in turn is known for defeating Ravana once.

So did Ravana and Parashurama ever meet? If yes, how/what was the relation between the two and which Hindu scriptures talk about it?


texts: Why was Mother Saraswati so unfair with KumbhaKarna?

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We all know the story that to stop KumbhaKarna from asking boon from Brahma, all Gods eulogized Saraswati to enter KumbhaKarna's mouth to ask- "I may sleep for years". And Mother Saraswati did it!

Why were Gods so unfair, specially the kind Mother of Universe Saraswati?

Even if one asks for boon- "I may kill Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu." This boon is also to be fulfilled by God, as one has complete right over this also (
even though it is unimaginably sinful).

So why would Gods play so unjust befooling KumbhaKarna, and specially Mother Saraswati, the Goddess of purity(of truth, dharma), would do such a culpable thing.


texts: How can Adi Sesha and Garuda coexist in Vaikunta as they are sworn enemies?


texts: what is the difference between Bhakti yoga and karma yoga?

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what is the difference between Bhakti yoga and Karma yoga?
I know that both paths are almost the same, I mean both motives are the way to salvation
I want to know what is the major difference between them


texts:
Why is the Rig Veda Samhita important?

Most of the Samhita praises Indra and talks about the Soma yajna, which no one does anymore today.

The Smriti is more relevant today.


texts: If all my sufferings are due to my previous life's karma I did, then what is the evidence that in my previous life I did bad karma?

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Hindu puranas and scriptures says all sufferings and happiness are due to the karma we did in our previous life.
If so, then what is the evidence about my previous life' s karma. How can I blindly believe in law of Karma.
Also how can I know about my previous life ?


texts: Is the notion of Narada going everywhere while chanting "narayana naryana" from scripture?

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Narada goes everywhere and meets with Gods and Devas of his choosing with his cymbals while chanting "narayana naryana".  Is this in scripture?
Im asking because in fact in the TV depiction of puranas like Siva Purana, Narada seems to have more screen time than the subject of the Purana.


texts: Looking for the source scripture for the verse "Slokardhena pravakshyami"

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My previous question was : Help me to find out the verse : “Brahma satyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah”. In which I knew that in the Brahmajnanavalimala of Adi Shankaracharya, The verse is:

  ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्या जीवो ब्रह्मैव नापरः ।
  अनेन वेद्यं सच्छास्त्रमिति वेदान्तडिण्डिमः ॥ २०॥

I've accepted it as it is the verse which I was looking for: "Brahma satyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah" is found from Adi Shankara's scripture - Brahmajnanavalimala.

But another confusing thing appeared is that many web sites say the verse:

  Slokardhena pravakshyami yad-uktam granthakotibhih
  Brahma satyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah

Just search it on web and you will find lots of related articles about it. Some of them also says it's from Vivek Chudamani. By the way, we've already figured-out that there is no verse like "Brahma satyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah" in Vivek Chudamani.

So, I want to know Where the verse (Slokardhena pravakshyami yad-uktam granthakotibhih...) is located in scriptures by Adi Shankaracharya.


texts: Where can I read online the Vedanta Sutras along with commentaries of Ramanujacharya, Adi Shankaracharya and Madhvacharya in English?

texts: I am looking to read the Vedanta Sutras along with the commentaries of the 3 great acharyas of all time: Ramanujacharya, Adi Shankaracharaya and Madhvacharya, in English. Can somebody provide me with some links of the Vedanta Sutras along with the commentaries?


texts: Lighting candles rather than oil-lamps on Diwâlî a scripturally prescribed practise?

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Does any scriptures mention use of candles on the night of Diwâlî ?
Lighting a seasame oil or ghee based dîyâ is considered auspicious.
However, these days it's more common for people to light up candles rather than an oil-lamp (dîyâ) on the night of Diwâlî. Not to forget the artificial lightings too.
So, does scriptures mention anything about candles and the significance of lighting them, either on Diwâlî or in any other setting in general?
More broadly, does candles even find a mention in any canonical scriptures?


texts: How should a verse be translated exactly using Ghanaapaathi?

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I have seen an example of a verse in GhanaaPaathi as below:

Verse:

  tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushTi vardhanam | urvaarukamiva
  bandhanaan mrutyor muksheeya maamrutaat ||

The Ghana Patha recitation of this mantra goes as:

  tryambakam yajaamahe yajaamahe tryambakam tryambakam yajaamahe
  sugandhigm sugandhim yajaamahe tryambakam tryambakam yajaamahe
  sugandhim | tryambakamititri - ambakam || yajaamahe sugandhigm
  sugandhim yajaamahe yajaamahe sugandhim pushTivardhanam
  pushTivardhanagm sugandhim yajaamahe yajaamahe sugandhim
  pushTivardhanam | sugandhim pushTivardhanam pushTivardhanagm
  sugandhigm sugandhim pushTivardhanam | sugandhimitisu - gandhim
  pushTivardhana - mitipushTi - vardhanam || urvaarukamivevorvaaruka -
  murvaarukamiva bandhanaadbandhanaadi vorvaaruka - murvaarukamiva
  bandhanaat | iva bandhanaadbandhanaadiveva bandhanaanmrutyo - rmrutyo
  - rbandhanaadiveva bandhanaanmrutyoho | bandhanaanmrutyo - mrutyorbandhanaadbandhanaanmrutyo - rmuksheeya muksheeya mrutyo –
  rbandhanaad bandhanaan mrutyor muksheeya | mrutyor muksheeya muksheeya
  mrutyormrutyo - rmuksheeya maa maa muksheeya rmrutyormrutyo -
  rmuksheeya maa | muksheeya maa maa muksheeya muksheeya
  maamrutaadamrutaanmaa muksheeya muksheeya maamrutaat |
  maamrutaadamrutaanmaa maamrutaat | amrutaadityamrutaat ||

My question is that in the original verse, there is no word by name "sugandhigm". So, how is this included in the GhanaaPaathi version of the verse?


texts: From where did krishna chaitanya take sanyasa?

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From what sampradaya did he take sanyasa ?

Was it from the dashanami sampradaya ?


texts: Is there a sanskrit term that covers the distinction/similarity between human & non-human nature?

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I find it intriguing that in English, nature is used in two interesting ways; that is Nature as in the world around around and all living things; and human nature, which is that conmmon to humanity; ie consciousness expressed as man. One might posit this as a microcosm/macrocosm distinction.

Are there similar terms in Hindu or Sanskrit that align with this?


texts: You would think that, because we are so insignificant to them, they would not bother to hate anyone, because humans can never be a threat to them (Gods).


texts: Who were the witches whom Indra crushed to death?

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Rigved Verse 1.133 mentions this curious story:

  WITH sacrifice I purge both earth and heaven: I burn up great she-fiends who serve not Indra, Where throttled by thy hand the foes were slaughtered, and in the pit of death lay pierced and mangled.
  O thou who castest forth the stones crushing the sorceresses’ heads,
  Break them with thy wide-spreading foot, with thy wide-spreading mighty foot.
  Do thou, O Maghavan, beat off these sorceresses' daring strength.
  Cast them within the narrow pit. within the deep and narrow pit.

My question is who were these she-fiends or sorceresses? Is this event mentioned in any other scripture in detail?


texts: Examples of human sacrifice in Hindu scripture

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Are there any incidents of human sacrifice in Hindu scripture?

If there are none, are there any examples where a human being was initially prepared to be sacrificed but later avoided due to some or other reason?


texts: Is there a time, place or method for chanting the holy name?

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Is it necessary that I should chant the holy name for example shrirama at a holy place and with specific methodology (sit on asana, etc) only?

Will it not show its effects if I chant it while walking on street, travelling or doing any other worldly activity?

If I chant shrirama while walking on street then does it become a good / punnya karma?


texts: Why are Vedas often referred to as "three Vedas" instead of four? Why is Atharva Veda excluded from this list?

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Āpastamba 1.1.28-29: If the proper time for initiation has passed, he shall observe, for the space of two months, the duties of a Student, as observed by those who are studying the three Vedas; after that he may be initiated; and after that he may be instructed.

  Manu 3.1 (Period of Studentship): Duties relating to the Three Vedas should be observed under the Preceptor for thirty-six years, or for half that period, or for a quarter, or precisely till they have been got up.—(3.1)

  Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 6-105-13: He [Surya, the sun-god] is the lord of the sky, the disperser of darkness, the master of the three Vedas (viz. Rik, Sama and Yajur), the sender of thick rain, the friend of water and the on who courses swiftly in the path of the sky.

  Chāndogya Upaniṣad 2.21.1: The three vidyās [the Ṛk, the Yajuḥ, and the Sāma] are together the hiṃkāra; these three worlds [the earth, the space between the earth and heaven, and heaven] are together the prastāva; fire, air, and the sun are together the udgītha; the stars, the birds, and the rays are together the pratihāra; serpents, gandharvas, and the ancestors are together the nidhana. This Sāma resides in everything.

  (Word-for-word explanation):

  Trayī vidyā hiṃkāraḥ, the three Vedas [the Ṛk, the Yajuḥ, and the Sāma] are the hiṃkāra; ...

Is the reference usually to the three types of Vedic mantras that can be present in any of the four Vedas or to the three Vedas, namely, Ṛgveda, Yajurveda and Sāmaveda? If it's the latter, why is Atharva Veda excluded from the list?


texts: How does Viśiṣṭādvaita incorporate formless Brahman?

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Viśiṣṭādvaita is one of the most popular school of Vedanta philosophy

Ādvaita can easily incorporate Formless Brahman because they believe that Brahman is without attributes, and Form is an attribute.

On the other hand, Viśiṣṭādvaita believes in Realism (asti, asti), that everything including illusions are real, because the illusory object has some common properties with the thing imagined like snake and rope have some common properties and one can easily mistake snake for a rope in dim light or pitch dark.

This means that the attributes are also real and Brahman has attributes. There is a widespread misconception that anything with attributes cannot be formless.

Question :

How does Viśiṣṭādvaita incorporate formless Brahman, with Realism?


texts: Why at the end all the fruits of the efforts are offered to Krishna and not Rama etc?

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Usually at the end of the any rituals it is said as sarvam sree krishnaarpanam (all the outcomes belongs to Krishna - a crude translation) and Krishna name is chanted thrice or ten times.

Vaishnavites use a prayer called saathivk thyagam (sacrifice of all outcome of the efforts) in which it is said to offered to Baghavan and none in specific.

Why is that it is dedicated to Krishna and why not Rama etc. I mean is there any specific reason behind it?


texts: What herbs found on Earth give magical powers?

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As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school. But there are five other Astika or orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy: Purva Mimamsa, Samkhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, and Nyaya.  My question is about the Yoga school, which had a similar worldview to the Samkhya school except it embraced the existence of a supreme being.  The defining text of the Yoga school is Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.
Now one of the tenets of the Yoga school is that you can obtain Siddhis or magical powers through meditation.  But that's not the only way to obtain Siddhis, as Patanjali describes in Adhyaya 4 Sutra 1 of the Yoga Sutras:

janma-oṣadhi-mantra-tapas-samādhi-jāḥ siddhayaḥ
Supernatural powers (siddhis) arise from birth, drugs, mantras, austerity, or yoga (samadhi)

As you can see, one of the methods of obtaining Siddhis is through the use of drugs or herbs.  Here is what the Advaita philosopher Vachaspati Mishra says in this excerpt from his commentary on the Yoga Sutra:

He describes the attainments [Siddhis] due to drugs: - "In the houses of the Asuras."  Man passes to the places of the Asuras for some reason.  He is met there by lovely Asura damsels, and is given an offering of elixer.  Using that he comes to possess the attainments of freedom from decay and death, and other attainments.  Or, the same may take place even here by the use of elixir, as in the case of the thinker Mandavya, who resided in the Vindhya mountains and who used the elixir.

Now it would obviously be impractical to go to Patalaloka and obtain herbs from Asura damsels.  But I'm interested in the part in bold, where Vachaspati Mishra claims that you can obtain Siddhis using herbs right here on Earth.  So my question is, what herbs available on Earth grant Siddhis?
Do any scriptures shed light on this?  What was the elixir used by sage Mandavya, for instance?


texts: How common is it to combine aupAsana and vaishvadeva oblations in a single homa sitting?

texts: AupAsana and vaishvadeva are two nitya-karma-s which involve fire oblations according to various gRhyasUtra-s. How common is it for people to do it in a single sitting, without separate pUrvAnga-s  (ie - everything until AjyabhAga in the Apastamba tradition) and uttarAnga-s (ie - everything after prAjApatya and vyAhRti homa in the Apastamba tradition)? What are traditional arguments for and against doing so?


texts:
Navagraha (nine graha) include the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu.
But interestingly, the Sun is not a planet and it is a star, Moon (astronomical body),Rahu (Northern lunar node) and Ketu (Southern lunar node). Technically those are not planets right?
Can any Scriptures describe about why Sun, Moon, Rahu and Kethu are called Navagraha?
Edit: We have 9 planets in our solar system in which why only 5 are planets?
Why Earth not consider a part of it in Navagraha? still why Hindu astrologers draw the birth charts of individuals based upon the graha position at the time of their birth.


texts: Why are Navagraha idols present only in Shiva temples?

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I saw idols of Navagraha (nine planets) in many Shiva temples, but I haven't seen them in Vishnu temples like Krishna, Venkateshwara, or Rama. Also, Rahu and Ketu pooja is done only in some Shiva temples e.g., Srikalahasti Temple, A.P.

What's the reason for having idols of Navagrahas and pacifying Rahu and Ketu for removal of doshas by doing pujas in Shiva temples?


texts: Who is commentator Pishacha on Brahma Sutras?

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Narayana Panditacharya gave a list of 21 commentators on the Brahma Sutras who preceded Madhvacharya.

Here is the screenshot of 21 commentators:

I want to know who is this commentator Pishacha? The name is interesting because Pishachas are a race of demons described in Hindu scripture.


texts: Where did Thirumangai Alwar meet Narasimha?

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The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. One of the Alwars was Thirumangai Alwar, aka Parakala.  At various points in his life, he was a chieftain and a robber.  And he met Vishnu on multiple occasions.  First of all, Vishnu personally did the Samashrayanam ritual for him in the Nachiyar Koil Vishnu temple in Thirunaraiyur.   Second of all, during his robber phase Lakshmi and Vishnu appeared to him as a bride and groom.  But I just found a third such incident.

The Divyasuri Charitram is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Garudavahana Pandita, a shishya of Ramanujacharya, about the lives of the Alwars.  This journal paper summarizes an incident described in the Divyasuri Charitram involving Thirumangai Alwar:

  Once on his way to Venkatam, Parakala and his retinue were hungry and thirsty. At that time they encountered an old Vaishnava who bore on his forehead the urdhva pundra or mark of Vishnu. Parakala asked him if he could tell him from his holy books what destiny held for him, and to give them what food he had on his person.... The old Vaishnava, who was Vishnu himself in disguise, told him that his future would be harimaya (filled with the Lord), and then distributed the delicious food he was carrying to the Alvar's party - a mere
  handful each of which satisfied them entirely. Parakala then asked the brahmana who he was. Here the text says significantly, "Since the Lord is always in the vasa, bondage, of Vaishnavas, He gladly answered.” Thus, the brahmana replied that he was a resident of western Kanchi, by the name of Ashtabahu Narasimha, and so saying, vanished.

My question is, what is the location where Thirumangai Alwar met Ashtabahu Narasimha?

The parts in bold may give a clue.  It says on his way to Tirupati, and Narasimha told him he was a resident of Western Kanchipuram.  Now Thirumangai Alwar is from the Sirkazhi area, and Kanchipuram is on the the way between Sirkazhi and Tirupati.  So did they meet in Kanchipuram?  If so there are at least two relevant temples in the Kanchipuram area: the Ashtabhujakaram temple, where Vishnu has eight hands, and the Thiruvelukai temple, which is a Narasimha temple, albeit one where Narasimha has four hands and not eight.

In any case, do any Sri Vaishnava works shed light on where this happened?


texts: What is meaning of "Six" mentioned in Vaak 24?

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In Vaak 24, Lalleshvari Devi says:

You've got six and I have got six.
Now tell me, Blue-Throated One, what's difference?
Or don't. I know. You keep your six on a leash
and my six have strung me along

By reading this poem, it sounds like Lalleshvari Devi is talking about six characteristics of Shiva(Blue-Throated One) and six characteristics of her. While Shiva has control of his six characteristics, but she is being tied by her own six characteristics. This much I understood; but what are these six characteristics?


texts: What does Bhoota-Nath, one of lord shiva's names, actually mean?

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Lord shiva is often described as Bhoota-naath. Bhoota, according to my limited knowledge, means both ghostly creatures, and the pancha-bhootas also mean the five elements.
So, does this name refer to lord shiva as the 'Lord of the Ghostly creatures' or the 'Lord of the Elements'?


texts: Chowdeshwari Devi's mantra shakti used by the king for daily rituals?

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From the wiki article on Chowdeshwari_Temple:

  Hundreds of years ago, it is said, that there was a kingdom called Nandavara on the banks of the river Tunga in Karnataka near Raichur district, or another namesake village Nandavaram located in the Banaganapalle mandal of the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. According to a legend the king of Nandavara was a Shakti Upasaka. With the help of Mantra Shakti, the king used to wake up at 4 'O' Clock in the morning, reach Kasi, bathe, in the holy Ganga and return to his Kingdom before dawn and offer worship to Devi at Nandavara. This was his daily practice. Maharani becoming suspicious of his absence and questioned the king. The king revealed everything in detail. She having made up her mind to test the king compelled him to take her also with him. The king reluctantly accepted. The next day, he took her to Kasi along with him. Rani had her monthly course during their stay at Kasi. This affected the king and he lost his Mantra Shakti. As he was unable to return to his kingdom as usual, the King became restless and worried.

I am interested in knowing which "Mantra Shakti" the king was using for his daily rituals as mentioned in above bold part of paragraph ?


texts: Is the order of names of deities important?

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A diety has several names. Ashtottara shatanamavali, Sahasranama etc.,

Do the order of names in such collection has any importance?


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Natalia Isayeva's 1992 Shankara and Indian Philosophy, p. 2, says that Shankara was "the most brilliant personality in the history of Indian thought" and that because he united Atman and Brahman, he is to Indian thought what St. Thomas Aquinas, who reconciled Aristotelian philosophy with Christianity, is to Christian philosophy.

Is this comparison between Shankara and St. Thomas Aquinas fair?

St. Thomas, for example, rejected anything in Aristotelian thought that contradicted the Catholic faith (e.g., Aristotle thought, contrary to the Catholic faith, the world is eternal).

Did Shankara reject some doctrines of Atman or Brahman in order to reconcile Atman and Brahman?


texts: I want H.H.Wilson and edit by K.L.joshi visnu Purana pdf


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Recently, while searching for the information about Pravara (प्रवर) regarding this question, I found that Pravara refers to best among Rishi who are seer of Vedic hymns.

Following is some useful information regarding Pravar from the article (the article is in Hindi language, I'll try to provide English translation if needed) I mentioned in comment:

  जो गोत्र के नाम से ऋषि आए हैं वही प्रवर भी कहाते हैं। ऋषि का अर्थ है वेदों के मंत्रों को समाधि द्वारा जाननेवाला। इस प्रकार प्रवर का अर्थ हुआ कि उन मन्त्रद्रष्टा ऋषियों में जो श्रेष्ठ हो। प्रवर का एक और भी अर्थ है। यज्ञ के समय अधवर्यु या होता के द्वारा ऋषियों का नाम ले कर अग्नि की प्रार्थना की जाती है। उस प्रार्थना का अभिप्राय यह है कि जैसे अमुक-अमुक ऋषि लोग बड़े ही प्रतापी और योग्य थे। अतएव उनके हवन को देवताओं ने स्वीकार किया। उसी प्रकार, हे अग्निदेव, यह यजमान भी उन्हीं का वंशज होने के नाते हवन करने योग्य है। इस प्रकार जिन ऋषियों का नाम लिया जाता है वही प्रवर कहलाते हैं। यह प्रवर किसी गोत्र के एक, किसी के दो, किसी के तीन और किसी के पाँच तक होते हैं न तो चार प्रवर किसी गोत्र के होते हैं और न पाँच से अधिक। यही परम्परा चली आती हैं। पर, मालूम नहीं कि ऐसा नियम क्यों हैं? ऐसा ही आपस्तंब आदि का वचन लिखा है। हाँ, यह अवश्य है कि किसी ऋषि के मत से सभी गोत्रों के तीन प्रवर होते हैं। जैसा कि :
  त्रीन्वृणीते मंत्राकृतोवृणीते॥ 7॥
  अथैकेषामेकं वृणीते द्वौवृणीते त्रीन्वृणीते न चतुरोवृणीते न
  पंचातिवृणीते॥ 8॥
  जो दस गोत्र कर्ता ऋषि मूल में बताए गए हैं, उनके वंश का विस्तार बहुत हुआ और आगे चल कर जहाँ-जहाँ से एक-एक वंश की शाखा अलग होती गई वहाँ से उसी शाखा का नाम गण कहलाता है और उस शाखा के आदि ऋषि के नाम से ही वह गण बोला जाता है।

Now it shows three Pravara of Shandilya Gotra as follows:

  (5) शांडिल्य के शांडिल्य, असित, देवल तीन प्रवर हैं।

Three Pravaras of Shandilya are Shandilya, Asita and Devala (sometimes also spelled Daviala i.e दैवल).

I want to know Who are Rishi Asita and Devala? Is there any mention of him in Vedas (as a Mantra Drashta Rishi?) or Brahmanas of Vedas? Is there any information about him available in any Brahmanas or Puranas?


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What is meaning of Karika bhasya(commentarary)? How is it different from normal bhasyas?

What are examples of few Karika bhasyas apart from Gaudapada Karika bhasya on Mandukya upanishad?


texts: What did the Pandavas do with the oldest sword in the world?

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In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma gives advice to Yudishtra and the Pandavas concerning how to be a good king and how to be good person, while he's lying on a bed of arrows after the end of the Kurukshetra war.  At one point, Yudishtra's youngest brother Nakula (an accomplished swordsman) asks Bhishma about how the first sword was created.  Bhishma tells the story of how long ago, the Asuras (demons) were causing mayhem throughout the world.  In response, Brahma conducted a great Yagna (fire-ritual), and out of the fire of the Yagna came Asi, a being who turned into the first sword ever created.  Brahma gave the sword to Shiva, who used it to defeat the Asuras in battle.
Here's how the sword was passed down after that:

The divine Rudra [Shiva], after this, gave the sword, that protector of religion, dyed with the blood of Danavas, unto Vishnu with due adorations. Vishnu gave it unto Marichi. The divine Marichi gave it unto all the great Rishis. The latter gave it to Vasava [Indra]. Vasava gave it to the Regents of the world. The Regents, O son, gave that large sword to Manu the son of Surya....
In time Manu installed his own son Kshupa in the sovereignty of all creatures, and gave him the sword for their protection. From Kshupa it was taken by Ikshvaku, and from Ikshvaku by Pururavas. From Pururavas it was taken by Ayus, and from Ayus by Nahusha. From Nahusha it was taken by Yayati, and from Yayati by Puru. From Puru it was taken by Amurtarya, From Amurtarya it descended to the royal Bhumisaya. From Bhumisaya it was taken by Dushmanta's son Bharata. From Bharata, O monarch, it was taken by the righteous Ailavila. From Ailavila it was taken by king Dhundumara. From Dhundumara it was taken by Kamvoja, and from Kamvoja it was taken by Muchukunda, From Muchukunda it was taken by Marutta, and from Marutta by Raivata. From Raivata it was taken by Yuvanaswa, and from Yuvanaswa by Raghu.
From Raghu it was taken by the valiant Harinaswa. From Harinaswa the sword was taken by Sunaka and from Sunaka by the righteous-souled Usinara. From the last it was taken by the Bhojas and the Yadavas. From the Yadus it was taken by Sivi. From Sivi it descended to Pratardana. From Pratardana it was received by Ashtaka, and from Ashtaka by Prishadaswa. From Prishadaswa it was received by Bharadwaja, and from the last by Drona. After Drona it was taken by Kripa. From Kripa that best of swords has been obtained by thee with thy brothers.

So after all that illustrious history, the divine sword Asi was finally given to the Pandavas by their teacher Kripacharya, presumably during the time of their education.
So my question is, what happened to the sword after the time of the Pandavas?  First of all, is there any occasion in the Mahabharata where any of the Pandavas actually used the sword?  And what did the Pandavas ultimately do with it?  Did they give it to Arjuna's grandson Parikshit, who took over the kingdom after the Pandavas went to the Himalayas?  Was Asi passed down through the generations of the Kuru dynasty?


texts: Did Krishna interact with any foxes in Vrindavana?

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The Sarva Siddhanta Sangraha is a work by the Advaita philosopher Adi Shankaracharya describing the views of various schools of Indian philosophy which existed in his time.  One of the schools he discusses is the Vaisheshika school, which subscribed to a philosophy of atomism. Now the Vaisheshika school believed that consciousness was only a property of the soul when it is in Samsara, and that after it has attained Moksha, it loses all consciousness and becomes like an inanimate object.  In this excerpt from the Sarva Siddanta Sangraha, Adi Shankaracharya says that if the Vaisheshika school was correct then Moksha wouldn't be very desirable:

  I choose to be a fox in the beautiful Vrindavana to that altogether blissless salvation of soul deliverance, which has been taught by the Vaisheshika, who, by means of the sacrifices prescribed in the Vedas and by means of the grace of the Lord, wishes to attain with great effort the (altogether feelingless) state of a swoon, a condition of existence similar to that of a stone.

I'm interested in the part in bold, about preferring to be born as a fox in Vrindavana.  My question is, did Krishna ever interact with any foxes during his time in Vrindavana?  Or is Adi Shankaracharya just extolling the glory of living in proximity to Krishna, whether one interacts with Krishna or not?

Are there any commentaries on the Sarva Siddhanta Sangraha which shed light on this?


texts: Where do scriptures or commentaries say that shlokas have to be interpreted as per context, time, place and situation?

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Where in scriptures or commentaries is it said that shlokas have to be interpreted as per प्रसंग (context), काल (time),स्थान (place) and परिस्थिति (situation) (and other factors, if any)?

Please give exact references.


texts: Why does Ramakrishna say God need the help of vedas to create preserve, and destroy?

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The whole body of supersensuous truths, having no beginning or end, and called by the name of the Vedas, is ever-existent. The Creator Himself is creating, preserving, and destroying the universe with the help of these truths.

According to Ramakrishna God needs the help of vedas to do things.
Why does God need vedas to do creation, preserving, and destroying, because he is all powerful and supreme.


texts: Why did rAmAnuja abandon his first guru?

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Regarding the vaishnava philosopher rAmAnuja and his life, we find some stories,
We find that he had conflicting views with his first guru (yAdava prakAsha) in some philosophical areas.
On what grounds did he actually abandon his guru? (as per his biography)
Is it a righteous deed as per dharma?
What were the other reasons (if any) ?
Edit:
The answer posted is nice but it shows that it was only Sri Yadava Prakasha who tried to kill him and later asked him to leave the place. However, I feel that the feeling was mutual.

Ramanuja was fed up of Yadava Prakasha’s tantrums and he decided to
study the scriptures by himself. Ramanuja started giving discourses on
scriptures and people started to gather around him. The news of
Ramanuja parting ways with Yadava Prakasha reached Kanchipurna and he
became very happy. Kanchipurna hastened towards Ramanuja’s house to
see him.

So I feel  that both of them were not happy with each other at this point.
As guru asked him to leave his place he did not try to convince him whatsoever nor asked if he made any mistake. That is strange because guru asking.one to leave is not a comfortable thing at all


texts: Which all Gods and Goddesses are being referred in Vedas?

texts: I found that many people get confused between Vedas and Puranas due to the reason that a certain deity is being referred in Puranas/other books but there is no reference of him/her in Vedas. So, I want  to know which all Gods/Demi-Gods/Goddesses,etc are being referred in Vedas.


texts: What is the Birth date of Adi-Sankarācharya?

texts: When was Adi-Sankarāchārya born? Specifically, why is there so much of a variation in the dates given by Kānci, Dwāraka, Joshī Mutts and Śringerī Mutts?


texts: What is the significance of Sahasranamam?

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Sahasranamam has 1000 names of a God, but why is it necessary.

What is the prominence of it?


texts: What did Arjun see in the Vishwaroop of lord Krishna?

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What is the need of lord Krishna showing his  Vishwaroop to Arjun?

What did Arjun see in the Vishwaroop? Did anyone else in the battle could see it?

How many times lord Krishna shown his Vishwaroop in Mahabharat?


texts: What is significance of ASHTAMI ?(waning Moon Ashtami)

texts: If we look Kaal Bhairava,  avatar of Lord Shiva, Was first taken on Karthikai month waning Moon Ashtami. And Lord Krishna was born in Gokula Ashtami. What's the significance of it?


texts: According Hindu Mythology Maa Durga has lots of avtars with various powers. Navratri vrat is dedicated to Maa Durga's nine forms. What is about other forms of Maa Durga ??  Names of Maa Durga and their meanings with significance of worshiping them ???


texts: Why does Lord Vishnu also wear Yajnopaveeta in temples?

texts: Yajnopaveeta should be worn for doing vedic rituals. Why is it that Lord Vishnu is also adorned with yajnopaveeta in temples?


texts: Why does Brahma's Brahmastra destroy when his task is to create?

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Lord Brahma is very well-known as the creator of the world. His task is concerned with creation.

Lord Brahma's weapon is named "Brahmastra", and its work is to destroy.

So when Lord Brahma is related to creation, why is his weapon related to destruction?


texts: Why is Brahma depicted as old in pictures?

texts: I have seen many pictures and photos (such as above) of Chaturmukha Brahma  with white hair and white beard. Why is Brahma shown as an old person? All the devatas are known to be drinking elixir (amruth). It is said that those who drink it do not feel hunger, thirst and do not age, so, look always young. My question is Brahma being one of the Trimurti's, didn't He get a chance to drink elixir? Or did anyone curse Him to look like that? Is Brahma not an immortal? I know that being a Brahma is only a status. What happens to this Brahma after his tenure is over?


texts: Was Krishna's son Pradyumna a rebirth of Kama or of Sanatkumar?

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SECTION LXVII of the Sambhava Parva of Mahabharat mentions the various gods and demons who incarnated in human forms as characters of Mahabharat. There's something that I noticed and would like to ask about:

  And he, called Vasudeva, endued with great valour, was among men a portion of him called Narayana--the god of gods--eternal. And Valadeva of exceeding strength was a portion of the Naga, Sesha. And, O monarch, know that Pradyumna of great energy was Sanatkumara. And in this way the portion of various other dwellers in heaven became exalted men in the race of Vasudeva, increasing the glory thereof.

The highlighted portion refers to Krishna's son Pradyumna as an incarnation of Sanatkumar. For those who do not know, Sanatkumar is one of the mind born sons of Lord Brahma who was created along with three others. Together the group of four is listed as Lord Vishnu's incarnations in the Bhagavatam. However, the same Pradyumna is also mentioned at many places as the rebirth of Kamadeva who had been burnt to ashes by Shiva's wrath when he tried to incite passion in his heart to help Parvati.

So my question is  - *Was Krishna's son Pradyumna the rebirth/incarnation of Kama or of Sanat Kumar? If we believe in the Sanat Kumar version, are there any other instances of an incarnation giving rise to another incarnation?

P.S. - Please refrain from Kalpa Bheda reasoning and also the Vyuha forms of Lord Vishnu. I am looking for scriptural references about the son of Krishna born in the 28th Dwapar of Vaivasvat Manvantar.


texts: How do we know what is an auspicious quality of the Lord?

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According to Sri Vaishnavism, Brahman is full of "auspicious" qualities.

For example, in Ramanujacharya's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, he says:

  The conclusion therefore is that texts such as 'That from whence these beings are born' etc. do convey valid instruction as to the existence of Brahman, i.e. that being which is the sole cause of the world, is free from all shadow of imperfection, comprises within itself all auspicious qualities, such as omniscience and so on, and is of the nature of supreme bliss.--Here terminates the adhikarana of 'connexion'.

But isn't what is considered "auspicious" and "perfect" a matter of opinion?

For example, some people do not think omniscience is a desirable or auspicious quality. Other people also think that infinite bliss is not a desirable or auspicious quality.

I personally agree that these are desirable and auspicious qualities, but others may not.

Compassion and mercy is another one of Brahman's auspicious qualities. But again, there are many people who consider these bad qualities.


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The Aruna Prashna is a part of the Taittiriya Sakha of the Krishna Yajur Veda.

Aruna is the name of the charioteer of Surya.

What does this section talk about?


texts: Seeing Moon on the 4th day (Chaturthi) of the Bhadrapada Shukla paksha(Ganesha Chaturthi)

texts: Anyone seeing Moon on the 4th day (Chaturthi) of the Bhadrapada month would face blame and unjust criticism, its know to all Hindus but what about others across the earth.


texts: Can one look at the rising and setting sun during Sandhyavandanam?

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According to scriptures, one should not look at the rising and setting sun.

But what about during morning and evening Sandhyavandanam when one faces the sun and meditates on it? Is that the only exception when you can look at the sun?


texts: From where or whom did Swami Vivekananda take sanyasa?

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Did he take up sanyasa under sankara mutt (dashanami sampradaya) or from some other source ?

If he took it from Ramakrishna then when did Sri Ramakrishna took sanyasa and what was his sanyasa name ?