texts:
Which verses for god indra in vedas mention him as friend of all human beings?

His myths and adventures in the
Vedic literature are numerous,
ranging from harnessing the
rains, cutting through mountains
to help rivers flow, helping land
becoming fertile, unleashing sun
by defeating the clouds, warming
the land by overcoming the
winter forces, winning the light
and dawn for mankind, putting
milk in the cows, rejuvenating
the immobile into something
mobile and prosperous, and in
general, he is depicted as
removing any and all sorts of
obstacles to human progress.

  sourse:— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra

  The hymns of Rigveda declare
  him to be the "king that moves
  and moves not", the friend of
  mankind who holds the different
  tribes on earth together.

So the question is what verses call indra as he friend of mankind who holds the different tribes on earth together.


texts: What are the main philosophical differences between Yoga and Samkhya Darshanas?

texts:
Samkhya and Yoga are one of the six Astika Darshanas of thoughts in Sanatana Dharma (the other four being Nyaya, Vedanta, Mimamsa and Vaisheshika).

Both Darshanas are said to very closely related. Both philosophies posit the universe consisting of two independent entities i.e. Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter) which bond together to form a Jiva, which in turn leads to the emergence of buddhi (intellect) and ahamkara (ego). Both Darshanas are concerned with breaking the bonds between Purusha and Prakriti through Kaivalya which leads to Moksha. The two Darshanas also rely on three pramanas mainly i.e. pratyaksa (perception), anumana (inference) and sabda (testimony). In fact, some of the arguments by Vyasa in the Brahma Sutras against the Samkhya Darshana directly apply to the Yoga Darshana as well. The only difference I could find between the two philosophies was that Samkhya denies the existence of Ishvara while Yoga accepts the existence of Ishvara.

My question is, apart from existence or nonexistence of Ishvara, what are the other philosophical differences between these two Darshanas?


texts: Which is more powerful Prakruti or Purusha?

texts:
I understand that both are opposite of each other and both are needed to maintain balance but if we have to select one of the two i.e Prakruti and Purusha

Which one is more powerful and self reliant?
Which one needs to be tamed more, I mean if let free can go out of control?

Can we conclude that if Prakruti let free can go out of control hence it needs Purusha to keep control over it or is it vice-versa?


texts: Other than being a god what speciality did Rama have to lift and break Shiva dhanush?

texts: We heard that in the swayamvara of Sita. The one who can lift the dhanush(Shiva's bow) will be termed as the worthiest to take the hand of sita. Although some says that Ravana also tried his luck and could only lift the bow a bit but finally gave up. Rama was the only one who lifted it. But I want to know a thing other than being a god himself id Rama have any speciality to lift the bow ....


texts: How many mantras one can take as upadesha?

texts:
Is there any limit to number of mantras one can take as upadesha?

Are there any checklist of mandates to be fulfilled before we take new mantra as upadesha?

Is that fine to stop chanting of old mantra as new mantra upadesha is taken?


texts:
I am sorry for maybe so basic question, but I do not have alive teacher to consult.
My question is if this र reads as "ra", then this रा, reads as "rā", and if this म reads as "ma", then this one राम reads as "rāma", right? NOT as "ram"? I believe that "ram" would be written as रम्, right?
For instance ॐ राम रामाय स्वाहा reads as "Om rāma rāmaya svāhā", NOT like "Om ram ramaya svaha", right?
Thank you!


texts: How can a person die if soul never leaves the body?

texts:
Soul is infinite, omnipresent, i.e, it is present in our body and outside our body.
Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda [Volume 2/Jnana-Yoga/The-Atman] :-

It is the Atman, beyond all, the Infinite, beyond the known, beyond the knowable; in and through That we see the universe. It is the only Reality. It is this table; It is the audience before me; It is the wall; It is everything, minus the name and form. Take away the form of the table, take away the name; what remains is It.

People say the seat of soul is in the heart of beings. How is that even possible? By restricting it to a particular location, we are making it finite and soul is infinite.
Astavakra Samhita I.19:

Just as a mirror exists within and without the image reflected in it, so the
Supreme Self exists inside and outside this body.

Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita:

aham ātmā guḍākeśa
sarva-bhūtāśaya-sthitaḥ
aham ādiś ca madhyaṁ ca
bhūtānām anta eva ca (10.20)
Meaning- I am the Supersoul, O Arjuna, seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.

When people die, we say that their soul has passed, which under any case cannot happen because there is not a place where a soul can go because it exists everywhere. Atman cannot have any "hole" in it, it must exist everywhere at all the times.
When a person dies, soul should still be present in their bodies. So what exactly makes a person die?


texts: Were the queens present in camps during Mahabharata?

texts:
Were there any queens like Draupadi, Subhadra or any wife of Kauravs or other important warriors, present in their respective camps during the war of Mahabharata. (I mean only in the camps, not in the battlefield).

Or were they all left at homes.


texts: Which scripture talks about avatara of Srimad VallabhAcharya?

texts:
It is believed that the propagator of shuddha advaita pushti marga, Sri Vallabha was born as a fruit of 100 somayAgas done by his ancestors.

Is there any scripture or biography which supports him being an avatar of Sri Krishna ?


texts:
Sometime ago while reading one of the stories in a magazine, i came across a story narrating about a horse emerging out of a yagna, and is said to be blazing in fire and is currently under the oceans.

I am not sure of the magazine i came across and i am skeptical of the story that i read.

Is the story true by any means? If the story is true, is there a reference to the entire story and name of the horse.


texts: What does it mean to see dead relatives in dreams

texts:
Recently, for sometime my friend have been dreaming of his dead relatives. This is happening for a few days now. Usually it's 3-4 relatives whom he dreams about.

So I would like to know why is he dreaming of dead relatives again and again, does this mean something and is there any way to get rid of these dreams?


texts: Explanation request for verses 10, 11, 12, and 13 from the Manasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana?

texts: Need an explanation of verses 10, 11, 12, and 13 from the Manasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana


texts: Why is Isha upanishad in two recensions?

texts: It seems Isha upanishad is available in Kanva and Madhyandhina recensions. These two appear to be two shakas. How can same upanishad be available in two shakas? Which version is generally used while commenting?


texts: How to remain same in every situation according to the Gita?

texts:
In Gita it is written that remain same in pain and pleasure, success and failure. I think this statement is not valid due to the following reasons below

Suppose somebody insults you in public domain then how can you tolerate? If you do tolerate, people will think that you are stupid and a coward.
How is it possible to remain constant/neutral if you are suffering from tooth pain/stomach pain at that time, or if your life partner passed away.
Suppose you become an IAS/IPS officer, then obviously you will be excited. It will be impossible to remain constant/neutral.
Suppose you failed in the exam after doing lot of hard work, then obviously you will feel sorrow. Then it will be impossible to remain constant

How to remain same in every situation according to the Gita ?


texts:
Does Maya (Materialistic illusion) fall into one of the following three categories:

Sattva
Rajas
Tamas

Or is maya categorized as nirguna or that which is beyond the three gunas?


texts: Does the word "Indrajāla" (Indra's net) have any connection to the god Indra?

texts:
Does the Sanskrit word Indrajāla (Indra's net) have any connection to Indra or Arjuna? Has this word been used in any Hindu scripture? If so in what context?

This Sanskrit dictionary suggests the following meanings for the word.

  magic

  art of magic

  illusion

  hallucination

  delusion

  net of indra

  sorcery

  weapon employed by arjuna

  juggle

  sham

PS. Please don't answer citing blogs or Wikipedia.


texts: Which scripture deals with horoscope matching for marriage?

texts:
What is the pramaanam (reference) for dashama (10) poruthams (matching), listed here?

What are the exact rules to be followed when comparing the boy's and girl's horoscopes?

Since horoscope is completely dependent on place and time of birth, is there any way to verify the authenticity of janma patrika (birth chart) ?


texts: Do advaitins meditate on Nirguna Brahman?

texts: I have always heard people saying that scriptural or bookish knowledge of the Self is not sufficient and that one needs to realize the Self within. My question is, how does one realize the Self within? ... Do advaitins meditate on Nirguna Nirakara Brahman? If so, how is it possible to meditate on something which has no form?


texts: what is the deep meaning of this Gita quote?

texts:
The verses 67-68 from Gita chapter 2 are given below:
Indriyaanaam hi charataam yanmanuvidheeyate
Tadasya harati prajnyaam vaayurnaavamivaambhasi
what is the deep meaning of this Gita quote ?


texts: Is it okay to dispose a dog's dead body in the river?

texts: My dog passed away last night and as far as the rituals in my family are concerned, we have to dispose the dead body into the river. But most of my relatives and friends are now saying we should have buried it in the ground. I am stressed and feeling guilty about it now. Any idea whether the disposal in the river is acceptable? Will my dog get moksha or a better next life from this?


texts: Official arguments of TTD about birth place of Hanuman

texts:
TTD made an official announcement about birth place of Hanuman on (today) 21-April-2020. 1 2 3 4
TTD announced that Tirumala is the birth place of Hanuman.
Although there are some statements in news and blogs regarding evidence and research work. I want to read the official document of research work that proves that Hanuman was born in Tirumala.
Where can I find the official document containing scriptural references and the analysis that leads to such conclusion?


texts: Can anybody prove that Ganesha and kartikeya are not sons of Devi Bhuvaneshwari? (That Devi mentioned at Srimad Devi Bhagwatam)

texts:
As we know Ganesha and kartikeya are sons of Devi Parvati.
And Lord Maha Ganapati is son of Ma Tripura sundari . And we can  also see the iconography of Devi Tripurasundari where Lord Ganesha and kartikeya are there in front of her legs.
So the issue with me is I am a small devotee of Ma Bhuvaneshwari and I have considered her my own Mother (sagi-ma) and I can't tolerate her second Saga-santaan!!! Whole universe and multiuniverses are her sons but I am talking about Saga-santaan.
Can anyone prove by using scriptures' text that she has not any saga-santaan?
Please help!!!!
Jay Ma


texts:
Would like to know relation between Chamunda and Kali
In one of my previous posts, @Rickross mentioned Kali having /holding kapala whereas Chamunda doesn't hold Kapala.

However, when I talked to persons in my village who are Shakteyas, told me Chamunda is also kind of "flavor"of Kali.

Both are having 3 letters in common : "aim", "hrim",  " klim"
I am surprised, what may be the relationship between these two!

NB: I would love to talk about this "Kapaala" more.


texts: When was Mahabali (Asura King Bali) booned about being the next Indra?

texts: I read in a question about the fact that the Asura King Bali will be the next Indra and that he is still alive. Untill now, I have only heard of the story of the Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu taking the 3 worlds from him but I didn't know of this boon. Can somebody please explain how King Bali got this boon and how he is alive untill now.


texts: Significance of number 960 on a Brahmanic stone marker and number 1020 on a Vaishnavite monument?

texts:
The figure shows a "Brahmanic stone marker" from Khmer art (National Museum of Phnom Penh, No. 3058, Angkor Period). The stele shows at its 4 sides in 16 rows and 15 columns

960 = 4 x 16 x 15

identical icons.

What is the significance of the number 960 on the stele?

Note. There exists a similar stele with 1020 icons from Preah Khan, now at Paris (Musée Guimet, No.18104, Vaishnavite monument).


texts: How can Narasimha & Vamana Avatars happen before Parashuram?

texts:
Following is the chronological order of these three avatars:
Narasimha avathar (4th of vishnu )
Vamana avathar(5th of vishnu)
Parasuram avathar(6th of vishnu)

Accordingly:

In Vamana avathar king Mahabali defeated by vishnu's 5th avathar
In Narasimha avathar Hiranyakasipu was defeated by 4th avathar of Vishnu

Now the family tree of kashyapa was::
Kashyapa--> Hiranyakasipu--> Prahalada--> Vairochana--> Mahabali

Parashuram avathar had gifted the land to kashyapa after defeating kshyatrias as a honor of conducting ashwamedhas. Here the Parashuram avathar was the 6th of Lord Vishnu.

How can this be possible in terms of chronology?

Check details in these links in order:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parashurama //this shows about Parashuram donating land to Kashyapa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabali //this shows the tree structure of Kashyapa's family &&"Compare the links of kashyapa in LINK "1 and 2 refers to same"


texts: What are the names of the Five villages that Krishna offers Kauravas to give Pandavas?

texts:
What are the names of the five villages that Krishna offers the Kauravas to give the Pandavas?
Can anyone please give me the present day locations and names of those places (villages)?


texts: Krishna Driving Chariot Away While Fighting Karna

texts:
I want to know if Krishna had drove the chariot away while arjuna fought with Karna. This is shown in Suryaputra Karn and also in the Star TV Mahabharata.

But, is it true?


texts:
The tenth skanda of Bhagavatha Purana mentions the places Balarama visited during His pilgrimage. Specifically, in the South, it is mentioned that He visited, Shri Shaila, Tirumala, Shrirangam, Kanchipuram, Kamakoshni (the present day Kumbhakonam) and Madurai. It also mentions Balarama's visit to Rshabhadri, a Vishnu kshetra. I quote the verse from Bhagavatha

ऋषभाद्रिं हरे: क्षेत्रं दक्षिणां मथुरां तथा ।
सामुद्रं सेतुमगमत्महापातकनाशनम् ॥

Is the Rshabhadri mentioned in the sloka the present day Melukote in Karnataka? Sthalapurana of Melukote has it that Balarama visited Melukote during His pilgrimage and installed the procession deity Ramapriya. Hence this question.


texts: Can anyone provide the sloka, which narrates what Saraswati ji said in Ramayana?

texts:
When gods approached Saraswati ji to change the mind of Manthara, she said one shlok (my grandmother told me long ago).

I don't remember what she said.  If someone could tell me what the sloka was, as I couldn't find it on internet.


texts: What are the views of different sects of Hinduism on Vedas?

texts:
In one website, it is stated that Shankaracharya rejected Purva kanda of Vedas but accepted only Uttar kanda, Jaimini accepted Purva kanda but rejected Uttar kanda and Vallabhacharya accepted both. And reason for rejection is given as "useless". But I want to know the exact reasons because all parts of Vedas talk about Brahman.

  The Vedas consists of two parts: 1. Purva Kanda 2. Uttar Kanda.  The former means samhitas and Brahman works, the latter means Aryankas and Upanishads. The subject of the former is Sacrifice and the latter ‘Knowledge of Brahman’. According to Vallabhacharya entire Vedas consisting of the above two parts and also of Arthavada etc. becomes Verbal Recognition. Jaimini will accept only the first part of the Vedas and reject the second as of no use for religious life. Shankaracharya on the other hand accepts only the latter and rejects the former as being useless. But Vallabhacharya accepts both. He does not take Vedas by half. To accept one part and reject another, is nothing but having the Vedas or cutting a body into two parts..... In all these four
  works, the principal subject dealt with is Brahman.

so, what are the views of different sects on this and reasons if there is any rejection? I want more explanation of Shankaracharya and Jaimini view as well.


texts: Is Nandi's face depicted as Vānara in any scripture other than Vālmiki Rāmāyana?

texts:
As per this chapter of UTTARA KANDA of Valmiki Ramayana:

  11 नन्दीश्वरम अथापश्यद अविदूरस्थितं परभुम
      दीप्तं शूलम अवष्टभ्य  दवितीयम इव शंकरम

  12 स वानरमुखं दृष्ट्वा तम अवज्ञाय राक्षसः
     परहासं मुमुचे मौर्ख्यात सतॊय इव तॊयदः

  13 संक्रुद्धॊ भगवान नन्दी शंकरस्यापरा तनुः
  अब्रवीद राक्षसं तत्र दशग्रीवम उपस्थितम

  14 यस्माद वानरमूर्तिं मां दृष्ट्वा राक्षसदुर्मते
     मौर्ख्यात तवम अवजानीषे परिहासं च मुञ्चसि

  15 तस्मान मद्रूपसंयुक्ता मद्वीर्यसमतेजसः
   उत्पत्स्यन्ते वधार्थं हि कुलस्य तव वानराः

English Translation:

  There Nandi stationed at the side of that deity, suppoting himself on his flaming dart, resembling a second Sankara.

  And seeing that one having a monkey like face, the Rakshasa, deriding him, burst out into laughter, and seemed as if a mass of clouds were sending roars.

  Thereat, growing enraged, the reverend Nandi Shankara's other body spoke unto that Raksha Dasagriva present there;

  As O Dasanana, deriding me for my monkey like form, thou hast indulged in a laughter resembling the bursting of thunder, so Vanaras endowed with prowess, and possessed of my form and energy shall be born for compassing the destruction, of thy race.

Is Nandi's face is depicted as Vānara in any other scripture?


texts: How are jivas (linga/sookshma sharirs) created as per Advaita?

texts:
As per advaita, jivas are nothing but Linga sharira or sookskhma sharira. This has been explained to me by user Pradip Gangopadhyaya before. But I need to know how are jivas created.

Advaita believes that the jiva (which is linga sharira or sookshma sharira) stops existing upon videha mukti. So if there's an end for the jivas, there must be a beginning too for the jivas.

Are jivas (sookshma shariras) created out of pancha mahabhutas or something else? ... If advaita doesn't deal with this topic then I'm sure that Samkhya philosophy must have discussed about the formation of the subtle body. An answer from a Samkhya perspective wouldn't be bad.

Please give a detailed answer, in a step by step manner, like which element existed first and what emerged from it and later which element was finally responsible for the formation of the subtle body.


texts: Where is it mentioned in Ramayana that Shurpanakha lost her nose?

texts: According to Ramayana, Lakshmana cut off the nose of Shurpanakha. But how and where did Shurpanakha lose her nose?


texts: In which book is the story where Indra became a hog or pig?

texts:
This story is here
But is this story in the Srimad Bhagavatam or Purana?
Thanks


texts: What are the names of kulas mentioned in Mahabharata

texts:
Mahabharata is the important Itihasa. Since it is itihasa related to Dvapara yuga, it contains Ramayana also.
Mahabharata may contains the names of many kulas like suta. I am not asking about varna, jati or any other classification, but only about kula.
What are the names of Kulas mentioned in Mahabharata?
Note: Kula here refers to the usage of same word कुल in the actual Mahabharata. Synonyms is not needed. Whenever the original scripture uses the word कुल for something like सूत i.e., सूतकुल, then suta it is eligible as a kula. The word कुल may have any meaning in the context. It may referes to family, category or any other thing. The word कुल is only the criteria. कुरुकुल, गुरुकुल etc., are valid.


texts: Did Valmiki address Rama as the the supreme being when he spoke to him personally in the Uttara Kanda?

texts: Logically he should have because he has already narrated how Brahma and others called Rama as Vishnu and Narayana and the supreme being at the end of the war.


texts: Do scriptures mention about Srimad Madhvacharya being an avatar of Lord Vayu?

texts:
It is believed by his followers that Srimad Ananda Teertha (a.k.a Madhvacharya) was the third incarnation of Vayu (MukhyaprAna), the previous two were:

Hanuman (Treta yuga)
Bheema Sena (Dwapara yuga)

It is claimed that Madhvacharya had met Vyasa in the Badarika ashrama in Himalayas and learned deeper meanings of shastras there. Later he had toured the entire country towards the mission of fighting against the doctrines of maayavada. Also against non-Hindu forces. Later he disappeared with his physical body.

Do scriptures mention anything about Madhvacharya being an incarnation of Vayu?

Or is there any mention in his biographies about the same ?


texts:
I am looking for scriptural references which mention for and against luck.
Eg:

Against luck, would be anything (but not limiting to) like hard work creates luck

For luck, would be anything (but not limiting to) like increasing luck by rituals and so on.

Thanks in advance for your time.


texts: Many people believe that Ganga married Shiva. Shiva married Parvati because she meditated him. He had a union with Mohini so as to ensure that Ayyappa is born. What is the story of why Shiva married Ganga?


texts: Why do Vedas, which are authorless and eternal, contains something like caste system which divides people on the basis of birth and even if they divide people on the basis of guna or karma why there is restriction on them for reading the vedas, performing sacred rituals etc. Isn't something which is eternal and authorless and whose goal was to tell the humans to realize the truth and become free(attain moksha) should be open to all humans?


texts: Does Hinduism prohibit talking while eating?

texts:
For Hindus eating is a serious business because food is essentially God(Brahman) for them.

There are many rules related to the act of eating.For example,one should not eat with footwears on,while standing,while seating on bed,with one's head covered,or with the food plate kept on one's thighs & so on.

In some other faiths talking while eating seems to be a prohibited act.

We also find our elders asking us to maintain silence while consuming food.

Question-Do we have Scriptural directives regarding the same and do they give the reasons(for keeping quiet while eating) as well?


texts: example of bhakt relation/love to God/Goddess,where God/Goddess is the feminine beloved/premika

texts:
1) humans(not avatara) like Meera, Andal etc viewed God as husband/male beloved(premi) and worshipped/loved Him as such.

2) as per this link https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/krishna-is-husband-of-everyone , krishna is jagatpati and husband of everyone(male or female)

3) Ramakrishna and countless others worshipped God in the form of mother.

now, my question is that:

a) whether there is any human(not avatara) , who worshipped/loved God/Goddess as "feminine beloved"/"divine feminine beloved?
ie, is there any example where "bhakt relationship to God/Goddess , where human bhakt(male/female) is premi and God/Goddess is feminine premikaa"

b) Is this bhav(emotion towards God/Goddess as premika) explicitly allowed/disallowed as per religious text?
If not allowed, then why?


texts: what does Gangavataranam show regarding what Vaishnavas call "Vishnu paratvam"?

texts:
It seems to be a huge deal for vaishnava luminaries that Siva received the Ganga in his locks and it is supposed to have originated from Vishnu's feet.  See for example Vedanta Desika's

http://acharya.org/v/SharanagatiDeepika/SharanagatiDeepika-19.html

Mahabharata says that in the three worlds nobody except Siva could receive Ganga as she descended.  So Siva blessed his devotee Bhageeratha by accepting Ganga.

Why is it Krishna-paratvam when Krishna washes Sudama's feet but not Siva-paratvam for receiving Ganga in his locks?


texts: What are three Sharira and their relation to five Kosha?

texts:
I heard three Sharira mentioned in some texts viz.

स्थूल शरिर (Sthula Sharira)
सूक्ष्म शरिर (Sukshma Sharira)
कारन शरिर (Karan Sharira)

Let me ask some questions about them.

What are these three Sharira? and What are they made of?
What is the significance and the concept behind them?
What is the relation of them with five Kosha?


texts: What is the story behind Lord Rudra (Shiva) holding the skull of Indra?

texts:
I read the extract as shown in the image below from Vayuviya Samhita Chapter 14 of Shiva Purana:

In the verse # 9 (the highlighted one), it is said that:

  He (Lord Rudra) is brilliant holding the skulls of asura Jalandhara, Brahma and Indra, his tawny hair, mustache and beard are drenched in the surging waves of Ganga.

This line is said in the praise of Lord Rudra (popularly known as Lord Shiva). I am aware that Jalandhara was a demon killed by him. Lord Brahma's one head was also cut by Lord Rudra/Shiva but I don't know of any incident where Indra's head was being cut by Lord Rudra/Shiva. Do we have any scriptures that store some story behind this?


texts: Does Srimad Bhagawatam make use of Alwar poetry?

texts: I remember reading that somewhere and it makes sense since Bhagavatam has a distinct South Indian feel to it.  This also has implications for its date.


texts: What scriptures describe Durvasa having three sons who promulgated Agamas?

texts:
Generally, Vaishnavas follow the Pancharatra Agamas, Shaivites follow the Shaiva Agamas, and Shaktas follow the Shaiva Agamas. But long ago, there was a group of people in Kashmir who followed the Shakta Agamas but adopted Shiva as their Ishta Devata. That group evolved into what we now call Kashmir Shaivism. Because it has its roots in Shakta Agamas, it subscribes to a monistic philosophy, as opposed to philosophic Shaivite sects like Shaiva Siddhanta which are more dualistic in their philosophy.

Now the most famous Kashmiri Shaivite philosopher was Abhinavagupta, who lived in the 10th century.  Abhinavagupta's guru was Lakshmanagupta, whose guru was Utpaladeva, whose guru was Somananda.  Now Somananda was the shishya of Vasugupta, the author of the Shiva Sutras, the defining text of Kashmiri Shaivism.  But that's not the only lineage Somananda is associated with.  Somananda is also claimed to be a biological descendant of Durvasa's son Tryamabaka, who is also revered as a Kashmiri Shaivite Acharya.  Here is what Abhinavagupta says about Tryambaka in this excerpt from his Tantraloka:

  As, thus, with the disappearance of the Shāstras the world became engrossed in spiritual darkness, Shiva-as the Deity is called-took pity on men and, appearing on the Kailāsa mountain in the form of Shrikantha, commanded the Sage Durvasas to spread in the world the knowledge of these Shāstras again. Durvasas, thus commanded, created, by the power of his mind, three sons - Tryambaka, Amardaka and Shrinātha by names - whom he charged with the mission of establishing spiritual order and of teaching men again the ancient and eternal Shaiva faith and doctrine in their three aspects of Abheda, Bheda and Bhedabheda-of Unity, Diversity and Diversity-in-unity. Tryambaka was to teach the first, Amardaka the second, while Shrinatha was to have the charge of the last, It is this Abheda or Advaya Shaiva teaching, thus retaught to the world by Tryambaka, which is spoken of as the Trika.

Trika is basically what we now call the Kashmiri Shaivism.  In any case, the idea is that Tryambaka promulgated the 64 Bhairava Tantras which Kashmiri Shaivites focus on, whereas Amardaka and Srinatha promulgated the 28 traditional Shaiva Agamas which philosophical Shaivite sects like Shaiva Siddhanta are based on.

But my question is, what scriptures describe Durvasa's mind-born sons Tryambaka, Amardaka, and Srinatha?  Do any Puranas or Agamas mention them?

The only putative sons of Durvasa I know of are Ilvala and Vatapi who were killed by the sage Agastya.  Ilvala and Vatapi are mentioned in Hindu scripture, but their being sons of Durvasa may just be folklore.


texts: Difference between different types of Gita (Uddhava-Gita, Rudra-Gita etc.)

texts: Can someone please brief me the difference between Uddhava-Gita, Rudra-Gita, Bhikshu-Gita, Sruti-Gita, the Hamsa-Gita and the Bhagavad-Gita and also summarize what they talk about? I know about Bhagavad-Gita but not much about the other ones. These all are part of the Bhagavata Purana. If possible, please also redirect me to the exact places in Bhagavata Purana where each of these are mentioned.


texts:
I have doubt regarding karma.
Let me explain my doubt with example.

Today a beggar's fate was to get only one rupee but with my freewill I am giving him 4 rupees extra money. What I gave  added as punyam in my account.

On the next day, beggar's fate was to experience one beatings in stomach with my freewill I am giving him two beatings the extra beatings I gave is added as a papa in my account.

So, if I can do extra papa to other which is not in their fate means that they can experience pain that which is not in their fate. So how karma protects every one?

Please explain with example.


texts: Can Kshatriyas teach Brahmanas some Brahma Vidyas?

texts:
According to Hindu scripture, only Brahmanas can teach the Vedas and knowledge that directly comes from Vedic texts:

  Manu 1.88 - For the Brāhmaṇas he ordained teaching, studying, sacrificing and officiating at sacrifices, as also the giving and accepting of gifts.

The other duties and knowledge can be learned from anyone else as per Apastamba Dharma Sutras:

  Some declare, that the remaining duties [which have not been taught
  here] must be learnt from women and those of all castes.

Brahma Vidyas are different ways you can meditate on Brahman or the Jivatma, and the different Brahma Vidyas are described in the Upanishads. In most Brahma Vidyas, the teachers are Brahmanas. However, there is one Brahma Vidya in which the teacher is a king, a kshatriya, and that is the Panchagni Vidya found in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad in this section:

  The king said: 'Do not be offended with us, neither you nor your forefathers, because this knowledge has before now never dwelt with any Brâhmana. But I shall tell it to you, for who could refuse you when you speak thus?

However, in another Brahma Vidya in the Kaushitaki Upanishad, a Kshatriya tells a Brahmana that it is improper for a Kshatriya to teach a Brahmana a Brahma Vidya, so he took him to a Brahmana who could teach the Vidya:

  Thereupon Bâlâki came, carrying fuel in his hand, saying: 'May I come to you as a pupil?' Agâtasatru said to him: 'I deem it improper that a Kshatriya should initiate a Brâhmana. Come, I shall make you know clearly.' Then taking him by the hand, he went forth. And the two together came to a person who was asleep. And Agâtasatru called him, saying: 'Thou great one, clad in white raiment, Soma, King.' But he remained lying. Then he pushed him with a stick, and he rose at once. Then said Agâtasatru to him: 'Bâlâki, where did this person here sleep? Where was he? Whence came he thus back?' Bâlâki did not know.

My question is, are Kshatriyas allowed to teach only the Panchagni Vidya? Is this the exception to the rule that only Brahmanas can teach the Brahma Vidyas?

What do commentators say about this?


texts: What is the earliest scripture mentioning the word Nirvāṇa?

texts:
The word nirvāṇa literally means extinguishment. It implies the extinguishment of self. Bhagwat Geeta also mentions the word,

लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषय: क्षीणकल्मषा:|
छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मान:
सर्वभूतहिते रता: || 5.25||
कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् |
अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते
विदितात्मनाम् || 5.26||

But some Buddhists claim that this word is not present in Vedas but in BG that makes the fact of Bhagwat Geeta being post-Buddhist possible. I am looking for the usuage of the word in Vedas or Upanishads or scripture that predates Bhagwat Geeta.
P.S: In any case, absence of the word in Vedas doesn't imply BG to be post-Buddhist. Nirvana is a sanskrit word that means extinguishment & Brahman Nirvana simply means extinguishment in Brahman, etc. So, it's neither surprising to find the word in BG nor does it imply BG to be post-Buddhist.


texts: In Jyotish, is there a chain of predecessors in planetary realm?

texts:
I'm curious to know the following:

In panchabhutas, we all know, Akasha or ether gave birth to air. Air to water and so forth.

Likewise, is there any such planetary ascension/relationship between planets?

A friend suggests this partial sequence: Ketu->Mars->Sun->Saturn. Is this correct? If so, what is the rest in this relationship sequence?


texts: Did our scriptures mention any avatar that Parabrahma has taken?

texts: We know Lord Vishnu's avatars and we mostly have knowledge of different forms of deities and their leela. But does our scriptures have any accounts of avatars of Parabrahma?


texts: Is it true that God himself came to saint Ekanatha's house to do his work?

texts:
I have heard the folk story that Ekanath was very busy in the social-cultural reformation of society.  Also, many people came to his house for the meal every day. So, He and his wife too busy for the housework.

Therefore Lord himself came  Ekanatha's house to do his housework. I am not sure about this is a real story or not? Is there any reference?


texts: If we desire to live without desire will it be a desire?

texts:
EXPLANATION :

People live with many desires and karmas of good and bad come according to the kind of desire
A man who perform's his duties without any desire and submits the results to god will not acquire any karma.
If a man always desires to live without desire then he desires to be desireless .
As he desires for desireless he wants the state of desireless for his own(Under maya as a conditioned soul)

QUESTION :

If we desire for desirelessness isn't it a desire ?
Does karmas takes place in these kinds of actions ?


texts:
I got a message on Christmas stating that there was a time when Christmas and Makar Sankranti used to be celebrated on their website same day.

After a quick web search, I found that Sun takes 20mins extra in it's cycle each year which means it would take 1day extra after 72 years.

Hence, Makar Sankranti would shift ahead by 1day after 72 years (or after a century). Makar Sankranti celebration on 14th January is going to complete that time and soon it would shift to 15th January permanently for 70-100 years and then would move to 16th January after a century and so on.

To testify this, I quickly checked Makar Shankranti dates on https://amp.drikpanchang.com/sankranti/makar-sankranti-date-time.html?year=YYYY website and here are the results:

year=0519 : 25dec
year=1019 : 01jan
year=1519 : 08jan
year=2019 : 15jan
year=2519 : 22jan
year=3019 : 29jan
...
year=9019 : 21apr

So my question is Is it true that two thousand years ago Makar Sankranti used to be celebrated in December and would be celebrated in April after seven thousand years?

It might be difficult for future dates but atleast is it true that in 1519, Makara Sankranti was celebrated  on 08jan?


texts: Temple for Tri murthis and its significance

texts: Where is the temple for Trimurthis   Brahma,  Vishnu and Siva with their consorts and what is the significance of the same?


texts: Was Maya Danav actually the son of Vishwakarma?

texts:
As shared in the answer of a different question I had asked I go to know that the Vayu Puran mentions the following:

The text says that Surenu, the daughter of Tvastha and wife of Surya was Maya's sister. Does this imply that Maya the architect of Asuras was actually the son of Viswakarma the architect of the gods? Do any other puranas confirm this relationship?


texts: Does Law of Karma act on its own or are there any sentient beings which implement it?

texts:
Is Law of Karma something which acts on its own? Or are there some sentient beings which implement it? Is it something which acts automatically without involvement of God?

For eg., if a person gets a slight injury. It could be due to some past karma of his. But who is the agent which decides that this injury needs to be afflicted? Is it God, or some other deity?


texts: Do all Vedantic philosophies agree on the number of Pramanas?

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.) I'm interested in the epistemology of the Vedanta school.

Now Narayana Bhattar was a mathematician, philosopher, and poet who is most famous for the Narayaneeyam, a poem summarizing the Srimad Bhagavatam. But he also wrote a work on the Purva Mimamsa school, the Manemyodaya.  In this excerpt from the Manameyodaya, Narayana Bhattar discusses the Pramanas or means of valid knowledge accepted by different schools of Indian philosophy:

  Perception and inference, similarly authority and analogy, presumption and negation - these are the six means of valid knowledge for those who think like us. Charvakas speak of one; the Buddhists and the Vaisheshikas speak of two; Bhasarvajna and the Samkhyas speak of three; Udayana and others speak of four; the followers of Prabhakara speak of five; we and those well-versed in Vedanta speak of six; the Pauranikas, however, speak of eight, adding inclusion and tradition.

I'm interested in the part in bold.  The "we" refers to the followers of the Purva Mimamsa philosopher Kumarila Bhatta.  Narayana Bhattar is saying that the Vedanta school accepts the same six Pramanas that Kumarila Bhatta does: Pratyaksha or perception, Anumana or inference, Shabda or authority, Upamana or analogy, Arthapatti or presumption, and Anupalabdhi or negation.

Now within the Vedanta school, there are numerous philosophies, including Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita, Ramanujacharya's philosophy of Visistadvaita, Madhvacharya's philosophy of Dvaita, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's philosophy of Achintya Bheda Abheda, Nimbarkacharya's philosophy of Dvaitadvaita, and Vallabhacharya's philosophy of Shuddhadvaita.  My question is, do all these Vedantic philosophies agree on this list of six Pramanas?  Or do different Vedantic philosophies believe in different numbers of Pramanas?

If different Vedantic philosophies do differ on this, then the figure of six Pramanas would probably be for Advaita, since I've heard that Narayana Bhattar may have been an Advaitin.


texts:
Ravan was half-brahmin and half-demon.His father,the great rishi Vishrava belonged to the Pulastya clan and mother Kaikasi originated from the asura clan.Since he was a brahmin and was the greatest devotee of Mahadev,it might be true that he was a vegetarian.
However it might also be possible that he was a meat eater,due to the fact that he possessed demon genes.


texts:
In his journey towards the Himalayas to take the Sanjeevni Booti, Lord Hanuman sees the abodes of different Gods. It is described in the Yuddha Kanda Sarga 74 in the following verse :

  स ब्रह्मकोशं रजतालयं च |
  शक्रालयं रुद्रशरप्रमोक्षम् |
  हयाननं ब्रह्मशिरश्च दीप्तं |
  ददर्श वैवस्वत किङ्करांश् च || ६-७४-५९

  sa brahmakośaṃ rajatālayaṃ ca |
  śakrālayaṃ rudraśarapramokṣam |
  hayānanaṃ brahmaśiraśca dīptaṃ |
  dadarśa vaivasvata kiṅkarāṃś ca || 6-74-59

  He saw the abode of Brahma the lord of creation, Kailasa the abode of Shiva the lord of dissolution, the abode of Indra the lord of celestials, the arrow-discharging place of Rudra, the worshipping place of Hayagriva, the horse-faced form of Vishnu, the shining place at which Brahma's head fell down, the sun-god and Kimkaras. [6-74-59]

Who are the Kimkaras mentioned here? I couldn't find any information elsewhere about them.


texts: Looking for the book that says Ramayana and Mahabharata took place lacs of years Before Christ

texts:
When I was a student (during 1978-79), I had a book on Ancient Indian History with chronological events (from Vedic times to Modern India), in which the author arrived at date of Ramayana some 7 lac years BC and Mahabharata about 4 lac years BC (I vaguely remember the dates) based on astrological calculations.

The best part of the book was it had listed out the chronology of events running into several pages, from Vedic times to Birth of independent India, with names of Kings / dynasties/lineage etc.

Another interesting part of the book is that it argued with proofs that the Indian King who fought Alexander the Great, was Chandra Gupta of the Gupta dynasty and not Chandra Gupta Maurya of the Mauryan dynasty.

I lost the book and am still searching for the book, but unable to find it online / in bookstalls. I don't remember the title of the book or author's name.
Can some body help me with the name of the book and where I can find one?


texts: Which Hindu scripture is saying that sun does not rise or set?

texts:
The boldified text of the following sentence is a well known fact about sun now

  The sun stays in its position at the center of our solar system. It
  doesn't rise and set. But it appears to rise and set because of the
  Earth's rotation on its axis. It makes one complete turn every 24
  hours. It turns toward the east.

Which scripture explicitly tells the same?


texts: Which gods are antaryami(who knows everything)?

texts: Which god/goddess are antaryami or the one who knows everything about us? apart from god shiva and god, Vishnu does goddess Saraswati and goddess Laxmi are also omniscient? what about god Hanuman does he also knows everything?


texts: Are some of the words from Vedas still untranslatable?

texts:
This question quotes the Sanskrit grammarian Yāska as saying he didn't know the meaning of some 400 words of the Vedas.

Is this still the case with modern translations of Vedas?


texts: Who are these Vedic goddesses mentioned as spouses of Devas?

texts:
Rig Veda Book 1 Hymn 22 enumerates many goddesses as the souses of the gods:

  9 O Agni, hither bring to us the willing Spouses of the Gods,
  And Tvaṣṭar, to the Soma draught.
  10 Most youthful Agni, hither bring their Spouses, Hotrā, Bhāratī,
  Varūtrī, Dhiṣaṇā, for aid.
  11 Spouses of Heroes, Goddesses, with whole wings may they come to us
  With great protection and with aid.
  12 Indrāṇī, Varuṇānī, and Agnāyī hither I invite,
  For weal, to drink the Soma juice.
  13 May Heaven and Earth, the Mighty Pair, bedew for us our sacrifice,
  And feed us full with nourishments.

The latter three are easily understandable but what about the first four? Bharati I think is the consort of Vayu but I am not sure about the others. Are these goddesses HotrA, VarUtri & DhisanA described in any other scriptures?


texts: What happens to Lord Shiva's trishul during dissolution of universe?

texts:
I've read Kashi is absorbed into trishul at the time of Dissolution. But Trishul too has to be absorbed. Can anyone give references about the Trishul? As it has to be absorbed, So Kashi ultimately absorbed into Brahm?
Please take into account both subtle & gross meaning of Trishul.


texts: What will happen if one unlock all the chakra in his/her body?

texts:
https://images.app.goo.gl/rsRm9ahmrxgMem466
So what will happen if one unlock all 7 of these chakra.


texts: What happened to the Vanara Sena after the Ramayana?

texts:
In the Ramayana, the Vanara Sena (monkey clan) made a glorious impact and registered its strong presence headed by Lord Hanuman, Vali, and Sugriva.

But after that there is no major presence or mark made by this clan. What happened to the clan of mighty warriors of the Vanara Sena after the Ramayana?


texts: Why did Lord Jagannatha become a beggar and why His wife Lakshmi did not help him?

texts:
When Lord Jagannatha banished Lakshmi from home, She went and began to live in various places. Then Lakshmi made Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balbhadra beggars. As a result they stayed without eating anything for many days. Despite the pain, Lakshmi did not help them. I can understand why Lakshmi didn't help him but why did She make Lord Jagannatha suffer? I find this ridiculous. Why would Lakshmi, the ideal example of wives make Lord Jagannatha suffer in this cruel way? Maybe its a misunderstanding from my part. What is the source of this story and why did Lakshmi do this?

Please clarify me.
Thanks...


texts:
1) Who or what created Vishnu ji ?
If brahma has come from a lotus of his navel, then what is the origin of vishnu ?
ofcourse the vaishnavs will say Vishnu is parbrahm , so he is without any origin.
But speaking from hindu texts, what is the origin of Vishnu ?

And what is that ocean and what is the snake on which he reclines ?

Is it merely metaphor ? or is for real in some dimension ?

The ocean is said to be made of milk , but is it milk in the literal sense ?
Also if brahma created the universe, where is that universe in the context of the world in which there's a sky , ocean of milk and vishnu ?

sorry this is confusing to me.


texts: Are Vedanta Sutras post Buddhist origin?

texts:
It is believed that badarAyana is the author of these aphorism which are related to vedAnta.

Now there is mention of all the existing philosophies orthodox and heterodox in these sutras.

  The Brahma-sutra text is dated to centuries that followed Buddha and
  Mahavira, because it mentions and critiques the ideas of Buddhism and
  Jainism in Chapter 2. The text's relative chronology is also based
  on the fact that Badarayana quotes all major known orthodox Hindu
  schools of philosophy except Nyaya. The exact century of its
  composition or completion in final form is unknown, but scholars such
  as Lochtefeld suggest that the text was complete sometime between 500
  to 200 BCE,while Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dasgupta
  independently suggest the 2nd  BCE as more likely. Paul Deussen
  places it between 200 BCE and 400 CE.

So now the question rises

Were all these philosophy existing during the time of vyAsa(if he is same as badarAyana) ?

If its indeed the ending of Dwapara Yuga then how come it mentions about Jainism or Buddhism ?


texts: Charm to promote hair growth Atharva veda

texts:
Please someone translate the following mantras of Atharva veda Book 6- hymn 21, hymn 30,31, hymn 136,137 to English prose from Sanskrit?

As I don't know sanskrit. I read online that they promote hair growth.

How to chant these mantras? or
What is the complete procedure to recite it effectively?


texts:
Consider the following statement about Ravana from wikipedia:

  Ravana is also depicted as the author of the Ravana Samhita, a book on
   Hindu astrology and book Arka Prakasham; book on Siddha medicine and treatment . Ravana possessed a thorough knowledge of Siddha and political science. He is said to have possessed the nectar of immortality, which was stored inside his belly, thanks to a celestial boon by Brahma.

It is clearly saying that Ravana wrote two books: Ravana Samhita, a book on Hindu astrology and Arka Prakasham, book on Siddha medicine and treatment.

Is it true that Ravana is author of those two books or any other books?


texts: Every decision is the decision of the soul before birth?

texts:
Is it correct to say that it is the soul that takes the decision as to:

where to be born?
when to be born?
which body to select?
for how long to stay?
what exactly it needs to learn in that birth?

Reason am asking this is because we all sometimes have this feeling when we are going through some stressful phase in our life as to why me? what wrong have I done? Am I not a good human?

Hope I'm making sense?


texts: Is there a Hindu equivalent of the Buddhist Dukkha?

texts:
I really like the Buddhist teaching on suffering-unsatisfactoriness (Dukkha), a characteristic of existence and how to get rid of it.

I was wondering if there was a Hindu equivalent? A similar discourse on suffering, omnipresent in ordinary life, born of desire and on ways to get rid of it.

While searching I found this: Dukkha in Hinduism.

But it's a little short, so if you ever have any additional resources on the subject, don't hesitate!

Thank you.


texts: Where do Vedas state that Destiny is the nature of Time?

texts:
Shiva Purana Kailasha Samhita chapter 13 (13.29-30) states;

  मायां तु प्रकृतिं विद्यादिति माया श्रुतीरिता ।
  तज्जान्येतानि तत्त्वानि श्रुत्युक्तानि न संशय ।।29
  It has been propounded in the Vedas that Maya is same as Prakirti. The principles as mentioned in Srutis are born of that.

  कालस्वभावो नियतिरिति च श्रुतिरब्रवित्।
  एतत्पञ्चकमेवास्य पञ्चकञ्चक्रमुच्यते ।।30
  The Vedas also declare that the destiny is the nature of Kãla (Time). This set of five is called wheel of five.

The first quote mentioned there can be found in the Svetasvatara Upanishad 4.10 which states:

  मायां तु प्रकृतिं विद्यान्मायिनं च महेश्वरम् ।
  तस्यवयवभूतैस्तु व्याप्तं सर्वमिदं जगत् ॥ १०॥
  Know, then, that Prakriti is Maya and Maheswara is the Lord of maya. The whole universe is filled with objects which are parts of His being.

But from where is the second quote from?
ie. Where do Vedas mention as destiny is the nature of Time? ie. From where is the Shiva Purana quoting that quote of 'kãlaswabhãvo niyati' ?


texts: Is the Madhyandina Shakha of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad available in English?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, each of the four Vedas consists of four parts: Samhitas, which consist of mantras addressed to the Devas; Brahmanas, which consist of instructions for public Yagnas; Aranyakas, which consist of instructions for Yagnas done in the forest; and Upanishads, which consists of philosophical teachings. And each of the four Vedas also comes in multiple Shakhas or recensions, which I discuss here. Each Shakha has its own Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka, and Upanishad.

Now the Shukla Yajur Veda used to have many Shakhas, but only two survive: the Madhyandina Shakha and the Kanva Shakha.  That means the the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, which is part of the Shatapatha Brahmana of the Shukla Yajur Veda, has two surviving versions: the Madhyandina Shakha's version and the Kanva Shakha's version.  Now the Kanva Shakha's version of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad has many English translations, for instance this one. That's because all the major commentators, like Adi Shankaracharya, Madhvacharya, Ranga Ramanuja, etc., have all commented on the Kanva Shakha's version for some reason.  But my question is, is the Madhyandina Shakha's version of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad available in English?

Now there is an English translation of the Madhayandina Shakha's version of the Shatapatha Brahmana, which contains the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad within it, but the translator chose not to translate the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad portion.  But did anyone else translate it?


texts: Was there a resentment among the shishyas of Adi Shankara about writing a commentary on Shankara Bhashya?

texts:
This question is prompted by the movie Adi Shankaracharya movie which is made in Sanskrit. It is a movie about Adi Shankaracharya and depicts different incidents in his life from birth to attaining samadhi at Himalayas.

The movie depicts an incident where Sureśvarācārya was observing a vedic sacrifice. In the sacrifice, animals made of dough were offered instead of real animals. So, he becomes displeased and talks to Adi Shankara that when will people be free from rituals and concentrate on self. Adi Shankaracharya appreciates him saying he has realised the futility of the rituals and he is worthy of commenting on Shankara Bhashyam which is a commentary on Brahma sutras.

Knowing this, the other shishyas were disappointed to know that their acharya has not chosen other senior most shishyas like Padma Pada or Hastamalaka who   is a great scholar. Adi Shankaracharya tells them that there should be unity among the shishyas who are dedicated for the spread of Vedic wisdom through out the country. The shishyas apologise for the mistake they made and later Adi Shankaracharya chooses Totakacharya  who is also known as Ananda Giri to write a commentary on his own Shankara Bhashyam. It is the work Nyaya Nirnaya

You can watch the scene on YouTube.

Is this a true incident that there is a resentment among the disciples of Adi Shankara which led to Ananda Giri's work Nyaya Nirnaya ? Is this incident mentioned in any of the biographies of Adi Shankaracharya?

Some can think that it is a movie and writers take some creative license but it is said in the titles that the script is approved by religious scholars and it is heard and blessed by Shankaracharyas of Shringeri, Dwaraka, Jyotirmatham and Kanchi Kama Koti Peetham. So, this should have been present in  some of the traditional biographies of Adi Shankaracharya.


texts: How did the serpent Adisesha become bed for Lord Vishnu?

texts:
At the beginning of creation, Lord Vishnu was depicted as sleeping (Yoganidra) of serpent Adisesha on Ksheer Saagar. But Mahabharatha says Sesha was born to Kadru and sage Kashyapa.

If Shesha is with Vishnu from starting, why was he born to Kadru?
As i asked in this question, Why lakshmana and Balarama (their souls) went to Patalaloka if Sesha is with Vishnu in Vaikunta?
How did he become bed for Vishnu?


texts: Why did Pundalika order Lord Krishna to stand on the stone?

texts:
I have heard the folk story about Pundalika.

He was busy with doing some work and suddenly Lord Krishna came to his home. He ordered Lord Krishna to stand up on the stone. If this is true, then I want to know the full story and any valid reference to it?


texts:
I am a mathematics student and it is not economically feasible for me to buy every book that I need for my studies. Even reading a specific topic sometimes requires 2-3 different books. So like most people around me, I too download the books from various websites like libgen, bookfi, etc.

Is reading or downloading books that I have not purchased myself a sin according to Hindu scripture?


texts: Who controls or rules my life / our lives as in all human beings ? Is it GOD or Astrological Janam Kundali or my efforts / karma?

texts:
While posting this, I got this connected post. So I understood things related to kriyamana karma & prarabdha karma when it comes to karma, but the main question I still have in my mind is,
1) "Who controls or rules my life / our lives as in all human beings?"
2) "Who has more control?"
3) "Is there a possibility, in any scenario we can say I am totally responsible for my own actions & Astrology & God aren't responsible for the same".

God :
I had various bakhti moments of many GODS. Recently (one year ago) I have experienced Supreme Goddess Kali influence on me. Feeling like Maa Kali is trying to say something or make me do something & it did turned out to be true & benefit for me & my family. It felt as if SHE has been controlling my life till now & guiding me into the future.

Astrology:
I used to be a non-believer in Astrology but within the same period as mentioned above I also got exposed to or you can say I immersed myself into astrology to some extent & I realized our astrological planet position during our birth time dictate most of the events of our lives. I myself cross verified it with my history & important events. It turned out to be true with 90% minimum accuracy. The maximum accuracy will be known if I dive more into astrology. It also predicted my current nature & behaviour. It felt as if I was being run over a blueprint of astrological planet positions. I tested it again with mom & it was 80% accurate from what I know. It also says about my good time / rise starting from the above mentioned time & more good times coming ahead mixed with bad times. Now this time period coincide with Kali Maa Bakhti period.
This raised me the question, who’s ruling my life Maa Kali or Astrology? Both are of Hindu Mythology & can’t be denied. I have experienced both so it’s tough to conclusion.

My Efforts / Hard Work / Karma:
I believe in Lord Krishna’s words to do our karma. I believe in my efforts & hard work more than anything. I don’t make assumptions or don’t believe in anything quickly.  I judge, analyse & then come to conclusion. I don’t make silly request to GOD to do this ,that in exchange of some offering or so. I simply do my work perfectly & make sure the path & steps is right & then remember GOD. I remember GOD in good & bad times. Recently within the same time period I have seen my long standing effort to improve my life is slowly & slowly working for good.

Now I have experienced all 3 sections which affect my life & all seems to be true. I find it hard it choose which one is actually ruling my life / our lives as in all human beings. As believer in hard work / efforts / planner, I believe & it seems I running my life but as devotee it seems GOD as is running my / our lives & looking at astrology it seems everything was pre-planned & is still running as per it's plan. So who’s running my life?


texts: Did Pradyumna, son of Lord Krishna, participate in the Mahabharata war?

texts:
Pradyumna had knowledge of how to enter and exit the Chakravyuha.

I want to know:

If Pradyumna did not participate in Mahabharata war, then why didn't he participate?
If Pradyumna did participate in Mahabharata war, why didn't he help Abhimanyu with the Chakravyuha?


texts: How do Naishtika Brahmacharis and Smartha Sanyasis repay the Deva and Pitru debts(ऋण)?

texts:
Taittriya Samhita 6.3.10.5

  जायमानो वै ब्राह्मणस्त्रिभिर् ऋणवा जायते  ब्रह्मचर्येण ऋषिभ्यो यज्ञेन
  देवभ्यः

  प्रजया पितृभ्य एष वा अनृणो यः पुत्री यज्वा ब्रह्मचारिवासी

Rough translation:

  A Brahmana on birth is born with a threefold debt, first one is to the
  Rishis (Rishi Rina); second one is to the devatas (Deva Rina); and the
  third one is to the ancestors (Pitru Rina). He is freed from his first
  debt who lived as a Brahmachari, he is freed from the second debt by
  peforming Yajnas, and the third debt can be fulfilled by begetting a
  son.

Now, in order to repay the second and third debts, one has to marry as without wife no one is allowed to perform sacrifices and without wife one cannot beget a son. As Naishtika Brahmacharis and Smartha Sanyasis never marry, how do they repay the second debt and third debt?


texts: Are Hindu scriptures (itihasas) written from the winners' perspective?

texts:
I couldn't help but notice but all tales are about the victors. They are always about how the good one, a subjective entity, won over the bad one, again a subjective entity. The voice of the vanquished seldom noted in a sense of appraisal, it almost always describes why they are bad.

When Hanuman burns down Lanka and is captured, Vibhishana tries to reason with Ravana on why he is wrong and why he should seek the feet of Rama. In process Vibhishana describes how great Rama is, how he is an embodiment of everything that is good in the world, how he is pinnacle of human excellence, how he is not a mere human but a great Saint. It is merely a laurel for Rama rather than reason. It seems that all of dharma at the moment was to serve what was right, again a subjective entity. It is told as if seeking the feet of Rama was the only truth in the universe. He is the one that would lead the world to salvation. Nothing else could lead you to moksha. Although, Ravana might be the one with pride and anger, how come praising someone else in front of a person with a high self esteem be ever be the solution. It is rather provocative. It would anger a person even more.

The concept of 'papa', also is used ever so randomly. When the good one does a deed that could be called bad, it is termed as 'leela' or 'maya' of the great one. When someone challenges this notion, it is always shut down by saying that the great one is great and you are too small to question the great one. It is the mystery of the great one to do such things. How are we to measure the greatness?

Why is it that we have to lookup to one that is good? Is it our ultimate goal to serve the great?


texts: Is there a commentary for this verse in the Gautama Dharma Sutras?

texts:
The Gautama Dharma Sutras on sacred-texts.com apparently says there that it's not a sin to kill a prostitute:

  For (killing) a Vaisya (the same penance must be performed) during three years; and he shall give one hundred cows and one bull.

  ...

  (The penance for killing) a cow is the same as for (the murder of) a Vaisya.

  ...

  (For killing a woman who subsists) by harlotry, nothing at all.

Is there a commentary for this verse? sacred-texts does not mention any commentary for this verse. Haradatta is one commentator for the Gautama Dharma Sutras. He comments on other verses but not this one according to sacred-texts.


texts: Which practice existed during the reign of Lord Rama, either Kanyasulkam or Varakatnam(Dowry)?

texts:
At present we follow giving Dowry to the grooms which is considered as social evil.
What Lord's do is considered right because they will have a particuar reason behind it. So I want to know what they followed and why.


texts: How older was Krsna to Rukmini and Sisupala?

texts:
According to the Mahabharata, when Sisupala was born with three eyes and four hands, it was proclaimed that the person who caused them to disappear would be Sisupala's slayer. Since his mother Shrutashravas was Krsna's aunt, Krsna and Balarama too came to see their cousin. But as soon as Krsna placed Sisupala on his lap, the third eye and extra two hands disappeared. This must have happened when Krsna was twelve years or older.

Now later on, (in Srimad Bhagavatam), after constructing Dvaraka, Krsna marries Rukmini, who was betrothed to Sisupala. Here, unless the seventeen battles of Jarasandha took more than a decade, Sisupala couldn't have been more than ten years old. How then could he marry Rukmini? And if Rukmini was younger than Sisupala what was the age gap between Krsna and Rukmini?

To summarize: How older was Krsna to Rukmini and Sisupala and at what age did her marry Rukmini?


texts: What is the meaning of 33 koti in reference to Hindu gods?

texts: In a TV series it was mentioned that 33 koti does not mean 33 crore which is what the general public including me know about the number of Hindu gods. It means 33 important gods which includes adityas , ashwinikumaras ,rudras and some more gods . Is this statement true ? If yes please explain and give details about the 33 important gods.


texts:
I saw This , I want to know what's the 1) Advantage of Sankasta hara chaturthi

2) Why doing Tuesday is more helpfull.

3) Why we need to see moon and eat at night.

4)Why Rice are not allowed to eat on this day for those who are doing fasting....


texts: Is it true that moksha state is of infinite time?

texts:
Unlike most other religions hinduism says that hell and heaven are temporary and moksha is the ultimate state.

My doubt is if someone reach moksha state, is it of infinite time?

During hell or heaven the soul has consciousness and can perform actions using body or some other means.

If the soul reaches moksha state, then is it true that the soul is conscious? Does the soul can perform actions or is it a infinite rest state with no consciousness?


texts: What is the story of Siva's Incarnation (ईशान) Ishan?

texts:
According to what I have studied yet the 23rd incarnation of Lord Shiva is (ईशान) Ishan (The ruler).
The story related to this incarnation is not described much deeper or it can be my fault that I have not found a good reference yet. Can anybody help me with brief story to clear my doubts.


texts:
Visiting temples on auspicious days, festivals and even on a daily basis is one of the habits that almost every Hindu has and for that case any human being (based on their religion), visits an appropriate devotional place! This is one such belief that is enforced by most of the Parents on their children saying that it helps you be connected with the God!

My question is why is it required to visit a temple to be connected with God?

What are the benefits that one gets by visiting temples?

You can still be connected with God, even without visiting a temple. Please do not reply with answers saying that visiting a temple will imbibe positive energy or rejuvenates all your senses or helps you connect with God better than at home. The hypothetical theory that gives this explanation holds good to temples that were built earlier with all the Vaastu and accoustics in consideration. Now-a-days there is a temple or a devotional place on every street.

You can still be connected with God staying anywhere, as the presence of God is said to be existent everywhere!


texts: What Puranas cover the stories of Ganesh Chaturdhi Puja

texts:
On Ganesh Chaturdhi, Puja called Varasidhi Vinayaka Vrat is performed. In the Vrat, the following stories are told.

Story regarding birth of Vinayaka and his head being replaced with that of Elephant.
Story of Ganesha cursing Moon for laughing at him
Wives of Rishis facing Neelapaninda When Swaaha devi took the form of Rishi patnis to please Agni Deva
Syamantaka Mani story of Krishna due to looking at moon on Ganesh Chaturdhi day

What are the Puranic origins of these stories? Which Puranas (and which chapters) mention these stories. And Which purana contains the procedure and Tithi of Ganesh chaturdhi Puja ?

Also, it is a practice that whoever saw moon on Ganesh Chaturdhi should recite the following sloka.

सिंहः प्रसेनमवधीत्सिंहो जाम्बवता हतः।
सुकुमारक मारोदीस्तव ह्येष स्यमन्तकः॥

What is the origin of this belief and which Purana has this?

Kindly help please.


texts: What do scriptures say about eating unknown vegetables?

texts:
I understood from Manusmriti 5.5 that following veggies are to be avoided

Garlic, leeks and onions, mushrooms and all that proceeds from impure things, are unfit to re eaten by twice-born men.—(5).

But what about vegetables that were introduced to India in recent past - e.g. Potatoes
When it comes to unknown animals or birds, the scriptures make it abundantly clear that they are to be avoided - Manusmriti 5.17

He shall not eat solitary animals, nor unknown beasts and birds, even though indicated among those fit to be eaten; nor any five-nailed animals.—(17).

But looking for pointers on vegetables and fruits not native to Bharata.


texts: I have heard that people will be less spiritually inclined at the end of kaliyuga. The world will refurbish again to a utopian model of Satyayuga. Are there any references which states that Hinduism will exist throughout the period of Kaliyuga ?


texts: Did Vasishta's brother sage Agastya have a previous birth?

texts:
Most people only know about the fact the famous sage Vasishta, guru of Rama, was one of the mind-born sons of Brahma.  What's not as well-known, however, is the fact that Vasishta is no longer the son of Brahma!  In fact if you look at the Anukramani for Rig Veda Book 7 in my answer here, you'll find Vasishta listed not as Vasishta son of Brahma, but rather "Vasishta Maitravaruni", i.e. Vasishta son of Mitra and Varuna.  Let me explain.
Once the ancient king Nimi, ancestor of Janaka, wanted to conduct a Yagna, so he asked the sage Vasishta to be his priest.  Vasishta told Nimi that he had already promised to conduct a Yagna for Indra, so he would conduct Nimi's Yagna afterward.  But Nimi didn't want to wait, so he hired someone else to be his priest.  When Vasishta found out about this, he was furious, and cursed Nimi to have his soul separated from his body.  In response, Nimi uttered the same curse back to Vasishta, so Vasishta's body died and Vasishta's soul was left to wander.  Finally, when the gods Mitra (god of friendship) and Varuna (the ocean god) produced two children out of attraction to the Apsara Urvashi, Vasishta was reborn as one of those children, the other being the famous sage Agastya.  Here is how the Srimad Bhagavatam describes it:

After beginning sacrifices, Mahārāja Nimi, the son of Ikṣvāku, requested the great sage Vasiṣṭha to take the post of chief priest. At that time, Vasiṣṭha replied, “My dear Mahārāja Nimi, I have already accepted the same post in a sacrifice begun by Lord Indra.  I shall return here after finishing the yajña for Indra. Kindly wait for me until then.” Mahārāja Nimi remained silent, and Vasiṣṭha began to perform the sacrifice for Lord Indra.  Mahārāja Nimi, being a self-realized soul, considered that this life is flickering. Therefore, instead of waiting long for Vasiṣṭha, he began performing the sacrifice with other priests.  After completing the sacrificial performance for King Indra, the spiritual master Vasiṣṭha returned and found that his disciple Mahārāja Nimi had disobeyed his instructions. Thus Vasiṣṭha cursed him, saying, “May the material body of Nimi, who considers himself learned, immediately fall.”
For unnecessarily cursing him when he had committed no offense, Mahārāja Nimi countercursed his spiritual master. “For the sake of getting contributions from the King of heaven,” he said, “you have lost your religious intelligence. Therefore I pronounce this curse: your body also will fall.  After saying this, Mahārāja Nimi, who was expert in the science of spiritual knowledge, gave up his body. Vasiṣṭha, the great-grandfather, gave up his body also, but through the semen discharged by Mitra and Varuṇa when they saw Urvaśī, he was born again.

This earlier chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam provides a bit more detail about the birth of Vasishta and Agastya:

Agastya and Vasiṣṭha Ṛṣis were the common sons of Varuṇa and Mitra, the tenth son of Aditi.  Upon seeing Urvaśī, the celestial society girl, both Mitra and Varuṇa discharged semen, which they preserved in an earthen pot. The two sons Agastya and Vasiṣṭha later appeared from that pot, and they are therefore the common sons of Mitra and Varuṇa.

My question is, was this the main birth of the sage Agastya?  Given that Vasishta was originally a sage born from Brahma and then later reborn as the son of Mitra and Varuna, is it possible that something similar happened in Agastya's case?
Do any scriptures describe a previous birth of Agastya?


texts: Where do the Vedas mention trees doing Yagnas?

texts:
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa that summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads. (You can read the Brahma Sutras here.) But the Vedanta school didn't always have the dominant position in Hindu philosophy, before the time of Adi Shankaracharya the dominant school of Hindu philosophy was the Purva Mimamsa school, which I discuss here. In contrast to the Vedanta school which is devoted to analyzing the Jnana Kanda of the Vedas, i.e. the Upanishads, Purva Mimamsa focuses on analyzing the Karma Kanda of the Vedas, i.e. the Samhitas and Brahmanas.
In any case, in this excerpt from Jaimini's Purva Mimamsa Sutras, the defining text of the Purva Mimamsa school, Jaimini refutes the argument that the Vedas are nonsense because they speak of impossible occurrences.  Jaimini argues that these statements are just meant to glorify the power of Yagnas:

Asks the Opponent: — " How do you know that all this (Veda) is not like the utterance of lunatics and children? As a matter of fact, we find in it such sentences as 'Trees sat at the sacrificial session,' 'Serpents sat at the sacrificial session,' 'The old bull sings maddening songs.' Now, how could the 'old bull' sing? How too could 'trees' or 'serpents' sit at sacrifices?"
The answer to this  is as follows: — ... But in reality, even such statements as 'Trees sat at the sacrificial session' are not absurd. They serve to eulogise the sacrificial session; the sense being, 'even such inanimate things as trees performed this sacrifice, what to say of learned Brahmanas?'

But my question is, where in the Vedas are these so-called "absurd" statements about trees and serpents performing Yagnas?
The closest statement I could find is in this Kanda of the Taittiriya Samhita of the Yajur Veda, which discusses cows performing a Yagna in order to obtain horns:

The cows performed that Sattra, being hornless, with the desire, 'May horns be born to us.' For ten months they performed it, and then horns were born, and they ceased (the rite), (saying), 'We have obtained (our desire).' Then those whose horns were not born ceased (the rite) after making up the year, (saying), 'We have obtained (our desire).' Both those which obtained horns and those which did not ceased, (saying),'We have obtained (our desire).' The year is the cows' Sattra, and those who knowing thus perform the year (sacrifice) are prosperous. Therefore a hornless cow has pleasure during the two months of the rainy season, for that is won for it by the Sattra....
The cows performed that Sattra, being hornless and desiring to obtain horns. For ten months they performed it, and then horns appeared. They said, 'We have gained (them), let us cease (the rite), for we have attained the desire for the sake of which we began (the rite).' But others said, either half of them or as many as might be the case, 'Let us perform (the rite) for these months, the eleventh and the twelfth, and when we have made up the year, let us cease'. In their case their horns grew in the twelfth month. Whether by faith, or by lack of faith-that is, those which have no horns-both indeed were prosperous, those which gained horns and those which won strength.

But where are the statements about trees and serpents?
The notion of serpents performing Yagnas isn't too surprising; that could just be referring to the race of Nagas, whom I discuss here.  But I'm more interested in the notion of trees performing Yagnas.  I'm imagining Ents from Lord of the Rings!
By the way, on a side note, where do the Vedas speak of an old bull singing?


texts: Previous births of Indrajit and Meghavāhana

texts:
Just then a muni, named Aprameyabala, who had four kinds of knowledge, came to the garden Kusumāyudha. In that same place at night his brilliant omniscience appeared and the gods held an omniscience-festival. At dawn Rāma and Saumitri, Kumbhakarṇa and others, went and paid homage to him and then listened to dharma. At the end of the sermon Śakrajit and Meghavāhana, who had reached extreme disgust with existence, asked about their former births. The muni said:

“In the city Kauśāmbī here in Bhārata you were two poor brothers, Prathama and Paścima. One day after hearing dharma from Muni Bhavadatta they took the vow and became mendicants, their passions subdued. Once upon a time they went to Kauśāmbī and saw King Nandighoṣa sporting with his wife Indumukhī in the spring festival. Seeing him, Paścima made a nidāna: ‘By this penance may I become their son, engaged in such sport.’ Though restrained by the monks, he did not retract the nidāna and after his death Paścima became their son, Rativardhana. In course of time having grown up, Rativardhana succeeded to the kingdom and, surrounded by his wives, engaged in numerous sports, like his father.

After his death the monk Prathama became a powerful god in the fifth heaven as a result of his penance free from a nidāna. Knowing by clairvoyance that his brother had become king there, the god went in the form of a muni to enlighten him. He sat down on a seat offered by King Rativardhana and related his former birth and his own from friendship for his brother. Rativardhana became disgusted with existence from the recollection of his births which was produced, became a mendicant, and after death became a god in Brahmaloka. Then, having fallen, you became brothers, kings in Vibuddhanagara in the Videhas and went to Acyuta after becoming mendicants. After falling from Acyuta you became now the sons, Indrajit and Meghavāhana, of the Prativiṣṇu Daśāsya. Rativardhana’,s mother, Indumukhī, became your mother, Mandodarī, after wandering through births.”

IT IS MENTIONED HERE : https://www.wisdomlib.org/jainism/book/trishashti-shalaka-purusha-caritra/d/doc214074.html

And it is from purana or any other hindu scripture.I need to know the name and more detailed view of you all.Thanku in advance


texts: Which mimAmsa texts consider looking at sanyasins as sinful?

texts:
Quoting from the chapter "Mimangsa beliefs" of the book Hindu Dharma:

  The sannyasin deprives himself of karma ('karma- bhrashta'). To look
  at him is sinful and you must atone for it. To look at the sinner, to
  talk to him, to dine with him, " say Mandanamisra and mimamsakas like,
  "is to earn sin. To look at a sanyasin is equally sinful. "

Even many of vaishnavas avoid looking at sanyasins who have shaved their heads and abandoned the sacred thread.

I want to know the references from the mimamsa texts or any other scriptures that talk of the above mentioned points?


texts: What manuscript is this illustration from?


texts: English translation of the Brahmavaivarta Purana

texts:
Is the complete English translation of the Brahma-vaivarta Purana available for download?
The complete English translation is available at the website
indianscriptures.com
but is it available for download?
Is some other complete translation available from some other place?


texts: Does prayer remove bad deeds of past lives?

texts: If this birth is based on the deeds of our previous life, then our destiny is pre-determined. So, there is no need for god unless prayer offered to him will erase the bad deeds.


texts:
Verse number 27 of Chapter 3 of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita states

प्रकृते: क्रियमाणानि गुणै: कर्माणि सर्वश:
अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते

This translates to

All activities are carried out by the three modes of material nature. But in ignorance, the soul, deluded by false identification with the body, thinks itself to be the doer.

According to my understanding, the three material modes of nature apply to mental phenomena just as much as they do to the physical body etc.
Is this an allusion to the non existence of what is often called "free will"?


texts: Can we plant Peepal tree at home as a bonsai

texts:
Can we plant Peepal Tree at home as a Bonsai, as every one know that Peepal Tree gives oxygen 24 hrs, So is it good to plant it at home or balcony.

If no, then why?


texts: what is the reason behind the snake with several gods and goddess

texts: I saw some of the god's and goddess having snake with them is there any particular reason for this. And also I want to know each and every deities having some birds and animals domestic and wild including navagraha's. What is the importance and role of the snakes with deities?


texts: regarding performing marriage of son within one year if death of father in law

texts: I had performed the death rituals of my father in law since he does not have sons and my wife being his elder daughter.  Now I have a doubt that whether I can perform my elder son's marriage with in one year.


texts: Why did Shiva granted a boon to Jayadrath?

texts:
It is interesting to know the reason behind Shiva's boon to Jayadrath that he will be able to hold back all Pandavas except Arjuna for one day.
Jayadrath obtained the boon after failed attempt of kidnapping Draupadi.

But, why Shiva granted the boon to the wicked Jayadrath??


texts:
Krishna was not responsible for the death of the Kauravas.

Why does Krishna accept Gandhari's curse?


texts: There are mantras to be recited and practice like Annashuddhi/parishechanam before eating. But are there any mantras to be recited before/while/after cooking to bless the food? Are there some practices to be followed?


texts:
This question for me is a confusion.
Why do we rely on god to get good grades, money or good life?
Logically if I have worked hard to earn, I will earn. The only reason that I would talk to god is because of mental satisfaction. I would talk to him not to ask but seek peace and clear my head of anything that disturbs me.

My parents/relatives always say "Pray to god and all will be good" I ask myself why is this? is this misconception or reality?

If I have an exam coming up and I decide "OK, I will pray to god every day till the exam and I should be fine" This surely will not work. So why is it that we have so much reliance on god? why cant we deal with things like an adult and not cry like babies to god and blame or question him on why this has happened?

Please do not be offended. I am 16 and still in the loose end on my religion. I truly hope there is a god because it satisfies me thinking that there is one divine spirit with me at all times.


texts: Who are "they" in BG 16.8? Atheists? Cārvākas? Vaiśeṣikas?

texts:
Are these Bhagavad-gītā verses referring to a particular sect of people or addressing all bad people in general? Is verse 16.8 implying that those who don't believe in a god have no moral compass?

16.6 In this world there are are two (kinds of) creation of beings: the divine and the demoniacal. The divine has been spoken of elaborately. Hear about the demoniacal from Me, O son of Prtha.
16.7 Neither do the demoniacal persons understand what is to be done and what is not to be done; nor does purity, or even good conduct or truthfulness exist in them.
16.8 They say that the world is unreal, it has no basis, it is without a God. It is born of mutual union brought about by passion! What other (cause can there be)?
16.9 Holding on to this view, (these people) who are of depraved character, of poor intellect, given to fearful actions and harmful, wax strong for the ruin of the world.
16.10 Giving themselves up to insatiable passion, filled with vanity, pride and arrogance, adopting bad objectives due to delusion, and having impure resolves, they engage in actions.
16.11 Beset with innumerable cares which end (only) with death, holding that the enjoyment of desirable objects is the highest goal, feeling sure that this is all.
[tr. by Swami Gambirananda]


texts: Who has written Madhurashtakam and what is its meaning? Which deity is addressed in this ashtakam?


texts: Who are Jeeyar Swamis ? Give some information about them in detail

texts: Who are Jeeyar Swamis? Give some information in detail.(I know only that they are Vishishtadvait).


texts:
We are often taught that non-vegetarians will go to Hell and it's being condemned by the scriptures and numerous Gurus. And so it implies that a devotee of God never eats meat or else he/she will not attain liberation.
But Garuda is often described as eating snakes and fishes. And he is one of the most ardent devotees of Lord Visnu to the point of him being appointed by the Lord to be his carrier.
How is this possible? Doesn't it contradict the shastras?


texts: Which scripture is Devdutt Patnaik referring to when he says "Yagna is not a contract. Devata has no obligation"

texts:
While explaining about Yagnas according to the Vedas, I have heard from elders that the Devata is bound by mantra (Devadhinam jagat Sarve mantraadhinam cha Devataa).

However, in an article on his website, Devdutt Patnaik says the following :

  Yagna is not a contract. In a contract, there is give and take; there is obligation. Yagna is give in order to get. It is entirely voluntary. The devata has no obligation.

Which scripture is he quoting or referring to ?


texts: What is the name of consort for Narasimha avatar?

texts: Do Narasimha avatar of Vishnu has any wife? If yes, what is the name of the wife of Narasimha?


texts: Why did Shree Krishna have 16108 wives if Kshatriyas are only eligible to take a maximum of three wives?

texts:
Various scriptures such as the Mahabharata have prescribed a maximum of three wives for Kshatriya men:

  "Bhishma said, 'For the Kshatriya, O delighter of the Kurus, two wives have been ordained. The Kshatriya may take a third wife from the Sudra order. (Mahabharata, Anushashana Parva, Section XLVII)

Now, Shree Krishna, despite being a Kshatriya, had a total of 16108 wives:

  The holy and illustrious Ananta (who had taken birth as Balarama) proceeded to the region below the Earth. Through the command of the Grandsire, he, aided by his Yoga power, supported the Earth. Vasudeva was a portion of that eternal god of gods called Narayana. Accordingly, he entered into Narayana. 16,000 women had been married to Vasudeva as his wives. When the time came, O Janamejaya, they, plunged into the Sarasvati. Casting off their (human) bodies there, they re-ascended to Heaven. Transformed into Apsaras, they approached the presence of Vasudeva.
  (Mahabharata, Svargarohanika Parva, Section V)

So why did He exceed the number of wives as prescribed by the Smriti?


texts: What is the difference between Narayana Maya and Asuras?

texts:
According to Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, chapter 1, Third Brahmana,  it is said that Asuras win against gods when one follows his natural inclinations such as wanting to eat something that tastes good etc.

Narayana Maya also comes in the form of a desire. Then what is the difference between Narayana Maya and working of Asura in oneself?


texts:
Do gods also have children and family tree? Do those children and relatives also have powers from god?

If yes is then the total number of normal humans less than number of gods in Hinduism?

What kind of work do these children and grandchildren of the gods have to perform in their daily life ?


texts: Is there any verse or any quote we find in any of the scriptures talking abour racism?

texts:
I am searching for any mentioning about racism in sacred scriptures like Puraans, Veds, Bhagawad Geeta or Upnishads?
I am unable to find it myself but I think there must be something. I will be happy if I find something here promptly.
Thank you!


texts: Why was earth created and why did we come to Earth?

texts: Why did our supreme lord create Earth and why did we come to Earth? From where did all this  start?


texts: What is the story of Vishnu's incarnation Jayanta, son of Yama?

texts:
In this chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam, various sons of Yama god of death are described:

  The ten daughters given to Yamarāja were named Bhānu, Lambā, Kakud, Yāmi, Viśvā, Sādhyā, Marutvatī, Vasu, Muhūrtā and Saṅkalpā. Now hear the names of their sons.  O King, a son named Deva-ṛṣabha was born from the womb of Bhānu, and from him came a son named Indrasena. From the womb of Lambā came a son named Vidyota, who generated all the clouds.  From the womb of Kakud came the son named Saṅkaṭa, whose son was named Kīkaṭa. From Kīkaṭa came the demigods named Durgā. From Yāmi came the son named Svarga, whose son was named Nandi.  The sons of Viśvā were the Viśvadevas, who had no progeny. From the womb of Sādhyā came the Sādhyas, who had a son named Arthasiddhi. The two sons who took birth from the womb of Marutvatī were Marutvān and Jayanta. Jayanta, who is an expansion of Lord Vāsudeva, is known as Upendra.  The demigods named the Mauhūrtikas took birth from the womb of Muhūrtā. These demigods deliver the results of actions to the living entities of their respective times.  The son of Saṅkalpā was known as Saṅkalpa, and from him lust was born. The sons of Vasu were known as the eight Vasus. Just hear their names from me: Droṇa, Prāṇa, Dhruva, Arka, Agni, Doṣa, Vāstu and Vibhāvasu.

My question is, what is the story of Vishnu's incarnation Jayanta, who is the son of Yama and Marutvati?

The only Jayanta I'm familiar with is Jayanta son of Indra, whose eye was poked out by Rama's Brahmastra as I discuss in this answer.  And the other name he's known by, Upendra, is usually used to refer to Vishnu's incarnation Vamana the dwarf, because he was the younger brother of Indra.

In any case, are there any other scriptures which mention Yama's son Jayanta, and/or give his story?


texts: What are the qualifications for a religious figure to be called "Yati"?

texts: Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati is currently in the news.  How is this title "Yati" conferred"?


texts: How many distinct independent paths are there to achieve Moksha?

texts:
How many distinct independent paths/practices/methods are there to achieve Moksha?

Can moksha be achieved through just one path/practice?

If not, what are the minimum combinations of practice, and in which order must they be practiced?

Is there weightage to these practices, for example, a particular practice is valued 10 times another one?


texts:
In the Bhagvad, Lord Krishna is portrayed stealing butter and milk from the Gopis. He teased them, broke their dahi handis, etc.

Why did he do so?

Why are the acts of stealing and teasing women allowed for him but not for other men?


texts: We know that the Pandavas were Kshatriyas. Were they consuming non-vegetarian food?


texts:
The story of the descent of Ganga is very well known. King Sagara's 60,000 sons were burnt to ashes by their own sin of insulting Lord Kapila, and to offer redemption to them, their nephew's grandson Bhagiratha brought down the Ganga to the earth.

But my question is more fundamental. How come Sagara had 60,000 children with Sumati (even though she was Garuda's sister she couldn't have had such magical powers)? And that too when his other wife Keshini had only one son Asamanjasa?


texts: What is Raja-yoga? Is it related to Jnana-Yoga?

texts:
There are three known classical yoga viz. Karma, Bhakti and Jnana. I recently found Raja-Yoga in this answer. So,

What is Raja-Yoga? and
Is there any relation between Raja-yoga and Jnana-Yoga?

Also I want to know Upanishad or Vedanta view on Raja-Yoga.


texts: Why is the Sloka "Suklambaradharam Vishnum..." used as Ganapaty Dhyanam when it is clearly a Dhyana Sloka for Lord Vishnu?

texts:
As is well known,  before starting any ritual Lord Ganapaty (also known as Vighneswaram,or the Lord of obstacles) is invoked first.

Usually, almost everywhere, the following Sloka(in bold) is used for that purpose:

  2.Ganapathi dyanam*

  Recite the following manthra slowly hitting the forehead with both
  fists together.:-

  Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Sasi Varnam ChathurBhujam   Prasanna Vadanam Dyayeth Sarva Vigna Upa Santhaye.

With the above quote being taken from this page.

But ,the sloka/mantra mentioned above is in fact the Dhyana Sloka of Lord Vishnu for the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram found here or here.

Can someone explain this ?


texts: Anyone know significance of 18 in path to God?

texts:
We have Mahabharata lasting upto - 18 days
Bhagavad Gita - 18 chapters
Puranas - 18 Puranas
Ayyapan - 18 steps
Siddhas - primarily 18 siddhars

Is there a significance in 18? Probably 18 steps we need to take towards supreme Godhead?


texts: Where can I find yoga vashishta in pdf format?

texts: I wanted to download Yoga Vashishta in PDF format with commentary in English by a reliable source. Where can I get it?


texts: list of good websites / videos for kids about Hinduism?

texts:
I am planning to build a list of good website or online links about God's stories. My kids everyday ask me to tell story in the night.

Can you suggest good list here ?


texts: What is meaning of the Maruti-stotra composed by Ramdas swami?

texts:
I have recited this stotra since I was a child and although I have understood the meaning of some parts of it, I would love to get the meaning of the entire prayer.

Here is the full text for reference.

The language it is written in is Marathi, but anyone with knowledge of any Sanskrit based language may be able to interpret it.


texts: Is Rajo guna the reason for allowing kings to have multiple wives?

texts: I want to know the reason for allowing kings to take multiple wives. Is it Rajo guna or any other reason based on Shruti, Smriti, Puranas?


texts: Which scriptures mention Kartikeya as the elder brother of Ganesha?

texts: This Answer mention Ganesha as the elder brother of Kartikeya. But most of the North Indians believe that Kartikeya is elder. So, is there any scripture which mention Kartikeya as the elder brother of Ganesha?


texts:
In Shiva Gita chapter 1.12 - 1.15 is talking about some maleficent gods that tries to obstruct the rise of the True Knowledge (Vydia) inside the devotee.
1.12

Therefore, the gods obstruct (the rise of knowledge),by entering the object of desire of human beings, with the result that devotion to Lord Shiva does not arise in any one of the embodied souls.

1.15

If in this manner the gods themselves create obstacles to the embodied souls, in whom is there the capacity by which liberation could be obtained at all?

Who are these maleficent gods?


texts: Is it possible for someone to perform prapatti or sharanAgati for those who have died?

texts:
Inspired by a recent comment, I decided to ask this question:

First, prapatti or sharanAgati with srImannArAyaNA attains to Moksha – It is considered the most highly effective methodology towards Moksha (since it relys on complete self-surrender to Thirumaal) that one can pursue in their lifetime and is paramountly prominent in the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya.

It is known that while still living on this earth, one can seek out any Acharyan of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya to perform sharanAgati with srImannArAyaNA – this methodology comes without any restrictions of varna, etc,.

However, is it possible for someone, say an Acharyan, to perform sharanAgati for a departed soul? Kindly supply reasoning and verses where possible.


texts: Is Sanskrit considered divine language to those of the Hindu faith?

texts:
Is Sanskrit considered divine language to those of the hindu faith? If so why?

I am not Hindu, but I am interested in this topic.