texts:
I want to learn and do parayana of Sri Lalithopakhyanam (contained in Brahmanda Purana). I am looking for any good telugu resources of the original sanskrit text and translations to telugu. I have searched online and in near-by stores, but couldn't find any good ones.
Please can you kindly share any info you may have.
Best Regards


texts: I mean where does Brahmaloka lie? Is there any scripture that tells it's exact location and time difference between different lokas?


texts: Did Swami Vivekananda speak about his enlightenment?

texts:
I want to know if Swamiji himself ever spoke about his enlightenment.

Did he or anyone talk about his enlightenment? I heard that he was more into social service and freedom movement.


texts:
I thought according to Hinduism, it is proper for woman to conceive at night. If she conceives at daytime, the children are weak and short-lived. I read it on a website that has explicit paintings, hence I didn't provide the link.

However, I am watching Shiv Mahapuran and this episode mentions how demons and gods belong to same father, Sage Kashyap. However, the mother of the demons, Diti desires to conceive at night so that her children can become strong like demons.

Here is the YouTUBE link, starting at that scene (26 minutes and 10 seconds)

Diti, Mother of Demons

Please clarify, what is the Hindu belief on best time a woman should conceive for healthy, honest, children.


texts: i am reading a book and some sanskrit mantras in it is written as 'om namo bhagvate 2 kruna 2 avataram .' what does this 2 means.Thus that mean i have to read the word twice??


texts: Verses similar to Gita 2:42 in the Vedas and Upanishads?

texts:
[BG 2:42] : Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this.

Since Gita is the summary of Vedas and Upanishads, can we find a similar verse like this in the Vedas and Upanishads?


texts: Is it mandatory to have Mantra Diksha to get moksha?

texts:
Is it mandatory to have Mantra Diskha or Mantra Daan in Hinduism to get Moksha as per Hindu scriptures?

Is Mantra Diskha is mentioned in Vedas or Darshan?


texts: What is equivalent of Santhara(Sallekhanā) in Hinduism?

texts:
There is a concept of Santhara(Sallekhanā or Sanyasana-marana) in Jain community.

It is the last vow prescribed by the Jain ethical code of conduct.The vow of sallekhanā is observed by the Jain ascetics and lay votaries at the end of their life by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids.

According to Jain text, Puruṣārthasiddhyupāya:

  When death is imminent, the vow of sallekhanā is observed by
  progressively slenderizing the body and the passions. Since the person
  observing sallekhanā is devoid of all passions like attachment, it is
  not suicide.

The initial though that came to my mind  of equivalent of Santhara practised in Hinduism was the concept of Samādhi, but looking at the description of it on Wiki, I am now thinking that there exists few differences.

As per Wiki, Samādhi

  refers to a state of meditative consciousness. It is a meditative
  absorption or trance, attained by the practice of dhyāna.

Is there any equivalent of Santhara practised in Hinduism?


texts: Where can one learn Chandas through english?

texts:
Chandas is one of the limbs in the study of Vedas (Vedangas). It is the study of Vedic verses with emphasis on poetic meters.

What are the best introductory resources for the study of Chandas available in english?
Are there any modern works that explain the construction and use of these Vedic meters using english verses and examples?


texts: Hindu scriptures before Mahabharata about thinking capability of head

texts:
Consider the following  excerpt from the Shalya Parva of The Mahabharata

  Indeed, the son of Pandu, filled with rage, struck off that head which
  was the root of the evil policy of the Kurus, with that impetuous
  shaft winged with gold and whetted on stone. Beholding Shakuni lying
  headless on the ground and all his limbs drenched with gore, thy
  warriors, rendered powerless with fear, fled away on all sides with
  weapons in their hands.

The Sanskrit slokhas corresponding to it are

  59 sa tacchiro vegavatā śareṇa; suvarṇapuṅkhena śilāśitena
       prāverayat kupitaḥ pāṇḍuputro; yat tat kurūṇām anayasya mūlam

  60 hṛtottamāṅgaṃ śakuniṃ samīkṣya; bhūmau śayānaṃ rudhirārdragātram
       yodhās tvadīyā bhayanaṣṭa sattvā; diśaḥ prajagmuḥ pragṛhītaśastrāḥ

The bolded portion is interesting to me. The portion is clearly and explicitly stating that the head of Shakuni was the root of the evil policy of the Kurus. It is well known that Shakuni has capability of controlling dies and he has bad behavior from childhood.

From the statement it can be inferred that head has the capability of thinking. Since the implicit meaning of the portion is the thoughts of Shakuni is reason for evil policies of Kurus.

So it can be inferred that head as a part of human body that has capability of thinking is known to people during Mahabharata times (atleast to Vyasa).

In this context my doubt is: Are there any Hindu scriptures earlier(historically) to  Mahabharata contains either implicitly or explicitly the fact head has the capability of thinking.

Note: Since I dont know the actual Sanskrit words, I am analyzing with the above translation only.


texts: Are there Hindu-specific rules/norms for the status of women?

texts:
I'm not interested in the modern status of women in Hinduism practitioners, instead I'd like to know what the Hindu doctrine says about it. For example, for religions like Christianity there are certain norms dictated by their bible such as:

  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. - See more at: http://www.project-reason.org/scripture_project/The_Bible:1_Corinthians_11/#3

Wether or not modern Christians enforce such norm is not relevant to this question.


texts: In Pratibimba Vada, which is the jivatman? The original or the reflected?

texts:
Here's an youtube video on the analogy of Two Birds, by Swami Sarvapriyananda (an advaitin monk).

Two birds by Swami Sarvapriyananda

Here, he compares the tree with our physical body, and the two birds as our atmans. He says that there's actually one bird/atman within us and not two as the dualists claim.

By using the two bird analogy + the pratibimba theory, he explains our true nature in this video.

He says that -

• The higher bird, is our original 'bimba' consciousness.

• The lower bird on the other hand, includes all of these 3 things -

a) the reflected 'pratibimba' consciousness.

b) the causal body.

c) the subtle body.

Both the original and the reflected dwells in the physical body called tree, says the swami.

Question -- Which is the jiva aka jivatman here?
The original one or the reflected one?

The Avaccheda vada theory is not that hard to understand, since it clearly speaks of a portion of space inside the pot, which is our jivatman or individuated self. But the reflection theory is a bit confusing. If i take the jiva/jivatman to be the reflected consciousness ((i.e. if the space inside the pot/gross body of avaccheda theory ----->> equates to reflected consciousness of pratibimba theory)) ... then the original consciousness must be dwelling outside the gross body, like the space that remains outside the pot. But here the swami says both dwells in the body called tree. Can anyone here clear things up for me. Thnx.


texts:
Shankara in one of his verses gives the definition of jiva -""When the omnipresent Atman is limited or embodied by the mind,ego of subtle body, it is called jiva"".
I think what he means is, once the omnipresent atman is embodied by the subtle body, it becomes a fragment called jiva. {{Fragmental Atman = jiva}}.

A question seems to be troubling me for quite some time now. Advaitians believe that Atman is  omnipresent and therefore  doesn't travel after death. Only the subtle body does the travelling. But what about the fragmental embodied atman known as jiva, does that travel along with the subtle body?


texts: Why does Manu Smriti say to cut tongue of Sudra if he insults a Bramhana but just fine a Bramhana if he insults a Sudra?

texts:
Manu Smriti 8.270 : If a once-born person insults a twice-born one with gross abuse, he should suffer the cutting off of his tongue; as he is of low origin

Manu Smriti 8.268 : For abusing a Kṣatriya, the Brāhmaṇa should be fined fifty; and in the case of a Vaiśya, the fine shall be twenty-five; and in that of a Shudra, twelve.

How to reconcile with these "apparently unjust" punishments?


texts: Which form of god is referred to as Dhanakapuri Dakurnath in Hinduism?

texts: I was curious about the origin of the name Dakurnath, specifically. It is my priest's given name after my birth and initiation to a Hindu family. I googled it and found google book like 'Dhanakapuri Dakurnath' mentioned next to 'Shri Krishna of Dwarka'.


texts: Did Lord Vishnu build Sri Jagannath Temple situated at Puri?

texts:
Is there any story, that tells about who had built the Sri Jagannath temple at Puri?

Are these following facts true?

Lord Vishnu himself came to Puri to build the Jagannath temple.
After 10,000 years, Lord Brahma himself came there as a priest to inaugurate the Jagannath temple?


texts: Are ego and attachment evil qualities as per Vedas?

texts:
I would like to understand more about ego and attachment from the perspective of Hindu Shastras and Vedas. Are these evil qualities?

If yes, how to get rid of these things from my mind?


texts: Curse of Parvathi on Astrological predictions

texts:
I heard a story of curse by Parvathi on Astrological predictions. It is said that the astrological predictions cannot be accurate at all times due to that curse of Parvathi.
I did not remember the story in detail. But, I found a story in Medium.
Which scripture mentions about the curse of Parvathi to Astrology?


texts: Which is the best mudra for meditation (likely to help in concentration)?

texts:
I have seen many type of mudras as described here but I am unable to conclude which is best one, for developing concentration.Which in turn will give better results in meditation.

Following are the pictures of mudras which I found are important in meditation.


texts: Why should temples be closed during an eclipse?

texts: Any reference in the Hindu scriptures (Vedas, Agamas, shastras, etc.) on why temples should remain closed during an eclipse (grahana)?


texts: Are there any adverse effects if mistakes made in mental reciting of gayatri mantra while doing daily chores?


texts: Do advaita follower believe krishna Chaitanya Prabhu as Krishna avatar?

texts:
Do advaita followers believe lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as avatar of Lord Krishna
When lord chaitanya mahaprabhu belongs to dvaita
When lord chaitanya is Krishna avatar then advaita is true


texts: What was the discussion between Narada muni and Yudhishtira about dharma?

texts:
When the Pandavas were in exile, at that time, Narada muni approached their hideout and had discussion with Yudhishtira about Dharma.

Can someone briefly explain what that discussion was?


texts: Are there any references to Gravity in Hindu Scriptures?

texts: Are there any references to Gravity or any fundamental forces in Hindu Scriptures viz. Vedas, Upanishands and Puranas or any Scientific Vedic Scriptures?


texts: As per the scriptures, can an adult son retain his Hindu religious identity if his parents were to convert to a different religion?

texts: This is not a legal question but need an answer from the scriptural perspective


texts: What is the background story behind the creation of Sri Rudra Kavacham by sage Durvasa? Who was he telling it to? It is found in the Skanda Purana.


texts:
Chidbhananda (an advaitin monk) in his Gita translation explained Sat & Asat. He explains that when Krishna told Arjuna that He's both sat & asat, Krishna was referring to saguna brahman.

Chidbhananda explains -

Sat = being / vyakta / material manifestation.

Asat = non-being / avyakta / non-manifestation / subtlety.

And both sat & asat are part of Prakriti / Maya / SagunaBrahman, since sat and asat are a type of qualities or features that can be applied to only Saguna Brahm and not to Nirguna Brahm ... Nirguna Brahm on the other hand is beyond "sat/vyakta" and "asat/avyakta" features.
Here is the link to the ebook. Ch13,v12, page 89 & 90 Chidbhananda Gita The pages are all in a scrabled order in this ebook. After page 89 , page 94 appears. You need to flip a few pages back to get to pg.90

==============================

On the other hand, in Chandogya upanishad, chapter 6, Section 2, verses 1 & 2, Sage Aruni aka Uddalaka describes Brahman (nirguna) as Sat. Here are the verses-

  Verse 1 ...
  Sat – Being (‘is-ness’), eva – only, saumya – dear boy, idam – this, agra – in the beginning, asid (aasith) – was, ekam – one, eva – only,
  advitiyam – without a second (non-dual), tad – about that, haika (aika) – some, ahuh – say, asad
  (asath) – non-being (void), eva – only, idam – this, agra – in the beginning, asid (aasith) – was,
  ekam – one, eva – only, advitiyam – without a second (non-dual), tasmad asatah (asathah) – from
  that non-being, saj (sath) – being (“is-ness”), jayata – arose/was born

  In the beginning, dear boy, this was Being alone, one only, without a second. Some say that, in
  the beginning, this was Non-being alone, one only, without a second. From that Non-being arose
  Being.

  Verse 2 ...  Kutah – whence/how, tu – but, khalu – indeed, saumya – dear boy, evam – so, syat – could it be,
  iti hovaca – so (Aruni) said, katham – how, asatah (asathah) – from Non-being (Void), saj (sath)
  – Being (“is-ness”), jayet – could arise, iti – so (he said), sat (sath) – Being (“is-ness”), tu – in
  truth, eva – only, saumya – dear boy, idam – this, agra – in the beginning, asid (aasith) – was,
  ekam – one, eva – only, advitiyam – without a second (non-dual)

  Aruni (Uddalaka) said, ‘But how, indeed, dear boy, could it be so? How could Being arise from
  Non-being? In truth, dear boy, in the beginning (before creation), there was Being alone, one
  only, without a second.

I'm a little confused here. Does sat simply means existence or being as Aruni describes, which Aruni ascribes it to Nirguna Brahman ...
or is Chidbhananda's explanation correct, that sat(vyakta) & asat(avyakta) are features of Saguna Brahman and that the term 'sat' is not ANY KIND of existence but only material manifestation or vyaktaroopa?


texts: Do any Hindu scriptures say that Hinduism is not a religion but simply a way of life?

texts:
I have seen in many answers here that a lot of people have this notion that Hinduism is a way of life (as opposed to a well-defined religion. I find this notion amusing because I think Hinduism is just opposite.

All the Abrahamic religions are ideal way of life religion because ethical and moral activities are governed by the scriptures like what to eat and how to pray, when to pray.

Do any Hindu scriptures say that Hinduism is a way of life?


texts: Why did Yudhishthira claim Karna never fled from the battlefield when Karna has fled from the battlefield multiple times?

texts:
Yudhishthira's statement:

  Peace find I none after having slain my grand-father, and that foremost of men, Karna, who never fled from the field of battle.

http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14002.htm

Here are some incidents where Karna fled

  Shrouded with showers of shafts shot from Bhimasena's bow, Karna once more turned his back upon Bhimasena. Beholding the Suta's son turn back and flying away on foot, covered all over with the arrows of Kunti's son, Duryodhana said, 'Go ye quickly from all sides towards the car of Radha's son.'
  http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07132.htm

Another incident

  Then, thrown by the Rakshasas who had become more powerful in
  consequence of the night, there began to fall on the field of battle a
  thick shower of stones. And a ceaseless shower of iron wheels and
  Bhundis and darts and lances and spears and Sataghnis and axes also
  fell there. Beholding that fierce and awful battle, the kings, thy
  sons, and Karna, also exceedingly pained, fled away.
  http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07152.htm

Before Kurukshetra

  And at this, Karna's vision was obscured and his senses left him. And
  regaining consciousness, he felt a great pain, and leaving the combat
  fled in a northernly direction. And at this, the mighty car-warrior
  Arjuna and Uttara, both began to address him
  contumely.'"http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04060.htm

Their are several other instances. Like Abhimanyu, Drupada, Ghatotkaca, Gandharvas, Suvraja, Satyaki etc. So Yudhishthir's statement makes no sense.


texts:
Sage Atri introduces his Wife Anasuya to Sri Rama, as follows:

दश वर्षाण्य् अनावृष्ट्या दग्धे लोके निरन्तरम् || २-११७-९ यया मूल फले
सृष्टे जाह्नवी च प्रवर्तिता | उग्रेण तपसा युक्ता नियमैः च अप्य्
अलम्कृता || २-११७-१० दश वर्ष सहस्राणि यया तप्तम् महत् तपः | अनसूया
व्रतैः तात प्रत्यूहाः च निबर्हिताः || २-११७-११ देव कार्य निमित्तम् च
यया सम्त्वरमाणया | दश रात्रम् कृत्वा रात्रिः सा इयम् माता इव ते अनघ ||
२-११७-१२
"O, Irreproachable Rama! When the earth was burnt up by drought
without break for ten years, this virtuous woman produced fruit and
roots, caused the River Jahnavi to flow here, undergoing a rigid
mortification enriched by pious observances, by whom the most severe
asceticism was practised for ten thousand years and obstacles were
done away with and by whom for the reason of a divine command, in a
great hurry ten nights were reduced to one night. This Anasuya, who
has bathed after completion of the voes, is like a mother to you."

In Durga Saptasati, Devi was eulogised as Sakambari.

ततोऽहमखिलं लोकमात्मदेहसमुद्भवैः। भरिष्यामि सुराः शाकैरावृष्टेः
प्राणधारकैः॥४८॥
शाकम्भरीति विख्यातिं तदा यास्याम्यहं भुवि। तत्रैव च वधिष्यामि दुर्गमाख्यं महासुरम्॥४९॥
Then I shall feed and sustain the entire world with life sustaining
vegetables, produced from my own body, until the rains come. [ 48]
In this manner, I shall attain renown under the name of
'She-who-supports-with vegetables' (Sakambhari).

My doubt is - Was the concept of Sakambari in Durga Saptasathi, taken from the deeds of Anasuya of Ramayana?


texts:
The Puja Room should be in the Ground Floor and not in the Basement.
  The Puja Room should not be on the upper floors:

This is what claims this article. Now, i am not interested in the so-called scientific reasons they give along with as to why they think it should be like that.

On Astrojyoti.com too, this article says the same:

  The place of worship should be on the ground floor and not upstairs.

Question- Is it true that, as per Vastu ShAstra, the pujA room should only be placed on the ground floor and not on the upper floors?

I'm also interested to know the reasons as to why it should be so. Now, if this is true, then that's a problem, because it's very common for many people these days to live in multi-storied flats.


texts: ISKCON's Bhagavad-Gita vs Other Bhagavad-Gitas

texts:
I have seen lot of people saying that ISKCON's version of Bhagavad-Gita/commentaries is different from the other Authentic versions. Can people throw light on what all major differences are there in both?

EDIT: I don't think there will be lot of differences in both. Even if there are too many differences then please list down   few differences (maybe upto 5 can do).


texts: Are Brahma, Hiranyagarbha, Prajapati and Manu manifestations of the same God?

texts: Brahma, Hiranyagarbha, Prajapati and Manu –– all seem to be connected with creating living beings and play same role. Are they all incarnations of the same God?


texts: How many ways are their to recite vedas?

texts:
I read somewhere that you can recite vedas in 11 different way.
So how many ways are there to recite vedas. Can you give some video examples of those ways?

 I read about 11 different way in this cite as a comment or          answer.


texts: Visarjana Mantra or Stotram for Shivapuja

texts: I would very much appreciate the Sanskritam (Devanagari), transliterated, and English for a visarjana mantra or stotram for Shivapuja.


texts: Why Anuloma marriage is encouraged but Pratiloma marriage is discouraged?

texts: Anuloma marriage means higher Varna men marrying lower Varna women. Pratiloma marriage means lower Varna men marrying higher Varna women. What is the reason behind encouraging Anuloma and discouraging pratiloma marriage?


texts: Was Vijnanabhiksu a Vaishnavite scholar?

texts:
According to the  Wikipedia article on Yoga Sutras, the famous scholar Vijnanabhiksu was a Vaishnavite:

Vijnanabhiksu's Yogabhashyavarttika ("Explanation of the Commentary on the Yoga Sutras" of Vyasa). The writer was a Vaishnava philosopher and exegete who tried to harmonize Samkhya and Vedanta and held the Bhedabheda view.

However, the Wikipedia article on Vijnanabhiksu himself states:

His (Vijnanabhiksu's) scholarship stated that there is a unity between Vedānta, Yoga, and Samkhya philosophies, and he is considered a significant influence on Neo-Advaita movement of the modern era.
He wrote commentaries in the 15th century on three different schools of Indian philosophy, Vedānta, Sāṃkhya, and Yoga, and integrated them into a nondualism platform that belongs to both the Bhedabheda and Advaita (nondualism) sub-schools of Vedanta. According to Andrew Nicholson, this became the basis of Neo-Vedanta. His integration is known as Avibhaga Advaita ("indistinguishable non-dualism"). His sub-commentary on the Yoga Sutras, the Yoga commentary has been an influential work.
According to Andrew Fort, Vijnanabhiksu's commetary is Yogic Advaita, since his commentary is suffused with Advaita-influenced Samkhya-Yoga. Vijnanabhiksu discusses, adds Fort, a spiritually liberated person as a yogic jivanmukta.

As you can see, the article claims Vijnanabhiksu was a Neo-Advaitin. Now Vaishnavas are usually non-Advaitin and tend to be dualistic. In addition to this, Vijnanabhikshu is known to have also written a commentary named "Ishvaragitabhashya" on the Ishvara Gita (which Vaishnavites usually reject since it downplays the authority of the Bhagavad Gita)!
Are both the Wikipedia articles correct? If yes, which sect did he belong to?


texts: Does Samadhi mean that the soul never gets reincarnated?

texts: It is said that the cycle of birth and detach continues until one's mind merges with infinite consciousness. Does it mean that once the mind merges with infinite consciousness (samadhi), it doesn't get associated with other body. So, the mind/soul of great people like Vivekananda will never reappear, because they all attained Samadhi.?


texts: Is the Anukramani index of sages and deities of the Rig Veda available online?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, how the Vedas originated is that from time immemorial, sages known as Dhristas have heard mantras (sacred verses) directly from the gods during a state of Tapasya (deep meditation).  And then in the Dwapara Yuga, a sage named Krishna Dwaipayana Vedavyasa (or Vyasa for short) compiled these verses into a set of four books we call the Vedas.  (Technically Vyasa only compiled the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas - the Atharvana Veda was compiled separately by the sage Atharva and Angiras).

The verses of the Vedas come from the Tapasya of hundreds of different sages, and they're addressed to lots of different gods.  So to preserve all this information, the sage Shaunaka (among others) compiled the Anukramanis, a set of systematic indices for the Vedas which, among other things, documents the sage who heard each verse from the gods, and the deity that each verse is addressed.

My question is, is the Anukramani of the Rig Veda available online in English?  The Anukramanis give lots of information for each verse, including information about poetic meter and content, but all I really want is the names of the sages and deities for all the hymns.

Now this webpage claims to provide the sage associated with each hymn, but it's inadequate, because first of all it doesn't describe the case where there's ambiguity as to who the seer of a hymn is, and it also doesn't describe the case when different verses within a hymn were heard from the gods by different sages.  And the Ralph TH Griffith translation of the Rig Veda claims to provide the deity of each hymn, but when different verses of a hymn are dedicated to different gods, it often just says "Various" and leaves it at that.

As far as I know, the only source that has all the information I want is Oxford's 3-Volume translation of the Rig Veda, which just came out a few months ago.  And I have compiled most of the sage and deity information from that book, but not all of it.  So is there any online source that has the complete sage and deity information for all the verses of the Rig Veda?


texts: Shaving the head of a baby outside of India

texts: I am getting more calls as a barber about this service. What does it entail? When I do a head shave I usually do a pre shave, 2 hot towels, hot later and the shave. What is the technique for the baby head-shave? I also heard the barber goes to the house for the party.


texts: Which biography of Sri Ramakrishna mentions the visit of a Ramanandi Vaishnava to the Dakshineshwar Temple?

texts:
According to this YouTube video, a Ramanandi Vaishnava in Ayodhya had received the vision of Rama in his dream oncr where the Lord says He has taken incarnated in Bengal as Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. As a result, this monk walked barefoot for days to the Dakshineshwar Temple where Sri Ramakrishna resided. Unfortunately, he was too late. Sri Ramakrishna had passed away days ago. As a result, the monk is said to gone to the Panchavati where he began to weep for days. Then, according to the video, the Ramanandi monk saw Sri Ramakrishna emerging from the Ganges who soon fed the monk payasam.

In which biography of Sri Ramakrishna, is this story mentioned?

Update: This story was narrated by Sri Ramakrishna's nephew, Ram Lal Chattopadhay.


texts: Why could man have several wives historically and its sinful for woman to have more than one?

texts:
Can someone explain philosophical/spiritual/religious reason as to why it was okay for man  to have several wives but sinful for woman to have more than one?

Is it written is some book that woman should not have more than one partner? if not, why is it frowned upon?


texts: When will the Kalyug end? Are there symbols written in scripture? Like men will have long hairs. Like that are there any symbols written in scriptures that this incidents will indicate the end of kaliyuga.


texts: Is Banlinga/Naramadeshwar Linga proscribed to keep at home? Why?

texts: Is Banlinga/Naramadeshwar proscribed to keep at home? Why? Any story behind them?


texts: What does Hinduism say about blood donation?

texts: Is it permissible in Hinduism to donate blood? I have no idea whether Hinduism ever talk about blood donation! Are there any slokas regarding this?


texts: How to assess the value of the teaching of Samkhya Karika?

texts:
Isvara KRshna's Samkhya Karika announces in Karika 1 a solution to human duHka. Karika 2 characterizes the solution as "the right cognition of the manifest, unmanifest and the knower". The quintessence of this cognition is stated in Karika 64 as the insight: Purusha and prakRti are different "nA'ham".

Which significance has this jinana-therapy against duHka in contemporary India?
Are there any reports about the success of this therapy? Reports, which allow to assess the correctness of this jinana and to evaluate its effect on reducing duHka.


texts: Importance of worshipping Maha Meru or Sri Chakra

texts: Can someone please enlighten the importance of worshipping Sri chakra. I have a few friends who worship at home. What are the things to remember when we worship.


texts: Why do we worship Lord Hanuman on these weekdays?

texts: We generally associate a day for the worship of different gods, like Monday for Lord Shiva, Tuesday for Lord Hanuman. What is the reason that we worship Lord Hanuman on Tuesdays and Saturdays? What is the belief and benefits of worshipping him on the given days of the week?


texts: I want to know what is Vyanthara and how to get rid from them.


texts: How do the Hindu scriptures explain spiritual communication through a medium?

texts: My understanding of karmic responsibility keeps me from understanding how a soul can be free to communicate through mediumship. Can someone please direct me to resources that explain the afterlife from a Vedic perspective?


texts: If Krishna was born in 3228 BCE , how was he present during the Puranas when he fought against Shiva due to Banasura and Anirudha's fight ?


texts: What are the original forms of Mahakali,Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati?

texts:
According to 'Pradhanic rahasya' of Durgasaptasati, goddess Adi Shakti has three incarnations - Mahalakshmi, Mahakali, MahaSaraswati,but they are described to have four arms each which is a contradiction with the previous chapters of the book which describes them with 18,10 and 8 hands respectively.

Goddess Mahalakshmi contains in her 4 hands a fruit,club,shield,goblet.For Mahakali they are respectively shield,sword,goblet,head of a man and for  Mahasaraswati rosary,harp,goad,a book. In 'veikrutik Rahasya' of the same book we find their descriptions again with 18,10 and 8 hands respectively so,my question is what would be their actual forms ?


texts: (Kashmiri Shaivism and Advaita Vedanta) one self in comparison to many permanent selves?

texts:
How do we enjoin one permanent self over many permanent selves like in the jonang/yogacara school of Buddhism?
one way I think is the fact that people can perceive the same things simultaneously, whereas in Yogacara doctrine which jonang is based on, every perception is based on the impression which gives rise to it and we cannot all have the same impressions arisen in us simultaneously. I don't know if this is a strong argument at all.

What are some reasons one self exists over many selves within either Advaita Vedanta or Kashmiri Shaivism?


texts: What type of sacred texts are in form of dialog between an expert (sage?) & a disciple?

texts:
Several years ago I read online that there are these texts in form of questions & answers, and I do not remember what are these kind of texts called.
My memory told me it was called Upanishads but recently realized that's not correct.

Why I'm asking this -
Years ago when I read about it, I had found several such texts online I found a really interesting one. Where the expert(teacher) was a being who lived outside of the space-time fabric, hence it wasn't affected by time. And in one of the answer in the text, it said -

"I've seen events of Ramayana happening 14 times and Mahabharata 18 times, and mostly they always end up in the same way."

Now I can not find anything online about it, hack I can't even find the name of category of such texts.
I've started to doubt my memory now. Is it an actual memory or just an old half remembered dream of reading something so sci-fi-esq & over time I started believing it's an actual memory.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? or anything similar to this?
Or at least the name of category so that i can try to find more about it online.
Please help.


texts: How can I help my pets to have a good birth or reincarnation?

texts:
I have some cats as pets. Does chanting mantras or name of God to them make any difference in their(animals or trees) life cycle?

What are the suggested methods in helping them to think about God or get a human life sooner? Not sure whether it is even possible, does any of our scriptures discuss this? Or is it completely depending on their karma?


texts: Scriptural basis for the spirit of the term 'Daridra-Narayana' coined by Swami Vivekananda

texts: To inspire His countrymen to serve the poor masses of India, Swami Vivekananda coined a beautiful term 'Daridra-Narayana'. Can anyone provide a scriptural shloka or instruction that contains the spirit of the word?


texts:
I am interested in knowing about certain restraints or clear warnings given in Hinduism, that a family/son/daughter should follow, lest the Pitrus be angry.

Follow-up question, what actions (beside sraaddha) make Pitrus happy and content ?


texts: One mantra for praising all deities of three Lokas

texts:
Each and every god/deities having corresponding mantras itself. However Lord Paramesvara said in Vishnu Saharanamam the most valuable and powerful mantra to be chanted is:

  ईश्वर उवाच
  श्रीराम राम रामेती रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
  सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥27 ॥

  ishwara uvAcha:
  sri rAma rAma rAmethi rame rAme manorame |
  sahasranAma thatthulyam rAma nAma varAnane |

But my question is, what is the mantra (only one mantra) if I going to chant and get blessing from all deities (in three worlds swargaloka, bhooloka, pathalaloka) and satisfy them.


texts: Is Lord Parashurama's axe Pashupatastra?

texts: Although we know that the Axe carried by Lord Parashurama was provided to him by Lord Shiva, it is not mentioned clearly whether it is Pashupatastra which has similar features. is it the same as Pashupatastra?


texts: Are the forehead markings worn by different sects prescribed in scripture?

texts:
The horizontal Bhasma for Siva worshipers and the vertical marking for Vishnu worshipers are well known.  I have also seen Smarta folks wearing a vertical mark that is different from the ones worn by Vaishnavites.

Do these markings have a basis in scripture?


texts:
Ramanujacharya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, says this in his commentary for sutra 3.1.7:

  That eating the soul means no more than satisfaction with it, may also
  be inferred from the following scriptural passage, 'The gods in truth
  do not eat nor do they drink; by the mere sight of that amrita they
  are satisfied.'

Which scripture, meaning the Vedas in this case, contains this verse in bold?


texts: If one is a Brahmin, how can he trace his ancestors back to say 3-4 generations through gotra (lineage) of atri?


texts:
I like to listen to the song. God is a girl.

So, I got curious.

Are there any Goddesses in any scriptures who are girls.

By girls I mean those that they look like around 13 years old.


texts: Please explain Kalpa theory and calculations?

texts:
How are Kalpas traditionally calculated?
Sri Yukteswar Giri has said in The Holy Science that the sun revolves around another star, taking 24,000 years per revolution. As the Sun (and our solar system) swing around the other star, our system is brought close to Vishnunabhi, the seat of creative power, Brahma. He stated that this is the age of Dharma, where humans are most spritual, honest and just etc. The opposite, i.e our solar system is as far away from Vishnunabhi as possible, is where humans are the most wicked etc.

Which version is correct?  Can anyone explain and elaborate more on these?
Are there any matches with scientific research?

For reference, Yugas are already discussed here


texts: Is it true that Duryodhana's birth name was Suyodhana?

texts: I have read somewhere that Duryodhana's real name was Suyodhana and later he was named Duryodhana after his deeds. Their logic was su= good and dur=bad( though I am skeptic about this). Regardless, was Duryodhana intially known as Suyodhana?


texts: Most of the Gods' stories end after the marriage stage. Are there any stories of Gods after their marriage?

texts: I heard many stories about different gods in Hinduism. A God's life also rolls in many stages as a human being like birth, love and marriage. I have a doubt that most of the God's followers didn't bother to have tales on the life of God after marriage. What is the reason behind that? Or are there any stories which are hidden from the outside world?


texts: What could be preventing Krishna to advance to the Middle West states?

texts:
The below map comes from this webpage and shows
North American ISKCON temples, centers, gatherings, and home programs.

I was wondering what could be the reasons why there are no centres for Krishna, in the Middle West states of Montana, Wyoming, Dakotas and Nebraska.

Is it because of their lifestyle that there is no space for Krishna there?

what could be preventing Krishna consciousness to spread over to the Middle West states?


texts:
I was watching this program on TV and the person in there further classified the Ultimate Reality we call as Brahman / Par Brahman into three categories :

Nirãkãr Brahman (निराकार ब्रह्मन्)
Sãkãr Brahman (साकार ब्रह्मन्)
Tãrak Brahman (तारक ब्रह्मन्).

In one of the episodes of the program, the person also told that only Bhagwaan Shiva (भगवान शिव) and Bhagwaan Shri Krishna (भगवान श्री कृष्ण) are known as Tãrak Brahman (तारक ब्रह्मन्).
So my question is on the possible sources and the validity of all the above mentioned statements if present in any form, as per any scriptures or School of Thoughts?


texts: Explaining the supreme secret of Bhagvad Gita

texts:
In Bhagavad Gita 18th chapter, it is explained that for one who explains the supreme secret to devotees devotional service is guaranteed and will go back to Godhead.

  Bg 18.66 — Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.
  Bg 18.67 — This conﬁdential knowledge may never be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me.
  Bg 18.68 — For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.
  Bg 18.69 — There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.

Does the "supreme secret" refer to the entire Bhagavad Gita or the shloka 18.66?

How can I get qualified to explain the supreme secret and how can I find devotees, who would be willing to listen to me?


texts:
When was Bhagiratha born? Are there any attempts to date his period? Because it is said that the incident of the drought occurred when Kapila Nakshatra was seen in the sky.

I think this might be helpful in mapping how long back Bhagiratha existed.


texts: Why Shri Krishna referred Arjuna as conqueror of wealth?

texts:
Bg 7.7 — O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.

My question: Why Arjuna here is referred as conqueror of wealth? Did he amassed huge wealth or did he overcome greed & lust for money? Or is this related to Kuber in some way?


texts: Representation of number 0-9 in Sanskrit shloka

texts:
Is there any Shloka for number's  from 0-9?

I wanted to know if there is any specific shloka to represent/say these numbers apart from ekam/eka, dwi...etc

Explanation -

I need a verse or a rhyme or a shok from scriptures or puranas in Sanskrit which specifically speaks about any one number between 0 to 9. I am trying to find if there is any language which has a longer description of a number and I think Sanskrit may have it.

For example, it could be something like a verse stating a significance of number 1.


texts:
Who is the father of Rishi Shandilya after whom Shandilya gotra is named? The wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shandilya_(Rishi) gives no light on this.
https://familypedia.wikia.org/wiki/Shandilya ---This link makes him the son of Asita or Vashistha at times and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6hy1KQqHiU makes him the son of Deval, all without references. Other sources also claim him to be a manasputra of Brahma.
Who was his father and where can I read more about the life of Shandilya, his birth and lineage,etc? I found abundance of his works but not much on him. Where can I learn more about him?


texts: What can be my first step in my transformation to Hinduism?

texts: Recently discovered this practice and I am ready to devote time and effort for what I believe. I just need guidance


texts: Why Sita had ornaments with her during her stay in Exile

texts:
After meeting Sri Rama at Mt. Rishyamuka, Sugreeva promises to bring back Sita from whatever place she is held captive. He informs Sri Rama that he has seen Sita travelling overhead in the sky while being abducted. He also says that Sita, while being abducted, has dropped her ornaments(wrapped in her upper cloth), at his place atop the mountain.

Then Sugreeva shows the ornaments to Sri Rama, asking him to identify them. Sri Rama recognises the ornaments and the upper cloth of Sita.

Why did Sita have ornaments during the stay in exile?


texts: What were the 7 previous births of Brahmarishi Vasishtha?

texts:
The Yog Vasishtha narrates the fascinating story of an immortal crow named Bhushunda who is met by Brahmarishi Vasisth. In Chapter 22 while reminiscing about his past lives, the divine crow tells Vasishth that he has seen his previous 7 births:

8 O sagely son of Brahma, I remember your eight births in the eight different epochs of the world. This is your eighth birth in which you have come as a guest to my nest.
9 At one time you were born of air, and at another of heavenly fire. One time you were produced from water, and at others from emptiness
and of solid rock.

Now most of us are aware of two births of Vasishth  - ONE as the Manas Putra of Brahma and SECOND as the son of Mitra-Varun when he was born together with Agastya. I want to know if these other six births of Vasishtha & their details are mentioned in any other scripture?


texts:
I have heard from my teacher that there is a big temple of Lord Shiva named "Brihadishwara Temple" which is located in Tanjore which is in Tamil Nadu.
Who built this temple and what is its importance?


texts: What is the story of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga?

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

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

There are twelve Jyotirlingas mentioned in the similar popular verse.

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

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

By Ssriram mt - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48384927


texts: What is the explanation given for souls who are currently living in animal bodies?

texts: Do the animals have these bodies because of their past Karma? Or will they eventually progress into human and then higher forms and eventually seek liberation?


texts: Will he be considered as Guru on teaching spiritual/meditation practices?

texts: One is called a Guru if he grants one a mantra. Similarly, will one be called a Guru if the one teaches spiritual practice or meditation only?  And Also, will the one who learnt spiritual practice from such teacher be considered as initiated?


texts: Development of Man's form along with God's Avatar

texts: Are time varying successive forms that came about with evolution of God in Hindu view .. the same for the perceiving Man as well with God as a superior contemporary  Entity? I mean if God is in Fish form then Man the perceiver cannot be in a human form, right?


texts: Is complete Srimad Bhagavatam not available since total verse count is not 18000?

texts:
Upon counting the number of verses in Bhagavatam which has 335 chapters from

http://bhagavata.org/downloads/bhagavata-compl.html

Canto       Chapters        Verses

1               19            808
2               10            393
3               33           1416
4               31           1449
5               26            668
6               19            851
7               15            750
8               24            931
9               24            960
10              90           3936
11              31           1367
12              13            565

Total          335          14094

But, the sites like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavata_Purana
says the number of chapter is only 332.

I have referred one more site which says only 332 chapter, can't recollect now.

As per the following book:(foot notes in page 526)
https://archive.org/details/SriBhagavataTatparyaNirnayaEBook/page/n543

Some opine that chapter 12,13, and 14 are interpolated.

Why is count only around 14,100 where as it is supposed to be 18,000? Are the remaining 3,900 missing?

Is there any final opinion about chapter 12,13 and 14 of the 10th Canto?


texts: Scriptural Explanation of the "Siddhis" of the "Yoga Sutras"

texts: I have always been fascinated by the section of the fabulous "Yoga Sutras" which describe the "siddhis" (psionic powers).  Sri Patanjali did a marvelous task of organizing and codifying the Yoga Darshan during the ancient aeon.  Do the Scriptures explain how these "siddhis" work? Are they to be taken literally or are they metaphorical and allegorical?


texts:
Did Ravana really have ten heads? Or is it a mythical concept?

If he really had ten heads, who gave him this and what is the story behind it?


texts:
I want to know why the Vanara never used weapons such as swords, bows, chakras, clubs, etc., since it has always been shown in Valmiki Ramayana that the Vanara as Hanuman and Sugriva used wrestling, used trees as weapons and even the mountains, but never used swords, bows, spears, chakras, etc.

What is the reason for not using these weapons?


texts: Engagement (Nitchayathartham) after death of grandmother

texts:
I have a question about how Hindus (especially Tamil) deal with the engagement after the death of a family member.

If an engagement was planned for in 6 month but tragically the grandmother (father's side) passes away.

Does the engagement have to be cancelled and postponed for an year?

I'm searching for answers related to the tradition.


texts: Did Agni refuse to burn Sati at the Daksha Yagna?

texts: Devdutt Pattanaik says this in one of his talks - when Agni wouldn't burn her, Sati burnt herself with her own internal fire, according to him.  Is there scriptural basis for this?


texts: How was the Madhu Vidya passed down before Dadhichi?

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 which summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads. You can read the Brahma Sutras here. In any case, Adhyaya 3 Pada 3 of the Brahma Sutras describes the Brahma Vidyas, 32 lessons found in the various Upanishads which can each lead you to Brahman if you meditate upon them. You can see the full list of 32 Vidyas here.

Now one of the 32 Brahma Vidyas is known as the Madhu Vidya, or "honey wisdom". It's found in the Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads, and it has the power to bring a person back from the dead.  The story of the Madhu Vidya is described in this chapter of the Shatapatha Brahmana of the Yajur Veda.  The sage Dadhichi, whom I discuss here, knew the Madhu Vidya, and Indra threatened to cut off his head if he ever revealed it to anyone else.  But the Ashwini Kumaras, the twin gods who were the fathers of Nakula and Sahadeva, were eager to learn it, so they conspired with Dadhichi to replace Dadhichi's head with a horse head.  Then Dadhichi with a horse head taught the Ashwini Kumaras the Madhu Vidya.  When Indra found out about this he was furious, so he cut off Dadhichi's horse head.  Then the Ashwini Kumaras replaced it with his human head, using the Madhu Vidya to bring him back to life.   It is ultimately because of the Ashwini Kumaras that the Madhu Vidya became publicly available in the Upanishads.

But my question is about how the Madhu Vidya was passed down before Dadhichi.  Here is what the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says:

  Dadhyak [Dadhichi] Âtharvana [learned it] from Atharvan Daiva,
  Atharvan Daiva from Mrityu Prâdhvamsana,
  Mrityu Prâdhvamsana from Prâdhvamsana,
  Prâdhvamsana from Ekarshi,
  Ekarshi from Viprakitti
  Viprakitti from Vyashti,
  Vyashti from Sanâru,
  Sanâru from Sanâtana,
  Sanâtana from Sanaga,
  Sanaga from Parameshthin,
  Parameshthin from Brahman,
  Brahman is Svayambhu, self-existent.

  Adoration to Brahman.

So it looks like Dadhichi learned the Madhu Vidya from his ancestor Atharvan, another name for the sage Bhrigu. But who is this "Mrityu Pradhavamsana" that Bhrigu learned it from?  Mrityu means death and Pradhavamsana means destroyer, so did Bhrigu learn it from Yama god of death?  And who is this "Ekarishi", which means "one sage", that Pradhvamsana learned it from?

And then Ekarishi learned it from Viprachitti, who was a demon that Indra killed.  And Viprachitti learned it from someone named "Vyashti", who learned it from the Sanatkumaras, who learned it from Brahma, who learned it from Vishnu.  But who is this Vyashti who learned it from the Sanatkumaras and taught it to the demon Viprachitti?

Are there any scriptures that describe who all these people are?


texts: Guru mantras for people without a guru: Is there any scriptural support?

texts:
The general consensus appears to be that a living guru who is accessible and can give initiation to the seeker is absolutely essential for any form of progress in Sadhanas.
However, in his book "The Ancient Science of Mantras: Wisdom of the Sages", Om Swami gives the following mantra for people without a human guru:

gururbrahmā gururviṣṇurgururdevo maheśvaraḥ,
gurureva paraṃ brahma tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ.

This blog post claims that people without a guru can invoke Lord Shiva as a guru with the following mantra:

ॐ हंसः शिवः। सोऽहं हंसः। शिवः हंसः। शिवः सोऽहं।

On the same website, this other blog post offers the following guru Gayatri for people without a guru:

ॐ गुरुदेवाय विद्महे परमगुरवे छ धीमहि तन्नो पुरुषः प्रछोदयात्

Is there any scriptural basis for any of the above claims?


texts: Is Sushupti and Samadhi categorically the same?

texts: Dreamless state and Samadhi share the condition of absence of any Vrittis. Can they be the same thing then? If not where is the difference?


texts: How do you use karma to explain the Holocaust?

texts:
I am able to accept that karma from past lives creates circumstances in our current life. Over the course 1000 lives, I may have done some good and bad. and a combination of that has put me in this life with two caring parents etc.
I can also see the reason for free will. Karma brought a friend into my life. my free will kept him in once I saw he was a positive person
My question is how can I use karma to explain the holocaust? Did every Jew in that exact period of time do some sort of bad action in the previous life? It's hard for me to grapple with this. My best explanation for genocides etc. is that there is a part of it that is simply free will of Germans?


texts:
What kind of knowledge is considered as Brahm Gyan? Is having knowledge of all four Vedas would make a person Brahm Gyani?

Does Brahm in Brahm Gyan denotes Lord Brahma? If so then what is the reason behind it?

Is there an example of anyone having Brahm Gyan in any epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata or any other?

Is this the highest level of gyan or is there another level higher?


texts: What is the "folk song" about Rama described in the Brahma Purana?

texts:
In this excerpt from the Brahma Purana, the sage Vyasa describes the various incarnations of Vishnu.  After summarizing the story of the Ramayana, he says this:

  The people who are conversant with ancient legends sing the following popular folk song thus - "People had a close and real bond of love with Rama.  The intelligent lord had greatness.  He was a young man with red eyes and refulgent face.  He spoke with limitation and restraint.  His arms extended upto his knees.  He had a gentle face.  He had great arms and leonine shoulders.  He ruled over the earth for ten thousand years.  There were the following sounds continuously in his kingdom - the sound of the chanting of Riks, Saman and Yajus Mantras; the twanging sound of the bow.  This sound never ceased viz. "Let this be given, let this be eaten."  Rama the son of Dasharatha richly possessed Sattva attributes and other qualities.  He shone with his own brilliance, more brilliantly than the moon and the sun.  He performed hundreds of holy sacrifices at the conclusion of which excellent gifts were offered to the Brahmins.  He of great strength left Ayodhya and went to heaven.  It was in this manner that the lord of great arms, the scion of the family of Ikshvaku killed Ravana along with his attendants and went of to heaven."

My question is, what is this "popular folk song" quoted by Vyasa?   Vyasa composed the Puranas near the end of the Dwapara Yuga or the beginning of the Kali Yuga, and yet even he says that this song is sung by "the people who are conversant with ancient legends".  So that would make it an extremely ancient folk song.

Does anyone know how old it is?  Are there any other scriptures, for instance other Puranas, that refer to this folk song?


texts:
River Ganga is considered sacred in Santana Dharma. Padma Purana declares that

  mānyeyaṃsarvadālokepavitrāpāpanāśinī [Pdm. Pu. - 6.22.9]

  She is pure, destroyer of sins and always honored in the world.

Every year large number of people take their holy dip in river Ganga.

Yet we find ourselves reaping the karmic action of our sinful act. Does this contradicts the proclamation made in Purana?


texts: Is there any non-Advaita interpretation of Yoga Vasistha?

texts: Yoga Vasistha is usually considered an advaitic text but is there any non-advatic interpretation of this holy text?


texts: Will Brahmacharis (life long bachelors) get moksha?

texts: It is said that we have to clear our debts towards parents and ancestors (Pitru Runa) by begetting children before we can attain moksha. But people who take Brahmacharya don't marry. Will these Brahmacharis get moksha?


texts: Are there any scriptures which talk about Mantra Diskha?

texts:
I have heard that only few people are able to initiate someone with a mantra diksha where a student is given a particular mantra with some “secret syllables” in it.

My questions is
- how is it different from doing japa with a regular mantra


texts:
Namaskar to all saintly ladies and gentlemen
I'd like to know about jñāna-yoga.

Do jñāna-yogīs meditate?

If they practice dhyāna-yoga, what do they meditate upon?

Is there any siloka how and what jñāna-yogī meditate?


texts: Why Dhritarastra is not called Vyasa's son?

texts:
In Vyasa Mahabharata Pandavas are repeatedly called "the son of Dharma", "the son of Shakra", "twins of Ashwinis".
However, Dhritarastra is always called "son of Vichitravirya".
Pandavas were born while Pandu was alive whereas Dhritarastra was born after his father's death. Still, why Pandavas are referred by their real father whereas Dhritarastra is not?
Is it purely because Vyasa did not want to use his name against his wicked son?!
[I understand this may be difficult to answer as we need to ask Vyasa himself! But trying to see if I missed some logic/explanations]


texts: Is supreme brahman male or female? Does He have a gender?

texts:
Is supreme brahman male or female?

Does he have a gender?

EDIT: Soul or jivatma is different from brahman who is the paramatma. Hence this question is different.


texts: Is it acceptable to sleep in same room as Murti (Idol)?

texts:
Naively speaking one might expect that it would be acceptable to sleep/ live in same place as a Murti of some God or Goddess, as can occasionally be seen in some temples. For example, the question Keeping Deities/God photos in everywhere in home mentions that "Bed room is an optional if someone wants to see the first sight everyday" though the issue is not addressed in the answer. I have heard similar things in some sermons.
Moreover, in most houses, there is some dedicated space or room for keeping the Murtis. So, one might use this same room for some other purpose such as storage or sleeping at the same time.

However, on Internet I came across some websites saying that this is a harmful practice that should be avoided.

Pooja room Vastu tips for every Indian home - Homify.in

In small apartments, finding the space for the pooja area can pose a challenge. It’s not uncommon to find the pooja room in kitchens or bedrooms. Although, as far as possible, these areas should be avoided for the pooja room, in some cases there is no other alternative. In such instances, and only as a last resort, if the pooja mandir is in the kitchen, ensure that it is placed in the northeast corner and has two shutters doors to keep it closed when it is not in use.

Designing the pooja space in the bedroom should be looked at as a last resort, as Vastu prescribes that no one should sleep in the pooja room. If there is no other alternative, incorporate it in the northeast corner of the bedroom.

How to Design Your Pooja Room According to Vastu - UrbanCompany.com

Don’t use the pooja space for any other purpose, and avoid too much storage here. If you must have storage options, then place cupboards to the west or the south.

It’s not a good idea to have a mandir in the bedroom. However, if you must, then install it in the north-east area of the bedroom.

These websites do not give authority of any particular sage or scripture, but instead simply say that this is "as per Vastu".
My question is:

What do scriptures say about the proper way of keeping Murti? Can one sleep in the same room or use the place for other uses? (Preferably Vedic or Puranic source)

What if a person has shortage of space - like someone living in one small room in a rented place or hostel? Possibly, we may be living with other people in the same room in such situations. So, is it acceptable to keep some Murti or is it better to not keep any?

What is the validity of the Vastu mentioned in the cited places? Are there any Vastu-shastra treatise which state these things and how authoritative are they?

I found some related questions on the site, but they do not address this issue:
Can I keep a small murti of lord hanuman in my room, Keeping Deities/God photos in everywhere in home, What do the scriptures mention about sleeping postures and mattresses?, Murti Sthapana - why, what and when to do


texts: Are there any Mantra, Stotra, shloka for protecting oneself, from internal and external foes.


texts: What is the story of Devakulya who was transformed into Ganga?

texts:
Kashyapa and Purnima are the sons of Sage Marichi. Purnima had three children, one of them is Devakulya.

Here is verse from Srimad Bhagavatham 4.1.14,

  My dear Vidura, of the two sons, Kaśyapa and Pūrṇimā, Pūrṇimā begot three children, namely Viraja, Viśvaga and Devakulyā. Of these three, Devakulyā was the water which washed the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead and which later on transformed into the Ganges of the heavenly planets.

I was wondering how someone's child could be water. I understand this someone is not common person like us but a sage. Still, I want to know:

How Devakulya born as water?
Why Devakulya was transformed into Ganga?


texts: Why was Garuda cursed by Swayamprabha to lose his wings?

texts: This Hindupedia information page states that Garuda once lost his wings due to a curse by Swayamprabha, the female ascetic that Hanuman and other Vanars met while looking for Sita. Can anyone shed light on why did this lady curse Garuda to begin with and what prayers did he perform to get them back?


texts: What scriptures describe replacing the Pranayama Mantra with Shlokas?

texts:
When Dvija males do Pranayama, they chant an expanded version of the Gayatri Mantra, known as the Mahasavitri Mantra.  Sri Vaishnava lecturer U. Ve. Mukkur Lakshminarasimhachariar Swami had said this:

strīkaḷum prāṇāyāmam ceyyalām. mantiram kūṟi ceyyāmal, slōkam mūlam payiṟci ceyyalām. rāma mātā kausalyā tēvi prāṇāyāmam ceytirukkiṟāḷ. Avaḷ peṟṟa palaṉ uyarntatu.
Women can also do Pranayama.  Instead of performing Pranayama with Mantras, they can perform it with Shlokas.  Sri Rama’s mother, Kausalya, performed Pramayama.  The reward she obtained is priceless.

The Kausalaya part is referring to this chapter of the Ayodhya Kanda of the Ramayana, where Kausalya uses Pranayama to pray for Rama’s prosperity.
But I’m interested in the part in bold.  My question is, what scriptures describe women replacing Mantras with Shlokas when doing Pranayama?  And what are the replacement Shlokas?


texts: What is the difference between Lord Ayyappa and Sri Dharma Sastha?

texts: I've often seen the names, Lord Ayyappa and Sri Dharma Sastha. Lord Ayyappa is the Son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (Mohini).But what are the differences between them? Are Lord Ayyappa and Sri Dharma Sastha the same?


texts:
I eager to know the following questions regarding Ram Setu.

How many days took to build Ram Setu?
Around How many Vanaras or monkeys were working?
What is the length and wide of Ram Setu?
How old is the ram setu?


texts:
I heard the word Adhi-Vyadhi (ఆధివ్యాధులు) several times in preachings as well as in scriptural books.
Example: From Sloka 3
What is the exact meaning for that word?


texts: What is the earliest record of the Kali Santarana Upanishad, source of the Hare Krishna Mantra?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, the Hare Krishna mantra, popularized by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his Gaudiya Vaishnava followers (especially the organization ISKCON), originates from the Kali Santarana Upanishad, which you can read here. The Kali Santarana Upanishad is widely considered by many to be a later interpolation, for multiple reasons: there are no ancient commentaries of it or ancient references to it; I think it's the only Upanishad that mentions the Yuga system, which was mainly revealed to human beings in the Itihasas and Puranas; it refers to the conversation happening at the end of the Dvapara Yuga, which would only make sense if the reader is presumed to be living long after the beginning of the Kali Yuga etc.

My question is, what is the earliest known mention or record of the Kali Santarana Upanishad? This book merely says that it dates to before the sixteenth century, presumably because the popularization of the Hare Krishna mantra dates to the sixteenth century. Now the Kali Santarana Upanishad is listed in the Muktika, the canon of 108 Upanishads, but the Muktika was passed down by oral tradition, and we only have written records of the Muktika from the seventeenth century onwards.  So the Kali Santarana Upanishad could have been a late addition to it.

Are there any references to it dating back significantly before the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?


texts: Can one do deeparadhana and pooja after 12pm? If not, why?

texts: Is daily worship and deeparadhan after 12pm okay? Please give appropriate reasoning


texts:
Pashupat Vrata is intended for the release of bondage and thus liberation. The Srutis like Atharvasiras Upanishad state in single line about how to perform Pasupat Vrata which I also discuss here:

  अग्निरिति भस्म वायुरिति भस्म जलमिति भस्म स्थलमिति भस्म व्योमेति भस्म सर्वंह वा इदं भस्म मन एतानि
  चक्षूंषि यस्माद्व्रतमिदं पाशुपतं यद्भस्म नाङ्गानि
  संस्पृशेत्तस्माद्ब्रह्म तदेतत्पाशुपतं पशुपाश
  विमोक्षणाय ॥ ५॥

  He converts fire, air, water, earth, ether and everything that exists here in to ash. He who sees this and mentally realizes it and observes the “penance to Pashupati ” and who coats ash all over his body with this ash attains the state of Brahman. By worshipping “Pasupathi” like this, the ties of bondage of all beings get cut and they attain salvation.

But it is very short and ritualistic methods aren't also given. Also in Ishwara Gita of Kurma Purana Lord Maheswara states:

  मदात्मा मन्मना भस्म गृहीत्वा त्वग्निहोत्रिकम् ।
  तेनोद्धुलितसर्वांगग्निरादित्यमन्त्रतः ।।
  चिन्तयेत्स्वात्मनीशानं परं ज्योतिः स्वरुपिणम् ।
  एष पाशुपतो योगः पशुपाशविमुक्तये ।।
  सर्ववेदान्तमार्गोऽयमत्याश्रममिति श्रुतिः ।
  एतत्परतरं गुह्यं मत्सायुज्यप्रदायकम् ।।

  One should meditate upon me and turning to my Bhasma form, should accept the ashes of Yajna. These ashes should be applied over all limbs of the body sanctified with the hymns of Agni etc.. and Aditya. Thereafter one should invoke in his soul the respledant Ishana. This is the Pashupata Yoga for the recluse of the Jiva from the bondage and is as per Vedanta marga. This is beneficial in all the asramas, as has been ordained by the Srutis. This is better than the best and is extremely secret, and bestows my Sayujya.

So, it is likely that the procedure to perform it is described in some Vedas/Vedic sources as Lord Maheswara says 'has been ordained by Srutis' and Lord Shiva also tells it bestows his Sayujya, Where is this mentioned in Vedas? How to perform Pashupat Vrata as per Vedas?


texts: From where does the water come at the end of Kalpa?

texts:
After the day of Brahma gets over, Pralaya commences. Srimad Bhagavatam describes it in this way:

At the end of the day, under the insignificant portion of the mode of darkness, the powerful manifestation of the universe merges in the darkness of night. By the influence of eternal time, the innumerable living entities remain merged in that dissolution, and everything is silent. When the night of Brahmā ensues, all the three worlds are out of sight, and the sun and the moon are without glare, just as in the due course of an ordinary night.
The devastation takes place due to the fire emanating from the mouth of [Ananta], and thus great sages like Bhṛgu and other inhabitants of Maharloka transport themselves to Janaloka, being distressed by the warmth of the blazing fire which rages through the three worlds below. At the beginning of the devastation all the seas overflow, and hurricane winds blow very violently. Thus the waves of the seas become ferocious, and in no time at all the three worlds are full of water. The Supreme Lord [Vishnu] lies down in the water on the seat of Ananta, with His eyes closed, and the inhabitants of Janaloka offer unto the Lord their glorious prayers with folded hands.

To destroy 3 worlds, a lot of water will be required. Where did this water came from? Is it the water of the earth or the Garbhodaka ocean?

The earth and the 3 worlds are in the upper half of the Hiranyagarbh. The remaining half is filled by the water of the cosmic ocean - Garbhodaka ocean. The only water that can destroy the 3 worlds is the water of this ocean but the only way it can be done is if all the planets of those 3 worlds fall in this ocean. There is only 1 reference of earth falling in this ocean after which Vishnu had to take Varaha avatar.
Are there any references in the scriptures about planets falling in this ocean when Pralaya commences or if this is not the case, then which water is being referred to in Srimad Bhagavatam?


texts: What is the personality of indra in vedas?

texts:
In the Puranas Indra is depicted as a bad king of heaven. And sometimes wrathful . But how is he depicted in vedas.
I mean what is his personality?

There is a story in bhagavad puran. krishna ordered people to worship goverdhan pervat(mountain). But on that day people used to celebrate a festival for lord Indra. No one worshiped indra, he got angry and Punished them by giving them rainstorm.


texts: Why do bad things happen to good people?

texts:
I have seen many instances where bad things have happened to good people. And to make it worse, the bad people prospered and progressed while the good people seemed to struggle every day for their survival.

Why don't we get the results of our bad karma in this birth only? How will the results from bad karma rendered in the next birth matter at all? The good person who had to suffer in spite of being good, isn't he lucky enough to watch those, who did wrong to him (bad people), suffer in same birth?

People do one wrong after another, yet they live their whole life in luxury. Where is God in all these situations? Doesn't it seem justified that this is the reason why people lose their belief in God?

Can you also explain when 2 people have neutral account, then how can one do wrong to other?

Last question, just consider a hypothetical situation, where, I never did anything wrong in any birth. Are bad things still bound to occur to me?

Please point references from scriptures to enlighten me here.


texts: What do scriptures say regarding Immigration & Emigration?

texts: For example, one popular rule that is believed to be scripturally imposed is that brahmanas can't participate in sea voyages. Where is it mentioned that such journey is prohibited?


texts:
Where can I find an English translation of the Taittiriya Shakha of the Krishna Yajur Veda?

Sacred-texts.com only has the Taittiriya Samhita. I want an English translation of the Brahmana and Aranyaka of this Shakha of the Krishna Yajur Veda.


texts: Is it a sin to allow reforms to Hinduism?

texts:
In the name of societal sense, we removed so many things in Hinduism: Child Marriages, Sati (practice) etc.

Right now, cultural activist fights for Women entry to Sabarimala. which is another reform to Hinduism.

Is it a sin to allow this many reforms to Hinduism ?


texts: Are the followers of Vaikhanasa Agama considered as Sri Vaishnavas?

texts: Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala follows Vaikhanasa Agama. Can it be considered a Sri Vaishnava temple?


texts: I am looking for the mantra which contains the satyavrat, or the best way to take a vow of truth so as to receive the sankalpa of the lord, so that I can best uphold my vow. I have searched in many places, there were no answers. Due to circumstances of location etc. I have no person to ask. I looked at the vidhi of satyanarayana puja, there was no vow. Is the puja itself the vow? I am looking for the TRUE satyavrat. Thank you.


texts:
I have heard that the Devas change through the Yugas, and that the Devas of the current Yuga are the children of Aditi.
Similarly, one often hears that the structure of music ragas change through the Yugas.
Do the Vedas change through the Yugas?


texts: Why didn't Lord Shiva realize that he was beheading his own son?

texts:
As Lord Shiva is himself one of the Trimurti, he must be a त्रिकालज्ञ (trikālajña) i.e., knower of past, present and future.

If he's a trikālajña, why didn't he know that he was going to behead his own son, Vināyaka (Ganesha)?


texts: Was there any relation between Sri Trailanga Swami and Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri?

texts: Sri Trailanga Swami and Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri, both considered as incarnations of Lord Shiva by their devotess, were contemporary and both lived in Varanasi. Was there any relation between them? Kindly cite proper sources in answer.


texts: Does Drona also tell Pandavas how to kill him?

texts: Bhishma certainly did that.  Drona also fought only half-heartedly for Duryodhana.  For example, he pretended that he couldn't kill Ghatotkacha thereby forcing the wasting of the Vasavi Shakti. Also I don't know this for a fact but did Krishna directly tell him "we can't win as long as you are fighting on Duryodhana's side - please tell us how you may be removed from the war".


texts: Are there any prescribed Mantras, Stotras, techniques, etc that can help to inhibit sexual tendencies?

texts: I understand having Viveka about real and unreal is one way. But just wondering if there is anything mentioned in the scriptures specifically regarding lustful thoughts and tendencies?


texts: Upanishads books with word by word translation and contemplation

texts: I am a beginner and I haven't found any books which have complete translation and contemplation.


texts:
what  is the meaning of this  quote
A saint is a sinner who never gave up.
I got this   quote from here
My confusion is  that  how saint become  sinner ?


texts: What is Śuka's birth-based varṇa? Is his biological mother literally a parrot or a human named Ghṛtācī or he had no mother at all?

texts:
The birth of Vyāsa's son, Śuka, is narrated in the Mahābhārata as follows.

  Bhishma said. 'The son of Satyavati having obtained this high boon from the great God, was one day employed in rubbing his sticks for making a fire. While thus engaged, the illustrious Rishi, O king, beheld the Apsara Ghritachi, who, in consequence of her energy, was then possessed of great beauty. Beholding the Apsara in those woods, the illustrious Rishi Vyasa, O Yudhishthira, became suddenly smitten with desire. The Apsara (Ghritachi), seeing the Rishi's heart troubled by desire, transformed herself into a she-parrot and came to that spot. Although he beheld the Apsara disguised in another form, the desire that had arisen in the Rishi's heart (without disappearing) spread itself over every part of his body. Summoning all his patience, the ascetic endeavoured to suppress that desire; with all his effort, however, Vyasa did not succeed in controlling his agitated mind. In consequence of the inevitability of what was to happen, the Rishi's heart was attracted by Ghritachi's fair form. He set himself more earnestly to the task of making a fire for suppressing his emotion, but in spite of all his efforts his vital seed came out. That best of regenerate ones, however, O king, continued to rub his stick without feeling any scruples for what had happened.

  From the seed that fell, was born a son unto him, called Suka. In consequence of his circumstance attending his birth, he came to be called by name of Suka.

Based on the above story – which is rather perplexing to me – I'm unable to determine Śuka's birth-based varṇa. Can someone help me determine his varṇa?

Was he a brāhmaṇa by birth or did he belong to one of the lower varṇas? Finding out Vyāsa's and Ghṛtācī's birth-based varṇas will probably solve this problem. However, I cannot tell whether Ghṛtācī is a human or a parrot. For determining Śuka's varna, should I treat Ghṛtācī as a human or as a parrot? Or should I keep Ghṛtācī out of the equation because technically she had no role in Śuka's birth?

What does Manu-smṛti or any commentaries on it say anything about determining one's varṇa based on their father's varṇa alone? Also, does Manu or any other smṛti address special scenarios where the father of a child is human while the mother is a parrot?


texts: Who wrote the Shiva Stuti Sukta Malika, and does it still exist?

texts:
The Narayana Shabda Sadhararanyam is a work by the 16th century Advaita philosopher Govinda Nayaka which argues that the word Narayana refers to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.  This work was refuted by an anonymous Sri Vaishnava in a work called the Narayana Shabda Niruktih.  This excerpt from the Narayana Shabda Niruktih refutes certain Puranic citations given by Govinda Nayaka to try to show that Narayana also refers to Shiva.  The author argues that these Puranic verses are interpolations, because not even Shaivites have ever cited them before:

  You cited usages of interpretations explaining the term "narayana" as referring to Shiva.  However, these usages are not cited in the Shaivite texts such as Nilakantha Bhashya, Shivarkamanidipika, Shivastutisuktamalika, Shivatattvaviveka, and Shaivakarnamrita, etc., which are extremely insistent upon establishing that the term "narayana" refers to Shiva.  Our texts, which refute the above texts line by line, also do not cite those passages.... [I]t is inevitable to suspect the existence of interpolations in the very Puranas, such as Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, etc. The Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, etc. are generally edited only by the Shaivites. Even narrations of greatness of modern temples are presented as though they belong in the Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, etc. Therefore, the usages you cited are not at all from the puranas.

I'm interested in the part in bold.  Most of these Shaivite works are recognizable:

The Nilakantha Bhashya, aka the Srikantha Bhashya, is Srikantha Sivacharya's Shaiva Siddhanta commentary on the Brahma Sutras.  You can read it in English here.
The Shivarka Mani Dipika is a subcommentary on the Nilakantha Bhasha composed by Appayya Dikshitar, a 16th century philosopher who was both an Advaitin and a member of the Shaiva Siddhanta sect.  As far as I can tell ir's never been translated into English, and I haven't found a Sanskrit version either, but it at least exists in manuscript form.
The Shiva Tattva Viveka is Appayya Dikshitar's commentary on his own poem, the Sikharini Mala, and it seeks to show that Shiva is supreme.  You can read it in English here.
The Shiva Karnamrita is another work by Appayya Dikshitar.  I haven't found it in Sanskrit or English, but it at least exists in manuscript form.

But my question is, what is the "Shiva Stuti Sukta Malika" mentioned in the quote?  Who composed it, does it still exist, and has it been translated into English?

My initial thought was that it's yet another work by Appayya Dikshitar, but it's not included in the list of Appayya Dikshitar's works given in this web page. In any case, I'm guessing that like the other four works, it's a work from th Shaiva Siddhanta sect.  If it helps, the name of the work means "garland of hymns in praise of Shiva".


texts:
Dvārapāla
Doorkeeper, gatekeeper, guardian of a Hindu temple.

The Hindu temple is a sacred space, a divine home for the gods when invoked by their devotees. At most temples, sculptures of deities and other figures are places on the exterior walls, in clearly defined niches or around doorways. They usually appear in pairs either side of the doorway, facing inward to protect the sacred precincts of the temple from malevolent forces. Described as minor deities, they are responsible for "keeping order" in the temple grounds, in much the same way as a sheriff or sergeant at arms.  Each as has been marked with a tilak, and a purple flower is visible on top of each--signs that despite their subsidiary status, they too are objects of worship.
Dvārapālakas are to be found inside the temple too, guarding for example entrances to the main deities.
Some good accounts on the matter:
https://dharmarepublic.com/dvarapala/
http://creative.sulekha.com/dvarapalas_428407_blog

Pretty good descriptions are available, but reasons and ways to worship them, I cannot find.
My understanding is that the entrances are protected by mantras. If you are not getting a permission from the guards you are basically as an tourist in a museum. Asking for the permission you shall introduce yourself (name and moon sign), if you have a guru, to tell who is your guru. You shall also tell why you came to the temple.


texts:
I heard that souls( atma) never born, never died. Its target is unity with paramatma and atma accomplished  this through different births. My question: Since total population is increasing then from where the extra souls are coming? Actually number of souls should decresing as some souls attain the unity. Then we arrive at a contradiction...
If the 1st line of my question is false then tell me the truth about souls.


texts:
Whether 'Shraddha' can be performed by the 'yajaman' (host) himself if he is a Brahmin?
The purpose of asking this is now a days it is difficult to get a Brahmin who performs this 'sincerely', devoting proper time and uttering clear pronunciation of mantras.

Can anybody please cite the full Sanskrit text for chanting during Shraddha?

There is a similar question here

But it does not contain any sanskrit script and detailed procedure; it has a link to wiki page for "Ghriya Sutras" and a checklist pdf where there is no detail of actual vidhi.


texts: Where are Madhvacharya's Puranic quotes describing the path to Moksha?

texts:
In verse 8.24 of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says this:

Those who know the Supreme Brahman attain that Supreme by passing away from the world during the inﬂuence of the ﬁery god, in the light, at an auspicious moment of the day, during the fortnight of the waxing moon, or during the six months when the sun travels in the north.

Now at first glance, it might seem like it's saying something about time of death, but as I discuss in this answer, apart from Prabhupada pretty much all the commentators agree that this verse is actually about the path of the soul to Brahmaloka/Moksha, described in the Panchagni Vidya of the Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, which I discuss here, here, and here.  Here is how the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad describes this path:

Those who thus know this, and those who in the forest worship faith and the True, go to light (arkis), from light to day, from day to the increasing half, from the increasing half to the six months when the sun goes to the north, from those six months to the world of the Devas (Devaloka), from the world of the Devas to the sun, from the sun to the place of lightning. When they have thus reached the place of lightning a spirit comes near them, and leads them to the worlds of ... Brahman. In these worlds of Brahman they dwell exalted for ages. There is no returning for them.

Note that the terms in this passage refer not to places (the day and the year are obviously not places), but rather to gods governing certain time periods.  The Advaita philosopher Adi Shankaracharya provides a good argument for this in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras; see here and here.  But the Dvaita philosopher Madhvacharya provides another argument for this in his commentary on Gita verse 8.24:

The word jyoti indicates illumination and is identified with the demigod known as Archi. This is confirmed in the Narada Purana which states: After reaching Agni the demigod of fire and then Archi the demigod of illumination and thereafter Ahah the demigod of day etc. It should be understood that Agni, Archi, Ahah and others are the presiding demigods of the respective time periods. Otherwise it would not be in accordance with the Vedic scriptures to say that during the daytime one reaches the bright waxing time of the month.
The Brahma Purana states: Since in essence there only exists days which also includes nights, how can one situated in equanimity be said to have achieved the brahman only in the day during the bright waxing time of the month. So it is clear to the lucid that the presiding demigods in tandem with their corresponding time periods is the only logical interpretation in accordance with Vedic scriptures.
The Garuda Purana states: The knowers of spiritual knowledge honor the presiding demigods of the respective time periods. Along with honouring the demigods such as Agni the fire god, Archi of illumination, Ahah of the day, Sukla of the waxing moon, Satmasah of the suns northern course and others, the presiding demigods of the Vishu or the passages travelled should also be honoured.
The Brahma Vaivarta Purana states: Honouring the presiding demigods of the day, the night, the waxing and waning moons, the sun on its northern and southern course as well as the Vishu; one who has realised the brahman attains the Supreme Lord.

My question is, where are these quotes in the Narada Purana, Brahma Purana, Garuda Purana, and Brahma Vaivarta Purana?  I tried looking for them, but I couldn't find them.
By the way, more generally, why is it so difficult to track down Puranic quotes by Madhvacharya?  I ran into similar issues in my question here about Madhavacharya's commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad.  Did Madhvacharya rely on Purana manuscripts that were different than those used by both his predecessors and those who came after him?  Because it almost seems like there's no overlap between the Puranic quotes in Madhvacharya's work and the Puranic quotes from other writers.


texts: Does the Mahabharata contain the quote "When is peace not peace?"

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Yesterday I was listening to an American political radio show, and I was surprised to hear a reference to Hinduism.  An African American activist who was being interviewed said the following:

  In an Indian spiritual text called the Mahabharata, someone asked a question "When is peace not peace?" And Arjuna answered "When it is tyranny."

The activist was using the quote to make a point about relations between blacks and whites in America, but my question is, does any such quote occur in the Mahabharata?

I can imagine Arjuna saying that peace is not peace when it is tyranny, to describe why it is necessary to fight the Kauravas rather than just living in peace under the rule of the Kauravas. I can also imagine something like this occurring in a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna (inside or outside the Bhagavad Gita) with Arjuna asking the question and Krishna answering it, and the activist might have misremembered it as Arjuna answering.  Or this quote could have no scriptural basis.


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There are many Upanishads. I just want to know:

What is the source of creation according to Upanishads?
What is exactly written on the scriptures?


texts: How does the names and events reoccur in different manvantara or Kalpa or different universes?

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In Mahabharata Bhishm narrates the Vishnu Sahasranamam to Yudhishthir.
Later he inquires about Lord Shiva; but Bhishm being incapable sends him to Lord Krishna.
Bhishma in prolog to the Shiva Sahasranam says the following verse.

  Brahma Vishnu suresaanaam srushtaa cha prabhureva cha, Brahmaadaya
  pisachaantha yam hi deva upasathe. 4

  He is the one who created Brahma, Vishnu and other devas, He is their
  Lord and he is worshipped by, Brahma , devas, ghosts and others.

here

However there is/are puranas that describe Rudra to be born of Brahma(sorry im unable to find the reference to this; i read so and that it is mentioned in either Padma or Skanda puran).
Knowing that there are no conflicts in Vedas or other vedic scriptures; as discussed by @Keshav Srinivasan in This Answer ; I'm unable to understand this seemingly conflict.

Because if Lord Rudra is born from eyebrows of Brahma; than in next Manvantara or Universe Shiva must be born in similar way if i understand the answer correctly that I've linked above.

Also it is difficult to understand how Shiva who is eternal is born from Brahma who is of this material world and mortal.

EDIT 1:
In case we take the view of Skanda Puran that in some universes Supreme lord menifests himself as Lord Shankar first and other times as Lord Narayan; from whom other two trimurtis are born.
But in Vedanta Sutras(refer to link to above mentioned answer) it is said that the 'names and events Reoccur'. In that case if say; Lord Shankar is born by lord Brahma(as per Skanda purana); shouldn't he be always manifested through Brahma in all the universes and manvantaras?

Edit 2: Another example is that of sage bhrigu. Bhrigu is refered to as son of varuna in Taitreya Upanishad. Whereas some other scriptures mention him as son of Lord Brahma.


texts: Prohibitions on Brahmins regarding reading Bhagavad Gita

texts: Why Hindu Brahmins were not allowed by other castes,which includes Kayasthas to read BHAGVAD GITA and were  (discouraged by Hindu Bramhan Gurus also}during a distinct period of history?  Is there any specific reason?


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In his lecture here, he says:

  One word more: I read in the organ of the social reformers that I am
  called a Shudra and am challenged as to what right a Shudra has to
  become a Sannyasin. To which I reply: I trace my descent to one at
  whose feet every Brahmin lays flowers when he utters the words — यमाय
  धर्मराजाय चित्रगुप्ताय वै नमः — and whose descendants are the purest
  of Kshatriyas. If you believe in your mythology or your Paurânika
  scriptures, let these so-called reformers know that my caste, apart
  from other services in the past, ruled half of India for centuries.
  If my caste is left out of consideration, what will there be left of
  the present-day civilisation of India? In Bengal alone, my blood has
  furnished them with their greatest philosopher, the greatest poet, the
  greatest historian, the greatest archaeologist, the greatest religious
  preacher; my blood has furnished India with the greatest of her modern
  scientists. These detractors ought to have known a little of our own
  history, and to have studied our three castes, and learnt that the
  Brahmin, the Kshatriya, and the Vaishya have equal right to be
  Sannyasins: the Traivarnikas have equal right to the Vedas. This is
  only by the way. I just refer to this, but I am not at all hurt if
  they call me a Shudra. It will be a little reparation for the tyranny
  of my ancestors over the poor.

Was Swami Vivekananda a Kshatriya?

It appears he was a kshatriya, or descended from Kshatriyas at least.


texts: Why should wife take approval from husband before starting a vrata?

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In fourth Chapter, Purvardha, Kashikhanda of Skanda Mahapurana, Lopamudra, wife of sage Agastya explains the characteristics of an ideal wife. In one of the shlokas, she says as follows:

  भर्ता देवो गुरुर्भर्ता धर्मतीर्थव्रतानि च । तस्मात्सर्वं परित्यज्य पतिमेकंसमर्चयेत् ॥ ४८ ॥

  48.Husband is the god, husband is the preceptor; husband alone constitutes piety, holy place and pious and observances. Hence a  woman should forsake everything and worship her husband alone.

Also there are verses which says that approval should be taken from husband before starting a vrata or any ritual.

Why is approval necessary to do rituals for a wife?
Why is husband considered as guru?

Related but not a duplicate of this question


texts: Nandhi is a great worshipper of Lord Shiva, and always with him in Kailasa. What is the story of Nandhi? How was he born? How he is became the part of Lord Shiva and Kailasa?


texts: Watering tulsi plant on sunday is not allowed?

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My family says not to water the tulsi plant on sunday and even not to pluck it on that day.
Is it right??
Please explain it with proper justification.


texts: Which Vaishnavite sects claim all Gods in Rig Veda refer ultimately to Vishnu and what are their arguments?

texts: I have seen these arguments in bits and pieces and nothing makes sense. Additionally, how do they reconcile their arguments in the context of Brahma Vaivarta Purana which says Vishnu, Narayana, Siva et al are incarnations of Krishna?


texts: If Lakshmana Rekha is not in Valmiki's Ramayana, then where is it mentioned?

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This question discusses the different versions of Ramayana available. Although, it does not discuss how the story of Lakshmana Rekha is different in these various texts. I just read a comment on a separate question that Lakshmana Rekha is not mentioned in Valmiki's Ramayana. If so, I have these questions:

If Lakshmana Rekha is not mentioned by Rishi Valmiki, what is the story of Sita's abduction mentioned by him?
Also, from which text is the story of Lakshmana Rekha taken and what is that story?


texts: Which tantric books illustrate Chakras, nadis, deities in body of purusha?

texts: Which tantric books contain traditional detailed illustrations of Chakras, nadis, as well as deities (both vedic 33, puranic including numerous various names/Manifestations of deities)  located on/in the body of purusha(including on ears, palms) ?


texts: Where to find the puranas with slokas in it

texts: I wanted to know if there is any site/book to read the puranas with slokas in it.


texts: Arjuna is one of the protagonists of the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. Why did Arjuna shoot so many arrows when Bheeshma had already surrendered due to the presence of Shikhandi?


texts:
Where was Ashwatthama when Pandavas spread the false news of his death? On that day, was Ashwatthama too far from his father like Arjun was when Abhimanyu died? If so then, how Dronacharya could believe that Bhim killed him and came back from that site?

Also, Dronacharya already knew that Ashwatthama is Chiranjeevi (Drona did many years of severe penance to please lord Shiva in order to obtain a son who possesses the same valiance as of Lord Shiva. Hence,  Ashwatthama was born immortal due to the blessing of Lord Shiva.) and can not be slain then, how he could believe the fact that Bhim killed his son.

By seeing that Drona gave up his weapons and Dṛṣṭadyumna is approaching him, why nobody from Kaurvas Army revealed the truth to their Army chief?


texts: What is the importance of Dhwajasthamba in any of the temples that we go?

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It is said to be the respect that the King Mayura Dhwaja has earned by donating his complete left half of his body to Lord Sri Krishna in one of his leelas?

Is that the reason why we need to pray to the Dhwajasthamba first even before we offer our prayers to the main diety in the temple?

Kindly provide if there are any citations of this in any of the Holy scriptures!


texts: What Lokas and Andas are destroyed during Naimittika and Prakrita Pralayas?

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During Naimittika Pralaya, after 1 kalpa when Brahma sleeps, I've read that 3 worlds (Bhu, Bhuvah, Suvah) are destroyed while higher lokas exist.
What about 7 lower lokas (Atala - Patala)? Do only 3 of them get destroyed
(Atala, Vitala, Sutala), while other 4 exist?
I've read there are multiple anda-kataha, each with its own Brahma, Rudra, Indra, 14 lokas, Karya Vaikunta - basically replicas of each 'universe'. After lifetime of 'our' Brahma, during Prakrita Pralaya, our Anda gets dissolved in Prakriti.
What happens to other Andas - are all of them created/destroyed at the same time ? If not, is there anytime when absolutely no anda exists anywhere (avyaktam) ?


texts: Which is the correct Panchdasi mantra of Goddess Lalita?

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I am searching for the correct Panchdasi mantra, rather the Moola Panchdasi mantra. I referred various sites and each site has a different one:

For example, few variants are:

(1) क ए ई ल ह्रीं ह स क ल ह्रीं स क ल ह्रीं
(2) क ए ई ल ह्रीं ह स क ल ह्रीं स क ल ह्रीं श्रीं
(3) ह्रीं क ए ई ल ह्रीं ह स क ल ह्रीं स क ल ह्रीं

Which one is the Moola Mantra?


texts: Are pancharatra agamas followed outside the South (not counting Southern transplants)?

texts: I am not even sure temples outside the South not run by Southern transplants follow ANY agamas.


texts: according to karma yoga I must do all work for krsna. my problem is that I have lots of physical pain because of which I cannot perform my daily work. physical pains in muscles prevent me from performing my duties. how can i perform karma yoga when i can't ever do my basic duties?


texts: Does anyone have a Bhela Samhita Sankrit to english/hindi translation online?

texts:
I have tried to find it , but only came cross books which are costly to buy on amazon.
Does someone has english version available online


texts: In the Mahābhārata, where does Vidura-gītā begin and end? What are its first and last verses?

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In the Mahābhārata, in which parva and chapter, does the Vidura-gītā begin and end?

What are its first and last verses along with their English translation?

What are some popular and useful verses from it?

I think Vidura-gītā is also known as Vidura-nīti.


texts: How could Sri Rama communicate with the monkeys?

texts:
How could Sri Rama and Lakshmana communicate with the monkeys? It seems just impossible to any sensible person.But as it is written in our scriptures, it must have some deep inner meaning.

Can anybody throw light on this?


texts: What does Hinduism say about organ donation?

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Does the religion say anything good/bad about organ donation ?

Is one not circumventing some sort of karmic rules by giving and receiving organs ? Say, if someone is blind, he is paying for his karma.
May be getting an eye in donation means his punishment of blindness is over ? But eye transplants are a recent medical advancement. How did the punishment of blindness be over in the past ?


texts: Where can I find a good translation of the Sulabha Janaka Samvada of the Mahabharata?

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Sulabha Janaka Samvada is a conversation between the female saint Sulabha and king Janaka. This conversation is revealed by Bhishma to Yudhisthira in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata.

The most famous translation of the Sulabha Janaka Samvada is by Kisari Mohan Ganguli. With due respect to the author, it is very difficult to read (in arcane English) and is at some places wrong.

Where can I find a good translation for the same?


texts: Do Vedas & Grihya sutras prescribe rules only for a Brahmin?

texts: Are the mantras, rituals etc. from Vedas available only for Brahmins? Does it mean that castes other than Brahmins do not have any prescribed rules of life and rituals?


texts: Are infants and small children really manifestation of Bramhan

texts:
There is a saying in hindi

  Bacche bhagwan ka roop hote hai

literally meaning

  Kids are incarnation or manifestation of Bramhan.

Since Bhagwan is used to refer Bramahan or the Ishta devta (for Smartha people).
So this means that it is just a saying derived from the happy and blissful nature of kids(since bramhan is Sat-chit-Ananda) or it has a scriptural basis?.


texts: Does anyone know the name of this Hindu deity? Any help would be most appreciated.


texts: What all are the parameters needed for getting a mantra siddhi?

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According to the Hindu scriptures, what are the parameters needed to get a mantra siddhi?

Some of the parameters that can influence mantra siddhi (generally believed) are

1) Quantity of sins done by the person

2) Time spending by the person on chanting the mantra

3) How much accurately the person is chanting the mantra

4) Nature of mantra etc.,