texts: Did Shabaraswami invent the Mimamsa theory of multiple omnipresent souls?

texts:
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa that summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads.  But before the time of Adi Shankaracharya the dominant school of Hindu philosophy was the Purva Mimamsa school, which I discuss here. In contrast to the Vedanta school which is devoted to analyzing the Jnana Kanda of the Vedas, i.e. the Upanishads, Purva Mimamsa focuses on analyzing the Karma Kanda of the Vedas, i.e. the Samhitas and Brahmanas.

Now almost all members of the Vedanta school other than Advaitins believe that the Jivatma or individual soul is atomic in size, in contrast to Brahman who is omnipresent.  And the only reason Advaitins differ is they see the Jivatma and Brahman as the same, and Brahman is omnipresent.  Still, all members of the Vedanta school can at least agree that there's only one Atma which is omnipresent.  But the Purva Mimamsa school had a very different view.  Let me explain.

Shabaraswami's Bhashya is the canonical commentary on Jaimini's Purva Mimamsa Sutras, the defining text of the Purva Mimamsa schools. In this excerpt from his Bhashya, Shabaraswami argues that since actions no longer exist when they're finished, it follows that actions create an Apurva or unseen entity which later brings about a positive or negative result.  But then an objection is raised, what if actions continue to exist in the souls of the people who did them?  Shabaka responds that this is impossible, because actions require motion and souls cannot move because they are omnipresent:

  If it be argued that "on the strength of the declaration of a certain result following from a certain sacrificer, it may be presumed that the act of sacrifice itself does not perish (but continues to exist till the appearance of the result)", - the answer is that such a presumption cannot be right; because of the Act itself we do not perceive any other form; as a matter of fact, that alone is called an "act" which transposes its substratum from one place to another; and no such transposition is possible for the Soul, - because the Soul is omnipresent; that the Soul is present in all places is indicated by the fact that its functioning is found everywhere (in the shape of experiencing pleasure, pain, etc.)

So Shabaraswami, and the Purva Mimamsa philosophers who came after him, believed in a theory of multiple omnipresent souls.  For more elaboration on this theory along with logical arguments for it, see this excerpt from Kumarila Bhatta's Tantra Vartika.  In future I may post a question examining these arguments, but for now I'd like to ask something a bit more concrete.  My question is did Shabaraswami invent this theory of multiple omnipresent soul?  Did any philosophers before Shabaraswami, inside or outside of the Purva Mimamsa school, mention or support this theory?

If it helps, this book says that Shabaraswami lived somewhere between the 1st century BC and the 6th century AD.  But the traditional Hindu dating may differ from this Western dating.


texts: What does the first stanza of the Aswhamedha sacrifice mean?

texts: This is the first stanza of the Ashwamedha yajna in the Taittiriya Brahmana. What does it mean in English? Thanks.


texts: Is Kundalini awakening possible with a crooked or damaged spinal cord?

texts:
I heard from many people in yoga domain that spinal cord is important for an yogi. And it is extremely important for a Kundalini practitioner to keep her spinal cord in proper and erected position.
Does it  mean a crooked or damaged spinal cord person can never awake Kundalini in total?


texts: How Yudhishthira was able to answer all the Yaksha Prashna?

texts:
In Mahabharata, there is an incident when Yudhishthira had to answer all the questions asked by a Yaksha, in order to drink water?
So, I was just wondering how did Yudhishthira knew all the answers?
Or if all the 5 Pandavas knew the answers it's just they ignored the Yaksha's warning?


texts:
Is Lord Shiva dead? Where is he? Is he still in Shiva Avatar or has engaged in a new Avatar for Kaliyuga?
As @keshav said in comment that he's the one that runs each Pralaya while Brahma is asleep, than what after the Pralaya?
As Brahma dies after each Mahakalpa, what happens to Shiva?
I checked the wikipedia link of Shiva but didn't find the answer.


texts: Why did Ravana abduct lord Rama's mother Kausalya?

texts:
I heard it for the first time from a purohit around me but I am confused because I have never heard such a story.

So, I would like to know what is the story and why did Ravana abduct lord Rama's mother Kausalya?


texts: How does Nirguna Brahman manifests into Saguna Brahman?

texts:
We all know that it's Saguna Brahman that does the job of creation but I would like to know, how Nirguna Brahman becomes Saguna Brahman in the first place. I know you guys would probably say that when Nirguna's reflection falls on maya, it becomes Saguna and so on, but such an explanation never really made any sense to me, since as of yet (as far as my knowledge goes) no one has explained in detail, what is meant by Nirguna's reflection. If Nirguna Brahman really lacks attributes (as the ancients claimed in the past) then how can it possibly have a reflection?

I read in some article that by the word reflection the sages meant something else, and shouldn't be taken literally as a reflection. So if it's not a reflection then i wonder what they meant by it.

Besides, this whole reflection theory is just one way of explaining it. I think the rishis/philosophers used other methods as well, for explaining the transformation of Nirguna to Saguna. It would be great if someone could list all those methods (if there are any) and explain how the transformation takes place. I would like to know the process of transformation in detail. Thank you.


texts: Mantra Lekhan (Writing) and its relevance in Vaishnavism

texts: What is Mantra Lekhan or Mantra Writing? Please provide references from the scriptures for this practice.


texts: Where is the verse "rakshasah kalim ashritya" found?

texts:
In the 10th chapter of Jaiva Dharma by BhaktiVinod Thakur, a verse from Varaha Purana is quoted.

  raksasah kalim asritya jayante brahma yonisu

  In the Kali-yuga demons take birth in the families of the brahmanas.

Where is the verse found in Varaha Purana?


texts: What are the 16 sanskaar (Sacraments of Life) and How do you complete them?

texts:
I have been told that there are 16 sanskaar (sacraments of life) described in the great texts of Hinduism.

I am aware of naamkaran (naming ceremony), janeu or yagnopavit (sacred thread), vivah (marriage) and antim sanskar (cremation). Please explain in brief what are all the 16 sanskars and how does one accomplish each of these rites of passages?


texts: How do I pray to Bhraman to help me achieve unification with Him? I want to know how to meditate on Him. I want to achieve liberation. I want to end my desires.


texts: Is there a concept of Zombie in Hindu religion?

texts:
There are many instances of dead reanimated in Hinduism. Satyavan seems to be the most prominent example.

But are there any instances of a dead corpse reanimated while losing its earlier personality?


texts: What is the scriptural description of Shri Krshn's physical appearance?

texts:
How did He look like during His infancy, childhood, boyhood, youth and adulthood?
Is there any mention of Him having an Ashtaratni body?


texts: What is meaning of this Ãgama-Kosha verse for bells?

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There is an art and science of making bells to produce the requisite
  sounds. There are bells specially made to produce the long strains of
  the sound OM. The handle of a ghantadi signifies prãna – the vital
  force in the form of Hanumanji, Garud, Nandi or Chakra. During Garud
  sthãpanvidhi, the handle is offered pujan. A bell without a handle in
  one of these forms is forbidden in rituals, since it may augur
  misfortune. The body of the bell is said to represent the divinity of
  time (Ãgama-Kosha 1992 VI:99). (Source:kids.baps.org).

Also, reference to it given in this answer.

What does "The body of the bell is said to represent the divinity of time" mean?


texts: Are there any stories of what Lord Krishna did after the Mahabharata till his departure from the world?

texts: There are a lot of stories and anecdotes about Lord Krishna right from his birth till the part he played in Mahabharata and the curse of Gandhari. Then there is nothing till his death, a period of 36 years. I was wondering if there are any stories for that period ? or any mention in any of the scriptures ?


texts: Does the 48 day mandala vratam of Ayyappa devotees have a scriptural basis?

texts: I understand they wear a garland and remain celibate for 48 days for this vratam. Is it mentioned in scriptures?


texts:
Why deities are called asuras in rig-veda why it became a symbol of demons in post-rigvedic period?

  7 He, strong of wing, hath lightened
  up the regions, deep-quivering
  Asura, the gentle Leader.
  Where now is Sūrya, where is one to
  tell us to what celestial sphere his
  ray hath wandered?

  — rigveda:book1:HYMN XXXV

source:— http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01035.htm

  4 As with a bolt, Bṛhaspati, fiercely
  flaming, pierce thou Vṛkadvaras’, the
  Asura's, heroes.
  Even as in time of old with might
  thou slewest, so slay even now our
  enemy, O Indra.

  — Rig-Veda:Book 2: HYMN XXX

source:— http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv02030.htm

Is there a story behind that? from brahmanas and aranyaks or from anywhere else. I have read a wikipedia article but still wants other answers.

UPDATE

I found that the word asura is used for gods even in saamveda too.

  XII Indra

  O Indra, thou art far-renowned,
  impetuous Lord of power and might.
  Alone, the never-conquered
  guardian of mankind, thou smitest
  down resistless foes.
  As such we seek thee now, O
  Asura, the most wise, craving thy
  bounty as our share
  Thy sheltering defence is like an
  ample cloak. So may thy favours
  reach to us.

  —samaveda:part1:book6:chapterII:XII

source:— http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sv.htm

but that is not connected to evil:—

  हिरण्यहस्तोअसुरःसुनीथः सुमृळीकः स्ववाँ यात्वर्वाङ् ।अपसेधन्रक्षसो यातुधानानस्थाद्देवः प्रतिदोषं गृणानः ॥१०॥

  May he, gold-handed Asura, kind leader, come hither to us with his help and favour.Driving off Raksasas and Yatudhanas, [he] the god is present, praised inhymns at evening.

  – Translated by Ralph Griffith

  — Rigveda 1.35.10


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Can someone share the origin of this mantra? where was it mentioned? or is it something made up?

Om Shreeng Hreeng Shreeng Kamaley Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed

The second part some have it as

Shreeng Hreeng Shreeng Om Mahalaxmyai Namah

and some has Om at the beginning

Om Shreeng Hreeng Shreeng Mahalaxmyai Namah


texts: Does Vedic karma yield fruit in foreign countries? Will it give adverse results?

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Do religious rituals bear effect in other countries like America, UK, mleccha deshas? Do vedic rites like sandhya-vandana, tarpana, shraddha give phala in countries other than India (Bharata varsha / karma bhoomi / punya bhoomi) ?

I have heard from elders that they do not yield the same results, at least in Kali Yuga. See discussion by Kanchi Periyavar

But also heard that if someone is living abroad, they should not stop doing these rituals, so that the vasanas/samskaras will stay alive in our minds, so that when they do visit / return to India, those vasanas will compel them to perform the rituals here and gain results. Basically, not to lose touch with our duties and for peace of mind of having done it.

But, there is also fear of unwanted results e.g. doing Gayatri Japa at night gives shakthi to Asuras instead of Devas..
So, should we specifically avoid vedic karmas in foreign lands for fear of adverse results ?


texts: On Dhanteras people buy gold/sliver items, Businessmen do "Chopda Pujan", What is the importance of this?


texts: Is there evidence of the miracles of Tulsidas?

texts: Several miracles are attributed to the great medieval poet and philosopher Tulsidas, among them reviving the dead, and one of the ones that most caught my attention, his arrest by Emperor Akbar, and who himself was released by an army of angry monkeys, as it is said in: "It is said he recited the Hanuman Chalisa hundreds of times. Upon doing so, a large hoard of uncontrollable monkeys laid siege on the jail in which Tulsidas was imprisoned. Akbar’s forces failed to control the monkeys who had created havoc in the prison as well as in the royal palace. Akbar’s advisors informed him that this was because of capturing the great Brahmin, Tulsidas and his bhakti towards Lord Hanuman". Is there any evidence at the time to prove whether this event actually occurred? Did Akbar really arrest him, and that he was released by monkeys? Undoubtedly, an event of such magnitude must be documented by the sources at the time.


texts: What is the Hindu(mainly Vedantic) opinion of lying to do good in the world?

texts:
Manu Smriti (4.138)

  सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयान्न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम् ।
  प्रियं च नानृतं ब्रूयादेष धर्मः सनातनः ॥ १३८ ॥

  satyaṃ brūyāt priyaṃ brūyānna brūyāt satyamapriyam |
  priyaṃ ca nānṛtaṃ brūyādeṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ || 138 ||

  Speak truth in such a way that it should be pleasing to others. Never
  speak truth, which is unpleasant to others. Never speak untruth, which
  might be pleasant. This is the path of eternal law, sanatana dharma.

You can see that lying is never allowed.

My question is, what is the stance of Orthodox Sanathana Hindu Dharma especially Vedanta school of any sub school on lies told to do good or to save some one or to avoid suffering of humanity or to protect dharma if there need be such a situation.

Please do answer with appropriate references and don't answer with your own opinions.


texts: Could anyone locate where the Devi Purana contains the following verse about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?

texts:
This blog post lists out verses from various Smritis that contain predictions of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The following verse is said to be from the Devi Purana.

  Nama-siddhanta-sampatti

  Prakashana-parayanah kvacit

  Sri-krishna-chaitanya-

  Nama loke bhavishyati

Meaning:

"The Lord will again appear in this world. His name will be Sri Krishna Chaitanya and He will spread the chanting of the Lord's Holy Names.

Could anyone locate where in Devi Purana the above verse is found?


texts:
From many posts here it is known that Ramayan was written by sage Valmiki. But i dont know who has written Mahabharat?

So who has written Mahabharata?


texts: Is it true that Hanuman stays while preaching Ramayana?

texts:
It is a popular belief that Hanuman comes to the place where Ramayana is getting preach and stays till the end.

Is that belief true?


texts: Whom is bharata referring "queen mothers" Or "raajadaaraaH" here?

texts:
In
Yudhakand-127-3,

Let bards well-versed in singing praises and Puranas (containing
ancient legends, cosmogony etc.) as also all panegyrists, all those
proficient in the use of musical instruments, courtesans all collected
together, the queen-mothers, ministers, army-men and their wives,
brahmanas accompanied by Kshatriyas (members of fighting class),
leaders of guilds of traders and artisans, as also their members, come
out to see the moon-like countenance of Rama."

Also are they possibly other wives of shri rama?


texts: Significance of Symbol from Asura's Wrath

texts:
In the above image, at the mid-bottom section of the screen, is shown a symbol, of whose origin i do not know, appearing within the final fight between Asura and Chakravartin in the game: Asura's Wrath. According to Wikipedia, "Asura's Wrath takes elements from Hindu and Buddhist mythologies" thus I have posted here, inferring that it is hinduistic in origin, questioning what the significance of this symbol is and it's meaning.
Here is a link to a cut-scene compilation of Asura's Wrath, timestamped to the scene portrayed in the image above if so needed.


texts: Are the Mahapuranas 18 in number? Cause I found 19

texts:
I found three different sets of 18 Mahapuranas.
Common in all are: (Vishnu Purana,Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Garuda Purana, Varaha Purana, Agni Purana, Vamana Purana, Bhagavat Purana, Skanda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markendya Purana, Linga Purana, Nareedya Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana, Padma Purana, Brahma Puranam) - Total 16

The three that are making me confused are:

Bhavishya Purana
Siva Purana
Vayu Purana

But the Sloka to remember them says:
Madwayam Bhadwayam chaiva Bratrayam Vachatusthayam,
ANaPaLinGa KuSkani,
Puranani prudhak prudhak

According to this, Shiva puranam is not fitting into this.

Please clarify


texts: Do any authentic scriptures other than Valmiki Ramayan talk about Shambuka's story (from Uttara Kanda)?

texts:
According to the Ramayana, Shambuka, a Shudra ascetic, was slain by Rama for attempting to perform penance. This act of Shambuka was perceived by Rama as the act in violation of dharma as he believed that the bad karma, resulting from this act, caused the death of a Brahmin's son in his kingdom. (Source: Wikipedia)

Is this incident narrated in any other scriptures apart from Valmiki Ramayana?


texts: Where does the `real Ayodhya` lies and where does the Lord Ram born?

texts:
Recently, the Prime Minister of Nepal K.P. Sharma Oli said that the real Ayodhya lies at Thori in the west of Birgunj(in Nepal), and also he added that Lord Ram wasn’t born in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
It has been found that such statements have been made on the basis of a book that is about to be published. In that book, the author mentions the evidence that Ram's birthplace 'real Ayodhya' belongs to Nepal.
The arguments mentioned in that book were written on local online newspaper in Nepal and I have translated and posted the same news here.
The biggest argument given by the author in that book is the distance between the present Valmiki Ashram and Ayodhya.
The distance between Ayodhya and Valmiki Ashram is about 300 kilometers. In the Ramayana, it is mentioned that Laxman left Sita at the Valmiki Ashram and returned the same day. The author argues that at that time, it was not possible to return to Ayodhya from the Valmiki Ashram, which was 600 km away. So, on that basis author claims that Ayodhyapuri is only 17 kilometers away from Valmiki Ashram, Ram's birthplace is Ayodhyapuri in Nepal.
Another argument that the authors claim is about the birthplace of Ramayana which is written as Ayodhyapuri in Ramayana. According to Valmiki Ramayana, Rama was born in Ayodhyapuri. However, Ayodhya of India is not called Ayodhyapuri but it is called only Ayodhya. Therefore, the authors argued that this Ayodhyapuri was in Ayodhyapuri VDC of the then Nepal.
Authors have also analyzed it on the basis of distance from Sita's birthplace Janakpur to Ayodhya. The direct distance between Sita's birthplace Janakpur and  Ayodhya(in India) is more than five hundred kilometers. It is mentioned in Ramayana that the marriage procession arrived in Janakpur on the same day for Rama's wedding. The author argues that it is not believable and possible to come to Janakpur in one day by chariot from present Ayodhya which is 500 km away.
The claims made by the Prime Minister that Ram's birthplace is in Nepal were based on the above-mentioned argument.
The author's arguments appear to have been analyzed solely on the basis of physical distance and time of arrival and departure, and these arguments appear to be unsubstantiated. Those arguments contradict the tradition of ‘Bibaha Panchami’, marked by the arrival of a marriage procession from Ayodhya, India, to Janakpur in Nepal, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram’s wife Sita.
What else could be wrong with the author's argument? What other arguments from Ramayana and other books can disprove the claim made by the authors? Is the author's argument based upon the fact and correct evidence?


texts: Do the same energies live in Graveyard (Kabristaan) and Cremation Grounds (Shamshaan Ghaat) or are they different?

texts:
Like Bhoot, Pret, MASAAN and other beings?
What about dead bodies there? Do they have different energies?


texts: Takshaka was king of Nagas and at the time of Mahabharata was fighting against Pandava, but why and how did Arjuna killed the innocent wife of Takshaka. How is it righteous to kill a woman according to Dharmashastras?


texts:
Moksha is a concept, just like life after death & re-birth. We have various incidents where some child remembers things about previous life. Looking at these incidents we conclude that there may be life after death.
Can anyone provide similar proofs that any human being has attained Moksha? Any sign, any scriptures providing signs of proof that a human being has attained Moksha after his death?


texts: What is the difference between Raudra and Saumya sects of Shaivism?

texts:
The term "Shaivite" is often overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they are actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), and simply adopt Shiva as their Ishta Devata. True philosophical Shaivism is relatively rare nowadays (in contrast to Vaishnavism which is pretty common). This article lists various genuine sects of Shaivism:

The schools of Saivism can be broadly classified as the Raudra and Saumya schools.
The Raudra schools of Saivism are:

Bhairava - They believe in the supremacy of Bhairava and their sacred text is Svacchanda Bhairava Tantra.
Kaalaamukha - They believe in the supremacy of Rudra. Inorder to cut the pasabandha, Shiva is worshipped on various holy days. By
shaktinipaata the soul becomes free. The soul shines like a star while
Shiva shines like the sun. The union of the Shiva and the soul is
called paramoksha.
Kaapaalika - They accept some of the doctrines of the Kaalaamukha sect. According to them the dancing Shiva is the supreme SadaaShiva.
Souls which are but pure consciousness are many. They become
initiates, take severe vows, beg and rise equal to Shiva.
Paashupata - These have two subdivisions - vaidika and avaidika. The avaidika Paashupatas had a number of Agamas like prajapatya padma
samhita etc. The vaidika school is said to have been taught be
Shrikantha. Four disciples are Ruru, Dhadhici, Agastya and Upamanya.
Three principles accepted in this school are Kshara, akshara and
ksharakshara. Kshara is praakriti, akshara is purusha and ksharakshara
is Ishwara. Maya is considered as praakriti.

The Saumya schools of shuddha shaivas include those who believe in
various doctrines like the Aikyavada, pashana, bheda, sama,
sankraanti, avikara, parinaama and siddhaanta.
The major schools are the

The Saiva Siddhaanta of the Tamil region,
the Pratibhijnaa system which is popularly known as Kashmir Saivism and
Veerashaivism or Lingaayata

My question is, what is the difference between the Raudra sects of Shaivism and the Saumya sects?
The only context I know the terms Raudra and Saumya in is the names of Shiva's forms.  Shiva is said to have two aspects - his Raudra or angry aspect, which he assumes when he's engaged in destruction, and his Saumya or serene aspect, which he assumes when he engages in Tapasya on Mount Kailash.  So are sects of Shaivism classified according to what aspect of Shiva they worship?  Or are there are other differences?
As I look the sects in each category, the obvious thing that stands out is that the sects in the first category are all names of ancient Shaiva Agamas, whereas the ones in the second category are sects that have substantial numbers of adherents in the present day.  (Not as many as the Vaishnava sects, but still a sizable population.) So is the Raudra/Saumya distinction about the relative age of the sects?  That would make sense, because Shiva's Raudra aspect is highlighted in the Vedas, whereas his Saumya is emphasized more in the Puranas.
Are there any Shaivites who can tell me the difference between the Raudra and Saumya sects of Shaivism?


texts: Should śiṣya (disciple) blindly believe whatever the guru says? How should he resolve his cognitive dissonance?

texts:
E.g., the guru says Earth is the center of the Solar System, or that Earth is flat or that aliens have been regularly visiting the Earth, etc., but the śiṣya (disciple) with a scientific temper knows some of guru's teachings are utterly false. What should the śiṣya do now;

go find another knowledgeable guru who's more connected with reality?

-or-

try to correct his guru and show him where he's wrong?

-or-

ignore some of the irrational stuff coming out of the guru's mouth (in order to spiritually progress)?

-or-

change his own views to be inline with that of his guru's (for the sake of spiritual progress)?

Should the śiṣya remain loyal to his own intellect or shutdown his ability to critically analyze things including some of his guru's claims?

How is he supposed to resolve his cognitive dissonance?


texts: Did the first four Alwars meet Krishna or any other Mahabharata characters?

texts:
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. The collection of their 4000 poems, known as the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam, is considered by many to be the "Dravida Veda", or South Indian Veda. The Alwars are crucially important figures in the history of Vaishnavism; it is the beliefs and principles embodied in the Alwars' poems that ultimately gave rise to the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member).

In any case, the first four Alwars were known as Poigai Alwar, Bhoothath Alwar, Pey Alwar, and Tirumazhisai Alwar.  Of these, the first three are famous for an occasion when they met one another.  They were caught in a lightning storm, so they all went into a small cave for shelter.  It soon became clear to them, however, that there was a fourth person in the cave: Vishnu.  They couldn't get a good look at his face because it was dark, so all three of them started praying that the lightning would continue to strike and illuminate the face of Vishnu.  It was in the course of this prayer that Poigai Alwar, Bhoothath Alwar, and Pey Alwar each spontaneously composed 100 verses in praise of Vishnu.

But my question is about when these Alwars lived.  Poigai Alwar, Bhoothath Alwar, and Pey Alwar were born on three consecutive days, and Tirumazhisai Alwar was born later that year.  But what's more interesting is the year: according to traditional Sri Vaishnava accounts, they were born in the Dwapara Yuga, in the year 4203 BC!

Western historians tend to dispute these dates, of course.  But my question is, assuming Sri Vaishnava accounts are correct, are there any stories of the first four Alwars meeting any prominent Dwapara Yuga figures?  After all, the Dwapara Yuga was the time of Krishna, the Pandavas, Vyasa, etc. Now as I discuss in this answer, Yudhisthira was born in 3229 BC, which would make him almost a thousand years younger than the first four Alwars.  But people lived longer in earlier Yugas, so is it possible that they were still alive in the time of Yudhisthira and Krishna?

My guess is that they were alive during or after the time of Krishna, because their poetry evinces knowledge of Krishna; here is one of the verses of Bhoothath Alwar:

  The Earth-striding lord then came as a child and drank the breast poison of the ogress with relish. My hands will salute none other than him. My lips will not praise anyone else. My eyes will not see, other than his form.  Other than his names, my ears will not hear.

This is an allusion to Krishna killing the demoness Putana as a child, and considering that Bhoothath Alwar composed his verses during the cave incident, that suggests that the cave incident happened during Krishna's lifetime.  So could it be that it was Vishnu's incarnation Krishna, rather than Vishnu himself, who appeared before the Alwars in the cave?


texts: What is "kaal sarpa dosha/yoga"? What are the solutions?

texts:
This is a very famous dosha/yoga in certain Kundali-s. There is a Hindi wikipedia article about it.

It is said to be formed when all the planets come between Rahu & Ketu during the birth time. People with such dosha are supposed to get dreams of snake, water or probably ghosts.

Would like to know in brief from the astrology perspective, whether it is good/bad and how is it resolved?


texts: What are the 7 continents as per Hindu Cosmology?

texts:
According to Bhagavata Purana,

Agnidhara
Idhmajihva
Yajnabahu
Mahavira,
Hiranyareta,
Medhatithi,
Ghrtaprstha
Savana
Vitihotra
Kavi

These are the names of the Priyavrata. Seven (out of ten sons) who inherited the continents from Priyavrta. The three sons, Mahavira, Savana, and Kavi were avowed inveterate Bramacharins (celibate seekers of Bramah Vidya and god). (Priyavrata married Barhjismati, daughter of Visvakarma, the architect of the gods who gave him ten sons and a daughter Urjasvati.) Priyavrata had, by another spouse, three sons: Uttama, Tamasa, and Raivata who were in charge of three Manvantras, named after them.

I find difficult to understand this - thus, now he question from my side is - what are seven continents?


texts: Why is Rig Veda Book 2 Hymn 23 Verse 1 not used for summoning or praying to ganpati?

texts:
As mentioned in answer to this question, Rig-veda verse 1 as follows

ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् ।
ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत आ नः षृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीदसादनम् ॥

cannot be used to worship Shri Ganesha. I don't understand how/why the description  of the shloka relates to Brihaspati rather than  Shri Ganesha.
If anyhow this is not the avhanam(summoning) mantra for Shri Mahaganpati then which vedic mantra is used to summon Shri Mahaganpati?. The mantra at it's end I could recite following lines.

श्रिमन्माहागणाधिपतये नम: आवाहयमि!

Above lines mean

Oh great lord Ganapati I summon you!

Also please add the seer of mantra because this wikipedia article claims that
Sage Grutsmad is seer of this mantra.

Grutsamad after getting cursed went to the forest of Pushpak and worshipped Ganesha. Sage Grutsamad is famous for the mantra GaNanaN Tva. He founded the temple and called this Ganesha: Varada-Vinayak.


texts: How many verses are there in the Mukhya Upanishads?

texts:
Wikipedia says the following 13 Upanishads are the Mukhya Upanishads:

Isha Upanishad
Kena Upanishad
Kaṭha Upanishad
Praṣna Upanishad
Muṇḍaka Upanishad
Māṇḍūkya Upanishad
Taittirīya Upanishad
Aitareya Upanishad
Chāndogya Upanishad
Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad
Shvetashvatara Upanishad
Kaushitaki Upanishad
Maitri Upanishad

My question is, how many verses are there in all the Mukhya Upanishads in total?


texts:
In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana has been depicted with a wide range of characteristics - in some versions as the pure embodiment of evil and in others as a highly virtuous person fighting for his rightful place as the king.

We know that Krishna favored the Pandavas while Balarama favored Duryodhana. Why did Balarama, who upheld moral values better than Krishna, favor Duryodhana if the latter's character was suspicious? Even if Duryodhana was highly righteous and an excellent person - the attempted stripping of Draupadi occurred under his watch. How is Balarama still justified in siding with Duryodhana?


texts: During his lifetime, did Rama know that he was a God?

texts: Was Rama aware that he is an avatar of Vishnu (during his lifetime) and acted as normal or he just tried to be good human being?


texts: If rituals are performed imperfectly, then do they have effect?

texts:
If rituals are performed imperfectly, maybe due to human error, or lack of detailed knowledge, do they still have effect?

If possible give quotes from scriptures.


texts: If Goddess Sita is the daughter of Bhumi Devi, then how can we say Lord Ram is an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu?

texts:
Lord Vishnu has 2 wives: one is Shree Mahalakshmi and the other is Bhumi Devi, as mentioned in the following shlok which many people say in the morning:

॥ विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्शं क्षमस्वमे ॥
meaning
"|| O consort of Lord Vishnu, forgive me for stepping on you ||"

Here it is explained that Lord Vishnu has two wives, Sri Devi (श्री देवी) and BhooDevi (Earth Goddess)
If Goddess Sita is the daughter of Bhumi Devi then how can we say Lord Ram is Incarnation of Lord Vishnu?
If it is true, then in the form of Lord Vishnu, Bhumi Devi is his wife, and in the form of Lord Ram, Bhumi Devi is his mother in law.
Could somebody please explain this?


texts: The answer to this question How was Jatayu able to fight with Ravana?  says that jatayu went to fight indra. Any description available for that fight?


texts:
Questions:

Are Asuras extinct? If yes,
Is it during the period of reign of Shree Ram or later?


texts: Who is the father of Shathabisha, the king who tried to kill Sati?

texts:
In Devon Ke Dev Mahadev serial, I see that Shathabisha was rejected from entering the Brahma Lok to meet Brahma Dev.
He and his father tries to harm Daksha Prajapati.
His father organizes a Ritual and invites Sati to be present for that.
While Sati was in her journey with her sisters (Diti and Aditi), Shathabisha tries to kill them by sending Snakes.
Later he sends some armed people to kill her and Siva continuously protects Her.

I want to know whether the Shathabisha was the Asterism or some other Brahman / King with that name and who was his father?


texts: How did sanatkumars reach Lord Vishnu's abode? Sanatkumars were also incarnation of Vishnu, but they were only children, how did they reach there in such a small age? This is a difficult task. What technology they used?


texts: Rama's play in Ramayana is true feeling?

texts:
I don't really understand that Ram's play in Ramayana is true feeling or acting. In some situation he clearly shows his super power and he is a god (described in Situation 1). In some other dangerous situation he is like a normal person (described in Situation 2).

Situation 1:

There is an incident at the time of Sita Swayamvar where when he accidently broke Lord Shiva's bow. Lord Rama came forward to calm him down, Parshurama asked Lord Rama to show who he actually is. And then Lord Rama showed him his Vishnu form and thus Parshurama calmed down and returned back. This incident is there in Valmiki's Ramayana.

In another situation where Lord Yamraj came in disguise of a sage to tell Lord Rama that His time is over on earth and if He wants to stay more or end His life as human being. Following is the extract of what Yamaraj said to Lord Rama.

Situation 2:

While kidnapping Sita he just behaving like a normal human. While he saw that jatayu was killed he showed emotion like normal human.

In few normal situation he shows him as god then why he didn't do that in dangerous situation where its actually required to show his power.

If the main intend of his life in earth is not to show him as god and live an exemplary human life then he should not show his power in situation 1 but he doing both the things.


texts: Which scripture is the source of the following sloka?

texts:
Sri Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath quotes one line of a sloka in one of His writings:

  na sikshed yaavanim bhaashaam na gachched jaina-mandiram

meaning : One should not learn any European (Yaavani) language and go to any Jain temple.

Which scripture is the source of this sloka? Thanks.


texts: Are Uranus, Neptune and Pluto mentioned in any scripture?

texts:
According to this website, the planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were mentioned in the Mahabharata. The site cites the following verses:

Vishesheena hi Vaarshneya Chitraam Pidayate Grahah….[10-Udyog.143]
Swetograhastatha Chitraam Samitikryamya Tishthati….[12-Bheeshma.3]

The above verses is said to be talking about the planet Uranus.
The following verses are said to be talking about the planet Neptune:

Shukrahah Prosthapade Poorve Samaruhya Virochate Uttare tu Parikramya Sahitah Samudikshyate….[15-Bheeshma.3]
Syamograhah Prajwalitah Sadhooma iva Pavakah Aaindram Tejaswi Naksha- tram Jyesthaam Aakramya Tishthati…[16-Bheeshma.3]

And these verses are said to be talking about the planet Pluto:

Krittikaam Peedayan Teekshnaihi Nakshatram…[30-Bheeshma.3]
Krittikasu Grahasteevro Nakshatre Prathame Jvalan…… [26- Bhishma.3]

Are these claims authentic and hold any scriptural basis? Do any scripture "apart from the Mahabharata" talk about the planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto?


texts: What other yoga scriptures has kak bushundi or bhushundi maharaj gifted to mankind?

texts:
Kak bushundi or bushunda maharaj or kagabujandar as he is referred to in south India has written yogic scriptures such as

Kagabujandar upanishad.
Kagabujandar pernum noel kaviyam 1000
Yoga vashista has a chapter dedicated to kagabujandar explaining his story and his method of yoga based on breath.

Is there any other manuscripts based on kagabujandar's yoga? Could anyone list them for me?

Respectfully yours.


texts: What are the 64 Jyotirlinga and their origin?

texts:
I have read in numerous texts that originally there were 64 Jyotirlingas. However, I could not find any list or mention of any Jyotirlinga other than the 12 famous ones.

Further, are all the Jyotirlingas situated in the Indian subcontinent region?
If yes, then why so?
The early Rishis didn't know about the existence of other land masses like America or Africa, just because it was not possible to reach there by foot?

Lastly, is there any significance of the location of the Jyotirlingas?


texts: regarding permanence of matter and earthly life

texts:
I am reading God Talks With Arjuna by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. In chapter 2 verse 20, I came across the following line in the interpretation:

  This stanza expresses the profound truth of the immortal nature not only of the soul but of matter. As a reflection of Spirit, even matter is indestructible. The essence of matter is never destroyed;

Is it not the stance of the Bhagawad Gita (and consequently the Vedas) that matter only exists because we perceive them so? Which means that matter does not exist without being perceived.
So if the permanence of matter is asserted, shouldn't it imply the permanence of consciousness in the material world which perceives it? Which implies permanence of earthly life.

Is there a glitch in my argument?


texts: Whats a good roadmap to learn Visistadvaita philosophy?

texts:
I am a SriVaishnavite by birth, and am keen on learning the Visistadvaita system of Ramanuja and Vedanta Desika, which is the basis of our Vadakalai Iyengar Sampradaya.
Whats a good place to start for a beginner? I don't really have any background in philosophy, and am a student of computer science. Do I need to go through Dvaita and Advaita first as prerequisites, or can I directly pick up Visistadvaita?
Any resources, references and ideas are welcome.


texts: What are the Beej, Vedic and Tantric mantras of all the navagrahas?

texts:
I have heard astrologers at times, specifically advising to use  the Beej Mantras of a particular graha as remedy for the respective planetary afflictions.
At other times, they specifically advice to use the Vedic  Mantras for a graha and not use the Beej Mantra.
Sometimes, only advice to specifically use the Tantric Mantras.
So, My question:

Although it is kind of obvious from their names, but, what's exactly the difference (if any) between these three classes of Mantras - Beej, Vedic & Tantric? In terms of usages in rituals or pronounciation, methods used, etc., ?

Can I get the list of all the three types of Mantras - Beej, Vedic & Tantric for all the nava-grahas?

What's the basis for using different classes of  Mantras as per different problem remedies? Which texts might be suggesting these kind of differential remedies?


texts:
What are some vedic references about Kali-yuga.
What do the Vedas say about Kali-yuga?


texts: What about the different interpretations of Bhagavad Gita?

texts:
I came to know that there are around 1500+ interpretations of Bhagavad Gita. Each one is different from the other.

Is it important to read each and every interpretation of Bhagavad Gita?
And why it is important for many of us to interpret any particular interpretation so deeply?
What is the ultimate message of Lord Krishna?


texts: Where can I find Nilavanti Granth in Hindi/English Translation?

texts:
Nilavanti Granth is one of the great work of Indian mathematician Bhaskaracharya. I want it with Sanskrit slokas and their Hindi or English translation. Where can I find it ?

Note: This book had mathematical equations or something similar which one could use to talk to animals trees and plants.


texts: Were horses killed in the ashvamedh performed by Lord rama?

texts: Lord rama performed ashvamedh and that too without a wife, who did the ritual killing, and were animals actually sacrificed?


texts: I'm still converting to Hinduism from Christianity and I'm needing more than a little help. Where I'm from, it would be a miracle to find another Hindu, much less a guru. I need to know where I can find one for free who can help me.


texts: Does any sacred Hindu text have knowledge of electricity?

texts:
At many places our ancient books exhibit deep knowledge of various branches of maths, and that is discussed a lot. For instance, Yuktibhasha, a 15th century Malyalam textbook of maths teaches differential calculus - this is about a hundred years before Newton or Liebniz.
As an electrical engineer, I am curious if our ancient texts contain any knowledge specific to electricity that is still accessible to us? Any veda, purana, upanishad, dharmashastra, any bhashya or otherwise a well regarded book would be pertinent for this question - not necessarily just Sanskrit texts.


texts: Why is god said to be giver of good times and good things when our own Karma created it?

texts:
This is a very confusing thing I see in indian religions .

They say one's own karma is the cause of both joy (in whichever form , be it mental joy, materialistic joy, money , gold, relationships, etc or even spiritual bliss)
as well as the cause of one's suffering (again be it of any type).

But if I am the maker of my own destiny via my own karma  ,then where does god even come into pic here ?

why is god said to be giver of wealth as in

  "That great, birthless Self is the eater of food and the giver of
  wealth (the fruits of one's work)" (Brhadaranyaka Upanisihad 4.4.24)

I seriously don't get it .
I am the one doing my karma , so I reap my fruit . Why is it said "god is blessing" me then ?

also if god indeed is giver , then why doesn't he give everyone ? Why some are more fortunate than others ?

I hope you got my question :) thanks for answering.


texts:
I am confusing between Pushkara and Kumbha Mela.
From Wikipedia I understand Pushkara and Kumbha Mela.

  Pushkara: Each river is associated with a zodiac sign, and the river for each
   year's festival is based on which zodiac sign the planet Jupiter
   (Bṛhaspati) is in at that time.

  Kumbha Mela: is held at each of these four places every twelfth year.

Are they correlated?


texts: Are leather products forbidden in fasts?

texts: Does scriptures say something not to use any leather equipment during fasts timing? We most commonly found leather in our belt and shoes, what should we do about it? Or leather is not present in forbidden list?


texts: Source and location and authenticity of below mentioned verses about a weapon of Mahabaratha

texts:
There are a lot of posts on the internet claiming that nuclear weapons were mentioned in Mahabaratha and were used in war.

1) Please link to the verses which mention nuclear or similar weapons preferably in sacred-texts.com Mahabaratha translation

Note: This is mainly about the authenticity of the quoted text and it's source

2) Are the verses quoted below correct translations? Some claim they were wrong translations done after the nuclear weapons were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

3) Please give the reference (verse of Mahabharata) to the following verses from UFOs and nuclear weapons

4) What is the source of this translation. i.e; Which translation was this extract taken? Is this from a partial translation, suggesting it's a fake or wrong translation?

5) I want to know where the following verses are in this translation.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm

I basically want to know where the below quoted verses are (location) in Mahabaratha and their authenticity and their translation source

Note: Sacred-texts.com is said to contain original translation unlike the viral copy and paste translations which do not quote sources and make extraordinary claims without any evidence.

  Gurkha, flying a swift and powerful vimana hurled a single projectile
  charged with the power of the Universe. An incandescent column of
  smoke and flame, as bright as ten thousand suns, rose with all its
  splendor.

  It was an unknown weapon, an iron thunderbolt, a gigantic messenger of
  death, which reduced to ashes the entire race of the Vrishnis and the
  Andhakas.

  The corpses were so burned as to be unrecognizable. Hair and nails
  fell out; Pottery broke without apparent cause, and the birds turned
  white.

  ...After a few hours all foodstuffs were infected... ...to escape from
  this fire the soldiers threw themselves in streams to wash themselves
  and their equipment."

  Dense arrows of flame, like a great shower, issued forth upon
  creation, encompassing the enemy... A thick gloom swiftly settled upon
  the Pandava hosts. All points of the compass were lost in darkness.
  Fierce wind began to blow upward, showering dust and gravel.

  Birds croaked madly... the very elements seemed disturbed. The earth
  shook, scorched by the terrible violent heat of this weapon. Elephants
  burst into flame and ran to and fro in a frenzy... over a vast area,
  other animals crumpled to the ground and died. From all points of the
  compass the arrows of flame rained continuously and fiercely. "

This is another quote.

https://www.quora.com/Are-there-any-incidents-of-nuclear-war-or-nuclear-weapons-used-in-ancient-India

  "A single projectile charged with all the power in the Universe…An
  incandescent column of smoke and flame as bright as 10,000 suns, rose
  in all its splendor…it was an unknown weapon, an iron thunderbolt, a
  gigantic messenger of death which reduced to ashes an entire race.

  "The corpses were so burned as to be unrecognizable. Their hair and
  nails fell out, pottery broke without any apparent cause, and the
  birds turned white.

  "After a few hours, all foodstuffs were infected. To escape from this
  fire, the soldiers threw themselves into the river."


texts: What is the difference between concepts of Maya in Hinduism and Buddhism?

texts: How is the illusion in Buddhism and Hinduism different?An author writes <<The concepts of maya, avidya, vyayaharika-satya and paramarthika-satya, advaya, prajna, the unreality of the universe and time and the attributeless Brahman are all Buddhist contributions, without which there would be no Advaita philosophy>>Source : https://gosai.com/writings/mayavada-and-buddhism-are-they-one-and-the-same


texts: Why even Lord Vishnu put Tilak (Gopi-Chandan) on his forehead?

texts:
As a pure Vaishnav Devotee, we are putting a tilak on our head, But why lord himself putting Tilak on his forehead.? Is there any logic behind? any scriptures mentioned this logic?please share your idea.
Thanks.


texts: Does Srimad-Bhagavatam glorify the Jnana-marga?

texts:
Srimad -Bhagataam is referred to by Sri Ramakrishna and many other saints as 'Bhakti-grantha' or a book of devotion.

Does this scripture also glorify the Jnana-marga that leads to the Formless Brahman? Kindly reply with proper reference.


texts: Would someone in their 20s be admitted into a Veda Patashala to start learning the vedas afresh?

texts: I am 26 years old and although I got my upanayanam done when I was 13, I never took professional education studying the Vedas. I am interested in learning to chant them starting from the scratch. I understand that it normally takes 18 years of full time schooling in the patashalas to complete professional vedic study. But do they generally admit working men willing to devote only a few hours for vedic study every day into the patashala? And if so, how does the learning process generally go? If I am a Yajur vedi from a certain sampradaya, does that mean I get to learn only the Yajur samhitas? Or do they teach more?


texts: What is the difference between Planet and nakshatra in astrology?

texts: I head that Planets and nakshatra's are entirely different things in Indian astrology. Is that right? But I think in modern astronomy (science), Planet and nakshatra are related. Can anyone tell how Planet and nakshatra are related to or different from each other?


texts: Who is the Rishi Lamagayana, relative of Agni’s wife Svaha?

texts:
This excerpt from the Gopatha Brahmana of the Atharvana Veda describes the goddess Svaha, wife of Agni the fire god:

  Svaha was born of truth, she was made by the Brahman, and she is of the same lineage of (the seer) Lamagayana; she has two syllables, one word, three colours: white, red and gold. She is like a compound of all the metres in the Vedas, she has one snort at the end of the syllables, the four Vedas (and) the six auxiliaries to the Vedas are her two bodies; herbs and trees are hair on the body.  Sun and moon are her eyes.  She is Svaha, she is Svadha. She is used like a Vashat call at the sacrifices. Agni is her divinity, her form is a Brahmana.

A lot of this passage is about the word Svaha and its use in Vedic Yagnas.  But I’m interested in the part in bold.  My question is, who is the Rishi Lamagayana who belongs to the same Gotra or lineage as Svaha?

And what is that Gotra?  The Mahabharata describes Svaha as the daughter of Daksha, so is Lamagayana related to Daksha?


texts: What is Shri Venkateshwara Mangalasasana stotram recited for?

texts:
What is Shri Venkateshwara Mangalasasana Stotram recited for?

Where can I find original text with meaning? (as it's hard to find flawless text on internet)


texts:
In conversation between Yayati and Ashtaka while Yayati was falling down from heaven, Ashtaka mentions Yayati flourished in Krita age.

Can you please let me know when was Yayati born? If Yayati was born in Krita age, when did his sons Puru and Yadu take birth?


texts: Advaitins,is the Self only static/changeless and' one' when we speak of its subtle ''material'' substance?how can the self be static?

texts:
If the atman of a person is static in nature and unaffected by anything and it was identical to the  mind,  the mind also would have to be static and not affected by anything. You could never feel sick;sad or happy at different times.a changeless (in terms of its nature or otherwise)static self couldn’t do anything because it’s static, so how could it control the aggregates or possess them and do anything – in one moment do this, in one moment do something else?a changeless atman would either constantely do one thing or nothing at all.it would feel and think one thing or nothing at all.so Creation,maintenance and destruction by Ishvara would be impossible.Prayala would be impossible.And the fact that we can multi-task and do many things at the same time and different times (the fact that we can multi-task) means that the atman is made up with parts.
also,Consciousness can't exist without a object to be conscious of,so creation must always have been there.
So what is Advaita saying about the atman that its Changeless in nature and one etc?
is it talking about the material' substance 'of the soul only?
the Advaitins and Trika Shaivas state that brahman has one permanent nature,but to have one nature means to only be able to act within that nature.if bliss and omniscience were our nature,we would not be able to change our nature to feel sad and ignorance.if Ishvara were creator,he would always create constantely forever without prayala.


texts: Was Tantric upasana (Vamachara) a relatively new concept (or) in existence in ancient India also?

texts:
The VAAMACHARIs sacrifice animals to attain Tantric Powers, which are different from that of Yogic Powers.  The Tantric Powers can attained within short time, but have certain deadly consequences.  If the TANTRIKs fail to complete the rituals in the prescribed manner, death is assured.

During RAMAYANA period we will come across Indrajit, the elder son of Ravana.  Indrajit used to follow VAAMACHARA, and the following quotations corroborate this.

Seeing Ravana, lamenting the death of Ravana's sons and brothers, Indrajit promises to destroy Rama and Lakshmana. He sets out, for the battle, accompanied by his army. After reaching the battle-field, Indrajit performed a sacrificial ritual there, duly making an oblation to the fire.

  ततस्तु हुतभोक्तारं हुतभुक्सदृशप्रभः ||
  जुहुवे राक्षसश्रेष्ठो मन्त्रवद्विधिवत्तदा |  (Yuddha Kanda 73 Sarga 22 sloka)

  Then, that foremost of demons, having a radiance equal to that of fire, with excellent sacrificial incantations, performed a sacrifice, as per rules, making an oblation to the fire.

  स तत्राग्निं समास्तीर्य शरपत्रैः सतोमरैः ||
  छागस्य सर्वकृष्णस्य गलं जग्राह जीवतः |  (Yuddha Kanda 73 Sarga 24 sloka)

  Duly spreading fire with reeds (in the form of other weapons) accompanied by lances there, Indrajit elapsed the neck of a live goat of dark hue (for offering it to the fire as an oblation).

  सकृदेव समिद्धस्य विधूमस्य महार्चिषः ||
  बभूवुस्तानि लिङ्गानि विजयं यान्यदर्शयन् |  (Yuddha Kanda 73 Sarga 25 sloka)

  From the great fire of flames, set ablaze by that offering having been thrown into it acting at once without smoke, appeared such signs as had beckoned victory (of the past).

Thereafter, Indrajit became invisible to all and attacked Sri Rama, Lakshmana and all the Vanaras and created havoc.

His ghastly death is an indicator of consequences of following the VAAMACHARA.

Placing an illusory live image of Seetha in his chariot, Indrajit along with his army enters the battle-field. Hanuma with his army of monkeys march in front to face Indrajit in battle. While Hanuma and his army are watching, Indrajit pulls Seetha by her hair and unsheathed his sword. Indrajit kills the illusory living image of Seetha, with his sharp sword.

Hanuma, with his army, approaches Rama and informs him that Indrajit has killed Seetha. Rama faints away, upon hearing that news.

Telling Rama the secret of conjuring trick practiced by Indrajit in killing an illusory image of Seetha, Vibhishana assures him of Seetha being still alive and urges him to send Lakshmana with an army to the sanctuary of Nikumbhila.

  तेन वीरेण तपसा वरदानात्स्वयंभुवः |
  अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरः प्राप्तं कामगाश्च तुरंगमाः ||

  "By his penance, Indrajit obtained a weapon called Brahmashira, by way of a gift from Brahma and also horses, which are coursing at his will."

  स एष सह सैन्येन प्राप्तः किल निकुम्भिलाम् |
  यद्युत्तिष्ठेत्कृतं कर्म हतान्सर्वांश्च विद्धि नः ||

  "That Indrajit, as such along with his army, is reported to have reached Nikumbhila. If he comes forth after completing his sacrificial act, know that all of us as killed."

  निकुम्भिलामसंप्राप्तमहुताग्निं च यो रिपुः |
  त्वामातायिनं हन्यादिन्द्रशत्रो स ते वधः ||
  वरो दत्तो महाबाहो सर्वलोकेश्वरेण वै |
  इत्येवं विहितो राजन्वधस्तस्यैष धीमतः ||

  (Yuddha Kanda 85 Sarga 12 - 15 slokaS)

  "A boon was given by Brahma to that intelligent demon as follows: "O Indrajit! That enemy of yours, who strikes while you are marching with your bow drawn, and while you have not arrived at Nikumbhila, or even while you have not offered oblations to the sacred fire, will prove to be the cause of your killing."

In the end, when Lakshmana forced Indrajit to abandon the sacrificial act at Nikumbhila with discharge of his arrows, before completion of the sacrifice, Indrajit was eliminated by Lakshmana.


texts: Why is Karna so obsessed with freeing his chariot from earth?

texts:
Can't he just take another chariot? Can't he just fight on foot?

It's his trying to lift the chariot is the reason of his defeat.

Why?


texts: How did Ravan get 10 heads? What are the names of those heads?

texts:
As Ravan had 10 heads, Does each head have individual names? Did Ravana got all names for his heads?

How he had got 10 heads?


texts: There are several websites that mention uttara Gita (not to be mistaken with Uddava Gita from Srimad Bhagavatha), which is another conversation between Sri Krishna and Arjuna. Can someone help with the source of that Gita.


texts: What consequences will a person face if he kills a Brahmin?

texts: What are the consequences if a person kills a Brahmin? What sort of difficulties the killer will have and what will be the after effect of Brahmin atma?


texts: Among castes eligible to wear yagnopavitam, do different castes/sub-castes wear different kinds of Yagyopavitam?

texts: Do scriptures prescribe how the yagynpavitam should be made (number of threads, knots etc.)?


texts: Did Adi Shankaracharya really believe in Hari-Hara abheda?

texts:
Smarthas i.e. followers of Adi Shankaracharya believe that Sriman Narayana and Shiva are one and the same. They claim that this is what Shankara had taught.

The Vishnu Sahasranama mentions the name "Shiva" which is used by Smarthas to claim non-difference between Vishnu and Shiva. Vaishnavas, on the other hand, claims the name simply refers to the auspicious qualities of Sriman Narayana since the name "Shiva" also means auspicious. Ironically, Adi Shankaracharya in his commentary on the Vishnu Sahasranama takes the Vaishnava interpretation, ignoring the "non-difference" between Vishnu and Shiva.

Do any of the works of Adi Shankaracharya talk about the non-difference between Sriman Narayana and Shiva?


texts: When lord Krishna takes the form of Shreenathaji?

texts:
There are different forms of lord Krishna described in Shreemad Bhagwad Geeta like

Bal Krishna
Purna Purushottam
Ranchodrayji
Giridhar Gopal
Makhan Chor

... etc.

But I want to know that why and how lord Krishna takes the form of Shreenathaji.

Every Vaishanva follows the form of Shreenathaji with Yamunaji and Maha Prabhuji. So what is the story behind this?


texts: Can someone explain the creation and evolution of mankind as per our Sanatan Dharma (starting from the first Maanvantar)?

texts: I just read in quora that the Shrimad Bhagavatam gives information regarding all the kings since birth of the 1st Manu, his entire lineage, genealogy, the different continents and where Shri Vishnu is worshipped in what form. Since I haven't read the Puranas, I wish to know the entire account described in our great texts


texts:
It is well known that Lord Shani is son of Surya.

There is a famous story that when Shani dev opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse.

Here is one more interesting mentioning about Shani and Surya in Shani Chalisa

  रवि कहं मुख महं धरि तत्काला । लेकर कूदि परयो पाताला ॥

This loosely translates to :

  Swallowing the Sun(Surya), you(Shani) went to third world(पाताला )

Does this mean there was quarrel between Shani Dev and Surya dev?

What was the reason that Shani took Surya to third world(पाताला)?


texts:
Why there was Amrit under the Naabhi(Navel) of Ravana?  Is it true?
What does our scripture say about how Ravana got the Amrit in his Naabhi?


texts: Is it possible for us to see the subtle body?

texts: Majority of you might know the three bodies doctrine in Indian philosophies, i.e., Gross body, subtle body and casual body. We can see gross body with our two eyes. But is it possible to see subtle body?


texts: Where are the bodhisattvic principles in Hinduism?

texts:
It is said that the Buddha reached the Enlightenment for the welfare of all human beings and to free them from the bondage of Samsara.
Where are the most significant passages of the bodhisattvic principles / vows in our texts?


texts:
Thoughts are continuously created by us in Manomay kosa at Awaking state(state of consciousness). There are no thoughts while sleeping.

What does it mean? Then who goes for sleep?

Is our Body (Pancha Jyanendriya and Pancha Karmendriya) goes for sleep? Or

Is our Mind and Brain(Man and Buddhi) goes for sleep? Or

Is our Soul (JeevAtma) goes for sleep?

There are some possibilities :

If Body (Pancha Jyanendriya and Pancha Karmendriya)  goes for sleep then, our Mind and Brain will awake us.

If Mind and Brain(Mana and Buddhi) goes for sleep then, our(JivAtma) soul will awake us.

If Soul (JivAtma)  goes for sleep then, everyone should have a same kind of sleep and its result. Then,

(1) Who goes for sleeping?

But Sleeping differs from a person to person. Like: one gets sleep quickly,another takes an hours and hours to gets sleep.One wakes up early and another wakes up very late.

(2) On which sleeping is depended?

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥९॥
Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Nidraa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||9||
9.1: To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Sleep,
9.2: Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.

These verses says that Goddess Durga itself is in a form of nidra.

(3) What does it means?

Everyone knows when we wake from sleep, it results in to Fresh and Fully charged body. Then

(4) Where does our body gets charged during sleep?

Reference for shloka


texts: Which is the Purana Brihat Samhita depicted in?

texts: In which Purana, Brihat Samhita finds a place? What does this depict?


texts:
The text discussed can be found here. There are two opinions that I have found online about where it comes from. The first is that it comes from the pANcharAtra Agamas:

This is a scanned PDF of Jitante Stotram from the Vaishnava text of Pancharatra agama. (here)

Śrī Nārada Pañcaratra (Śrī-Brahmā-Nārada-Saṃvāda Jitante-Stotra) explains (here)

iti SrIpaMcarAtrAgamE mahOpaniShadi brahmataMtrE SrImadaShTAkSharakalpE haMsa-brahmasaMvAdE jitaMtEstOtram (here)

and others say that it is from an appendix to the R^igveda.

Jitante stotram is a Rigveda khilam meaning an infrequented portion. Just as Purushasuktam which propounds the tenets, exists in all Sruthis, so all so, this Jitante is proclaimed in the scripture and itihAsa purAnAs as a mahamantram... This Jitante, being a portion of the Apourusheya vedas, it may be questioned as to how it exists in the other man-made works like ItihAsa and PurAnas. The answer is :- Khilam is a highly infrequented portion.  (here) and (here).

Which of these claims is true? Where is the Jitante Stotram really found?


texts: Why do some sources speak of the Sahasrara chakra and others of Saharara padma?

texts: Some sources seem to use the term Saharara padma instead of Sahasrara chakra? Why do say do so? Do different traditions see the concept differently?


texts: Why women are not allowed to attend Funerals

texts: Why are women not allowed at the shamshan ghat ? Can they perform the final rites of their parent if she is only child to their parents ?


texts: Why should a person sprinkle water on himself, if he sneezes at a door entrance (Gadapa)?


texts: Is there a critical edition of Bhāgavata Purāṇa?

texts:
There's a critical edition of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa and there's one for Mahābhārata. Does Bhāgavata Purāṇa also have a critical edition?

If it does, maybe it will help answering questions like Questions regarding the number of verses in the Bhagavtam

Also, which recension of Bhāgavata was used for the ISKCON translation?


texts: What's the meaning and origin of the phrase 'Vyasocchishtam jagat sarvam'?

texts:
What's the origin of the phrase Vyasocchishtam jagat sarvam?

I've heard different meanings of the phrase some of which are:

There is nothing under the Sun that Vyasa has not touched upon.
Whatever anyone speaks/writes is something already uttered/written by Vyasa


texts: Ancient texts on the art and science of debate

texts:
I thought 'tarka shastra' was the search text I was looking for, but the books I found were rather modern writer's literary text.
What I was looking for the science written by the rishis, I just found a few hints in Prabhupada's book of the Bhagavad Gita, that quoted techniques like the 'jalpa' . I was searching for the scriptic/Vedic/profound texts i.e. written by the sages that talked about the art and science to converse/debate. If there are any, please mention them .


texts: Which Mahavishnu/Vishnu is giving five verses eternal knowledge to lord Brahma in the Brahma-samhita chapter five?

texts:
Everyone in the ISKCON and Gaudiya Brahman spiritual sect knows about Brahma-samhita and the importance of the Shastra, right from Krishna-Chaitanya, Sril Jiva Gosvami, Bhaktisiddhanta Svami maharaj, so on and so forth.
At the end of the fifth chapter (sixty two verses), we find the "panch-sloki vijnana", the five versed knowledge. Krishna (thru Gayatri) is passing on  the eternal knowledge to Lord Brahma. The question comes on our minds, which Mahavishnu/vishnu, mentioned in the verse, "atho uvaach mahavishnu....". ?? [The Causal Maha-vishnu (Karnodasayi Vishnu) or the Radical Mool-Vishnu (Garbhodsayi Vishnu) ??]
https://vedabase.net/bs/5/57/en


texts: Is it a sin to kill a mosquito in Hinduism?

texts: If I kill mosquitoes in my room with an electric mosquito-killing racket, will that be considered a sin? Why?


texts: Durga Devi's Weapon that killed Mahishasura?

texts:
The Legend of Durga , slaying the demon Mahisha talks about that the gods combined their energies (shakti) into the female form of Durga, a fierce manifestation of the Goddess (Devi). She received all the weapons of the gods, symbolic of their individual powers, but stronger when wielded together.
But what is the name of the stick/club that is generally represented in various pictures that used to do it and who gave it to Her?


texts: Are there any English translations of the Bhavishyottara Purana or just the Srinivasa Kalyana section?

texts:
Most people are only familiar with the Bhavishya Purana, one of the 18 Mahapuranas (major Puranas) which deals primarily with prophecies about the future.  But the Bhavishya Purana also comes with an appendix - the Bhavishyottara Purana, which gets its name because it's sometimes considered to be the Uttara Parva of the Bhavishya Purana, but more often it's considered to be an Upapurana (minor Purana) in its own right.  Wikipedia characterizes it as "primarily a handbook of religious rites with a few legends and myths", but the one very important story it has is the Srinivasa Kalyana, the famous story of Venkateshwara (AKA Srinivasa or Balaji) and his marriage to Padmavathi.  The Bhavishyottara Purana is in fact one of the main sources of the Venkateshwara story.

So my question is, are there any English translations of the Bhavishyottara Purana?  Or if a complete translation isn't available, I'd even settle for a translation of just the Srinivasa Kalyana portion of it.  All I've found so far are the following:

This webpage, which claims to translate the first twelve Adhyayas (chapters) of the Srinivasa Kalyana of the Bhavishyottara Purana, but is actually an English translation of this Kannada translation of those Adhyayas of the Bhavishyottara Purana.
The freely available book "Sri Venkatachala - Its Glory" by G. V. Chalapati Rao, which according to this book is a translation of the Venkatachala Mahatmya, the Sthala Purana (temple scripture) of the Tirupati temple, written in the fifteenth century by Jiyar Ramanujayyan and consisting of excerpts from various Puranas that discuss Venkateshwara, including presumably the Srinivasa Kalyana of the Bhavishyottara Purana.  But there's probably abridgment going on here.

So in both cases, there are multiple layers between the English and the original Sanskrit text.  Are there any direct English translations of either the whole Bhavishyottara Purana or just the Srinivasa Kalyana section?  I would prefer something that's freely available online.  I'd also prefer an unabridged translation, because I want to see the glorious story of Venkateshwara in full detail.


texts: Which scriptures discuss purusha avatars?

texts:
This article lists 6 categories of avatars one of them being Purusha Avatar:

  Purusha avataras
  Lila avataras
  Guna avataras
  Manvantara avataras
  Yuga avataras
  Shaktyavesha avataras

The same article also lists some examples of Purusha avatars of Krishna:

  Purusha avataras:

  Krishna first incarnates as the three purusha avataras namely:

  Karanodakashayi Vishnu - "The Lord who is lying on the causal ocean".
  Garbhodakashayi Vishnu - "The Lord who is lying on the universal ocean".
  Kshirodakashayi Vishnu - "The Lord who is lying on the ocean of milk".

What does purusha avatar actually mean in the above context?
Does it have any scriptural basis?
Besides Krishna, are there more such purusha avatars?


texts:
What is the source of this Hindu saying-

  "There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading to the same place, so it doesn't matter which path you take. The only person wasting time is the one who runs around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her path is wrong."


texts:
Jnana marga is a way to attain liberation in Sanathan dharma.
It is a path of knowledge. The aspirant enquires about existence using scriptures and finally attains moksha.
Do any scripture tells in detail about stages experienced by the person in Jnana marga?


texts: If i pray to some god like Ganesha or Shiva by using their mantra like om nama shivaya what is the logic behind that he hears us? what does this actually means to chant a mantra? It seems like according to Vedas all the deities are only a representation of natural forces and nature itself, so how the energy listen to someones prayer? Are they conscious? if yes how? if no, there is no such thing as god I think. How can nature or say the universe be conscious of some human's prayer?


texts: Did Lord Krishna take away Arjuna's dhanur vidya (archery abilities)?

texts: Did Lord Krishna take away Arjuna's dhanur vidya (archery abilities) before leaving the Earth (Prithvi Lok)? If yes, why from Arjuna only and why not from other Pandavas?


texts: One who attains Vishnu, for him Siva is everything - What does this mean?

texts:
In unique commentary of Bhagwat Geeta by AchArya Abhinavgupta, he ends his commentary with the following verse. What does this possibly mean? Does any scripture explain this relation? Or talk about similar verse?

  Whatever action might be performed by a Yogin - who has freed his mind dominated by the three gunas, which are the nature of knowledge, ,confusion & inertia, and who has attained Vishnu, who is beyond thought, through the beauty of realization of his own self - the action is performed effortlessly because he is engaged only in such activities of the sense organs, which arise in him on their own. To such a Yogin Siva is everything.


texts: What does the recitation at the beginning of this sukta say? (RV I.32)

texts:
What does the recitation at the beginning of this sukta say?
Edit:
What does it say in the video, Before rishi, Chanda and devata?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUnywXQ6a5M
This is Rig Veda, mandala 1, sukta 32
Before the beginning of the sukta I recognize the following:

hiraṇyastūpa āṅgirasa ṛṣiḥ |
indro devatā |
triṣṭup chandaḥ ||

and then the sukta starts:

indra̍sya̱ nu vī̱ryā̍ṇi̱ pra vo̍ca̱ṃ yāni̍ ca̱kāra̍ pratha̱māni̍ va̱jrī ...

but I'm missing just the first part before the

hiraṇyastūpa āṅgirasa ṛṣiḥ |


texts:
Maya Samhita is a scripture deals with shilpas.

When this scripture came into existence?


texts: In  Valmiki Ramayana, at several places Sita's mother (referred to wife of Seeradhwaja Janaka) is mentioned, but nowhere her name. In any other Purana, name of Sita's mother is mentioned? If so, where and what it is?


texts: Are any stories available for the sons of Sarama that serve Yama?

texts:
Sarama is the female dog that is mentioned in many Vedic verses as the helper of the gods and is especially associated with Indra. Her children are also mentioned in some verses as being assistants of Yama, the Lord of Death.
Rig Veda Book 10, Hymn 14 gives us the following description about them:

8 Meet Yama, meet the Fathers, meet the merit of free or ordered acts, in highest heaven. Leave sin and evil, seek anew thy dwelling, and bright with glory wear another body.
9 Go hence, depart ye, fly in all directions: this place for him the Fathers have provided. Yama bestows on him a place to rest in adorned with days and beams of light and waters.
10 Run and outspeed the two dogs, Saramā's offspring, brindled, four-eyed, upon thy happy pathway. Draw nigh then to the gracious-minded Fathers where they rejoice in company with Yama.
11 And those two dogs of thine, Yama, the watchers, four-eyed, who look on men and guard the pathway,— Entrust this man, O King, to their protection, and with prosperity and health endow him.
12 Dark-hued, insatiate, with distended nostrils, Yama's two envoys roam among the People; May they restore to us a fair existence here and to-day, that we may see the sunlight.

The description is quite interesting but I wonder if any other scriptures give more details about them. I remember the story in Mahabharata where Janmejaya's brothers beat up one of the sons of Sarama but am not sure if its about the same dogs as these seem quite ferocious!
So my question is - Do any other scriptures detail the story of these divine dogs who serve Yama?


texts:
Please let me know all the sources of the below Krishna's Mantra. It looks like there are 2 or more sources of this mantra. One source that I know of is Gopala tapani Upanishad. So please provide all the other sources of the below mantra

Kleem Krishnaaya Govindaaya Gopeejana Vallabhaaya Swaha


texts: Do followers of Vivekananda now accept Darwin's Theory of Evolution?

texts:
From here:

  Rambrahma Babu: What is your opinion of the evolution theory of Darwin and the causes he has put forward for it?

  Swamiji: Taking for granted that Darwin is right, I cannot yet admit that it is the final conclusion about the causes of evolution.

From another discussion with Harvard students in March, 1896:

  In the matter of the projection of Akāsha and Prāna into manifested form and the return to fine state, there is a good deal of similarity between Indian thought and modern science. The moderns have their evolution, and so have the Yogis. But I think that the Yogis' explanation of evolution is the better one. "The change of one species into another is attained by the infilling of nature." The basic idea is that we are changing from one species to another, and that man is the highest species.

122 years have passed since those conversations.

Do followers of Vivekananda still feel the same way about Darwin's Theory of Evolution or do they now accept it in some form?

Do they still believe man is the highest among species i.e., there cannot be a higher, more intelligent, more sophisticated life form?

UPDATE

Asking if a particular sect of Hinduism (Ramakrishna Math or Ramakrishna Mission) considers Evolution to be a fact is not off-topic especially when the sect's founder (Vivekananda) has already commented up on it. Also, according to this article, the Catholic Church now officially accepts Evolution and the Big Bang to be factually true. In my question, I'm asking if Vivekananda's opinions from a 100 years ago are still held to be true by his followers or have they changed recently in light of new discoveries in the field of evolutionary biology.


texts: Why one should not consecrate water to Lord Hanuman?

texts:
I went to a temple about a few weeks ago. On the wall of this temple, it was written that it is prohibited to consecrate water to Lord Hanuman according to scriptures. At that time, I could not ask priest about this and did Google around a little bit, but did not find any reference to this. Does anybody know about this?

P.S. Varun deva had blessed him with a boon that he can never be harmed by water.


texts: What is (if any) the significance of Ignorance/Maya?

texts:
We all know that samsara is not real but it is maya/ignorance. And once self-realization/Jnana is attained, all duality and ignorance are removed/obsolete. In other words, samsara is only based on ignorance/maya. Hence we are trying to attain jnana/self-realization/moksha through karma, bhakti, raj-yoga etc. ways.

So, the question is, who created maya/ignorance? More precisely, why is it created/exists? (because it seems to be in  opposite direction of our goal).

Hence, I want to know if there's any significance of maya/ignorance? (Because I'm worried about it's existence!)

Further: Following thoughts are confusing me:

Is it possible that all Aatman(s) having ignorance and bounded by karma (In other words "trapped") attain jnana/self-realization/moksha? (if yes, then what is the future of maya? or it will be impossible to create/exist/imagine universe in which I'm currently writing this and you're reading! probably the ultimate success I think)
I think it is to oppose and challenge the maya/ignorance based on which the whole samsara (not only for oneself) is existing!

So I fear if there's any significance of maya/ignorance!


texts: What are objections on Sabda Brahman school thought?

texts:
One of the oldest schools of Vedanta which existed long before Shankara is Sabda- Brahma vivarta vada.

The exponents of this school of thought as stated by Swami Vedanta Desika ( famous SriVaishnava acharya belonging to 13 th century) are Bhartrihari and Halayudha who belonged to school of grammarians.Though they are primarily grammarians and have contributed scholarly works including a commentary on Patanjali Mahabhasya ( commentary on Panini sutras), they too have attempted to give a vedantic complexion to their theories by conceiving Sabda or sound as Brahman, the Ultimate reality of Upanishads.

Bhartrhari : Sabda Brahman is the only ultimate reality and all the world is vivarta (illusory) manifestation of it.

Halayudha : Sabda Brahman alone is the life energy of all entities in the universe and the entire universe is the modification ( Parinama) of it.

Swami Desikan quotes the central doctrine of Halayudha as follows

Sabda Brahma yadekam yac-chaitanyam ca sarvabhutanam !

Yat Parinamam tribhuvanam Akhilam idam jayanthi as Vani !!

Meaning : Sabda Brahma, the one reality without a second, is the life energy of all beings and the entire universe is a modification of it.

Swami Desikan refutes these theories as untenable in his famous works

My questions are

(1) What does Brahma sutras of Badarayana say about this Sabda Brahman school of thought?

(2) Do any of the acharyas viz Ramanuja, Shankara or Madhva say anything about this school of thought?

(3) What are the objections raised and refutations by Swami Desikan against Sabda Brahman school of thought?

Please quote from valid references and valid commentaries, accordingly.


texts: Is Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva, still Chief Leader (Senapati) of Deva/Devta's army?

texts:
I know that Kartikeya was selected as a Chief Leader (Senapati) of Deva/Devta's army.

I want to know whether Kartikeya is immortal or not?
If yes, then is he still the Chief Leader(Senapati) of Deva/Devta's army ?


texts:
Eka-santha grahi refers to a person who comprehends any thing by one time.

In general, comprehension depends on Shradda (faith) and Chitta.

Krishna explains the role of faith in geetha

  श्रद्धावान् लभते ज्ञानं

  Those whose faith is deep attain (divine) knowledge.

And many sastras explain about role of ekagra-chitta.

Keep ekagra-chitta aside. Lot of people has less shradda and hence has less comprehension rate. If a person first attains shradda then ekagra-chitta can also be invoked by practice.

Is there any manta that results in increasing shradda in a person to make him/her Eka-santha grahi.


texts:
Is it a mental sin to think of killing other people, or fantasize about killing, or simulate the killing of other humans?

Like for example, suppose a person makes several toy humans, and then pretends they are being killed by weapons, and derives pleasure from this act.

Is this considered a mental sin?


texts:
When I was younger, I used to sit in class during silent reading time and glance at all the faces around me and ask repetitively and quietly, "What am I, Where am I, Who am I?"  After a few minutes, my mind would go blank, completely clear of all thoughts.  I'd sit there for so many seconds in this blank state.  Eventually, my thoughts and knowledge would start flooding back in.  I was quite good at this from doing it daily.

Now that I'm older, I haven't been able to do it, and I wonder if what I used to experience was a form of meditation.  It felt good to truly erase all the chaos from life and school from my mind and sit peacefully.  I'd like to be able to do it again.


texts: Universal mantra of all mantras for attaining the highest level of God realization?

texts:
There are a lot of mantras in our scriptures. Some of these mantras are used to invoke a particular deity, activity or a life-event. Some are mantras for longevity, some for knowledge, immortality, liberation and so on. Some of the highly notable mantras are Gayatri mantra, Hare Krishna Mahamantra and 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' which was used by Dhruva during his penance.
Gayatri Mantra

ॐ भूर्भुवस्व: | तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् | भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि | धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्
Oṁ Bhūr Bhuva~Swah' Tat Savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt
"Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine Light (Vivifier, Sun). May he stimulate our understandings (knowledge, intellectual illumination).

Hare Krishna Mantra

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे | हरे रामा हरे रामा रामा रामा हरे हरे ||
Hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare | Hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare
"Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in the loving service of Lord Krishna."

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
"O my Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You."

However, is there one universal Mantra / Mahamantra which can be chanted by a devotee, irrespective of his Varna, gotra, phase of life which takes him to the highest realm of God realization? Is it one of the above mantras?


texts: Can some Stuti mantras give siddhis? Do these verses need initiation & Guru Diksha if they start with OM?

texts:
Like the famous "Om Jayanti Mangla Kali Bhadra Kali Kapalini" verses.

ॐ जयंती मंगला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी


texts: If god create all of us human being equally, then why we should worship different Gods and not the one?


texts:
I have a shiv-Linga at home, which I think is made of ceramic material. I perform the puja by pouring simple tap water, then sandalwood tilak, then flowers and then dhoop/incense sticks.  I don't know whether the procedure is correct or not.

My 2nd question is - sometimes, due to my busy schedule, I forget to do abhishek of the lingam with water.

Is it good to keep the Lingam at home?  what does the Vedas quote about the practice of keeping shiv lingam at home?


texts: Which is the oldest school of thought in Hinduism?

texts: There are 6 schools of thought in Hinduism(astika). So which is the oldest of all the schools?


texts: How can Brahman in unmanifested state reduce to the size of half a thumb?

texts:
Brahman has 2 states - manifested and unmanifested. The world we are living in is manifested. After Mahapralaya, everything is dissolved and all that remains is unmanifested state. In Gita, it is said that, in unmanifest state, everything is reduced to the size of half thumb.

Now my question is how it is even possible? God is infinite and when we say it is reduced to the size of half thumb, we are giving it a size which effectively means it has become finite and God cannot be finite.


texts:
Consider the following words by Pandu to Kunti

The religious institutes mention six kinds of sons that are heirs and
kinsmen, and six other kinds that are not heirs but kinsmen. I shall
speak of them presently. O Pritha, listen to me. They are:
1st, the son begotten by one's own self upon his wedded wife;
2nd, the son begotten upon one's wife by an accomplished person from motives of kindness;
3rd, the son begotten upon one's wife by a person for pecuniary consideration;
4th, the son begotten upon the wife after the husband's death;
5th, the maiden-born son;
6th, the son born of an unchaste wife;
7th, the son given;
8th, the son bought for a consideration;
9th, the son self-given;
10th, the son received with a pregnant bride;
11th, the brother's son; and
12th, the son begotten upon a wife of lower caste.
On failure of offspring of a prior class, the mother should desire to have offspring of the next class.
[SECTION CXX, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, The Mahabharata]

I have doubts related to the actual meaning for bolded parts.
In the translation I am studying in my local language, the following are given

3: daughter's son
6: sister's son

So, which are correct according to actual Sanskrit Vyasa Mahabharata?
For remaining bolded portion (5 and 10), the questions are
Who is the biological father for the sons born in cases 5 and 10? Is it some other person (before current marriage) or the person who is marrying her currently?


texts: Was there any Rishi/Sant/Saint by the name of Maadan?

texts:
I was reading an article about Shukracharya here, which says:

  There lived Saint Maadan in ancient India, once he visits an
  Ashram (residential area for saints in jungle) and see beautiful
  daughter of a saint. Maadan got exited and his sperms(Shukra-Anu) come
  out and stained his langot(underwear). He immediately throw away his
  underwear and get another one. After few days she turns to m.c. and uses
  langot thrown away by Maadan as pad. As a result she
  gets pregnant. Finding this,his father throw her out of Ashram and call
  her unborn child Adham(mean) or Neech(hindi) and cursed that he will
  give birth to Mlecchha. Here Maadan roaming here and there came upon to
  girl and sees that there was no fault of her and she accidentally got
  pregnant. Frowning on people who have teased her,he gives many offering
  to unborn child and says that my son will go to west(Arab
  countries) and invent a new religion which will do opposite of these
  eastern people who have tormented the innocent girl. Madina is named
  after Saint Maadan. Here Adham marries demon girl Havva(Eve)and give
  birth to Mlecchha people(Aadmi). Near Arab countries there are 3
  countries Mali,Somalia,Malawi named after maternal grandfathers of
  demon king Raavan i.e.Mali,Sumali& Malyawan which confirms that there
  once lived demons.

My questions:

Who is this saint being referred here (provided the story is true)?
If the story is true then are there any references to this in our scriptures?
If the story is false do let me know and I'll delete the question.


texts: Which scripture/s describe 15 faced to 21 faced Rudraaksha-s?

texts:
The Rudraaksha Jaabaalopanishad describes the lord and merits of wearing 1 faced to 14 faced Rudraakshas. The Shiva Puraan (Vidyeswara Samhitaa) goes no further.
The Shrimad Devi Bhaagvatam mentions the creation of 38 types of Rudraaksha (10+12+16) but it is not specifically stated that these are differentiated on the basis of faces. The suggested differences are more about the colour of the bead. At any rate it does not describe Rudraakshas with more faces than 14.
I have never read the Kaatyaayani Tantra (as no translation or even printed Sanskrit version seems to be available) but this product page seems to suggest that some details may be available there.
Is there any description of the properties of Rudraakshas with 15 or more faces in any scriptures?


texts:
There was a comment posted here, which says:

Each day of Brahma has 14 Manvantars and each Manvantar has a different Indra. We are currently in the 7th Manvantar of the 51st day of Brahma and his each year has 360 days. So there have been (50 x 360 x 14) + 7 Indras in total! – Amrit Dhara Apr 29 '19 at 6:50

There are a lot of discussions on Indra. Also there is a mention of he being adulterous. So this creates my question that which Indra was adulterous among these?


texts: Where is the Vedic verse quoted by the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad about Brahman entering the body as a bird?

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 as I discuss in this question, one of these 32 Brahma Vidyas is known as the Madhu Vidya, or "honey wisdom". It's found in the Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads, it was taught by the sage Dadhichi to the two Ashwini Kumaras while Dadhichi had a horse head in the place of his human head.  In any case, in this chapter of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, four Vedic verses are given which allude to the Madhu Vidya and/or the story of how it was taught:

Verily Dadhyak Âtharvana proclaimed this honey (the madhu-vidyâ) to the two Asvins, and a Rishi, seeing this, said (Rv. I, 116, 12): 'O ye two heroes (Asvins), I make manifest that fearful deed of yours (which you performed) for the sake of gain, like as thunder makes manifest the rain. The honey (madhu-vidyâ) which Dadhyak Âtharvana proclaimed to you through the head of a horse,'

Verily Dadhyak Âtharvana proclaimed this honey to the two Asvins, and a Rishi, seeing this, said (Rv. I, 117, 22): 'O Asvins, you fixed a horse's head on Âtharvana Dadhyak, and he, wishing to be true (to his promise), proclaimed to you the honey, both that of Tvashtri and that which is to be your secret, O ye strong ones.'

Verily Dadhyak Âtharvana proclaimed this honey to the two Asvins, and a Rishi, seeing this, said: 'He (the Lord) made bodies with two feet, he made bodies with four feet. Having first become a bird, he entered the bodies as purusha (as the person).' This very purusha is in all bodies the purisaya, i.e. he who lies in the body (and is therefore called purusha). There is nothing that is not covered by him, nothing that is not filled by him.

Verily Dadhyak Âtharvana proclaimed this honey to the two Asvins, and a Rishi, seeing this, said (Rv. VI, 47, 18): 'He (the Lord) became like unto every form, and this is meant to reveal the (true) form of him (the Âtman). Indra (the Lord) appears multiform through the Mâyâs (appearances), for his horses (senses) are yoked, hundreds and ten.'

The quotes in verses 16, 17, and 19 are all cited by the translators as verses from the Rig Veda.  But the quote in verse 18 is not given a citation: "He (the Lord) made bodies with two feet, he made bodies with four feet. Having first become a bird, he entered the bodies as purusha (as the person)."  So my question is, where in the Vedas is this quote found?
If it helps, here is the verse in Sanskrit:

puraścakre dvipadaḥ puraścakre catuṣpadaḥ ।
puraḥ sa pakṣī bhūtvā puraḥ puruṣa āviśaditi ।

Is this verse from the Rig Veda just like the other three verses, or is it from somewhere else?


texts: Was the Atharva Veda compiled at the time of King Parikshit?

texts:
The Hymn 127 of Book 20 of Atharva Veda glorifies the king Kaurama who is further mentioned with the name of Parikshit:

  Listen to this, ye men, a laud of glorious bounty shall be sung.
  Thousands sixty, and ninety we, O Kaurama, among the
  Rusamas have received.
  Camels twice-ten that draw the car, with females by their side,
  he gave.
  Fain would the chariot's top bow down escaping from the stroke
  of heaven.
  A hundred chains of gold, ten wreaths, upon thee Rishi he
  bestowed,
  And thrice-a-hundred mettled steeds, ten-times-a-thousand cows
  he gave.
  Glut thee, O Singer, glut thee like a bird on a ripe-fruited tree.
  Thy lips and tongue move swiftly like the sharp blades of a pair
  of shears.
  Quickly and willingly like kine forth come the singers and their
  hymns:
  Their little maidens are at home, at home they wait upon the
  cows.
  O Singer, bring thou forth the hymn that findeth cattle, findeth:
  wealth.
  Even as an archer aims his shaft address this prayer unto the
  Gods.
  List to Parikshit's eulogy, the sovran whom all people love,
  The King who ruleth over all, excelling mortals as a God.
  'Mounting his throne, Parikshit, best of all, hath given us peace
  and rest,'
  Saith a Kauravya to his wife as he is ordering his house.
  'Which shall I set before thee, curds, gruel of milk, or barley-
  brew?'
  Thus the wife asks her husband in the realm which King
  Parikshit rules.
  Up as it were to heavenly light springs the ripe corn above the
  cleft.
  Happily thrive the people in the land where King Parikshit
  reigns.
  Indra hath waked the bard and said, Rise, wander singing here
  and there.
  Praise me, the strong: each pious man will give thee riches in
  return,
  Here, cows! increase and multiply, here ye, O horses, here, O
  men.
  Here, with a thousand rich rewards, doth Pūshan also seat him-
  self.
  O Indra, let these cows be safe, their master free from injury.
  Let not the hostile-hearted or the robber have control of them.
  Oft and again we glorify the hero with our hymn of praise, with
  prayer, with our auspicious prayer.
  Take pleasure in the songs we sing: let evil never fall on us.

We have been told that Rishi Ved-vyas divided the Vedas into four at the onset of Kaliyug which seems about the right time for the rule of Parikshit (if it is the same Parikshit from Mahabharat). Some people claim that Vyas had divided Vedas into three only and the Atharva Veda is a later addition.

In either case, do any of the scriptures mention specifically who was ruling at the time of the compilation of the four Vedas (in former case) or specifically at the time of Atharva Veda (in case second scenario is true)?


texts: Were Gaudapada's views closer to Madhyamaka Buddhism?

texts:
Sankara’s doctrine of maya has been one of the principle reasons that he has been accused of being a closet Buddhist. Yet it was actually Sankara’s parama-guru, Gaudapada who posited the idea of maya or ajativada in his famous Mandukya-karika.
Ajativada refers to the theory of non-creation. In his karika Gaudapada claims that the world of appearances is actually maya and does not factually exist. So this theory of maya/ajativada does not originate with Sankara.
However, it does not originate with Gaudapada either…
Prior to Gaudapada, it was Nagarjuna that first postulated the concept of ajativada in his Madhyamika-karikas. In his Mandukya-karika, Gaudapada writes:

khyapyamanamajatim tairanumodamahe vayam vivadamo na taih
sardhamavivadam nibodhata

We approve of the ajati declared them (the Buddhists). We do no quarrel with them. (Mandukya-karika 4.5)
It is even affirmed by Sankara himself that Gaudapada accepted the arguments of the Buddhists regarding ajativada:
vijnanavadino bauddhasya vacanam bahyarthavadi-paksha-pratishedha-param acaryena anumoditam
The acarya (Gaudapada) has accepted the words of the Vijnanavada Buddhist (Nagarjuna) to prove the unreality of external things. (Sankara’s commentary on Gaudapada’s Karika 4.27)
Gaudapada’s affiliation with Buddhism does not stop there. Gaudapada also gives arguments that are akin to those of the Buddhist scholar Vasubandhu in order to prove that the phenomenal world is unreal by equating the dream state with the waking state.
Furthermore, the two illustrations of the city of the Gandharvas (gandharva-nagara) and the magic elephant (maya-hasti) that Gaudapada uses in his karika to prove the illusory nature of the world are both found in Mahayana Buddhist literature.
In the fourth chapter of Mandukya-karika a case of similar terminology is found between Gaudapada and Nagarjuna. Gaudapada writes in his karika (4.7):

prakrter anyathabhavo na katham cid bhavisyati

And we find a similar verse in Nagarjuna’s Madhyamaka-karika (15.8):

prakrter anyathabhavo na hi jatupapadyate

The title of the fourth chapter of his karika is Alatasanti (circle of fire) which is a word commonly found in Buddhist texts. But probably the biggest give-away is in the fourth chapter of the karika:

nivrttasyapravittasya nishcala hi tada sthitih visayah sa hi buddhanam
tatsamyamajamadvayam

Thus, the mind freed from attachment and undistracted attains a state of immutability. Being realized by the wise, it is undifferentiated, birthless and non-dual. (Mandukya-karika 4.80)

upalambhatsamacaradastivastutvavadinam jatistu desita buddhaih
ajatestrasata sada

For those who, from their own experience and right conduct, believe in the existence of substantiality, and who are ever afraid of the birthless, instruction regarding birth has been imparted by the wise. (Mandukya-karika 4.42)


texts: Is this alleged citation from the Paingirahasya Brahmana verifiable from neutral commentators?

texts:
eko ha vai nārāyaṇa āsīn na brahmā na ca śaṅkaraḥ
Only Narayana existed - not Brahma, not Shankara

This is cited by Vaishnavites as evidence for their sectarian doctrines.
I originally questioned if such a scripture existed - but Sankara's citation in the answer below proves there is no reason to question its existence in the past.
Now my question is - is the verifiable (sectarian-wise neutral) content of this scripture compatible with a sectarian assertion of supremacy of one deity over others?


texts: Where does this phrase "Bahujana sukhaya bahujana hitaya cha" appear?

texts: This wiki article mentions it as an aphorism enunciated in Rigveda. Is this phrase a part of a verse in the rigveda? Does rigveda mention any verse that conveys the same meaning and is same in wordings also? From what i know this phrase was used by Buddha and has no vedic connection. Well verses with similar meaning do occur in vedas but wordings are different(and so different "subjective" interpretations).