texts: What are Brahmashirsha and Brahmanda astras?

texts: The Brahmastra was a weapon created by Brahma. It was considered a very destructive weapon. The Brahmastra never missed its mark. In the Mahabharata, a few Maharathis possessed the knowledge to invoke the Brahmastra. So what are the other types of weapons called Brahmashirsha astra and Brahmanda astra? Any one knows any information about theses type of weapons?


texts: Is Soma Really a drink Or a Metaphor For Vedic Immortality?

texts:
Soma is considered a Juice which was Prepared by our Ancestors by Herbs of the leave of a plant.It is one of the most famous Drink In Vedas And In Rig veda whole Mandal 9 Is attributed to it.

But many Sites and people claim Soma was not any kind of drink in Vedic times,It was just used as an Metaphor for Spirituality/Immortality.

Even A Similiar Rig Vedic verse states

  One thinks, when they have brayed the plant, that he hath drunk the Soma's juice;
  Of him whom Brahmans truly know as Soma no one ever tastes.
  4 Soma, secured by sheltering rules, guarded by hymns in Brhati,
  Thou standest listening to the stones none tastes of thee who dwells on earth.(Rig Veda book 10 hymn 85 Verse 3 And 4)

Now these Verses may Prove Soma was not really a drink available On earth and it was the Drink of Devas available to them

So My question is any Scriptures Like Brahmana/Epica/Vedas talk That Soma was kind of drink?Is the Recipe of it available In scriptures?If yes,then what can be interpretation of these Vedic Verses.

Note-My question is not duplicate Of this Which rituals need Soma? If the Soma plant is extinct, is there any substitute for it? in this question,It is directly claimed that Soma was a drink/plant and it is answered on that bases and It does not answers my Question.


texts: Is there a Vedic yajna that can grant wishes?

texts:
Karma kanda has many yajnas which can give heaven and such other fruitive activities, is there mention of yajna which can fulfill a wish? Are there any
rituals, yajnas, vratas, mantras or praying to a specific deity that can fulfill wishes.


texts:
Why materialism and materialistic people are bad.
One can be materialistic by enjoying all kinds of legal thinks like alcohol, cigarette, meat and party and girls(i. e sex).
As Long as you are not harming or abusing someone, it is okay to do the things you like.
But according to hindusim, materialistic people will be born in evil wombs.
Why is it like that, just because you are enjoying your
life without harming anyone and doing thinks that are legal you will be born as a dog or other animal?


texts:
The Lord in Bhagavad Gita prescribed selfless action or actions where do not expect any rewards. In the modern world every business is financially and goal driven. Even if you do good work it goes unnoticed without self promotion.

How can one achieve materialistic goals through selfless action? how can a selfless person get something without asking for it - be it a raise, starting salary, opportunity? What is the way prescribed by the Lord for such goals?


texts: Why Holika died inside fire, in spite of a boon?

texts:
King Hiranyakashipu tried many ways to kill his son Prahlada. Holika was his sister with a boon that a fire can not burn/harm her.

To kill Prahlada in fire, Hiranyakashipu asked her sister's help. She suggested that she will sit in fire with Prahlada in her lap, so this way the fire will burn the Prahlada.

Now when the fire was finished, Holika was burned into fire while nothing has happened to Prahlada.

So, My question is Why Holika got burned in fire even when she was having a boon not to get burned in the fire? In other words why the boon didn't work?

Topic of this week is holi


texts: Is there any story behind Lord Krishna's death?

texts:
I have heard many stories regarding the end of lord Krishna. How exactly did lord Krishna die?

I also heard that some arrow killed him and that arrow also have some history. Is that true?


texts:
Is Shiva really the āsana for Lalitha Devi? How to understand this? Who is her consort? If Shiva is her consort, why did she make him an āsana?

Also, what is pancha bramha āsana's significance? Who are those pancha bramhas? Why did She take that form?


texts: What facts can be derived from the MahaSankalpam sloka?

texts: Generally we do a sankalpam before any pooja but during an annual cycle we recite the MahaSankalpam also. What is the meaning of the MahaSankalpam and what all scientific facts can be derived from them?


texts: What's the importance of Turmeric in Indian Marriage and Husband in context?

texts:
It is said that when a wife applies Turmeric to her feet then the husband is influenced to be on the rightful path (dharma maarg). Most of my elders, grand parents and ancestors have been talking about the same...

Is there a Vedic proof or something?

Is it a customary thing that has been performed on each of the festivals and been followed to date just like that (with no scriptural recommendation)?


texts: Are there any enlightened gurus/people from Mimamaska school of thought?

texts:
Mimamaska school of thought is an astika school of thought in Hinduism. It does not believe in God's existence.
So are there any enlightened gurus/people from Mimamaska school of thought.


texts:
Sri Krishna says in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita the following:

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः।

इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना।।10.22।।

Vedanam, among the Vedas; I am the Sama-veda. Devanam, among the gods-such as Rudras, Adityas and others; I am vasavah, Indra. Indriyanam, among the eleven organs, viz eye etc.; I am the manah, mind. I am the mind which is of the nature of reflection and doubt. And I am the cetana, intelligence [It is the medium for the manifestation of Consciousness.], the function of the intellect ever manifest in the aggregate of body and organs; bhtanam, in creatures.

I have read in the Srimad Ramayana that Indra was the eldest brother of Vishnu.  Then he must be Aditya, the son of Aditi.
Then why is Indra called vAsava?


texts: Why some hindu gods don't have facial hair?

texts:
As far as the trimurti is concerned,
Brahma is almost always depicted as an aged man with white flowing hair and white flowing beard from all 4 heads . Perhaps the white flowing beard depicts his vedic wisdom , as in the proverbial 'wise old man' ?

Shiva on the other hand is mostly depicted as having jatas on head, coiled hair like rishis but no facial hair. However some depictions also shown him sporting pointed mustaches and beard.

Vishnu is perhaps the only god in trimurti without any facial hair at all !
He's shown reclining with a youthful appearance on sheshanag . And so're all his avatars (except Parshuram) shown with a youthful , no-beard appearance. Although sporting long beautiful hair.So much so that one of the names of hair is "Keshava" (kesh : hair)

Also indra, agni , vayu and others when depicted are shown without facial hairs.
I am wondering then , why do they not have facial hair ? They seem to be depicted anthropomorphically as adult men . Then how come they don't have facial hairs ? Did they shave (no offence intended)

I have two theories :

1) First, life spans were incredibly big for them. So much so that even at age of 30 or 35, they're actually youngsters without beard actually sprouting

2) Its merely a depiction of the "forever new" and unaging parbrahm. Perhaps this is in conjunction with other attributes like 4 arms (depicting power of parbrahm in 4 directions)


texts: Does the Narayanastra weapon of Vishnu summon the Rudras?

texts:
The Drona Parva of the Mahabharata describes how Drona's son Ashwatthama, desperate to avenge his father's death, launched the Narayanastra, the illustrious weapon of Vishnu.  The Narayanastra wreaked great havock on the Pandava army by making countless weapons rain down from the heavens, until Krishna told the secret of surviving it: laying down your own weapons and surrendering to its power.  The Pandavas promptly did this, but out of arrogance Bhima refused and tried to fight against the Narayanastra.  It was about to destroy him when Krishna and Arjuna forced Bhima to put down his weapons, at which point the Narayanastra was finally pacified.

But my question isn't about the story, but about the weapon itself.  Here is how this Wikipedia page describes the Narayanastra:

  When it was used, Ekadasha (Eleven) Rudras appeared in the sky to destroy Pandavas. Millions of types of weapons like Chakra, Gadha, ultra sharp arrows appeared in rage to destroy them.Who ever tried to offend were destroyed.

For those who don't know, the Rudras are a group of 11 Vedic gods associated with Shiva, as I discuss here and here.  So my question is, is it true that the Narayanastra summons the Rudras to fight against your opponents?

I couldn't find such a claim in the Mahabharata; here is how the Drona Parva of the Mahabharata describes the effects of Ashwatthama using the Narayanastra:

  Then Drona's son, aiming at the host of the Pandavas and the Panchalas, invoked the weapon called Narayana. Then thousands of arrows with blazing mouths appeared in the welkin, resembling snakes of fiery mouths, that continued to agitate the Pandavas. In that dreadful battle, those shafts, O king, like the very rays of the sun in a moment shrouded all the points of the compass, the welkin, and the troops. Innumerable iron balls also, O king, then appeared, like resplendent luminaries in the clear firmament. Sataghnis, some equipped with four and some with two wheels, and innumerable maces, and discs, with edges sharp as razor and resplendent like the sun, also appeared there. Beholding the welkin densely shrouded with those weapons, O bull of Bharata's race, the Pandavas, the Panchalas, and the Srinjayas, became exceedingly agitated. In all those places, O ruler of men, where the great car-warriors of the Pandavas contended in battle, that weapon became exceedingly powerful. Slaughtered by the Narayana weapon, as if consumed by a conflagration, the Pandava troops were exceedingly afflicted all over the field in that battle.

So it just describes weapons coming from the sky, not being launched by the Rudras.  Vishnu describes the Narayanastra in similar terms to Ashwatthama in an earlier chapter of the Drona Parva:

  With the aid of this weapon, thou too shalt pour diverse showers of celestial weapons in battle and blaze with energy in consequence of it.

So does anyone know if there are any scriptures that say that the Narayanastra summons the Rudras?  And more importantly, if it is true then what is the reason for it?  Why would a weapon of Vishnu summon gods associated with Shiva?  If it's because Vishnu is the soul of the gods, then why would only the Rudras be summoned?


texts: Was Suka Deva born from the semen of Veda Vyasa?

texts: Was Suka Deva born from semen  of Veda Vyasa as has been mentioned in Devi-Bhagavatm


texts: What is the copper pot that is kept hanging above the Shiva Lingam?

texts:
In every Shiva temple, I have seen a copper pot (like the one in the picture) that is kept hanging above the Shiva Lingam. It has a hole at its bottom and is filled with water so that water keeps dripping on the Shiva Lingam. I have not noticed it being used for any other deity. Is there any particular reason for this water dripping copper pot being hanged above the Lingam?

Image source: http://www.indiamart.com


texts: Which Purāṇas define the word "purāṇa" within their text?

texts:
From the sample page of this book:

Questions:

Which all Purāṇas define the word 'purāṇa' within their text?
Can you cite the exact verses (and their translation) from each of the Purāṇas that give such a definition?


texts:
I read somewhere, long back, that before Humans existed, there were Super-Humans on this earth. This was after the Dinosaurs got extinct and this was a way of Nature to re-start life on earth after the mass extinction of all kinds of life.
Is it true, that the Super-humans were none other than our Gods, who also scripted there daily routine through our religious scriptures. And once the normal life was established, they left the earth gradually.


texts: Is Lord Shiva clearly noted as Prathama Purusha in any Veda?

texts:
Is it true that Shiva is clearly noted as "Prathama Purusha" in any veda? If yes, please give me the references of it.

I need the Sree rudra suktam reference from agniveer foundation veda pdfs.


texts: What does hindu scriptures say about caste system?

texts: The major problem in India is caste system . What is hindu scriptures stands on caste system ? Does hindu scriptures support or forbid caste system ?


texts:
Every Hindu believes that he lives in his own world, created by his imagination (Mayan prism), and that all people in his world are just imaginary characters (illusion), in which there are no thoughts, feelings, sensations, emotions and consciousness, and these people do not really exist, they are just imagination, but every Hindu treats these people as if they have emotions, thoughts, sensations and consciousness, and shows compassion for them? Or every Hindu believes that he lives in the same world with all other people and these people also have a consciousness of sensation, thought and emotion?
That is, when I talk to an Hindu he thinks that I am just an imagination, an illusion or a mirage and I have no consciousness, sensations, thoughts, feelings, emotions and memories, but he believes that somewhere there is my world in which I have consciousness, thoughts and sensations, and all other people are just imagination or a mirage that have no consciousness, sensations and thoughts.
Thanks you!


texts: Benefits of "Suryaopassna" (सूर्योपासना) or Sun worship described in Vedas and upanishdas?

texts:
"Suryopasana" (सूर्योपासना) ie. Worship of Surya deva or Sun god is very ancient tradition of Hinduism. We can find it's origins in our Vedas. Lot's of mantras are there about Surya Deva or Sun god in  all four vedas. Some of then are from
1) Saura Suktas from Rug-Veda 2) Surya Namaskar Mantras 3) Surya Upanishad from Atharvaved.
etc.

Suryopasana or worship of sun god is also the purpose of "Sandhyavandanam" (संध्यावंदन) , a daily ritual carried out in the morning ,afternoon & in evening to praise Surya Deva.

My question is

What are the benifits of Suryopasana" described in Vedas and Upanishadas,  Preferably with mentioning of Sannskrit Mantras.?


texts:
in which yuga Narkasura was born in Dwapara Yuga or Treta Yuga?
Who Killed Narkasura?Was Narkasura son of Bhumi and Varaha?


texts: Sri Vaishnava Acharyas and BharaSamarpanam

texts:
Bharasamarpanam is a process of explicit surrender which is done by Vadakalai sub-sect of Sri Vaishnavism. Bharasamarpanam or Bharanasyam is done after Samashrayanam

Is there any evidence of Purvaachrayas performing Bharasamarpanam(before the split between vadakalai and thenkalai sects occurred).

Note: Pancharatra Agamas approve of Bharasamarpanam so there is no doubt about its authenticity.


texts: What is the origin of the shloka sādhūnāṃ darśanaṃ puṇyaṃ

texts:
Which scripture has the following shloka?

साधूनां दर्शनं पुण्यं स्पर्शनं पापनाशनम् । संभाषणं कोटितीर्थं वन्दनं मोक्षदायकम् ॥
sādhūnāṃ darśanaṃ puṇyaṃ sparśanaṃ pāpanāśanam । saṃbhāṣaṇaṃ koṭitīrthaṃ vandanaṃ mokṣadāyakam ॥


texts: Is it worth learning the Vedas in the absence of a Guru?

texts: Long ago,children used to go to gurukool to learn scriptures under a Guru.Nowadays,since the options are very limited I was wondering if we can learn the Vedas o our own.


texts: What was hanuman doing with sugreev on the mountain?

texts: I mean sugreev was there because he was hiding from his brother bali, but what was hanuman doing with him? I mean how hanuman met sugreev


texts: Does Dharma reduces from one mahayuga to another mahayuga?

texts:
In each mahayuga there a four yugas. It is well known that dharma reduces from Krita yuga to Kali yuga.

Is there any such change in Dharma from one mahayuga to its next mahayuga?


texts: Do Rama's sacrifical posts still exist in Ayodhya?

texts:
The Sankalpa Suryodaya is an play by the 13th century Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan. At one point in the play, a king goes around the world in a Vimana looking for a good place to meditate. He visits various sacred places, but rejects most of them for various reasons. Here is how Ayodhya is described:

  [T]hese sacrifical posts that we see here are the very posts to which the animals were tied in accordance with the rules when the Lord (Sri Rama) performed Ashwamedha sacrifices.... In the parks here, large numbers of parrots repeat the three Vedas; it may be inferred from this at every instant that in former times, Vedic dharma was observed here (in its fullness).  The bank of the Sarayu, though for a long time without the sound of men, looks beautiful on account of the large number of sacrificial posts adorned with gems which were planted by the kings of the race of the Raghus.... [T]his region, too, is now infested by groups of heretics who have put a stop to the dharma of the Krita Yuga and is abandoned now by serene souls who are deeply absorbed in renunciation.

My question is, are Rama's sacrificial posts still there in Ayodhya today?

They were there in Vedanta Desikan's time.  But that was the time of the Muslim invasions, so it's possible that they were destroyed after that, just like Rama Janma Bhoomi.  In any case, if they are still there, are the gems adorning them also still there?


texts: It seems that the rituals, customs, deities, methods of worship etc. in Hinduism today are mainly based on various Puranas and not the Vedas. Even the Vedic Gods are not worshiped in temples. Very few Hindus perform Yagnyas or Agnihotras. Do any sects of Hindus still follow Vedic traditions?


texts: What are the views of Gaudiya Vaishnavism on Adi Shankaracharya?

texts: Adi Shankaracharya is believed to be incarnation of Lord Shiva. What are views of Gaudiya Vaishnavism on Adi Shankaracharya?


texts: Visiting other temples after visiting Sri Kalahasti Temple

texts: Is it true that you are not supposed to visit other temples after visiting Sri Kalahasti Temple in India?


texts: Is killing justified in the Bhagwad Gita?

texts:
How according to Krishna's teaching to Arjuna, was the war between the two sides justified? Isn't fighting over a kingdom petty compared to the lives that would be lost?

Isn't killing (be it human or animal) against the basic tenets of Hinduism?

My understanding of the principle of Karma is that when you kill someone, you're interfering with their cycle of life and death, and you end up tarnishing your own soul, earning yourself 'bad' Karma.

Is this understanding incorrect?


texts: What was the purpose of Vishnu's incarnation as Rama's ancestor Mandhata?

texts:
Most people only know about Vishnu's incarnation Rama, who was a king of the solar dynasty.  But many generations before Rama, Vishnu incarnated as another solar dynasty king, known as Mandhata (AKA Mandhatri).  The story of Mandhata's birth is told in numerous Hindu scriptures, including this chapter of the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, this chapter of the Vishnu Purana, and this chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam.  It goes roughly as follows.
There was once a king of Ayodhya named Yuvanshva who had numerous wives but no children, so he conducted a Yagna to have a son.  The priests gave him a pot of water and told him to instruct one of his wives to drink it in order to become pregnabtt. But in the middle of the night, Yuvanshva was thirsty and accidentally drank the water himself.  So despite being a man, he became pregnant!  The Ashwini Kumaras, gods associated with medicine, helped deliver the child, named Mandhata, and then Indra provided it with milk from his finger.  Mandhata grew up to be a great emperor who apparently conquered the three worlds.  He had numerous daughters, who married the sage Saubhari, and he had illustrious sons like Muchukunda and Ambarisha (whom I discuss here.)
But my question is, what is the purpose of Vishnu incarnating as Mandhata?  As I discuss in this answer, the Matsya Purana describes various incarnations of Vishnu in the present Vaivasvata Manvantara, and here is all it says about the Mandhata incarnation:

The fifth incarnation was that of the world-Emperor, Mandhatri, which took place in the fifteenth Treta, when Uttanga was the officiating priest.

This excerpt from the Prabhasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana says the same thing:

The fifth incarnation was in the fifteenth Treta Yuga.  He was Mandhata, the emperor, along with Uthathya (as preceptor).

So was the purpose of this incarnation simply to become emperor of the world, or was there more to it than that?  I first heard about Mandhata when I was a little kid, while reading Devdutt Pattanaik's book "Vishnu: an Introduction" (which I recommend if you want a good basic understanding of things). Pattanaik claims that Mandhata was the first king to propagate the system of Varnashrama Dharma, or the system of castes and stages of life.  Pattanaik is known to take artistic license, though, so is there any scriptural basis for that?


texts:
As per Mahabharata, Bhishma said to Arjun, to lay him in middle, as Earth & Sky will not accept him.

What's the reason behind Earth & Sky not accepting Bhishma?
Is there some conditions to be accepted by Earth & Sky after Death?
Also there are a lot of questions arising out of both the Great Epics - Ramayana and Mahabharat. Is it that the details are not mentioned properly in the Epic or we are unable to find out the details required for these questions?

Please do provide more details. Thanks in advance.


texts: Is Marriage with desire considered to be adharma?

texts:
Marriage should be made in Love by the couples towards each other.
Marriages are also conducted with Desires like Beauty,Money,Physical Strength,etc,....
Material desires are not considered to be a dharma activity and thier actions are similar to Business as the actions are for Profit in material QUESTION :
If marriage made in love is made with desire will the marriage considered like marriage or Business.
If Marriage is done in desire will it be considered Adharma as it Violates the Core of Our Scriptural way for Marriage ?


texts: As Vishnu & Krishna idols or pics are shown wearing makarkundal, kaustubh gem, Srivatsalanchhan & such things. What is the right attire of Lord Rama as told in Texts to be shown wearing? At least when creating a pic/idol or decorating one. What are the essential pieces of jewelry, ornaments, clothes & marks He wears? Does He wear kanthi mala in neck? What does Lord Rama Archa Vigraha must wear?


texts: Where does the "Achyuta Anatha" shloka come from?

texts:
Achyuta anantha Govinda Namocharana Bheshajat
Nashyanthi Sakala Roga Satyam Satyam vadamyaham
Satyam Satyam Puna Satyam Udritya

Where does this shloka come from?


texts: Why was Widow re-marriage not tolerated in South India?

texts: Widows had their head shaved and forced into seclusion in South. Why??


texts: Were there only three Varnas in Vedic Age?

texts:
Satapatha Brahmana II. 1.4.11
“(Uttering), ‘bhuh’, Prajapati generated this earth. (Uttering)‘bhuvah’ he generated the air, and (Uttering) ‘svah’ he generated the sky.This universe is co-extensive with these worlds. (The fire) is placed with the whole. Saying ‘bhuh’, Prajapati generated the Brahman; saying ‘bhuvah’’ he generated the Kshattra; (and saying) ‘svah’, he generated theVis. The fire is placed with the whole. (Saying) ‘bhuh’, Prajapati generatedhimself; (saying) ‘bhuvah’, he generated offspring : saying ‘svah’, he generated animals. This world is so much as self, offspring, and animals. (The fire) is placed with the whole.”

Taittirya Brahmana III. 12.9.2
“This entire (universe) has been created by Brahma. Men say that the Vaishya class was produced from ric verses. They say that the Yajur Veda is the womb from which the Kshattriya was born. The Sama Veda is the source from which the Brahmins sprang. This word the ancients declared to the ancients.”

Why are Brahmanas speaking of only three Varnas? Was there never a Sudra Varna? What's the context of these hymms?


texts: Will Shaivism and Vaishnavism merge, if some one proves Vishnu and Siva to be the same?

texts:
I do not know much about whether there are any other fundamental differences between these two sects. The only difference I know is that the Vaishnavites believe Vishnu alone as their primary deity (Brahman) and Shaivites believe that Siva slone as primary deity.

Will they cease to exist independently and merge as one if proof exists that Siva and Vishnu are one and the same or any other issues are also needed to be sorted out apart from that?


texts: Where does this name come from?  Is the name being used in an endearing or otherwise positive manner?


texts: Is there a tradition that girls shouldn't be named after rivers?

texts: I remember an orthodox gentleman whose son married a girl called "Narmada" and he tried unsuccessfully to get it changed.


texts: What was the curse given by Dashratha to Kaikeyi?

texts: When Dasharatha was dying due to exile of Rama, what was the curse given by Dashratha to Kaikeyi and which was taken back when Rama urged after finishing the war with Ravana?


texts: Where is Surapadman in Sanskrit scriptures?

texts:
Kandha Puranam is a very revered Tamil scripture that talks about the glories of Lord Muruga (or Kartikeya). It was written by Kachiyappa Sivacharyar as the Tamil equivalent of Skanda Purana, and Muruga himself gave him guidance for this task.

The story revolves around Lord Muruga's divine leelas, and his defeat of the asura Surapadma, who is the son of Kaashyapa (not Kashyapa) and Maya, and is an elder brother to Simhamukha, Tarakasura and Ayomukhi (very similar to Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana and Surpanakha). It is stated that Surapadma conquered and ruled the universe for 108 Yugas, or 27 Chaturyugas. Now since Lord Muruga was incarnate in the Vaivasvata Manvantara, and had completed his leelas by the 23rd Chaturyuga, that would place Surapadman's conquest of the world in the Chakshusha Manvantara, for four Chaturyugas and subsequently in the Vaivasvata for 23 Chaturyugas.

But when we look at Sanskrit scriptures, we find no mention of Surapadman and Simhamukha at all. The whole purpose of Muruga's incarnation revolves around only Tarakasura, who is the son of Vajranga. Muruga directly marches for battle in Sanskrit texts, no mention being made of Pranavopadesha of Lord Shiva, the birth and exploits of the Navaviras, as well as the later marriage of kartikeya and Valli.

Incidentally Mahabharata also contains a story of Muruga killing a demon named Mahisha, and then marrying Devasena, which is what the Tamil account also says, except it replaces Mahisha with Surapadma.

So, is there any Sanskrit scripture which details of Muruga's conquest of Tarakasura, Simhamukha and Surapadma?


texts: What is the spat between Kubera and Vibhishana?

texts:
Kubera, the god of wealth is a (step) brother of Vibhishana. Vibhishana is always inclined towards righteous.
Consider the following words of Kubera

Kubera said— Vibhisana is still against to me. He does not abandon
the family protest against me. It is a fact that the wicked seldom
please if someone does any good for them. They remain as hard as the
thunderbolt of Indra. It is seen that sanguine relations never please
with virtues,assistance or friendship too.
[53-54, CHAPTER 63: Indra's rescue from the female sex, Narasimha Purana]

From the words of Kubera, it is clear that the relation between the Kubera and Vibhishana is not well. What is the reason for it? What unrighteous did Kubera do?


texts: We see many temples of Lord Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, Narasimha. Also temples for Varaha, Kurma, Hayagriva etc.. Are there any temples for Mohini avatar? Also, which avatars don't have temples and why?


texts: Scriptural verses that assign masculinity and femininity to varnas

texts: So my friend (of the Katyayan gotra) she is saying that kshatriyas are the masculine dominated varna, while braahmins are the androgynous dominated varna, a combination of masculine and feminine characteristics. Does this idea have any support in scripture?


texts: Where is this verse from in the Vedas about the Manusmriti?

texts:
This verse is said to exist in the Vedas:

  yad vai manuravadat tad bheṣajam

  ‘Whatever Manu has said is medicine.’


texts: Chariot of Yudhishthira never touched the ground while moving?

texts: I heard that Yudhishthira was great dharmatma and he never lied. And because of his this level of dharma prayanta, his chariot always stay above ground, it never touches the ground whenever Yudhishthira sit on a chariot. Is it really true that Yudhishthira's interest toward dharma makes him this level of dharmatma? Anywhere mentioned about this fact?


texts: Is panini's work "jambavati vijayam" fully lost?

texts: Do any of the scriptures or commentary refer back to the epic "Jambavati Vijayam"?  Or are some of its verses surviving somewhere?


texts: Partial and full incarnations: When divine beings incarnate on earth, do they continue to exist in their original abode?

texts:
I am having confusion that, whenever divine beings incarnate on earth, do they also continue to exist in their original abode?
Let us take the example of Narayana, the supreme god. It is said that whole world is just his dream.
It's been said that, only some amsha of Hari came on earth as different avatars (all dasha avatars). Even when the avatar was on earth, Vishnu was still there in Vaikunta.
Sometimes different avatars were there simultaneously. For example, both Krishna and Parashurama attended Yudhishtira's Rajasuya yagna.
Let us take the example of Lord Shiva. I faintly remember a Puranic story, where Shiva used Pashupatastra on his own incarnation. But the astra recognized the incarnation as Shiva himself and returned without harming him.
That solidified the fact that, even when Shiva's incarnation was just amsa of Lord Shiva.
But there is also confusion on, at the end of Dwapara, all Devas and Brahma came to Krishna and spoke to him as:

O You Foundation of Everything, for You there is no longer an
obligation to the godly, and the remaining part of the dynasty has
virtually been annihilated by this curse of the brahmins . Therefore
we ask You whether You intend to leave for Your Supreme Abode and if
You please want to continue with us, the protectors of all worlds and
their inhabitants, to protect the servants of Vaikunthha.
Reference: Srimadbhagavatam 11.6.26-27

Here they literally urge him to return to Vaikunta and protect them.  Now this causes the confusion that Vishnu was not present in Vaikunta?
Also, we have seen numerous other instances of Devas coming to earth as incarnations.
For example, Bhishma was a one of Asta Vasu (named Prabhasa), was cursed to born on earth. It's said that, once he left earthly body, he became Vasu again.
The Vasus are elemental gods, who are responsible for the basic 8 elements, Prabhasa being responsible for the Sky.
So the question is, if the whole soul of Prabhasa was cursed to be born on earth, not just his amsa, then who was responsible for the sky during his time on earth?
Or is it lesser gods or demi gods like Prabhasa-Bhishma who have full incarnations but only supreme gods like Vishnu or Shiva have a partial incarnation?
Pandavas, Karna etc., were clearly called sons of different Devas, not incarnations. But for Bhishma, his incarnation was due to a curse.


texts: Regarding Impurities in the Nâdis before starting Hatha Yoga

texts:
Consider the first paragraph from the introduction of Hatha Yoga Pradipika

  There exists at present a good deal of misconception with regard to
  the practices of the Haṭha Yoga. People easily believe in the stories
  told by those who themselves heard them second hand, and no attempt is
  made to find out the truth by a direct reference to any good treatise.
  It is generally believed that the six practices, in Haṭha Yoga are
  compulsory on the student and that besides being dirty, they are
  fraught with danger to the practiser. This is not true, for these
  practices are necessary only in the existence of impurities in the
  Nâdis, and not otherwise.

What are the six practices referring here?

How to confirm that whether impurities exist in the Nâdis or not?


texts: Why is Sanātana Dharma also sometimes called Ārṣa Dharma?

texts:
Most Hindus are familiar with the term "Sanātana Dharma" which is used in several scriptures. E.g., Manusmṛti 4.138 uses the term as follows:

satyaṃ brūyāt priyaṃ brūyānna brūyāt satyamapriyam |
priyaṃ ca nānṛtaṃ brūyādeṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ || 138 ||
He shall say what is true; and he shall say what is agreeable; he shall not say what is true, but disagreeale; nor shall he say what is agreeable, but untrue; this is the eternal law. — (138)

But why is Sanātana Dharma also called Ārṣa Dharma (आर्ष धर्म) sometimes?
Is it a colloquial term or actually used as such in any of our scriptures?
If so, what are some scriptures that use the term ārṣa dharma?


texts: Can a person be a guru for his own wife?

texts: Is it allowed for a person to be a guru for his own wife? Does any scripture disallows it?


texts: Which scriptures say that "Durga Devi is ignorant about Spiritual Life"?

texts:
As per the question : What is the source of "ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param" (of all methods of worship, Viṣṇu worship is the topmost)?  His Holiness Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says

  Durgā-devī is in charge of this material world. It is called durga, durga, just like fort. And the superintendent of this fort is Durgā. You cannot go out of this fort; you are imprisoned. Such Durgā-devī, who is so powerful energy—she can create, annihilate, maintain, sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana—she is always sitting by the side of her husband, Lord Śiva, and questioning about spiritual enquiries. Just see. Such powerful deity is also ignorant about spiritual life. So the husband, Lord Śiva, is Vaiṣṇava, and she's always asking, and sitting down underneath a bael tree. She can create so many universes, but for her, no building; only underneath a tree.

As per the Devi-Sukta of the Vedas, Devi Herself is Para-Brahman.As per Sri Sri Devi-Mahatmya, She is the Primal Cause of the Universe and the Supreme Goddess.

Devi asks Lord Shiva different questions in the Tantras also, but there it is seen as Her grace so that the knowledge of the Supreme is revealed through Shiva.

Which scriptures support Srila Prabhupada's claim that 'Durga Devi is ignorant about spiritual life' and being 'always' seated 'under a bael tree'? Also, any light on who created that bael tree?


texts:
Duhsala was the only daughter in the long lineage of offsprings of king Dhritrashtra and queen Gandhari. Her childhood was fruitful as she was loved and cared for by the auspicious king and his 100 sons as well as 5 Pandavas.

What happened to Dushala, Kauravas’ sister, after the Mahabharata?


texts: Which Vedic verses depict Lord Shiva/Rudra as the Brahman?

texts: I need any verses from sruti literature that is Vedas, Upanishad, Brahmanas etc to get answer.


texts: Help regarding translation of a text from Padma Purana 7.3.47b-51

texts:
The following quote is from Padma Purana, Kriyāyogasāra-Khaṇḍa, Chapter 3 - The Story of King Manobhadra, verses 47b-51:

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365844.html

  47b-51. These two large-armed ones, are really (men) of meritorious vows and a great heart. If there is any bad act seen among all acts, it is not giving a present to a brāhmaṇa, after picking it on their own. O king, due to that act only, these two went to hell. The giver who after picking a gift does not give it to a brāhmaṇa, goes to a fierce hell causing fear to all beings. The giver would not remember the gift; the receiver does not ask for it. Both live in hell as long as the moon and the sun are (in the sky). Therefore, O lord, these two, snatching the wealth of a brāhmaṇa, are great sinners.

The meaning is not clear to me. Can someone help? What was the sin of the two candalas exactly - not giving charity to brahmanas, stealing from brahmanas or something else?


texts: How is Soma's Rajasuya described in different Puranas?

texts: The part of the this episode I am most interested is Lakshmi leaving Narayana for Soma. And Vishnu unable to harm Soma as per Matsya Purana. Does all puranas have the same story?


texts: What do Vedas say about non-sacrificial killing of animals?

texts:
Do Vedas or any scripture say anything about any restrictions on non-sacrificial killing of animals?

We all know about animal sacrifices which was later explained by scholars.

But what about normal (non-ritual) animal killing, does it have any restrictions?


texts: Is the Battle of 10 kings mentioned in the Puranas or Itihasas?

texts:
Do the Puranas or Itihasas talk about the Battle of 10 kings mentioned in the Rig Veda Samhita?

Since this is a historical event, it might be mentioned in the Puranas.


texts: What is the origin of Namaskar? What does it signify?

texts:
Namaskar or Namaste is the traditional way of greeting/praying in India. Also in temples we use the same gesture to pray to the Lords. As Hinduism is hiding many unknown facts in it's rituals, curious to know about different views for this famous one.

What is the actual origin of this practice and what does it actually signify? Is there any text/scripture mentioning the practice? (for example, may be in any yoga postures?) What is the internal meaning of this practice if any?

One of the significance/internal meaning which I came to know is this one:

while praying, one hand represent the Jeevathma and other hand represent the Paramathma. When joining both hands together in front of God in the temple, the joined hands represent the concept of Parabrahma, i.e. the concept that both the God(Paramathma) and devotee(Jeevathma) is the same Parabrahma.


texts: As Stephen Hawking launches search for Aliens, I would like to know whether any of our Vedas have mentioned Aliens or any other living being living in different planet, who could be more intellectual than us. Please enlighten me.


texts: If I broke a promise that I made to Bhagwan - specifying the consequence of me breaking it, what can be done?

texts:
I made a promise to Bhagwan that I would not effuse semen for a month, and if I did, I asked Him to throw me in naraka or make me go through animal reincarnation (8.4 million times). I broke it.
Also, I had my upanayana at age 13 but broke the vow because I did not know about the vow and then when I did become aware, I continued to break it because I felt it had already been broken and I was already addicted. I made the vow above on the question such that I thought it could break my addiction but it did not.


texts: What are some of the devotional works by Madhusudan Saraswati?

texts:
Madhusudhan Saraswati, the author of the famous work, Advaitasiddhi was a Vaishnava belonging to the Shankarite sect. A great devotee of Shri Krishna, he is said to have been initially against Advaita but later accepted it to be the highest truth.

I want to know whether he has written any devotional works dedicated to Shree Krishna? If yes, what are the names of these works? Are any of these works available online in English?


texts:
In Mahabharata and many other scriptures, there is a class of elite people called Charanas.
For example, consider the following excerpt from Mahabharata

The men carried the message in a trice to the court. And the citizens
of Hastinapura, hearing of the arrival of thousands of Charanas and Munis, were filled with wonder. And it was soon after
sunrise that they began to come out in numbers with their wives and
children to behold those ascetics. Seated in all kinds of cars and
conveyances by thousands, vast numbers of Kshatriyas with their wives,
and Brahmanas with theirs came out.
[Section 126, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, The Mahabharata]

Who are called Charanas? What is meant by Charana?


texts: What are the details of vanaspativijñāna (botany) in Atharva Veda?

texts:
I have heard that classification of plants is described in Atharva Veda and this classification is somewhat similar to the modern plants classification found in botany.

Where in Atharva Veda, this classification is found and what are the details (only classification names would be enough if description is too long)?


texts:
According to Hinduism , what is Atman?
What is the role of Atman in the birth , life, death , Nirvana cycle of life?


texts: Many pics show Ucchista Ganesh with Devi and many in dancing form. What is the correct form of Ucchista Ganesh? What is the most basic mantra for chanting?


texts:
There are two "distinct" words used for worship, in Sanskrit, namely अर्चना and पूजा.
What is the basic difference between the two and their implementation, by a साधक (devotee) ?
Also, please tell scenarios/cases, when not exclusively one of them is used and not the other word.


texts:
From http://ramayana.tigercoder.com/07uttara/uttara_016.html:

  “After being spoken to in this way by Lord Shiva, Ravana, the lord of Lanka replied: ‘O Lord Shiva, if you are pleased with me, grant me a boon which I am eager for. I am already unkillable by gods, gandharvas, danavas, rakshasas, guhyakas, nagas and others who are greater than these. O lord, I do not count human beings because I think that they are insignificant. O destroyer of the Tripura demon, I have received a boon of long life from Lord Brahma. Please grant me the rest of my life which I desire, as well as a weapon.’

  “When requested in this way by Ravana, Lord Shiva presented him with a shining sword known as Candrahasa. Shiva, the lord of ghosts, also granted him at that time the remainder of his life. Lord Shiva said: ‘You should not disregard this sword. If you do, it will undoubtedly return to me.’

Why didn't Ravana use the Chandrahasa sword against Lord Rama?

If he lost it before the war, then, how exactly did he lose it?

I searched many times for an answer but I couldn't find the exact reason why it was not used against lord ram.


texts: In some Brahmin Sects there exists practice of pouring milk on Naga statues on Thai and Aadi Fridays. Has it been mentioned in any puranas?What is the significance ?  Why it is not applicable to all Brahmin sects?


texts: Why does the Pancharatra Agamas contradict the Vedanta Sutras?

texts:
As per the Pancharatra Agamas which are followed by the Sri Vaishnava community, there is no restriction for followers and learners based on varna. Shudras even serve as priests in the Vaishnava temples.

However, Vedanta Sutras clearly forbids Shudras from studying Vedanta and following other Vedantic practices.

Interestingly, Sri Vaishnavas claim that Pancharatra is derived from the
lost Vedic shakhas (which is not possible to verify now).

Even Vedantins claim that Vedanta Sutras are the essence of the vedic knowledge.

On the other hand, Sankaracharya considered Pancharatra Agamas as non-Vedic in nature.

Now when both of Pancharatra and Vedanta sutras claim to trace from vedic origin, how come both contradict in terms of shudras and their eligibility?

Does it mean that either of them is non-Vedic in origin contrary to their claims?

Vedanta sutras do not allow Shudras to study Vedanta but Vaishnava samskara is irrespective of Shudra or not.
Why is it so?


texts: Who are the demonic beings called Yatudhanas?

texts:
This verse of Rigveda mentions a class of beings called Yatudhanas:

  I balm with oil the mighty Rakṣas-slayer; to the most famous Friend I come for shelter
  Enkindled, sharpened by our rites, may Agni protect us in the day and night from evil.
  2 O Jātavedas with the teeth of iron, enkindled with thy flame attack the demons.
  Seize with thy tongue the foolish gods' adorers: rend, put within thy mouth the raw-flesh caters.
  3 Apply thy teeth, the upper and the lower, thou who hast both, enkindled and destroying.
  Roam also in the air, O King, around us, and with thy jaws assail the wicked spirits.
  4 Bending thy shafts through sacrifices, Agni, whetting their points with song as if with whetstones,
  Pierce to the heart therewith the Yātudhānas, and break their arms uplifed to attack thee.
  5 Pierce through the Yātudhāna's skin, O Agni; let the destroying dart with fire consume him.
  Rend his joints, Jātavedas, let the cater of flesh, flesh-seeking, track his mangled body.

There are similar other verses that point to these demons being a class of Rakshasas that may be especially susceptible to fire. From the above verse we can also surmise that they eat flesh and fly in the air but I haven't come across any specific Yatudhana story.

So my question is - Who are these demonic beings & are there any stories related to them in any other scriptures?


texts: How many old scriptures i.e, original purana scripts are available besides Ramayana and Bhagavatam right now undamaged?

texts:
Since many Puranas were transferred to the next generations orally and written later on.
So, how many were written and been kept undamaged by priests till now? If available online share the link!!


texts: Is there anything like spiritual impurity in Hinduism?

texts:
Is there anything like Spiritual Impurity (hindi: आध्यात्मिक मलिनता, ādhyātmika malinatā ) in Hinduism?
For eaxample: Are there any such acts/deeds (committed voluntarily or involuntarily), besides the famous Shadripu (षड्रिपु),  that might be explained in the scriptures, (either from the previous births or the current one), which make a person spiritually weak or stop anyone from having spiritual growth? Can exalted people gauge other's spiritual prowess and cleanse them of any such impurities? What are the views of scriptures on this?


texts: Who was elder amongst Lava and Kusha ( twins of Rama and Sita)?

texts:
I get different answers from different sources as for who is the elder of the twins.

I think this has to do with the addition of lore of Valmiki creating the twins from a grass (Kusha) but is there a definite sloka which determines who was the eldest amongst the twins

For example :
  This wiki page quotes Kusha as eldest.


texts: I've always heard about the mother of the devas or precisely Indra that is Aditi. But who according to Hinduism is the father of Indra?


texts: Is the Atharvaveda mentioned in the Samaveda?

texts:
I found a mantra on a site which is from the Samaveda.(I don't know where it is in the Samaveda).

  दोषो आगाद्बृहद्गाय द्युमद्गामन्नाथर्वण । स्तुहि देवँ सवितारम्॥

Is this mantra mentioned in the Samaveda? Is the Atharvaveda really mentioned in this mantra?


texts: Do any non-Vaishnava Agamas trace their origins to a Vedic Shakha?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, Hindu scripture is made up of two categories, Shruti or that which is heard from the gods, and Smriti or that which is composed by humans authors and passed down from teacher to student via oral tradition.  It's well-known that Smriti encompasses many different categories of texts, like the Puranas, Itihasas (Ramayana and Mahabharata), Dharma Shastras, etc.  What is not as well-known, however, is that Shruti also has two categories - Nigamas aka the Vedas which primarily focus on performing Yagnas (fire-rituals), and Agamas which focus on worshipping the gods through idol worship and other means.

The divide between these two categories isn't always so clear-cut, however.  Pretty much all mainstream Vaishnavas follow a set of Agamic texts known as the Pancharatra Agamas, which I discuss here.  But as I discuss in this answer, many people believe that the Pancharatra Agamas actually originate from a now-extinct Shakha (recension) of the Shukla Yajur Veda, known as the Ekayana Shakha, founded by Vishnu's incarnation sage Narayana.    (I discuss the Vedic Shakhas more generally here.). Similarly, the Vaikhanasa Agamas, which are followed by a tiny minority of Vishnu-worshippers, are believed to originate from a branch of the Krishna Yajur Veda founded by Brahma's incarnation Vikhanasa, whom I discuss here.

My question is, do people make any similar claims about non-Vaishnava Agamas?  In addition to the Vaishnava Agamas I discussed above, there are also Shaiva Agamas and Shakta Agamas, more commonly known as Tantras.  (Ignore the modern connotations of the word.)  Are there any claims by followers of those Agamas that they originate from some Vedic Shakha?  Does Kashmiri Shaivism or Shaiva Siddhanta, for instance, claim that their respective Tantric texts originate from a Shakha of the Vedas?

Note that I'm not just looking for generic claims that an Agama is Vedic in origin; I want a claim of a specific Shakha of the Vedas.  Also, the purpose of my question isn't to adjudicate the validity of these claims, simply to find out if any such claims exist.


texts: Where can I get good books / pdfs on Mira bai?

texts: I wanted to read the life of Mira bai written by a devotee and not a historian who will try to cross verify whether the facts mentions are true or not. Poems are available online but a devotional book on Mira bai that will kindle ones devotion was what I wanted.


texts: Can we do Gayatri japam without its being part of Sandhyavandanam?

texts:
I don't mean to ask whether we can skip sandhyavandanam and do Gayatri japam instead. I know we can't.

Say, I feel like doing the japam at around 3 or 4 p.m. Is that allowed?


texts: What can I do to reduce anger, greed, lust, fear and ego?

texts:
As per Hindu scriptures,
What are the things one can do in daily life that would reduce anger, greed, lust, fear and ego over time?

Please don't say "surrender yourself to the lord" that's not what I am looking for. Also "do your karma" & "follow your dharma" does not count because they are way too high level for a poor soul like me.


texts: What are some good reference texts on history of Hinduism?

texts: I am asking about books written by historians on the state/nature of Hinduism through various centuries.


texts: Are Apsaras promiscuous women for the enjoyment of the inhabitants of heaven?

texts:
This answer cites a verse from the Devi Bhagavatam:

  Then those prostitutes of the Devas, dressed with their heavenly
  ornaments and the heavenly flowers, appeared before the Munis and
  bowed down their heads on the ground.

The part in bold is referring to the Apsaras, otherwise known as celestial nymphs. Their job is to basically go around and have sex with everyone who has been rewarded with heaven.

Here is another verse from the Mahabharata:

  "We Apsaras are free and unconfined in our choice. It behooves you
  not, therefore, to esteem me as your superior. The sons and grandsons
  of Puru's race, that have come here in consequence of ascetic merit do
  all sport with us, without incurring any sin. We have no husband, no
  sons, indeed, no relations."

Are there any other scriptural verses that talk about the sexual services provided by the Apsaras?


texts: Who is sage Ganaka, the seer of so many mantras to Ganesha?

texts:
This excerpt from the Narada Purana describes a certain mantra called the Ganesha Nyasa, a hymn to Ganesha.  Here's the preamble to that mantra:

  The matrikas of Ganesha have Ganaka as its sage, the meter is nivrit gayatri, the lord is Shakti Ganeshwara.

My question is, who is this sage Ganaka who heard the Ganesha Nyasa from the gods?  This isn't the only Ganesha mantra heard by Ganaka.  Here is what the Ganapati Atharvashirsha Upanishad, which I discuss here, says about the famous Mahaganapati mantra:

  Ga is the first syllable, after that the first letter, beyond that m, then the half-moon all together. Joined with m, this is the mantra form.
  The letter ga is the first form, letter a the middle form, m the last form. bindu the higher form, nada the joining together, samhita the junction. This is the vidya of Lord Ganesha.
  Ganaka is the seer, nricad-gayatri the metre, Shri Mahaganapati the devata.

So who is this sage Ganaka who heard these mantras to Ganesha from the gods?

Considering the similarity of their names, I suspect Ganaka is an incarnation of Ganesha himself.  This isn't without precedent; Vishnu's incarnation sage Narayana heard the Purusha Sukta, a famous hymn to Vishnu which I discuss here.  Similarly, Shiva's incarnation sage Dakshinamurthy heard a Shiva mantra called the Shiva Nyasa, as I discuss here.  So is it possible that Ganesha took an incarnation as a sage and heard mantras about himself?

Are there any other scriptures that describe the identity of the sage the sage Ganaka?  Was he the seer of any Vedic mantras?  References to Ganesha in ancient Hindu scripture are few and far between, because he only rose to popularity later, so it may be hard to find.


texts: Are there any authenticated records of Ramanand Swami's (Kabir's guru) teachings?

texts: I recently learned that Ramananda Swami was a guru of Kabir's and I am curious to learn more about his teachings. However have not been able to locate anything online as most of the current Google hits are all about the contemporary Ramananda Swami. Am keen to learn more about his work with the Vaishnava sampradaya.


texts: Why is Akasha considered as a basic element in the Vedas?

texts:
This wiki page mentions that the Charvakas did not accept Akasha as a basic element as it is not tangible and according to them, there are only four basic elements.

I would like to know why Akasha is considered as a Bhoota (basic element) according to the Vedas.

PS: I just would like to know the Vedic viewpoint (Uttara Paksha) before I delve into what Charvakas are saying (Purva Paksha). No disrespect is intended.


texts: Is karma action based or intention based?

texts:
Karma is a universal. So is karma intention based or action based. Example : if I pushed someone because I wanted to hurt him but it endup saving his life.
Will I get good karma for saying his life or will I get bad karma because I wanted to hurt him. My intention was wrong, but my actions was correct.


texts: Bhumihars are one of the abundant tribes of UP and Bihar. They are referred to as descendants of Lord Parshuram. As Lord Parshuram was a sage how can he have descendants? If he was married who was his wife and is it mentioned in any scriptures or religious books about the descendants of Parshuram? This link refers about the bhumihars. What is the exact origin story of Bhumihar who are also termed as Bhumihar Brahmins?


texts: Did any school of philosophy ever criticized each other on path they choose to attain Moksha?

texts:
There are 6 schools of thought in Hinduism. All of them have different ways(yoga) to attain Moksha.
So did any philosopher/scholar ever criticized each other on the path they choose to attain Moksha.
For example
Did samakhys critized Nyaya because Nyaya goes for jnana(knowledge) yoga but Samkhya goes for dhayan(meditation) yoga.


texts: According to Hinduism who is right about free will (Vivekananda or Chanakya)?

texts:
Swami Vivekananda says "nothing is impossible you can do anything and everything, believe in that". Chanakya (Kautilya) says "fate can't be changed you have to face your bhagya".

Interesting thing is that Chanakya picked up a boy playing in the mud and vowed to make him king of whole India and he did . Either he knew the future or says two different things.


texts: How can Karna, the son of a god, be associated with the origin of Pitri Paksh?

texts:
I was checking out the legends associated with the Pitri Paksh or Shraadh rituals and it led me to the story of Karna which goes like this:

  When the legendary donor Karna died in the epic Mahabharata war, his soul transcended to heaven, where he was offered gold and jewels as food. However, Karna needed real food to eat and asked Indra, the lord of heaven, the reason for serving gold as food. Indra told Karna that he had donated gold all his life, but had never donated food to his ancestors in Shraddha. Karna said that since he was unaware of his ancestors, he never donated anything in their memory. To make amends, Karna was permitted to return to earth for a 15–day period, so that he could perform Shraddha and donate food and water in their memory. This period is now known as Pitru Paksha.In some legends, Yama replaces Indra.

First of all, does that imply there were no Shraads performed before the Mahabharat times?

And secondly, being the son of Surya, which ancestors would Karna perform Shraadh for - if it is Kunti's ancestors, wouldn't other Pandavs perform ceremony for them anyways?


texts: Why did god create humans according to hinduism?

texts:
What the reason god thought, for creating humans. I mean here was no requirement for god to create humans. God could have created just microrganism plants and few animals.

But why did god create humans. There was nothing mandatory for god to create humans.

God could have just stoped after creating microrganism, but god proceds furthure to create humans.

Why was this thing to create humans necessary for god?


texts:
This is my first post on the Hinduism community and I do not have prior knowledge of the rules of the community, so I hope my question is in the right place. I have found that the stories of lore sometimes help solve or at least tackle the same philosophical questions that we face in life. This motivated me to ask a question here about a question I'm currently trying to resolve for myself.

I have been struggling with a philosophical question for a while which deals with choosing between two dual approaches. To put it simple terms, when trying to solve a problem, there is a top-down approach and there is a bottom-up approach. Both these approaches are supposed to solve the same problem but they take opposing views and actions. In a way, these are dual to each other. Neither is better than the other but sometimes one is preferable over the other. Most times its difficult to say which one is preferable. But the deeper idea here is that for every approach there is a dual approach. The highs and lows of life, spirituality vs. materialism, and many other examples show us that duality is indeed a significant concept.

Coming back to my question about dual problem solving approaches, I believe that investing in a harmonious alliance of both approaches is well worth the effort when solving some problems, but it is not always clear how one could go about doing this. And this brings up to why I am posting here. I am looking for stories from the Vedas or Puranas which deal with duality as a source of motivation for answering my own question. For example, Guru Shukra and Guru Bṛhaspati are sages on opposite sides but their objectives are ultimately the dissemination of knowledge (Please correct me if i have this wrong.) I am looking for stories like this not only hoping that it would help me with my own question, but also because they are interesting on their own. Can someone point me to stories like this or sources where i can find them? Thanks.


texts: Are women allowed to be Hindu sanyasis/monks?

texts:
Many religions have a history of disallowing women (or men, in some cases) from being religious leaders.

What level of leadership are women allowed to hold in Hinduism?
Is there anything significant about the history of women in Hinduism?


texts: What Mleccha languages are used in the Vedas according to Purva Mimamsa?

texts:
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa that summarizes and systematizes the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads. (You can read the Brahma Sutras here.) But the Vedanta school didn't always have the dominant position in Hindu philosophy; before the time of Adi Shankaracharya the dominant school of Hindu philosophy was the Purva Mimamsa school, which I discuss here. In contrast to the Vedanta school which is devoted to analyzing the Jnana Kanda of the Vedas, i.e. the Upanishads, Purva Mimamsa focused on analyzing the Karma Kanda of the Vedas, i.e. the Samhitas and Brahmanas.
In any case, in Adhyaya 1 Pada 3 of Jaimini's Purva Mimamsa Sutras, the defining text of the Purva Mimamsa school, Jaimini discusses how to determine the meaning of a word occurring in the Vedas.  He argues that by default one should rely on the meaning of the word in the language of the Aryas, i.e. Sanskrit.  But if a given word in the Vedas has no meaning in Sanskrit, then he says that one should rely on the meaning of the word in the languages of Mlecchas or foreigners.  Here's what this excerpt from Shabara's commentary on the Purva Mimamsa Sutras says:

It has been established that that meaning is to be regarded as more authoritative which is accepted by persons who take their stand upon the scriptures. Now in the Veda, we meet with certain words which are not used by the Aryas (who are the people that take their stand on the scriptures) in any sense at all, but are in use among Mlechchhas; such are the words "pika", "nema", "sata", "tamarasa" and such others. In regard to these, there arises the question - Are we to deduce their meaning from their etymology, commentaries and roots with the help of lexicons and grammar? Or should we accept that as their meaning in which sense they are used by the Mlechchhas? ...
The meaning that is imparted to a word even by uncultured people, -even though not known to the cultured - would be comprehended, - and it would not be right to reject what has been comprehended and which is not incompatible with any authority.... From all this we conclude that (according to the usage of the Mlechchhas), the word "pika" should be taken in the sense of the cuckoo,- the word "nema" in the sense of half - the word "tamarasa" in the sense of lotus, - the word "sata" in the sense of “wooden vessel, round in shape and with hundred-holes”.

Now I find it surprising that the Vedas would have any non-Sanskrit words.  So my question is, what Mleccha language or languages are used in the Vedas according to the Purva Mimamsa school?
First of all, what languages are the four words mentioned in Shabara's commentary taken from?  "Tamarasam" means lotus flower in Dravidian languages like Tamil and Telugu.  Page 315 of this book suggests that "pika" comes from Latin and "nema" comes from Persian.  But in what language does "sata" denote a round wooden vessel?  And are there more languages besides the languages that these four words come from?
Also, do other schools of philosophy disagree with the Purva Mimamsa school's view that some words in the Vedas are words from Mleccha languages?  I had always thought that the Vedas consisted entirely of Sanskrit words.


texts: Is it correct to take the God's photos kept in temple by some others under the tree? We should not take the broken ones, I know. Recently I found a new plastic laminated srirangapatna ranganatha swamy photo and the next day a brand new Raghavendra swamy laminated not even the plastic removed. I asked the archaka and took both the photos. Incidentally it was 345th brindavana aradana for Ragavendra swamy on Saturday [Madhya Aradhana]


texts:
Is the Big Dipper or Ursa Major constellation connected with the Saptarshis?
I remember a childhood story to that effect.


texts: What is astrological Devimana Ashtangam followed by the Shaktas?

texts: Like the Panchangam of the jyotisha, we have the Ashtangam used by shaktas, what are its constituents ?


texts: Who is the Rig Vedic god Manyu who resembles Indra?

texts:
Rig Veda Book 10 Verse 83 mentions someone called Manyu while describing the exploits of Indra:

HE who hath reverenced thee, Manyu, destructive bolt, breeds for himself forthwith all conquering energy. Ārya and Dāsa will we conquer with thine aid, with thee the Conqueror, with conquest conquest-sped.

Manyu was Indra, yea, the God, was Manyu, Manyu was Hotar, Varuṇa, Jātavedas. The tribes of human lineage worship Manyu. Accordant with thy fervour, Manyu, guard us.

Come hither, Manyu, mightier tham the mighty; chase, with thy fervour for ally, our foemen. Slayer of foes, of Vṛtra, and of Dasyu, bring thou to us all kinds of wealth and treasure.

For thou art, Manyu, of surpassing vigour, fierce, queller of the foe, and self-existent, Shared by all men, victorious, subduer: vouchsafe to us superior strengith in battles.

I have departed, still without a portion, wise God! according to thy will, the Mighty.I, feeble man, was wroth thee, O Manyu I am myself; come thou to give me vigour.

Come hither. I am all thine own; advancing turn thou to me, Victorious, All-supporter! Come to me, Manyu, Wielder of the Thunder: bethink thee of thy friend, and slay the Dasyus.

Approach, and on my right hand hold thy station: so shall we slay a multitude of foemen. The best of meath I offer to support thee: may we be first to drink thereof in quiet.

Now wiki mentions that the Shatpatha Brahman equates him with Rudra but by the above verses about him wielding the Vajra & slaying Vritra, it seems he is more related to Indra. Are there any more details available about him in any other scripture?


texts: What is the meaning of mahavakya and how was/is it used?

texts:
What is the meaning of mahavakya? What was/is it used for, I mean what is its importance? What does mahavakya convey? This is not specifically with respect to Advaita Vedanta, but in general whichever darshana or any school who used that term.

Note: This is not a duplicate of any of the questions linked below.

I am asking the usage of mahavakya in the past by different schools, not Advaita alone.

For eg:  Adi Shankaracharya uses mahavakya in a different sense in Sariraka Bhasya 1.3.33:

  न हि महावाक्ये ऽर्थप्रत्यायकेऽवान्तरवाक्यस्य पृथक्प्रत्यायकत्वमस्ति यथा
  न सुरां पिबेत् इति नञ्वति वाक्ये पदत्रयसंबन्धात्सुरापानप्रतिषेध
  एवैकोऽर्थोऽवगम्यते न पुनः सुरां पिबेदिति
  पदद्वयसंबन्धात्सुरापानविधिरपीति।

  na hi mahāvākye'rthapratyāyake'vāntaravākyasya
  pṛthakpratyāyakatvamasti yathā na surāṃ pibet iti nañvati vākye
  padatrayasaṃbandhātsurāpānapratiṣedha evaiko'rtho'vagamyate na punaḥ
  surāṃ pibediti padadvayasaṃbandhātsurāpānavidhirapīti।

  For in general any minor syntactical unity, which is included in a
  more comprehensive syntactical unity conveying a certain meaning, does
  not possess the power of expressing a separate meaning of its own.
  Thus, for instance, we derive, from the combination of the three words
  constituting the negative sentence, '(Do) not drink wine,' one meaning
  only, i.e. a prohibition of drinking wine, and do not derive an
  additional meaning, viz. an order to drink wine, from the combination
  of the last two words, 'drink wine.'

Here, the mahavakya is "(Do) not drink wine".

Another example, Satya Sai or his disciples used the word mahavakya in another sense: Satya Sai Mahavakyas

Thus, I am asking how mahavakyas have been used by different schools, what is the meaning they want to convey?


texts: In which of his books did Bhaskara Raya say "kaulaat parataram nahi"?

texts:
In his texts the great Sri Vidya guru Bhaskara raya says "kaulAt parataram nAhi".
In association to the glory of kaula path.

In which text is it found?

What is its meaning and context?


texts: What is Vivekananda's / his disciples' / Ramakrishna Math's stance on homosexuality?

texts:
What were Swami Vivekananda's views on homosexuality? What did he preach on this topic?

If he did not discuss this topic, what is the current view of his disciple-acharyas at the Ramakrishna Math?

What is the official position of Ramakrishna Math on this? Does it consider it a sin?

My question is similar to What is Paramahamsa Vishwananda's stance on homosexuality? which unfortunately as of now remains closed as "primarily opinion-based."


texts: How do Dvaitins interpret the Brahma Sutras where it says Brahman is the material cause of the universe?

texts:
The school of Dvaita philosophy of Madhvacharya believes that Brahman is not the material cause of the universe, but only the efficient cause.

But at the end of chapter 2, section 2, the Brahma Sutras refute the Pasupata school partly on the grounds that it rejects Brahman as being the material cause of the universe.

If this is the case, how can the Dvaita school support the Brahma Sutras? In other words, how do they interpret the sutras where it suggests Brahman being the material cause?


texts: Did Bhima drink the blood of Duhsasana in the Mahabharata war?

texts:
It is said that Bhima drank the blood of Duhsasana in the Mahabharata war.

Please post the relevant verses from the Mahabharata about this.


texts: How Arjuna fought against Bhishma, Drona without Gita Gyan?

texts:
We all know that Arjuna dropped weapons in Kurukshetra war because he couldn't fight against Bhishma and Drona and needed Gita gyan.

  Bhagwad Gita 1:34-35:-Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, grandsons, fathers-in-law, grand-nephews, brothers-in-law, and other kinsmen are present here, staking their lives and riches. O Madhusudan, I do not wish to slay them, even if they attack me. If we kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, what satisfaction will we derive from the dominion over the three worlds, what to speak of this Earth?

But in Virat war Arjuna fought against these warriors without hesitation. How?


texts: Why does geeta call vedas as traigunya vishaya?

texts:
The famous verse of geeta is delivered as an upadesha which says arjuna that vedas are subject of trigunas and hence he should go beyond vedas i.e trigunas.

त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन |
निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान्

Now we know that vedas are brahma vishaya indeed because it talks about brahman and god etc.

In many places veda is synonymous with brahman

Why then BG asks to overcome or renounce the vedas ?

Is there anything beyond veda vishaya?


texts: Lesser known but main wives of Lord Krishna apart from Rukmini, Satyabhama and Jambavati?

texts: I have heard/read somewhere that there were 8 major wives of Lord Krishna. Also there were some approx. 16,000 girls that Lord Krishna freed from Narakasura and as no one would marry them, therefore Lord Krishna married them all. However, out of the 8 major wives, I currently know of only Rukmini, Satyabhama and Jambavati and their stories. Can someone please tell me who the other ones are out of the 8 major ones?  Also, please let me know their stories related to how they got married to Lord Krishna.


texts: Why did Arjuna not have any issues fighting with the Kurus in VirAta battle?

texts:
In the virAta parva of MahAbhArata. There was a great battle of Virata where Arjuna defeated the whole of Kuru army single handedly.

If he did not have any guilt, fear, sorrow in fighting with his own people in Virata then why he had such issues only during the final Kurukshetra battle?


texts:
Ancient books list?
Thank you in advance. I am in search of meditation books.
A list of them please help


texts: Why do priests tie up flower garlands when performing Rudrekadasi?

texts:
While performing Rudrekadasi, the priests tie the flower garland across the room or from the ceiling of the room.

Why is this done?


texts: What is the inner meaning of the phrase dark wombs (kṛṣṇayonīḥ) in the Rig Vedic mantra II.20.7?

texts:
Rig Veda II.20.7 says

स वृ॑त्र॒हेन्द्र॑: कृ॒ष्णयो॑नीः पुरंद॒रो दासी॑रैरय॒द्वि ।
अज॑नय॒न्मन॑वे॒ क्षाम॒पश्च॑ स॒त्रा शंसं॒ यज॑मानस्य तूतोत् ॥७॥
sa vṛtrahendraḥ kṛṣṇayonīḥ purandaro dāsīrairayad vi | ajanayan manave
kṣāmapaśca satrā śaṃsaṃ yajamānasya tūtot ||
Smasher of Vr̥tra, splitter of fortresses, Indra razed the Dāsa
(fortresses) with their dark wombs. He gave birth to the earth and the
waters for Manu. In every way he makes the sacrificer’s laud powerful.

What is the inner meaning of the phrase  dark wombs (kṛṣṇayonīḥ)  in this Rig Vedic mantra?


texts: Why do people praise/worship only the tails of cows?

texts: In many temples, I have seen people praise the tail of a cow instead of its head or legs (which are common). Praising the head of a cow is said to be counted as a sin. What is the reason behind this? Is there any mythological story about this practice?


texts: Is it wrong according to Hinduism to marry a girl name Swati?

texts:
Manu Smriti 3.9 says this: "A man should not marry a woman named after a constellation".
Now, Swati is a constellation.
So, is it wrong to marry a girl named Swati?


texts: Did Vedanta Desikan debate Tuvarapati Kavalar?

texts:
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya.  Now the Vedanta Desika Divya Charitram, which you can read here, is a biography of Vedanta Desikan attributed to Dvitiya Brahmatantra Svatantra Jeeyar, who was Vedanta Desikan’s shishya’s shishya.  But I have reason to believe that it’s not an authentic work by him.  Let me explain.

This excerpt from the Vedanta Desika Charitram contains an odd account of a debate between Vedanta Desikan and a scholar from Sri Rangam named Tuvarapati Kavalar, wherein Vedanta Desikan repudiates the various teachings in his works now associated with Vadakalais and adopts the beliefs of Thenkalais.  In some cases he says that he now realizes that something he wrote in his works was wrong, and in other cases he says that while his works may seem to say one thing they actually mean something else.  This strikes me as implausible, and seems like it was written to promote the notion that Vedanta Desikan was really a Thenkalai in his beliefs.

But my question is, are there any other works that mention Vedanta Desikan debating someone named Tuvarapati Kavalar?  That may help determine whether this work is authentic or not.

I haven't found any references to Tuvarapati Kavalar at first glance.  His name means "guardian of Dwaraka", and it's a name of Krishna, if that helps.


texts: Religious organizations in India that teach Vedas or scriptures with a day job

texts: For a person wanting to give up material needs, devote to God and study ancient Indian scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads etc.), are there any religious community organizations in India where he could also earn or get food two times a day while the primary focus is on Vedic studies?


texts: Krishna sects seemed to have risen in medieval period. What caused the sects to rise? Name of the sects and their beliefs can be stated in the answer.  ( I know about Gaudiya tradition and Vallabha sect to some extent but one can include them as well in answers, I am more looking for sects like Radha-pranami etc..).


texts:
Looking for Sanskrit slokas for below listed Vrata kathas (only stories of the vrata's and not the vrata puja itself). Many thanks for links to any or all the below.

Vara Mahalakshmi Vrata
Pradosha Vrata
Masa Shivarathri Vrata
Maha Shivarathri Vrata
Nitya Somavara Vrata
Uma Maheshwara Vrata
Jyothir Bhimeshwara Vrata
Kedareshwara Vrata
Sankatahara Chathurthi Vrata
Ganesha Chathurthi (Vara Siddhi Vinayaka) Vrata
Swarna Gauri Vrata
Mangala Gauri Vrata
Kedara Gauri Vrata
Rushi Panchami Vrata
Satyanarayana Vrata
Anantha Padmanabha Vrata
Narasimha Jayanti Vrata
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vrata (Vishnu)
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vrata (Shiva)
Krishna Janmastami Vrata
Garuda Panchami Vrata
Hanumadjayanti Vrata
Vata Savithri Vrata
Saraswati Vrata
Shravana Dwadashi Vrata

thank you.


texts: Does Hinduism allow siblings to have their marriages at the same time?

texts:
Let us consider the following scenario:

X, Y are children to same parents and are going to marry a, b respectively.  Are there any rules in Hinduism that does not allow X and Y to have their marriage at the same time?

If there are no such rules, are there any examples in Hindu scriptures where siblings got marry individually at the same time?

Note that Y may be the brother or sister for X and X can be of any gender.


texts: Do Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva represent Cosmic Energy, Cosmic Space and Cosmic Time?

texts:
Are there any interpretations of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva representing Cosmic Energy, Cosmic Space and Cosmic Time?
If not, what exactly do Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva represent symbolically?


texts: Hanuman and the highest state of Sri Rama bhakti

texts:
On learning about the  whereabouts of Goddess Sita  from Jatayu’s brother Sampati, the brave Hanuman crossed the endless seas and proceeded to Lanka.
He found Goddess Sita in Ashoka Vatika and assured her that God Sri Rama would  attack Lanka soon ,to  free her from Ravana’s captivity.

On completion of his meeting with  Goddess Sita,  Hanuman took a decision to implement the strategy of "open" assault. And accordingly, started destroying the royal garden of Ravana.

  यो ब्राह्मम् अस्त्रम् वेदान् च वेद वेदविदाम् वरः |

  स त्वाम् दाशरथी रामो देवि कौशलम् अब्रवीत् || ५-३४-३

  O Divine Lady! Rama the son of Dasaratha, who is excellent among the knowers of Veda and who knows Brahma's missile (a mythical weapon which deals infallible destruction) and Vedas the sacred knowledge, enquired about your welfare."

  अल्प शेषम् इदम् कार्यम् दृष्टा इयम् असित ईक्षणा |

  त्रीन् उपायान् अतिक्रम्य चतुर्थ इह दृश्यते || ५-४१-२

  I have seen this black-eyed Seetha. There is only a little that remains to be done by me. Abandoning the three strategies for success{viz, sowing dissension, negotiation and bribery},I have to implement here the fourth strategy viz. open assault."

  ततः तद्त् हनुमान् वीरो बभन्ज प्रमदा वनम् |

  मत्त द्विज समाघुष्टम् नाना द्रुम लता युतम् || ५-४१-१५

  Then, the valiant Hanuma laid waste the royal garden attached to the gynaecium resonant with cries of birds in heat and endowed with various kinds of trees and creepers.

Hanuman was subsequently  taken as prisoner by Indrajit, the son of Ravana, and  taken to the court of Ravana.

  अवध्योऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा तमस्त्रेणास्त्रतत्त्ववित् |

  निजग्राह महाबाहुर्मारुतात्मजमिन्द्रजित् || ५-४८-३७

  Indrajit, who knows the true nature of missiles, feeling certain that he was incapable of being killed, bound that Hanuma, the son of wind-god, by that missile presided over by Brahma the Creator.

And during the meeting of Hanuman with Ravana in his Court,Ravana ordered that Hanuman’s tail  be set on fire as a punishment.

  आज्ञापयत् राक्षस इन्द्रः पुरम् सर्वम् सचत्वरम् |

  लान्गूलेन प्रदीप्तेन रक्षोभिः परिणीयताम् || ५-५३-५

  Ravana ordered that let the monkey be carried around with his burning tail by the demons in the entire city around its cross-roads.

Hanuman, being the greatest devotee of God Sri Rama,was only focussed on chanting the name of God Sri Rama, despite his tail being set on fire.

  यदिभर्तुर्हतार्थाय चरन्तम् भर्तृशासनात् || ५-५३-१२

  बध्नन्त्येते दुरात्मनो न तु मे निष्कृतिः कृता |

  If these evil-minded demons fasten me who is acting for the good of Sri Rama my lord, because of the command by their lord, no rebuff has been done to me

The question is : Which specific attributes of a great devotee are  highlighted in this exemplary  devotional state of Hanuman, mentioned above?
Which text on Bhakti Yoga can amplify these qualities?


texts: Is there any equivalent of Norse Mythology event: RAGNAROK in Hindu Mythology?

texts: I was curious if there exists any RAGNAROK like an event in Hindu Mythology as it does in Norse Mythology. If it does exist, then how are they similar and if it does not exist, then why?


texts: What scriptures say about left arm twitching / quivering / throbbing?

texts:
What scriptures say about left arm twitching?

Some sites say it is a good indication, whereas some say it is good for ladies only and not good for men.


texts: Do Gaudiyas consider Allah and Jehovah also as "Supreme Personality of Godhead"?

texts:
From this article.

  We accept Sri Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but the father of Jesus Christ, God, Allah, Khoda, and Jehovah are also said to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There are not two Gods. The fact is that the Supreme Lord is one without a second. In different languages, in different countries, and in different sections of the world, people call that same Supreme Lord by various names.

Steven Rosen includes Vishnu and Rama as other equivalent names.

Is this the mainstream Gaudiya view?


texts: How has Christianity influenced Hindu thought or practice?

texts: What are examples of Hindu philosophy or practice being influenced by Christian thought, tradition, or practice (e.g. the Brahmo Samaj)?


texts:
The great Bhaktha Prahlada much later in life accused Vishnu during exchanges with Adi Parasakthi. This is attributed to his genetic nature being that of a Rakshas that took over his personalty. I read it in a Telugu book Sri Devi Bhagavatham by Mithili Venkateswara Rao, March 2017.
But is it true?  Does it have a mention in other sources or references?


texts: Basically I need a love mantra directed at a single person. Does one exist? I tried looking for one but could never confirm if it was actually a love mantra.


texts: According to Nyaya, are Mahabharata and Ramayan real or mythology?

texts: According to Nyaya school of philosophy in Hinduism, is itihaas like Ramayan and Mahabharata real history or mythology .


texts: What are some scientific facts described in Hindu scriptures?

texts:
Bṛhat samhita- chapter 35 (6th century CE) describes formation of rainbow. This was later proposed by Sir Issac Newton nearly after 11 centuries. The verse is as follow.

  सूर्यस्य विवधवर्णाः पवनेन
  विघट्टिताः कराः साभ्रे ।
  वियति धनुः संस्थानाः
  ये दृश्यन्ते तदिन्द्रधनुः ।।

  Meaning: The multi colored rays of the Sun, being dispersed in a cloudy sky, are seen in the form of a bow, which is called the rainbow.

Even in Vedas 7 colors of light is represented by 7 horses of God Sun which was shown much later.
In fact, the same scripture describes formation of thunderbolt as well.

My question is what are some other such verses which highlights such scientific facts. Please provide along with exact Sanskrit verses & chapter along with scripture name.


texts:
I sometimes read that Lord Ganesha's wives were 'Siddhi' and 'Buddhi' and sometimes 'Riddhi' and 'Siddhi' and also sometimes that all 3 'Riddhi', 'Siddhi' and 'Buddhi' were his wives.

Can anyone please verify from texts regarding who were actually his wives?
Whose daughters were these?
How did the marriage happen?
In which Hindu text are all these mentioned?


texts: Is use of tantrik vidhya also hurt people who use it?

texts:
My father once told me that:

  If someone use tantrik vidhya to hurt other he/she also affected by it. So never use it. If I use tantra to hurt other I will also hurt by it if my purpose is bad.

So my question is:
Is it really true? if yes, then why lord Shiva created it? because as far as I know there are some sort of tantra which are specifically use by Kapalic (Aghori with bad purpose) to hurt people or to make other as chela (servant).

and if it is bad then why it is also mentioned in Atharva-veda?


texts:
I am trying to understand how mantra - yantra - tantra works ? After googling for few days I got a fair understanding that it is the use of sound and mantras have some words combined in such a way that it has positive effects on mind and surrounding etc.

Now, I am trying to understand how tantra works, like for example : how come a person reciting a mantra can cure or damage a person sitting remotely or can cure himself/herself. I also came to knew something of reiki in which I guess similar thing is used, but I want to understand what happens in the background. Any link, brief would be appreciated. What is that method / art ?


texts: Where can I get authentic translation of all four Vedas?

texts: Translation of Griffith is only available at sacred texts.com. Arya Samaj translations are also bogus for many mantras. So where can I get true translation of Vedas along with word by word?


texts:
It is well known that Draupadi is wife of Yudhishthira.

Wikipedia and several other sources say that there is another wife to him and her name is Devika. The following excerpt from Chapter 95, Sambhava Parva, Mahabharata clarifies it.

  Besides these, Yudhishthira, having obtained for his wife Devika, the daughter of Govasana of the Saivya tribe, in a self-choice ceremony, begat upon her a son named Yaudheya.

My doubt : Are there any other wives for him other than these two and are there any more references to Devika in any scriptures other than that provided in Mahabharata?


texts: What form of Shiva is Shambhu in the Shakta worldview?

texts:
Sri Vidya is a Shakta sect which believes that the goddess Lalita Tripurasundari is supreme.  Now the Varivasya Rahasya is a work by the 18th-century Sri Vidya philosopher Bhaskararaya explaining the meaning of the Panchadasi mantra, the core mantra of the Sri Vidya sect described in this web page.  In this excerpt from the Varivasya Rahasya, Bhaskararaya explains the significance of certain sounds in the Panchadasi mantra by quoting the following verse from a Shakta Agama called the Yogini Hridaya:

  Rudra, Ishvara, and Sadashiva are indicated by the three Bindus.  Shanti, Shakti and Shambhu are signified by the three Nadas.

Now as I discuss in this question, in the worldview of the Shaiva Agamas, the hierarchy of gods from lowest to highest is Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshwara, and Sadashiva.  So I assume the "Rudra, Ishvara, and Sadashiva" part is a reference to the last three names on that list.

But my question is, what form of Shiva is being referred to by the name "Shambhu"?  Does the worldview of the Shakta Agamas add an additional being named Shambhu to the five gods delineated in the Shaiva Agamas?

Does anyone know if the Yogini Hridaya has more information on Shambhu?  I don't have an English translation of the Yogini Hridaya, but here is a Hindi translation.


texts: Manas Khanda, Sahyadri Khanda of Skanda Purana

texts: Are there any available manuscripts of Manasa, Sahyadri, Himavat, Patala, Ayodhya, Bhima, Mathura Khandas of Skanda Purana either in Sanskrit or any language?


texts: When the god (like Shiva or Vishnu) is incarnated on earth, this means that He seize to exist in his Loka at the same time?, i.e: Is the avatar a copy of a god or the god himself?


texts:
What is the origin of humans in Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma?

Hinduism is not based on stories or myths. Its other way around here. The facts are being told as stories and mean heads misinterpret it as myths


texts: How Nachiketa got the Enlightenment by the lord Yamaraj?

texts: I hear this thing many times. Also, have another question how Nachiketa reached to Yama Lok and met with the Yamaraj?


texts: Why there is restriction to cite mantras or vedas?

texts:
In hinduism, there is a restriction to cite/ read mantras or vedas to the non-brahmins. It is regarded as sin if the non-brahmins read the contents in vedas or cites mantras.
For example, we can cite gayatri mantra(Since we are brahmin). It is regarded as the most powerful mantra. But we are trained not to read/cite the mantra infront of any non-brahmin people.

Why is it like so in hinduism?


texts: The Narasimhar sannidhi in Srirangam temple has Narasimha moorthy with a third eye like Shiva. Is the third eye of Lord Narasimha mentioned in any scriptures like Puranas or Upanishads?


texts: Do vedas contain vyutpatti definitions to words?

texts: Do Vedas contain the meaning/definition of (some) words? Are they called vyutpatti meanings?


texts:
We know that King Bali wanted to become more powerful than Indradev . But he was  very famous in public for his kindness . Then

  1.Why Lord Vishnu murdered King Bali in his Vaman Avatar?

  After killing him why Lord Vishnu asked to King Bali's followers to worship their leader ( as Balipratipada I.e.one of the day in Dipavali festival) ?


texts: Should Krishna be considered good or bad?

texts:
I have read the Mahabharata and it seems that unrighteous behaviour or adharma is followed by Krishna in many places, but most people do not care about Krishna's character/behaviour and righteousness, because he is a god. I know that Duryodhana and his colleagues should have been killed because of their character plot, but how can people say that Krishna is good-God (one with righteous behaviour), and follows dharma? Shouldn't He be called 'adharma' God?

EDIT:

I have listed below few instances of inappropriate behaviour of Krishna.

The characters mentioned below were killed not as per rule/tradition/dharma, and all of it was planned by Krishna.

  Killing of Jarasandha
  Killing of Drona
  Killing of Karna
  Killing of Bhisma
  Killing of Duryodhana


texts: Level of collateral damage acceptable in Hinduism

texts:
What level of collateral damage is acceptable in Hinduism in order to uphold dharma. If so, how does one calculate it?

On one hand you have to stop the perpetrator because left unpunished adharmic activities continue. On the other hand the one time activity of stopping him/her can result in innocent bystanders getting hurt.

Looking for answers backed by scriptures.


texts: Do Advaitin's claim Brahman or Atman is Svaprakasha?

texts:
While I discuss Shri Madhwacharya's Mayavada Khandanam in this question, his entrie argument against Advaita seems to rest on the fact that Advaitins claim that Brahman or Atman is Svaprakasha (Self luminous w.r.t Knowledge).
Is this true? Do Advaitins claim so?
Please supplement your answer with appropriate sources.


texts: Which verse of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa is Devdutt Pattanaik referring to?

texts:
This Indian Express article quotes Devdutt Pattanaik as saying:

  On tradition vs modernity

  Modern people invent tradition. Because modern people want to feel “liberal” and “modern”, they will construct a past that is conservative. And you see that in writings all the time. So Sita has to be this creature who has no voice of her own. But when you actually read the Valmiki Ramayana, you'll be like, 'this lady seems to have a voice'. In fact, there's a dialogue where Ram says, "Whenever I ask her to do anything, she says no."

Which verse of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa is Pattanaik referring to?


texts: Which scripture provides details about Suka?

texts: I want to learn more about Suka (son of Vyāsa) who narrated Bhagvatam to Parikshit. Which purāna provide details on life or past-life of Suka ?


texts: There are types of Bakthis. What is Sadhana Bakthi? Will this come under Bakthi Yoga?


texts: Why does some devotees clap at Lord Chandikeshwara?

texts:
Who is Lord Chandikeswara in Lord Shiva's temples?
Whats the purpose behind clapping in front of him?


texts: Why does one get their head tonsured and offer the hair to Lord Venkateswara in Tirupati?

texts: Many Hindus who visit Tirumala Venkateswara temple in Tirupati get their head tonsured and offer their hair to Lord Venkateswara. Why is this tradition followed? Why is it only followed in Venkateswara temple and not other temples?


texts: it is still not clear whether the Varaha Avatar is the same as Swetha Varaha that is related to Swetha varaha kalpam. Can some one be decisive in their answer?


texts: How to select your religious sect - using faith, caste or Ishta Deva as per astrology?

texts:
I haven't read much but from what I have read I have come to understand that Hinduism is not just one religion but a wholesome bunch of all kinds of beliefs. It includes faith in different Gods and the Goddess (Vaishnavs, Shaivs, Shaakts) and even the absence of faith in any God (where only karma matters). All the books are inter-related and acknowledge the role of their contemporaries. My confusion is regarding the selection of the sect by a person.

Firstly, our gotra decides our lineage which goes up to the seven (or eight) ancient sages. My first question is, are all the people from a gotra devoted to the same faith (Shaiv, Vaishnav, Shaakt)?

Secondly, if a person belongs to a particular caste, is there a text which tells them which faith they belong to? For example, Gaur Brahmans can be Shaivs as well as Vaishnavs. Because that is a broad spectrum, how to know which Shaiv or Vaishnav sect they belong to?

Thirdly, according to Jyotish, every person has an Isht Dev. Does a person's Isht Dev always coincide with their God (the faith that the family follows)?

Wikipedia says,

  "A gotra must be distinguished from a kula. A kula is a set of people
  following similar cultural rituals, often worshiping the same divinity
  (the Kula-Devata, god of the clan). Kula does not relate to lineage or
  caste. In fact, it is possible to change one's kula, based on one's
  faith or Iṣṭa-devatā."

So, how would one know where they belong? I am sorry if something is not clear because I am looking for clarity. Using the above three how can we decide which sect we belong to?


texts: Is Cat the vahana of Devi Shasthi according to any scripture?

texts:
In Bengal, a cat is shown as the Vahana of Devi Shasthi, as shown in the enclosed image. But I did not find any Dhyana-Mantra of Devi Sasthi mentioning this.

Can anyone provide the scriptural reference?


texts: Does rebirth or reincarnation occur in Hinduism?

texts:
How is the concept of rebirth or reincarnation handled in Hinduism?

Does it occur?
Will everyone be reborn?
Are people always reborn as people?


texts:
Is there is any descriptions about how Nachiketa's  journey to YamaLoka in Upanishad or in Purana's.

Descriptions like how many day's he took to reach YamaLoka would be appreciated.


texts: In which worship are these organs mentioned in YajurVeda offered to Lord Shiva?

texts:
Association of various bodily organs to Lord Shivas AsthaMurty form (8 forms) are mentioned in YajurVeda. Here is passage from YajurVeda Taittariya Samhita 1.4.36:

  चित्तम् संतानेन भवं यक्ना रुद्र तनिम्ना पशुपतिम् स्थूलहृदयेनाग्नीम् हृदयन रुद्रं लोहितेन शर्वम् मतस्नाभ्याम् महादेवम् अन्तःपार्श्वेनौषिष्ठहनम् शिंगीनिकोश्याभ्याम् ।। (Yajurveda 1.4.36)
  Chitta with the sinew, Bhava with the liver, Rudra with the taniman, Pashupati with the thick heart, Agni with the heart, Rudra with the blood, Sarva with the kidneys, Mahadeva with the intestinal flesh, him that slayest most quickly with the entrails.

Are these parts associated with offerings of animal organs of the sacrificed animals of Yajna? Or it is about association with living organs like, Bhava is associated with liver, Pashupati with thick heart etc.. etc...?

If it is about offering of animal parts from Vedic Yajna, then in which Yajnas are these parts offered?

As a sidenote I guess that these are offered also in Ashwamedha Yajna, because as discussed in answer here, Ramayana states 'Ashwamedha Yajna is the highest worship of Rudra.'


texts:
I have some confusion in  Swami Sivananda  book "How to get Vairagya"
In his book this statement mention that
You should treat respect, honour, name and fame as dung and poison
Why we should treat respect, honour, name and fame as dung and poison?
My thinking : If a person get a name and fame , then person become happy because every body will love and respect u.
Evrybody will value ur talk and everybody will follow u.
Name and fame are not easy to get its. Its is very difficult to get name and fame
If a person doesn't get a name and fame.People will not listen ur word and people will not follow u and people will not believe  what u say .
I thinks we should treat name and fame as very  a important role in our life. we should be focus on name and fame then only we get respect from other.If we get respect from other that mean we are getting respect from God. People respect are similar to God respect


texts: Why did only 12 people survive the Kurukshetra War?

texts: Only 12 people survived the Kurukshetra War: the five Pandavas, Krishna, Satyaki, Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, Yuyutsu, Vrishaketu, and Kritvarma. How is this possible? In a war of approximately 3.94 million warriors according to this source, only 12 survived?


texts: Are there any remains of ancient Dwarka city being found ever?

texts:
I have read that Dwarka, the city of Lord Krishna, emerged from sea and later again submerged into sea. So is there any investigation ever done to find the remains of the ancient city and is anything being found yet?

Also is there any mention of any of the residents who survived and shifted to any other place before it got submerged?


texts:
What is Rashi in Jyotisha or Hindu astrology?

Is it the same as sun-sign of a person?

Is Rashi determined by the birth details of a person or by the name they have?


texts: Does any Hindu scripture say anything to the effect "all men (and women) are created equal in dignity and rights"?

texts:
There are quotations to the effect that one's caste is not by birth - I don't mean that.  Some sects may say all members of the sect are equal and I don't mean that either.  Does it say anywhere in Hindu scripture something like

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?


texts:
What is the meaning of Brahmarakshasa and how is it different from Narasura, Rakshasa, Asura etc?

Is Ravana a Brahmarakshasa?


texts: Why do some Hindus, especially brahmins, not eat onion or garlic?

texts:
I have been with some Brahmins, and I was told that along with meat, they are also prohibited from eating onions and garlic.

I can understand the meat prohibition because of cows, but what is the reason for the prohibition on onions and/or garlic?


texts: Difference between srIvidyA upAsanA in Vedanta and in Tantra?

texts: Recently I came to know from one of my friend that srIvidyA upAsanA is also done in Vedanta. While I am aware that srIvidyA is Tantrik upAsanA. I was unaware of Vedantic one. Also as far as I know, srIvidyA upAsanA is fruitful when done by both i.e. husband and wife. So how does Vedanta which promotes Sanyasism, do upAsanA of srIvidyA ?


texts: Is there something in scriptures which compels a Brahmin to be a pure vegetarian or can he eat non-vegetarian food if his health forces him to do so?


texts: Can a Hindu declare as false scripturally-based beliefs of other Hindus?

texts: If I recall right, there are denigrations of some Hindu Gods, belief in some Hindu Gods and/or their devotees in scripture. Is this considered dharmic?