texts: Are these rituals really done in Ashvamedha as per Brahmanas? Is the translation correct?

texts:
When the water for washing the feet is ready, they make the chief
  queen (Mahishi) lie down next to the horse, and they cover the two of
  them up with the upper cloth as they say the verse, ‘Let the two of us
  cover ourselves in the world of heaven’, for the world of heaven is
  where they ‘quiet’ the sacrificial animal.

  Then they draw out the penis of the horse and place it in the vagina
  of the chief queen, while she says, ‘May the vigorous virile male, the
  layer of seed, lay the seed’; this she says for sexual intercourse.

  While they are lying there, the sacrificer insults the horse by
  saying, ‘Lift up her thighs and put it in her rectum.’ No one insults
  (the sacrificer) back, lest there should be someone to act as a rival
  against the sacrificer.

  The officiant (Adhvaryu) then insults the maiden: ‘Hey, maiden, hey,
  maiden, the little female bird …’ and she insults him back: ‘Hey,
  officiant, hey, officiant, that little bird….’

  And then the overseer (Brahman) insults the chief queen: ‘Hey, chief
  queen, hey, chief queen, your mother and father climb to the top of a
  tree….’ She has as her attendants a hundred daughters of kings; they
  insult the overseer in return: ‘Hey, overseer, hey, overseer, your
  mother and your father play in the top of a tree….’

  Then the cantor (Udgatri) insults the king’s favourite wife: ‘Hey,
  favourite, hey, favourite wife, raise her up erect….’ She has as her
  attendants a hundred royal women; they insult the cantor in return:
  ‘Hey, cantor, hey, cantor, raise him up erect….’

  Then the invoker (Hotri) insults the rejected wife: ‘Hey, rejected
  wife, hey, rejected wife, when inside her tight crack….’ She has as
  her attendants a hundred daughters of bards and village headmen; they
  insult the invoker in return: ‘Hey, invoker, hey, invoker, when the
  gods see that miserable penis….’ Then the carver (Kshatri) insults the
  fourth wife: ‘Hey, fourth wife, hey, fourth wife, when the deer eats
  the barley, (the farmer) does not hope to nourish the animal….

  ‘ She has as her attendants a hundred daughters of carvers and
  charioteers; they insult the carver in return

  : ‘Hey, carver, hey, carver, when the deer eats the barley, (the
  farmer) does not hope to nourish the animal….’

  These insulting speeches are for all kinds of attainment, for through
  the horse sacrifice all desires are achieved. Thinking, ‘With all
  kinds of speech we will achieve all kinds of desires’, they make the
  chief queen get up.

Source: https://ramanan50.wordpress.com/tag/putrakameshti/

Is this translation of remarks (by the priests and that the queen has to take the sexual organ of the animal in hand) from the brahmanas, correct?

Please give references from the brahmanas (e.g., Shatapatha Brahmana) that deal with this ritual.


texts: What are the most accepted and authentic Hindu texts across the different traditions?

texts:
I don't understand Hinduism, so I'm looking for the most accepted and the most authentic texts to read. I've been attempting to discover what those texts are but, so far, I've only concluded that this may be the Rig Veda. However, I've also come across the Bhagavad Gita, the Puranas, the Itihasa, the Mahabharata, and the Ramayana texts, and some of these appear to be considered more authentic than the Vedas. The more I look into it, the more confused I get.

I'm assuming that the oldest texts are the most accepted ones, but I'm even having trouble concluding which texts are considered the oldest, or which texts are linked to which names (because everything is referred to by multiple alternative names and spellings).

So, I've come to ask for a list of the most accepted texts in general: the texts that every Hindu would accept, and if possible, I would like to know the order in which they rank in importance.


texts: Is Sufism a fusion of Hinduism and Islam?

texts: Many Sufi kawwalis are devoted to a hindu saint Jhulelal. Also Sufism beleives in union of man and God which is somehow nearer to Adwait Siddhanta of Hinduism.


texts: Do Srivaishnavites and Madhwites differ on the taratamya of Siva and Vishwaksena?

texts:
For Srivaishnavites, Vishwaksena is a Nityasuri who lives in Vaikuntha.
For Srivaishnavites, it is my understanding that Siva is Anapahatapapma - a sinner, a jiva full of Tamo guna, who is subject to birth,karma and death.  Eminent Srivaishnavite teacher Pillai Lokacharya doesn't mince his words about Siva:

Nor again is Rudra any better. For he is to begin with the Destroyer par excellence. Water is wished for by the thirsty, but Rudra of the fire-colour offers himself to such thirsty (worshippers of his) as fire! He exacts horrid offerings from his devotees, by saying: "Kill for me, roast for me." Banasura was his votary - so much so that Rudra pledged himself to guard him so that even "the flower he wore on his head should not fade." But when Krishna was hacking Bana's arms as if they were so many cactus-stems, the boasted guardian Rudra shut his eyes and slipped away from his ward, uttering: "If life is spared, I can live by selling salt." Again he, a sinner, cut the throat of Brahma, the guide of the worlds, his own father; and wandered about after such acts of treason in his own house, with the skull of his victim fast clinging to his hand, from door to door, in search of a saviour.

But in the Madhwite Taratamya - Siva far outranks Vishwaksena.
https://madhwafestivals.com/2016/08/27/taratamya/

5 a) Garuda
b) Shesha
c) Rudra

18 a) Vishvaksena
b) Ganapati
c) Ashwini Devata-s –Naasatya & Dasra
d) Kubera
e) Shesha Shatastha SOmarasapaanaarha-s

Isn't Siva a sinner and a Jiva in Madhwism?


texts: When did the worship of Sri Radha start?

texts:
Vajranava got three idols of Sri Krishna constructed and all three are in Rajasthan now.All three were recovered by the direct disciples of Mahaprabhu. But these images were worshipped without the image of Sri Radha.

None of the other deities worshipped by the direct disciples of Mahaprabhu had Sri Radhika's idol. All have been added after they left their bodies. (Reference: Hridi-Vrindavane, Swami Achyutananda, Udbodhan)

The dhyana-sloka, bija mantra and pranama mantras of Sri Radha are there in the Tantras and the Puranas, Srimad-Bhagavatam does not mention Her name directly though.

When and where was She first worshipped in the image form?


texts: How qualities of humans change drastically from Kali Yuga to Satya Yuga?

texts: How People change their behavior to good and virtuous from evil, greedy and lewd within less time at the dawn of Satya Yuga? How can humans who are evil and bad change immediately?


texts: Is Dhruva portrayed as a devotee of Prajapati Brahma in any texts?

texts: Dhruva is usually known as a devotee of Lord Vishnu. However, according to some of my relatives, Dhruva was a devotee of Lord Brahma. Do any text portray Dhruva to be a devotee of Lord Brahma?


texts: Are some verses of Manu Smṛitī added later?

texts:
A former IPS officer Dr. Dalbir Bharti writes in his book the constitution and criminal justice administration in the page 16 that

...in a research it has found that out of 2685 verses in the Manusmriti only 1214 verses are original and remaining 1471 verses are interpolated. The researcher has described how the interpolated verses of the Manu Smriti either contravene the views of the Manu as expressed in the other verses or are irrelevant to the subject matter where they are places...

Moreover, Zhuangzi describes about the perfect age as follows,

“In an age of Perfect Virtue, the worthy are not honored; the talented are not employed. Rulers are like the high branches of a tree; the people, like the deer of the fields. They do what is right, but they do not know that this is righteousness. They love one another, but they do not know that this is benevolence. They are truehearted but do not know that this is loyalty. They are trustworthy but do not know that this is good faith. They wriggle around like insects, performing services for one another, but do not know that they are being kind. Therefore they move without leaving any trail behind, act without leaving any memory of their deeds.”

Going by this description of Satyuga, many laws like of killing, theft, inappropriate sex, etc. shouldn't simply exist because of the absence of evil. In that way, Manu Smṛitī being Smṛitī of Satyuga doesn't square well. Even Lao Tsu says the same,

When the Tao is lost, there is goodness.
When goodness is lost, there is morality.

Lao Tzu also meant that in a perfect age, a man is simply righteous but ain't aware of his qualities. It's only when unrighteousness appears in abundance that there is realization of righteousness existing different from unrighteousness.
So, do we have any research paper or any content which shows or argues how Manu Smṛitī is interpolated. And possibly what are those possible verses if interpolated according to the researches.


texts: What are all the empirical observations made by Kaṇāda in his Vaiśeṣika Sūtras?

texts:
Kaṇāda, the natural scientist and philosopher, appears to have studied nature, made some direct observations and recorded them in his Vaiśeṣika Sūtras.

Wikipedia lists a few but I want to know all of them with references from his sūtras.

Also, did he consider these discoveries of his as resulting from pratyakṣa (perception) or anumāna (inference) or a mixture of both?


texts: Is Nirguna Brahman in Vishishtadvaita formless/impersonal?

texts: In Advaita Vedanta, Nirguna Brahman is seen to be devoid of all qualities and hence, impersonal/formless. Is Nirguna Brahman in Vishishtadvaita impersonal/formless?


texts: Names of female scholars from Vaidic and Upanishadic times, or "Brahmavadinis"

texts:
Wikipedia provides the names of some of the "Brahmavadinis" (ब्रह्मवादिनी) or female scholars of ancient times, who studied topics related to brahman (ब्रह्म) and took part in debates and discussions about brahman (ब्रह्म) similar to how men participated.

Example:

  Lopamudra, Ghosha, Sulabha, Maitreyi, Gargi etc.

Apart from the above names, are there any other female "Bhramvadinies"  mentioned in any of the Vedic or Upanishadic literature or scripture?

I would also like to know in brief about their works (literature) and any stories associated with these women, if any are available.


texts: reference for the slokam kalashepo na kartavyaha

texts:
Can some one tell me reference for the following slokam

  Kālakṣēpo na kartavyaha kṣinamāyuhu kṣaṇē kṣaṇē

  Yamasya karuṇā nāsti kartavyam harikīrtanam

Rough meaning goes as follows :

Kalakshepo na kartavyaha.. I think Kalakshepam in this context does not refer to just time pass, it refers to discourse.. One need not join in discourse..

Kshinam ayu Kshane kshane.. Aayu (life span) is kshinam (reducing) kshane kshane (per second)..

Yamasya Karuna nasthi.. Yama does not have Mercy on us..

Kartavyam harikeertanam.. our job is to do Hari Keerthanam...


texts: Weapons selection by God Vishnu in his Dasavatara

texts: If we note carefully in the first five avatars Maha Vishnu will not have any weapon. Parasurama avatar has axe as weapon, Rama avatar has bow and arrow, Balarama avatar has plough, Krishna avatar nothing [although he used chakra to control bheeshma] and ain kalki avatar sword is the weapon mentioned int he pictures. Default weapons are shanka and chakra of Mahavishnu. Any scriputural or puranical reference how the weapon selection was made by God Vishnu during each of his avatar.


texts: What are the correct mantras while giving arghya to Surya?

texts: I only chant om suryay namah but now I want to learn complete mantras while giving arghya to Surya and should we also chant the Gayatri mantra? As a Brahmana (Brahmin) what else should I do beside praying to God Surya in the morning?


texts: How do the Vedas survive during the dissolution of the Universe?

texts:
Lord Shiva destroys the entire Universe when the Mahakalpa ends. Brahma too attains Moksha in that pralaya.
Vedas in their personal form are also present in Brahmaloka along with Brahma. For eg. Hayagriva Asura stole the Vedas from Brahmaloka and took them to Patala and thus Lord Vishnu took Hayagriva incarnation and again restored them.

But as the BrahmaLoka itself gets destroyed during the Mahakalpa, how do the Vedas survive then? As Vedas are eternal how do they manage to survive? (for instance we say new Brahma comes after Mahakalpa but we do not say new Vedas come after Mahakalpa ie. The Vedas are eternal). How do they survive the Mahapralya performed by Lord Shiva at the end of Mahakalpa?


texts: Can Lord Brahma give moksha? Can jivas enter Satyaloka after death?

texts: It is said that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva can give moksha to Their devotees in Their respective abodes i.e. Vaikuntha and Kailasha respectively. Now my question is whether or not, Lord Brahma give moksha? Can jivas after death attain Satyaloka (the abode of Lord Brahma)?


texts: Who is superior? Shiva or Vishnu or Brahma?

texts:
Vaishnavism people claim that Lord Vishnu is Superior where as Saivism people claim that Lord Shiva is.

These people have proof of their puranas which backs-up their claims.

Is there any strong proof which can clear this doubt (obviously not Purana).

I read many scriptures regarding this doubt.All are giving me different opinions. Then I found out this website related to Hinduism. I have been reading answers here too but still it's not clear for me.

Everywhere I found some blind followers who do not even care to listen the complete question, get offended and said their lord is superior and gave rude opinions about others. They do not care for feeling of others.

Do their lord and their purana teaches them

-> To be rude to others who don't believe their lords is superior?

-> To insult others lords?


texts: What are views on Laughter, as per Scriptures?

texts:
There is a story as to How blinking of eyes came into existence. The story is of a King Nimi, father of King Janaka, Sita's father. The story is mentioned in-

Devi Puraanam- Chapter 15, Book 6
Vishnu Puraanam- Chapter 5, Book 4
Bhaagawata Puraanam- Chapter 13, book 9
Matsya Puraanam (Chapter 61), Padma Puraanam(Chapter 22, Book 1) also mention it with a slight variation.
Maybe in other Scriptures too. ;)

The story in short is this-

  King Nimi wanted to do a Yagya, so he asked his Guru Vashishtha to conduct it.
  BrahmaPutra(Vashishtha, son of Brahma) was appointed by Indra already, so he told the king to wait.
  The King Nimi did not wait and conducted Yagya with Gautama and other Rishis.
  When MaitraVaaruni got to know this, he cursed the king that you may become bereft of your body(i.e. you will not have any body).
  The King also cursed Vashishtha that your body may also collapse.
  Then Vashishtha's body(born of BrahmaDeva) gets reborn again out of semen of Mitra and Varuna(and since then Vashishtha is called MaitraVaaruni).
  The King's body also collapsed, but the sages completed the Yagya, keeping King's body preserved with Mantras, and balms and resins.
  Then, Devas arrived to confer boons of Yagya, so all Rishis asked them- O Immortals! give back life to King.
  But Nimi asked the Devas- I do not wish to have a body, as body is receptacle of all sufferings.
  So the Devas established the King Nimi as the air in the eyes of all beings, due to which we constantly open and close our eyes(id est- we blink our eyes).

So this is a story How Janaka's father Nimi got established in our eyes to make us blink.

This is interesting how some of body functions happen.

Also there is mention of how Yawning's ;O originated, mentioned in Devi Puraanam, Book 6, Chapter 4-

  When Vitra and Indra fought, Vitra swallowed Indra inside his stomach.
  To save DevaRaaja, the Suras created "Yawning".
  Vitra, due to Yawning, yawned and when his mouth opened Indra came out and fought again.
  Since then, this "Yawning" occurs in all beings.

So, is there any mention of Laughter? How was it created, what was its purpose et cetera? Are there other functions in body that too have these divine origins?


texts:
What is the proper way to dispose the remaining ashes and sand of yagna( called hom in Bengali) of SatyaNarayan puja?

Note: Our family priest told to buried that at the Ishan direction of our land.


texts: Where to find the full story of King Muchukunda?

texts:
In Joseph Campbell book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces", he wrote: an ancient Hindu warrior-king named Muchukunda. He was born from his father's left side, the father having swallowed by mistake a fertility potion that the Brahmins had prepared for his wife. Then he summarized Muchukunda's story.

Iam interested in this tale, so please can anyone give me sources about the full story of King Muchukunda. I want to know every detail before Muchukunda's born until his retreat from the world


texts: How do you know Brahman is the cause of the universe vs a Jain model

texts:
lets say that the soul has always existed apart from the 5 elements individually but that the elements and the souls were always there?like the Jains believe.how can you claim Brahman is the material cause for the universe against such a model?what if the universe simply always existed,and the souls existed individually always.
how can you argue against such a view?
if matter has always existed seperately from the souls,then brahman is not needed as a cause of matter.Also,you cannot assert that the souls are one.they could be individual.


texts:
Marshall Govindan  wrote the book Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition.
Here is the summary of Chapter 8. Siddha Boganathar:

  An Oceanic
  Life Story. A mission to China and transmigration. Transformation of
  his physical body. Becomes known as Lao-Tzu, founder of Taoism. Return
  to India. Establishes shrine at Katirgama, and attains soruba samadhi.
  Second mission to China. Current activities. Selections from the
  writings of Siddha Boganathar.

See also the webpage Siddha Bhoganāthar: An Oceanic Life Story.

Question: Is it true that Lao-Tzu is actually Siddha Bhoganāthar?


texts: How Yoga and Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy are related? I know that Samkhya and Yoga schools are closely related. But I can not understand one thing. Samkhya is an atheistic school, whereas Yoga is theistic. How to reconcile that?


texts: Can Vaishnavas worship other Gods(anya devata)?

texts: Generally Vaishnavas don't worship Gods other Sri Vishnu and His incarnations(Swaminarayan Sampradaya being a notable exception).Is there any mention in scriptures if the worship of anya devata is permitted in Vaishnavism or not?


texts: Are Ursa Major and Ursa Minor associated with Jambavan and Jambavati astrologically?

texts: Astrologically/astronomically, Are Ursa major correspond/associated with jambavanta, Ursa minor with jambavati, because both being bear constellations, and Vega, Pole star of dwapara Yuga, krishna respectively?


texts: Reference of Pancha Bhoota inside human Body according to Hindu Scriptures

texts:
Pancha Bhoota basically means five great elements. They are

Prithvi (Earth)
Varuna/Jal (Water)
Agni (Fire)
Vayu (Air)
Akash (Sky)

It is said that Human Body is made of these Pancha bhootas. Many sites have also claimed that Hindu Scriptures mention that these Pancha bhoota are contained inside the human body! Now this sounds Interesting.

So I want to know which scriptures mention that Pancha bhootas are inside the  Human Body? Is this mentioned in Upanishads or Vedas? What is the view of different philosophies regarding this?


texts: What is the reason behind restrictions during eclipses?

texts:
Hindus(mostly Brahmins) usually don't eat, go outside, don't touch any clothes during eclipses. After eclipse, they take bath.

Now, my questions are:

Which scripture says so?
What is the reason behind such practices?
Are these practices mandatory?


texts: What was varna of foot soldiers of Mahabharata war?

texts: Tens/hundreds of thousands of foot soldiers supposed to have participated in Mahabharata war. Usually in historical pre-modern wars of such magnitudes we see foot soldiers being conscripted from ordinary peasantry, they are not professional soldiers. My question is do any of the scriptures mention varna of these foot soldiers? Were they all kshatriyas, part of standing armies of various kingdoms or were they vaishya/sudras temporarily taking up arms and following their kshatriya "officers"?


texts: How to interpret Bhasyas of Madhidhara for Vajasaneyi Samhita 23.19-31 ? His Bhasyas look too vulgar

texts: In Yajurveda Samhita, we come across Ashvamedha ritual. In Shukla Yajurveda,  Madhyandin Samhita section 23.18–32, the so-called obscene ritual of the chief Queen Mahishi copulating with dead horse is mentioned clearly in the commentaries of Uvvata and Mahidhara. In Kānvaśatpatha Brāhmana  XV.5.2.4 to XV.5.2.11 especially in the 4th verse its written, 'The Male organ of horse is kept at the lap of the Queen. "May the vigorous male, layer of seed impregnate."'In the 6th verse it is written, 'The Adhvaryu then addresses the young lass- "Hello, hello, maiden that little she bird."- The young lass responds, "Adhvaryu, that little he-bird" and this is the "Yakāśko śkuntiketi " verse which Uvvata and Māhīdhara translate "she bird" and "he bird" as Clitoris and Penis respectively in his Madhyandin Samhita commentary. Is this ritual really present in the ritual or did Uvvata and Mahidhara tried to put their own interpretation which could be flawed?


texts: What is the importance and concept behind Masik Shivratri?

texts: I found the following date calendar for Masik Shivratri, till date I was only aware of Shivratri and Maha Shivratri but Masik Shivratri is totally new for me. So wanted to understand the importance and concept of Masik Shivratri plus would like to read any references/stories from scriptures or other authentic sources.


texts: How a devotee of God leaves his body for Moksha?

texts:
Our body is city of 9 gates.  My question is how a devotee leaves a body and is different from a Yogi who quits his body for Moksha.
Generally in Tantric Yoga it is said one whose soul exits through Sushumna Nadi/skull will get Moksha.
If that's the case, how a devotee would leave his body for Moksha?


texts: What are the permissible numbers for japa count that are less than 108?

texts:
It is well known that when you do a mantra japa 108 is the minimum number of times you should do to get the wholesome benefit of the japa.Sometimes,a higher number ,1008, is also recommended.

But my question is,if there is so much scarcity of time that you can't even do the ideal number 108 then what are the other smaller numbers that are mentioned in the scriptures?

I know of 9,11,27 and 54.Is 60 a permissible number?I'm asking because i have a mala consisting of 60 beads.


texts: What are the basic requirements to be a Hindu or to be identified as a part of Sanathana Dharma?

texts:
Can I still be a Hindu, if I do not believe in any form of rituals or prayers to god?

Can I still be a Hindu if I have no knowledge of Vedic scriptures and Sanskrit?

So , basically my point is did I become a Hindu just because my parents are Hindu?

Note: I do not follow any Abrahamic faith.


texts: Is Bermuda Triangle really mentioned in any Hindu scripture?

texts:
I have encountered many random internet posts claiming Bermuda Triangle is mentioned in the Vedas, specially Rig Veda. Is it really true? Is it mentioned in any of the Vedas or any other scripture?

The story I read was about Earth giving birth to Mars and the hole being filled by iron by Ashwini Kumaras and some other similar versions. Claiming to break the mystery of Bermuda Triangle.


texts: What is the story of Shankchood? Was he an incarnation of Lord Vishnu?

texts:
Some people are spreading stories (online) about Shankhchud being an icnarnation of Visnu.
Quote 1:

  There was a demon named Dambh. He prayed to Lord Vishnu because he wanted Vishnu as his son. A partial incarnation of Vishnu was born as Dambh's son. His name was Shankhchud. This Shankhchud was Sudama of Golok who had been born on Earth because of a curse by Radha.

Source 1: http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=679859

Quote 2:

  Omniscient Lord Vishnu then addressed his wives-“My dear auspicious Lakshmi! You go to earth and take birth as daughter of king Dharmadhwaj. You will be the wife of demon Shankhchood who is my partial incarnation and then will also assume the form of tree as preordained. Later on, you will join me back and will be worshipped on earth as plant of Tulasi. As cursed by Saraswati, you will flow as river Padmavati on earth. Ganga! You too will flow as river on earth as cursed by Saraswati….

Source 2: http://shrikrishnthesuprememan.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-sweetheart-of-lord-srikrishn.html


texts: What is meaning of the word 'Kamakshi'? What does the word 'Kama' here refers to ?


texts:
While reading Vivekachudamani, commentaries on some of the Mukhya Upanishads, (Jnaneshwari) Bhagavad Gita & Yoga Vasistha, I found that they are talking about the different state of Chitt viz. Jagrat (जाग्रत), Swapna (स्वप्न), Sushupti (सुषुप्ति) & Turiya (तुरिय).

Among which we realize Jagrat, Swapna and Sushupti regularly.

I want to know Turiya and How do I realize it? I think realization is very important to exactly/truly know them.

So, What is Turiya and how can we realize it?

Note: This is very general/common question for beginners


texts: What is the meaning of mAyA mentioned in the Rudram?

texts:
Famous hymn Rudram, 11th Anuvaka has the following mantra

  Mantra  16

  ये ते सहस्रमयुतं पाशा मृत्यो मर्त्याय हन्तवे ।

  तान् यज्ञस्य मायया सर्वानवयजामहे ॥

  Mantra 17

  मृत्यवे स्वाहा-  मृत्यवे स्वाहा ॥

So what is the maayaa of the yajna ? how is it related to immortality?


texts: Connection of Nammalwar's work with Sanskrit Vedas

texts:
Nammalwar was one of the Alwars (Tamil:ஆழ்வார், Hindi: आलवार), a group of 12 ancient Tamil saints known for their poetry of 4000 verses in praise of Vishnu and preaching Sharanagati. These 4000 verses were later compiled by Natha Muni as Nalayira Divya Prabandham which is considered alike or equivalent to Sanskrit Vedas (known as Dravida Veda) in Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya.

Nammalwar is considered the greatest among 12 Alwars, he has contributed more than 1100+ verses in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. His four works are considered the essence of (or corresponds to) each of four Vedas in as follows:

Thiruvaimozhi (தாந்திருவாய்மொழி) : 1102 verses - Sama Veda
Thiruviruttam (திருவிருத்தம்) : 100 verses - Rig Veda
Peria Thiruvanthadi (பெரிய திருவந்தாதி) : 87 verses - Atharva Veda
Thiruvasiriyam (திருவாசிரியம்) :7 verses - Yajur Veda

Now, what I want to know is:

Does this connection mean these works are based on Sanskrit Vedas or contains the similar/alike preaching to that of corresponding Vedas?
How is the connection of these works with Sanskrit Veda recognised or established?


texts: Are the 11 rudras mentioned in the Vedas?

texts:
Do Vedas describe about the 11 rudras?
What are the names of those rudras according to Vedas?
How did they emerge from the supreme Rudra?


texts: Is the word &/or notion of "jāti" found in the Vedas?

texts:
In Buddhism, the word "jāti" is doctrinally very important. The fully enlightened Arhat Buddhists declare upon enlightenment: "Jati has ended".

In Hinduism, "jati" is said to have the following meaning:

  Jati, also spelled jat, caste, in Hindu society. The term is derived from the
  Sanskrit jāta, “born” or “brought into existence,” and indicates a
  form of existence determined by birth. In Indian philosophy, jati
  (genus) describes any group of things that have generic
  characteristics in common. Sociologically, jati has come to be used
  universally to indicate a caste group among Hindus.

  Encyclopaedia Britannica

  Jāti (in Devanagari: जाति, Bengali: জাতি, Telugu:జాతి, Kannada:ಜಾತಿ,
  Malayalam: ജാതി, Tamil:ஜாதி, literally "birth") is a group of clans,
  tribes, communities, and sub-communities, and religions in India. Each
  Jāti typically has an association with a traditional job function or
  tribe. Religious beliefs (e.g. Sri Vaishnavism or Veera Shaivism) or
  linguistic groupings may define some Jātis. A person's surname
  typically reflects a community (Jāti) association: thus Gandhi =
  perfume seller, Dhobi = washerman, Srivastava = military scribe, etc

  Wikipedia

A few years ago, I read a blog on the internet by an Indian scholar about "varna" & "jati"; in which the scholar said the origins of the word "jati" were not clear. I commented on the blog "jati" is contained extensively in the Buddhist Pali suttas but the scholar did not reply to me. I currently am unable to locate this blog.

My question is: "Is the word &/or notion of "jāti" found in the Vedas, which pre-date the Buddha?"


texts: Why don't our Gods and Goddesses prevent Kali Yuga from happening?

texts: Nothing to add here, but it is mandatory, so...


texts: What are near sure ways you to get moksha as quick as possible?

texts:
I’m asking specifically in the Shaiva and shaktah darshanas even if a deity like Shiva,Tara or kaali bestows moksha on the Sadhaka.you can also do so by raising the kundalini with kundalini yoga or ucchishta ganapati.
Is finding a guru and doing Sadhana the easiest Quickest way to attain moksha?


texts: Is there any writing in the scriptures that tell us how the caste system went from fluid to rigid?

texts: As I had read in books on Indian History  (which certainly do not discuss ideas in detail), the caste system as had been originally devised was not rigid; in other words, a person 'born into' a caste could change his work and thereby, shift his caste. I am curious to know if the scriptures give us an idea about the transition of the nature of the caste system. On a side note, I'd also like to know if untouchability prevailed during the ancient times.


texts:
This question may be childish or even rubbish but I have had this doubt for a long time.

According to my religion, Hinduism (Sanathana Dharma), God has created all from grass to all forms of life. Then why he did create heaven and hell because if he/she/it (refers to God - Peculiarly Shiva) creates every person as a good one then he/she/it can prevent sending people to hell.

According to a famous psychologist:

  Situations and surroundings are the only factors which convert a good person to a bad one

So why does God create a bad situation and thereby creating a bad person?

I am a strong believer in Hinduism so I know there's some purpose behind this, what is that?

EDIT:

Why does God need a servant then?
If he can create everything then why does he create bad things and make his servants suffer?

My strong questions:

Why does God alone enjoy everything in the heaven?
Why limited period of time (in heaven) for people? This is complete injustice. I know He created us and he has a right to destroy us so I am not going to speak here.
But why he is willing that people suffer?


texts: What is the Purāṇa Saṃhitā? Is there an English translation of it?

texts:
What exactly is the Purāṇa Saṃhitā? Some say it was created by Vyāsa as a blueprint for all Purāṇas that came later.

Do any Purāṇas discuss what's it about? Do the terms Purāṇa Saṃhitā and Mūlasaṃhitā mean the same?

There's one Sanskrit version available on archive.org. Is this the same that was authored by Vyāsa? Are there any English translations of the same?


texts: Any particular god or goddess for sports?

texts: In Hinduism, do we have any particular deities for sports and other activities for the players for praying before starting playing?


texts:
Max Müller was a German-born philologist and Orientalist, studied sanskrit and vedas. According to this Wikipedia article : He had to travel to London to look at documents held in the collection of the British East India Company.

Did the British took the one of the earliest written copies of Vedas?


texts:
The wikipedia page on Brahma Sutras says there are 555 verses. In the book that I have, Brahma Sutras According to Sri Ramanuja, by Swami Vireswarananda and Swami Adidevananda, published by Advaita Ashrama, it says there are 544 verses. This summary of pancharatra agamas says there are 565.

So my question is, how many Brahma Sutras are there, and do some people consider a different amount because of lost verses?


texts: Did Bhima or Arjuna do any pure (not involving weapons and/or violence) acts of charity?

texts:
Do either Arjuna or Bhima ever do pure acts of kindness or charity?
Not counting killing bad guys to help people, like the Bakasura case.
The way Arjuna acted towards Ekalavya was inexcusable.


texts: Which scriptures talk about Garbha daana, Pumsavana, Seemontonnayana Samskars?

texts: I wish to know the scriptures which mention about Garbha daana, Pumsavana, Seemontonnayana Samskars.


texts: Is Rishi Vishvamitra the one who cognised the Gayatri mantra?

texts:
This wiki article says this without providing any reference:

  Brahmarshi Vishvamitra is one of the most venerated rishis or sages of
  ancient times in India. He is also credited as the author of most of
  Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra.

Is there any scriptural reference available for this?


texts: How does alberuni's translation of patanjali's yoga sutras differ from traditional yoga sutras?

texts:
Wikipedia says that there is difference between the translation of alberuni and actual text. While some changes were introduced by alberuni because of Islam,
How is the philosophy of both different?


texts:
There are many lower birth like dog, pig, and etc.
So which is the lowest birth possible. And what kind of a crime do I have to commit to attain such birth.


texts: What are the Scriptural definitions of Narakam?

texts:
Most of the people think Naraka as a loka. Although it is true, it is not a complete truth.
The word Naraka can have different meanings. Loka in which sinners dwell and experience punishments is a Naraka. It is one of the meaning.
What are the other definitions for Naraka according to the scriptures?
Can I say that animals (may include humans) on earth are in Naraka or experiencing Naraka? (according to any of the other definitions)


texts: Does scripture uniformly agree with this citation from Parashara smriti?

texts:
Parashara Smriti 8.25 says:

  25. Even a Brahmin of a bad character deserves respect;
  but not so a Shudra, even though his passions may
  have been subdued by him. Who would quit a wicked cow,
  and try to milk a docile female ass?

Are there other citations from scripture that disagree with this verse?


texts:
It is said in Bhagavad Geeta, that we should live our life according to scriptural injunctions.
What scriptures should we follow exactly?
Where are the regulated principles laid out?


texts:
Can Sukthams be recited after 12 pm? I heard that during pradosha tome purusha suktham can be recited as the pradosha falls between 4:30 to 6 pm, which is an exception.
Ashta sukthams are there. Other sukthams should not be recited after 12 pm. Any mythological evidence?


texts: What are some hymns elaborating and explaining about dasas in rig-veda?

texts:
wether dasas were monsters or they were evil of a man in vedas specially rig-veda.

Some verses may show them living beings

  अकर्मा दस्युरभि नो
  अमन्तुरन्यव्रतो अमानुषः
  ।
  त्वं
  तस्यामित्रहन्वध र्दास
  स्य दम्भय ॥८॥

  The Dasyu practising
  no religious rites, not
  knowing us
  thoroughly, following
  other observances,
  obeying no human
  laws,
  Baffle, destroyer of
  enemies [Indra], the
  weapon of that Dasa .

  – Translated by H. H.
  Wilson

  — Rigveda 10.22.8

while some as demons

  स इ द्दासं तुवीरवं
  पतिर्दन्षळक्षं
  त्रिशीर्षाणं दमन्यत् ।
  अस्य त्रितो न्वोजसा
  वृधानो विपा
  वराहमयोअग्रया हन् ॥
  ६॥

  The sovereign Indra attacking him
  overcame the loud
  shouting, six eyed,
  three headed Dasa ,
  Trita invigorated by
  his strength, smote
  the cloud with his
  iron-tipped finger.

  — Rigveda 10.99.6,
  translated by H. H.
  Wilson

some describe it as evil of a man

  4 Agni shone bright when born, with
  light killing the Dasyus and the
  dark:
  He found the Kine, the Floods, the
  Sun.

  —Rigveda 5.14.4

Dasa is also used in Vedic literature, in some contexts, to refer to "servants", a few translate this as "slaves", but the verses do not describe how the Vedic society treats or mistreats the servants.

—https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasa

So my question is whether the title dasa in rigveda is multiused or is it evil of a man.
please use only vedic verses to explain.(Try to eleborate more about them)


texts: Is there any mention of hanuman panchakavacha.I mean in any scripture.I know that hanuman pancharoop is mentioned in ramayana but i am talking about mantra??


texts: How is "Patriotism" seen from the Hindu Dharma perspective?

texts:
Are there any scriptures (Dharma Shastra-s) or Hindu saints who have talked about patriotism?

Related: This post discusses specific to Kshatriya class, Martyr concept in Hinduism


texts: HELP - The book that illuminates the learnings/ideas/message that Mahabharata and Ramayana seek to portray through their stories and characters

texts:
I want to read Mahabharata and Ramayana but I also want to know the underlying messages or learning that they seek to illustrate so Is there any book which illuminates the learnings and ideas of Mahabharata and Ramayana which they seek to pass on through their stories and characters.
Please suggest. I am tired of finding anything conclusive.
Happy New Year!


texts: Does Gayatri Mantra affect physical reality?

texts:
As some background I grew up in a Hindu household but Hinduism never resonated with me.
As an adult I was looking to improve my Anxiety disorder and found meditation to be very powerful. I was unsure about Gods, prayers etc. But I knew from experience and science that meditation works. I decided to experiment with 108 gayatri mantra before meditation daily. The 108 gayatri puts me into a really deep meditation. I decided to try 1008 gayatri and I find that it effects my physical body and mind quite a bit. I even found a study showing how it improves neurochemistry of the human brain.
I was wondering if Gayatri Mantra specifically, or mantras in general affect the physical reality? Does Gayatri mantra change reality on a metaphysical level? And where in the Vedas does it state this?
What was the purpose and use of mantras in Vedic times? What I found online:

In Hinduism, suggests Alper,[41] the function of mantras shifted from the quotidian to redemptive. In other words,[42] in Vedic times, mantras were recited a practical, quotidian goal as intention, such as requesting a deity's help in the discovery of lost cattle, cure of illness, succeeding in competitive sport or journey away from home. The literal translation of Vedic mantras suggests that the function of mantra, in these cases, was to cope with the uncertainties and dilemmas of daily life. In a later period of Hinduism,[43] mantras were recited with a transcendental redemptive goal as intention, such as escape from the cycle of life and rebirth, forgiveness for bad karma, and experiencing a spiritual connection with the god. The function of mantras, in these cases, was to cope with the human condition as a whole.


texts: What is the scriptural reference to "we will be together till 7 birth" as a married couple?

texts:
In marriage we take 7 pheras around fire. We do this because we(husband and wife) will be together for 7 births
What is the scriptural reference to this.


texts: Is there any verse in the Rig Veda Samhita that says only Indra existed before creation?

texts:
Here is the premise of the argument given by Shaivas and Vaishnavas to show that their deities are the supreme Brahman. Quoting and slightly paraphrasing from Nadadur Ammal's Para Tattva Nirnaya:

To explain, it is understood that only the cause of the universe is the supreme reality, as the following [Taittiriya Upanishad] verse says: 'That from which all beings are born, that by which they live, and that into which they enter at their death, try to know that: that is Brahman.'

This is the definition of Brahman according to the second sutra of the Brahma Sutras:

Janmadyasya yatah

Continuing:

When it is questioned, 'Which is that cause?' The Chhandogya Upanishad reveals that the cause of the Universe is denoted by the word 'Sat' in the verse, 'This universe was at first, my dear, only Sat.' The cause of the universe is then referred to as Brahman in the Vajasaneyaka verse, 'Brahman indeed this was at first.' By the rule of sarvasakha-pratyaya there can only be one entity as the cause designated by all these terms.
The word 'Sat' is generic term meaning existent, and it will denote any object big or small. The word 'Brahman' meaning 'big' is a more specific term. According to chaga-pashu-nyaya, the generic term is specified by the more specific term when the context [in this case origination] is the same, the entity designated 'Sat' is specified by the term 'Brahman.' Therefore, the cause is not only 'existent' but also 'big'.
Then, another more specific designation for the cause is particularized in the Aitareya Upanishad by the word 'Atman' in the verse, 'This existed in the beginning as the Atman alone." This rules out insentient beings as the cause, so that the cause is now only identified as a sentient being. So now, the cause is 'Sat', 'Brahman', and 'Atma'.
The word 'Atma' is common to all sentient beings, and now the question arises, which sentient being is the cause?

At this point, the Shaivas cite the following Shvetashvatara Upanishad verse,

Shiva alone existed

Followers of Brahma cite this verse,

Hiranyagarbha existed at first

While Vaishnavas cite this Mahopanishad verse,

Narayana alone existed, not Brahma, not Ishana [Shiva]

Is there any verse in the Rig Veda Samhita that specifically says something like this for Indra? Like "In the beginning, Indra alone existed", "In the beginning, Maghavan alone existed"?


texts: When was Ramayan written before or after it happened?

texts: I think Ramayan is written after it happened. but i also listen that it was written before it happened.


texts: Was Bramhadev worshipped in treta and dwapara yuga?

texts: We know Bramhadev isn't worshipped in Kaliyuga. Are there any evidence on Bramhadev being worshipped in Tretayuga and Dwaparayuga except Mahamuni Vyasa meditating on Bramhadev before writing Mahabharata?


texts: Did Rama or Krishna ever practise meditation?

texts:
As per belief in Hinduism, both Rama and Krishna are incarnations of God and they really are beyond these material world things, and they probably had no reason for meditation(since they are symbols of perfections, the Supreme Being).

But through their incarnations, Rama and Krishna sets an example in front of man kind of ideal and correct way of living and basically drive people to follow the path of Dharma.

Now, it is well known how important meditation is for overall progress of individual. The term meditation may includes techniques designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy or life force and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity and forgiveness.

My Question is did Rama or Krishna ever practised the meditation to set as an example for man kind. Are there any scriptural references mentioning Rama or Krishna doing meditation?


texts:
In the Chapter Manifestation of Rudra - Rudra Samhita Section one of Shiva Purana (Pg 224),

Brahma said this to his son Narada,

  A boar has the power of steadily going deep below. Hence, Vishnu ,the wanderer in the forest, assumed the form of Boar.
  Or Vishnu,the protector all the worlds assumed the form of a Boar, or start of a new Kalpa.
  Since the day he assumed the form a Boar, the aeon by the title of Varaha has started.
  Or the Varaha Kalpa can be considered to have started since the way we decided to assume the forms.

Similarly, in the Chapter Story of Rsbha - Shata Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana (Pg 1078),

Lord Shiva said,

  In the Seventh Varaha Kalpa, in the Vaivastara Manvantara , the
  Lord Kalpeswara who illuminates all the worlds, will be born as your
  great grandson and son of Vaivasvata Manu.

So there should be seven Varaha Avatars of Vishnu. I know two of them, one at time of creation and other at beginning of this Kalpa.

What are other five Varaha Avatars?


texts: Difference between SriSuktam and PurushSuktam

texts:
I have read both Srisuktam and PurushSuktam.

Can anybody please tell me the actual difference between these 2 shlokas. I know SriSuktam is a hymn for Goddess Laxmi but don't know about PurushSuktam.


texts:
Is Euthanasia considered morally right?

Is it acceptable under certain conditions, for example, if a person is in extreme pain?


texts: Sanatana Dharma originated in India. India also has another name: "Bharata/Bharathavarsha". The term ArshaBharata culture is commonly used for pointing out the Sanatana Dharma in South India. How did the nation get this name?


texts:
What is the meaning of the word Samkaram?

For example i know that samkaram stumah mean bowing at the Feet of Lord Shiva.


texts: What are the first four verses of each Veda. Please someone post the first four verses of each Vedas for daily ritual purposes


texts: Is it ok to paint Hindu deities even though you are another faith

texts:
There are a mix of Hindus and Sikhs in our family.

Am really fascinating by Ramayana, Mahabharata, what Hinduism really is (philosophy, way of life)

I am more comfortable and gravitate towards Sikhism (interesting there are lot of references to Hinduism in Shri Guru Granth Sahib, and several beliefs are similar to Hinduism, such as Karma, reincarnation)

I also love to paint, particularly anything related to Indian subcontinent.

Several of my coworkers appreciate my paintings. One of them showed me photo of very old painting of Lord Ganesh, Mother Parvati and Bholenath.

Very beautiful photo. Quite detailed and colorful.

Question: I would like to paint this and gift it to that coworker. Is it ok to do so even though I am not Hindu. Is there anything in Hindu faith I need to be aware of if I do this?


texts:
I know Surya is associated with Sanjana and Chayya but I have known so many variations of the story from local books.

So I want to know what is the story of Surya's wife from scriptures, are  Sanjana and Chayya sisters or Chayya is created by Sanjana? And who abandoned whom?


texts: Is Om namah shivaya mantra in Atharva Veda , SamaVeda or RigVeda?

texts: If Om Namah Shivaya given in AtharvaVeda, SamaVeda or Rig Veda then please share the verse.


texts: Why does Sage Bhrigu have an extra eye on his foot?

texts:
It is a part of folklore that Sage Bhrigu has another eye on his foot. However, it is difficult to find on the internet any authoritative source for this piece of information.

The Wikipedia article on Bhrigu has no mention of an extra eye, although this is mentioned in the Wikipedia article on the Legend of Tirumala:

[Lord Vishnu] squashed the extra eye that was present in the sole of Bhrigu's foot. The extra eye is believed to represent the sage's false egotism.

The official page of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has a description of "Srinivasa Kalyanam", which mentions the extra eye:

[T]he Lord removed the eye in the foot of the sage, which gave Bhrigu power as to defy the Devas.

Another source with slightly different information is a website by one Mukkur TRS Iyengar on Srivaishnavam practices: in section 1.8 of "KNOW ABOUT SAGES - 12" here, he writes:

Sage Bhrighu had undertaken the severest of austerities, which were too fearsome even to imagine. By virtue of his penance he had a third eye in his foot and could see even beneath the earth.
. . .
Vishnu gently pressed the Brahman’s foot and expressed himself honoured and made happy by its contact. While patting his feet Vishnu plucked out the third eye from his feet.

The popular 1974 Kannada film Sri Srinivasa Kalyana directed by Vijay has a scene depicting this event—Lord Vishnu squeezes Bhrigu's eye present on the arch of his foot, which causes Sage Bhrigu intense pain and also douses his anger. This is clearly meant to indicate that there is a connection between the presence of this eye and Sage Bhrigu's ahankara. (I mention this movie only to strengthen my point that the knowledge of Sage Bhrigu's extra eye is indeed a part of folklore.)

Note that no one cites any source for the claim about Sage Bhrigu's extra eye. One would also notice some slight inconsistencies regarding the source and power of the extra eye.
Can someone provide any sources for the presence of an extra eye on Sage Bhrigu's foot? Is it known how or why this eye came about to be on his foot, which foot (left or right) it resided on, and whether it granted Sage Bhrigu any powers? At the risk of making this question too broad, is it additionally known whether there is any similarity of Sage Bhrigu's third eye with Lord Shiva's third eye?


texts:
Gandharvas are a class of male nature spirits, having superb musical skills and are guardians of Soma.

Gandhar was an ancient kingdom located in modern day Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is mentioned, among others, in Rig-Veda, Shatapath Brahman, Ramayan and Mahabharat.

Can these be related, owing to the linguistic similarities?

Can it be that Gandharvas were concentrated in Gandhar, or intermingled with people of Gandhar?

Do we have scriptural references indicating any such connections?


texts: BG 4.40 - What does Kṛṣṇa mean by saṁśayātmā (doubting mind)?

texts:
Bhagavad-gītā 4.40 says:

  अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति।
  नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः।।4.40।।

  ajñaścāśraddadhānaśca saṅśayātmā vinaśyati.
  nāyaṅ lōkō.sti na parō na sukhaṅ saṅśayātmanaḥ ৷৷ 4.40 ৷৷

  One who is ignorant and faithless, and has a doubting mind perishes. Neither this world nor the next nor happiness exists for one who has a doubting mind.

So if one asks a lot of questions on Hinduism.SE, does that make them a saṁśayātmā  (doubting mind) according to BG?

And we should be asking less and less questions? How will we learn if we don't ask questions?


texts: What is the expiation for saying lie(s)?

texts:
Truthfulness is highly encouraged and mandatory in Hinduism.

If a person told lie(s) in past and want to be truthful in future and want to nullify his sins in past due to the untruthful nature.

What is the expiation one should perform to nullify sins due to lie(s)?


texts: Why do Indian women, especially married women, wear bangles?


texts:
We know that Lord Krsna was always focussed on helping the Pandavas throughout their lives. Therefore, in the Mahabharata, we see him making frequent trips to  Indraprastha, Hastinapura, Kamyaka and Dvaita Vanas and Upaplavya to help the Pandavas. We also get the idea that Krsna is away on all these visits, as one can see what Krsna says about Shishupala's attack of Dvaraka when he is away, as also of his sudden arrival back to Dvaraka upon Shalva's attack of Dvaraka.

But in the 69th Chapter of the Dasama Skandha of Srimad Bhagavatam, we see that Krsna is present in all 16108 palaces of his wives, as well as handling affairs of his kingdom by being present in more than 16108 places at once.

If that is the case, then it is logical to assume that only one among the thousands of Krsnas went to Hastinapura and Pragjyotisha and so on. But this contradicts Krsna's own statements made in the Rajasuya Yajna, that Shishupala misused the situations where Krsna was away from Dvaraka.

So, did all the Krsnas leave Dvaraka on these frequent travels, or did only one Krsna make these trips?


texts: Does any doctrine/philosophy believe that Jiva emerges from (and merges into) Brahman?

texts:
According to Advaita, ultimately there is no difference between Jiva and Brahman. The individuality of Jivas are perceived due to the ignorance. (Actually Jiva never originates according to Gaudapada Karika 4.71). According to Vishishtadvaita, Jivatma is the separate reality as well as Brahman (Though Jivatma without Brahman (as the supreme Atman) is not possible and hence called qualified non-dualism). Doctrines of other Vedantic philosophies are often found to be unclear for me to exactly understand like Advaita and Vishishtadvaita, though you may have a look at them.

I want to know is there any doctrine or a philosophy (may be Vedantic or any other like Kashmiri Shaivism, Shaiva Siddhanta, Shakta philosophy etc.) that believes the Jiva emerges from Brahman and merges into Brahman?


texts: How can ramayana be 7000 years old if Iceage ended 10000 ago,how do they become developed  so  fast, and  if it occurred in  some  other  yuga, then how  do we still  have  Ram setu.


texts: Which substance in a female body is converted to Ojas?

texts:
For males, it's told that it's the semen ( vírya ), that when preserved via Brahmacharya gets converted to Ojas, travelling upto ajña chakra, by the process called Urdhareta.
So, as per the relevant scriptures, what is the equivalent (for the semen), that is transformed to Ojas in the case of females?  And what are some ways or methods (like ãsanas, lifestyle practices, etc.), specifically for women, to achieve that?  Is Rajas, called the female equivalent of the Ojas (as in males)?


texts: Can it happen that the length of a man's life somehow becomes reduced during a man's lifetime, and so one has to die before he was destined initially?

texts:
In the question "Is the length of a man's life predetermined?" I asked on whether the length of a man's life has already been determined in advance, even before a person is born, and now I ask the question which is related to it.
The answer to this preceding question was that "Yes, it is predetermined", and the answer was furnished with quotations from the scriptures and explanation of how the quotes give the answer to the question.
Here I expect the same, to answer this question, please be sure to furnish quotations from the scriptures and explain how you see your quotes give the answer to this question.

So, the question here is the following one: If the length of a man's life has already been determined in advance, even before a person is born, then can it happen that the length of a man's life somehow becomes reduced during a man's lifetime, and so one has to die before he was destined initially?
If the answer to the question is "Yes", then give an explanation of what are the possible reasons for the reducing of a man's destined  length of lifetime.


texts: Doesn't barring Sudras(who form feet of Purusha) from studying Vedas and making them non-Vedic handicap the Purusha?


texts: What was the education system in the Gurukuls like?

texts:
We have all heard that kids were sent to Gurukul returned as educated men.

I wonder what life in a Gurukul was like, what subjects did the kids study, and what activities filled a typical day?


texts: What attributes of Hinduism allowed it to survive centuries of proselytisation by Muslims and Christians?

texts:
To start with, no hard feelings against anyone who subscribes to Islam or
Christianity.

When the Muslims invaded 'Iran' or 'Egypt' they were able to convert the whole population to Islam in a few decades e.g., the present day Iran was largely Zoroastrian at that time. Also, when the Christians moved to the European region, they converted the whole population to Christianity in a few decades.

Although, India has faced centuries of Muslim invasion. This was followed by nearly two centuries of Christian domination (read British). Despite this, the population of our country is largely Hindu. How is that?

I know there would have been many historical reasons for that. Although, I am interested in the attributes of Hinduism that allowed it and us to survive.


texts: Why is the ring finger or thumb used for tilak?

texts:
For doing tilak, I have been always instructed to use my ring fingers. But my Panditji always used his thumb. When I asked about it he instructed me that Pandits and brahmins can also use their thumb too, but I didn't get the reason for it.

So I really want to know the logic behind it.


texts: Do a couple need to purify themselves after copulation?

texts:
In Islam and Christianity, it is obligatory for a couple to take a shower to purify themselves. I have never heard of such a thing from any of my Hindu friends.

Are there any teachings related to this? I have been reading other teachings about purification, like the menstrual question on this site, which says that a woman needs to be clean.

Is there any teaching which tells a couple to get clean after copulation?


texts: Bomma Golu(or Kolu) is a doll display festival celebrated during the festival of Navratri in Southern India. What is the history and significance of such a unique practice (that too only in south India)? Is there any reference to  this practice in our scriptures and Puranas.


texts: What was the traditional justification for why Chandalas were not allowed in temples?

texts:
Traditionally, Chandalas and I believe even Sudras were not allowed in temples.

What was the justification for this and is it based on scriptures?


texts: Is Pandu's last wish, not to burn his body but eat it away, real?

texts:
On Wikipedia, it is given that Pandu asks his sons to eat his flesh and only Sahadeva does so because of which he gains ability to see the future but Krishna asks him not to reveal anything to anyone.

I have heard other stories for the same but with minor variations.

So,

Is this real? Are there any references to this?
Eating human flesh and that too your own father's wouldn't be a sin?

EDIT: The section has been removed from wikipedia using this question as a reference:

Wikipedia Sahadeva


texts: How does Lord Hanuman recalls his special powers?

texts:
I remember some sage cursed Lord Hanuman for misusing his great powers and Hanuman forgot that he had special powers.

But how did he break the curse? How did he get to know that he has special powers?


texts: Is there any avatar supposed to be born between the death of Krishna and the birth of Kalki?

texts: I am curious if an avatar between the death of Krishna and the birth of Kalki is supposed to be born no matter of what god we are talking, no matter if its an incarnation of Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, Durga, Surya, Agni etc..


texts: Where can I find the Gayatri mantra commonly used?

texts:
Where can I find the Gayatri mantras for deities commonly worshipped like Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma etc?

I found some video from YouTube but not sure if its safe to chant.


texts: Why are Gargeya and Bharadwaja Gotra distinct?

texts:
A question about Bhardwaja and Gargeya gotras.
Bhardwaja had two sons: Drona and Garaga (mother Kshatriya). Drona had one son "Ashwathama".
Ashwathana didn't have any sons. So the entire Bhardwaja gotra descendants must be via Garaga?
Why is then Garageya gotra separate from Bhardwaja?
Descendants of Bharadwaja are in the technical sense descendants of Gargeya. The question is why is there a distinction between Gargeya and Bharadwaja Gotra? What lead to this?


texts: Is there any negative impact of wearing various Rudrakshas combined?

texts: I got to know that group of different faced Rudrakshas has some impact on our body and mind. Is it in positive ways or negative? If there is any negative impact, which combination should I avoid wearing.


texts: Where does Periyavachan Pillai discuss Mleccha devotees of Vishnu?

texts:
Mlecchas refer to people who are foreign to India and the Vedic tradition, in contrast to Nastikas who are from India but reject the Vedic tradition.  In this excerpt from his Rahasyatraya Sara, the 13th century Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan discusses a Garuda Purana verse on the subject of how to treat Mlecchas who have become devotees of Vishnu:

"Bhakti or devotion is of eight kinds.  If this bhakti is found in a mleccha, he should be considered as a devout and knowing Brahmin.  To him giving is proper and from him taking is proper.  He should be treated with the same reverence as I myself."  This shloka has been commented upon (by Peria Achan Pillai) as meaning not that girls should be given in marriage to him and the like, but that he may be given the gift of knowledge and such like.  "Treatment with reverence" is a general term.  Therefore it means that if a man has devotion to Bhagavan, he should be treated with as much respect as the shastras permit.  Its purport is merely this much, that if a man treats such a devotee in the same way as he would treat others of the same caste, he would go to hell.

I'm interested in the part in bold.  For those who don't know, Periyavachan Pillai was a 12th Sri Vaishnava Acharya famous for his commentaries on the Valmiki Ramayana and the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.  He was a shishya of Nampillai, whose guru's guru was Parashara Bhattar, Ramanujacharya's successor as the head of the Sri Vaishnava sect. My question is, where in his works does Periyavachan Pillai discuss this verse of the Garuda Purana?
This web page lists his works:

In his life time, he has done vyAkyAnams for:

4000 dhiyva prabhandham – He has written vyAkyAnams for all of aruLicheyal. vyAkyAnams for approximately 400 pAsurams for periyAzhwAr thirumozhi was lost and mAmunigaL just wrote those missing pAsura vyAkyAnams.

sthOthra granthams – He has written vyAkyAnams for pUrvAchArya srisUkthis like sthOthra rathnam, chathu slOki, gadhya thryayam, etc and jithanthE sthOthram.

sri rAmAyaNam – He has selected important slOkams from sri rAmAyaNam and written a detailed commentary for those in rAmAyaNa thani slOki. He was named abhaya pradha rAjar for his masterful explanation of vibhIshaNa sharanAgathi episode.

He has also written many rahasya granthams such as mANikka mAlai, parantha rahasyam, sakala prAmANa thAthparyam, etc which explains rahasya thrayam in an excellent manner. He was a pioneer in documenting rahasya thrayam – piLLai lOkAchAryar took the essence of nampiLLai and periyavAchAn piLLai’s teachings and wrote his astAdhasa rahasya granthams.

As far as I can tell, none of these works have been translated into English, and some may not be available in any form.  But the translator was able to identify the person Vedanta Desikan was referring to as Periyavachan Pillai, so it's probably from some available work.
On a side note, does anyone know where in the Garuda Purana this verse occurs?  The translator says it's verse "219-6-5", but I'm not sure what that means; the Garuda Purana has three Kandas, each of which have a bunch of chapters, each of which have a bunch of verses.  So I don't see how you could specify a verse using three numbers none of which is less than or equal to 3.


texts: Did Mandodari marry Vibhishana after Ravana was killed?

texts: Is it true that after lord Rama defeated Ravana and declared Vibhishana the king, Vibhishana married Mandodari?


texts: Do Hindu Gods share some similarity with the Gods of other religion? If yes, then are there any stories or traits that we can compare? I have heard that the Greek Gods are a bit similar to Hindu Gods, may be there are others too.


texts: Bharanyasam versus samashrayanam - dos and donts

texts:
My namaskaram to all the knowledgeable folks here. Pardon adiyen's (my) ignorance here and please shed light on what are the differences between the two -
all i know is that samashrayanam is what thenkali sect of sri vaishnavites do and end there, while vadakalai sect do Bharanyasam in addition to samashrayanam and both of these mean saranagathi.

Also please shed some light on the dos and donts once having received either or both, specifically related to

i)  Prapatti

ii) Food Habits (satvic food only/is it mandatory)

iii) Are thenkalais allowed to take bharanyasam as well? if no, may i know why?

iv) Daily mandatory rituals if any others that i might not even be knowledgeable enough to ask

Thank you all!


texts: Why Lord Shiva has a snake around his neck?

texts: I have never read about the story why Shiva has a serpant around his neck. Is it to stop the poison from entering his body ?


texts: Can I have more than one spiritual Guru in my life? Can I take Mantra Diksha from two Gurus? If I take Mantra Diksha from two Gurus then which Guru will be considered as superior?


texts: Practices for Focus, Concentration, Memory?

texts:
Any Mantra, Yantra, Yoga for Focus, Concentration, Memory...
Which concept should I look into, If I want to know more about, Focus, Concentration and Memory in Hinduism


texts: What do the Vedas say about animal sacrifice?

texts: In ancient times, there had been animal sacrifices at various Yagyas and rituals were performed by Brahmins for kings, while on the other hand they also used to advocate non-violence and preferred a vegetarian diet. How did these contradicting things coexist?


texts: Shraddha Ritual - On Pindadaan and its offering locations

texts:
I have heard that Pindadaan is given in Gaya. Why can't "any place" be suitable for Pindadaan? Does Gaya (or Pinda-eligible places) contain any sort of spiritual momentum or subtle spiritual forces, which transmit the offering to the departed soul?

Like for example Kumbha Mela is only held in the 4 places where Amrit was spilled. That's why Kumbha Mela cannot be held anywhere else.

Another example would be 51 Pithas of Sati's organs. No other place could be eligible for being qualified as Shakti Pith.

So, is there anything special about Gaya (or other Pinda-eligible places)?


texts: What does the atomic nature of mind mean in Nyaya sutras?

texts:
In Book 2, chapter 1 of Nyaya Sutras commentary, in line 85, I have a doubt.

  The mind too has not been omitted from our definition inasmuch as we have spoken of non-simultaneity of acts of knowledge. -24.

  Perception has been defined as knowledge. An essential characteristic of knowledge is that more than one act of knowing
  cannot take place at a time. This characteristic is due to the mind,
  an atomic substance, which is conjoined with the sense, when knowledge
  is produced. Hence in speaking of knowledge we have the implication
  mentioned the mind as a condition of perception.

Nyaya Sutra commentary says that Mind is an atomic substance so it can perceive only one knowledge at a time. I want to know what does it mean that mind can perceive only one knowledge at a time because it is "atomic" in nature? How can being atomic stop us from having more than 1 knowledge at a time?


texts: Lord Krishna was an avatar of Lord Vishnu but once I have heard that one day Lord Krishna and Arjuna went to Ksheera Sagara to see Lord Vishnu and they had met him. So,if Lord Krishna was a form of Vishnu,how can he meet Vishnu?


texts: In which month of pregnancy a soul enters in to a new body(foetus)?

texts:
When I was going through this question  and this question came across that,
after the death of a body, the soul has three choices that is heaven, hell and moksha.
It is said that if soul/atma left the body through bramha randra then the person may attain Mukti/Moksha/liberation. But who have done any type (Bad or Good) of karma in his/her life time (current birth) they leave their physical body through one of the nava randhra marg and will get a new life (next birth/re-birth).

As I want know about those souls who will get a new life (next birth).

There are 16 sanskar (sacraments of life) described in the great texts of Hinduism. In that first three sanskars are related to Pregnancy. As everyone know Pregnancy is the most precious period of women's life, as she has gone through 9 months of beautiful experience.

I am trying to connect my two above things by asking below questions:

How does a soul enter in new body? Is there any way to know?
Does soul enter from same Nav randhra marg (which it left from)?
In which month of pregnancy a soul enters into a new body (foetus)?
Is there any possibility in choosing a wrong body by Soul? If yes then what happens?
What are the basic things (like Genetics of both parents) required for soul entering in to a new body?
What are things come from last birth in to new life? (like Education, Life duration)
Is there any text in Hinduism on this?

As I came to know that Punsavana (seeking birth of a male child) or Strisavana(seeking birth of a female child) sanskar done in the third month after the conception.

Does this mean that soul enters after the third month of pregnancy?

I got Strisavana(seeking birth of a female child) sanskar information from Ayurvedic books.


texts: Is there any description regarding the Kanwar Yatra in our holy books?

texts:
Today I was checking Twitter and there was a trending hashtag regarding Kanwar which telling that Kanwar yatra is not mentioned anywhere in Hindu holy books.

So is there anything in our holy books?


texts: How to know if a person has elinati shani (sade sati), ashtami shani or ardha ashtami shani?

texts:
How does one know if a person has shani?

Is it through astrology? Are there any ways to know this? Please explain.


texts: Where in Matsya Purana the following verse about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu located?

texts:
As per Gaudiya Vaishnavism websites, the below verse is said to have spoken by Krishna in Matsya Purana:

  Mundo gaurah su-dirghangas  Tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah
   Dayaluh kirtana-grahiBhavisyami kalau-yuge

  Meaning: In the age of Kali, I shall advent where the three rivers meet. I shall have a shaven head. I shall have a golden complexion. I will be very kind and always chant the holy name of Krishna.

Where this verse is located?


texts: Do the Devata Kanda sutras declare that Narayana is Brahman?

texts:
The Devata Kanda sutras were written by Rishi Kasakrtsna and form the middle portion of the Mimamsa shastra. The first portion is the well known purva mimamsa sutras, and the later portion is the well known uttara mimamsa sutras (brahma sutras).

The purva mimamsa sutras give an understanding of dharma, while the brahma sutras give an understanding of brahman. The devata kanda sutras on the other hand give an understand of the different devatas.

These sutras were cited by Shankaracharya and others.

What do they say about Vishnu?


texts: The difference between the mind and the Atman in Advaita Vedanta

texts:
It is emphasised in Advaita Vedanta that "I am neither the mind nor the body, I am the Atman which is in fact the same as Brahman" (not a quote but my understanding).

I would like to know in what sense the mind and Atman are different. What makes decisions? The mind or the Atman? What gives rise to consciousness? The mind or the Atman. Is my personality a result of my mind or the Atman?


texts: Do some people have more Grace of God and some have less?

texts:
There are millions of people in world, some are more successful and reach their goals while some try hard to reach their goals or there favorable profession, but fail to; or some people are more successful, more healthy while some are not.

In Hinduism even Lord Vishnu had special grace on Prahlad or Shiva on Rama. So according to Hinduism, do devas have a special or more grace compared to other people?

What do the Hindu scriptures say about this? What do different philosophies say about this?


texts: What is the meaning of this Atharva Veda hymn on bottle-gourd, drums and camel?

texts:
Atharva Veda Book 20 has this curious hymn that I couldn't make sense of:

  Then too the single bottle-gourd, the bottle-gourd dug
     from the earth,

  The lute dug up from out the ground: this the wind stirs
     and agitates.

  Let him prepare a nest, they say: he shall obtain it strong
     and stretched.

  He shall not gain it unspread out. Who among these will
     touch the lute?

  Who among these will beat the drum? How, if he beat it,
     will he beat?

  Where beating will the Goddess beat again again about the
     house?

  Three are the names the camel bears, Golden is one of them,
     he said.

  Glory and power, these are two. He with black tufts of hair
     shall strike.

Does any scriptural commentary give the meaning of this verse especially the bit about the goddess and the camel?


texts: What is the story of Grihpati avatar of Lord Shiva? Why was he born and who were his parents?


texts:
blasphemy :
the action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk.

Is blasphemy sin in Hinduism.


texts: Is there any interdependence between asanas and pranayamas?

texts:
Asana is a prerequisite for Pranayama.
There are several types of Pranayama and Asana.
Is the effect same in the following two cases

Doing any type Pranayama with any Asana

Doing a particular type of Pranayama with a particular Asana

If the effect is different, then an example of achieving something with only a particular type of Pranayama with a particular type of Asana can be an answer.


texts: Mention of Siva cursing Saudasa(Somadatta) in Skanda Purana

texts: Does Skanda purana mention the incident of Shiva cursing Saudasa to live as a Rakshasa?


texts: Science of dice in ancient Hinduism scriptures

texts:
In section LXXII of Mahabharata, there is an excerpt regarding the science of dice.

  "Vrihadaswa said, '.......Rituparna said, 'O Vahuka, thou art the only
  charioteer, there is none other in this world. And, O thou versed in
  horse lore, it is through thy help that I expect to go to the
  Vidarbhas. I place myself in thy hands. It behoveth thee not to cause
  any obstacle. And, O Vahuka, whatever thy wish. I will grant it if
  taking me to the country of the Vidarbhas to-day, thou makest me see
  the sun rise.' At this, Vahuka answered him, saying, 'After having
  counted (the leaves and fruits of the) Vibhitaka, I shall proceed to
  Vidarbha, do thou agree to my words. Then the king reluctantly told
  him, 'Count. And on counting the leaves and fruits of a portion of
  this branch, thou wilt be satisfied of the truth of my assertion.' And
  thereupon Vahuka speedily alighted from the car, and felled that tree.
  And struck with amazement upon finding the fruits, after calculation,
  to be what the king had said, he addressed the king, saying, 'O
  monarch, this thy power is wonderful. I desire, O prince, to know the
  art by which thou hast ascertained all this.' And at this king, intent
  upon proceeding speedily, said unto Vahuka. 'Know that I am proficient
  at dice besides being versed in numbers. And Vahuka said unto him,
  'Impart unto me this knowledge and, O bull among men, take from me my
  knowledge of horses.' And king Rituparna, having regard to the
  importance of the act that depended upon Vahuka's good-will, and
  tempted also by the horse-lore (that his charioteer possessed), said,
  'So be it.' As solicited by thee, receive this science of dice from
  me, and, O Vahuka, let my equine science remain with thee in trust.'
  And saying this, Rituparna imparted unto Nala the science (he
  desired). And Nala upon becoming acquainted with the science of dice,
  Kali came out of his body, incessantly vomiting from his mouth the
  virulent poison of Karkotaka.

With the help of that science, Rituparna can exactly calculated number of leaves, fruits etc., From Rituparna, Nala also got the science of dice. Vrihadaswa gave it to Yudhisthira.

In this context, I have two doubts:

1) Along with these four people ( Rituparna, Nala, Vrihadaswa, Yudhisthira), are there any other people who know this science of dice in ancient scriptures. If yes, list out them.

2) Is there any text available explaining the science of dice in detail?


texts: Was there an influence of Kali demon in Dwapara yuga?

texts:
Even though game of dice is such a shame, why was it a rule for the Kshatriyas not to reject invitation for the of dice? Does it mean Yudhistira was under the influence of kali, accepted invitation for game of dice against the advice of Vidura, his brothers, wife who discouraged him to accept the invitation for game of dice?

All the bad consequences happened during Mahabharata, Let it be Abhimanyu's death, Draupadi vastraharan (disrobing). Were all these due to the influence the Kali?


texts:
What is the meaning of Gayatri Mantra?

  ॐ भूर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं । भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि, धीयो यो न: प्रचोदयात् ।।


texts: Do any of Vaikhanasa text associate itself with Vedanta philosophy?

texts:
As I had posted a question on popular philosophies of Hinduism. In one of the answer it is mentioned that Vaikhanasa is associated to Vishishthadvaita vedanta.

But when Vaikhanasa itself is called as "agama" how it can be associated with Vedanta which comes under nigama?

Among the Vaikhanasa sutras (grihya, shrauta etc) and related Samhita texts, are there any which acknowledge its association with the Vedanta?

Though there could be a commentary on Vedanta sutra by a vaikhanasa priest. But I want to know the references directly from their core texts. Because the followers may write commentaries on many subjects which may not be necessarily related to the actual ideology.


texts: What are the capabilities & incapabilities of Kaliyuga people comparing to people of other Yugas

texts: Intellectual, psychical, physical, psychological, physiological, mental & spiritual comparisons.


texts: When did Vishnu's bird Garuda try to kill Vishnu's serpent Adiseshan?

texts:
As I discuss in this answer, the Pancharatra Agamas are the foundational texts of Vaishnavism.  Similarly, the foundational texts of Shaivism are known as the Shaiva Agamas, aka the Shaiva Tantras.  One of the Shaiva Agamas is known as the Parakhya Tantra, and it takes the form of a dialogue between the sage Prakasha and his student Pratoda.

In this excerpt from the Parakhya Tantra, Prakasha describes the geography of Jambudvipa, the continent where India is located.  (Some people equate Jambudvipa with the entire Earth or even something larger than the Earth, but that's a discussion for another time.). In particular, he says this:

  To the south of Ilavrita is the mountain called Nishadha, on which Garuda had been poised to kill the serpent Shesha and was forbidden.

My question is, what's the story of Vishnu's bird Garuda trying to kill Vishnu's serpent Adiseshan?

Now I'm aware that Garuda has a long-standing enmity with snakes, due to the fact that he and his mother Vinata were enslaved by the Nagas (whom I discuss here) who were the sons of Vinata's co-wife Kadru.  Garuda even got a boon from Indra that snakes would be his natural food, as described in this chapter of the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata.  And Adiseshan is the eldest son of Kadru.  But I find it strange that one attendant of Vishnu would try to kill another.  Could this story have taken place before one or both of them became attendants of Vishnu?

The only story I know of where Garuda and Adiseshan fight is the story of Arulmaakadal Perumal Vishnu temple in Mahabalipuram.  Here is what Wikipedia says:

  Once Garuda and Adiseshan (the snake on whom Vishnu rests in his abode Vaikunta) got into an argument as to who was more powerful and devoted to their lord. Finding Garuda a little arrogant, Vishnu went in favour of Adisesha. Worried that Garuda might be angered at this, Adisesha sought the protection of Vishnu, upon which Vishnu asked him to roll himself and hide under him. It is said that as a result of this anger, Garuda never flies over this place.

But is this the same incident as what took place on the Nishadha mountain?

Also, the Parakhya Tantra says "Garuda had been poised to kill the serpent Shesha and was forbidden."  So who forbade him?  I assume the answer is Vishnu, but I'm not sure.


texts: Is ॐ Gam Ganapataye Namaha correct, or ॐ Gan Ganapataye Namaha correct?

texts: According to you What is correct ॐ Gam Ganapataye Namaha or ॐ Gan Ganapataye Namaha ?


texts: Why do Lord Vishnu's incarnations worship Lord Shiva?

texts:
In Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda, Lord Vishnu tells Lord Shiva-

  'O powerful Rudra,in every age in My different incarnations I too shall worship you to delude the demons. Following these doctrines,they(demons and theists) will undoubtedly fall down.' (Reference :https://iskcondesiretree.com/forum/topics/krishna-vs-durga-1)

Is this sloka applicable to the worship of Lord Shiva by Lord Rama or some other Incarnations also? If not, what are the other scriptural reasons  worship of Lord Shiva by Lord Vishnu's Incarnations?


texts:
I was going through the Wikipedia article on succubus where I found Yakshinis being referred to be succubi in Hindu tradition:

In India, the succubus is referred to as Yakshini and are mythical beings within Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology. Yakshinis are the female counterpart of the male Yaksha, and they are attendees of Kubera, the Hindu god of wealth who rules in the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Alaka. They are the guardians of the treasure hidden in the earth and resemble fairies. Yakshinis are often depicted as beautiful and voluptuous, with wide hips, narrow waists, broad shoulders, and exaggerated, spherical breasts.

Is Wikipedia correct in saying that Yakshinis are succubi? I am asking this because I have found Wikipedia to be a not very reliable source in the past.
Note: For those of you who are not aware of what a succubus is, it is a supernatural entity in Western esoteric traditions, that takes form of a woman to seduce men, usually through sexual activity. Also keep in mind that Succubi is the plural of succubus.


texts:
Many people become rich, successful and powerful by unfair means like fraud/scam etc. As a result, many people in the path of Dharma are not able to compete with them. It tempts good people to follow adharma path in order to succeed.

How does Hindu religion explain it? I heard in Kali Yuga only 25% is dharma (i.e one leg of the bull of dharma is left rest 3 are chopped off).  How long does it take to get the effect of the bad work?


texts:
Who is the God of Emotion? Are there any Mantras for emotions?

For example, what are some Mantras for good mental health, and mental and emotional strength?


texts: Who was it that really saved Draupadī's modesty?

texts:
Contrary to popular belief, seems like it wasn't Kṛṣṇa who rescued Draupadī when she was being disrobed by Duḥśāsana. This is what Bibek Debroy writes in the introduction to his translation based on the BORI critical edition of the Mahābhārata:

  In similar vein, in popular renderings, when Droupadi is being disrobed, she prays to Krishna. Krishna provides the never-ending stream of garments that stump Duhshasana. The critical edition has excised the prayer to Krishna. The never-ending stream of garments is given as an extraordinary event. However, there is no intervention from Krishna.

I tend to agree with the above because as I point out in this answer to Krishna's role in the game of dice, Kṛṣṇa neither acknowledges nor takes credit for coming to Draupadī's rescue.

If it's not Kṛṣṇa, then who's it that really saved Draupadī that day?

EDIT:

Now if you believe that it was really Kṛṣṇa that saved Draupadī that day, then why did BORI decide to edit out Draupadī's prayer from its critical edition? Why did they think it was an interpolation in the original text?


texts: Scriptural references for the family goddess of Indian famous mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan

texts:
The following paragraphs says that Ramanujan credited his mathematical capabilities to the goddess Namagiri Thayar

  A deeply religious Hindu, Ramanujan credited his substantial
  mathematical capacities to divinity, and stated that the mathematical
  knowledge he displayed was revealed to him by his family goddess.
  "An equation for me has no meaning," he once said, "unless it
  expresses a thought of God."
  .................................................................
  .................................................................................................................................
  Apparently, Ramanujan's mother had a vivid dream in which the family
  goddess, the deity of Namagiri, commanded her "to stand no longer
  between her son and the fulfilment of his life's purpose".

Does any scripture mentions about her? If yes, then which scripture mentions about her?


texts: As per Hindu scriptures does lord Śiva explicitly claim himself to be a deity that has to be worshiped?

texts:
Note: I have limited knowledge in these matters. But I am a curious person and go with reasoning.

I want to know that in which all Hindu's divine/sacred scriptures lord Śiva has claimed or explicitly asserted that he is a God and he should be worshipped.

For e.g.

In Christianity: It is nowhere mentioned that Jesus himself claimed to be a God and asked to worship him.

In Sikhism: In their sacred scripture Guru Granth Sahib, possibly nowhere Guru Nanak claimed himself to be a God and asked to worship him.

In Islam: Somewhere (possibly few places) Allah has claimed to be a God and asked to worship him.

Note: If there are too many lists to mention, then mention at least a few authentic references with exact verses / lines.

Reason for my curiosity:
Suppose I am an alien who has come to earth and started speaking understanding the language here. After spending some time with poor (having no special powers) mortal humans, I come to know that they do a lot of things for their living like the business, jobs, singing, etc. which completely makes sense.

However, they also follow some spiritual rules/teachings which is absolutely not necessary for the living. When asked for the reason, they all said they follow it to be a good human being, to be good for the society and overall peaceful coexistence on the earth.
But they all varied in one thing i.e believing in different Gods (the creator of all the universe) and they all claimed to be true.

So instead of believing on individual person I took all the religious books and went to search on my own who is the actual God...


texts:
Can I do Sandhyavanadanam when Ladies in my home are under menstrual cycle ? Because of some unavoidable circumstances, Ladies can not sit separately during their period time.

I do 3 times Sandhyavandanam daily with lot of interest. But during Ladies period time, I am not doing that for 4 days thinking that it is not good to do Sandhyavandam during that time.

Can someone please advise on this? Is it correct that I am doing ? Somewhere I heard that we can do Sandhyavandanam during Asoucha perod also, but till Arghya Pradanam only, reciting silently. How far is it correct?

Thank you.


texts: What is the difference between a good man and a devotee?

texts:
I would like to know the difference between a good man and a devotee. A good man does good karma due to which his previous karma's effect gets reduced. In a similar way, a devotee's karma is also reduced by serving the Supreme being.

Then what is the difference between those two? Is a devotee more dearest to the supreme being than a good man? Sometimes, we see good people facing miseries in their lives, however it happens very rarely in the case of devotees. Is it right?

Can a great misery happen to a devotee? I am not talking about that when he is realized, he doesn't feel it is a misery which is his feeling. I am talking, in general can misery happen to devotee?


texts: Does anyone know the details of the 'great festival of Dogs' (Kukur-Mahotsava)?

texts:
Sri Radharaman Charan Das Babaji was a great Gaudiya Vaishnava saint, who had a pet-dog named 'Bhakti-Maa'.

At the sraddha of Bhakti-Maa, hundreds of street dogs were invited and they all attended and took meal in a very disciplined way.

Can someone provide the details of this astonishing event? Thanks.


texts: I read the article about Rahu in Importance of Rahu in the astrology . Also I just want to know some of the auspicious yoga formed by Rahu in birth chart.


texts:
Arjuna is also known as Gudakesha meaning The one who has conquered sleep and who is not affected by sleep.

From B.G. 10.20

  अहं  आत्मा   गुडाकेश
  सर्व भूतस्य स्थितः
  अहं  अदिश्च्   मध्यंच
  भूतानांन्त  एव  च

  aham atma gudakesa
  sarva-bhutasaya-sthitah
  aham adis ca madhyam ca
  bhutanam anta eva ca

  Meaning :

  I am the Self, O Guḍākeśa, seated in the hearts of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.

What is the story of Arjuna conquering sleep and how did he do that? Are there any more Gudakesha people in this world?


texts: In which scriptures can we find the original stories of the Mahavidyas?

texts: The Dash Mahavidyas are an enigmatic group of goddesses worshiped majorly in the Tantrik disciplines but except Kali, the origins of most are unclear. In which scriptures can we find more about the other nine Mahavidyas?


texts:
Why are Vashishtha and Parashara used as gotras but Shakiti is not? Even though they are of the same male lineage? Vashishtha > Shakti Muni > Parashara > Vyas.

Why do people not use Vashishtha as their gotra instead of Parashara or Vyas?


texts: How Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Swaminarayan are viewed in the Srivaishnava Sect

texts:
The followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Uddhava Sampradaya claim that Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Swaminarayan respectively, are incarnations of Sri Krishna.

Are there any references made by Srivaishnava Acharyas, that accept such claims?

(It would be better for Srivaishnavas to answer this question, but all are welcome!)


texts: Is the pranava - om - mentioned in Vedas?

texts:
The Wikipedia states, in respect of the syllable om,  as follows:

  The syllable Om is first mentioned in the Upanishads, the mystical
  texts associated with the Vedanta philosophy.

Rig veda 1.164.39 says as follows:

  रचो अक्षरे परमे वयोमन यस्मिन देवा अधि विश्वे निषेदुः |
   यस्तन न वेद किं रचा करिष्यति य इत तद विदुस्त इमे समासते ||

  ṛco akṣare parame vyoman yasmin devā adhi viśve niṣeduḥ |
   yastan na veda kiṃ ṛcā kariṣyati ya it tad vidusta ime samāsate ||

  The vedas rest in the imperishable syllable in the Supreme ether (of the heart).  Those who do not know that, what can they do with the veda?  Those who know that are gathered here

Can we infer from the above mantra from Rig Veda, that अक्षरे - imperishable syllable indicates Om?


texts:
can we keep 7 doors for eight entrances at newly constructed house.

we constructed a new house. there it has eight entrances...one main entrance, two for bed rooms ,two for bath rooms, one balcony and one for kitchen wash area.
my doubt is we have kitchen entrance, but can't keep there door as it is interfering with kitchen cupboards...is it okay as per vastu if we maintain 7 doors?
pls let me know the solution.


texts: Why is Durva grass offered to Lord Ganesha ? What is the significance of praying Ganesha with durva grass ?Can any other flower or leaves  used as a substitute for this.


texts: Is there any shloka which explains that time is aksharam and GOD is mahad-aksharam?


texts:
Which is oldest known sacred place of Hindus?

I have found several temples & sacred places of the Hindu religion to be told as many thousand years old. Which of them is oldest known such temple or sacred place?


texts: Was every human a Vaishnava in Satya yuga?

texts: Satya Yuga is the first among the four yugas, where Dharma (religious principles) were followed to the perfection. Dharma can be found to be in perfect practice only in Rama Rajya and nowhere else. Naturally, we can deduce that the citizens of Rama Rajya are first class Vaishnavas, being devotees of Lord Ramachandra. Do we have any scriptural evidence supporting that every human was a Vaishnava in Krita Yuga?


texts:
"The turtle can draw in its legs. The seer can draw in his senses."

(Bhagavad Gita)

When meditating, most people find it difficult to withdraw from noises around us. Noises prevent us from concentrating on the Atman. Most of us have found it difficult to detach from sense of hearing.

How should one approach this? Does this indicate that it's unproductive to meditate in an environment where conversations are within earshot?


texts: How to wash away sin after unconsciously consuming non-vegetarian food?

texts: If any person unconsciously consumed non-vegetarian food and later learned that he/she has done so, is there any provision in Hindu religion to wash that sin?


texts: Recently I heard that a Shaka can be started only by a Chakravarti Samrat. E.g. Shalivan Shaka, Shiva shaka, Yudhishthir Shaka, etc. Also it was said that such Samrat who wants to start a shaka must not have a debt of even a penny. So how a person must be to start a shaka?


texts:
I have spent good time understanding what is Atma or Self. Scriptures say Self is in every being and every being is in Self.

However if someone asks me "Who am I?" then what should be my response?

Or similarly if I ask you "Who are you?" then what will you say?


texts:
I have recently saw a telecast of "Shandilya Mimansa" Katha By Kirit Bhai on Sanskar TV Channel. I am bit surprised because I never heard name of any scripture called Shandilya Mimansa. I know about Rishi Shandilya and have read one work Shandilya Bhakti Sutra but I never heard about a Mimansa work by Shandilya. I have tried searching that scripture on internet but didn't find it.
I am curious to know what is Shandilya Mimansa? Is it a work like Mimansa works done by Jaimini and Badarayana or what is it about? & Where can I find original text of Shandilya Mimansa?
You may refer the mentioned telecast on YouTube.


texts: Who are not included in Paap or Punya system?

texts:
The Paap and Puniya system is applicable to human beings because we have the power of reasoning. So does that mean that who doesn't have power of reasoning are not judged in this system?

For example - Animals, there are carnivorous animals that kill other animals for their survival. Killing others is Paap, so do carnivorous animals become Paapi? I don't think so but I want a confirmation. Am I thinking correctly?

Another question (out of curiosity) - a mentally challenged or mad person, since he doesn't have reasoning power, shouldn't be judged in this system? Is that correct? If yes, then if he commits some serious crime like murder then what happens?


texts: How does one differentiate between Bhakti and Bhakti Yoga?

texts:
The Bhagavad Gita which is part of Mahabharata is elucidation of Tattva, Hita and purushartha by Lord Krishna to Arjuna. It talks about various aspects like Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti yoga  and ultimately Saranagati.

The question is

What is the difference between Bhakti and Bhakti Yoga?

Are they same?

Are they different? If so what are differences.

Please provide valid references from genuine scriptures, commentaries and works of bonafide acharyas (either advaita, Visistadvaita or dvaita) prior to 17 th century

Note: Please dont use one's own whims and fancies to answer this question nor any extracts from modern day, so called babas and Gurus


texts: Can we use one god's mantra to worship others?

texts: If I know there is only one God and all are his forms, Can I worship(at temples) one avatar of His' with mantras of His another avatar/form (among Shiva, Shakti, Ganapathi, Skanda, Surya, Vishnu and Agni)?


texts: Best unabridged Version of Garuda Purana

texts: Can anyone suggest me unabridged Version of Garuda Puranam in English and Preferably in Tamizh?


texts: What is the story of Prahlada being slain by Indra?

texts:
In Mahabharata, Santi Parva, SECTION XCVIII, it is said by Indra himself that he has slain Prahlada.

  Having slain in battle Jambha, Vritra, Vala, Paka, Satamaya, Virochana, the irresistible Namuchi, Samvara of innumerable illusions, Viprachitti,--all these sons of Diti and Danu, as also Prahlada, I myself have become the chief of the celestials.'

Sanskrit part

  48 अहं वृत्रं बलं पाकं शतमायं विरॊचनम

  दुरावार्यं च नमुचिं नैकमायं च शम्बरम

  49 विप्रचित्तिं च दैतेयं दनॊः पुत्राश च सर्वशः

  परह्रादं च निहत्याजौ ततॊ देवाधिपॊ ऽभवम

  50 इत्य एतच छक्र वचनं निशम्य परतिगृह्य च

  यॊधानाम आत्मनः सिद्धिम अम्बरीषॊ ऽभिपन्नवान

  48 ahaṃ vṛtraṃ balaṃ pākaṃ śatamāyaṃ virocanam
       durāvāryaṃ ca namuciṃ naikamāyaṃ ca śambaram

  49 vipracittiṃ ca daiteyaṃ danoḥ putrāś ca sarvaśaḥ
       prahrādaṃ ca nihatyājau tato devādhipo 'bhavam

  50 ity etac chakra vacanaṃ niśamya pratigṛhya ca
       yodhānām ātmanaḥ siddhim ambarīṣo 'bhipannavān

So, I want to know why and when Prahlada was slain by Indra? Was he the same Prahlada (son of Hiranyakashipu) or someone else?


texts: Is it true that some jivas try to enter into the body after their death also?

texts:
If a person dies, then the jiva residing inside the body leaves the body. It may go to heaven, hell, new body, etc.,

But is it true that some jivas without realizing its recent death still wants to enter into the dead body?


texts: Can someone suggest/ point me towards various Sakhas of Asvalayana Grihya sutras, Rigveda?

texts:
I have been trying to find information about various sakhas of Asvalayana Sutra to which I belong but can't find any online.

Also can a Srauta be a smarta?


texts:
I am looking for a precise scriptural definition of Adhyatma (अध्यात्म) which is also known as spiritual in English.

So, Let me ask relevant questions:

What is the definition (meaning) of Adhyatma?
Is there any scriptural definition of Adhyatma?


texts: What are the philosophical differences between Vishishtadvaita Vedanta and Shivadvaita Vedanta?

texts:
Vishishtadvaita, as we know, is a Vedantic philosophy propogated by the renowned Sripad Ramanujacharya. The philosophy is subscribed mainly by Sri Vaishnavas, Ramanandi Vaishnavas and Swaminarayan Vaishnavas.

On the other hand, Shivadvaita is another Vedantic philosophy, propagated by the Shaivite philosopher, Srikantha Shivacharya and followed by the Shaiva Siddhanta sect.

Now, often Srikantha Shivacharya is accused of copying Sripad Ramanujacharya's Vishishtadvaita philosophy and modifying it slightly to suit Shaiva philosophy as the two philosophies are almost identical in nature. So I want to know are there any philosophical differences between Ramanuja's Vishishtadvaita and Srikantha's Shivadvaita?

One glaring difference between the two philosophies I see, is Ramanuja posits Brahman as exclusively Vishnu while Srikantha sees Brahman as exclusively Shiva. So are there any other differences between the two philosophies?


texts: Did arjuna violate the celibacy clause in his 12 year exile?

texts:
I read the following thing in the accepted answer to Where was Arjuna for 12 years when he was exiled?.

  So the five brothers made a rule that they would spend time with Draupadi in turn and no one would interfere while any brother was with her. If anyone did so, then he would have to enter into exile for twelve years as a celibate.

But during exile, he married at least 2-3 times. He must have relationships with his wives. So he clearly violated the oath. Didn't he?


texts: Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya age difference

texts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartikeya
How many years age difference was between
Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya?
Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar