texts: Do Vaishnavite sects consider the "Agniravamo" scripture foundational for Hari Sarvottamatvam?

texts:
The Mahopanishad line

They say Narayana was alone.  There were not Brahma, Shiva

seems to be the very foundation of Hari Sarvottamatvam for Madhwites and Srivaishnavites.
Mahabharata proclaims Vishnu's supremacy profusely - but other Gods are praised as Brahman also and Vaishnavites seem to need the Mahopanishad line to claim that whenever some other God is praised as Brahman, it only means Vishnu.
This line allows them to claim that even in Rig Veda, ONLY Vishnu's supremacy is proclaimed.
Are Shruti statements that allegedly rank Vedic Devas considered to proclaim Vishnu's supremacy equally strongly as Mahopanishad, or are these just confirmatory of Mahopanishad?
http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcs/ind/aind/ved/rv/ab/ab.htm

Agnir vai devānām avamo Viṣṇuḥ paramas, tadantareṇa sarvā anyā devatā

which Vaishnavites translate as

Agni is the lowest of the deva-s and Vishnu is the highest. Between them are all other deva-s.

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/yv/yv05.htm

When about to consecrate himself, he offers to Agni and Visnu on eleven potsherds; all the deities are Agni; the sacrifice is Visnu; verily he lays hold of the deities and the sacrifice; Agni is the lowest of the deities, Visnu the highest; in that he offers to Agni and Visnu on eleven potsherds, the sacrificer envelops the gods on both sides and wins them.

Thanks to @also ran for the references.


texts:
Bhishma was one of the greatest warriors (Kshatriyas),who fought in the Mahabharata war, at Kurukshetra.

Bhishma took a decision, on the battlefield,on day 10th of the war, that he would fight his last battle in the Mahabharata war.

This was as per Bhishma’s boon of not getting killed by anybody and dying as per his own wish.

And accordingly, on the 10th day of the Mahabharata war, Bhishma’s body was pierced with many many arrows, and he finally fell on a bed of arrows, without his body touching the ground. Bhishma’s body was practically resting on a bed of arrows.

  Having slain in that battle, O monarch, (his foes) by hundreds and thousands, there was not in Bhishma's body space of even two fingers' breadth that was not pierced with arrows.

Bhishma’s body thereafter continued to rest on the bed of arrows, for approx two months, as he waited for the auspicious day and time, to make his journey to his final abode{in Swarga}.

How were all the arrows removed from Bhishma’s body, before the last rites (Antima Sanskara) were performed?

Explain in brief how the Sacred Ceremony of last rites was performed for Bhishma.


texts: Is there any scientific or historical evidence that Ramayana is true?

texts: I wanted to know whether there is any scientific or historical proof that the stories and events mentioned in Ramayana are true or is everything just a made-up story?


texts:
I learned the Devanagari script and couldn't help but notice the similarity of the Om symbol ॐ to the symbols of the Devanagari writing system, like अं (never mind that this is pronounced aṃ).

My teacher, maybe simply as pedagogical eccentricity, was eminent that the Om symbol ॐ had nothing to do with the Devanagari script. What exactly is the origin of the Om symbol and its connection with the Devanagari script, if any?


texts: What is the story of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga?

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

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

There are twelve Jyotirlingas mentioned in the similar popular verse.

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

I have already asked a question about Somanath What is the story of Somanath Jyotirlinga? and Mallikarjun What is the story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga? and Mahakaleshwar What is the story of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga? and Omkareshwar What is the story of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga? and Vaidyanath What is the story of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga? and Bheemshankar What is the story of Bheemshankar Jyotirlinga? and Rameshwaram What is the story of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga? and Nageshwar What is the story of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga? and Vishwanatha What is the story of Kasi Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga? and Trayambakeshwara What is the story of Trayambakeshwara Jyotirlinga?. Now I want to know the story of Kedarnath Jyotirling.
Please mention the scriptural reference.
Kedarnath temple is situated in Uttarakhand.

By Shaq774 at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia Source at wikipedia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4624438


texts: What is the difference between Bhagavan and Devata?

texts: Is there any difference between Bhagavan and Devata Please give some examples who is called as Bhagavan and who is called as Devata.


texts: Who are five Acharyas between Gaudapada and Adi Shankaracharya mentioned by Vidyaranya?

texts:
I searched a lot while trying to find answer to What was the lifestyle of Gaudapada? ; Though I couldn't find an answer worthy to post. I read couple of research papers and some pages of a very useful book "Gaudapada A study in early Advaita by Dr. T.M.P. Mahadevan. While reading The soteriology of Gaudāpada’s Māndūkya Kārikā by  Colin A. Cole, I found one interesting thing (read from last line on 12th page):

  A sākta work called Srī Vidyāraṇva by Vidāraṇya (circa 1100 A.D.) lists five Ācāryas between Gauḍapāda and Śankara which would place him nearer the accepted date for Śankrara

What I understood is there are total five Acharyas in Advaita tradition between Gaudapada and Adi Shankaracharya but we know about only one who is Govind Bhagvatpada according to Advaita Guru Parampara. So, I think among five, one should be Govinda Bahgvatpada. I want to know who are others? I don't know much about the sakta work called Vidyarnava; upon searching it seems should be Shri Vidyarnava Tantra but it looks huge work.

I just want to know who are those five Acharyas between Gaudapada and Adi Shankracharya.

Note: For those who don't know about Vidyaranya, he was 12th Shankracharya of Sringeri Sharda Peetha, also known as Madhavacharya and brother of Sayanacharya.


texts: Who owns a Hindu temple according to Hindu scriptures?

texts:
Subramanian Swamy said in a video that God owns the temple, and the pundit only acts as a 'trustee'. Is this validated by the Hindu scriptures? Also, assuming it is validated, is this applicable to all Hindu temples?

Can a private person, a private group, or a public entity like a government not own a temple?

This question discusses various other aspects of a temple without going into property rights.


texts:
Can you explain the concept of married couples performing penance for 1000 years?

In beginning of Shri Krishna, we are shown that Deviki and Vasudeva perform penance together for 1000 years, see Lord Krishna's form.

Deviki is given the boon of being Lord Krishna's mother in three births.

Now, I am watching the story Yashoda and Nanda, how in previous life they were Dhara and Drona and performed penance for 1000 years to see Lord Krishna in child form.

Here is Link to Video

Did Husband and Wife do penance for 1000 years together in Ancient India? And is it really 1000 human years?

Please clarify.


texts: Kesari also fought bravely in the Lanka war along with Sugriva’s army?

texts:
Kesari (Father of Hanumana )also fought bravely in the Lanka war along with Sugriva’s army,

as mentioned here in the wiki of Kesari(Ramayana).

Did sage Valmiki mention this in Ramayana?

TV Shows never mention Kesari fought in Lanka war.

Is it true?


texts: Indra and Vritra – The Tale of the Vajrayudha

texts:
The legend is as follows:

  Indra, the King of the Devas, was once driven out of Devaloka by an asura named Vritra. This asura was the recipient of a boon which made him invulnerable to any known weapon. This Demon, Vritra, also stole all the water in the world for his own use and for that of his Demon army. He did this so that all other living beings would die of thirst and hunger, leaving no Human or God alive to challenge his place in Heaven. Indra, who had lost all hope of recovering his kingdom, went to seek the aid of Vishnu. Vishnu revealed to Indra that only weapons made from the thunder-containing (called in Sanskrit as Vajra) diamond bones of the sage Dadhichi could kill Vritra. Indra and the other Devas therefore approached the sage, whom Indra had once beheaded, and asked him for his aid in defeating Vritra. Dadhichi acceded to the Devas' request, but said that he wished that he had time to go on a pilgrimage to all the holy rivers before he gave up his life for them.[6] Indra then brought all the water of the holy rivers together at Naimisharanya,[6] thereby allowing the sage to have his wish fulfilled without a further loss of time. Dadhichi then went into a deep meditative state and released his life force from his body. The celestial Kamadhenu Calf then licked and removed the flesh from his bones, after which the Devas fashioned the Vajrayudha (Thunderbolt) from his spine and made numerous other weapons. This weapon was then used to kill the asura, allowing Indra to reclaim his place as the king of devaloka and releasing the water for all living beings.

I am little confused here, my question is if Vritra stole all the water in the world then from where did Indra bring water? The statement seems a bit contradictory to me or maybe am not getting it right.


texts: Kundalini is commonly said to be a coiled serpent - snake of immense power resting - asleep - torpid in the bowl at the base of the spine. Is she really there and Why is She coiled, or should I ask is she really coiled and why is she resting, or is this all  a diluted myth that has flowed down the river of time from her true origin where realized knowledge was the reality?


texts:
In South India, people worship Lord Ganesh and consider him to be Lord Shiva's first son and elder to Lord Kartikeya.

In the North and remaining parts of India however, people have a faith that Lord Kartikeya is Shiva's eldest son.

So, who is the eldest son of Lord Shiva?

Also, who is Lord Ayyappan? Does he belong to Lord Shiva's family? Does Lord Shiva also have a daughter?


texts: Did Parashurama ever object to the way his students, Bhishma, Drona and Karna were killed by the Pandavas?

texts:
I am curious to know what/if Lord Parashurama had thought about the way all his shishyas (students/disciples), Bhishma, Drona and Karna, died in the Mahabharata war.
Did he object to the way they were killed by the Pandavas since they were not holding any weapons at the time?


texts: Why is Lord Jagannath shown as the Buddha Avatara in Puri?

texts:
On the inner wall of the Puri temple, a panel of the ten avataras are engraved (relief on stone).There we see Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Nrisimha, Vamana, Parashurama,Rama,Balarama, JAGANNATH and Kalki.

When I enquied about it, the pandas informed me that 'Lord Jagannath IS the Buddha-avatar!

That seemed very surprising to me.How can a deity be an incarnation?

I found an image also on net showing the same.

Can anyone throw light on this?

Thanks.


texts: Is Brihaspati the one who helped Indra's incarnation Indra Vaikuntha?

texts:
Most people only know about incarnations of Vishnu, and perhaps incarnations of Brahma (which I discuss here) and incarnations of Shiva.  But Indra has also taken incarnations, for instance as Vishwamitra' father Gadhi.  But my question is about the most famous incarnation of Indra in ancient times, Indra Vaikuntha.

Indra Vaikuntha's name has nothing to do with Vishnu's abode of Vaikuntha. Indra incarnated as the son of the demoness Vikuntha, and then he conquered the Asura races throughout the three worlds.  But then, due to being in the body of an Asura, he forgot who he was and started tormenting the gods.  He only regained his true identity when a sage known as Saptagu Angirasa held his hand and praised him with a hymn.  Here is what this excerpt from the Brihaddevata, an ancient work by the sage Shaunaka, says:

  There was an Asuri, daughter of Prajapati, Vikuntha by name.  She, desiring a son like Indra, performed very severe austerities.  She then obtained from Prajapati her desires (in the form of) various boons.  And Indra himself was born of her, as he wished to slay the Daityas and Danavas.  Once he was engaged in battle with the Danavas.  Of them he slew nine nineties and seven groups of seven.  Having shattered with the might of his arm the citadels of gold, silver, and iron, (and) having slain all (of them) in their respective spheres (yathasthanam), as arrayed on earth and the other (two worlds).  On earth he exterminated both the Kalakeyas and the race of Puloma, the archer, and in heaven the notorious (tan) offspring of Prahlada.

  Having obtained sovereignty among the Daityas (and) puffed up with pride by reason of his might, he began to harass the gods, being infatuated by the craft of the Asuras.  Now while they were being harassed by that same Asura of unlimited power, they fled for succour to Saptagu, most excellent of seers, in order that the latter should admonish him (Indra).  Now the seer called Saptagu was a dear friend of his, and (so) he praised him with the (hymn), 'We have grasped' (jagrbhma: x.47) as he took him be the hand.  Then he coming to (buddhva) himself (and) rejoiced at the praise of Saptagu, praised himself with the three (hymns) 'I was' (aham bhuvam: x.48-50)[.]

And indeed, as you can see in the Rig Veda Anukramani in my answer here, Indra Vaikuntha is the seer of hymns 48-50 of Rig Veda Book 10, which are Atmastutis or hymns of self-praise.  There's the Indra we know and love!

But my question is about the identity of the Saptagu Angirasa, the sags who helped Indra.  Hymn 47 of Rig Veda Book 10 is the hymn that Saptagu told to Indra to make him remember who he really was, and in particular it says this:

  pra saptaghuṃ ṛtadhītiṃ sumedhāṃ bṛhaspatiṃ matirachājighāti |
  ya āṅghiraso namasopasadyo.asmabhyaṃ citraṃvṛṣaṇaṃ rayiṃ dāḥ ||

  To Saptagu the sage, the holy-minded, to him, Bṛhaspati, the song approaches,
  Aṅgiras' Son who must be met with homage: vouchsafe us mighty and reslendent riches.

My question is, is this verse saying that Saptagu Angirasa is another name for Brihaspati, the guru of the gods?

It would certainly make sense considering that Brihaspati is the son of the sage Angiras as I discuss here.  And epithets like "dear friend" of Indra and "most excellent of seers" sound fitting for Brihaspati.  But why would Brihaspati be called "Saptagu"?  According to this dictionary it means "driving seven oxen", and I'm not sure if Brihaspati is ever described in that way.

In any case, does anyone know scriptures that address the identity of Saptagu Angirasa?  For instance, do the Puranas ever tell the story of Indra Vaikuntha?


texts: Do our scriptures give way to reduce or cross over Prarabdha Karma?

texts:
It is stated that Prarabdha Karma is the one which the person has to undergo without a doubt and cannot be changed unlike other Karma-s which can be changed.

But do we have a way to cross or completely eliminate Prarabdha Karma? What does devotional path say about this? Do we have proper reference by which we can alter or eliminate this Karma?

The reason why I'm asking this question is - it were the same scriptures which said that it's difficult to remove one's Karma which is carried over many births but in "Bhagavad Gita", Krishna conveyed Isvara Gyana burns your Karmas to Ashes. So, is the Brahma Gyana the only way to overcome Prarabdha Karma?

Strongly related: Does praying to God help attain that which is not present in our destiny


texts: Why Mahabharata battle was fought in Kurukshetra?

texts: Why was the Mahabharata battle fought in Kurukshetra and not at any other place? Was there any reason behind that?


texts: How did the Ramayana and Mahabharata wars officially end?

texts:
How did the main wars of Ramayana and Mahabharata officially end? Meaning no more weapons fired and no more people killed in and due to the war.

Who shot the first arrow to start the battle of the Mahabharata? prompted me to ask this question.


texts: I love tattoing and I am a devotee of lord krishna. I think whether tattoing god's name on body is a sin as I am a girl? Does hinduism allow tattoing? Is there any notes about tattoing in puranas?


texts: Was the Sarangapani temple ever converted from Thenkalai to Vadakalai?

texts: The conversion of the great Kanchi temple from Thenkalai to Vadakalai is a well known fact (lot of documentation in the court cases). Can somebody provide historic records (court records etc) or archival evidence regarding the conversion (if ever converted) of the Aaravumudan temple in Kumbakonsm (Thirukudanthai), commonly known as the Sarangapani temple?


texts: Which scripture was first to identify Buddha as an avatar of Lord Vishnu?

texts: Some puranas identify Buddha with Vishnu among them which is the oldest reference?


texts: Why Ravana of Ramayana is worshipped like god and also considered as a demon? I know he was a great king who kept his kingdom and administration in an organized manner. He was also a Shiv bhakt. But still he is considered as a demon in Ramayana because he kidnapped Sita.


texts:
Why eating rice is prohibited on Ekadashi? It is practiced in some parts of India (I am not sure about this practice in all parts of India).

Is there any story or scriptural basis for this belief available?


texts: Which avatar of Vishnu took place in the twenty first yuga?

texts:
In the Skanda Purana, Prabhasa kanda, chapter 19 there is a list of incarnations of Vishnu. It mentions an avatar to kill the asuras in the 21st dwapara yuga.

  Verse 79-80:
  It was in the twenty-first Dvapara towards its close. When Dharma was
  spoiled Visnu was born in the Vrsni dynasty. He was born in order to
  establish Dharma. He destroyed the Asuras.

Any ideas?

I checked the sanskrit manuscript. The translation are accurate for this chapter in https://archive.org/details/67SkandaPurana.Vol.19_201802/page/n128

Sanskrit verses can be found here:
https://archive.org/details/SkandaPuranaVolume7PrabhasaKhandaVenkateswaraSteamPress1909/page/n63


texts:
Recently I have seen a video in which an elderly man says sanyāsaṃ is prohibited in Kali yuga. His statement is as follows:

  Aśvamedha, Gomedha, sanyāsaṃ, offering meat to manes, Begetting children after consuming alcohol should be given up in Kaliyuga.

What is the sanskrit verse? Which smriti has this statement?
Why is it said sanyāsaṃ should be given up in Kaliyuga?
Are there any exceptions for the statement because we have many great acharyas who are sanyāsis' ?


texts: Do all the copies of Vedas found across India have the same content?

texts: As Vedas didn't originate in written form and the manuscripts are created later by various persons, are all the manuscripts exactly the same?


texts:
Rama and Krishna belongs to tretha and dwapara yuga respectively.

Mahabharata has statements about Rama, told by Hanuman, rishi's  etc., So it can be  inferred that Lord Rama was well known at the times of Krishna.

But is there any statement from any scripture by Krishna about Rama?


texts: Are there any proofs in Hindu Scriptures as well as cited by scholars that Shudras might have / can read Vedas?

texts: Can there be any proofs from Hindu Scriptures where we could say that Shudras read Vedas ?


texts:
Is it true that if one does the namasmarana 13 crore times then he gets the darshana of supreme lord?

While doing namasmarana with mouth if another wordly thoughts comes in our mind then does that namasmarana gets counted?

Eg. At first lets say while ironing my clothes i starts doing namasmarana , For first 50 times i does it with full attention then after that for next 100 chants , different thoughts came in my mind , but my mouth is continuosly doing japa, then does that next 100 chants are usefull or do they gets counted?


texts: Why Lord Krishna is referred as Vasudev?

texts: I have seen many people calling Lord Krishna as 'Vasudev'. We know that Vasudev was the father of the Lord, but why is Krishna addressed using the same name?


texts: Is there any mention on Vishnu Avatars that took birth on earth in the past Manvantara?


texts: What are the names of yamanchuryas Discplies

texts: How many discplies were there with Yamachunarya and what is their names?


texts: Which Hindu text generally describes the rules of Niyoga?

texts:
Niyoga (Sanskrit: नियोग) is an ancient Hindu tradition, in which a woman (whose husband is either incapable of fatherhood or has died without having a child) would request and appoint a person for helping her bear a child.

Does anyone know which scripture basically defines the rules of Niyoga?

Also, I am interested in following:

Does this tradition have roots in any pre-Hindu period?
Are there similar parallels in other religions, tribes etc.?


texts: I listen total 10 or 13 names are there but not knowing the names. I listen one or two like Radheya,Vashusena. So I want to know how many different names of Karna are mentioned in Mahabharata? Is there any story for each of them?


texts: What exactly is the role of the Puranas in the Sanatana Dharma?

texts: We treat the Vedas including the Upanishads as representations of our highest Truth. We have Itihaasas like Ramayana and Mahabharata that provides the Bhagavad-Gita, which contains the essence of the Sanatana Dharma. We also have the different Smritis as the rule books. What exact role do the Puranas play in the Sanatana Dharma?


texts:
I recently came to the conclusion that there might exist something beyond time.
The way I argued was that according to Hindu Cosmology the universe is created and annihilated several times.

However intuitively it doesn't make sense to talk about a cyclic theory, because one will be forced to extend the beginning to the infinite past. So I came to the conclusion that there might exist something beyond time and space and it just appears to us that time is flowing and it only appears to us that the universe is created and annihilated.

So my question is: Is it described anywhere in our scriptures how time manifests and it appears to us that the time is changing?

I would be really grateful if someone could refer me to Hindu Literature.


texts: Mantras/prayers to be chanted by parent for the well being of children

texts: Are there any mantras/stotras that a parent can chant for the well being (health/wisdom/ long life etc) of their children?


texts: Puja timings and links with gods, rishis, humans, and demons?

texts:
Several times, elders in my community admonish or pinpoint children or others, on their timings of performing their daily, morning puja and upãsanã.
For example,

I have heard from them, that best kind of puja done is around the brahmamuhurata till sunrise (roughly till 6 AM) and called as Deva puja or Rishi puja.This is the most preferred and prescribed timings, according to them (which they say is mentioned in the scriptures). Sometimes they call it sattvic puja.

After sunrise  (roughly between 6 AM to 8 or 9 AM) is Raja Puja or manusha puja. This kind of puja is considered to be OK. Sometimes they call it as Rajasic Puja.

Lastly, puja between 9 AM and afterwards, they call as Rakashasha puja or Asuri puja, and in the worst case scenario, pishachi puja. This kind of puja they say is fruitless. Sometimes, called Tamasic puja.

{ Remember, all these above-mentioned timings are only for the puja done after one wakes up.}
So, any genuine scriptural basis for these beliefs & practices, or they might be just considered as local cultural beliefs and customs?


texts: Where does Vedanta Desikan lament not being a priest in the Varadaraja Perumal temple?

texts:
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya. My question is about Vedanta Desikan.  In the eight minute mark of this lecture, the Sri Vaishnava lecturer U. Ve. Ananthapadmanbhachariar Swami discusses Vedanta Desikan’s devotion to the deity of the Varadaraja Perumal Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram (translated from Tamil):

  Then how must Varadaraja’s holy body be like?  It’s a beautiful green.  Swami Desikan used to say “I desire to worship that Vishnu’s holy body free from its coverings.” Is it possible?  He says “However big a Swami I am, it’s not possible to worship Varadaraja’s holy body by itself.” What’s the reason?  “I was not born in that family endowed with the blessing of touching Vishnu and performing Puja for him,” he says.  When we worship priests, how should we worship them?  Priests are Vishnu in visible form.  If they say “I touch Vishnu and perform Puja for him”, those greatest Vaishnavas are Vishnu in visible form.

My question is, where does Vedanta Desikan lament not being born in the family of priests of the Varadaraja Perumal temple?

I assume it’s in one of his Stotras or hymns; Vedanta Desikan composed numerous Stotras In praise of Vishnu, and many of them revolve around Varadaraja Perumal since Vedanta Desikan was from Kanchipuram.  But does anyone know which Stotra this quote is from?


texts: What was the reason that Lord Brahma got Cursed by Lord Siva that he will never be worshipped.


texts: Why Rudra was described as a physician or a surgeon as per Vedas?

texts: As per Shiva purana, we know that how Shiva had cured chandra & fixed the head of goat and elephant in the case of daksha & ganesh. But why Rudra was described as a physician, surgeon or the god of health. Is it true as per Yajurveda that Rudra had cured the Sun, when he lost his brightness?


texts: Did Hanuman make promise to Vali's mother that he won't kill Vali?

texts:
I saw some videos on YouTube in which mother of Vali did request to Hanuman that if in any case there is any situation of war between you and Vali then promise me Hanuman, you won't kill Vali. Hanuman made that promise to her.

One day when battle became necessary between Hanuman and Vali, then Lord Hanuman kept his promise and didn't kill Vali. He was able to kill Vali but didn't do so because of his promise.

Here is the Video link of this story. I am posting link of one episode but you can also watch other episode of the story also to know in detail. You will find link of next episode in top right corner of that page.


texts: Correct horoscope of Lord Rama and Ravana

texts: Where can I the find correct horoscope of Lord Rama and Ravana?


texts: Why are women not allowed to enter Sabarimala temple?

texts:
What is the story/concept behind denial of fertile women (aged between 12 and 50) from entering the Sabarimala temple?

Isn't this a discrimination against women? Is it a sin to allow women into the temple? Is it against Hindu beliefs?

Also, check out this related incident ('Supreme Court questions ban on women's entry in Sabarimala temple') that happened recently.


texts: Are there any references about Krishna eating meat?

texts:
In Mahabharata or any other scripture, are there any references which explicitly mention Lord Krishna eating meat like those of Pandavas?
As I did not find any reference in the other thread I have made a new thread for this.


texts: What do the seven horses of God Surya represent?

texts:
Are those horses related to Atharva Veda Book 19 Hymn 53?

1 Prolific, thousand-eyed, and undecaying, a horse with seven reins Time bears us onward.
2 This Time hath seven rolling wheels and seven naves immorality is the chariot's axle.

Is God Surya or those horses in any way related to Kala (time)?
Who is the God sitting in front of Surya, controlling those horses with stick?
What is that stick called?
Which other God or any Character from scriptures ride on seven horse or seven horse chariot?


texts: Tara in Panchakanya is Vali's wife or Brihaspati's wife?

texts:
The shloka Ahalya Draupadi Kunti Tara Mandodari tatha
panchakanya smare nityam mahapataka nashanam lists 5 kanyas (some also list Sita instead on Kunti).
Here, Tara is Vali's wife (who later married Sugriva) or Brihaspati's wife (who with Chandra had Budha as son)?


texts: Why is Lord Ganesha's birth celebrated on Chaturthi (Tithi) instead of on a star?

texts:
There is a system in Hindu tradition that birthday will be celebrated pertaining to the star on that day. Thiruvonam is the star for Lord Vishnu; Moolam for Hanuman;  etc.
Then for Lord Ganesha why his birth is celebrated in Chaturthi (Thithi) not star?


texts: Resources to learn about Hinduism for an ex muslim who has been agnostic for about 10 years

texts:
Om swastiastu.
I'm an ex-muslim who has been agnostic for about 10 years. I’ve read Bhagavad Gita (translated by Eknath Easwaran) and the Katha Upanishad (translated and explained by the same author). I love the philosophy in Hinduism. I started mantram meditation too.
I don’t believe in superstition, and I’ve always thought that devas and such are analogies and metaphors used by the sages(?) to get their message across to other people. And that’s one of the reason I love Hinduism, so many things are abstract. It doesn’t shove up “rigid” doctrines into you. Just wisdoms and philosophy to guide you to a better life (and death)
I’ve been a monist, I believe that everyone and everything comes from a single entity. But I can accept the duality in Hinduism too. So I welcomed the concept of Atman.
There are sooo many things I still understand about Hinduism though. Does anyone know any resource (preferably in English) that I can read?
TL;DR: What are some resources (preferably in English) to learn about philosophy and practices of Hinduism for a beginner with a monist inclination. I can accept duality too.


texts: What did Adi ShankarAchArya say about Param Shiva?

texts:
Here in Saundarya Lahiri, I found following verse of Adi Shankar

  O! Mother! The celebrities, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Indra are functioning as the four
  legs of your resting cot (the world). Lord Parama Siva is the white lustrous pseudo
  blanket (sky) covering Your body. Though He is pure white and crystalline in colour, He
  appears red due to the reflected red lustre of You from underneath. With this red hue, He
  gives the exciting impression as if he is the manifestation of Sringara rasa. 92

After reading it, surprisingly he believed in Param Shiva. Param Shiva is the supreme Brahman who is beyond trinities & the creator or the ultimate reality according to Shaiva Agamas and PurAns. I want to know what else he said about Param Shiva in any of his works?


texts: Small Carvings and statues in pillars in temples

texts: If we observe in ancient temples there are lot of carvings and statues comprising animals, flowers, hanuman, vinayaga, brahmahathi etc in pillars. Further ancient man and woman in different poses can also be found in statue form. Any scriptural evidence from hindu mythology-- why these mixed carvings and statues are put on the pillars?


texts: What are the arguments given by some scholars that the Vishnu Puranas are Tamasic?

texts: Some scholars think that the Vishnu Puranas are actually tamasic, but what are their arguments for this?


texts: Where does Ramayana say Rama and Lakshmana went when their avatara ended?

texts: Do they depart their Avatara in the main body of the text or in the Uttara Kanda?  One would assume they went to Vaikuntha at the end.


texts:
On Vahmana incarnation of Lord Vishnu, He went to King Bali to get all lokas from him. After taking all lokas and Bali himsef from him He got pleased by Bali's comitment (vachan palana) and grant him boon that in savarni mantav
(time whose exact name don't remember right now) you will get post of my great devotee Indra. Till then you go and live in sutaka loka with your grand father (Prahlad).

I am not sure whether Lord Vishnu grant post of King of heaven or some other post. And what is the time when he will get that post of him. What was the exact boon that Lord Vishnu gave to King Bali?


texts: What is the purpose of Karma Yoga? Is it mandatory for everyone to do?

texts:
What is the purpose of Karma Yoga. What does it do?
Is it compulsory for everyone who is worker to do it?
Can any work be done as karma yoga?


texts:
Is it true that Lord Rama exiled Maa Sita even after she passed the Agni Pariksha?

For an overview, Maa Sita was captured by Ravan, and later, Lord Rama fought with an army of monkeys with Ravan's army, but soon after the war, Lord Rama asked Maa Sita to undergo Agni Pariksha to get rid of rumours about Maa Sita's purity.

Soon after Maa Sita plunged into the fire, Lord Agni raised her unharmed and she passed the pariksha (test).

But I've read that she was still exiled by Lord Rama. Is that true?


texts: Procedures used for preserving the integrity of the Vedas

texts: It is said that the metering of the sanskrit verses in Vedas and process of recitation imbue certain qualities to the scripture that make it inimitable(if I may use the word) or easy to identify errors and corruptions introduced over time - a kind of a linguistic/phonetic error correction code. What exactly are these precautionary methods used for preserving the Vedas and how are they being put to use? Have any corruption been identified in available sources of Vedas based on this methodology?


texts:
In Ramayana, when and who named Sita mata as Vaidehi? What is the meaning of the name?

Update:

I found that Sita mata was called by the name "Vaidehi" only during the exile period. Is that right?


texts: Jyeshtha in Sanskrit means 'the eldest'. Why is Jyeshtha called as the eldest Nakshatra in Jyotisha?


texts: What happens to deities at the end of their life cycle?

texts: What happens to different deities we worship at the end of their life cycle. Will they merge back into Parabrahma?


texts: Kumbhakarna rakshasa is the younger brother of Ravana in the famous Indian epic Ramayana. What does Kumbhakarna signify?


texts: What is the significance or reason behind repeating a word in a row multiple times in a stotram?

texts:
This is about Mahisasura mardini stotram.
Some words are used more than once for example, in 11th sloka it is

अयि सुमनःसुमनःसुमनः सुमनःसुमनोहरकान्तियुते
Ayi Sumanah-Sumanah-Sumanah Sumanah-Sumanohara-Kaanti-Yute

Internet search only says what is Sumanah-s. I am aware of what is it but I do not understand the usage of it four times. There are more such instances here. It is not just about the meaning of particular word but I want to understand the intention of using one word more than ones in a row.


texts: Who supported Kauravas and Pandavas from south India?

texts:
Who ruled South India during Mahabharata time?
Please tell me who supported Kauravas and Pandavas from south India?

With reference


texts:
What does rig veda hymn no.121 verse 5 mean by
 By him heavens are strong and earth is stedfast , by him lights realm and skys vault are supported.
Is this referring to the common myth that there  solid dome above earth as found in bible and quran or does it mean something else due to mistranslation in english.


texts: Is 'Sanjeevani Booti' known to be present in current times as well?

texts:
We have read about the use of Sanjeevani Booti in Ramayana, which was used to cure Lakshmana and the Vanara army when they were unconscious and on death bed. I want to know what particular type of illness it could cure and is there any account of its existence in current time.

I think I read a newspaper article in Rashtriya Sahara newspaper, Delhi around 10-15 years ago stating that there is supposed to be a similar herb found in the same regions (I think in China) called Ching-wa.

The person who found that was told to have tried it on his dead father. He took out the corpse of his father from graveyard and put the body in water treated with Ching-wa and after sometime his father came back to life but it was said that he didn't remember anything and was behaving abnormally.

The newspaper compared it with 'Sanjeevani' herb. Do we know of any such thing present in current time?


texts: How to position nandi statue in Hanuman temple?

texts: In a Hanuman temple near our house there is a nandi statue. Temple is very old . Nandi statue is now coming near the road. I want that it should be placed some where away from road. Hanuman temple is east facing and Nandi statue is north facing. Please advice me how the statue should be placed. Your valuable suggestions will change many things


texts: What is the story of Brahma forgetting his knowledge after teaching Indra?

texts:
The Rahasyatraya Sara is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan, concerning the meaning of the Rahasya Traya or three secrets of the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member).  (One of the secrets is the Dvaya mantra used to surrender to Vishnu, which I discuss here.) In this excerpt from that work, Vedanta Desikan discusses the importance of a guru choosing his disciples wisely:

From the episodes of Raikwa (and others) it is evident that the guru who does not reveal spiritual truths immediately even to those shishyas who are of excellent character will not be adversely affected in his spiritual life.  If, on the other hand, the guru reveals these spiritual truths to any and every disciple in the belief that the shishya that sought him must be good, he will be adversely affect; for, in such cases, it is said that the sins of the disciple become the sins of the guru.
This may be seen from the story of Brahma.  Without careful inquiry (into his fitness) he revealed truths to Indra.  As a consequence Brahma forgot his divine knowledge and had to be taught again by Bhagavan through the agency of Narada, Brahma's very disciple.

My question is, what is the story of Brahma losing his divine knowledge after teaching it to Indra, and then his son Narada restoring it?
Narada is an incarnation of Vishnu, so this is similar to Vishnu's incarnation Hayagriva teaching Brahma the Vedas after they'd been stolen from him.  In any case, the only reference I've found to this story is in this article:

Brahma failed to test Indra, when the latter came to Brahma for instruction. Because Brahma taught Brahma vidya to an undeserving student, Brahma forgot the Brahma vidya!

But does anyone know what scripture this story comes from?  There's a story in the Chandogya Upanishad about Brahma instructing Indra and the Asura Virochana (son of Prahlada), but in the end of that story Indra turned out to be a more worthy disciple than Virochana.  But is it possible that he still wasn't sufficiently worthy to be taught by Brahma?


texts: How many types of Vaishnava Charama Shloka(s) exist?

texts:
Charama means peak or climax, the Shloka which is given by Bhagwan as a climax to a great Dialogue and contains essence of Sharanagati(to he Lotus feet of Shriman Narayana) like BG 18.66.
Now there are various Charma Shlokas the most famous Shloka is from Bhagwad Gita.

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः।।18.66।।
Abandon all varieties of Dharma, and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear. BG 18.66
Relinquishing all Dharma means the complete relinquishment of the sense of agency, possessiveness, fruits etc,. while practising of Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga in the instructed way, and the realising of Me as the agent and object of worship namely the means and the end.

Question : How many types of Vaishnava Charma Shlokas are listed in Scriptures


texts: Why is skanda worship more in south india rather than north india?

texts: Worship of Skanda seems to be less popular in north of India , while he is revered more in Tamil Nadu , Karnataka and Maharashtra. What could be the reason behind this?


texts: Which are the 10 tribes that participated in Dasrajna (War of 10 Kings)?

texts: As per my understanding, Dasrajna war was a real event during the Rigvedic period. Is there any information as to which were the 10 tribes that participated in it and their modern geographic origins?


texts:
While reading quotes of Prabhupada (bhaktivedanta swami) I found that Moon is farther than the Sun and the planet/satellite is not Moon.

  1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

  Yes. It is far, far away. Their calculation is wrong. They are going
  to a wrong planet.

  Morning Walk -- May 12, 1975, Perth:

  Prabhupāda: (in car) They have not gone to the moon planet.

  Paramahaṁsa: Really?

  Prabhupāda: Yes. It is far, far away. Their calculation is wrong. They
  are going to a wrong planet.

  Paramahaṁsa: It must be the Rahu planet.

  Prabhupāda: Yes, or something else. Not moon planet.

  Paramahaṁsa: How many...

  Prabhupāda: It is above the sun planet.

  Paramahaṁsa: Moon planet is further?

  Prabhupāda: Yes.

  Paramahaṁsa: Oh. Because they say that the moon planet is the closest
  planet to the earth. That is their calculation. And they say that it
  orbits around the earth, and then that the earth orbits the sun.

  Prabhupāda: All wrong. What is the... According to them, what is the
  distance of sun planet?

  Paramahaṁsa: Sun planet is 93,000,000 miles.

  Gaṇeśa: They say the moon planet is only 250,000 miles.

  Prabhupāda: It is wrong thing.

  Paramahaṁsa: Is their calculation for the distance of the sun wrong
  also?

  Prabhupāda: Yes.

  Paramahaṁsa: 93,000,000? It says in the Bhāgavatam exactly what the
  distance?

  Prabhupāda: The whole universe, diameter, is pañcaśat-koṭi-yojana. One
  yojana equal to eight miles, and one koti is ten miles, er, ten
  million. So pañcaśata, fifty into 10,000,000 into eight.

So what is the exact position of Moon as per the Bhagvatam and what is its distance from the Sun ?

NASA moon landing hoax


texts: Do idols/deities in the temple have soul and consciousness or only prana

texts: I have read about what happens exactly during a prana prathista ritual. I understand that certain procedure is followed for instilling prana in an idol. But I want to know if the idol does have any soul and cosmic consciousness.


texts: How did this world got manifested as per Vedas?

texts:
According to Puranas, the world is created/manifested as per respective supreme deities. Also different sects have different philosophies. But my question is, how did this universe manifested as per Vedas?

Note: please do not give reference of Vedantas. Only Vedas reference is acceptable.


texts: Here ओशो-राम-राज्य-कैसा-था Osho is claiming that there was slavery in the Rama's time and women were bought and sold. Are there any verses that mention the same or any proof that there was slavery during Ram Rajya.


texts: What happened to Vasudeva's (and his brothers') horde of children?

texts:
The 24th Chapter of the 9th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, as well as the 35th Chapter of the Harivamsa Parva of the Harivamsa, speak about the Yadava dynasty till Krsna.

So in these two chapters, the sons of Shurasena are described. They are Vasudeva, Devabhāga, Devaśravā, Ānaka, Sṛñjaya, Śyāmaka, Kaṅka, Śamīka, Vatsaka and Vṛka. Apart from them, Vasudeva has five sisters: Pṛthā, Śrutadevā, Śrutakīrti, Śrutaśravā and Rājādhidevī. These 10 brothers and 5 sisters married (obviously) and had children.

Vasudeva, according to Srimad Bhagavatam married Devakī, Pauravī, Rohiṇī, Bhadrā, Madirā, Rocanā, Ilā and others (who include Devaki's sisters Śāntidevā, Upadevā, Śrīdevā, Devarakṣitā, Sahadevā, and Dhṛtadevā).

On the other hand, Harivamsa gives a list of 14 wives: Rohini, Indira, Vaishakhi, Bhadra, Sunamni, Sahadeva, Shantideva. Srideva, Devaki, Vrikadevi, Devarakshita, Upadevi, Sutanu and Badava.

Since these lists have a few common names, let us assume that each wife had two names.

Now both the sources list out Vasudeva's children. Since the Harivamsa account is a bit different, I quote only the Bhagavatam.

  SB 9.24.46 — Vasudeva, by the womb of his wife Rohiṇī, begot sons such as Bala, Gada, Sāraṇa, Durmada, Vipula, Dhruva, Kṛta and others.
  SB 9.24.47-48 — From the womb of Pauravī came twelve sons, including Bhūta, Subhadra, Bhadrabāhu, Durmada and Bhadra. Nanda, Upananda, Kṛtaka, Śūra and others were born from the womb of Madirā. Bhadrā [Kauśalyā] gave birth to only one son, named Keśī.
  SB 9.24.49 — Vasudeva, by another of his wives, whose name was Rocanā, begot Hasta, Hemāṅgada and other sons. And by his wife named Ilā he begot sons headed by Uruvalka, all of whom were chief personalities in the dynasty of Yadu.
  SB 9.24.50 — From the womb of Dhṛtadevā, one of the wives of Ānakadundubhi [Vasudeva], came a son named Vipṛṣṭha. The sons of Śāntidevā, another wife of Vasudeva, were Praśama, Prasita and others.
  SB 9.24.51 — Vasudeva also had a wife named Upadevā, from whom came ten sons, headed by Rājanya, Kalpa and Varṣa. From Śrīdevā, another wife, came six sons, such as Vasu, Haṁsa and Suvaṁśa.
  SB 9.24.52 — By the semen of Vasudeva in the womb of Devarakṣitā, nine sons were born, headed by Gadā. Vasudeva, who was religion personified, also had a wife named Sahadevā, by whose womb he begot eight sons, headed by Śruta and Pravara.
  SB 9.24.53-55 — The eight sons born of Sahadevā such as Pravara and Śruta, were exact incarnations of the eight Vasus in the heavenly planets. Vasudeva also begot eight highly qualified sons through the womb of Devakī. These included Kīrtimān, Suṣeṇa, Bhadrasena, Ṛju, Sammardana, Bhadra and Saṅkarṣaṇa, the controller and serpent incarnation. The eighth son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself — Kṛṣṇa. The highly fortunate Subhadrā, the one daughter, was your grandmother.

So, according to Srimad Bhagavatam, Vasudeva had all these children.

Yet, in something called Tenth Canto of a scripture called Srimad Bhagavatam, none of these wives or their children appear on the scene. In fact, even Rohini's son is Balarama, while the rest are absent. We can argue that they were born after Kamsa's end, but then wouldn't it be too much for Rohini and the others to be having children while Mathura is under war 17 times due to Jarasandha and his 23 Akshauhinis?

So, the basic question is: Wherefrom did these children spring forth, and into what did they return when Krsna was busy performing his leelas?


texts: Description of Tripura (Three cities) which were destroyed by Shiva from puranas?

texts:
Tripura-  meaning three cities, were  constructed by the great Asura architect Mayasura. These were united afterwards ,  Maya's cities were destroyed by god Tripurantaka, an aspect of Shiva.
The above link provides  very interesting but a very short description of those 3 cities.

So I am interested in a detail description about these three cities from puranas. Like the names , locations , residents and  internal details etc.


texts: Which chapter in Skanda Purana contains the greatness of Ramayana?

texts:
Is there any conversation in Skanda Purana between Narada and Sanatkumara about the greatness of Ramayana?

If yes, then what is the number and name of the chapter?


texts: Does Rig veda mention Madhvacharya as Vayu avatar?

texts:
Among Vedanta philosophies, Advait of Shankaracharya, Vishishtadvait of Ramanujacharya and Dvait of Madhvacharya are most famous and widely followed.

Dvaitins believe Madhwa to be the avatar (incarnation) of Vayu, the wind God. They often quote Balitha Suktam from Rigved.

Some are of opinion that Balitha Suktam does not refer to Vayu but
rather Agni.
While others are of opinion that it's later addition.

This answer here quotes the very same verse stating that Sayanacharya attributes the verse to Agni.

So to sum up my question

Does Balith suktam appear in any version prior to Madhvacharya?
If yes how have the others (Sayanacharya) interpreted it? Basically
i'm looking for how the word "Madhwa" in Suktam is translated.

Here is balitha suktam in sanskrit:

  अथ बळित्थासूक्तम्

  बळित्थेति पश्चर्चस्य सूक्तस्य दीर्घतमा ऋषिः । वायुर्देवता । जगती छन्दः।
  बळित्था तद्वपुषे धायि दर्शतं देवस्य भर्गः सहसो यतो जनि ।
  यदीमुप ह्वरते साधते मतिर्ऋतस्य॒ धेना अनयन्त सस्रुतः ॥१॥

  पृक्षो वपुः पितुमान् नित्य आ शये द्वितीयमा सप्तर्शिवासु मातृषु ।
  तृतीय॑मस्य वृषभस्य॑ दोहसे दमतिं जनयन्त योषणः ॥२॥

  निर्यदर्दी बुध्नान्महिषस्य वर्पस ईशानासः शव॑सा क्रन्त सूरयः ।।
  यदीमर्नु प्रदिवो मध्वं आधवे गुहा सन्तं मातरिश्वा मायति ॥
  प्र यत् पितुः परमान्नीयते पर्या पृक्षुधौ वीरुधो दंसु रोहति ।
  उभा यदस्य जनुषं यदिन्वत आदिद् यविष्ठो अभवद् घृणा शुचिः ॥
  आदिन्मातृराविशद् यास्वा शुचिरहिंस्यमान उर्विया वि वावृधे ।
  अनु यत् पूर्वा अरुहत् सनाजुवो नि नव्य॑सीष्ववरासु धावते ॥५॥

  ॥ इति बळित्थासूक्तम् ॥

Edit1: This might help the users look up Sukt in Rigved :

After little research I found this to be a in Book 1 Hymn
141
However the English translation by Griffith attributes the Hymn to
Agni as i have mentioned above and also Hymn looks completely different.


texts: What is the reason behind the death of Jada Bharatha's father?

texts: What is the reason behind the death of father of Jada Bharata? Is it a natural death (due to age) or any another?


texts:
In the Udyoga Parva of the Mahabharata, Krishna goes to Duryodhana on behalf of the Pandavas in order to try to negotiate peace and avert the Kurukshetra war.  When he hears that Krishna is coming, Duryodhana hatches a plan to kidnap and imprison Krishna.  But Vidura advises against it, because of how powerful Krishna is.  He recounts Krishna's great deeds which demonstrate his might:

  Seekest thou to seize that Kesava by force? While only a child, he slew Putana and two Asuras assuming the shape of birds, and O bull of Bharata's race, he held up the mountains of Govardhana (on his little finger) for protecting the kine (from a continuous rain). He hath also slain Aristha, and Dhenuka and Chanura of great strength, and Aswaraja, and Kansa, the doer of evil. He hath slain Jarasandha, and Vakra, and Sisupala of mighty energy, and Vana in battle, and numerous other kings also have been slain by him. Of immeasurable might, he vanquished king Varuna and also Pavaka (Agni), and on the occasion of bringing (down from the celestial regions) the (heavenly flower called) Parijata, he defeated the lord of Sachi himself.

My question is, when did Krishna fight Varuna (the ocean god) and Agni (the fire god)?  As I discuss in this answer, there was an occasion in which Krishna and Arjuna helped Agni in fighting Indra and the gods, and on that occasion Varuna was also on their side, giving Arjuna the Gandiva bow and Krishna the Sudarshana Chakra.

But do Hindu scriptures describe any occasions where Krishna fought against Varuna and Agni?


texts: Which Vedic verses describe Saraswati as wife of Brahma?

texts:
Does any Vedic sukta call Saraswati as the wife of Brahma-prajapati?

Note: This is not a dup. of "Which puranas/upapuranas mention about marriage between Brahma and Saraswati?" which is about references from Puranas.


texts: Do pre-modern depictions of Varaha show him lifting a flat Earth?

texts:
This site claims that pre-modern paintings and sculptures of Varaha show him lifting a flat earth as opposed to a round earth.
My question is, are there any pre-modern depictions of Varaha that show him lifting a ROUND earth?


texts:
As most people may know, Panduranga-पांडुरंग is another name of Vithoba, who is a Hindu god predominantly worshipped in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Vithoba is generally considered a manifestation of the god Vishnu or his avatar, Krishna.

Vithoba is often depicted as a dark young boy, as can be seen from below pic,

However, if we go by the meaning of the word, Panduranga, it loosely means 'the white god' in Sanskrit where 'Pandu' means whitish and 'ranga' means colour. So that translates Panduranga as God with white colour.

Of course, Vithoba is well known as god with dark complexion and hence associating a white colour name (Panduranga) to Vithoba is bit confusing.

As per Wikipedia, The Jain author-saint Hemachandra notes that Panduranga is also used as an epithet for the god Rudra-Shiva.

My Question: is there any scripture reference exist where Shiva is
 referred or called by name Panduranga?


texts: Is bathing at night a good custom (sadhachara)?

texts:
Consider the following statement by Bhishma in SECTION CIV of Anusasana Parva of the Mahabharata

  One should bathe at night, if one desires one's own advancement.

As per my knowledge, bathing in nights is considered as a bad habit in Hinduism. Where am I going wrong? What is the proper interpretation of this statement?


texts: Any statements in Vedas and the principal Upanishads that deny Vishnu as God?

texts:
Any statements in the Vedas and in the upanishads limited to only principal upanishads that deny Vishnu being God.

I am looking for specific statements for eg: like this one for Indra:

  Out of His fear the Wind blows. Out of fear the Sun rises. Out of His
  fear runs Fire, as also Indra, and Death, the fifth.

I am not looking for statements which say other god is supreme.


texts: What was the reward given by Sri Rama to Jatayu for fighting Ravana?

texts:
Jatayu has a very significant place in the Ramayana epic.

When Jatayu saw the mighty Ravana abducting Sita {Goddess Lakshmi} he put up a courageous fight to free Sita {Goddess Lakshmi}, from the all powerful Ravana.

Jatayu had become very old, by that time, had lost his strength,and knew very well that he was incapable of defeating Ravana.

But, despite being aware of  all the dangers to his own life, Jatayu took a selfless stand, to  fight the  unrighteousness of Ravana, with all his might.

Jatayu fought Ravana, to the best of his abilities, knowing very well, that he would lose his life in the end.

In the end, Jatayu failed in rescuing Sita {Goddess Lakshmi} and died fighting Ravana.

What was the reward given by Sri Rama {God Vishnu} to Jatayu for fighting Ravana?


texts: When and how did lord Krishna bring back six brothers, sons of Devaki who were killed by Kamsa?

texts:
I have heard that the six sons of Devaki were killed one by one by Kamsa but never heard before that they were also brought back by lord Krishna.

I listen, as soon as Kamsa knows their birth, he comes there and kills the newly born. Is it right or after how many days he used to kill?

Were they killed before they were assigned their names?

So, when and how did lord Krishna brought back them?

What is the purpose and story for those six brothers to killed by Kamsa and brought back by lord Krishna?
Were they still babies when brought back?


texts:
I have notice and seen, and also everybody knows about 'shrimad' before the bhagvadgeeta.

shrimad title is also used before title of shrimad bhaagwat and rishi's like shrimad adi shankaracharya.

I want to ask what is the meaning of title and how people use to call this title upon the name of people and scriptures.

And how many people and scriptures hold this title.

https://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110928235250AAwULnI


texts: I've heard sannyasa, the 4th Vedic ashrama, is meant for the attainment of moksha. Thus, the sannyasin is expected to go to a solitary mountain cave or a dense-forest retreat where he must get lost in deep meditation till death and thus attain the desired moksha. Evidently, sannyasa is meant for those that are disgusted with life, and moksha seems to mean death through yoga-meditation. Nevertheless, it is, most probably, Vivekananda that invented a new & novel thesis, namely, that sannyasa is also love of life, and so the sannyasin need Not abandon the worldly life and embrace death for moksha. The sannyasin is free, by this thesis, to lead a worldly life and relish, like all worldly people, all the ease & pleasure, both sensuous & sensual, of life, and yet he's certain to attain the moksha, the only condition being that he has to enjoy all the ease & pleasure of life with spiritual ' detachment '. The problem with this novel thesis is it makes the essential distinction between a sannyasin and a Non-sannyasin vanish outright.


texts: Is Raja Ravi Varma's painting Birth of Shakuntala true to the story?

texts:
The Wikipedia article for Vishwamitra has a picture of the sage rejecting both Menaka and her daughter, Shakuntala. The picture seems to be a painting by Raja Ravi Varma.

Is the painting true to the story of Vishwamitra and Menaka as described in the Ramayana and/or Mahabharata, in that, did Vishwamitra reject Shakuntala as well? Was he aware of her birth? Did he ever come in contact with Shakuntala during or after her birth?

Reference for the picture used: www.columbia.edu

Note: Should using the copy of the painting here pose a Copyright issue, feel free to edit and remove it.


texts: Can we get back the lost Vedas in the future?

texts: Is there any way to calculate precisely the amount of Vedas that has been lost?


texts: Did sports/athletics games and competitions exist in mythological and ancient India?

texts:
I was the reading origins of the ancient Olympics and realized that athletics was not a just part of ancient Greek history but also a part of their religious mythology. I could not find athletics in any Indian mythology and wondered if this had anything to do with the Indian mindset of not valuing any Olympic sport seriously, due to which we cut a sorry figure in every modern Olympic games. The best I could find in India that came close to sport  was warriors based activities such as hunting, archery, sword fighting, horse/chariot racing or unarmed fighting to prove who is better than the other in combat skills. I also found games like gambling games and chess etc. This is not what I am looking for. I am looking for proper athletics similar to that of the ancient Olympics given below.

  For the first thirteen Olympic Games starting from 776 B.C., the stadion or the 200 metre sprint (192 metres to be precise) was the only sport at the games. In 724 B.C during the 14th Olympiad, a second race called the diaulos was introduced in which athletes had to run from one end of the track to the other and run back to the starting line covering a distance of about 384 metres; roughly equal to the modern 400 metres sprint. Four years later in 15th Olympiad in 720 B.C. a 2,400 metre race called the dolichos was introduced at the Olympic Games. It was only in the 18th Olympiad in 708 B.C. that the first sport other than the foot race was added to the Olympic Games when wrestling and pentathlon were introduced.

Question: What are the various reference in Hindu mythology were athletics and sport competitions where held?

References:

Eusebius. Chronicon (English translation from Latin) at Attalus.org
A Brief History of the Olympic Games, David C. Young


texts: What is the description of Varanasi in scriptures?

texts: I'm informed that real Kasi/Varanasi is different.  I want to know the description of Varanasi mentioned in scriptures.


texts: How is kainkarya or concept of divine service in the state of moksha justified?

texts:
According to Ramanuja's teachings, the jivatma after attaining moksha performs divine service to God which is known as kainkarya. It is further stated that this kainkarya comes out of the nature or swarupa of jivatma and hence is a source of joy for the jivatma.

However, from a logical point of view, if one were required to perform service in the state of moksha, then it reduces the appeal of moksha as a desirable place to attain because we are involved in service similar to what we are doing in this mundane human life.

Even though we face sufferings in life, we are still involved in doing things which give pleasure to us such as hobbies, playing sports, etc. Will we be denied such things in the state of moksha, since we are only expected to perform divine service?

Finally, what is the scriptural support for the concept of kainkarya or divine service?

To sum it all, how can we be convinced that moksha involving kainkarya or divine service is a desirable thing and is not something mundane or boring?


texts:
What's the deal with no watering the plant on Sundays?

And why tulsi is sacred?

Are there other plants which are considered as sacred ones?


texts: How can a European born converted Hindu become a Brahmana?

texts:
Converting to Hinduism and Caste
Very interesting Q&A
My question is:
Because I am white Hindu, how can I become one day a Brahmana?
Also: in astrology Indian websites, my jyotish kundli states that myself I too belong to a Varna Dharma, [for further private proofs, contact in private me, if you need my birthdate I mean] even if I was born in Europe.
This thing is that evaluable nowadays or  is instead regarded as unimportant at all inside Sanatan Dharma communities?
Dhanyawaad - thank you


texts: Do any Hindu scriptures condemn magick? Is the practice of magick by Wiccans using Hindu deities legitimate?

texts:
Witchcraft has been one of the most controversial issues in the West. Abrahamic religions such as Judaism, Christianity & Islam  consider it a sin against God but what does Hinduism say about it? Can a Hindu indulge in sorcery?

Also certain Wiccans (adherents of the Wicca religion, a Western pagan tradition that developed in the twentieth century that involves the practice of witchcraft) perform spellwork using the deities of various ancient religions including Hinduism (Lord Ganesha and Goddess Kali are the most used deities from Hinduism in Wicca). Is this practice legitimate?

Update: Seeing some of the comments, I wish to clarify Wicca is not black magick. In the Wiccan Rede, it is stated:

  An it harm none, do what thou wilt'' (''Do what you will, so long as it harms none'').


texts:
There are several mentions about nagas in Hinduism. Consider the following excerpt from Mahabharata

"O Brahmana, thus I have recited the names of the principal snakes
known widely for their achievements--I have not been able to name all,
the number being countless. The sons of these snakes, the sons of
those sons, that were burnt having fallen into the fire, I am unable
to mention. They are so many! Some of three heads, some of seven,
others of ten, of poison like unto the fire at the end of the yuga and
terrible in form,--they were burnt by thousands!
[22, Section 57, Astika Parva, Adi Parva, The Mahabharata]

The passage mentions about nagas with three heads, seven heads and ten heads.
Are there any other mentions in Hindu scriptures saying about snakes with multiple heads other than three, seven and ten?


texts: If someone vow to do this when she get this. And after vowing she came to know that after getting fulfil her wish she can't be able to fulfill her vow. So what she can do?Can she fulfill her vow before getting her wish fulfill n don't have to fulfill her vow after her wish get fulfill? Can god forgive her?? Pls answer I am in great need


texts: How do Vedic fire rituals like Yajnas and agnihotra help the environment?

texts:
Some texts of hinduism believe that such fire rituals are good sources of attracting clouds and bringing rains.

  annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ yajñād bhavati
  parjanyo yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ Geeta 3.14

  All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from
  rains. Rains are produced by performance of yajna [sacrifice], and
  yajna is born of prescribed duties.

I want to know how do these fire rituals help to purify the atmosphere and bring rains ?


texts: Do humans breathe 21600 times in a day according to the Yoga sastra?

texts:
I came to know that a human breathes 21,600 times per day according to Yoga sastra.

Which shloka  explicitly states it?


texts: Why is Krishna called as Chola Putri Priya, is there a specific reason?


texts: What is the relationship between Hinduism and atheism?

texts:
I have recently read somewhere that atheism is the pillar of Hinduism.

If Hindus don't believe in God then why do they worship Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Kali etc.?
Is atheism followed by all Hindus or only a particular caste (e.g., Brahmin)?
Can you also cite the Vedas or Upanishads which talk about atheism in Hindu religion?


texts:
After reading this question, I decided to do some research.
However,there were two contradicting ideas: some said that Shiva had 4 Indras trapped in the cave while others said that there were 5 Indras.Note that these Indras were there before the present Indra came.

How many Indras did Shiva really imprison?


texts:
This source (page 214 (5)), which is also cited in the Wikipedia page for Dharma, says :

  In the Yoga system the dharma is real; in the Vedanta it is unreal (vivarta).

What does this mean in the context of Yogic and Vedantic philosophies? What is the analogous interpretation of Ṛta in the Yogic and Vedantic philosophies?


texts: Do we remain unconscious or conscious after death

texts:
While I was search about Hinduism on internet, I got to know 2 contradictory facts.
One said that we get unconscious after death for 2 to 3 months as we become while sleeping,
Other said that we remain conscious and if it is true then we see different loks se atman after death like yamalok etc.
I got a bit confused whether we remain conscious after death or not please tell.


texts: Why Lord Parashurama, incarnation of Lord Vishnu, worship Lord Shiva?

texts: Parashurama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu that we all know, but why he, being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, worship Lord Shiva?


texts: What's that which make something insentient and other sentient?

texts: Consciosness is ever present everywhere. There is no place where it is not! So on what basis something becomes insentient & other sentient according to Kashmiri Shaivism or Tantra?


texts: Does "untouchability" have any place in Hinduism?

texts:
I am an Indian Hindu, I face many  situations where there is "Goutra", "Jaati", and many types of class related things are asked.

Are the "class-division" and "discrimination" legitimate in Hinduism??


texts:
What are the correlations between Green Tara in Buddhism and Mother Parvati in Hinduism?

Are these Goddess connected?


texts: Why there are no graves of great devotees?

texts:
When a politician dies, we develop a park around it and the people will go to there every year on that day to memorize them.
There are some brindavanams constructed for some devotees who went on samadhi state.
But for some devotees, we even dont see their death stories like if they suffered any disease or attained samadhi but they simply disappear.
We can see the graves of great kings of 12th century also but why there are no graves for great devotees.
Some devotees I am talking about are Annamaiah, Ramadaasu etc.


texts: There are many stories about Hindu gods killing bad persons(Asuras). When they are killed, do the bad persons feel pain? Or do they just vanish from the universe? What will happen to them after getting killed by God? Will they go to hell or heaven or will their soul get destroyed?


texts: Can yantra and mantra work without diksha from guru?

texts: If I write a yantra and chant mantra for that yantra without guru diksha will it work ? Is Guru-diksha  necessary for all yantras or some particular yantra's?


texts: What is the earliest reference to Vedanta Desikan being an incarnation of Venkateshwara's bell?

texts:
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. The 4000 verses of the Alwars were compiled by the Vaishnava Acharya Nathamuni into a book called the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam, which is considered by many to be the "Dravida Veda", or South Indian Veda. The Alwars are crucially important figures in the history of Vaishnavism; it is the principles and beliefs embodied in the Alwars' poems that Nathamuni used to found what we now call the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member).

Now as I discuss in this question, Sri Vaishnavas believe that the Alwars are incarnations of various attendants and attributes of Vishnu; for instance the Alwar Nammalwar is considered to be an incarnation of Vishwaksena, the general of Vishnu's army. And as I discuss here, the first four Sri Vaishnava Acharyas are believed to be incarnations of various attendants of Vishvaksena, and Ramanujacharya is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu's serpent Adiseshan as I discuss here.  But now I'm interested in another Sri Vaishnava Acharya, Vedanta Desikan.

Vedanta Desikan was a prolific author, composing works like the Rahasyatraya Sara which I discuss here.  And although the split between Thenkalais and Vadakalais (which I discuss in this answer) didn't exist in his day, it was Vedanta Desikan's views that would ultimately form the basis of Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavism.  In any case, Sri Vaishnavas believe that Vedanta Desikan is an incarnation of the bell found in the shrine of the world-renowned Tirumala Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati.  The story is told in this web page:

  As ordered by the Lord of Tiruvenkatam and Padmavati Thayar, the couple went on a pilgrimage to Tirumalai. The Lord appeared in their dreams in the garb of a Srivaishnava youth and handed over a small golden bell which Totaramba swallowed. Next morning, when they compared notes, they were astonished to find how both of them had the same dream which concurred in every detail. As the Archaka opened the doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum, he found the bell missing. During an investigation ordered into the loss of the bell, the Lord appeared by Avesa (spiritual trance) on Tirumalai Nambi and told that He had himself presented the bell to the Ananthasuri couple and thenceforward, the small hand- bell need not be used in the Tiruvaradhana in the temple. Even today. when the Naivedyam is offered to the lord, IT IS ONLY THE HUGE BELL suspended in the front hall that is being rung.

Indeed, to this day, there is no bell that is rung inside the shrine of Venkateshwara.  So my question is, what is the earliest reference to this story of Vedanta Desikan being an incarnation of Venkateshwara's bell?  Do the records of the Tirupati temple mention this incident of the bell disappearing?

Also, on a side note what's the origin of this bell?  Was it a divine bell that Vishnu brought with him when he came to Earth as Venkateshwara?  Or is it man-made?  I'm assuming it's divine, but are there any scriptures that mention this bell?


texts: What are the three mistakes made by Duryodhana in the kurukshetra war?

texts:
When Duryodhana was taking the last breath in the field of Kurukshetra, at that time he had raised his three fingers. Lord Krishna went to him and understood that Duryodhana wants to say that if he did not do three mistakes in the war then he would win the war. But Krishna told Duryodhan that if you do anything then you will lose. After hearing this, Duryodhan lowered his finger.

Which 3 mistakes did Duryodhan want to say?


texts:
Islam has the concept of martyrism. Do any Hindu scriptures have a similar concept?
If not is there anything close?


texts: On what basis is Krishna claimed to be source of Vishnu?

texts:
It is a well accepted view that Vishnu is source of all avatars including Krishna. This is what we all heard from childhood. I also came across the opposite opinion that Krishna is source of Vishnu.

I have seen other possible duplicates, it seems there are few verses to support each sect's views. Why does one focus only on them and not on others? On what basis others are rejected? What is the reasoning behind this?

Which all schools accept this idea?


texts:
Consider the following story about Kubja(Trivakra), whose previous life is Surpanakha, from the scripture Garga Samhita.

Shri Bahulashva said: What severe austerities did the maidservant
Kubja perform in her previous birth that she so pleased Lord Krishna,
whom even the gods cannot attain?
Gazing at Lord Rama in Pancavati forest, a demonness name Shurpanakha
fell passionately in love with Him. Seeing that Lord Rama had vowed to
accept only one wife, and had not fallen in love with her, Ravana's
sister Shurpanakha angrily ran to devour Sita-devi. At this Lord
Rama's younger brother Lakshmana became angry and with a sharp-edged
sword quickly cut away her ears and nose. Her nose cut away, she went
to Lanka and told Ravana what had happened. Then, unhappy at heart,
she went to Pushkara-tirtha. Wishing to get Lord Rama as her husband,
for ten thousand years Shurpanakha stayed underwater and meditated on
Lord Shiva. Pleased by this, Lord Shiva, who is the master of the
gods and the husband of Uma, came to Pushkara-tirtha and said,
"Ask for a boon."
Shurpanakha said: You are the great master of the gods. You are
dear to the great saints. You have the power to give all benedictions.
Please grant me that Shri Rama will become my husband. Lord Shiva
said: O demonness, please listen. At the present time your boon cannot
be granted. In the future, at the end of Dvapara-yuga, in Mathura
City, it will be granted to you. Of this there is no doubt. Shri
Narada said: O noble-hearted one, in Mathura City the demonness
Shurpanakha, who could assume any form at will, became the girl named
Kubja.
[1-10, Chapter 11: The Stories of Kubja and Kuvalayapida, Canto 5, Garga Samhita]

This story says that Surpanaka asks Siva for a boon of Rama becoming her husband. But Siva says in response that it will happen in next Dwapara yuga. Thus, it implies that Khubja is a wife of Lord Krishna.
The words they translated as husband boldify above are  varam, varah.

Slokha 6:
tapash cakre shurpanakha varshanam ayutam jale dhyayanti try-ambakam devam shri-ramam varam icchati
Slokha 8:
shurpanakhovaca shri-ramo me varo bhuyad varam dehi satam priyah tvam deva-deva paramah sarvasam ashisham prabhuh

But since I don't know Sanskrit. I am suspecting that translation may be not correct. Did Surpanaka really asked Siva for boon of Rama as her husband? Or is she asking for something else from Rama?


texts:
I want to know what exactly is shathpatha bramhan and what is it used for? I mean this page describes it as

  The Satapatha Brahmana is a Hindu sacred text which describes details of Vedic rituals, including philosophical and mythological background. It was committed to writing about 300 B.C.E., although it contains portions which are far older, transmitted orally from unknown antiquity. Specifically, there are references throughout to a primal mother-Earth worship, unnamed snake deities and human sacrifice.

I don't know what are it's origins but judging by its name it must be a Vedic text. What is it used for?


texts: Is Sanskrit the oldest language? Is it older than Pali?

texts: Hindu texts are written in Sanskrit, were Hindu texts written before Pali texts?


texts: Why did ravana send his warriors one by one?

texts:
Ravana was a good tactician . He sent Indrajit first to destroy the army .He started realising that Rama is no usual warrior so he deliberately woke kumbhakarna up .
But he never sent a combination of warriors to attack sri rama together . In that case his probability to win would have been more .

Was narayan talking to him in his own method that come home dear its too long you have been in the pain of bandhan ?
Was narayan crushing his ego slowly ?


texts: Adi Buddha and Gautama buddha, Which one is the real avatar of Lord vishnu?

texts:
Many sites claim that there were Two buddhas and both were different.

It is said that Adi buddha was the real avatar of lord vishnu.

Gautama buddha was only a enlightened one but not an avatar of lord vishnu.

Puri Shankaracharya’s view

Puri’s Shankaracharya too sheds some light in this regard as he goes on to say that though both’s gotra was the same i.e. Gautama Gotra, there were the below mentioned differentiating factors, indicating two Buddhas. These factors are:

Buddhavatara was born as a Brahmin whereas Gautama Buddha was born in the Kshatriya lineage.
As per ŚB 1.3.24, the Buddhavatara would be born in Kikata (Magadha South Bihar) whereas Gautama Buddha was born in Nepal.

According to him, the reasons for the confusion between both the Buddhas are:

The iconography of Buddha and that has been given in the Agni Purana, Chapter 49, was confused with that of the Buddhists. (When as per another site Buddhists were Shunyavadis and never believed in idol worship)
The Amarakosha written by Amar Singh, a Buddhist mentions the names of the two Buddhas in close proximity to each other which leads to the merger of the two. (Refer: this site for which names indicate which Buddha)

Puri’s Shankaracharya gives another very interesting point that while taking sankalpa, the words that are spoken include a term ‘Bauddhāvatāre’ meaning in the era of Bhagwan Shri Vishnu’s avatara named Buddha (जम्बूद्वीपे भारतवर्षे भरतखण्डे ... बौद्धावतारे...).

Also as per another account (can’t find it), one purpose of this avatara born in the Brahmin lineage, was to give the devatas their rightful share and conceal those mantras by which asuras could be invoked and mantras misused.

Question :

Is this concept of two Buddhas real ?
Which Buddha is the real incarnation of Lord Vishnu and what is his entire story and purpose of the avatara, comprising all his leelas (have any incidents in Buddhavatara’s life been merged with that of Gautama Buddha) ?

 Note: as for the story, some Puranas try to confuse the two and try to show the two as same, I.e. Lord Vishnu deluding some people from the path of the Vedas, which as per Puri Shankaracharya isn’t true. He says it was for proper Yajnas etc too.


texts:
From this link,Taddha tadvanam nama tadvanam iti upasitavyam
(Kena Upanishad)

  Meaning-"That is Adorable(Tadvanam); one should meditate on It as 'Adorable'."
  This is one Upanishadic meditation, in the Kena Upanishad. Brahman is
  the most adorable and we should conceive Brahman as the most adorable
  and you will become the most adorable in the world.

So,is "Tadvanam" a name for Brahman who is beyond description and by this name can we worship the Brahman like we worship other deities?.


texts: Reference from Shankaracharya's Prasnatraya for Panchayatna Puja?

texts:
Can anyone quote Shankaracharya's Bhasya in Prasnatraya to prove Non Duality between 5 Devas(Vishnu Shiva Devi Ganesha Surya) or Panchayatna Puja?
Note : I am aware of quote in Mahabharata but I want from SHankaracharya Bhasya


texts: What are various subsects of Shankara Advaita school?

texts: What are different sub sects of AdiShankaracharya's Advaita school?


texts: How Valmiki existed 5000 BCE and 500 BCE?

texts:
It is widely accepted that

Lord Rama existed 5000 BCE
Sage Valmiki wrote Ramayana epic in 500 BCE
Valmiki taught Lav and Kush(twin sons of Lord Rama)

The problem is pretty clear. Is it that westerners came up with wrong date?


texts:
More questions about the iconography of the young Krishna, this time in his Laddu Gopal swaroop, which I believe is a traditional image of Bal Gopal in Rajasthan, MP and other parts of India.

Here is the gift I received which prompted the question -- the young Krishna frozen in time, sakshat accepting the offerings of the young Raghunandan Das:

My curiosity is about the icons on the soles of the Lord's feet. Here is his left foot, for example:

There are, what appear to be, the moon, a triangle, a swastika, a recumbent "E" and a bunch of grapes. What do they mean?

Similarly, here is the right foot:

This is little rougher, but essentially there is still the triangle, the "E" and the swastika, but now we have the sun instead of the moon, and an arrow.

Would love to understand what all these symbols signify.


texts: What scripture does the sacred thread mantra come from?

texts:
If you're a brahmin, you're probably familiar with the following mantra (see page 2):

Yajnopavitam, paramam pavitram
Prajapatim yatsahajam purastath |
Ayushyam agriyam pratimunja subhram
Yajnopavitam balam astu tejah ||
Put on the sacred thread, the supreme purifier, which was born along with Brahma long ago, which bestows long life, preeminence, and purity may the sacred thread bestow strength and light.

This is the mantra you say when you put on the sacred thread, variously called the Yagnopavita, Poonal, or Janayu.  Brahmins change their sacred thread every year in a ritual called Avani Avittam or Upakarma, which took place this month.
My question is, what scripture does this mantra come from?  The preamble you're supposed to say beforehand provides some detail about the mantra:

Yajnopavita dharana mahamantrasya, Brahmarishihi, Thrishtupchandaha, Trayi Vidyadevata, Yajnopavita dharana viniyogaha
Of the great mantra called the wearing of the sacred thread, the sage [who heard it from the gods] is Brahma, the meter is Trishtup, the deity [whom it's about] is the triple wisdom [i.e. the three Vedas], the purpose is the wearing of the sacred thread.

It might seem strange that the sage who heard this mantra from the gods is the god Brahma, but there are actually many verses in the Vedas which were heard by various gods.  (See the Anukramani for Rig Veda Book 10 in my answer here; hymn 14, for instance, was heard from the gods by Yama the god of death, called Yama Vaivasvata in the Anukramani, and hymn 121 was heard by Brahma, called Hiranyagarbha Prajapatya.)
In any case, in what scripture does this mantra heard by Brahma occur?  Also, on a side note are there any scriptures that describe how the sacred thread was originally "born along with Brahma", as the mantra says?


texts: How many other sub-abodes in Vainkuntha Abode (Planet)?

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I want to know the name of sub-abodes which are in the Vaikuntha planet  , as I know some of them is Ayodhya (Rama abode) , Vrindavan (Krishna abode). But is there any other abodes which are reside in Vaikuntha Planet.

Please share with some scriptures evidence..

Thanks !!!


texts:
Here  I have read something
but I didn't find a better reference related to Sage Pulaha,
I only know that he married a daughter of Daksha named Kshamā (Patience), by whom he had three sons.


texts: Who is Kevat who helped Lord Rama and sita to cross a river

texts:
Who is Kevat in ramayan, who helped Lord Rama and sita to cross a river.

When and which river they meet?

After crossing the river, When Lord Rama was praise him giving a golen ring, then how did Kevat come to a conclusion that "both of their jobs are same, so how can I take something from you?" assuming he is an Avatar of Vishnu.

How did he assume that Lord Rama is an Avatar of Vishnu?

For what karma  he could get a chance to wash Lord Rama's feet before crossing the river? What was his previous birth story?


texts: According to Hinduism, when does a day start?

texts:
Does the day start at sunrise or 12:00?

For fasting and other reasons when we need to do certain tasks for 1 day. When does the day start?


texts:
In Hinduism, there is someone called Virat Purusha. There is similar concept in Jainism where it is believed that the universe shape is in the form of a cosmic man - broader at the top and bottom and narrow at the middle.

Is there some connection between Virat Purusha of Hinduism and Cosmic Man of Jainism? If not then who is Virat Purusha - Shiva or Brahman?


texts: What happened to Dhritarashtra after the battle of Mahabharata?

texts:
The 100 Kauravas of Dhritarashtra were slain and Pandavas won the battle of Mahabharata.
What happened to Dhritarashtra after war?


texts: What is the significance of Lord Ayyappa's sitting posture?

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Lord Ayyappa is mostly shown as sitting in a peculiar posture. Like shown in the images given below:

When i checked his Dhyana Sloka in order to find out whether this posture is any particular Yogic posture or not, i found out that he is mentioned as sitting in the regular lotus posture (or the Padmasana).

  Jeemoothashyamadhama mani maya viladsad kudalollosivakthro,
  Hasthabjam daksha mathrothpalamitharabhujam vama janoo paristham,
  Bibrath padmasanastha parikalitha thanuryogapattena jushta, Sri poornapushkalabhyam puraharamurajith puthrakapathu sastha.||

  Let us be protected by god Sastha who is the son of lord Vishnu and
  Shiva, Who is of the black colour of the clouds, who has a face
  shining because, Of the gem studded ear drops that he wears, Who has
  the red lotus in right hand, Who places his left hand on his left
  knee, who sits in the lotus pose along, With his two wives Poorna and
  Pushkala in the throne of Yoga.

But his sitting posture is something different, it's definitely not the Padmasana. (May be we need to check other Dhyana slokas)

Question: What is the significance of Lord Ayyappa sitting in that particular posture?


texts: On which basis Adi Shankaracharya was considered shivavtar?

texts: What is the reference of consider bhagwatpad Adi Shankaracharya to be an incarnation of shiva ? Did he proclaimed himself to be so anywhere ?


texts:
A river named Malini is mentioned in the Adi parva of Mahabharata.

And they then passed a long time there in each other's company. And
sporting with each other, just as they pleased, for a long time as if
it were only a single day, the Rishi begat on Menaka a daughter named
Sakuntala. And Menaka (as her conception advanced) went to the banks
of the river Malini coursing along a valley of the charming mountains
of Himavat. And there she gave birth to that daughter.

Is it extant? If not, then what is the current name of location where Malini river flown?


texts: What is significance of Athi Rudra Mahayagnam?

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There are five methods of chanting the Rudram viz.

  Ordinary method (aka 1 Rudram) = where first Namakam (all 11 anuväkas)  are read followed by the Chamakam.
  Rudra ekadasini= where after chanting Rudram, the first anuväka of  Chamakam is chanted, again after chanting Rudram the second anuväka of
  Chamakam is chanted and so on till the eleventh chanting of Rudram
  followed by eleventh anuväka of Chamakam.
  Eleven such Rudra ekadasinis makes one Laghu Rudram.
  Eleven such Laghu Rudrams makes one Maha Rudram.
  Eleven such Maha Rudrams make one Athi Rudram.

I would like to know the significance of AthiRudra MahaYagnam.
with respect to Physical, Spiritual and Scientific level.
Any one who know please shed some light .
Thanks


texts: Who should do Antim Sanskar (funeral rites) of married woman?

texts: Who should do the rituals of antim sanskar of a married woman - her son or her husband? And who should give the mukhagni?


texts: Why do we bury dead body of a Sannyasi rather than burn it?

texts:
I have heard many times that if there is any funeral then probably we burn the deceased person. But in case of death of a Sannyasi we do not burn his body rather bury in the ground.

This is even true for baby. If there is death of baby then we either bury it of leave it in any river.

Could somebody tell me exactly why we do this.


texts: How do Hindu kids see with their eyes closed?

texts:
There are plenty of videos on the Internet which show such talents of Hindu children. Example:

Samyak Jain Super Wonder Kid who can read with closed eyes
Human X-Ray machine: Unbelievable Eye sight
Girl demonstrates Cool SuperPower (Third Eye)
Can you read blindfolded? This 8-year-old can

How it is possible for these blindfolded kids to read books and do everything?

Is it a yoga technique or a God-gifted power?


texts: Is religious ground valid for holding against organ donation?

texts:
I've heard people not opting for organ donation on religious grounds. I mean, obviously, it's a personal choice and I respect religious or other objections, but her justification "I want to rest in peace, not in pieces," just genuinely confused me, especially given her chosen course of study.

so can you please give me an insight as to how Hinduism philosophy and texts will respond to this question?


texts: Can a spiritual aspirant take the Almighty as the preceptor and tread along the spiritual path and finally attain Self Realization?


texts: What does the Vaishnavite Tilaka mean when worn by Vishnu?

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Vishnu is always depicted as wearing the caste-mark of Vaishnavites.  But I believe it represents Vishnu's foot-mark when worn by Vishnu's devotees, who show their devotion through it.

It has to mean something different when Vishnu wears it - since it is hard to imagine Vishnu putting His foot on His own forehead.

The Shaivite mark of ashes applies to Shiva Himself since all it represents is the ephemeral nature of existence.


texts: Swa-dharma of Sri Rama and queen Kaikeyi's boons

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The second boon which Queen Kaikeyi asked from King Dasharatha was- Sri Rama's exile to Dandaka forest and live the life of an an ascetic.The details are as under:-

यो द्वितीयो वरो देव दत्तः प्रीतेन मे त्वया || २-११-२५
तदा दैवासुरे युद्धे तस्य कालोऽय मागतः |
Now, the time has arrived for the second boon given by you affectionately then in the battle between celestials and demons.
नव पञ्च च वर्षाणि दण्डकारण्यमाश्रितः || २-११-२६
चीराजिनजटाधारी रामो भवतु तापसः |
Rama has to take refuge in the forest of Dandaka for fourteen years and let him become an ascetic wearing rags, deer skin and matted hair.

Why did Sri Rama(avatar of God Vishnu) carry bow and arrow while going on exile when Sri Rama was required to live the life of an ascetic, as per the boon?


texts: Why does 'Yogakshema' word has different context in BG 2.45 and BG 9.22

texts:
Bhagwad Gita Chapter 2 verse 45:

  त्रैगुण्य विषया  वेदा:  निस्त्रैगुण्यो  भवार्जुन |
  निर्द्वन्दो नित्य  सत्वस्थो  निर्योग  क्षेम आत्मवान ||2.45||

  trai-gunya visaya veda nistrai-gunyo bhavarjuna |
  nir-dwando nitya satvastho nir-yoga kshema atmavan||2.45||

Meaning

  The Vedas deal with the three Modes of Material Nature (Guṇas), O Arjuna. You must free
  yourself from these three Guṇas and from the pairs of opposites. Abide in pure Sattva; never care to
  acquire things and to protect what has been acquired(this is yogaksheama part), but be established in the ātman.

Source : Bhagwad Ramanujacharya's commentry.

Bhagwad Gita Chapter 9 verse 22 :

  अनन्यस्चिन्तयन्तो  मां  ये  जना:   पर्युपासते  |
  तेषां  नित्याभियुक्तानां  योगक्षेमं  वहाम्यहम् ||9.22||

  ananyaschintayanto mam ye janaha paryupasate |
  tesham nityabhiyuktanam yoga-kshemam vahamyaham||9.22||

Meaning

  There are those who, not being mindful of anything else, adore Me alone, aspiring after eternal
  union with Me. I Myself take charge of their prosperity and welfare (Yoga and Kṣema).

Further Commentary on the Verse by Bhagwad Ramanujacharya:

  Those who, excluding everything else and having no other purpose, meditate on Me as their
  only goal, because without Me they are unable to sustain themselves. In the case of such
  devotees aspiring after eternal unification with Me, I Myself undertake the responsibility of
  bringing them to Myself —Yoga (prosperity) and of preserving them in that state for ever —
  Kṣema (welfare)." The meaning is that they do not return to Samsara.

Why is 2.45 talking in material context , while 9.22 is talking in a totally different Philosophical context?

If 9.22 is analyzed in a little bit materialistic context we can say that for an Anayabhakta(who is fully devoted to lord and doesn't do anything else, not even for his own livelihood) Shriman Narayan supreme Bramhan himself looks for/handles his livelihood and bhakta's wealth preservation (any type of wealth).

But seeing the pure philosophical commentry I think there is not material aspect in 9.22. While 2.45 has material aspect because it is talking about three gunas which are material in nature.

So what is more correct interpretation of 9.22 and 2.45 with yogakshema. Is material interpretation of 9.22 wrong or greedy because if analyzed materialistically it is more of an assurance or faith strengthening verse?


texts: How Lord Brahma get back Vedas Which was Stolen by the Demons?

texts:
As, I heard this incidence one of my vaisnav friend, Once the demons stole the four vedas from the lord brahma and by the help of Lord Vishnu, lord brahma got back the Vedas.
I am not sure about this incidence, But if you know about this incidence then kindly share, or Is there any scriptures which claimed that fact.then please share your idea.
Thanks.


texts: Who are the Ātivāhikas who guide the soul to heaven or hell?

texts:
The Sanskrit term Ātivāhika literally means ‘one who leads beyond’. This Hindupedia article mentions them as the deities or divine guides who lead the jīva to the next destination in its onward journey. This would make them similar to the guardian angels of western beliefs as far as heaven is concerned and in case the soul is being taken to hell they would be similar to the Yamaduts.

Is their any detail mentioned about such creatures in any Hindu scriptures?


texts: Why is money offered to God as ₹101, 1001 etc. and not ₹ 100, 1000 etc?

texts: I have noticed that after performing rituals, Hindus give dakshina (or fees) to the pandit (priest) in the form of ₹ 101, 151, 501 or ₹ 1001  and not ₹ 100, 150, 500 or simply any round figure. Even in the temples the money offered to the god (Hundi) is ₹ 101, 151, 1001 etc. What is the reason behind adding that one rupee to that round figure (₹1000 + ₹1)?


texts: Anybody knows the reason behind why brahmans or few other community people wear panchakacham. I am looking for a spritual or a scientific reason than quoting, its easy to do pooja etc. What is also the purpose of wearing uthariyam. what are the rules to be followed while wearing it. Can any body respond to this kindly.


texts: How do Advaitins justify that Nirguna Brahman is superior to Saguna Brahman?

texts: How do Advaitins justify that Nirguna Brahman is the ultimate reality and that Saguna Brahman is illusory?


texts: What is the English translation of Hanuman Chalisa?

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

Here is the full text for reference.

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


texts: Why one shouldn't read or watch 'Mahabharata' in the form of book or teleserial?

texts:
We are told right from childhood that one shouldn't read or watch 'Mahabharata' in the form of book or teleserial, as it might cause fights among the family members.

Is this right & applicable today as well ?


texts: Was Daitya king Bali present during the Samudra Manthan? If so then how was it possible? Please check the details

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I have no quotes but recently many misconceptions and questions have arised in my mind by watching two Tv serials. Devon Ke Dev Mahadev (2012) and Sankat mochan mahabali hanuman (2016). Both of them depict Bali as being present during the Samudra Manthan. now the reason i am asking this question is because of the chronology the timeline seems to not make any sense. How can Vali be present during the 2nd Avatar of Vishnu (Kurma during Samudra Manthan) when he himself is the grandson of Prahlada?

Samudra Manthan, second avatar of Vishnu, Bali is present and talks to Mohini
Birth of Hiranyaksha (great grand-uncle of Bali)
Birth of Hiranyakasipu (great grandfather of Bali)
Hiranyaksha adopts Andhaka
Varaha (3rd AVATAR OF VISNU) kills Hiranyaksha
Hiranyakasipu (great-grandfather of Bali) performs penance to Brahma and wins boons
Prahlada (grandfather of Bali) is born
Narasimha (4th avatar of Visnu) kills Hiranyakasipu
Birochan (father of Bali and son of Prahlada) is born
Bali is present during the 5th avatar of Vishnu (Vamana) and loses all of his land.

Does it make any sense? Can someone tell me the truth?


texts:
The Pushkar Tirtha{pilgrimage place}, is a very holy place in India{located in the state of Rajasthan}.

It is believed that taking a bath at Pushkar Tirtha,destroys the sins of  the devotees{including the sins that were caused in the previous birth}.

It is mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.12.61) that

  When one self-controlled and fasting studies this collection of verses at [the holy places of] Pushkara, Mathurâ or Dvârakâ, one will be freed from the fear [of time, or of a material life, see also 1.13: 19].

Many  well-known vedic Sages like  Agastya, Pulastya, Markandeya and Vishwamitra,etc, have performed penance at Pushkar.

Pushkar Tirtha, has many temples. The most important temple in Pushkar Tirtha is the Brahma temple.

It is understood that many philosophers/theologians, from the present era, like Shri Adi Shankaracharya  visited Pushkar Tirtha and performed worship there. Shri Adi Shankaracharya also got the Brahma Temple at Pushkar Tirtha renovated.

Tens of thousands of people visit Pushkar Tirtha, during the Karthika period {Oct/Nov} each year, and a great festival is also conducted  there.

What is the significance of Pushkar Tirtha?

What are the  benefits of undertaking a pilgrimage to Pushkar Tirtha?


texts: In the end of the holy war when Ravana was just going to die,  Lord Rama asked his brother Lakshman to go and gain knowledge from Ravana?  Why did he do so and what exactly was the knowledge lord rama was talking about?