texts:
At the time of slaying Hiranyakasipu  it was estimated that power of Vishnu alone was insufficient to counter the Rakshas due many clever boons he received from Brahma to ensure impossibility of his own death. So the amsa of Shiva had to be added to Vishnu's active Avatar for the attack.

How is the power invoked for transference ? By prayer? manthras of yagnya or thanthra? by voluntary intention from a higher power source? Or is it by request for action through the power of Bhakthi like Prahlad's towards Vishnu? Or Gajendra's to Vishnu?

The power of Bhakthi is a strong belief even in modern times, so this question.


texts: Afterlives of Vasudeva, Devaki, Nandagopa and Yashoda

texts: Do we have any account of the afterlives of Vasudeva, Devaki, Nandagopa and Yashoda? I generally hear about Nandagopa and Yashoda's last incident to be while they were being separated from Krishna, i.e. Krishna going to Mathura. About Vasudeva and Devaki, the last thing I heard was that they were freed after Kamsa's killing and Vasudeva was made the Crown Prince under King Ugrasena. Do we have any further stories or incidents where they have a role to play and also how did they die?


texts:
In a deity worship, flower (or Pushpa) is an important Upachara. It is thus included among both Pancha Upacharas and the Shodasha Upacharas.

Now, I know that the act is very much proscribed in scriptures. I have read that in books.

But I have never found anything regarding the consequence of the act. In Hindu scriptures it is very common to find info like -- "you do this bad act and you'll have to suffer in this particular way either in this life or in the next."

So, here I'm looking for similar info from the scriptures.

What is the consequence of performing deity worship using stale flowers?

BTW "stale flowers" here means "flowers that were plucked or bought on a day previous to the day when worship is performed". There are some flowers and leaves, however, that don't get "stale for ritual purposes" that soon. For example Bliva leaves and Tulasi leaves retain "freshness" for longer periods.


texts: Significance of certain deities using a particular animal as their vehicle

texts:
The Hindu texts are replete with references of deities using a particular animal as their primary vehicle. E.g., Ganesha has a mouse for his vehicle, Shiva uses an ox (Nandi), while Karthikeya is associated with a peacock, Durga with a tiger, etc.

Is there an explanation for certain deities using a particular animal as their vehicle?


texts: When did Dattatreya live and preach and help devotees? If he was in the 15th century, who were his contemporaries? Where are his ashrams situated, and are they now protected and available for pilgrims' visits?


texts: How and when did Karna came to know that he was a kshatriya?

texts: I have read in many questions related to this  on stackexchange (like Mahabharat Parshuram's curse) that Karna knew that he was a Kshatriya. But who told Karna about his original caste and when?


texts: What is the Prayachitta for not doing Sandhyavandanam regularly?

texts: If any twice born student is not doing Sandhyavandanam for many days, then only he realized the importance of Sandhyavandanam, how can he get rid of his sins for not doing Sandhyavandanam for many long years? What is the atone ritual for not doing Sandhyavandanam regularly?


texts: I want to meditate on Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. But I have read at many places on the internet that before chanting a mantra one must receive it from a guru. What another option do I have? I currently chant vishnu sahasranamam daily.


texts: How to practise fire worship in modern times?

texts:
I tried to worship Pauranic gods like Shiva, Durga, Vishnu but it doesn't click with me. I am from a family of priests but we are modern and practise the rituals on special occasions only. Everywhere I see that Hindus follow the puranas or agamas, and pure Vedic ways have vanished. The smritis and grihya sutras make things more difficult by making Vedas so inaccessible in modern times with all their rules and technicalities. But I think they are not the ultimate authority.
What I mean to ask is that is there a simple way to practise fire worship more suited to modern times but purely Vedic with all the unnecessary things removed?
For example, the essence of Sandhya vandan is praising Savita, Mitra, Varuna at dawn and dusk with the Savitri while pouring libations of water. That is what I do without worrying about nyasa, mudra, pranayama, copper vessel and other trivial things. Of course, I ensure correct pronunciation and intonation of the savitri.
So can you please tell me what are the essential things in a fire ritual for daily practice?
I really want to worship this way, but there are so many obstacles like time constraints, purity constraints, travel, unavailability of material, suspicious people thinking I am doing black magic, etc. So maybe I would not be able to do it daily but surely try to on Amavasya and Purnima nights at least.


texts:
Yesterday, I was watching a television serial named Sri Krishna, wherein it is shown that Lord Krishna goes to his gurukula, meets Sudama for first time there and befriends him.

But I think they had already met in their childhood days and played many times.

Could someone please clarify whether Lord Krishna and Sudama became friends during their childhood or at gurukula?


texts: Are there any Gaudiya Vaishnava commentaries on the Upanishads?

texts: Sri Adi-Sankaracharya's commentaries on the Upanishads are most popular in present time. Are there any Gaudiya Vaishnava commentaries available on the Upanishads?


texts: How did Sita marry Ram and Varuni marry Varuna?

texts:
Bhumidevi is the wife of Lord Vishnu. Her daughter is Sita. If this is so, how did Lord Vishnu/Rama marry his wife's daughter?

Lakshmi,who comes out of the ocean of milk,is considered the daughter of Varuna.Varuni ,who also comes out of the ocean of milk,can be considered the daughter of Varuna.Thus,how can Varuna marry his own daughter?


texts: Why Hanuman became staunch devotee of Lord Rama?

texts:
I know Lord Shiva showed his love towards Lord Vishnu by incarnating as Hanuman during Rama Avatar. But Hanuman didn't know he was incarnation of Shiva/ Vayu. (i think he still doesn't know it).

I read Hanuman's first meeting with Rama but i didn't find any reason why Hanuman became ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Lord Hanuman always chants name of Rama.

Can anyone explain the reason behind his devotion to Rama?
Did Hanuman know that Rama was avatar of Vishnu?

Note: Shiva Purana says Hanuman is devotee of Rama.

The Chapter Incarnation of Hanumat" in "Satarudrasamhita" of Shiva Purana" (Pg No- 1154) says " Himself a leader of devotees, he made Rama and Sita happy. He, Lord of Monkeys, established cult of devotion to Rama in the World". Shiva Purana says Hanuman was born for Rama's work. No specific reason was mentioned for his devotion.


texts: Differences between "Ishwar" and "Bhagvan"?

texts: We Hindus often hear the words "ishwar" and "bhagvan" . What are the differences between these two words?


texts: Is selling education for money is sin in Kali yuga?

texts:
The following lines are from the footnotes of the Mahabharata

  In India, from the remotest times, preceptors are excluded from
  charging their pupils any fees for the instruction they give. No
  doubt, a final fee, called Gurudakshina, is demandable, but that is
  demandable after the pupil has completed his studies. To sell
  knowledge for money is a great sin. To this day in all the indigenous
  tols of the country, instruction is imparted free of all charges. In
  addition to this, the pupils are fed by their preceptors. The latter,
  in their turn, are supported by the charity of the whole country.

Although above lines say that selling education for money is a sin. It is not an explicit statement from scripture.

Is there any explicit statement from scriptures saying about correctness of selling education for money in Kali yuga?


texts:
In Sufi theology, the Godhood has three levels:

-الأحدية=الذات the ego.
-الأسماء الإلهية the Divine Names.
-الأعيان الثابتة the primordial architypes.

Humanity is reflection of the Divine Names.

Is there a school of Hinduism that has similarities with the Sufi theological view?


texts: Can we wear Banalinga as pendant around our neck?

texts:
Banalingas or Narmada lingas are considered as Swayambhu Shiva Lingams which are found on the river beds of Narmada river.

There are many shops which sell them online as wearable pendants. Like this:

So, there must be many people who wear them on their body. But is it allowed in scriptures?

Which scriptures discuss the rules of wearing Banalingas and what are those rules?

AFAIK, there is a shaivite sect called Veerashaiva where followers do wear such Shiva Lingas as pendants.


texts: Who is Vena, the possible inspiration for Phoenix?

texts:
While researching about the phoenix I came across this interesting website that says:

The Phoenix is a unique bird, there may only exist one at a time, which ... legend of Phoenix, the same bird is called Vena in the Rig Veda.

Now the Rig Veda has some interesting things to say about this creature:

1 SEE, Vena, born in light, hath driven hither, on chariot of the air, the Calves of Pṛśni (Prsnigarbha). Singers with hymns caress him as an infant there where the waters and the sunlight mingle.
2 Vena draws up his wave from out the ocean. mist-born, the fair one's back is made apparent, Brightly he shone aloft on Order's summit: the hosts sang glory to their common birthplace.
3 Full many, lowing to their joint-possession, dwelling together stood the Darling's Mothers. Ascending to the lofty height of Order, the bands of singers 'sip the sweets of Amṛta.
4 Knowing his form, the sages yearned to meet him: they have come nigh to hear the wild Bull's bellow. Performing sacrifice they reached the river: for the Gandharva found the immortal waters.
5 The Apsaras, the Lady, sweetly smiling, supports her Lover in sublimest heaven. In his Friend's dwelling as a Friend he wanders: he, Vena, rests him on his golden pinion.
6 They gaze on thee with longing in their spirit, as on a strong-winged bird that mounteth sky-ward; On thee with wings of gold, Varuṇa's envoy, the Bird that hasteneth to the home of Yama.
7 Erect, to heaven hath the Gandharva mounted, pointing at us his many-coloured weapons; Clad in sweet raiment beautiful to look on, for he, as light, produceth forms that please us.
8 When as a spark he cometh near the ocean, still looking with a vulture's eye to heaven, His lustre, joying in its own bright splendour, maketh dear glories in the lowest region.

The highlighted portions do resonate with him being identified as a beautiful bird but the other verses confuse the plot. Is Vena really related to Phoenix or is it a reference to the rising Sun? Are these highlighted portions explained in detail in some commentary especially why he is called Varun's envoy?


texts: Who was Ashtavakra? I have heard that he was nachiketa's brother and was having great knowledge. What is his story?


texts: Do Sruti texts mention either or both of birth-based varna and guna-based varna?

texts:
Do Sruti texts mention birth-based or guna-based varna?[1].

To elaborate (further), are there any instances in Śruti scriptures which explicitly support either or both of birth-based varna and guna-based varna?

Note: I understand that there is already a question regarding Birth-based alone since its OP was only interested in that aspect but this question is asking a more holistic question and hence not duplicate. Thanks.

[1]: Shout out to user ram for the inspiration.


texts: Sri Ramanujacharya’s advice on why example of Kaliyan(the snake) should be emulated in preference to Kshatrabandhu’s

texts:
There is a story in which some devotees of the  Lord  approached Sri Ramanujacharya at Srirangam, to verify if Kshatrabandhu’s words addressed to the Lord were right. Kshatrabandhu’s words were that:-

  He worshipped the Lord and therefore hoped for his Mercy. Only through the Anugraha(grace) of the Lord could one obtain Moksha.

Sri Ramanujacharya replied to the devotees that:-

  Kshatrabandhu’s words, insofar as they emphasised that Liberation came only through the Lord’s grace, were no doubt significant . But there was a flaw in what Kshatrabandhu had said and that was  - he worshipped the Lord and therefore hoped for his mercy. This sounded as if he sought Moksha from the Lord in return for his worship. A person who had truly surrendered to God(Prapanna) would not have this attitude.

Sri Ramanujacharya told the devotees that they  should instead emulate Kaliyan, the snake.

The explanation given by Sri Ramanujacharya to those devotees was that, the submission made by Kaliyan was right and approach was proper, as the snake had told the Lord (Sri Krishna) that:-

  He lacked the capacity to worship the Lord to get rid of his sorrows. And that the Lord can expect nothing from him and only His(Lord’s) grace could save him(snake).

What are the complete details of this meeting between Sri Ramanujacharya and those devotees of the Lord at Srirangam?

In which religious text are the details of this conversation between Sri Ramanujacharya and the devotees of the Lord given?

Is there an English translation of the same?

Note-The above story is an excerpt taken from the Faith column of The Hindu newspaper


texts: Do Gaudiya vaishnavas accept classification of puranas based on gunas?

texts: Some vaishnavas use the classification of puranas into sattva, rajas and tamas. Do Gaudiya vaishnavas accept classification of puranas based on three gunas?


texts: Law determining changing of modes of material nature

texts:
The Bhagavat Gita says:

  14.10

  Sometimes the mode of passion becomes prominent, defeating the mode of
  goodness, O son of Bharata. And sometimes the mode of goodness defeats
  passion, and at other times the mode of ignorance defeats goodness and
  passion. In this way there is always competition for supremacy.

Is there an exact law according to which these modes of material nature change?
If so where are they stated?


texts:
When Krishna says in Gita that Atman, the universal consciousness only witnesses but performs no action, what exactly did he mean by it?

Does Atman needs to have a mind/body to witness everything or can 'IT' witness even in a non jiva state?

We all know that Atman is everywhere.
Can this Atman, witness everything when its present in the sky, clouds, air, outer space etc. or does it witness only through the mind and body?

Thank you.


texts: Is Kailāsa mansarovar actually in Tibet, China?

texts:
Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran, Pancham Skandha , Chapter 16

  While describing the character of Mahārāja Priyavrata and his descendants, Śukadeva Gosvāmī also described Meru Mountain and the planetary system known as Bhū-maṇḍala. Bhū-maṇḍala is like a lotus flower, and its seven islands are compared to the whorl of the lotus. The place known as Jambūdvīpa is in the middle of that whorl. In Jambūdvīpa there is a mountain known as Sumeru, which is made of solid gold. The southern side of the land is known as Ilāvṛta-varṣa. To the south of Sumeru are the mountains Kailāsa and Karavīra.

In the same chapter it also says:

  When all those solid fruits fall from such a height, they break, and the sweet, fragrant juice within them flows out and becomes increasingly more fragrant as it mixes with other scents. That juice cascades from the mountain in waterfalls and becomes a river called Aruṇodā, which flows pleasantly through the eastern side of Ilāvṛta.

Kailāsa is to the south of Sumeru parvat, Aruṇodā is in the eastern side and In my question How can Jamuna river be in India when shastras say otherwise?, I have shown that Aruṇodā (also known as Arun river) is in Nepal. If this is the case, Which one is the real Kailāsa? The one in Tibet or the one that touches Aruṇ river in eastern Nepal?

Reference: https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/5/16

Note: I do not wish to offend anyone regarding my question. Our current thirthas are as holy regardless of their authenticity and I respect their location. Being a Hindu, I would never disrespect any thirth just because they do not match with shastras. Many thirthas have changed locations and this is why I try to find their original location. Sorry if I have offended anybody.


texts: Was Ramanujacharya aware of His divinity?

texts: Ramanujacharya, the famous Sri Vaishnava acharya, the propounder of the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta philosophy and one of the greatest devotees of Shriman Narayana; is considered to an incarnation of Adi-Shesha by His followers. My question is whether or not was Ramanujacharya aware of His divinity?


texts: Biodiversity, environment and ecology - Yajur Veda

texts:
This article mentions about biodiversity, environment and ecology in the Yajur Veda

  Knowledge of biodiversity, interrelation between living species and
  the environment, the need to maintain natural dynamism, and the
  natural way of transgressing the ecological principles are mentioned
  in Yajur-veda.

What Shlokas of the Yajur Veda confirm or deny the above statement?


texts:
I'm confused when does our karma end. One would say that karma ends when we get moksha. If that's so, then what happens to our Sanchita Karma?

When we do good karma, we get some good return. When we do some bad karma, we get some bad return. When we finish getting all bad returns and keep doing only good karma, then we would keep getting only good returns. Is that so? Then when would we get moksha?


texts: How much region can be controlled by performing Rajasuya?

texts:
It has been mentioned in Mahabharata that two kings: Yudhistira and Harishchandra performed Rajasuya.

Control of how much region will be gained by performing Rajasuya?  Will it cover the whole earth or a part of the earth?


texts: Why do some of the Hindu "Brahmins" wear a sacred thread?

texts:
I've seen my friends who are Brahmin(Hindu sub-caste) wearing a janoi (Gujarati for "sacred thread").

Also, when they go to the washroom, they wear that thread on their ears.

Why do they wear that thread?


texts: Did women menstruate before they partook Indra's sin?

texts: The Vedas say that women menstruate as they took a portion of Indra's sin for killing a brahmin. Didn't women menstruate before this happened? How did they give birth before this happened?


texts: Why did Vishnu take on an avatar that was half human and half lion?

texts: To kill Hiranyakashyipu, why did Lord Vishnu take on an avatar that was half human and half lion? He could have just come straight in his original form and killed that Daanav. Is there any specific reason behind this?


texts: What is the actual meaning of Gayathri mantra?

texts:
I have been chanting that mantra every morning to today and don't have a clue of what it means.

But I realize that the sound produced while chanting that mantra is the most important part; I still want to know its meaning.


texts: What do the three horizontal stripes on Lord Shiva's forehead represent?

texts:
What do the three horizontal stripes, also known as Tripundra of bhasma (ash), on Lord Shiva's forehead represent?

These are also drawn on the sides of arms of Lord Shiva as well as his devotees. What is the reason behind this?


texts:
What does yoga samadhi mean? Are there still any people who are capable of doing yoga samadhi?  Does yoga samadhi mean that a person can go into samadhi on a pre-chosen date? How much time does it take to go into that state? Is it not similar to Jeeva Samadhi?

Jeeva samadhi means where a person lively goes to Vrindavana and covers his body completely inside a closed room.

Yoga samadhi means that a person on a pre-chosen auspicious date puts prana in shironaadi or in his navel and goes into samadhi state.

Recently I came across a swamiji named "Kashi Nayana" who lived for 100 years and and went into yoga samadhi on Dattatreya Jayanthi on 6th December, 1995. So can one choose a date and can go into yoga samadhi? Can they come back to normal when they want? and do they not need oxygen in that state?

I heard people can die of hanging, taking poison, jumping from top of a building etc. i.e by harming themselves but this concept looks different where a person does not harm himself and can die intentionally.


texts: Is there other technique which Lord Krishna has given in Gita to keep our mind steady?

texts:
What are the techniques of controlling the mind Lord Krishna has mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita?

Some  ISKCON  member has told me - "Chant Hare Krishna mantra"

As you know that would be very difficult for a person doing job or studying in a university because we can not chant Hare Krishna mantra for 24 hrs.

My question is whether there are other techniques given by Lord Krishna in Gita on how to control/steady our mind?


texts:
Which vedic mantras should one chant for a better love life? I specifically was looking for a mantra which can help one to meet a new quality partner as well as a citation to the original passage in the rig veda where it is mentioned
There are a lot of kamadev mantras I am finding on the internet but they all lack proper citation to vedas and there are different variations


texts: in which verse of gita, has krishna declared that he is shiva, vishnu, brahma, devi & supreme

texts:
Shiva:
In which verse of gita, krishna has declared  either that krishna is "shiva" or declared that "shiva" origiates from him?
Vishnu:
In which verse of gita , krishna has declared  either that krishna is "vishnu" or declared that "vishnu" origiates from him?
Brahma:
In which verse of gita, krishna has declared  either that krishna is "brahma" or declared that "brahma" origiates from him?
Devi/Shakti:
In which verse of gita, krishna has declared  either that devishakti operates/originates under him? or He is himself shakti?
Krishna is supreme form:
In which verse of gita and scriptures, krishna has declared  either that krishna is the most complete/supreme form out of all the these trimurti


texts: what are the actual consequences of kundalini yoga?

texts:
I have been reading about Kundalini yoga and have realized that though people consider the Kundilini arousal state to be the consequence of spiritual enlightenment, the after-effects of this arousal have surreal outcomes which cannot be explained by Physiologists. So my question is, in the history, what was believed to be the outcome of this yoga?

When I searched about this in the net, the only abstract answer to this question I got was, "It causes spiritual enlightenment". More than finding information on the good side of this yoga's outcome, I find information on the bad side of this yoga, and also suggestions on what must be done if someone experiences this state.

But my question is, what was believed to be the goal motive for yogis in the past in performing this yoga, and what is the actual necessity of this yoga? Why would anyone want to do a yoga that has a bunch of negative effects but not a single clear positive effect? I want to know what the Hindu books have got to say about this.


texts: Difference between Devas, Daevas, Asuras and Rakshasa

texts:
What is the difference between Devas, Daevas, Asuras and Rakshasa fundamentally?
It is very confusing to distinguish and characterize them without clear examples.


texts: The main deity (moolavar) of Ati Vardar Swamy of Swamy Varadaraja Perumal is immersed in nearby pushkarini . It is taken out for public worship every 40 years, next time this is going to happen in 2019 for 48 days. I want to know the story of Ati Varadar moolavar, why is it kept underwater.


texts: Where are the stories of Chandravali and Ayan found?

texts: Where is the story of Radha’s cousin named Chandravali, and childhood friend and lover named Ayan found?


texts: In Vishnu temples in South India, Urdhva pundra on utsavar of Lord Vishnu is like an inverted triangle whereas that on moolavar is the standard urdhva pundra i.e. two white vertical lines and red or yellow line in between.Why is different urdhva pundra applied on utsavar and moolavar?


texts: Who decided to include only three particular texts in the group called "Prasthanatrayi"?

texts:
From Wikipedia:

  Prasthanatrayi (Sanskrit: प्रस्थानत्रयी, IAST: Prasthānatrayī),
  literally, three sources (or axioms), refers to the three canonical
  texts of Divine philosophy, especially of the Vedanta schools. It
  consists of:

  The Upanishads, known as Upadesha prasthana (injunctive texts), and the Śruti prasthāna (the starting point or axiom of revelation),
  especially the Principal Upanishads.
      The Brahma Sutras, known as Nyaya prasthana or Yukti prasthana (logical text or axiom of logic)
      The Bhagavad Gita, known as Sadhana prasthana (practical text), and the Smriti prasthāna (the starting point or axiom of remembered
  tradition)

  The Upanishads consist of twelve or thirteen major texts, with a total
  of 108 texts. The Bhagavad Gītā is part of the Mahabhārata.The Brahma
  Sūtras (also known as the Vedānta Sūtras), systematize the doctrines
  taught in the Upanishads and the Gītā.

So, how was it decided that only those aforementioned particular scriptures (in the bold) will be part of the group and not any other?
And, which people were responsible for the formulation of the list? Is such a formulation already indicated in the scriptures or explicitly mentioned in them?


texts: Why does Lord Vishnu create water by penance, and then retire to sleep before beginning world drama every time before the creation of universe,

texts:
Every time before creating universe, why Lord Vishnu creates water by penance devoted to Lord Shiva and sleep before beginning world drama?

Is it like he see everything in advance and make it static or planned?

If the universe had a beginning, why did it wait an infinite time before it began?


texts: What are the different stories in different scriptures regarding birth and loss off head of Lord Vinayaka?

texts:
I heard that different Puranas have different stories regarding how Vinayaka was born and lost his head and how he gained a new head.

I'd like to know the names of the Purnas that describe these
incidents and maybe a few deatils about verses that describe these.

So, I can find these and read these.


texts: Core Messages of Ramayana and verses from Ramayana that one can refer, to enrich life in general

texts:
What makes Mahabharata appealing is that it's a great timeless wisdom hidden in a compelling narrative.

Is there a similar theological dimension to Ramayana?

What are some of the verses from Ramayana that one can refer to enrich life in general?


texts: Is the BORI Critical Edition of the Mahabharata the most authentic?

texts: Is BORI Critical Edition translated by Bibek Debroy truly the most authentic version available on this planet right now?


texts: I came to know that "Indra" is nothing but a designation/post given to a person. so I want to know that how many Indra are there till now and what was there family background (like there real name,parents etc;) and how they became the king of devas(gods).


texts: Did Chaitanya Mahaprabhu author a commentary on the Brahma Sutras in Prakashananda Math?

texts:
While going through this letter by Swami Vivekananda dated 17th August 1889, I stumbled across a line where Swamiji talks about an apparent rumour of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu authoring a commentary on the Brahma Sutras:

  Chaitanya-deva is said to have told Sârvabhauma at Puri, "I understand the Sutras (aphorisms) of Vyasa, they are dualistic; but the commentator makes them, monistic, which I don't understand." Is this true? Tradition says, Chaitanya-deva had a dispute with Prakashananda Sarasvati on the point, and Chaitanya-deva won. One commentary by Chaitanya-deva was rumoured to have been existing in Prakashananda's Math.

Again, in one of his Madras addresses, Swami Vivekananda mentions a commentary on the Brahma Sutras of having being written by Sri Chaitanya:

  The commentary that Shri Chaitanya wrote on the Vyâsa-Sutras has either been lost or not found yet. His disciples joined themselves to the Madhvas of the South, and gradually the mantles of such giants as Rupa and Sanâtana and Jiva Goswâmi fell on the shoulders of Bâbâjis, and the great movement of Shri Chaitanya was decaying fast, till of late years there is a sign of revival. Hope that it will regain its lost splendour.

Now as far as I know, the only existing work of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the "Siksastakam". Also, the only Gaudiya Vaishnava commentary on the Brahma Sutras I know of, is Baladeva Vidyabhusana's "Govinda Bhashya".

So my question is:

Is there any evidence of Sri Chaitanya authoring such a commentary? Do any reliable Gaudiya sources mention Mahaprabhu ever writing such a commentary?


texts: How many Gods are there according to Vedas? Also, give me the characteristics of God by which the Uniqueness of God is established

texts: Do Vedas say that God is unique? How many Gods are there acc. to Vedas? What are his characteristics by which one says that God is unique?


texts: Do scriptures change over time? Or they're static but different for each Yuga? Can customs of one Yuga be ridiculed by people in earlier or next Yuga?

texts:
It is well known that laws & customs change over time, according to people, society and events.
Some people claim that religious scriptures also change over time.
But the wise say that religious scriptures do not change, but they already take into account all possible changes (combinations of people/society/events for all yugas) and codify those laws at the beginning.
For e.g. If a law states:

[2015] Stop on Red light.

Then in 2016, it gets amended to:

[2016] Stop on Red light, except if you hear ambulance, in which case, give way.

Then in 2017, it gets amended further to:

[2017] Stop on Red light, except if you hear ambulance, in which case, give way, but only if ambulance driver is within 20 ft of you.

In above case we can say 'The law changes over time'.
But if a law says:

Stop on Red light, except if you hear ambulance, in which case, give way, but only if ambulance driver is within 20 ft of you, and if he honks twice to indicate you to move, (and other possible combinations)

In above case we can say 'The law does not change over time. It accounts for all possible changes ahead of time'.
Do scriptures fall under first or second category ?
If second, is there a different Smriti to be followed in each Yuga ?
If different, is there a hierarchy or gradation of rules, going from strict to relaxed from Krita to Kali ?
If gradation, is it because the scriptures/rishis are 'outdated', or because the society/people become 'degraded' ?
If latter, then is it acceptable for someone to follow rules of a previous Yuga ? For e.g. Crossing seas is banned in Kali but not in previous Yugas. Same with Niyoga.
If above unacceptable, is it acceptable to ridicule others for following customs of their current relaxed/degraded Yuga instead of a strict/exalted previous Yuga's rules ?
If above unacceptable, is the opposite OK - is it acceptable to ridicule others for following customs of a strict/exalted previous Yuga instead of their current relaxed/degraded Yuga's rules ?
e.g. people of Treta Yuga might ridicule those of Krita Yuga for always being engaged in Dhyana. While those in Krita Yuga might ridicule future inhabitants of Treta Yuga for always being engaged in Yagna.
Similarly, people of Kali Yuga might ridicule those of Dwapara Yuga for engaging in child marriage, being faithful/virgin, following varna separation etc. While those in Dwapara Yuga might ridicule future inhabitants of Kali Yuga for late marriages, multiple-sexual partners, varna-sankara (caste-mixing) etc.
When "social reformers" bring changes to constitutional laws (inherently according to scripturally mandated amendments for each Yuga), should they do so by deriding old scriptures, or by deriding new people?
e.g. When Sati/Child-marriage was banned long back, or when Adultery/Homosexuality was legalized recently, should it be done by stating :
'Old Scriptures are regressive/patriarchal/evil' ?
or by stating :
'New People are degraded/weak/animalistic' ?


texts: In the marriage function the couples to see the sky for vashistar and arundathi stars?

texts: In Hindu's marriage function the married couples are needed to see the sky for seeing the Vashistar and Arundhati stars. Why do we need to see this and what is the impact on this one?


texts:
Why do Hindus take Pradakshina (Circumambulation) around sacred idols?

What does it signify? Do the number of times of taking rounds and direction matter?  It would be great to know how it started and what it signifies.


texts:
I would like to see an example from the scriptures  of how someone has suffered as a result of  making someone else suffer.

Specially I would prefer something from Srimad Bhagavatam.


texts: did Indrajit tell Ravana that Rama was Narayana himself?

texts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3zrT-ccbHM
In this (In Hindi) episode Indrajit tells Ravana that when he fired them at Lakshmana, Brahmastra, Pashupathastra and Narayana chakra only saluted Lakshmana and returned to him.
He tells Ravana that Rama and Lakshmana are not mere mortals - but Rama is Narayana himself.
Is this poetic license or is it in Valmiki Ramayana?


texts:
As per Vedas what exactly is the significance of number 7. Reason am asking this is because we have:

Saptarishi (7 Sages)
7 Chakras
7 Days
7 Svara
7 colors in rainbow (Indradhanush)
7 pheras during marriage

There are so many others as listed here.
Curious to understand the logic behind this.


texts: Do all vaishnavite sects impose diet restrictions?

texts: In general Hindus tend to be vegetarian or quasi-vegetarian.  In addition there is the "satvik food" theory.  What diet restrictions do different vaishnavite sects apply to their followers?


texts: What is the significance of Deep Amavasya?

texts: Today is Deep Amavasya and many people in Maharashtra worship and light up diyas or earthen lamps in their homes at night. I want to know what is the significance of this festival and what are the ceremonies to be performed in it?


texts:
Gods and Goddesses have been mentioned in many areas in India as well as many articles written by scholar of hinduism.

But does Hinduism have a concept similar to angels - not the Gods but lesser heavenly beings that are messengers of the Gods?

This is not about explicitly Judeo-Christian angels like Gabriel, but rather the concept behind angels.


texts: Why and when did Hindu's start eating non-veg

texts: All the scriptures of Hinduism focuses on "satvik bhojan" which essentially means vegetarian meals. So why & when did section of society started eating non-veg? Is it allowed by veda's for cetrain section of society like "Kshatriya's"?


texts: Who is Anāśritaśiva mentioned in the article?

texts:
Quoting from Swami Lakshmanjoo Maharaj's article on Why the cycle of the universe is Lord Shiva’s energy:

  “Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Iśvara, Sadāśiva and Anāśritaśiva, govern the six states of apanā [subtle internal breath]. These six great beings not only govern these six states in apāna; they govern six states of life also. Childhood is governed by Brahmā, youth is governed by Viṣṇu, old age is governed by Rudra, death is governed by Īśvara, rebirth is governed by Sadāśiva and liberation is governed by Anāśritaśiva. Ibid., 6.190.

In the bold part, it says liberation is governed by Anāśritaśiva. Who is he? Which form of Shiva is it?


texts: What happened to the Vijaya bow after Karna's death?

texts: The Vijaya dhanush was given to Karna by Parashurama. What had happened to the bow after Karna's death?


texts: Is there a reference for the pasurams sung during the jeeyar sevai at Tirupati?

texts:
Every morning, there is a special darshan at Tirupati for the jeeyar (head) of a traditional mutt at Tirumala. Other Srivaishnavite brahmins too may be permitted to accompany the jeeyar to serve as extras and join in the chants, provided they satisfy certain conditions.
In this session, various pasurams from the Divya Prabandam (Tamil Srivaishnavite poetry of the Alwars) are sung. While I know some of the pasurams, I am looking for a systematic list of all the chants sung in this jeeyar sevai, in the order in which they are sung.
Thanks!


texts: Is this true that a person who dies in Kashi never gets reborn?

texts: I heard that who are living in kashi, they never born after death in kashi, why they never born, is this speciality only for kashi (or) any other city it has, and why their life span of time move fast.


texts: What scriptures describe a Gopi dying upon hearing Krishna's flute?

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 Pillai Lokacharya.  In verse 80 of his Sri Vachana Bhushanam, Pillai Lokacharya lists different devotees of Vishnu we should emulate:

  As to Upaya (method), one should be like the Goddess (Sita), Draupadi and Thirukannamangai Andan; as to Upeya (goal), one should be like the younger Lord (Lakṣmana), Periyavudayar (Jatāyu), Pillai Thirunarayur Araiyar and Cintayanti.

Most of these names are recognizable, but I'm interested in Chintayanti.  Here is what the translator says:

  Chintayanti, simply expired upon hearing Krishna's flute and being unable to go to him.

My question is, what scriptures mention the Gopi Chintayanti dying upon hearing Krishna's flute?


texts: Can there be multiple Brahman or supreme God in multi verse or other universes?

texts:
Since we know there are multiple universes
According to the above answers (to the question) there are multiple Trimurtis (Brahmã, Visñú, Shiva) so can there be multiple Brahman as well.


texts: so Ganapatis have their own Upanishad.I presume they also accept the vedas.do they accept all the authentic upanishads?what about itihasa?


texts:
Tembe swami (vAsudevananda saraswati) , was a well known figure in Maharashtra.

Whose avatar is he considered as ?


texts: These lines of Ramcharitmanas belong to which descent (Kanda) of the book?

texts:
मंगल भवन अमंगल हारी द्रवहु सुदसरथ अचर बिहारी

I know this is a very famous chaupai of the holy text but sadly I don't know where it is written.


texts: How far does the Swadhisthana chakra extend?

texts: I understand that the Swadhisthana chakra is located in the sacral region. Does it encompass the whole hip or only the small space of a circumference of maybe 2-3 centimeters?


texts:
Judeo christian religious traditions has got a concept that , each person on earth has got a guardian angel to take care of his/her need. They keep monitoring each person ,  help their spiritual progress and try to communicate with him/her with different signs. If person is spiritually more evolved he can communicate with them.

I understand that hinduism has got 33 crore devas , upadevas, gandharvas , kinnaras and other divine beings. But I could not find any reference to the concept of having an angel assigned to each person.

What is the take of hinduism on guardian angel?


texts: Did Lord Rama ever claim Godhood or divinity himself?

texts:
Like Lord Krishna in Mahabharata (geeta) made clear about his divinity, did Rama also show his divine aspect or claim that he was an avatara or god ?
Did he make any claims or statements that he was enlightened or an avatara?


texts: What does Sanatana Dharma say regarding shaving pubic and anus hair?

texts:
Some religions encourage, both men and women, to shave off their pubic hair and anus hair.

What does Sanatana Dharma say to its followers about this?


texts: Dharma and adharma sides of the Kurukshetra war

texts: In the Kurukshetra war, the Pandava side represented Dharma, and the Kaurava side adharma.Then, why numerous warriors in the Pandavas' side also died in the battle?


texts: Relationship between Jiva and Sukshma Sharira

texts:
It is my understanding that the Jiva-Atman is the same as the Atman, it is just this all pervasive consciousness reflected in a body and seemingly trapped in Samsara (correct me if I'm wrong). But I have also heard that it is the Sukshma Sharira that trans-migrates from body to body. Anyone have a simple explanation (from an Advaita Vedantic perspective) as to:

What is the relationship between the Jiva-Atman and Sukshma Sharira and  what is it that travels from body to body the Jiva-Atman or the Subtle Body.

Is the Sukshma Sharira/Subtle body subject to the senses, gunas, desires etc but the Jiva-Atman not? If the Jiva is not subject to the desires, why does it travel to the next body?

Thank you


texts: What are the different sampradayas under the "shanmatha" branches?

texts: Like the various Vaishanava sampradayas, what are the major disciplic lines for the other 5 sects... Shaiva, Shakta, Ganapatya, Kaumara and Saura?


texts: What is the story of Vamana's wife Kirti and son Brihatshloka?

texts:
In the Srimad Bhagavatam, there's a description of the spouses and descendants of the Adityas, a group of 12 gods who are the sons of Aditi and the sage Kashyapa.  The Adityas include Surya, Indra, Varuna, etc., but the youngest of the Adityas is Vamana, the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu, and this is what the Srimad Bhagavatam says about Vamana's family:

  By His own potency, the Lord, who has multifarious potencies, appeared in the form of a dwarf as Urukrama, the twelfth son of Aditi. In the womb of His wife, whose name was Kīrti, He begot one son, named Bṛhatśloka, who had many sons, headed by Saubhaga.

My question, what is the story of these family members?  Who is Kirti, and what is the story of how Vamana married her?  And what's the story of Vamana's son and grandchildren?  I wasn't aware that Vamana did anything else after he defeated Mahabali and restored the three worlds to Indra.  (And I was under the impression that Vamana was an unmarried brahmachari when he encountered Mahabali.)

The only clue I have is the meaning of their names.  Kirti means fame or glory, which might makes sense if she's an incarnation of Vishnu's wife Lakshmi, since fame can be connected to wealth and prosperity.  Brihatshloka means "of great fame", so there's a pattern here at least.  (I should note that Vishnu is often called Punyasloka, meaning "of holy fame", so it may be connected to that too.) Finally Saubhaga means good fortune.

So are there any other scriptures which discuss who these people were?

EDIT: I just found a passage in the Vishnu Purana which says this:

  For in like manner as the lord of the world, the god of gods, Janárddana, descends amongst mankind (in various shapes), so does his coadjutrix Śrí. Thus when Hari was born as a dwarf, the son of Adití, Lakshmí appeared from a lotus (as Padmá, or Kamalá)

I assume this Padma or Kamala is the same as Kirti.  So we at least know that Kirti was born from a lotus.  But I still don't know how she came to marry Vamana.


texts: How and when did astrology become a defining aspect of Hinduism?

texts: Many aspects of Hindu rituals are closely tied with astrology, star gazing and charts. How and when did this start to happen?


texts: How to determine whether a Banalinga is genuine or not?

texts:
Getting a Banalinga (also known as Narmada Shiva Linga or  Narmadeswar Shiva linga) is quite easy these days.

You will get them in shops selling religious items. And, they are also sold on websites like ebay.

My question is how to determine whether the stone is really Lord Shiva or just any other lifeless stone?

Getting a Banalinga is important in the sense that since the Lord is already said to be  present  in it the elaborate procedures of pranapratistha are not needed to invoke the divine presence.


texts: Why does Lord Shiva fulfill wishes of evil people also?

texts:
Ravana was Lord Shiva's devotee. Lord Shiva was impressed with Ravana's tapasya and fulfilled his dream. My question is, Ravana was evil and took Sita from Rama, then why did Lord Shiva help him?

I saw this question where OP is asking something different, whether Ravana worshiped Vishnu or not, but it's not related to this question.


texts: What will happen when all atmans get moksha?

texts:
In Vedanta philosophy, the different schools of thought like Vishishta-Advatia, Advaita, Dwaita etc. agree upon the following facts:

1. There are constant numbers of jeevatman in the universe/Samsara (consisting of all 14 Lokas)

2. After Moksha, a jeevatman cannot return to any other state (but individual can roam around if he wants to).

So looking for the future with these constraints, a time will come when all jeevatmans present in the whole creation would get moksha. What would happen when such a saturation condition occurs?

The only solution I see is to again create more jeevatmans (since bramhan is all powerful and all pervading). Bramhan can pull this off, but why is he not allowed to create more of jeevatmans?

More information on Vedanta


texts: Did Ravana's boon of invulnerability include the trimurtis?

texts:
तेन गन्धर्व यक्षाणाम् देवतानाम् च रक्षसाम् |
अवध्योऽस्मि इति वागुक्ता तथेति उक्तम् च तन् मया || १-१५-१३
"Ravana said while seeking boon that, 'I shall not be killed by gandharva-s, yaksha-s, or by gods, or by other demons...' and I also said 'so be it..." [1-15-13]

Looks like Ravana didn’t ask for immunity from the trimurtis who are not really devas.
When Ravana was attacking Devaloka, Indra asked Vishnu for help in fighting Ravana. But Vishnu refused, saying that Ravana had a boon that he couldn't be killed by any god, but that he would soon incarnate on the Earth as Rama to defeat him:
“Do not fear, hear what I have to say. He is invincible by virtue of the boon, and that vicious-souled one is incapable of being vanquished even by the celestials and Asuras. Irrepressible by virtue of his prowess, that Rakshasa, with his son, shall accomplish a mighty object. O lord of celestials, even if I am requested by thee, I shall not withstand the Rakshasa, Ravana in the conflict”
Vishnu seems to think Ravana had immunity from him.


texts: How did Satyavati die and how old was she at the time?

texts:
I read somewhere on this site that Bhishma's age was around 140 years when he died. But Satyavati was his mother, so, she must have been ~160 years old if she was alive when Bhishma died (I could be wrong here).

Also, I saw in Star Plus Mahabharat (here S20E10) that Vyasa tells Satyavati to die because she won't be able to bear the darkness of future after the war.

If that's true, it means she could have lived even longer. Maybe 200 years? Was living 200 years possible at that time? What's the truth?


texts: How do I know what is the right kind of work for me?

texts:
I'm reading the Bhagavad Gita.

As far as I understand, in chapter 3, the importance of right action / good work is highlighted.

Krishna says something along the lines of, whatever great people do, others will follow them, so, one ought to work in order to set a good example to others:

  3.22 For me, Arjuna, there is nothing in all the three worlds which ought to be done, nor is there anything unacquired that ought to be acquired. Yet I go on working.

(this translation and the next by Swami Adidevananda)

Krishna explains to Arjuna what action he should be taking earlier in the text; that's clear.

What I'm wondering about is how a person studying the text should tell what the right work for them is.

This verse especially troubles me, because it suggests that the right work is not necessarily the thing one happens to be good at:

  3.35 Better is one's own duty, though ill-done, than the duty of another well-performed. Better is death in one's own duty; the duty of another is fraught with fear.

Moreover, action should be taken without attachment to the fruits of action (discussed in chapter 2 also, but for the sake of keeping things contained):

  3.19 Therefore do thy duty perfectly, without care for the results, for he who does his duty disinterestedly attains the Supreme.

(translation by Sri Purohit Swami)

So considering which work is likely to have the best direct results seems unhelpful too.

So, how do I know what work is right for me?


texts: Is a bachelor or a widower person Godless according to the vedic scriptures?

texts:
According to this answer : What is the real concept of brahmacharya?

  Wife is the supreme deity required to be worshipped by the husband .. In the body of the wife reside all the devatA-s. Likewise, the gArhapatyAgni which is verily brahmarUpa also resides in her body. Hence, she should be worshipped always by the husband. Thus declare the veda-s. Hence whosoever worships his wife & and gArhapatya, attains all one can aspire for in this world and is worshipped in brahmaloka after his death.

So it seems from the answer that a bachelor or a widower is Godless.So is marriage just the way for worshipping the deities as per the vedas and a bachelor and a widower has no God?

I have never read in the biography of any saint that wife is the supreme God by the way.What I have read is 'stri-deva' (one to whom wife is the highest God) is a denigrating term according to the Purana-s.

But I am interested in knowing the truth.


texts: How is the date of Aryabhata calculated?

texts:
Kali Yuga is said to start at around 3000 BCE because Aryabhata said he is living 3600 years into Kali Yuga.

But how do we know when Aryabhata lived?


texts: How is Lord Shiva revealed in the Rig Veda?

texts:
Vedas are revealed scriptures without authors. They contain revelations of many things. In the hymns of respective deities, various characters of that respective deities are revealed.

Regarding Lord Shiva, SataRudriya/ Sri Rudram hymn found in YajurVeda summarizes many attributes of Lord Shiva. But what are the characteristics and attributes of Lord revealed in the Rig Veda? What does RigVeda state about Lord Shiva?


texts: Components of Mind According to Hindu Scriptures?

texts:
The Mind is known in Vedas and another scriptures as Manas. Manas is not the same as Mind in modern science?

"when a man sits down to meditate thoughts rush up by dozens. The mind is only a bundle of thoughts" I found this statement and I haven't find the components of Mind details.

Any mentions in vedas or scriptures views?


texts: Why choose doing "good" when there is no ultimate good or evil?

texts:
Why should one choose to do good over evil? Maybe your evil is my good and your good is my evil? There is no ultimate good or evil, so whats the reason to do "good" deeds then?

All ways lead to God, if you deny this you deny the oneness of God and the Unity of God. So doing "evil" should be just as valid as doing "Good"?


texts: What are the possible symbols of mercy and/or compassion in Hinduism? As always answers with supporting references are appreciated.


texts: What is the significance of cows in Hinduism?

texts: In India, a land of Hindus, cows are worshiped across the nation. Any significance of it?


texts:
How is Jyotisha used to predict the level of health of a person?

How are Rashis, Bhavas, Grahas etc. correlated with a person's physical well-being?

Also, how is Jyotisha related to Ayurveda?


texts: I am devoted to God, but doubts keep on coming in my mind about existence of God. Please save me. I want real devotion.

texts:
I am so much devoted to my Mother ShriLalita Maheshwari AdShakti.
When I was small I loved God, but as I reached 13-14 years, I thought that the concept of religion, God and others is a superstition, so I rejected all this. But as I grew to 16, I read various articles about religion, Bhakti, Yog, Ved, Purans. So I became very devoted to Mother Laita.

But now sometimes when I worship, doubts come in my mind that does Mother Lalita even exists or not. I tried to resist these doubts. But my science-based thinking keeps on making me doubt. I read Devi bhagwatam, Vivek Chudamani, various Stotram etc. a little bit. But still the doubt comes to my mind that does God even exist?
I read in Vivek Chudamani that this condition - "doubt whether God is real or unreal" is called ViPratiPatti.
But I then doubt is this Vipratipatti real or the author has just written it as such. And if Brahma really exists, why does It(from 'It' I mean the genderless Brahma), need to take form of Mother Lalita, or Shri Shiva, or Shri Vishnu and others? And if all these forms are true and complete Brahma, why should we worship any one of them and consider the rest inferior? And so many other doubts. So I feel that all the Ved Purans etc have been written only to establish  good rules to benefit people.
But then again I argue to myself, if God is unreal, then why in many tantras etc. there is a procedure or sadhana to even get Darshan of God? But again I start feeling that maybe the Darshan is just because of some psychological reason or something. And even if mantra work, they might work by creating waves of fmvarious frequency and these waves effect the various mantra such as Mohan, Ucchatan, Maran etc. And no real God is behind the working of these mantra. And so many other doubts come to me.

I read BhagwatGeetaa a little bit, but I then questioned myself- is this Geeta ever been said by ShriVishnu, or is it just an Imagination. Is it just to benefit the old aged people, because when someone will become old, he may not be able to do anything, so some wise people thought let us create the concept of Moksha Sannyaas etc. for the benefit of these people. And maybe some wise men got jealous and they created other sects of getting Moksha such as- Gyan marg, Yog, Bhakti, Sadhana, Tantra, etc. And so many other doubts.

I want my life back. Please save me. I was really devoted to Devi. But these doubts are hindering me for the true devotion. And this has really caused a lot of mental problems to me like depression, fear that God will will punish me, preoccupation, lack of confidence, stammering etc. I don't want anything. I just want to know if God exists or not. I really want to devote myself completely to Mother Laita. Please save me from these doubts.


texts: Why did Bhima kill Duryodhana unfairly by hitting him below the waist during their final battle in the Mahabharata war?


texts: Online version of Sulba Sutras by Baudhayana

texts:
Sulba Sutras are texts belonging to the Srauta ritual (based on Sruti) containing geometry of Yagna related constructions.

Where can I find an online version of the Sulba Sutras by Baudhayana? By original, I mean the Sanskrit Shlokas should be there. Translation is not a requisite.


texts: Kakah krishna pikah krishna.. Where this verse comes from?

texts:
I don't know much about Sanskrit verses/shlokas, one of my friends found this in social networking web sites and forwarded to me. Is it from any scriptures or modern authors?
I just want to know the source and meaning.. I googled it and found this

काकः कृष्णः पिकः कृष्णः को भेद पिककाकयोः
वसन्तसमये प्राप्ते काकः काकः पिकः पिकः
Kakah krishna pikah krishna, Ko bheda pika kaka yoho?
Vasanta samaye praptey, Kakah kakah pikah pikaha!


texts: Which Vishisthadvaita acharyas belonged to shakha of Shukla Yajurveda?

texts:
In some answers, I read that Pancharatra agama originated from some of the shakha of Shukla Yajurveda which is extinct today.

So my question is which are the acharyas of their sri vaishnava tradition who belonged to Shukla yajurveda and their related sutras?


texts: What do smritis say about giving away one's own children to someone else?

texts:
What do smritis and dharma shastras say about giving away one's children (boy/girl) to someone else as daana (i.e charity) or as a worker?

What is the take on giving children as daana? Not specific about kanyaa


texts:
The word Hinduism is very popular, but who used it first?

There are some references in during British era ,but when exactly this word was used.


texts: Which scripture contains sri datta stavam?

texts: Is sri datta stavam a part of any scripture? If yes, what is the name of the scripture? Else, who wrote it?


texts: Do shastras sanction displaying idols of Hindu Gods as landscaping?

texts:
This Tripadvisor link shows idols of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati used as landscaping at a Swaminarayan Temple.

(This photo of Shree Swaminarayan Temple Bhuj is courtesy of TripAdvisor)

A revered God to hundreds of millions of Hindus has been put out there in the elements to be defecated on by pigeons.

Shouldn't idols of Gods be kept inside temple premises?

Surely, Agama shastras have something to say about this.


texts:
My questions are:

1) What is "Trisuparna Suktam" (त्रिसूपर्ण सूक्त) from Vedas?

2) What are the benifits of chanting of this sukta?

3) Are there variants of this sukta according to different Shakhas (branches of Vedas)?.


texts: How long did Bhishma live, after He fell asleep in the arrow in Mahabharata?

texts: Bhishma has a boon that When they came to their mind they could have left their life. I know that he did not leave his life immediately after He has many arrows in his body. When did he leave his body?


texts:
I know or having belief that japa can wipe out bad karmas we deed knowing or unknowingly in past or present life.

But going through one of the website, i came accross information that :

Japa not only cleans bad karma but also cleans effects of good karma so that we dont have to take birth again to enjoy the effects of good karma.

Wanted to know is it true philosophy???


texts: Ushas (Marici for Buddhists) is the goddess of the dawn. What are the passages in the vedas where she is mentioned exactly?


texts: Why is porcupine quill used in seemantham samskara?

texts:
In the Seemantham (baby shower) samskara, a porcupine quill is used to draw a line straight from navel of expectant mother to her forehead - thrice, amid constant prayers and chants.
As per this blog post,

Porcupine is one animal which cannot be easily killed, thanks to it's prickly exterior coat. The father prays for the well-being of his unborn child and hopes the god's will protect his baby as the porcupine is protected by the sharp quills.

One of my acquaintances on Facebook, Ruckmani Ananthanarayanan says, "Regarding porcupine quill , I wish to share what our vaadhyaar said during my seemantham, 5 years ago. He asked to draw a line with it from my navel to the center of my head. The naadi connecting to the cervix is supposed to be there it seems. He said a gentle prick has to be given so that it initiates the opening of the cervix gradually, enabling normal delivery...

Question is whether the above has basis in scriptures or relevant text ? Or is there another reason for porcupine quill being used ?


texts: What is the difference between Mantra-Siddhi and Bhagavat-Praapti?

texts: What is the difference between Mantra-siddhi that is described primarily in the Tantras as success of the sadhana and Bhagavat-prapti which is thought as the ultimate goal in the dvaita bhava upasana?


texts: What are the similar characteristics of Swami Nammalwar and Jadabaratha?

texts: There are some similar characteristics found in Swami Nammalwar and Jadabaratha. Can the answer be given in detail by mentioning the characteristics?


texts: Although Ramayan and Mahabharat are historical, are they most likely paraboles which have spiritual meanings attached to them? (A ‘parabole’ is a ‘casting/setting side by side’—using Latin-derived morphs an ‘apposition’ or ‘adjacency’. In rhetoric, it is a comparison, which sets two terms side-by-side; later it denotes a fiction which is ‘set beside’ and parallels (‘lies next to’) reality.) P.S. A humble request can people please not edit my question as it chances the meaning? I meant parabole and not parable. Thank you.


texts: Dvaita vs Advaita vs Vishistadvaita vs Shuddhadvaita vs any other

texts: I hear these terms Dvaita, Advaita, Vishistadvaita, Shuddhadvaita, and may be any other XYZdvaita, etc in most of the questions but I am not very sure what do they refer to. Are these some communities driven by a particular group of people just like we have Valmiki-samaj, etc or they are just thinkings/philosophies. What is the difference between them and whether people following them do/perform anything in different manners. Do we also have some texts from Vedas or Puranas which divide them. If there is then please provide examples.


texts:
Jambavan an under appreciated character in the Ramayana(most people focus on Hanuman but it should be made clear it is Jambavan who made Hanuman aware of his immense spiritual prowess) is a steadfast devotee of Sr Rama. But is it mentioned anywhere that he is an incarnation of Himavat ?

So who is Jambavan's root deity ?


texts:
It is said in the Kalki Purana --> "According to Kalki Purana, Kali demon will rule the earth and bring sin and misery to the people. When the first stage of the Kali Yuga begins, the varna system will deteriorate. Soon after this, the second, third, and fourth stages of the Kali Yuga begin. During the second and third portions, men will forget the name of God and no longer offer Yagna to the Devas."

But why would Kali demon rule earch and bring sin and misery? For what reason?


texts: Is English translation of Laghu Chandrika of Gauda Brahmananda Saraswathi available online?

texts:
Laghu Chandrika is supposed to be a famous book studied by Advaitins.
It is reply to Tarangini(Dvaita) which is reply to Advaita Siddhi(Advaita) which is a reply to Nyayamrita(Dvaita)
There is also another book called Guru Chandrika which is similar
Is English translation of this available online?


texts: Why is Shanta (Daughter of King Dasratha) not mentioned in Valmiki's Ramayana?

texts:
There was a quiz on Ramayana yesterday by Amar Chitra Katha.
One of the participants asked this question:

  Which daughter of King Dasharatha and Kaushalya was adopted by the King of Anga Desh and his wife since he had no child of his own ?

I was surprised as I had never heard of this "fact".

I searched and read about Shanta, and also this describes that that there is none in Valmiki's Ramayana, but in Srimad Bhagavatam.

What I want to ask is :

Why do we have so many versions of Ramayana(or any other scripture for that matter) which creates confusion?


texts: Why is Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse) considered unsafe for pregnant women in Hinduism?

texts:
It is said that women should not work during Lunar Eclipse or Chandra Grahan. It is said that doing so effects the physical health of the baby.

Is there any mention of this in the scriptures, or any specific reason behind this ritual?


texts: To save themselves from the Lākṣāgṛha (house of lac), did Pāṇḍavas kill an innocent niṣāda woman and her five children?

texts:
In this YouTube video (1988 TV series Mahabharat, Episode 31 - Escape from Lakshagraha) it is shown that a niṣāda woman and her five children are urged by Purocana, the builder of the infamous lākṣāgṛha (house of lac) in Vāraṇāvata, to spend the night inside the newly constructed house. Not sure why he invites them inside the house? Maybe he wanted to blame them for setting the house on fire?!

But from here (Ganguli's translation) it appears that those people just came there looking for food and entered the mansion on their own.

  Desirous of obtaining food, there came, as though impelled by fate, to that feast, in course of her wanderings, a Nishada woman, the mother of five children, accompanied by all her sons. O king, she, and her children, intoxicated with the wine they drank, became incapable. Deprived of consciousness and more dead than alive, she with all her sons lay down in that mansion to sleep.

  Then when all the inmates of the house lay down to sleep, there began to blow a violent wind in the night. Bhima then set fire to the house just where Purochana was sleeping. Then the son of Pandu set fire to the door of that house of lac. Then he set fire to the mansion in several parts all around.

Questions:

How does the latest BORI critical edition of the Mahābhārata narrate this event?
If indeed Ganguli's above translated version is the correct narrative, are Pāṇḍavas justified in killing the innocent niṣāda family to save their own?

Also, if anyone happens to know how the recent TV series – Suryaputra Karn, 2015 (Sony) and Mahabharat, 2013 (STAR Plus) depict this scene, please leave a comment under the question or in your answer.


texts: What was Prahlada's age when his father was killed?

texts:
Prahlada says in his hymn to Sri Nrisimhadeva:

  My dear Lord, O infallible one, my position is like that of a person who has many wives, all trying to attract him in their own way. For example, the tongue is attracted to palatable dishes, the genitals to sex with an attractive woman, and the sense of touch to contact with soft things. The belly, although filled, still wants to eat more, and the ear, not attempting to hear about You, is generally attracted to songs. The sense of smell is attracted to yet another side, the restless eyes are attracted to scenes of sense gratification, and the active senses are attracted elsewhere. In this way I am certainly embarrassed.

So far as my limited knowledge goes, Prahlada was a small boy when his father was killed. How could he then be attracted to the sensual pleasures as mentioned above? All the paintings I have seen also depicted him like a lad.

Does anybody know the exact age of Prahlada at the time when his father was slayed by Sri Nrisimha?


texts: Pashupatvrat - Did all deities perform it? How to perform it? Any Pros and Cons?

texts: Pashupatvrat - Did all deities perform it? If I want to perform it how to perform it? Any Pros and Cons? Any procedure? Thank you in advance for legit scripture-based answer.


texts: Was Krishna having second thoughts about the war and the instructions he gave?

texts:
Even in the Gita some on instructions and questions he specifically states are only his opinion.

After the war Krishna finds time to contemplate on dharma and takes a nap his body sheers in pain, thinking about all the suffering his dharma caused. He is dreaming about people telling him about their dharma.

Was he doubting his own lessons, did he come to any new revelations, particularly on the dharma?


texts: What should be the sequence of reading(happening) Puranas?

texts:
There being numerous Puranas, what should be the sequence of reading adheard, to make the history more understandable to human mind.

I will also like the sequence on basis of time, for example, Ramayan was of time before Mahabharat, so its likely to make linearity in time phase, I should read Ramayan afterwards Mahabharat.

Bottom Note :
I know, all Puranas are dependent and can be read without the knowledge of others, but to frame a time-mass linearity, what would be the sequence, in other words, which purana happened when.(To be concies.)


texts:
Just like the Devas have their own army under the command of Kartikeya, and Shiva has his army of Bhuta Ganas, Vishnu has his own army in Vaikuntha under the command of Vishvaksena, who is a nitya suri, or an eternal inhabitant of Vaikuntha.

Has the army of Vaikuntha under the command of Vishvaksena ever fought alongside the Devas or humans in wars against Asuras and Rakshasas?


texts: What happens with karma with expectations of fruits?

texts:
With the reference to famous shlok in Bhagwat Gita :

One should do karma without expectations of fruits in return.

But what happens if I make all good karmas with the expectations of good will come in return to me?

Does that karma becomes void? Or will it definitely give me good fruits one or another time?


texts: According to this article, Bhrigu Rishi tested the Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh(Shiva) for who is the best God and should be worshipped. It is also mentioned in this question about him testing the Trimurti. I know from legends that he then committed penance in the guilt of kicking Lord Vishnu in the chest. What is the place where he chose to do penance? There is a Bhrigu temple in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, India where the locals believe that it is the shrine of Bhrigu and he performed penance there. Are the locals correct as Ballia is also known as Bhrigu Nagri or The land of Bhrigu? What is the place according to scriptures?


texts: What is the relation of Aditi and Daksha?

texts:
Recently I ended up with a Facebook post from Molee Art

  Daksha is Aditi's father, and Aditi is Daksha's mother, yet both are a married couple in the Vedas. Explain why and how.

But this part confused me because as per my knowledge she was the wife of Kashyap and mother of Indra, Surya etc. But I don't know her relation with Daksha, I checked wikipedia, which say:

  She is mentioned nearly 80 times in the Rigveda: the verse "Daksha sprang from Aditi and Aditi from Daksha".

So what is the exact relation between Aditi and Daksha and is it changing? Need scripture answer only.


texts: What is the significance of amritaghateshwara temple?

texts:
The.famous temple of abirami (goddess)-amrita ghateshwara (shiva) at Tirukkadiyur has an interesting fact that it also contains Lord Vishnu temple alongside. It has many miraculous and special stories associated to it.

What are the legends and beliefs associated with the temple?

What is the history and story of this temple?


texts: Do the Vedas and the Upanishads support atheism(lack of belief in the existence of God or gods)? And if they support, then give reference.


texts:
While Duryodhana was explaining the presents received by Pandavas he details about how people were refused entry into the palace. In one passage he says

...who presented themselves at the gate, were told by the gate-keepers at the command of the king, that if they could wait and bring good tribute they could obtain admission.

It was also said in earlier sections that's many, including brahmanas, couldn't get entry. So, was Yudhistira allowing entry only if the visitors bought expensive gifts/tributes? Isn't that unfair on those who couldn't afford?
Wondering how a good king can have those rules...


texts: What do scriptures say about animal testing for medical research?

texts:
I am a scientist studying the effects of different drugs in the immune system. The immune system is so complex and we have such a limited understanding of it, that the only way to understand whether or not a drug is toxic is to study the effects on animals such as mice. Unfortunately, the way it works is that every animal that is used has to undergo a painful disease to replicate the conditions needed for the drug to work. After The study, every single animal has to be sacrificed. From a hypothetical perspective, it seems easy to say that this research is necessary and can save human lives at the cost of animal lives. From a practical perspective, it is terrifying to see the animals suffer every day and live a life that is horrific by any standard. Sometimes it feels like you are seeing the holocaust but for mice instead of humans. Finally it is incredibly difficult when the animal has to be sacrificed.

Are there karmic consequences for animal testing? Who suffers the consequences and how much? The scientist doing the testing? The group of collaborators working on the project? People who sell the drugs that were created using this process? People who take the drugs?

It gets more complicated in the real world. For example,when you are only 20% certain that the drug will work should you test it on animals anyways to learn something?Is there a cut off for the percentage?What number of animals should be used? And so on...

How do The Scriptures suggest we think about these problems? Everything seems much more significant when taking an innocent life.

I became a scientist to help humans avoid suffering. But seeing how much animals have to suffer makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing according to Hindu principles and if I will have to suffer the karmic consequences.


texts: After Mahabharata war, where did the Kauravas and Pandavas end after death. Heaven or Hell?


texts: Absence of names of days in scriptures. Why?

texts:
As far as I know, the names of the days e.g., Sunday, Monday, etc. are not found in scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam. Say you want to find the day of week of Krishna's birth, it is not available.

Do the Vedas mention days such as ravivAra (Sunday), somavAra (Monday) etc?


texts: Which yuga did Swami Vivekananda consider to be current yuga?

texts:
Swami Vivekananda said that Karma yoga is the best for this age.

The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Sayings and Utterances

  Jnâna, Bhakti, Yoga and Karma—these are the four paths which lead to
  salvation. One must follow the path for which one is best suited; but
  in this age special stress should be laid on Karma-Yoga

But in this Kaliyug, bhakti yoga is the best. So, which age (yug) did Swami Vivekananda consider this age to be?


texts: 'Who is Ramanujacharya's brother? He adopted Saivism when he was around 20 years old. How did Ramanuja brought back him to vaishnavism?Any mythological references for this.


texts: does any authentic vedic scriptures depict Sri Ram alone as the ultimate parabrahman

texts: In the present era many people worship Shri Ram as bhagavan , many people see him as merely an incarnation and many people consider him to be just an ideal man. But other than Sri Valmiki Ramayana , are there any other authentic scriptures that in one voice introduces Shri Ram alone as the supreme person of vedas and the ultimate brahman ??


texts: Did Shankaracharya establish the "shanmatha" and the "panchayatana puja" systems?

texts: There is a general opinion that Sripad Adi Sankaracharya established the shanmatha system and also insituted the worship form of panchayatana. Yet there seems to be lot of disagreements even among the well read on that point. Do we have any direct evidence from the Acharya's own works or his immediate successors' works to support the view that he was the one who established the 2 systems?


texts: Did Sri Krishna really show Viswarupa Darshan to Arjuna or was it merely a projection of Arjuna's mind?

texts:
Majority of the people misunderstood the Vishwarupa Darshanam, as narrated in Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
When Arjuna asked Sri Krishna to show his Divine form (द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम), Sri Krishna says as follows:

पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः।
नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च।।11.5।।
O Arjuna, forms of Mine, by the hundreds and thousands, of different sorts, divine, and of various colours and shapes.
इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम्।
मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि।।11.7।।
Now behold, O Arjuna, in this, My body, the whole universe centred in one including the moving and the unmoving and whatever else thou desirest to see.

The secret of the Vishwarupa lies in the above Sloka, wherein Sri Krishna said:  द्रष्टुमिच्छसि - whatever thou desirest to see.
Sri Krishna never said that I am showing the Vishwarupa to you and that these all comprise my Vishwarupa.
He simply said that "See whatever you want to see - द्रष्टुमिच्छसि".
So whatever Arjuna saw during Viswarupa Sandarsana, it was his own mind's projections and imaginations.
Sri Krishna did not show anything to Arjuna.

Coming to Sanjaya, he was just narrating the dialogues that took place between Sri Krishna and Arjuna.  So Sanjaya just heard what Arjuna said but not what he saw.

The vision of GOD,  is like projections on a WHITE screen.  It will show whatever is projected on it.
GOD will show to the seekers of GOD, according to their maturity of mind and hence their own mind's projections.
To the Gnani, who lost all desires, only ETERNAL HAPPINESS remains, because that is his projection.
It is very subtle and beyond the imagination of the common man.


texts: Which weapon did a lot of actual damage from a single use?

texts: The big name weapons like Brahmastra are often neutralized by the same or similar weapon.  When was the most damage inflicted by a single use of a weapon?


texts: Which puranas/upapuranas mention about marriage between Brahma and Saraswati?

texts:
Apparently Brahma was condemned by his sons for lusting after Saraswati, but how after that did Brahma end up marrying Saraswati?

Most of the main mahapuranas only call her consort of brahma, but there is no mention of marriage. Please mention about mentions of matrimonial alliance between the two.


texts: What are the key responsibilities of a Hindu?

texts: According to scripture, what are the key responsibilities of a Hindu?


texts: Why Black clothes are not permissible while going to worship our Kulaswamini Ashapuri Devi?

texts:
Since our childhood, my parents were not purchasing any black coloured cloths for us. When asked why it is so?

They said, Black colour clothes should be avoided because wearing them is not acceptable to our Kulaswamini Ashapuri Devi.

Can any body elaborate why is it so?


texts: Who was the king who argued with Adi Shankaracharya using karma siddantha (law of karma)?

texts:
What is the name of the king who debated with Adi Shankaracharya against Advaita and supporting karma siddhantha (law of karma)?

Which authentic text contains the discussion between them?


texts: What does it mean by Vidura entering Yudhishthira’ body?

texts:
As explained in this answer, Vidura left his mortal body and entered  Yudhishthira’s

  Possessed of great intelligence, he then (by his Yoga-power) entered
  the body of Yudhishthira, limb by limb. He united his life-breaths
  with the king's life-breaths, and his senses with the king's senses.
  Verify, with the aid of Yoga-power, Vidura, blazing with energy, thus
  entered the body of king Yudhishthira the just.

What does this exactly mean? Does this mean his soul or subtle body will dwell inside  Yudhishthira? Also does that mean Vidura did not immediately go to heaven?


texts:
The following are my questions on this topic.

What are the Navabhashanas in the Palani Murugan Idol consecrated by Siddhar Bogar?
Where are the ingredients of Navabhashana sourced from and what is their physical and metaphysical significance?
What is the best available Scientific understanding of process of solidifying the Navabhashanas?
Also, Is there any original(or earliest) photos of the Palani Idol available before it was ravaged with scratches and etchings by devotees and alternative medicine seekers?


texts: Is there any explicit writing by Swami Vivekananda on his psychological theory of Varna?

texts:
Swami Vivekananda has written extensively about his ideas of caste in his Complete Works.

But has he written anything explicitly on the psychological theory of Varna?


texts: Are there references to Mesopotamia in Hindu scripture?

texts:
It has been proven through archaeological discovery of seals and artifacts that the Indus Valley Civilization traded with the civilizations of Mesopotamia, such as Sumer.

Sumer and the IVC existed at around 3000 BCE. This is during the time of the Mahabharata.

So do any Hindu scriptures mention any foreign civilization's name that could possibly be referring to Sumer or other Mesopotamian civilizations?


texts: I saw in a television series that Ganesha has all 8 siddhis. I am aware how unreliable tv is. So my question is: is Hanuman the only one who possesses all 8 siddhis?


texts: Joseph Kaplan as quoted by Swami Prabhavananda?

texts:
Swami Prabhavananda's The Spiritual Heritage of India (1962) quotes "the physicist Joseph Kaplan" several times (in the chapter on the Samkhya system). For instance:

  Thus the molecule is not something which takes on successive states,
  but it is the states themselves. So dice are the sum of possible was
  in which they can fall. The principle is known as the principle of
  superposition. So the three gunas represent the universe, and as the
  three occur in various relative intensities, so the properties of
  things are determined.

  The atomic theory is the product of the Western mind. In his native
  way the Western scientist generalizes the experience that one can
  subdivide matter until one meets an ultimate particle into an atomic
  theory assuming many elements. The Hindu philosopher goes much further
  and reduces everything to one element.

Who is/was this Joseph Kaplan (for his is a fairly common name) and did he publish any books (perhaps also on spiritual topics) by himself?


texts: Does the Garva (Garbha?) Upanishad contain the details of fertilisation that were carved on the walls of the temple in Tamil Nadu?

texts:
This site says that Stages of foetus development as per Garva (Garbha?) Upanishad, were carved in Sri Varamoortheeswarar Temple, Ariyathurai, Tamil Nadu, around some 3000 BC. The temple was said to be 5000-6000 years old.

Did anyone read Garva (Garbha?) Upanishad?  If so, does it contain the details of fertilisation that were carved on the walls of the temple in Tamil Nadu?


texts: What exactly is the story of the Aditya called Bhaag/Bhaga?

texts:
We all are aware of the Adityas being children of Goddess Aditi and Kashyap Maharishi. A few of them are more well known like Surya, Indra and Vamana but I want to know more about a lesser known brother of theirs - Bhaag. For those who are not much aware about him am sharing a Rig Vedic verse dedicated to him:

  1 AGNI at dawn, and Indra we invoke at dawn, and Varuṇa and Mitra, and the Aśvins twain.
  Bhaga at dawn, Pūṣan, and Brahmaṇaspati, Soma at dawn, Rudra we will invoke at dawn.

  2 We will invoke strong, early-conquering Bhaga, the Son of Aditi, the great supporter: Thinking of whom, the poor, yea, even the mighty, even the King himself says, Give me Bhaga.

  3 Bhaga our guide, Bhaga whose gifts are faithful, favour this song, and give us wealth, O Bhaga. Bhaga, augment our store of kine and horses, Bhaga, may we be rich in men and heroes.

  4 So may felicity be ours at present, and when the day approaches, and at noontide; And may we still, O Bounteous One, at sunset be happy in the Deities' loving-kindness.

  5 May Bhaga verily be bliss-bestower, and through him, Gods! may happiness attend us. As such, O Bhaga, all with might invoke thee: as such be thou our Champion here, O Bhaga.

  6 To this our worship may all Dawns incline them, and come to the pure place like Dadhikrāvan. As strong steeds draw a chariot may they bring us hitherward Bhaga who discovers treasure.

  7 May blessed Mornings dawn on us for ever, with wealth of kine, of horses, and of heroes, Streaming with all abundance, pouring fatness. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

From the above verses it seems Bhaga is the giver of wealth and prosperity, somewhat similar to Kuber but I want to know does any other scripture detail the story of the Aditya Bhaga?


texts: Can lost wealth be restored by reciting the kaarta virya arjuna mantra?

texts: I have had a theft at home and i was told that  reciting the Kaartaviryaarjuna mantra would help in restoring lost wealth (Jewels, Cash)


texts: BG 14.8 - What is the source of the scriptural definition of "mode of ignorance"?

texts:
As you can see below, Prabhupāda, in his purport to BG 14.8, explains the "mode of ignorance" by citing a śloka from some scripture. Which scripture or 'literature' is he talking about?

  BG 14.8

  tamas tv ajñāna-jaṁ viddhi
  mohanaṁ sarva-dehinām
  pramādālasya-nidrābhis
  tan nibadhnāti bhārata

  Synonyms:
  tamaḥ — the mode of ignorance; tu — but; ajñāna-jam — produced of ignorance; viddhi — know; mohanam — the delusion; sarva-dehinām — of all embodied beings; pramāda — with madness; ālasya — indolence; nidrābhiḥ — and sleep; tat — that; nibadhnāti — binds; bhārata — O son of Bharata.

  Translation:
  O son of Bharata, know that the mode of darkness, born of ignorance, is the delusion of all embodied living entities. The results of this mode are madness, indolence and sleep, which bind the conditioned soul.

  Purport:

  In this verse the speciﬁc application of the word tu is very signiﬁcant. This means that the mode of ignorance is a very peculiar qualiﬁcation of the embodied soul. The mode of ignorance is just the opposite of the mode of goodness. In the mode of goodness, by development of knowledge, one can understand what is what, but the mode of ignorance is just the opposite. Everyone under the spell of the mode of ignorance becomes mad, and a madman cannot understand what is what. Instead of making advancement, one becomes degraded.

  The deﬁnition of the mode of ignorance is stated in the Vedic literature.

  Vastu-yāthātmya-jñānāvarakaṁ viparyaya-jñāna-janakaṁ tamaḥ: under the spell of ignorance, one cannot understand a thing as it is.

  For example, everyone can see that his grandfather has died and therefore he will also die; man is mortal. The children that he conceives will also die. So death is sure. Still, people are madly accumulating money and working very hard all day and night, not caring for the eternal spirit. This is madness. In their madness, they are very reluctant to make advancement in spiritual understanding. Such people are very lazy. When they are invited to associate for spiritual understanding, they are not much interested. They are not even active like the man who is controlled by the mode of passion. Thus another symptom of one embedded in the mode of ignorance is that he sleeps more than is required. Six hours of sleep is sufﬁcient, but a man in the mode of ignorance sleeps at least ten or twelve hours a day. Such a man appears to be always dejected and is addicted to intoxicants and sleeping. These are the symptoms of a person conditioned by the mode of ignorance.


texts: What does "Kaisika" mean?  Does it have something to do with vaishnavite devotee nampaduvan who was afflicted by a Brahma Rakshas?


texts: Do rupa of God mentioned in satapatha brahmana?

texts:
Do satapatha brahmana tells god as rupa
The satapatha brahmana tells Rama and Krishna is avatar of lord


texts:
I was looking for various prescriptive Shlokas on the speech of a person. Came across this one with no references mentioned:

  प्रियवाक्य प्रदानेन सर्वे तुष्यन्ति जन्तवः

  तस्मात् तथैव कर्तव्यं वचने का दरिद्रता

Does anyone know, which text can this can be traced back to?


texts: Where in the Padma Purana are these verses located?

texts:
Where in the Padma Purana are the following verses located?

  Na śūdrā bhagavad-bhaktās te tu bhāgavatā matāḥ
  Sarva-varṇeṣu te śūdrā ye na bhaktā janārdane

  A devotee should never be considered a śūdra. All the devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead should be recognized as bhāgavatas. If one is not a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, however, even if born in a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya or vaiśya family, he should be considered as a śūdra.

  Sva-pākam iva nekṣeta loke vipram avaiṣṇavam
   vaiṣṇavo varṇo-bāhyo ’pi punāti bhuvana-trayam

  If a person born in a brāhmaṇa family is not a vaiṣṇava, a non-devotee, one should not see his face, exactly as one should not look upon the face of a caṇḍāla, or dog-eater. However, a Vaiṣṇava found in varṇas other than brāhmaṇa can purify all the three worlds.

  śūdraṁ vā bhagavad-bhaktaṁ niṣādaṁ śva-pacaṁ tathā vīkṣate
   jāti-sāmānyāt sa yāti narakaṁ dhruvam

  One who considers a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who was born in a family of śūdras, niṣādas or caṇḍālas to belong to that particular caste certainly goes to hell.

Source: Purport section of this website.


texts:
In Hinduism there are very large spans of time when yugas are considered. Is there any mention of significant Geological changes?

We see the account of a large flood as part of the Matsya Avatara, which could correspond to some effects of the ice age. But that seems to be a common theme in many religions.

Is there some note that chronicles any climate change from earlier? Hindu scriptures do believe the world to be a lot older than what some other religions (such as Christianity for example) believe.


texts: What is the Significance of 'paadaseva' of Sri Vishnu?

texts:
'Paada-Sevana' is one of the nine types of Bhakti. It is said that Devi Lakshmi 'got' Sri Vishnu by serving His lotus Feet. ('tad-anghri-bhajane lakshmih'). In images also we see Lakshmi doing 'pada-seva' of Vishnu.

What is the significance of this 'Pada-Seva'? Is it massage of His Feet? If yes, how is a devotee expected to do this?


texts:
Can any one explain what does "Vigyan Bhairava Tantra" mean?
What does "Vigyan" i.e Science here refer to?


texts:
Hello … I have two questions that perhaps you can help me with ….
From my understanding, the Anandamaya Kosha forms the Causal Body (Karana-Sarira or Karana-Deha) and we experience Deep/Dreamless Sleep (Sushupthi) in this state (Prajna Avastha).
1).  Upon Self-realization (Atma-Sakshakara) does the Causal Body [Deha] get “burnt away”? and if so, what happens when a Jivan-Mukti sleeps? ... and because an Avatar is born through His Sankalpa (His Divine Will/Resolve) and not through Karma; I take it that He would not have a Causal Body – is that correct?
and
2).  Which body [Subtle or Causal] does the Kundalini Shakti belong to?


texts: Are there deities worshiped today who do not appear in any canonical scriptures?

texts: The deity Mariamman is very popular in Tamil Nadu and her name being in Tamil, cannot by definition be from Puranas, Itihasas etc.  How reliable are the Sanskritic origins given to Manasa, Vitthala, Ayyappan et al ?


texts: Karna was a son of a charioteer by his foster father and if I am not wrong he didn't fight with the previous king of Anga.


texts: Is the story of Lord Satyanarayana mentioned in the Puranas?

texts: I would like to know if there is any reference about the appearance/form of Satyanarayana and his story, not just the mention of his name.


texts: What does Hinduism say about polygamy (multiple marriages)?

texts:
Are there any references to polygamy (multiple marriages) and whether they are allowed or prohibited in Hinduism?

At least in the Indian law, multiple marriages are banned for Hindus. But what do the sacred books say?


texts: Is nampaduvan's oath based on scripture?

texts:
From here -

  It was the month of Karthigai (between November 15th and December
  15th), a Shukla paksha Ekadasi (the Ekadasi that falls before the full
  moon) day, our singer fasted the whole day and was awake that night
  (jagratha vritham).  As usual, he left with his veena when he was
  accosted by a Brahmarakshasa named Somasharma who was totally
  famished. When a yagyam is not done as prescribed in the Vedas, the
  doer becomes a Brahmarakshasa and Somasharma was one of them. He was
  happy to find his prey. Nampaduvan, a devotee of Vishnu, did not fear
  death and was actually happy to satisfy someone’s hunger but before
  that he wanted to sing for the divya dampathis so he sought permission
  to complete his last wish. Who would believe that once allowed to go a
  human being would come back to be eaten by the Brahmarakshasa?

  Nampaduvan made a list of promises. Seventeen oaths were made but the
  Brahmarakshasa was not convinced but the 18th one stumped him. The
  18th oath was  ”if I fail to turn up, I will accept the punishment
  given to one who equates Sriman Narayana with the demi-gods”.

Does scripture prescribe punishments for not declaring one or the other god supreme?


texts: Who is the guru/master for an astrology/prasangam in hinduism/puranas on earth

texts:
Can someone give me a source of Guru in an Astrology 'Vaanasasthiram' in the starting of Hinduism/puranas on earth planet. And how did he become a master/guru of an astrology.

Updated:
How we can predicts the human whats going to be happened in future that's called astrology. Who is the first person identified and created to learn the astrology.


texts: When and how the atmas were created? Which sacred text explain it?


texts: Earliest reference of any astrologer (jyotisi) in Rig Veda

texts:
Jyotis shastra i.e. astrology is one of ancient science of Hinduism, believed to be started right from Rig Vedic period that developed into a vast body of knowledge by many ancient astrologers.

My question here is whether Rig Veda mentions name of any astrologer of that period ?


texts: Does God help only if Punya deposit is available?

texts:
There are several incidents in scriptures where God/nature helps immediately in case of any danger or panic situation if one prays for help.
I can provide three such examples from Mahabharata:
#1: Krishna helping Draupadi by providing a saree.
#2: Krishna helping Draupadi from Durvasa's anger.
#3: Nature helping Damayanthi from a person in the forest.
There are numerous such incidents in which God helps immediately. But in each case, I can notice that help is offered to the person only if there is a deposit of Punya/tapas, etc.,
Are there any instances in scriptures where God helps a person, who prayed God in a panic situation, with no deposit of Punya available?


texts:
Hinduism, at least the modern version, is often called democratic contrasting with the popular Abrahamic religions, whose monotheistic and scriptures based aspects are well known. The nature of the Hindu religion letting people practice any rituals, have faith in any godmen etc is often cited to support the previous statement. Yet, there are many practices of many Hindus that are derided as superstitious by other Hindus. (I use Hindu broadly, and include both nominal and practicing ones.) Even such widespread practices as believing that a priest gets possessed by god and god answers queries through him is considered superstitious and dismissed with disdain. Somehow this looks paradoxical.

To an outsider, or a non practicing Hindu rationalist leaning towards agnosticism or atheism, Hindus worshiping half human half animal entities is no more superstitious than (or as superstitious as) Hindus seeing omen in such things as black cat crossing path, single sneeze, broken mirrors and bangles etc.

That makes me postulate that those activities that don't find any mention in any of the vast corpus of scriptures are considered superstitious. Is this correct? Or does Hinduism actually define superstition in such a way that mainstream practices are excluded?

A related question: Is believing that thunder is due to Indra, rain due to Varuna etc considered superstitious, religious, or amusing and foolishness. I ask this because modern Hinduism is far removed from its Vedic roots when it comes to considering who are gods and which gods can be worshiped.


texts: What is the source of this sloka which is prohibiting keeping pets at home?

texts:
I got the following sloka in Sri Sri Sitarama-Kathamrita, a collection of gospels of Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath, by Kinkar Brahmanda (page 27):

  kukkuta-swana-marjaran poshayanti dinatrayam/ iha janmani sudratwam mriah swaa chaavijaayate//

  meaning :

  If a twice-born keeps cock, dog or cat as pet for three consecutive
  days, he becomes sudra in this birth and born as dog in the next
  birth.

Could someone provide the source of this sloka?


texts: Authentic sources of history after the Mahabharat war

texts:
There is a lot of material on the Internet with vastly varying degree of authenticity and differences of opinions on this topic. Are there any authors, publications that are most reliable/scientific/trustworthy about history after the Mahabharat war up to the part of Indian history that is well researched/generally accepted in more recent centuries after that.

Chapters within Mahabharat describe some of the post war events, but I am looking for authentic research done on major history/chronology of events that connect the dots between end of Mahabharat war up until the point of already well known/researched/accepted eras of Indian history.


texts:
A shloka of Kena Upanishad says:

  tey agnim abruvan jaataveda etad  vijaanihi kim etad yaksham iti
  tatheti

Agni – Fire, is called jaatavedas – ‘the knower of the Vedas.’

My question: Why is agni referred to as 'the knower of the Vedas'?


texts: Why didn't lord Hanuman help Sugriva to kill Vali?

texts:
We all know that lord Hanuman is very powerful and he was friend of Sugriva, then why didn't he help Sugriva to get his throne back from his brother Vali (by killing vali)?

I know Vali was with boon that he will take 50% of power from his opponent who ever challenges him but I am sure this is not the reason behind lord Hanuman not fighting with Vali.


texts: Are there any references to Niralambopanishat and SukaRahasyopanishat prior to Adi Shankaracharya?

texts:
Among Vedantins; Advait is a widely followed philosophy.
The famous quote of Shree Adi Shankaracharya goes:

  Brahma Satya, Jagat Mithya.

Now many Advaitins have mentioned that the verse was not concocted by Adi Shankara but he just quoted it from Niralambopanishat.

Similarly

  Jiva Brahmaieva

is said to be taken from ShukaRahasyopanishat.

However many sub-schools of Vedanta blame Adi Shankara and criticize His philosophy of being Crypto-Buddhist and so on. One thing I've often seen is them questioning the authenticity of these two Upanishads viz. Niralambopanishat and ShukaRahasyopanishat.

However as long as I know Niralambopanishat is also one of the 108 main upanishads (Ashtottar-Shat Upanishads)

So I'm interested in knowing if there are any references made to these Upanishads prior to Adi Shankaracharya.


texts: In which verse of Shukla YajurVeda is Om Namah Shivaya mantra present?

texts: I know that the 'Om Namah Shivaya' mantra is present in Krishna YajurVeda, but i have been led to believe that it's also present in the Shukla YajurVeda. Please share the location the verse.


texts: Some advaitins claim that Nirguna Brahman spoke through Krishna, but is this in accordance with advaitin theory that Brahman is without any characteristic, is speaking not considered a characteristic, or an act of an independent individual? According to advaita.


texts: Which scripture gives oldest refrence to samudra mathanam (churning of ocean)

texts: we know that samudra mathanam story is popular in epics (Mahabharata, Ramayana) but when its first roots were seen from vedic age and how the story evolved scriptures to scriptures.


texts: Mantra for Indriyas and Arishadvarga/Shadripu?

texts:
Mantras to win over Indriyas and detach from Shadripu/Arishadvargas.
Protect ones from Minds Internal Enemies.


texts:
This says that bathing with out cloth is not correct.

It says that one should not bath with out clothes in sacred rivers.

Some articles says that, since there are no personal bathrooms in old times, people use to bath with clothes.

Is bathing without cloth an insult to Varuna deva and Vayu deva?

Is there any textual evidence(in Hindu scriptures) to bath with clothes only? Or it is the rule added according to time?


texts: What is the meaning of worshiping a demigod? And is it bad to worship a demigod? [BG 4.12]

texts:
In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 12 it is stated that:

  Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, men get results from fruitive work in this world.

First of all can I know who is referred to as demigod? Are Ganapathi, Hanuman and Kartikeya demigods?

Is worshiping a demigod bad?