texts: Have Devas like Indra, Agni, Varun ever done tapasya in order to counter attack Asuras?

texts:
We all know that asuras like Mahisasura, Hiranyakashipu, Tarakasur and many others did severe tapasya to impress either Brahma, Vishnu or Mahesh in order to seek various powers/boon so that they could use them against Devas but do we have any  references from scriptures or other authentic sources of Devas like Indra, Varun, Agni etc. doing severe tapasya to seek extra ordinary powers/boon in order to counter attack Asuras?

Asking this coz what I figure out from the mythological series is that whenever the Devas were under threat they always sought help either from Brahma, Vishnu or Mahesh and looked weak against the powerful asuras. It gives a wrong impression, if they can not defend themselves then how come they can defend others? It appears as if Asuras were more powerful and competent than the Devas. Correct me if am wrong.


texts: Is Krishna the Lord of this universe only?

texts: Krishna shows this whole universe inside his mouth to mother Yashoda and sage markandeya. What about other innumerable universes? Do they have their own krishnas?


texts: What is the true meaning of saranagathi and how to perform it?

texts:
A lot of scriptures talk about saranagathi. For eg., the charamaslokam of the Bhagavad Gita. Also, the Ramayana talks about it.

It is often translated loosely into english as 'surrender'. However, I feel this english translation does not convey the correct meaning.

What is the true meaning of saranagathi? And how to perform it?


texts: Why auspicious things not performed in Aadi and Margashirsha?

texts: Auspicious things like marriage, upanayanam, grihapravesh etc are not performed in the months of Aadi & Margashirsha. Both the months are prescribed for bhajans and visiting temples as per Hindu belief. Any supports from bhagavathams or scriptures why is it so?


texts: Controversial topics over veg vs non veg and ceremonial sacrifices of animals

texts:
Does it state outright & clearly anywhere in Hindu scriptures & holy books to NOT eat non veg food? Also, is it true that old rishi munis made sacrificial ceremonies of goat, cows and buffalo during Puja?
Please support your explanation with specific reference from scriptures or holy books.

Thanks a lot!
Aney D. Patel


texts: Vasishta attempting suicide unsuccessfully

texts:
We know that when Hiranyakashipu attempted to kill Prahlada, a staunch devotion towards Vishnu protected Prahlada.
Vasishta tried to kill himself in several ways but didn't achieve success. We can get this from the following excerpt

The illustrious Rishi threw himself down from the summit of Meru, but
he descended on the stony ground as though on a heap of cotton. And, O
son of Pandu, when the illustrious one found that death did not result
from that fall, he kindled a huge fire in the forest and entered it
with alacrity. But that fire, though burning brightly, consumed him
not. O slayer of foes, that blazing fire seemed to him cool. Then the
great Muni under the influence of grief, beholding the sea, tied a
stony weight to his neck and threw himself into its waters. But the
waves soon cast him ashore. At last when that Brahmana of rigid vows
succeeded not in killing himself by any means, he returned, in
distress of heart, to his asylum
[section 178, Chaitraratha Parva, Adi Parva, The Mahabharata]

Is there any reason behind the unsuccessful-ness of the attempts of Vasishta? What protected him from death?


texts: Power of the religion,Existence of God-Evil,its structure defined in holy books,Hinduism to define

texts:
I am hindu,a believer in hinduism,but respect each and every religion equally....somedays ago I was having discussion about The Gods Goddessess with my friend after which i was left with no answer.....I want to regain my believe in religion and answer my friend to tell him the power of hinduism,

  The Discussion:

I was on the side of the religion and my friend was against it...My questions are the same as of asked by my friend that left me silent...

  Me :  God Exists !,How can you say that he is nowhere.Who created this
  world then, have you not heard about jiva and maya etc. etc.

  My Friend: O really! Where is he then?

  Me : He is all Over

  My Friend: Man! seriously,you are saying this, I can't believe I am
  hearing this from a professional like you living in 2014.

  Me: Its nothing to relate this thing with professionalism.

  My Friend :  Ok so tell me

  If the Gods are real,where are they?
  Bhrama,Vishnu,Mahesh, were they having body structures like humans?    if yes then how can they be God(they are Not avatars
  either)
  They were having wives like normal human males do, and they were termed as Goddessess.How were they different from humans
  Mahesh(Shiv) smoked weed.Really a God?
  What's karma,punar janma,do you really believe in them?Who is taking them into account?The murders happening.the rapes
  happening,the betrayals.
  There are so many religions,with their own boundaries and    restrictions,completely different from each other,how can you know
  which one to believe.

  All these are bookish,they are created by the great writers to
  maintain rules in the past. to make the people fear of the power they
  can't see,and follow the civilization ,that's all  And those
  people(the Gods if exists) were the best of there times and
  great scientists; not more than that.

On hearing all this I was left with silence,please provide me with the answer,please........ Looking forward for responses that will help me to regain my beliefs in religion. Because now I am ARGUING WITH MYSELF about my beliefs.....WAS I A dumb following it?

IF something positive exists, then this is sure that negative exists too, i.e the evil, the power opposite to God ..


texts: What is the difference between prayer and worship?

texts: Since my sanskrit knowledge is very limited, I generally read the english translations. Here I often find words like 'prayer', and 'worship'. Is there any difference in their meaning?


texts: Which slokas in 4 vedas tell us about vedic astrology


texts: What is the significance of Mudra (eating parched grain) in Panchamakara?


texts: Which form of God is referred to as 'Hari'?

texts: Which Form of God is referred to as 'Hari' in our scriptures? Does 'Hari' mean the Formless Brahman also?


texts: What are the rules of philosophical debates in ancient India?

texts:
Indian logicians and philosophers have been involved in philosophical debates from ancient times. They have laid down rules not only the method of conducting and regulating  a debate but also the eligibility of a person to enter it.

What are the various types of philosophical debates accepted by Indian philosophical systems?

What are the various rules to regulate a philosophical debate as per ancient Indian school of thought?

Please quote the rules and references of debate from any genuine scripture or commentaries of acharyas?


texts: Can Sri Vidya Upasana be performed with multiple Gods/Godesses?

texts: Is there any special deity dedicated for sri vidya upasana? I heard that it can also be done along with worship of Lord Narasimha, Lord Ganapathy etc. Is it true?


texts: What happens to the soul of a person who died unnaturally in an accident?

texts:
If a religious, generous, kind-hearted person dies unnaturally in an accident what happens to its soul?
The person had done great works in his life of 46 years and on the second hand, he was a businessman and always had many worries/problems related to work and family. I didn't find the answer I require in any other question.


texts: Why it is considered good to see ones own palms after waking up in the morning?

texts: Why it is considered good to see ones own palms after waking up in the morning which we follow in hindu dharma also old people advise the same


texts:
I heard there was one occasion where a god and his devotee fought a great battle against each other. It's the case of Lord Rama vs. Hanuman.

Being a true devotee, why did Hanuman fight against his cherished god, Lord Rama?


texts: Why does Swapneshwari Devi give us seemingly nonsensical dreams?

texts:
Lots of dream meanings are given in Hinduism but some dreams are just pure nonsense! So who is giving Swapneshwari Devi the order to give these dreams and with what objective?
Why does she send messages in this manner?


texts: One's wife's or death of beloved ones can be the result of sins committed by ancestors?

texts:
My questions are.

Sequential and untimely deaths in a family by accident can be the curse of one's forefathers ?
Does one's jeevātmā wanders due to death in young age?
Is there any remedy or solution to solve the problem if jeevātmā of one's beloved wandering due to death at young age? Provided it had attachments to its beloved ones as well.
Does Ashtamangala Prashnam find the reason of deaths?
Is there any remedy to stop sequential deaths in one's family?


texts: Do the Scriptures say anything about Spiritual Possession?

texts: Do the Scriptures mention anything about Spiritual Possession of other beings or objects? If so, then how to exorcise?


texts: Are Itihasas and Puranas the only classes of scripture in which celestial weapons are used?

texts:
Ramayana, Mahabharata and many Puranas relate conflicts in which Divyastras like Brahmastra get used.

Do these weapons occur in earlier scriptures like Vedas and Brahmanas or any scriptures written after the Puranas?


texts:
There is a GREAT talk of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev about an important yoga practice: Bhuta Shuddhi, and I want to know more about this practice.

Is it ok to do this process alone (if no, why not)?
Who started it?
Where is the origin of this practice?
The best process steps to do it.
The best book about Bhuta Shuddhi (for a more detailed reading).
And most importantly how to understand the steps in this process, so one would not do it blindly without knowing why he is doing it the way he is.


texts:
Kausalya was the mother of Rama.

Did Rama show to all other women the same respect that he showed to Kausalya?


texts: अग्निः सजीवः अस्ति अथवा निर्जीवः (Is Agni alive or dead entity)?

texts:
According to Hinduism, things like stone etc are called निर्जीव or अचेतन (dead) because stone has no consciousness and it doesn't feel pain.
The same goes for Agni, it looks like निर्जीव, but Veda tell us that Agni created this universe, so does that mean Agni is alive, but it doesn't seem alive when we look at it. So, is Agni dead or alive?
If you say Agni is alive because ब्रह्मन् is everywhere then why the special status for Agni, we should treat Agni and stone alike. Isn't it?


texts:
The gods generally have a humanoid form: one head, two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs, etc.  Of course some gods have individual variations: Vishnu has four arms, Brahma has four heads, Indra has a thousand eyes, Ganesha has an elephant head, etc. But they're all variations on the standard human form.  My question is, why do the gods, as well as other races like Asuras and Gandharvas, resemble human beings rather than other animals?  Or to put it another way, why is it that humans resemble the gods, Asuras, Gandharvas, etc., and other animals do not?

The reason I ask is that critics of religion often use the anthropomorhic appearance of the gods to argue that the gods were invented by humans.  For instance the Greek philosopher Xenophenes said "But if cattle and horses and lions had hands or could paint with their hands and create works such as men do, horses like horses and cattle like cattle also would depict the gods' shapes and make their bodies of such a sort as the form they themselves have." Has Hindu scripture given a response to such critiques?

Jews and Christians believe that God created man in his own image.  Does Hinduism suggest a similar explanation for the appearance of humans?

Note: I'm not looking for symbolic explanations of the appearances of gods, or speculation that the appearances of gods are just how humans conceive of Brahman. I'm looking for answers that take for granted that there really is a thousand-eyed god in Swarga named Indra, a four-headed god in Brahmaloka named Brahma, etc.


texts: What leisure activities found in Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa & Purāṇa-s?

texts: The modern world has got sports, degenerated cinema, etc. for leisure activities. I wonder what all our ancestors did as pastime?


texts:
We know Bhishma Pitamaha was a legendary warrior. He always fought for the right thing and for truth.

Then, if Kamsa was doing so much evil, and Bhishma Pitamaha was already there on Earth, why didn't he try to stop Kamsa?


texts:
Why are Hindu women not allowed to enter prayer areas like temples while they are menstruating?
I want to know that why are they not allowed to worship not asked to be separate from family for three days.


texts: Rigveda verse after nocturnal emission in manusmriti

texts:
It is mentioned in Manusmriti in the 181th line that "A twice-born student, who has involuntarily wasted his manly strength during sleep, must bathe, worship the sun, and afterwards thrice mutter the Rik-verse (which begins), 'Again let my strength return to me.'"
Which verse is described here?
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu02.htm


texts: how to understand this body is also conciousness?

texts: I can understand mind is conciousness because mind resolves into conciousness  during deep sleep but how to understand body is also conciousness.


texts:
The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita.  One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting the Advaita view that those who have attained Brahmajnana do not have to follow the rules of Varnashrama Dharma.  One of the Advaita arguments Vedanta Desikan responds to is the argument that various figures in the past who attained Brahmajnana did not follow the rules of Varnashrama Dharma.  Here are two examples that the Advaitin opponent cites:

  We accept the abandonment of all Ashramas, because it has been done by Gaudapada, Hari, and the like.

Now it’s unclear who Hari is, but the translator thinks it may be Bhartrihari, an early Vedantic philosopher who believed in a philosophy called Sphotavada.  But I’m interested in the other figure mentioned Gaudapada.  For those who don’t know, Gaudapada was an Advaita philosopher who was Adi Shankaracharya’s guru’s guru.

So my question is, given that it says he abandoned all Ashramas, exactly what kind of lifestyle did Gaudapada have?  Was he a Sanyasi of some variety?  Did he carry a Sanyasi staff?  Was he an Avadhuta or naked ascetic?  Or what?  Do any works of Advaitins shed light on this?


texts:
I have read some stories and often they contradict themselves regarding birth of Kartikeya.

In some stories, it has been said that he was born with carnal desires of Shiva and Parvati.

How kartikeya was Born Quora

And in some other stories , it is said that he was born with yoga shakti of Shiva and Parvati.

Birth Story of Kartikeya

I am quite confused, what to believe and which story do I discard. Kindly shed some lights as per the scriptures.


texts: Why, when and how did the Atman acquire body consciousness?

texts:
I know Atman is self aware but I don't know why that Atman lost his self awareness that he is unlimited and beginning-less and instead acquiring limited body awareness.

Even though I am a Muslim, Charles Darwin changed me into an atheist hence my question. I really like Hindu and how they allow you to ask difficult questions, even in Buddhism they don't allow you to ask difficult questions because they think those are unimportant.


texts: Is heaven a place of extreme happiness? If yes, how to solve the paradox of experiencing hell in heaven?

texts:
In Hinduism, is heaven (svarga) a place of extreme happiness?

If yes, how to solve the paradox of experiencing hell (naraka) in heaven? This is better explained through the following an example.

Consider a wife who has devoted her entire life to the service of her husband so she attains the title pativratā. Assume the husband is a notorious criminal so he's surely headed for hell after death. Let's say the husband dies first and goes to hell. Wife too passes away a little later but goes to heaven instead as result of all the puṇya she's accumulated.

Given that and assuming heaven is a physical place much like the Earth, for the wife's soul, is there going to be any happiness in heaven if she cannot find her husband's soul there?

Now this answer suggests the different lokas including heaven (svarga) and hell (naraka) are actually non-physical realms. Assuming that to be true, how can the wife's soul be "happy" in her private non-physical heaven not knowing and constantly wondering if the husband's soul is also experiencing the same? The thought What if he's experiencing hell? will be a hell in itself. Isn't it?

Have any Hindu philosophers attempted to solve this paradox? If yes, how?


texts: How did Lord Rama arrive to Rameshwaram island? There was no way to reach Rameshwaram then except going on a boat. Also with his huge army he can't go to Rameshwaram with boat.


texts:
In an abridged version
 of Brahmanda Purana,

  After a while, he saw Indra riding the elephant Iravata. The sage approached Indra, who did not appear to recognise and prostrate to the sage. However, the sage did not get angry and said, ―Indra! This is the garland given by the Divine Mother Herself.

In oxford dictionary "Sage" mean a very wise person. Is this right or It has different  meaning?


texts: Scriptual references for Adi Shankaracharya and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj being Lord Shiva's avatars

texts:
I have read about Adi Shankaracharya being incarnation of Lord Shiva, similarly in many articles, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is shown as a
Avatar of Lord Shiva. I want to know about the scriptural references about the same.


texts: What are the arguments by Bharat and Javali to lord Rama when they come to Shri Ram to return Ayodhya?

texts:
After Dashrath's death, Bharat come with his army to lord Rama and to take lord Ram back to Ayodhya.
After doing necessary rituals for their father's soul, there was a meeting where Bharat brought up some arguments which he wants to say to lord Rama. In that meeting,

What arguments did Bharat and Javali/Jawali (a Brahman sitting in the meeting breaking the silence of the meeting states some arguments) state before lord Ram on occasion to "Shri Ram to return and rule the kingdom"?

And what are the words replied by lord Rama to each of them. Did lord Rama's words were based on Vedas?


texts: What are the origins/geneology of various mleccha tribes?

texts:
“Those various men of Kṣatriya birth — Dramiḻas, Kaliṅgas, Pulindas,
  Uśīnaras, Kaulas, Sarpas, and Māhiṣakas — have reached the level of
  Śūdras because no Brahmins are seen among them.” mahabharata 3.33.19-21

  “By neglecting rites and because no Brahmins are seen among them,
  these men of Kṣatriya birth have gradually reached in the world the
  level of Śūdras — Puṇḍrakas, Coḍas, Draviḍas, Kāmbojas, Yavanas,
  Śakas, Pāradas, Pahlavas, Cīnas, Kirātas, and Daradas.” manu smriti

We do know that some of these were progeneted from lunar dynasty, are geneologies of all these tribes given in puranas? How did they originate did they originate from different divinities?


texts: What is the duty of parents towards their own children?

texts:
Do Hindu scriptures say anything about the responsibility of parenthood?

Specific references to verses from Hindu books would be highly appreciated.


texts: Can a Kshatriya man marry Vaishya woman?

texts: I have heard from my friend that Kshatriya man can marry Vaishya woman. Is it true?  What do our scriptures say on this?


texts: Isnt it slightly confusing bcz everyone in this world struggle hard for his work to get completed for some specific reason like success,money,etc.How it is really possible not think abt outcome. Also it says we must not have attachment if we really attach to something then and only then we can complete plzz some tell me how to follow according to this quoted these are really confusing me.


texts: Do girls become turiya when their body expels old blood, since they'd have no immune system then, so are they forbidden from doing work etc during those days?


texts: What is the view of Vedanta sect on yoga and sankhya?

texts:
I have heard that in the vedanta sutras there is some criticism about yoga and sankhya sects.

However in geeta we find that yoga is the main.subject and there are also chapters like sankhya yoga.

Both of these are.prime texts.of vedanta

So what is the overall view of vedanta on yoga and sankhya ?

Do.geeta and vedanta sutras have mutual agreement on yoga and sankhya ?


texts:
Are priests of other religions allowed to take part in Kumbh Mela?

Or, is it only a confluence of Hindu saints?


texts:
I recently found out that lord Hanuman has a son through the question asked on this site called "Did lord Hanuman have a son".

After that, a comment I saw said that he had to fight his son to enter a place. Why did he have to fight him even after he had found his son?


texts:
I know very little about what Hindus believe about the existence of different lokas (worlds). For example:

Par Loka (heaven)
Paathal Loka (underworld)
Bhu Loka (Earth)

I want to know,
 - Exactly how many lokas (or worlds) are there?
 - Who lives there?

I just know that we people live on Bhuloka (Earth).

I heard once there are 54 lokas but I don't know anything about them.


texts:
As per Sargas 15-17 of Srimad Ramayana, after Lord Vishnu agreed to take birth as a son of King Dasaratha, Lord Brahma ordered as follows:

(The Gods become progenitors of Vanara heroes at the dictate of Brahma to come to the aid of Sri Rama in annihilating Ravana.)
सत्य संधस्य वीरस्य सर्वेषाम् नो हितैषिणः |
विष्णोः सहायान् बलिनः सृजध्वम् काम रूपिणः || (Bala Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 2)
Let mighty and guise changing helpmates be procreated to that truth abiding and valorous Vishnu who is the well-wisher of all of us.
वानरेन्द्रम् महेन्द्र आभम् इन्द्रः वालिनम् आत्मजम् |
सुग्रीवम् जनयामास तपनः तपताम् वरः ||  (Bala Kanda,  Sarga 17, Shloka 10)
Indra procreated the lord of vanaras, namely Vali, who by his physique is like Mt. Mahendra, and the highest humidifier among all the humidifiers, namely the Sun, procreated Sugreeva.

Within 1 (one) year Sri Rama was born. So, Vali, Sugreeva, Sri Hanuma and Sri Rama should be more or less of the same age.
However, other descriptions in Srimad Ramayana do not corroborate the above narration.

Nowhere in Ramayana, the ages of Vali and Sugreeva are mentioned.

Vali never assisted Sri Rama in the annihilation of Ravana, as per Srimad Ramayana.

Vali had a severe fight with a demon named Dhundhubi.  When Vali killed that demon and hurled the dead body of Dhundhubi, it fell in Sage Matanga's hermitage.  Sage Matanga cursed him to the effect that if he or his friends enter the surroundings of his ashram they will fall dead. This incident indicates that Vali was a grown up person at that time, i.e., around 20 years at the minimum and Sage Matanga was alive.

After the demise of Sage Matanga at an old age, the disciples of Sage Matanga lived in that Ashram.  Sabari, a female attendant to those disciples, used to serve them with devotion.

By the time Sri Rama reached Chitrakoota, his age was only around 25 years. And at the same time, the disciples of Sage Matanga, who are very old, attained heaven.

चित्रकूटम् त्वयि प्राप्ते विमानैः अतुल प्रभैः |
इतः ते दिवम् आरूढा यान् अहम् पर्यचारिषम् ||  (Aranya Kanda, Sarga 74, Shloka 14)
Divine aircrafts of unequalled refulgence have lifted those disciples of Sage Matanga in whose tendance I was, to welkin on your arriving at Chitrakuta

That means a considerable period of time, between the Dhundhubi incident and the time when the disciples of Sage Matanga attained heaven, i.e, a minimum period of 40 to 50 years must have elapsed and Vali might be 60-70 years old when Sri Rama reached Chitrakoota. By the time he reached Kishkinda he was 38 years old and Vali might be 80-85 years old.

By the time Sri Rama reached Kishkinda, Vali had a son by name Angadha, who was a grown up person.

Hence, in my view, Lord Brahma ordering the Devatas to procreate vanaras, was a prakshipta, an insertion made at a later date.
Am I right?


texts: Did Vishnu carry out incarnations because of Bhrigu's curse?

texts: I read somewhere that Vishnu killed Bhrigu's wife at the instigation of Indra and Bhrigu cursed Vishnu that he would have to be born several times on earth. These apparently are Vishnu’s avataras (incarnations). Which scripture says this?


texts: What were the reasons for all somayajnas banished?

texts: We don't have any proper literature left on Mahayajna like darshapurnamasa, niruDhapashubandha, jyotishtoma, aptoryaama, vaajapeya, paundrika, rajasuya, ashvamedha etc. There is no one today who can do these mahayajnas. I am interested in knowing the reasons why these Mahayajna banished?


texts:
I read that Lakshmi is the avatar of Durga in this article:

  Gauri is seen as a milder form of Kali, which is why she wears a saree and ties her hair with a string of flowers. Sometimes, she comes as a single woman, and sometimes in a pair: the Jyestha Gauri (elder Gauri) and Kanishtha Gauri (younger Gauri), who are identified sometimes as Ganesha’s mothers or Ganesha’s sisters, or just friends. They are occasionally identified as Mahalakshmi++, who is not so much Vishnu’s wife but rather a local form of Durga, who is Shiva’s wife.

Also, in some movies and other articles (such as Wikipedia), they say that Durga incarnates as all the other goddesses, even Saraswati and Lakshmi, who are the Tridevi. They claim that Durga is more powerful than all of them and that only she is Adi Shakti.

Aren't the Tridevi suppose to be equal in power? Aren't all of them Adi Shakti? Also, if we follow these claims of only Durga being the ultimate, how can her avatars marry Brahma and Vishnu when Durga herself is already married to Shiva?

++ In this question, please do not assume that Mahalakshmi is a more powerful form of Lakshmi and whatnot.


texts: After Brahmopadesham, what all things someone becomes eligible to perform?

texts:
Upanayana and Brahmopadesham , both are same right?

After Brahmopadesham, one gets initiated into Gayatri Mantra, He becomes eligible to chant Gayatri Mantra, and perform Sandhyavandana..

.. I came across, Long form of Gayatri Mantra, and Gayatri Mudras..

Do someone who had Brahmopadesham eligible to chant long form of Gayatri Mantra, and do Gayatri Mudras.

And what else the person is eligible to perform..

What is the reason for doing Brahmopadesham..

Like after Brahmopadesham, the person becomes eligible to do "x=some things".


texts:
I found a story on Wikipedia

  the name Arjuna is cursed by the sage Parashurama. After the defeating the mighty and evil king Kartavirya Arjuna aka Sahasra Arjuna, Sage Parashurama cursed that whosoever holds the name Arjuna will never become a king and always be a servant of others.[55]

Is the origin of this story in any scripture?


texts: Why is it forbidden to marry a person with the same Gotra?

texts: In Hinduism, why is it forbidden to marry a person with the same Gotra? Is it mentioned in the scriptures somewhere? Does it make sense to overlook the restrictions in today's world?


texts: Where do I find the authentic information about Ganesha Yantra?

texts:
I wish to learn about Ganesha Yantra but unable to find any details other than Ucchishta Ganapati Yantra.  What is the authentic Tantra text that discusses Ganesha Yantra and its worship particualrly that which is based on Ganapati Upanishad (Ganapati Atharvashirsha)?

Ganesha Yantra Pictures:

Yantra 1

Yantra 2


texts: How to find one's Istha Devata from his horoscope?

texts:
One such method found here is given by Rishi Parasara & is as follows:

  Atma Karaka is the planet that has the highest longitude in one’s
  natal Chart. Atma Karaka in Navamsa is called the “Karakamsa”. The
  12th from the Karakamsa determines the “Istha Devata”. The 12th house
  from the karakamsa is called the “Jivanmuktamsa”. This is the house
  signifying the emancipation of the soul and we have to examine this
  house in order to find one’s Ishta Devata. If there is a graha in the
  Jivanmuktamsa, it signifies the Devata. If there are more grahas than
  one, we choose the strongest. If there is no graha in the
  Jivanmuktamsa, we can see whether any Grahas are aspecting the 12th.
  If no Grahas aspect it, we can take the 12th Lord as Ishta Devata.

  Below are the presiding deities for each planet who will be your Ishta
  Devata as per your Horoscope.

  Sun– Vishnu/Rama/Shiva Moon– Krishna/Shiva/Parvati Mars–
  Hanuman/Subramanya/Sri Narasimha Mer–  Vishnu Jup–  Vishnu/Sri
  Vamana/Dattatreya/Sai Baba Ven–  Maha Lakshmi/Parashurama/Maa Gouri
  Sat–  Shani Dev/Hanuman/Kurma/Shiva/Vishnu Rahu—Maa Durga/Varaha Ketu–
  Ganesh/Matasya Ascendent– Kalki

My question-Is this the only authentic & generally accepted method for determining one's Istha or more such methods are available in scriptures?


texts: What does Lord Shiva mean when he says there are 5 gurus in Vaishnava tradition?

texts:
In Kularnava Tantra. Chapter 13, Lord Shiva talks about guru and his characteristics. He says following verse :

  śaive gurutrayaṃ proktaṃ vaiṣṇave guru pañcakaṃ
  vedaśāstreṣu sataso gururekaṃ kulāgame

  According to Shaiva Tradition, Gurus are three, according to Vaishnava, Gurus are five, according to Vaidika Tradition Gurus are numerous but according to Kula Agama Guru is only one.

What is the meaning of the text in bold? What does Lord Shiva mean when he says according to Vaishnava tradition, there are five gurus?

Related question about Shaiva gurus on the same verse by Rickross: What does Lord Shiva mean by saying that in Shaiva traditions Gurus are three?


texts:
According to caste-system based on Manu-smriti, only the first three categories i.e.,  Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas are allowed to wears the sacred thread.

Why are Sudras not entitled to wear the sacred thread and learn Vedas?


texts:
Is this a mantra by which Lord Hanuman can be seen?
Mantra-कालतंतु कारेचरन्ति एनर मरिष्णु,
निर्मुक्तेर कालेत्वम अमरिष्णु।।


texts: What scriptures mention Krishna killing Sakatasura the cart demon as a baby?

texts:
One of the most famous incidents of Krishna's childhood is the story of how he kicked over a heavy cart when he was a baby.  In popular versions of the story, Krishna's evil uncle Kamsa sends a demon named Sakatasura to take the form of a large hand-cart (sakata) and kill Krishna, but Krishna gives a kick to the cart, destroying it and thus killing the demon.

Yet here's how the story of the cart is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam:

  The liberal mother Yaśodā, absorbed in celebrating the utthāna ceremony, was busy receiving guests, worshiping them with all respect and offering them clothing, cows, garlands and grains. Thus she could not hear the child crying for His mother. At that time, the child Kṛṣṇa, demanding to drink the milk of His mother’s breast, angrily threw His legs upward.  Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was lying down underneath the handcart in one corner of the courtyard, and although His little legs were as soft as leaves, when He struck the cart with His legs, it turned over violently and collapsed. The wheels separated from the axle, the hubs and spokes fell apart, and the pole of the handcart broke. On the cart there were many little utensils made of various metals, and all of them scattered hither and thither.

As you can see, there's no mention of the cart actually being a demon in disguise.  So my question is, are there any scriptures that explicitly state the cart was a demon?  Or is it a later addition with no scriptural basis?


texts:
In Advaita Vedanta, The famous Mahavakyas out of the four is अहं ब्रह्म अस्मिति,from Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yajur Veda, which means "I am Brahman" or "I am Divine".  There are various Bhashyas and explanation on this particular Mahavakya.

According to my understanding,in this phrase, there are two words- 'I' and 'Brahman/Divine'. It is clear that still there is a difference between "अहं"i.e. self(or one's ego) and "ब्रह्म". Then how can this vakya be a base for Advaita Philosophy?


texts:
•What is Rajas guna?

•Is it the harmony between sattva and tamas? (according to my interpretation)

•Or does it mean something else and broad?


texts: Was it any where mentioned that in ancient ages brAhmins used to maintain celibacy upto 48 years for gaining knowledge?

texts:
I have read in one text that in ancient ages/vedic period, brAhmins used to maintain celibacy upto 48 years for gaining knowledge/realisation.  And, they did not take refuge to a king for material gains.

Is it correct?  If so, please provide references from any scripture.


texts: According to Dvaita, are there puranic examples where Ishwara(God) or anyone(Sages and Saints) who has turned anybody's Jeevatma into Jada?

texts:
As random as the question may seem, it was the response of a person, from Dvaitha school, to my question can God convert Jeeva into Jada?

And he said "coming to your question of if Paramatma can turn Jada to jeeva, I confirmed it with the person who has done sudha paata, yep it's possible, the story of ahalya is the best example, of many, where in she was turned into a Stone by a curse from her husband and then into a jeeva by Rama just by a brush if his feet. Stone is nothing but a Jada, so this Leela of Paramatma turning jeeva into Jada and vice versa is possible only by his sankalpa."

I tried to explain him that Atma is Jeeva and Body is Jada. Even now human body is Jada. So Ahalya's Jada body was converted into Jada stone back to human body, while all along the soul of Ahalya lived and experienced the pain of living in a rock, until liberated by Shri Rama. And if at all her soul was converted into Jada, she would experience nothing, as Jada according to Dwaita is non sentient. So it would not at all be a punishment. It will be like a time travel to her. So her soul had to be present in order for it to be a punishment.

Whether God can convert Jeeva into Jada or not is another point. But was Ahalya's soul converted into Jada ? I think the answer is no. And more over if that happened Dwaiti's can't argue for Athyanthik bhedha or eternal difference, as it has already been violated once. Clearly even Dwaita people will not accept this. But the person who gave this answer said he got this from the person who had Sudha Patha. So now I'm totally confused.

Answer only according to Dwaitha view, whether Ahalya's soul was converted into Jada ? or it was only body that was converted into stone, which was already Jada so there was no conversion?

Edit: It has been brought to my notice that Ahalya was actually made invisible instead of being turned into a stone and it is suggested to use the story of Rambha in its place as it fits better. You can answer using any story as an example, but the main point of the question is, according to Dvaita, are there puranic examples where Ishwara(God) or anyone(Sages and Saints) who has turned anybody's Jeevatma into Jada? If No alright, if Yes, where is the source?, how will you reconcile the punishment aspect as Jada cannot feel anything? and also how will you reconcile the Athyanthika Bhedha aspect which is at the foundation of the philosophy?


texts: Are there any other Puranas that predict Adi Shanakaracharya besides the Bhavishya Purana?

texts:
Adi Shankaracharya is predicted in the Bhavisya Purana. What about the other Puranas?

Do any other Puranas predict his birth and exploits or make mention of him?


texts: What are the different pillars of Hinduism?

texts: What are those different pillars of Hinduism? How many sects are there? How many maths? Are the rituals as per cultural practices of the land or based on scriptures?


texts: Does Devi wear the sacred thread? And do any dhyana shlokas of her mention her wearing it?

texts: I want to know if Devi wears the Janeu. I've seen pictures of her with it, I want to know if any scriptures mention her wearing one.


texts:
I was having a discussion with a friend and it came up that in earlier times Brahmins lived on Bhiksha. Somehow it didn't sound okay to me because I had read Bhiksha to be practised by Buddhists and they were called Bhikshuks. Brahmins were either priests in temples or associated with kingdoms as 'rajpurohits' or 'rajjyotishis' and whatever was offered to them was/is called daana.

I read on Wikipedia about Bhiksha but it fails to define or mixes up Bhiksha, donation and beggary.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhiksha

Could someone clarify what is meant by Bhiksha and why would a Brahmin/Scholar/Pandit beg for food or alms?


texts: Difference in height of people in different yugas

texts:
I saw a story in Ramanand Sagar's TV serial 'Krishna' (and this story should be from Shreemad Bhagavatam) which goes as follows.

When King Kakudmi and his daughter Revati came back from Bramhalok, to meet Lord Balarama, for marrying Revati with him, the height of Kakudmi and Revati was much greater than people in Dwapar Yuga, so Balarama had to touch his plough on Revati to get her down to his size. The difference in height was reasoned at the time as Kakudmi and Revati actually belonged to Satya yuga or Treta Yug.

So, my question is whether there is anything written in Hindu texts which explains the average height & weight of people in different yugas and also any reason why people are becoming shorter in height with each yuga.


texts: Did Rama told Ravana to "go today, come tomorrow"?

texts:
In Tamil version Kamba Ramayanam by Kambar, it is said during war, one day  on the verge of Ravana's defeat, Rama gave chance to Ravana, to go today and come tomorrow for fight.
Does this appear in Valmiki Ramaya? If yes, can you quote me the verse


texts: Prahlada ruled kingdom being a jivan muktha

texts:
Yoga Vasistha contains the story of Prahlada in detail. It is present in Upasama khanda.
The important point needed for this question is that Prahlada rules his kingdom till the end of the kalpa being a jivan muktha.
Do any other scripture mentions the fact that Prahlada rules his kingdom being a jivan muktha.


texts: If Kartavirya Arjuna could invade lanka and capture Ravana, without any help from a army (according to Vayu Puran) then why couldn't Rama do the same?

texts:
I know that their are other versions of this story but these two screenshots are from Vayu Purana pages 101 and 104. No version of this story mentioned Kartavirya needing to build a bridge to get to lanka.
Also Vayu Purana doesn't even mention Kartavirya needing an army to attack lanka (other versions say he needed an army during the battle). Why did Rama need an army? Why did Rama need to build a bridge?


texts: Is Goddess Lakshmi too a manifestation of Lord Vishnu himself?

texts: I have read somewhere that Shiva and Brahma are manifestations of Vishnu himself and that he is the origin of all beings so I was just curious to know if his consort Goddess Lakshmi too is a manifestation of him.


texts: Reference to the demon Naraka in The Ramayana and interpretations

texts:
In The Yuddha Khanda of The Ramayana, Trishiras says the following:

  shambaro deva raajena narako viSNunaa yathaa

Some think this is NarakAsura who was slain by Lord Sri Krishna in later times (dwApara yugA).

But some interpretations like for example:

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 69

say it was a different Naraka.

My question is, who was this Narakasura killed by Lord Vishnu before the Rama avatara, and which Purana describes this story?


texts: My question is that why Modern spiritual person kept hair long?

texts:
I see  why   present spiritual person  like   Sri ravi shankar, shadhguru etc  have long hairs  ?  they can  cut their hair   as there are many  salon available in market...But  In  ancient times  Rishi   were kept hair long  because  there is no salon available  at that   times

My  question is  that   why   Modern  spiritual  person  kept hair long ?
Is there  any reason  why they  kept their hair long ?


texts: How Monsoon Season or Rainy Season (वर्षा ऋतू) has been described in Ancient scriptures of Hinduism?

texts:
How  Rushies (ऋषी) , Poets (कवी) described Monsoon Season (वर्षा ऋतू)   in ancient Scriptures , shlokas , Subhasitas (सुभाषित) , Plays etc.?

Is there any description of Rainy season / Monsoon Season in "Vedas" (वेद) ?


texts: Are Sanatan Dharm and Hindu Dharm synonymous terms? If not, what is the difference between the two?

texts: I heard about these two words and want to know, are they the same or is there any difference or relation between them?


texts: Hello I hope this question isn't stupid or offensive in any way - in KZN, South Africa, the biggest Indian settlement in the world outside of India, I have recently noticed (again, as I'm sure I saw them before) low, round mounds of earth covered in saris, with sometimes a trident and bottles of water in front of them. Are these Shiva mounds, or are they connected to worship of Mother Earth, or both? I find the issue really interesting and want to share some of my photos on social media, but not without the correct explanation! Thanks in advance


texts: According to Mahābhārata, did Bhīṣma ever marry or not?

texts:
In a discourse on Mahābhārata today, I heard that, in the entire Mahābhārata, Vyāsa doesn't say one way or the other if Bhīṣma ever married or remained single. The speaker, Sāmavedam Ṣaṇmukha Śarma, in the video (Telugu) says Vyāsa has remained silent on the topic so it's possible that Bhīṣma married but chose not to have kids to keep up his promise made to Satyavati's adopted father.

From here, this is Bhīṣma's actual promise:

  'Chief of fishermen, thou best of men, listen to what I say in the presence of these assembled kings. Ye kings, I have already relinquished my right to the throne, I shall now settle the matter of my children. O fisherman, from this day I adopt the vow of Brahmacharya (study and meditation in celibacy). If I die sonless, I shall yet attain to regions of perennial bliss in heaven!'

Above, Bhīṣma doesn't say if he's already married or not. He just says he won't have children hinting that he's currently married.

So according to Mahābhārata, did Bhīṣma ever marry or not?

If he didn't, are there any ślokas (or theirs translations) that conclusively say Bhīṣma did not marry?

PS. Please don't answer citing Harivaṃśa, Bhāgavata and other Purāṇas.


texts: Which Veda Shaka, Gotra etc, will a person should follow after he was converted into Brahmin, Kshatriya or Vaishya?

texts:
All Smritis are clear that Varna is primarily based on birth. A person born as a Brahmin will lose his status if his conduct is not good, but even if a person born as a Shudra has good conduct, he cannot become a Brahmin. And all Smritis provide eligible ages for Upanayana Samskara only for first three Varnas. But, there are some verses in the Ithihasa and Puranas, which seems to be saying a low born person can attain higher caste.

For example, this answer says it is possible to attain higher Varna through five syllables mantra This answer quotes verses from Brahma Purana chapter 115 and says it is possible to attain higher castes through good conduct.

  Mahabharata Shanti Parva Chapter 189:

  That person is called a Brahmana who has been sanctified by such rites as those called jata and others; who is pure in behaviour; who
  is engaged in studying the Vedas; who is devoted to the six well-known
  acts (of ablutions every morning and evening, silent recitation of
  mantras, pouring libations on the sacrificial fire, worshipping the
  deities, doing the duties of hospitality to guests, and offering food
  to the Viswedevas); who is properly observant of all pious acts; who
  never takes food without having offered it duly to gods and guests;
  who is filled with reverence for his preceptor; and who is always
  devoted to vows and truth. He is called a Brahmana in whom are truth,
  gifts, abstention from injury to others, compassion, shame,
  benevolence, and penance. He who is engaged in the profession of
  battle, who studies the Vedas, who makes gifts (to Brahmanas) and
  takes wealth (from those he protects) is called a Kshatriya. He who
  earns fame from keep of cattle, who is employed in agriculture and the
  means of acquiring wealth, who is pure in behaviour and attends to the
  study of the Vedas, is called a Vaisya. He who takes pleasure in
  eating every kind of food, who is engaged in doing every kind of work,
  who is impure in behaviour, who does not study the Vedas, and whose
  conduct is unclean, is said to be a Sudra. If these
  characteristics be observable in a Sudra, and if they be not found in
  a Brahmana, then such a Sudra is no Sudra, and, such a Brahmana is no
  Brahmana.

Now, my question is, If a person from the lowest varna attains any other upper varna through good conduct or any other way mentioned above, which Veda Shaka, Gotra, Pravara, Sutra does such a person will acquire?


texts: Can I marry my paternal uncle's wife's cousin's daughter according to Hindu religion? Also how normal/extreme is it in north India?

texts: Will us be blood related, as she is from my uncle's wife's side and I am from my uncle's side?


texts: What daily routines should be followed in a Hindu's life?

texts:
There are many rituals and practices in everyday life of Hindus. There will be slight variations according to the regions. Even though there are some common practices to be followed by everyone. What are they? How should one Hindu spend one day? What does scriptures say about this?

For example, One should wake up at ___ time. Then touch the earth with certain mantra, then do things like surya namaskar, exact food timings and other such important practices until we go to sleep.


texts: Why Bheeshma being an Avatara of Ashtavasu and pious with his karma had to die in a tragic way?

texts:
Bheeshma being an Avatara died in a tragic way. He had to sleep on an arrow bed till death.
Why this happened? What karma succumbed him to death in  such a horrific way?
Is there any reason provided by any author?


texts: Were theses verses mentioned in Vaisheshika Darshan?

texts:
Rumours are that the 3 laws of motion which are discovered by Newton in 19th century were mentioned in Vaisheshika Darshan.

See http://the-hidden-sector.blogspot.com/2011/10/india-discovered-laws-of-motion-before.html

The 3 verses which claim to be equivalent to 3 laws of motion are:

  1)  वेगः निमित्तविशेषात कर्मणो जायते |

  Meaning : Change of motion is due to impressed force.

  2) वेगः निमित्तापेक्षात कर्मणो जायते नियतदिक क्रियाप्रबन्धहेतु  |

  Meaning : Change of motion is proportional to the impressed force and
  is in the direction of the force.

  3) वेगः संयोगविशेषविरोधी   |

  Meaning : Action and reaction are equal and opposite.

Are these verses from Vasisheshika Darshan and authentic?

EDIT: The purpose of this question is not to do scientific speculation like whether these verses are same as 3 laws of motion or not. So, please don't close this question like you did with this one. I just want to know whether the verses I mentioned really belong there or not.


texts: Where is the injunction to do Sandhyavandanam found in the Vedas?

texts:
I know the injunction for Dvijas to do Sandhyavandanam is found in the Manusmriti, but where is this injunction found in the Vedas?

The Gayatri mantra is found in the Vedas, but where is the injunction to do Sandhyavandanam found in the Vedas (including Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads)?


texts: Which are all Rishis whom Rama met during his Exile of 14 years?

texts:
I am interested in knowing stories of various ancient Rishis and hence I sometimes look for those stories from Puranas and Itihasas. I had watched Ramayana TV series in my child hood. Recently government decided to re-telecast this series on DD National. While watching Ramayana, I found that after leaving Ayodhya, Rama entered in forest and met various Rishis. Episodes show his meeting with Bhardwaj, Atri, Sharbhang and Agatsya Rishis successively and it is said that Rama met many other Rishis. But names of those Rishis are not mentioned.

I want to know which are all those Rishis? It may be possible that Ramayana does not record every meeting of Rama with all Rishis but I am interested in extracting details as much as possible. So, an answer listing (names) of all Rishis citing some authentic source (e.g. Valmiki Ramayana) would be useful.


texts: Sri Bhuvaneshwari scriptural references?

texts: Where can the first historical references of Sri Bhuvaneshvari be found? Is there any reference that precedes the Mahavidyas?


texts: How many people participated and how many died In the Mahabharata War?

texts:
Do we know approximately or absolutely how many people participated in the Mahabharata war from Pandava & Kaurava sides respectively?
Do we know approximately or absolutely how many people died in the Mahabharata war from Pandava & Kaurava sides respectively?


texts: Why is Lingam said to be the symbol of phallus(Penis)resting in the middle of a rimmed, disc-shaped yoni(Vagina)?

texts:
I have come across the following information online on lingam:

The lingam is often represented alongside the yoni (Sanskrit word, literally "origin" or "source" or "womb"), a symbol of the goddess or of Shakti, female creative energy.The union of lingam and yoni represents the "indivisible two-in-oneness of male and female, the passive space and active time from which all life originates".

Please shed some light on this with references.


texts: How the Rig Veda text was formatted originally when first codified into Sanskrit

texts:
The Rig Veda has formatting like this (with the | pipe characters):

  को अद्य युङकते धुरि गा रतस्य शिमीवतो भामिनो दुर्ह्र्णायून |
  असन्निषून हर्त्स्वसो मयोभून य एषां भर्त्यां रणधत स जीवात ||
  क ईषते तुज्यते को बिभाय को मंसते सन्तमिन्द्रं को अन्ति |
  कस्तोकाय क इभायोत राये.अधि बरवत तन्वे को जनाय || [Rigveda 10.84.17]

  ko adya yuṅkte dhuri ghā ṛtasya śimīvato bhāmino durhṛṇāyūn |
  asanniṣūn hṛtsvaso mayobhūn ya eṣāṃ bhṛtyāṃ ṛṇadhat sa jīvāt ||
  ka īṣate tujyate ko bibhāya ko maṃsate santamindraṃ ko anti |
  kastokāya ka ibhāyota rāye.adhi bravat tanve ko janāya ||

I am wondering how the Rigveda looked when it was first written down. I understand they were passed down orally for thousands of years, but when it was first written down in Sanskrit, was it written with these punctuation markers or not? What did the "original" Sanskrit texts look like?


texts: What is the story of Vishnu's incarnation Hari, who rescued the elephant Gajendra?

texts:
One of the most famous stories of Vishnu is the Gajendra Moksham episode, described the Eighth Skanda of the Srimad Bhagavatam.  For those who don't know, once a king named Indradyumna, who was a great devotee of Vishnu, was cursed to be born as an elephant named Gajendra.  Gajendra's leg was once caught by a crocodile (originally a Gandharva king Huhu but was suffering under a similar curse).  So Gajendra, remembering the greatness of Vishnu from his time as a human, started praying to him for help.  So Vishnu came riding on Garuda, killing the crocodile with his Sudarshana Chakra and granting Moksha to his elephant devotee Gajendra.

But my question isn't about the story of Gajendra, but rather about the one who saved him.  Strictly speaking, it was not Vishnu himself who saved Gajendra, but rather Vishnu's incarnation Hari, as described in the Srimad Bhagavatam:

  O King, in the Tāmasa manvantara the sons of Vidhṛti, who were known as the Vaidhṛtis, also became demigods. Since in course of time the Vedic authority was lost, these demigods, by their own powers, protected the Vedic authority. Also in this manvantara, the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, took birth from the womb of Hariṇī, the wife of Harimedhā, and He was known as Hari. Hari saved His devotee Gajendra, the King of the elephants, from the mouth of a crocodile.

So my question is, what is the story of Vishnu's incarnation Hari?  First of all, who are Harimedha and Harini?  And what else happened in his life besides rescuing Gajendra?

We know that Hari rode on Vishnu's bird Garuda, although that's not so unusual since Krishna also rode Garuda, as I discuss in this question.  (Rama didn't ride Garuda, but he did meet him; see my answer here.)

Another piece of information is that Hari apparently had the ability to travel to Vishnu's abode of Vaikuntha; the Srimad Bhagavatam describes him taking Gajendra.  But do we know anything else about him?

Note that this Hari is different from Vishnu's other incarnation Hari, brother of Vishnu's incarnations Nara and Narayana, whom I discuss in this question.


texts: What is the story behind Lord Dattatreya giving spiritual guidance to Parshurama?

texts: I have heard that Lord Dattatreya has given liberation or spiritual guidance to Parshurama. What is the story behind that?


texts: Do we get benefit to not take rice during the Gyaras day?

texts:
During the Gyaras , it is said that we do not take rice because it prohibited during this day.
Why rice is prohibited on this day even who has not taken fast?
What should we do or do not do during the Gyaras day.


texts: Is there any constraint on the size of Vastu-purusha for Vastu Shanti?

texts:
I was told that the Vastu Purusha should be of at least 3 grams of gold.
I would like to know if that's true/written anywhere.
To me, it's size shouldn't really matter. But I was told so by our priest.


texts: Which scripture says that Varaha was father of Narakasura

texts:
The following excerpt from Mahabaratha clarifies that Narakasura was son of Earth and Krishna (in another form) gave him a boon on Earth's request

  Vasudeva replied unto him, saying, 'Listen, O Partha, to this secret and ancient history as it is, O sinless one! I have four forms, eternally engaged as I am in protecting the worlds. Dividing my own Self, I ordain the good of the worlds. One form of mine, staying on the earth, is engaged in the practice of ascetic austerities. Another beholdeth the good and the evil deeds in the world. My third form, coming into the world of men, is engaged in action. My fourth form lieth down in sleep for a thousand years. The form of mine which awaketh from sleep at the end of a thousand years, granteth, upon awakening, excellent boons to persons deserving of them. The earth, knowing (on one occasion) that that time had come, asked of me a boon for (her son) Naraka. Hear, O Partha, what that boon was. Possessed of the Vaishnava weapon, let my son become incapable of being slain by the gods and the Asuras. It behoveth thee to grant me that weapon. Hearing this prayer, I then gave, in days of old, the supreme and infallible Vaishnava weapon to the Earth's son. I said also at that time these words, 'O Earth, let this weapon be infallible for the protection of Naraka. None will be able to slay him. Protected by this weapon, thy son will always, in all the worlds, be invincible and crush all hostile hosts.' Saying, So be it! the intelligent goddess went away, her wishes fulfilled.

In Baghavatham, there are many slokhas stating that Naraka was son of Earth, but in which slokha of which purana, the father of Narakasura was stated as Varaha?


texts: During Navratri can Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva be prayed?

texts: The nine days of Navaratri is auspicious for doing Devi worship. Legend says that Devis reside in each houses at this time. If we pray to Lord Vishnu or Lord Brahma or Lord Shiva will the prayer yield results? Puranic reference will be of much helpful to all rather than comments.


texts:
I am searching for an authentic source to read garuda purana in Hindi or english.
Share If there is any website or link.
Also any book recommendation will do the job.


texts: What form of Vishnu held Mandara at the top during the Churning of the Ocean?

texts:
Most people only know that Vishnu incarnated as Kurma the tortoise during the Churning of the Ocean.  What is less well-known however, is that at least three forms of Vishnu were involved in the Churning of the Ocean; as Kurma the tortoise he held up Mount Mandara, in a thousand-armed form he stood on the top of Mount Mandara and held it, and as the Deva Ajita he was instrumental in pulling the serpent Vasuki to churn the ocean.  (Vishnu also appeared as the twin sages Nara and Narayana, the god of medicine Dhanvantari, and the enchantress Mohini in the course of the story.). Here's how this chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam describes it:

  O son of the Pāṇḍu dynasty, when Mandara Mountain was thus being used as a churning rod in the Ocean of Milk, it had no support, and therefore although held by the strong hands of the demigods and demons, it sank into the water. Because the mountain had been sunk by the strength of providence, the demigods and demons were disappointed, and their faces seemed to shrivel. Seeing the situation that had been created by the will of the Supreme, the unlimitedly powerful Lord, whose determination is infallible, took the wonderful shape of a tortoise, entered the water, and lifted the great Mandara Mountain.... Thereafter, Lord Viṣṇu entered the demons as the quality of passion, the demigods as the quality of goodness, and Vāsuki as the quality of ignorance to encourage them and increase their various types of strength and energy. Manifesting Himself with thousands of hands, the Lord then appeared on the summit of Mandara Mountain, like another great mountain, and held Mandara Mountain with one hand. In the upper planetary systems, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, along with Indra, King of heaven, and other demigods, offered prayers to the Lord and showered flowers upon Him.... When nectar did not come from the Ocean of Milk, despite so much endeavor by the best of the demigods and demons, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ajita, personally began to churn the ocean.

I'm interested in the second form.  My question is, what is the thousand-armed form of Vishnu, who stood on the top of Mount Mandara and held it?

Is it Vishnu's Vyuha form Aniruddha?  As I discuss in this answer, that is the form of Vishnu which has a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet.  That's the form of Vishnu described in the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda, and that's the form which Krishna showed to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

If he's not Vishnu's Vyuha form Aniruddha, do we know anything further about him?  Does he have a name? Is he described in other scriptures, and did he ever appear anywhere other than the top of Mount Mandara?


texts: Why isn't Lord Venkateswara included in avatars of Lord Vishnu?

texts: Why isn't Lord Venkateswara included in avatars of Lord Vishnu even though Lord Venkateswara is a form of Lord Vishnu?


texts: Why prabhupada refers Bramhan as non-dual(advaita) in his commentry on SB?

texts:
A.C. BhaktiVedanta Prabhupada the Founder of ISKCON movement in his commentry on Shrimad Bhagwad Mahapurana says:

  Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān. SB 1.2.11

The exact word is Advayam. Since Gaudiya Vishnavas align their philosophy with Standard Vaishnava philosophy Vishishtadvaita,

How to interpret this Advayam word for Bramhan? What are Sri Vaishnava views/comments on this word?


texts:
My father attained Parama-Padam (SriVaikuntam) in January this year and we were told not to visit any Tirtha Kshetras for one year.

But, we are very keen to visit Tirtha Kshetras and we are in a dilemma about this matter.

So, my question is, can one visit Tirtha Kshetras during the period of Asaucha?


texts: How Guru decides his Shishya and chose for preachings?

texts:
This question is beyond what we all think as per my knowledge. The ultimate Guru, Shishya relationship was Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa as per the story i have read.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was also in search of his Shishya too and he just grabbed once Swami Vivekananda came to him and told he will show the god without any doubts. With the confidence in his eyes Swami Vivekananda became a devotee and rest is the history.
How and what exactly the Guru choses his Shishya? Are the guru relationships from yugas or 6th sense states that he will be the right or wrong spontaneously?
This platform has some experts and masters in a lot of readings and also mastered in many things in which i dono nothing infront of them. Would like to hear some of your honest answers that could enlight all of us here. Because finding Guru is also beyond Art and we find most fake lustful Gurus and Gold diggers now who are fit for nothing.
Expectations of the answer:

The answer to this question should help the one who are in search of
his Guru.
Give a conclusion to stop finding if Guru only wants to
find Shishya.
What could be the mindset of Guru and what qualities
he prefers from Shishya.


texts: Rishi Valmiki is the author of the Great Epic Ramayana. What are whereabouts of his earlier life? I have heard something like this about him (that he was dacoit) is there a way to prove or disprove this speculation? In India specially in north India there is Valmiki Samaj which claims to be descendant of Sage Valmiki, and that society is considered as dalit. So how does Valmiki become a Bramhin. What does Shastras say about this?


texts:
I am looking for the meaning of the following symbols that I found on my last trip to Bali:

Could anyone help me with that?

Well, in fact I'm only seeking for the meaning of this one:

[


texts: Why is the Vedic Indra so different from the Puranic Indra?

texts:
Vedas glorify Indra as a hero but most Puraans show him in a bad light?

  For example:

  Indra's cheating Vritra after befriending him
  Indra's killing of Namuchi
  The Ahalya episode
  Indra stealing horses from Ashwamedh Yagnyas

Was it just a political thing as some western Indologists say or is there a Vedic basis to the stories of Indra's treachery?


texts: What are the signs of Divine love as enunciated by different Rishis in Narada Bhakti Sutras?

texts:
What are the signs of Bhakti as enunciated by different Rishis in Narada Bhakti Sutras?

Narada Muni mentions Rishi Parashara, Rishi Garga and Rishi Shandilya in this text. What are the viewpoints of these Rishis on Bhakti?


texts: Why did Sri Krishna advice Arjuna to do service to other Saints, for gaining knowledge?

texts:
Sri Krishna said:

  तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया।

  उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः।।4.34।।

  "Know that through prostration, iniry and service. The wise ones who have realized the Truth will impart the Knowledge to you."

The question is:

"Why did Krishna ask Arjuna to resort (i.e. serve) to other GyAnis when he himself was available to be served?"


texts: Does Sita mention that she is a pativrata?

texts: It is well-known that Sita is a pativratā. But does she know that she is a pativratā? I mean does she declare anywhere in the Ramayana that she is?


texts: Did Sanjaya and Barbarika see Krishna's universal form?

texts:
We all know that Arjuna saw vishwaroop of Krishna in the mahabharata war but could Barbarika,(the grandson of Bheema, who watched the entire war from the mountain) and Sanjay see the vishwaroop?

Sanjaya was given divine eyes to see mahabharata war (which even Barbarika was seeing from the mountain). So, basically his divine eyes was to see mahabharata war and not for seeing the viswaroop. And Krishna freezed entire war area except Arjuna. Then how could Sanjay see the Viswaroop?


texts: Did Rāmānuja abandon his wife? If yes, on what grounds?

texts:
Regarding the vaishnava philosopher rAmAnuja and his life, we find some stories,

We find that he had conflicting views with his wife in some areas. But were they so severe enough to abandon his wife?

On what grounds did he actually abandon his wife? (as per his biography)

Is it a righteous deed as per dharma?

What were the other reasons (if any) ?


texts: What does the priest say when offering prasad?

texts:
I understand that the prasad is offered 6 times and the priest says something each time. It sounds like:

Om Apanaaya Swahaa,
Om Udanaaya Swahaa,
...,
...,
...,
Om Bramhane Swahaa.

Can someone give the definitive chant for this?


texts:
I've read in one of the Upanishads that at the "beginning" of the universe sattva, rajas and tamas were in balance. But for some unknown reason the balance was disturbed and this is cause of the universe.

Unfortunately I don't remember which one -
It must be described somewhere in  the Upanishads or Vedas how this sattva-rajas-tamas are interconvertible? And if so where?


texts: Please translate the following shloka from Kaulavali Tantra

texts:
I'd like to to know the meaning of the following sloka from "Kaulavali Tantra":

Yantram mantramayam proktam mantratma devataiva hi
Dehatmanor yatha bhedo yantra-devata yoshtatha


texts: Why Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhima Ekadashi?

texts:
Agiyaras in Jyaistha month is also known as Bhim Agiyaras. Why is the name of Bhim mentioned?
any story of mango eating in Bhim Agiyaras?


texts: Which purana states the story of Neela Devi lending hair to Lord Vishnu for covering scar?

texts: Which Puranas has the story of Neela Devi giving hair to Lord Vishnu for covering his scar on head? This is the story famous for giving hair at Tirupati Venkateshwara temple.


texts: Other than ISKCON, who are Vaishnavites?

texts: It seems that Vaishnavism isn't as popular as I had initially expected it to be. What groups venerate Vishnu other than ISKCon? Is there a particular region of India were Vaishnavism is the majority? If not, where is it most popular?


texts: Why Ashvatthama tried to kill Pareekshit while he was in the womb of his mother?

texts: Abhimanyu’s wife Uttara was pregnant. After the war, she delivered a boy who was christened Pariksheet. When he was in the womb, he was almost killed by the  Brahmastra shot by Aswathama.


texts: Why did Shakuni refer Yudhishtira as older than him in age?

texts:
Shakuni was Gandhari's brother and hence was alive before Pandavas-Kauravas were born. Now refer following narrative:

  "Sakuni said,--'One that is intoxicated falleth into a pit (hell) and stayeth there deprived of the power of motion. Thou art, O king, senior to us in age, and possessed of the highest accomplishments. O bull of the Bharata race, I (beg my pardon and) bow to thee. Thou knowest, O Yudhishthira, that gamesters, while excited with play, utter such ravings that they never indulge in the like of them in their waking moments nor even in dream.'  [Sabha Parva SECTION LXIV]

Why did Shakuni call Yudhishtira older than him in age?


texts: How do we decide what is dharma and adharma?

texts:
In real life there are circumstances where we are in dwanda (indecisive state of mind) and we cannot make a clear decision on what is dharma and what is adharma. For example:

When someone with the intent of destroying asks my address, what should I do?
If a whole organization gets affected by telling truth to someone else, being untruthful is correct as our mind says but what should be one's dharma in such a situation?

How can we decide what is dharma in a particular situation? Since we are in post modern era how should we cope with old dharma shastras being really unreasonable in this era? Since Dharma is eternal truth, I am sure it is unchangeable so what is dharma for Rama and Krishna is dharma for me too. But how can we say that the dharma shastras are not interpolated and modified in such situations? E.g., Manusmriti dictates that a bramhachari should not communicate with any female person other than guru's wife and mother, which is nearly impossible to follow in this age.

What is the Vedic and Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta's dictation on the decision of dharma?


texts: Does Madhvacharya correctly attribute the Mandukya Upanishad and Gaudapada's commentary to Varuna and Brahma?

texts:
The shortest of all the Upanishads is known as the Mandukya Upanishad.  It's only twelve verses long, and it isn't mentioned much in Hindu scripture, but it grew into prominence after Gaudapada, the early Advaita Acharya who was Adi Shankaracharya's guru's guru, composed a famous Karika or commentary on it.

Now Madhvacharya, exponent of the Dvaita school, believed that at least the first chapter of what is considered as Gaudapada's Karika wasn't composed by Gaudapada at all.  Instead, he thought that it was composed by Brahma, who was commenting on the Mandukya Upanishad as it was originally being recited by Varuna the ocean god; here is what Madhvacharya says in his commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad:

  In the form of a Manduka (a frog), Varuna eulogized the four-fold Sriman Narayana, meditating on Sriman Narayana, encompassed by Aum, Varuna, praised immutable Sri Hari, thus has it been said in Padma Purana.... Thus did Varuna himself, in the form of Manduka (frog) realize himself. Thus has it been mentioned in Harivamsha....  The man~ which were „seen’ by Brahma are the premises, O Lord of the Waters (Varuna). „A~Oto Slaaok:‟ thus is spoken piece by piece. Thus has it been said in Garuda Purana.

So my question is, what is the basis of Madhvacharya's claim that the seer of the Mandukya Upanishad is Varuna the ocean god in the form of a frog (Manduka), and that the commentator is Brahma?  He cites quotes from the Padma Purana, Harivamsa, and Garuda Purana, but does anyone know where exactly they are in those texts?  The quotes are written out in Devanagari script in pages 1 and 2 here if that helps.

By the way, on a side note I'm a Sri Vaishnava, and it seems that at least some Sri Vaishnava Acharyas have similar beliefs about the beginning of Gaudapada's Karika.


texts: What is the name of Vishnu incarnation who performed the Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Kalyanam?

texts:
From the story of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, we infer that Lord Kallazhagar, a form of Lord Vishnu, did not attend the marriage.

But we are told that Lord Vishnu gave away Meenakshi Amman during the marriage. So who is this Lord Vishnu?


texts: What's the response to the Cārvāka thought on animal sacrifice in a yajña?

texts:
How did other schools of Indian philosophy respond to this argument by the Cārvākas with regard to animal sacrifice as part of a yajña?

  If a beast slain in the Jyotishtoma rite will itself go to heaven,
  Why then does not the sacrificer forthwith offer his own father?

So why isn't a human offered (more frequently) in place of an animal in a sacrifice?


texts:
I have heard these two terms many times. Karma (deeds) can be considered as either Kartavya or Dharma. But which kind of Karma is Kartavya or which one is Dharma.

For example: If a son does seva to their parents then it is called that he performed his Putra Dharma. And when some one does any help to unknown person then it is called Manavta Dharma.

Earlier I thought Kartavya is usually is like Duty. Means if we are working under someone to earn, i.e.  doing Job then all of our activities in job will be considered as Kartavya. But when I heard term like Sevak Dharma then I got confused again. Sewak is also performs activities like one perform in job. And if Sewak activities towards his/her swami will be considered as Sewak Dharma then what kind of Activities is Kartavya?

Which kind activities should be called as Kartavya and which one should be called as Dharma. How to differentiate between these two?


texts:
There is a festival in Bihar named Chhat Puja in which people go to rivers, take bath and worship Lord Surya. They also worship a goddess called Chhati Maiya and that is why this festival name is Chhat Puja.

I want to know who was Chhati Maiya?


texts: Why did Asuras live on Earth & Devas did not?

texts:
If GODS (Indra, Varuna, Yama, Kubera) lived in heaven, how come asuras lived on earth?

I understand that Vishnu and Shiva assumed different forms and came down to earth.

But then, shouldn't asuras assume different forms rather than coming down on earth as Asuras themselves?

Also, if asuras come down to earth without form and live on earth, why GODS (Indra, Varuna, Yama, Kubera) lived in heaven and never lived on earth?


texts: Does the supreme God Brahman have desires?

texts:
Taittiriya Upanishad - [Brahman] wished, may I be many, may I grow forth. He brooded over himself (like a man performing penance). After he had thus brooded, he sent forth (created) all, whatever there is.

Here "Wished" means : feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that cannot or probably will not happen. To want to do something.
Question
If the supreme God(Brahman) has desire then why does he want us to leave desire?


texts: Is consuming food with left hand considered bad?

texts:
I was reading Siva Puran and one verse stated as follows:

My question: Why is it a sin to consume food with left hand? What if the person is left handed?


texts:
Are there any instances in Hindu mythology where instead of the original kings/queens other individuals have ruled as regents? The only instance I know of is when Bhishma ruled instead of Vichitravirya but are there any other examples?

Also, did the regents have a separate title and if yes what was it?


texts: Legend behind origin of Vayu Lingam in Srikalahasti and its meaning

texts:
There are many legends behind Srikalahasti temple, which is one of the Panchaboota Kshetras. But none of these legends explain origin of Vayu Lingam which is believed to be "Swayambhu" (self-manifested).

Famous among of all legends is story of three staunch devotees "Sri (spider), Kala (serpent) and Hasti (elephant)". But this legend says that they worshiped already existed lingam. Same is the case with other stories such as Bhakta Kannappa, penance of Parvati and Markandeya.

According to this wiki page,

  It is said that Lord Shiva, after Bhasmasura was killed with the help
  of Lord Maha Vishnu, performed the Tandava Dance and then performed
  the "Rudra Yagna" for the betterment of humanity. The place where the
  Rudra Yagna was performed is where the "Sri Kalahasti" Temple stands
  now.

Does this dance of Rudra has anything to do with this temple?
What is the exact legend behind origin of SriKalaHasti temple?

What is the meaning of Vayu Lingam? At Arunachalam (Tiruvannamala), Lord Shiva appeared as "Jyoti" or fire column, so lingam there is called as Agni Lingam. Similarly, empty space at Chidambaram is worshiped as "Akasa Lingam". So, what is the meaning of "Vayu Lingam" at Srikalahasti temple?


texts: Is it true, only married people are cremated, non-married people are buried?

texts:
I need to know what are the situations that one should be cremated or buried in Hinduism.

This is with reference to married or unmarried persons cremation process. If there is different rituals in sects we being Hindu should know it.


texts: Why is Lord Vishnu's Avatar 'Narasimha' more popular in south Indian region?

texts:
Why is Lord Vishnu's avatar 'Narasimha' more popular in South Indian region?
I've seen in many movies and even when I went to south cities, they name their shops and business on the name Narasimha? Why Narasimha is more popular there?


texts: Have the currently available Bhagavad Gita versions somehow changed over time?

texts:
I started reading Bhagavad Gita from Gita Press link (free) but the first shloka refers to a conversation between Dhritarashtra and Sanjaya. I thought that it should only contain the words of God (i.e., Krishna) which is not the case.

Let me know if I missed understanding the book correctly.


texts: Is it true? chanting mantra without moving lips and tongue gives more effect?

texts: Is it true that chanting mantra without moving lips and tongue gives more effect? Is it called Aajapa mantra?


texts: Does the concept of divorce exist in hinduism?

texts: Does the concept of divorce apply in hinduism?


texts: Who are the demons killed by Lord Balarama?

texts: What is the list of demons killed by Lord Balarama?


texts: God will never give you a cross that you cannot carry

texts:
Many times I have heard from Christian people this saying, when you are going through a difficult situation (that is your cross) and that God would never give you a cross that you would not be able to carry.
So you should have faith and patience and acceptance of the will of God, and ... surrender to Him (as Arjuna did in the Bhagavad Gita).

I wonder if there would be a similar analogy in the Vedic scriptures.

One thing that comes to my mind is the battle of Kurukshetra. Krishna took Arjuna to the front of the opposing army so that he could see those he would shortly face in battle.

so question is:
how I would translate the cross saying into something from the Vedas?


texts: When did Lord Shiva slash Lord Vishnu's head?

texts:
In Lord Shiva's thousand names according to Shiva Maha Purana there is a name which is number (755) Vishnukandharapatana which translates to "the one who slashes Vishnu's head".
Here in Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita, Chapter 35 Pg 1410 second line you’ll find Vishnukandharapatan.
So my question is when did that happen?


texts: What is the significance of Apana Mudra?

texts:
What does Apana Mudra signify or how is it important? When in Bhava Samadhi, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was often found in the same Mudra.

Mahavatar Babaji taught the importance of this Mudra to his disciple Rajinikanth who made it his party symbol.

There are a lot of other Mudras as well but this Mudra being used by spiritual giants like Sri Ramakrishna and Mahavatar Babaji, must hold a special significance. What is it?


texts: Does Shatapatha BrAhmaNa explicitly mention about leelas of Lord Vishnu?

texts:
One of the users have posted about a story from shatapatha brAhmaNa about cutting head of the god.

From this answer of @KeshavSrinivasan,

  The connection between Vishnu and the Sun is described in this chapter of the Shatapatha Brahmana of the Yajur Veda. The gods once accidentally cut off Vishnu's head with his own bow (this is all Vishnu's Lila, of course) and the head turns into the Sun:

  They spake, 'Whoever of us, through austerity, fervour, faith, sacrifice, and oblations, shall first compass the end of the sacrifice, he shall be the most excellent of us, and shall then be in common to us all.' 'So be it,' they said. Vishnu first attained it and he became the most excellent of the gods; whence people say 'Vishnu is the most excellent of the gods.' Now he who is this Vishnu is the sacrifice; and he who is this sacrifice is yonder Âditya (the sun). ... Taking his bow, together with three arrows, he stepped forth. He stood, resting his head on the end of the bow. Not daring to attack him, the gods sat themselves down all around him. Then the ants said--these ants (vamrî), doubtless, were that (kind called) 'upadîkâ'--'What would ye give to him who should gnaw the bowstring?'--'We would give him the (constant) enjoyment of food, and he would find water even in the desert: so we would give him every enjoyment of food.'--'So be it,' they said. Having gone nigh unto him, they gnawed his bowstring. When it was cut, the ends of the bow, springing asunder, cut off Vishnu's head. It fell with (the sound) 'ghriṅ'; and on falling it became yonder sun. And the rest (of the body) lay stretched out (with the top part) towards the east. And inasmuch as it fell with (the sound) 'ghriṅ,' therefrom the Gharma (was called); and inasmuch as he was stretched out (pra-vrig,), therefrom the Pravargya (took its name).

Does the text itself mention explicitly that it was Lord's Leela or is it a speculation ?

If yes,

Where does the shatapatha brAhmaNa say about leelas of the Lord explicitly ?


texts: What are the Prajapatya, Chandrayana, and Krcchra penances?

texts:
The Dharmashastras prescribe various penances such as the Prajapatya, Chandrayana, and Krccha penances.

For example, here is a verse from the Manusmriti:

  On having had intercourse with one’s sister born of his father’s
  sister, or of his mother’s sister, or of his mother’s full
  brother,—one should perform the Cāndrāyaṇa.—(171)

A verse from the Vasishta Dharma Sutras:

  If he has had intercourse with a female considered venerable in the
  family, with a female friend, with the female friend of a Guru, with
  an Apapātra female, or with an outcast,—he shall perform the Kṛcchra
  penance for three months.’

Here is a verse from the Vishnu Smriti:

  (53.1),—‘One who has had illicit sexual intercourse must perform the
  Prājāpatya penance for one year,—according to the rule of the
  Mahāvrata, clad in a garment of bark and living in a forest.’

So what are these penances and how to do them?


texts: Is there a systematic theory to the symbolism in Hindu itihasas and puranas?

texts:
I have noticed for some time that certain themes occur in different forms in the itihasas and puranas. The characters and the settings may change in the stories or depictions, but there is an essential analogy between various instances of the same theme.

One instance that I was reminded of recently while looking at the famous family photo of Rama with Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman are the analogies between the stories or Rama and Krishna. The parallels are as follows:

Rama = Krishna (the Lord)
Sita = Radha/Rukmini (incarnations of Lakshmi)
Hanuman = Garuda (both are epitomes of bhakti and also serve as vahanas)
Lakshmana = Balarama (brothers of Rama/Krishna, but also incarnations Adi Shesha)
Ravana = Kamsa (the evil "boss" in Ramayana/Bhagavata. I am aware of the Jaya-Vijaya angle where Ravana is more analogous to Hiranyakashipu etc.)

Another case is that of the ornamentation of Hindu deities. Quite a number of them seem to have a consort, a weapon, a Vahana, often a musical instrument, and so on.

My current conjecture as to why this happens is that there might be a fundamental theology/theory underlying these similarities in the mythology. The mythology might be a way to make common people aware of the theology or theory.

Is this true? If it is, is there any text that systematically deals with the theology/theory? How else might one go about deciphering the symbology of epics and puranas?

As you can probably surmise, my knowledge of these things is very minimal, so if I have made any mistakes, I would welcome corrections as well.


texts: What are the herbs that arose three ages before the gods?

texts:
Rig Veda Book 10 Hymn 97 is dedicated to the herbs and I am sharing a part of it here:

  HERBS that sprang up in time of old, three ages earlier than the Gods,—
  Of these, whose hue is brown, will I declare the hundred powers and seven.
  Ye, Mothers, have a hundred homes, yea, and a thousand are your growths.
  Do ye who have a thousand powers free this my patient from disease.

Do any commentaries describe if the hymn is dedicated to any specific herbs or to all of them in general? My specific question is regarding the highlighted portion and I want to know if any commentary explains what it means for the herbs that are brown in color to have emerged three ages before the gods?


texts: Was Devi Sarada an avatar of Goddess Jagadamba/Durga?

texts: Many people had told me that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's wife Devi Sarada was an avatar of Goddess Jagadamba/Durga. Is this true?


texts:
Is there a specific injunction in vaiShNava Agama-s or purANa-s to the effect that food should be consumed only after it is offered to viShNu?

As far as brAhmaNa-s are concerned, it is clear from the sUtra-s that they should consume only food

offered to agni and shrotriya in case of gRhasthAshrama
guru or his representative or agni in case of brahmacharya.

Such a rule would explain the sectarian practice of offering vaishvadeva only from food first offered to viShNu.

PS:nityakarma texts by shrI rAmAnuja (भगवद्भाष्यकारैर्-विरचित-नित्यग्रन्थे भगवदाराधनान्तर्गत-भोज्यासनविधौ २१३-तम खण्डे "अर्हणपूर्वकं हविर् निवेदयेत्" इति सूचितम् अस्ति।) and madhva clearly specify such rules.


texts: Where exactly are the Ramayana & Mahabharata scripts preserved?

texts:
As we all know Ramayana was written by Valmiki Maharshi and Mahabharata was written by Veda Vyasa. Some say that Veda Vyasa narrated the Mahabharata story to Lord Ganesha who wrote it. Is that true?

Also, scientifically, where exactly are the Ramayana and Mahabharata scripts (in written form) believed to exist? I know there are lots of evidence like stones, places etc., but I want to know about the actual scripts. Are they in any museum or some other place?

I am very eager to know this.


texts: Lord Krishna grew up with his people at Mathura (U.P). But why did he move with all his people to Dwaraka? Dwaraka is almost 1300 Kms from Mathura. Was there any logical reason for Krishna to set up his kingdom at Dwaraka?


texts: Do ISCKON accept the authority of the Vedas?

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ISCKON is a sect of Hinduism who worship lord Krishna. They accept Bhagavata Puran and Gita(to my current knowledge).
Do they accept the authority of vedas above gita?


texts: What are the 10 names of Arjuna with its meanings?

texts: Arjuna has other names like Dhananjaya and Partha and people say he has 10 names. What are the 10 names of Arjuna and what do they mean?


texts: Do any verses in the Vedas declare Agni to be the Highest Brahman?

texts: After seeing this answer, I wish to know whether there are any verses declare Agni to be Highest Brahman (since he is frequently mentioned as Indra). Are there any such verses?


texts: What is the difference between sacrifice (yajna) and charity (dana)?

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Bhagavad-gita 18.3 and 18.5 specifically mentions them as separate.

In Christianity they are understood as giving something up and giving something to others, which is quite similar, and these terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Could we also use both "yajna" and "daana" for any donation? If not, what is the specific difference?


texts: What are the spiritual and ayurvedic benefits of fasting on Poornima (full moon)?

texts: According to Sadhguru fasting on Poornima is a good idea because whatever food is taken in becomes tamasic as he thinks that things deteriorate faster on such days. Now what are the spiritual and ayurvedic benefits given in the scriptures of fasting on Poornima (full moon)?


texts: What are 'Adi Granth' in Hinduism ? Is it a properly-defined technical term?

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I've heard people refer to Vedas as Adi Granth.

Is Adi Granth used as a special term, and if yes, which books does it refer to ?
Do the Vedas or other scriptures themselves use this term ? If yes, where ?


texts: When exactly did the Hinduism become extinct from Afghanistan?

texts: Gandhar was a great kingdom for thousands of years. I know that Sindh was first won in 712 AD by Muhammed Bin Kasim from the last Hindu king of Sindh, Dahir. But I have never heard of extinction of Hindus from Afghanistan. Who was the last Hindu king of Upaganasthan/Gandhar? Till when were Hindus dominating that land?


texts: if Kundalini is what leads to enlightenment,why do many who have reached it not become Jivanmuktis?

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Bonpos,Vajrayanists and Taoists all raise their kundalini thru Tummo practices and other means yet do not reach Hindu enlightenment.they do reach their own enlightenment but they reject an atman,they reject the Vedas,and they Reject Devi and Shiva as supreme after the fact.a Jivanmukti would be omniscient and not do this.of course,the bonpos and vajrayanists claim omniscience aswell after successful sadhana of tummo,wich elads to their enlightenment.and these are not even similar as in bonpo and Vajrana nirvanas,there is total cessation of feeling while in tantrik enlightenment there is the feeling of bliss.
the Advaita Vedantists say in responce to Tantrikas that kundalini is not conducive to enlightenment.this would make sence.unless view had something to do with it.thats what the bonpos and Vajrayanists would claim.most tantrik practices are the same in both systems but view is what brings wich result according to them.but in hindu tantrik circles it seems if shakti reaches shiva in the sahasrara then you should become a Jivanmukta.Ramakrishna even said on some stages you will find all ungodly talk horrible.yet that is not the case with these people that practice kundalini for their own enlightenment where they dont even Believe in ishvara.
because when Bonpos or Vajrayanists Practice Tummo they raise their kundalini and reach their own forms of enlightenment but not Tantrik enlightenment.
it seems to me that Kundalini is just another Energy of the body and is simply the Fire element in the body and not some shakti living in all beings.the result thereof practiced by Tantrikas is simply a Blissful clarity not unlike the result of Shamatha meditations.this is the view of former Tantrik practicioners like Sridhar Samsher J B Rana(He reached Tantrik enlightenment according to his famous Guru but left hinduism after he reached enlightenment!) .he says that Kundalini is merely a inferior shamatha meditation too.
what are your thoughts?


texts: Verses in Upanishads and vedas to remain Unaffected by bad company

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There is a big hindrance of bad company on the path of spirituality.Most of the scriptures mention to avoid bad company. Swami Sivananda in this context says

Aspirants generally complain: “We are doing Sadhana for the last fifteen years. We have not made any solid spiritual progress.”The obvious answer is that they have not totally shunned evil company. *

*Cut off connection ruthlessly. Live alone at all times. Trust in that Immortal Friend who dwells in your heart. He will give you whatever you want. *

I think these statements are direct to the point but its not possible for some people to cut off connections ruthlessly as they have emotional and business attachments with these people. Isn't there any middle road so that people can be with their friends and also join the spiritual path. It is possible to avoid such friends some times but not all times. Are their any verses or advice in upanishads and shastras for such a situation?


texts: When did Krishna and Arjuna meet for the first time?

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I want to know when Shree Krishna and Arjuna met for the first time.
(if the answer is in childhood, please mention when they first met as youth too.)


texts: Is there any relation between ISKCON and Sri Narasingha Chaitanya Ashrama?

texts: I know both are Gaudiya Vaishnava organisations. But are they related in any way (Guru Parampara etc)?


texts: What happens between the transition of yugas?

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According to the scriptures, there are yugas in these worlds. After completion of one yuga, the world collapses even an ant cannot escape from death but according to the history we find so many temples today in India which are built in dwapara yuga and also in thretha yuga.

As an example 'Kedharnath temple' was built by Pandavas i.e in the Dwapara yuga. Then how come these temples exist even till today? Can anyone please explain?


texts: How concept of Moksha and Amar (Immortality) can exists together?

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Moksha - Once you are dead you'll get rid of Life Cycle (Jeevan Chakra), you become an absolute and pure energy traveling across the Universe. No need to reincarnate again, take birth as Fly or Human or any other form.

Amarta (Immortality): You remain young forever. You will never die.

Lord Hanuman, who is Lord Shiva's avatar is immortal, why he didn't try for Moksha?

Should we pray for Moksha or Immortality?


texts: Bhagavad Geeta 5.4 - Can one attain samādhi by practicing science?

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The Gita 5.4 says:

  sāṅkhya-yogau pṛthag bālāḥ pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ  ekam apy
  āsthitaḥ samyag  ubhayor vindate phalam

  Only the ignorant speak of devotional service as being different from the    analytical study of the material world. Those who are
  actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these
  paths achieves the results of both.

Does this mean that by analytical study of the material world (i.e. Science) one can attain samadhi?


texts: Some sources say End of Kaliyuga is near

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(I’m re-posting the question in more suitable form and shall provide an answer with some more facts; please refute if you feel but let this be alive for people to see and comment/answer. I’m just an enthusiast, definitely not a spammer.)

If we match recent/current society with the description gave in this section of Mahabharata by the great Muni Markandeya.

The description sounds very familiar – looks like it gives almost identical account of the various characteristics world has demonstrated over the last century or so. Isn’t it?

We can easily verify most of the facts, like collapse of four orders into a common order, the whole world having one kind of food, rulers robbing their subjects by all means, both men and women becoming perfectly free in their behaviour and not tolerating one another's acts, girls themselves choosing their husbands, men ceasing to trust one another, people falsely bearing the marks of religion, men abandoning the countries and directions and towns and cities of their occupation, seeking for new ones, one after another...

It’s not necessary that every fact has to be occurring as is as it might be symbolic to something else, but things like girls of five or six years of age will bring forth children really struck the skeptic in me. However, soon I found that this in fact became reality in 1930s.

As most of us would know from childhood that we’re in Kaliyug – about 5 thousand years have elapsed – it would take another 432 thousand years for Kaliyug to reach to its end. What if this figure is actually symbolic to something else? What if we’re living during the end period of Kaliyug?

The ask from readers of this question is to provide facts in favor or against of this theory.


texts: Are there mentions in Hinduism about instruments which allows one to know others thoughts and influence them? And is it sinful?

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Although I'm a native Hindu from India, my knowledge of Hinduism is confined to Mahabharata, Ramayana and few mantras from Upanishads.

I want to know if there are references to yantras in Puranas, Ithihasas, Vedas, Upanishads, etc which allows one to know thoughts of others and also influence thoughts of others through those yantras. If yes, what were such yantras called and what protections were recommended against them?

What crime would the people or person who used such yantras to know the thoughts of others be guilty of?

What crime would the people or person who used such yantras to influence the thoughts of others be guilty of?

What punishment is recommended for people who use yantras to know and/or influence thoughts of others? What karma will they suffer?

I in think such technology has been in existence since 1960s. I can show links for such if required.


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We all know that Vibhishana was a Brahmin-Daitya/Brahmin-Rakshasa and was an ardent follower of Lord Rama. But I think he didn't kill even a single person in the Rama-Ravana war. So, in my view, he shouldn't be called an asura as he did not have any asura-like qualities.
But does Ramayana talk about Vibhishana being a strong warrior or if he wielded any weapons?


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Is hiding past relationships a sin? Like if women lie before marriage because if she reveals it, she won't get married. Or if a man hides his past relationships and marries a clean women, for getting married.
Can one avoid these out in any way, like through rituals or any from or sacrifices. Their was an article saying when a man/women marry in front of sacred fire and rituals, they will share thier sins.


texts: How does one unite Bindu, Prakriti and Kundalini?

texts: The Bindu is there as One, Prakriti is there as Mother and Kunalini is there as as power. How does one unite these three and what is the result when this is realized ?


texts: Did Swami Vivekananda meet Sri Bamakhepa?

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According to a biography of Sri Sri Bamakhepa written by Bipul Kumar Gangopadhyay (Mahapith Tarapith, Vol 2), Swami Vivekananda met Sri Sri Bamakhepa at Tarapith.

Can anybody provide any such evidence from Swamiji's authentic biographies?


texts: Where in the hindu sacred texts does it say animals do not create new karma?

texts: Where in the hindu texts does it say that animals and the gods do not create new karma but only pay off karma?


texts: Why are the techniques of kriya yoga a secret while it is mentioned in Gita?

texts: There is an air of secrecy around kriya yoga and its practice. While all teachers/gurus tell that kriya yoga is clearly outlined in the Gita - then what is the point of secrecy ?


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Living one's dharma seems to be paramount, but first I must discover what my dharma is. I was born and reared in the West, so how can I discover my dharma?

I have read the Gita and it helped me understand different paths, but how can I know what is proper for me? I don't have a caste or any other similar societal role. Do I simply do something I am interested in and then it will become clear?

IOW, how may one discover their specific dharma? How should one spend their days without knowing this? Or am I missing the point and discovering one's dharma is a part of the process?

If it helps to know, Advaita appeals to me the most, but I am always open to new understandings.


texts: Why did Adi Sankaracharya compare the color of Ishwara's eyes to that of monkey's nates?

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While commenting on the verse "tasya yatha kapyasam pundarikamevamakshini" in his bhashya on the Chandogya Upanishad, Shankara describes the eyes of Ishwara as:

  eyes of that golden Purusha are like two lotuses which are red like
  the nates (buttocks) of a monkey

How does the above interpretation compare to commentaries of other Vedantins?


texts: I want right translation of Shiva purana -4:12?

texts: Any one can give right translation of Shiva Purana : kotirudra Samhita : 12 chapter


texts: Which scriptures describe the Dupahariya flower?

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I was reading an ayurvedic book so i need to know about the flower Dupahariya .I can't tell you all the name of the book as shiva told not to tell anyone about this in that tantra.

What Hindu scriptures describe this plant/flower? And yes other names of that flower, viz., is it mentioned in Ayurvedic treatises or does it have synonyms mentioned in the Nighantus?


texts: Does the mimamsa school of thought in Hinduism accept Gita as a good source of information and knowledge?


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It is ubiquitous in the South on religious occasions - is it also used in North India?

For example refer this

The rice doesn't seem to have been covered in turmeric.


texts: Why aitareya brAhmana says that women cause trouble?

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Surendra Kumar agyat in his book Kya Balu ki bheet par khada hai Hindu dharma (Does Hinduism stand on wall of sand) asks a question about the women. Below is the screenshot:-

He quoted here a verse of aitereya brahman.

Aitareya Brahmana 7:3:1

कृपणं ही दुहिता
Women causes pain.

I want to know that how can we response these type of verses.