All Questions

My question: What should be said on death of a Hindu, instead of RIP ? I am given to understand that religions like Christianity and Islam use the slogan RIP for dead person, so that he/she rests ...

In mathematics, when we have to show equivalence among 3 entities say X, Y, Z, then we assume that X holds and then we prove that X implies Y, Y implies Z and Z implies X. Thus, by circular ...

I have started reading Bhagvat Gita. I am going through Chapter-2 in which Shri Krishna explains Sankhya Yoga to Arjuna. I would like to understand exactly what the Sankhya Yoga means ? What is ...

I am curious to know if Hindu Scripture mentions the idea of unity among people who are able to associate on the basis of a common belief, i.e., whether the texts anywhere proclaim the idea of ...

There are six philosophical systems in Hinduism: Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta. What is each school's opinion on Puranas? Do they accept the puranas as authentic or they ...

Regarding the Bhagavad Gita and Karma yoga, Am I allowed to enjoy the work I do while following the path of Karma Yoga? If yes then doesn't that go against indifference attitude I am supposed to ...

Namaskar! Is there some place in which I can find audio files of the Sri rudram and other mantras in Pada Patha (Sometimes called Moola patha)? Here is the Ganapati Prarthana in many different Pathas ...

Even bacteria and virus have souls in them.? According to vedas how many living species are in to this world?

Is Hinduism book based religion like Christianity, Islam and Judaism? If it isn't why do so many of the answers here need to based on scriptures? And why aren't users of this site, forthcoming in ...

What is the language in which Vedas are written? Currently, they are written in Sanskrit language but what was their first language. Devnagri is developed by humans and Vedas are the language of gods ...

Some people write that the Brahman is the ultimate state of consciousness and everything we touch smell or observe are nothing but the different manifestation of this Brahman. However I am very ...

Sannyasis can be divided into two groups: • Ashastradhari Sannyasis: Ascetics who deal with the study of scriptures. • Shastradhari Sannyasis: Ascetics who deal with warfare. Shastradhari Sannyasis ...

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

I read somewhere that the religious texts do not have any mention of referring to some people as 'Dravidians'. There is rife debate on whether the people in the Dravid were the original inhabitants, ...

It is said that Lord Rama moves to the forest with his empty feet without wearing any sandals. When Bharat went to forest to bring him back to Ayodhya but returns with Lord Rama's sandals (Paduka). ...

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

In a book I got mention of the three types of languages used in scriptures: samAdhi-bhasha prathmA loukiki_iti tathA parA/ tritiyA parakiyapA_ iti shastrabhasha tridhA smrita// Meaning : There ...

Advaitins believe that scriptures teach monism. Are they real or unreal? The first cannot be, for it would be imply duality. The second also can't be, for it would imply that scriptures were ...

As per the biographies of Sri Ramanujacharya, He used to have regular conversations with Sri Vishnu. He also accepts the four-armed Form of Sri Vishnu as the Form of the Supreme Godhead. He quoted ...

According to the dictionary meaning, a 'Vaishnava' is necessarily a 'Worshipper of Vishnu'. वैष्णव a. (-वी f.) [विष्णुर्देवतास्य तस्येदं वा अण्] 1 Relating to Viṣṇu; गां गतस्य तव धाम वैष्णवम् R.11....

The Ashva Shastra is a work of unknown authorship about the nature and proper care of horses. Now this chapter of the Ashva Shastra says that there used to be winged horses, but then Indra asked the ...

Often I read different interpretations of the Forms of God. For example, the ten hands of Durga repesent the ten directions, the standing of Kali over Shiva repesent the Saguna Brahman or Prakriti ...

In Buddhism, the word "jāti" is doctrinally very important. The fully enlightened Arhat Buddhists declare upon enlightenment: "Jati has ended". In Hinduism, "jati" is said to have the following ...

I am interested in knowing about certain restraints or clear warnings given in Hinduism, that a family/son/daughter should follow, lest the Pitrus be angry. Follow-up question, what actions (beside ...

I want to know what is Swecchachara. What are the restrictions in the freedom? Please give examples on what is Swecchachara

Consider a thought experiment :- I have an enemy. He wants to shoot me. Case A: If I receive the bullet on my body, then the most general explanation given by Hinduism is that I had a bad karma (प्रा...

There is a popular saying that while she was roaming, her feet fell on her husband and her tongue came out in embarassment. However, multiple sources claim that as 'not true'. What is the correct ...

There is a temple of Bheem also known as Bhimsena or Mahabali Bhim in the premises of Gorakhnath math in Gorakhpur. What is the importance of this temple? Give references from scriptures to validate ...

Okay. So I've been doing meditation. It has lots of techniques, I do it from a meditation app. Is it necessary that we do meditation in concentration of god? I just take the name of the lord and ...

What is the name of the power which allows one to know future in dreams? One of my relatives say they can see future in their dreams. Is this a spiritual gift? What is its name? What practices and ...

St. Jerome, in his Against Jovinianus bk. 2 (393 A.D.) c. 14, divides the Gymnosophists of India [into two classes,] the one [of which is] called Brahmans, the other Samaneans [Samanæos], who are ...

Does the concept of ahimsa make knowing and influencing thoughts, emotions and feelings of others as paapam? When I say knowing and influencing thoughts, emotions and feelings of others, I mean ...

The Rigveda 10.164.46 states: ekam sad viprA bahudhA vadanti agnim yamam mAtrishvAnam Ahuh || The sages describe the one existence (ekam sat) in many ways. It is called as Agini, Yama, ...

A lot of people I see refer to Bhagavad Gita as success manual, many successful people like Dr. Vivek Bindra, Mahatma Gandhi, and even Einstein. Have referred to it. Does Bhagvad Gita prepares us for ...

As Vishnu & Krishna idols or pics are shown wearing makarkundal, kaustubh gem, Srivatsalanchhan & such things. What is the right attire of Lord Rama as told in Texts to be shown wearing? At ...

Swami Sivananda Saraswati - Says in hatha yoga when one collects all of his prana using either lambika yoga/khechari mudra and focuses it in his eyebrow center he goes into jada samadhi. This is more ...

Vishnu Sahasranama stotra are thousand names of Vishnu said by Bhishma to Yudhishtira and other Pandavas. This occurs in Mahabharata while there are other versions of thousand names in Garuda Purana, ...

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

A lot of people in the society believe in God, but barely have knowledge of God. Does God help them? Belief is better or knowledge of God? Or belief after knowledge of God? The question arises: ...

This is addition to my other two questions about mind reading. Here are links to reputed news sites: CBS News: Scientists Decode Words Gizmodo: Scientists Decode Images Science Daily: Scientists ...

Is it paapam to come between a devotee and deity? What punishment is given to people who interfere between devotee and deity? What punishment is given to people who orchestrate situations to make ...

A lot of people are talking about following their passion and living the life they dream of. Living the life of freedom. That makes complete sense to me as one should live life rather than making it ...

Thiruchei nallur is the place for chandikeswarar. Where is it located near Kumbakonam?

Did Krishna say that he lives in every living entity like animal, tree, human etc. If yes, then what actually meaning of Krishna living inside all these> Did he live as Atma or as something else?

In the Bhagavad-Gita-Mahatmya, Bhagavan Vishnu says to Dhara: gitAm Ashritya vahabo bhubhujo janakAdayah/nirdhutakalmashA loke gatAste paramam padam// Meaning: Many kings like Janaka washed ...

In the Mahabharata and Ramayana, there are many incidents in which people performed tapasya and obtained boons. Like Arjuna doing tapasya and obtaining something from Shiva. Once Arjuna and Krishna ...

I was watching a video of Ram Dass, and in it he recollects his 1st meeting with Neem Karoli Baba. Ram Dass was shocked that Neem Karoli Baba knew what Ram Dass thought the other night. How could it ...

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, ...

As titles of some Acharyas, the word 'Desika' or 'Desikan' are used.What is the meaning of this word according to the scriptures?

I am not fully sure whether this is the most appropriate site to ask this question. If it is not, please suggest a more proper one. I am currently learning sanskrit and have been meaning to acquire ...