All Questions
40 questions
2
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0
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56
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Origin of Vikram-Beetal stories?
The Vikram-Betaal stories are derived from the Vetālapañcaviṃśati (वेतालपञ्चविंशति) or famously called, Baital Pachisi ("Twenty-five (tales) of Baital").
Do these stories find any kind of ...
- 13.7k
3
votes
1
answer
607
views
What defines a "hero," from a Hindu perspective?
For some context, see this question, which I will also summarize: I plan to run a Dungeons & Dragons game soon for some people who follow Hindu faith. For those unfamiliar, it's like a cooperative ...
- 139
2
votes
0
answers
211
views
Why do only some Brahmins have a tuft of hair? Is it mandatory to cut the tuft of hair before leaving India?
Why is it that some Brahmins have a tuft of hair and some don't? Is it optional?
Furthermore, the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan before leaving to Cambridge University cut his tuft ...
- 31
5
votes
1
answer
262
views
What is Ganesh Chaturthi/ Ganesh Utsav idol worship size according to shastra and Dharma
In my Marathi state we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi as a Ganesh utsav for ten days and bring clay idol from market on the first day and make visarjan on 10th day.
My question is, what is the right size ...
1
vote
0
answers
209
views
What does the Vedic literature speak about pre-marital sex and sexual abstinence? [duplicate]
I understand that unlike Abrahamic religions, sex is primarily not a taboo in our Sanatana Dharma.
However, I would like to know what is laid out in the scriptures regarding 'pre-marital sex' and ...
5
votes
1
answer
12k
views
Should we study or not study on Saraswati Puja?
Saraswati Puja is soon coming and like any other year, my parents have told me to not study on the auspicious day. In fact, in most Bengali households, studying is forbidden on Saraswati Puja. However,...
user9969
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is only Bhagvad Gita being used in the Indian courts for taking oath? Why? [closed]
I have seen in many movies, people keep their hands on a book of Bhagavad Gita and assure that they will tell the truth.
Is Bhagvat Gita used in court?
Why are Ramayana, Vedas, Mahabharata & ...
- 6,933
6
votes
2
answers
675
views
Physical appearance of various Gods for worship
This is question about pictorial representation of various gods, especially their facial hair.
Brahma has a full beard & moustache. But Vishnu (including RAma, Krishna incarnations) and Shankara ...
- 2,652
3
votes
0
answers
121
views
Why religious activities aren't suggested during absence of Venus?
In most of places where Hindu religion is believed, Most of the religious activities are not suggested during period of absence of Venus. Can anyone describe reason behind this ?
- 241
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What does Hindu scripture say about the need for clothing?
In most societies, clothing is a requirement to cover the private parts. But Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev in Future of Feminine said that
Our Body parts are Not Secret it is just that we learnt How to ...
- 4,196
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Does Hinduism allow Guru-Shishya Marriage?
I have seen in a Vikram and Betal story that the prince is not allowed to marry the princess since prince has secretly learnt Archery from the princess in that way the princess is his Guru and Guru-...
- 297
4
votes
0
answers
239
views
In Hinduism, is it commanded to change clothes everyday?
If we wear the same clothes for more than a day, is it unclean according to the culture? I know in general, that one should change his clothes everyday if possible, but what does our culture say ...
- 978
6
votes
1
answer
4k
views
In Hindu culture, is it mandatory to bathe everyday?
Like the question says, do the scriptures say that we should clean our bodies with water every day? What happens if one forgets or does not feel like showering? is it classified as a sin?
- 978
4
votes
0
answers
370
views
Why are we named 12 days after birth?
Including myself, many of my family members got their names 12 days after their birth, a day called Namakarana. This is done via a ritual, for example in Nepalese tradition (My ethnicity) we have an ...
- 978
2
votes
1
answer
688
views
Why people play cards during Ugadhi?
Is there any significance of doing gambling on this Ugadhi day? I am seeing from my childhood days, people keep playing cards all over the city without any fear of cops during these day. Any myth ...
- 1,466
6
votes
1
answer
15k
views
Why do Sabarimala devotees wear Black clothes ?
Black cloth is usual considered inauspicious and not used especially when visiting a temple. But devotee of Ayyappa wears black clothes when they visit Sabarimala. Is there any reason for this ...
- 3,523
3
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Two different names of same gothras
I somewhere heard that same gothras cannot get married. I have a friend who belongs to the gothras Srivatsa loved a boy of gothra Bhargavasa. Is there any possibility that both gothras are same but ...
- 31
2
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Materials to be avoided during Chatur Masa Vrata?
What are the materials should be discarded each month in this 4 month vrata period? Like dal,cumins,milk, curd etc, Vegetable, fruits.
- 4,945
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
What is significance of Shashtanga Namaskaram near Kodimaram/Dwajastambha/flagpole?
Why do we do Shashtanga Namaskara near Kodimaram/Flag Pole/Dwajastamaba ? I often watched people also doing Namaskaram near Garbha Gruha (inner sanctorum)? Please clarify me which one is the right way ...
- 55
6
votes
2
answers
329
views
What are the qualities or attributes that differentiate Sanathana Dharma from other religious faiths?
I would like to know whether there are any ideals or principles in Sanathana Dharma that make it distinctly different from other religious faiths of the world? What qualities or principles does ...
- 61
9
votes
1
answer
18k
views
Why are women advised to tie their hair in temples?
Once when I visited a Durga temple, a man who was giving out flowers to all devotees told me to tie my hair and not leave it open in the temple. I genuinely want to know the reason.
- 231
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
What are the remedies as per Hindu religion to reduce parents curse?
Parents give curse to their children when they are very angry and actually the child also did some work which is beyond the boundary of their society culture, but the child is not wrong. The curse is ...
15
votes
4
answers
231k
views
Is there any significace of twitching of eyes?
Is it true that twitching of eyes indicates something?
Does it give us signal of something good or bad that is going to happen in the future?
What is the significance of left eye twitching and ...
- 872
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
3
votes
1
answer
532
views
Why are there restrictions for women in Hindu temples (in general)? [duplicate]
I am here talking in general & not related to a specific temple or place. Why are women not allowed to touch an idol of God or come near it? Is it related to their menstrual cycle? If so, why is ...
- 361
33
votes
9
answers
19k
views
Vedas and Vedic dharma on homosexuality
This link describes that the Vedas have no problem with homosexuality:
In contemporary India LGBT people face discrimination and marginalization. This results from cultural attitudes imposed by the ...
- 10.5k
10
votes
0
answers
118
views
How does artificial confluence of rivers differ from natural confluence of rivers?
The AP Government linked rivers Krishna and Godavari by artificial means. Given that;
What does this artificial confluence mean according to Hinduism? Does it signify anything in religious or ...
- 31.6k
2
votes
0
answers
242
views
Whenever Goswami's meet, why do they say Aum Namo Narayana?
Whenever two Goswami's meet then why do they say Aum Namo Narayana?
2
votes
1
answer
242
views
Can non brother sisters wish each other Happy Raksha Bandhan?
Can people who are not (and cannot be) brothers and sisters wish each other Happy Raksha Bandhan without tying Rakhis?
People like friends, lovers, spouse etc.
- 463
5
votes
2
answers
9k
views
How do Hindus justify depositing money in a Temple Hundi or giving money during Aarthi?
In almost all Hindu temples there is a Hundi (money pot) where people deposit money or offer it to God during an aarthi. Are they giving money to God? If yes, why? God creates everything, why would He ...
- 215
4
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Why should a person sprinkle water on himself, if he sneezes at a door entrance (Gadapa)?
Why should a person sprinkle water on himself, if he sneezes at a door entrance (Gadapa)?
- 185
13
votes
4
answers
8k
views
What is the relationship between Hinduism and atheism?
I have recently read somewhere that atheism is the pillar of Hinduism.
If Hindus don't believe in God then why do they worship Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Kali etc.?
Is atheism followed by all Hindus ...
- 757
5
votes
1
answer
273
views
A few questions about being Hindu in America [closed]
I am involved in a class focused on studying different civilizations and cultures. I chose to study Indian culture and focused on religion.
If anyone is willing to give me a few answers, I would ...
15
votes
10
answers
51k
views
Should we chant mantras before eating food?
Usually, we pray before having food. Are there any mantras which should be chanted before taking food? If such mantras exist, do they differ according to the meal e.g., breakfast, lunch and supper?
user11
46
votes
3
answers
48k
views
Does Hinduism forbid sexual intercourse before marriage?
Well, I think the Indian society is very orthodox and can't generally accept things like an unmarried girl walking with or talking to a boy.
So is an unmarried girl or boy having sexual intercourse ...
- 8,181
8
votes
2
answers
30k
views
Why don't Hindus enter temples after certain occasions?
We know that if our nearest relatives have passed away, we can't enter temple for 16 days and also if there were any children born, family members and close relative's don't visit temples for 11 days.
...
- 8,181
8
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Where does Atithi Devo Bhava (Guests are equal to Gods) come from?
According to Indian culture, Guests (Atithis) are treated as equal to the God.
Did this originate from Hinduism? If so in which text/scripts is this quote mentioned?
user11
14
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Do Hindus have specific dress code guidelines in their dharma shastras (scriptures)?
Are there any specific teachings related to how Hindus should dress in the public? In Islam, for instance, it has been outlined that women must wear a hijab or nikab. Islam has very clear instructions ...
- 2,480
14
votes
1
answer
259
views
Are there any core invariants to Hinduism?
From what I've seen, Hinduism isn't a religion like most of the other modern ones with many "rules" that you have to follow, it's more of a "pick-your-own-rules" way of doing it. (See: Is there an ...
- 645
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Do Hindus intermarry with other religions?
Are Hindus allowed to marry people of other religions?
If yes, how should they marry someone belonging to a different
religion?
Are the rules different for a man and a woman?
- 2,480