Questions tagged [history]
For questions about the history of Hinduism.
2
votes
1answer
132 views
Does the transliteration of 'Dravidian' exist in Hindu scripture? Does 'Dravida' refer to a Geographical area or an ethnic group?
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, ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
Who are the Samaneans?
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
95 views
Was Nityananda Mahaprabhu a non-vegeterian?
Mahaprabhu Nitayananda took sannyasa at an early age. As per the Sri Sri Chaitanya-Bhagavata, the first authentic biography of Sri Chaitanya by Srila Vrindavana Das Thakura, Sri Advaita Acharya says ...
4
votes
1answer
132 views
Who are called Yavanas?
The purport of sloka 213 of chapter 18 of the Madhya-khanda of Sri Chaitanya-Charitamrita reads
The word yavana means "meat-eater." Anyone from a meat-eating community is called a yavana. One who ...
1
vote
0answers
37 views
Is there any relation between Trailanga Swami and Kulandai Swami?
Sri KulandaiAnanda Swamigal:
According a current biography of Sri Trailanga Swami, He and Sri Kulandai Ananda Swamigal (Who left His body in Madurai) are one and the same. Some websites also supports ...
2
votes
1answer
98 views
Was there really a caste system in vedic period as it is perceived today by many? [duplicate]
With little to no knowledge of our scriptures now, can a person born in a brahmin family can rightfully be called a brahmin just by the virtue of his birth in that family?
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Why do Brahmins have such surnames?
In Uttar Pradesh Brahmins have common surnames as Chaturvedi alias Chaubey, Dwivedi alias Dubey and Trivedi. Are these surnames which have "Vedi" included in them have something to do with the Vedas. ...
-1
votes
0answers
40 views
In what ways did Adi Shankara reform Hinduism?
Wikipedia lists Adi Shankara among Hindu reformers.
But what exactly did he reform?
3
votes
0answers
30 views
What work on Sharanagati did Thirukannamangai Andan compose?
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. The 4000 verses of the Alwars were compiled by ...
5
votes
2answers
262 views
Does ISKCON identify itself as a Hindu organization?
Koenraad Elst in Who is a Hindu? claims the following:
6.7. Are travelling gurus Hindus?
...
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) generally denies that it is Hindu,...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
Sankaracharya's philosophical 'Sarvagnapeetha' event at Kashmir
What historically authenticated records of this Adi-Sankarācharya's event exist now ? i.e., before he established Shankara Mutt at KedarNath?
When was it conducted, who were the organizers and ...
3
votes
1answer
207 views
Does Ramakrishna Mission consider itself a Hindu organisation?
Back in 1980s, Ramakrishna Mission tried to separate legally from Hinduism in order to consider itself as a separate religion (Ramakrishnaism). They claimed various philosophical differences. Like:
...
3
votes
2answers
135 views
What is the birth-place of Sri Chaitanyadeva?
There are "birth-place" temples of Sri Chaitanyadeva at Navadvip and Mayapur,one at the east side and another at the west side of the Ganges.Which place seems authentic? I am interested in knowing the ...
3
votes
0answers
50 views
Which Mleccha race do Thenkalais think Thirumangai Alwar was descended from?
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their devotional poetry in praise of Vishnu. It is the beliefs and principles ...
2
votes
1answer
159 views
What was the population of India in the age of Lord Krishna?
What was the population of India in the age of Lord Krishna? Was it still overcrowded like it is now? We all know its overpopulated now but was it the same previously?
5
votes
0answers
157 views
Which Sri Vaishnava Acharya drew this world map based on the Mahabharata?
This picture, showing a world map based on the Mahabharata, is often circulated on the Internet:
It’s based on this chapter and subsequent chapters of the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata. But my ...
2
votes
3answers
120 views
Complete biography/hagiography of Ramanujacharya
Where I can get the complete biography/hagiography of Ramanujacharya, which contains all the details of his life and deeds, right from his birth, till his passing away? Fantastic accounts are also ...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
History of Brahmin's diet
What is the history of brahmana diet?
Brahmins are generally vegetarians but there are some exceptions to it such as Pancha-Gauda Brahmans, Kashmiri Brahmans, and Oriya Brahmins?
So why is there so ...
4
votes
0answers
54 views
Where did Thirumangai Alwar meet Narasimha?
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. One of the Alwars was Thirumangai Alwar, aka ...
1
vote
2answers
207 views
Are mythologies real (historical) or merely allegorical?
Are all mythologies real or are they stories or symbolic things meant to teach us something higher?
I know that we (individuals) too are not so real as far as Vedanta is concerned. All is one. But ...
2
votes
2answers
138 views
Was Gaudiya Vaishnavism influenced by Madhwa's teachings?
I read that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had met and was guided by Sri Vyasa Tirtha.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyasatirtha
If this is true, are there Gaudiya doctrines/practices that are influenced by ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Can firm calendar dates be assigned to scriptures and events described in them?
A book I read recently says that the only firm date is the history of ancient India is the invasion of Alexander (327-326 B.C.).
Can anything more be said about this?
5
votes
1answer
213 views
Did Max Müller actually distort Hindu scriptures in his translations?
This answer claims:
It is also said that Müller was hired by the British East Indian Company only to distort Hindu scriptures.
But did Müller actually distort Hindu scriptures? If yes, how exactly ...
2
votes
2answers
175 views
Did the great Vedic scholar Sayanacharya reincarnate as Max Muller who propagated Aryan Invasion Theory?
Swami Vivekananda has claimed that the great Vedic scholar Sayanacharya, who wrote a commentary on the Vedas, had reincarnated as the infamous Max Muller.
Does this claim have any basis?
From what ...
6
votes
1answer
110 views
Where is the account of Ramanuja recovering the Melkote idol from the Delhi Sultan originally recorded?
I have heard that Ramanuja went to Delhi to ask for the idol after it had been plundered. The idol was in a room with other plundered items but when he called out its name the idol came and sat on ...
2
votes
1answer
202 views
When did Vaishnavites start wearing Urdhva Pundram?
Did Ramanuja introduce the Namam? What did Vaishnavites wear before that?
2
votes
1answer
92 views
What are the dates of Subala and Mudgala Upanishads?
Scholarly opinion is as follows:
https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Mudgala_Upanishad.html
The author or composition date of Mudgala Upanishad is unknown. Jan ...
5
votes
2answers
68 views
Why do people put warm clothes on idol in winter?
I notice people put warm clothes on idols in winter time. Is this a personal practise or is it supposed to be followed?
6
votes
0answers
40 views
who is Audulomi who appears in Brahmasutras?
What is the history of Audulomi who appears in Brahmasutras of Vyasa
5
votes
0answers
143 views
What was the lifestyle of Gaudapada?
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
63 views
Which came first, dharma śāstras and smṛtis or the people that followed them?
This is a chicken-and-egg problem.
Did the dharma śāstras and smṛtis come first and then people started following them or people already had some unwritten rules and they were then codified into ...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Who was the king who argued with Adi Shankaracharya using karma siddantha (law of karma)?
What is the name of the king who debated with Adi Shankaracharya against Advaita and supporting karma siddhantha (law of karma)?
Which authentic text contains the discussion between them?
2
votes
1answer
64 views
Where are drona and shiva used as meters, what other meters are there similarly?
I learned recently about Koorathaazhvar and Kulothunga Chola's apparent argument, although I'm not interested in the context it was used, I'm curious about the question, as what and when are these ...
4
votes
0answers
91 views
Was Nathamuni originally an Ekadandi Sanyasi?
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
38 views
Who divided/rearranged the brāhmaṇas, āraṇyakas and upaniṣads?
According to SB 12.6.50 it appears Vyāsa (Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana) only rearranged the Vedic mantras into four parts:
50. Just as (out of a heap of mixed up)
precious stones of the same kind are ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Is Vyāsa being the compiler/divider/arranger of Vedas recorded anywhere in the Vedas themselves?
There are several Purāṇic references, e.g., SB 12.6.50 that say Vyāsa (Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana) arranged the disorganized Vedic mantras into four parts:
50. Just as (out of a heap of mixed up)
precious ...
3
votes
1answer
106 views
Which saints or Yogis from history are recorded to have done Parakaya Pravesha successfully?
Parakaya Pravesha is an advanced level Yogic Siddhi (accomplishment) obtained by certain adept Yogis. By virtue of which these Yogis can enter other's bodies.
Adi Shankaracharya mastered this Siddhi ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
How is the date of Aryabhata calculated?
Kali Yuga is said to start at around 3000 BCE because Aryabhata said he is living 3600 years into Kali Yuga.
But how do we know when Aryabhata lived?
4
votes
0answers
82 views
Who coined the term “neo-vedanta?”
Some folks on this site are saying:
This term was invented by Western Christian orientalists to denigrate the Hindu religion...
Paul Hacker coined Neo-Vedanta for spread of Christianity and ...
4
votes
0answers
60 views
Did Ramanujacharya perform Sharanagati in Madhurantakam?
The Gadya Trayam is a set of three prose hymns composed by the famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya on the subject of Sharanagati or complete surrender to Vishnu as a means of attaining Moksha. ...
1
vote
1answer
100 views
Why does the Apsara Menaka keep abandoning her children?
It is well known that Menaka had a daughter with Vishvamitra by the name of Shakuntala, whom she abandoned during infancy because she didn't intend to have the child. This daughter was later adopted ...
4
votes
0answers
49 views
Who is King Yavana mentioned in Anushasana Parva of Mahabharat?
In Anushasana Parva (165), Bhishma tells Yudhishthira about the names of the deities, Rishis and Kings to be duly recited for efficacious cleansing of all sins. The following is the (abbreviated) ...
5
votes
0answers
50 views
Are there references to Mesopotamia in Hindu scripture?
It has been proven through archaeological discovery of seals and artifacts that the Indus Valley Civilization traded with the civilizations of Mesopotamia, such as Sumer.
Sumer and the IVC existed ...
2
votes
0answers
26 views
Is the Battle of 10 kings mentioned in the Puranas or Itihasas?
Do the Puranas or Itihasas talk about the Battle of 10 kings mentioned in the Rig Veda Samhita?
Since this is a historical event, it might be mentioned in the Puranas.
0
votes
0answers
43 views
Diet directives (meals how many times in a day) for Brahmans in ancient era [duplicate]
I recently heard that in ancient times, rishis, brahmans had a directive to have meals only once in a day. This was primarily because of the sedentary lifestyle involving acts such as yajna, homa, ...
4
votes
0answers
176 views
Chowdeshwari Devi's mantra shakti used by the king for daily rituals?
From the wiki article:
Hundreds of years ago, it is said, that there was a kingdom called Nandavara on the banks of the river Tunga in Karnataka near Raichur district, or another namesake village ...
2
votes
0answers
33 views
Historical evidence for time period of Nathamuni
Alkondaville Govindacharya's work on the life of Ramanujacharya mentions that Nathamuni lived for a total of 540 years (pg 12). The book begins by stating that in the year 916 A.D. when Yamunacharya ...
6
votes
3answers
224 views
Was Adi-Shankara initiated into Kriya Yoga?
There is a general belief that Adi Shankara was initiated into Kriya Yoga by Mahavatar babaji who is said to be living in the Himalayas. But do we have any authentic reference from our ancient texts ...
1
vote
0answers
70 views
At which point in time did Hinduism begin to embrace vegetarianism exactly?
I was watching a BBC documentary where they claimed that early Rig Vedic writers (early Brahmins) practiced "horse sacrifice" and were indeed non vegetarians. So at what point did they decide to ...
3
votes
1answer
121 views
Guarding of women's quarter in the later Vedic and Puranic eras
We come to learn from the Mahabharata and various puranas that Krishna had 16,000 or 16,100 wives besides his 8 principal consorts. Is there any direct or indirect reference in any of the major/minor ...
