Questions tagged [history]
For questions about the history of Hinduism.
491
questions
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86 views
Has the current day India become a mlecchadeśa? Is it still fit for sacrifices?
Commenting on Manusmṛti 2.23, Medhātithi says:
In fact, the name ‘mlecchadeśa’ is to be taken literally, in the sense that it is ‘the country of mlecchas’; so that if mlecchas happen to conquer a ...
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0answers
26 views
Where are imperishable personalities from Mahabharata?
The characters listed below are Chiranjeevi's or imperishable personalities from Dwaaparayuga that means they are immortal. So where do they exist in Kaliyug? Is there any evidence or documents ...
0
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0answers
40 views
Who is Jalangiman Chetti and what powers did he possess?
Swami Vivekananda in one of his talks mentions a person, Jalangiman Chetti, claiming he acquired some special powers from constant repetition of certain mantras.
Who is this person and what powers ...
6
votes
1answer
120 views
When was the last Ashwamedha yajna conducted?
I have read at few sites that Pushyamitra Shunga (2nd century B.C.) had conducted two Ashwamedha yajnas. Did any king conduct Ashwamedha yagna after Pushyamitra ?
4
votes
2answers
403 views
Is there any religious significance of saffron flag as per our scriptures?
Modern Hindu organisations usually use saffron triangular flag as a unanimously accepted symbol of Hinduism. However, does the flag or colour have any significance as per authentic Hindu scriptures?
2
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0answers
51 views
What is the earliest reference to identifying/differentiating Siddhartha Gautama and the Buddha Avatara?
Hindu scripture describes two Buddha Avataras of Vishnu born to deceive people. One Buddha Avatara took place during the Tripura incident. Another Buddha Avatara took place in the present Kali Yuga. ...
6
votes
1answer
114 views
Did Ramakrishna ever meet Dayanand Saraswati?
I read somewhere(maybe Ramakrishna Kathamrta) that Ramakrishna had a meeting with Dayanand Saraswati(founder of Arya Samaj). Is it true? If so what topics were discussed between then and what ...
2
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0answers
16 views
Has anyone combined Adi Shankaracharya's various purva paksha debates and shastrarthas?
Adi Shankaracharya is well known for his debating skills, I wonder if I can find his debates in written form anywhere.
7
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0answers
118 views
Is there any evidence to support Dayananda Saraswati's unorthodox claim that the medieval Sri Vaishnava scholar Yamunacharya was a Muslim?
Hindu-reformist Dayananda Saraswati claimed that the medieval Sri Vaishnava scholar Yamunacharya was a Greek or Muslim who was originally called "Yavanacharya".
From Life of Dayanand Saraswati:
...
0
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1answer
65 views
Are today's Rajputs descendants of Kshatriyas of previous yugas?
Are today's Rajputs descendants of Kshatriyas of Dwapara Yuga and Treta Yuga?
In Short are Rajputs descendants of Shri Rama, Shri Krishna and Pandavas?
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votes
2answers
205 views
What is the role of Jainism and Buddhism in introducing Vegetarianism to Hinduism?
It is said on multiple occasions that initially Hinduism was not a vegetarian society. From Was Lord Rama a non-vegetarian? :–
I know meat eating is not restricted to any Hindu Caste, while in
...
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2answers
154 views
Hindu scriptures before Mahabharata about thinking capability of head
Consider the following excerpt from the Shalya Parva of The Mahabharata
Indeed, the son of Pandu, filled with rage, struck off that head which
was the root of the evil policy of the Kurus, with ...
1
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0answers
122 views
Does the Kamma caste existing today fall into Sudra Varna?
There was no strict varna system in South India outside Kerala. They had only three classes namely Brahmin, non-Brahmin and Dalit. So their divisions are different from varna system. Since the Brahmin ...
7
votes
1answer
162 views
Charan samaj and their history
I am a chAraN (चारण in Devanagari), we usually call ourselves devi Putra (Son of Devi), we are the sons of Maa hinglaj.
I just want to know more about chAraN, I have seen we are mentioned in Ramayana, ...
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0answers
68 views
Is there any historical evidence that Britishers interpolated Hindu scriptures? [duplicate]
For many years, there is a lot of influence of British in India.
East India Company 1612–1757
Company rule in India 1757–1858
British Raj 1858–1947
Partition of India 1947
...
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0answers
101 views
Who was the earliest Vedic scholar to think that the Upanishads are not part of the Vedas?
It is a belief among some modern Hindus that the Upanishads in general are not part of the Vedas, nor are they Shruti (apaurusheya), and that they were authored after the Samhitas, which are the truly ...
4
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0answers
38 views
Was the Rig Veda organized into “Books” or “Mandalas” before it was written down?
I am reading on Wikipedia about how the Rig Veda was orally passed down "with unparalleled precision". And how it is divided into 10 books, with books 2-7 being the "family" books which are older and ...
5
votes
2answers
180 views
Why are Vedas often referred to as “three Vedas” instead of four? Why is Atharva Veda excluded from this list?
Āpastamba 1.1.28-29: If the proper time for initiation has passed, he shall observe, for the space of two months, the duties of a Student, as observed by those who are studying the three Vedas; after ...
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0answers
29 views
How old is the scripture Maya Samhita?
Maya Samhita is a scripture deals with shilpas.
When this scripture came into existence?
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0answers
74 views
History of the 12 laws of karma
The twelve laws are:
The Great Law: “As you sow, so shall you reap.”
The Law of Creation: “What we desire comes through participation.”
The Law of Humility: “Refusal to accept what is will still be ...
2
votes
2answers
117 views
Which is the first Hindu scripture that mentions about zodiac signs?
The following are the names of zodiac signs
Mesha (Aries),
Vrushabha (Taurus),
Mithuna (Gemini),
Karkat (Cancer),
Simha (Leo),
Kanya (Virgo),
Tula (Libra),
Vrushchika (Scorpio),
Dhanu (Sagittarius),
...
5
votes
1answer
162 views
According to Valmiki Ramayana, was Hanuman a human being or a monkey (vanara)?
Hanuman is one of the central characters of Ramayana. He's revered as a great devotee of Shree Rama and worshiped as an avatar of Shiva. He's also known as the son of Vayu. We see his images, statues, ...
7
votes
1answer
193 views
What was the opinion of Kumarila and Prabhakara about the Puranas?
What was the opinion of Kumarila and Prabhakara, who were proponents of the Jaimini mimamsa, about the Puranas? In context of both mythology and history.
0
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0answers
91 views
Books recommended to learn about atheist and/or agnostic schools of Sanatana Dharma in details
Which books do you recommend to learn about atheist and/or agnostic schools of Sanatana Dharma?
I haven't got any good references.
I have heard about the book known as Sarva Darsana Sangraha written ...
1
vote
2answers
154 views
How is Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda saṃhita different from Śukla Yajurveda?
Are both Śukla and Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda saṃhitas derived from the same parent source or are they totally independent from each other?
Are there any mantras common to both?
4
votes
1answer
130 views
Why do most of the people visit India to achieve high spiritual state or for becoming great?
I am always curious to know why do most of the people visit India to achieve high spiritual state or for becoming great ?
Example Steve Jobs, Mark Zukerburg etc.. the list is long.
6
votes
0answers
139 views
What was Adi Shankara's view on Puranas?
Puranas are the scriptures of Hinduism which are accepted by some people and rejected by some people. There are 18 Mahapuranas which are the most important. The basic theory that puranas are ...
1
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1answer
273 views
Did Adi Shankara persecute Buddhists in Nagarjunakonda?
Neo-Buddhists often claim that Adi Shankaracharya killed many Buddhists and destroyed many Buddhist shrines in Nargarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh. They also say there is a local legend which supports ...
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2answers
799 views
Do RV 8.33.19 and 10.85.30 suggest women should wear a veil in the presence of men?
Some answers to What do Hindu scriptures say about women headscarf (hijab)? on Quora.com cite these verses from the Rigveda that seem to suggest Hindu women should wear a head veil:
God made you ...
2
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0answers
64 views
Who were the people that thought Śaṅkarācārya was the author of Bhagavad-gītā?
In his lecture Thoughts on the Gita, Swami Vivekananda says the following. I'm interested in the part that's in bold.
THOUGHTS ON THE GITA
The book known as the Gita forms a part of the ...
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1answer
109 views
When avatar concept got introduced in Hinduism?
Vedas do not talk about avatars. When and why this concept got introduced in Hinduism?
5
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1answer
470 views
Were there religious wars in Hinduism itself? As it was the case for Christian between Catholics and Protestants?
An introduction would be better I guess to understand my initiative. I am new here. I am French, and most of the French people do not understand English. So, I want to bring some knowledge to French ...
1
vote
1answer
116 views
What is the historical origin of Bhakti?
In the Vedas, Karma Marga (path of action) and Gayn Marga (path of knowledge) are described. Upanishads (Vedanta or the end part of the Veda) talks about the path of knowledge, while the earlier Vedic ...
2
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2answers
87 views
What is the historical origin of Yoga?
We all know that Patanjali systematized the Yoga. However, he merely systematized the practices that were already there. What is the historical origin of Yoga?
3
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0answers
139 views
Sthala Purana of the Thiruneermalai Temple
In the Divya Desam called Thiruneermalai, Lord Vishnu resides in four different forms:
a) Sri Neervanna Perumal (literally meaning, Lord with the complexion of water)
b) Sri Ranganatha
c) Sri ...
6
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0answers
60 views
Who are these first commentators on Bhagavata?
Sridhara Svami's Bhavartha dipika is the oldest full commentary extant now. Before Sridhara, however Madhvacharya commented whose commentary is also extant called Bhagavata Tattparya Nirnaya. It is a ...
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0answers
34 views
Who is the first commentator Vishvesvara on Gopala Tapani upanishad?
The first commentator and the only pre gaudiya commentator on Gopala Tapani Upanishad is Vishvesvara. I could find no information about him. His' is mix of monism and theistic commentary as Gopala ...
2
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1answer
155 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, ...
3
votes
1answer
109 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
135 views
What is the story of origin of Yoga?
There is a story about the origin of yoga by Maharishi Patanjali and how he gave the knowledge of Yoga to mankind.
What is that story and what is the significance of it?
2
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0answers
153 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
169 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
1answer
328 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
126 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
241 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. ...
3
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0answers
63 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
292 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,...
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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
299 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
241 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 ...
