Questions tagged [puranas]

Puranas (Sanskrit: पुराण) are ancient Hindu texts eulogizing various deities, primarily the divine Trimurti God in Hinduism through divine stories. Questions pertaining to the 18 mahapuranas can use this tag.

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

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?
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Why can Garuda Purana be read on specific days only?

Is there any reason behind the restriction that Garuda Purana should only be read during normal days (i.e., when there's no death in the family)? My elders told me that it should be only read on the ...
WarriorPrince's user avatar
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Why did Goddess Lakshmi choose Lord Vishnu as her consort?

Lakshmi is also called Sri. Lakshmi personifies wealth, riches, beauty, happiness, grace, charm and splendour. She was born from the churning of the primordial ocean (Samudra manthan) and she chose ...
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Why does Lord Ganesha have a mouse as his vehicle?

How did Lord Ganesha get a mouse as his vehicle? Is there a story behind this? And what does the mouse signify?
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When was Shiva a disciple of sage Angiras?

One of the most famous wars between the gods and the Asuras (demons) was the Tarakamaya war. The war was started when Chandra the moon god kidnapped Tara, wife of Brihaspati guru of the gods. (...
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What is the story of Vishnu's incarnation Hari, who rescued the elephant Gajendra?

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 ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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Is ‘Vayu Purāṇa’ a synonym for the Shiva Purāṇa and what is the reason for it having two names?

The Matsya Purāṇa, while enlisting the 18 mahapuranas says the following with reference to the fourth one, also known as the Shri Shiva Purāṇa With reference to the Śvetakalpa, the dharma which Vayu ...
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Which Scriptures say that by chanting Lord's name during the time of one's death one can attain "Moksha"?

In Bhagawat Gita Sri Krishna says that one who remembers the Supreme Lord and Pranava(OM) while dying reaches the higher states of bliss or the Supreme Lord Himself. ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मा...
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On what basis are puranas named?

There are puranas like Brahma purana, Skanda purana, Shiva Purana, Garuda purana. On what basis are these names given to the puranas? Is it that the puranas talk about some god or is that some god ...
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Story of Purandara Indra

Every kalpa has 14 manvantaras and each manvantara has an Indra. Name of current Indra is Purandhara. Anybody knows, previous life of the current Indra Purandara? How exactly he became qualified to ...
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Why did Sri Ramanuja refuse to hail Shiva? What was the need to prove that Vishnu is the one true God?

I was reading the history of Sri Ramanuja, the Vaishnava saint. Apparently, he was in hiding in fear of a Chola King. The Chola king was a worshiper of Shiva as opposed to Ramanuja who is a Vishnu ...
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Why does Vishnu have eight arms when Krishna and Arjuna go to see him?

Most people only know of occasions in which two different incarnations of Vishnu met, for instance the encounter of Rama and Parashurama as described in the Bala Kanda of the Ramayana. What is not as ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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What are the differences among Rakshasas, Daityas, Danawas, Pisachas?

Puranas say that these species are born from different wives of Maharshi Kashyapa. Kashyapa + Danu = Danavas Kashyapa + Diti = Daityas Kashyapa + Krodhavasa = Pisachas In Hymn 87 of the tenth ...
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What are the names of the Kalpas as mentioned in Srimad Bhagavat Mahapurana or in any other scriptures?

Kalpa is a period of time as per Hindu scriptures - each Brahma Rules over various Kalpas, each Kalpa consisting of 14 Manvantaras. Can I have the names of all the Kalpas? NOTE: I want the names of ...
Suresh Ramaswamy's user avatar
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What is the Yogic meaning of getting liberation by reaching Varanasi?

Varanasi which is also known by the name Kashi is one of the the most sacred place. It is also known as Avimukta which means which is never forsaken by Shiva. अविमुक्तं स्वयं लिङ्गं स्थापितं परमा...
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Was Arjuna left-handed?

Was Arjuna left-handed in his warrior skills? What about other great warriors of the epics like Karna, Bhishma, Drona, Rama and Laxmana? Will left-handedness or right-handedness ever matter in ...
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Where does the Linga Purana declare Vishnu to be the supreme soul?

As I discuss in this answer, one of the early movements that was important to the development of Vaishnavism was the ancient Pancharatra movement, whose sacred texts consisted of detailed procedures ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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Absence of names of days in scriptures. Why?

As far as I know, the names of the days e.g., Sunday, Monday, etc. are not found in scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam. Say you want to find the day of week of Krishna's birth, it is not available. Do ...
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How is Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, described in Hindu scriptures?

Sacred Mount Kailash (कैलाश) is the abode of Lord Shiva. Shiva, who embodies the destroyer aspect of the trinity of God {Trimurti} is said to reside at Mt. Kailash. How is this Kailash mountain ...
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Why was the Samudra Manthan performed?

There was a mention of "Samudra Manthan" (the churning of the ocean) in Hindu mythology. Why was it performed? Please also mention the items which resulted from the churning, with a small explanation ...
Mr_Green's user avatar
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Which Shastras are more authoritative,the Smritis(Dharma Shastras) or the Puranas?

In Hindu Dharma the Vedas,Upanishads,6 Vedangas,Smritis(or the Dharma Shastras),Puranas and the Itihasas(Ramayana and Mahabhartha) are usually together called the Shastras or Scriptures. Among them, ...
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Why there are numerous contradictions about origin of universe and other creations in Hinduism?

Rig Veda 10.90 says Earth, Sky, heaven, and other creatures were created from Purusha's body. Yajur Veda 14.28 says something different. With one they praised; creatures were produced…With five ...
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Difference between Jeeva and Atman

I have read in an forum that Jeeva means Soul or individual self. Typically it contains seven layers(koshas).It is the one who was shackled in prakriti(Maya). On death of physical body it gets new ...
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Yogic liberation like raising kundalini vs Bhakti path

I read that by raising kundalini the serpent power to crown chakra , one can attain state of samadhi , which leads to liberation. My question is , how exactly this liberation compares with 6 type of ...
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What happened to the body of elephant whose head was attached to Lord Ganesha?

What happened to the body of elephant whose head was attached to Lord Ganesha and what is the name of the place where the head of Lord Ganesha fall?
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Is Shiva gita same as Ishvara Gita?

Is Shiva gita same as Ishvara Gita or are they different? What is its relationship with Kurma purana? Is Shiva gita an authoritative scripture/pramana for any shaivite sect (agamic or non-agamic ...
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What is the difference between Puranas, Upapuranas and Mahapuranas?

Is there any difference between Puranas, Upapuranas and Mahapuranas? What should we follow?
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How do gods/devatas procreate?

I have found people claiming that gods do not procreate like humans but procreate without any bodily union on Quora, does this idea have scriptural backing?
Anisha's user avatar
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What is the source of the legend of Vyāghrapāda?

Which Hindu scripture narrates the story of Vyāghrapāda (the name literally means tiger-footed)? From Wikipedia: Vyaghrapada was a rishi and he was entrusted with the task of picking up fresh ...
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1 answer
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Guidelines inside any south Indian temple

South Indian temples are a lot different from North Indian temples. When we enter into the temple, there are lot of other gods and demi gods inside. Some people go straight to see the 'Moolavar'(the ...
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Which sage will learn the Vishnu Purana at the end of the Kali Yuga?

The sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa (or Vyasa for short) is generally viewed as the author of the 18 Puranas. But actually the sage Parashara, Vyasa's father, authored two of them, the Vishnu ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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What scriptures mention Shiva's Dakshinamurthi form?

One of the most popular forms of Shiva worshipped in South India is the sage Dakshinamurthi, whose name literally means "the South-facing form". Dakshinamurthi is the subject of the famous ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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2 answers
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Why is the mantra Gananam Tva Ganapatim used to worship Lord Ganesha?

There is a popular mantra which people use to worship Lord Ganesha which is as: ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् । ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणाम् ब्रह्मणस्पत आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिःसीदसादनम् ॥...
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What all Hindu scriptures advocate The Golden Rule? And what is the oldest Hindu scripture to advocate it?

According to Wikipedia, The Golden Rule, treat others as you treat yourself, is common to most world religions. Here are a couple of references from Hindu scripture: One should never do that to ...
Say No To Censorship's user avatar
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2 answers
1k views

What are the valid and foolproof methods of determining whether a certain scripture is interpolated or not?

It is believed that certain Hindu Scriptures (specially portions of some of the Puranas) were interpolated on a date much after its original creation. Such interpolated texts are often used by small ...
Rickross's user avatar
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What scriptures describe Vyasa's son Shuka creating a duplicate of himself?

It's well-known that the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam have apparent discrepancies in regard to Vyasa's son Shuka. In particular, this chapter of the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata describes ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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Was Krishna a non-vegetarian?

We know Sri Krishna was a Kshatriya. Besides He had weapons with Him which were used to hunt animals. Can we hence categorically state that he was a non-vegetarian? If so, why do we offer vegetarian ...
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Where does the Devi Bhagavata Mahapurana state that it is the best among the 18 main Puranas?

The importance of the Devi Bhagavata Mahapurana can be ascertained from the following two passages: The Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, also known as Devi Purana, was composed into 12 chapters, ...
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What is the story of Indra attacking Lord Shiva on his neck?

In this chapter of Anushashana Parva of Mahabharata Lord Shiva tells the reason why his neck is blue. He states: देवकार्यार्थ सिद्ध्धयर्थम् पिनाकं मे करे स्थितम् ।। इन्द्रेण च पुरा वज्रं क्षिप्तं ...
Tezz's user avatar
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Why are there different classes of पुराणs (Puranas)?

The Padma Purana mentions that the eighteen Puranas are divided into three groups of six: Sattvika, Rajasika, and Tamasika. Why do the Rajasika and Tamasika Puranas exist at all? Does the Padma Purana ...
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Is there a Hindu Scripture that prescribes monogamy?

Polygamy in Vedas Krishna Yajur Veda 6.5.1.4 therefore as one goes many follow; therefore one becomes superior among many; therefore one wins many wives Polygamy in Ithihas: Mahabharata Adi Parva 1....
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Do we have any account of Nand and Yashoda's daughter's afterlife?

In Shreemad Bhagavatam, we have read that infant Krishna was replaced by an infant girl by Vasudeva. This girl was the daughter of Nanda and Yashoda and when Kansa tried to kill that girl she changed ...
Aby's user avatar
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Are there any Puranas that corresponds to a Kalpa where Brahma creates Vishnu?

According to the thirteenth chapter of the Vayavivasamhita of the Shiva Purana, Brahma has created Vishnu and Rudra in certain Kalpas: Vayu said, I shall narrate how Rudra was born and how Brahma ...
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12 votes
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Is there any mention of a fountain of youth in the Purans?

The concept of the fountain of youth is common in many other religions. Are there any similar mentions in Hindu purans? (I searched quite a lot, but I did not find any. Perhaps it is known by a ...
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How do Dvaitins interpret the Advaita-sounding prayer of Prahlada?

In this chapter of the Vishnu Purana, Prahlada is thrown off a cliff and into the sea by Hiranyakashipu's men. Unfazed by this, he prays to Vishnu: I glorify the supreme deity Vishńu, the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
4k views

Resurrection stories in Hindu scriptures?

Christians claim the resurrection story to be very unique. Is there any story in Puranas , where anyone died and resurrected after dying. And also is there is any parallel story of someone raising ...
Pythagorean Mystic's user avatar
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What is Ganga Devi's marital status?

Was Ganga Devi married to someone? Is she a wife of Lord Shiva, because he adorns Ganga Devi on his head which could mean that she is Shiva's wife? I've also heard that Bhishma Pitamaha from ...
Madhusudhanan's user avatar
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Do Shaivites believe in something greater than Sadashiva?

In this excerpt from the Vayaviya Samhita of the Shiva Purana, various time scales are described: Brahma's one day is equivalent to a kalpa. He is of unmanifest origin. A thousand kalpas make a ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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Who wrote or composed (put together) the Puranas?

I want to know who has written our Puranas? Where in our scriptures, is it mentioned about the author? Are the Puranas created and composed ('put together out of existing material') by the same person(...
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Why isn't a human the vahana (vehicle) of any God?

The Hindu texts are replete with references (in Puranas) of deities using a particular animal as their primary vehicle (Vahana). For example: Ganesha - the Mouse. Shiva - an Ox (Nandi). Karthikeyan - ...
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