Questions tagged [scripture]
For questions about the holy texts of Hinduism. Please also use a more specific tag (e.g. [vishnu-purana]) if possible.
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Are there any references to Gravity in Hindu Scriptures?
Are there any references to Gravity or any fundamental forces in Hindu Scriptures viz. Vedas, Upanishands and Puranas or any Scientific Vedic Scriptures?
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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 ...
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What are some online sources to get unabridged Hindu Scriptures or to learn Hinduism?
What are some good websites to find unabridged versions of Hindu Scriptures and to learn Hinduism (with proper interpretations)?
Also, see:
Where can I find/get basic information about Hinduism on ...
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Reference to the 7 chakras in Hinduism
Where are the details about the 7 chakras mentioned in Hindu scriptures?
What is their significance?
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What is the basis for worshipping Sai Baba? Are there are references to him in the Vedas or other Vedic literature?
Recently, Dwarka Shankaracharya, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati stirred controversy by claiming that since Shirdi Sai was a human and that there are no mention of him any Hindu scripture, he shouldn't ...
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What is the story behind the Brahmasthra? Was it actually ever fired?
In different Puranas there are mentions of the Brahmasthra which is one of the powerful weapons capable of destroying the whole world. I have seen usually in Purana TV serials, these astras (arrows) ...
user11
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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 ...
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What is Hinduism's view on porn?
What is Hinduism's view on porn?
Please include verses to back it up.
If there are no verses than what are the opinions of general public or people known in the research area?
https://en.wikipedia....
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Are there any scriptures that portray Lord Rama to be the source of all incarnations including Lord Vishnu?
There are many verses in the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana which are used by Krishna-centric Vaishnava traditions to show that Lord Krishna is the source of all incarnations, ...
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How to start reading Bhagavad Gita?
I always wanted to read Bhagavad Gita but didn't get time. Recently one of my friend suggested to read it.
I have the following questions:
Can anybody suggest me how to get started with Bhagavad ...
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Complete English translations of Puranas
Some English translations of Puranas can be found online here:
Vishnu purana
(a) Garuda purana (abridged)
(b) Garuda purana (full)
Bagavata Purana
(a) Shiva Purana (b) Online proofread edition
Linga ...
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What are the Hindu scriptures which every Hindu should abide by?
In Christianity, one has the holy Bible and in Islam one has the holy Quran. Which scriptures should a Hindu always follow? Which scripture can a Hindu look up for references?
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Are there other Brahmas and universes?
Lord Brahma is said to be the creator of Earth but what about other planets? Who created them?
I have heard that for every planet there is a creator like Brahma.
I have also seen an incident in Shri ...
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Where is the mention of 'Shiva is Supreme Lord of Vishnu and Vishnu is Supreme Lord of Shiva'?
There is a popular verse:
शिवाय विष्णुरूपाय शिवरूपाय विष्णवे ।
शिवस्य हृदयं विष्णुर्विष्णोश्च हृदयं शिवः ॥
“Shivaya VishnuRoopaya , Shivarupaya Vishnave , Shivasya hirdayam VishnurVishnoscha ...
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What were the ages of Pandavas & other characters during the Mahabharata war?
I have not found any specific reference to the age of each of the Pandavas, like Arjuna and Bheema when they fought the epic Mahabharata battle.
It will be also interesting to know the age of Bhishma ...
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At what age was Lord Krishna killed by the hunter?
Does anyone know at what age Lord Krishna was killed by the hunter (the rebirth of Vali)?
Are there any scriptural references available for this?
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How to read Hindu Scriptures.?
Ok, I understand there are lot of Hindu scriptures.
How to read them?
I wish to read them for.:
meditation
to gain wisdom/knowledge
raise positive vibrational energy
but most importantly break out ...
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Time travel in Hindu scripture
A text says that a king named Kakudmi time-traveled in a two-way trip (Earth ⇒ Brahmaloka and Brahmaloka ⇒ Earth). It also says that there is a difference in frequency of times at different places in ...
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Can a Sudra become a Brahmin in 'this' birth?
Scriptures have remedy for everything. Various mantras various austerities can give us miraculous position. For eg. It is possible to become Indra (who is King of Heaven) by performing 100 Ashwamedha ...
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Which scripture is the source of the verse "janmana jayate shudrah.. " (everyone is born a shudra)?
Janmanā jāyate śūdraḥ saṁskārad bhaved dvijaḥ
This is the verse in question which means:
Everyone is born a shudra and by samskara one upgrades to dvija status.
Is it the Bhagavata Purana that ...
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What are the Agama scriptures? Are they related to Shruti/Vedas?
I know that Hindu scriptures classified as Shruti and Smriti but don't know much about Aagama.
I would like to know about Agama Scripture:
What are the Agama Scriptures?
Are they related to Vedas?
...
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What is the shape of Earth according to Hindu scriptures?
What is the shape of Earth according to Hindu scriptures?
It is widely believed that the round shape of Earth was known for a long time. Although, is this mentioned at any specific place?
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Did Hindu scriptures predict Muhammad and/or Jesus?
There are some claims that ancient Hindu scriptures have mentioned Jesus Christ or the Prophet Muhammad.
BBC - "Hinduism: Jesus in Hinduism"
"Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Hindu scriptures" at Islam101
...
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What scriptures describe Shanta as Dasharatha's daughter?
Most people are only familiar with Dasharatha's four sons - Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. But there is a common story that Dasharatha also had a daughter. The story as I understand it ...
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Is there any scripture that tells story about Lord Vishnu and MahaVishnu?
As per the Shiva Purana, there is a main God Shiva who is Nirakara and thereafter his physical manifestation who is known as Shankara. I know that different Hindu texts about different Gods treat ...
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Why is Lord Shiva called Pashupati? Who are the Pashus?
Pashu means those whose which are tied and thus Pashupati literally means Lord of those which are tied. Pashu also means Cattles/Animals, and Pashupati also means Lord of Animals
The name PashuPati ...
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What to do when scriptures go against conscience?
TL;DR WHAT TO DO WHEN SCRIPTURES GO AGAINST CONSCIENCE?
What to do when Parshara Smriti go against my conscience? How can I treat a chandala (I do not even know what that means, except that it is a ...
user17858
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Why is madhu (honey) considered a prohibited food in brahmacharya?
Quoting from the Agni Purana, as found on this page, while discussing the proper conduct of students (brahmacharis), it is stated that:
The first stage in life is that of brahmacharya (student-hood)...
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How old is earth according to Hinduism?
I'm just curious to know, How old is earth according to hinduism?
As of science it is 4,500,000,000.
If we calculate this 4.5 billion years into Hinduism, 1041 Mahayugas, which is equal to 1 kalpa ...
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What do we know about the future Mahayugas?
Background:
The four Yugas (Satya, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali) together make up one Mahayuga. 1000 Mahayugas make up one Kalpa, which is one day in the life of Brahma. After the Kalpa is over Brahma ...
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What is difference between Shruti and Smriti?
The Hindu texts are classified in Shruti (श्रुति) and Smriti (स्मृति). I want to know:
What is the difference between Shruti and Smriti?
What scriptures are included in Shruti & in Smriti?
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Who are Pancha brahmas' Lalita Devi sits on and Why are they called so?
Lalita Sahasranama(the thousand names of Lalitha tripura Sundari) is a hymn found in the Uttara Khanda of Brahmanda Purana. In the Lalitha sahasranama, one of the names is
Pañcabrahmāsanasthitā
...
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Do some people have more Grace of God and some have less?
There are millions of people in the world, some are more successful and reach their goals while some try hard to reach their goals or their favorable profession, but fail to; or some people are more ...
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When does a soul lose its memory of its previous birth?
I have studied in our texts that a soul will have the memory of its previous births after death, and before birth. My question is when does the soul lose its memory when entering into a body for a ...
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What is good karma? What is bad karma? Who defines it?
Who defines 'good' or 'bad' karma - like this is bad and this is good?
It depends on time or generation?
Is there any book, Veda or any other holy book, where it's defined?
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Why did Lord Shiva take 44 avatars if his primary role is to be the destroyer?
Lord Maha Vishnu is the protector of whole universe and he said that he will take avatars whenever there is degradation of righteousness on this planet.
Famous dashavatars are the avatars of Lord ...
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Which scripture contains the famous Ganesha Sloka "Vakratunda Mahakaya..."?
The following Sloka(in bold ) is probably the most popular among all Ganapaty Slokas
"Vakratunda Mahaakaaya Surya Koti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva sarva Karyesu Sarvada".
Meaning:O ...
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What is the significance of the saffron color?
Hindu sanyasis/monks wear saffron colored robes. Is there any scriptural reasons for saffron? Or is it just cultural since Buddhist monks also wear saffron ?
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How do the Vedas survive during the dissolution of the Universe?
Lord Shiva destroys the entire Universe when the Mahakalpa ends. Brahma too attains Moksha in that pralaya.
Vedas in their personal form are also present in Brahmaloka along with Brahma. For eg. ...
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What is "Brahm" in "Brahmacharya"? How does it relate to celibacy?
My perception was that, "Brahm"(ब्रह्म) in "Brahmacharya"(ब्रह्मचर्य) is the same "Brahm", which is referred in Gita at many places. In this site, we mainly refer it as "Brahman" (ब्रह्मन्). And "...
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"Once Yogi, Twice Bhogi, Thrice Rogi" -- What should be the number of meals per day?
There is a famous saying in Hindi, which translates to:
"In a day -- A person in Yoga (Yogi - SAtvika) eats 1 time, A Consumer (Bhogi - RAjasika) eats 2 times and and a Sick (Rogi - TAmasika) ...
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What names of Lord Shiva used today are from Vedas?
Generally people have a severe misconception that Shiva is represented by the name 'Rudra' only in Vedas. Various names used today used for Lord Shiva are from Vedas.
Some names are only in Puranas ...
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In which scriptures can we find the original stories of the Mahavidyas?
The Dash Mahavidyas are an enigmatic group of goddesses worshiped majorly in the Tantrik disciplines but except Kali, the origins of most are unclear. In which scriptures can we find more about the ...
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What is Hinduism's view on abortion?
What do Hindu scriptures says about abortion ("a deliberate termination of pregnancy")?
Was it a sin at some point in the past? If so, why?
Have any modern Hindu gurus, like Vivekananda, Ramakrishna ...
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Do Hindus believe in Adam and Eve? If not, who is the first person (man or woman) in this world?
Does any Hindu scripture mention anything about Adam and Eve?
According to Hinduism, who is the first person (man or woman) in this world?
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Does Hinduism give preference to scriptural injunctions over own logical thought in day to day activities?
We face many situations in our daily life. Starting from morning to night. We also face situations where we have to make decisions to get out of those situations. Should we follow what the ...
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According to Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna is the ultimate God. So why are there other beliefs in Hinduism?
I am talking about monotheism and polytheism. When we refer to bagavat Gita we can see that bagvan gives answer to this, he is the creator, preserver and destroyer.
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What scriptures say that Lord Shiva sits in Smashan (Cremation Grounds)?
Lord Shiva is depicted as sitting in Smashanam.
Which Hindu Scriptures say this? Why does he sit in Smashan?
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Any references where varna/caste is determined independent of birth/parentage?
Is there any incidence or statement in the scriptures which shows that varna/caste was not deduced from birth/parentage, and was deduced only from "qualities independent of parentage"(without ...
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What does our scripture say about marriage? Why should we marry?
I heard from Parama Pujya Morari Bapu's Rama Katha that starting from our birth we have parents supporting us in every situation until they become old. And we have our friends and family members also ...
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