Questions tagged [upanishads]
The last part of the Vedas, consisting of dialogues between teachers and students clarifying the philosophical teachings of the Vedas.
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How does Vishishtadvaita interpret “One without a second”?
There are some Advaita sounding verses in the Upanishads which declare that there is only one without a second in the beginning:
Aitareya Upanishad 1.1.1:
ॐ आत्मा वा इदमेक एवाग्र आसीन्नान्यत्किंचन ...
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1answer
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Irawati Karve says “Vidura is the biological father of Yudhiṣṭhira”. Is she right? Which Upaniṣadic story is she referring to?
Irawati Karve in her book Yugānta, which is a commentary on the Mahābhārata, says:
There are two more incidents which lend support to this contention [that Dharma is the son of Vidura]. After ...
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kamajayi mudra and it's implications on celibacy
how can I use kamajayi mudra to become a means of aid in my celibacy?can i use it in the course of simple breathing meditation..or do i have to do a separate kind of affirmation meditation?
7
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Why treat Guest as God (अतिथिदेवो भव)?
Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11 (Siksha Valli) declares that:
मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव ॥ ४ ॥
mātṛdevo bhava | pitṛdevo bhava | ācāryadevo bhava | atithidevo bhava || ...
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Scriptural source for the Subhāṣita that says 'treat others' wives as your mother'
The other day I was listening to a discourse on Rāmāyaṇa ‡ where the speaker points out that although it is very simple for anyone to say सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर ॥ § (Speak truth, follow dharma.), but ...
13
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2answers
566 views
Interpreting Bhagavad Gita verse 8.16
I do know that according to Upanishads, All the higher Lokas except Brahma Loka, are subjected to circumgyration/reparation (birth-rebirth).
From Chhandogya Upanishad 4.15.5:
अथ यदु चैवास्मि...
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1answer
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BG 14.8 - What is the source of the scriptural definition of “mode of ignorance”?
As you can see below, Prabhupāda, in his purport to BG 14.8, explains the "mode of ignorance" by citing a śloka from some scripture. Which scripture or 'literature' is he talking about?
BG 14.8
...
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Unity in Diversity concept in ancient Hindu scriptures?
Bhārata Bhāgya Vidhātā (Bangali : Dispenser of the destiny of India) is a five-stanza Bramho hymn in Bengali language Here dedicated to Supreme divine God or Parabrahma who is the dispenser of the ...
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How does Vishishtadvaita interpret “Brahma Ved Brahmaiva Bhavati”?
From Mundaka Upanishad, Mundaka-3, Khanda-2 Verse-9:
स यो ह वै तत् परमं ब्रह्म वेद
ब्रह्मैव भवति नास्याब्रह्मवित्कुले भवति ।
तरति शोकं तरति पाप्मानं गुहाग्रन्थिभ्यो
विमुक्तोऽमृतो भवति ॥ ९॥
...
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Does chanting name of Krishna in Kali yuga gives you moksha?
In Kalisantaran Upanishad it is mentioned that we can attain moksha by chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra.
But what I believe is Moksha means getting free from the shackles of Karma.
Once we have ...
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4answers
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Is the Sankhya Darshana/Philosophy prior to Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads?
We know that there are Six Aastika Philosophy (Shad Darshana) : Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshiki,Mimamsa and Vedanta based on Vedas.
In many verses of Bhagavad Gita, the word Sankhya is found ; ...
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Names of female scholars from Vaidic and Upanishadic times, or “Brahmavadinis”
Wikipedia provides the names of some of the "Brahmavadinis" (ब्रह्मवादिनी) or female scholars of ancient times, who studied topics related to brahman (ब्रह्म) and took part in debates and discussions ...
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Brahman and gods
What is the relation between gods of vedas and brahman or tad ekam? How do they relate to each other? I have read Aurobindo's Secret of Vedas partly, but still not clear.
Why are deities worshipped ...
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1answer
154 views
Which Upanishad says that gods don't want humans to realise their true nature?
Which Upanishad says that gods don't want men to discover their true nature because if they did, men would become the very self of the gods.
Does anyone recognize this?
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1answer
422 views
Characteristics of Good & Bad Times
Time is a powerful thing and it appears to be the nature of time to change.
So my questions are:
Are there slokas that talk about the characteristics of good time and bad time in human life?
How is ...
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“Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana” Similar shlokas from Vedas and Upanishadas?
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ २-४७
Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana । Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma
Te Sangostvakarmani ।।
Meaning- ...
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Conversion of Sattva, Rajas, Tamas
I've read in one of the Upanishads that at the "beginning" of the universe sattva, rajas and tamas were in balance. But for some unknown reason the balance was disturbed and this is cause of the ...
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What can I do to reduce anger, greed, lust, fear and ego? [duplicate]
As per Hindu scriptures,
What are the things one can do in daily life that would reduce anger, greed, lust, fear and ego over time?
Please don't say "surrender yourself to the lord" that's not what I ...
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560 views
What is the difference between living beings and dead matter according to scriptures?
I am trying to understand from a spiritual point of view what distinguishes the dead from the living.
I read in Bhagavad Geeta 7.5 that there is an inferior and superior nature of the self. The ...
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1answer
139 views
What is the importance of Bhrigu Kunda?
In Mahabharata, Anushashan Parva, SECTION XXV, it is mentioned that by bathing in Bhrigu Kunda after fasting of three days, Brahmanacide (Brahma hatya) sin can be removed as I discuss in my answer ...
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Benefits of “Suryaopassna” (सूर्योपासना) or Sun worship described in Vedas and upanishdas?
"Suryopasana" (सूर्योपासना) ie. Worship of Surya deva or Sun god is very ancient tradition of Hinduism. We can find it's origins in our Vedas. Lot's of mantras are there about Surya Deva or Sun god in ...
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Are two Jnana-related Vedic hymns of Vamadeva ever used in Yagnas?
As you can see in the Anukramani I provided in my answer here, the sage who heard most of the hymns in the Fourth Mandala of the Rig Veda was the sage Vamadeva, a descendant of the sage Gautama. Two ...
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188 views
Influence of the classical Upanishads on the belief of the maiority of contemporary Hindus
Nearly every book about the classical Upanishads emphasizes their importance for every Hindu. The Upanishads are considered part of Shruti.
My question asks for the relevance of the Upanishads for ...
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Commentary on Kena Upanishad besides Shankara's?
Which commentaries of the Kena Upanishad exist?
Besides Shankara's well-known commentary, are there other commentaries which are recommendable?
EDIT: I did not find the answer to my specific ...
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1answer
617 views
Aham Brahmasmi and Advaita Vedanta
In Advaita Vedanta, The famous Mahavakyas out of the four is अहं ब्रह्म अस्मिति,from Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yajur Veda, which means "I am Brahman" or "I am Divine". There are various ...
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1answer
178 views
Were the mantras of the Isha Upanishad ever used in Yagnas?
As I discuss in this answer, each of the four Vedas consists of four portions: Samhitas, the core part of the Vedas which consist of mantras heard from the gods; Brahmanas, commentaries on the ...
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1answer
743 views
Why is the state of shushupti (deep sleep) called prajnanaghana (mass of consciousness)?
From Mandukya Upanishad V:
यत्र सुप्तो न कञ्चन कामं कामयते न कञ्चन स्वप्नं
पश्यति तत्
सुषुप्तम् । सुषुप्तस्थान एकीभूतः प्रज्ञानघन
एवानन्दमयो
ह्यानन्दभुक् चेतो मुखः प्राज्ञस्तृतीयः पादः ॥ ५॥
...
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Story of Lord Brahmas Palace “ Aparajita”?
What is story of Lord Brahma's Palace "Aparajita" (अपराजिता)? Which is according to This book , is located in his world and mentioned in "Kausitaki Upanishada".
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What is the need of creation?
Questions How was the Universe created? and What is the source of creation according to Upanishads? talk about many aspects of creation. But my questions are:
What is the need of creation? Why Brahma ...
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1answer
197 views
How can you roll up space?
I came across this quote: Only when space is rolled up like a piece of leather will there be an end to suffering apart from knowing god - Svetasvatara Upanisad, VI 20
The quote is in a Science ...
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Does being alive have a definition? [closed]
Humanity is at the advent of developing Self Aware Artificial Intelligence. What do ancient scriptures, sayings, traditions etc. Tell us about the definition of being a living entity? Will self ...
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1answer
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What is Dharma according to Veda or Upanishad?
I know that the question asked before What is dharma? but the question and answer shows what Dharma is according to Bhagavad Gita.
I am interested in the explanation of Dharma according to shruti. So,...
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0answers
144 views
Do the scriptures say anything about the very rapid abnormal changes happening right now?
So called Western Industrial Revolution happened only 200 years ago as compared to millions of years of human existence on earth. The period of 200 years is extremely short in front of duration of ...
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Muktika canon and Telugu anthology
Wikipedia's many articles on Upanishads (e.g Brahma Upanishad, etc. many minor Upanishads) says:
In the Telugu anthology of 108 Upanishads of the Muktika canon, narrated by Rama to Hanuman, this ...
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What is Krsna Paksh( Darkness) & Sukla Paksh(Brightness) in Bhagavad Gita?
This two term Krsna Paksh( Path of Darkness) and Sukla Paksh(Path of Brightness) are mentioned in Bhagvad-Gita,
Here is Sloka
śukla-kṛṣṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śāśvate mate |
ekayā yāty-anāvṛtim ...
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1answer
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What does the Prashna Upanishad say about Pitrayana and Devayana?
This book talks about Pitrayana and Devayana in the Prashna Upansihad
This interesting Upanishad deals in six questions put by six seekers of Brahaman to the sage Pippalada....the concepts of ...
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Want to know about Brahmaloka
While reading Mukhya Upanishads, I found there are many verses that say who does Upasana upon Brahman or Om, is led up or reach/attain to Brahmaloka.
Example: (Verses from Sanskritdocuments and ...
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1answer
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Do Sri Vaishnavas believe the Nachiketa Yagna grants Moksha by itself?
Perhaps the most famous story from the Upanishads is the story of Nachiketa, told in the Katha Upanishad of the Yajur Veda. Nachiketa was the young son of the sage Vajashravas (who may or may not be ...
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How much percent of one's income should be given to charity?
Daana has been praised in the Rig Veda and the Upanishads.
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.3. says
तदेतत्त्रयँ शिक्षेद् दमं दानं दयामिति
essentially glorifying generosity, compassion and mental ...
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1answer
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Lokayatas about Brahman and Atman
Do we know how the Lokayatas thought about the two fundamental concepts of the Upanishads Brahman and Atman?
I understand that one original meaning of Brahman is "magic force", in Vedic times ...
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3answers
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What are Mahavakyas?
I heard that तत्त्वमसि (Tat Tvam Asi) is the Mahavakya. So, I want to know what are the Mahavakyas and which are they?
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How do Dvaitins interpret this verse of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad?
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is a part of the Shukla Yajur Veda. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains this verse (1.4.10):
ब्रह्म वा इदमग्र आसीत्, तदात्मानमेवावेत् ‘अहं ब्रह्मास्मि’ इति । तस्मात् ...
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Why does the word “Atma” in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad refer to the mind rather than the actual Atma?
In Adhyaya 3 Brahmana 9 of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, the sage Yagnavalkya tells Vidagdha Sakalya what the eleven Rudras are associated with:
katame rudrā iti ।
daśeme puruṣe prāṇā
...
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0answers
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Does anyone agree with the Mimamsa interpretation of this Upanishad verse?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
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0answers
157 views
Where is the Sama Veda quote referenced in the Brahma Sutras?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
9
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329 views
What is Ramanujacharya's argument that the Upanishads must be true if they grant Moksha?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
10
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3answers
1k views
What is Turiya and how can we realize it?
While reading Vivekachudamani, commentaries on some of the Mukhya Upanishads, (Jnaneshwari) Bhagavad Gita & Yoga Vasistha, I found that they are talking about the different state of Chitt viz. ...
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3answers
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Why people of Bengal worship Durga also during Basanti Puja?
There is a festival in Bengal region named Basanti Puja in which Bengali people worship Goddess Durga but why they worship Maa Durga in Basanti Puja also,whereas they have time to worship Goddess ...
2
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0answers
107 views
What sect believes in an Ishwara-stream with a different Ishwara in every age?
As I discuss in this question, the Isha Upanishad has a special property that other Upanishads don't: it's part of the Samhitas of the Vedas. In any case, here's the first verse of the Isha Upanishad:
...
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Who was Shwetaketu's biological father?
One of the most famous parts of the Chandogya Upanishad is the dialogue of the sage Uddalaka Aruni with his son Shwetaketu. (It's known as the Sad Vidya, and it's one of the 32 Brahma Vidyas.) It is ...
