45
votes
Accepted
What is Hinduism's view on porn?
In Hinduism we have the concept of "Ashtavidha Mithuna" .i.e 8 forms of copulation all of which are equivalent or equally important in a given context .
For example,from the book Essence of Dharma ...
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34
votes
What does Hinduism say about masturbation?
Hindu Scriptures describe masturbation as a sin.
The Parashara Smriti, Chapter 12 , Sloka 63 specifically deals with masturbation and provides an expiation(prayaschitta) for that sin too.
...
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22
votes
Vedas and Vedic dharma on homosexuality
Homosexuality in men is clearly stated as a sin in the Manu Smriti.
मैथुनं तु समासेव्य पुंसि योषिति वा द्विजः ।
गोयानेऽप्सु दिवा चैव सवासाः स्नानमाचरेत् ॥ १७४ ॥
maithunaṃ tu samāsevya ...
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21
votes
Accepted
Does Hinduism give preference to scriptural injunctions over own logical thought in day to day activities?
Well, what is pleasing/acceptable to oneself is also one of the means of Dharma just like the scriptures (or the scriptural injunctions) are.
Because, Manu Smriti 2.12 says:
वेदः स्मृतिः सदाचा...
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19
votes
Does Hinduism forbid sexual intercourse before marriage?
Yes, Manusmriti forbids sexual intercourse with a virgin girl (without marriage). It consists provisions for the atonement of this sin.
Carnal intercourse with sisters by the same mother, with (...
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17
votes
What is Hinduism's view on porn?
The advice is not to watch it. Bhishma was asked by Yudhishthira the following question:
'What is the appearance presented by those that are wicked, and what
are those acts which they that are called ...
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17
votes
Accepted
Is taking interest from bank a sin?
Lending at interest is not a sin at all. Its perfectly legitimate. But usury (lending money at unreasonably high rates) is a minor sin(an Upapataka).
Manu Smriti 10.115. There are seven lawful ...
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15
votes
Does Hinduism forbid sexual intercourse before marriage?
Apart from the verse found in Triyugi Narayan Mani's answer above there is another verse in the Manu Smriti that clearly condemns pre-marital sex.
It is said that only virgins are fit for marriages:
...
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15
votes
Accepted
Why it is considered good to see ones own palms after waking up in the morning?
It has actually nothing to do with astrology (you originally tagged your question with it).
At various portions of our palms are present various Hindu Gods. That's why it's auspicious to see our ...
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14
votes
Accepted
"Once Yogi, Twice Bhogi, Thrice Rogi" -- What should be the number of meals per day?
What do other scriptures say about total meals per day (1, 2 or more)?
For a Grihastha (Householder), Dharma Shatsras has prescribed to take food two times, in Morning and in Evening. But if one has ...
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13
votes
What is Hinduism's view on porn?
Some background
For Hindus, religion is the means of realizing dharma (virtuous deeds), artha (wealth, career), kāma (desire or pleasure of senses) and mokṣa (self-realization). Together these four ...
12
votes
Why is it said that we shouldn't keep a copy of Mahabharata at home?
Gita Press Gorakhpur has published Mahabharata (with Hindi Translation) in 6 volumes. In its last volume (6th vol) p. 6595, shloka 89 reads as
"Bharatam Bhavane Yasya tasya hastagato Jayah"
...
12
votes
Is it possible for one to have animal birth after human birth?
Yes, this is a possibility according to the Vedanta schools of Sri Madhva and Sri Vallabha. This view is based on the following shloka:
O son of Kunti! Falling into demoniac wombs, in life after ...
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12
votes
Accepted
Why are there religious restrictions on women?
It is because of the male chauvinistic people in the society who have snatched all the religious right from the women including that of the vedic studies and vedic rituals etc.
In the recent ...
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11
votes
Why do Hindus believe in cremation instead of burial?
why-do-hindus-believe-in-cremation-instead-of-burial ?
One of the reasons and explanations why Hindus believe cremation of the dead is also given in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Adhyaya 5 - Brahmana ...
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11
votes
Can a Dalit caste person be a priest?
Can a Dalit become a priest?
Yes.
According to this Hindustan Times news article:
[More than 200 people belonging to SC, ST and fishermen communities are being trained by Tirumala Tirupati ...
11
votes
Accepted
Why eating rice is prohibited on Ekadashi?
It is said in the PurAnas that the personification of all sins or the pApa purusha resides within the grains like rice on this day. That's why eating all grains including rice is prohibited on the ...
- 113k
11
votes
Accepted
Giving Alms (Donation/charity) with the intention of getting merit will give me merit?
Yes, if your intention is getting merit then you will get it.
Manu Smriti 4.234. For whatever purpose (a man) bestows any gift, for
that same purpose he receives (in his next birth) with due ...
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11
votes
What's the proof that God exists?
my question is how do you prove his existence?
Swami krishnananda logically proves (mostly from Advaitic perspective) God/Brahman exists in his book Lessons on the Upanishads.
Swamiji proves there ...
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10
votes
Accepted
Was Polyandry allowed prior to Mahabharata?
In general Polyandry was allowed, but it may not be in a "marriage" form (e.g. Draupadi's case). However the women were much more liberal prior to MahAbhArata. Even during Kuru race's time, certain ...
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10
votes
Do Hindus believe in Adam and Eve? If not, who is the first person (man or woman) in this world?
Yes, there is a concept of first man and woman in Hinduism. This is mentioned in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4 which deals with the creation of the world.
Verse 1.4.3:
स व नैव रेमे, तस्मादेकाकी ...
10
votes
Accepted
The story and Principle of adding "shree" "श्री" before our sacred religious books?
Lord Shiva says in KulArnava Tantram that Sri should always be added at the start while addressing Gurus, Shastras and the Holy places.
SriGurum KulashAstrAni PujyasthAnAni YAni cha || BhaktyA
...
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10
votes
Accepted
Can I please have a scriptural reference for Pitru Runa?
Yes, if you marry you need to grow your lineage. According to Shatapath Brahmana, there are four types of debt to everyone as: debt to Gods (Deva Rina), debt to Rishis (Rishi Rina), debt to Fathers (...
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10
votes
What happens to one in afterlife who doesn't believe in God?
What happens if anyone is not believing in God?
What happens to the human in afterlife if he does not believe in any God and any theory related to god?
The answers of these questions are provided ...
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9
votes
What is the significance of Sashtang Namaskar?
Ashtanga is "eight limbs". SAshtanga is "with eight limbs". So, prostration which is done by involving the eight particular limbs of body is called the ShAshtanga Namaskara.
Here is the formal ...
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9
votes
Why not sleep with your head facing North direction?
Why not sleep with your head facing North direction?
Many Hindus don't sleep with their heads directed towards the North because there are scriptural injunctions stating that prohibition. Like the ...
- 113k
9
votes
Accepted
Do generational curses exist in Hinduism?
Yes, generational curse do exists. They are of 2 types:
1. External
Such kind of curse may come from a strong and austere personality like a Brahman or a saintly person. There are couple of ...
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9
votes
Do generational curses exist in Hinduism?
Yes, generational curses do exist in Hinduism. There is a famous story described in Aitareya Brahmana (7.13-18) where Sage Vishvamitra cursed his own sons that their descendants will be born into the ...
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9
votes
What happens to one in afterlife who doesn't believe in God?
What happens to the human in afterlife if he does not believe in any
God and any theory related to god? Does anything regarding this has
mentioned in any Vedas?
Well,not sure about the Srutis(...
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