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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33
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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32
votes
Do Hindus believe in Adam and Eve? If not, who is the first person (man or woman) in this world?
No, Hindu scripture doesn't talks about Adam and Eve... However some people compare the story of Bhavisya Purana containing name Adam and Havyavati as Adam and Eve and their story sounds pretty much ...
- 48k
24
votes
Is there any significace of twitching of eyes?
Twitching of eyes have great significance in our scriptures. There are various description of auspicious and inauspicious omens in our scriptures and eye twitching is one of them.
Twitching of Sita's ...
- 48k
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 ...
- 111k
20
votes
Accepted
Relevance of "Dhol Ganwar Shudra Pashu Nari, Sakal Taadana Ke Adhikari"
This is one of the most misinterpreted verses of Ramcharitmanas. Tulsidas had no intention of showing women low by citing this verse.
We have to see the context of the verse:
This verse isn't told by ...
- 48k
20
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 (...
- 23.7k
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 ...
- 111k
16
votes
Accepted
Clarification regarding adultery, extra-marital relations
Mutual consent does not make the actions allowable or moral. Thieves may mutually agree on robbing someone and not each other, but it does not make their actions either moral or allowable. Such ...
- 23.7k
16
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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15
votes
Did lord Brahma commit incest with his daughter?
Lord Matsya, fish incarnation of Lord Vishnu, clarifies this in Matsya Purana.
Chapter 4 The Story of Saraswati in Matysa Purana says,
Manu asked, "O Omniscient lord, it is surprising to stare ...
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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:
...
- 111k
15
votes
Accepted
Is it true that cow has 33 crores god in it?
In Sanskrit there are two meaning of the word Koti
Crore
Type
But, we are making mistakes and interpret as a Crore rather than to interpret Type.
- 166
15
votes
Accepted
Does chanting Holy Names while doing worldly duties generate any punya karma?
Yes, chanting holy names generates good karma. This can be seen from the fact that people in past and even today use to name their children with some God names (e.g., Krishna, Shankar, Shiv, Vishnu, ...
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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 ...
- 111k
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 ...
- 23.7k
13
votes
Why are women advised to tie their hair in temples?
Setting your hair loose is not suggested not only when you visit temples but also when you are at home. Setting your hair loose is an indication of sorrow, grief, inauspicious things poverty and sins. ...
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13
votes
Accepted
Is there any verse to have nice wife?
From Markendya Purana there is Argalastrotram created by Vishnu sage. There is a verse in that. Taken from Durga saptashati of Markandeya Purana .
पत्नीं मनोरमाम देहि मनोवृत्तानुसारिणिम तारिणी...
- 11.9k
13
votes
Why eating rice is prohibited on Ekadashi?
There is a quotation from the Skanda Purana admonishing that a person who eats grains on Ekadasi becomes a murderer of his mother, father, brother and spiritual master,
and even if he is elevated to a ...
- 31.9k
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 ...
- 30.5k
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 ...
- 35.8k
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
Why are women not allowed to chant the Gayatri mantra?
That the women cannot chant the Gayatri might have been a deviation from the ancient practices, that occurred in the middle times. In ancient India, women like Gargi and Maitreyi were well-versed in ...
- 820
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 ...
- 30.5k
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 ...
- 111k
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 ...
- 111k
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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