20
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What are the after-effects of insulting gods or goddesses?
A punishment which one has to face in the afterlife is given in Devi Bhagavata Purana 9.33.
The wretch that abuses Mûla Prakriti, the Vedas, the S’âstras,
Purânas, Brahmâ, Visnu, S’iva and the ...
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18
votes
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Can a Brahmana raise a war or kill someone?
The Brahmins can indeed raise war in times of emergencies or when their life is endangered or when the situation demands so.
The Shastras clearly allow it.
Manu Smriti ,Chapter 8,Sloka 348,says:
...
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17
votes
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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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17
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Does god know our thoughts? and is it a sin to have lustful thoughts?
Yes God knows as he is antaryami or one who resides inside us.
The Vedas say that the Brahman or God has entered our body and has established himself in the mind.
Shariram brahma prAvishat.
.....
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16
votes
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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 ...
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14
votes
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How do we clear our debts?
There are three types of debts as of Pitris, Devas and Rishis. One can be freed from debt of Pitris by providing a son, from debt of Devas by doing sacrifices and from debt of Rishis by pupil-ship.
It ...
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13
votes
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'Playing football takes us nearer to heaven rather than reading Bhagavad Gita' but how and why?
Swami Vivekananda meant that a strong body can help you have the frame of mind needed to understand things like the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, and thus ultimately attain Jnana. Here's the quote in ...
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13
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On what basis is a soul born as male or female?
We can get an answer from the embryological point of view as found in an Upanishad called the Garbha Upanishad (which is linked to the Krishna Yajur Veda).
In the fourth month, belly and hip are ...
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13
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Do birth marks signify anything?
Do birth marks tell something about the previous birth or reveal any other facts?
Yes they do Garuda Purana - Vol. one - Achar Kanda - Chapter -64,65 are about Samudrika science which gives us detail ...
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13
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What kind of 'Paapa' results in losing an organ of the body?
Vishnu Smriti and Satatapa Smriti are two such scriptures that extensively deal with this topic. These texts link various sins committed in previous lives with the diseases/bodily deformities that one ...
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12
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What is the source of this (Kayena vacha...) text? or Where does it come from?
The verse occurs in this chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Here is what the sons of Rishabha tell Nimi (the solar dynasty king whom I discuss here):
I consider that one whose intelligence is ...
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12
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What is the seed of desire as per scripture?
According to Vivekchudamani of Adi Shankara Ignorance is the seed of Samsara tree. From ignorance comes Ego (Ahamkara) [Identification with body]. From Ego comes desires. Hence Ego and Ignorance are ...
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12
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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
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What do scriptures say about using swear or abusive words for cursing people?
Almost all cultures & civilizations have warned against harsh speeches. Even the sarcasm or the criticism also mustn't be cruel in nature. Better to withdraw them. During SabhA Parva, when ...
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12
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Is it adharma to give Dana without considering what we are giving and to whom we are giving?
First of all dealing with Apatra Dana or charity given to the undeserving candidate.This is condemned in Scriptures.
From the book "Essence of Dharma Bindu "
Devala Maharshi clarifies: Charity ...
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12
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Does Hindu morality come from scripture or is it the other way round?
Morality comes from scripture. For starters, here is what Adi Shankaracharya says in this section of his Brahma Sutra Bhashya, which is actually about the subject of animal sacrifice:
[The reasoning ...
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12
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What are the after-effects of insulting gods or goddesses?
Such actions can be done in following ways:
Unintentional
One doesn't intend to harm, but due to some indirect actions, a person ends up damaging something. This doesn't result in anything as there ...
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12
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What are the after-effects of insulting gods or goddesses?
From Shiva Gita, Virodhi Bhakti too if in excess resulting into devotion, can become cause of liberation.
अनादरेण शाठ्येन परिहासेन मायया . शिवभक्तिरतश्चेत्स्यादन्त्यजोऽपि विमुच्यते [21]
Anyone ...
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12
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Does prayer remove bad deeds of past lives?
Prayer, PujA (worship) etc can remove sins committed in infinite number of our past lives.
Here is a proof that prayer in the form Mantra Japa can do it:
Lakshyadwayen pApAni saptajanmakritAnyapi |...
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12
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Will someone be punished again after death after once being already punished on the earth?
No, A person can't get punishment of same sin twice. After getting punishment of his sin, person becomes sinless. If a King punish a culprit for his sin Or he shows mercy on culprit, in either case ...
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12
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How do we clear our debts?
The three debts (as already said in the other answers) are: Deva Rina, Rishi Rina and Pitru Rina.
Manu Smriti 4.257. When he has paid, according to the law, his debts
to the great sages, to the ...
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11
votes
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What do scriptures say about using swear or abusive words for cursing people?
Vidura discusses the importance of controlling one's speech
To control speech, O king, is said to be most difficult. It is not
easy to hold a long conversation uttering words full of meaning and
...
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11
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Does Hindu morality come from scripture or is it the other way round?
Laws of morality or the laws pertaining to what's good and what's bad are the ones which are laid down in the scriptures.
So, its definitely not the other way round.
Vedo Akhilo Dharmamulam ...
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11
votes
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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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10
votes
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Are girls allowed to learn the Vedas?
Yes, females are allowed to read the Vedas. I am posting a passage from a famous 14th century text(Jivanmuktiviveka of Vidyaranya) which shows the importance of women Rishis in the formulation of the ...
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10
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What do scriptures say about using swear or abusive words for cursing people?
Although you have already selected an answer i am adding another one.
The reasons are two:
All your questions are answered in Manu Smriti itself and
The punishment for verbal abuse is also ...
- 111k
10
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Is it adharma to give Dana without considering what we are giving and to whom we are giving?
This chapter of the Manu Smriti explains the circumstances in which you should and should not give to someone:
One should give, according to one's ability, wealth to Brahmanas learned in the Veda ...
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10
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According to Hinduism who is right about free will (Vivekananda or Chanakya)?
Both are right in their own way.
We can achieve anything (and this is the most optimistic Hindu thought)
The Vedas clearly say that we have, in our hands, the power of Bhagavan or the Almighty. So, ...
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10
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What will happen to a youth who wants to enjoy life as well as continuing spiritual efforts?
Enjoyment is not forbidden as long as it's not against the principles of Dharma. So, one should make sure of that.
18 He should be a man who applies himself to acquiring wealth in
righteous (...
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10
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What is the expiation for saying lie(s)?
It depends on where the lie has been said and in which circumstances.
For example, Karna lied to his Guru Parashurama about his caste. Now, such a lie is considered by Manu as a grave offence.
...
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