24
votes
Accepted
Should we consider ISKCON devotees as Hindus or not?
This needs an examination of the meaning of the word Hindu. A few questions already exist about what the term 'Hindu' means. Legally in India, anyone who does not follow Abrahamic faiths are Hindus. ...
- 6,898
21
votes
Is Moksha a permanent state?
You are right about the statement from Gita. But its implication is different. You are talking about the following verse:
sarva-bhūtāni kaunteya prakṛtiṁ yānti māmikām
kalpa-kṣaye punas tāni ...
- 26.4k
21
votes
Accepted
Why do Devas stop people from attaining Brahma Vidya?
When a person gets Brahma-Vidya / Moksha then there is no rebirth for that person. And when he doesn't have birth he can't do various sacrifices and rituals for Devatas. So, Gods do not want that men ...
- 46.9k
18
votes
Are we really God?
The answer is obvious, it is because we are not exactly the God, we are jiva, an energy of God. And because we are an energy of God, we are called as God by some. Just like fire and a spark of fire ...
- 26.4k
18
votes
Accepted
Moksha for the Soul of Brahma
Yes, the current Brahma attains Moksha at the end of his life. As I discuss in this answer, the Srimad Bhagavatam describes what happens to the inhabitants of Brahmaloka, including Brahma himself, at ...
- 95.2k
17
votes
Accepted
Where does Rig Veda say that Shiva is the God who grants Moksha?
Rig Veda in 7.59.12 tells Shiva [Rudra] is the God who grants eternal Mokshya. Rishi Vasistha is the Seer and Rudra is the devta and it invokes the Three Eyed One.
The verse is:
त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे ...
- 46.9k
16
votes
Accepted
Can animals attain moksha?
No, animals don't attain moksha. Because the natural order is as below:
sthāvarāḥ krimayo'vjāśca pakṣiṇaḥ paśavo narāḥ
dārmmakāstridaśāstadūnamokṣiṇaśca yathākramam [VP - 2.6.34]
Meaning
...
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15
votes
Are we really God?
So are we really God?
Who are we?
Who is God?
What is our relation with God?
Different schools of Hinduism say different things about this concept.
Advaita (commonly called Non-Dualism) - Sri Adi ...
- 4,317
14
votes
Accepted
How many distinct independent paths are there to achieve Moksha?
Assuming that by Moksha you mean liberation from this material existence, not merging into he absolute (Brahman), following are the answers to your questions.
How many paths exist?
There exists four ...
- 26.4k
14
votes
Accepted
Approach to the Ultimate/Absolute Truth (Jnana)
The path of knowledge is commonly referred to as Jnana Yoga. What is meant by Jnana depends upon the scripture being read. Oftentimes scripture will distinguish between
Vijnana (refers to Knowledge -...
- 23.2k
13
votes
Accepted
What is the formula for immortality ("mrityunjaya mantra")?
The proper practice to be followed in the use of the Mrityunjaya Mantra is described in this excerpt from the Rudra Samhita of the Shiva Purana. The sage Dadhichi once got into a fight with a king ...
- 95.2k
13
votes
Who gives Moksha?
Various sects would have own views regarding this. Vaishnavas might tell moksha is not possible without grace of Lord Vishnu, similarly Shaivites might tell it is not possible without grace of Lord ...
- 46.9k
12
votes
Who gives Moksha?
ekam sat vipra buhudha vadanti
Truth is One, men call it by various names - The One Brahman is called by various names. Rig Veda
Krishna says (Gita VIII, 5-6) "And whoso, at the time of death, ...
- 23.2k
11
votes
Is Moksha a permanent state?
Yes Moksha is permanent. As Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita:
na tad bhāsayate sūryo
na śaśāṅko na pāvakaḥ
yad gatvā na nivartante
tad dhāma paramaṁ mama [BG - 15.6]
That supreme abode of ...
- 5,142
11
votes
Is Moksha a permanent state?
Moksha is a permanent state because sruti says so. Brahma Sutras 4.4.22 says (Swami Vireswarananda translator, available here - http://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/brahma-sutras/d/doc62753.html):
...
- 23.2k
11
votes
Accepted
Will the atma get moksha if a person dies unnaturally?
No, the atma will not get moksha by such deaths. The default rule is, a person dying such unnatural death as suicide, weapons, etc. will become a ghost:
udbandhanamṛtā ye ca viṣaśastrahatāśca ye
...
- 26.4k
11
votes
What is the way to Liberation: direct communication with lord Krishna or the reading scriptures?
By reading scriptures one can not get Moksha. This is a well known conclusion of Hinduism.
Shabda Gyana (which are the scriptures) can not give Moksha. It is the direct perception or the Aparoksha ...
- 107k
11
votes
Accepted
Is liberation possible only through a human birth?
Yes, usually that's what is stated in the scriptures. But in certain exceptional circumstances (may be due to compassion/grace of God) even animals or beings lower than humans can also get it.
...
- 107k
11
votes
Why do enlightened people contradict each other?
Swami Sivananda writes in his "May I answer That" book, Page 93, Question 247 -
Prophets are born from time to time to remove a catastrophe and
establish Dharma. They preach according to ...
- 6,783
10
votes
Accepted
How can we know that an Aatma got Moksha?
No there isn't any way to identify that one got mokshya or not as no one has any idea about how the atma is(as its so small as mentioned below and no ordinary human being can see it without the help ...
- 2,310
10
votes
Accepted
Can a 24 year old renounce the material world and live a life solely dedicated to realization of God through meditation?
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa says (Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Chapter 8):
There are three or four varieties of renunciation. Afflicted with miseries at home, one may put on the ochre cloth of a monk; ...
- 23.2k
10
votes
Accepted
What is the means of attaining Moksha according to the different Astika schools?
Let me address each of the six Astika schools:
Samkhya: The Samkhya school believed that meditation on the 25 Tattvas, i.e. Purusha or soul, Prakriti or matter/energy, and the 23 evolutes of Prakriti,...
- 95.2k
10
votes
Accepted
Why "Rama" Nama is called Taraka mantra?
By Taraka Mantra we basically mean the Pranavam, the first sound or OM, also called the Nada Brahman.
So, Taraka: Deliverer.
Taraka Mantra: From the root word tara–that which crosses. The Taraka ...
- 107k
10
votes
Accepted
How a devotee of God leaves his body for Moksha?
Have a look at the following verse from Kathopanishad's (Kath UP) Tritiya Valli:
ShataichekA cha hridasya nAdyastAsAm murdhAnamabhinihsritaikA |
TayorddhvamAyannmritatvameti vishvanganyA ...
- 107k
10
votes
Accepted
Is it true that if supreme lord kills someone then she/he will attain Moksha?
Yes. Anyone killed by Lord gets Moksha. Lord awards Moksha to even people who hate and reject him. I will give few examples of people who got liberated from Bhagavatam.
These two associates of Lord ...
- 6,783
9
votes
What are the ultimate objectives in Hinduism?
The ultimate objective in Hinduism depends upon what school of thought or philosophy you are following. But the common thing in all of them is the same, liberation from this material mode of existence....
- 26.4k
9
votes
What are the ultimate objectives in Hinduism?
No, moksha is not the ultimate objective for all Hindus. Moksha is the goal for Advaita Vedanta. Vaishnava objective is Vaikutha where a Vaishnava will enjoy bliss with Krishna or Narayana eternally.
...
- 33.2k
9
votes
Accepted
Can a person get Moksha without worshipping God but doing good all his life?
Yes absolutely yes! It is possible to get Moksha by simply doing good deeds all your life. How?
Karma Yoga
Karma yoga implies performing good deeds (or any deeds for that matter) without expecting ...
- 4,317
9
votes
Accepted
Will Brahmacharis (life long bachelors) get moksha?
The following are excerpts from the authoritative text on Sri Ramana Maharshi's sayings - Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi.
Devotee.: Is not brahmacharya (celibacy) necessary for realisation of
the ...
9
votes
Accepted
Which Scriptures say that by chanting Lord's name during the time of one's death one can attain "Moksha"?
This Brahma Vaivarta Purana chapter states that, one, who chants the name "Shiva", during his/her dying moments, is sure to attain moksha.
Shri Krishna then revealed the excellent value of Shiva ...
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