20
votes
Under which circumstances physical punishment to wife is allowed?
Nothing specific, but Manu Smriti says this:
8.299. A wife, a son, a slave, a pupil, and a (younger) brother of the full blood, who have committed faults, may be beaten with a rope or a
split ...
- 111k
17
votes
Accepted
What do the Vedas say about animal sacrifice?
Animal sacrifice, when performed properly according to Vedas, is an exception to the general rule about not harming living beings. Here is what Adi Shankaracharya says in his commentary on the Brahma ...
- 97.2k
15
votes
Does Anushasan Parva, chapter 88 of the Mahabharata, allow cow sacrifice?
No. It doesn't support cow sacrifice though cow sacrifice is allowed during Yagnas.
Bibek Debroy's translation of BORI critical edition is critical edition of Mahabharta. You can read Anushasana ...
- 31.1k
14
votes
Which scripture says that a sannyāsi can liberate 21 generations of ancestors without performing the śrāddha?
The book Dharma Bindu(Essence of all Dharma Shastras) quotes Daksha Prajapati,in the context of discussing "Sannyasa Dharma":
Dakshan Prajapati affirms:
Trimshatparaamstrim shadaparaan ...
- 111k
14
votes
Accepted
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 ...
- 23.7k
14
votes
Accepted
How do the departed souls get the food given by their siblings?
Summary- Though the gross offerings remain here, the essence of these offerings is delivered to the departed ancestors. The ones who carry the offering to them are called the Pitr devatas and the ...
- 10.9k
13
votes
How will we know the end of first part of the Kali yuga?
Nothing very definitive but some indications are given in the Bhavisya Purana:
Then Bali and Kalki Devi approached Narayana in the form of Vamana who
in turn enabled a Brahmana called Kama Sharma ...
- 111k
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 ...
- 19.1k
12
votes
Accepted
What are some mantras which are dedicated to Lord Indra?
Here is an Agamic mantra (or Tantric mantra) dedicated to Lord Indra taken from the Mantradeva Prakashika.
Im IndraYa Hrith | asya Brahmarishi Pangtischandaha Indro DevatA Im
Bijam Ayethi ...
- 111k
12
votes
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 ...
- 111k
12
votes
What are the benefits of doing sandhyavandanam?
After the initiation into the Gayatri Mantra (i.e after Upanayana), for the Dvijas, performing Sandhya becomes a Nitya Karma - which means a rite that one has to perform daily without fail.
Failure ...
- 111k
11
votes
Accepted
Is bathing without cloth a sin?
Is there any textual evidence(in Hindu scriptures) to bath with clothes only? Or it is the rule added according to time?
There is textual evidence.
Manu Smriti,Chapter 4 Verse 45:
4.45. Let him ...
- 111k
11
votes
Accepted
What is the story of the origin of Sraadha ritual?
The same question has been asked by Yudhishthira to Bhishma in Mahabharata, Anushashana Parva, SECTION XCI.
"Yudhishthira said, 'By whom was the Sraddha first conceived and at what time? What also ...
- 23.7k
10
votes
Why Hindus wear red tilak and sandal wood tilak on foreheads?
Tilak, a mark of Hindu Sanatan Dharma, comes from the Sanskrit word ‘til’ which means sesame seed. The sesame seed has great importance in yagnas and charity. A tilak is imprinted on a person’s ...
- 1,639
10
votes
Does Anushasan Parva, chapter 88 of the Mahabharata, allow cow sacrifice?
No, this is the wrong information given by Zakir naik. But I would like to thank him to read the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata or I want to give him a suggestion that he should read properly and ...
10
votes
Accepted
Why is the Sloka "Suklambaradharam Vishnum..." used as Ganapaty Dhyanam when it is clearly a Dhyana Sloka for Lord Vishnu?
शुक्लाम्बरधरम् विष्णुम् शशि वर्णम् चतुर्भुजम् |
प्रसन्नवदनम् ध्यायेत् सर्व विघ्नोपशान्तये ||
"shuklamvaram dharam vishnum sashivarnam chaturvujam |
prasanna vadanam dhyayet sarva ...
- 48.1k
10
votes
Similarities and differences in the four vedas
In order to understand similarities and difference in four Vedas, I think it is necessary/recommended to know why and how Veda is divided into four Vedas. Following answer will help you to know & ...
- 26k
10
votes
Conditions for changing sacred thread?
The Manu Smriti simply says to change the thread when its damaged.
Manu Smriti 2.64. His girdle, the skin (which serves as his upper
garment), his staff, his sacrificial thread, (and) his water-...
- 111k
10
votes
Accepted
Is there a scriptural basis for the celebration of Kojagari Purnima?
Yes there is. Chapter 124 (pg 30) of Volume 4 of Narada Purana mentions various vratas performed on Full Moon days. One such is Kojagiri Purnima.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped on this day. Lamps are ...
- 4,430
10
votes
Accepted
Which scriptures mention about Sutak dosha (various prohibitions on child birth)?
which scriptures mention about Sutak dosha?
Manu Smriti, Chapter 5 declares ten days of Sutaka (impurity) for Sapinda.
A man who hears of a (Sapinda) relative's death, or of the birth of a son ...
- 23.7k
10
votes
Why do we bury dead body of a Sannyasi rather than burn it?
For the Sannyasis, there is an explanation given in the so-called Sannyasa Upanishads, which are all minor Upanishads.
I am quoting from the Paingala Upanishad that is linked with the Shukla ...
- 111k
10
votes
Accepted
Do all Non-Hindus remain as Pretas after death?
Usana Smriti's Chapter 7 has the following verse:
It is laid down that Sapindikaran, S'raddha should be preceeded by the
Daiva, (i.e., offerings made to the Deities). There one should invite
the ...
- 111k
9
votes
Accepted
Which scripture says that during eclipse all water become pure like Ganges water?
Parashar Smriti, Chapter 12 source 1 source 2 says , during eclipse all waters become pure like Ganges.
सर्वं गंगा समं तोयं राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे।
सोमग्रहे तथैवोक्तं स्नानदानादि कर्मसु।।
When the sun ...
- 23.7k
9
votes
Accepted
What do Scriptures say about doing Puja/Archanas in "Mleccha Deshas"?
In my opinion, I don't think scriptures talks about the exact location of Mleccha Desha. Different people talks about it differently. Like in Kishkindha Kanda, Ramayana:
तत्र म्लेच्छान् पुलिन्दान् च ...
- 23.7k
9
votes
Accepted
How can a Chandala purify himself?
There might be various methods described in Puranas, Itihasas and Smritis regarding rituals or methods for purification of Chandala.
However here I prefer to quote a method given in the Vedas. ...
- 48.1k
9
votes
Attaining the Post of Brahma
It is only the view of Shaivas, Vaisnavas etc.. who think Lord Brahma is a post and one can achieve it by doing Karmas/Yajnas.
For the Hiranyagarbhas; Lord Brahma is the ultimate reality and is the ...
- 48.1k
9
votes
What are some mantras which are dedicated to Lord Indra?
Are there mantras (vedic/tantric/puranic) available for worship of Lord Indra?
I found one Mantra in the Paushya Parva of Mahabhrata , Which is hymn in praise of Indra - Indra stuti (इन्द्र स्तुति)...
- 31.9k
9
votes
Accepted
Under which circumstances physical punishment to wife is allowed?
As Medhātithi explains, it's only allowed under exceptional conditions.
What is enjoined here is the method of keeping the persons on the right path, and not actual beating; so that chastisement ...
- 30.6k
8
votes
Why did Vishwamitra approach only Lord Rama to kill Mareecha and Subaahu?
Vishvamitra as a Brahmarshi could easily deal with these demons, or call upon Parasurama or Vasishtha to deal with them. The reason for Vishvamitra himself not using his powers is given by himself in ...
- 6,195
8
votes
What is Ratha Saptami?
Magha sukla Paksha saptami is known as Ratha Saptami & is considered as the most auspicous day to worship Lord Surya.It is also believed that Surya Deva started illuminating the whole world on the ...
- 111k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible