62
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What are some online sources to get unabridged Hindu Scriptures or to learn Hinduism?
Here are some sources.
Hindu scriptures - Best site to get Hindu Scriptures in Sanskrit and English. This site has all main scriptures such as Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas and many other Ancient ...
Community wiki
45
votes
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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 ...
40
votes
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Are there any references to Gravity in Hindu Scriptures?
Due to the dominance of Vedanta school in present time, Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) is often seen only in the light of Vedanta. If we go with respect to doctrines, Vedanta is only a small part of ...
38
votes
Are there any references to Gravity in Hindu Scriptures?
MOTION OF EARTH
Rig Veda 10.22.14
“This earth is devoid of hands and legs, yet it moves ahead. All the
objects over the earth also move with it. It moves around the sun.
In this mantra,
...
37
votes
How to read Hindu Scriptures.?
The following sentence from question motivated/inspired me to introduce following two steps:
Ok, I understand there are lot of Hindu scriptures.
Step-1 Know about Hindu scriptures.
First of ...
34
votes
Reference to the 7 chakras in Hinduism
Chakras are the major energy centres of our subtle body. So, there are not only 7 but many other chakras also. However 7 Chakras are considered the main. The refrences of 7 chakras and Kundalini ...
32
votes
Accepted
Complete English translations of Puranas
Note: Skip to bottom of this answer to download complete Purana as single PDF file. All these puranas are scanned and non text searchable.
Index here shows Skanda Purana consists 23 Volumes.Of 23 ...
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 ...
32
votes
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Which scripture is the source of the verse "janmana jayate shudrah.. " (everyone is born a shudra)?
No this shloka is not from Shreemad Bhagvat Purana.
This shloka is given in Skanda Purana Vol.18 Book VI , Nagar Kanda , Chapter 239 , ( Efficacy of Adoration , Penance etc.) Verse 31-34
जन्मना ...
30
votes
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Where is the mention of 'Shiva is Supreme Lord of Vishnu and Vishnu is Supreme Lord of Shiva'?
Lord Shiva being Supreme Lord of Vishnu and Lord Vishnu being Supreme Lord of Shiva is stated in Harivamsa Parva of Mahabharata in 2.125.41
रुद्रस्य परमो विष्णुर्विष्णोश्च परम: शिवः ।
एक एव द्विधा...
30
votes
Accepted
Why is Lord Shiva called Pashupati? Who are the Pashus?
Meaning of Pashupati:
Pashupati means Lord of all Pashus. Here Pashu means every creatures and not just animals. It is clarified itself in the YajurVeda. Yajurveda states:
येषामीशे पशुपतिः पशूनां ...
29
votes
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Who are Pancha brahmas' Lalita Devi sits on and Why are they called so?
Pancha-Brahmans are the five fold manifestation of Lord Shiva and are named as Sadyojata, Tatpurusha, Aghora, Vamadeva and Ishana. Each five manifestations further manifest as five deities which are ...
27
votes
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What is the shape of Earth according to Hindu scriptures?
In the Aitareya Brahmana of RigVeda 3.44
“The Sun does never set nor rise. When people think the Sun is setting (it is not so). For after having arrived at the end of the day it makes itself ...
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 ...
24
votes
What is Hinduism's view on abortion?
Abortion is strictly forbidden. Here is what this chapter of the Gautama Dharma Sutras says:
A woman becomes an outcast by procuring abortion, by connection with a (man of) lower (caste) and (the ...
24
votes
Accepted
Can a Sudra become a Brahmin in 'this' birth?
Yes, it is possible through the power of Panchakshari Mantra. As already discussed in question Mantras can have wonderful powers. Similarly through the power of Panchakshara Mantra even a Shudra can ...
23
votes
Accepted
What names of Lord Shiva used today are from Vedas?
Name of God represents the attribute of God. Since a single Name doesn't cover all the attributes of God multiple names are given to cover the attributes of God. Lord Shiva has infinite attributes. ...
23
votes
Accepted
What are some scientific facts described in Hindu scriptures?
I do not like to call anything discovered now as 'scientific fact' as any fact which is established now can be disproved in the future. (For eg. quantities like mass, time etc.. were considered ...
22
votes
Accepted
Are there other Brahmas and universes?
Chapter III On seeing the Devî of Devi Bhagavatam says, there are multiple Brahmas, multiple Vishnus and multiple Rudras.
After killing Dânavas Madhu Kaitabha, three deities got into a beautiful ...
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 ...
22
votes
Accepted
What are the Agama scriptures? Are they related to Shruti/Vedas?
Well, as far as I know, in Tantra tradition, Agama texts are those in which Devi questions and Shiva answers.
Examples of such texts are numerous like the Mahanirvana Tantra, Kularnava Tantra, ...
22
votes
Is Lord Shiva First Vaishnava (Devotee of Lord Vishnu)?
Whether Lord Shiva is greatest Vaishnava or greatest Shaivite or greatest Shakta or greatest any other, depends on scripture which you read.
As per Shiva Purana:
In Koti Rudra Samhita Shiva Purana ...
21
votes
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What is difference between Shruti and Smriti?
Shruti(श्रुति) means that which has been heard or communicated from the beginning.
Veda(वेद) are Shruti scripture. It is said/believed that Rishi in the state of Tapasya heard Vedas directly from ...
21
votes
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Help me to find out the verse : "Brahma satyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah"
Good question. Always quoted as Sankara, but no one gives the source text. It is from Sankara's Brahmajnanavalimala verse 20. It is available here
20. brahma satyam jaganmithyA jIvo brahmaiva ...
21
votes
Accepted
How is Lord Shiva revealed in the Rig Veda?
Various aspects of Lord Shiva are revealed under Rudra Suktas of RigVeda. They are like:
1) Revealing of Lord Rudra as One without Second:
Lord Rudra in Vedas has one peculiar characteristic ie. He is ...
21
votes
Accepted
When does a soul lose its memory of its previous birth?
According to the Garbha Upanishad, the soul can remember its past life when it is 9 months old in the womb:
Whatever is consumed or drunk by the mother passes through the nerves
and vessels to ...
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 ...
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...
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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