27
votes
Accepted
Is the ritual of killing an animal as offering to Maa Kali correct?
I personally believe that a mother would never ask someone to kill her
own children moreover she would ask to kill the wrong and the negative
things within each individual.
What you feel is ...
- 109k
20
votes
Accepted
What is the Guru Parampara of Kashmiri Shaivism?
In chapter 36 of Sri Tantraloka, Sri Abhinavagupta describes in detail how the Guru-Shishya Transmission took place:
1) Bhairava
2) Bhairavi Devi
3) Swachhanda Bhairava
4) Laakul
...
- 47.2k
17
votes
Accepted
What are the Saptapadi or the seven promises of marriage?
The seven steps around the fire represents seven promises taken by newly married couple in the presence of the fire. In Hindu religion, he is believed as the maintainer of life. He carries the fruits ...
- 25.4k
16
votes
Accepted
Can a married woman take out her Mangala Sutra and keep it anywhere?
No. A married woman is not allowed to remove mangal sutra for the sake of convenience.
As you have said in the question, we see many people who do not wear mangal sutra to offices and to some social ...
- 25.4k
16
votes
Accepted
Is there any mention of "Scissors" in the Hindu literature?
Scissors symbolises that the Goddess cuts asunder the attachments to
this material worlds, much feared by the spiritual souls.
The first thing we need to verify is whether Goddess TAra is at all ...
- 109k
15
votes
Accepted
Are Sudras not allowed to study any scriptures of Hindusim?
Are sudras allowed to read scriptures other than Vedas ?
Yes they are allowed to read and hear some Scriptures like the Puranas,Itihasas etc.
From Devi Bhagavatam:
18-24. At every Manvantara, in ...
- 109k
14
votes
Are Sudras not allowed to study any scriptures of Hindusim?
I am supplementing the answer given by defining the term Sudra.
These teachings are not to be imparted to persons who are wicked,
haughty, barbarous, foul in conduct, hypocritical, given to ...
- 34.8k
13
votes
Can a married woman take out her Mangala Sutra and keep it anywhere?
This is to supplement Sree Charan's correct answer with quotes from Shastras.
The Manu Smriti says that there is no Vedic sacrament for women.But what is Vedic sacrament for men the nuptial (wedding) ...
- 109k
12
votes
Why do Hindus feed milk to snakes?
Varaha Purana suggests to bathe the images of Naga in milk on Naga Panchami and it doesn't mention anything about feeding milk to snakes.
If one remains austere on that day, give us all that is sour ...
- 30.8k
12
votes
Accepted
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 ...
- 109k
11
votes
Accepted
What is the proper way to say 'good bye' in Hinduism?
In our culture we never say Good bye , we say come back again , I am Gujarati we used to say come back again, In Gujarati we says "chaalo aavjo(ચલો અવોજો)" means come back again. And "...
- 4,855
11
votes
Why do Vedas have śākhās? Are all of them apauruṣeyā?
Q-2. why did he divide them further?
It's explained at Sakhas now Studied!:
Krsna Dvaipayana knew all the 1, 180 sakhas( recensions) of the Vedas revealed to the world by various sages. They were ...
- 25.6k
11
votes
Accepted
Mythology vs itihasa?
We need to see what term is used for those scriptures in our scriptures. We should stick to it.
The word used is "Itihasa" only. Here are various references from various scriptures:
One ...
- 109k
10
votes
Accepted
The story and Principle of adding "shree" "श्री" before our sacred religious books?
Lord Shiva says in KulArnava Tantram that Sri should always be added at the start while addressing Gurus, Shastras and the Holy places.
SriGurum KulashAstrAni PujyasthAnAni YAni cha || BhaktyA
...
- 109k
10
votes
Accepted
The story behind Names of Hindu calender Months?
These 12 months are derived from the name of nakshtras. As I discuss in my answer here, the names of nakshtras are itself stated in Atharva Veda. In a particular month there is high probability of ...
- 47.2k
10
votes
Is the ritual of killing an animal as offering to Maa Kali correct?
It's not mandatory to sacrifice animals in Devi or Kaali worship. But goat or animal sacrifice is considered as non-killing.
The animals which are sacrificed to the Divine Mother will go to heaven. ...
- 30.8k
10
votes
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 ...
- 96k
9
votes
Is it adharma to give Dana without considering what we are giving and to whom we are giving?
Is it Adharma to give Dana without considering what we are giving and whom we are giving.
We find exact answers to the above questions in our Purana’s also.. Puranic literature discusses about ...
- 31.6k
9
votes
If a brahmin has qualities of sudra should he be prohibited from duties of a brahmin?
Yaksha asked Yudhishtir the following question-
राजन् कुलेन वृत्तेन स्वाध्यायेन शृतेन वा।
ब्राह्मण्यं केन भवति? प्रब्रूह्मोतत्सुनिश्चितं
Meaning: King, how does one become a Brahmin: by birth? ...
- 15.5k
9
votes
Is the concept of "Holy Cow" found in the Vedic literature?
Holy Cow is from Vedic literature?
Yes most certainly it is.
In Vedas Cows are equated to the nectar of immortality (Amrita) and also to the supreme Vedic deities like Indra etc. It's also stated ...
- 109k
9
votes
Accepted
What is the overall take of Hinduism on menstruation?
There is also a belief that menstruation was not initially happening in women but it started as a result of sin of Indra which was shared by women. However, then a bigger question arises. What about ...
- 18.9k
8
votes
Accepted
What is the Apasthambha sutra? And is eating cow meat considered holy according to it?
The Grihya Sutras are scriptures that detail the rules and regulations regarding Vedic domestic rituals for householders (Griha - House in Sanskrit). There are various such Sutras written by different ...
- 18.8k
8
votes
Why Vishnu Sahasranama of Mahabharata is mostly used?
I wasn't aware that Vishnu Sahasranama has many versions until I read this question. So, I am unable to verify and compare them to answer. However, I remember a view point of one of the upanyasakar (...
- 1,493
8
votes
Accepted
Why Hinduism does not force any rules like other religions?
Religions like Christianity and Islam threaten their followers with eternal hell if they don't obey the rules. Thus these rules are commandments. There is no fear in Hinduism. The reason is that God ...
- 34.8k
8
votes
Accepted
What was the true reason behind the practice of Child Marriage?
See similar question and reference from Manu Smriti
Of the 8 types of marriage, the first and foremost is Brahma type, where groom's family comes searching for bride, and she is given as kanyadaan to ...
- 7,862
7
votes
The story and Principle of adding "shree" "श्री" before our sacred religious books?
Jaya Nitai! I know a partial answer to your question, and I will try and share all I know. This is what I was taught by my superiors. So the traditional meaning of the word श्री, is that it is a name ...
- 631
7
votes
Is the concept of "Holy Cow" found in the Vedic literature?
Yes ,The concept of “Holy Cow” is there in Vedas. There are many verses in Atharva Veda which describes the concept of Holy cow by admiring her , and describing her importance in human life as well ...
- 31.6k
7
votes
Accepted
Who were the main disciples of Sri Lakulisha?
According to Linga Purana, Volume 1, Chapter 24, Translated by J.L.Shastri, there are four disciples having name as: Kusika, Garga, Mitra and Kaurusya. This chapter talks about the twenty eight ...
- 23.5k
7
votes
When were the Vedas classified into four?
According to Devi Bhagavatam too Veda Vyasa divides the Veda into four parts in Dwapara Yuga of each Manvantara.
18-24. At every Manvantara, in each Dvâpara Yuga, Veda Vyâsa expounds
the ...
- 109k
6
votes
Why is God's name used for people?
First of all, God doesn't have any names. The one which is nameless that is the absolute reality.
People give various names to nameless, various forms to formless because it is difficult for them to ...
- 5,240
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