21
votes
Why is Shiva primarily worshipped in a linga form?
This question can be answered into two aspects:
1) Why is Linga form worshipped ?
2) Why is Shiva primarily worshipped in Linga form ?
1) Why is Linga form worshipped ?
Among the 18 major ...
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15
votes
Accepted
Is Shalagram worship forbidden to non-Brahmins?
No. It is not forbidden.
The importance of Gandaki river is explained in chapter 20 of Patala Khanda of Padma Purana. In that chapter, the importance of śālagrāma is also said.
The disc born (...
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13
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 ...
- 31.1k
12
votes
Accepted
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 |...
- 111k
12
votes
Is it more helpful in any way to worship multiple deities?
As per the advice that most Gurus give, it's not beneficial to worship multiple deities for any particular individual. One must only worship his/her Ishta Devata and stick with it's worship only (...
- 111k
11
votes
Accepted
Queries on Śrī Lalitā Sahasranāma Phalaśruti
This KAmAkotimanadali page tries to determine "lalitA sahasranAma - adhikAra nirNaya".
That means trying to determine who all are competent to recite the stotram. That means not all are competent to ...
- 111k
10
votes
Is it more helpful in any way to worship multiple deities?
The purpose of worshiping multiple Gods is because of multiple desires fulfillment. For example worship of Indra is done in order to please him for rain. Worship of Kuber is done for the wealth etc. ...
- 7,247
9
votes
What is the significance of Sashtang Namaskar?
Ashtanga is "eight limbs". SAshtanga is "with eight limbs". So, prostration which is done by involving the eight particular limbs of body is called the ShAshtanga Namaskara.
Here is the formal ...
- 111k
9
votes
What is the reason behind lokas in Hinduism?
Sri Swami Sivananda explains correlation between Lokas and Chakras in his book Kundalini Yoga and in this page. He says Lokas correspond to Chakras of human body.
Man is a microcosm (Kshudra ...
- 31.1k
9
votes
Accepted
How to determine whether a Banalinga is genuine or not?
I read in a spiritual book(Soota Sanhita,Veermitrodaya) that there are two ways to determine whether a Banalinga is original or not.In the first rule you place it in one of the plates of a torsion ...
- 308
9
votes
How long did Adi Shankaracharya live?
Quoting from here ,
Shankara’s dates
Modern scholarship is agreed on dates in the 8th century C.E., though
it has proved impossible to reach agreement on Shankara’s precise
dates of birth ...
- 111k
9
votes
Worship of one god and worship of Shri Ram
It is difficult to understand the meaning of this verse when you pull it out of context. When reading this verse one needs to read the other verses starting with verse 15 and ending with verse 28.
...
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9
votes
Accepted
What are the different branches of Shaktism?
One of the major Tantrik scripture is called the VishnukrAntA. It has within itself several other major Tantik scriptures like Nila Tantram, Niruttara Tantram and many others.
Now, AFAIK, it's only ...
- 111k
9
votes
What do we gain from chanting the names of Lord Shiva?
Though, there are numerous scriptures have glorified the name of Lord Shiva in detail but since you are asking for specific gain of chanting his name, so I am answering only that. By chanting the five-...
- 23.7k
8
votes
Why do Hindus remove their footwear before entering temples?
Since no answer gives any reference from any scriptures, i am adding my own.
The reason is scriptural injunction. That is, scriptures ask us not to wear shoes where idols are placed.
There are 5 ...
- 111k
8
votes
Why is Ganga considered sacred? Why do so many devotees worship this river?
Valmiki Ramayana states that Ganga is considered sacred because it came by touching Anga (Head) of Lord Shiva:
तत्र ऋषि गण गन्धर्वा वसुधा तल वासिनः १-४३-२६
भव अंग पतितम् तोयम् पवित्रम् इति ...
- 48.2k
8
votes
Why is lord Ganesha worshipped first before any puja?
The story is mentioned in Shiva Mahapurana, Rudra Samhita (Kumara Khanda), Chapter 18. When Lord Ganesha brought back to life after his head was chopped off by Lord Shiva, then Goddess Parvati adored ...
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8
votes
Accepted
Nag Panchami and its importance?
The story of Naga Panchami is described in Chapter 24 of Varaha Purana.
The Progeny of Ananta, Vasuki, Kambala, Karkotaka, Padma, Maha Padma, Sanka and Kulika filled the earth and they were crooked, ...
- 31.1k
8
votes
Does chanting Holy Names while doing worldly duties generate any punya karma?
In my personal experience, I find chanting very useful. Here are excerpts from a talk by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to describe this:
When someone abuses you verbally, how do you feel? If someone says
...
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8
votes
Are there any enlightened people currently at the level of Ramana Maharishi or Paramhansa Ramakrishna?
Prahlad Jani is an Indian Sadhu, who got a spiritual experience at the age of 11 and since then he became follower of goddess Amba Mata. He himself is also known as Mataji. Since the 1970s, Jani has ...
- 19.7k
8
votes
Are there any enlightened people currently at the level of Ramana Maharishi or Paramhansa Ramakrishna?
Mahavatar Babaji is greatest example. He is the guru of Lahiri Mahasaya who was the guru of Sri Yukteswar Giri who was the guru of Paramahansa Yogananada. He is the immortal Babaji meaning he will ...
- 5,311
8
votes
Any mantras that are not of Sanskrit origin?
In South India,in the temples of the Lord Vishnu, the lord is often worshipped using tamil verses which were written by the great saints of Sri Vaishnavism Azhwars.Most important and famous one is the ...
- 25.7k
8
votes
Which deities should be honored for their protection of waters?
It has to be Lord Varuna, who rules over water, water bodies and even the aquatic animals.
On an auspicious day one should place a pitcher, in the West, covered
with a blue cloth and decorated ...
- 111k
8
votes
Accepted
Worshipping Lord Sharabha in Tantra
It is a noteworthy diety in shakta and shaiva tantric traditions. Also usually known by names like Sri Sharabheshwara or Sri Pakshiraaj. less audience is aware of such deities. It is also linked with ...
- 19.1k
7
votes
Why is Lord Shiva always worshiped alongwith Shakti and never alone?
Well, there may be different beliefs and conditions while worshipping the God.
Read the following relation between Shakti and Shiva from Shaktism:
Shaktism's focus on the Divine Feminine does not ...
- 26k
7
votes
Accepted
Why is Lord Shiva always worshiped alongwith Shakti and never alone?
The following verse found in the VAmakeswara Tantra explains in short why Shiva is not worshiped alone.
shaktyA vinA shive sUkShme nAma dhAma na vidyate | jnAtenApi mahAdevi
sharma karma na ...
- 111k
7
votes
What are the different branches of Shaktism?
According to Wikipedia, Shaktism or Shaktidharma (Sanskrit: Śāktaṃ, शाक्तं; lit., "doctrine of power" or "doctrine of the Goddess") is a denomination of Hinduism that focuses worship upon Shakti or ...
- 3,521
7
votes
Accepted
What are the benefits of undertaking a pilgrimage to Pushkar Tirtha?
Story of Puskara Tirtha is mentioned in detail in Shristi Khanda of Padma Purana.
When Savitri was late for Yajna, Brahma married a Gayatri at this Pushkara site. In anger, Savitri cursed all Gods ...
- 31.1k
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