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1500 questions
29
votes
10 answers
Do any texts explicitly forbid Hindus from eating beef?
I have been told many a times that I shouldn't eat beef because I am a Hindu by religion. Even though I have never worshiped a cow in my life or interacted with any on more than exotic basis, I find it hard to understand the logic behind not eating…
Aditya Somani
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Is it true that one can not convert to Hinduism from any other religion or vice versa?
One of my friends told me that you are either born as a Hindu or not: You cannot convert from any other religion to Hinduism or the other way round. Is something of that sort mentioned in the Vedas or any other religious text?
mihirjoshi
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29
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Why did Sri Rama banish Lady Sita when he was a witness of her fire-test himself?
Sri Rama was a great and just king of Ayodhya. There were some rumors reported by his subjects against the purity of Lady Sita.
So, as per the Raja Dharma, Rama had to banish Sita. But was it against Raja Dharma when Rama and his brother were…
doptimusprime
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Why do the Vedas need to be recompiled every Dvāpara Yuga?
As I discuss in this answer, how the Vedas originated is that from time immemorial, sages known as Dṛṣṭas (literally seers) have heard sacred verses (mantras) directly from the gods during a state of Tapasya (deep meditation). And then in the…
Keshav Srinivasan
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29
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2 answers
Does the karma from the previous life affect the current life?
I was reading this post recently where @jabahar explains about Are people always reborn as people? where user answers as —
Depending upon karma a jivatma (spirit) may reborn in the body of
other animals. As per Shrimad Bhgagavatam:
bhūtāni tais…
Mr. Alien
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29
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3 answers
Was Ravana actually a villain? Or was he a devotee of Lord Vishnu?
Ravana was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Siva. He also worshiped Lord Brahma and the two of them had given him enormous powers. Among the Trimurthis, only Lord Vishnu punished him as Lord Rama.
Ravana is considered as a symbol of cruelty.…
user11
29
votes
1 answer
Why isn't Parashurama worshipped like the other Vishnu Avatars?
Vishnu Avatars like Rama and Krishna get worshipped in all main regions of India. But why doesn't Parashurama get worshipped that much? Is there some reason for it? Parashurama is the longest-serving Avatar of Vishnu. He is even said to be living in…
Ankit Sharma
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28
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4 answers
Complete English translations of Puranas
Some English translations of Puranas can be found online here:
Vishnu purana
(a) Garuda purana (abridged)
(b) Garuda purana (full)
Bagavata Purana
(a) Shiva Purana (b) Online proofread edition
Linga purana
(a) Brahmanda Purana (b) Online proofread…
The Destroyer
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votes
8 answers
What are the Hindu scriptures which every Hindu should abide by?
In Christianity, one has the holy Bible and in Islam one has the holy Quran. Which scriptures should a Hindu always follow? Which scripture can a Hindu look up for references?
Rahul
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Partial and full incarnations: When divine beings incarnate on earth, do they continue to exist in their original abode?
I am having confusion that, whenever divine beings incarnate on earth, do they also continue to exist in their original abode?
Let us take the example of Narayana, the supreme god. It is said that whole world is just his dream.
It's been said that,…
tekkk
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What percentage of Hindus belong to a sect that subscribes to the Vedanta school?
Indian schools of philosophy are traditionally divided into two categories, Astika and Nastika. Astika schools accept the authority of the Vedas as divinely revealed truth (shruti), whereas Nastika schools, like Buddhism, Jainism, and Charvaka,…
Keshav Srinivasan
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28
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3 answers
How to read Hindu Scriptures.?
Ok, I understand there are lot of Hindu scriptures.
How to read them?
I wish to read them for.:
meditation
to gain wisdom/knowledge
raise positive vibrational energy
but most importantly break out of bad karma do (I believe in…
Rhonda
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Where is the mention of 'Shiva is Supreme Lord of Vishnu and Vishnu is Supreme Lord of Shiva'?
There is a popular verse:
शिवाय विष्णुरूपाय शिवरूपाय विष्णवे ।
शिवस्य हृदयं विष्णुर्विष्णोश्च हृदयं शिवः ॥
“Shivaya VishnuRoopaya , Shivarupaya Vishnave , Shivasya hirdayam VishnurVishnoscha hridayam Shivah “
Shiva is in the form of Vishnu,…
Tezz
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28
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4 answers
Why do Hindus have no restrictions on going to churches or any other religious places?
Hinduism is known for its wide acceptance of other cultures. Most religions, like Christianity, Islam, etc. have very strict rules regarding this. They are not allowed to worship or visit any other religious places. But in Hinduism, I don't see such…
user11
27
votes
1 answer
Where does a Soul attach to the Body?
A human is identified in terms of 3 bodies, 3 States and 5 Koshas or Sheaths.
The Atman or soul is covered by three bodies, which are:
Karana sharira (Causal body),
Sukshma sarira (Subtle body) and
Sthula sharira (Gross body).
According to…
LightAchala
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