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In Hinduism, what exactly is a lie? And is lying adharma?

I would like to know what is considered a lie in Hinduism? Sometimes we speak good but we speak the same thing in a different way which appears as a lie to the listener but it's not really a lie. In Hinduism, is speaking lie, adharma? Some…
user12458
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Did Dasharatha fight against the same demon Shambara described in the Rig Veda?

In the Ayodhya Kanda of the Ramayana, Kaikeyii's evil servant Manthara convinces Kaikeyii to exile Rama and make her son Bharata as king. Manthara reminds Kaikeyii that she had received two boons from Dasharatha, because she had saved Dasharatha's…
Keshav Srinivasan
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What is the difference between God and Devi-Devta or are they same?

Is there a difference between God and Devi-Devta or are they same? As we know there are thousands of devis and devas, are they the same as God or is there any difference between them? If they are different, then what is the difference? What is the…
Dinesh Kaushik
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There are different mantras for worshipping Lord Vishnu for different yugas. What are the meanings of them?

There are different mantras to chant Lord Vishnu's name in different Yugas. This names are known as tārakabrahma names. The mantra for Satya Yuga is- nārāya়ṇa parābedā nārāya়ṇa parākṣarāḥ। nārāya়ṇa paramukti nārāya়ṇa paragati:।। The…
swift_truth
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Should Eclipses be considered as an auspicious and divine event or as an inauspicious occurrence?

Most Hindus just view eclipses as something which is an inauspicious thing and also believe negative energies are radiated from it. The word 'Grahana' itself also induces a sense of fear to many. But we have many scriptural sources also which say…
Tezz
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When did Krishna first meet Vishnu's bird Garuda?

The Srimad Bhagavatam describes how Krishna flew on the back of Garuda to kill the demon Narakasura, which is the inspiration for the holiday Deepavali: After Bhauma [Narakasura] had stolen the earrings belonging to Indra’s mother [Aditi], along…
Keshav Srinivasan
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How is the Visvarupa of Lord Shiva different from the Visvarupa of Lord Krishna?

Lord Shiva showed Visvarupa to Lord Rama as per the Shiva-Gita. Lord Krishna showed the Visva-rupa to Arjuna as per the Bhagavad-Gita. Are these two 'Visva-rupa' Forms identical or different? If different, what are the differences? If there are many…
user17294
13
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3 answers

Why Ramcharitmanas received more popularity than Valmiki Ramayana?

I have seen majority of people having Ramcharitmanas and even temples keep many copies of Ramcharitmanas rather than Valmiki Ramayana for Akhand Ramayan Paath. Why has Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas, which is a retelling of Ramayana, gained more…
baba
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Did people in Krishna's time know that he was God?

Background 1 Sri Aandal in Kali yuga wanted to emulate Krishna Bhakthi which Gopika women had enjoyed in his presence.She was inspired and chose the practice of pavai nombu or vratha followed by Gopika women who prayed to Goddess Karthiyayini for…
karthikbharadwaj
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What is the difference between Sanyaas and Vairagya?

In both Sanyaas and Vairagya you let go of materialistic stuff and don't remain connected to physical pleasure. Are they same or there are any subtle differences between them?
RBT
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What is the reason behind lokas in Hinduism?

In the Puranas, and already in the Atharvaveda, there are fourteen worlds, seven higher ones (vyahrtis) and seven lower ones (patalas), viz. bhu, bhuvas, svar, mahas, janas, tapas, and satya above and atala, vitala, sutala, rasaataala, talatala,…
Avis
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What is the story of Vishnu killing sage Bhrighu's wife Kavyamata?

In the Bala Kanda of the Ramayana, Rama is hesistant to kill the Rakshasi (demoness) Thataka because she's a woman, but the sage Vishwamitra tells him that even the gods have fought women when they were engaged in evil: Compassion regarding the…
Keshav Srinivasan
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Is "Tamas" always something negative?

"Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya" is a famous example. There are innumerable negative mentions of "Tamasic puranas". Are there scriptures that say Tamas isn't a negative quality? Ramakrishna has a parable that says that in order to achieve liberation, one…
S K
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Who has the authority to change the procedure for vedic rituals and under what circumstances?

Being born in a smartha brahmana family, I have had the chance to observe and also perform many vedic rituals at home and other places, starting with nitya karmas like sandhyavandanam to major homams/yajnas like Ganapathi, Navagraha, Sudharasana,…
Ambi
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Which Hindu episode does this Khmer relief from Beng Mealea show?

The person below the main relief is considered a man lying in the water. It is conjectured that he is Shyavana, a sage meditating in a holy river. What is the story about him? Where is the story told? Which persons are on top of the relief? Note.…
Jo Wehler
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