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Is there temple worship in the Vedas?

Do Vedas talk of temples? Were there any temples in the Vedic era? If yes what are some of the references? If no then is temple worship a post Vedic concept?
Rakesh Joshi
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Are shudras allowed to take up sanyasa?

Vedantins consider Sanyasa the path of liberation and most of their acharyas have taken up sanyasa in order to attain jnana. If so then are shudras also allowed to take up sanyasa for the pursuit of moksha? If yes then which are the vedanta…
Rakesh Joshi
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What is the difference between Dakṣiṇācāra and Vamachara Tantrism?

Tantra exists in 2 types- The orthodox Dakṣiṇācāra followed by āstika sects and the unorthodox and extreme Vamachara followed by nāstika sects. So what are the differences between the practices of these 2 types of Tantra? Do both these paths involve…
user9969
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2 answers

What is Sri Vidya?

In many books, TV shows, and discourses there are various definitions and explanations of Sri Vidya. So what exactly is Sri Vidya?
Rakesh Joshi
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What does Hinduism say about third-gendered people?

Recently, gay rights have been a very hot topic, and some politicians say that they are un-natural and against Hindutva. But how? I mean I don't remember any Veda or religious book saying anything against a third gender. And even the Mahabharata has…
Ankit Sharma
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How did Rishis perform Tapasya (transcendental meditation) so that they heard Shruti/Veda?

The oldest and primary scripture we do have is Veda and we know that ancient Rishis heard Veda in the state of Tapasya directly from Ishwara and that is called Shruti. But one question often comes in my mind - How did they perform Tapasya (Dhyana or…
Pandya
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Is it adharma to give Dana without considering what we are giving and to whom we are giving?

Dana is a dharma action followed in every yuga as it prevents selfishness, ignorance and helps other beings to live very peacefully. But, the Dana which helps society can also bring problems to it if Dana is given to anyone without contemplating…
Sakthi
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Which scriptures describe the chariot of Sun God?

सप्ताश्व रथमारूढम् प्रचंडम् कश्यपात्मजम् | श्वेत पद्मधरम् देवम् तम् सूर्यम् प्रणमाम्यहम् || saptāśva rathamārūḍham pracaṁḍam kaśyapātmajam | śvēta padmadharam dēvam tam sūryam praṇamāmyaham || The sun God who is mounted on a chariot driven by…
Sarvabhouma
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What scriptures say Indra has right/authority to test sages with Kama, Krodha, lobha, Moha, Madha and Matsarya?

Mylavarapu Srinivasa Rao is a well-known scholar of Hinduism and its philosphy in Telugu states. He talks about Greatness of Indra in this video (in Telugu). He says Indra is king of all Devas who did 100 yajnas (referring to Aswamedha Yajnas).…
The Destroyer
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Why couldn't or why didn't Lord Rama withdraw his Brahmastra when Arjuna could?

There are a few instances in Ramayana about Lord Rama firing Brahmastra weapons but couldn't withdraw it saying that a Brahmastra weapon never goes waste, but we see in Mahabharata that Arjuna while fighting with Ashwathama withdraws his…
Prakash K
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Adi Buddha and Gautama buddha, Which one is the real avatar of Lord vishnu?

Many sites claim that there were Two buddhas and both were different. It is said that Adi buddha was the real avatar of lord vishnu. Gautama buddha was only a enlightened one but not an avatar of lord vishnu. Puri Shankaracharya’s view Puri’s…
Sakthi
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Which Shastras are more authoritative,the Smritis(Dharma Shastras) or the Puranas?

In Hindu Dharma the Vedas,Upanishads,6 Vedangas,Smritis(or the Dharma Shastras),Puranas and the Itihasas(Ramayana and Mahabhartha) are usually together called the Shastras or Scriptures. Among them, the Vedas(Srutis) ,of course,are considered as…
Rickross
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Interpreting Bhagavad Gita verse 8.16

I do know that according to Upanishads, All the higher Lokas except Brahma Loka, are subjected to circumgyration/reparation (birth-rebirth). From Chhandogya Upanishad 4.15.5: अथ यदु चैवास्मिञ्छव्यं कुर्वन्ति यदि च …
Pandya
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Do children accumulate karma? At what age are you responsible for your karma?

If I do a bad karma without knowing or realizing properly will I receive fruits for that or not? What about children? Do they accumulate karma too? Don't they make lot of mistakes unknowingly? At what age are you responsible for your own karma?
Ratul
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What is the core message of the Bhagavad-gītā? What are some verses from Bhagavad-gītā that one can refer to, to enrich life in general?

What is (or what are) the core message(s) of the Bhagavad-gītā? What are some verses from Bhagavad-gītā, that one can refer to, to enrich life in general? This question is inspired by Core messages of Ramayana and verses from Ramayana that one can…
Say No To Censorship
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