Most Popular
1500 questions
12
votes
4 answers
What is the story of "Kali Maa"?
Will anyone please tell me the origin of Kali Maa?
What is the relation between Shiva and Parvati?
Vivek Doshi
- 525
- 2
- 4
- 13
12
votes
1 answer
Was Nandi really a bull?
The general belief about Nandi (related to Lord Shiva) is that he is a bull who is generally in human form but at times changes into the form of a bull. But after reading Shiva Purana, I feel that Nandi is not the bull but a person who has an…
Aby
- 10,103
- 22
- 71
- 143
12
votes
1 answer
Reference request for Swami Vivekananda's quote on life coming from the moon
Swami Vivekananda makes a passing remark in one of his lectures (Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, V2 p90) of the following:
By the by, it may interest some of you to know that there are theories on the Vedic philosophy about the origin of life…
Swami Vishwananda
- 24,140
- 2
- 34
- 78
12
votes
1 answer
Why Holika died inside fire, in spite of a boon?
King Hiranyakashipu tried many ways to kill his son Prahlada. Holika was his sister with a boon that a fire can not burn/harm her.
To kill Prahlada in fire, Hiranyakashipu asked her sister's help. She suggested that she will sit in fire with…
Kedarnath
- 4,706
- 14
- 36
- 68
12
votes
5 answers
Is killing justified in the Bhagwad Gita?
How according to Krishna's teaching to Arjuna, was the war between the two sides justified? Isn't fighting over a kingdom petty compared to the lives that would be lost?
Isn't killing (be it human or animal) against the basic tenets of Hinduism?
My…
jariy
- 121
- 1
- 3
12
votes
2 answers
What is the concept of a week in Hinduism?
Most Hindu festivals are pinned to a Lunar day or Tithi like Rama-navami, hera-pancami etc. The 7-day week runs out-of-sync with the lunar tithis; it would be very confusing to try to follow both at the same time.
Yet many astrological sites also…
MKaama
- 850
- 8
- 13
12
votes
1 answer
What is the story behind sons of Shani?
I got to know from a relative that Shani has 2 sons - Maandhi & Kuligan.
Just like Shani, they are supposed to create malefic effects according to Jyotisha. What is the story behind them? Very little seems to be known about them.
Bharat
- 6,930
- 2
- 32
- 64
12
votes
4 answers
Why did Hindus practice untouchability?
In various sub-castes, people used to practice untouchability i.e., some of the people who were considered lower castes, for example, sweepers, cleaners, etc. were ignored, and there were rules such as others were not allowed to touch them, if they…
The Hungry Dictator
- 2,339
- 1
- 18
- 41
12
votes
2 answers
What is the Significance of Brahmamuhurtha
I have heard about Brahmamuhurtha (Brahma time), that it is a time where we can do meditation or have good concentration power.
According to India Times:
Brahmamuhurta is the morning period between 3.30 a.m. and 5.30 a.m. It is suitable for…
Mr_Green
- 11,583
- 30
- 86
- 141
12
votes
2 answers
What does happens to Prarabdha Karma while sleeping?
Most of you might know, we have to experience the result of any karma(Prarabdha karma)done by us. Any Prarabdha Karma is inevitable.
According to Sri Swami Sivananda: "Prarabdha is that portion of the past karma which is responsible for the…
LightAchala
- 4,274
- 12
- 39
- 65
12
votes
2 answers
Why are there different classes of पुराणs (Puranas)?
The Padma Purana mentions that the eighteen Puranas are divided into three groups of six: Sattvika, Rajasika, and Tamasika. Why do the Rajasika and Tamasika Puranas exist at all? Does the Padma Purana explain this division, is there another Hindu…
AdityaS
- 905
- 7
- 23
12
votes
1 answer
Did Ravan speak Sanskrit?
One of my Sri Lankan friends claims that Ravana spoke Sinhalese.
Is there any place in the Ramayana where the sage Valmiki mentioned about the language of Ravana and his people?
sushma
- 121
- 1
- 3
12
votes
6 answers
What is a mantra? Do mantras really have any power?
How does one define a mantra? Does it have any specific attributes?
Some mantras are purported to have some effect on the invoker. For example, the Mahamrityunjaya mantra is supposed to bring good health.
How should I believe this? It's like…
Aditya K
- 1,259
- 3
- 11
- 19
12
votes
0 answers
Scriptural reference for the statement "gods reside towards our right side"?
Quoting from an article hosted at kamakoti.org "VEDA DHARMA SASTRA PARIPALANA SABHA (Regd.), Kumbhakonam, Publication No. 50":
MORNING ROUTINE
Everyone should get up from bed in Braahma muhurtham,i.e. five nazhigas (two hours) before sunrise,…
Rickross
- 111,864
- 14
- 239
- 439
12
votes
1 answer
Should fire generated by match-sticks or petroleum-based products be used in homa?
In the Bṛhat Tantrasāra, it is stated that fire used for Tāntrika homa should belong to any one of the following categories :
It should be generated by araṇi wood.
It should be generated by stone (i.e using flint stones).
It should be generated by…
অনু
- 2,422
- 1
- 6
- 36