Q&A

Question Is Vishwamitra also a creator of a new Universe like Brahma? Answer Yes, Vishwamitra did his own creation. This is described in the Bala Kanda of the Ramayana. The solar dynasty king Trishanku wanted to go to Swarga in his own body, so he asked the sage Vasishta to help him. Vasishta refused, so Trishanku did a variety of bad things to Vasishta in response. Vasishta was outraged and cursed Trishanku to become a Chandala....

Question What is the meaning/definition of the word Shudra? Answer In ChAndogyo Upanishad 4.2.3 the Shudra word is found. The translator of my book (SwAmi GambhirAnanda) says that according to ShankarAcharya and according to Brahma Sutra 1.3.34-35, here the word's Yogic meaning is implied. And, for that meaning, the etymology is the following: Shudra --- "ShuchA dravati" (one who melts in grief/sorrow is a Shudra). But, this is just one of the many etymologies for Shudra....

Question How many commentaries are there of the Srimad Bhagavatam? Answer I know of 29 commentaries on the Bhagvatam. This book contains 28 Sanskrit commentaries: 1) Kardama Kshama (Anvaya) 2) Srila Sridhar Swami's Bhavartha-Dipika 3) Srila Vamshidhara's Bhavartha-Dipika-Prakash 4) Srila Jiva Goswami's Vaishnava Toshani 5) Srila Jiva Goswami's Brihad-Vaishnava Toshani 6) Sri Sudarshan Suri's Shukapakshiyam 7) Srila Srinath Chakravarti's Chaitanya Mata Manjusha 8) Srimad Viraraghavacharya's Bhagavat-Chandrika 9) Srimad VijaydhvajTirtha's Pada-Ratnavali 10) Srila Jiva Goswami's Krama-Sandarbha and Brhat Krama-Sandarbha 11) Srila Vishwanath Chakravarti Thakura's Sarartha-Darshini 12) Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana's Vaishnavanandini 13) Sri Chalarinarayanacharya's Bhagavat Tatparya Tippani 14) Sri Satyabhinavayati's Durghata Bhava Dipika 15) Sri Pandhari Narayanacharya's Durgatoddhara 16) Sri Prabhucharan's Sri Tippani 17) Sri Purushottam Charan's Subodhini Prakash 18) Sri Vallabh Maharaja's Sri Subodhini Lekha 19) Sri Dixit Lalu Bhatta's Subodhini Yojana 20) Sri Bhagavadeeya Nirbhaya Rama Bhatta's Subodhini Karika Vyakhya 21) Sri Ganga Sahay's Anvitartha Prakashika 22) Sri Gopalananda Muni's Nigudhartha Prakash Vyakhyanam 23) Sri BhagavatPrasadacharya's Bhakta Manoranjani 24) Sri Harisuri's Bhakti Rasayanam 25) Sri Shukadev-Acharya's Siddhanta-Pradipa 26) Srimad Vallabhacharya's Subodhini 27) Sri Purushottamcharan Goswami's Subodhini-Prakash 28) Sri GiridharLal Goswami's Balprabodhini...

Question Who is Arjuna, who had captured Ravana at Narmada river? Answer Who is Arjuna, who had captured Ravana at Narmada river? This Arjuna was a king of Maheshmati from Haihayas (a branch of Yadavas). He was son of Kritavirya hence famously known as Kartavirya Arjuna. He is also known as Sahasrabahu Arjuna or SahasraArjuna. He is believed to be an incarnation of Sudarshana Chakra. He got boon from Lord Dattatreya which made him so powerful....

Question Nine gates of a human body? Answer Which are the nine gates being referred here? Are these ears, nose, mouth, eyes etc? Yes the Nine gates referred here ae our bodily organs like ear , nose , mouth etc. within Pancala kingdom (5 senses ). It's said that a jiva accepts a material body by virtue of his own desires. Accepting two hands, two legs, and so on, the living entity fully enjoys the modes of material nature....

Question Where Epics and Puranas are mentioned as 5th Veda? Answer Similarly, I heard that Epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) are called as 5th Veda or sometimes Epics and Puranas collectively called as 5th Veda. So, is there any scripture where Ramayana is mentioned as 5th Veda or Epics collectively are mentioned as 5th Veda? Yes, there is. First of all, the Bhagavatam is one of them, in fact the very Bhagavatam verse you quoted:...

Question Why did Rama construct bridge to Lanka? Answer Thanks to @Just_Do_It and @YDS to providing answers and here are two cents from my side: while watching ramayana (TV series, based on ramcharitmanas and valmiki ramayan). Laxman suggested construction of boats but vibhishan suggested that sinking of boats is easier for lanka warriors (using big stones) so unsinkable medium of travel should be searched. No one knew what to do that's why he suggested to ask solution from ocean....

Question What is the relationship between Rig Veda and Sama Veda? Answer The relation between Rik and Saman is described in Chandogya Upanishad -Adhyaya 1 - verse 2. एषां भूताना पृथिवि रस: पृथिव्या आपो रस: | अपामोषधयो रस औषधीनां पुरुषो रस: पुरुषस्य वासग्रो वाच ऋग्रस ऋच :साम रस: साम्न उद्गित्थो रस: ||2|| The earth is essence of all the beings ; Water is the essence of the earth ;Herbs are essence of water ; Man is essence of herbs ;Speech is essence of man ; Rik is essence of speech ; Saman is the essence of Rik ; Udgita is essence of Saman ....

Question Did Lahiri Mahasaya defeat Swami Dayanand Saraswati in a debate in Kashi? Answer Arya Samaj accounts don't mention such a debate, but this excerpt from the Yogiraj Charit, a traditional biography of Lahiri Mahasaya, describes him defeating Dayananda Saraswati in a debate on idol worship, in the course of which he magically silences Dayananda Saraswati's supporters. I would to narrate an incident from the life of Yogiraj Rev. Lahiri Babaji....

Question Is Chitragupt of Yamlok mentioned in any scriptures? Answer Is there a real character called Chitragupta? "Brahman said, 'O highly blessed one, excellent is the duty that thou hast enunciated, together with its secret ritual. Praise be to thee! I grant thee this boon, viz., that thy penances will continually increase!' "Yams said, 'I have heard from thee an excellent and agreeable discourse. Listen now to what Chitragupta has said and what is agreeable to me....

Question What is the meaning of Saraswati? Answer One derivation of the word "Saraswati" is given in the Devi Bhagavatam and which is as follows: On the greatness of Kali: 1-110. Nârâyana said :-- A part of Sarasvatî descended in this Bhârata Punya Bhûmi (land of merits), owing to the curse of Gangâ; and She remained in full in Visnu's region, the abode of Vaikuntha. She is named Bhâratî, on account of Her coming to Bhârata; she is called Brâhmî because she is dear to Brahmâ; and She is called Vânî as She presides over Speech....

Question Is there any temple where deities are Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara? Answer Yes, there are a few. Temples of historical significance The very famous Prambanan temple at Java, Indonesia. This very old temple (and UNESCO world heritage site) from 9th century is dedicated to the trimurti. There are three temples, one for each Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, there. Also, there are separate temples for their vahanas as well. The main deity at the Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, India, (which is also a UNESCO world heritage site), is a large stone sculpture of trimurti....

Question Does a soul have any gender? Answer No, the self doesn't have gender, it's just a body which has gender. According to Shwetashwatara Upanishad: नैव स्त्री न पुमानेष न चैवायं नपुंसकः । यद्यच्छरीरमादत्ते तेने तेने स युज्यते ॥ १०॥ V-10: He is neither female, nor male, nor neuter. Whatever body he assumes, he becomes identified with that. Another translation from Vidyaprakash: The Jiva is not female, nor male nor neuter....

Question On what basis is a soul born as male or female? Answer We can get an answer from the embryological point of view as found in an Upanishad called the Garbha Upanishad (which is linked to the Krishna Yajur Veda). In the fourth month, belly and hip are formed; in the fifth month, the backbone is formed; in the sixth month, nose, eyes and ears are formed. In the seventh month, [the embryo] comes to have the jīva (conscious self), and in the eighth month, it becomes complete in every sense....

Question Was Ravana a vegetarian? Answer Ravana was not a vegetarian. As per UTTARA KANDA of Valmiki Ramayana, this is what Ravana did in king Marutta's Maheshvara yajna: And then devouring the Maharshis that were present at the place of sacrifice, Ravana, satiated with their blood, again went to the earth. (English translation source) The complete story of king Marutta's Maheshvara yajna is given here. Note: “The question: Was Ravana a vegetarian?...