Hinduism Questions & Answers

Question “Chaitanya” (चैतन्य) and “Soul” (आत्मा) , Same or Different? Answer Atman is defined as: सच्चिदानन्द स्वरुप Sacchidananda Swarupa Form of Sat, Chid and Aananda Sat swarupa means pure existence. Chid swarupa means pure consciousness. Aananda swarupa means infinite blissfull state. Chid Swarupa ie. Consciousness ie., Chaitanya Swarupa. So, Chaitanya and Soul aren't exactly same. Chaitanya is one of the state of Atman, the other states being pure existence and infinite bliss....

Question On Identity of Sage Valmiki Answer According to Skanda Purana, Nagara Khanda, Volume 17, Chapter 124, Sage Valmiki is Brahmin by birth too. Formerly, there was a Brahmana named Lohajangha in Chamatkarpura. He hailed from the family of Mandavya. Initially, he was a good person devoted to his family but once, there was no rain for a long time in Chamatkarpuar. So, Chamatkarpur was affected by famine and to fulfill his family requirements, he became thief/robber....

Question Why didn’t Lord Shiva realize that he was beheading his own son? Answer This whole event is a series of interconnected Chain events. I'm here summarizing the chain events: 1) Boon to Gajasura: Gajasura was a devotee of Lord Shiva and he got a boon that his head would be revered in future as described in the answer here. 2) Curse to Lord Shiva: Lord Shiva once killed Surya and Kasyapa (father of Surya) cursed him as described in answer here....

Question Why do we people offer Prasad? Answer Offering the prasad is referred to the prasad that is offered to lord first and then it is to be served among all the persons who will be present there. It is believe that the prasad work as blessings which is transferred through prasad. The prasad is not only sweet or pure water(amrit).It can be anything like tulsi leaves or anything good like that....

Question Why Gandhari remained blind-folded all her life Answer Gandhari has blindfolded her eyes because of love and respect towards her husband Dhritarashtra. I don't think there is a role or impact of Bhishma on this incident. It is mentioned in Sambhava Parva of Adi Parva, Mahabharata. Soon after Bhishma heard from the Brahmanas that Gandhari, the amiable daughter of Suvala, having worshipped Hara (Siva) had obtained from the deity the boon that she should have a century of sons....

Question Please Explain The Number 108 Answer According to Vedic cosmology, number 108 is the basis of creation. Number 108 represent our universe. 108 represent the whole of our existence. 108 is a number which resonates throughout the universe. Please refere following link for more details http://www.mallstuffs.com/Blogs/BlogDetails.aspx?BlogId=264&BlogType=Spiritual&Topic=Why%20number%20108%20is%20holy%20and%20auspicious%20in%20Hinduism Note: “The question: Please Explain The Number 108” is licensed by Stack Exchange Inc (https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/); user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA.

Question Spiritual significance of Goddess Lakshmi serving the Lotus feet of God Vishnu Answer Goddess Lakshmi (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी} is the goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi is the “eternal” consort and shakti (energy) of God Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi is also considered as, another aspect of the Supreme Goddess. Goddess Lakshmi serving Vishnu's feet should not be taken literally. And should only be perceived to understand the devotional aspect of life....

Question Was Rama a god? Answer Yes, Sri Rama, the son of Dasharatha is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. So, he himself is the Lord. It is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana, Baala Kanda that all world had become sad because of Ravana. Then all Devas along with Lord Brahma prayed to Lord Vishnu. Then Lord Vishnu pleased by them and promised to take birth as the son of Dasharatha. ततो नारायणो देवो विषुणुः नियुक्तः सुर सत्तमैः | जानन् अपि सुरान् एवम् श्लक्ष्णम् वचनम् अब्रवीत् || १-१६-१...

Question Can we keep Shiva Linga at home? Answer Yes. Shiva Linga can be kept in your house but you must follow some rules to keep Shiva Linga in your house, as we invited Shiva into Linga by doing Prana Pratista. Dr.Annadanam Chidambara Sastri gives some instructions one must follow to keep Shiva Linga at home. This video is part of Telugu Program called Dharma Sandhehalu which is aired on Bhakti TV....

Question Trilok is “three worlds” but what is Go Lok Answer Lord Krishna's own abode in the eternal spiritual world above this material world is called goloka (go -- cow; loka -- world, planet), meaning literally "cow-world". There are many cows there and Lord Krishna enjoys his eternal pastimes there as a cowherd with gopas (cowherds) and gopis (cowherd girls), among which the most prominent gopi is Sri Radha, Lord Krishna's the most beloved....

Question Core Messages of Ramayana and verses from Ramayana that one can refer, to enrich life in general Answer Qns-1- Is there a similar theological dimension to Ramayana? Yes, there is indeed a theological dimension to Ramayana.And there is also a similar timeless wisdom,like in the Mahabharata epic, in the timeless epic Ramayana. As said by Swami Vivekananda,the soul of every human being {the Jivatman}desires to be in affinity with the Paramatman{and attain Moksha}....

Question Is Vishnu present in the current time? Answer I think you are referring to verse 2.12. न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपा | न चैव न भविष्याम: सर्वे वयमत: परम् || 12|| na tvevāhaṁ jātu nāsaṁ na tvaṁ neme janādhipāḥ na chaiva na bhaviṣhyāmaḥ sarve vayamataḥ param Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be....

Question What are the different branches of Shaktism? Answer One of the major Tantrik scripture is called the VishnukrAntA. It has within itself several other major Tantik scriptures like Nila Tantram, Niruttara Tantram and many others. Now, AFAIK, it's only in the Niruttara Tantram, that the Shakti Deities are classified into two groups- Sri Kula and KAli Kula. Here are the relevant verses: KAli tArA raktakAli bhuvana mahishamardini | TriputA tvaritA durgA vidyA prtyangirA tathA ||...

Question Are girls allowed to learn the Vedas? Answer Yes, females are allowed to read the Vedas. I am posting a passage from a famous 14th century text(Jivanmuktiviveka of Vidyaranya) which shows the importance of women Rishis in the formulation of the present day Hinduism and the equal rights enjoyed by women in Hinduism.. Renunciation is mentioned in the Taittiriya and other Upanishads: 'Some have attained immortality, not by acts, nor by offspring, nor by wealth, but by renunciation alone' (Kaivalya Upanishad....

Question Are married women allowed to fast religiously(vrata)? Answer There are countless verses in scriptures which counter this verse. Parashara Smriti is a Smriti text and Puranas are also Smriti text thus they have equal authority. Thus we can counter this verse by using Puranic verses as Authority. Although there are countless counter verses in every Puranas. I have here used only Padma Purana. Padma Purana Brahma Khanda chapter 5 states:...