Hinduism Questions & Answers

Q&A: Why is the queen required to sleep next to the dead horse at the end of Aśvamedha Yajña?

Question Why is the queen required to sleep next to the dead horse at the end of Aśvamedha Yajña? Answer In The Origins and Development of Classical Hinduism, A. L. Basham talks about the symbolism behind this practice. Ch. 2. Early Speculations and the Later Sacrificial Cults ... A feature of the aśvamedha which has aroused considerable comment is the sexual character of one of the concluding ceremonies. The chief queen lay down beside the body of the sacrificed horse and simulated copulation with him, to the accompaniment of obscene remarks by the priests and nobles standing by....

Q&A: Under which circumstances physical punishment to wife is allowed?

Question Under which circumstances physical punishment to wife is allowed? Answer As Medhātithi explains, it's only allowed under exceptional conditions. What is enjoined here is the method of keeping the persons on the right path, and not actual beating; so that chastisement may be administered verbally; and in cases where the fault is serious, there may also be beating. ... ‘Split bamboo’ — the bark of the bamboo. This has been mentioned only as illustrative of the lotus-fibre and other such objects which cause only slight pain....

Q&A: What are the instances where Lord Shiva was found laughing?

Question What are the instances where Lord Shiva was found laughing? Answer Laughing is just a normal activity of Lord Shiva as discussed in a passage of Mahabharata which I discuss here: He has snakes for his belt, and his ears are adorned with ear-rings made of snakes. Snakes form also the sacred thread he wears. An elephant skin forms his upper garment. He sometimes laughs and sometimes sings and sometimes dances most beautifully....

Q&A: Did Adi Shankaracharya really believe in Hari-Hara abheda?

Question Did Adi Shankaracharya really believe in Hari-Hara abheda? Answer If you clearly read full Vishnu Sahasranama Bhasya of Adi Shankara, then it is clearly seen that he holds Hari Hara Abheda. Some points which I also discuss in my answer here. While commenting on the name 'Shiva', Shankara cites Kaivalya Upanishad verse 'He is Brahma.. He is Shiva.. He is Indra' And while commenting on the name Rudra, he cites a verse from Shiva Purana which states Shiva is Parama Karanam....

Q&A: Why does Adi shankaracharya think that self cannot perceive a relation between itself and avidya?

Question Why does Adi shankaracharya think that self cannot perceive a relation between itself and avidya? Answer Let's just consider that you are in the state of dream - It is not indeed possible for you to perceive your Self as related to dream, at the same moment (that your Self cognises dream); for, the dreamer (Self) acts at the moment as the percipient of dream. Neither can there be a (separate) ....

Q&A: What are some of the famous patriotric hymns/verses about Bharatavarsha found in Hindu scriptures?

Question What are some of the famous patriotric hymns/verses about Bharatavarsha found in Hindu scriptures? Answer Yes, there are several patriotic hymns Hindu Scriptures. Yajurveda 22.22 states: आ ब्रह्मन् ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मवर्चसी जायतामा राष्ट्रे राजन्यः शूर इषव्योऽअतिव्याधी महारथो जायतां दोग्ध्री धेनुर्वोढानड्वानाशुः सप्तिः पुरन्धिर्योषा जिष्णू रथेष्ठाः सभेयो युवास्य यजमानस्य वीरो जायतां निकामे निकामे नः पर्जन्यो वर्षतु फलवत्यो न ओषधयः पच्यन्तां योगक्षेमो नः कल्पताम् ॥ English Transliteration: A brahman brAhmaNo brahmavarchasI jAyatAmA rAShTre rAjanyaH shUra iShavyo&ativyAdhI mahAratho jAyatAM dogdhrI dhenurvoDhAnaDvAnAshuH saptiH purandhiryoShA jiShNU ratheShThAH sabheyo yuvAsya yajamAnasya vIro jAyatAM nikAme nikAme naH parjanyo varShatu phalavatyo na oShadhayaH pachyantAM yojakShemo naH kalpatAm ||...

Q&A: Why do we need to worship nirguna brahman?

Question Why do we need to worship nirguna brahman? Answer Why We Need To Worship Nirguna Brahman? Saguna Brahma and the Nirguna Brahman are actually two levels of worship for two kinds of people. Simply terms, the saguNa worship means worshipping a divine form with Guna's or attributes like name, shape, the special powers .And worshiping Nirguna brahman is meditating on our self or atman and knowing that Atman is brahman i....

Q&A: Where is it written that Kshatriyas are eligible to eat meat?

Question Where is it written that Kshatriyas are eligible to eat meat? Answer Bhishma in the 116th chapter of Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, declares that Kshatriyas don't commit any sin by eating meat: "Bhishma said, 'It is even so, O mighty-armed one, as thou sayest. There is nothing on earth that is superior to flesh in point of taste. There is nothing that is more beneficial then flesh to persons that are lean, or weak, or afflicted with disease, or addicted to sexual congress or exhausted with travel....

Q&A: Is Tulasi offered to Shiva?

Question Is Tulasi offered to Shiva? Answer According to this Skanda Purana chapter the leaves can be offered to Lord Shiva. The Shiva Lingam called Arunachala is in fact prescribed to be worshipped with Tulasi leaves. This Arunachal is expected to be Parameswar Himself and a fourteen kilometre distance surrounding the Mountain is as good as a complete ‘Pradakshina’ (Circumambulation) of Lord Siva. A large number of persons perform the Pradakshina on every full moon night barefooted and Pournami of Chaitra Month is a very special day as over hundreds of thousands throng the Temple and the Mountain displaying sincere devotion from all over the World....

Q&A: Did Lord Rama worship Devi Ambika?

Question Did Lord Rama worship Devi Ambika? Answer That Sri Rama worshipped Supreme Goddess is mentioned in Lalita Trishati Stotram found in the Brahmanda Purana: Lakaararthaa Latha Poojya Laya Sthithudbhaveswari Lasya Darshana Santhushta Labhaalaabha Vivarjitha Langhyetharaagjnaa Lavanya Shalini Laghu Siddhida LaakshaarasaSavarnaabha Lakshmanagraja Poojitha Labhyetara Labdha Bhakthi Sulabha Langalaayudhaa Lagna Chaamara Hastha Shri Sharada Parivijitha Lajjaapada Samaraadhya Lampata Lakuleshwari Labdha Maanaa Labdha Rasaa Labdha Sampath Samunnatih || You are esteemed and worshipped by the womanhood of chastity; the Supreme of the Universe in all the stages of Birth, Growth and Destruction alike; witnessing the joyous dance of women gives you immense pleasure; You are far above the considerations of profits and losses; Mother, your instructions are always carried out and never questioned and indeed none whosoever dared to ask you questions!...

Q&A: What is the concept of ritam as per the vedas?

Question What is the concept of ritam as per the vedas? Answer Satyam is Truth and Rtam (pronounced as Ritam) is the law that governs the working of that Truth. So, although both words basically mean the same, there is still a subtle difference between the two. One Mantra can be cited here from the Rig Veda, that has both Rtam and Satyam in it: Rtam cha satyam chAbhidhdAt (1), tapaso adhyajAyata (2)...

Q&A: How is the first choghadiya decided?

Q&A: Is it stated explicitly anywhere in the Mahabharata that a progressively adharmic War made Ashwatthama a monster?

Question Is it stated explicitly anywhere in the Mahabharata that a progressively adharmic War made Ashwatthama a monster? Answer Only person who thought in the lines of Drona being killed with fraud caused change to Aswattama is Dhritarashtra while speaking with Sanjaya but it is not explicitly stated anywhere else. We can infer it from the following words "Dhritarashtra said, 'After Drona had been slain with the aid of fraud, and the Narayana weapon baffled, what, indeed, did Drona's son, thus urged by Duryodhana then, do, beholding the Parthas once more arrived for battle freed from the Narayana weapon, and careering at the head of their divisions?...

Q&A: Names of 33 Gods and their Jobs (including goddesses)?

Question Names of 33 Gods and their Jobs (including goddesses)? Answer Eight Vasus (Deities of elements) Dyaus : Sky Prithivi : Earth Vayu : Wind Agni : Fire Nakshatra : Stars Antariksha : Space Surya : Sun Chandra : Moon Twelve Adityas (personified deities) Vishnu : The presever Indra : Leader of other Adityas and god of clouds Ansh : Due share Aryaman : Nobility Bhaag : Due inheritance Dhatri : Ritual skill...

Q&A: Does the narrator of Ramayana appear in Ramayana?

Question Does the narrator of Ramayana appear in Ramayana? Answer Yes Valmiki appears in the Uttara Kanda, where he provides shelter in his ashrama to the banished Sita. Later events take place at his ashrama with Valmiki playing an important role in the bringing up of Lava and Kusha. Refer link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayana#Uttara_Kanda Note: “The question: Does the narrator of Ramayana appear in Ramayana?” is licensed by Stack Exchange Inc (https://hinduism....