Hinduism Questions & Answers

Question When did Hinduism begin? Answer In ancient period, Hinduism was known as "Sanatana Dharma". Sanatana Dharma is by its very essence a term that is devoid of sectarian leanings or ideological divisions. This is evident by the very term itself. The two words, "Sanatana Dharma", come from the ancient Sanskrit language. 'Sanatana' is a Sanskrit word that denotes that which which is Anadi (beginningless), Anantha (endless) and does not cease to be, that which is eternal and everlasting....

Question What is Mangal Dosh (Mangalik) Answer In the lagna kundali (birth chart with the ascedant) of a person if any malefic planet (especially the planet mars) is present at least in the lagna (1st house) or in the 7th house (house of the spouse or marriage) then the person is considered to be a mangalik. Other houses that are considered for mars's presence for a person to be mangalik are 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th....

Question Why do Hindus shave a baby’s head (first hair cut)? Answer As per the scripture, it is done for the spiritual benefit of the child in the first or the third year after his/her birth: As per the direction of the revealed texts, the chuda karma (tonsure) must be performed, for the sake of spiritual merit (observing dharma), by all twice-born men in their first or third year. [Manu - 2....

Question What is the story of Kalki (tenth avatar of God Vishnu)? Answer The Appearance of Lord Kalki (the Avatar or incarnation of Godhead) is foretold in the "Srimad Bhagavatam" 12th Canto and described also in detail in the "Brahmanda-purana". Therein it gives predictions as to where he will appear (the village name), who his parents will be, what his mission will be, and when he will appear. It is described that he will appear at the conjunction of the two yugas, namely at the end of Kali-yuga and the beginning of Satya-yuga....

Question Are there other Brahmas and universes? Answer Chapter III On seeing the Devî of Devi Bhagavatam says, there are multiple Brahmas, multiple Vishnus and multiple Rudras. After killing Dânavas Madhu Kaitabha, three deities got into a beautiful Vimana sent by Devi Bhagavathi. They saw multiple Satyaloka, multiple Vishnuloka and multiple Kailasa. Brahma said this to his son Narada, Then the car, where we were situated, began to get up high in the sky, and in the twinkling of an eye, we reached Brahmâ loka, that is saluted by all the Devas....

Question Do Indians have real surnames? Answer The practice amongst Hindus in modern India varies. Indian Passports are standard with First Name and Last Name fields. In North India, for many people surnames have been standard for generations and are dependant on caste and family group. Some family groups may have multiple interchangeable surnames available to them, so that a child of someone called X LastName1, may choose to call themselves Y LastName2, where both LastName1 and LastName2 are indicative of the same family group....

Question What is the significance of Kundali in Hindu Family Answer Kundali is the Hindi for what we call 'Horoscope' in English. It is a pretty widely used thing in astrology. It is based on the fact that heavenly bodies and their positions at the time of an event effects how the event goes on. So in the case of the birth of a child, we record when he/she is born, at what place and other details....

Question Who are the children of Vishnu and Lakshmi? Answer As far as I know, the only time that children of Lakshmi are mentioned in Hindu scriptures is in verses 11 - 12 of the Sri Suktam, a hymn from the Khilani (apocrypha or later portions) of the Rig Veda: We are the progeny of our forefather, Sage Kardama, who is one of the sons of Goddess Lakshmi. We invoke that Sage Kardama to install in his family the Universal Mother, Mahalakshmi, who is decked with the garland of lotuses....

Question Why is it necessary to burn incense stick while praying? Answer It is not completely necessary to burn incense sticks while praying. It has just become a traditionally followed practice. What is necessary is to create an environment of sweet fragrance and aroma made out of pure material (like natural products). Because that purifies the air and it helps higher beings and ethereal beings to roam there if you are calling them....

Question What does Hinduism say about masturbation? Answer A glass can be looked on as half empty or half full. I think it is best to rephrase this question by asking instead - What does Hinduism say about continence (self constraint in sexual matters)? Swami Nikhilananda in his writings on Hindu ethics says: Besides the objective duties based on the castes and stages of life, there are laid down the common duties of men, the sadharanadharma, which are the foundation of the moral life....

Question Why do Hindus bathe in river Ganges (Ganga)? Answer King Bhagirath did Tapas to bring the Holy Ganga to earth in order to wash the ashes of his forefathers and free them from sin. Bhagirath's wish was granted and Ganga was released from the Heavens to earth. But the great speed with which Ganga descended to earth was capable of destroying everything on its way. So, Lord Shiva, to save the world, caught Ganga on his long hair and released it with reduced speed....

Question Are women allowed to be Hindu sanyasis/monks? Answer Yes woman are allowed to become monks/sanyasinis/rishikas. Hinduism is probably the only living religion which considers God to be feminine. And in ancient times many vedic rishis were women. The notable female rishikas who contributed to the composition of the Vedic scriptures are: The Rig Veda mentions Romasha, Lopamudra, Apala, Kadru, Visvavara, Ghosha, Juhu, Vagambhrini, Paulomi, Yami, Indrani, Savitri, and Devayani. The Sama Veda adds Nodha, Akrishtabhasha, Sikatanivavari and Gaupayana....

Question Why do Hindu temples have Bells? Answer It is believed that deities remain manifest in mandirs in which bells (ghanta) are rung. In Hindu mandirs, bells are usually hung in the area or porch preceding the inner sanctum. Devotees ring them as an invocation to the deity to listen to their prãrthnã and be blessed. There is an art and science of making bells to produce the requisite sounds. There are bells specially made to produce the long strains of the sound OM....

Question Why do people offer mustard oil to Lord Shani? Answer Source: shanidev.co.in blog.templeyatri.com One day, Hanuman was performing some duties for Lord Ram. Shani Dev who noticed this wanted to create problems and tried to disturb Hanuman from his work. Hanuman got his angry as his duties towards his master, Lord Ram was getting delayed. Therefore, the powerful Hanuman caught Shani Dev by the tail and kept knocking him against a big stone....

Question What is the significance of ॐ (Om/Aum)? Answer Meaning Om denotes the supreme Brahma: omiti brahma omitīdaṃsarvam [Tait. Up. - 1.8.1] Om is Brahman. Om is everything here. girām asmy ekam akṣaram [BG - 10.25] Of sound vibrations I am the single syllable (OM) But as we know God is threefold in nature, the same is the case for the single syllable Om. It consists of three different letters A, U, M which are the seed of all other letters, sounds, and words....