Hinduism Questions & Answers

Question Which Manusmṛti verses were written exclusively for vaiśyas and śūdras? Answer Pattanaik appears to be quoting from Patrick Olivelle's translation of Manusmṛti but does not quote him fully. Olivelle first presents an overall schematic of the Manu in the introduction to his translation, then goes on to argue that in the Rules of Action in Normal Times, only 10 verses are allocated exclusively to vaiśyas and śūdras. We can then view the overall structure of the MDh schematically:...

Question Does God know about all our actions and also whatever we talk? Answer Yes God knows even what you talk secretly. See the following Atharva Veda (AV) Mantra: Dvau samnishadya yat mantrayete rAja tat veda varunah tritiyah || When you talk in secret, there is always the third observer, divine observer Varuna. AV 4.16.2 So, God is monitoring all our actions, even though we might think that we are doing those actions secretly....

Question Where can I find side by side compilation of Vedanta Sutras and the corresponding verses from Srimad Bhagavatam? Answer As far as I know, there is no ancient work that has corresponding verses of Bhagavatam mapped to each Vedanta Sutra. Jiva Goswami did that to an extent in his sandarbhas but that is only in spirit not verse by verse. He explained first 5 Vedanta Sutras using first verse of bhagavatam, but others are scattered....

Question What are some of the most logical and rational Hindu text? Answer In any logical/mathematical sysem, we have certain Axioms, whose validity are taken for granted within that system. For example, a mathematical system that tries to introduce the concept of real/complex numbers, the three Axioms - field, order and completeness Axioms - are taken for granted. That is they are not required to be proved (within that particular system)....

Question What exactly is dehi according to advaita and vaishnava school? Answer Bhagavad Gita is regarded high from Advaita &/or Vaishnava school of thoughts. This answer is from that perspective. According to it, Dehi (embodied one) transgresses from one body to another, upon death: वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय, नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि। तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा, न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही।। BG 2.22 - As after rejecting worn out clothes a man takes up other new ones, likewise after rejecting worn out bodies the 'embodied one' unites with other new ones....

Question Do people get birth even they are (almost) eligible for Moksha Answer As already suggested in 1 comment, if a person is "almost" eligible for Moksha, then they have to born again. The birth cycle ends only after the liberation is attained. This is analogous to the fallen Yogi terminology from Bhagavad Gita. A fallen Yogi is a person, who fell more or less short of attaining the final destination....

Question On what basis are puranas named? Answer The Puranas are named according to following points (these are my observations): On the basis of which deity is glorified. On the basis of which Kalpa events are mentioned. On the basis of who is narrator of events. On the basis of to whom the events are being narrated. The complete list of Puranas and why they are named so is given in Shiva Purana, Uma Sanhita, Chapter 44....

Question Is Kalki an avatar of Vishnu? Answer Kalki avatar is an avatar of Lord Vishnu only. There is no doubt in this. It has been prophesied in many puranas that Lord Vishnu will incarnate to remove evil from Kaliyuga therefore restoring dharma again. In this Kali Yuga itself, when the junction period is yet to lapse, the lord will be born under the name of Kalki and Viṣṇu Yaśā. He will be born in the family of Parashara and have great exploits....

Question On what basis is Krishna claimed to be source of Vishnu? Answer Why is Krishna considered as source of Vishnu? The answer is based on analysis by Jiva Goswami in his Sandarbhas. This belief is based on Srimad Bhagavatam & other Vedic literatures. Few reasons Srimad Bhagavatam is considered as sarva-pramananam cakravarti - emperor of all evidences: After composing all the Vedas, puranas and mahabharat, Vyasa was still dissatisfied and then finally wrote Bhagavatam and got satisfied....

Question “Cows are sacred” & at the same time “It’s only a sinful soul which gets born as an animal” - How to deal with this apparent contradiction? Answer Cow is not animal its more than animal its demi god.. Then there is no contradiction.. similarly idol worship you have to see antaryami in idol as idol itself is not god.. idol in temple is higher because it conscreted with mantra....

Question Is there any reference that Krishna was connected to Brahman while speaking Gita? Answer Apparently this comes from a statement from Anugita, as another member Lakhi has posted. Here's the explanation given by the authors of the Narayanastra blog. para.n hi brahma kathitaM yogayuktena tanmayA |itihAsa.n tu vakShyAmi tasminnarthe purAtanam || 12|| They explain Yoga as "Dhyana" as in thought/will instead of being in meditation or connection with brahman....

Question What is the meaning of Tri-sapta in Atharva-veda? Answer The first Sukta of Atharva-Veda is Medha Janan Sukta , Rishi of which is Atharva and Devata is Vachaspati. This is a prayer to Vāchaspati for divine illumination and help. ये त्रिषप्ता : परियन्ति विश्वा रूपाणि बिभ्रता : | वाचस्पतिर्बला तेषां तन्वो अद्य दधातु मे ||1|| The thrice-seven that go about , bearing all forms - Let the Lord of speech assign to me today their powers [their] selves (tanu)....

Question Was Adi-Shankara initiated into Kriya Yoga? Answer The reference of Babaji giving initiation to Adi Shankara is found in Autobiography of a Yogi. As per Paramahansa Yogananda, Mahavatar Babaji himself stated that he gave initiation to Adi Shankara. Autobiography of a Yogi / Chapter 33 - Babaji, the Yogi-Christ of Modern India: Babaji’s mission in India has been to assist prophets in carrying out their special dispensations. He thus qualifies for the scriptural classification of Mahavatar (Great Avatar)....

Question Who is the first well known saint to mention Radha in his works? Answer As far as I know, Adi Shankaracharya mentions Sri Radha's name in his Yamunashtakam stotra Slokas 6 & 7. Sankskrit-Tamil translation available in this kamakoti website. जलान्तकेलिकारिचारु राधिका ङ्गरागिणी स्वभर्तुरन्यदुर्लभाङ्गसङ्गतांशभागिनी स्वदत्तसुप्तसप्तसिन्धुभेदनातिकोविदा । धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥६॥ Jala-Anta-Keli-Kaari-Caaru-Raadhika-Angga-Raaginnii Sva-Bhartur-Anya-Durlabha-Angga-Sangga-Taamsha-Bhaaginii Sva-Datta-Supta-Sapta-Sindhu-Bhedana-Ati-Kovidaa | Dhunotu Me Mano-Malam Kalinda-Nandinii Sadaa ||6|| May Yamunā — Whose water is mixed with the cosmetics of sporting Rādhikā, Who enjoys the continuous touch of Her consort (Kṛṣṇa) which is a luxury for others, Who is mighty enough to penetrate the serene seven oceans, and Who is the daughter of Kalinda — washes the malice of my mind....

Question Why is Lord Shiva identified as Mahadeva? Answer Such a thing is clarified in Karna Parva, in a conversation between Duryodhana and Shalya about the latter being the charioteer of Karna, in the process Duryodhana narrates the destruction of Tripura: Duryodhana said, 'O supreme among kings! The gods accepted what the lord of the gods had said. 324 All of them gave him half of their energy and he became superior....