Hinduism Questions & Answers

Question How come Shukadeva did not undergo Upanayanam? Answer First of all, the Madhwa commentator Viijayadhvaja Tirtha and the Pushtimarga Acharya Vallabhacharya both say that the word "pravrajantam" in this verse does not mean taking up Sanyasa, and that Shuka did not take Sanyasa without doing Upanayana; see page 15 of this book. Second of all, the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan actually discusses Shuka in this excerpt from the Alepakamatabhangavada, a chapter of his Satadhusani devoted to refuting the Advaita view that those who have attained Brahmajnana do not have to follow the rules of Varnashrama Dharma....

Question Is dark skin considered beautiful in Hindu scriptures? Answer Yes, dark complexion is considered beautiful in Hindu scriptures. Like, Draupadi is one of the most beautiful woman and she is of dark complexion. It is mentioned in Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Chaitraratha Parva: SECTION CLXIX. And there arose, after this from the centre of the sacrificial platform, a daughter also, called Panchali, who, blest with great good fortune, was exceedingly handsome....

Question Why are Hindus vegetarian? What is the real meaning of the word ‘mamsah’ (मांसः) or meat? Answer Mahabharata - Anushasana Parva -Dana Dharma Parva - Chapters 114-116 are discussing this issue in very detail. This is discussion between Bhishma , Yudhisthira and Rishi Vaishampayana. These chapters is highlighting the topic of Ahimsa (non killing). what is the real meaning of the-word-mamsah-मांसः? The etymology of word mamsah : The essence of word Mansa is told by Bhishma in Chapter 116 - Verse 25....

Question How exactly did the killing of Abhimanyu violate the agreed-upon rules of war? Answer Abhimanyu's killing was totally dharmic. Indian TV depicts his killing in a grossly untruthful manner But the truth from KMG's translation shows a largely Dharmic way Abhimanyu was made to pay for his youthful hubris: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07046.htm We can discuss the many-on-one early phases of the combat - including cutting away the chariot wheel - but the final combat is a fair one-one-one combat with equal weapons...

Question What are some good books to read for understanding philosophy and life of Ramakrishna? Answer His simple stories encapsulate his teachings in an accessible way: http://yousigma.com/biographies/Tales%20and%20Parables%20of%20Sri%20Ramakrishna%20(English).pdf Note: “The question: What are some good books to read for understanding philosophy and life of Ramakrishna?” is licensed by Stack Exchange Inc (https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/); user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA.

Question Ancient rishis were married, was sanyasa invented by Buddhists and Jains? Answer Was sanyasa (renunciation of worldly life, monasticism) then a concept invented by the shramana movement including Buddhists and Jains, and later imported into Hinduism? No, it has its origins in the Upanishads. The view that Sannyasa and other celibate orders are non-Vedic has been held by ancient followers of the Vedas. Maharishi Gautama says: Gautama (3.35)—‘There is only one life-stage, say the revered Teachers; since the householder’s life is the only one that is directly enjoined [in the Vedas]....

Question Is “Tamasi” a name of Durga? Answer yes, in Devi-Maahatmya (Chapter 11, mantra 23), we get: Medhe Saraswati Vare Bhuti Babravi Tamasi" meaning , O Devi,you are Medha, Saraswati, Varaniyaa, Parama-Aiswaryarupa, and Taamasi. Is is a part of the famous hymn (Devyah stutih) sung by the devataas to praise Devi after Shumbha-badha. Devi is Trigunatmika. In Sattwaguna, She becomes Sattwiki which is meant by the term Parama Aishwarya(Maha-Lakshmi),, In Rajoguna She becomes (Maha)Saraswati and in Tamo-Guna,She becomes Taamasi(Maha-Kali)....

Question Why did the direct disciples of Mahaprabhu not accept any relation with the Madhva Sect? Answer There is clear evidence in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita that Mahaprabhu did not consider Himself a follower of the Madhva sect. Its true that Sri Chaitanyadeva was a disciple of Sripad Iswarpuri, Who was from Madhva lineage. Sri Chaitanya was God Himself Who incarnated to the earth 'to take the taste of the Radha-bhava and preach the Mahamantra-sankirtana, which is the yuga-dharma'....

Question What exactly do we mean by the term ‘deep meditation’? Answer DhyAna Lakshana (sign of meditation) is mentioned very briefly in the following verse by Lord Shiva: yathA nimilane kAle prapancha naiva pasyati | Tathaiva unmilanehapi syAdetad dhyAnasya lakshanam || Just like the person, who has his eyes closed, can not see the outer world, in a similar manner, a person who is engrossed in meditation, can't see the same with even his eyes open - and this is the sign of DhyAnam....

Question Complete biography/hagiography of Ramanujacharya Answer There isn't a single comprehensive work outlining the complete biography of Sri Ramanuja. These are some of the more well known somewhat older works that describe his life: Yatiraja Vaibhavam of Vaduga Nambi, a student of Sri Ramanuja is a biographical poem in 114 Sanskrit verses. You can read an English translation here. This is the oldest known biography. The 6000-padi Guruparampara Prabhavam of Pinbazagiya Perumal Jiyar is a Manipravala Biography of the Srivaishnava Guru Parampara....

Question Does the Srimad Bhagavatam say the Earth is flat? Answer No, Srimad Bhagavatam doesn't say. The reason I think the author suggests a flat earth is because of his background either from Christianity/Islam. Trying to understand puranic consmology especially from Modern cosmology perspective is really challenging and not easy. The reason is the way puranas describe things is quite different. Even Ayurveda, a medical branch deals in terms of jataragni, 3 doshas to analyse body etc....

Question What is the position of Lord Shiva as per Srimad-Bhagavatam Answer Yes, Lord Shiva is a form of the Para-Brahman or the Supreme Godhead as per Srimad-Bhagavatam. This becomes clear from the 12th chapter of the 11th Canto, where Markandeya gets darshan of Shiva and Parvati: Once travelling in tge sky with Rudrani and the ganas on His bull, Bhagavan Shiva saw Markandeya practising austerity (Sloka 3). Sri Bhagavan [Shiva] said: Markandeya has attained supreme devotion to Bhagavan, Who is Changeless, and so this Brahmarshi does not want any other boon....

Question Conversion from Hinduism to other religions Answer I am sure you know the following two famous slokas of Gita: श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः।।3.35।। One's own 'Dharma' [Customary or scripturally ordained observances of different castes and sects.-Tr.], though defective, is superior to another's 'Dharma' well-performed. Death is better while engaged in one's own 'Dharma'; another's 'Dharma' is fraught with fear. श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्।।18....

Question How many prominent and most accepted commentaries are there on the Bhagavad-Gita? Answer Well, I'm aware of thirty-three commentaries on the Bhagavad-Gita: Achintya-Bheda-Abheda Vedanta • Sarartha Varsini Tika, Vishvanatha Chakrabarti Thakura's commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita. You can read it in English here. • Gita Bhusana, Baladeva Vidyabhusana's commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita. You can read it in English here. • Satyanarayan Das Babaji's commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita. You can buy it in English here....

Question How knowledge of weapons (shastra) शस्त्र got lost? Answer Q: How did the knowledge of great weapons like Bramhastra got lost in Hinduism tradition? Knowledge of great weapons like Brahmastra didn't get lost, they are still existing. Simple proof is that Parashurama has the knowledge of Brahmasatra and he is a chiranjeevi[1],[2] i.e, he is alive now. Narada said, 'That tiger of Bhrigu's race (viz., Rama), was well-pleased with the might of Karna's arms, his affection (for him), his self-restraint, and the services he did unto his preceptor....