Q&A

Question Which Puranic Scriptures describes procedure of “Ashtanga Yoga”? Answer Ashtanga Yoga is described by Devi (the mother) to Himalaya in Devi Bhagavatam, Seventh Book, Chapter XXXV in details. हिमालय उवाच योगं वद महेशानि सांगं संवित्प्रदायकम् । कृतेन येन योग्योऽहं भवेयं तत्त्वदर्शने ॥ 1 ॥ Himalaya said: "O Maheswari Now tell me the Yoga with all its Angas (limbs) giving the knowledge of the Supreme Consciousness so that, I may realise my Self, when I practise according to those instructions....

Question What has Virāṭa Parva pārāyaṇa got to do with rains? Answer Dr. Garikipati Narasimha Rao in his discourse on Mahābhārata in this YouTube video (Telugu) says that the custom of reciting Virāṭa Parva for rains has originated because Bhīṣma describes the 18 signs of Yudhiṣṭhira's presence, in Virāṭa Parva and one of them is: "where king Yudhiṣṭhira resides...the clouds, without doubt, pour abundant rain." In Go-harana Parva of Virāṭa Parva, this is what Bhīṣma exactly says:...

Question Does Bhagavad Gita detest atheists? Answer Updated version There has been some criticism about my previous answer. hence I am posting an updated version which is hopefully better than the previous version. Gita acknowledges the right of a person to reject its teachings. ‘..Reflecting on this entire teaching, do as you think fit.’ Gita 18.63 However, Gita has very low opinion about atheists. According to them nothing is ultimately real in this world....

Question Which Scriptures say that by chanting Lord’s name during the time of one’s death one can attain “Moksha”? Answer This Brahma Vaivarta Purana chapter states that, one, who chants the name "Shiva", during his/her dying moments, is sure to attain moksha. Shri Krishna then revealed the excellent value of Shiva Linga Sthapana or establishing a Shiva Linga; he said: Maha Deva Maha Deva Maha Deveti vaadinah, Paschaadyaami Mahaastrasto naama shravana lobhatah, Shiveti mantramucchharya praanamstyajati yo narah/ Koti janmaarjitaat Paapaanmukto muktim prayaati sah, Shivam kalyaana vachanam kalyaanam kalyaanam Muktivaachikam/ Yaatsattha Prabhavettena sa Shivah parikeertitah/ (If some body recites Maha Deva, Maha Deva and Maha Deva, I am tempted to be behind him and follow him; if somebody takes Shiva's name at the time of his death, that person would be freed from the sins committed by his/her previous crores of lives and most certainly secure Moksha....

Question Does the word “Indrajāla” (Indra’s net) have any connection to the god Indra? Answer Indrajala has been used in various scriptures. It has various meanings as given by OP in question. It is also a name of weapon used by Arjuna as given in Mahabharata: Mahabharata, Book 3, SECTION CCXLIII sthūṇākarṇendrajālaṃ ca sauraṃ cāpi tathārjunaḥ / (17.1) āgneyaṃ cāpi saumyaṃ ca sasarja kurunandanaḥ // (17.2) Then Arjuna of the Kuru race shot his well-known weapons called Sthunakarna, Indrajala, Saura, Agneya and Saumya....

Question Regulative principles for sex life Answer First of all, let me explicitly state that I assumed that you are asking about the rules & regulations that a husband and his wife should abide by.Because ,sexual activities, of any other forms are clearly stated ,in Shastras, as Adharmic. Well,except for few prohibited days ,like the days of period,and few others,sexual activities are perfectly legal between a husband and a wife....

Question Are there non-ISKCONic translations of the Bhagavata Purana? Answer Check the following translation by Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. But it doesn't appear to be a word-for-word translation. https://archive.org/details/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish If you see below the translation of the very first verse, the footnotes list some 7 different commentaries on the verse. The same tr. is also available for download in this answer (at the end) and also on West Bengal Public Library Network....

Question Martyr concept in Hinduism Answer Yes , there is a concept of Martyrism in Hinduism scriptures.This concept is described in a story in Shreemad Bhagvat Purana. Background - This story is of a demon "Vruttasura" Rushi (sage) Dadhichi, Indra & Demigods.In this story demon "Vruttasura" hide all the weapons & powers of demigods.Then Indra (King of demigods) and all gods seek refuge of the Supreme Lord. He instruct's them to build a weapon from bones of Sage Dadhichi....

Question What is the core message of the Bhagavad-gītā? What are some verses from Bhagavad-gītā that one can refer to, to enrich life in general? Answer The answer to this question would depend on whether the reader of the Gita is a householder or a sannyasi or monk. The best teaching for a householder is the stirring call of the Gita to fight the problems of life: Gita 2.3: क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते । क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप ।। 2....

Question Bhagavad Geeta 5.4 - Can one attain samādhi by practicing science? Answer The problem is with translation of the word Samkhya it is used as a synonym of Jnana Yoga(The path of Liberation through Knowledge). Adi Shankaracharya, Bhagwad Ramanujacharya and different Other Acharyas have enlightened us on this through their commentaries. Adi Shankaracharya's Comments: This defect does not arise. Although the question was put by Arjuna merely with regard to renunciation and Karma-yoga, yet the Lord, without actually avoiding them, and by adding something special which was intended by Him, gave the answer by expressing them through other words, ‘Sankhya’ and ‘(Karma-) yoga’....

Question Do Yajurveda 40.9, Yajurveda 32.3 and Bhagavadgita 7.20 reject idol worship? Answer Don't believe blindly what you see on internet. Hinduism or सनातन धर्म (Sanātana Dharma) can't be false as name itself says it is eternal and has "Dharma" in it. Hinduism is confusing for some people because they don't read scriptures in Sanskrit or in other language with proper interpretations of Guru or Acharyas. To understand Hinduism properly, first you should have some knowledge about Sanskrit Language or Veda Bhasha....

Question Is taking interest from bank a sin? Answer Lending at interest is not a sin at all. Its perfectly legitimate. But usury (lending money at unreasonably high rates) is a minor sin(an Upapataka). Manu Smriti 10.115. There are seven lawful modes of acquiring property, (viz.) inheritance, finding or friendly donation, purchase, conquest, lending at interest, the performance of work, and the acceptance of gifts from virtuous men Manu Smriti 11....

Question Were Radha and Rukmini the same person? Answer I have also read these stories but haven't found any scriptural reference to support that assumption. They are not the same in literal terms however, in terms of their spiritual significance, Rukmini being the incarnation of Lakshmi does have the same level as Radha. According to the 39th Chapter of the 9th Book of Devi Bhagavatam: 4-33. Nârâyana said :-- Of old, in the beginning of the Prâkritik Creation, from the left side of Krisna, the Supreme Spirit, appeared in the Râsamandalam (the Figure Dance) a Devî....

Question Why didn’t Ravana use the Chandrahasa sword against Lord Rama? Answer Yes. Ravana used his sword against Jatayu. Ravana forcefully abducts Seetha in his air-chariot also known as Pushpaka Vimana. Finally, Seetha sees Jatayu, the eagle, and asks him to narrate her abduction to Rama. Jataayu confronts Ravana on hearing the wailing of Seetha. He boldly forestalls Ravana and his air-chariot in the sky itself, and as an elderly being he reviles Ravana from the viewpoint of righteousness befitting to kings, but of no avail....

Question Is the ocean (sāgara) named after King Sagara or is it the other way round? Answer Yes. The ocean (सागरः or Sāgara) is named after Sagara (सगर), a king of Ikshvaku dynasty. He is the son of king Asita. Ocean on the earth is formed by one of his deeds i.e., he dug the bed of ocean. Sagara's stepmother gives poison to Sagara's mother Kalindi out of jealousy. She was also pregnant....