Q&A

Question What is the meaning of Saraswati? Answer One derivation of the word "Saraswati" is given in the Devi Bhagavatam and which is as follows: On the greatness of Kali: 1-110. Nârâyana said :-- A part of Sarasvatî descended in this Bhârata Punya Bhûmi (land of merits), owing to the curse of Gangâ; and She remained in full in Visnu's region, the abode of Vaikuntha. She is named Bhâratî, on account of Her coming to Bhârata; she is called Brâhmî because she is dear to Brahmâ; and She is called Vânî as She presides over Speech....

Question Is there any temple where deities are Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara? Answer Yes, there are a few. Temples of historical significance The very famous Prambanan temple at Java, Indonesia. This very old temple (and UNESCO world heritage site) from 9th century is dedicated to the trimurti. There are three temples, one for each Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, there. Also, there are separate temples for their vahanas as well. The main deity at the Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, India, (which is also a UNESCO world heritage site), is a large stone sculpture of trimurti....

Question Does a soul have any gender? Answer No, the self doesn't have gender, it's just a body which has gender. According to Shwetashwatara Upanishad: नैव स्त्री न पुमानेष न चैवायं नपुंसकः । यद्यच्छरीरमादत्ते तेने तेने स युज्यते ॥ १०॥ V-10: He is neither female, nor male, nor neuter. Whatever body he assumes, he becomes identified with that. Another translation from Vidyaprakash: The Jiva is not female, nor male nor neuter....

Question On what basis is a soul born as male or female? Answer We can get an answer from the embryological point of view as found in an Upanishad called the Garbha Upanishad (which is linked to the Krishna Yajur Veda). In the fourth month, belly and hip are formed; in the fifth month, the backbone is formed; in the sixth month, nose, eyes and ears are formed. In the seventh month, [the embryo] comes to have the jīva (conscious self), and in the eighth month, it becomes complete in every sense....

Question Was Ravana a vegetarian? Answer Ravana was not a vegetarian. As per UTTARA KANDA of Valmiki Ramayana, this is what Ravana did in king Marutta's Maheshvara yajna: And then devouring the Maharshis that were present at the place of sacrifice, Ravana, satiated with their blood, again went to the earth. (English translation source) The complete story of king Marutta's Maheshvara yajna is given here. Note: “The question: Was Ravana a vegetarian?...

Question Did Urmila Really Sleep for Fourteen Years? Answer The story of Urmila Nidra comes from folk Ramayanas or Ram Kathas of South India and is not part of Valmiki’s Sanskrit Ramayana or Tulsidas’s Avadhi Ramacharitamanas. As per this article: Lakshman’s wife, Urmila, wanted to follow her husband to the forest as Sita had followed Ram but Lakshman begged her to stay back saying, “I will be busy taking care of Ram and Sita and will have not time for you....

Question Where from human came first? Answer Almost yes but replace bramha with purush in purush sukta Purusha sukta (puruṣasūkta ) is hymn 10.90 of the Rigveda, dedicated to the Purusha, the "Cosmic Being". 11 When they divided Puruṣa how many portions did they make? What do they call his mouth, his arms? What do they call his thighs and feet? 12 The Brahman was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rājanya made....

Question How many commentaries have there been of the Nyaya Sutras? Answer I know of six commentaries on Gautama's Nyaya Sutras: Vatsyayana's Nyaya Sutra Bhashya, which you can read here. Uddyotakara's Vartika on Vatsyayana's Bhashya, which you can read in four volumes here, here, here, and here. Vachaspati Mishra's Tatparya Tika on Uddyotaraka's Vartika, which isn't available in English, but is available in Sanskrit here. Udayana's Parishuddhi on Vachaspati Mishra's Tatparya Tika, which isn't available in English, but is available in Sanskrit here....

Question Can I have more than one Guru? Answer Yes you can have. See the following verse which i have used in this answer: MadhuluvedhA yathA bhringah pushpAt pushAntaram vrajet | JyAna luvdha stathA shishyah guro gurvantara vrajet || Just like the bee, desirous of honey, moves from one flower to the other, a disciple, desirous of knowledge, can likewise move from one Guru to another. Kularnava Tantram 13.132 Also from the Uddava Gita we get the following verse:...

Question What are the characteristics of a human being? Answer As per Bhagavad-gītā 16.1-3, श्री भगवानुवाच अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिः ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः। दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम्।।16.1।। अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्। दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम्।।16.2।। तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता। भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत।।16.3।। The Supreme Personality of Godhead (Lord Krishna) said: Fearlessness; purification of one’s existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor – these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature....

Question Vedic Age and Hindu Timeline Answer The beginning of Kaliyug. (3102 BC) Starting with the age of Kali Yuga, it is 4,32,000 years. Till now 5115 years have passed. According to the Surya Siddhanta, Kali Yuga began at midnight (00:00) on 18 February 3102 BCE. This is also considered the date on which Lord Krishna left the earth to return to his heavenly abode. Kaliyug and Mahabharat war. Lord Krishna ascended to His Divine abode at the end of dwapar yug and immediately kaliyug started in 3102 BC....

Question Who becomes a Brahmin? Answer The qualities of Brahmana are as followed: BG 18.42 - Steadiness, control, austerity, cleanliness, tolerance, sincerity, knowledge, science and faith are certainly Brahma(na)'s natural Karma Anyone with predominantly possessing above qualities is Brahmana. The varna-s are based on natural qualities or karma. Our natural qualities are mostly inherited from our forefathers, hence family lineage (viz caste) also has some role to play, even in today's time....

Question What is dharma for Mlecchas according to Hinduism? Answer In this chapter of the Shanti Parva the solar dynasty king Mandhata asks Vishnu, who has taken the form of Indra, what Dharmas kings should force Mlecchas like Yavanas, Sakas, etc. to perform. Here is how Vishnu answers it: Mandhatri said, ‘What duties should be performed by the Yavanas, the Kiratas, the Gandharvas, the Chinas, the Savaras, the Barbaras, the Sakas, the Tusharas, the Kankas, the Pathavas, the Andhras, the Madrakas, the Paundras, the Pulindas, the Ramathas, the Kamvojas, the several castes that have sprung up from Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, the Vaisyas, and the Sudras, that reside in the dominions of (Arya) kings?...

Question Did Vishnu ever use his mace Kaumodaki? Answer Yes, Lord Vishnu used his Kaumodaki mace to kill a demon name Andhaka. The story is mentioned in Devi Bhagavata, Book 5, Chapter 6. Wanting to kill Andhaka, Janârdana became infuriated, and, drawing his bow made of horn, call S'ârnga, shot at him arrows after arrows. The Dânava cut off all those arrows to pieces with his own mass of arrows. Then, becoming very angry, he shot fifty sharp arrows at Hari....

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....