For questions about Hindu mythology and legends.
Questions tagged [hindu]
49 questions
26
votes
5 answers
Is there any textual evidence that confirms the color of Hindu gods?
Hindu gods, most notably, Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Kali, are depicted as blue colored beings. But they are also depicted with many different skin colors, some looking
more natural than others.
Is there any textual evidence regarding the color of…
Ero Sɘnnin
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1 answer
What are the differences between Shakuna, Sundara, Rukma and Tripura Vimana flying machines?
On Wikipedia page we can read:
Vimāna is a mythological flying palace or chariot described in Hindu texts and Sanskrit epics.
Early 20th-century sanskrit Vaimānika Śāstra claim that the vimānas mentioned in ancient Sanskrit epics were aerodynamic…
kenorb
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1 answer
What do we know about the beliefs of the people of modern India before Hinduism and how much did that affect modern Hinduism?
Hinduism is a very ancient religion and has predominated the area of modern India for millennia. It's a complex religion with a very large pantheon that doesn't seem to be strictly regulated by any "official" body. In fact, I have heard that there…
user93
13
votes
2 answers
Are there Kali-types deities in other pantheons?
Is Kali, the dancing goddess, with skull necklaces, and blood licking tongue, unique? Specifically the mix of joyous rapture, death embrace, yet mothering and sexual.
Eros and Thanatos, at once a maiden, a mother and a crone.
Are there other…
Reed -SE is a Fish on Dry Land
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13
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1 answer
Was the Kali Yuga invented in the Kali Yuga?
One of the most well-known features of Hindu time-scales is the cycle of four Yugas, known as Satya, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali. In the Satya (aka Krita) Yuga, almost all humans are good. In the Treta Yuga, most humans are good but some are bad. …
Keshav Srinivasan
- 450
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12
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1 answer
How did Vayu the wind god start being associated with Vishnu?
There are three prominent Hindu philosophies today: Advaita or monism, Dvaita or dualism, and Visistadvaita or qualified monism. Now the chief exponent of Dvaita was the 13th century philosopher Madhvacharya, but that wasn't all he was. He was a…
Keshav Srinivasan
- 450
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11
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1 answer
Does Kalki appear at the end of every Kali Yuga, or just the current one?
We currently live in the Kali Yuga, at least according to the Hindu conception of time. At the end of it, Kalki is supposed to descend, destroy evil, and bring an end to this mahayuga.
But there are many Kali Yugas - one for each mahayuga. Does…
senshin
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11
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3 answers
What is the origin of the worship or deification of cows in India?
Too far back to remember, the deification of cows in India seems to have existed. Are there some possible events in history which would explain this?
Fey Ray
- 439
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11
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1 answer
Are there any epics featuring a female protagonist with less explored male characters?
In the Indian epic Ramayana, the women show some great complex characters, behaviours etc but they are much less explored and sometimes sidelined/forgotten(not entirely) by the overshadowing persona of the male characters. In the other Indian epic…
Rajat Bhat
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10
votes
3 answers
Why are cows sacred in India?
Does it purely have to do with ahimsa or is it also partly based on the status of Nandi?
(If Nandi is a factor, does this also bear on the protected status of monkeys per Hanuman's assistance to Rama?)
I've also heard it related to Kamadhenu the…
DukeZhou
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10
votes
3 answers
Why there are graphic depictions of sexual acts in some Hindu temples?
Google Khajuraho and you will come upon one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The Khajuraho temples feature a variety of art work, of which 10% is sexual or erotic art outside and inside the temples. People describe it as "the apogee of…
Lady F
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8
votes
4 answers
How did Christianity come to equate the place of punishment and the place of demons?
In Hinduism, the cosmology works roughly like this: there's Earth; there are worlds above the Earth called Swargas where you go as a reward for good deeds; there are worlds under the Earth called Narakas where you go as a punishment for bad deeds;…
Keshav Srinivasan
- 450
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8
votes
2 answers
When did Lord Indra asked for Kawach-Kundal to Karna? It's before Kurukshetra war or in the mid of war?
I am a bit curious to know that when did lord indra asked for Kawach-Kundal to Karna? It's before Kurukshetra war or mid of war? Because while making link-up of many things related to karna's life, mostly I got confused.
Ma6139735
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8
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1 answer
How did the Trimurti come into power?
How did Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva come to replace Indra as the Chief of the Hindu pantheon? Was there a war (e.g. Titans vs Olympians)? Or were they consumed (e.g. Amun + Ra = Amun-Ra)? What changed and was the cause of the change in the Hindu…
RedWold321
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7
votes
1 answer
Veda, Upanishad and the Physical Universe
I haven't read the Veda or Upanishad (and other Hindu scriptures). But I'm eager to know whether it does offer any account of how the universe came into existence?
SRS
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