10
votes
Accepted
Are there any epics featuring a female protagonist with less explored male characters?
Yes, several!
First, of the Greek world, we have the Catalogue of Women (sometimes called the Ehoiai). This is a debatable entry, as it lacks a strict narrative. Instead, it's the account of the ...
- 7,157
10
votes
Accepted
What is the origin of the worship or deification of cows in India?
TL;DR
While the cow has always been treated with veneration in Hindu mythology and literature, the roots of the sacred status that it now enjoys are primarily because it was a convenient symbol of ...
- 272
10
votes
Why there are graphic depictions of sexual acts in some Hindu temples?
The Kamasutra likely holds some clues. At the very least, it demonstrates that sexuality was a topic covered in Vedic literature.
Puruṣārtha is a concept in Hinduism referring to the goals of ...
- 14.1k
8
votes
Accepted
Why are cows sacred in India?
As you say, cows are sacred and respected in India. Indeed, a cow is often referred to as Go-Mata, meaning Cow-Mother.
There are a pretty high number of reasons why the cow is so sacred.
When ...
- 566
8
votes
Why are cows sacred in India?
Very good question!
In the ancient vedic texts and in Srimad Bhagavatam (composed about 5000 years ago) in particular, there is a mention of the 7 mothers for a human being who are as follows:
(1) ...
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7
votes
Why are cows sacred in India?
I would like to add a point. Surely, as answered by Malay, there are many references to different forms of cows playing a major role in various pastimes. However, along with those references and the ...
- 171
6
votes
Why there are graphic depictions of sexual acts in some Hindu temples?
First things first. I do not agree with Ken Graham's answer. It is incorrect. I shall shortly tell why.
The Shivling is a form in which Shiva/Mahadev is worshipped. The Shivling with Yoni
In the ...
- 566
6
votes
Is there any textual evidence that confirms the color of Hindu gods?
In essence God is formless, colourless, He is in everything and everything is with in Him. ( Refer to stanza 24 in Phalashruti) He lives in everything ( Search for 'Vyasa Uvacha:-
Vasanad Vasudevasya ...
- 99
5
votes
Are Krishna and Hermes related?
That depends on your inference, in my opinion.
Both Krishna and Hermes were tricksters and thieves while in their childhood. Krishna stole and ate butter ( Which led to him being shackled to two pots ...
- 566
5
votes
Accepted
Maruti, is this the name of Lord Hanuman or his mother Or both?
This should explain (source):
Maruti is a highly popular name used to address Hanuman. The literal
meaning of the word 'Maruti' is the one who is born from 'Marut',
meaning air. The other names ...
- 216
5
votes
Why is Indra supplanted as chief God?
In the wikipedia link for post-vedic texts section, it states:
In post-Vedic texts, Indra is depicted as an intoxicated hedonistic
god, his importance declines, and he evolves into a minor deity ...
- 216
5
votes
Accepted
Is Ravana's true intent to be slain by Rama?
All in all, it all depends on viewpoints. The writer's, the translator's, and the reader's. There are different and conflicting versions of the story, but Valmiki's Ramayana and the Ramacharitmanas ...
- 566
4
votes
Why did Vishnu rape Vrinda?
The thing is a little complicated, but it was the only possible way Lord Vishnu had.
Jalandhar was a demon king and his wife Vrindha was a great devotee of Lorn Vishnu.
Once upon a time, Jalandhar ...
- 57
4
votes
Why did Vishnu rape Vrinda?
Vishnu was not "God." He was a god. Hinduism has a variety of labels on what kind of religion it is (i.e. polytheism, monotheism, atheism, non-theism...). But for the most part, more than one being is ...
- 6,685
4
votes
Accepted
Where has ancient Hindu technology knowledge gone?
Where has ancient technology knowledge gone? How did those technology ideas vanish?
The ancient technologies you mentioned like Shudarshan Chakra, Brhmastra, Pushpak Viman (Pushpak flying chariot) ...
- 271
3
votes
Maruti, is this the name of Lord Hanuman or his mother Or both?
Maruti is the name of Hanuman and not of his mother.
In the line
Hey dukh bhanjan Maruti nandan Sunlo meri pukar..
Maruti nandan means child Maruti (like you would call someone child 'Name', ...
- 155
3
votes
How did Christianity come to equate the place of punishment and the place of demons?
If anything early Christianity was well influenced by ancient Jewish culture of the day, including both Jewish laws, traditions, scriptures and mythology. For the most part both the New and Old ...
- 2,842
3
votes
Accepted
What is the name of the Mahabharata version told from the point of view of Sahadeva?
This answer has very little to do with mythology, but I found this question in the "Unanswered" list and thought I should pitch in. The answer is right there at the link in your question:
My Game ...
- 191
3
votes
Accepted
When did Lord Indra asked for Kawach-Kundal to Karna? It's before Kurukshetra war or in the mid of war?
As Hinduism is a living culture, its mythology is not just in texts but in the minds of the people, and there are various folk stories, family traditions, and even half-remembered distortions in ...
- 191
3
votes
According to Hindu Mythology, why do people produce smoke, light and ring the bell?
In Aarti, a part of the Puja ritual, the burning of incense is said to be cleaning the air, and thus making it easier for the devas or other divine beings to manifest themselves in the place of ...
- 5,354
3
votes
How are Vetalas similar to Medusa?
I'm afraid the source you mentioned is on a TV show called Lost Girl.
The best source for finding relevant info on the Vetala is the Kathasaritsagara especially book 12
And especially the story (...
- 4,051
3
votes
Is being reborn as a god in Hinduism possible?
Very interesting question. Whether you can be reborn as a god in Hinduism is debatable, and many people have different opinions. But as per the scriptures, it is possible. According to one of the most ...
- 41
2
votes
When did Lord Indra asked for Kawach-Kundal to Karna? It's before Kurukshetra war or in the mid of war?
It was during the prelude of the war. Indra was scared that since Karna was invincible with his armor, he would vanquish Arjuna. So, to protect Arjuna, he took the form of a Brahmin while Karna was ...
- 566
2
votes
Veda, Upanishad and the Physical Universe
The Rig Veda 10.129 (via Wikipedia):
Neither being (sat) nor non-being was as yet. What was concealed? And where? And in whose protection?…Who really knows? Who can declare it? When was it born, ...
- 7,157
2
votes
How did the Trimurti come into power?
In Hindu mythology, Trinity was always at a higher level than the lower deities like Indra etc. Vedas recognize the trinity as being superior and there are numerous examples throughout mythology where ...
- 159
2
votes
Is there any textual evidence that confirms the color of Hindu gods?
I found an answer with regards to body colours of Lord Krishna here - http://www.iskcondesiretree.com/page/six-categories-of-avatars
When He descends into the material world during different "yugas" ...
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2
votes
How did Vayu the wind god start being associated with Vishnu?
Some people believe the association began with the Madhwa Brahmins subcaste of Hindu society. They believed that the Hindu philosopher Madhvacharya was a earthly avatar (the third avatar to be exact) ...
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2
votes
Was the Kali Yuga invented in the Kali Yuga?
There's no real agreement in the sources as to when the Kali Yuga started, though sometime around 3200 BCE seems to have the most support.
Historically, the texts that talk about Kali Yuga were ...
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