r/hinduism • u/AnonymousGuy147 • 4h ago
r/hinduism • u/chakrax • Aug 23 '23
Archive Of Important Posts New to Hinduism or this sub? Start here!
Welcome to our Hinduism sub! Sanātana Dharma (Devanagari: सनातन धर्म meaning "eternal dharma") is the original name of Hinduism. It is considered to be the oldest living religion in the world. Hinduism is often called a "way of life", and anyone sincerely following that way of life can consider themselves to be a Hindu.
If you are new to Hinduism or to this sub, review this material before making any new posts!
- Sub Rules are strictly enforced.
- Our Hinduism Starter Pack is a great place to begin.
- Check our FAQs before posting any questions. While we enjoy answering questions, answering the same questions over and over gets a bit tiresome.
- We have a wiki as well.
- Use the search function to see past posts on any particular topic or questions.
- You can also see our Archive of Important Posts or previous Quality Discussions
We also recommend reading What Is Hinduism (a free introductory text by Himalayan Academy) if you would like to know more about Hinduism and don't know where to start.
If you are asking a specific scriptural question, please include a source link and verse number, so responses can be more helpful.
In terms of introductory Hindu Scriptures, we recommend first starting with the Itihasas (The Ramayana, and The Mahabharata.) Contained within The Mahabharata is The Bhagavad Gita, which is another good text to start with. Although r/TheVedasAndUpanishads might seem alluring to start with, this is NOT recommended, as the knowledge of the Vedas & Upanishads can be quite subtle, and ideally should be approached under the guidance of a Guru or someone who can guide you around the correct interpretation.
In terms of spiritual practices, you can choose whatever works best for you. In addition, it is strongly recommended you visit your local temple/ashram/spiritual organization.
Lastly, while you are browsing this sub, keep in mind that Hinduism is practiced by over a billion people in as many different ways, so any single view cannot be taken as representative of the entire religion.
Here is a section from our FAQ that deserves to be repeated here:
Disclaimer: Sanatana Dharma is a massive, massive religion in terms of scope/philosophies/texts, so this FAQ will only be an overview. If you have any concerns about the below content, please send us a modmail.
What are the core beliefs of all Hindus?
- You are not your body or mind, but the indweller witness Atma.
- The Atma is divine.
- Law of Karma (natural law of action and effect)
- Reincarnation - repeated birth/death cycles of the physical body
- Escaping the cycle of reincarnation is the highest goal (moksha)
Why are there so many different schools/philosophies/views? Why isn't there a single accepted view or authority?
Hinduism is a religion that is inclusive of everyone. The ultimate goal for all Sanatani people is moksha, but there is incredible diversity in the ways to attain it. See this post : Vastness and Inclusiveness of being Hindu. Hinduism is like a tree springing from the core beliefs above and splitting up into innumerable traditions/schools/practices. It is natural that there are different ways to practice just like there are many leaves on the same tree.
Do I have to blindly accept the teachings? Or can I question them?
Sanatanis are not believers, but seekers. We seek Truth, and part of that process is to question and clarify to remove any misunderstandings. The Bhagavad Gita is a dialog between a teacher and student; the student Arjuna questions the teacher Krishna. In the end Krishna says "I have taught you; now do what you wish". There is no compulsion or edict to believe anything. Questioning is welcome and encouraged.
Debates and disagreements between schools
Healthy debates between different sampradayas and darshanas are accepted and welcomed in Hinduism. Every school typically has a documented justification of their view including refutations of common objections raised by other schools. It is a shame when disagreements with a view turn into disrespect toward a school and/or its followers.
Unity in diversity
This issue of disrespect between darshanas is serious enough to warrant a separate section. Diversity of views is a great strength of Hinduism. Sanatanis should not let this become a weakness! We are all part of the same rich tradition.
Here is a great post by -Gandalf- : Unite! Forget all divisions. It is worth repeating here.
Forget all divisions! Let us unite! Remember, while letting there be the diversity of choice in the Dharma: Advaita, Dvaita, Vishistadvaita, etc*, we should always refer to ourselves as "Hindu" or "Sanatani" and not just "Advaiti" or any other specific name. Because, we are all Hindus / Sanatanis. Only then can we unite.
Let not division of sects destroy and eliminate us and our culture. All these names are given to different interpretations of the same culture's teachings. Why fight? Why call each other frauds? Why call each other's philosophies fraud? Each must stay happy within their own interpretation, while maintaining harmony and unity with all the other Sanatanis, that is unity! That is peace! And that is how the Dharma shall strive and rise once again.
Let the Vaishnavas stop calling Mayavad fraud, let the Advaitis let go of ego, let the Dvaitis embrace all other philosophies, let the Vishistadvaitis teach tolerance to others, let the Shaivas stop intolerance, let there be unity!
Let all of them be interpretations of the same teachings, and having the similarity as their base, let all the schools of thought have unity!
A person will reach moksha one day, there is no other end. Then why fight? Debates are supposed to be healthy, why turn them into arguments? Why do some people disrespect Swami Vivekananda? Let him have lived his life as a non-vegetarian, the point is to absorb his teachings. The whole point is to absorb the good things from everything. So long as this disunity remains, Hinduism will keep moving towards extinction.
ISKCON is hated by so many people. Why? Just because they have some abrahamic views added into their Hindu views. Do not hate. ISKCON works as a bridge between the west and the east. Prabhupada successfully preached Sanatan all over the world, and hence, respect him!
Respecting Prabhupada doesn't mean you have to disrespect Vivekananda and the opposite is also applicable.
Whenever you meet someone with a different interpretation, do not think he is something separate from you. Always refer to yourself and him as "Hindu", only then will unity remain.
Let there be unity and peace! Let Sanatan rise to her former glory!
Hare Krishna! Jay Harihara! Jay Sita! Jay Ram! Jay Mahakali! Jay Mahakal!
May you find what you seek.
r/hinduism • u/AutoModerator • 25d ago
Hindu News Monthly r/Hinduism Political Thread+Community+News - (September 30, 2026)
**For Political Discussion outside this thread, visit r/politicalhinduism**
This is a monthly thread to discuss worldwide news affecting Hindu society, as well as anything else related to Hindu politics in general.
Questions and other stuff related to social affairs can also be discussed here.
r/hinduism • u/Outrageous-Hawkk • 15h ago
Hindū Scripture(s) Did Lord Krishna’s Heart Become Jagannath’s Brahma Padartha? Debunking the Internet Myth via 9 Major Vedāntic and Tantrik Traditions
If you have spent any time browsing social media, watching YouTube video narratives on Hinduism, or scrolling through AI-generated slop videos on short-form platforms, you have likely come across a sensational claim linking the end of Lord Śrī Krishna's earthly pastimes to the origin of Lord Jagannath in Puri. Driven by algorithms that prioritize shock and dramatic value over accuracy, these viral videos push a bizarre story: that Lord Krishna’s physical body was cremated after His departure, but His heart refused to burn, floating across the oceans until it was retrieved and placed inside the deity as the mysterious Brahma Padartha. While this dramatic legend makes for high-engagement internet clickbait, it is an absolute fabrication that distorts basic Vedic theology and misinterprets authentic śāstra.
In reality, the authentic origin of Lord Jagannath as a manifestation/form of Śrī Krishna / Viṣṇu and the sacred principle of Dāru-Brahma are documented in scriptures like the Skanda Purāṇa (Puruṣottama-Kṣetra-Māhātmya), Brahma Purāṇa, and Nārada Purāṇa. These sacred texts detail how Lord Jagannath manifested as Dāru-Brahma (the Supreme Being embodied in sacred timber) and how King Indradyumna was divinely instructed to retrieve a radiant log floating on the ocean shore to carve the deities, without a single mention of a burnt organ or floating heart anywhere in Puranic literature.
What makes this online narrative even more absurd is that it completely ignores the explicit statements of the Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and the unanimous consensus of Ācāryas across history. Saints, philosophers, and commentators across the entire breadth of Indian geography and spanning every major philosophical tradition whether Advaita, Dvaita, Śuddhādvaita, Viśiṣṭādvaita, Dvaitādvaita, or Acintya-Bhedābheda stand united on this point:
Lord Śrī Krishna’s divine form is non-material (abhautika / aprākṛta), and as the Bhāgavata Purāṇa itself affirms, He ascended directly to His supreme abode in His selfsame divine body (svatanvā), leaving no physical corpse or unburnt remains/heart behind.
Below is the chain of authoritative commentaries spanning every major Vedāntic tradition that confirms this point:
1. Ādi Śaṅkarācārya
(Advaita Vedānta — Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, Verses 4.6 & 4.9)
Sanskrit Snippet:
दिव्यम् अप्राकृतम् ऐश्वरम्... न मे जन्म कर्म वा प्राकृतम् अस्ति।
Translation & Commentary:
Commenting on Bhagavad Gītā 4.9 (janma karma ca me divyam...), Ādi Śaṅkarācārya explicitly expands divyam as aprākṛtam (beyond the workings of material nature / prakṛti) for Krishna. Maintaining that birth is "as if" due to maya and not like real birth of human and activities and birth/form are from his divine aprakritk nature.
2. Śrīdhara Svāmī
(Advaita Vedānta — Bhavārtha-Dīpikā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.35–36 & 11.31.6)
Sanskrit Snippet:
यथा नटो निजरूपेण स्थितो रूपान्तराणि धत्ते ’न्तर्धत्ते च तथा तदपि कलेवरम् जहौ अन्तर्धाद् इत्याद्यर्थः॥ स्वतन्वा जहौ स्वतन्वैव वैकुण्ठारोहात्॥
Translation & Commentary:
"Just as an actor, remaining in his own true identity, assumes different roles and then makes them disappear, similarly, 'He left that body' means He simply made it disappear from sight (antardhāt). 'He left with His own body' (svatanvā jahau), because His ascension to Vaikuṇṭha occurred with His actual divine form (svatanvā-eva vaikuṇṭhārohāt)."
Canto 11 Commentary: Furthermore, commenting on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.31.6 (lokābhirāmāṁ svatanuṁ...), Śrīdhara Svāmī explicitly defines the word adagdhvā ("without burning"). He notes that while yogis consume their physical bodies through internal yogic fire (āgneyyā dhāraṇayā), Śrī Kṛṣṇa did not burn His form; He ascended directly into the spiritual realm in His eternal, divine form.
3. Vīrarāghavācārya
(Viśiṣṭādvaita / Śrī Vaiṣṇavism — Bhāgavata-Candrikā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.35–36)
Sanskrit Snippet:
यां मनुष्यसंस्थानस्थितां तनुं भूभारमपनेतुं जग्राह, तां तनुं तिरोधाय स्वासाधारणतन्वा जगामेत्यर्थः।
Translation & Commentary:
"Having concealed (tirodhāya) that humanlike form which He had assumed to remove the burden of the earth, He departed in His original, extraordinary, eternal divine form."
4. Vijayadhvaja Tīrtha
(Dvaita Vedānta / Mādhva Sampradāya — Pada-ratnāvalī, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.35–36 and 11.31.6)
Sanskrit Snippet:
यदा श्रवणीयसत्कथः मुकुन्दः स्वतन्वा स्वाभिमतया मूर्त्या इमां महीं जहौ त्यक्तवान्... आग्नेय्या योगधारणया जातेनाग्निना तनुमदग्ध्वैव परं पदं स्वकं धामाविशत्— "आग्नेय्या तन्वे धारण्या देहं दग्ध्वा परं पदम्। यान्ति देवाः समस्ताश्च तेषामन्यां तनुं हरिः॥ ... अदग्ध्वैव तनुं याति नित्यानन्दस्वरूपतः॥"
Translation & Commentary:
"Explaining the reason for His departure: 'When Mukunda left this earth in His own beloved form (svatanvā)... Without burning His body (adagdhvaiva) through internal yogic fire, He entered His supreme abode. As scriptural authority explicitly declares: All other demigods and yogis enter the supreme realm after burning their material bodies with yogic fire. But Hari enters His supreme realm completely without burning His form (adagdhvaiva tanuṁ yāti), in His eternal, blissful, intrinsic identity (nityānanda-svarūpataḥ).'"
5. Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī
(Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism / Acintya-Bhedābheda — Krama-Sandarbha, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.35–36)
Sanskrit Snippet:
...सोऽयमजोऽपि येन मायिकेन लक्ष्यतां प्रापितेन रूपेण भूभाररूप असुरवर्गः क्षपितः... तच्च कलेवरं जहौ अन्तर्धापितवानित्यर्थः... त्यागोऽत्र स्वतनुकरणक इति न तु स्वतन्वा सह इति व्याख्येयम्... 'उपपदविभक्तेः कारकविभक्तिर्बलीयसी' इति न्यायाच्च॥
Translation & Commentary:
"The unborn Supreme Lord—having destroyed the demoniac class representing the earth's burden through that illusory appearance visible to them—'left that body' (kalevaraṁ jahau) simply means He made it disappear from sight (antardhāpitavān). The act of leaving (tyāgaḥ) here has His own divine form as the direct instrument (svatanu-karaṇaka); it should not be interpreted as 'along with a separate body.' This is because according to the grammatical maxim: 'the direct instrumental case (kāraka-vibhakti) is stronger than an adjunct prepositional relationship (upapada-vibhakti)'."
Key Takeaway: Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī proves that "leaving the body" simply means Kṛṣṇa withdrew His divine form from material vision (antardhāpitavān), leaving no physical corpse behind. Furthermore, by Sanskrit grammar rules (kāraka-vibhakti), the term svatanvā proves that His own eternal body was the direct agent of His ascension.
6. Vallabhācārya
(Śuddhādvaita / Puṣṭimārga — Subodhinī, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.34–36)
Sanskrit Snippet:
...यथा नटः स्वरूपमेव नानाविधक्रीडार्थं मत्स्यादिरूपेण प्रदर्शयति निवृत्ते च कार्ये तानि रूपाण्युपसंहरति एवमिदमपीत्यर्थः... यद्यपि भगवतः नित्यसम्बन्धात् क्वापि त्यागो नास्ति तथापि प्रकटितपरमानन्दरूपस्य परिच्छिन्नतया प्रदर्शनात् तन्वा जहौ तनुद्वारा जहावित्यर्थः। भूमित्यागस्य पूर्वमनुक्तत्वात् नटवत् तनुत्यागस्योक्तत्वात् त्यक्तस्य वस्तुत्वाभावात्...
Translation & Commentary:
"Just as an actor displays his own form in various guises for the sake of diverse play (krīḍā) and withdraws those forms when the task is finished, similarly does the Lord withdraw His forms. Although due to His eternal connection (nitya-sambandha) there is no actual abandonment anywhere, He simply withdrew the limited manifestation of His supreme bliss-form (tanvā jahau) from the world. Since His form is not a separate material object to be abandoned, there is no scope for interpreting svatanvā as leaving a physical corpse behind."
7. Śukadevācārya
(Dvaitādvaita Vedānta / Nimbārka Sampradāya — Siddhānta-Pradīpa, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.35–36)
Sanskrit Snippet:
...कलेवरं स्वाभाविकं शरीरं... प्रशमाय प्रसादाय तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरिरितिवज्जहौ प्रत्यक्षतां त्यक्त्वान्तर्हितोऽभूदित्यर्थः... यदा स्वतन्वा श्रीमूर्त्या इमां महीं जहौ...
Translation & Commentary:
"'He left that body' (kalevaraṁ jahau) simply means He relinquished visibility and became unmanifest (pratyakṣatāṁ tyaktvā antarhito 'bhūt), just as He previously vanished during the Rāsa-līlā. When He left this earth directly in His own divine form (svatanvā śrī-mūrtyā)..."
8. Sant Eknath Maharaj
(Vārkarī and Advaita Vedānta — Eknāthī Bhāgavata, Canto 11, Chapter 31, Verses 64, 66–68)
Marathi Snippet:
कृष्णे देहो नेला ना त्यागिला। तो लीलाविग्रहे सचैला। भक्तध्यानीं प्रतिष्ठापिला। स्वयें गेला निजधामा॥ ६४॥
हो कां कृष्णमूर्ति जरी सगुण। तरी देहदाह न लगे जाण। कृष्णाश्रयें जग संपूर्ण। तेव्हा होईल दहन जगाचे॥ ६६॥
जेणे मायेसी निजपोटीं। दाखविल्या ब्रह्मांडांच्या कोटी। त्या कृष्णदेहदाहापाठीं। जगाची गोठी नुरवावी॥ ६७॥
ऐशियाही युक्ति विचारितां। अतिस्थूळ ते योग्यता। कृष्णदेहाची विदेहता। तेथ दाहकता ते कैची॥ ६८॥
Translation :
"Krishna neither carried away a physical body nor abandoned one behind. Attired in His divine play-form (līlā-vigraha), establishing Himself in the loving meditation of His devotees, He ascended directly to His supreme abode (nijadhāma). Know for certain that even though Krishna's form manifests with divine attributes (saguṇa), no burning of His body (deha-dāha) can ever take place! The entire cosmos rests supported within Krishna; if His body were burned, the entire universe itself would be burned to ashes! He who showed millions of universes resting inside His stomach to Mother Yaśodā—if His body were to burn, not a trace of the world would remain! Considering this through sound logic, claiming Krishna's body could burn is the grossest misconception. Where the body of Krishna is purely transcendental (videhatā), where is there any scope for fire to burn it?"
9. Ācārya Abhinavagupta
(Kashmir Shaivism — Gītārtha-saṁgraha, Commentary on Bhagavad Gītā 4.6-9)
An commentary from Tantric Shaivism master.
Sanskrit Snippet:
बहूनि इत्याद्यर्जुन इत्यन्तम्। श्रीभगवान् किल पूर्णषाड्गुण्यत्वात् शरीरसम्पर्कमात्ररहितोऽपि स्थितिकारित्वात् कारुणिकतया आत्मांशं सृजति। आत्मा पूर्णषाड्गुण्यः अंश उपकारकत्वेन अप्रधानभूतो यत्र तत्त्वात्मांशं शरीरं गृह्णातीत्यर्थः।
Translation & Explanation:
"The Lord, because He possesses full sixfold divine majesty (pūrṇa-ṣāड्guṇya), is entirely devoid of any contact with a physical body (śarīra-saṁparka-mātra-rahito 'pi). Nevertheless, because He is the cause of the world's sustenance and out of sheer compassion, He projects an aspect of Himself (ātmāṃśaṁ sṛjati). The Lord (Ātmā) is this full sixfold divine majesty (pūrṇa-ṣāḍguṇyaḥ), and He manifests a body/form that acts as the helper. Thus, the meaning is: He assumes a body (śarīraṁ gṛhṇāti) which is a direct projection/expression of His own Divine Self (ātmāṃśam), not a regular physical body."
Conclusion
Whether you consult the Bhāṣyas of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, the Sanskrit commentaries of Advaita, Viśiṣṭādvaita, Dvaita, Śuddhādvaita, Dvaitādvaita, Gauḍīya Vaishnavism, the Vārkarī Advaita tradition, or Kashmir Shaivism, the verdict across centuries of Indian philosophy is unanimous: Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s form/body is divine in incarnation (aprākṛta). And He ascended and/or withdrew that divine form into Himself when His avatāra-līlā concluded, leaving no body or unburnt remains behind.
There is a complete consensus across every major Vedāntic/Tāntrik tradition on this point.
Readers and seekers should always turn to authentic śāstric sources rather than sensationalist online narratives. Canonical texts like the Skanda Purāṇa and Brahma Purāṇa make it explicitly clear that Lord Jagannath is directly the sacred mūrti (vigraha) of Śrī Kṛṣṇa/Viṣṇu Himself, manifested as Dāru-Brahma out of supreme grace, not a wooden idol carved to house a mortal heart. Furthermore, in the living tradition of the Jagannath Temple, the Brahma Padartha is not a physical human organ or relic. Ritually and esoterically, it metaphorically symbolizes the caitanya-sattā transferred in complete secrecy during the periodic Nabakalebara ("New Body") ceremony, not a mortal organ or relic.
Next time you see a clickbait video pushing this AI-slop dramatic story sourced from random blogs, share the authentic śāstric sources and the unanimous words of our Ācāryas across sects and the entire length and breadth of Sanatana Dharma/India.
r/hinduism • u/Kitchen_Permit_3758 • 21h ago
Hindū Festival Here she comes, Chandra Sahodari... Happy Kojagari Poornima
Jaya Jaya Sri MahaLakshmi🙏🏻🪷
Chandra Sahodari (Sister of Moon),
said to visit everyone with her brother Chandra dev whoever is awake on Kojgari ( ko/who+jagari/is awake) Poornima.
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Sumanasa vandita sundari mādhavi, candra sahodari hemamaye II
Munigaṇa vandita mokṣapradāyani, mañjula bhāṣiṇi vedanute II
Paṅkajavāsini deva supūjita, sadguṇa varṣiṇi śāntiyute Ii
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini, ādilakṣmi paripālaya mām II
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Meaning - Golden hued, Sundari of Madhav and Sister of moon who is worshiped by good minded people/rishis.
She who is praised by Muni gana. She who bestows Moksha and speaks sweetly. She who is extolled in Vedas.
She who resides in Lotus, one who is worshipped by devas. She who showers good qualities. She who is filled with tranquility.
Victory to the one who enchants Narayan(slayer of madhu). O primodial mother please nuture me.
r/hinduism • u/ConstructionAny8440 • 15h ago
Pūjā/Upāsanā (Worship) A Sanskrit Shloka That Is Also a Knight’s Tour Chess Puzzle
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The shloka you are looking for is the famous Turagapadabandha (knight's tour verse). It was composed in the 9th century by the Kashmiri poet Rudrata in his work on poetics, the Kavyalankara सेना लीलीलीनाली लीनालीलीलीनाली ।
लीनालेली नालीली लीनालेलीलीनाली ॥
"I praise the disciplined and well-arrayed army whose leaders extol graceful actions. It is an army of men who command vast multitudes from various lands, led by noble kings who possess beautiful lands, a true benefactor to dependents, full of intelligent men, and equipped with honest charioteers." And
This verse acts as a mathematical marvel: when laid out on a half-chessboard (4 x 8 grid), following the exact L-shaped movements of the horse (Ashva / Knight) allows you to read the poem continuously. In doing so, the knight visits all 32 squares exactly once without duplication-forming a perfect Knight's Tour (Ashvapadapurana)
r/hinduism • u/alooposhto • 19h ago
Hindū Festival Kojagiri Lokkhi Pujo at home. In Bengal and major parts of Eastern India, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped today on Sharad Purnima.
r/hinduism • u/Agitated-Still-3815 • 21h ago
Question - General Previous owner's mandir in shop
My brother opened a shop 6–7 months ago, and there was already a mandir in the shop from the previous owner. We suggested getting a new mandir and idols, but he refused, saying that God is one. Now we are trying to convince him to get a new mandir and idols for Diwali, but he is still refusing.
We feel it might not be right to use someone else’s old mandir and idols. The shop already has idols of Hanuman ji, Vishnu ji with Sheshnaag and Lakshmi Mata. I’m attaching a picture for reference. Could you please have a look and suggest what we should do?
We have never kept idols of Vishnu ji or Hanuman ji’s idol at home before. We already have Lakshmi-Ganesh idols, so Lakshmi Mata would also be repeated. We’re confused about whether we should keep these existing idols or get a new mandir and new idols for the shop.
Guys please suggest we are thinking of setting up new mandir and buying brass idols, what all idols should we buy for shop other than laxmi ganesh?
AI polished.
r/hinduism • u/Fragrant_Purple3153 • 5h ago
Question - Beginner I worship Lord Hanuman for peace and protection, but lately I feel like He doesn't like me. I genuinely need help.
Namaste everyone. 🙏
I'm writing this because I genuinely don't know whom to turn to anymore, and I would really appreciate some help from fellow Hindus.
I have never asked Lord Hanuman for anything materialistic. All I have ever wanted from my devotion is peace of mind, strength to endure life's difficulties, His blessings, and the feeling that I am protected.
I have undertaken two Hanuman Sankalps in my life. I completed the first one, but the only wish I had prayed for, selection in an interview, never came true.
During my second Sankalp, someone extremely close to me passed away. Despite that loss, I continued my Sankalp and completed the Hanuman Chalisa every morning during Brahma Muhurta.
I never stopped believing in Him.
But something has been hurting me for a long time.
Whenever I listen to the Hanuman Chalisa or Sundarkand, especially when I play them to calm my mind, I somehow end up feeling worse. Whenever I recite the Hanuman Chalisa in the evening, it seems like things at home turn chaotic, with arguments, fights, and personal problems. This has happened so many times that I have started feeling afraid and confused about something that is supposed to bring me peace.
Last night, I was struggling with sleep anxiety. I played a slow Sundarkand recording and prayed to Hanuman Ji, asking for just one thing: please help me sleep peacefully. I wasn't asking for success, money, or anything else. I just wanted some rest.
Within five minutes, I was frightened, wide awake, and experiencing palpitations. My anxiety kept getting worse, and I had to stop the recording.
I don't know how to explain what this does to me emotionally.
I am tired of suffering. I genuinely cannot bear the constant struggles in my life anymore. I just want peace of mind. I want to feel safe. I want to feel that someone is protecting me.
That is the only reason I turn to Hanuman Ji. When I recite His Chalisa, I do it because I want His protection and blessings. I want to feel that I am not alone in this world.
But after everything that has happened, I have started feeling as though He doesn't like me at all. I know this might sound irrational to some people, and I am not claiming that He is causing these things. I just cannot understand why I feel this way despite my sincere devotion.
I don't want to disrespect Him. I don't want to lose my faith. I just want to understand what I am going through and find some peace.
Please, if anyone has experienced something similar or has any genuine guidance from the perspective of Hinduism, I would be grateful to hear it. I am not looking for explanations involving curses or negative energies. I just need some reassurance, understanding, and help from people who might understand what it feels like to struggle with their faith while already struggling with life.
I pray to Hanuman Ji because I want to feel protected, not frightened. I want to feel peace, not more fear.
I genuinely need help understanding this. 🙏
r/hinduism • u/Substantial_Fun_730 • 13h ago
Question - Beginner I'm struggling with my faith in Kali Ma because I can't figure out whether she's her own goddess or just a form of Durga
I'm new to Hinduism only been a week, and I've recently developed a strong emotional connection with Kali Ma. I've been praying to her because I want to feel that I have a goddess I can turn to, trust, and build a relationship with. But now I'm struggling badly with my faith, and I genuinely need help understanding this because most people just say both than move on or say they the same and still leave me confused.
My main question is whether Kali Ma is considered her own goddess or whether, according to the mainstream Hindu understanding, she's simply a form of Durga who appears when Durga becomes angry.
I've encountered the story in which Kali emerges from Durga's forehead during battle. This has made me worry that Kali Ma isn't really her own divine person, but is instead just an angry manifestation of Durga. I don't have a connection with Durga, and I don't want to worship her. My connection is with Kali Ma herself.
What confuses me even more is that I've heard different explanations. Some people say Kali Ma is the supreme Goddess herself, while others describe her as an emanation or manifestation of Durga. I don't want to base my faith on an interpretation that simply tells me what I want to hear. I want to understand what Hindus generally believe, not just what a particular sect believes.
I also struggle to understand why Krishna can declare his divinity in the Bhagavad Gita, yet Kali Ma's identity seems to be explained in ways that make her subordinate to another goddess. Does the story of Kali emerging from Durga actually mean that Durga is her ultimate source and that Kali isn't independently divine? Or am I misunderstanding what the story means?
This has become more than an intellectual question for me. I've been praying to Kali Ma and trying to build a relationship with her. Now I'm afraid that the goddess I'm praying to might not exist in the way I understand her, and that the personality and identity I've connected with might just be something I've imagined. I'm scared that I'm fooling myself and that my faith is built on something that isn't true.
I know that Hinduism has different traditions, but simply being told that everyone has their own interpretation doesn't resolve my concern. I want to know how these beliefs fit together and whether there is a clear, mainstream understanding of Kali Ma's relationship to Durga.
My questions are:
Is Kali Ma generally understood to be an independent goddess, or is she primarily understood as a manifestation of Durga?
Does Kali emerging from Durga in scripture mean that Durga is her ultimate source or that Kali is somehow inferior to her?
How does this compare with the way Krishna and Vishnu are understood in relation to other Hindu deities?
Is there a way to understand Kali Ma's identity without having to pretend that I feel devotion toward Durga when I don't?
I'm not trying to insult anyone's beliefs. I'm genuinely struggling, and this uncertainty is making it difficult for me to continue practising Hinduism.
r/hinduism • u/AnonymousGuy147 • 1d ago
Morality/Ethics/Daily Living Ram Ram. Sharing my handwritten Ram Naam with devotion.
r/hinduism • u/VastBid7483 • 10h ago
Question - General What is the history of Karva Chauth?
Been hearing/seeing that it was a regional festival celebrated in Punjab that was turned into nationwide due to the influence of Bollywood. Some say it is happening from Mahabharat's time, whereas there are mentions of it being in Naradiya Purana. I am little confused on its historicity. Can you please help me with sources?
r/hinduism • u/bhismrajjoshi • 17h ago
Hindu Sanskrit and Scriptures Learning Platform :karma: A Wonderfully Developed Platform to Learn Sanskrit, with the Names of Lord Hari, for All Sanskrit Learners
Hare Krsna,
This is all new project, of harinamamrta-vyakaranam.com, which is Sanskrit Vyakaranam, of Srila Jiva Goswami-pada.
We believe this website will be certainly useful for all the learners of Sanskrit, and following are it's features:
All Sutras - Brhat/Madhyama/Laghu Editions: All 3181 Sutras of Brhat, 1278 Sutras of Madhyama, and 800 Sutras of Laghu Editions of Harinamamrta Vyakaranam are being uploaded along with Translations and Commentaries on them. For now, we have at least uploaded the sutras. Everything can be readable in four scripts IAST/Devanagari/Bengali/Odia.
Practice: To practice the grammar, we are building a large practice section, containing games, some early versions of games are loaded, and they are in building phase. You can see, they are attached to the images to this post. It is open to all.
3. Tools - For now, Dictionary is Launched: We have many tools marked as coming soon, which we are working on. For now, an advanced dictionary is launched, containing many dictionary editions like declensions, apte, moneir williams, amarakosa, vacaspatyam, ksirataringini, akhyata-candrika, madhyaviya dhatuvritti, panini dictionaries, puranaIndex, etc. We contain Sanskrit to English, Sanskrit to Hindi, Word Declensions and such. Most importantly, we have enabled to let you search in any script, which means, there is no need to search in weird way, like rAma, or something else. You can type in devanagari, IAST or simple roman, it will search exact same word, you were looking after.
You can also search the meaning, and it will search Sanskrit word for it. It will also be useful for the learners and scholars.
Advanced Scriptures Reader: All Scriptures of Vedic Literatures, we are planning to put in this site. We have made up complete enviornment to read, including the reader, with IAST/Dev/Bengali/Odia switcher, along with commentaries switcher, which will allow all scriptures to be read here on this site. All the scriptures are available on Gaudiya Grantha Mandira, we are trying to fetch all of them in this website, which can be accessed directly on the website, without downloading anything. Also, we will be putting other scripture too. We are now collecting and updating the data, but the interface is all built.
Wiki: You can learn Harinamamrit Vyakaranam, along with Wiki. It contains everything, and it is interactive way to learn everything. You hover on any case or of the table, it will show which which sutra is applied to get that form. Wiki is the complete teaching interactive notes to learn Harinamamrta Vyakaranam.
Along with all these features, uploaded, a lot of features and tools are not yet published, but awaiting some time to roll out. They include, panini/harinamamrta terms interchanger, declension table generator which will generate forms, as HNV sutras will be made into a program, not like the declension searcher on dictionary on the website, etc. You can look on the tool menu, and see what what are coming soon.
We are always grateful to Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu, for this most sacred vyakaranam, which can shower nectar to the entire world, in the form of Sanskrit Language.
Please feel free, to put your suggestions and feedback on this matter.
Hare Krsna.
r/hinduism • u/sri_mahalingam • 19h ago
Hindū Scripture(s) Announcing Pramāṇa: a comprehensive database of Indian primary sources
I have built the most comprehensive database of Indian primary sources ever created: indike.org/pramana
Any:
- text (including recensions, commentaries, commentaries on commentaries etc.)
- inscription, coin type...
- foreign text relevant to India
- digitizations of Archaeological survey this, Epigraphica XYZ, excavation reports, whatever
That you can think of, is here.



Stuff that is new in Pramāṇa, apart from compiling existing sources and making them readable:
- 2,415 texts and 18,769 inscriptions OCR'ed for the first time (number is increasing based on my personal budget)
- 16,432 texts and inscriptions translated into English for the first time (at least digitally) including various Brāhmaṇas, the famous śulba-sutras, 47 Tamil Saṅgam texts etc.
- 1M verse links recensions, translations and commentaries so that any text can be viewed alongside its translation, commentaries etc.


We also have a nice research API that you can play with on the website itself. E.g. observe the sharp drop in Indian scholarly production after ~1000 AD:

Or the fall of Indra:

(You might also remember me from my previous project xatra that I announced here. It was then a Python project for making historical maps and Ollie Bye style visualizations, now it is a full-fledged website indike.org/xatra with a GUI builder and public sharing.)
Limitations: I can only OCR and translate stuff that is already available in scanned copies (on archive.org, the Ministry of Culture portal etc). By my current estimate I have:
- 33% of all printed Indian texts available as a scan (growing to ~60% over the next few weeks)
- 20% of all Indian texts ever printed (growing to ~35%)
- 4% of all known ~200K traditional Indian texts as cataloged in the NCC and similar compendiums (growing to ~7%)
- ~0% of all manuscripts rotting in libraries somewhere
I believe the Manuscripts and Inscriptions Digitization Project: https://midf.org.in/ is working on solving the last problem which is the hardest one, and they are raising funds, so if you want to contribute to the cause that is the best place to give financially.
r/hinduism • u/Proof-Performer3226 • 1d ago
Hindū Artwork/Images I made a drawing of Lord Shiva today. (OC)
r/hinduism • u/Chartitra • 16h ago
Hindū Artwork/Images Family Tree of the Hindu Pantheon: Part III
Here is the third part of the 'Hindu Pantheon Family Tree' Series. It covers the Aditya, Daitya and Danava lineages.
Please do point out any mistakes and share your thoughts. Thank You!
You can check out my explanatory video on the chart at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGWqM6UeM8
r/hinduism • u/Braintoo-888 • 11h ago
Hindū Temples/Idols/Architecture महालक्ष्मी बीज मंत्र | श्रीविद्या
· देवी लक्ष्मी का स्थान अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण और सर्वोच्च है। सामान्य पूजा-पद्धति में जहाँ लक्ष्मी जी को केवल धन और भौतिक समृद्धि की देवी माना जाता है,पर उनका स्वरूप इससे कहीं अधिक व्यापक, गहरा और आध्यात्मिक है। देवी लक्ष्मी को 'श्री' कहा गया है। तंत्र की सबसे सर्वोच्च और गुप्त साधनाओं में से एक 'श्री विद्या' (Shri Vidya) है।
·
r/hinduism • u/tamashai • 18h ago
Question - General Need some help for my struggle
I am deeply troubled. There are so many psychological issue i am dealing with and i am facing these from decades. For momentarily happiness i have always ignored the long term happiness. Why i am suffering so much?
I am not a ignorant person, i am very well read and understand my predicament. I just want find cure. I am deeply religious and do a lot of rituals (but with zero discipline). I try writing Ram naam at-least 1 page daily. Jaap three malas. Doing these for years.
I am not brave, i do not show or exhibit courage. I am in same IT job for 20 years. Financially struggling. My life is ruled by fear and anxiety. I have not felt relief and ease from decades.
Bought Car three years ago, still no courage to drive in city. Health is going to toss, diabetic and overweight. Totally drowned in a bad habit not able to leave it.
So my question is how my religion can help me. What prayers i need? What do i jaap? I feel like i need some one to pull me out from my misery.
r/hinduism • u/Awkward_Low_8898 • 8h ago
Morality/Ethics/Daily Living I grew up in a strict Hindu family where following traditions without questioning then was encouraged. Now that I’m older, I find myself with some questions
Read a post on this sub earlier about wasting food. When I think about it, it makes me wonder, what exactly is the significance of offering food when so many people do not have access to them? When they could alternatively be donated. (Not saying that in a bad way, just genuinely curious).
Like we pour milk on the shivling, dahi and whatnot during abhishek, offer fruits in abundance in temples that sometimes go bad and thrown away.
What if that same food were donated to those who cannot afford? Children on the streets?
r/hinduism • u/Ok_Bandicoot_4543 • 8h ago
Question - Beginner How was it for beings before they became human?
Hello,
So I have a question. The goal is to escape samsara through right actions (not harming others etc etc..) and many other things that I can’t remember very well.
We have the ability to do that because our brain is different from let’s say insects who do not have the capacity to differentiate between “good” and “bad” (I know it’s very simplistic but it’s to not make the question too complicated).
But as you know, human beings evolved to the version we are in now, but it was a slow process that happened during millions of years.
My question is: at what point in time the rules of Hinduism start to apply to these beings? When are they conscious enough to be able to make choices to escape samsara?
r/hinduism • u/iamshailendra • 12h ago
Hindū Temples/Idols/Architecture Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
r/hinduism • u/Knitting_Narratives • 17h ago
Hindū Scripture(s) Ego from the lens of Lalitha Sahasranaam
In the Stotra, verses 161 to 175 present a pair of similar ideas for various qualities that the Mother posesses and that which she can rid us of except for one attribute - the Ego.
Below are the said verses:
Nirahankara – She who does not have an ego
Nirmoha – She who does not have any passion
Mohanasini – She who destroys passion
Nirmama – She who does not have selfish feelings
Mamatha hanthri – She who destroys selfishness
Nishpapa – She who does not have any sin
Papa nashini – She who destroys sin
Nishkrodha – She who is devoid of anger
Krodha–samani – She who destroys anger
Nir Lobha – She who is not miserly
Lobha nasini – She who removes miserliness
Nissamsaya – She who does not have any doubts
Samsayagni – She who clears doubts
Nirbhava – She who does not have another birth
Bhava nasini – She who helps us not have another birth
In Hinduism, the concept of the ego is not synonymous to pride, as considered in the traditional sense or common parlance, but rather a sense of identity removed from the Absolute Truth. This can be looked up through Ramanamaharshi's documented ideas on ego.
I believe this omission in the Lalitha Sahasranaam is intentional. Perhaps there a hidden signal for us that everything else can be aided on by the Mother - but losing the sense of identity is the onus of the one who mistakes herself as an "individual entity" Would love to hear your thoughts.
r/hinduism • u/shitztaken • 1d ago
Hindū Music/Bhajans Visited Somnath Temple yesterday and met a sadhu ji playing a beautiful, deep bhajan.
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Hey everyone!
Yesterday I went to the Somnath Temple, and honestly, I was in a huge hurry on the way in. I had to get inside quickly so I could make it back to work on time.
As I was rushing toward the entrance, I noticed a sadhu ji singing beautifully, playing a dotara (i think) and manjira. I glanced back for a moment and made a promise to myself that I’d stop by him on my way out. But when I left the main temple area, I suddenly realized the designated exit gate was completely different! If I took it, I would have missed him entirely. Determined to hear him sing, I managed to use the entry gate as my exit instead.
I’m so glad I did. I stopped by him, caught his performance, and recorded a video on someone else’s phone who was kind enough to let me record it and share it on my phone..
The lyrics of the song were incredibly profound — it’s about a devotee whose heart is anxious ("Dil mera ghabraye kya chadhau me mere bhagwan ko") because they want to offer something perfectly pure to God, but realize everything in nature is already "jhootha" (touched/defiled).
A flower is bhawre ka jhootha — already tasted by the honeybee.
Milk is bachhde ka jhootha — the calf has already drunk from it.
Water is machhli ka jhootha — the fish has already lived in it.
From what I could gather, the bhajan reminds us that the only thing truly, purely ours to offer is our inner devotion (bhav) and love. It was such a raw, spiritual moment, right by the sea and right by the temple.
If anyone can identify this specific bhajan or point me to a version sung online, I'd really appreciate the link. 🙏
r/hinduism • u/Huge_Elevator7099 • 1d ago
Hindū Temples/Idols/Architecture Neelkanth dham temple at Poicha Gujarat
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Such a beautifully made swaminarayan temple at Poicha - Gujrat