Questions tagged [mahabharata]
The epic by Veda Vyasa narrating the great war fought in India between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
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if moksha is ultimate goal why did pandavas desire svarga instead?
We all are always told our main goal of existence is moksha, if so then at end of mahabharata war why did pandavas choose svarga? they could have got moksha if they wanted due to their karma?
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If gambling is a sin why did yudhisthra gamble?
Yudhisthra was an avatar of dharmaraj, yet he gambled and lost everything. I have gambled in my life but I am no dharmaraj, I know I will have to pay for my sins. But why did yudhisthra do that?
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How many forms of brahmastra are there and why didn't Ashvatthama's brahmastra do cosmic destruction?
I have heard that brahmastra is the most devastating weapon but it also has tiers?
It has mentions in Mahabharata but only one I know it was released was by Ashvatthama. Which tier was it? Didn't it ...
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Can someone explain the story of shikhandi to me?
I know the story of Amba and why she wanted revenge on bhisma pitamha. And she died took rebirth. Then all I know is someone named shikhandi was responsible who was actually amba reincarnated for the ...
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Why do there exist almost zero physical evidence of many multiple giant Rakshas killed by Shri Krishna or Arjuna?
If we read our scriptures ,then we will find lot of instances where Demons of very large size got killed Like Ghatotkacha.
I mean whole races of Nagas, Yakshas, other demons exist
But I think if all ...
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Devatas behavior toward menstruating women near sacrificial rites
When the topic of menstruation in Hindu scriptures comes up, most of the contemporary discussions are usually at a surface level, focusing on rules directed at women, what they may or may not do ...
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Earliest acharyas advocating a non-birth-based varna system?
It is clear from several scriptures that varna is primarily birth-based as long as everyone in society strictly follows their prescribed varna-rules (svadharma).
When that system breaks down, through ...
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Reason for “thirteen years” of Pitris displeasure due to menstrual impurity?
Consider the following excerpt from the Mahabharata, which says that the presence of a menstruating woman near a Sraddha prevents the Pitris from being gratified for thirteen years:
Listen now to ...
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Can anyone cite reference from Mahabharat where Vidura watched Kundali of a woman and predicted she had a secret lover before marriage?
Long back when I joined this website, I remember reading a comment by someone wherein the person cited a story from Mahabharat where one woman came to Vidura and told him about illness of her "...
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whose exile was more Challenging Is it Rama or Yudhisthira?
whose exile was more Challenging Is it Rama or Yudhisthira?
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Are there scriptural examples of women being attacked when left unprotected?
There are plenty of occasions in scriptures where lusty men act wrongly towards women, especially when they think the woman is alone or without protection. The passages below give a few clear examples ...
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Did Adi Shankaracharya declare the Mahabharata the decisive authority when scriptures conflict?
In a recent conversation with a user about my answer, I learned that Dvaita acharya Madva say that the Mahabharata is decisive compared to other scriptures. It is widely regarded as the “fifth Veda” ...
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What are the issues with changing one’s occupation according to the scriptures?
In the following passage from the Mahabharata, it is stated that one should not change one’s occupation but should continue the duties proper to one’s own order. The passage compares those who switch ...
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Was there celebration of Diwali in Mahabharata times?
As the Ramayana occurred before the Mahabharata, there should be some mention of the celebration of Rama's return to Ayodhya. I haven't come across any such celebration in the Mahabharata epic. Or, ...
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When is lying/breaking rules/ deceiving someone not a sin? Any clear rule for it?
In Mahabharat war, many rules were broken by Pandav's side with the approval of Shri Krishna.
So, When is lying /breaking rules/ deceiving someone not an act of Adharma ?
Any clear rule (especially ...
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