Friends, I am interested to know the significance and use of bells in Hinduism (particularly Shaivism).

I went to the Babaji Ashram in Haidakhan and was in awe of the bells.

Please tell me anything - uses, symbolism, who can use them, the types there are, the types of ceremony, history - anything. I want to hear everything about the use of bells in India.

Hello. This post is in no way to be rude or insensitive. Wanted thoughts on customary traditions regarding death in Hindu culture.

My neighbor (and very good friend) next door to me is Hindu. Him and his family live together and today someone in the family passed away I believe. The medical examiner was walking in and out of their apartment. I walked by to offer condolences but figured it was too soon and I felt bad and walked away. I noticed there was this powder sprinkled in front of the door, and 4 red dots. Is this something customary in Hindu culture? More or less curious and would like insight on if I should offer condolences or let it be for awhile? Just trying to understand the grieving process.

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Namaste everyone! I am a guy(19) born in a hindu family. I have never been very religious so to speak. But for the last year or so, I have been learning about vedanta philosophy by learning about Vivekananda(I am bengali) and listening to swami sarvapriyananda. Getting to know how so many historical figures studied vedanta or Hinduism in general.

I will just get into the point, I want to start reading the upanishads. I just want to know one thing,

I have come across some problematic, "discriminatory" verses online from the upanishads. For example, chandogya upanishad 5.10.7 And brihadaranak upanishad 6.4.7.

I just want to know, how common are such verses in the upanishads? Are these rare or can be found quite often?

Sorry in advance, this question probably has been asked already since the verses are quite infamous. But it would be nice if you be patient with me.

I visited one of the greatest Maa Kali Temples in Kolkata,Kalighat for the first time and I've been racing to be with maa. It's a feeling I can't ever express. I want to be with her, I want to feel seen by her, I was separated from my mother at a young age and I've seen as as my Maa. I feel this is the right time to start worshipping her as I'm feeling this. Can anyone tell me where to start? Also should I go into Kaal Bhairav Tantras first since it's mandatory, I've only heard this from people. Please tell me I want to start worshipping her properly.

I am genuinely curious. Isn't the main reason for why we celebrate Deepawali is when Ramji returned with Sita ma to Ayodhya? How does Lakshmiji come into the picture or is it a completely different thing and coincides with Deepawali?

Hey friends, i ask a question because i remember read this theory long ago; in a post about greek-indian states and religous syncretism, i really hope my question istn being rude

digital symmetry piec

Today was a tough day. We had a Diwali pooja at home, but before the ceremony, my family got into a huge argument—really intense shouting and fighting. I admit I got involved and said some things I regret. Despite that, I sat down for the pooja with love and devotion, hoping it would calm things down. And for a while, it did.

But not long after, another argument broke out, even louder than before. In a moment of frustration and anger, I said things I’m really ashamed of. I threatened to break the moorti (idol) of God, called God names, and even said I’d burn the moorti. I’m not sure why I let myself go there, but now I feel terrible.

I want to apologize, not only to my family but also to Ma Lakshmi. Those words didn’t come from a place of true intention—I was just caught up in the anger of the moment. I’m struggling with a lot of guilt and wish I could take it all back.

I’m posting this because I want to share my regret and maybe find some peace. If anyone has advice on how to make things right spiritually, I’d really appreciate it. Is there any mannat (vow) or anushthan (ritual) that might help me show my sincerity and speed up my apology to Ma Lakshmi? Thank you for reading and for any guidance.

Jai Siyaram !

If not, what happens after moksha according to Dvaita Vedantha?

As I wish you a Happy Diwali, I’m reminded of my childhood (in South Africa), where diversity was woven into everyday life. Growing up in a neighborhood initially designated for Indians during the apartheid era but later when the laws were abolished, accommodated everyone, I was surrounded by a vibrant mix of Indians, Coloureds, and Africans(I’m African or Black, as we are called around the world)

Naturally, my school was a microcosm of this diversity, where we celebrated each other’s traditions with enthusiasm although with little understanding. I think most kids at school were just happy to stay at home (or go to events centered around the holidays) and not come to school but either way, Eid, Ramadan, Diwali, and Christian holidays were all cherished events. I fondly recall our Hindu neighbours’ Diwali firework displays, which we affectionately dubbed “Hindu Christmas”. The joy and warmth of those moments remain etched in my memory.

Little did I know that life would lead me to develop a profound connection with Hinduism. Diwali now holds a deeper significance for me, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, both within and without.

How do you celebrate Diwali? What traditions and memories make this festival special for you?

Wishing you love, light, and warmth during this auspicious time. 🪔 🪔 🕉️

I know this is very late but I cannot find anything else and I think I messed up. Help would be very much appreciated I’ve already set up the offerings, the shrines, the diyas, and the incense. Im just struggling with the pooja.

Recently I’ve been speaking to this ISK devotee of Krishna and he basically just made me feel like I’m not blessed or appreciated enough by Krishna to be chanting his name. He said I can only take his name through his grace. The past two weeks I’ve been suffering in health. I had an ovarian pain problem from last week which is now much better but my body is still recovering. I got sick from a flu today and my period is also supposed to start this week. My body is destroyed and I couldn’t even get up and chant yesterday as my throat was so sore. I have no one to take care of me I’m all in this by myself, I don’t live with family because I’m in uni. I told him this and he said I don’t have Krishna’s grace to chant his name and that’s why I’m here like this. I got mad when I heard that because I’m already suffering rn and hearing that on top of it was just insensitive of them tbh to tell me that. Again they are a boy and I’m a girl so men usually don’t understand women’s problems. But my overall question is, how do I get Sri Krishna’s grace? I’ve been chanting the maha mantra for almost a year now and engaging in Krishna conscious activities only. But how do I get his grace, if I don’t have it?

I am a 41 year old man. I first leant of ISKCON in the early 90s, when I discovered Bhagavd Gita As It Is and the ISKCON kirtan audio casettes that were left to me by my father. We have been a proper Vaishnava family, more in the North Indian way, so we were never "deekshit" in the ISKCON path. Our family Guru has been Shri 1008 Ganga Giri Ji Maharaj, and ours was a rather religiously tolerant family. This disclaimer is important because I am trying to say we have no bias towards ISKCON.

Later in life, I got opportunities to visit their many temples in India and outside. In fact, many times their temples were the only connect to the Vaishnavism while being outside.

You may not agree with their interpretation of things, but no one can deny that have been a net positive not only for Sanatan, but for the world! The world is a better place because of their existence.

Find me one person who can visit their temple, look at the amazing murtis in the eyes for 30 seconds, and can say "This is not a house of God". Or someone who can listen to their Kirtans and not get goosebumps and feel a connect to the divine. A place does not just come alive with divine grace without a lot of sadhana going on behind it. I can vouch that Iskcon temples are such places.

Sanatan by definition is an amalgamation of widely diverse philosophical positions. I have myself found myself attracted to Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda - Ramakrishna Paramhamsa Ji, Osho, Jiddu Krishnamurthy among many others. I have learnt something from everyone. The diversity of Sanatan is a reflection of the infite glories of the God himself. We can not define anything narrowly and say anything else outside of this is not Sanatan.

Anyways, I will just repeat myself - The world is a better place with ISKCON in it, and I wish we have 1000 more ISKCONs! Jai Sri Radhe!

I won't accept answers like different people of different times did this without divine inspiration. I seek answers on the basis of what is given in scriptures and not historical ifs.

For me I read scriptures try to understand the reasoning in story, the ethical and moral dilemmas, the philosophicsk background and what message is being given about human life is how I take most scriptures. Most scriptures for me are not very literal, neither do they present as completelu historical book. Ramayana, Mahabharat have supernatural elements and illustration which is hard to understand through a rational mind and I believe it should be taken as more a of abstract and a apotheosis cuz proving those supernatural elements is unreasonable.

For me my central aastha is on parameshwara, and directly trying to understand his personalities or what we call Devas and isvara. I am cultural but not as much as many present here and the practices have more historical, heritage and traditional value to them instead of spiritual. Spirituality occurs when I do meditation for them rather than rituals.

My ista devi is Bhadra kali. I connect with her personality and embodiment of nature very well and also understand the essence of love in her destructive form. But I guess rituals generally aren't always my thing as they feel more by the book than heart. I want to practice dharma through bonding with universe as whole. For me sadhana is a better form of bhakti than upsana. I am more of person that works on reason than faith, not that faith isn't important. But for me God is us and we are him always connected. To understand oneself through your own identity and practices is more elevating than rituals and practices. What sect do I belong to? Is it even spiritual or do I have to follow it all through what a normal religious person does though I think most don't even understand what they are doing?

Happy Deepavali! 🪔🕉️🙏🏽 God bless! How are you all celebrating?

500 years later we get to celebrate Deepawali with Ram Lalla in Ayodhya ..this is a blessing gifted to our generation due to continuous struggle by so many of our previous generations over centuries...it just shows the unimaginable level of resilience...let's always remember that 🙏🙏🙏. Shubh Deepawali...Seeyawar Ramchandra ki Jai

I have been reading and listening to Mahabharatam and Ramayanam almost all my life and never in my life questioned anything until a sivan follower pointed out how followers of Vishnu are hypocrites.

He explained me how Vishnu did everything in the name of dharma but when a sivan follower did he is labelled as bad guy. How almost all sivan followers are portrayed as bad guys. How this societal hierarchy of class system was invented and widely used by Vishnu followers. How one can easily criticise sivan while he can’t say a word bad on Vishnu.

He went on to explain this as how this difference is influenced in modern day politics by comparing how South Indians are more sivan followers while north is more of Vishnu following.

I am not that much of expert and I don’t want to create a debate. I just want someone with clear knowledge on this topic explain me how much truth does his statement hold? I am a sivan/murugan follower so I am leaning towards accepting his statement but I want to get to a rational conclusion before I can make my mind.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBvJrbJuZ3a/?igsh=MTNkbmwxcDRxemV3bg==

Mr. Self-certified Revolutionary Dharmic intellectual and IAS babu Acharya Prashant wants Hindus to feel guilty in buying sweets and new clothes on Diwali because Bhagwan Sri Ram was suffering in a forest with no new clothes and sweets. So I guess by that logic we should all go to a forest and do what Sri Ram on Diwali instead of celebrating with loved ones with sweets and puja?!😂🤦

At this point, Mr. Prashant is running out of things to criticise Hindus on. His whole personality is based on negating every single practice of Hindus to reform it into a dry, pseudo-philosophy academic exercise sucking out all the joy and community from it.

Diwali is celebrated as an occasion of Sri Ram’s return to Ayodhya, doesn’t have anything to do with forest dwelling period of his life. Mr. Prashant is a bitter, angry man for no reason. This take from Prashant is no different from the gaslighting propaganda by leftist and Abrahamic zealots.

This is weird to ask but, we all pray to our chosen deity. We ask them for health, strength, guidance to moksha, etc. We confide to them our deepest fears, secrets, and generally may just talk about our day or what's going on. Is it okay to also just ask them "how are you?" I know they care and love us so much, and I guess even though they are perfect and literally are god, can we ask them how are they too? Like I know they can't outright respond but I guess out of love can we silently ask them too how are they? Or is it a stupid idea? I know God is beyond feelings, beyond time, and other human concepts, but is it wrong to care in that way?

Thank you Namaste

Edit: Thank you everyone for your kind answers, I thought I was doing something really stupid. I asked someone about it before I wrote my post on reddit, and they said that god can feel things but they don't really need it, so it wouldn't make sense. They said we can only show love through obedience. I felt like I was wrong, so Im glad I have your support on this. I'm gonna keep doing it because I truly believe everyone deserves that care and love of someone genuinely checking in on them. Maybe one day I'll get a direct answer. (That would be super cool, but I'm content with just imagining an answer or hoping everything is okay.)

May the lord lights fill our lives with joy and wisedom ! May we all be more wise and dharmic and satvic ! May we all find salvation and liberation to finally rest with peace eternally in Lotus feet of the Lord 🪷❤️💖 need blessings from you 🙏

I am writing a retelling of Valmiki Ramayana but I have certain doubts while I am reading the scripture. Are there people over here who are well-versed in Ramayana who can assist me?

Even by doing so much good sometime we still have bad experience us and people often say that your past life deeds are the reason for it. So I want to know that in the text of Hinduism are there any specific events which are stated that increase or decrease Karma and is there anything stated about the quantum of it like how is it calculated an all.