VedKaBhed.Com https://vedkabhed.com/ Truth About Hinduism Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:55:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 What is Shivling? https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2022/05/15/analysis-of-lingam/ Sun, 15 May 2022 06:16:53 +0000 http://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2014/05/15/analysis-of-lingam/ Analysis of Lingam (updated)   Written by Sulaiman Razvi The meaning of Shiva Ling or Lingam has become a subject of controversy in recent times. Hindus revere the Shiv Ling. Hindu god Shiva is considered “The Destroyer” part of Trimurti and he is also considered the Ascetic god. The early scholars of Hinduism didn’t lay […]

The post What is Shivling? appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Analysis of Lingam (updated)

 

Written by Sulaiman Razvi

The meaning of Shiva Ling or Lingam has become a subject of controversy in recent times. Hindus revere the Shiv Ling. Hindu god Shiva is considered “The Destroyer” part of Trimurti and he is also considered the Ascetic god. The early scholars of Hinduism didn’t lay stress on the meaning of Shivling, it was only in recent times when Hinduism was exposed to foreigners that some Hindu scholars started giving their definitions. Hindus insist that Shivling isn’t a male genital organ despite Hindu scriptures defining Shivling as Shiva’s penis, it’s obvious that Hindus are embarrassed by this definition of Shivling. When dealing with such issues we have to look deep into its history. Shiva Lingam actually a Phallic (male erected generative organ) emblem is considered a symbol by present-day Hindu scholars. We can find traces of Phallus or Shiva Lingam worshipers in the Rig Veda which is the oldest scripture of Hinduism, Rig Veda Mandal 7, Sukta 21, verse 5 mentions Shishnadeva which is literally translated as Penis worshippers (Sishna+Deva), we read that the ancient Aryans were hostile towards these worshipers. However, its meaning is obscure as some scholars consider the word Shishandeva to be “lewd people” or “unchaste people”, it could be that those people were considered unchaste on account of them being Phallus worshippers. When you tell any Hindu that Shivling is penis, he would reply that the Sanskrit word Shisan is generally used for penis and not Ling, but they would deny that Shishandeva mentioned in Rigved is penis worshippers as they have unending excuses to defend their Dharm.

The meaning of Ling

C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\apte penis ling.png
[Student’s Sanskrit English Dictionary 1893 edition, By V.S Apte, page 311]

ISKCON scholars give the following meaning,

“lingam — phallic symbol which is used in the worship of Lord Śiva.” [Source: http://www.prabhupada-books.de/gita/glossary/glossary_L.html]

It is mentioned in Mahabharata,

Mahabharata Anushasana Parva 13, section, 14, verses 230-1 …all creatures bear the signs that mark Mahadeva and his spouse. Hence, all creatures must be regarded as belonging to Maheswara. All creatures of the feminine sex, have sprung from Ulna’s nature as their cause, and hence it is they bear the mark of femininity that distinguishes Uma; while all creatures that are masculine, having sprung from Siva, bear the masculine mark that distinguishes Siva…” Tr. K.M. Ganguly

So what is that masculine mark that distinguishes a male person? It’s obviously the male organ (penis). And it is that which distinguishes Siva also. The pedestal of Shivling is Yoni which translates as Vagina. The meaning of Ling and Yoni itself should dispel doubt about Shivling not being a male genital organ.

Rishis cutting off Bhikshatan’s (Shiva) Penis in Darunavam forest

There are mainly two versions of Shivling origin. One which proves Shivling as a male organ and another one appear as a measureless cosmic pillar, this too has a story which proves Shivling to be penis. But the Shivling as penis version is emphasized in the Hindu scriptures which is why this version has a group of stories on the origin of the Shivling. But the most repeated story is that of Shiva going to Darunvanam forest in his Bhikshatana avatar which is his “Supreme Beggar” form and is depicted as a nude man. Rishis resided in Daruvanam forest with their families, Shiva went to Darunavam forest fully nude holding a begging bowl in hand and as per some text he appeared there in front of the wives and daughters of Rishis with an erected penis, he enchanted the wives and daughters of Rishis which according to me is nothing but molestation. No person in the right mind would appear naked with an erected penis in front of women, in the modern world the person would be behind bars on sexual harassment charges. Coming to the point, this angered the Rishis who started beating up Shiva (Bhikshatana) and cut off his penis, as per some version the penis fell down due to the curse by sages, that penis grew larger and wreaked havoc on the earth, and Rishis went to Brahma to stop it but he recommended Rishis to propitiate Shiva. As advised by Brahma, the Rishis begged Shiva to withdraw his Ling, Shiva agreed on one condition that Rishis make a pedestal akin to Parvati’s vagina which will hold the Ling, and that the Rishis should start worshipping it. Rishis did as told by Shiva and that’s how Shivling came to be worshipped. Let’s go through Hindu texts and read about different versions on the origin of Shivling.

Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita 4, chapter 12, verses 8-51 “Once the leading Brahmin devotees of Siva engrossed in the meditation of Siva went into the forest for bringing sacrificial twigs. In the meantime Siva himself assuming a very hideous form came there in order to test their devotion. He was very brilliant but stark naked. He had smeared ashes all over his body as the sole ornament. Standing there and holding his penis he began to show all sorts of vicious tricks. It was with a mind to do something pleasing to the forest-dwellers that Siva, favourite of the devotees, came to the forest at his will. The wives of the sages were extremely frightened at this sight. The other women excited and surprised approached the lord. Some embraced him. Others held his hands. The women were engrossed in struggling with one another…When the naked sage did not reply, the great sages told that terrible Puruṣa. “You are acting pervertedly. This violates the Vedic path. Hence let your penis fall on the ground.” When they said thus, the penis of that Avadhūta, who was Śiva of wonderful form, fell down instantly. That penis burnt everything in front; wherever it went it began to burn everything there. It went to Pātāla; it went to heaven; it went all over the earth; it never remained steady anywhere. “When the naked sage did…Brahmā said:— Let the gods propitiate goddess Pārvatī and pray. If she can assume the form of the vaginal passage that penis will become steady…The penis shall be drenched with that water, O great sages. When the sprinkling is made with Śatarudrīya mantras it will become stable. Pārvatī in the form of the Vaginal passage and an auspicious arrow shall form as the pedestal wherein the phallus shall be installed in accompaniment of the Vedic mantras…After propitiating Pārvatī and the bull-bannered lord and performing the rites mentioned before, the excellent penis became static… Śiva became delighted and so also Pārvatī, the mother of the universe. That phallus was held by her in that form then.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Following is another translation of this passage by Shiva Sharan (Alain Daniélou),

Shiva Purana, Kothi Rudra Samhita 4.12.17-46 Shocked by the appearance and behaviour of Shiva, the sages of the forest said to him, ‘You have acted perversely. That is contrary to the scriptures. Your sexual organ will fall to the ground’. When they had thus spoken, the sexual organ of this messenger of Heaven, who was none other than Shiva of the marvellous forms, at once fell to the ground. The phallus burned everything before it; wherever it went, all was consumed. It travelled through the under-world, in heaven and on the earth, never staying in one place. All the worlds and their inhabitants lived in anguish. The sages were struck with dismay. The gods, and the sages knew neither peace nor pleasure any more. [all the sages then went to God Brahma] and Brahma continued, ‘As long as this Phallus is not in a fixed position, no good can come to any of the three worlds. In order to calm its wrath, you must sprinkle this divine sexual organ with holy water, build a pedestal in the form of a vagina and shaft (symbol of the goddess), and install it with prayers, offerings, prostrations, hymns and chants accompanied by musical instruments. Then you shall invoke the god, saying, ‘You are present in everything that exists. The universe is but the form of yourself. O benevolent One! calm yourself and protect the world’. The sages therefore reverently approached Shiva who said to them, ‘The world shall not find peace until receptacle is found for my sexual organ. No other being except the Lady of the Mountain [ie., Parvati] may seize hold of my sexual organ. If she takes hold of it, it will immediately become calm. Tr. Shiva Sharan (Alain Daniélou)

This story is further supported by various other Puranas which I have mentioned below,

Kurma Purana II.38.52 “The sages said: A certain highly brilliant person has entered the holy Daruvana along with his wife, who was very beautiful in all her limbs. But he was naked. The lordly person fascinated our entire women and daughters, with his charming personality. While his beloved defiled our sons. We heaped various imprecations and curses on him but they were defied and set at nought. He was beaten soundly by us. His Linga was struck down.” Tr. Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare

Kurma Purana, Part II, chapter 39, verses 1-3 states,

Kurma Purana II.39.1-3 “[The sages said:] O lord of all immortal beings, tell us, how we can see the Pinaka-bearing lord once again. You are the saviour of those who seek refuge. [Brahma said:] Make an excellent Linga of the Lord resembling the Linga which was seen by you all and struck down on to the ground, and observing celibacy, worship it with respect along with your wives and sons, through the varios Vedic observances.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana, Part I, Anusanga Pada 2, chapter 27, verse 45 states,

Brahmanda Purana I.2.27.45 “He [Shiva] was scolded and beaten. His Linga (?penis) was taken out. It is to alleviate his anger that we have sought refuge in you.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

There is also a mixture of the two versions of Shivling origin, following verses from Vamana and Skanda Purana mention the Darunavam story but with the fusion of the penis and cosmic pillar stories. When the penis became endless, Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and digs the earth to find its beginning and Brahma becomes a swan and flies upwards (according to some he flies in his lotus plane) to find its end, on failing to find the beginning or end they return to the same place and accepts Shiva to be the superior god and worships Shiva. There’s also a twist, as per some text Brahma decided to cheat, saying that he had reached the top of the Linga and brought Ketaki flower as proof. Following is Skanda Purana I.1.6.25-44,

Skanda Purana Māheśvara-khaṇḍa 1, Kedāra-khaṇḍa 1, chapter 6, verses 2-34 “Lord Śaṃbhu wandered about in the forest Dāruvana for the sake of begging alms. The sole lord of the worlds with quarters for his garments (i.e. naked), having the cluster of his matted hair loosened…At midday the sages, O brāhmaṇas, went to the sacred places (for bath) from their hermitages. At that very time, all the wives of those sages came there. On seeing Śaṃbhu they spoke to one another, “Who is this personage of uncommon appearance, who has come here in the form of a mendicant? We along with our friends shall give him alms.” Saying, “So be it”, they went home and joyously brought various kinds of food as alms…In this manner all young women gathered together at the place where Śaṅkara was (standing). The alms-bowl of Śaṃbhu was filled with cooked food of very good quality. Four types of foodstuffs with all the six tastes filled his bowl. When Śaṃbhu was desirous of returning to the Kailāsa mountain, all those wives of brāhmaṇas joyously followed him forsaking their domestic duties. With their minds attached to him, they walked on and on (after him)…When all those wives (of sages) had left thus, the excellent sages reached their hermitages and found them empty and vacant. They spoke to one another, “Where have all these women (our wives) gone? We do not know by what damned fellow they have been abducted.” Pondering and deliberating thus they searched here and there. Thereupon they saw that they had been following Śiva. On seeing Śiva, the sages angrily closed in upon him. Standing in front of Śiva, all of them said with impetuosity, “What has been done by you, O Śaṃbhu (who profess to be) detached and noble-souled? You are no doubt the kidnapper of the wives of others, i.e. of us, the sages.” Although rebuked thus, Śiva silently went on towards his mountain. Then that immutable Mahādeva was overtaken by the sages. (They then cursed him thus:) “Since you are the abductor of (our) wives, be instantaneously a eunuch.” Thus cursed by the sages, his penis fell down on the ground. As soon as it reached the ground, it became very large immediately and it increased in size (enormously). From beneath and above, the Liṅga covered the seven Pātālas in an instant. Then it pervaded the entire earth and enveloped the firmament. All the heavens were covered. Then it rose beyond the heavens…Viṣṇu and the Lotus-bora god Brahmā both of whom were (gods) of exalted fortune, heard this. Viṣṇu went to the nether worlds and Brahmā went to heaven.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

A similar story is mentioned in Vamana Purana chapter 6, verses 57-84 which states that Kama (Cupid) was going to strike Shiva so he went to Daruvanam forest, as Shiva had seduced wives of sages so they cursed him, as a result of the curse Shiva’s penis fell off, Shiva disappeared from the place, all people were terrified, terrible omen ensued.

Vamana Purana 6.57- 84 “Going there too Cupid saw Sankara, and Hara finding him ready to strike, fled from that place. Then pursued by Cupid, Hara entered the frightful pine forest where Rsis were settled with their consorts…Seeing him enter, the wives of Bhargavas and Atreyas felt excited and completely lost their self control, excepting the unique Arundhati and the lady Anasuya…Wherever Sankara went women became agitated and with their passion excited, they followed him. Leaving their own hermitages vacant, the wives of the sages followed him, in the same way as the she-elephants follow the he-elephants. O sage, enraged at this sight the Rsis, Bhargavas and Angirasas said, ‘May his Linga drop down on the earth.’ Subsequently the Linga of the deity dropped down rending the earth and the trident-holding Sankara invisible. Thereafter cleaving the earth, the Linga fell down, entered the lower world instantly and rent the universe at the top. Then Hari viewing the measureless Linga and mounting the chief of birds entered the nether world, wonderstruck. O Brahman, making an all round survey from above on his lotus plane Brahman could not reach its end, and returned amazed. O great sage, the Visnu…visited the seven regions under the earth and later came out, but did not reach its end. Approaching the Linga of Hara both Visnu and Brahman began to propitiate the god with hands folded before him…The gods said ‘O Sankara, withdraw the Linga of yours which was hurled down on the earth. O Lord, for this do we propitiate you. Hara said, ‘O Exalted gods, if the gods worship my Linga, then I can take it back and in no other manner.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

A similar story is mentioned in Linga Purana also but it doesn’t mention the bobbitising of Shiva, but the story does say that Shiva went to the forest intending to seduce them as well as to test them, Shiva seduced women of sages by his erotic gestures,

Linga Purana, Section I, chapter 29, verses 5-36 “In order to propitiate the lord of Devas, the sages performed a terrible penance in the Daru forest. They were accompanied by their wives, sons and sacrificial fires…Rudra, wanted to test the sincerity of the dwellers of the Daru forest…Thus in order to test their faith, and sportively too, he assumed a deformed but attractive appearance. He had three eyes and two hands. He was nude, and dark in complexion. Even in this form he was extremely handsome. He was smiling and singing, with seductive play of his eyebrows, thereby creating feelings of love in the hearts of women. He the destroyer of cupid, the lord of extremely handsome features increased their sexual feelings On seeing a man of deformed features, black-red (in colour), even the chaste women followed him with great enthusiasm…One of them, on seeing him did not know that her upper and lower garments had stripped off. Others in their excitement could not distinguish between their kinsmen and the multi-branched trees though they were familiar…Due to the Maya of Rudra even the chaste ladies fell down in an awkward posture with their clothes loosened and their tresses dishevelled, in the very presence of their husbands…On seeing the crowd of women and Rudra in this situation the brahmins, leading sages began to say harsh words. Their powers of austerity were ineffective against Rudra…Thus deluded the sages of Daruvanam did not understand Rudra. They spoke harsh words to Rudra who thereupon disappeared. In the morning all those sages with perplexed minds and blurred thinking went from Daruvana to Brahma of noble soul…they informed him about what had happened in that holy Daru forest…He stood up with palm joined in reverence and bowed to Rudra. He then spoke hurriedly to the sages who had their abodes in Daru forest. Fie upon you all who had attained excellent treasure, O brahmins, but had unluckily wasted it. The man with a Linga who had been seen by you all without Lingas, the person of deformed features was the supreme lord himself.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edied by J.L. Shastri

Here the line “without Linga” means impotent men. Mahabharata 13.14.157 states that Shiva had sex with the daughters and wives of Rishis, I assume this is alluding to the Darunvama forest story,

Mahabarata, Anusasana Parva 13, section 14, verse 157 “He sports with the daughters and wives of the Rishis. His hair is long and erect. He is perfectly nude for he has the horizon for his dress. He has terrible eyes.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Nilkantha Chaturdhara the commentator of Mahabharata wrote,

“It is known that Siva entered the Pine Forest naked in order to entice the wives of the sages.” Nilkantha Chaturdhara on Mahabharata XIII.17.42, Tr. Wendy Doniger

In the Skanda Purana I.i.34.116-129, Parvati the wife of Shiva says that Shiva went to Daruvanam forest nude only to seduce women of sages on the pretext of begging alms, Parvati had denuded Shiva in front of gods and their servants after Shiva lost bet in the game of dice,

Skanda Purana, Part 1, Mahesvarakhanda book 1, Kedarkhanda section 1, chapter 34, verses 11-129 “After saying thus, Parvati, the goddess, beloved of Sankara, became furious. She held Sankara by the hand. The lady of slender limbs took away the serpent Vasuki from his neck. Similarly she removed many other ornaments also. The infuriated lady hurriedly took away the ornaments of Sambhu. His crescent moon and his excellent elephant hide removed. The serpents Kambala and Asvatara tha thad been worn by Mahesa as ornaments were removed by the great goddess laughingly with tricky words. Even his loincloth was taken away laughingly with the utterance of tricky words. At that time the Ganas and the friends (of Parvati) felt embarrassed and ashamed. (The friends and others) turned their faces away. Bhrngi of great oenance, Candi, Munda, Mahaloman, Mahodara and many other Ganas became miserable. On seeing them in that plight, Mahesa became ashamed. Sankara who became angry spoke these words to Parvati: ‘All these sages are laughing satirically. Similarly Brahma, Visnu and these Devas, Indra and others all of them laughing (at me)…On being told thus by Sambhu, the Yogin, Parvati, the chaste lady of charming face, laughed and spoke these words: ‘What have you to do with a loincloth? You are a sage of sanctified soul. (Some time back) you wandered through Daruvana with the cardinal points alone for your garment (i.e. you were naked). Under the pretext of begging for alms, the wives of the sages were enchanted. While you were going, you were greatly adored by them. Your loincloth fell down (penis?) there…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Dharmasamhita of Shiva Purana states that on not getting sexual pleasure from his wife Gauri he went to pine forest with an erect penis,

Shiva Purana, Dharmasamhita 10.187; 10.78-80 “When Siva failed to be satisfied by making love to Gauri, his wife, he then went naked into the Pine forest in the guise of madman, his linga erect, his mind full of desire, wishing to obtain sexual pleasures with the wives of the sages.” Tr. Wendy Doniger

Skanda Purana VI.258.1-20 version also states that Shiva was infuriated with the urge to have sexual intercourse but Parvati was doing penance so he tried to calm himself by pouring water on his body, by taking dips in rivers and streams but to no avail, he then went to the abode of sages and seduced women of sages, the sages in anger cursed Shiva’s penis to fall off, the penis fell down instantly due to which blood was oozing out from Shiva.

Skanda Purana, Nāgara-khaṇḍa 6, Tīrtha-māhātmya section 1, chapter 258, verses 1-20 “When the Daughter of Mountain became engrossed in a great and terrible penance, Hara who had been overwhelmed by Kandarpa (god of Love) roamed over the earth in the Tirthas, cool shades of trees, rivers, streams everywhere. Mahesvara indulged in sprinkling his body with water. Still the Lord oppressed by Kama, did not attain happiness anywhere…Mahesa adopted a handsome form and (roamed about on her banks)…As he passed through the abode of sages at will, he displayed fickle and rash movements of his limbs…Even as he roamed about thus, the wives of the sages became infatuated and mentally fancied him in the form of their husbands…The handsome features of the Lord enraged them further. They shouted ‘Let this fellow be held and beaten. Who is this wicked fellow that has come here?’ Uttering thus, they took up wooden sticks and rushed at him. Afraid of those noble sages, he fled away…When they all could not catch hold of Mahesvara, the angry Brahmanas cursed Siva thus: ‘It was on account of your Linga (penis) that you came to the hermitages like a thief. Since you have abducted other men’s wives, let your Linga fall on the ground. O Tapasa (ascetic), this terrible curse will affect you immediately.’ As soon as this (curse) was uttered, the tremendous fire of the curse adopted an adamantine form, cut off the Linga of Dhurjati and made it fall on the ground. The almightly Lord swooned with his body smeared with blood.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

The above passage is also a good response to those who like to play with words. It states that blood was flowing from his body after his Linga (penis) was cut off by sages through the curse, there is no mention of physical assault by sages which suggests that the Linga mentioned here is Shiva’s penis, the penis of Shiva fell off due to curse. Skanda Purana VII.iii.39.5-15 narrates another version which states that Shiva got the urge to have sex after his first wife Sati passed away, then Shiva went to the hermitage of Valakhilya,

Skanda Purana, book 7 Prabhasa Khanda, Section 3 Arbuda Khanda, chapter 39, verses 5-15 “When due to humiliation of Dakṣya for not being invited to Yajña, Satī…got consumated by death, Kāmadeva taking his bow and arrow of flowers in hand arrived there swiftly. Seeing the invincible Kāmadeva, Śiva then put him as an arrow onto his bow. Apparently out of fear Śiva disappeared. Then he, i.e., Kāmadeva moving about here and there, reached the hermitage of Vālakhilya which was bearing a beautiful look with a good tree outside it. Vālakhilya’s wives then got a glimpse of the handsome Kāmadeva. The group of same women began to embrace the worshipable Liṅga following it up with kissing and repeated touching…The Sage saw change in the women manifesting all the possibility of their going wayward. Unaware as he was, the great soul simply got enraged with Mahādeva. Heated up with distress, he (i.e., the Sage) therefore, to save his wives took out his curse on the worshipable Liṅga of Śiva saying ‘let this worshipable Liṅga fall down for having caused such evils/sins’. A mere sight of the worshipable Liṅga which is reason enough for causing deceit among women is an immediate enemy of the body. Hence, there should be a downfall for this and let this Liṅga fall down.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Bhrigu cursing Shiva

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 4.20.36-37 narrates the story of Shiva having sexual intercourse in the forest and was spotted by sage Bhrigu who cursed Shiva, as a result, Shiva’s penis fell off,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam book 4, chapter 20, verses 36-37 “O King! When Mahâdeva, being infatuated with Kâma, went into the forest of Bhrigu and becoming naked, began to copulate, the ascetic Bhrigu, seeing him in that state, exclaimed “O You are very shameless” and cursed Him thus:- Let your penis drop off just now. Mahâdeva, then to satisfy his thirst for passion, began to drink the water of the lake Amrita Vapî, dug by the Dânavas.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Padma Purana VI.255.26-40 has a slight variation, it states that Bhrigu went to the abode of Shiva to meet him but Shiva was too busy having sex with his wife, moreover Nandi spoke harsh words to Bhrigu which angered Bhrigu, who then cursed Shiva that his form shall be that of Ling in the clitoris. The pedestal of Shivling is Yoni which is vagina/clitoris.

Padma Purana Uttara Khanda 6, chapter 255, verses 26-40 Having gone near the door of the house of the magnanimous Śaṅkara and seeing very fierce Nandin with a spear in his hand, he said (to him): “I, the brāhmaṇa Bhṛgu, have come to see Hara, the best god. Quickly announce me (i.e. my arrival) to the magnanimous Śaṅkara.” Hearing the words of him, Nandin, the lord of (Śiva’s) attendants spoke harsh words to the great sage of an unlimited splendour: “The lord is not in the vicinity. Śaṅkara is sporting with goddess (Pārvatī). O best sage, go back if you desire to live.” Thus repudiated by him the (sage) of a great penance remained there, at the door of the great lord, for many days. “Since he, arrogant due to the company of a woman, thinks lightly of me, he shall have the form of clitoris. Approached (i.e. overcome) by vice he slights me, a brāhmaṇa! Reduced to an impious state, he will not be adored by brāhmaṇas. Therefore, all the food, water, flowers and oblations offered to him will undoubtedly be useless.” The very lustrous one, having thus cursed Śaṃkara honoured by the world, said to the very fierce attendant, Nandin, holding a spear, O king: “May Śiva’s devotees, having ash, phallus and bones be impious and out of the Vedic fold.” The sage, having thus cursed Rudra, Tripura’s killer, went to Brahmā’s world…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Self-Castration

There’s also a story that shows that Shiva himself let his penis fall down. There is a correlating story mentioned in Dharmasamhita of Shiva Purana and Mahabharata which states that Brahma asked Rudra/Shiva to create living beings after which Shiva plunged himself into the water, Brahma waited for a long time, Brahma ran out of patience and then he created living beings, Shiva came out of the water and upon learning that Brahma created all living beings he in anger cast off his penis as it was no longer necessary.

Mahabharata Sauptika Parva 10, section 17, verses 17-26 “After the creatures had multiplied and the Grandsire had become well pleased, the first-born rose from the water and beheld the living creation. He saw that diverse kinds of creatures had been created and that they had multiplied by their own energy. At this sight, Rudra became angry and caused his procreative limb to disappear in the bowels of the Earth. The unfading Brahma, soothing him by soft words, said unto him, “O Sharva, what wert thou doing so long within the water? For what reason, also hast thou caused thy limb of generation to disappear in the bowels of the Earth?” Thus questioned, that lord of the universe wrathfully answered the lord Brahman, “Somebody else has created all these creatures! What purpose then would be served by this limb of mine? I have by my austerities, O Grandsire, created food for all these creatures. These herbs and plants also will multiply like those that will subsist upon them!” Having said these words, Bhava went away, in cheerlessness and rage, to the foot of the Menjavat mountains for practising severer austerities.” Tr. Kisari Mohan Ganguly

Shiva Purana, Dharmasamhita 49:23b-46, 74-86 “He agreed to this and laughed, for he was secretly amused, and he said to Brahma, ‘There is no good use for this Linga except for the creation of progeny.’ And as he said this he broke it off and threw it upon the surface of the earth. The Linga broke through the earth down to the subterranean hell and went to the very sky. Vishnu sought the end of it below, and Brahma flew upwards, but they did not find the end of it, for all their vital effort. Then a voice arose out of the sky as the two of them sat there, and it said, ‘If the Linga of the god with braided hair is worshipped, it will certainly grant all desires that are longed for in the heart.’ When Brahma and Vishnu heard this, they and all the divinities worshipped the Linga with devotion, with their hearts set upon Rudra (Shiva).” Tr. Wendy Doniger

A Hindu scholar named Swami Parmeshwaranand wrote,

“According to the account given in the Dharmasamhita of the Shiva Purana, during the ekarnava state before creation, Brahma approached Shiva-Rudra and beseeched him to create the universe, Shiva agreed and entered into the vast ocean in order to prepare himself for the enormous task. However, he did not come out of the ocean for a considerably long time. In the meantime, Brahma became fretful; he could not wait any longer and therefore brought about his own creation. When, later, Shiva-Rudra emerged out of the water, he found that the creation had already accomplished. He, there, cut off his generative organ as it was no longer necessary and threw it down on the earth. Since then the Linga became the form in which Shiva came to be worshiped.”- Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas, Vol 1, By Swami Parmeshwaranand, page 1239

 

Some verses on importance of Shivling worship

Padma Purana states the importance of Shiv’s Lingam worship, it says that Gayatri turned the curse into a boon,

Padma Purana, Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa 1, chapter 17, verses 262-265. “Then Gāyatrī, the giver of boons said to Rudra: “Those, men, who will worship your genital organ (in the form of phallus) even though it had fallen, being purified and earning merit thereby, will share (i.e. enjoy) heaven. That state which men get by worshipping your genital organ (in the form of phallus), cannot be had in (i.e. by) maintaining sacred fire or offering oblations into it. Those who will, in the early morning worship your genital organ (in the form of phallus) with a bilva-leaf, will enjoy the world of Rudra.” Tr. by N.A. Deshpande

The context of the story is that Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were cursed by Savitri as Shiva and Vishnu got a woman married to Brahma, infuriated wife of Brahma cursed them in the following way mentioned in Skanda Purana VII.I.165.87-89,

Skanda Purana, Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa 7, Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya section 1, chapter 165, verses 87-89 “Similarly the angry lady spoke to Rudra: ‘O Hara, while you are in Daruvana, the infuriated sages will curse you (as follows). ‘Oh! Kapalika, O insignificant one, you desire to carry off our wives. Hence this accursed Linga (penis) of yours, O Rudra, will fall on the ground.’ Bereft of manliness, you shall be afflicted with the curse of the sages. Your wife stationed on the banks of Ganga will console you.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

In the following Shiva Purana verse, Shiva’s male organ is considered his symbol,

Shiva Purana, Vidyesvara Samhita 1, chapter 16, verses 104-107 “The phallus is united with vagina and vagina is united with phallus. For the sake of perpetual enjoyment here and hereafter the devotee shall worship the phallic emblem which is lord Śiva Himself. He is the sun giving birth and sustenance to the worlds. His symbol is justified in the coming into existence of things. Persons should worship Śiva, the cause of birth, in his phallic form. That which makes the Puruṣa known, is called Liṅga, the symbol. The unification and fusion of the symbols of Śiva and Śakti is thus called Liṅga.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Linga Purana, Section II, chapter 21, verses 1-3 “…Obeisance to you, O deity of holy rites, of infinite splendour…the trident-bearer, of excellent penis deserving worship, the staff-holder and of dry and arid semen.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 1, chapter 9, verses 43-44 “The phallic symbol and the symbolised Śiva are non-different. Hence this phallic emblem is identical with me. It brings devotees quite near to me. It is worthy of worship therefore. O dear sons, if phallic emblem of this sort in installed I can be considered installed, though my idol is not installed.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Another translation for the above verse,

Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 1,9.43-44 “Shiva said, ‘I am not distinct from the Phallus. The Phallus is identical with me. It draws my faithful to me, and therefore must be worshipped. My well beloved! Wherever there is an upright male organ, I myself am present, even if there is no other representation of me.” Tr. Shiva Sharan (Alain Daniélou)

Srimad Devi Bhagawatam 9.41.48 “Laksmi always remains there with the greatest gladness where conch-shells are blown, where there are conchsells, the S’alagrama stone, the Tulasi leaves and the service and meditation of Laksmi are daily done. Where the phallic emblem of Siva is worshipped… ” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Varaha Purana 72.10 “People who seek pleasures sacrifice to me in my form as linga (phallus)….” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Yoni (Vagina) worship can also be found in the Upanishad, it is mentioned,

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 6.4.2-3 “Prajapati said to Himself: “Well, let Me make a firm basis for it (semen).” So He created woman. Having created her, He worshipped her bottom portion. Therefore one should worship the bottom portion of a woman. He (Prajapati) extended His organ that projects and with it impregnated her.”

Pictures of some Shivlings bearing striking resemblance to Penis

Some of these Shivlings are ancient.

An ancient lingam 200 B.C old found at Aradhanarishwara Temple at Indabettu village in Dakshina Kannada district. Source: TheHindu.com


Divinely sculpted: A second century BC idol of Lingodbhava cult of Lord Shiva, the first of its kind found in South India, at Gudimallam temple in Chittoor district. Source: TheHindu.com


Ek Mukha Lingam, Aghapura, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. First Century A.D

C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\Rishikesh Shivlingam.jpg
Rishikesh Shivling

Devipuram Shivling Andhra Pradesh
Devipuram Shivling, Andhra Pradesh

Khmer style Shivling Cambodia
Khmer style Shivling, Cambodia

Gaya Shivlingam
Believed to be Shivling, Vishnupad temple in Gaya


The stone pillar of the Fu Nan period, 6th century CE. It is at the Museum of Vietnamese History, Hochi Minh city, Vietnam. Source: TheHindu.com

The post What is Shivling? appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Debauchery in Valmiki Ramayana: A stinging rejoinder to lecherous Hindus https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2021/05/22/debauchery-in-valmiki-ramayana/ Sat, 22 May 2021 18:22:17 +0000 https://vedkabhed.com/?p=8639     By: Muhammad Qasim al-Hanafi It’s a retaliatory action from me, a Muslim, against blasphemous writings, speeches & slogans continuously, by Hindus on social media, and in their ‘Dharm-sabha’ congregations, and in their religious rallies, denigrating the only Creator of the universe ‘Allah’, and the best of creation ‘Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)’. These lines will […]

The post Debauchery in Valmiki Ramayana: A stinging rejoinder to lecherous Hindus appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
 

 

By: Muhammad Qasim al-Hanafi

It’s a retaliatory action from me, a Muslim, against blasphemous writings, speeches & slogans continuously, by Hindus on social media, and in their ‘Dharm-sabha’ congregations, and in their religious rallies, denigrating the only Creator of the universe ‘Allah’, and the best of creation ‘Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)’. These lines will be a stinging rejoinder to these slanderers & critics. Our silence isn’t our weakness, but patience & wisdom. Obviously, we Muslims always have a smart-aleck rejoinder to every single accusation by accusers against us, specifically when it comes to our Almighty Allah, or His beloved prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the best of creation.

In this work, I am going to highlight some sexual contents mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana. Hindus always prefer to have a talk about sexuality in other religious scriptures. Most certainly, it’s integral part of their character. These fanatics always mock Islam by quoting fabricated narrations or inauthentic references, and the only solution to this mental illness of Hindus seems to be showing them mirror, and telling them ‘Pornographic scandals’ of their gods & sages from their own books. And remember! I have no intention to do mockery of Hindus’ religious personalities or hurt their sentiments, which are more fragile than the spider web, and can be hurt by a simple question about Manu Smriti in KBC by Amitabh Bachchan.

The detailed vulgarity in Hindu literatures has been mentioned in these two jaw-breaking articles: ‘Hinduism and Lust‘, and ‘Obscenity in Vedas‘.

Here, I will quote only from one book ‘Valmiki Ramayana’, which is accepted as magnum opus for Rama’s life by Hindus. Here you go:

1. Sundar Kanda, Chapter: 38, Verses: 11-27

When Hanuman meets Sita, he asks Sita to give him a token of remembrance, which Rama can recognize. Sita then narrates the episode of her ‘physical torture’ by Jayant (the son of Indra) disguised as a crow which occurred on the Chitrakuta mountain, and requests Hanuman to repeat it before Rama by way of a token of recollection. A fatigued Rama was sleeping in the lap of Sita, when the crow attacked her. The story goes on:

एवमुक्ता हनुमता सीता सुरसुतोपमा।
उवाच वचनं मन्दं बाष्पप्रग्रथिताक्षरम्।।5.38.11

इदं श्रेष्ठमभिज्ञानं ब्रूयास्त्वं तु मम प्रियम्।
शैलस्य चित्रकूटस्य पादे पूर्वोत्तरे पुरा।।5.38.12

तापसाश्रमवासिन्याः प्राज्यमूलफलोदके।
तस्मिन्सिद्धाश्रमे देशे मन्दाकिन्या विदूरतः।।5.38.13

तस्योपवनषण्डेषु नानापुष्पसुगन्धिषु।
विहृत्य सलिले क्लिन्ना ममाङ्के समुपाविशमः।।5.38.14

ततो मांससमायुक्तो वायसः पर्यतुण्डयत्।
तमहं लोष्टमुद्यम्य वारयामिस्म वायसम्।।5.38.15

दारयन्स च मां काकस्तत्त्रैव परिलीयते।
न चाप्युपारमन्मांसाद्भक्षार्थि बलिभोजनः।।5.38.16

उत्कर्षन्त्यां च रशनां क्रुद्धायां मयि पक्षिणि।
स्रस्यमाने च वसने ततो दृष्टा त्वया ह्यहम्।।5.38.17

त्वयाऽपहसिता चाहं क्रुद्धा संलज्जिता तदा।
भक्षगृध्नेन काकेन दारिता त्वामुपागता।।5.38.18

आसीनस्य च ते श्रान्ता पुनरुत्सङ्गमाविशम्।
क्रुध्यन्ती च प्रहृष्टेन त्वयाऽहं परिसान्त्विता।।5.38.19

बाष्पपूर्णमुखी मन्दं चक्षुषी परिमार्जती।
लक्षिताऽहं त्वया नाथ वायसेन प्रकोपिता।।5.38.20

परिश्रमात्प्रसुप्ता च राघवाङ्केऽप्यहं चिरम्।
पर्यायेण प्रसुप्तश्च ममाङ्के भरताग्रजः।।5.38.21

स तत्र पुनरेवाथ वायसस्समुपागमत्।
ततस्सुप्तप्रबुद्धां मां रामस्याङ्कात्समुत्थिताम्।।5.38.22

वायसस्सहसागम्य विददार स्तनान्तरे।
पुनः पुनरथोत्पत्य विददार स मां भृशम्।।5.38.23

ततस्समुक्षितो रामो मुक्तैश्शोणितबिन्दुभिः।
वायसेन ततस्तेन बलवत्क्लिश्यमानया।।5.38.24

स मया बोधितश्श्रीमान्सुखसुप्तः परन्तपः।
स मां दृष्ट्वा महाबाहुर्वितुन्नां स्तनयोस्तदा।।5.38.25

आशीविष इव क्रुद्धश्वसन्वाक्यमभाषत।
केन ते नागनासोरु विक्षतं वै स्तनान्तरम्।।5.38.26

कः क्रीडति सरोषेण पञ्चवक्त्रेण भोगिना।
वीक्षमाणस्ततस्तं वै वायसं समुदैक्षत।।5.38.27

नखैस्सरुधिरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्मामेवाभिमुखं स्थितम्।
पुत्त्रः किल स शक्रस्य वायसः पततां वरः।।5.38.28

धरान्तरगतश्शीघ्रं पवनस्य गतौ समः।

“Having heard Hanuman, Sita, a child of god, said these words in a low tone. Choked with tears, ‘Carry this token of identity to my dear husband’:

“Long ago we were staying at Siddhashrama. This hermitage was situated to the northeast at the foot of Chitrakuta Mountain which was not far from the river Mandakini. It had abundant roots, fruits and water. You sported with me in the gardens which were fragrant with many types of flowers and ponds. You sat down on my lap with wet clothes in the hermitage.”

“Then a crow greedy of flesh began to peck my bosom with its beak. I took a clod of earth and warded him off.”

“The crow was an eater of offerings, hungry for food began to peck me again and again for flesh. He did not stop.”

“My upper cloth was slipping. I was trying to pull up my waist string angrily when you saw me.”

“Then you made fun of me, and I became angry. I was abashed. Torn by the voracious bird I sought your shelter.”

“Exhausted, I sat on your lap again. Seeing my angry face you pacified me. You were happy (to see me draw close).”

“O lord when I was angered by the crow and my face was filled with tears you marked me wiping my eyes.”

“Totally exhausted I slept on your lap for a long time, and in turn you slept on my lap later.”

“The crow came back again and clawed me in the space between my breasts even after I woke up after slumber from Rama’s lap. Flying, it tore my bosom again and again.”

“Then, Rama got wet by the discharged drops of blood. Thereafter, that splendorous Rama, the annihilator of enemies, who was in a pleasant slumber, was woken up by that crow and by me who was grievously tormented by the crow.”¹

“O strong-armed Rama, seeing my torn breasts, you became angry like a hissing serpent and hissing said:

‘O Sita, with a beautiful lap like an elephant trunk, by whom is your bosom wounded? Who is sporting with an angry five-hooded snake?’

“Then looking around, you saw the crow facing me with sharp, bloodstained claws.”

“This crow was the best of birds. He was surely Indra’s son who had covered a long distance with great speed and his speed was like the Windgod’s.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

 

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=5&language=dv&field_sarga_value=38

¹The translation of this only verse is taken from here: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/sundara/sarga38/sundara_38_frame.htm

Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.22.57 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.22.57 PM (1).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.22.57 PM (3).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.22.57 PM (2).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.25.28 PM.jpeg

Now imagine!

A goddess of Hindus Sita is passing her time in romance with her Husband-god Rama, but Jayant, disguised as a crow, comes to tear Sita’s breasts, is also son of Hindu god Indra. I can’t understand which type of divinity this is, and which type of religious book the Ramayana is!

While the name of this ‘Kākāsura (काकासुर)’ is not explicitly mentioned as Jayant in the episode, various commentaries on the epic like the Tilaka and the Bhushana by Govindaraja identify Jayant as the ‘son of Indra’. Govindaraja says only Jayant is known as the son of Indra.

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-15 at 10.30.54 PM.jpeg

But, Tulsi Das fabricated the story in his ‘Ramcharitmanas’, and replaces the breast with feet. He writes in Aranya Kanda:

“सीता चरण चोंच हतिभागा। मूढ़ मंद मति कारन कागा।।”

“The stupid fool, who had disguised himself as a crow with a sinister motive, bit Sita in the foot with his beak and flew away.” [Tr. Geeta Press]

But no worries, because such types of textual adulteration are very common in Hindus.

But don’t forget: “Valmiki Ramayana is a religious book of Hindus.”

 

2. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 91, Verses: 10-91

Having been instructed by Bhardwaja to bring the army to his place, Bharat (brother of Rama) allowed his army also to come to the hermitage. Then, Bhardwaja invokes Vishvakarma, the divine architect and requests him to arrange for a befitting hospitality to Bharat. The reader can refer to this full chapter, but I am quoting certain verses:

तेनैव च मूहूर्तेन दिव्याऽभरणभूषिताः
आगुर्विंशतिसाहस्राः ब्रह्मणा प्रहिताः स्त्रियः।।2.91.43।।

सुवर्णमणिमुक्तेन प्रवालेन च शोभिताः
आगुर्विंशतिसाहास्राः कुबेरप्रहिताः स्त्रियः।।2.91.44।।

याभिर्गृहीतः पुरुषस्सोन्माद इव लक्ष्यते।
आगुर्विंशतिसाहस्रा नन्दनादप्सरोगणाः।।2.91.45।।

अलम्बुसा मिश्रकेशी पुण्डरीकाऽथ वामना
उपानृत्यंस्तु भरतं भरद्वाजस्य शासनात्।।2.91.47।।

सुरास्सुरापाः पिबत पायसं च बुभुक्षिताः।।2.91.52।।

मांसानि च सुमेध्यानि भक्ष्यन्तां यावदिच्छथ।।2.91.53।।

उच्छाद्य स्नापयन्ति स्म नदीतीरेष वल्गुषु।
अप्येकमेकं पुरषं प्रमदास्सप्त चाष्ट च।।2.91.54।।

संवाहन्त्यस्समापेतुर्नार्यो रुचिरलोचनाः
परिमृज्य तथाऽन्योन्यं पाययन्ति वराङ्गनाः।।2.91.55।।

 

“At that very moment twenty thousand women adorned with beautiful ornaments sent by Brahma presented themselves.”

Twenty thousand women adorned with gold, gems and corals sent by Kubera came.”

Troops of twenty thousand apsaras by whom any man when taken hold of in their arms could be intoxicated with intense passion, came from Nandana gardens.”

“Thereafter, the apsaras, Alambusa, Misrakesi, Pundarika and Vamana danced near Bharata at the command of Bharadwaja.”

“‘O wine drinkers, drink as much as you can those who are hungry partake payasam and sacred meat’.”

“Every single warrior was attended by seven or eight women who applied oil and massaged his body and bathed him on the lovely banks of the river.”

Some women with beautiful eyes quickly approached them for massaging. The best of ladies wiped their bodies dry and gave each other wine to drink.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=91

Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.43.25 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.43.25 PM (1).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.43.25 PM (2).jpeg

One can see in above-mentioned verses, the roots of ‘Dancing/Nautch Girls’ custom. Hindu personalities gained a particular reputation for their licentiousness as a result of the activities of the ‘nautch girls’. As part of the entertainment for the royal family, these highly skilled dancers performed for the ruler and entertained his guests. They also formed part of everyday life for those outside the palaces, as people invited them to perform at celebrations, festivals, and fairs. These women were valued for their intelligence as well as their dancing skills. As a form of side employment they offered sexual services, and they would cover themselves in gold as an outward sign of their wealth. Every Hindu temple of any importance possessed a troupe of nautch girls: some acted as priestesses, married in childhood to the idols and obliged by their vocation to prostitute themselves to men of every caste; others acted as mistresses to the temple priests. Such prostitution was not looked down on, and even distinguished families were proud to have daughters dedicated to the temple’s service. At one time it was estimated that twelve thousand such temple prostitutes existed in Madras alone. For the Hindu deities, the nautch girls were the embodiment of sexuality, highly erotic seductresses who had the ability to charm all males. Indeed, seventeenth-century travelers frequently portrayed India as a hotbed of vice and full of prostitutes. The only reason for this is that the roots of this fornication go back to the Hindu scriptures.

The verses 52-53 are teaching about ‘Date Rape’, because those dancing girls took ‘liquor (सुराः)’ for Bharat & his army. It means the ‘Date Rape Drugs’ originated from this ancient culture of Hinduism.

A ‘date rape drug’ is any drug that incapacitates another person and renders that person vulnerable to a sexual assault, including rape. Alcohol, consumed voluntarily, is the most commonly used drug involved in sexual assaults. Researchers agree that the drug most commonly involved in drug-facilitated sexual assaults is alcohol, which the victim has consumed voluntarily in most cases. In most jurisdictions, alcohol is legal and readily available and is used in the majority of sexual assaults. Many perpetrators use alcohol because their victims often drink it willingly, and can be encouraged to drink enough to lose inhibitions or consciousness. Sex with an unconscious victim is considered rape in most jurisdictions and some assailants have committed ‘rapes of convenience’, assaulting a victim after he or she had become unconscious from drinking too much.

Source: https://www.survive.org.uk/date-rape.html

And the verses 54-55 are encouraging ‘erotic massage’, and beach fornication. The person providing the massage is called a masseur (male) or masseuse (female).

“Erotic massage is a means through which two people in an intimate relationship touch and stimulate each other, communicate love and tenderness too. Touch and massage, therefore, are the perfect tools for sexual foreplay.”

Source: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/memberarticles.html

Now the reader can understand the roots of adultery, being committed in massage parlors and at beaches.

But don’t forget: “Valmiki Ramayana is a religious book of Hindus.”

 

3. Balkanda, Chapter: 48, Verses: 17-31

On enquiry by Rama, sage Vishwamitra relates the story of Gautama’s curse to his wife Ahalya:

तस्यान्तरं विदित्वा तु सहस्राक्षश्शचीपति:।।1.48.17।।

मुनिवेषधरोऽहल्यामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।
ऋतुकालं प्रतीक्षन्ते नार्थिनस्सुसमाहिते।।1.48.18।।

सङ्गमं त्वहमिच्छामि त्वया सह सुमध्यमे
मुनिवेषं सहस्राक्षं विज्ञाय रघुनन्दन।।1.48.19।।

मतिं चकार दुर्मेधा देवराजकुतूहलात्।
अथाब्रवीत् नरश्रेष्ठ कृतार्थेनान्तरात्मना।।1.48.20।।

कृतार्थाऽस्मि सुरश्रेष्ठ गच्छ शीघ्रमित: प्रभो।
आत्मानं मां च देवेश सर्वदा रक्ष गौतमात्।।1.48.21।।

इन्द्रस्तु प्रहसन् वाक्यमहल्यामिदमब्रवीत्।
सुश्रोणि परितुष्टोऽस्मि गमिष्यामि यथाऽगतम्।।1.48.22।।

एवं सङ्गम्य तु तया निश्चक्रामोटजात्तत:।
स सम्भ्रमात्त्वरन् राम शङ्कितो गौतमं प्रति।।1.48.23।।

गौतमं तं ददर्शाथ प्रविशन्तं महामुनिम्।
देवदानवदुर्धर्षं तपोबलसमन्वितम्।।1.48.24।।

तीर्थेंदकपरिक्लिन्नं दीप्यमानमिवानलम्।
गृहीतसमिधं तत्र सकुशं मुनिपुङ्गवम्।।1.48.25।।

दृष्ट्वा सुरपतिस्त्रस्तो विवर्णवदनोऽभवत्।
अथ दृष्ट्वा सहस्राक्षं मुनिवेषधरं मुनि:।।1.48.26।।

दुर्वृत्तं वृत्तसम्पन्नो रोषाद्वचनमब्रवीत्।
मम रूपं समास्थाय कृतवानसि दुर्मते।।1.48.27।।

अकर्तव्यमिदं तस्माद्विफलस्त्वं भविष्यसि
गौतमेनैवमुक्तस्य सरोषेण महात्मना।।1.48.28।।

पेततुर्वृषणै भूमौ सहस्राक्षस्य तत्क्षणात्।
तथा शप्त्वा स वै शक्रमहल्यामपि शप्तवान्।।1.48.29।।

इह वर्षसहस्राणि बहूनि त्वं निवत्स्यसि।
वायुभक्षा निराहारा तप्यन्ती भस्मशायिनी।।1.48.30।।

अदृश्या सर्वभूतानां आश्रमेऽस्मिन्निवत्स्यसि। 1.48.31।

 

“The thousand-eyed Indra, consort of Sachi, having found an opportunity (during the absence of the ascetic), assumed the guise of the ascetic (Gautama) and said to Ahalya:

‘O most beautiful one those overtaken by passion would not await the completion of the menstrual period (favourable for copulation). O woman of fine waist I desire union with you’.”

“O Delight of the Raghus the evil-intentioned Ahalya, inclined towards the king of the celestials and knowing him to be the thousand-eyed Indra in the guise of the ascetic, consented for the union.”

“O Foremost of men with her heart’s desire fulfilled, Ahalya said: “O Chief of the celestials I’m satisfied. O Lord, quit this place: O Lord of the gods, protect yourself and also me from Gautama in all respects.”

“Indra smilingly said to Ahalya, ‘O One with lovely hips, I am gratified. I shall go away the way I have come’.”

“O Rama he (Indra) came out of the leaf hut quickly after his union with her, apprehensive of Gautama.”

“Subsequently, Indra beheld the great ascetic Gautama, unassailable by devatas and danavas, endowed with the power of asceticism, drenched with sacrificial waters, shining like flaming fire, carrying sacrificial firewood and Kusha grass and preeminent among sages, entering that leaf hut.”

“On seeing him, the face of the Lord of the gods (Indra) turned pale with fear. Having seen the wicked Indra with a thousandeyed in the guise of an ascetic, the gentle sage Gautama got enraged and said:

‘O Wicked natured one assuming my form you have done a forbidden act. For that reason you shall be devoid of scrotum.’

“Cursed thus out of anger by eminent Gautama, the testicles of Indra immediately dropped down on the earth.”

“Having thus cursed Indra, he also cursed Ahalya: ‘You will be staying here for thousands of years without food and subsisting on air, lying down in ashes, doing penance, without being seen by any living beings in this ashrama’.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=48

Geeta Press Hindi translation:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.57.24 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.58.20 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 8.59.55 PM.jpeg

These verses have the roots of ‘extramarital sex’, because the lady Ahalya, the wife of Hindu Sage Gautama deceived her husband, and Hindu God Indra went into her. ‘Extramarital sex’ occurs when a married person engages in sexual activity with someone other than his or her spouse. This sin destroyed tranquility and peace of uncountable families. See the results of such stories, the survey says:

“48% of women who had extramarital affairs are moms.”

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2021/mar/04/48-of-women-who-had-extramarital-affairs-are-moms-survey-2271811.html

That’s what the feminists could abstract from the lady Ahalya’s erotic story of Valmiki Ramayana, and they call it ‘Freedom of life’.

But don’t forget: “Valmiki Ramayana is a religious book of Hindus.”

Now coming to the next chapter of the same story —

 

4. Balkanda, Chapter 49, Verses: 1-9

अफलस्तु ततश्शक्रो देवानग्निपुरोगमान्।
अब्रवीत्त्रस्तवदनस्सर्षिस्सङ्घान् सचारणान्।।1.49.1।।

कुर्वता तपसो विघ्नं गौतमस्य महात्मन:।
क्रोधमुत्पाद्य हि मया सुरकार्यमिदं कृतम्।।1.49.2।।

अफलोऽस्मि कृतस्तेन क्रोधात्सा च निराकृता।
शापमोक्षेण महता तपोऽस्यापहृतं मया।।1.49.3।।

तस्मात्सुरवरास्सर्वे सर्षिस्सङ्घास्सचारणा: ।
सुरसाह्यकरं सर्वे सफलं कर्तुमर्हथ।।1.49.4।।

शतक्रतोर्वचश्श्रुत्वा देवास्साग्निपुरोगमा:।
पितृदेवानुपेत्याहु स्सह सर्वैर्मरुद्गणै:।।1.49.5।।

अयं मेषस्सवृषणश्शक्रो ह्यवृषण: कृत:।
मेषस्य वृषणौ गृह्य शक्रायाऽशु प्रयच्छथ।।1.49.6।।

अग्नेस्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा पितृदेवास्समागता:।
उत्पाट्य मेषवृषणौ सहस्राक्षे न्यवेशयन्।।1.49.8।।

तदा प्रभृति काकुत्स्थ पितृदेवास्समागता:।
अफलान् भुञ्जते मेषान् फलैस्तेषामयोजयन्।।1.49.9।।

 

Deprived of testicles, Indra with a frightened face addressed hordes of rishis and charanas with agni in the forefront:

‘I have accomplished the objective of the devatas by creating obstacles to Gautama’s austerities, evoking in consequence the wrath of the magnanimous sage’.

‘By his (Gautama’s) wrath I have been deprived of my testicles. She (Ahalya) has been deserted by him. He has lost his ascetic energy through the pronouncement of this great curse’.

‘For that reason, O rishis, charanas and great devatas it is your duty to restore my testicles for the benefit I have given you’.

“Hearing Indra, all the devatas accompanied by maruts. Lead by the Firegod devatas approached and said:

‘This ram (which has received the share of your sacrificial offerings) has testicles. As Indra has been deprived of his own take these testicles immediately and graft them on to Indra’.

“Hearing the words of the Firegod the pitrudevatas assembled uprooted the testicles of the ram and grafted them on to Indra.

“O Son of the Kakutsthas, from then on the pitrudevatas have been accepting rams without testicles as offerings in a sacrifice, with ram’s testicles fitted on to Indra.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=49

Can any Hindu tell me which type of xenotransplantation is this even modern medical science has not reached it yet!?

 

5. Aranya Kanda, Chapter: 46, Verses: 15-21&27

When Ravana arrives in a saint’s robes and starts praising Sita, he says:

का त्वं काञ्चनवर्णाभे पीतकौशेयवासिनि।।3.46.15।।
कमलानां शुभां मालां पद्मिनीव हि बिभ्रती।

ह्रीः कीर्तिः श्रीश्शुभा लक्ष्मीरप्सरा वा शुभानने।।3.46.16।।

भूतिर्वा त्वं वरारोहे रतिर्वा स्वैरचारिणी।
समाश्शिखरिणस्स्निग्धाः पाण्डुरा दशनास्तव।।3.46.17।।

विशाले विमले नेत्रे रक्तान्ते कृष्णतारके।
विशालं जघनं पीनमूरू करिकरोपमौ।।3.46.18।।

एतावुपचितौ वृत्तौ संहतौ सम्प्रवल्गितौ।
पीनोन्नतमुखौ कान्तौ स्निग्धौ तालफलोपमौ।।3.46.19।।

मणिप्रवेकाभरणौ रुचिरौ ते पयोधरौ।
चारुस्मिते चारुदति चारुनेत्रे विलासिनि।।3.46.20।।

मनो हरसि मे कान्ते नदी कूलमिवाम्भसा।
करान्तमितमध्यासि सुकेशी संहतस्तनी।।3.46.21।।

का त्वं भवसि रुद्राणां मरुतां वा वरानने।
वसूनां वा वरावोहे देवता प्रतिभासि मे।।3.46.27।।

 

“Who are you with a golden complexion, clad in yellow silk, and looking like a lotus-pond and wearing an auspicious lotus garland?”

“O lady with a beautiful face, with lovely thighs, are you ‘hri’, shyness personified? Are you the auspicious lovely Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth? Are you the goddess of fame? Are you an apsara? Are you Bhuti, the goddess of fortune? Or are you Rati, the goddess of love moving at your free will?”

“Your teeth are even and pointed, white and beautiful. Your eyes are large and clear and sparkling with dark pupils with a red tinge at the corner.”

Your big hips are stout and strong, Your smooth thighs are like the trunk of an elephant, your breasts adorned with gems, are round and robust like palm fruits and drooping with heaviness with projected stiff nipples, shining and delightful, adding beauty.”

“O lady with an elegant smile, beautiful teeth, lovely eyes you are enticing. Your slender waist can be compassed by my fist. Your hair is beautiful and your large breasts are rubbing against each other. You are capturing my mind just as the flow of water in a river touches its banks.”

“O best of women O lady with beautiful buttocks can you be one of the Rudras or Maruts or Vasus? To me, you appear like a goddess.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=3&language=dv&field_sarga_value=46

Geeta Press Hindi translation:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 9.17.30 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 9.19.15 PM.jpeg

Dear Readers!

Have a look at these obscene verses, and see how this Hindu’s religious book ‘Valmiki Ramayana’ is slaying the significance of religiosity, morality, sanctity, piety and devoutness. Imagine when a Hindu becomes addicted to recitation of such vulgar epics, what kind of beatitude & sainthood he/she adorns of!

I feel genuine shame when see any Hindu talking about pietism & divinity.

Furthermore, it’s not about any common woman. It’s about their Goddess Sita Mata’s figure. Ravan described inflection points of Sita’s body to the extent of explaining her waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).

Even he says: “Your smooth thighs are like the trunk of an elephant”, this vulgar verse is indeed innovating the fornication of ‘thigh show’.

And when he says: “Your breasts adorned with gems, are round and robust like palm fruits and drooping with heaviness with projected stiff nipples, shining and delightful”, and he says: “Your slender waist can be compassed by my fist”, it means he is describing ‘hourglass figure’ of Sita.

Now, Hindus should tell me which type of sacredness is this? What does this vulgar book want to explain about your mother goddess Sita? Would you like to explain such private things about your own mother what your religious book does about your Sita Mata!?

But don’t forget: “Valmiki Ramayana is a religious book of Hindus.”

Again in —

 

6. Sundar Kanda, Chapter: 15, Verses: 28-29

When Hanuman sees Sita in the form, explained:

पूर्णचन्द्राननां सुभ्रूं चारुवृत्तपयोधराम्।।5.15.28।।
कुर्वतीं प्रभयादेवीं सर्वा वितिमिरा दिशः।

तां नीलकेशीं बिम्बोष्ठीं सुमध्यां सुप्रतिष्ठिताम्।।5.15.29।।
सीतां पद्मपलाशाक्षीं मन्मथस्य रतिं यथा।

“Her face resembled the fullmoon which dispelled the encircling gloom by its radiance. She had a slender waist, beautiful round breasts, shapely eyebrows, red lips, dark hair, and eyes like lotus petals with attractive limbs. She was comparable to Rati, consort of Cupid.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

 

Geeta Press Hindi translation:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 9.24.34 PM.jpeg

Once again in —

7. Sundar Kanda, Chapter: 58, Verse: 65

तं दृष्ट्वाथ वरारोहा सीता रक्षोगणेश्वरम्।
सङ्कुच्योरूस्तनौ पीनौ बाहुभ्यां परिरभ्य च।।5.58.65।।

“On seeing Ravana, the king of demons, beautiful Sita, full of fear hid her face and plump breasts between her thighs.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

 

Geeta Press Hind translation:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 9.27.57 PM.jpeg

Further again in —

8. Yuddha Kanda, Chapter: 48, Verses: 9-11

Seeing her husband and Lakshman slain, Sita, afflicted with grief, burst into bitter lamentation, and says mentioning her body parts:

केशाः सूक्ष्माः समा नीला भ्रुवौ चासंहते मम।
वृत्ते चारोमके जंघे दन्ताश्चाविरला मम।।6.48.9

शंखे नेत्रे करौ पादौ गुल्फावूरू समौ चितौ।
अनुवृत्तनखाः स्निग्धाः समाश्चांगुलयो मम।।6.48.10

स्तनौ चाविरलौ पीनौ मामकौ मग्नचूचकौ।
मग्ना चोत्सेधनी नाभिः पार्श्वोरस्कं च मे चितं।।6.48.11

 

“My hairs are fine, equal, and blue; my eye-brows touch each other; my hips are devoid of down and round; and my teeth are close. My temples, and eyes, hands, feet, ankles, and thighs are equal. And my fingers are furnished with round nails, and are plump and even in the middle. And my breasts are close and firm and developed, and have their nipples sunk. And my navel is depressed, with high sides. And my chest is swelling.” [Tr. Manmanath Dutt]

 

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-16 at 5.50.11 PM.jpeg

Another one translates:

“My locks are fine, of even length and dark, my eyebrows meet, my legs are round and smooth, my teeth evenly separated, the corners of my eyes are shaped like the conch, my breasts, bands, feet and thighs well proportioned, my nails smooth and polished, my fingers well-shaped, my breasts touch each other and have depressed nipples, my navel too is deeply indented, my bosom well-formed.”

[Tr. Hari Prasad Shashtri]

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-16 at 7.24.08 PM.jpeg

Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-16 at 7.31.20 PM.jpeg

Geeta Press Hindi translation:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-16 at 7.33.28 PM.jpeg

Can any Hindu explain me why your mother Sita’s plump breasts, wide hips and other erogenous zones are highlighted everywhere? Which sort of devotion is taught here in this religious book?

It is not only the evil Ravana, but even Sita herself has a polluted mouth as well. When the fictitious news of Rama’s death (a trick by Ravana) reaches Sita who is held hostage in Lanka, she laments that her body is no longer of any use because her husband has been slain; however, Sita also mutters about all the voluptuous features of her body.

But don’t forget: “Valmiki Ramayana is a religious book of Hindus.”

 

9. Kishkindha Kand, Chapter: 66, Verses: 10-20

Description of Hanuman’s birth goes on, and starts with how Windgod (वायु देवता) impregnated Hanuman’s mother Anjana, the wife of Kesri. Jambavan (divine-king of bears) tells Hanuman:

दुहिता वानरेन्द्रस्य कुञ्जरस्य महात्मनः।
मानुषं विग्रहं कृत्वा रूपयौवनशालिनी।।4.66.10।।

विचित्रमाल्याभरणा महार्हक्षौमवासिनी।
अचरत्पर्वतस्याग्रे प्रावृडम्बुदसन्निभे।।4.66.11।।

तस्या वस्त्रं विशालाक्ष्याः पीतं रक्तदशं शुभम्।
स्थितायाः पर्वतस्याग्रे मारुतोऽपहरच्छनैः।।4.66.12।।

स ददर्श ततस्तस्या वृत्तावूरू सुसंहतौ।
स्तनौ च पीनौ सहितौ सुजातं चारु चाननम्।।4.66.13।।

तां विशालायतश्रोणीं तनुमध्यां यशस्विनीम्।
दृष्टवैव शुभसर्वाङ्गीं पवनः काममोहितः।।4.66.14।।

स तां भुजाभ्यां दीर्घाभ्यां पर्यष्वजत मारुतः।
मन्मथाविष्टसर्वाङ्गो गतात्मा तामनिन्दिताम्।।4.66.15।।

सा तु तत्रैव सम्भ्रान्ता सुव्रता वाक्यमब्रवीत्।
एकपत्नीव्रतमिदं को नाशयितुमिच्छति।।4.66.16।।

अञ्जनाया वच्शुत्वा मारुतः प्रत्यभाषत।
न त्वां हिंसामि सुश्रोणि मा भूत्ते सुभगे भयम्।।4.66.17।।

मनसाऽस्मि गतो यत्त्वां परिष्वज्य यशस्विनीम्।
वीर्यवान्बुद्धिसम्पन्न: पुत्रस्तव भविष्यति।।4.66.18।।

महासत्त्वो महातेजा महाबलपराक्रमः।
लङ्घने प्लवने चैव भविष्यति हि मत्समः।।4.66.19।।

एवमुक्ता ततस्तुष्टा जननी ते महाकपे।
गुहायां त्वां महाबाहो प्रजज्ञे प्लवगर्षभम्।।4.66.20।।

 

“She was the daughter of a great king of monkeys called Kunjara. That young and beautiful lady had assumed a lustrous human form decked with wonderful garlands, ornaments and silk clothes and was roving on top of the mountain which appeared like a proud raincloud.”

While the large-eyed lady was stationed on the mountain top, the Windgod gently let her auspicious yellow garment with red border fly away.”

“Then he (Windgod) saw her curved, well-set thighs, her beautiful plump breasts and her lovely pleasing face.”

“On seeing the broad hips, slender waist and beautiful limbs of that famous lady the Windgod was infatuated.”

“The Windgod lost his control over himself. His whole being was overpowered by love for her beautiful, flawless body. He embraced her with his long arms.”

“She was bewildered by this and being chaste and strict observer of chastity she said, ‘Who is it that has destroyed my monoandry?”

“On hearing Anjana’s words, the Windgod replied, ‘ O auspicious lady, I do you no harm, O lady of beautiful hips. I reached (enjoyed) you in mind, not body. You need not fear.'”

“O renowned lady I have embraced you and united with you mentally (enjoyed you without physical contact).You will bring forth a son endowed with great wisdom and courage.”

“He will be very powerful, illustrious and will be of great valour and strength. He will be my equal in leaping and flying’.”

“O great monkey O strongshouldered one having been assured that way, your mother was pleased and delivered you, a bull among monkeys, in a cave.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=4&language=dv&field_sarga_value=66

Geeta Press Hindi translation:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 10.57.11 PM (1).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-19 at 10.57.11 PM.jpeg

Dear Readers!

Are you having a look at these sexually explicit, profane and dirty stories of Valmiki Ramayana!?

Verse no. 11 and 12 talk about ‘Clothing Fetishism’, and the last part of the verse 12 is talking about ‘clothes off sex’ when it says: “The Windgod gently let her auspicious yellow garment with red border fly away.”

Now ‘eye sex’ by Windgod started in verse no. 13 and continues with ‘leg show’, ‘thigh show’, ‘breast show’, and staring at ‘broad hips’ & ‘slender waist’ in verse 14. This ends in verse 15 to 20 with ‘holding hand’, ‘hugging’, ‘impregnation’ and birth of Hanuman in a cave. It isn’t any secret that the Vedas and Puranas are full of sexual tales, essentially these are hardcore pornographic literature. But I never expected such things from Valmiki Ramayana.

I am questioning again: “Why are the full swelling breasts of your mother Sita and Anjana highlighted in this religious text, and their other erogenous body parts as well? Would you like to mention the same about your own mother?”

But don’t forget: “Valmiki Ramayana is a religious book of Hindus.”

Now, Rama’s body parts explained —

 

10. Sundar Kanda, Chapter: 35, Verse: 17

While requested by Sita, Hanuman explains bodily symbols of Rama:

त्रिस्थिरस्त्रिप्रलम्बश्च त्रिसमस्त्रिषु चोन्नतः।
त्रिताम्रस्त्रिषु च स्निग्धो गम्भीरस्त्रिषु नित्यशः।।5.35.17।।

Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

त्रिस्थिरः has the three stiff limbs (chest, fist and wrists), त्रिप्रलम्बश्च long in three (arms, eyebrows and scrotum), त्रिसमः has three even parts (locks of hair, knees and testicles), त्रिषु elevated in three parts (abdomen, navel and chest), उन्नतः raised, त्रिषु च all the three parts (soles, nails and eyes), स्निग्धः has coppery reddish colour, नित्यशः all over, त्रिषु in the three parts (the underlines of feet, the hair and the reproductive organs), गम्भीरः is majestic.

[He has three stiff parts, three long parts, three even parts, three shining parts, elevated in three parts, has three raised parts, his body has lines in three parts and is of coppery reddish colour in three parts. He has a majestic look.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/content?language=dv&field_kanda_tid=5&field_sarga_value=35&field_sloka_value=17

Geeta Press Hindi translation:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-20 at 4.26.58 PM.jpeg

Hindi translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-20 at 4.29.07 PM.jpeg

Now, happens the genocide of all sorts of morality, when the sex organs of gods are lifted up by their devotees. Even if a tongue recites these pornographic verses, it will scold itself: ‘Shut the hell up!’

But don’t forget: “Valmiki Ramayana is a religious book of Hindus.”

 

11. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 19, Verse: 7

Hindu god Rama tells Kaikeyi (mother of Bharat) that had she (or his father) simply asked him, he’d have gladly given away (his right to) the kingdom & everything he possessed, including Sita, to half-brother Bharata:

अहं हि सीतां राज्यं च प्राणानिष्टान्धनानि च।
हृष्टो भ्रात्रे स्वयं दद्यां भरतायाप्रचोदितः।।2.19.7।।

“Unurged, I would have gladly given to Bharata the kingdom, wealth, my most coveted life, and even Sita.” [Tr. IIT Kanpur]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/content?language=dv&field_kanda_tid=2&field_sarga_value=19&field_sloka_value=7

Geeta Press Hindi translation:

WhatsApp Image 2021-05-21 at 7.06.55 PM.jpeg

I would like to ask which type of ‘spousal abandonment’ is this? And why was the Hindu concept of ‘सात जन्मों का रिश्ता (relationship of seven births)’ forgotten by Rama?

But don’t forget: “Valmiki Ramayana is a religious book of Hindus.”

Hindus claim: “Their scriptures are factual story-teller.”

I say: Being fictional or factual does not matter, the authenticity given by scholars matters.

Hindu frauds like Narsinhanand Saraswati & Pushpendra Kulshreshtha who have venomous mouth against other religious personalities and addicted of mental intoxication when talk about other religions, are bound to answer:

“If your religious books indeed say what I quoted above, what is the difference between your these sacred texts and top-shelf magazines?”

“If it is religious epic, what problems you Hindus face in accepting ‘adult magazines’ as your holy books?”

“After seeing such nudity, the Ramayana should lead the list of well-known erotic magazines like ‘Playboy’, ‘Penthouse’, ‘Playgirl’ and ‘Hustler’. If yes, I agree. If not, why?”

Conclusively, instead of just throwing stones at everything we Muslims propose, why don’t you Hindus contribute some constructive suggestions for a change in yourself? Due to the intense hatred, all you Hindus do is throw stones. You are all over us about our divine faith Islam, but you start pouting when we point out that you have such and such things in your sacred texts! What, you can dish it out, but you can’t take it!? Hindu fanatics also must stop throwing bone to common Hindus by acknowledging the need for their help.

Qur’ān 85:8 tells about the peaceful reason behind their hatred:

“And what did they dislike from the Muslims, except that the Muslims accepted faith in Allah the Most Honourable, the Most Praiseworthy?” [Tr. Kanzul Īmān]

The post Debauchery in Valmiki Ramayana: A stinging rejoinder to lecherous Hindus appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Books on Hinduism https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2021/05/19/books-on-hinduism/ https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2021/05/19/books-on-hinduism/#respond Wed, 19 May 2021 13:20:34 +0000 https://vedkabhed.com/?p=8746 Download PDF Ebooks on Hinduism   – Meat Consumption and Animal Sacrifice in Valmiki Ramayana by Muhammad Qasim Al Hanafi   – Ved Ka Bhed (Urdu) by Maulana Maulvi Abdus Samad Sahab Rahmani   – Swami Dayanand Ke Qaulo Fa’il Mein Tazaad (Urdu)   – Hindu Kaun? (Urdu)   – Riddles in Hinduism by Dr […]

The post Books on Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Download PDF Ebooks on Hinduism

 


Meat Consumption and Animal Sacrifice in Valmiki Ramayana by Muhammad Qasim Al Hanafi

 


Ved Ka Bhed (Urdu) by Maulana Maulvi Abdus Samad Sahab Rahmani

 


Swami Dayanand Ke Qaulo Fa’il Mein Tazaad (Urdu)

 


Hindu Kaun? (Urdu)

 


Riddles in Hinduism by Dr B.R. Ambedkar

 


Sacchi Ramayana by Periyar

 


The Hindus an alternate History by Wendy Doniger

 


The Myth of Holy Cow by D N Jha

 


Why I am not a Hindu by Kancha Ilaiah


The Origins of Evils in Hindu Mythology, Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty

 


On Hinduism by Wendy Doniger

 


Dreams, Illusions and other Realities by Wendy Doniger

 


Qamar

 


Taddude Izdwaj

 

You may also like Books Refuting Islamophobes

The post Books on Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2021/05/19/books-on-hinduism/feed/ 0
Meat Consumption and Animal Sacrifice in Valmiki Ramayana https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2020/11/28/meat-consumption-animal-sacrifice-valmiki-ramayana/ https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2020/11/28/meat-consumption-animal-sacrifice-valmiki-ramayana/#respond Sat, 28 Nov 2020 12:01:31 +0000 https://vedkabhed.com/?p=8525   Meat consumption and animal sacrifice in Valmiki Ramayana By: Muhammad Qasim al-Hanafi The Valmiki Ramayana is one of the foremost ‘Pramānās (Evidences)’ for a Hindu. The epic traditionally ascribed to the Maharishi Valmiki. This epic is divided into seven kāṇḍas: the ayodhyakāṇḍa, the araṇyakāṇḍa, the kiṣkindakāṇḍa, the sundarākāṇḍa, and the laṅkākāṇḍa (also called Yuddhakāṇḍa). These five […]

The post Meat Consumption and Animal Sacrifice in Valmiki Ramayana appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
 

Meat consumption and animal sacrifice in Valmiki Ramayana

By: Muhammad Qasim al-Hanafi

The Valmiki Ramayana is one of the foremost ‘Pramānās (Evidences)’ for a Hindu. The epic traditionally ascribed to the Maharishi Valmiki. This epic is divided into seven kāṇḍas: the ayodhyakāṇḍa, the araṇyakāṇḍa, the kiṣkindakāṇḍa, the sundarākāṇḍa, and the laṅkākāṇḍa (also called Yuddhakāṇḍa). These five Kandas are unanimously accepted by Hindus, but they differ about the Uttarākāṇḍa & the Bālakāṇḍa. Though Bālakāṇḍa is sometimes considered in the main epic, according to many Uttarakanda is certainly a later interpolation and thus is not attributed to the work of Maharshi Valmiki. This is disputed issue among Hindu scholars.

But Geeta Press (Gorakhpur) seems to have accepted it wholly, without compromising on any part including Uttarakanda. So, I do build up my words relying on this version published by Geeta Press.

If we check on such authentic version of Valmiki Ramayana, there are several places which indicate that Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman would eat meat. Also it was common among them in their & other people’s life in Ramayan Period.

Swami Vivekanand himself admitted the fact:

“…Instances are found in the Râmâyana and the Mahâbhârata of the drinking of wine and the taking of meat by Rama and Krishna, whom they worship as God. Sita Devi vows meat, rice, and a thousand jars of wine to the river-goddess, Gangâ!”

Source: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_5/Writings:_Prose_and_Poems/The_East_and_The_West/Food_and_Cooking

Due to controversy among Hindus regarding seven Kandas’ authenticity, in beginning I will quote from authentic Kandas; and will quote from Uttarakanda & Balkanda in the end in following these reliable Kandas.

.

Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 50, Verses: 8-10

‘Kosala (कोसल)’ was one of the ‘Solasa Mahajanapadas (sixteen powerful realms)’ in ancient India. According to the Ramayana, Rama ruled the ‘Kosala kingdom (कोसल राज्य)’ from his capital, Ayodhya. In the verses, Rama bids farewell to his birth-place Ayodhya, this region is glorified in Ramayana as follows:

.

ततो धान्यधनोपेतान् दानशीलजनान् शिवान्।

अकुतश्चिद्भयान् रम्यांश्चैत्ययूपसमावृतान्।।2.50.8।।

उद्यानाम्रवनोपेतान् सम्पन्नसलिलाशयान्।

तुष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णान् गोकुलाकुलसेवितान्।।2.50.9।।

लक्षणीयान्नरेन्द्राणां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादितान्।

रथेन पुरुषव्याघ्रः कोसलानत्यवर्तत।।2.50.10।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

ततः then, पुरुषव्याघ्रः tiger (best) among men (Rama), धान्यधनोपेतान् rich in wealth and food-grain, दानशीलजनान् with charitable people, शिवान् auspicious, अकुतश्चिद्भयान् free from fear, रम्यान् charming, चैत्ययूपसमावृतान् surrounded by sacrificial altars and posts, उद्यानाम्रवनोपेतान् filled with pleasure gardens and mango groves, सम्पन्नसलिलाशयान् tanks filled with water, तुष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णान् full of contented and well-nourished people, गोकुलाकुलसेवितान् with herds of cattle, नरेन्द्राणाम् for kings, लक्षणीयान् fit to be seen, ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादितान् echoed with the sounds of Vedic recitations, कोसलान् Kosala kingdom, रथेन by the chariot, अत्यवर्तत crossed over.

(Rama, the best of men, crossed the auspicious land of Kosala which was worth seeing by kings. It looked charming with sacrificial posts and altars, pleasure gardens and mango groves and tanks filled with water. It was rich with herds of cattle, wealth and food-grains. It was inhabited by charitable, contented and well-nourished people free from fear from any quarter. And it reverberated with the sounds of Vedic recitations.)

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/content?language=dv&field_kanda_tid=2&field_sarga_value=50&field_sloka_value=8

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

tataH = then; purushha vyaaghraH = that tiger among men; rathena = in his chariot; atyavartata = crossed; kosalaan = Kosala territory; dhaanya dhanopetaan = which was rich in grain and treasure; daana shiila janaan = inhabited by men given to charity; shivaan akutashchidbhayaan = benevolent and free from every danger; ramyaan = pleasing; chaitya yuupa samaavR^itaan = full of temples and sacrificial stakes; udyaanaamravanopetaan = adorned with gardens and mango orchards; sampanna salilaashayaan = intersected by ponds full of water; tushhTa pushhTa janaakiirNaan = inhabited by well nourished people; gokulaakula sevitaan = abounded in herds of cows; lakshhaNiiyaan = which deserved to be seen by ; narendraaNaam = by all kings; brahmaghoshhaabhinaaditaan = and which re- echoed to the charity of religious texts.

(Then Rama, a tiger among men, in his chariot, crossed Kosala territory, which was rich in grain and treasure, inhabited by men given to charity, benevolent and free from every danger, pleasing, full of temples and sacrificial stakes, adorned with gardens and mango-orchards, intersected by ponds full of water, populated by contented and well nourished people, abounded in herds of cows which deserved to be seen by all kings and which re-echoed to the chanting of religious texts.)

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga50/ayodhya_50_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“Then that powerful one mounted on his car left behind him Koçala abounding in wealth and kine, inhabited by charitable people, auspicious, free from every kind of fear, charming, containing altars and stakes, with gardens and mango groves, furnished with tanks teeming with burly and contented people, filled with kine, worthy of being protected by monarchs, and resounding with the sounds of Vedic recitations.”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 327, Published by Girish Chandra Chakravarty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-10-18 at 12.23.09 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“Proceeding on his way, Shri Rama beheld prosperous towns and villages full of men of charitable, righteous and fearless disposition evidenced by the abundance of temples, and sacrificial pillars, of their cities. The garden filled with mango trees were enriched by pools of translucent water with carefully tended highways and herds of cattle grazing here and there. Everywhere the recitation of the Veda could be heard.”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 267, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-10-18 at 12.36.50 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Confusion innovated by Geeta Press:

Verse no. 8 is mentioning very clear word ‘चैत्ययूपसमावृतान्’ which means ‘surrounded by sacrificial altars and posts’. But Geeta Press is confusing the readers by ambiguous words: ‘यज्ञ-सम्बन्धी यूपों से व्याप्त थे’.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-14 at 2.19.15 PM.jpeg

.

2. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 52, Verse: 89

On reaching the middle of the stream, Sita promises Ganga (the deity presiding over the stream according to Hindus) to offer prayers after returning from forest:

.

सुराघटसहस्रेण मांसभूतौदनेन च।

यक्ष्ये त्वां प्रयता देवि पुरीं पुनरुपागता।।2.52.89।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“देवि O Devi, पुनः again, पुरीम् Ayodhya, उपागता having reached, प्रयता purified by austerities, सुराघटसहस्रेण with a thousand pots of nectar, मांसभूतौदनेन food in the form of meat, यक्ष्ये offer you and worship you.”

[O Devi after my return to Ayodhya purified by my austerities, I shall worship you by offering a thousand pots of nectar and food in the form of meat.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/content?language=dv&field_kanda_tid=2&field_sarga_value=52&field_sloka_value=89

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

“devii = “Oh; goddess! Upaagata = after reaching; puriim = the city (Ayodhya); punaH = again; yakshhye = I shall worship (you); suraaghata sahasreNa = with thousand pots of spirituous liquor; maamsa bhuutodanena cha = and jellied meat with cooked rice; prayataa = well-prepared for the solemn rite.”

[Oh, goddess! After reaching back the city of Ayodhya, I shall worship you with thousand pots of spirituous liquor and jellied meat with cooked rice well prepared for the solemn rite.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga52/ayodhya_52_frame.htm

.

(3) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“अयोध्यापुरी में लौट कर, मैं एक सहस्त्र घड़े, सुरा के, और मांस युक्त भात से, तुम्हारे निमित्त बलिदान देकर, तुम्हारी पूजा करूंगी.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-10-19 at 2.10.49 PM.jpeg

.

.

(4) Further distortion by Geeta Press:

Verse no. 89 is clearly saying ‘सुराघटसहस्रेण’, which means ‘with a thousand pots of wine’ and ‘मांसभूतौदनेन’, which means ‘food in the form of meat’. But trial of concealing the truth is carried on by Geeta Press.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-14 at 2.34.38 PM.jpeg

.

3. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 52, Verse: 102

Having crossed the river, Rama along with his wife & brother then reached the land of Vatsa. All the three reached under a tree to pass night. What they did there, see:

.

तौ तत्र हत्वा चतुरो महामृगान्

वराहमृश्यं पृषतं महारुरुम्।

आदाय मेध्यं त्वरितं बुभुक्षितौ

वासाय काले ययतुर्वनस्पतिम्।।2.52.102।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“बुभुक्षितौ famished, तौ they, तत्र there, वराहम् a boar, ऋश्यम् a whitefooted male antelope, पृषतम् spotted deer, महारुरुम् a great deer with black stripes, चतुरः four, मृगान् animals, हत्वा killed, मेध्यम् pure meat, त्वरितम् quickly, आदाय partaking as food, काले in the evening, वासाय for rest, वनस्पतिम् under a tree, ययतुः reached.”

[Famished, they (Rama and Lakshmana) killed a boar, a rishya (whitefooted male antelope), a spotted deer and a great deer with black stripes. They partook the meat and reached a tree by evening where they rested for the night.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/content?language=dv&field_kanda_tid=2&field_sarga_value=52&field_sloka_value=102

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

hatvaa = having killed; tatra = there; chaturaH = four; mR^igaan = deer (namely); varaaham = Varaaha; R^ishyam = Risya; pR^ishhatam = PR^isata; mahaaruru = (and) Mahaaruru; (the four principal species of deer); aadayaa = and taking; tvaritam = quickly; medhyam = the portions that were pure; tou = Rama and Lakshmana; bubhukshhitou = being hungry as they were; yayatuH = reached; vanaspatim = a tree; vaasayaa = to take rest; kaale = in the evening.”

[Having hunted there four deer, namely Varaaha, Rishya, Prisata; and Mahaaruru (the four principal species of deer) and taking quickly the portions that were pure, being hungry as they were, Rama and Lakshmana reached a tree to take rest in the evening.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga52/ayodhya_52_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“And then the two (brothers) having slain the four kinds of beasts, viz. boars, risyas, prishatas and maharurus, and taking their flesh, in the evening took refuge under a mighty tree, feeling the demands of appetite.”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 340, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-01 at 6.54.38 PM.jpeg

(4) Further intentional perversion of truth by Geeta press:

Verse no. 102 is unequivocally saying ‘हत्वा’, which means ‘Killing (having killed)’, and ‘मेध्यं’ which means ‘pure meat’. But how Geeta Press is deceiving readers by mistranslation.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-15 at 3.57.49 PM.jpeg

.

4. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 55, Verse: 32 (Geeta Press Version)

In the way to Chitrakuta, the two brothers killed deer and ate:

.

क्रोशमात्रं ततो गत्वा भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।

बहून्मेध्यान्मृगान्हत्वा चेरतुर्यमुनावने।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur (it shows the verse on number 33):

“तत: then, भ्रातरौ the two brothers, रामलक्ष्मणौ Rama and Lakshmana, क्रोशमात्रम् a krosa, गत्वा having gone, मेध्यान् suitable for sacrifice (pure), बहून् many, मृगान् deer, हत्वा having slain, यमुनावने in the forest on the bank of Yamuna, चेरतु: ate.”

[After walking a krosa into the forest on the bank of Yamuna, the two brothers killed many deer suitable for sacrifice and ate them.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/content?language=dv&field_kanda_tid=2&field_sarga_value=55&field_sloka_value=33

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy (it’s also on number 33):

“tataH = thereafter; gatvaa = having travelled; kroshamaatram = only a couple of miles; bhraatarau = the two brothers; raamalakshhmaNau = Rama and Lakshmana; hatvaa = killed; bahuun = many; medhyaan = consecrated; mR^igaan = deer; cheratuH = and ate; yamunaavane = in the river-forest of Yamuna.”

[Thereafter having travelled only a couple of miles the two brothers Rama and Lakshmana killed many consecrated deer and ate in the river-forest of Yamuna.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga55/ayodhya_55_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“Having travelled some distance, the two valiant brothers slew many deer for food, then, with Sita, passed through the pleasant woods, ringing with the cries of peacocks and frequented by elephants and monkeys.”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 283, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-01 at 7.11.17 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma (it also shows no. 33):

“दोनों भाइयों ने एक कोस चलकर, तथा यमुना तीरवर्ती वन में अनेक पवित्र मृगों को मारकर, खाया.

WhatsApp Image 2020-10-27 at 11.06.37 AM.jpeg

.

5. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 56, Verse: 22-28

Rama, Seeta and Lakshmana reached the mountain of Chitrakuta. They visited the hermitage of Valmiki. Lakshmana builds a leaf-hut upon instructions from Rama. Then what happened, see:

.

ऐणेयं मांसमाहृत्य शालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम्।

कर्तव्यं वास्तुशमनं सौमित्रे चिरजीविभिः।।2.56.22।।

मृगं हत्वाऽऽनय क्षिप्रं लक्ष्मणेह शुभेक्षण।

कर्तव्य श्शास्त्रदृष्टो हि विधिर्धर्ममनुस्मर।।2.56.23।।

भ्रातुर्वचनमाज्ञाय लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा।

चकार स यथोक्तं च तं राम पुनरब्रवीत्।।2.56.24।।

ऐणेयं श्रपयस्वैतच्छालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम्।

त्वर सौम्य मुहूर्तोऽयं ध्रुवश्च दिवसोऽप्ययम्।।2.56.25।।

स लक्ष्मणः कृष्णमृगं मेध्यं हत्वा प्रतापवान्।

अथ चिक्षेप सौमित्रिस्समिद्धे जातवेदसि।।2.56.26।।

तन्तु पक्वं परिज्ञाय निष्टप्तं छिन्नशोणितम्

लक्ष्मण: पुरुषव्याघ्रमथ राघवमब्रवीत्।।2.56.27।।

अयं सर्व: समस्ताग्ङ: श्रृत: कृष्णमृगो मया।

देवतां देवसङ्काश यजस्व कुशलो ह्यसि।।2.56.28।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

Verse: 22 —

“सौमित्रे O Lakshmana, ऐणेयं मांसम् venison of black antelope, आहृत्य having brought, वयम् we, शालाम् this hut, यक्ष्यामहे will worship, चिरजीविभि: those who intend to live longer, वास्तुशमनम् pacification of household deity, कर्तव्यम् should be done.”

Verse: 23 —

“शुभेक्षण one who has auspicious looks, लक्ष्मण Lakshmana, मृगम् an antelope, हत्वा having killed, क्षिप्रम् quickly, इह here, आनय bring, शास्त्रदृष्ट: as prescribed by the scriptures, विधि: rites, कर्तव्यः हि will have to be carried out, धर्मम् the tradition, अनुस्मर recollect.”

Verse: 24 —

“परवीरहा slayer of heroes of the enemy’s side, स लक्ष्मण: that Lakshmana, भ्रातु: brother’s, वचनम् words, आज्ञाय having understood, यथोक्तम् as told, चकार carried out, राम: Rama, तम् him, पुन: again, अब्रवीत् said.”

Verse: 25 —

“सौम्य O handsome one, एतत् this, ऐणेयम् venison, श्रपयस्व cook, वयम् we, शालाम् hut, यक्ष्यामहे will worship, अयम् this, दिवस: day, अयम् this, मुहूर्त:अपि this moment also, ध्रुवश्च is fixed, त्वर hasten.”

Verse: 26 —

“अथ then, सौमित्रि: son of Sumitra, प्रतापवान् powerful, स: लक्ष्मण: that Lakshmana, मेथ्यम् fit for offering pure, कृष्णमृगम् black antelope, हत्वा having killed, समिद्धे in a wellkindled, जातवेदसि fire, चिक्षेप offered.”

Verse: 27 —

“लक्ष्मण: Lakshmana, निष्टप्तम् roasted well, छिन्नशोणितम् with blood drained out, तम् that, पक्वम् cooked, परिज्ञाय having found, अथ then, पुरुषव्याघ्रम् tiger (best) among men, राघवम् to Rama, अब्रवीत् said.”

Verse: 28 —

समस्ताङ्ग: with all the limbs, अयम् this, कृष्णमृग: black antelope, सर्व: completely, मया by me, श्रुत: is wellcooked, देवसङ्काश like a god, देवता: devatas, यजस्व offer with sacrifice, कुशल: असि हि you are proficient.”

[O Lakshmana those who intend to live for long (in this hut), should pacify the deity presiding over here. Therefore, we shall bring the venison of a black antelope and make necessary offerings.]

[Slay an antelope and bring it here quickly. O Lakshmana the rites as prescribed by the scriptures will have to be carried out. You may recollect that tradition.]

[Lakshmana, slayer of heroes on the enemy’s side, understood and implemented what he was told. Rama again said to him:]

[Cook this venison, O handsome one we will offer it to the presiding deity of this hut. Hasten, the day and time are fixed (for the rites)]

[Then the powerful son of Sumitra killed a black antelope fit for offering, and offered it to the wellkindled fire.]

[With the blood drained out of the venison, Lakshmana roasted it and cooked it well, and then said to Rama, the tiger (best) among men.]

[This black antelope with all its limbs is wellcooked. O divine sire, you may make the offering to Vastu devata in which you are proficient.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=56

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

Verse: 22 —

“saumitre = Oh; Lakshmana!; aahR^itya = being; aiNeyam maamsam = bring meat of the antelope; vayam = we; yakshyaamahe = shall worship; shaalaam = (this) leaf-hut; vaastushamanam = purifactory ceremony on entering the house; kartavyam = on entering the; chirajiivibhiH = by those who wish to live long.”

Verse: 23 —

“shubhekshaNa = Oh; large-eyed; lakshmaNa = Lakshmana!; hatvaa = killing; mR^igam = the antelope; kshhipram = quickly; anaya = bring; iha = here; vidhiH = the prescribed rite; shaastra dR^iSTaH = according to scriptural point of view; kartavyaH hi = indeed is to be done; anusmara = keep in mind; dharmam = the sacred obligation.”

Verse: 24 —

“saH lakshmaNaH = that Lakshmana; paraviirahaa = the slayer of enemies; aaJNaaya = understanding; bhraatruH = his brother’s; vachanam = words; chakaara = acted; yathoktamcha = as instructed; raamaH = Rama; abraviit = spoke; punaH = again; tam = to him (as follows).”

Verse: 25 —

“saumya = Oh; great brother!; shrapayasva = boil; etat = this; aiNeyam = antelope’s meat; vayam = we; yakshyaamahe = shall worship; shaalaam = the leaf-hut; ayam = this; divasaH = day; ayam = (and) this; muhuurtaH api = instant also; dhruvaH = are of a distinctive character; tvara = be quick.”

Verse: 26 —

“atha = then; saH lakshmaNaH = that Lakshmana; prataapavaan = the strong man; saumitriH = and son of Sumitra; hatvaa = killing; medhyam = the holy; kR^iSNa mR^igam = black antelope; chikSepa = tossed; jaata vedasi = in a fire; samiddhe = ignited.”

Verse: 27 —

“parijJNaaya = feeling certain; pakvam = it is cooked; niSTaptam = and heated thoroughly; chinna shoNitam = with no blood remaining; lakshmaNaH = Lakshmana; atha = thereafter; abraviit = spoke; raaghavam = to Rama; puruSa vyaaghram = the lion among men (as follows).”

Verse: 28 —

ayam = this; kR^iSNaH mR^igo = black antelope; samaapta angaH = with its complete limbs; shR^itaH = has been cooked; sarvaH = completely; mayaa = by me; deva damkaasha = Oh Rama; remsembling god!; yajasva = worship; devataaH = the deities; asi ahi = you are indeed; kushalaH = skilled (in such act)”

[Oh, Lakshmana! Bring the meat of an antelope. We shall perform a purifactory ceremony while entering the house. Which is to be done by those who wish to live long.]

[Oh, large-eyed Lakshmana! Killing the antelope quickly, bring it here. The prescribed rite according to scriptural point of view indeed is to be performed. Keep in mind the sacred obligation.]

[Lakshmana the slayer of enemies, understanding his brother’s words, acted as instructed. Rama spoke again to Lakshmana as follows:]

[Oh, gentle brother! Boil this antelope’s meat. We shall worship the leaf-hut. This day and this instant also are of a distinctive character. Be quick.]

[Then, Lakshmana the strong man and son of Sumitra, killing a holy back antelope, tossed it in an ignited fire.]

[Feeling certain that it is cooked and heated thoroughly with no blood remaining, Lakshmana spoke to Rama the lion among man as follows:]

[This black antelope, with its complete limbs, has been cooked completely by me. Oh, Rama resembling God! Worship the concerned deity, as you are skilled in that act.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga56/ayodhya_56_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

Procuring meat, we will worship the deity, presiding over this dwelling. O Sumitra’s son! Those who wish to live long, should pacify the household gods. O Lakshmana, graced with auspicious eyes, do thou killing deer, swiftly bring it here. It behoves us to observe the rules prescribed by the scriptures. Do thou follow the ordinance. Acquainted with the words of his brother, Lakshmana, slayer of hostile heroes, did as he was told. Thereupon Rama addressed him again: “Do thou cook this meat. We will worship the presiding deities of this mansion. Bestir thyself, — the moment is mild and the day is styled Dhruva.” Then Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, endowed with vigor, having slain a sacred black deer, threw it into flaming fire. And seeing it well scorched and hot and free from blood, Lakshmana spoke unto that foremost of men, Raghava, saying: “Here is the entire black deer roasted by me, capable of serving any purpose. Do you, O you that resemble a celestial, worship the gods?”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 349-50, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-10-27 at 12.05.27 PM.jpeg

.

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“O Lakshmana, bring venison with which we may worship the deity of the dwelling-place! Since we purpose to live here long, we should enter it with peaceful intention! O son of Sumitra, having killed a black deer, bring it here, speedily. Let us follow the scriptural ordinance in this matter.

Shri Lakshmana having obeyed his brother’s command, Rama said: “Now dress the meat and we will offer it as a sacrifice. Hasten, O Brother, this is an auspicious hour.”

The illustrious son of Sumitra slew a black antelope and roasted it in the flames. When it was dressed and the blood drained from it, Lakshmana addressed Raghava, saying: “O Godlike one, I have prepared the flesh of the black deer, now offer up the sacrifice to propitiate the God.”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 284-85, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-10-27 at 12.32.05 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“हे लक्ष्मण! हिरण का मांस के आओ, जिससे हम दोनों पर्णशालाधिष्ठात्री देवता की पूजा करें. क्यूंकि यदि बहुत दिनों (किसी नवीन बने हुए घर में) रहना चाहें, तो उसे वास्तुशांति (गृहप्रवेश कर्म) करनी चाहिए।।22।।

हे लक्ष्मण! तुम शीघ्र एक काला हिरण मारकर ले आओ, क्यूंकि भली भांति विचार कर, इस विषय की धर्मशास्त्र द्वारा निर्णीत विधि को यथारीति करना उचित है ।।23।।

महावलवान लक्ष्मण जी भाई की आज्ञा के अनुसार, लक्ष्मण काला मृग मारकर ले आए. फिर श्रीरामचन्द्रजी के कथनानुसार कार्य कर चुकने पर, श्रीरामचन्द्रजी ने पुनः उनसे कहा ।।24।।

अच्छा अब इस मांस को रांधो, जिससे हम हवन करें. हे सौम्य! शीघ्रता करो. क्यूंकि यह मुहूर्त भी स्थिर है, और दिन भी अच्छा है ।।25।।

तब प्रतापी लक्ष्मण ने मारे हुए यज्ञीय काले मृग को अच्छी तरह जलती हुई आग में डालकर भूना ।।26।।

और जब वह भुन गया और रुधिर जल गया, तब लक्ष्मण जी ने पुरुषसिंह श्रीरामचन्द्रजी से कहा ।।27।।

हे देवतुल्य! मैंने इस सम्पूर्ण अंगोंयुक्त कृष्ण मृग को रांध कर तैयार कर दिया. आप यज्ञकर्म करने में समर्थ हैं, अतः वास्तुदेवता की प्रसन्नता के लिए यज्ञ कीजिए ।।28।।

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-10 at 1.06.52 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-10 at 1.06.52 PM (1).jpeg

.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-10 at 1.06.52 PM (2).jpeg

.

(6) Gross fraud by Geeta Press:

Verse no. 22 mentions the word ‘ऐणेयं’ means ‘antelope (especially black)’ and ‘मासम्’ means ‘meat’. But Geeta Press is mistranslating it as ‘गजकन्द का गूदा’ to veil the truth about meat eating;

And verse no. 23 quotes ‘मृगं’ means ‘antelope/deer’, and ‘हत्वा’ means ‘Killing (having killed)’. But Geeta Press distorted it by ‘गजकन्द नामक कंद को उखाड़कर या खोदकर’;

Verse no. 25 mentions the same as verse no. 22 ‘ऐणेयं’ means ‘antelope’, but here also mistranslation exists ‘गजकन्द को’;

Verse no. 26 says ‘कृष्णमृगं’ which also means ‘black antelope’, but Geeta Press is doing fabrication as usual ‘काले छिलके वाले गजकन्द को’. The verse also mentions two words: ‘हत्वा’ means ‘Killing (having killed)’ as in verse no. 23, and ‘मेध्यं’ means ‘Pure meat’ as in Chapter: 52, Verse: 102. But Geeta Press concocted as did in previous verses;

Verse no. 27 mentions ‘पक्वं’ means ‘cooking (having cooked)’. But Geeta Press seems to show it ‘पका हुआ’ in the mean of ‘ripe’ to make it fit for ‘गजकन्द’ fruit; and turning ‘पका हुआ’ from the mean of ‘cooked’ which is fit for ‘meat’, so that the reader can’t understand the hidden truth. The verse also says ‘निष्टप्तं’ which translates ‘roasted well’, and ‘छिन्नशोणितम्’ which means ‘drained of the blood’. But Geeta Press is making it the medicine for ‘Blood Disorder’ by translating ‘रक्तविकार का नाश करने वाले’;

Verse no. 28 says ‘समस्तांगः’ means ‘all the limbs’, but Geeta Press mistranslates ‘जो बिगड़े हुए सभी अंगों को ठीक करने वाला है’. It seems according to Geeta Press Rama, Seeta & Lakshman were suffering from ‘Blood Disorder’ so they searched for this medicine and had it to be healed from this disorder. And the word ‘कृष्णमृगो’ is mentioned again means ‘black antelope’ as in verse no. 26, but mistranslated by Geeta Press. And the word ‘यजस्व’ means ‘offer with sacrifice’, but Geeta Press conceals this sacrifice by ‘वास्तुदेवताओं का यजन’.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-15 at 4.06.44 PM.jpeg

.

6. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 56, Verse: 34-35

Lakshmana builds a leaf-hut for Rama. All of them enter the hut, after performing purification ceremony:

.

वन्यैर्माल्यैः फलैर्मूलैः पक्वैर्मांसैर्यथाविधि।

अद्भिर्जपैश्च वेदोक्तैर्दर्भैश्च ससमित्कुशैः।।2.56.34।।

तौ तर्पयित्वा भूतानि राघवौ सह सीतया।

तदा विविशतु श्शालां सुशुभां शुभलक्षणौ।।2.56.35।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“शुभलक्षणौ bestowed with auspicious qualities, राघवौ Rama and Lakshmana, सह सीतया accompanied by Sita, वन्यै: माल्यै: with garlands of forest flowers, फलै: with fruits, मूलै: with roots, पक्वै: with wellcooked, मांसै: with venison, अद्भिः with water, वेदोक्तै: as expounded in the Vedas, जपैश्च with muttering of prayers, दर्भैश्च with darbha grass, सुसमित्कुशै: with faggots and kusa grass, भूतानि all beings, तर्पयित्वा after propitiating, तदा then, शुभाम् auspicious, शालाम् hut, विविशतुः entered.”

[Bestowed with auspicious qualities, Rama and Lakshmana along with Sita propitiated those celestial beings with garlands of forest flowers, fruits and roots, wellcooked venison, water, muttering of prayers as expounded in the Vedas, faggots and kusa grass and entered that auspicious hermitage.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=56

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

“raaghavau = Rama and Lakshmana; saha siitauyaa = along with Seeta; shubha lakshhmaNau = having auspicious characterstics; tarpayitvaa = satisfied; bhuutaani = the spirits; maalyaiH = by crowns of flowers; vanyaiH = obtained in the forest; phalaiH = by fruits; mulaiH = by roots; pakvaiH = by cooked; maamsaiH = meat; abdhiH = by water; japaishcha = by prayers; vedoktaiH = as uttered in sacred texts (Vedas); darbhaishcha = by sacred grass; sasmitkuchaiH = by fuel and Kusa grass; tadaa = then; vivishatuH = entered; sushubhaam = the auspicious; shaalaam = leaf-hut.”

[Rama and Lakshmana along with Seeta, having auspicious characteristics, satisfied the spirits by crowns of flowers obtained in the forest, by fruits roots and cooked meat, by water, by prayers as uttered in the sacred texts (Vedas), by sacred grass, by fuel and Kusa grass and then entered the auspicious leaf-hut.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga56/ayodhya_56_frame.htm

.

(3) Manmatha Nath Dutt’s translation also didn’t mention this verse. But, it’s mentioned in footnotes with reference to another reading:

“And having with garlands made of wild flowers, fruits, roots, meat cooked according to the ordinance, water, Japa as prescribed by the Veda, grass and faggot, worshipped the spirits, those descend ants of Raghu, the auspicious Rama and Lakshmana, in company with Sita, entered the graceful mansion.”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 350, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-15 at 7.49.27 PM.jpeg

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri (from verse 32):

“Repeating the japa and bathing in the river, he offered oblations for the expiation of sins. He then erected altars in the eight directions for the worship of different gods and gratifying the deities presiding over the elements with offerings of flowers, garlands, fruits, cooked meats and the recitation of Vedic mantrans, he, together with Sita, entered the delightful hut, thatched with leaves, set up in a suitable place, sheltered from the wind.”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 285, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 11.46.25 AM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“फिर यथाविधि फूल, मालाओं, फलों, मूलों और रंधे हुए मांस से, तथा कुश की पवित्रियां धारण कर, कुश मिले हुए जल से, वैदिक मंत्रों द्वारा श्रीरामचंद्र जी ने भूतों को तृप्त कर, सीता सहित उस मनोहर और शुभलक्षण वाली (अर्थात्‌ हवा रोशनी आने जाने के लिए पर्याप्त साधनों से युक्त) शाला में प्रवेश करने की इच्छा की.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 12.02.28 PM.jpeg

.

Note: These both two verses have been thrown out of Geeta Press Version; and the reason is unknown apparently, but known profoundly.

.

7. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 84, Verse: 10

Guha, the king of Nishada tribe, asks his relative to guard the river bank and get ready for a battle, if necessary, with Bharata. Then, Guha approaches Bharata with a welcome-drink of honey, meat and fish. He asks Bharata with his army to accept his hospitality:

.

इत्युक्त्वोपायनं गृह्य मत्स्यमांसमधूनि च।

अभिचक्राम भरतं निषादाधिपतिर्गुहः।।2.84.10।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“निषादाधिपतिः गुहः overlord of the nishadas, Guha, इति thus, उक्त्वा having spoken, मत्स्यमांसमधूनि fish, meat and wine, उपायनम् as gifts, गृह्य holding, भरतम् to Bharata, अभिचक्राम approached.”

[Having spoken thus, Guha, lord of the nishadas, approached Bharata, taking with him fish, meat and wine as offerings.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=84

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

“iti = thus; uktvaa = spoken; guhaH = Guha; niSaadaadhipatiH = the Lord of Nishadas; gR^ihya = took; matsya maamsa madhuuni = fish meat and honey; upaayanam = as an offering; abhichakraama = and approached; bharatam = Bharata.”

[After uttering thus, Guha the king of Nishadas took fish, meat and honey as an offering and approached Bharata.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga84/ayodhya_84_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“Having said this, the lord of the Nishadas, Guha, taking a present of flesh, fish and honey, went out for interviewing Bharata.”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 418, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 12.22.02 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“Thus, mobilising his troops and servants, Guha the chief of ferrymen, taking gifts of fish, flesh and honey, went to meet Prince Bharata.”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 339, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 12.27.51 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“इस तरह अपने नौकरों और सैनिकों को सावधान कर, निषादपति गुह मछलियाँ, मांस और शहद भरत जी को भेंट करने के लिए अपने साथ लेकर, चला.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 12.34.41 PM.jpeg

.

(6) See the forgery of Geeta Press:

This verse is clearly mentioning three words: ‘मत्स्य’ means ‘fish’, ‘मांस’ means ‘meat’ and ‘मधु’ means ‘wine’. But Geeta Press made ‘मांस’ pulp as usual, and turned ‘मत्स्य’ into ‘मिश्री (sugar candy)’.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-18 at 8.28.52 PM.jpeg

.

8. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 84, Verse: 17

After approaching Bharata, Guha says to him:

.

अस्ति मूलं फलञ्चैव निषादैस्समुपाहृतम्।

आर्द्रं मांसं शुष्कं वन्यं चोच्चावचं महत्।।2.84.17।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“निषादैः by nishadas, समुपाहृतम् have been brought, मूलम् root, फलं चैव fruits also, वन्यम् the forest produce, आर्द्रम् fresh, शुष्कं dried, उच्चावचम् of great variety, महत् best, मांसं अस्ति meat are here.”

[Here are roots, fruits and a great variety of forest produce, fresh and dried meat brought by the nishadas.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=84

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

“asti = here are; muulam = the root; phalam chaiva = fruit; samudaahR^itam = gathered; niSaadaiH = by my tribe; maamsamcha = and the meat; mahat = of great quality; ucchaavacham = and of various kinds; aardram = fresh; shuSkamcha = and dried; vanyam = and all a produce of the forest.”

[Here are the roots and fruits gathered by my tribe as well as fresh and dried meat of great quality and of various kinds, and all a produce of the forest.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga84/ayodhya_84_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“Here are fruits and roots gathered by the Nishadas and meat dry and moist and various other produces of the forest.”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 419, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 1.14.50 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“I have brought roots, fruits and flesh both fresh and dried for thee and other products of the forest for thy use.”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 340, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 1.21.48 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“निषाद लोगों के लाए हुए फल मूल, ताज़ा और सूखा मांस, तथा वन में उत्पन्न होने वाली अन्य थोड़ी बहुत भक्ष्य वस्तुएं ये उपस्थित हैं.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 1.27.05 PM.jpeg

.

(6) See the same trend of Geeta Press here:

This verse mentions ‘मांस’ means meat, but mistranslated by Geeta Press usually and made it Pulp.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-18 at 8.39.17 PM.jpeg

.

9. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 91, Verse: 21

Having been instructed by Bharadwaja to bring the army to his place, Bharata allowed his army also to come to the hermitage. Then, Bharadwaja invokes Visvakarma, the divine architect and requests him to arrange for a befitting hopsitality to Bharata:

.

विचित्राणि च माल्यानि पादपप्रच्युतानि च।

सुरादीनि च पेयानि मांसानि विविधानि च।।2.91.21।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“पादपप्रच्युतानि those dropped from trees, विचित्राणि many-coloured, माल्यानि च flower garlands, सुरादीनि wines and others, पेयानि drinks, विविधानि of different kinds, मांसानि meat be furnished.”

[Let her furnish me with many-coloured garlands of fresh flowers from trees, wines and other drinks and meat of different kinds.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=91

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

“(May the blessed moon-god furnish me); vichitraaNi = many-coloured; maalyaanicha = flowers; paadapa prachyutaani = which have just fallen from trees; peyaani = drinks; suraadiini = like wine and others; vividhaani = and various kinds; maamsaani cha = of meat.”

[May the blessed moon-god furnish me many-coloured flowers which have just fallen from the flower-plants or trees, the drinks like wine and others as also various kinds of meat.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga91/ayodhya_91_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“…and variegated blossoms growing in the trees, and wines and (other) drinks, and meats of various kinds.

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 431, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 1.48.28 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“Let garlands of fresh flowers be made ready and beautiful goblets and different dishes of flesh be produced here instantaneously!”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 351, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 1.55.10 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“(वे) ताज़े फूलों की चित्र विचित्र पुष्प मालाएं, सुरा आदि पीने के पदार्थों को और तरह तरह के मांसों को, शीघ्र ही प्रस्तुत करें.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-02 at 1.59.33 PM.jpeg

(6) Once again mockery of translation by geeta Press:

This verse also mentions ‘मांसानि (meat)’ but forcefully you have to read ‘फलों के गूदे (Pulps of fruits)’ by Geeta Press.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-18 at 8.41.06 PM.jpeg

.

10. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 91, Verse: 52 (in Geeta Press Version)

Several creepers in the forest had been changed into dancing girls in the hermitage of Bharadwaja and they spoke to Bharata’s army as follows:

.

सुरास्सुरापाः पिबत पायसं च बुभुक्षिताः।।2.91.52।।

मांसानि च सुमेध्यानि भक्ष्यन्तां यावदिच्छथ।।2.91.53।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

सुरापाः O those of you who drink liquor, यावत् until, इच्छथ you desire, सुराः liquor, पिबत drink, बुभुक्षिताः those who are hungry to eat, पायसं च payasam (made of milk and rice), सुमेध्यानि sacred, मांसानि meat, भक्ष्यन्ताम् let them eat.”

[‘O wine drinkers, drink as much as you can those who are hungry partake payasam and sacred meat’.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=91

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

suraapaaH = O; wine-bibbers!; pibata = drink; yaavat = however much; suraaH = wine; ichchhatha = you desire! bubhukSitaaH = O troops stricken with hunger! (Let); paayasam cha = milk thickened with rice; maamsaanicha = and meats; sumedhyaani = which are very much fresh; bhakSyantaam = be eaten.”

[“O, wine-bibbers! Drink the wine, however much you desire! O troops stricken with hunger! Let milk thickened with rice and the meats which are very much fresh, be eaten (as you will).”]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga91/ayodhya_91_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“Let wine-drinkers drink wine, the hungry eat Payaca, and those that are inclined to it, feed on clean meat.

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 433, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-15 at 7.34.27 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“O Wine-Bibbers, drink! O Hungry Ones, eat kheeva! Come, fill yourselves with the various kinds of meat!

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 353, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-15 at 7.39.52 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“हे मद्द पीने वालो, तुम मदिरा पीओ! हे भूख के सताये लोगों, तुम खीर खाओ! सुन्दर और खाने योग्य मांस जिसकी जितनी इच्छा हो, उतना खाओ.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-03 at 12.45.36 PM.jpeg

.

.

(6) Same fraudulently mistranslation by Geeta Press:

The verse says ‘मांसानि (meat)’, but Geeta Press can’t leave Pulp of fruit.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-18 at 10.02.15 PM.jpeg

.

11. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 91, Verse: 67-70 (in Geeta Press Version)

The dishes prepared for Bharata and his army:

.

आजैश्चापिवाराहैर्निष्ठानवरस़ञ्चयैः।

फलनिर्यूह संसिद्दैस्सूपैर्गन्ध रसान्वितैः।।2.91.68।।

पुष्पध्वजवतीः पूर्णाश्शुक्लस्यान्नस्य चाभितः।

ददृशुर्विस्मितास्तत्रनरा लौहीस्सहस्रशः।।2.91.69।।

बभूवुर्वनपार्श्वेषु कूपाः पायसकर्दमाः।

ताश्चकामदुघा गावो द्रुमाश्चासन्मधुश्च्युतः।।2.91.70।।

वाप्यो मैरेयपूर्णाश्च मृष्टमांसचयैर्वृताः।

प्रतप्तपिठरैश्चापि मार्गमायूरकौक्कुटैः।।2.91.71।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

Verse: 68 & 69 —

“तत्र there, नराः men, आजैश्चापि with mutton, वाराहैश्च pork, निष्ठानवरसञ्चयैः with choicest condiments, फलनिर्यूह संसिद्दैः with various fruit juices, गन्धरसान्वितैः with fragrant and tasteful, सूपैः with soups, पूर्णाः filled with, शुक्लस्य white, अन्नस्य rice, लौहीः best of iron containers, अभितः on all sides, विस्मिताः were amazed, ददृशुः beheld.”

Verse: 70 —

“वनपार्श्वेषु along the edge of the forest, पायसकर्दमाः drink of milk and rice, कूपाः wells, बभूवुः were formed, गाव: cows, ताः those, कामदुघाः wish-fulfilling, द्रुमाश्च trees, मधुश्च्युतः dripping honey, आसन् became.”

Verse: 71 —

“वाप्यः wells, मैरेयपूर्णाश्च filled with date palm liquor, प्रतप्तपिठरैः with hot pots (filled with cooked meat), ार्गमायूरकौक्कुटैः meat of peacock, chicken and deer, मृष्णमांसचयैः meat of other animals, वृताः surrounded by.”

[There the soldiers beheld in amazement thousands of iron containers decked with flags and flowers and filled with white rice, mutton, pork, choicest condiments, fruit juice, fragrant and tasty soup.]

[Along the edge of the forest, wells were filled with thick payasam. There were wish-fulfilling cows and honey-dripping trees.]

[The wells were found filled with date palm liquor and surrounded by pots of well cooked meat of peacocks, chicken and other animals.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=91

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

Verse: 68 & 69 —

aajaishchaapi = dishes of goat; vaarahaishcha = and boar; niSThaana vara samchayaiH = with delicious sauces; tatra = were there; suupaiH = flavoury soups; gandha rasaanvitaiH = that were spicy; fragrant and succulent; phala niryuuha samsiddhaiH = cooked in fruit juices; puurNaaH = filled; lohiiH = in vessels of rare metals; sahasrashaH = in thousands; puSpa dhvajavatiiH = decorated with flowers shuklaamshcha annasya = of white rice; naraaH = those soldiers; dadR^ishuH = saw (them); tatra = there; vos;otaaJ = with wonder; abhitaH = on all sides.”

Verse: 70 —

“kuupaaH = the wells; vana paarshveSu = in various sides of the kardamaaH = have their mud transformed into milk in which rice has been cooked with sugar; taaH = those; gaavaH = cows; aasan = were transformed; kaamadughaaH = into cows of plenty; drumaashcha = and the trees; madhushchyutaH = dripped honey.”

Verse: 71 —

“vaapyaH = (some) ponds; vR^itaaH = were endowed with; maireya puurNaashcha = full of wine; (and some ponds with); mR^iSTaiH = pertaining to deer; peacocks and wild cocks; vratapta piTaraiH = cooked in hot pans.”

[Dishes of goat and boar with delicious sauces were there and condiments that were spicy, fragrant and succulent, cooked in fruit juices; vessels of rare metals filled with rice, decorated with flowers, were offered in thousands to those soldiers there. The soldiers saw them with wonder on all sides.]

[The wells in various sides of the forest (surrounding Bharadwaja’s hermitage) have their mud transformed into milk in which rice was cooked. The cows in the region were transformed into cows of plenty and the trees dripped honey.]

[Some ponds there were endowed with full of wine and some were filled with assortment of various dressed meats pertaining to deer, peacocks and wild cocks; cooked in hot pans.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga91/ayodhya_91_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“And the people with wonder beheld before them vessels of precious metals by thousands graced with chaplets of flowers, filled with essences of fruits and fragrant soups and curries and the flesh of goats and bears, and white rice. And there were on the skirts of the wood wells having Payasa for their slime ; and the kine yielded whatever was asked ; and all the trees dropped honey. And the tanks were fitted with Maireya as well as with dean hot meat of deer, peacocks, and cocks, dressed in pans.”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 434, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-03 at 1.19.30 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“The men beheld countless dishes of mutton, pork, venison and other meats cooked in fruit-juices and fried in butter with cloves, caraway seeds and lentils simmering gently in them. Thousands of vessels were filled with spiced rice, garnished with flowers and flags. All were speechless with wonder on beholding them! Within a radius of five miles, the wells were filled with frumenty (kheeva) and cows like Kamadhenu fulfilled every desire. The trees dripped honey and the lakes were filled with the sparkling wine Maireya, and banked with dressed viands such as deer, chickens and peacocks.”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 354, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-03 at 1.26.08 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

वहाँ बकरों और शूकरों के मांसों के तथा अन्य अच्छे अच्छे व्यंजनों के ढेरों से, जो फलों के रसों में बनाय गए थे. हींग लौंग, जीरा आदि सुगंधित मसालों से छौंकी हुई दालों से, और अत्युत्तम प्रकार के भातों से भरी, सहस्त्रों ऐसी कड़ाईयों को, जिनमें शोभा के लिए फूलों की झड़ियां लगाई गयी थीं — देख देख कर लोग चकित हो रहे थे. उस पांच योजन घेरे में जितने कुएं थे वे सब गाढ़ी गाढ़ी खीर से भरे हुए थे. जितनी गौवें थीं, वे सब कामधेनु के समान जो माँगों सो देती थीं. जितने वृक्ष थे वे सब शहद चुआ रहे थे. कुंड या वावली मैरेय नाम की शराब से भरी हुई थीं. हिरन, मोर और मुर्गे के अच्छी तरह पकाए और साफ किए हुए मांस के ढेर लगे हुए थे.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-03 at 1.44.52 PM.jpeg

.

(6) Again altering the document by Geeta Press:

The verse clearly says ‘आजैश्चापि’ which means ‘with mutton’ and ‘वाराहैश्च’ which means ‘Pork’, but Geeta Press made it ‘वराही कन्द’.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-18 at 10.03.16 PM.jpeg

.

12. Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter: 96, Verse: 1-2

Rama gratifies his wife Seeta by saying:

.

तां तथा दर्शयित्वा तु मैथिलीं गिरिनिम्नगाम्।

निषसाद गिरिप्रस्थे सीतां मांसेन छन्दयन्।।2.96.1।।

इदं मेध्यमिदं स्वादु निष्टप्तमिदमग्निना।

एवमास्ते स धर्मात्मा सीतया सह राघवः।।2.96.2।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“मैथिलीम् princess of Mithila, तां सीताम् to Sita, तथा in that way, गिरिनिम्नगाम् mountain-river, दर्शयित्वा having shown, मांसेन with meat, छन्दयन् gratifying, गिरिप्रस्थे on the mountain-slope, निषसाद sat.”

“धर्मात्मा righteous, स राघवः that Rama, इदम् this, मेध्यम् sacred meat, इदम् this, स्वादु is savoury, इदम् this one, अग्निना with fire, निष्टप्तम् roasted, एवम् uttering this way, सीतया सह in the company of Sita, आस्ते was seated.”

[Rama showed Sita, the princess of Mithila the river Mandakini flowing in the mountain, gratified her by offering meat (to eat) and sat on the mountain slope.]

[Offering Sita several kinds of preparations to eat, righteous Rama, seated in her company remarked, this meat is savoury, this meat roasted on fire is sacred.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=2&language=dv&field_sarga_value=96

.

(2) Word by word translation by K. M. K. Murthy:

“tathaa = thus; darshayitvaa = having shown; girinimnagaam = the mountainous river Mandakini; taam siitaam = to that Seetha; maithiliim = the daughter of the king of Mithila; niSasaada = sat; giriprashthe = on the hill side; chhandayan = in order to gratify her appetite; maamsena = with flesh.”

“saH raaghavaH = that Rama; dharmaatmaa = of righteousness; aaste = stayed; siitayaa sha = with Seetha; evam = thus speaking; idam = this meat; madhyam = is fresh; idam = this; niSTaptam = was roasted; agninaa = in the fire.”

[Having shown Mandakini River in that manner to Seetha, the daughter of Mithila, Rama set on the hill-side in order to gratify her appetite with a piece of flesh.]

[Rama, whose mind was devoted to righteousness stayed there with Seetha, saying; “This meat is fresh, this is savoury and roasted in the fire.”]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga96/ayodhya_96_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“Having showed unto Mithila’s daughter the river belonging to the mountain, Rama sat down on its table-land and, gratifying Sita with meat, said unto her, “This clean meat tastes sweet, having been roasted in fire.

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 444, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-03 at 2.03.37 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“Having shown Sita the beauties of the river Mandakini, Rama and Sita seated themselves on a rock. Feasting Videhi with venison, Shri Rama, in order to please her, spoke in this wise: “This meat is pure and is rendered delicious by being roasted in the fire.”

[Vol. 1, Pg. No. 362, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-03 at 2.08.45 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“इस प्रकार श्रीरामचंद्र जी सीता को मंदाकिनी नदी की शोभा दिखाकर, पर्वत की एक शिला पर बैठ गए, और मांस का स्वाद बतला सीता को प्रसन्न करने लगे. श्रीरामचंद्र जी ने सीता से कहा: “देखो, यह मांस पवित्र है, और अग्नि में भूजने से यह स्वादिष्ठ हो गया है.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-03 at 2.16.06 PM.jpeg

.

(6) My claim is testified by Govindrajiya Vyakhya, it clarifies the verses:

.

“गिरिनिम्नगां गिरिनदीम्। मांसेन छन्दयन् वशीकुर्वन्। ’वशाभिप्राययोश्छन्’ इति वैजयन्ती। वशीकरणप्रकारमाह इदमित्यादिना। इदं मांसं मेध्यं शुद्धं निर्मलमिति यावत्। स्वादु रसवत्। निष्टप्तं प्रतप्तम्। इदं शब्देन स्वभुक्तशेषमिति गम्यते। एवमास्ते एवं ब्रुवन्नास्त इत्यन्वयः।”

“The word ‘girinimnaga’ refers to Mandakini River that Rama is showing Seeta. The word ‘chandayan’ indicates that Rama was trying to attract Seeta. The mode for such attraction is shown in the second sloka starting with ‘idam medhyam’. The word ‘idam’ refers to meat. ‘medhyam‘ means purified. ‘Svadu’ means delicious. ‘Nishtaptam’ means ‘cooked well’. The usage of ‘idam’ (meaning ‘this’) indicates that it is the leftover of Rama’s food.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-21 at 12.45.05 PM.jpeg

The underlined parts here clearly indicate that Rama ate meat and offered the same good food to Seeta in order to get her attention.

.

(7) Sanskrit text is abused again by Geeta Press:

The verse 1 again says as said before ‘मांसेन (meat)’, and verse 2 ‘मेध्यमिदं (sacred meat)’, but Geeta Press is addicted to fabrication.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-19 at 10.52.47 AM.jpeg

.

13. Aranya Kanda, Chapter: 47, Verse: 23

Ravan comes to Seeta to woo her and disguises himself as Brahmin, and asks Seeta about her. She replies and tells about Rama:

.

आगमिष्यति मे भर्ता वन्यमादाय पुष्कलम्।

रुरून्गोधा न्वराहांश्च हत्वाऽदायाऽमिषान्बहून्।।3.47.23।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“मे भर्ता my husband, रुरून् deer, गोधाः alligators, वराहांश्च boars, हत्वा after killing, बहून् many of them, आमिषान् varieties of meat, आदाय would fetch, पुष्कलम् in plenty, वन्यम् from the forest, आदाय getting, आगमिष्यति will come.”

[My husband will return with plenty of meat of many kinds from the forest, killing deer, alligators and wild boars.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=3&language=dv&field_sarga_value=47

.

(2) Word by word translation by Desiraju Hanumanta Rao:

“me bhartaa = my, husband; ruruun = stag with black stripes; godhaan = mongooses like [civet-like mammals of the family Viverridae, esp. of the genus Herpestes, Marathi manguus]; varaahaan ca = wild-boars, also; hatvaa = on killing; bahu amiSaan aadaaya = aplenty, meat, on taking; puSkalam vanyam aadaaya = plentiful, forest produce, on taking; aagamiSyati = will be coming [soon.]”

[And soon my husband will be coming on taking plentiful forest produce, and on killing stags, mongooses, wild boars he fetches meat, aplenty.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/aranya/sarga47/aranya_47_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“Instantly shall my husband return with good many wild fruits and roots and with sufficient meat after killing many a deer, hog and Gosamp.

[Vol. 3, Pg. No. 616, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 8.29.38 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“My lord will soon return with an abundance of roots and fruit and sufficient venison, having slain deer, kine and boar.

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 99, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 8.35.35 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“मेरे पति अनेक वन्य पदार्थों को लेकर आते होंगे. रुरु, गोह और वनैले शूकर को मार, वे बहुत सा मांस लावेंगे.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 8.44.45 PM.jpeg

.

(6) Respected readers! You can see the same interpolation here by Geeta Press:

The verse is clearly mentioning three animals’ meat by name: ‘रुरून (deer)’, ‘गोधान् (alligators)’, ‘वराहांश्च (hogs)’, and further says ‘आमिषं (varieties of meat)’. But Geeta Press committed same literal fraud here.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-19 at 1.38.17 PM.jpeg

.

14. Aranya Kanda, Chapter: 44, Verse: 27

After killing Maareecha, Rama returns to hermitage:

.

निहत्य पृषतं चान्यं मांसमादाय राघवः।

त्वरमाणो जनस्थानं ससाराभिमुखस्तदा।।3.44.27।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“तदा then, राघवः Rama, अन्यम् another, पृषतम् deer, निहत्य having killed, मांसम् venison, आदाय collected, त्वरमाणः quickly, जनस्थानम् Janasthanam, अभिमुखः towards, ससार departed.”

[Then Rama killed another deer, collected the venison and hastened to Janasthana.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=3&language=dv&field_sarga_value=44

.

(2) Word by word translation by Desiraju Hanumanta Rao:

“tadaa = then; raaghavaH = Raghava; anyam = another one; pR^iSatam nihatya ca = spotted deer, on killing, also; maamsam aadaaya = its flesh, on taking; tvaramaaNaH = hurrying himself; janasthaanam abhimukhaH sasaara = to Janasthaana, towards, he drifted, proceeded.”

[Raghava then on killing another spotted deer and on taking its flesh, he hurried himself towards Janasthaana.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/aranya/sarga44/aranya_44_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“Thereupon killing a deer and taking its flesh he hastened towards Janasthana.”

[Vol. 3, Pg. No. 608, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 8.57.45 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“That dappled fawn being slain, Rama speedily killed and seized the carcass of another deer and hastened towards the hermitage.”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 92, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 9.03.23 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“तदनंतर (श्रीरामचंद्र जी) एक और मृग को मार, और उसका मांस ले, शीघ्रतापूर्वक जनस्थान की ओर प्रस्थानित हुए.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 9.07.53 PM.jpeg

(6) Geeta Press repeated literal fraud here again:

The verse clearly quotes ‘मांसम् (venison)’ and ‘आदाय (collected)’. But it’s replaced with ‘फल-मूल आदि (fruits etc)’.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-19 at 1.49.26 PM.jpeg

.

15. Aranya Kanda, Chapter: 43, Verse: 19-20

Seeing the deer, Seeta asks Rama to fetch it if captured alive or its skin if killed:

.

जीवन्न यदि तेऽभ्येति ग्रहणं मृगसत्तमः।

अजिनं नरशार्दूल रुचिरं मे भविष्यति।।

निहतस्यास्य सत्त्वस्य जाम्बूनदमयत्वचि

शष्पबृस्यां विनीतायामिच्छाम्यहमुपासितुम्।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur (it shows at no. 18-19):

“नरशार्दूल O tiger among men, मृगसत्तमः great deer, जीवन् with life, ते to you, ग्रहणम् catch, न not, अभ्येति यदि can be caught, मे for me, रुचिरम् this beautiful, अजिनम् skin, भविष्यति will be.”

“शष्पबृस्यां on a cushion of tender grass, विनीतायाम् it spread, निहतस्य if killed, अस्य सत्त्वस्य this animal’s, जाम्बूनदमयत्वचि its golden skin, अहम् I, उपासितुम् to sit, इच्छामि desire.”

[O best among men, if this great deer cannot be captured alive, I will wear its beautiful skin.]

[If this animal is killed and its golden skin is spread on a tender grass cushion, there will I like to sit.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=3&language=dv&field_sarga_value=43

.

(2) Word by word translation by Desiraju Hanumanta Rao:

“nara shaarduula = oh, tigerly-man; mR^iga sattamaH = deer, the best; jiivan = while living; te grahaNam na abhyeti yadi = into your, capture, no, comes into, else if; ruciram ajinam tu bhaviSyati = beautiful, deerskin, on its part, will be there – will be remnant with us.”

“shaSpa bR^isyaam = tender darbha grass-blades, on seat of; viniitaayaam = overlaid; nihatasya asya sattvasya = killed, that, being’s – of that killed deer; jaambuunadamaya tvaci = in golden, skin – on the deerskin; upa aasitum = nearby [along with you,] to sit; aham icChaami = I, wish to.”

[Else if that best deer does not come into you capture while alive, oh tigerly-man, at the least its gorgeous deerskin will be remnant of it.]

[I wish to sit along with you on its golden deerskin, overlaying it on a seat of tender darbha grass-blades, in case the deer is felled.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/aranya/sarga43/aranya_43_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“O best of men, if canst thou not get hold of it alive its skin shall also look very beautiful (to us). Spreading on Kuça the skin of this golden deer when killed do I wish to invoke the Almighty.”

[Vol. 3, Pg. No. 604, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 9.29.56 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“If thou art not able to capture this wonderful fawn alive, its skin will be most precious, O Lion among Men. I shall delight to sit on its golden hide, strewn with kusha grass.”

[Vol. 2, Pg. No. 89, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 9.32.58 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma (it shows on no. 18-19):

“यदि यह मृगोत्तम जीता न भी पकड़ मिले, तो हे पुरुषसिंह! इसका चाम भी मुझे बहुत पसंद आवेगा. यदि यह मारा ही गया तो भी इसकी सुनहली चाम को चटाई पर बिछाकर, मैं बैठना पसंद करूंगी.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-04 at 9.38.47 PM.jpeg

.

16. Kishkindha Kanda, Chapter: 17, Verses: 39

Rama’s arrow hits Vali on chest and Vali fallen down. But Vali is not dead yet. When Rama and Lakshmana approach dying Vali, he questions the propriety of Rama in killing him:

.

पञ्च पञ्च नखा भक्ष्या ब्रह्मक्षत्रेण राघव।

शल्यक श्श्वाविधो गोधा शशः कूर्मश्च पञ्चमः।।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur (it shows on no. 38):

“राघव Rama, ब्रह्मक्षत्रेण by brahmin and kshatriya, शल्यकः porcupine, श्वाविधः the hedgehog, गोधा the alligator, शशः the rabbit, कूर्मश्च the turtle, पञ्चमः the five, पञ्चनखाः five nailed creatures, भक्ष्याः are permitted to be eaten”

[O Rama brahmins and kshatriyas are permitted to eat only the five nailed animals the porcupine, the hedgehog, the alligator, the rabbit and the tortoise.]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=4&language=dv&field_sarga_value=17

.

(2) Word by word translation by Desiraju Hanumanta Rao:

“raaghava = oh, Raghava; brahma kSatreNa = by Brahmans, Kshatriya-s; shalyakaH = a wild-rodent with defensive quills; shvaavidhaH = a kind of boar that kills dogs, wolves etc; godhaa = a lizard with unimaginable grip; shashaH = hare; pancamaH kuurmaH ca = fifthly, tortoise, also; panca = five [kinds of]; panca nakhaa = five nailed animals; bhakSyaa = are edible.”

[Raghava, five kinds of five-nailed animals, viz., a kind of wild rodent, a kind of wild-boar, a kind of lizard, a hare and fifthly the turtle are edible for Brahmans and Kshatriya-s.]

Source: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga17/kishkindha_17_frame.htm

.

(3) Translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt:

“A hedge-hog a porcupine, an iguana, a hare and a tortoise — these five animals only, having five toes, are worthy of being eaten by the Kshatriyas and Brahmins, O Raghava.”

[Vol. 4, Pg. No. 739, Published by Girish Chandra Chakraborty Deva Press, Calcutta (1891)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-09 at 8.55.26 PM.jpeg

.

(4) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“There are five kinds of animals possessing five nails on each paw that may be enjoyed by the brahmin and the warrior, O Rama. They are the porcupine, the hedgehog, the deer, the hare and the tortoise.”

[Vol. 4, Pg. No. 209, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-09 at 9.04.51 PM.jpeg

.

(5) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma (it shows on no. 37-38):

“क्यूंकि हे राघव! पांच नख वाले पांच जंतु तथा श्वाविध, सेई, गोह, खरगोश और कछुआ ब्राह्मण और क्षत्रियों के खाने योग्य है.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-09 at 9.23.34 PM.jpeg

.

The same Hindu scholar Dwaraka Prasad Sharma annotated below these verses:

“श्लोक 37 में ‘ब्रह्मक्षत्रेण’ देख मानना पड़ेगा कि रामायण काल में मांसभक्षण की प्रथा ब्राह्मणों और क्षत्रियों में समान रूप से वर्तमान थी.”

“Having noticed ‘BrahmaKshatrena’ in verse 37, it has to be confessed that during Ramayan Period the practice of meat eating was equally present among Brahmans & Kshatriyas.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-09 at 9.35.35 PM.jpeg

.

Abovementioned comment by Hindu scholar reveals the secret about meat eating by Brahmins & Kshatriyas in Ramayana period, and don’t forget Rama was Kshatriya. Further, Geeta Press (Gorakhpur) admitted one more hidden truth by translating ‘ब्रह्मक्षत्रेण’ as ‘त्रैवर्णिक’. Now first we will see what the word ‘त्रैवर्णिक’ means:

1. Amar Manak Vishal Hindi Shabdkosh says:

त्रैवर्णिक पु. (सं.) ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय और वैश्य — इन तीनों वर्णों का धर्म।

[Amar Manak Vishal Hindi Shabdkosh, compiled by Krishna Kanta Dikshit & Suryanarayana Upadhyay, Pg. No. 419, Published by Kamal Prakashan (New delhi)]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-09 at 11.37.54 AM.jpeg

.

2. Apte’s Sanskrit-English dictionary says:

त्रैवर्णिक a. (-की f.) Relating to the first three castes.

Source: http://sanskritdictionary.com/traivargika/16432/4

.

3. Apte’s Sanskrit-Hindi lexicon says:

त्रैवर्णिक (वि.) (स्त्री. — की) [त्रिवर्ण + ठञ्] पहले तीन वर्णों से सम्बंध रखने वाला.

[Pg. No. 483, Published by Shree Prakashan (New Delhi), New edition]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-09 at 12.39.34 PM.jpeg

.

.

Now have a look!

Hindu Scholar Dwaraka Prasad Sharma mentioned only Brahmins & Kshatriyas, but Geeta Press (Gorakhpur) is telling us that also among Vaishyas, meat eating was common as well as in Brahmins & Kshatriyas. Because, Geeta Press Translation is informing about the first three castes. And every child, who is aware of Hindu ‘CASTE SYSTEM’, will tell you: “These first three castes are Brahmin, Kshatriya & Vaishya.”

Note: These abovementioned 16 verses are quoted from the kandas which are unanimously authentic according to Hindus. Now let me quote from two disputed kandas:

.

17. Uttar Kanda, Chapter: 42, Verse: 19

Rama entered the Ashoka along with Seeta. What happens there, see:

.

मांसानि च सुमृष्टानि फलानि विविधानि च।

रामास्याभ्यवहारार्थं किंकरास्तूर्तमाहरन्।।

.

(1) Translation by Hari Prasad Shastri:

“Taking Sita by the hand, Kakutstha gave her delicious wine made of distilled honey to drink, as formerly Purandara had offered to Sachi. Thereafter pure viands and fruits of every kind were brought by servants…!”

[Vol. 3, Pg. No. 519, Printed by Burleigh Press, Bristol]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-11 at 1.01.08 PM.jpeg

.

Be careful!

The Sanskrit text mentions ‘मांसानि’ very clearly which means meat. But the translator is trying to conceal the truth by translating this apparent word by an ambiguous word ‘viands’. But, let me make this ambiguous word unambiguous:

1. The word ‘Viand’ is French, means meat, flesh, meat food, flesh food —

Source: https://m.interglot.com/fr/en/viande

.

2. See what’s Merriam Webster says:

“‘Viand’ entered English in the 15th century from Anglo-French (viand means ‘meat’ even in modern French)…!”

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viand

But now a days, this word is commonly used in English for several items of food or its stock also, which is generic for veg. and non-veg. So, the translator is indirectly accepting the truth about ‘मांसानि’.

(2) Hindi Translation by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma:

“वहाँ पर अच्छे सुस्वादु मांस, और विविध प्रकार के फल, श्रीरामचंद्र के व्यवहारार्थ टहलुओं ने तुरंत लाकर रख दिए.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-11 at 1.39.17 PM.jpeg

.

(3) Geeta Press misled again:

It’s a distortion also, but truth revealing. The verse says ‘मांसानि (meat)’ but Geeta Press replaced it with ‘राजोचित भोग्य पदार्थ (food befitting to King)’. Geeta Press is indirectly informing us that the meat is the food befitting to the kings. And we must remember Rama was a Kshatriya king.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-19 at 1.59.58 PM.jpeg

.

18. Balkanda, Chapter: 18, Verse: 31

Killing animals in the name of hunting from early age by Rama and his brother:

.

यदा हि हयमारूढो मृगयां याति राघव:।।

तदैनं पृष्ठतोऽन्वेति सधनु: परिपालयन्।

.

(1) Word by word translation by IIT Kanpur:

“राघव: Raghava, हयम् horseback, आरूढ: mounting on, यदा whenever, मृगयाम् for hunting, याति goes, तदा then, स: Lakshmana, धनु: परिपालयन् holding bow in his hand, एनम् him (Rama), पृष्ठत: behind, अन्वेति followed.”

[Whenever Raghava (Rama) went hunting into the forest, riding the horse, Lakshmana used to follow him holding bow and arrows (in his hand).]

Source: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=18

.

(2) Hindi Translation by Geeta Press:

“जब श्रीरामचंद्रजी घोड़े पर चढ़कर शिकार खेलने के लिए जाते, उस समय लक्ष्मण धनुष लेकर उनके शरीर की रक्षा करते हुए पीछे पीछे जाते थे.”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-11 at 8.58.40 PM.jpeg

.

There must remain no confusion in the readers’ mind after understanding all these irrefutable testimonies that the Ramayana Period legalizes meat eating; and also sacrificing the animals is noted as an investment for greater welfare. Now, let me turn the table to the obliteration of modern Hindu Polemics who are wasting their time in actions against documented facts.

.

Refuting Hindu Polemics concerning the word ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’

Hindu Argument (seen several times on Hindu sites and blogs):

The word ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’ doesn’t mean ‘flesh’ or ‘meat’ in these verses, because this word also means ‘गूदा (pulp of fruit)’. That’s why scholars explain it as ‘flesh of the fruit’. The same meaning is mentioned by Apte’s Sanskrit-Hindi lexicon.

.

My Response:

Firstly, we must understand that a single word can have several meanings. Exponents in the language can apply any meaning anywhere. However, only cognizant linguists are capable of understanding the context and applying the suitable meaning everywhere. Let me give a very simple and straight forward logic to dismiss the argument:

They say ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’ means ‘pulp of a fruit’. But wait, the original text says this very explicitly: ‘ऐणेयं मांसम् आहृत्य’, meaning: ‘bringing the meat of an antelope’. In response, Lakshmana kills a ‘कृष्णमृगं (black antelope)’. So, now the Hindu polemics must explain which fruit is called ‘कृष्णमृगं (krishnamrigam)’ and ‘ऐणेयं (ayneyam)’ for the ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’ to mean ‘its pulp’?

Please note that both occurrences are in the same context. One may see 56th chapter of Ayodhya kanda for the complete text and context.

Secondly, the opponent referred to Apte’s lexicon to show what is compatible with his claim and to neglect what is incompatible to his claim. In actual, Apte’s Sanskrit-Hindi lexicon mentioned three means of ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’:

1. मांस, गोश्त (meat, flesh); 2. मछली का मांस (flesh of fish); 3. फल का गूदा (pulp of fruit).

[Pg. No. 847, Published by Shree Prakashan (New Delhi), New edition]

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-21 at 2.02.00 PM.jpeg

I agree with the opponent that ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’ also means pulp, but rarely, not often. And it also with no doubt means flesh. And which mean, more accurate at the place, is always decided by the context. And the word ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’ in the verses which I quoted can never mean ‘pulp’, as per context. But some modern frauds want to take ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’ everywhere in the mean of pulp to conceal the truth.

.

Thirdly, On the contrary, the words ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’, ‘मांसानि (mānsāni)’ and ‘मांस (māns)’ are mentioned in the mean of ‘meat’ or ‘flesh’ at several places in Valmiki Ramayan. Some are:

Kishkindha Kanda, 17:38; 17:40; 18:39;

Yuddha Kanda, 60:23; 60:33; 60:63; 67:37;

Sundar Kanda, 36:41; 38:15-16;

Now the opponent should tell me the suitable mean of ‘मांसम् (mānsam)’, ‘मांसानि (mānsāni)’ and ‘मांस (māns)’ in these ten verses? If it means ‘pulp’ then the opponent should meet a psychiatrist nearby; if not, then why? If ‘why’ is solved by the context, the same answer is from me regarding the verses abovementioned.

.

Hindu Argument (as seen in Geeta Press version & other Hindu sources):

In these verses ‘मांसम्’ means ‘फल-मूल (Fruits & roots etc)’, not ‘meat’.

.

My response:

The translator or exponent must learn the rules of ‘Literal’ and ‘Non-literal’ language first. ‘Non-literal’ is also called ‘Figurative’ or ‘Metaphorical’ sometimes. We need not take metaphorical meaning, when literal meaning is possible. Metaphorical mean can’t be accepted until the possibility of taking literal meaning ends. If we do so, it will be called ‘fabrication’ or turning the words from their real senses. In sanskrit ‘फल-मूल’ is literally used as ‘मूलफलं’ or ‘फलमूलं’, and this word is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan several times as:

.

In Ayodhya Kanda, 54:16

पित्रा नियुक्ता भगवन् प्रवेक्ष्यामस्तपोवनम्।

धर्ममेव चरिष्याम स्तत्र मूलफलाशनाः।।

.

Further in Ayodhya Kanda, 56:13-14

तन्तु पर्वतमासाद्य नानापक्षिगणायुतम्।

बहुमूलफलं रम्यं सम्पन्नं सरसोदकम्।।

.

मनोज्ञोऽयं गिरिस्सौम्य नानाद्रुमलतायुतः।

बहुमूलफलो रम्य स्स्वाजीवः प्रतिभाति मे।।

.

Also in Kishkindha Kanda, 17:25 (in some versions 24)

फलमूलाशनं नित्यं वानरं वनगोचरम्।

मामिहाप्रतियुध्यन्तमन्येन च समागतम्।।

.

Again in the same chapter of Kishkindha Kanda, verse: 30 (on no. 29 in some versions)

वयं वनचरा राम मृगा मूलफलाशना:।

एषा प्रकृतिरस्माकं पुरुषस्त्वं नरेश्वरः।।

.

Also in Ayodhya Kanda 34:59, literal words are mentioned for ‘फल-मूल’, see:

फलानि मूलानि च भक्षयन्वने

गिरींश्च पश्यन् सरितस्सरांसि च।

.

One more in Ayodhya Kanda 20:29

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने।

कन्दमूलफलैर्जीवन्हित्वा मुनिवदामिषम्।।

[In some versions, it’s ‘मधुमूलफलैर्जीवन्हित्वा’ instead of ‘कन्दमूलफलैर्जीवन्हित्वा’.]

.

Furthermore in Ayodhya Kanda 27:16 (on no. 15 in some versions)

फलमूलाशना नित्यं भविष्यामि न संशयः।

न ते दुःखं करिष्यामि निवसन्ती सह त्वया।।

.

Now, when Sanskrit has several unequivocal words ‘फलमूलं’, ‘मूलफलं’, ‘कन्दमूलफल’ or ‘फलानि मूलानि’ for ‘फल-मूल (fruits & roots etc)’, what caused the writer to take metaphorical word ‘मांसम् (meat)’ for ‘फल-मूल (fruits)’, which is literal for ‘meat’?

It’s nothing except the literal fraud by modern Hindu translators and exponents. Geeta Press’s choice of word prima facie appears to ‘be ill-motivated and purposefully made’.

.

Hindu Argument (as posed by several Hindus including Arya Samajis):

How could Rama have meat in forest while he pledged:

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने।

मधुमूलफलैर्जीवन्हित्वा मुनिवदामिषम्।।2.20.29।।

“Abstaining from eating meat like hermits and living on honey, fruits and roots, I am to live in the solitary forest for fourteen years.”

.

फलानि मूलानि च भक्षयन्वने

गिरींश्च पश्यन् सरितस्सरांसि च।

वनं प्रविश्यैव विचित्रपादपम्

सुखी भविष्यामि तवास्तु निर्वृतिः।।2.34.59।।

“Entering the forest full of various kinds of trees I shall be happy to view the mountains, rivers and the lakes and to eat fruits and roots. (Hence) do not grieve.”

.

पित्रा नियुक्ता भगवन् प्रवेक्ष्यामस्तपोवनम्।

धर्ममेव चरिष्याम स्तत्र मूलफलाशनाः।।2.54.16।।

“O venerable one on my father’s command we entered the desolate forest of penance. Subsisting on roots and fruits, I shall practice the righteous way of life.”

.

Here, the condition of exile and Rama’s pledge not to have meat. And ‘रामो द्विर्नाभिभाषते’, Rama hadn’t double standard in his talk.

Also Kaikeyi’s instruction: “रामो भवतु तापसः (Rama shall live like an ascetic.)” as mentioned in Ayodhya Kanda, 11:27.

So, Rama had to live in the forest like ‘Tapaswi (ascetic)’. How can he consume meat, while ascetics wouldn’t do so!?

.

My Response:

Firstly, coming to the statement of Kaikeyi, nothing proves in it that Rama being ‘Tapaswi (ascetic)’ can’t have meat. Rather, Rama was to follow only an ‘ekadesham (a part)’ of Tapashwi’s lifestyle. For all that we know, he carried his bow and sword along with him in the forest. Even Agastya Muni presents him with several weapons. But Tapashwis never carry weapons with them to the forest. Yet, we acknowledge that Rama was living like a Tapashwi. Similar is the case here.

Secondly, Ayodhya Kanda, 34:59 and 54:16 don’t mention that Rama won’t eat meat in the forest rather it proves taking fruits & roots. Proof of having fruits doesn’t necessitate the denial of having meat.

Thirdly, as far as Ayodhya Kanda 20:29 is concerned, just to quote Govindarajiya commentary for this verse. The commentary says:

“अत्र आमिषशब्देन सूदैस्संस्कृतं मांसमुच्यते। केवलमांसस्वीकारस्योत्तरत्र वक्ष्यमाणत्वात् इदं मेध्यमिदं स्वादु निष्टप्तमिदमग्निनेति।”

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-25 at 8.01.29 PM.jpeg

Here, it clearly says ‘Aamishah (आमिषः)’ is used to mean ‘meat used in a gravy’. He limits this meaning as it should not contradict with the ‘idam medhyam (इदं मेध्यम्, as in 2:96:2)’ sloka where Rama eats and offers plain meat to Seeta.

Fourthly, Some Hindus may say: “In this verse ‘Aamish (आमिष)’ doesn’t mean ‘meat’, but ‘Good or favourite things as sweets etc’.” The same interpretation is given by Swami Jagdishwaranand Saraswati in one of his articles. This interpretation is ill. Because I said before when a literal or unambiguous meaning is possible, ambiguous can’t be accepted. Further, ‘Aamish (आमिष)’ is one of six names for ‘meat’ given by Great Sanskrit Lexicon ‘Amarkosha (अमरकोश)’, it is the popular name for ‘Nāmaliṅgānuśāsanam (नामलिङ्गानुशासनम्)’. See:

(1) ‘Kosha or Dictionary of the Sanskrit Language’, English interpretation and annotations by H. T. Colerbrooke, Book II, Page no. 154, third edition, Calcutta, 1891 CE.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-26 at 7.06.03 PM.jpeg

.

(2) Hindi edition of the same lexicon ‘The Amar-kosha of Shri Amara Sinha, Hindi translation know as ‘Dhara (धारा)’ by Shri Manna Lal Abhimanyu’, Book 2nd, Page no. 137, Benares City, 1937 CE.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-26 at 7.27.18 PM.jpeg

.

(3) Another English edition of the same Lexicon by Dr. N. G. Sardesai & D. G. Padhye, Book no. 2, Page no. 57, Poona, 1940 CE.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-26 at 7.35.13 PM.jpeg

.

Fifthly, the secret behind mistranslation is unveiled now. Geeta Press & alike are mistranslating these verses to conceal the truth that Rama was contradicting himself by his words & acts. In some verses Rama says: “I won’t have meat”, but in others he is seen having meat. It proves Rama wasn’t fulfilling the promise he did in the palace. To conceal this mystery, Hindus are doing distortion in texts and to defend their Rama from character assassination. On the contrary, Valmiki Ramayana itself is assassinating his character not to be loyal in his pledge. This problem led Hindus to the way of forgery and they are doing intentionally mistranslating. And this isn’t slander or accusation from us, but it has been admitted by Geeta Press itself. See the footnotes by the press below Ayodhya Kanda, 56:22-28

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-25 at 8.31.20 PM.jpeg

.

Hindu Argument (a preferred one by Hindus):

When Hamuman meets Seeta at Lanka, he describes the personality of Rama to make her believe that he is the messenger of Rama. During the conversation, Seeta asks the routine activities of Rama while they were separated. In reply to this question, Hanuman describes Rama’s routine. In that conversation, he says in Sundarkanda 36:41

“न मांसं राघवो भुङ्क्ते न चापि मधु सेवते।

वन्यं सुविहितं नित्यं भक्तमश्नाति पञ्चमम्।।”

“Rama is not eating meat, nor drinking wine. He takes only the one fifth of a meal (sanctioned for an ascetic) available in the forest.”

.

My Response:

I quote from Govindarajiya Vyakhya (popularly called by the other name ‘Bhushanam’) for this verse alone, as this is more than enough to substantiate my point:

“न मांसमिति॥ दृङ्मनस्सङ्गसङ्कल्पजागरः कृशतारतिः। ह्री त्यागोन्मादमूर्छान्ता इत्यनङ्गदशादशेति। दशावस्थास्वरतिरनेनोच्यते। मांसाद्यभोजनम् अरत्या। ततः पूर्वं तद्भोजनोक्तः।”

“There are ten states of mind that describe the mood of a lone lover who is separated from his/her spouse. Of these ten states, ‘arati’ or ‘disinterest’ is one. The restraint from eating meat and drinking liquor is out of ‘arati’ or ‘disinterest’ (since Rama has lost his spouse). That indicates his partaking of meat and liquor earlier.

WhatsApp Image 2020-11-26 at 6.25.42 PM.jpeg

.

From this detailed analysis, a just can conclude that there is no prevention of consuming meat in Hindus. Their ‘Maryada-Purushottam’ also took it in his life. In refutation of this analysis, the only expected answers from Hindus may be two. They will say: “These verses are interpolated”, or “Muslims do misinterpret our scriptures to prove their claims”. But, one can see above I did say nothing from my own. But I quoted their own scholars and books at every step. And that should be sufficient for righteous, but obstinacy has no cure. After all, what can be said except Qur’ān 7:179 —

“…they have hearts in which there is no understanding; and the eyes they do not see with; and the ears they do not hear with…!”

[Tr. Kanz-ul-Imān]

.

The post Meat Consumption and Animal Sacrifice in Valmiki Ramayana appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2020/11/28/meat-consumption-animal-sacrifice-valmiki-ramayana/feed/ 0
Contradictions in the Vedas https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2019/11/19/contradictions-in-the-vedas/ Tue, 19 Nov 2019 10:39:32 +0000 http://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2019/11/19/contradictions-in-the-vedas/ Written by Sulaiman Razvi Do mention the blog address and name of writer when you copy this article This article deals with contradictions in Vedas more particularly the Rig Veda. Contradictions in religious scriptures prove that either it is not a word of God because a god cannot make mistakes, or it is that the […]

The post Contradictions in the Vedas appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>

Written by Sulaiman Razvi

Do mention the blog address and name of writer when you copy this article

This article deals with contradictions in Vedas more particularly the Rig Veda. Contradictions in religious scriptures prove that either it is not a word of God because a god cannot make mistakes, or it is that the scripture underwent interpolations over time resulting in conflicting views within the scripture. Books like The Oriental Studies by John Muir and Vedic Mythology by Arthur Anthony Macdonell were very helpful on this topic, I have taken some points from my previous articles as well. Due to time constraints, I couldn’t write more, if God wills then I will add more contradictions in this article. And I request you to please mention the blog link when you copy this article, appreciate the hard work of writers by crediting the writer.

  • WHAT DID THE ASHWINS DRAW FROM HOOF OF THE HORSE?

100 Jars of Sura (wine)

Rig Veda 1.116.7 “O Heroes, ye gave wisdom to Kakṣīvān who sprang from Pajra’s line, who sang your praises. Ye poured forth from the hoof of your strong charger a hundred jars of wine as from a strainer.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

100 Jars of Madhu (honey)

Rig Veda 1.117.6 “Kakṣīvān, Pajra’s son, must laud that exploit of yours, Nāsatyas, Heroes, ye who wander! When from the hoof of your strong horse ye showered a hundred jars of honey for the people.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Madhu sometime also denotes wine but that’s probably not applicable here. If it meant sweet wine then the word Sura should have also been used here which is not the case. It clearly says that Ashwins (Nasatyas) drew 100 jars of Madhu (Honey).

 

  • WHO RAISED UP THE CLOUD AND SHOWERED IT FOR RISHI GAUTAMA?


Maruts

Rig Veda 1.85.10-11 “They with their vigorous strength pushed the well up on high, and clove the cloud in twain though it was passing strong. The Maruts, bounteous Givers, sending forth their voice, in the wild joy of Soma wrought their glorious deeds. They drave the cloud transverse directed hitherward, and poured the fountain forth for thirsting Gotama…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Nasatyas/Ashwins

Rig Veda 1.116.9 “Ye lifted up the well, O ye Nasatyas, and set the base on high to open downward. Streams flowed for folk of Gotama who thirsted, like rain to bring forth thousandfold abundance.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO HEALED BLIND & CRIPPLED RISHI PARAVRIK/PARAVRIJ?


Ashwins

Rig Veda 1.112.8 “Mighty Ones, with what powers ye gave Parāvṛj aid what time ye made the blind and lame to see and walk…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra

Rig Veda 2.15.7 “Conscious of the disappearance of the damsels, the (Rishi) Parivrij, becoming manifest, stood up; the lame man overtook (them), the blind man beheld (them): in the exhilaration of the Soma, Indra has done these (deeds).” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Griffith’s translation is not clear hence I quoted Wilson’s translation here but Ralph T.H. Griffith writes in the footnotes of this verse, “Paravrij, here rendered ‘the outcast,’ is taken by Sayana as the name of a Rishi who was lame and blind. When some girls made sport of him he prayed to Indra and was made sound.”

Soma

Rig Veda 10.25.11 “This to the sage who offers gifts brings power that comes from wealth in kine.

This, better than the seven, hath-at your glad carouse-furthered the blind, the cripple. Thou art waxing great.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO BESTOWED IMMORTALITY ON GODS/HOW DID THE GODS ATTAIN IMMORTALITY?


Rohita

Atharva Veda 13.1.7 “Rohita made firm heaven and earth, by him the (heavenly) light was established, by him the firmament. By him the atmosphere and the spaces were measured out, through him the gods obtained immortality.” Tr. Maurice Bloomfield

Savitar

Rig Veda 4.54.2; Yajur Veda 33.54 “For thou at first producest for the holy Gods the noblest of all portions, immortality: Thereafter as a gift to men, O Savitar, thou openest existence, life succeeding life.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Agni

Rig Veda 6.7.4 “To thee, Immortal! when to life thou springest, all the Gods sing for joy as to their infant. They by thy mental powers were made immortal, Vaiśvānara, when thou shonest from thy Parents.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Atharva Veda 4.23.6 “Through whom the Gods discovered life eternal…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Yajur Veda 32.10 “He is our kin, our Father and Begetter: he knows all beings and all Ordinances, In whom the Gods obtaining life eternal have risen upward to the third high station.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

By drinking Soma

Rig Veda 9.106.8 “Thy drops that swim in water have exalted Indra to delight: The Gods have drunk thee up for immortality.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Kushtha plant regarded as immortal

Atharva Veda 6.95.2 “There moved through heaven a golden ship, a ship with cordage wrought of gold. There Gods obtained the Kushtha plant, the flower of immortality.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • SUN TRAVELS BY MARES OR HORSES?

Mares

Rig Veda 1.50.9 “The Sun has yoked the seven mares that safely draw his chariot…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Horses

Rig Veda 5.45.9 “Borne by his Coursers Seven may Sūrya visit the field that spreadeth wide for his long journey…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO FIRST GAVE SOMA TO INDRA?


Aditi & Kashyapa

Rig Veda 3.48.2 “On the day on which thou wast born, thou didst drink at will the mountain-abiding nectar of this Soma plant, for thy youthful parent mother (Aditi), in the dwelling of thy great sire (Kasyapa), gave it to thee before she gave the breast.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Rig Veda 7.98.3 “As soon as born, Indra, thou hast drunk the Soma for thine invigoration: thy mother (Aditi) proclaimed thy greatness…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Falcon Suparna

Rig Veda 3.43.7 “Drink of the strong pressed out by strong ones, Indra, that which the Falcon brought thee when thou longedst…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

According to the story, Soma was not available to gods, the falcon Suparna was the first one to bring Soma to Vedic gods.

 

 

  • WHOM DID INDRA KILL AFTER DRINKING SOMA BROUGHT DOWN BY THE FALCON?


Indra killed Vritra

Rig Veda 1.80.2 “That exceedingly exhilarating Soma juice, which was brought by the hawk, (from heaven), when poured forth, has exhilarated thee, so that, in thy vigour, thunderer, thou hast struck Vritra from the sky, manifesting thine own sovereignty.” Tr. H.H. Willson

Indra killed Namuchi

Rig Veda 6.20.6 “And the hawk bore to Indra the exhilarating Soma, when, bruising the head of the oppressor Namuchi…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • SOMA WAS BROUGHT DOWN FOR WHOM?

Verses suggesting that the Soma was brought for Indra

Rig Veda 6.20.6 “And the hawk bore to Indra the exhilarating Soma, when, bruising the head of the oppressor Namuchi…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Rig Veda 3.43.7 “Drink of the strong pressed out by strong ones, Indra, that which the Falcon brought thee when thou longedst…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Brought for Humans to perform sacrifices

Rig Veda 4.26.4 “May this bird, Maruts, be pre-eminent over (other) hawks, since with a wheelless car the swift-winged bore the Soma, accepted by the gods, to Manu.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Humans are mentioned as Manu in above verse. Following verse states that Vedic god Agni commanded the eagle to bring down the Soma and suggests that it was brought for the Aryans for the sacrifice,

Rig Veda 10.11.4 “The hawk sent (by Agni) to the sacrifice has brought the dripping copious all-seeing (Soma) libation. When the Arya people chose the victorious Agni as the ministrant priest, then the sacred rite is celebrated.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • HOW MANY CASTLES/FORTS OF SAMBARA DID INDRA DESTROY?

100 Castles/Cities

Rig Veda 2.14.6 “Ye ministers, to him who as with thunder demolished Śambara’s hundred ancient castles…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Though it is mentioned elsewhere that Indra gave the hundredth castle to Divodasa but Rig Veda 2.14.6 talks about demolishing all 100 castles.

Rig Veda 6.31.4 “Thou smotest to the ground the hundred castles, impregnable, of Sambara the Dasyu…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

90 Castles/Cities

Rig Veda 1.130.7 “For Pūru thou hast shattered, Indra ninety forts, for Divodāsa thy boon servant with thy bolt, O Dancer, for thy worshipper. For Atithigva he, the Strong, brought Śambara from the mountain down…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

99 Castles/Cities

Rig Veda 2.19.6 “…And Indra, for the sake of Divodasa demolished Sambara’s nine-and-ninety castles.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO IS THE CREATOR OF EARTH AND HEAVEN?

Unsure about creator

Rig Veda 10.129.6-7 Who verily knows and who can here declare it, whence it was born and whence comes this creation? The Gods are later than this world’s production. Who knows then whence it first came into being? He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all or did not form it, Whose eye controls this world in highest heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps he knows not.

Rig Veda 1.185.1 “Which of these two, (Heaven and Earth), is prior, which posterior; how were they engendered; (declare), sages, who knows this? verily, you uphold the universe of itself, and the days (and nights) revovle as if they had wheels.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Unknown/Supreme God

Rig Veda 1.160.4 “Among the skilful Gods most skilled is he, who made the two world-halves which bring prosperity to all; Who with great wisdom measured both the regions out, and stablished them with pillars that shall ne’er decay.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra

Rig Veda 10.51.4 “…For from thy body thou hast generated at the same time the Mother and the Father.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 8.36.4 “Creator of the heaven, creator of the earth, O Śatakratu, drink Soma to make thee glad.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Brahma

Yajur Veda 31.12 “Forth from his navel came mid-air; the sky was fashioned from his head; Earth from his feet…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Vishwakarma

Rig Veda 10.82.1 “THE Father of the eye, the Wise in spirit, created both these worlds submerged in fatness. Then when the eastern ends were firmly fastened, the heavens and the earth were far extended.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Aja

Atharva Veda 9.5.20 “This Unborn cleft apart in the beginning: his breast became the earth, his back was heaven…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Dhatar

Rig Veda 10.90.3 “…He formed in order Heaven and Earth, the regions of the air, and light.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Visvakarman

Rig Veda 10.81.2 “…Whence Visvakarman, seeing all, producing the earth, with mighty power disclosed the heavens.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Tvastar

Rig Veda 10.110.9 “Hotar more skilled in sacrifice, bring hither with speed to-day God Tvaṣṭar, thou who knowest. Even him who formed these two, the Earth and Heaven the Parents, with their forms, and every creature.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Ribhus

Rig Veda 4.34.9 “Ṛbhus, who helped their Parents and the Aśvins, who formed the Milch-cow and the pair of horses, Made armour, set the heaven and earth asunder,—far- reaching Heroes, they have made good offspring.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Hiranyagarba

Rig Veda 10.121.9 “Neer may he harm us who is earth’s Begetter, nor he whose laws are sure, the heavens’ Creator, He who brought forth the great and lucid waters. What God shall we adore with our oblation?” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW THE SUN WAS CREATED?

From breath of God

Atharva Veda 19.27.7 “With vital breath the Gods produced the Sun whose face turn every way.”

From eye of Brahma

Yajur Veda 31.12 “The Moon was gendered from his mind, and from his eye the Sun had birth…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

From Vritra

Atharva Veda 4.10.5 “From ocean sprang the Amulet, from Vritra sprang the Lord of Day…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra generated the Sun

Rig Veda 2.12.7 “…He who gave being to the Sun and Morning, who leads the waters, He, O men, is Indra.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Soma created the Sun

Rig Veda 9.96.5 “Father of holy hymns, Soma flows onward the Father of the earth, Father of heaven: Father of Agni, Sūrya’s generator, the Father who begat Indra and Viṣṇu.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 9.42.1 “ENGENDERING the Sun in floods, engendering heaven’s lights, green-hued, Robed in the waters and the milk.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Dhatar

Rig Veda 10.190.3 “Dhātar, the great Creator, then formed in due order Sun and Moon…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO PLACED THE SUN IN HEAVEN/SKY?

Agni

Rig Veda 10.156.4 “O Agni, thou hast made the Sun, Eternal Star, to mount the sky, Bestowing light on living men.”

Indra

Rig Veda 8.12.30 “When yonder Sun, that brilliant light, thou settest in the heaven above…”

Atharva Veda 20.38.6 “Indra hath raised the Sun aloft in heaven that he may see afar…”

Indra & Vishnu

Rig Veda 7.99.4 “…Ye have made spacious room for sacrificing by generating Sūrya, Dawn, and Agni.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Angiras

Rig Veda 10.62.2-3 “…O ye Aṅgirases. Welcome the son of Manu, ye who are most wise. Ye raised the Sun to heaven by everlasting Law…”

Atri

Atharva Veda 13.2.12 “Atri established thee in heaven. O Surya…”

Varuna

Yajur Veda 4.31 “…Sûrya in heaven and Soma on the mountain.”

Mitra-Varuna

Rig Veda 5.6.7 “Wise, with your Law and through the Asura’s magic power ye guard the ordinances, Mitra-Varuṇa. Ye by eternal Order govern all the world. Ye set the Sun in heaven as a refulgent car.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Soma

Rig Veda 9.107.7 “Bountiful, best of furtherers, Soma floweth on, Ṛṣi and Singer, keen of sight. Thou hast become a Sage most welcome to the Gods: thou madest Sūrya mount to heaven.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW THE UNIVERSE (OR EARTH) WAS CREATED?

Nasadiya Sukta version

Rig Veda 10.72.1-4 Let us proclaim with a clear voice the generations of the gods (the divine company), who, when their praises are recited, look (favourably on the worshipper) in this latter age. Brahmanaspati filled these (generations of the gods) with breath as a blacksmith (his bellows) in the first age of the gods the existent was born of the non-existent. In the first age of the gods the existent was born of the non-existent; after that the quarters (of the horizon) were born, and after them the upward-growing (trees). The earth was born from the upward-growing (tree), the quarters were born from the earth; Daksha was born from Aditi, and afterwards Aditi from Daksha. – Tr. H.H Wilson

Purusha Sukta version

Rig Veda 10.90.8-14 “From that great general sacrifice the dripping fat was gathered up…

He formed the creatures of-the air, and animals both wild and tame. From it were horses born, from it all cattle with two rows of teeth: From it were generated kine, from it the goats and sheep were born…The Moon was gendered from his mind, and from his eye the Sun had birth; Indra and Agni from his mouth were born, and Vāyu from his breath. Forth from his navel came mid-air the sky was fashioned from his head Earth from his feet, and from his car the regions. Thus they formed the worlds.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • DID GOD CREATE THE UNIVERSE AND ITS BEINGS?

Yes, God(s) created the universe

Refer Nasadiya Sukta 72 and Purusha Sukta 90 of Rig Veda Mandala 10.

No, God(s) did not create the universe

Rig Veda 10.129.6-7 Who verily knows and who can here declare it, whence it was born and whence comes this creation? The Gods are later than this world’s production. Who knows then whence it first came into being? He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all or did not form it, Whose eye controls this world in highest heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps he knows not.

Rig Veda 1.185.1 “Which of these two, (Heaven and Earth), is prior, which posterior; how were they engendered; (declare), sages, who knows this? verily, you uphold the universe of itself, and the days (and nights) revovle as if they had wheels.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • THE CREATION PARADOX

Earth and Heaven were created by God(s)

Rig Veda 4.34.9 “Ṛbhus, who helped their Parents and the Aśvins, who formed the Milch-cow and the pair of horses, Made armour, set the heaven and earth asunder,—far- reaching Heroes, they have made good offspring.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

This is the biggest blunder here, Veda states that Ribhus were mortals and attained godhood through their deeds (Rig Veda 4.35.8) then how come it were them who created earth and heaven? Another blunder mentioned below is that Veda are confused about who created earth and heaven, what was created first, the earth or the heaven?

Rig Veda 1.185.1 “Which of these two, (Heaven and Earth), is prior, which posterior; how were they engendered; (declare), sages, who knows this? verily, you uphold the universe of itself, and the days (and nights) revovle as if they had wheels.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Creation of earth and heaven is ascribed to various deities such as to Soma and Pushan (Rig Veda 2.40.1); Dhatr (Rig Veda 5.190.3); Hiranyagarbha (Rig Veda 10.121.9); Purusha (Rig Veda 10.90.14)

Earth and Heaven are creator of Gods

Rig Veda 1.159.1 “I PRAISE with sacrifices mighty Heaven and Earth at festivals, the wise, the Strengtheners of Law. Who, having Gods for progeny, conjoined with Gods, through wonder-working wisdom bring forth choicest boons.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW THE GODS CAME INTO EXISTENCE?

From Non-Existence

Atharva Veda 10.7.25 “Great, verily, are those Gods who sprang from non-existence into life. Further, men say that that one part of Skambha is nonentity.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Gods came after the creation

Rig Veda 10.129.6 “Who verily knows and who can here declare it, whence it was born and whence comes this creation? The Gods are later than this world’s production. Who knows then whence it first came into being?” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Usha (Dawn) is mother of gods

Rig Veda 1.113.19 “Mother of Gods, Aditi’s form of glory, ensign of sacrifice, shine forth exalted…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO IS THE FATHER OF GODS?

Brahmanaspati

Rig Veda 2.26.3 “Who with oblation and a true believing heart serves Brahmaṇaspati the Father of the Gods…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Soma

Rig Veda 9.87.2 “Indu, the well-armed God, is flowing onward, who quells the curse and guards from treacherous onslaught, Father, begetter of the Gods, most skilful, the buttress of the heavens and earth’s supporter.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Dyaus

Atharva Veda 9.10.12 “Dyaus is our father, our begetter: kinship is here. This great Earth is our kin and mother.Between the wide-spread world-halves is the birth-place. The Father laid the Daughter’s germ within it.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY GODS ARE THERE?

33 Deities

Rig Veda 1.45.2 “Agni, the Gods who understand give ear unto the worshipper: Lord of Red Steeds, who lovest song, bring thou those Three-and-Thirty Gods.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Yajur Veda 7.19 “O ye eleven Gods whose home is heaven, O ye eleven who make earth your dwelling. Ye who with might, eleven, live in waters, accept this sacrifice, Ye Gods, with pleasure.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

34

Rig Veda 10.55.3 “…the classes of seven in their seasons, with the thirty-four (deities,) (endowed) with light of like nature, and with various functions.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

339 Deities

Rig Veda 10.52.6 “The Deities three hundred and thirty-nine, have served and honoured Agni…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

3339 Deities

Rig Veda 3.9.9 “Three times a hundred Gods and thrice a thousand, and three times ten and nine have worshipped Agni…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO IS THE KING OF GODS & WORLD/UNIVERSE?

Varuna

Rig Veda 5.85.3 “Varuṇa lets the big cask, opening downward, flow through the heaven and earth and air’s mid-region. Therewith the universe’s Sovran waters earth as the shower of rain bedews the barley.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 2.27.10 “Thou over all, O Varuṇa, art Sovran, be they Gods, Asura! or be they mortals…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Atharva Veda 1.10.1 “This Asura rules over the gods; the commands of Varuna, the ruler…” Tr. Maurice Bloomfield

Indra alone is the King

Rig Veda 3.46.2 “…Thyself alone the universe’s Sovran: so send forth men to combat and to rest them.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.174.1 “Thou art the King of all the Gods, O Indra: protect the men…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO FASHIONED THE THUNDERBOLT OF INDRA?

Tvastar

Rig Veda 10.48.3 “For me hath Tvaṣṭar forged the iron thunderbolt…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.32.2 “He slew the Dragon lying on the mountain: his heavenly bolt of thunder Tvaṣṭar fashioned…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Kavya Usana

Rig Veda 1.121.12 “Mount Indra, lover of the men thou guardest, the well-yoked horses of the wind, best bearers. The bolt which Kāvya Uśanā erst gave thee, strong, gladdening, Vṛtra-slaying, hath he fashioned.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra himself

Rig Veda 1.121.3 “Lord of red dawns, he came victorious, daily to the Aṅgirases’ former invocation. His bolt and team hath he prepared, and stablished the heaven for quadrupeds and men two-footed.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHATS THE COMPLEXION OF RUDRA?

Brown/Tawny (Babhru)

Rig Veda 2.33.5 “May I with praise-songs win that Rudra’s favour who is adored with gifts and invocations. Ne’er may the tawny God, fair-checked, and gracious, swifthearing, yield us to this evil purpose. ” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Red with dark blue belly

Yajur Veda 16.7 “May he who glides away, whose neck is azure, and whose hue is red, He whom the herdsmen, whom the girls who carry water have beheld, may he when seen be kind to us.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Atharva Veda 15.1.7 “His belly is dark-blue, his back is red…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY MARUTS ARE THERE?

Twenty-One

Atharva Veda 13.1.3 “Let Rohita, ye bounteous givers, hear you, thrice-seven Maruts who delight in sweetness!” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Forty-Nine

Rig Veda 5.52.16-17 “…And the impetuous Rudra they, the Mighty Ones, declared their Sire. The mighty ones, the seven times seven, have singly given me hundred gifts…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

One hundred and eighty

Rig Veda 8.85.8 “Thrice-sixty Maruts, waxing strong, were with thee, like piles of beaming light, worthy of worship…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • USHA’S CHARIOT IS DRAWN BY?

Horses

Rig Veda 7.75.6 “Apparent are the steeds of varied colour, the red steeds carrying resplendent Morning…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Bulls

Rig Veda 1.124.11 “This young Maid from the east hath shone upon us; she harnesseth her team of bright red oxen. She will beam forth, the light will hasten hither, and Agni will be present in each dwelling.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 5.80.3 “She, harnessing her car with purple oxen. injuring none, hath brought perpetual riches…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Cow

Rig Veda 1.92.2 “Readily have the purple beams of light shot up; the Red Cows have they harnessed, easy to be yoked. The Dawns have brought distinct perception as before: red-hued, they have attained their fulgent brilliancy.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WAS INDRA BORN WITHOUT AN ENEMY?

Yes, he was born without any enemy

Rig Veda 10.133.2 “…Foeless, O Indra, wast thou born…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

He killed enemies as soon as he was born

Rig Veda 10.120.1 “…As soon as born he overcomes his foemen, be in whom all who lend him aid are joyful…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 8.45.4 “The new-born Vṛtra-slayer asked his Mother, as he seized his shaft, Who are the fierce? Who are renowned?” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 8.85.16 “Then, at thy birth, thou wast the foeman, Indra, of those the seven who ne’er had met a rival…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 7.20.3 “A warrior who turns not back in battle, a combatant, one engaged in tumults, a hero, victorious over (his) foes from birth, invincible…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • COLOUR OF SOMA

Greenish

Rig Veda 9.25.1 “Green-hued! as one who giveth strength flow on for Gods to drink, a draught For Vāyu and the Marut host.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Red (Aruna)

Rig Veda 10.144.5 “…Which, fair, unrobbed, the Falcon brought thee in his foot, the red-hued dwelling of the juice.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Tawny/Golden/Greenish-Yellow (Hari)

Rig Veda 9.92.1 “THE gold-hued juice, poured out upon the filter, is started like a car sent forth to conquer…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Brown (Babhru)

Rig Veda 9.31.5 “For thee, brown-hued! the kine have poured imperishable oil and milk. Aloft on the sublimest height.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 9.63.4 “These Somas swift and brown of hue…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO KILLED VRITRA?

Indra alone

Rig Veda 1.61.10 “Through his own strength Indra with bolt of thunder cut piece-meal Vṛtra, drier up of waters…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.165.8 “Vṛtra I slew by mine own strength, O Maruts, having waxed mighty in mine indignation…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 3.30.4 “For, overthrowing what hath ne’er been shaken, thou goest forth alone destroying Vṛtras…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 7.21.6 “…With thine own power and might thou slewest Vṛtra…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

All gods except Maruts ran away in Indra’s war against Vritra

Rig Veda 8.85.7 “Flying in terror from the snort of Vṛtra, all Deities who were thy friends forsook thee. So, Indra, be thy friendship with the Maruts: in all these battles thou shalt be the victor.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

All gods abandoned Indra who then begged for help from Vishnu

Rig Veda 4.18.11 “Then to her mighty Child the Mother turned her, saying, My son, these Deities forsake thee. Then Indra said, about to slaughter Vṛtra, O my friend Vṛtra, stride full boldly forward.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Trita

Rig Veda 1.187.1 “Now will I glorify Food that upholds great strength, By whose invigorating power Trita rent Vṛtra limb from limb.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra and Trita killed Vritra with help of Maruts

Rig Veda 8.7.24 “They reinforced the power and strength of Trita as he fought, and helped Indra in battle with the foe.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra killed Vritra with help of Maruts

Rig Veda 8.65.2-3 “This Indra with his Marut Friends clave into pieces Vṛtra’s bead With hundred-knotted thunderbolt. Indra, with Marut Friends grown strong, hath rent asunder Vṛtra…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra killed Vritra with help of an Amulet

Atharva Veda 8.5.3 “With this same Amulet wise Indra routed the Asuras, with this he slaughtered Vritra…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Maruts killed Vritra with the help of Indra

Rig Veda 1.23.9 “With conquering Indra for ally, strike Vṛtra down, ye bounteous Gods Let not the wicked master us.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Soma

Rig Veda 9.37.5 “This Vṛtra-slaying Steer, effused, Soma room-giver, ne’er deceived, Hath gone, as ’twere, to win the spoil.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra-Agni

Rig Veda 1.109.5 “You, I have heard, were mightiest, Indra-Agni, when Vṛtra fell and when the spoil was parted…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Agni

Rig Veda 3.20.4 “Agni, like Bhaga, leads the godly people, he who is true to Law and guards the seasons. Ancient, all-knowing, he the Vṛtra-slayer shall bear the singer safe through every trouble.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.59.6 “Now will I tell the greatness of the Hero whom Pūru’s sons follow as Vṛtra’s slayer: Agni Vaiśvānara struck down the Dasyu, cleave Śambara through and shattered down his fences.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 6.16.48 “The Gods enkindle Agni, best slayer of Vṛtra, first in rank…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Ashwins

Rig Veda 8.8.9 The holy singer with his hymns hath called you, Aśvins, hither-ward; Best Vṛtra-slayers, free from stain, as such bring us felicity.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra killed Vritra with help of Visnu

Rig Veda 6.20.2 “Even as the power of Dyaus, to thee, O Indra, all Asura sway was by the Gods entrusted, When thou, Impetuous! leagued with Viṣṇu, slewest Vṛtra the Dragon who enclosed the waters.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra killed Vritra with help of Varuna

Rig Veda 6.68.3 “Praise those Twain Gods for powers that merit worship, Indra and Varuṇa, for bliss, the joyous. One with his might and thunderbolt slays Vṛtra; the other as a Sage stands near in troubles.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra killed Vrtra with the help of Pusan

Rig Veda 6.56.2 “And he is best of charioteers. Indra, the hero’s Lord, allied With him as Friend, destroys the foes.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

The Sanskrit word mentioned here is Vritrani referring to Vritra.

 

  • WHO SEVERED THE LIMBS OF VRITRA?

Indra

Rig Veda 8.6.13 “When his wrath thundered, when he rent Vṛtra to pieces, limb by limb, He sent the waters to the sea.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Trita

Rig Veda 1.187.1 “Now will I glorify Food that upholds great strength, By whose invigorating power Trita rent Vṛtra limb from limb.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHERE DID INDRA STRIKE VRITRA TO KILL HIM?

Between the shoulders

Rig Veda 1.32.7 “Footless and handless still he challenged Indra, who smote him with his bolt between the shoulders. Emasculate yet claiming manly vigour, thus Vṛtra lay with scattered limbs dissevered.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

On Back

Rig Veda 1.80.5 “The wrathful Indra with his bolt of thunder rushing on the foe, Smote fierce on trembling Vṛtra’s back, and loosed the waters free to run, lauding his own imperial sway.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

On Face

Rig Veda 1.52.15 “The Maruts sang thy praise in this encounter, and in thee all the Deities delighted, What time thou, Indra, with thy spiky weapon, thy deadly bolt, smotest the face of Vṛtra.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Beheaded Vritra

Rig Veda 8.6.6 “The fiercely-moving Vṛtra’s head he severed with his thunderbolt, His mighty hundred-knotted bolt.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • MARUTS STOOD WITH INDRA IN HIS FIGHT WITH VRITRA OR FLED AWAY?

Stood by him

Rig Veda 3.32.4 “They, even the Maruts who were there, excited with song the meath-created strength of Indra. By them impelled to act he reached the vitals Of Vṛtra.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Fled away

Rig Veda 8.7.30-31 “When, Maruts, ye come to him, the singer who invokes you thus, With favours to your suppliant? What now? where have ye still a friend since ye left Indra all alone? Who counteth on your friendship now?” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO DESTROYED SAMBARA’S CASTLES?

Vishnu and Indra

Rig Veda 7.99.5 “Ye have destroyed, thou, Indra, and thou Viṣṇu, Śambara’s nine-and-ninety fenced castles…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Agni

Rig Veda 1.59.6 “Now will I tell the greatness of the Hero whom Pūru’s sons follow as Vṛtra’s slayer: Agni Vaiśvānara struck down the Dasyu, cleave Śambara through and shattered down his fences.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra alone

Rig Veda 4.26.3 “In the wild joy of Soma I demolished Śambara’s forts, ninety-and-nine, together… Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO KILLED VALA?

Indra

Rig Veda 10.67.6 “As with a hand, so with his roaring Indra cleft Vala through, the guardian of the cattle…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Brahmanaspati

Rig Veda 2.24.3 “…He drave the kine forth and cleft Vala through by prayer, dispelled the darkness and displayed the light of heaven.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 4.50.4 “With the loud-shouting band who sang his praises, with thunder, he destroyed obstructive Vala. Brhaspati thundering drave forth the cattle, the lowing cows who make oblations ready. ” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Angirases killed Vala

Rig Veda 10.62.2 “The Fathers, who drave forth the wealth in cattle, have in the year’s courses cleft Vala by Eternal Law…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra killed Vala with the help of Angirases

Rig Veda 2.11.20 “…Indra sent forth his whirling wheel like Sūrya, and aided by the Aṅgirases rent Vala.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra killed Vala with the help of Navagvas and Dasagvas

Rig Veda 1.62.4 “…Thou hast, with speeders, with Daśagvas, Indra, Śakra, with thunder rent obstructive Vala.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • ASVINS’ CHARIOT IS DRAWN BY WHAT?

Ashwins’s chariot is horseless

Rig Veda 1.120.10 “I have obtained the horseless car of Aśvins rich in sacrifice…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 4.36.1 “THE car that was not made for horses or for reins, three-wheeled, worthy of lauds, rolls round the firmament. That is the great announcement of your Deity, that, O ye Ṛbhus, ye sustain the earth and heaven.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Drawn by a single Donkey

Rig Veda 1.34.9 “Where are the three wheels of your triple chariot, where are the three seats thereto firmly fastened? When will ye yoke the mighty ass that draws it, to bring you to our sacrifice. Nāsatyas?” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 8.74.7 “Yoke to the firmly jointed car the ass which draws you, Lords of wealth. To drink the savoury Soma juice.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Drawn by horses

Rig Veda 7.69.1 “MAY your gold chariot, drawn by vigorous horses, come to us, blocking up the earth and heaven…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Drawn by flying winged horses

Rig Veda 5.75.5-6 “Aśvins, with winged steeds ye speed down to cyavana void of guile. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call. Hither, O Heroes, let your steeds, of dappled hue, yoked at the thought, Your flying steeds, O Aśvins, bring you hitherward, with bliss, to drink…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Drawn by Falcons

Rig Veda 1.118.4 “O Aśvins, let your falcons bear you hither, yoked to your chariot, swift, with flying pinions…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • INDRA FOUGHT SUSHNA FOR KUTSA OR WITH KUTSA?

With Kutsa

Rig Veda 6.31.3 “Thou, Indra, with Kutsa, has warred against the inexhaustible Sushna…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Fought alone for Kutsa

Rig Veda 1.175.4 “Sage Indra, who art he lord, thou has carried off by thy strength one wheel of (the chariot of) the sun. Take up thy bolt for the death of Sushna, and proceed with thy horses swift as the wind, to Kutsa.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • TO HOW MANY PILLARS WAS SHUNASHEPA TIED TO & TO WHOM DID SHUNASHEP PRAY

Prayed to Agni and was tied to Thousand Pillars

Rig Veda 5.2.7 “Thou from the stake didst loose e’en Śunaḥśepa bound for a thousand; for he prayed with fervour. So, Agni, loose from us the bonds that bind us…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

The Sanskrit word mentioned here is Sahasradyupada which means thousand (Sahasra) pillars (Yupa)

Prayed to Varuna and was tied to Three Pillars

Rig Veda 1.24.13 “Bound to three pillars captured Śunaḥśepa thus to the Āditya made his supplication. Him may the Sovran Varuṇa deliver, wise, ne’er deceived, loosen the bonds that bind him.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Aditya here is referring to Varuna who is one among the Adityas.

 

  • WHO WAS/WERE THE HUSBAND(S) OF SARASWATI?

Ashwin Brothers

Yajur Veda 19.94 “Sarasvati, as Consort of the Asvins, bears in her womb the nobly-fashioned Infant…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra

Rig Veda 6.49.7 So may Sarasvatī, the Hero’s Consort, brisk with rare life, the lightning’s Child, inspire us, And, with the Dames accordant, give the singer a refuge unassailable and flawless.

Rig Veda 5.42.12 May the House-friends, the cunning-handed Artists, may the Steer’s Wives, the streams carved out by Vibhvan, And may the fair Ones honour and befriend us, Sarasvatī, Brhaddiva, and Rākā.

 

  • WHO WERE THE HUSBAND(S) OF SURYA THE DAUGHTER OF SUN SAVITAR?

Ashwin brothers

Rig Veda 4.43.6 “…Observed of all was that your rapid going, whereby ye were the Lords of Sūrya’s Daughter.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.119.5 “Aśvins, the car which you had yoked for glorious show your own two voices urged directed to its goal. Then she who came for friendship, Maid of noble birth, elected you as Husbands, you to be her Lords.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Pushan

Rig Veda 6.58.4 “Near kinsman of the heaven and earth is Pūṣan, liberal, Lord of food, of wondrous lustre, Whom strong and vigorous and swiftly moving, subdued by love, the Deities gave to Sūrya.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

In Rig Veda 6.55.4-5 Surya is both sister and mother of Pushan who also had illicit relationship with her.

Soma

Rig Veda 10.85.7-10 “…Her treasury was earth and heaven ẉhen Sūrya went unto her Lord…Soma was he who wooed the maid: the groomsmen were both Aśvins, when The Sun-God Savitar bestowed his willing Sūrya on her Lord…Bright were both Steers that drew it when Sūrya approached her husband’s, home.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO WERE THE PARENTS OF MARUTS?

    Maruts are self-born

Rig Veda 1.168.2 “Surrounding, as it were, self-born, self-powerful, they spring to life the shakers-down of food and light…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rudra

Rig Veda 1.114.6 “To him the Maruts’ Father is this hymn addressed, to strengthen Rudra’s might…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 2.33.1 “Father of Maruts, let thy bliss approach us: exclude us not from looking on the sunlight. Gracious to our fleet courser be the Hero may we transplant us, Rudra, in our children.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Sacrificing through Agni gendered the Maruts

Rig Veda 1.31.1 “Thou, Agni, wast the earliest Aṅgiras, a Seer; thou wast, a God thyself, the Gods’ auspicious Friend. After thy holy ordinance the Maruts, sage, active through wisdom, with their glittering spears, were born.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Vayu from womb of heaven

Rig Veda 1.134.4 “…The Marut host hast thou engendered from the womb, the Maruts from the womb of heaven.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Dyaus

Rig Veda 10.77.2 “The youths have wrought their ornaments for glory through many nights,—this noble band of Maruts. Like stags the Sons of Dyatis have striven onward…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Prisni is mother

Rig Veda 2.34.2 “…Since the strong Rudra, O Maruts with brilliant chests, sprang into life for you in Pṛśni’s radiant lap.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 6.66.3 “They who are Sons of the rain-pouring Rudra, whom the long-lasting One had power to foster: The Mighty Ones whose germ great Mother Pṛśni is known to have received for man’s advantage.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Ocean is their Mother

Rig Veda 10.78.6 “Born from the stream…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO WERE THE PARENTS OF ASVINS?

Vivasvan and Saranyu

Rig Veda 10.17.2 “From mortal men they hid the Immortal Lady, made one like her and gave her to Vivasvān. Saranyu brought to him the Aśvin brothers, and then deserted both twinned pairs of children.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Dyaus (Heaven)

Rig Veda 1.181.4 “Here sprung to life, they both have sung together, with bodies free from stain, with signs that mark them; One of you Prince of Sacrifice, the Victor, the other counts as Heaven’s auspicious offspring.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO WERE THE PARENTS OF INDRA?

Kashyap & Aditi

Rig Veda 3.48.2 “On the day on which thou wast born, thou didst drink at will the mountain-abiding nectar of this Soma plant, for thy youthful parent mother (Aditi), in the dwelling of thy great sire (Kasyapa), gave it to thee before she gave the breast.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Dyaus is the father

Rig Veda 4.17.4 “Thy Father Dyaus esteemed himself a hero: most noble was the work of Indra’s Maker, His who begat the strong bolt’s Lord who roareth, immovable like earth from her foundation.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Kusika is the mother

Rig Veda 1.10.11 “O Indra, Son of Kusika, drink our libation with delight…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Purusa is the father

Rig Veda 10.90.13 “The Moon was gendered from his mind, and from his eye the Sun had birth; Indra and Agni from his mouth were born…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Soma is the father

Rig Veda 9.96.5 “Father of holy hymns, Soma flows onward the Father of the earth, Father of heaven: Father of Agni, Sūrya’s generator, the Father who begat Indra and Viṣṇu.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Ekashtaka the daughter of Prajapati

Atharva Veda 3.10.12-13 “Ekashtaka, burning with zealous fervour, brought forth her babe the great and glorious Indra…Indra’s and Soma’s mother! thou art daughter of Prajapati.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Tavastar is the father

Rig Veda 2.17.6 “Fit for the grasping of his arms is what the Sire hath fabricated from all kind of precious wealth. The thunderbolt, wherewith, loud-roaring, he smote down, and striking him to death laid Krivi on the earth.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.61.6 “Even for him hath Tvaṣṭar forged the thunder, most deftly wrought, celestial, for the battle…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO CREATED AGNI/WHO WERE THE PARENTS OF AGNI?

Twishtar is the father

Rig Veda 1.95.2 “The vigilant and youthful Ten beget, through the wind, this embryo Agni…” Tr. H.H Wilson

Dyaus is the father

Rig Veda 10.45.8 “…Agni by vital powers became immortal when his prolific Father Dyaus begat him.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Various Gods

Rig Veda 8.91.16-17 “Blazing with splendour, Agni, God, through pious gifts of sacred oil, Bring thou the Gods and worship them. The Gods as mothers brought thee forth, the Immortal Sage, O Aṅgiras, The bearer of our gifts to heaven.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Purusa

Rig Veda 10.90.13 “The Moon was gendered from his mind, and from his eye the Sun had birth; Indra and Agni from his mouth were born…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Ekashtaka the daughter of Prajapati

Atharva Veda 3.10.12-13 “Ekashtaka, burning with zealous fervour, brought forth her babe the great and glorious Indra…Indra’s and Soma’s mother! thou art daughter of Prajapati.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Ila is the mother

Rig Veda 3.27.3 “With his red pillar radiant is his splendour in our skilled task is born the son of Ila.” Tr. H.H Wilson

Water is the mother

Rig Veda 10.91.6 “Him, duly coming as their germ, have plants received: this Agni have maternal Waters brought to life…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Atharvan

Rig Veda 10.21.5 “Skilled in all lore is Agni, he whom erst Atharvan brought to life…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Agni is called son of so and so not in the sense on who ignited the fire (Agni) but on account of his origin.

 

  • WHO IS THE FATHER OF MARUTS?

VAYU

Rig Veda 1.134.4 “…thou begettest the Maruts, of the firmament, for (the purpose of) showering rain…” Tr. H.H Wilson

Rudra produced Maruts from udder of Prisni

Rig Veda 2.33.1 “FATHER of Maruts, let thy bliss approach us: exclude us not from looking on the sunlight. Gracious to our fleet courser be the Hero may we transplant us, Rudra, in our children.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 5.60.5 “None being eldest, none among them youngest, as brothers they have grown to happy fortune. May their Sire Rudra, young and deft, and Pṛśni pouring much milk, bring fair days to the Maruts.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.114.6 “To him the Maruts’ Father is this hymn addressed, to strengthen Rudra’s might…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 2.34.2 “Since, golden-breasted Maruts, the vigorous (Rudra) begot you of the pure womb of Prisni…” Tr. H.H Wilson

Rig Veda 7.56.1-4 “Who are these radiant men in serried rank, Rudra’s young heroes borne by noble steeds? Verily no one knoweth whence they sprang: they, and they only, know each other’s birth… A sage was he who knew these mysteries, what in her udder mighty Pṛśni bore” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO WERE THE PARENTS OF VAYU?

Earth and Heaven

Rig Veda 7.90.3; Yajur Veda 23.24 “The God whom both these worlds brought forth for riches, whom heavenly Dhiṣaṇā for our wealth appointeth, His team of harnessed horses waits on Vāyu, and, foremost, on the radiant Treasure-bearer.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Born from breath of Purusha

Rig Veda 10.90.13 “…Vāyu from his breath. Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO WERE THE PARENTS OF YAMA-YAMI?

Vivasvat & Saranyu

Rig Veda 10.14.5 “Come, Yama, with the Aṅgirases the Holy, rejoice thee here with children of Virūpa. To sit on sacred grass at this our worship, I call Vivasvān, too, thy Father hither.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 10.17.1-2 “TVASTAR prepares the bridal of his Daughter: all the world hears the tidings and assembles. But Yama’s Mother, Spouse of great Vivasvān, vanished as she was carried to her dwelling. From mortal men they hid the Immortal Lady, made one like her and gave her to Vivasvān. Saranyu brought to him the Aśvin brothers, and then deserted both twinned pairs of children.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Gandharva & Water nymph (Apya Yosa)

Rig Veda 10.10.4 “(Yama speaks). We have not done what was done formerly; for how can we who speak truth, utter now that which is untrue? Gandharva (the sun) was in the watery (firmament), and the water was his bride. She is our common parent, hence our near affinity.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • HOW MANY SOLDIERS OF ASURA KRISHNA DID INDRA KILL?

Fifty thousand

Rig Veda 4.16.13 “Thou hast subjugated Pipru and the mighty Mrigaya for the sake of Rijsiwan the son of Vidathin, thou hast slain the fifty thousand Krishnas; and, as old age (destroys) life, thou hast demolished the cities (of Sambara).” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Ten thousand

Rig Veda 8.86.13 “The swift-moving Krishna with ten thousand (demons) stood on the Amsumati; by his might Indra caught him snorting (in the water); he, benevolent to man, smote his malicious (bands).” Tr. H.H. Wilson

This verse occurs in Rig Veda 8.85.13 of Griffith’s translation.

 

  • WHO HAS TASTED SOMA ON EARTH?

No one has ever tasted Soma on the earth

Rig Veda 10.85.3-4 One thinks, when they have brayed the plant, that he hath drunk the Soma’s juice; Of him whom Brahmans truly know as Soma no one ever tastes. Soma, secured by sheltering rules, guarded by hymns in Brhati, Thou standest listening to the stones none tastes of thee who dwells on earth.

Even non-Aryan tribes possessed Soma

Rig Veda 3.43.14 states that Kikatas brings no Soma mixed with milk to the Vedic deities which suggests that even non-Aryan Kikatas inhabiting in present day Bihar possessed Soma and tasted Soma. Moreover there are also verses stating that Soma was with the Gandharvas and there are many such verses which states Soma was drunk on earth which contradicts above verse which says that no one has ever tasted Soma on earth.

 

  • WHERE DO THE MARUTS DWELL?

In the Heaven

Rig Veda 5.60.6 “Whether, O blessed Maruts, ye be dwelling in highest, midmost, or in lowest heaven…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

In the Mountains

Rig Veda 8.83.12 “That vigorous band of Maruts that abidetb in the mountains, I Invoke to drink this Soma juice.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • AGNI IS REGARDED AS OF TAKEN HOW MANY BIRTHS?

Three Births

Rig Veda 4.1.7 “Three are those births, the true, the most exalted, eagerly longed-for, of the God, of Agni…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.95.3 “Three several places of his birth they honour, in mid-air, in the heaven, and in the waters…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Two Births

Rig Veda 1.149.4 “He, doubly born, hath spread in his effulgence through the three luminous realms, through all the regions…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 8.43.28 “O Agni, made by strength! be thou born in the heavens or born in floods, As such we call on thee with songs.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY ADITYAS ARE THERE?

Seven

Rig 9.114.3 “Seven regions have their several Suns; the ministering priests are seven; Seven are the Āditya Deities…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Eight

Atharva Veda 8.9.21 “…Eight are the wombs of Aditi, eight her children…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Six

Rig Veda 2.27.1 “THESE hymns that drop down fatness, with the ladle I ever offer to the Kings Ādityas. May Mitra, Aryaman, and Bhaga hear us, the mighty Varuṇa Dakṣa, and Aṁśa.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

In later texts the number of Adityas given are twelve. But we are dealing only with the Vedas which gives varying numbers. Rig Veda 10.72.8 is much clear about number of Adityas, it states that there were total number of eight Adityas of whom Martanda died and was later brought back to life. Rig Veda 2.27.1 mentions six Adityas by their names, they are Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuṇa, Dakṣa and Aṁśa. Atharva Veda 11.6.2 mentions all these with Vivasvan also, Rig Veda verse quoted earlier mentions Martanda as an Aditya, so now we know eight Adityas by name.

So let’s assume that number of Adityas given in Vedas are eight but it makes the situation more complex because apart from those eight Adityas, Veda mentions various other deities as Adityas. In Atharva Veda 13.2.29, 37 Surya is called Aditya and son of Aditi. In Atharva Veda 8.2.15 Sun & Moon are called two sons of Aditi, Rig Veda 8.90.11 calls Surya (sun) as Aditya. Rig Veda 8.18.3 also mentions Savitar as Aditya but for the sake of argument lets count Savitar as sun here. Indra is considered Aditya along with Varuna in Rig Veda 7.85.4, however in Rig Veda 5.51.10 Indra is mentioned separately from Adityas.

 

  • WHO IS THE MOTHER OF ADITYAS?

Madhukasa

Atharva Veda 9.1.4 “Daughter of Vasus, mother of Ādityas, centre of Amrit breath of living creatures. The Honey-whip, gold-coloured, dropping fatness, moves as a mighty embryo ‘mid mortals.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Madhukasa is translated as Honey-whip by Griffith.

Aditi

Rig Veda 10.72.8 “Eight are the Sons of Adid who from her body sprang to life. With seven she went to meet the Gods she cast Martanda far away.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO IS THE FATHER OF MADHUKASA?

Vasus

Atharva Veda 9.1.4 “Daughter of Vasus, mother of Ādityas, centre of Amrit breath of living creatures. The Honey-whip, gold-coloured, dropping fatness, moves as a mighty embryo ‘mid mortals.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Maruts

Atharva Veda 9.1.3 “…For she, the first-born daughter of the Maruts, derives her origin from Wind and Agni…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • USHA AWAKENS ASVINS OR USHA IS BORN AFTER ASVINS YOKE THEIR CAR?

Usha (Dawn) awakens Asvins

Rig Veda 8.9.17 “Awake the Aśvins, Goddess Dawn! Up Mighty Lady of sweet strains! Rise, straightway, priest of sacrifice! High glory to the gladdening draught!” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Asvins yokes their car thence Usha is born

Rig Veda 10.39.12 “Come on that Chariot which the Ṛbhus wrought for you, the Chariot, Aśvins, that is speedier than thought, At harnessing whereof Heaven’s Daughter springs to birth.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

When Usha (dawn) is born after Asvins yokes their car then how come Usha awakens Asvins?

 

  • WHO AWAKENS WHO?

Usha (Dawn) awakens humans for worship

Rig Veda 1.113.9 “As thou, Dawn, hast caused Agni to be kindled, and with the Sun’s eye hast revealed creation. And hast awakened men to offer worship, thou hast performed, for Gods, a noble service.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.124.10 Rouse up, O Wealthy One, the liberal givers; let niggard traffickers sleep on unwakened: Shine richly, Wealthy One, on those who worship, richly, glad.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Worshippers awakens Usha (Dawn)

Rig Veda 4.52.4 “With praises we awaken thee, thou who art endowed with truth; thee, the baffler of animosities, the restorer of consciousness.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • WHO GENERATED DAWN OR DISCOVERED HER?

Indra

Rig Veda 2.12.7 “…he who gave birth to the sun and to the dawn: and who is the leader of the waters; he, men, is Indra.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Soma

Rig Veda 6.9.3 This Soma, Indra, (quaffed by thee), has lighted up the unlustrous nights, and days and nights, and years: (the gods) of old have established it as the ensign of days, and it has made the dawns generated in light.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Ancient Fathers

Rig Veda 7.76.4 “Those ancient sages, our ancestors, observant of truth, rejoicing together with the gods, discovered the hidden light, and reciters of sincere prayers, they generated the Dawn.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • INDRA’S THUNDERBOLT WAS OF WHICH METAL?

Iron (Ayasa)

Rig Veda 10.48.3 “For me hath Tvaṣṭar forged the iron thunderbolt: in me the Gods have centred intellectual power…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.52.8 “When, Indra, thou whose power is linked with thy Bay Steeds hadst smitten Vṛtra, causing floods to flow for man, Thou heldst in thine arms the metal thunderbolt.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Gold (Hiranyamay/Hiranya)

Rig Veda 1.85.9 “When Tvaṣṭar deft of hand had turned the thunderbolt, golden, with thousand edges, fashioned more skilfully…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 10.23.3 “When, with the Princes, Maghavari, famed of old, comes nigh the thunderbolt of gold…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.57.2 “When the well-loved one seems to rest upon the hill, the thunderbolt of Indra, shatterer wrought of gold.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Elsewhere it has been described as yellow coloured and golden coloured. But above verses doesn’t describe colour of the thunderbolt but describes the metal.

Stone

Rig Veda 7.104.5 “Indra and Soma, cast ye downward out of heaven your deadly darts of stone burning with fiery flame… [19] Hurl down from heaven thy bolt of stone, O Indra…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Bones of Dadhyachi

Rig Veda 1.84.13 “With bones of Dadhyach for his arms, Indra, resistless in attack, Struck nine-and-ninety Vṛtras dead.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • INDRA’S THUNDERBOLT WAS OF HOW MANY EDGES?

Four Edged

Rig Veda 4.22.2 “Bull, hurler of the four-edged rain-producer with both his arms…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Hundred Edged

Rig Veda 6.17.10 “Yea, Strong One! Tvaṣṭar turned for thee, the Mighty, the bolt with thousand spikes and hundred edges…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO IS MATARISVAN?

Agni

Rig Veda 3.5.9 “…May Agni, Friend, adorable Mātariśvan, as envoy bring the Gods unto our worship.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.93.6 states that Matarisvan brought Agni from heaven, if Agni was Matarisvan then how would he bring himself from heaven? Rig Veda 3.2.13 further strengthens the argument that Agni and Matarisvan are two separate entities. Moreover Nirukta 7.26 considers Matarisvan as Vayu (air).

Brihaspati

Rig Veda 1.190.2 “…Bṛhaspati—for he laid out the expanses—was, at the sacrifice, vast Mātariśvan.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO IS THE MESSENGER OF VIVASVAT?

Matarisvan

Rig Veda 6.8.4 “…As envoy of Vivasvān Matarisvan brought Agni Vaiśvānara hither from far away.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Agni

Rig Veda 1.58.1 “NE’ER waxeth faint the Immortal, Son of Strength, since he, the Herald, hath become Vivasvān’s messenger…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • IS INDRA THE STRONGEST/GREATEST?

Yes! He is! There is none like him

Rig Veda 4.18.4 “No peer hath he among those born already, nor among those who shall be born hereafter…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 7.32.23 “None other like to thee, of earth or of the heavens, hath been or ever will be born. Desiring horses, Indra Maghavan…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 5.42.6 “…None of old times, O Maghavan, nor later, none of these days hath reached thy hero prowess.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Agni is as strong as Indra

Rig Veda 7.6.1 “…I laud his deeds who is as strong as Indra, and lauding celebrate the Fort-destroyer.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Sinivali is equal to Indra

Atharva Veda 7.46.3 “Thou who as Queen of men art Indra’s equal, a Goddess coming with a thousand tresses…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

There is none above Yama

Atharva Veda 18.2.32 “Yama is higher and Vivasvān lower: nothing whatever do I see above him…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

There is no match for Kama

Atharva Veda 9.2.19 “First before all sprang Kāma into being. Gods, Fathers, mortal men have never matched him.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY HEADS DOES AGNI HAVE?

He is Headless

Rig Veda 4.1.11 “…Footless and headless, both his ends concealing, in his Bull’s lair drawing himself together.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Three heads

Rig Veda 1.146.1 “I LAUD the seven-rayed, the triple-headed, Agni…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • AGNI HAS HOW MANY TONGUES?

Three tongues

Rig Veda 3.20.2 “…Three are thy powers, O Agni, three thy stations, three are thy tongues.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Seven tongues

Yajur Veda 17.79 “Seven fuel logs hast thou, seven tongues, O Agni…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • AGNI’S TEETH ARE?

Of Iron

Rig Veda 10.87.2 “Jatavedas, who hast teeth of iron, consume the Yatudhanas flame when kindled…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Gold

Rig Veda 5.2.3 “I have seen him from a near place, golden-toothed, bright-coloured, wielding (flames like) weapons…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • AGNI HAS HOW MANY EYES?

Four

Rig Veda 1.31.13 “Agni, thou art a guard close to the pious man; kindled art thou, four-eyed! for him who is unarmed…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Thousand

Rig Veda 1.79.12 “Keen and swift Agni, thousand-eyed, chaseth the Rākṣasas afar: He singeth, herald meet for lauds.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • DOES AGNI GROW OLD?

He doesn’t grow old

Rig Veda 1.128.2 “…Through presentation of our food he grows not old in this his from…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

He grows old but becomes young again

Rig Veda 2.4.5 “…Known is he by his bright delightful splendour, and waxing old renews his youth for ever.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO IS THE HUSBAND OF ADITI?

Vishnu

Yajur Veda 29.60 “…a mess of boiled rice is to be made for Prajâpati; the same for Vishnu’s Consort Aditi…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Kashyapa

Rig Veda 3.48.2 clearly indicates that Aditi and Kashyapa were married to each other. In later texts it is much more clear but this article deals only with the Vedas.

It is a contradiction unless it is a case of Polyandry.

 

  • WHO WERE PARENTS OF RIBHUS? WHAT WERE THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH INDRA?

Friends of Indra, They are children of a man named Sudhanvan

Rig Veda 3.60.3 “Friendship with Indra have the Ṛbhus, fully gained: grandsons of Manu, they skilfully urged the work. Sudhanvan’s Children won them everlasting life, serving with holy rites, pious with noble acts.

Rig Veda 4.35.7 “Lord of Bay Steeds, at dawn the juice thou drankest: thine, only thine, is the noonday libation. Now drink thou with the wealth-bestowing Ṛbhus, whom for their skill thou madest friends, O Indra.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Sons of Indra

Rig Veda 4.37.4 “Strong, with fair chains of gold and jaws of iron, ye have a splendid car and well-fed horses. Ye Sons of Strength, ye progeny of Indra, to you the best is offered to delight you.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

In Rig Veda 1.161.1 Ribhus are considered brother of Agni.

 

  • WHO PLACED AGNI FOR MEN TO WORSHIP/WHO FIRST STARTED THE FIRE WORSHIP?

Bhrigus

Rig Veda 1.58.6 “The Bhṛgus established thee among mankind for men, like as a treasure, beauteous, easy to invoke; Thee, Agni, as a herald and choice-worthy guest, as an auspicious Friend to the Celestial Race.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

MANU

Rig Veda 1.36.19 “Manu hath stablished thee a light, Agni, for all the race of men…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY DASYUS DID INDRA KILL TO PROTECT RISHI DABHITI?

Two Dasyus namely Chumuri and Dhuni

Rig Veda 10.113.9 “Proclaim his many friendships, met with friendship, made with singers, with the skilful and the eloquent. Indra, when he subdues Dhuni and Cumuri, lists to Dabhīti for his faithful spirit’s sake.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 2.15.9 “Thou, with sleep whelming Cumuri and Dhuni, slewest the Dasyu, keptest safe Dabhīti…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Thirty thousand Dasyus

Rig Veda 4.30.21 “The thirty thousand Dāsas he with magic power and weapons sent To slumber, for Dabhīti’s sake.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

110 Dasyus

Rig Veda 2.13.9 “Thou boundest up the Dāsa’s hundred friends and ten, when, at one’s hearing, thou helpest thy worshipper. Thou for Dabhīti boundest Dasyus not with cords; Thou wast a mighty help. Worthy of lauds art thou.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW DID TVASHTAR REACT WHEN RIBHUS MULTIPLIED THE CUPS?

He applauded their act

Rig Veda 4.33.5-6 “The eldest said, let us make two ladles; the youngest said, let us make three: Twashtri, Ribhus has applauded your proposal. The men, (the Ribhus), spake the truth, for such (ladles) they made, and thereupon the Ribhus partook of that libation: Twashtri, beholding the four ladles, brilliant as day, was content.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

The Sanskrit word mentioned in verse 5 is Panyat which means Praise, the Sanskrit word mentioned in verse 6 is Avenat which means desire or approve.

He was angry and wanted to kill Ribhus

Rig Veda 1.161.4-5 “So doing, Ribhus, you inquired, Where, indeed, is he who came to us a messenger? when Twashtri observed the one ladle become four, he was immediately lost amongst the women. When Twashtri said, Let us slay those who have profaned the ladle, (designed) for the drinking of the gods; then they made us of other names for one another, as the libation was poured out…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • HOW MANY GANDHARVAS ARE THERE?

6333

Atharva Veda 11.5.3 “…After him too have the Gandharvas followed, thirty and three, three hundred, and six thousand. He satisfies all Gods with his devotion.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

27

Yajur Veda 9.7 “It was the wind, or it was thought, or the Gandharvas twenty-seven…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO STOLE CATTLE OF PANI?

Indra

Rig Veda 10.67.6 “…Seeking the milk-draught with sweatshining comrades he stole the Paṇi’s kine and left him weeping.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Agni-Soma

Rig Veda 1.93.4 “Agni and Soma, famed is that your prowess wherewith ye stole the kine, his food, from Paṇi…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO FOUND TREASURE/COWS OF PANIS?

Sages/Angirases

Rig Veda 2.24.6 “They who with much endeavour searching round obtained the Panis’ noblest treasure hidden in the cave,-Those sages, having marked the falsehoods, turned them back whence they had come, and sought again to enter in.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Sarama assisted Angirases and Indra

Rig Veda 1.62.3 “When Indra and the Aṅgirases desired it, Saramā found provision for her offspring. Bṛhaspati cleft the mountain, found the cattle: the heroes shouted with the kine in triumph.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Sarama, Sages, Brihaspati, Indra and Angirases
Rig Veda 10.108.9-11 “Even thus, O Saramā, hast thou come hither, forced by celestial might to make the journey. Turn thee not back, for thou shalt be our sister: O Blest One, we will give thee of the cattle. Brotherhood, sisterhood, I know not either: the dread Aṅgirases and Indra know them. They seemed to long for kine when I departed. Hence, into distance, be ye gone, O Paṇis. Hence, far away, ye Paṇis! Let the cattle lowing come forth as holy Law commandeth, Kine which Bṛhaspati, and Soma, Ṛṣis, sages, and pressing-stones have found when hidden.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 5.45.7 “Here, urged by hands, loudly hath rung the press-stone wherewith Navagvas through ten months sang praises. Saramā went aright and found the cattle. Aṅgiras gave effect to all their labours. ” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Angirases alone

Rig Veda 1.83.4 “First the Aṅgirases won themselves vital power, whose fires were kindled through good deeds and sacrifice. The men together found the Paṇi’s hoarded wealth, the cattle, and the wealth in horses and in kine.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO DISCOVERED HIDDEN SOMA?

Indra

Rig Veda 3.44.5 “The bright, the well-loved thunderbolt, girt with the bright, Indra disclosed, Disclosed the Soma juice pressed out by tawny stones, with tawny steeds drave forth the kine.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Pushan

Rig Veda 1.23.14 “The resplendent Pushan has found the royal (Soma juice), although concealed, hidden in a secret place, strewed amongst the sacred grass.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • WHO IS THE MESSENGER OF YAMA?

Bird

Rig Veda 1.165.4 “The screeching of the owl is ineffective and when beside the fire the Dove hath settled, To him who sent it hither as an envoy, to him be reverence paid, to Death, to Yama.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Two Dogs

Rig Veda 10.14.10-12 “Run and outspeed the two dogs, Saramā’s offspring, brindled, four-eyed, upon thy happy pathway. Draw nigh then to the gracious-minded Fathers where they rejoice in company with Yama. And those two dogs of thine, Yama, the watchers, four-eyed, who look on men and guard the pathway,—Entrust this man, O King, to their protection, and with prosperity and health endow him. Dark-hued, insatiate, with distended nostrils, Yama’s two envoys roam among the People; May they restore to us a fair existence here and to-day, that we may see the sunlight.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO SUSTAINS/SUPPORTS EARTH AND HEAVEN?

Mitra

Rig Veda 3.59.1 “MITRA, when speaking, stirreth men to labour: Mitra sustaineth both the earth and heaven…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Savitar

Rig Veda 4.53.2 “Sustainer of the heaven, Lord of the whole world’s life, the Sage, he putteth on his golden-coloured mail…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Varuna

Rig Veda 6.70.1 “…The Heaven and the Earth by Varuṇa’s decree, unwasting, rich in germs, stand parted each from each.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 8.42.1 “LORD of all wealth, the Asura propped the heavens, and measured out the broad earth’s wide expanses. He, King supreme, approached all living creatures. All these are Varuṇa’s holy operations.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra-Soma

Rig Veda 6.72.2 “Ye, Indra-Soma, gave her light to Morning, and led the Sun on high with all his splendour. Ye stayed the heaven with a supporting pillar, and spread abroad apart, the Earth, the Mother.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Soma

Rig Veda 9.87.2 “…Father, begetter of the Gods, most skilful, the buttress of the heavens and earth’s supporter.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Hiranyagarba

Rig Veda 10.121.5 “By him the heavens are strong and earth is stedfast, by him light’s realm and sky-vault are supported: By him the regions in mid-air were measured. What God shall we adore with our oblation?” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW DID INDRA KILL ARBUDA?

Crushed head of Arbuda with his foot

Rig Veda 1.51.6 “Thou savedst Kutsa when Śuṣṇa was smitten down; to Atithigva gavest Śambara for a prey. E’en mighty Arbuda thou troddest under foot: thou from of old wast born to strike the Dasyus dead.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Pierced Arbuda with frost

Rig Veda 8.32.26 “He, meet for praise, slew Vṛtra, slew Ahīśuva, Urnavabha’s son, And pierced through Arbuda with frost.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN USHA AND SURYA

Surya is her lover

Rig Veda 1.92.11 “…Diminishing the days of human creatures, the Lady shines with all her lover’s splendour.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Surya is her husband

Rig Veda 7.75.5 “She who is rich in spoil, the Spouse of Sūrya…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • COLOR AND NUMBER OF AGNI’S HORSES

Unsure about color and number of horses

Rig Veda 1.94.10 “When to thy chariot thou hadst yoked two red steeds and two ruddy steeds, wind-sped, thy roar was like a bull’s.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 2.10.2 “May Agni, who is immortal of manifold wisdom, and wonderful splendour, hear my invocation, (preffered) with all laudations: tawny, or red, or purple horses draw his car; he has been borne in various directions.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Tawny horses

Rig Veda 7.5.5 “Agni, the tawny horses, loudly neighing our resonant hymns that drop with oil, attend thee…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Two Red horses

Rig Veda 7.16.2 “His two red horses, all-supporting, let him yoke: let him, well-worshipped, urge them fast… Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 4.1.8 “This envoy joyeth in all seats of worship, borne on his golden car, sweet-tongued Invoker: Lovely to look on, with red steeds, effulgent, like a feast rich in food, joyous for ever.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 8.43.16 O Agni, Brother, made by strength, Lord of red steeds and brilliant sway…

 

  • INDRA KILLED PIPRU WITH RIJISVAN OR FOR RJISVAN?

With Rjisvan, Indra killed Pipru

Rig Veda 1.101.1 “Sing, with oblation, praise to him who maketh glad, who with Ṛjiśvan drove the dusky brood away…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 10.138.3 “…Associate with Ṛjiśvan Indra overthrew the solid forts of Pipru, conjuring Asura.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra killed Pipru alone for Rjisvan

Rig Veda 4.16.13 “Thou hast subjugated Pipru and the mighty Mrigaya for the sake of Rijiswan the son of Vidhathin…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Rig Veda 6.20.7 “Thou, thunder-armed, with thy great might hast shattered Pipru’s strong forts who knew the wiles of serpents. Thou gavest to thy worshipper Ṛjiśvan imperishable Wealth, O Bounteous Giver.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY VRITRAS DID INDRA KILL?

99

Rig Veda 1.84.13 “With bones of Dadhyach for his arms, Indra, resistless in attack, Struck nine-and-ninety Vṛtras dead.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

10,000

Rig Veda 1.53.6 “…What time thou slewest for the singer with trimmed grass ten thousand Vṛtras, thou resistless in thy might.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

  • VISVADEVA WAS A CHILD OF HOW MANY MOTHERS?

Two Mothers

Rig Veda 3.55.7 “Child of two Mothers, Priest, sole Lord in synods…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Three Mothers

Rig Veda 3.56.5 “Streams! the wise Gods have thrice three habitations. Child of three Mothers, he is Lord in synods.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY SPOKES ARE THERE IN THE WHEEL OF SUN?

Five Spokes

Atharva Veda 9.9.11 “Upon the five-spoked wheel revolving ever, whereon all creatures rest and are dependent…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Six Spokes

Atharva Veda 9.9.12 “…These others, later still, say that he takes his stand upon a seven wheeled car, six-spoked, whose sight is clear.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Twelve Spokes

Atharva Veda 9.9.13 “Formed with twelve spokes, too strong for age to weaken…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Spokes here also signify seasons.

 

  • ARE MARUTS SAME AS RUDRAS OR DIFFERENT ENTITIES?

Maruts identified as Rudras

Rig Veda 1.64.2 “They spring to birth, the lofty Ones, the Bulls of Heaven, divine, the youths of Rudra, free from spot and stain; The purifiers, shining brightly even as suns, awful of form like giants, scattering rain-drops down.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 7.56.1-2 “Who are these radiant men in serried rank, Rudra’s young heroes borne by noble steeds? Verily no one knoweth whence they sprang: they, and they only, know each other’s birth.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rudra being the father of Maruts and Maruts being referred as Rudras

Rig Veda 5.60.5-6 “None being eldest, none among them youngest, as brothers they have grown to happy fortune. May their Sire Rudra, young and deft, and Pṛśni pouring much milk, bring fair days to the Maruts. Whether, O blessed Maruts, ye be dwelling in highest, midmost, or in lowest heaven,

Thence, O ye Rudras, and thou also, Agni, notice the sacrificial food we offer.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.114.6 “To him the Maruts’ Father is this hymn addressed, to strengthen Rudra’s might…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.39.4 “Consumers of your foes, no enemy of yours is found in heaven or on the earth: Ye Rudras, may the strength, held in this bond, be yours, to bid defiance even now.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Maruts being mentioned separately from Rudas as different entities

Rig Veda 8.13.28 “Attendants on thy glory, let the Rudras roar assent to thee, And all the Marut companies come to the feast.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 10.92.6 “Straightway the Rudras, Maruts visiting all men, Falcons of Dyaus, home-dwellers with the Asura…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 3.32.2 “…Knit with the prayer-fulfilling band of Maruts, yea, with the Rudras, drink till thou art sated;” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY RUDRAS ARE THERE?

Thousands and innumerable

Yajur Veda 16.54 “Innumerable thousands are the Rudras on the face of earth…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Hundred

Yajur Veda 21.43 “…belonging to the Hundred Rudras…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Eleven

Yajur Veda 34.47 “Come, O Nâsatyas, with the thrice eleven Gods: come…” Tr. Ralph T. H. Griffith

Black Yajur Veda 3.4.9.7 “…the Rudras are eleven…” Tr. Arthur Berriedale Keith

There is no clear mention of 11 Rudras in the Veda. However Yajur Veda verse quoted above seems to explain number of Rudras, Adityas and other group of deities. Later text like Taittriya Samhita (Black Yajur Veda) is clear on number of Rudras.

 

  • WHO WAS THE FIRST ONE TO DRINK SOMA?

Brahman (Supreme God)

Atharva Veda 4.6.1. The Brâhmana was the first to be born, with ten heads and ten mouths. He was the first to drink the soma; that did render poison powerless.

Vayu

Rig Veda 4.46.1 “DRINK the best draught of Soma-juice, O Vāyu, at our holy rites: For thou art he who drinketh first.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 1.134.1 Vayu, let fleet-foot coursers bring thee speedily to this our feast, to drink first of the juice we pour, to the first draught of Soma juice.

Rig Veda 2.11.14 …the Vayus, who drink the first libation of the Soma.

Rig Veda 1.135.4 … Vāyu, to taste the offerings! Drink of the pleasant-flavoured juice: the first draught is assigned to you.

Indra

Atharva Veda 20.99.1; Rig Veda 3.36.8 says that Indra was invited to drink Soma first. These two verses may be in a sense of Indra being invited at sacrifices to drink Soma first but contradiction can’t be ignored. Some verses states that Vayu was the first drinker and some later texts like Aitareya Brahmana elaborating this story says that there was a race between gods on who should partake Soma first, Vayu won the competition and Indra came second. But this story is in contradiction with story of falcon Suparna bringing Soma to Indra. Rig Veda states that the falcon had brought the Soma, Krishna Yajur Veda is more clear in this case wherein it states that the gods didn’t had Soma and Soma was brought by the falcon.

 

  • WHO WAS THE FIRST BORN?

Kama

Atharva Veda 9.2.19 “First before all sprang Kāma into being. Gods, Fathers, mortal men have never matched him.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Brihaspati

Rig Veda 6.73.1 “Served with oblations, first-born, mountain-render, Aṅgiras’ son, Bṛhaspati, the Holy, With twice-firm path, dwelling in light, our Father, roars loudly, as a bull, to Earth and Heaven.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Tvashtar

Rig Veda 9.5.9 “I summon Tvaṣṭar hither, our protector, champion, earliest-born…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Vayu

Rig Veda 10.168.3 “Holy and earliest-born, Friend of the waters, where did he spring and from what region came he…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Brahma

Atharva Veda 19.22.21 “…Brahma was born first of all things existing…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO KILLED SAMBARA?

Maruts helped Indra kill Sambara

Rig Veda 3.47.4 “Drink Soma, Indra, banded with the Maruts who, Maghavan, strengthened thee at Ahi’s slaughter, ‘Gainst Śambara, Lord of Bays! in winning cattle, and now rejoice in thee, the holy Singers.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Brahmanaspati

Rig Veda 2.24.2 “He who with might bowed down the things that should be bowed, and in his fury rent the holds of Sambara: Who overthrew what shook not, Brahmapaspati,-he made his way within the mountain stored with wealth.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra

Rig Veda 1.54.4 “The ridges of the lofty heaven thou madest shake; thou, daring, of thyself smotest through Śambara…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHO PREPARED PATH FOR THE SUN TO TRAVEL?

Varuna

Rig Veda 1.24.8 “King Varuṇa hath made a spacious pathway, a pathway for the Sun wherein to travel…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Several Varuna included

Rig Veda 7.60.3 Your coursers rich in store of sweets have mounted: to the bright ocean Sūrya hath ascended, For whom the Ādityas make his pathway ready, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuṇa, accordant.

Usha (Dawn)

Rig Veda 1.113.16 “Arise! the breath, the life, again hath reached us: darkness hath passed away and light approacheth. She for the Sun hath left a path to travel we have arrived where men prolong existence.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Indra

Rig Veda 10.111.3 “Indra knows, verily, how to hear our singing, for he, victorious, made a path for Sūrya.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHAT WAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KUTSA AND INDRA?

Friends

Rig Veda 4.16.10 “Come to our home resolved to slay the Dasyu: Kutsa longed eagerly to win thy friendship. Alike in form ye both sate in his dwelling the faithful Lady was in doubt between you.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Enemies

Rig Veda 1.53.10 “Thou hast protected Suśravas with succour, and Tūrvayāṇa with thine aid, O Indra. Thou madest Kutsa, Atithigva, Āyu, subject unto this King, the young, the mighty.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 2.14.7 “Ye ministers, to him who slew a hundred thousand, and cast them down upon earth’s bosom; Who quelled the valiant men of Atithigva, Kutsa, and Āyu,—bring to him the Soma.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

There are also verses wherein Indra aided Kutsa in battle against Kutsa’s enemies suggesting their friendly relationship. Later texts like Brahmanas gives different story that Kutsa was the son of Indra born from his thighs. Though Veda calls Kutsa as son of Arjuna (Rig Veda 8.1.11). If that is applied here then there will be another contradiction because Veda calls Indra and Kutsa as friends so there would be contradiction in their relationship.

 

  • WHO WAS THE FIRST SACRIFICER?

Manu

Rig Veda 10.63.7 “Ye to whom Manu, by seven priests, with kindled fire, offered the first oblation with his heart and soul…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Atharvan

Atharva Veda 19.4.1 “The first oblation that Atharvan oared, earliest sacrifice paid by Jātavedas…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 10.92.10 “For these have spread abroad the fame of human kind, the Bull Bṛhaspati and Soma’s brotherhood. Atharvan first by sacrifices made men sure: through skill the Bhṛgus were esteemed of all as Gods.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Dasagvas

Rig Veda 2.34.12 “They, the Daśagvas, first of all brought sacrifice: they at the break of mornings shall inspirit us…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHATS THE WEAPON OF RUDRA?

Bow and Arrows

Rig Veda 2.33.10 “Worthy, thou carriest thy bow and arrows, worthy, thy many hued and honoured necklace. Worthy, thou cuttest here each fiend to pieces: a mightier than thou there is not, Rudra.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 5.42.11 “Praise him whose bow is strong and sure his arrow, him who is Lord of every balm that bealeth. Worship thou Rudra…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Thunderbolt/Lightning

Rig Veda 2.33.3 “Chief of all born art thou in glory, Rudra, armed with the thunder, mightiest of the mighty…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Atharva Veda 11.2.26 “O’erwhelm us not with Fever or with poison, nor, Rudra! with the fire that comes from heaven. Elsewhere, and not on us, cast down this lightning.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

In Rig Veda 7.6.3 Griffith has translated the word Didyut as bright arrow but the correct word is lightning which is rightly translated by many other translators.

 

  • HOW MANY HORSES DRAW CHARIOT OF THE SUN?

Numerous/Seven

Rig Veda 10.37.3 “No godless man from time remotest draws thee down when thou art driving forth with winged dappled Steeds…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 4.13.3 “…Him who beholds the universe, the Sun-God, seven strong and youthful Coursers carry onward.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

One

Rig Veda 7.63.2 “Sūrya’s great ensign, restless as the billow, that urgeth men to action, is advancing: Onward he still would roll the wheel well-rounded, which Etaśa, harnessed to the car-pole, moveth.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Etasa is the name of horse of the sun.

 

  • INDRA TRAVELS IN WHO’S CHARIOT & HORSES?

In a chariot & horses given by Ribhus

Rig Veda 5.31.4 “The Ribhus have fabricated thy car, Indra the invoked of many, adapted to its horses…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Rig Veda 4.35.5 “…Ṛbhus, rich in treasure, fashioned the two swift Tawny Steeds who carry Indra.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Borne by horses of the Sun

Rig Veda 10.49.7 “I travel round about borne onward in my might by the fleet-footed dappled Horses of the Sun…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Borne by horses of wind god

Rig Veda 10.22.4 “Harnessing to thy car, as God, two blustering Steeds Of the Wind-God, O Thunderer…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • WHERE WAS SOMA? WHERE DID THE FALCON SUPARNA BROUGHT SOMA FROM?

Soma was in Mountain(s)

Rig Veda 9.62.4 “The mountain-born Soma flows for exhilaration, mighty in the (Vasativari) waters: he alights like a falcon on his own place.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Rig Veda 9.46.1-2 “Like able coursers they have been sent forth to be the feast of Gods, joying in mountains, flowing on. To Vāyu flow the Soma-streams…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Another translation of this verse,

Rig Veda 9.46.1 “Begotten by the stones the flowing (Soma juices) are effused for the banquet of the gods like active horses.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Soma was in the heaven

Rig Veda 1.93.6 “Agni and Soma, the wind brought one of you from heaven; a hawk carried off the other, by force, from the summit of the mountain…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Rig Veda 9.77.2 “That ancient (Soma) flows, which the hawk, despatched (for the purpose), brought down from heaven passing through the (third) world; he detaches the sweet-flavoured (Soma) flying downwards, with mind full of fear of the archer Krisanu.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Rig Veda 8.100.8 “Suparna, rushing swift as thought, passed through the iron city: then having gone to heaven he brought the Soma to the thunderer.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Surya’s daughter brought Soma

Rig Veda 9.113.3 “The daughter of Surya brought the vast Soma large as a rain-cloud; teh Gandharvas seized upon it and placed the juice in the Soma: flow, Indu for Indra.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

 

  • HOW MANY EARTHS EQUALS THE GREATNESS OF INDRA?

Ten Earths

Rig Veda 1.52.11 “O Indra, were this earth extended forth tenfold, and men who dwell therein multiplied day by day, Still here thy conquering might, Maghavan, would be famed: it hath waxed vast as heaven in majesty and power.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Not even Hundred Earths

Rig Veda 8.59.11 “O Indra, if a hundred heavens and if a hundred earths were thineNo, not a thousand Suns could match thee at thy birth, not both the worlds, O Thunderer.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Earth and Heaven are equal to half of him

Rig Veda 6.30.1 “…Indra transcendeth both the worlds in greatness: one half of him equalleth earth and heaven.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

 

  • HOW MANY FOLLOWERS/SOLDIERS OF VARCHINS WERE SLAYED & WHO KILLED THEM?

Indra killed Five hundred thousand (5,00,000) followers of Varchin

Rig Veda 4.30.15 “Thou hast slain the five hundreds and thousands (of the followers) of the slave Varchin, (surrounding) him like the fellies (round the spokes of a wheel).” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Indra killed One hundred thousand (1,00,000) followers of Varchin

Rig Veda 2.14.6 “…and cast down the hundred thousand (descenants) of Varchin.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Vishnu and Indra killed hundred thousand followers of Varchin

Rig Veda 7.99.5 “Indra and Vishnu, you have demolished the ninety-nine strong cities of Sambara: you have slain at once, without resistance, the hundred thousand heroes of the Asura Varchin.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

The post Contradictions in the Vedas appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Hindus Calling for Massacre of Muslims & Celebrating Persecution of Muslims https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2019/04/15/hindus-calling-for-massacre-of-muslims-celebrating-persecution-of-muslims/ Mon, 15 Apr 2019 10:35:34 +0000 http://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2019/04/15/hindus-calling-for-massacre-of-muslims-celebrating-persecution-of-muslims/     Written by Sulaiman Razvi Internet has given us the opportunity to express our views, many times internet is misused. Many people especially Hindu fanatics misuse internet by abusing other religions especially Islam even if the post is not even remotely related to Muslims. While the whole world was mourning for the victims of […]

The post Hindus Calling for Massacre of Muslims & Celebrating Persecution of Muslims appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
 

 

Written by Sulaiman Razvi

Internet has given us the opportunity to express our views, many times internet is misused. Many people especially Hindu fanatics misuse internet by abusing other religions especially Islam even if the post is not even remotely related to Muslims. While the whole world was mourning for the victims of Christchurch Mosque attack, Hindus in India were celebrating the attack. While only this reaction on NZ attack by Hindus caught the attention of Muslims but the fact is that Hindus have been rejoicing over the death of Muslims much before the Christchurch attack happened. Indian Muslims usually blames politicians for dividing Hindus and Muslims on religious line but in reality majority of Hindus harbours hatred against Muslims. Hindus have always celebrated attack on Muslims and justified it, what does that mean? It means that Hindus are happy that someone else is doing the job they wanted to do. Majority of Hindus has genocidal intention, if they get a chance to slaughter Muslims they would happily do it. Hindus have so much hatred against Muslims that if destruction of their family leads to the extinction of Muslims then they would happily butcher their own family. While it’s true that Islamophobia can be seen in many parts of the world but no one stoops down so low as the Hindus who uses slang words against non-Hindus and Dalits. I have seen several non-Indian anti-Muslims but I have never come across any Anti-Muslim using abusive language like Hindus does or having the mentality like Hindus, but those terms have become common usage on Indian social media and websites. Journalist Mehdi Hasan was shocked to see the mindset of Hindu trolls after he interviewed Hindu leader Ram Madhav.

The celebration by Hindus over Christchurch attack is a wake-up alarm for Indian Muslims. Hindu leaders calling for the persecution of Muslims has been normalized now, no one bats an eye when any Hindu leader does that. But what’s worth noticing is that the common Hindus too has such a mentality. It’s not that Hindus were not upset after the NZ attack, they were but not because 50 Muslims were killed but because of the love and support poured down on Muslims after the NZ attack. Hindus are no different than the pagans of Arabia, both Hindus and pagans practice female foeticide, used to sacrifice children for their gods and goddesses. The Quran perfectly describes the hatred of Hindus against Muslims,

Quran 9:50-51 “If good befalls thee, it grieves them; but if a misfortune befalls thee, they say, “We took indeed our precautions beforehand,” and they turn away rejoicing. Say: “Nothing will happen to us except what God has decreed for us: He is our protector”: and on God let the Believers put their trust.”

Hindus were very hurt to see the world standing in solidarity with the Muslims since they thought that the whole world is as inhuman and as barbaric as them and expecting the world to celebrate attack on fellow humans and justify the NZ massacre. After all for them only lives of cows and Hindus matter, you can’t expect humanity from followers of a Dharm which sanctions Human sacrifice, Widow burning and encourages female foeticide. Almost every major Hindu festival is nothing but celebration of someone’s death, they celebrate Dushera which celebrates the killing of Ravana, story of Holi is about burning of Holika, Durga Puja is about killing of Mahishasura, every Hindu god & goddess is depicted wielding weapons, now you can guess why Hindus has habit of celebrating deaths of non Hindus. New Zealand’s response to Christchurch attack is exemplary, it has set an example for the whole world especially for the “5000 years old way of life” in India. Another thing worth mentioning is the absence of Nationalism/Patriotism and love for fellow Indians after the attack. Some seven Indian Muslims were killed in NZ attack but Hindus felt no pain for fellow Indians, it debunks their claim that Nation is above Religion, had it been so then they would’ve mourned the death of 7 Indian Muslims killed in NZ attack.

Don’t ignore Hindu’s views on the internet as work of trolls because internet is a place where people usually express their opinion which cannot be aired publicly as internet guarantees more “Freedom of speech”. And this mentality is not confined to internet alone, there are several instances where Hindus came out on the streets to support killers of Muslims such as those hundreds and thousands of Hindus holding Indian flag the tricolor in their hands and marching in support of rapists & murderers of 8 years old Muslim girl Asifa who was gang raped and murdered by temple priest and accomplices inside a temple for over a week to instil fear in the local Muslim Bakarwal community and to drive them out of the area, Right wing Hindus were not remorseful instead they were busy spreading fake news to cover and justify rape and murder of Asifa and were also opposing those secular Hindus who demanded justice for Asifa, or Hindus taking out a tableau of Shambhu Regar in his praise during Ram Navami and also 516 Hindus across India depositing 3 lakh rupees in Shambhu’s account as a reward for murdering an innocent Muslim labour named Afrazul just because of religion, or Hindus climbing atop of court and raising saffron flag and chanting slogans like Jai Shri Ram and BMKJ in support of murderers of Alimuddin Ansari and the BJP leader Jayant Sinha garlanding the culprits, or the Hindu villagers of Dadri draping Akhlaq’s killer‘s body in Tricolor whose funeral was also attended by BJP minister Manish Sharma, the Hindu villagers had also “Purified” the village with cow urine after murder of Akhlaq to get rid of the sin of “cow slaughter” but it was okay for them to murder an innocent soul on mere rumours, according to them cow slaughter is against their Hinduism but killing humans is absolutely fine, Ajmer Dargah blast convict Bhavesh Patel had got hero welcome after he was granted bail by court of Secular India, Hindus took out several rallies in support of Sanatan Sanstha’s Hindu terrorist Vaibhav Raut who was caught with huge cache of explosives and weapons, Dhananjay Desai the murderer of Mohsin Shaikh got huge support after he was released on bail, even the High Court judge had justified murder of Mohsin Shaikh saying that Dhananjay was provoked in the name of religion, Sadhvi Pragya did a road show in Surat after she was released and there are several such cases. Hindus are so hateful towards Muslims that they inspire mass murderers like Anders Breivik. Adolf Hitler was also inspired by Hindu extremism. He adopted the Swastika symbol and was proud of his Arya race.

Hindus hailing killers of Muslims is nothing new. Narendra Modi was elected Chief Minister of Gujarat thrice and Prime Minister twice by Hindus only because of his role in 2002 Gujarat riotsThe New York Times interviewed one Sonu Yadav from Gorakhpur who was honest with his views, he said, “We voted for Modi because Yogi endorsed him, but we are disillusioned,” he said. He went on to refer to the 2002 riots in the state Mr. Modi led, which his critics say he allowed to rage for several days, leading to more than 1,000 deaths. All of us in our colony felt that Modi would allow us to kill Muslims,” he said. “Muslims were scared. But nothing happened. When Yogi became chief minister, they were scared again.”

Whenever there’s a riot, Hindus would abuse Muslims and denigrate Islam but Muslims won’t do that, Muslims’ usual response would be ‘preparation for upcoming election by politicians has begun‘, innocent Muslims parrots their religious scholars who are blind in Hindu-Muslim Bhaichara aka the Ganga Jamuna Tehzeeb. But what Indian Muslims didn’t notice is that how come politicians use riots to garner votes? Has Indian Muslims ever asked themselves this question? They need to ponder over it. Politicians orchestrate riots because it really works, Hindus are entertained by the sufferings of Muslims and they would vote anyone who harms Muslims. If Hindus had not given any importance to Hindu politicians starting riots against Muslims then Hindu politicians would’ve given up the idea and tried other tactics to win elections, Hindu politicians just echoes their Hindu followers. I want to ask Muslims, would you vote for any Muslim candidate if he starts a riot against Hindus or spews venom against them? But your Hindu brothers does that every time, their basis for casting vote is not based on any development agenda, they vote for such candidate who either spews venom against Muslims or has butchered Muslims in riots. BJP rose to prominence only after it demolished Babri mosque, it came to power soon after demolishing Babri mosque and the riots that followed it. Yogi Adityanath has alleged involvement in 2007 riot and has also given several hate speeches against Muslims calling for persecution of Muslimsvandalism of mosques and his followers telling to rape dead Muslim women and distributing weapons to Hindus in Dadri to kill Muslims and such a person was elected by Hindus as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh state. Please bear in mind that such mass murderers and hate mongers are elected by the common Hindu masses. India is probably the only place where murderers and hate mongers are elected as head of the state. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal fares better than Gujarat in every aspect then what’s the reason for Hindus’ overwhelming love for Modi? Hindus vote murderers on the pretext of development hoping that Modi would repeat 2002 all over India on a larger scale.

Hinduism is not a peaceful and tolerant religion, in fact, it is very violent and intolerant. Hindus using communal slurs has origin in the Hindu scripture where low caste and non-Hindus are called with objectionable words like Acchoot (Untouchable), Anarya (ill-mannered), non-Hindus are called Asur (demons), Rakashasa, Yavana, Maleccha (Barbarian/foreigner). Hindus have always had enmity and hostility towards non-Hindus. Patanjali a 4th century Hindu scholar considered the relationship between Buddhists and Brahmins to that of snake and mongoose, Adi Shankaracharya had spent his life denigrating Buddhism and persecuting Buddhists, another Hindu scholar Kumarila Bhatta was a critic of Jainism, Madhavacharya considered Adi Shankaracharya as reincarnation of Shiva for putting an end to Buddhism, 19th century Hindu scholar Swami Dayanand Saraswati was critical of almost every religion whose main target was Islam and considered Jainism to be a stupid religion, 20th century scholar Swami Vivekananda too had given hate speeches against Islam, Hindu poet Rabindranath Tagore had also denigrated Islam, Founder of RSS K.B. Hedgewar described Muslims as ‘hissing Yavana snakes’, had to be put in place or they were to face extinction become ‘dead as a dodo’. Said that the struggle for India’s freedom became a ‘religious war’ against Muslims, and so on, also said that Buddhism is a religion of cowardice. Hindu political leader Savarkar had justified rape of Muslim women as a political tool & wanted to treat Muslims the way Negroes were treated, RSS stalwart Golkwalkar considered Muslims, Christians and Communists as internal enemies and wanted to transfer Delhi Muslims to Pakistan. These were not some Tom, Dick & Harry, these were all prominent Hindu personalities and they had such hateful views of other religions, you could imagine what small-time Hindu scholars and politicians used to say against other religions. And this consistent brainwashing & hate against other religions have turned the Hindu masses into monsters longing for blood of Muslims, Dalits and other minorities. They teach their children to hate Muslims & Dalits 123, 4. Can you show me few such hate speeches against Hindus by prominent Muslim leaders of the 20th century? Even to this day hundreds of Hindu leaders spew venom against Muslims and Muslim leaders don’t make such provocative speeches against Hindus except for 1-2 leaders who were jailed for their speeches. This softness against Hindu extremists is what encourages them to insult us not just in India, we have seen Hindus abusing Muslims even while working in Muslim countries. It has become common for Hindu masses to use communal slurs against other religions especially against Muslims. Don’t forget that the weakest kid in the class gets bullied the most. Muslims must develop the same mentality against Hindus which Hindus have for us, Muslims must develop the same sentiments against Hindus which Hindus have for us, Muslims must reply in the same tone and language which they use against us. I am not instigating you against Hindus, I am not provoking you to take up arms against Hindus. Violence is not a solution. Indian Muslims consider Hindus as their brothers while Hindus are ready to stab in the back. I just want you to recognize the real face of the Hindu community, a known enemy is always better than an enemy hiding as a friend. This article is intended only as an eye-opener to serve as a wake-up alarm for Muslims, to show them what their Hindu brothers think of them and their religion. Once you start replying to Hindus in their language then they will think twice before insulting Islam and Muslims. No matter how good you treat them, in the end, they will malign you and history proves it. Their hatred has gone to the extent of calling for our persecution and justifying the persecution of Muslims. In ancient India Hindu scholars like Adi Shankaracharya, Kumarila Bhatta… used to denigrate other religions and after annihilating Buddhists and Jains they have come for Muslims, Christians and other minorities and the responsibility of insulting non-Hindus is carried on the shoulders of modern Hindu scholars, refer the article Killing Infidels in Hinduism in the category Intolerance Towards Other Religion to see modern Hindu scholars’ views on non-Hindus. Whereas gullible Muslims are busy building a positive image of Hinduism by saying that Hindutva is different from Hinduism and quoting a handful of Acharya Pramod Krishnan, Laxmi Narayan’s views on Islam. One of the first steps Muslims must take is to start referring to Hindu terrorists as Hindu Terrorists and not Sanghis, Bhakts, activists, nationalists or at least you could use the term ‘Hindutva’. Because the majority of them has anti-Muslim sentiments so we should instead differentiate Secular Hindus from Hindus instead of differentiating radical Hindus who form majority of the Hindu community. Hindus always link Islam with terrorism while openly support Hindu Terrorism in India which is the real threat. I am not generalizing, it is very wrong to do that, India’s religious minorities owe a lot to the secular Hindus, had secular Hindus not been there, India would’ve witnessed annihilation of minorities long ago but I can’t ignore the fact that secular Hindus are minority among Hindus and radical Hindus forms the majority.

Show me a country where 80% majority is obsessed with 14% minority, show me a country where the majority community runs hundreds and thousands of websites, Facebook pages/accounts, Twitter handles, Youtube channels against their religious minority, show me a country where politicians spews venom and orchestrates riots against minorities to garner votes of majority community, show me a country where hundreds of riots happens every year against minorities, show me a country where violence against minorities goes unpunished, show me a country where murderers of Muslims are hailed by majority community, show me a country where religious minorities are randomly picked up by police on false charges only to languish in jails for years and decades, show me a country where victims from minority community are booked by police instead of giving them justice 123, show me a country where the police is either involved in killing of Muslims or watches as mute spectator when Hindu mob slaughters Muslims 012345, show me a country where Muslims are denied jobs and housing just because of their religion, show me a country where mass murderers of minorities are elected as MLA, MP, CM and PM by the majority community, have you ever seen any country electing terrorist and murderer as their leader? Sadhvi Pragya Thakur a terror accused was elected by Hindus with a huge mandate, Pratap Sarangi who headed Bajrang Dal when Bajrang Dal burned Christian missionary in 1999 also won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Show me a country where the majority spreads fake news mainly targeting religious minorities. Hindu media runs propaganda against Muslims 24/7, no action is taken against Indian Hindu news channel for dehumanizing Muslims everyday. Considering these facts it is safe to conclude that the Hindu majority of India is the most hateful, bigoted community in the whole world, you cannot find such lot anywhere in the whole planet. Yet they shamelessly claim to be most tolerant and inclusive of other religions and also claims that minorities are safe in Hindu majority India despite every community being targeted by Hindu Terrorists may it be Sikhs in 1984, 1989, Christians in Kandhamal riots, persecution of Muslims and Dalits have become routine. Hindus, whether they are politicians, religious scholars, celebrities, common people, teen or old, man or woman all of them, are dehumanizing Muslims while they live comfortably in Muslim & Christian majority countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, UAE, US, UK… Imagine what if these countries treat their Hindu minority the way Hindus treat Muslims, Christians and Dalits in India? Hindus are concerned about minority rights when in minority but supports Hindu extremism when in majority, The online survey, conducted in September 2020 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Pennsylvania says, “Hindus and non-Hindus agree (the latter more so) that white supremacy is a threat in the United States, but significantly diverge on the threat posed by Hindu majoritarianism in India.” There’s demonization of Muslim countries, even some secular Hindus doesn’t criticize Hindu fascism without involving Muslims into it. They compare Hindutva extremism with Muslim countries and asks whether we want to become like so and so Muslim country? Considering the above points I say India has its own uniqueness when it comes to extremism so Hindu extremism can’t be compared to any Muslim nation. According to Hindus, Muslims in India are not discriminated because India had 4 Muslim Presidents which is proof of inclusiveness but this logic is not to be applied to Mughals and other Muslim rulers who had numerous Hindu ministers and commanders. Can racial discrimination in the west be ignored just because the USA had Barack Obama a black as its President? Indian Muslims were given fair treatment only by Secular Hindus and the majority radical Hindus have no right to take credit for that, this is why intellectuals are showing concern for growing intolerance in the country. Another answer put forth is that the Indian Muslim population is increasing hence they are not discriminated, even Hindu population is fastest growing in Pakistan. Would Hindutvadis apply the same logic to Pakistan as well? India is ranked 4th worst country for religious violence. A survey by Factchecker.in provides great insight into the oppression and persecution of Indian Muslims though the survey seems to be of some selected incidents, the survey shows that Muslims, who comprise 14% of India’s population, were the victims in 62% of cases, whereas Hindus are victims only in 10% of hate crimes, Of the 172 cases in which the religion of the alleged perpetrator is known, 86% cases involved Hindus (148 cases), Hate Crime Watch shows. In 13% or 22 cases, the attackers were Muslim, hate crimes–66% or 167 cases–have been reported from states run by the BJP.

Hindus usually says the opposite, Hindus claim that Muslims kill girl for marrying a Hindu whereas Hate Crime Watch recorded at least 36 crimes committed over a bias against interfaith relationships. In 64% or 23 such cases, the victims involved were Muslim. Ironically Hindus who kills couples for inter-caste marriages accuses Muslims of being intolerant of inter-faith marriages. As per the survey by Indiaspend 86% of people killed in cow-related violence were Muslims. Even Bollywood is biased against Muslims, as per TheQuint.com “a selective survey of 41 films had concluded that 75.60 percent of them portrayed Muslims negatively, 12.20 percent positively, and the rest were ‘mixed.’ Be that as it may, Muslims are no longer Rahim chachas, rib-tickling Hyderbadi chefs (Mehmood, Gumnaam, 1963), kindly daai maas ( the daijaan nanny of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, 2001). Instead, largely, they’re shown as terrorists without delving into the reasons why. In my book, Kurbaan (2009) has been the worst B-Town offender of the clutch, because of its sweeping generalisations and dismaying divisive tenor. Or Muslims are caricatured as bomb-chucking lumpens and dons seated on throne-like chairs in dimly lit ghettos” [end quote]. Majority of hate crimes and terrorist attacks in India are perpetrated by Hindus but Bollywood doesn’t have spine to make a movie on Hindu Terrorism. As if demonizing Muslim rulers through Saffronization of history wasn’t enough. Hindus uses numerous tactics to provoke Hindus against Muslims, when they spread fake data of declining Hindu population in Pakistan and Bangladesh then they don’t really mean that, they actually tell fellow Hindus to reduce Muslim population in India 12. When they say that Muslims are marrying Hindu women then it’s actually a command to lure Muslim girls 12. When they say that thousands of temples were destroyed then they are actually telling Hindus to demolish mosques 12 and shrines and because of this commandment, Islamic worship places are prone to be vandalized during riots. There have been numerous calls by Hindus to socially and economically boycott Muslims. Shops owned by Muslims are often targeted by Hindu extremists during riots to further weaken the Muslim community economically. Hindus have been consistently calling for an economic boycott of Muslims. They bear so much hatred for no valid reason. They have been taught to hate Muslims since their childhood. If they really want to boycott Muslims then they must destroy nuclear missiles given by a Muslim. That would be a very good start. Saudi Arabia is going to invest 100 billion dollars in India, Hindus must refuse that investment. Modi must not go to Muslim countries begging for investments. 3.1 million Hindus are living in Gulf countries earning their bread and butter in Muslim countries, they must be called back to serve Bharata Mata. Apart from that, there are approx. 30 million Hindus living in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia. Hindus living in these countries must stop purchasing from Muslims.

Muslims are a strange lot, Muslims don’t tolerate other sects and considers them to be Kafirs, Bidati, Qabarparast but when it comes to countering Islam hating Hindus verbally they cite Quranic verses about tolerating other religions as an excuse for their cowardice & incapability to give a befitting response. Hindus started writing against Islam from the 19th century onwards and Ulemas of that time didn’t have time to read Hindu scriptures and expose them as they were busy in declaring fellow Muslims as Kafirs for difference in Aqeedah because for them someone insulting Islam and holy prophet ﷺ was a lesser sin compared to other Muslims have difference in Aqeedah. And it is for this reason that Hindus will for writing against Muslims grew stronger day by day. Have a look at Muslim countries, Muslim countries have hatred for one Muslim country because that country adheres to different sect, they are boycotting another Muslim country due to geopolitical reasons whereas they are busy conferring awards to Modi the killer of Muslims. Sect A hates B sect because B sect doesn’t respect three Khalifas and Ummul Momineen, another Sect C hates sect A because sect A is Gustakhe Rasool. All these three sects read the same Quran, worships the same god, believes in the same final prophet yet they have so much hate against each other but doesn’t say a word against Islam bashing Hindus who use abhorrent words for holy prophet ﷺ Islam and Quran. Indian Muslims blames only BJP for communal violence because that’s what they are told. I would like to ask Indian Muslims a question, was Pushyamitra Shunga a BJP leader who persecuted Buddhists? Did BJP exist when Raja Ganesha destroyed numerous mosques? Did BJP exist when Jaswant Singh of Marwar destroyed mosques? Riots against Muslims started from the 18th century onwards as soon as powerful Muslim rulers passed away, were there any BJP, RSS or Bajrang Dal at the time? Hindus were always radicalized, their politicians used to spew venom against Muslims in the 19th century, their religious scholars wrote books against Islam from the 19th century. This helped them create more hatred among Hindus against Muslims, Hatred doesn’t develop overnight, BJP just cashed that hatred of Hindus to come to power.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hindu-terrorism-muslim-sikh-christian-dalit-who-is-next.jpg?w=423&h=393

Its only after the NZ attack that Muslims noticed how Hindus rejoices over death of Muslims, since Hindus likes to do all mischief and not get caught so when they were caught with their pants down they tried their usual trick of whataboutery, they cited Pakistani and Kashmiri’s response on Pulwama as an excuse for their reaction on NZ attack. I don’t know how Pulwama and Christchurch attacks are related to each other. Didn’t Hindus rejoice when Pakistani soldiers were killed? There’s a difference between Pulwama and Christchurch, one was related to nation and the other was related to religion, among the Pulwama victims, there was one Muslim soldier also. Ironically Hindus who were upset over Pakistani and Kashmiri’s reaction on Pulwama were the ones who cheered when an innocent Kashmiri Muslim Farooq Ahmed Dar was tied to jeep and taken through the streets, he had gone out to cast his vote, the scene was reenacted in a movie where the protagonist ties a Kashmiri to Jeep and Hindus were printing T-Shirts of the act to cheer it. Hindus usually justify violence against Muslims by calling it retaliation. Wondering if it were Muslims who started the 1984, 1989 riots against Sikhs? Were it Muslims who started the 2008 Kandhamal riots against Christian and burned Christian missionary Staines along with his family in 1999? Was Ranvir Sena a Muslim organization that killed hundreds and thousands of Dalits? It’s actually Hindus who start riots and then calls it retaliation to justify the violence, ironically Hindus claims to be the most tolerant community in the world, then why such a “Tolerant” community is ready to “Retaliate”? Why is it that such a tolerant community is ready to take up arms against non-Hindus on trivial issues? Hindus started a riot in Nelliyada village in Karnataka just because a Muslim barber refused to shut his shop on Tuesday because Hindus doesn’t cut their hairs on that day, Shops belonging to Muslims were burnt down by Hindus in Sirsi Uttara Kannada after a rumour had spread that a Hindu boy was killed by Muslims whereas Muslims didn’t react this way when Hindus killed nearly a hundred Muslims on cow related violence in last five years, in lower Assam Hindus tried to burn down shop of a Muslim man Ahedul Ali after a Hindu man Jyotish Nath created Facebook account in Ali’s name and posted some objectionable contents against India and Hindus but when Hindus came to know about the real culprit they did nothing to the Hindu man’s house, seems the Facebook post was just an excuse to burn down shop of a Muslim, in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state Hindus burned down shops belonging to Muslims over a fake Facebook post of minor Hindu girl being killed by Muslims whereas Muslims didn’t burn anything when innocent Asifa was gang raped and murdered by Hindu priest and accomplices in communal hate crime in Kathua. So who are tolerant? There are numerous such cases where “Muslims started the riot (Satire)”. Considering these incidents it seems like Hindus are ready on their toes to attack Muslims and just an excuse is needed.

Muslims must give it a thought, why Hindus elect murderers of Muslims, why Hindu celebrities spew venom against Muslims, why Hindu celebrities get thousands of followers overnight after they spew venom against Muslims? why Hindus on such large scale insults Islam and Muslims? An analysis of hate speech and disinformation on the social networking site Facebook India by a South Asian American human rights and technology research organization shows that the highest proportion of hate speech — 37 percent — is linked to Islamophobia as reported by Indian Express. According to a study by the MIT and IIT researchers, One is three Whatsapp posts in India stokes hate and fear of Muslims. Thousands of Whatsapp groups spread venom against Muslims, “When TOI went over the dataset, there was a wide range of misinformation meant to stoke fear among Hindus. Wayanad, where Rahul Gandhi was contesting, was vilified right before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as a place where “decrees are given to kill non-Muslims every Friday.” Muslim doctors were accused of “medical jihad,” a conspiracy theory that they kill Hindus with the fake treatment they offer, with a reference to Gorakhpur’s Dr Kafeel Khan. And “love jihad”, the messages said, was actually meant to feed a black-market organ trade — “Middle class Bharatiya girls do not smoke or drink and maintain their bodies … Ek ladki ki kimat Rs 5 crore hai (one girl costs Rs 5 crore).” Emojis, they found, were used a lot. At least one emoji was present in 52% of the fear speech messages (compared to 44% for the whole dataset). And these emojis have taken on deeply entrenched meanings. Those of the saffron flag, trident, bow and arrow, conch shells and the om symbol were used to represent Hindutva, while dehumanising emojis of demon, devil smileys, pig face and pig were used to represent Muslims.” According to Lokniti-CSDS post poll survey, “Compared to other communities, a slightly larger number of Hindus said that people should have the right to promote violence against other communities, while Muslims were most likely to say that people shouldn’t have such a right. A similar pattern can be seen on the question whether people should have the right to ridicule other communities. Muslims and Sikhs were the most likely to oppose such a right while Hindus and others were more likely to support it, compared to other communities [End quote]”. why crimes against Muslims in India go unpunished? Dr. Zakir Naik was forced to flee on the pretext of flimsy reasons just because he preached his religion whereas Hindus have given shelter to critics of Islam from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Canada, France, Belgium, Australia and so forth and are made to run programs and to write books against Muslims as if Hindu extremists and namesake Muslims bashing Indian Muslims wasn’t enough, I am not naming anyone but you know very well who I am talking about. Muslim bashing is a booming business in India that’s the reason critics of Islam have a great interest in India. You will never see Hindus standing in support of Muslims but you will definitely find Hindus supporting those who are in conflict with Muslims in any part of the world, when French government allowed blasphemy under the garb of freedom, Hindus in India were trending hashtags in support of the blasphemy, when Israel was bombarding Palestine killing hundreds of Muslims, Hindus in India were trending hashtags in support of Israel, many Hindu politicians also showed their support to Israel because the those who were being killed were Muslims. China is in conflict with India and has usurped Indian territory yet Hindus praise China “re-education” camps in which Uyghurs are tortured, Hindus wish that India emulate Chinese camps. Why Islamophobics are given shelter in India? Why Hindus doesn’t want to shelter Rohingya but are giving citizenship to Hindus from Pakistan and Bangladesh, where’s the nationalism now? Why Hindus in India are worrying about Pakistani and Bangladeshi Hindus when nation is first and last for them? Ram Janmabhoomi trust chief Nritya Gopal Das said, “Pakistan is a part of Akhand Bharat and Hindus living there are our brothers. If he (Kaneria) wants to visit Ram Mandir and offer prayers, then he is most welcome,” VHP leader Sharad Sharma said, “Pakistani Hindus have a blood relation with us and Kaneria’s statement proves this,” Indian Muslims are called Pakistani and are told to go to Pakistani whereas they welcome Pakistani Hindus with open arms, doesn’t this prove that for them religion is above nation? Go to any non Indian pages and you will definitely see Hindus commenting against Muslims. If you happen to see any Islamophobic comment then check who has liked it, most of them would be Hindus. Check Twitter handles of non-Indian, Non-Hindu Islamophobics most of their followers would be Hindus only, Hindus have so much hatred against us that they would follow anyone who spews venom against us as they believe in enemy of enemy is my friend proverb. If Hindus are secular then why right-wing party is winning every election, According to the CSDS survey 52 percent of all Hindus voted for the NDA, up nine percentage points from 43 percent in 2014? Why Hindu terrorists RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal has 5 million members each? Why there are hundreds and thousands of riots against non-Hindus every year? According to NCRB, there were 723 communal riots in 2017 alone, there were 1092 victims of these communal riots. This is the official figure, the unofficial figure is always much higher than the official figure. The incidents registered under the Scheduled Caste Prevention of Atrocities Act saw an increase from 5,082 incidents reported in 2016 to 5,775 in 2017. Incidents of crime related to Scheduled Tribes dipped from 844 in 2016 to 720 in 2017.

Why Muslims are marginalized? Why is it that Muslims are attacked during Hindu festivals? Hindu festivals have become more of a show of might rather than celebration where Hindus takes out procession through Muslim dominated areas armed with swords and guns vandalizing mosques, raising objectionable slogans outside mosques and killing Muslims 12345. And in case if Muslims reacts then Muslims are accused of pelting stones at “peaceful procession”, like in the case of Kasganj violence where Hindu mob attacked Muslims who were busy preparing for Republic Day celebration and then it was claimed by Hindus that Muslims killed a Hindu for chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jay, later CCTV footage showed that Chandan Gupta was a rioter who was attacking Muslims. Why crimes are given religious color? If a Muslim is involved in any crime like murder, theft or rape then his religion is highlighted by Hindus though majority of crimes are committed by Hindus in India, it is a way to demonize Muslims and portray the Muslim community as a community of criminals, they can’t even differentiate a stray crime and a hate crime. Why Indian Muslims living in Indian states bordering Bangladesh are called Bangladeshi while the rest of the Indian Muslims (baring Kashmiris) are called Pakistanis? A party that doesn’t spew venom against Muslims or hasn’t persecuted Muslims is accused of doing “Muslim Appeasement”. The Sachar Committee report shows how much Muslims have been appeased. Reports by TheWire.in & Indian Express showed that Muslims are greatly underrepresented in the Parliament because it’s the people who choose MP and Hindus doesn’t like Muslim candidates, the survey also shows that even the Congress Party is reluctant to field Muslim candidates in Hindu majority constituencies because they know that Hindus won’t vote for Muslims, approx. 20 Muslims had won the 2014 Lok Sabha election out of 543+2 Lok Sabha seats and they won only from constituencies which are Muslim majority or has sizeable Muslim population, obviously, this is an indication of Hindus’ unlikeness for Muslims. During the recent Gujarat assembly elections Hindus were spreading rumor that Congress’ CM candidate is Ahmed Patel, it was a clear expression that “hey look if you vote for Congress then they will make a Muslim man as Chief Minister”, during elections right-wing Hindus spreads pictures of secular Hindu leaders wearing Muslim skull caps and asks their fellow Hindus whether they want a Hindu Hriday Samrat leader or a skull cap-wearing leader. Check news of attack on Indian Muslims in Muslim FB pages or twitter handles, you won’t find a single comment of Muslims bashing Hindus or insulting Hinduism, then go to pro Hindu pages and check their fake news intended to peddle their imaginary victimhood of Hindu Khatre Mein Hain (Hindus are in danger) and you will see most comments are against Muslims and Islam. That’s the difference between them and us which shouldn’t exist because we can’t wait until Hindus start building gas chambers or to turn the condition of Indian Muslims like that of Rohingya Muslims. There are so many FB pages and Twitter handles created by Hindus solely dedicated for maligning Islam, and most of those pages has lakhs and millions of followers, you can’t even name one such page having at least 10K followers dedicated to exposing Hinduism. Muslims must think why Hindus takes video of them attacking Muslims? Because they know very well that they won’t be punished in the undeclared Hindu Rashtra (Hindu State), there won’t be imprisonment in the first place as they would be out on bail just as murderers of Akhlaq, Pehlu, Qasim, Junaid, Gulberg society massacre, Muzaffarnagar riots… are out on bail and if in case they get convicted by mistake then still they would be granted bail like in the case of Ajmer Dargah blast convict Bhavesh Patel, Dhananjay Desai and Gujarat riot convicts Babu Bajrangi and Maya Kodnani. Why such a free hand on murderers of Muslims? According to Hindus, the destruction of Bamiyan Buddha by Taliban terrorists is Islamic barbarism but the demolition of the Babri Mosque by Hindu Terrorists is Shaurya Divas worthy to be celebrated. If Rohingyas are persecuted then Hindus reaction would be Hahaha, dekho mulle har jagah pith rahe hain (hahaha, look Mullas are getting beaten up everywhere) and if IS terrorists kills in Syria then their response would be, ‘Look at these barbaric Mullahs, the religion of peace at work’.

Hindus are so obsessed with Muslims that anything happens and they would definitely drag Muslims which shows that Muslims always revolves around their mind. If a movie is made on fictional Hindu queen Padmavati then Hindus including their leaders like Subramanian Swamy, Togadia & Giriraj dares producers to make a film on Prophet 12, if someone says to use fewer firecrackers during Diwali in wake of rising pollution then Hindus will question What about Bakrid? Say the same to Mullas 12. When train mowed down 61 Hindus in Amritsar who were celebrating Dushera on railway tracks, Hindus were not saddened with the loss of lives but they were more concerned whether the driver of the train was Muslim or not and had even started spreading rumour that the driver was Imtiaz Ali or Imtiaz Khan. These are a few of the hundreds and thousands of cases.

Hundreds of comments were made by Hindus celebrating NZ attack but I didn’t find a single article or coverage on those comments by any mainstream Indian media. You may have seen numerous Hindus insulting Muslims or Islam but you will rarely find Muslims doing the same against Hindus or Hinduism. Hindus even creates parody accounts in the name Muslims to spread hate and insult Islam 1 which is then shared by Hindus to show “How much Muslims hate Hindus” 1, they have to create such parody accounts and spread fake news since Muslims are not interested in saying anything against Hindus, it also serves as a lesson for Muslim community who keeps silence over Hindus hatred for Muslims on the internet, Muslims are not concerned about exposing ugly face of Hindus. Muslims do not troll others like Hindus does and does not use abusive language, Muslims trolling is a rarest of the rare case. Some Muslims “trolling” Mohammed Shami, Suhana Sayeed made news headlines, these news were repeatedly reposted on Facebook and broadcasted on television, such posts attracted Hindu trolls who abused Muslims but it didn’t make any headline. I guess Muslims “trolling” Suhana Sayeed was a matter of national security that’s why it was given a lot of coverage but a Hindu BJP leader Phani Mondal caught (on same week when Suhana was trolled) with 500 bombs in Malda, West Bengal didn’t find place even in newspaper let alone getting attention of mainstream media as media did with Suhana Sayeed, this reminds me of a famous Urdu poetry,

Ham aah bhi karte hai to ho jaate hai badnam
wo qatl bhi karte hai to charcha nahi hota
(I do suffer a slander, when I merely sigh she gets away with murder, no mention of it nigh)

Media is supposed to be unbiased, I was very shocked at the prejudice of Indian media, they randomly picked comments of some Muslims and made it news but Hindus abusing Muslims/Islam has never made headline.

Check news of Hindu terrorists attacking Muslims and go to the comment section, you won’t find Hindu condemning the incident rather they usually justify the attack calling it retaliation and considering it to be Karma and starts their whataboutery to divert the topic. Their whataboutery is nothing but condoning violence against Muslims, you observe that after every attack on Muslims, Hindus would come up with some invented fake news to justify the attack. I am not telling you to follow Pro Hindu Facebook pages and Twitter handles where Muslim bashing is a common scenario, go to general pages like The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, News18, Zee News… and check comments of Hindus on posts about Muslims. Hindus leave no stone unturned in bashing Islam and Muslims. Hindus doesn’t have a heart, they justify violence on Muslim children and women as well. I took numerous screenshots of Hindus showing their hatred for Muslims and Islam, making mockery of Islam even on posts completely unrelated to the post but I will post some specific screenshots, more specifically those where Hindus have called for persecution of Muslims and celebrated massacre of Muslims because there is nothing more heinous than celebrating massacre of humans. After a while I stopped taking screenshots because of the extreme hate because it was just unbearable, I wanted to avoid negativity. I request you to not just read comments but also look at the number of likes such comments get because a comment is a view of just one person but the number of likes reflects how many Hindus endorses such hateful views. I will also post screenshots of Hindu celebrities showing their hatred against Islam and Muslims. Seems that worshipping animals has deprived them of humanity.

Contents

 

 

Hindus calling for massacre of Muslims

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli1.jpg?w=550

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli2.jpg?w=625

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli3.jpg?w=625

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli4.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli5.png?w=438

#

#

#

#

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli6.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli7.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli8.jpg?w=625

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli9.png?w=405

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli10.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli11.png?w=601

Hindu lawyer followed by Modi and lakhs of other Hindus. Source https://www.altnews.in/prashant-p-umrao-unmasking-one-man-hate-factory/

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli12.png?w=421

FB post by Hindu extremist calling for assault on Imams has garnered 16K likes

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli13.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli14.png?w=602

Look at the number of likes this post got which is telling to kill those who slaughter cows

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli15.png?w=499

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli16.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli17.png?w=587

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli18.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli19.png?w=478

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli20.png?w=571

#

#

#

#

Sri Lanka

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-screenshot_20190423-145102_facebook.jpg?w=513&h=523

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-screenshot_20190505-184744_facebook.jpg?w=510&h=301

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli21.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-christians-fb_img_1567052774986.jpg?w=527&h=281

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-muslims-pushpendra-kulsheshtra.jpg?w=383&h=329

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-screenshot_20191019-213420_facebook.jpg?w=503&h=124

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-screenshot_20191119-004429_twitter.jpg?w=451&h=487

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-comb14052018033939-journalist-jagrati-shukla.jpg?w=570&h=399

 

top

 

Hindus rejoicing over death of Muslims

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-israel-palestine-pregnant-woman-child-screenshot_20190505-112701_facebook.jpg?w=448&h=544

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli22.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli23.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli24.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-dargah-pakistan-screenshot_20190508-111317_facebook.jpg?w=481&h=617

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli35.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

Sri Lanka

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-forceful-conversion-screenshot_20190425-130801_facebook.jpg?w=443&h=338

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-shambhu-lal-regar-afrajul-afrazul-screenshot_20180327-235158.jpg?w=403&h=345

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-screenshot_20190602-125803_facebook.jpg?w=504&h=523

Kashmir

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli36.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli37.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli38.png?w=409

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli39.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli40.png?w=523

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli41.png?w=432

This happened way before than Pulwama and you can see Hindus rejoicing over death of Pakistani soldiers.

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli42.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli43.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli44.png?w=580

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-gaza-palestine-israel-screenshot_20191114-092602_facebook.jpg?w=515&h=340

Israel Gaza Palestine

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-screenshot_20190730-095156-facebook.jpg?w=501&h=317

#

#

#

#

HINDUS HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR MUSLIMS WHETHER THEY ARE ROHINGYA MUSLIMS FROM BURMA OR UIGHYUR MUSLIMS FROM CHINA

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli45.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli46.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli47.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli48.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli49.png?w=431

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli50.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli51.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli52.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli53.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli54.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli55.png?w=602

French extremist living in India justifying murder of innocent Muslim Afrazul by sharing fake news which garnered 1.1K likes

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli56.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli57.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli58.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli59.png?w=600

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli60.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli61.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli62.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli63.png?w=382

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli64.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli65.png?w=473

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli66.png?w=315

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli67.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli68.png?w=418

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli69.png?w=480

#

#

#

#

Hindus on Dalits

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli70.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

And its not just against Muslims, Hindus rejoices even on the death of Secular Hindu known for fighting Hindu fascism. Hindus were overwhelmed to hear the demise of actor Om Puri

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli71.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

Martyr Hemant Karkare

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hemant-karkare-prashant-umrao-madhu-purnima-kishwar.jpg?w=527&h=327

#

#

#

#

Calling for death of Akbarudding Owaisi and they thrashed MIM Corporator in Maharashtra for refusing to pay tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee who justified massacre of Muslims and instigated mobs against Muslims.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/rejoice-akbaruddin-owaisi-screenshot_20190611-222439_facebook.jpg?w=453&h=424

 

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-muslim-leader-screenshot_20190529-001426_twitter.jpg?w=529&h=284

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli72.png?w=602

top

 

Hindus on NZ terror attack

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli25.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli26.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli27.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli28.png?w=384

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli29.png?w=604

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli30.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli31.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli32.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli33.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli34.png?w=345

 

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kill-rejoice-new-zealand-screenshot_20190607-000200_facebook.jpg?w=456&h=594

 

Hindus celebrating death of Muslim youths for marrying Hindu girls

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli73.png?w=367

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli74.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli75.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli76.png?w=359

#

#

#

#

Whether rich or poor, old or young. No matter which class they belong to, they all adhere to the same fanatical mindset. Rakesh Roshan is said to have slapped his daughter for being in love with a Muslim and also called him terrorist

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-rakesh-roshan-love-jihad-screenshot_20190620-112924_facebook.jpg?w=434&h=331

 

top

Hindu Celebrities & Journalists spewing venom against Muslims

 

Well it’s not just Hindu politicians, Scholars and journalists who spews venom against Muslims but even Hindu celebrities who harbors hatred against Muslims.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli77.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli78.png?w=456

#

#

#

#

Hindu actor Manoj Joshi makes mockery of Holy Prophet by retweeting a parody account created by Hindu. The Islamophobic Tweet fetched around 13K Likes.

#

#

#

#

Sister and manager of Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut calls for persecution of Muslims.

Few more of her hateful tweets

#

#

#

#

Sportsperson and current BJP leader Babita Phogat using derogatory word for Muslims

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/1-hatred-munmun-dutta-babita-celebrity-islamophobic.jpg?w=598&h=335

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli80.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli81.png?w=373

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli82.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli83.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli84.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

Journalist Sudhir Chaudhary running Anti-Muslim propaganda demonizing Muslims.

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli85.png?w=600

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli86.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli87.png?w=389

Regularly writes for The Times Of India

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli88.png?w=445

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/blasphemy-raw-officer-rsn-singh-police.jpg?w=457&h=259

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-nk-sood-raw-officer-police-.jpg?w=463&h=553

 

top

Hatred against Muslims

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli89.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

DO LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF LIKES ANTI MUSLIM POSTS GETS FROM HINDUS. Hindus likes Islamophobic posts in thousands.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli90.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli91.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli92.png?w=578

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli93.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-screenshot_20190825-195625_facebook-likes.jpg?w=414&h=620

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-likes-azaan-screenshot_20190920-222426.jpg?w=493&h=327

Hatred for Azaan

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-screenshot_20191102-142603_facebook.jpg?w=389&h=482

Look how Muslims and Muslim festivals are dragged when a Hindu questions about their pollution festivals. They don’t care about facts, all they want is to spread hatred against Muslims.

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/demolish-mosques-delhi.jpg?w=351&h=607

#

#

#

#

Even if you do good for these people, they won’t appreciate you

 

#

#

#

#

Hindus going ecstatic over Trump’s remark on “Radical Islamic Terrorism”.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-islamic-terrorism-howdy-modi-trump-screenshot_20191110-010752_youtube.jpg?w=561&h=357

#

#

#

#

Hindus calling for boycott of Muslims

Complete Boycott Of Muslims trended on top in Twitter India but mainstream media didn’t find it worth reporting. Only Scroll and ThePrint web media reported the venomous hashtag.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/boycott-of-muslims-twitter-trend-screenshot_20191021-011955_twitter.jpg?w=276&h=474

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/economic-boycott-screenshot_20190715-181441_twitter-1.jpg?w=421&h=401

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-boycott-screenshot_20190609-180700_twitter.jpg?w=414&h=469

A tweet calling for boycott of Muslims has garnered huge support. It got 1700 likes.

 

#

#

#

#

 

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/boycott-muslims-zomato-screenshot_20190731-144003_facebook.jpg?w=438&h=311

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/boycott-screenshot_20190802-163209_twitter.jpg?w=259&h=358

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-muslim-women-girls-education-screenshot_20190614-104524_twitter.jpg?w=337&h=445

Muslim girls

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli94.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli95.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli96.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli97.png?w=602
#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli98.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli99.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-names-hypocrisy-screenshot_20190801-121613_facebook.jpg?w=326&h=423

Hindus community is the only community in the world which looks at crimes from religious angle (only if the perpetrator is a Muslim), but they keep their mouth shut on numerous crimes where culprit is from their religion. An example in the above pic where they tried to communalize a crime but later it turned out that the three year old girl beheaded and raped was a Muslim and culprits were from Hindu community. Another example given below, Look at the number of likes, no one cared to check if it is a fake news or genuine one.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/hatred-likes-capture.jpg?w=403&h=391

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli100.png?w=566

 

top

Hindus calling for Rape of Muslim women and celebrating attack on Muslim women

 

Hindus projected themselves as champions of women’s rights when it came to triple talaq but usually they call for rape and murder of Muslim women. When there’s news about attack on Muslim women in the west then Hindus won’t condemn the incident rather they will rejoice and start whataboutery.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/rape-muslim-women-bjp-mahile-morcha.jpg?w=327&h=474

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/yogi-adityanath-men-telling-to-rape-muslim-women.jpg?w=428&h=342

#

#

#

#

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli101.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli102.png?w=547

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli103.png?w=561

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/rape-women-screenshot_20190608-130402_twitter.jpg?w=441&h=540

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/rape-women-screenshot_20190608-104708_facebook.jpg?w=321&h=541

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli104.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli105.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli106.png?w=586

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli107.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli108.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli109.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli110.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli111.png?w=512

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli112.png?w=432

A Muslim woman was raped by Hindus during Gujarat riot and there’s no condemnation by Hindus instead they are busy in whataboutery.

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli113.png?w=557

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli114.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli115.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli116.png?w=601

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli117.png?w=601

As it is rightly said that when something bad happens to Muslims then it becomes a moment of celebration for Hindus and when something good happens then it pains them. Look at how much Hindus are happy after a Muslim woman failed to become Prime Minister of Romania.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli118.png?w=602

top

Reaction of Hindus on suffering of Muslims

 

When there’s news that a mosque was attacked or some country imposed some restrictions on Muslims then Hindus will never ever condemn that rather they will rejoice and start their whataboutery. When a crime against Muslims is reported then never ever expect Hindus to condemn the incident they will come up with all sort of tricks and whataboutery like What about Pandits? Where were you when… why don’t you post about Mullas? Why bring religion?

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli119.png?w=411

#

#

#

#

On exodus of Muslims

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/rejoice-screenshot_20190522-214051_facebook-1.jpg?w=448&h=527

#

#

#

#

Their hatred is so much that they feel no pain even for children because for them only lives of Hindus & cows matters.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli120.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli121.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli122.png?w=520

#

#

#

#

 

On Muslim leaders of Sri Lanka resigning,

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/reaction-sri-lanka-muslim-governors-screenshot_20190603-220013_facebook.jpg?w=419&h=505

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli123.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli124.png?w=602

Look at the number of likes on anti Muslim comments

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli125.png?w=566

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli126.png?w=520

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli127.png?w=542

Look at the number of likes this post got and also look at the number of likes on anti Muslim comments.

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli128.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli129.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli130.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli131.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli132.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli133.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli134.png?w=601

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli135.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli136.png?w=529

#

#

#

#

Apparently there’s cold war betweeen China and India but Hindus for whom religion comes first are praising China because of persecution of Chinese Uighur Muslims

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli137.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli138.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli139.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli140.png?w=430

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli141.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli142.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli143.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli144.png?w=600

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli145.png?w=354

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli146.png?w=458

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli147.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli148.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli149.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli150.png?w=497

top

Hindus on Non-Hindus

 

Don’t think that Hindus bear hatred only against Muslims, they hate Christians, Sikhs and even Dalits its just that since Muslims are the largest minority in India so Muslims are the primary target when Hindus are done with Muslims then they will move on to other minorities

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli151.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

On Dalits

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli152.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli153.png?w=602

She is a journalist

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/rejoice-cathedral-burning-christian-screenshot_20190417-002542_twitter.jpg?w=484&h=352

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli154.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli155.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli156.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli157.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli158.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

top

Hindus Insulting Holy Prophet even when the post is irrelevent to Prophet or Islam

Hindus have no respect for others, they have made it their habit of mocking other faiths and religious personalities. Insulting prophet of Islam is a pass time for them, they insult holy prophet ﷺ even when the post is completely unrelated to Muslims or when a Muslim comments on politics. Reproducing slurs against holy prophet ﷺ is a sin, may Allah forgive me for that, I have erased abusive words against prophet by Hindus. It was very necessary to show you how Hindus makes mockery of other religions. Also check Hindu Celebrities and Journalists spewing venom against Muslims category to see some Hindu celebrities, media persons and officers’s blasphemous remark against holy Prophet ﷺ

But before I begin, I would like to show you the difference between Muslims and Hindus. When an Australian ad featured Hindu god Ganesha eating meat, every Muslim was condemning it because Muslims doesn’t find it appropriate to portray other deities or that which could hurt other people but on the other hand Hindus were daring the producer of the ad to make a similar ad featuring Holy Prophet ﷺ ,

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli159.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

Blasphemous hashtags trended on top in Twitter India.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/blasphemous-hashtag-screenshot_20191019-185037_twitter.jpg?w=341&h=521

 

#

#

#

#

Hindus running “Muslims are Terrorists” Hashtag on Twitter India

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/screenshot_20191129-193831_twitter.jpg?w=416&h=715

Hindus again trended blasphemous hashtag on 29/11/2019. They trended this hashtag on pretext of protesting murder of a lady named Priyanka Reddy in Hyderabad whose one of the culprit happened to be Mohammed Pasha. The other accused in the case were Naveen, Keshavulu and Shiva.
https://www.news18.com/news/india/stranded-by-flat-tyre-veterinarian-raped-and-murdered-2-truck-drivers-held-after-burnt-body-found-2404941.html

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/blasphemy-14-thousand-likes.jpg?w=398&h=644

14,000 likes

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli160.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli161.png?w=527

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli162.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli163.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

Look at the following screenshot of a post which had nothing to do with any religion but a Hindu insults holy prophet ﷺ which garners over 100 likes in just 1 hour,

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli164.png?w=432

#

#

#

 

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/blasphemy-screenshot_20190609-232625_facebook.jpg?w=475&h=405

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli165.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli166.png?w=432

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli167.png?w=431

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli168.png?w=601

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli169.png?w=502

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli170.png?w=602

#

#

#

#

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/041519_0956_hinduscalli171.png?w=431

top

 

The post Hindus Calling for Massacre of Muslims & Celebrating Persecution of Muslims appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Intoxicant Consumption in Hinduism https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2019/04/11/intoxicant-consumption-in-hinduism/ Thu, 11 Apr 2019 06:28:20 +0000 http://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2018/08/11/intoxicant-consumption-in-hinduism/ Written by Sulaiman Razvi Hinduism is perhaps the only religion in the world which has a deity of liquor called Varuni and a god like Shiva associated with Bhang (cannabis). Intoxicant consumption is not unknown in Hindu society. In fact, intoxicants like Bhang and liquor have become ceremonial beverages during Hindu festivals like Holi and […]

The post Intoxicant Consumption in Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>

Written by Sulaiman Razvi

Hinduism is perhaps the only religion in the world which has a deity of liquor called Varuni and a god like Shiva associated with Bhang (cannabis). Intoxicant consumption is not unknown in Hindu society. In fact, intoxicants like Bhang and liquor have become ceremonial beverages during Hindu festivals like Holi and Diwali. Bhang (hemp/cannabis) in the form of drink is widely consumed by Hindus during the festival Holi. Even Sadhus spend their lives smoking weed to please their lord Shiva though it is in violation of NDPS act. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar wrote in his book Riddles in Hinduism, “The ancient Aryans were also a race of drunkards. Wine formed a most essential part of their religion. The Vedic Gods drank wine. The divine wine was called Soma. Since the Gods of the Aryans drank wine the Aryans had no scruples in the matter of drinking. Indeed to drink it was a part of an Aryan’s religious duty…Who were denied Soma drank Sura which was ordinary, unconsecrated wine sold in the market. Not only the male Aryans were addicted to drinking but the females also indulged in drinking. The Kaushitaki Grihya Sutra I.11-12 advises that four or eight women who are not widowed after having been regaled with wine and food should be called to dance for four times on the night previous to the wedding ceremony.”

Consumption of liquor is clearly prohibited in Hindu scriptures and it is considered a great sin (Mahapataka) but some texts allow it under certain conditions, moreover, there are plenty of examples of Gods, Rishis and even Goddesses enjoying liquor. Some text even suggests the use of liquor for offering a libation to Hindu deities. There are approximately 11 types of liquors mentioned in Hindu scriptures such as Sura which is made from grains and was perhaps the most popular drink back then, Maireya which is Rum and made from treacle or molasses, Paista which is made from rice, Madhvika made from flowers, Madhuka made from honey, Panasa taken from jack fruit, Draksa made from grapes, Khajura sambhava made from date fruits, Nalikeraja prepared from coconut palm, Gaudi prepared from molasses, Arista which is a fermented liquor made from soapberry. Wine is praised in various ways in Hinduism, As per Agni Purana 84.1-2 dreaming about ‘wine in the night preceding the day of the ceremony, should be held as the most auspicious ones’, As per Srimad Bhagavatam 5.1.32-33 there are seven islands on Earth which are separated by seven oceans and the oceans are of salt water, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, milk, curds and pure water.

Kumraila Bhatta a 8th century Hindu reformer observes, “Among the people of modern days we find the Brahmana women of the countries of Ahicchatra and Mathura to be addicted to drinking.” (Tantra-vartika, I.III.4). He condemned this practice in the case of Brahmins only, but not of Ksatriya and Vaisya men and women, if the liquor was distilled from fruits or flowers (Madhvi) and molasses (Gaudi) and not from grains (Sura). Madhavacharya in his Sankara Dig Vijaya Canto 15, verses 1-23 wrote that Adi Shankaracharya along with King Sudhanva traveled to Karnataka where they happened to confront Kapalikas a Shaivite sect who were engaged in drinking liquor in their worship like the Saktas. Then they had a debate on the issue. Which shows that Sadhus consumed liquor in 8th century also. Consumption of liquor by Kapalin (Shaivite sect of Hinduism) is much older than this, It is mentioned in Skanda Purana I.i.1.33-34 that Kapalins were engaged in drinking liquor. Liquor or cannabis consumption is not a taboo in the Shaivite sect because of that they are censured by Vaishnavite Hindus. Srimad Bhagavatam a Vaishnavite Purana censures Kapalins in the following way,

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.28-29 “One who takes a vow to satisfy Lord Śiva or who follows such principles will certainly become an atheist and be diverted from transcendental scriptural injunctions. Those who vow to worship Lord Śiva are so foolish that they imitate him by keeping long hair on their heads. When initiated into worship of Lord Śiva, they prefer to live on wine, flesh and other such things.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Swami Prabhupada wrote: “It is sometimes seen that devotees of Lord Śiva imitate the characteristics of Lord Śiva. For example, Lord Śiva drank an ocean of poison, so some of the followers of Lord Śiva imitate him and try to take intoxicants like gāñjā (marijuana). Here the curse is that if someone follows such principles he must become an infidel and turn against the principles of Vedic regulation. It is said that such devotees of Lord Śiva will be sac-chāstra-paripanthinaḥ, which means “opposed to the conclusion of śāstra, or scripture.’…” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.28 http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_4.2.28

 

Definition of Sura & Asura

Devas in Hinduism are also called Sura and their enemies i.e. Demons are called Asuras, In later texts like Itihaas and Purana the definition of Sura and Asura given is that the Devas were imbibers of wine hence they were called Sura (literal meaning is liquor) and the demons did not accept liquor hence they were called A-Sura. As per stories mentioned in Hindu texts, Varuni (liquor) was born during the second churning of the ocean (Samundra Manthan) by Devas and Danavas. The Devas accepted her while the Danavas rejected her.

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 9.66-69 “When the ocean of Milk was once again churned by the Devas and Danavas, goddess Varuni with tremulous eyes on account of inebriety, rose up even as the Siddhas in the firmament began to think ‘What is this’? She smilingly stood in front of the Asuras. The Daityas did not accept her. Therefore they become Asuras. They were given the appellation Asura in the sense ‘Those who do not have Sura (liquor)‘. Thereupon, she stood in front of Devas. On the direction given by paramesthin (Brahma) Deva joyously accepted her. In view of the fact that they accepted Sura, they became glorified by the appellation Sura.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Ramayana of Valmiki, Bala Kanda 1, Sarga 45, verses 36-37 “Oh, Rama, the sons of Diti, namely asuraa-s, have not espoused that daughter of Rain-god, but oh, brave Rama, the sons of Aditi on their part, namely sura-s, have espoused that impeccable Vaaruni. Thereby the sons of Diti are called a suraa-s, and the sons of Aditi are called suraa-s, and gods are delighted and rejoiced on espousing Vaaruni.” Tr. Desiraju Hanumanta Rao

Mahabharata mentions the vow of Asura which was to abstain from drinking alcohol,

Mahabharata Vana Parva 3, Section 255″…And I shall observe the Asura vow…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Kisari Mohan Ganguli writes, “The vow of the Asuras was (according to the Burdwan Pundits) never to drink wine…”

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03255.htm#fn_83

Varuni is the liquor deity of Hinduism, some texts calls her the wife of Varuna and some considers her the daughter of Varuna. Wine was born after churning of the ocean as per Hindu texts,

Mahabharata Udyoga Parva 5, Section 102 “…The gods, uniting with the Asuras, and making the Mandara mountain their pole, churned the waters of the ocean and obtained the wine called Varuni…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mahabharata Udyoga Parva 5, Section 98 “…Behold now, O companion of the Lord of the celestials, that abode, made entirely of gold, and full of the wine called Varuni. Indeed, having obtained that wine, the gods acquired their god-heads…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

 

Consumption of Alcohol by Gods and Goddesses

Rama & Sita

Rama the Maryada Purshottom (ideal man) is said to have made his wife Sita drink wine and then enjoyed the dance of women,

Ramayana of Valmiki, Uttarakhanda 7, Sarga 42, Verses 18-23 “Like unto Purandara with Sachi he took Sita by the hand, made her sit and drink the wine distilled in the province of Mira. And in no time the servants brought for him well-cooked meat and various fruits. Being inebriate the beautiful Apsaras, well-skilled in the art of singing and dancing, began to dance before Rama in the company of Kinnaris. The virtuous souled Rama, the foremost of those who know how to please, satisfied those beautiful damsels adorned with various ornaments.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Ramayana of Valmiki, Uttarakhanda 7, Sarga 42, Verses 18-23 “Like unto Purandara with Sachi he took Sita by the hand, made her sit and drink the wine distilled in the province of Mira. And in no time the servants brought for him well-cooked meat and various fruits. Being inebriate the beautiful Apsaras, well-skilled in the art of singing and dancing, began to dance before Rama in the company of Kinnaris. The virtuous souled Rama, the foremost of those who know how to please, satisfied those beautiful damsels adorned with various ornaments.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

This verse appears in the 52nd Sarga of M.N. Dutt’s translation but actually, it is supposed to be in the 42nd Sarga. Following is another English translation by Hindu scholar Hari Prasad Shastri,

Valmiki Ramayana, Uttarakhanda 7, Sarga 42, Verses 18-23 “Taking Sita by the hand, Kakutstha gave her delicious wine made of distilled honey to drink, as formerly Puandara had offered to Sachi. Thereafter pure viands and fruits of every kind were brought by servants, whilst lovely Apsaras, skilled in the arts of singing and dancing, began to perform in the Prince’s presence and troops of Nymphs and Uragas, surrounded by the Kinneris intoxicated with wine, danced before Kakutstha, and the virtuous Rama, the most captivating of warriors, delighted those ravishing and charming women.” Tr. Hari Prasad Shastri

Following is the Hindi translation with Sanskrit text by Chaturvedi Dwaraka Prasad Sharma,

The Sanskrit word mentioned here is Madhu Maireya which is a type of liquor made from honey, Panini defines the word Madhu Maireya as,

Ashtadhyaya Panini, Book VI, Ch 11, verse 70 “…Thus ग्रुंडमेरेय: ‘the wine maireya prepared from treacle or molasses’. मधुमैरेय:maireya prepared from honey‘. Why do we say when denoting ‘an ingredient?’ Observe परममैरेय: Why do we say ‘before मेरेय?’ Observe पुष्पासव: Every sort of spirituous liquor except सुरा is called मेरेय.” Tr. Srisa Chandra Vasu

The above passage also makes the definition of the word Sura (सुरा) clear. Swami Vivekananda wrote,

“…Instances are found in the Râmâyana and the Mahâbhârata of the drinking of wine and the taking of meat by Rama and Krishna, whom they worship as God. Sita Devi vows meat, rice, and a thousand jars of wine to the river-goddess, Gangâ!”
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_5/Writings:_Prose_and_Poems/The_East_and_The_West/Food_and_Cooking

When Hanuman met Sita in the Ashok Vatika, he informed Sita about the condition of Rama, he told Sita that Rama has given up consumption of liquor and meat due to the grief of being separated from her,

Ramayana of Valmiki, Sundara Khanda 5, Sarga 36, verse 41 “Rama is not eating meat, nor indulging even in spirituous liquor. Everyday, in the evening, he is eating the food existing in the forest, well arranged for him.” Tr. K.M.K. Murthy

We know that Rama was a meat-eater, when he was about to go to Vanvaas (exile into the forest) he lamented that he would have to live in the forest without meat. So this verse indicates that Rama also consumed liquor. A verse from Ayodhya Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana states that Sita vowed to offer hundred cups of wine to the goddess if her wish is fulfilled,

Ramayana of Valmiki, Ayodhya Kanda 2, Sarga 55, verses 19-20 “Having come near the middle of the Kalindi, Sita prayed unto her, saying, ‘Hail to thee, O goddess! I cross thee. If my husband can successfully perform his vow. I will worship thee with a thousand cows and a hundred vessels of wine.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Hanuman

The ardent Bhakt of Rama is also said to have taken intoxicants,

Mahabharata Vana Parva 3, Section 145, Verse 86 “…The powerful Hanuman, however, opening his eyes partially looked at him (Bhima) with disregard, with eyes reddened with intoxication…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Krishna

In the Mahabharata, Sanjay describes Krishna and Arjuna in the company of Draupadi and Satyabhama (wife of Krishna and an incarnation of Bhudevi), exhilarated by Bassia wine,

Mahabharata, Udyog Parva 5, Section 59, verses 2-5 “Sanjaya said, ‘Listen, O king, as I tell thee the state in which I found Krishna and Dhananjaya. I will also, O Bharata, tell thee what those heroes said; O king, with looks bent down and hands joined together, and with senses well restrained, I entered the inner apartments for conferring with those gods among men. Neither Abhimanyu nor the Twins can repair to that place where are the two Krishnas and Draupadi and lady Satyabhama. There I beheld those chastisers of foes, exhilarated with Bassia wine, their bodies adorned with garlands of flowers.” Tr. Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Renowned Hindu scholar Kumarila Bhatta explained this verse of Mahabharata and justified it by saying that by drinking wine Krishna and Arjuna didn’t transgress the law. Kumarila Bhatta wrote that Sura (prepared from grain) is prohibited whereas Krishna and Arjuna drank Madhu which is not prohibited and that Kshatriyas and Vaishyas can have Madhu and Sidhi (types of liquors made from honey and molasses),

Tantra Vartika, Adhyaya 1, Pada III, Adhi 4(a) “Then remains the case of Krshna and Arjuna being drunk with wine, and having married the daughters of their respective maternal uncles, both being instances of direct transgressions of the law. But it is only the wine distilled from grains, which is called ‘Sura’, that is prohibited for the three higher castes; says the Smrti: ‘Sura is the impure essence of the grains and it is evil that is spoken of as impure; hence the Brahmana, the Kshatriya and the Vaicya should never drink Sura.’ As for the particular wines ‘Madhu’ (wine distilled from certain fruits, as grapes and the like), and the ‘Sidhu’ (that distilled from molasses), these are not prohibited for the Kshatriya and the Vaicya, as ‘all intoxicating drinks’ have been prohibited for the Brahmana alone. Though there is a passage that declares ‘all the three kinds of wine, the Gaudi (that distilled from molasses) Paishthi (that distilled from grains) and Madhu (distilled from fruits), being the same, they should not be drunk by the Brahmavadis,’ yet here the word ‘Brahmavadi’ should be taken as denoted the Brahmanas only, as the word literally means ‘one who is capable of teaching Brahma,’ or ‘whose duty it is to teach Brahma’, or ‘whose excellence lies in such teaching’, and as the root ‘Vada’ is synonymous with ‘Bru’ such duties are distinctly restricted to the Brahmana alone, by such texts as ‘from among the three higher castes, the Brahmana alone should teach’…Hence we take the passage ‘All the three kinds of wine, etc,’ to mean that just as the one, Sura distilled from grains, is not drinkable by the three higher castes, so are all the three undrinkable by the Brahmana otherwise, if the simple prohibition of wine in general were meant, then the words ‘Yathava, etc.,’ and ‘Brahmavadibhih’ would be totally redundant. The mention of ‘the three castes’ we shall supply from out of another verse. For this reason, the fact of Krshna and Arjuna both Kshatriyas being intoxicated with ‘Madhu’ (grape wine) is in no way a transgression of the law. And, as a matter of fact, we have Vedic texts that distinctly show (1) that the prohibition of wine is for others (i.e, Brahmanas), and also (2) that is distinctly permissible (in the case of others)…hence the Brahmana should not drink the wine; lest he be attached to evil’, and (2) ‘The Kshatriya should say to the Brahmana ‘the drinking of wine does no harm to him who knows this’, and this latter is with the reference to the ‘Madhu’ and the ‘Sidhu’ (and not the ‘Sura’ which is in no case allowed to anyone else but the Cudra)…” Tr. Ganganath Jha

As far as my opinion is concerned, Even Sura is not prohibited for Brahmins as Vedas the eternal law for Hindus gives instructions on the consumption of Sura for Brahmins and Kshatriyas. Padma Purana states that Krishna used to drink wine in the company of his wives who also enjoyed wine,

Padma Purana V.89.53-59a “Then the two, O brahmana, being tired due to many pastimes proper for the times in the groves endowed with vernal breezes on all sides, resort, with their attendants, to the root of a tree, and sitting on a divine seat, drink liquor, O best sage. Then the two, intoxicated due to the liquor, with their eyes closed due to sleep, holding each other’s hands, being under the influence of Cupid’s arrows, and desiring to sport, enter, with their words and mind stumbling on the path. There they sport like a female elephant and (the male elephant) the lord of the herd. All the friends also, intoxicated by wine, and with their eyes troubled by sleep (i.e. drowsy) sleep all around in the charming bowers. Again and again incited by his beloved, Krsna, the lord, would go near all, with a separate body (for each) and simultaneously. Having satisfied all of them as a lord of elephants satisfies the female elephants, he would, along with his beloved and with them, go to the lake to sport.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

A story mentioned in Skanda and Samba Purana goes like this, Narada Muni visited Krishna, and all the Yadu boys received him with their heads bowed down in respect but Samba the son of Krishna didn’t greet him properly, So Narada thought of teaching him a lesson. So he told Krishna that his 16100 wives were sexually attracted to Samba. Krishna doesn’t believe him. Then Narada visits him again after a gap of a few days, there he sees that Krishna along with his wives were engaged in drinking liquor. Narada takes this as an opportunity to teach Samba a lesson so he tells Samba that his father i.e. Krishna is calling him. Samba goes there and sits next to his father Krishna. Intoxicated wives of Krishna becomes sexually aroused seeing the handsome boy and their private parts becomes moistened so much that even their underwear becomes drenched due to arousal. Then suddenly Narada Muni enters the place and all the wives of Krishna gets up to pay respect to Narada Muni and then all their dresses slip from their bodies including their wet underwear. Krishna then curses his wives. So it shows that Krishna used to quaff liquor along with his wives, story mentioned in Skanda Purana is too long, I have tried my best to shorten it while the Samba Purana is a summarized version by Wendy Doniger. The Skanda Purana verse also states that Samba used to enjoy liquor and had illicit relationships with women,

Samba Purana 3.6-55 “One day Narada came to Dvaraka to see Krsna. All the Yadu boys received him with respect, but Samba, proud of his young beauty and deluded by the fated, inevitable force of the curse, disregarded Narada. To teach Samba a lesson, Narada told Krsna that all of Krsna’s sixteen thousand wives were in love with Samba. Samba was summoned, and the women, whose minds were blurred by wine, showed inmistakable signs of passion when Samba appeared…”

Skanda Purana Book VII, Section I, Chapter 101, verses 1-38 “At this very juncture (came) venerable sage Narada…In the court of his wandering at will, he always used to come to Dvaravati to pay a visit to Vasudeva. As he came on quickly all the Yadava youths beginning with Pradyumna remained with their heads (politely) bent down…but Samba due to the inevitability of the curse, slighted the noble souled Narada as usual. Being very proud of his youth and handsome features he was forever indulgent in sexual dalliance and liquor. On seeing him impolite and rude, Narada thought thus: Today I shall try to curb this impolite one…After thinking thus, he spoke to Vasudeva: O most excellent one among Devas, here there are sixteen thousand women. O my Lord, their emotional fondness for Samba is much…On hearing these words from Narada, Kesava began to think. What has thus been mentioned by Narada may have some truth in it…Narada went away as he came. A few days thereafter, he returned to Dvaraka. On that day the Lord was engaged in drinking liquor after enjoying aquatic sports along with all the members of his Antahpura (inner apartment)…Staying there the Lord drank the liquor of great auspicious flavour. In the meantime, fully aware that the women were inebriated due to liquor, Narada spoke to Samba: ‘O princely youth, do come and stand here. The Lord calls you. It is not proper on my part to stay on there.’ Urged by Narada…Samba entered quickly and bowed down to his father. He took the seat pointed out by Visnu with natural feeling. In the meantime those women there who were deficient in self control became highly agitated as soon as they saw Samba. As they were staying within the Antahpura so long, they had not seen him before. The liquor had its own effect in making them forget everything. Further they were naturally devoid of self control. Hence their loins became moistened. On seeing an excellent man, the excellent organ of generation of women becomes moistened and dump even if they are observing celibacy or are Yoginis…After sending Samba in, Narada also came hurriedly closely on the heels of Samba. On seeing the sage coming with pleasant manners, all those women suddenly got up; they were tipsy. Even as Vasudeva was watching, when they got up suddenly their valuable garments got torn and fell down into the pots (of liquor). The clothes clinging to their loins (underwear) also fell separately. On seeing it Hari became angry, he cursed those women: O women, since your minds strayed elsewhere unmindful of me, you will not get into the regions occupied by your husband at the close of your life. Slipping down from the world of your husband as well as from the path of heaven, you will have no refuge and will fall into the clutches of robbers. As a result of this defect and curse, those women, at the time of Krsna’s heavenward departure, were abducted by robbers belonging to Pancanada even as Arjuna was looking on.” Tr. Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare

Mahabharata Virata Parva 4, Section 72, Verses 19-28 “And Krishna gave unto each of the illustrious sons of Pandu numerous female slaves, and gems and robes. And then the nuptial festival set in between the families of the Matsya king and the Pandavas. And then conchs and cymbals and horns and drums and other musical instruments appointed by the Pandavas, began to play in the palace of Virata. And deer of various kinds and clean animals by hundreds were slain. And wines of various kinds and intoxicating juices of trees were profusely collected.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Krishna in the following verse is mentioned as Rama,

Skanda Purana VII.I.202.10-11 “Rama with the plough as his weapon, went to the city of Dvaravati teeming with delighted and contented people. There he indulged in a drunken bout with the persons (ladies) of his Antahpura. After imbibing wine, he seized a mace with his hand and went to the splendid garden of Raivatodyana accompanied by Revati and others. Moving in the midst of groups of women, he went along with faltering steps like an inebriated person…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana VII.I.202.31-32 “The Brahmanas assembled there, were well-versed in the Puranas and were glad to listen to the stories and conducts of the primordial celestial sages. On seeing Rama with eyes reddened due to drinking wine they thought, ‘He is thoroughly drunk’, and hurriedly got up and began to honour and adore Halayudha excepting Suta who continued to sit.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Suta kills the Brahmins so Krishna feels the guilt of drinking wine, vows to abstain from wine drinking and also orders corporal punishment to those guilty of drinking wine therefrom. But was the law ever implemented? Because his beloved brother Balrama was addicted to wine and Krishna’s son Samba and grandson Pradumnya is also said to have relished wine.

 

Balarama

Krishna’s brother Balarama was addicted to drinking liquor, several texts mentions this habit of Balarama,

Brahma Purana 90.5-7 “Roaming about that spot Balarama inhaled the intensive odour of wine. After smelling it he experienced the delight that he previously used to have in wine. O sages, thereafter, Balarama saw a current of liquor suddenly falling form Kadamba. He derived great joy therefrom. He drank it joyously in the company of cowherds and cowherdesses…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Harivamsa Purana, Visnu Parva 2.41.5-13 “Then the valiant, auspicious Sankarsana (Balarama), appearing like an elephant roamed on the peak of the mountain, without Krishna. He went under the shade of the kadamba (Nauclea Cadamba) tree, fully blossomed, enjoying the breeze with a faint smell, comfortably. While he was enjoying the breeze there, the smell of (vinous) spirituous liquor entered his nose. Immediately he was affected by the desire to have Varuni, (spirituous liquor). His face appeared dim like the face of an intoxicated person in the afternoon. Then the lord immediately remembered the ancient incident of partaking Amrita (nectar). Then, searching for spirituous liquor, he saw that tree. The water from the rain clouds, showered on the fully blossomed, beautiful tree became the spirituous liquor in the hollows of the tree. After drinking that liquor again and again with desire, his body was swaying with intoxication. The eyes on the face of the intoxicated Balarama, with the colour of the moon in winter, started moving and rolling. Born in the hollows of kadamba, that liquor named KdambarI (kadamba liquor) is Varuni in the body form, the nectar liquor of the deva-s.” Tr. A. Purushothaman and A. Harindranath

Vishnu Purana 5.251-11 “Varuńa, in order to provide for his recreation, said to his wife Váruńí (the goddess of wine), “Thou, Madirá, art ever acceptable to the powerful Ananta; go therefore, auspicious and kind goddess, and promote his enjoyments.” Obeying these commands, Váruní went and established herself in the hollow of a Kadamba tree in the woods of Vrindávana. Baladeva, roaming about, came there, and smelling the pleasant fragrance of liquor, resumed his ancient passion for strong drink. The holder of the ploughshare observing the vinous drops distilling from the Kadamba tree, was much delighted, and gathered and quaffed them along with the herdsmen and the Gopís, whilst those who were skilful with voice and lute celebrated him in their songs. Being inebriated with the wine…Tr. H.H. Wilson

Brahma Purana 100.11-14 “…Once Balarama, the highly blessed Revati and other excellent ladies were seated in the Raivata garden and engaged in drinking wine…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.67.9-15 “There he saw Śrī Balarāma, the Lord of the Yadus, adorned with a garland of lotuses and appearing most attractive in every limb. He was singing amidst a crowd of young women, and since He had drunk vāruṇī liquor, His eyes rolled as if He were intoxicated. His body shone brilliantly as He behaved like an elephant in rut…Angered, Lord Balarāma, the best of fighters, hurled a rock at him, but the cunning ape dodged the rock and grabbed the Lord’s pot of liquor. Further infuriating Lord Balarāma by laughing and by ridiculing Him, wicked Dvivida then broke the pot and offended the Lord even more by pulling at the girls’ clothing. Thus the powerful ape, puffed up with false pride, continued to insult Śrī Balarāma.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Harivamsa Purana 2.46.21-23 “Meanshile, Gopas, knowledgeable about the place and time, presented the liquor, Varuni to Balarama, the learned soul. At that time, Balarama drank (the liquor) surrounded by the acquaintances. Balarama, who had gone to the interior of the forest drank the stimulating liquor.” Tr. A. Purushothaman and A. Harindranath

Brahma Purana 84.34-45 “There in the waters of Yamuna he saw Balarama with a thousand hoods…His ear-rings were fine. He was inebriate and was stationed on the borrom bed of the river water. In his lap he saw Krsna. He was dark in complexion like the cloud…” Tr. Baord of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata Vana Parva 3, Section 18, Verse 18 “What will the elder brother of Kesava, the mighty-armed Baladeva, clad in blue and inebriate with wine, say, when he returneth…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

 

Krishan’s grandson Pradumyna

Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita 2, Yuddha Khanda section 5, Ch 52, verses 50-53 “Then taking leave of her friend, and knowing him to be the grandson of Ksna, Citralekha got ready to go to Dvaraka with the velocity of the mind…Then in the park of the harem the son of Pradyumna was seen by her playing with women and drinking wine. He was dark complexioned but beautiful in every limb, smiling in the prime of youth.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

 

Shiva & Parvati

In Vayu Purana Shiva is addressed as an imbiber of wine,

Vayu Purana, Section I, Ch 30, verse 265 “You are a holder of the rod (of chastisement), the wielder of a staff, adorned with staff, and tonsured head. You are imbiber of poison, drinker of nectar, drinker of wine, drinker of milk and Soma juice. [268] O Siva, neither Brahma nor Visnu nor the ancient sages can understand your greatness precisely.” Tr. G.P. Bhatt, edited by G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana mentions Bhairava (a form of Shiva) as having pink eyes due to intoxicant consumption,

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 35.45-46 “Martanda Bhairava is present there, O sage, in twelve different forms. He is accompanied by Saktis of fiery refulgence numbering crores. He is Mahaprakasarupa (having the form of great radiance). His eyes are pink due to inebriation…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Mahakala a form of Shiva is described as being fond of meat and wine,

Shiva Purana, Vayaviyasamhita 6, Section II, Ch 31, verses 62-64 “Mahakala of great arms is like another Mahadeva unto those who seek refuge in him…He is fond of honey, meat and wine…” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Kausiki daughter of Parvati (also considered her form) is also described as being fond of wine,

Shiva Purana, Vayaviya Samhita 6, Section II, Ch 31, verses 89-90 “Kausiki is the daughter of Parvati. She rides on a lion. She is the great Maya, the slumber of Visnu. She is the suppressor of the demon Mahisa. She destroyed Sumbha and Nisumbha. She is fond of wine and meat…” Tr. J.L. Shastri

 

Indra

A verse from Devi Bhagavatam states that Indra after being intoxicated with wine began to copulate with Apsara Rambha,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 9.40.13-25 ”Nârâyana said :– In ancient days, Indra the Lord of the three worlds, intoxicated with wine and becoming lustful and shameless, began to enjoy Rambhâ in a lonely grove. After having enjoyed her, he became attracted to her; his mind being wholly drawn to her, he remained there in that forest, his mind becoming very passionate.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

It is mentioned in Puranas that Indra with the help of Rambha made Vritra drink and then slew him deceitfully,

Padma Purana II.25.11-20 “[Vrtra said] O you beautiful lady, I have sought your shelter. Protect me form the (disturbance caused by) sexual desire. O you of large eyes, resort to me, who am, O dear one, distressed by sexual desire. Rambha said: There is no doubt that today I shall submit myself to you; O hero, you should do whatever I tell you to do…Having thus established a relation with her, the very powerful best demon enjoyed in that very meritorious forest. The great demon was very much stupefied by her singing, dancing, charming smile and sexual intercourse (with her). She said to that noble and best demon: ‘(Please) drink wine; (please) drink madhu-madhavi (a kind of intoxicating drink)… But that respectable lady Rambha lovingly gave wine to him against his will. Due to civility for her he drink wine at that time. When he was extremely stupefied by the wine, and lost his senses, just then Indra struck him with his thunderbolt. Then that killer of Vrtra (i.e. Indra) was tainted with such sins as killing a brahmana.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

 

Varuna

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 33.64-66 “To the north of it (i.e. in the west) in between the two gateways, Varuna stays permanently resorting to the Varuna world. He is excited and inebriated by tasting spirituous liquor…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

 

Durga & Her Forms

Hindu goddess Durga drank wine cups after cups before killing Mahishasura,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 5.18.54-70 “Vyâsa said :— O King! Saying thus, the Devî, wrathful and eager to kill Mahisâsura, took up the golden cup filled with wine and drank again and again. When the Devî finished Her drink of the sweet grape juice, She pursued him with trident in Her hands, to the great joy of gladdening all the Devas.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 5.9.41-48 “…Vyâsa said :— No sooner the messengers heard these words of Mahisa, than they at once went to the Devî and saw that Her body and the several parts thereof were all very beautiful; She had eighteen hands, She was decorated completely with various ornaments all over Her body, all the auspicious signs were being seen in Her body and that She was holding excellent divine weapons. That auspicious Goddess beautiful, was holding in Her hands, the cup and drinking wine again and again. Beholding Her this form, they were afraid and fled at once to the Mahisa and informed him the cause of that sound…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

In Garuda Purana, Goddess Camundi a form of Durga is addresses as fond of wine and flesh,
Garuda Purana I.38.7 “…O deity fond of blood, flesh and wine…” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Skanda Purana V.iii.186.6-15 “…After Mahadeva had gone, O king, the younger brother of Aruna propitiated Camunda embellished with skulls, the goddess who being the resident deity of cremation ground, was accompanied by many goblins. She was a Yogini, perfect in the practice of Yogic exercise. She was fond of suet, flesh and wine…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

 

Kali & Her Forms

In the Mahabharata Kali is described as one fond of wine,

Mahabharata Virata Parva 4, Section 6, Verse 18 “…Thy eternal abode is on Vindhya–that foremost of mountains. O Kali, O Kali, thou art the great Kali, ever fond of wine and meat and animal sacrifice….” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Shiva Purana states that Kali drank wine before fighting Danavas,

Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita 2, Yuddha Khanda section 5, Ch 38, verses 1-3 “Going to the battle ground, the goddess Kali roared like a lion. On hearing that the Danavas fainted. She laughed boisterously again and again boding ill to the Asuras. She drank the distilled grapewine and danced on the battle ground. The manifestations of Durga viz Ugradamstra (one with fierce fangs) Ugradanda (one with fierce baton) and Kotavi (the naked) danced on the battle ground and drank wine.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Chandika is a combined form of Kali, Saraswati and Lakshmi,

Shiva Purana, Uma Samhita 5, Ch 46, verses 53-56 “He then agitated three worlds including the mobile and immobile beings. Then, Candika of great honour and exploit became infuriated. She drank the beverage again and again. With eyes rolling she laughed aloud…With her face reddened as a result of the inebriation after drinking wine, and with her senses excited, she spoke in a tone as majestic as the rumbling of the clouds.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Bhadrakali is another form of Kali,

Devi Bhagavatam 9.22.1-75 “Bhadrakâlî shouted aloud inauspicious peals after peals of laughter. Then She drank Madhu and danced in the battlefield. Ugra Damstrâ, Ugrachandâ, Kotavî, the Yoginîs, Dâkinîs, and the Devas all drank Madhu (wine).” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

 

Other Goddesses and Shaktis

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 32.23 “Madhusri and Madhavasri these two deities are the wives of that shining lord (Vasanta). Both of them are inebriated through spirituous liquor extracted from flowers…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Wine was often consumed by goddesses like Kali, her forms and Shaktis before a battle. There was a battle between Saktis and Danavas, the battle seems to have come to a standstill for some time while Saktis were drinking wine.

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 28.71-89 “The oceans of liquors showered torrents of liquors of various kinds, such as Gaudi (spirit distilled from molasses), Paisti (spirit distilled from meal), Madhvi (liquor made from honey, the excellent Kadambari (spirit distilled from Kadamba flowers (Nauclea Cadamba,) Haintali (spriti from the palm of the variety, Hintala (elatepaludosa) Langaleya (spirit from the palm of the variety Langala (Mithonia superba) many varieties of palm-made spirits, divine liquors were made from the Kalpa tree. Liquors coming from various countries, liquors with good taste, fragrance, liquors with pleasant odour, liquors rendered sweet smelling by means of Bakula flowers (Mimusops Elengi), liquors sparkling with foams and bubbles, liquors with all types of tastes such a Katuka (pungent), Kasaya (astringent), Madhura (sweet), Tikta (bitter), Isadamla (slightly sour), Katvamla (pungent and sour), Madhuramla (sweet and sour), liquors with diverse colours, liquors of slimy nature, Chedinis (? those that pierce and tear); liquors dispelling the pain of wounds of weapons, liquors that bring about union in a broken bone, cool liquors that dispel vertigo and giddiness while fighting. Liquors light and lukewarm and different varieties of liquors that dispel distress and bestow victory. The Madirarnava (ocean of liquor) showered different kinds of liquor in torrent. Each one of the Yoginis (i.e. Saktis) joyously drank the torrent of liquor as big as the trunk of Airavata elephant uninterruptedly for the period of one full Yama. (3 hours). Saktis went on drinking liquor joyously with their eyes closed. Their faces were supine and moving to and fro with lolling tongues. After propitiating them by means of torrents of liquors of various kinds in this manner, the ocean of liquor assumed a divine form and came there. He approached Dandanatha and after bowing to her spoke these words…One seeing Saktis thus pointed out by the ocean of liquor, Dandini was extremly satisfied and she said to him…Due to my favour henceforth, in the age of Dvapara you will be extremely worthy of being used by Yajlikas (priests who perform sacrifices) in their sacrifices like the drinking of Soma. All the deities will drink you after you have been sanctified by means of Mantras in the course of sacrifice. After drinking you, purified by the Mantras, let the people attain Siddhi (spiritual achievement), Rddhi (prosperity), strength, heavenly bliss and salvation. All these great people will drink you viz: Mahesvari, Mahadeva, Baladeva, Bhargava, Dattatreya, Vidhi and Visnu.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 28.90-93 “…After gratifying the ocean of liquor by granting boons thus Dandini urged Mantrini for fighting once again and asked her to hasten it. Again the fight between Saktis and Danavas was resumed. The loud and boisterous laughter of joy pierced the eight cardinal points and mountains. Intoxicated due to the fresh wine and with the eyes rendered red, Saktis fell upon the troops of Daityas in a body and sportively.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 35.28 “By frequently drinking the water therein viz.: wine, the Saktis stationed on its banks become mad with inebriation and play about. They become excessively red (in their faces) due to intoxication.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 19.49b-52 “Then, three deities were stationed on the second step of the leading chariot Cakraratha. They were seated on three (different) seats. They were endowed with eight arms in which they held bows, arrows, a drinking bowl. a citron (fruit) and dagger as well as shields, serpentine noose and a bell of loud sound, They were intoxicated due to liquor…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 20.6-8 “Three deities viz.: Jrmbhinl, Mohini and Stambhini had occupied the second step at the same centre of that chariot. It resembled a full blown pomegranate flower. The deities who were competent to suppress Danavas, held the pestle, plough and liquor pot studdent with many precious stones and jewels…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 20.25-26 “On the other side of the same step in a divine temple were stationed two deities well-known as Krodhini and Stambhini. They fanned with two Camaras (Chowries) as the bangles round their tender creeper like hands moved to and fro. They were excessively proud after drinking liquor and the blood of soldiers in the army of demons…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Asava (liquor) was given to Devahuti daughter of Swayambhuva Manu and wife of Kardama Muni,

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.23.28 “The girls, being very respectful to Devahūti, brought her forth, and after bathing her with valuable oils and ointments, they gave her fine, new, spotless cloth to cover her body. They then decorated her with very excellent and valuable jewels, which shone brightly. Next they offered her food containing all good qualities, and a sweet inebriating drink called āsavam.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Swami Prabhupada insists that Asava is not liquor but an Ayurvedic drink made from herbs, but then he translates the same word Asava as beer in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.18.16.

Matangi is one of the Mahavidyas, ten Tantric goddesses and a ferocious aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother. She is considered to be the Tantric form of Sarasvati,

Skanda Purana III.ii.18.146-7 “They should perform four circumambulations. The couple should cover themselves with a silken cloth and go ahead. After sprinkling water over Matangi the excellent Madhvika (honey that intoxicates) should be taken. The intelligent devotee should worship Matangi with vacal and instrumental music.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

 

RISHIS

Dattatreya

The Markandeya Purana tells us that once when the gods were defeated by the demons in a battle, they approached Brihaspati for help. Brihaspati sent them to Muni Dattatreya the son of Rishi Atri. When the gods approached Dattatreya, they found him drinking wine in the company of Lakshmi with whom he also had sex. The gods prayed to him for help, but he pointed out his own faults, drinking, attachment, affection and sexual enjoyment of women. But then the gods told him that he is sinless and he is not stained by these acts,

Markandeya Purana 18.23-32 “Thus exhorted the gods then went to Dattatreya’s hermitage, and they beheld the high-souled Muni, attended by Lakshmi, hymned by Gandharvas and engrossed in quaffing spirituous liquor…Daddatreya addressed the prostrate gods, ‘What desire ye of me, that ye do me this obeisance…I am drinking strong drink, I have remnants of food in my mouth, nor I subdued my senses. How is it, O gods, ye seek for victory over your enemies even from me?’ The gods spoke. Thou art sinless, O lord of the world; no stain hast thou, into whose heart, purified by the ablution of learning, has entered the light of knowledge. True is this, o gods! all learning have I, who am impartial in view: but by reason of association with this woman I am now impure after eating. For commerce with women when continually pursued tends to depravity. Thus addressed, the gods then spoke again. This woman, O sinless brahman! is the mother of the world; she is not depraved…”

Lakshmi was present there and then he tells the gods that he had copulation with this woman (i.e. Lakshmi), Padma Purana tells us that Dattatreya had sex with Lakshmi though it doesn’t mention Lakshmi but the above verse attests to this statement,

Padma Purana II.103.110-113 “Atri’s son Dattatreya, the high-souled brahmana, the great sage, with his eyes red due to (having drunk) spirituous liquor, was sporting with a woman. The virtuous one, intoxicated by wine, having seated a young, auspicious woman, best of all women, on his lap, sang, danced and heavily drank liquor…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Another verse shows that Dattatreya asked a king to bring him some meat and wine and the king presented the same,

Padma Purana II.103.124-8 “When a long time of many days passed, Dattatreya, in an intoxicated condition, said to the best king: ‘Do as I tell you. Give me wine in a cup; and the meal of flesh that is got cooked.’ Hearing those words of him, that Ayu, the lord of the earth, being eager, speedily got wine in a cup, and quickly cut off well-cooked flesh with his hand, and, O best one, the best king, gave these to Dattatreya. That best sage became happy in mind…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

 

Kashyapa

According to Puranas, Kashyapa was a drunkard, he was addicted to wine and thus he was given the name Kashya (wine) + Hasya (laughter),

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.1.120-1 “When Daksa was over-bearing in his speech in regard to his daughters, the holy lord became angry. Then he drank Kasya. Liquor is called by the name Kasya. The word Kasi should be understood to have the sense of Hasya (Humour, wit). The speech and mind are mentioned by the word Kasya. Liquor is remembered by Brahmanas by means of the word Kasya. The sage is called Kasyapa due to his drinking liquor.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana, Section II, Ch 4, verse 114-5 “Kasyapa was the knower of the sun (?) Hence he was on a par with Brahma. In every Manvantara, he is born through a part of Brahma. The subjects were angered by Daksa, it is said (?) for the sake of (his) daughters. Then he drank wine. The word ‘Kasya’ means wine. Hascekasa should be known as Brahma’s Kasya. Kasya is remembered by Brahmanas as wine. Because he drank Kasya (wiine) he is called Kasyapa.” Tr. G.P. Bhatt, edited by G.V. Tagare

 

Vashistha

Vasistha’s cow Kamdhenu provided him Maireya (Rum) a type of wine made from molasses,

Ramayana of Valmiki, Bala Kanda 1, Sarga 53 “Thus addressed by Vasistha, that bestower of all that was desired, Savala, O destroyer of thy foes, brought forth everything that was desired by everyone. And she produced sugarcanes, and honey, and fried rice, and excellent Maireya, and costly drinks, and various viands, and heaps of warm rice resembling hills, and other kinds of edibles, and soups, and Dadhikulyas, together with silver plates by thousands filled with meats of diverse tastes.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

 

Bharadwaja

Rishi Bharadwaja is said to have provided wine as well as 7-8 women to each soldier of Prince Bharat’s army after invoking Vishwakarma,

Ramayana of Valmiki, Ayodhya Kanda 2, Sarga 91, verses 10-15 “Thereafter Bharata, having been commanded by that great sage to bring the army there, allowed the army’s arrival to the hermitage…I wish to offer hospitality to the guest I summon vishvakarma who is also the divine carpenter. Let arrangements be made in that connection for me…Let some rivers flow with Maireya (a kind of wine made from date palms etc) some others flow with highly refined spirituous liquor and some others flow with cool water with a taste of sugarcane. [52-54] O, wine-bibbers! Drink the wine, however much you desire! O troops stricken with hunger! Let milk thickened with rice and the meats which are very much fresh, be eaten (as you will). Seven or eight young women bathed every single man on the beautiful river-banks, after massaging their body with oil. [84] The soldiers, intoxicated with spirituous liquor, were likewise excited with joy. Likewise, the men were drenched in charming aloes and sandal paste. Various kinds of excellent and charming garlands were there, crushed and garlands were there, crushed and scattered at distances, likewise.” Tr. K.M.K. Murthy

 

Vishwarupa

Srimad Bhagavatam 6.9.1 “Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Viśvarūpa, who was engaged as the priest of the demigods, had three heads. He used one to drink the beverage soma-rasa, another to drink wine and the third to eat food. O King Parīkṣit, thus I have heard from authorities.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

 

Consumption by Kings

Liquor drinking seems to have been part of the life of nobles in the Vedic and Puranik period, there are some references to the consumption of liquor by kings,

Mahabharata Asramavasika Parva 15, Section 1 “…Pandu’s son, collected costly robes and garlands of diverse kinds and duly offered them to Dhritarashtra. Maireya wines, fish of various kinds, and sherbets and honey, and many delightful kinds of food prepared by modifications (of diverse articles), were caused to be made for the old king as in his days of prosperity….” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Consumption by Indra, Agni, Saraswati and Ashwins and offering them liquors in sacrifices as per Vedas

युवं सुराममश्विना नमुचावासुरे सचा |
विपिपानाशुभस पती इन्द्रं कर्मस्वावतम ||

पुत्रमिव पितरावश्विनोभेन्द्रावथुः काव्यैर्दंसनाभिः |
यत सुरामं वयपिबः शचीभिः सरस्वतीत्वा मघवन्नभिष्णक ||

yuvaṃ surāmamaśvinā namucāvāsure sacā |
vipipānāśubhas patī indraṃ karmasvāvatam ||

putramiva pitarāvaśvinobhendrāvathuḥ kāvyairdaṃsanābhiḥ |
yat surāmaṃ vyapibaḥ śacībhiḥ sarasvatītvā maghavannabhiṣṇak ||

Rig Veda 10.131.4-5 “Ye, Aśvins, Lords of Splendour, drank full draughts of grateful Soma juice, And aided Indra in his work with Namuci of Asura birth. As parents aid a son, both Aśvins, Indra, aided thee with their wondrous Powers and wisdom. When thou, with might hadst drunk the draught that gladdens, Sarasvatī, O Maghavan, refreshed thee.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Griffith has translated the word Sura as draught here. These verses are also repeated in Yajur Veda 20.76-78 where Griffith has mentioned the word Sura in his translation and I have further explained it in this article in the Sautramani sacrifice category. These verses are elaborated in Baudhayana Srauta Sutra,

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.35 “…The Maitravruna recites as the puronuvakya the verse, ‘O Asvins the guardians of the auspicious, do you two partaking of the Sura-soma in association with the demon Namuci help Indra in his deeds.’ Having crossed the alter and having caused to announce, he says (to the Maitravaruna), ‘Do you impel (the Hotr to recite the yajya for the Sura-soma set forth for the Asvins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra.’ The Maitravaruna pronounces the call, ‘Let the Hotr recite the yajya for the Asvins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra. These Sura-soma (o gods) set forth for you-powerful, exhilerating, prepared out of the mixture…May the Avins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra the Vrtra-killer enjoy them; may they drink the sweet wine, become exhilarated and enjoy. O Hotr, do you recite the yajya. The Hotr recites the yajya, ‘O Asvins, do you favour us with your deed like the parents their son. O Indra, when thou didst consume the Sura-soma in order to achieve good deeds and to possess powers, Sarasvati healed thee…” Tr. Chintaman Ganesh Kashikar

As you can read, the Sanskrit word mentioned here is Sura which means liquor, following is the snapshot from Vaman Shivaram Apte’s Sanskrit-English lexicon,

C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\Capture.jpg

[The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, p.1132, by Vaman Shivaram Apte, Published by Shiralkar, Poona, 1890]

Sautramani and Rajasuya Sacrifices

Wine and Soma are used in the Sautramani sacrifice. Yajur Veda chapters 19 and 21 deal with offering and consumption of Sura (liquor) and Soma mixture in sacrifices like Sautramani, Rajasuya and offerings to departed manes. Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhayaya 7, Brahmana 3, Verses 1-22 describes the Sautramani ritual. It is stated in the same chapter in verse 4 that Sautramani is to be performed to get rid of enemies. Yajur Veda describes the Sautramani sacrifice which is further elaborated in the Srauta Sutra and Brahmana. Indra, Ashwins, Saraswati, and Agni were the first to perform this sacrifice, Veda states that they quaffed Sura-Soma mixture. And that’s how this sacrifice started, Sura-Soma mixture is offered to deities as well as to one’s ancestors and it is to be consumed by the Brahmin priests as well.

Preparation of Sura (liquor) in the Sautramani sacrifice

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XXVI.22 “The Sura to be prepared for the Sautramani contains the grains as one fourth part or one fifth part, sprouting grass and young blades: The sprouting grass is of barley and young blades are of paddy. Beans are intended for fermentation. Now this filtering basket is wooden or of split bamboo or earthen; it has however a leather spread over it. This (sacrificer) is one who has pressed Soma and who has also filtered wine. The pressing leads him to the yonder world; the filtering of wine grants him welfare here.” Tr. C.G. Kashikar

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhayaya 8, Brahmana 2, verses 8-11 “The malted rice, indeed, is of the form of the morning-pressing, for the morning-pressing is this (terrestrial) world, and the latter relates to the Asvins, and Âsvina milk he pours (into the Surâ-liquor) the first night: he thus provides him (the Sacrificer 1) with the morning-pressing–with its own world, with its own deity, with its own form. And the malted barley is of the form of the midday-pressing, for the midday-pressing is the air, and the latter relates to Sarasvatî and the Sârasvata milk he pours (into the Surâ) the second night: he thus provides him with the midday-pressing–with its own world, with its own deity, with its own form. And the fried rice is of the form of the evening-pressing, for the evening-pressing is the sky, and the latter relates to Indra, and Aindra milk he pours (into the Surâ) the third night: he thus provides him with the evening-pressing–with its own world, with its own deity, with its own form. The milk of one (cow) he pours (into the Surâ) the first night, the milk of two the second night, and the milk of three the third night: he thus provides him with the pressings, in accordance with their forms, and in accordance with their deities.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Also read Mahidhara’s commentary on Yajur Veda 19.1 mentioned below.

Details on the offering of Sautramani Sacrifice

I will be mentioning some verses from Yajur Veda chapter 19 and I will also add elaborations of those verses from Satapatha Brahmana, Baudhayana Srauta Sutra and Sankhayana Srauta Sutra. I will underline those sentences of Brahmana and Srauta Sutra which are taken from the Vedas.

Yajur Veda 19.1 “Sweet with the sweet, I sprinkle thee with Soma, strong with the strong, the nectar with the nectar, the honey-sweet with what is sweet as honey, Soma art thou. Get dressed for the Asvins. Get dressed for Sarasvati. Get dressed for Indra and the Good Deliverer.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith
yv 19

Above Hindi translation is by Swami Karpatri Maharaj. This verse elaborated in Satapatha Brahmana as,

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhyaya 7, Brahmana 3, Verses 5-6 “With (Vâg. S. XIX, 1), ‘Thee, the sweet (liquor I mix) with the sweet (Soma),’ he compounds (the ingredients for the preparation of) the Surâ-liquor, and makes it palatable;–‘the strong with the strong,’ he thereby bestows energy on him (the Sacrificer);–‘the immortal with the immortal,’ he thereby bestows life on him ‘the honeyed with the honeyed,’ he thereby bestows flavour to it (the liquor);–‘I mix with the Soma,’ he thereby makes it (the Surâ-liquor) a form of Soma. ‘Thou art Soma: get thee matured for the Asvins! get thee matured for Sarasvatî! get thee matured for Indra Sutrâman!‘ for these were the deities who first prepared that sacrifice, and with their help he now prepares it; and, moreover, he thereby provides these deities with their share. He distils it with a view to (its being like) the Soma-pressing. For three nights it remains standing, for the Soma remains standing for three nights after it has been bought: he thus makes it a form of Soma.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Mahidhara a commentator on Veda writes on Yajur Veda 19.1 about the preparation of the Sura,

“Having purchased (a) malted rice (sashpa), malted barley (tokma), and fried rice (lâgâh), and (b) various vegetable substances (called with the generic name of nagnahu) serving as spices and ferments, such as the bark of Vatica robusta, three myrobalans (nutmeg, areca-nut, and cloves), ginger, hog-weed, &c., he takes them into the fire-house, and pounds the two lots separately. He then prepares two gruels or mashes of rice and millet respectively, adding more water than is ordinarily used, puts them on the fire till they boil over, and catches the overflowing water in two separate vessels. He then acids thereto one-third part of the (still separate) pounded malted rice and barley and fried rice (or one-sixth part into each vessel), and likewise one-half of the spice (or one-fourth part into each vessel): this mixture, called mâsara (serving both as malt and as flavouring matter), is allowed to dry and is then pounded. One-half of the remaining pounded malted rice and barley and fried rice, as well as the whole of the remaining spices, is then, in equal parts, added to the two mashes, which are thereupon poured into a large vessel, after which the pounded ‘mâsara’ is mixed with the compound whilst the above formula is pronounced; and the pot is deposited in a hole dug in the south-western corner of the fire-shed (sâlâ), where it remains standing for three days (and nights), during which the milk of one, two, and three cows respectively, and the remaining quantities of malted and fried grain are gradually added to it.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Asking the Soma to get dressed is probably talking about fermentation as stated in the Baudhaya Srauta Sutra which is an elaboration of Yajur Veda 19.1,

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.32 “…He piles the cooked rice around the wooden filter. Having covered it, he touches it with the formula, ‘Thou art Soma; do thou be fermented for the Asvins, fermented for Sarasvati, fermented for Sutraman Indra.’ The Sura mixed up together is retained for three consecutive (nights). ‘The Soma, after having been purchased, stays on for three nights.’ So says the Brahmana. When it dawns after three nights, an animal-sacrifice of three or four animals is performed. The alter prescribed for the Sautramani is measured for the sacrificer on the preceeding day. Having strewn it around, he carries the Stambayajus.” Tr. Chintaman Ganesh Kashikar

The Black Yajur Veda 6.1.6.5 gives mythical reason behind keeping Soma for three days/nights which shall be discussed later in this article.

Yajur Veda 19.4-5 “By means of this eternal sieve may Sûrya’s Daughter purify The Soma that flows forth from thee. Soma with Wine, pressed; filtered for the banquet, cleanses priest, noble, brilliancy and vigour.” Tr. Ralph. T.H. Griffith

yv 19

Above Hindi translation is by Swami Karpatri Maharaj and following Hindi translation of verse 5 is by Arya Samaji scholar Shripad Damodar Satvalekar,

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/yv-19-5-satvalekar.jpg?w=617&h=177

Satapatha Brahmana elaborates these verses as,

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhyaya 7, Brahmana 3, Verse 12 “With (Vag. S. XIX, 4), ‘She purifieth thy liquor.’ purifies (the Sura) in the case of one wishing for prosperity:- ‘thy Soma, she, the daughter of Surya:’ the daughter of Surya (the sun) assuredly is Faith, and by faith that (liquor) becomes Soma-juice, and by faith he makes it to be Soma-juice; ‘with the perpetual tail,’ for with a tail-whisk that (liquor) is purified. With (Vâg. S. XIX, 5), ‘The Brahman and Kshatra he purifieth,’ he purifies the milk: he thus produces the Kshatra from out of the Brahman, for from out of the priesthood the nobility is produced;–‘the fiery spirit and energy;’ fiery spirit and energy, vital power, he thus bestows on him;–‘with the Surâ the Soma,’ for with the Surâ-liquor is Soma;–‘the juice, is distilled,’ for from the distilled the juice is obtained;–‘for joy,’ to joy (intoxication), indeed, the Soma juice contributes, and to joy also does the Surâ-liquor: he thus secures both the joy of the Soma, and the joy of the Surâ;–‘with the pure juice, O god, satiate the deities!’ that is, ‘with the pure juice satisfy thou the deities;’–‘with sap bestow thou food on the Sacrificer,’ sap and food he thereby bestows on the Sacrificer. The cups of milk are taken first, then the cups of Surâ-liquor: he thereby makes the peasantry obedient to the nobility.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Baudhayana Saruta Sutra elaborates it as,

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.34 ” While the Adhvaryu is engaged in his duties, the Pratiprashatr filers the wine by means of the woollen filter with its fringe towards the north, with the verse, ‘May the daughter of Surya filter O Indra for thee the mixture of wine regarded as Soma with the evernew woollen filter.’ If the sacrificer is purged of Soma (he shall filter it) with the verse, ‘The swift wine, cleansed by the filter, the associate friend of Indra has passed downwards…” Tr. C.G. Kashikar

Yajur Veda 19.7 “For each of you is made a God-appointed place: so grant to me a portion in the highest sphere. Surâ the strong art thou. This here is Soma. Entering thine own place do me no mischief.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\yv 19.7.jpg

Following Hindi translation is by Arya Samaji scholar Shripad Damodar Satvalekar,

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/yv-19-7-satvalekar.jpg?w=648&h=285

This is elaborated in the Satapatha Brahman,

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhyaya 7, Brahmana 3, Verse 14-15 “With (Vâg. S. XIX, 7), ‘Separately, indeed, a seat, acceptable to the gods, hath been prepared for you two,’ he fills the (three) cups of Surâ-liquor; for separate, indeed, are the Soma-juice and the Surâ-liquor; and ‘acceptable to the gods’ he says, because these two are indeed acceptable to the gods; and ‘separately a seat hath been prepared’ he says, because there are two altar-grounds;–‘do not ye mingle in the highest heaven!’ he thereby keeps him (the Sacrificer) from evil;–‘the potent Surâ-liquor thou art,’ he thereby makes Surâ to be Surâ;–‘and this is Soma,’ he thereby makes Soma to be Soma;–‘entering thine own seat, injure me not!’ he thereby turns it (the Surâ-liquor) away to its own seat for his own safety. With a single (verse) he fills them: singly and solely on the Sacrificer he thus bestows fame, for the Surâ-liquor is fame. Verily, the cups of milk are the nobility (chieftaincy), and the cups of Surâ-liquor are the peasantry (clan): thus, were he to draw (the cups) without interlinking them, he would detach the peasantry from the nobility, and the nobility from the peasantry, and would cause confusion between the higher and lower, and a failure of the sacrifice. He draws them so as to be interlinked and thereby combines the peasantry with the nobility, and the nobility with the peasantry, for the prevention of confusion between the higher and lower, and for the success of the sacrifice.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Satapatha Brahmana 12:7:3:8 “There are both milk and Surâ-liquor; for milk is Soma, and the Surâ-liquor food: through the milk he secures the Soma-drink, and through the Surâ-liquor food. And milk is the nobility (chieftaincy), and Surâ-liquor the peasantry (clan); the milk he purifies after purifying the Surâ-liquor: he thus produces the nobility from out of the peasantry, for the nobility is produced from out of the peasantry.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Yajur Veda 19.7 is also elaborated in Aitareya Brahmana which explains the Rajasuya sacrifice. In the consecration ceremony (Rajasuya?) of king mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana, the king is required to drink Sura (liquor) along with Soma which is given by the Brahmin priest,

Aitareya Brahmana, Book 8, Chapter 2, Para 8 “…The spirituous liquor represents the Kshattra, and further, the juice in the food; thus both the Kshattra and the juice in the food, are placed in him…Now he gives into his hand a goblet of spirituous liquor, under the recital of the verse, svadishthaya madishthaya, (9.1.1) i.e. ‘Purify, O Soma! with thy sweetest most exhilarating drops (the sacrificer), thou who art squeezed for Indra, to be drunk by him.’ After having put the spirituous liquor into his hand, the priest repeats a propitiatory mantra (which runs thus): ‘To either of you (spirituous liquor and Soma!) a separate residence has been prepared, and allotted by the gods. Do not mix with one another in the highest heaven; liquor! thou art powerful; Soma! thou art a king. Do not harm him (the king)! may either go to his own place.’ (Here is said), that the drinking of the Soma and that of liquor, exclude one another (they are not to be mixed). After having drunk itThus he finally places the liquor in his friend (gives him a share in it).” Tr. Martin Haug

Chapter 20 of Aitareya Brahmana deals with the pouring of various liquids over the king’s head by the priest and also deals with the drinking of liquor. By means of Mantra the liquor was transformed into real Soma which is then drunk by the king,

Aitareya Brahmana, Book 8, chapter 4, Para 20 “…Then the priest gives into his hands a goblet filled with spirituous liquor, repeating the mantra, svadishthaya. He then should drink the remainder (after previous libations to the gods)…The Soma beverage which is (in a mystical way) contained in the spirituous liquor, is thus drunk by the king, who is inaugurated by means of Indra’s inauguration ceremony (the ceremony just described)…The drinking of spirituous liquor, or Soma, or the enjoyment of some other exquisite food, affects the body of the Kshattriya who is inaugurated by means of Indra’s great inauguration ceremony…” Tr. Martin Haug

Yajur Veda 19.7 is also elaborated in Baudhayana Srauta Sutra,

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.36 “(He recites) the verse) ‘Do you offer heartfelt sweet praise to Agni the drinker of wine, receiving Soma on the surface, the creator of all and whom horses, oxen, bulls, barren cows, sheeps released (by the sacrificer) are offered,’ and makes the offering at the second Vasat-uttering. He pours down the remnants of the cup for the Asvins into that for Sarasvati; the remnants of the cup for Sarasvati into that for Indra. A brahmana consumes it with the two verses: ‘(O Sura and Soma) god has erected separate resorts for you; do not be mixed up in the high above. Thou art powerful Sura; this is Soma. Entering into thy own abode, do not injure me. Whatever has remained here out of the juicy pressed drink, which Indra rank for his powers…He fills in the cups with the sediment of the Sura; he fixes the feath of the eagle into the cup of Butea frondosa….He takes the sura with the excessive substance and pours it inot the sieve of a hundred pores with the formula, ‘O Pitrs with Soma as the first, be gratified.’ When the liquid passes through the sieve, all offer prayers with eight verses…” Tr. Chintaman Ganesh Kashikar

Above passage from Baudhayana is also an elaboration of following Yajur Veda verses,

Yajur Veda 20.76-78 “Ye Asvins and Sarasvati, joint drinkers of the Sura draught, In Namuchi of Asura birth, gave aid to Indra in his deeds. As parents aid a son, both Asvins aided thee, Indra, with their wondrous powers and wisdom. When thou with might hadst drunk the draught that gladdens, Sarasvati, O Bounteous Lord, refereshed thee. He in whom horses, bulls, oxen, and barren cows, and rams, when duly set apart, are offered up, To Agni, Soma-sprinkled, drinker of sweet juice, Disposer, with thy heart bring forth a pleasant hymn.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Griffith has translated the word “Sura” as “Draught” and “Sweet juice” here. Part of the above passage where Ashwins are said to have helped Indra to kill Namuchi is also mentioned in Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.35 and Yajur Veda 20.59 which I have quoted in this article and let me again quote a few sentences of Baudhayana for your ease,

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.35 “…Getting up taking the two cups, the Adhvaryu says ‘Do you recite the puronuvakya for the Sura-soma taken for the Asvins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra. ‘The Maitravruna recites as the puronuvakya the verse, ‘O Asvins the guardians of the auspicious, do you two partaking of the Sura-soma in association with the demon Namuci help Indra in his deeds.’ Having crossed the alter and having caused to announce, he says (to the Maitravaruna), ‘Do you impel (the Hotr to recite the yajya for the Sura-soma set forth for the Asvins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra.’ The Maitravaruna pronounces the call, ‘Let the Hotr recite the yajya for the Asvins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra. These Sura-soma (o gods) set forth for you-powerful, exhilerating, prepared out of the mixture…May the Avins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra the Vrtra-killed enjoy them; may they drink the sweet wine, become exhilarated and enjoy. O Hotr, do you recite the yajya. The Hotr recites the yajya, ‘O Asvins, do you favour us with your deed like the parents their son. O Indra, when thou didst consume the Sura-soma in order to achieve good deeds and to possess powers, Satasvati healed thee…” Tr. Chintaman Ganesh Kashikar

Sankhayana elaborates it as,

Sankhayana Srauta Sutra XV.15.1-14 “Now the sautramani. (The victims at this occasion are) a red he goat for the Asvins, a ewe for Sarasvati, a bull for Indra the protecting (sutraman) After encircling with the firebrand has been performed on these, they proceed with the surasoma. Over the flowing (sura) they mutter…Or the verses addressed to the Fathers. The inviting (verse for the libation of the sura is) ‘Ye both, O Asvins, the cheering)’ The formula of prompting is Let the hotr worship the Asvins, Sarasvati, Indra the protecting…The mantra to accompany the partaking of the sura is ‘The (Soma), which the Asvins took from the asura Namuci which Sarasvati pressed out to obtain strength, this king Soma the bright, sweet drop, I here partake of.’ If he starts from the moaning that a brahmana must be engaged for a reward to drink the (remainings of the) sura, the beverage (the rest of the sura) is poured out for him.” Tr. W. Caland

Yajur Veda 19.32 “The rite with sacred grass, wine, store of heroes, the mighty ones speed on with adorations. May we, sweet-singing sacrificers, setting Soma mid Gods in heaven, give joy to Indra.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith
yv 19

Satapatha Brahmana elaborates on this verse as,

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhayaya 8, Brahmana 1, verse 2 “He (the Adhvaryu) offers (of the three cups of milk) with (Vâg. S. XIX, 32), ‘By their devotions the buffalos quicken the sacrifice,’–the buffalos, doubtless, are the officiating priests, and devotion is sacrifice: through the priests he causes the sacrifice to prosper, and through the sacrifice the sacrificer;–‘the barhis-seated one, supplied with Surâ and goodly heroes,’ supplied with Surâ, indeed, is this barhis-seated sacrifice, to wit, the Sautrâmanî: by means of the barhis (the sacred grass on the Vedi), and the sacrifice, he causes him to prosper;–‘they who bestow Soma,’–they thus bestow the Soma-drink upon him;–‘with the deities in heaven,’–they thus place him with the deities in heaven;–‘may we enjoy ourselves,’–the Soma-juice, indeed, conduces to joy, and so does the Surâ-liquor: both the joy of Soma and the joy of Surâ he thus secures;–‘worshipping Indra with good hymns of praise!’–for the hymn of praise is food for the gods, and the sacrifice also is food: by sacrifice, by food, he thus makes him successful. Having sacrificed, they drink (of the milk), and thereby increase what is prosperous with him.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Yajur Veda 19.33 “All essence of thine own in plants collected, all strength of Soma when poured out with Surâ—Therewith impel with joy the sacrifice, Sarasvatî, the Asvins, Indra, Agni.” Tr. Ralph T.H Griffith
yv 19.33 Swami Karpatri

Satapatha Brahmana elaborates it as,

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhayaya 8, Brahmana 1, Verse 12 “He (the Pratiprasthâtri) offers (libations from the cups of Surâ-liquor), with (Vâg. S. XIX, 33), ‘What essence there is of thine, gathered from the plants,’ for this Surâ-liquor, indeed, is the essence of both the waters and the plants: by the essence of both the waters and the plants he thus causes him to prosper;–‘the strength of the Soma-juice together with the Surâ-liquor,’–he thereby secures what strength there is in the Soma-juice and in the Surâ-liquor;–‘by that exhilarating drink quicken thou the Sacrificer,’–that is, ‘by that exhilarating drink gladden thou the Sacrificer;’–‘Sarasvatî, the Asvins, Indra, and Agni,’–by deities he (the priest) thus causes the sacrifice to prosper, and by deities and sacrifice the Sacrificer. Having made the offering, they drink (the liquor), and thereby cause to prosper what is unprosperous with him.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Veda also mentions offering liquor to departed manes. The sacrificer is not supposed to drink liquor as it is meant only for offering in this case,

Yajur Veda 19.36 “To Fathers who claim Svadha be Svadha and homage! To Grandfathers who claim Svadha be Svadha and homage! To Great-grandfathers who claim Svadha be Svadha and homage! The Fathers have eaten. The Fathers have rejoiced. The Fathers have been satisfied. Fathers, be ye purified.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

It is elaborated in the Satapatha Brahmana,

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhayaya 8, Brahmana 1, verses 6-8 “…this Soma-drink falls to the share of the fathers and grandfathers of whoever drinks (the liquor) on this occasion. Having shifted three coals of the southern fire to outside the enclosing-stones 1, he may there offer (of the liquor) with these (three) utterances (Vâg. S. XIX, 36):– ‘To the Svadhâ-loving Fathers be Svadhâ, adoration!’ he thereby places the Fathers with the Svadhâ in the world of the Fathers.–‘To the Svadhâ-loving grandfathers he Svadhâ, adoration!’ he thereby places the grandfathers with the Svadhâ in the world of the grandfathers.–‘To the Svadhâ-loving great-grandfathers be Svadhâ, adoration!’ he thereby places the great-grandfathers with the Svadhâ in the world of the great-grandfathers. Having fetched water, he pours it (into the cups) with, ‘The Fathers have drunk:’ he thereby bestows food on them;–‘the Fathers have enjoyed themselves:’ he thereby causes them to enjoy themselves;–‘the Fathers have become satisfied:’ he thereby satisfies them;–‘may the Fathers cleanse themselves!’ he thereby purifies all of them from the first downwards, for the Sautrâmanî is a means of purification.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

The following verse is about offering various animals to Vedic deities, it is also about offering liquor and asking them to drink it,

Yajur Veda 21.29-31 “Let the Hotar sacrifice with fuel to Agni in the place of libation, to the Asvins, Indra, Sarasvatî. A grey-coloured he-goat with wheat, jujube-fruit and sprouts of rice becomes a sweet salutary remedy, splendour, might, milk, Soma. Let them enjoy sweet butter with foaming liquor. Hotar, present offerings of butter. Let the Hotar, Tanunapat, worship Sarasvati. A sheep, a ram, a salutary remedy on the honey-sweet path, bearing to the Asvins and Indra heroic strength, with jujebe-fruit, Indra-grains, sprouts of rice, becomes a salutary remedy, milk, Soma. Let them enjoy Sweet butter with foaming liquor. Hotar, present offerings of butter…Let the Hotar, magnified with oblations, offering sacrifice, worship Sarasvati and Indra, increasing them with strength, with a bull and a cow. Strength and medicine to the Asvins and Indra are meath with jujube-fruit, Masara with parched grain, milk, Soma. Let them enjoy sweet butter with foaming liquor…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

It is elaborated in Sankhayana as,

Sankhayana Srauta Sutra XIV.13.1-9 “At this rite two animals a grey he goat to the Asvins a ewe to Sarasvati, are immolated in addition to the savana victim. To Indra Sutraman a barren cow of the same kind is immolated in addition to the usual one. The reason why these victims are thus tied (and slaughtered) is the wish not to depart from the sautramani. After the Savana cakes of the morning (service) they put the fuel to the fire outside and go on with the (i.e. pour out the libation of) surasoma…Now, in that for Indra Sutraman a barren cow is immolated in addition to the usual one, (the reason thereof is) along with Indra Sutraman the sautramani is completed.” Tr. W. Caland

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra elaborates these verses as,

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.35 “He carried those (cups) towards the east or north along the rear of the handles of the ladles. He takes the wine together with excessive substance and moves towards the southern fire…he formally dedicates the animals a gray coloured (goat) to the Asvins, a male sheep to Sarasvati and a bull to Indra. He dedicates a goat to Brhaspati as the fourth animal if the sacrificer has purged Soma. After having offered their omenta as prescribed, the Adhvaryu takes up the cups for the Asvins and Sarasvati; the Pratiprasthatr takes the one for Indra. Getting up taking the two cups, the Adhvaryu says ‘Do you recite the puronuvakya for the Sura-soma taken for the Asvins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra. ‘The Maitravruna recites as the puronuvakya the verse, ‘O Asvins the guardians of the auspicious, do you two partaking of the Sura-soma in association with the demon Namuci help Indra in his deeds.’ Having crossed the alter and having caused to announce, he says (to the Maitravaruna), ‘Do you impel (the Hotr to recite the yajya for the Sura-soma set forth for the Asvins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra.’ The Maitravaruna pronounces the call, ‘Let the Hotr recite the yajya for the Asvins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra. These Sura-soma (o gods) set forth for you-powerful, exhilerating, prepared out of the mixture…May the Avins, Sarasvati and Sutraman Indra the Vrtra-killer enjoy them; may they drink the sweet wine, become exhilarated and enjoy. O Hotr, do you recite the yajya. The Hotr recites the yajya, ‘O Asvins, do you favour us with your deed like the parents their son. O Indra, when thou didst consume the Sura-soma in order to achieve good deeds and to possess powers, Sarasvati healed thee…” Tr. Chintaman Ganesh Kashikar

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhayaya 8, Brahmana 2, verse 15 “All (the praishas) contain (the word) ‘payas’ (milk), for in the form of milk Soma is (here) pressed; they all contain (the word) ‘Soma,’ for the sake of (conformity with) the Soma-pressing; they all contain (the word) ‘parisrut’ (spirituous liquor), for in the form of spirituous liquor Soma is (here) pressed; they all contain (the word) ‘ghrita’ (ghee), for this–to wit, ghee–doubtless is manifestly a form of the sacrifice: he thus makes it to be manifestly a form of the sacrifice; they all contain (the word) ‘madhu’ (honey), for this–to wit, honey–is manifestly a form of Soma: he thus makes it to be manifestly a form of Soma.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Yajur Veda verse mentions the word Parisrut which is a semi-fermented liquor according to the translator Julius Eggeling while Griffith translates it as foaming liquor. Both the sacrificer and priests have to drink Parisrut liquor offered to gods,

Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhayaya 8, Brahmana 2, verse 21 “This Sautrâmanî, then, is manifestly a Soma-sacrifice; and were the Sacrificer alone to drink (the liquor), it would be either an ishti-offering, or an animal sacrifice; but, for the sake of conformity of the liquor) to the Soma, all the priests drink thereof, for all the priests drink of the Soma-juice.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Following Yajur Veda verses states that Agni, Sarasvati and Indra had drunk the Sura-Soma mixture,

Yajur Veda 21.59-60 “To-day this Sacrificer cooking viands, cooking sacrificial rice-cakes, binding a goat for the Asvins, a ram for Sarasvatî, a hull for Indra, pressing Surâ and Soma juices for the Asvins, Sarasvatî, and Indra the Good Deliverer, has chosen Agni as Hotar. To-day the divine Vanaspatî has done good service to the Asvins with a goat, to Sarasvatî with a ram, to Indra with a bull. They have eaten these from the marrow onwards, they have accepted the cooked viands, they have waxed strong with the rice-cakes. The Agnis, Sarasvatî, and Indra have drunk the Surâ and Soma draughts.” Tr. Ralph. T.H. Griffith

The following is the Hindi translation by Dr. Ganga Sahay Sharma,

This is in continuation from verse 1, so supplementary texts mentioned for Yajur Veda 21.29-31 can be read for understanding above Yajur Veda 21.59-60 verses.

Also check the meaning of Sura given by Panini in his Ashtadhyayi and Hindu reformer Kumarila Bhatta in his Tantra Vartika.

Parisrut

Julius Eggeling writes in the footnotes of Satapatha Brahmana, “According to Sayana, the difference between sura and parisrut would seem to be that the former beverage is prepared from mature shoots (of rice, &c.), and the latter from such as are not quite ripe.” It is stated that Parisrut is neither Soma nor Sura. Parisrut seems to have been a semi-fermented liquor. Also see Yajur Veda 21.29 which is mentioned in the category Sautramani sacrifice and is further elaborated in Brahmana and Srauta Sutra. Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhayaya 8, Brahmana 2, verse 15 also mentions drinking Soma and Parisrut in Sautramani ritual.

Yajur Veda 20.59-65 The Asvins brought from Namuchi pressed Soma bright with foaming juice. Sarasvatî with sacred grass brought that to Indra for his drink. The Asvins, and the Three, apart, Sarasvatî, Idâ, Bhâratî, As drink to gladden Indra, poured strong Soma with the foaming juice. Praising with foaming liquor at due times, Indra, Vanaspatî, Sarasvatî as cow gave forth sweet beverage with the Asvins Twain.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Read Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.35 and Sankhayana Srauta Sutra XV.15.1-14 mentioned above which elaborates Yajur Veda 20.59-65. Griffith has translated the word Parisrut as foaming juice as well as foaming liquor.

Yajur Veda 19.95 “Splendour of victims, powerful oblation, honey and meath with milk and foaming liquor, Healing Sarasvatî effused, and Asvins; from pressed and unpressed Soma, deathless Indu.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Yajur Veda 2.34 “Bearers of vigour and immortal fatness, milk and sweet beverage and foaming liquor, ye are a freshening draught. Delight my Fathers.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Julius Eggeling in his translation of Satapatha Brahmana mentions Katyayana Samhita in the footnotes which elaborates the above Yajur Veda verse as,

Kâtyâyana Samhita IV, I, 15 “Having made (them) wash themselves as before, and having loosened (visramsya) the tuck, he makes obeisance with ‘adoration to your vigour, O fathers!’ &c. (Vâg. S. II, 32 a-f)… He pours [the water, left in the pitcher, on the cakes] with ‘Ye (O waters) are a refreshing draught, ye, that bring sap, immortal ghee and milk and foaming mead: gladden my fathers!’ (Vâg. S. II, 34.) 20, [The Adhvaryu] having laid (the cakes on the dish) the sacrificer smells at them. 21, The firebrand and the once-cut stalks of grass (he throws) into the fire. 22, The wife, if desirous of a son, eats the middle cake with, ‘Bestow offspring on me, O fathers, a boy crowned with lotuses; that there may he a man here!’ (Vâg. S. II, 33.)…” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Yajur Veda 19.79 “Seeing the foaming liquor’s sap, Prajapati with the bright drank out the bright, the milk, the Soma juice, the Soma juice, BY Law, etc.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Atharva Veda 3.12.7 “Hither to this (house) hath come the tender child, hither the calf along with (the other) domestic animals; hither the vessel (full) of liquor, together with bowls of sour milk!” Tr. Maurice Bloomfield

Griffith has translated the word Parisrut as foaming drink in this verse and in the footnotes, he provides an explanation,

“Foaming drink: parisutas; a beverage prepared from herbs, a sort of beer.”

 

Wine in Heaven

C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\av 4.34.6.jpg
Atharva Veda 4.34.6 Full lakes of butter with their banks of honey, flowing with wine, and milk and curds and water Abundant with their overflow of sweetness, these streams shall reach thee in the world of Svarga, whole lakes with lotus blossom shall approach thee.

Chandogya Upanishad, Prapathak 8, Khanda 5, Mantra 3 “..Ara and Nya are two lakes in the world of Brahman, in the third heaven from hence; and there is the lake Airam madiya…”

Commenting on this, Adi Shankaracharya wrote, “There is also the lake Airam madiyaAira‘ is guel, ‘ira” being grain and that which is full of this gruel, and serves to intoxicate or exhilarate those that partake of it.”

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 33.43-46 “Those people of earthly world who had attained mastery over Lalita’s Mantra attain the chamber of sapphire on giving up their bodies and stay there. They enjoy divine objects in the company of their womenfolk. They drink sweet wine and dance with great devotion.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Linga Purana, Section I.48.9-14 “In the eastern side of this mountain is Amaravati (the city of Indra). It is full of mansions of different kinds. It is thronged by different groups of Devas. It is surrounded by clusters of jewels. It has many ornamental gateways of different shapes bedecked in gold and jewels. The arches at the gateways are rendered wonderful with gold, with jewels set in. Thousands of women throng the roadways. They are clever in conversation and elocution. They are bedecked in all ornaments. They stoop down due to the weight of their heavy breasts and their eyes roll to and fro due to intoxication…The Apsaras (water nymphs) move about all round…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

 

Wine as Medicine

Wine was also used as medicine,

Agni Purana 279.30-34 “…A similar diet should be observed by a patient suffering from piles, and washings of whey should be substituted for his ordinary drink. The patient should take decoction of Musta every day…while Mandas containing mild wines may be given as drink… Fried paddy, powdered barley, honey, meat roasted on a stick, bringel, gourd, Shikhi, and wine are anti-phlegmatic in their effect, and are good medicines for an attack of simple cold…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthaanam 8/163 “A person of magnanimous heart who eats meat along with a wine named as ‘Maadhveek’, is quickly relieved of tuberculosis.

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sathaanam 8/165 “While consuming the above mentioned kinds of meat, one may have a dose of whichever wine is appropriate such as ‘Prasanna’, ‘Vaarooni’, ‘seedhu’, ‘arisht’, ‘aasava’ and ‘madhu’.”

 

Offering Alcohol to Gods, Goddesses & Ancestors & also using it in Sacrifices

Brahma Purana 72.52 “Lord Hari said to her: Worshipped by means of wine, meat and other presents and various items of foodstuffs you will become delighted and fulfil all desires of men.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Satapatha Brahmana 4:2:1:27. He offers with,’This is the first consecration, assuring all boons: he is the first, Varuna, Mitra, Agni;–he is the first, Brihaspati, the wise: to that Indra offer ye the liquor, Hail!’

Satapatha Brahmana 5:5:4:20-21 Now on the day before, he mixes the spirituous liquor (while muttering, Vâg. S. X, 30, ‘Get done for the Asvins! get done for Sarasvatî! get done for Indra, the good protector!’ When that liquor is (done) he proceeds with that (offering). They take up two fires; on the northern altar 2 (they lay down) the northern (fire), and on a raised (mound) the southern one, thinking, ‘Lest we should offer together the Soma-libations, and the Surâ (liquor) -libations:’ therefore they take up two fires, and on the northern altar (they lay down) the northern (fire), and on a raised (mound) the southern one. And when he proceeds with the omenta, then he proceeds with that spirituous liquor.

Narada Purana III.90.28 “The devotee with the previously mentioned form should worship the deities of the above mentioned forms. He should worship them in the proper sequence with the offering of wine, fish and meat duly consecrated.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Agni Purana 156.15-31 “…O Rama, twelve oblations should be offered to the god Soma (Moon-god), Vanhi (the god of fire), and Yama (the god of death), and the lighted lamps on the cakes of obsequies should be separately put out as before. The vessels should be filled in with wine, meat and curd, and if there be any Adhimasa in the year, a separate vesselful of oblation should be decked out for that…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Narada Purana III.87.31 “For the achievement of siddhis one should offer her at night spirituous liquor, etc. The application is to be kept seccret, yet it is being mentioned. It yields all siddhis.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Purana 5.1.82-86 “They who address thee morning and afternoon with reverence and praise, and call thee Áryá, Durgá, Vedagarbhá, Ambiká, Bhadrá, Bhadrakálí, Kshemí, or Kshemankarí, shall receive from my bounty whatever they desire. Propitiated with offerings of wine and flesh and various viands, thou shalt bestow upon mankind all their prayers…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Skanda Purana has Arghya Mantra in praise of Durga which reads as,

Skanda Purana VII.I.83.48- “O goddess Durga, O destroyer of intracctable distresses, O goddess destroying all evil ends (disasters), save me in all difficult situations. O Durga, I have sought refuge in you…After keeping awake that night, when the day has dawned, at the rise of Aruna, buffaloes and sheep should be beheaded in front. The animals may number a hundred, half of it (fifty) or half of half (twenty-five) as the devotee pleases. With potful of Sura and Asava (liquor) the great goddess should be propitiated. The meat thereof should be given to Kapalikas as well as to servants and maid servants. In the afternoon of the navami day…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

 

Hindu Scriptures on Liquor Drinking

Narada Purana not only allows one to drink liquor after offering it to gods but it also gives details on the preparation of three types of liquors,

Narada Purana III.90.11-22 “This Vidya is exhilarating as the intoxicating liquor. It is the means of crossing over distress. I shall now tell you the precise preparation of it. The liquor they classify into three types: Gaudi, Paisti and Madhvi. Put jaggery in hot water and stir it well. The pollen powder of the flower dhataki (grislea tomentosa) shall be put into it and the whole solution is kept in a glass jar. It is stored under ground but at dawn and at dusk the solution is stirred well with the hands. After a month is over when the sediments go to the bottom, it is filtered. This can be used for worship. This is called Gaudi because it is prepared from Guda. Similarly, that which is got by adding honey is called Madhvi. O dear one, listen to the Paisti variety. Rice should be boiled slowly and cooked in two and a half times more water (than the rice). It should be left over for three days. Then the powdered sprout of the embylic Myrobalan is put into it. Keep this in an airy place for a day where there is not much of wind. Water is then poured into it and stirred well. This is then filtered. It is then called Paistika Madhu. Artificial liquor is prepared in two ways extracting from trees or squeezing from fruits. Listen to the mode of its preparation. By its taste the mind gets repose. Bunches of grapes, or date fruits or the flowers of Bassia latifolia are put into water and boiled to half the original quantity. To this add a small quantity of distilled spirit and keep it undisturbed for two days. After filtering the same it becomes tasty and auspicious, worthy of being offered for worship. I causes full repose of the mind. As to the second variety it is prepared from the coconut, Hintala or palm trees. The milk that exudes from the stalk of the fruit must be taken fresh from the tree. It is tasty. Take the water out of the coconut fruit. Put a little camphor therein. The juice of Arecanut half the quantity of the former. Mix both and keep it in the sunlight. This immediately becomes liquor which the gods are very fond of.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Another verse from Narada Purana permits one to drink a certain amount of liquor after offering it to deities,

Narada Purana III.90.23-28 “Or the devotee shall offer for the arghya to the goddess the liquor which has been mentioned here. It must be offered immediately which will be fruitful. The aspirant while remaining in trance should drink it always restricting his diet. Never should a siddha drink it unless it has been first offered to the goddess. It should be drunk until the mind is wholly absorbed in the Goddess. If he drinks more than that he shall become a sinner immediately. He who drinks wine with wilful desire without serving it to the god becomes a sinner. He should be punished by the king for he is the worshipper of avidya …The devotee with the previously-mentioned form should worship the deities of the above-mentioned forms. He should worship them in the proper sequence with the offering if wine, fish and meat duly consecrated.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Baudhayana Dharma Shastra permits the drinking of Rum only for South Indian Hindus,

Baudhayana Dharma Shastra, Prasna 1, Adhyaya 1, Kandika 1, verses 1-4 “There is a dispute regarding five (practices) both in the south and in the north…Now (the customs peculiar) to the north are, to deal in wool, to drink rum, to sell animals that have teeth in the upper and in the lower jaws, to follow the trade of arms, to go to sea. He who follows (these practices) in any other country than where they prevail, commits sin.”

Indra questions Brihaspati about Asava (a type of liquor) and Brihaspati explains to him in detail and also about which type of liquor is permissible for Kshatriya, Vaishya after offering it to deities,

Brahmanda Purana, Lalita-Mahatmya 7.63-76 “Indra said: ‘What is the nature of Asava? (Liquor). What is its defect? What is its merit? What type of cooked food is defective? Mention this in detail to me.’ Brihaspati said: The different types of intoxicating beverages are as follows: Paiffika (made from flour or rice), Talaja (from the date palm), Kaira (cocounut palm-juice), Madhuka (made from honey or Madhuka flowers), Gudasambhava (prepared from molasses). In regard to sinful nature the later ones mentioned above are half as dreadful as the earlier ones. Asava can be used as a beverage by the three castes beginning with the Ksatriyas. Excepting a Brahmana lady, all women can drink liquors beginning with the third one i.e. Kaira (coconut palm juice, and prepared from honey and molasses). A widow, a virgin and a woman in her monthly period shall avoid drinking liquor. If a woman drinks liquor out of covetousness and not in the company of her husband, she is called Unmadini (a mad woman). One should avoid her like a Candala woman. The ratio of drinking liquors in the case of four castes beginning with the Brahmanas shall be ten to eight or six to four. In the case of women it shall be half of the above. If they drink in the company of their husbands it shall be one-fourth of the above. After drinking liquor out of delusion, a Brahmana should perform Krcchracandrayana expiation. Or he shall repeat Gayatri Mantra or Jatavedasa Mantra ten thousand times. If a man repeats Ambikahrdaya Mantra he shall become pure. A Ksatriya among the three castes shall be purified by repeating those Mantras half the number of times. In the case of women the number of repetitions shall be one-fourth or they can get the same done through Brahmanas. One should repeat the Mantras a thousand times under water and become purified thereby. Laksmi, Sarasvati, Gauri, Candika, Tripura, Ambika, Vaisnavi, Bhairavi, Kali and Mahendri are the mothers. There are other Sakti goddesses. In worshipping them the liquor prepared from honey is approved of. A Brahmana who has mastered the Vedangas shall perform worship without wine …The base fellow who drinks liquor without worshipping Para Sakti shall stay in hell called Raurava for a period calculated at the rate of a year for every drop so consumed.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmins were not always barred from quaffing wine, in the Vedic period Kshatriyas and even Brahmins enjoyed wine especially after mixing it with Soma,

Yajur Veda 19.5 Soma with Wine, pressed; filtered for the banquet, cleanses priest, noble, brilliancy and vigour. God, with the Bright give Deities enjoyment: give food with flavour to the Sacrificer.

Following is the Sanskrit text with Hindi translation by Swami Karpatri Maharaj,

In the consecration ceremony (Rajasuya?) of the king mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana, the king is required to drink Sura (liquor) along with Soma which is given by the Brahmin priest,

Aitareya Brahmana, Book 8 , Chapter 2, Para 8 “…The spirituous liquor represents the Kshattra, and further, the juice in the food; thus both the Kshattra and the juice in the food, are placed in him…Now he gives into his hand a goblet of spirituous liquor, under the recital of the verse, svadishthaya madishthaya, (9.1.1) i.e. ‘Purify, O Soma! with thy sweetest most exhilarating drops (the sacrificer), thou who art squeezed for Indra, to be drunk by him.’ After having put the spirituous liquor into his hand, the priest repeats a propitiatory mantra (which runs thus): ‘To either of you (spirituous liquor and Soma!) a separate residence has been prepared, and allotted by the gods. Do not mix with one another in the highest heaven; liquor! thou art powerful; Soma! thou art a king. Do not harm him (the king)! may either go to his own place.’ (Here is said), that the drinking of the Soma and that of liquor, exclude one another (they are not to be mixed). After having drunk it…Thus he finally places the liquor in his friend (gives him a share in it).” Tr. Martin Haug

Underlined sentences of the above passage are an elaboration of the following Yajur Veda verse,

Yajur Veda 19.7 For each of you is made a God-appointed place: so grant to me a portion in the highest sphere. Surâ the strong art thou. This here is Soma. Entering thine own place do me no mischief.

Following is the Sanskrit text along with the Hindi translation of Swami Karpatri Maharaj

C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\yv 19.7.jpg

Now, those who cry “fake translation” has no way to escape, Aitareya Brahmana attests Yajur Veda verse. Chapter 20 of Aitareya Brahmana deals with the pouring of various liquids over the king’s head by the priest and also deals with drinking liquor. By means of Mantra the liquor was transformed into real Soma which is then drunk by the king,

Aitareya Brahmana, Book 8, chapter 4, Para 20 “…Then the priest gives into his hands a goblet filled with spirituous liquor, repeating the mantra, svadishthaya. He then should drink the remainder (after previous libations to the gods)…The Soma beverage which is (in a mystical way) contained in the spirituous liquor, is thus drunk by the king, who is inaugurated by means of Indra’s inauguration ceremony (the ceremony just described)…The drinking of spirituous liquor, or Soma, or the enjoyment of some other exquisite food, affects the body of the Kshattriya who is inaugurated by means of Indra’s great inauguration ceremony…” Tr. Martin Haug

Vishnu Smriti prohibits all forms of wine for a Brahmin but permits certain types of liquor for Kshatriya and Vaishya,

Vishnu Smriti 22.82-84 Distilled from sugar, or from the blossoms of the Madhûka. (Mâdhvi wine], or from flour: these three kinds of spirituous liquor have to be discerned; as one, so are all: none of them must be tasted by the twice-born. Again, distilled from the blossoms of the Madhûka tree (Madhûka wine), from molasses, from the fruits of the Tanka (or Kapittha tree), of the jujube tree, of the Khargûra tree, or of the breadfruit tree, from wine-grapes, from Madhûka blossoms (Mâdhvîka wine), Maireya, and the sap of the cocoanut tree: These ten intoxicating drinks are unclean for a Brâhmana; but a Kshatriya and a Vaisya commit no wrong in touching (or drinking) them.

Manu Smriti 5.56 There is no sin in eating meat, in (drinking) spirituous liquor, and in carnal intercourse, for that is the natural way of created beings, but abstention brings great rewards

Acharya Medhatithi writes on this verse that drinking wine is permissible for Kshatriyas. Arthashastra of Kautilya (Chanakya) allows the sale, purchase and drinking of liquor, it brings liquor manufacturers and shops under state regulation, an entire chapter is dedicated to it,

Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Book 2, chapter 25 “BY employing such men as are acquainted with the manufacture of liquor and ferments (kinva), the Superintendent of Liquor shall carry on liquor-traffic not only in forts and country parts, but also in camps. In accordance with the requirements of demand and supply (krayavikrayavasena) he may either centralize or decentralize the sale of liquor. A fine of 600 panas shall be imposed on all offenders other than those who are manufacturers, purchasers, or sellers in liquor-traffic. Liquor shall not be taken out of villages, nor shall liquor shops be close to each other. Lest workmen spoil the work in hand, and Aryas violate their decency and virtuous character, and lest firebrands commit indiscreet acts, liquor shall be sold to persons of well known character in such small quantities as one-fourth or half-a-kudumba, one kudumba, half-a-prastha, or one prastha. Those who are well known and of pure character may take liquor out of shop. Or all may be compelled to drink liquor within the shops and not allowed to stir out at once in view of detecting articles such as sealed deposits, unsealed deposits, commodities given for repair, stolen articles, and the like which the customer’s may have acquired by foul means. When they are found to possess gold and other articles not their own, the superintendent shall contrive to cause them to be arrested outside the shop. Likewise those who are too extravagant or spend beyond their income shall be arrested. No fresh liquor other than bad liquor shall be sold below its price. Bad liquor may be sold elsewhere or given to slaves or workmen in lieu of wages; or it may form the drink of beasts for draught or the subsistence of hogs. Liquor shops shall contain many rooms provided with beds and seats kept apart. The drinking room shall contain scents, garlands of flowers, water, and other comfortable things suitable to the varying seasons. Spies stationed in the shops shall ascertain whether the expenditure incurred by customers in the shop is ordinary or extraordinary and also whether there are any strangers. They shall also ascertain the value of the dress, ornaments, and gold of the customers lying there under intoxication. When customers under intoxication lose any of their things, the merchants of the shop shall not only make good the loss, but also pay an equivalent fine. Merchants seated in half-closed rooms shall observe the appearance of local and foreign customers who, in real or false guise of Aryas lie down in intoxication along with their beautiful mistresses. Of various kinds of liquor such as medaka, prasanna, ásava, arista, maireya, and madhu:– Medaka is manufactured with one drona of water, half, an ádaka of rice, and three prastha of kinva (ferment). Twelve ádhakas of flour (pishta), five prasthas of kinva (ferment), with the addition of spices (játisambhára) together with the bark and fruits of putraká (a species of tree) constitute prasanná. One-hundred palas of kapittha (Feronia Elephantum) 500 palas of phánita (sugar), and one prastha of honey (madhu) form ásava. With an increase of one-quarter of the above ingredients, a superior kind of ásava is manufactured; and when the same ingredients are lessened to the extent of one-quarter each, it becomes of an inferior quality. The preparation of various kinds of arishta for various diseases are to be learnt from physicians. A sour gruel or decoction of the bark of meshasringi (a kind of poison) mixed with jaggery (guda) and with the powder of long pepper and black pepper or with the powder of triphala (1 Terminalia Chebula, 2 Terminalia Bellerica, and 3 Phyllanthus Emblica) forms Maireya. To all kinds of liquor mixed with jaggery, the powder of triphala is always added. The juice of grapes is termed madhu. Its own native place (svadesa) is the commentary on such of its various forms as kápisáyana and hárahúraka. One drona of either boiled or unboiled paste of másha (Phraseolus Radiatus), three parts more of rice, and one karsha of morata (Alangium Hexapetalum) and the like form kinva (ferment). In the manufacture of medaka and prasanna, five karshas of the powder of (each of páthá (Clypea Hermandifolio), lodhra (Symplocos Racemosa), tejovati (Piper Chaba), eláváluka (Solanum Melongena) honey, the juice of grapes (madhurasa), priyangu (panic seeds), dáruharidra (a species of turmeric) black pepper and long pepper are added as sambhára, requisite spices. The decoction of madhúka (Bassia Latifolia) mixed with granulated sugar (katasarkará), when added to prasanna, gives it a pleasing colour. The requisite quantity of spices to be added to ásava is one karshá of the powder of each of chocha (bark of cinnamon), chitraka (Plumbago Zeylanica), vilanga, and gajapippalí (Scindapsus Officinalis), and two karshas of the powder of each of kramuka (betel nut), madhúka (Bassia Latifolia), mustá (Cyprus Rotundus), and lodhra (Symlocos Racemosa). The addition of one-tenth of the above ingredients (i.e., chocha, kramuka, etc.), is (termed) bíjabandha. The same ingredients as are added to prasanná are also added to white liquor (svetasurá). The liquor that is manufactured from mango fruits (sahakárasurá) may contain a greater proportion of mango essence (rasottara), or of spices (bíjottara). It is called mahásura when it contains sambhára (spices as described above). When a handful (antarnakho mushtih, i.e., so much as can be held in the hand, the fingers being so bent that the nails cannot be seen) of the powder of granulated sugar dissolved in the decoction of moratá (Alangium Hexapetalum), palása (Butea Frondosa), dattúra (Dattura Fastuosa), karanja (Robinia Mitis), meshasringa (a kind of poison) and the bark of milky trees (kshiravriksha) mixed with one-half of the paste formed by combining the powders of lodhra (Symplocos Racemosa), chitraka (Plumbago Zeylanica), vilanga, páthá (clypea Hermandifolia), mustá (cyprus Rotundus), kaláya (leguminous seeds), dáruharidra (Amonum Xanthorrhizon), indívara (blue lotus), satapushpa (Anethum Sowa), apámárga (Achyranthes Aspera) saptaparna (Echites Scholaris), and nimba (Nimba Melia) is added to (even) a kumbha of liquor payable by the king, it renders it very pleasant. Five palas of phánita (sugar) are added to the above in order to increase its flavour. On special occasions (krityeshu), people (kutumbinah, i.e., families) shall be allowed to manufacture white liquor (svetasura), arishta for use in diseases, and other kinds of liquor. On the occasions of festivals, fairs (samája), and pilgrimage, right of manufacture of liquor for four days (chaturahassaurikah) shall be allowed. The Superintendent shall collect the daily fines (daivasikamatyayam, i.e., license fees) from those who on these occasions are permitted to manufacture liquor. Women and children shall collect ‘sura,’ and ‘kinva,’ ‘ferment.’ Those who deal with liquor other than that of the king shall pay five percent as toll. With regard to sura, medaka, arishta, wine, phalámla (acid drinks prepared from fruits), and ámlasídhu (spirit distilled from molasses):– Having ascertained the day’s sale of the above kinds of liquor, the difference of royal and public measures (mánavyáji), and the excessive amount of sale proceeds realised thereby, the Superintendent shall fix the amount of compensation (vaidharana) due to the king (from local or foreign merchants for entailing loss on the king’s liquor traffic) and shall always adopt the best course.” Tr. R. Shamasastry

The following verses are favorable to the use of wine,

Atharva Veda 10.6.5 To this we give apportioned food, clarified butter, wine, and meath. May it provide each boon for us as doth a father for his sons…

The following is the Hindi translation by Dr. Ganga Sahay Sharma,

Atharva Veda 15.9.1-3 He went away to the people. Meeting and Assembly and Army and Wine followed him. He who hath this knowledge becomes the dear home of Meeting, Assembly, Army, and Wine.

Atharva Veda 14.1.35-36 Whatever lustre is in dice, whatever lustre is in wine, Whatever lustre is in cows, Asvins, endue this dame therewith. With all the sheen that balmeth wine, or thigh of female paramour, With all the sheen that balmeth dice, even with this adorn the dame.

Atharva Veda 6.69.1 Mine be the glory in the hill, in vales, in cattle, and in gold, Mine be the sweetness that is found in nectar and in flowing wine!

The following is the Hindi translation by Dr. Ganga Sahay Sharma,

Atharva Veda 9.1.18 May all the sweetness that is found in hills and mountains, steeds and kine, And wine that floweth from the cup,—may all that sweetness be in me.

Yajur Veda 19.16 The Sacrificer’s seat is the throne’s symbol, the jar containing Surâ of the Altar. The mid-space is the northern Altar’s symbol: the cloth for filtering is the physician.

The following is the Hindi translation by Swami Karpatri Maharaj,
C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\yv 19.16.jpg

Following is the Hindi translation of Yajur Veda 9.4 by Swami Karpatri Maharaj,

Rig Veda mentions a miracle by Ashwins who drew a hundred jars of wine from the hoof of their horse,

Rig Veda 1.116.7 O heroes, ye gave wisdom to Kakshivan who sprang from Parjra’s line, who sang your praises. Ye poured forth from the hoof of your strong charger a hundred jars of wine as from a strainer.

Following is the Sanskrit text with Hindi translation by Pandit Ram Govind Trivedi,
rv 1.116.7

Satapatha Brahmana 12:7:3:88. There are both milk and Surâ-liquor; for milk is Soma, and the Surâ-liquor food: through the milk he secures the Soma-drink, and through the Surâ-liquor food. And milk is the nobility (chieftaincy), and Surâ-liquor the peasantry (clan); the milk he purifies after purifying the Surâ-liquor: he thus produces the nobility from out of the peasantry, for the nobility is produced from out of the peasantry.

Satapatha Brahmana also mentions Parishrut (spelt Parisrut) a type of liquor different from Sura,

Satapatha Brahmana 12:9:1:11. Verily, from this sacrifice the man is born and whatever food a man consumes in this world, that (food), in return, consumes him in yonder world. Now this sacrifice is performed by means of spirituous liquor, and spirituous liquor (parisrut is not to be consumed by a Brâhmana: he thus is born from that which is not (to be) consumed, and the food does not, in return, consume him in yonder world. Therefore this (sacrifice), the Sautrâmanî, is a Brâhmana’s sacrifice.

Satapatha Brahmana 5:1:2:14 …and the Parisrut-liquor is neither Soma nor Sura: this is why he buys the Parisrut for a piece of lead from a long haired man.

Satapatha Brahmana 5.5.4.19 “…Let him therefore rather throw them into the fermented liquor (Parisrut)…let him therefore throw it rather into the spirituous liquor.

 

Soma

Soma plant finds frequent mention in the Vedas. It was of great importance in the Vedic religion. Soma plant is said to have stems and leaves and used to grow in the mountains, Soma plant as a whole, as well as Soma Ras (juice), are also called Andhas. Soma the mythical plant is extinct. Let’s not discuss its botanical features since this article deals with only intoxication in Hinduism. Soma drink was prepared from the leaves of Soma plant by pressing them between stones. It was mixed with water, milk, curd and a few other edible things probably to lessen its intoxicating effect. As per Nirukta 11.2 the word Soma is derived from the root “Su” which means “To Press.” As per Nirukta 1.11 the word Sura (liquor prepared from grains) is also derived from the root “Su” which means “To press.” Both the words Sura and Soma are derived from the same root. Before we begin let’s have a look at what prominent Hindu scholars said about Soma,

VIEWS OF SCHOLARS

Swami Vikvekananda the founder of Ramakrishna Mission wrote,

“And they had a popular plant called Soma. What plant it was nobody knows now; it has entirely disappeared, but from the books we gather that, when crushed, it produced a sort of milky juice, and that was fermented; and it can also be gathered that this fermented Soma juice was intoxicating. This also they offered to Indra and the other gods, and they also drank it themselves. Sometimes they drank a little too much, and so did the gods. Indra on occasions got drunk. There are passages to show that Indra at one time drank so much of this Soma juice that he talked irrelevant words.” The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 1/Lectures And Discourses/Vedic Religious Ideals
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_1/Lectures_And_Discourses/Vedic_Religious_Ideals

Sri Aurobindo the founder of Sir Aurobindo Ashram wrote,

“Soma is the Lord of the wine of delight, the wine of immortality. Like Agni he is found in the plants, the growths of earth, and in the waters. The Soma-wine used in the external sacrifice is the symbol of this wine of delight. It is pressed out by the pressing-stone (adri, gravan) which has a close symbolic connection with the thunderbolt, the formed electric force of Indra also called adri…” The Secret of the Veda, p.354, by Sri Aurobindo, Published by SriAurobindoAshram Publication Dept, 2003

Swami Prabhupada the founder of ISKCON is of the same view that Soma was an intoxicating drink, however, he is also of the view that SomRas was not an ordinary intoxicating liquor, it was a special intoxicating liquor made for the gods. He wrote,

“…The demigods are accustomed to drinking the soma-rasa beverage, and therefore the drinking of wine and intoxication are not unknown to them…” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.15.34
https://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_1.15.34

Dr. B.R Ambedkar the first Law Minister of India wrote,

“Drinking was another evil which was rampant among the Aryans. Liquors were of two sorts Soma and Sura. Soma was a sacrificial wine. The drinking of the Soma was in the beginning permitted only to Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Subsequently it was permitted only to Brahmins and Kshatriyas. The Vaishyas were excluded from it and the Shudras were never permitted to taste it. Its manufacture was a secret known only to the Brahmins. Sura was open to all and was drunk by all. The Brahmins also drank Sura. Shukracharya the priest to the Asuras drank so heavily that in his drunken state he gave the life giving Mantra known to him only and with which he used to revive the Asuras killed by the Devas—to Katch the son of Brahaspati who was the priest of the Devas. The Mahabharat mentions an occasion when both Krishna and Arjuna were dead drunk. That shows that the best among the Aryan Society were not only not free from the drink habit but that they drank heavily. The most shameful part of it was that even the Aryan women were addicted to drink. For instance Sudeshna the wife of King Virat tells her maid Sairandhri to go to Kichaka’s palace and bring Sura as she was dying to have a drink. It is not to be supposed that only queens indulged in drinking. The habit of drinking was common among women of all classes and even Brahmin women were not free from it. That liquor and dancing was indulged in by the Aryan women is clear from the Kausitaki Grihya Sutra I. 11-12, which says; “Four or eight women who are not widowed, after having been regaled with wine and food are to dance for four times on the night previous to the wedding ceremony.” men, not to speak of women of the lower Varnas, as late as the seventh and eighth centuries- A.D. in the Central region of Aryavarta, is clear from Kumarila Bhatta’s Tantra- Vartika I (iii). 4, which states, “Among the people of modern days we find the Brahmin women of the countries of Ahicchatra and Mathura to be addicted to drinking”. Kumarila condemned the practice in the case of Brahmins only, but not of Kshatriyas and Vaishyas men and women, if the liquor was distilled from fruits or flowers (Madhavi), and Molasses (Gaudi) and not from grains (Sura).” Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches, Vol 3, page 154-5 https://mea.gov.in/images/attach/amb/volume_03.pdf

 

SOMA RAS

As you may know, Aryan’s Vedic religion shares many similarities with the Zoroastrians. One of them is Soma plant. Soma in Zoroastrianism is known as Haoma. In the Zoroastrian text Yasna, Haoma (Soma) is considered a mildly intoxicant drink with no harm.

Yasna 10.8 “All other toxicants go hand in hand with Rapine of the bloody spear, but H(a)oma’s stirring power goes hand in hand with friendship. [Light is the drunkenness of H(a)oma (Pâzand).] Who as a tender son caresses H(a)oma, forth to the bodies of such persons H(a)oma comes to heal.” Tr. L.H. Mills

In the Puranas and Mahabharat, there’s a story of King of Gaya performing a sacrifice in which Indra drank Soma Ras so much that he became intoxicated, I am mentioning all those verses here,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.15.12 “In Mahārāja Gaya’s sacrifices, there was a great supply of the intoxicant known as soma. King Indra used to come and become intoxicated by drinking large quantities of soma-rasa. Also, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu [the yajña-puruṣa] also came and personally accepted all the sacrifices offered unto Him with pure and firm devotion in the sacrificial arena.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Vishnu Purana 4.1.14-18 “There was never beheld on earth a sacrifice equal to the sacrifice of Marutta: all the implements and utensils were made of gold. Indra was intoxicated with the libations of Soma juice, and the Brahmans were enraptured with the magnificent donations they received.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Mahabharata 12.29.35 “While the king of Anga performed his sacrifice by the hill called Vishnupada, Indra became intoxicated with the Soma he drank, and the Brahmanas with the presents they received.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mahabharata 1.121.9 “…while he was performing a sacrifice the gods with Indra and the great Rishis came to him, and Indra was so intoxicated with the Soma juice he drank and the Brahmanas with the large presents they received…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mahabharata 3.88.6-7 “…We have heard respecting the sacrificing king Nriga that which really took place while he was performing a sacrifice in the excellent tirtha called Varaha on the Payoshni. In that sacrifice Indra became intoxicated with quaffing the Soma, and the Brahmanas, with the gifts they received…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Markandeya Purana 129.15-16 “Equal to Marutta never lived a sacrificer on the face of the earth at whose sacrifice his dwelling house was cast and also golden palaces as largesse, Indra was made intoxicated with Soma and twice-born brahmanas with gifts…” Tr. F. Eden Pargiter

Following verses from Veda calls Soma as Mada (intoxicating), I am using Hindi translation by Pandit Ram Govind Trivedi,

ते तवा मदा इन्द्र मादयन्तु शुष्मिणं तुविराधसं जरित्रे |
एको देवत्रा दयसे हि मर्तानस्मिञ्छूर सवने मादयस्व ||

te tvā madā indra mādayantu śuṣmiṇaṃ tuvirādhasaṃ jaritre |
eko devatrā dayase hi martānasmiñchūra savane mādayasva ||

Rig Veda 7.23.5 “May these inebriating draughts exhilarate thee, Indra: bestow upon the praiser (a son vigorous and wealthy): for thou alone amongst the gods are compassionate to mortals: be exhilarated here at this sacrifice.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\rv 7.23.5.jpg

ते तवा मदा बर्हदिन्द्र सवधाव इमे पीता उक्षयन्त दयुमन्तम |
महामनूनं तवसं विभूतिं मत्सरासो जर्ह्र्षन्त परसाहम ||

te tvā madā bṛhadindra svadhāva ime pītā ukṣayanta dyumantam |
mahāmanūnaṃ tavasaṃ vibhūtiṃ matsarāso jarhṛṣanta prasāham ||

Rig Veda 6.17.4 “Abounding in food, Indra, let these exhilarating draughts copiously bedew thee, the resplendent: let the inebriating juices delight thee who art mighty, deficient in no (excellence), powerful, manifold, the overcomer of foes.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

rv 6

वर्धान यं विश्वे मरुतः सजोषाः पचच्छतं महिषानिन्द्र तुभ्यम |
पूषा विष्णुस्त्रीणि सरांसि धावन वर्त्रहणं मदिरमंशुमस्मै ||

vardhān yaṃ viśve marutaḥ sajoṣāḥ pacacchataṃ mahiṣānindra tubhyam |
pūṣā viṣṇustrīṇi sarāṃsi dhāvan vṛtrahaṇaṃ madiramaṃśumasmai ||

Rig Veda 6.17.11 “For thee, Indra, whom all the Maruts, alike pleased, exalt, may Pushan and Vishnu dress for thee a hundred buffaloes, and to him may the three streams flow with the inebriating, foe-destroying Soma.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

rv 6

इन्द्राविष्णू हविषा वाव्र्धानाग्राद्वाना नमसा रातहव्या |
घर्तासुती दरविणं धत्तमस्मे समुद्रः सथः कलशः सोमधानः ||

इन्द्राविष्णू पिबतं मध्वो अस्य सोमस्य दस्रा जठरं पर्णेथाम |
आ वामन्धांसि मदिराण्यग्मन्नुप बरह्माणि शर्णुतं हवं मे ||

indrāviṣṇū haviṣā vāvṛdhānāghrādvānā namasā rātahavyā |
ghṛtāsutī draviṇaṃ dhattamasme samudraḥ sthaḥ kalaśaḥ somadhānaḥ ||

indrāviṣṇū pibataṃ madhvo asya somasya dasrā jaṭharaṃ pṛṇethām |
ā vāmandhāṃsi madirāṇyaghmannupa brahmāṇi śṛṇutaṃ havaṃ me ||

Rig Veda 6.69.6-7 “Indra and Vishnu, feeders upon clarified butter, drinkers of the fermented Soma, thriving upon oblations, accepting them offered with reverence…Indra and Vishnu, agreeable of aspect, drink of this sweet Soma; fill with it your bellies: may the inebriating beverage reach you: hear my prayers, my invocation.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

C:\Users\Hassan Razvi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\rv 6.69.6-7.jpg

As you can see, words like Madira (मदिरा) and Mada (मद) have been used in these verses, Madira and Mada both denotes intoxication. Even those fluent in Hindi language can define these words. The word Mada (intoxication) is mentioned in connection with Soma stating that Soma is Mada (intoxicating) in numerous verses such as Rig Veda 1.85.10; 9.107.14; 1.104.9; 2.19.1; 9.12.3; 6.43.1-4; 2.14.1; 9.6.6; Rig Veda 1.84.4 which is also mentioned in Sankhayana Srauta Sutra 12.26.7; Rig Veda Mandala 2, Hymn 15 boasts deeds of Indra done in Intoxication (Mada) of Soma which is translated as rapture by Griffith; Rig Veda 8.14.7 which is elaborated in Aitareya Brahmana 6.7.

V.S Apte defines the word Mada as,

Mada Sanskrit English VS Apte
[The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, by Vaman Shivram Apte, page 836, Published by Shiralkar & Co., 1890]

Arya Samaji scholar Svami Satya Prakash Sarasvati in his translation of Rig Veda defines it as,

Madah, intoxication; pleasure.
[Rgveda Samhita, Volume III, page 881, by Svami Satya Prakash Sarasvati & Satyakam Vidyalankar, Published by Veda Pratishthana]

Ralph T.H. Griffith has translated it as rapture, gladdening, wild joy, etc., and the reason he gave for this is as follows. Ralph T.H Griffith commenting on Rig Veda 1.51.2 quotes Max Mueller on the word Mada (pronounced Mad),

“Rushing in rapture: when exhilarated by draughts of Soma. ‘Here again,’ says Professor Max Muller, ‘The difficulty of rending Vedic though in English, or any other modern language, becomes apparent, for we have no poetical word to express a high state of mental excitement produced by drinking the intoxicating juice of the Soma or other plants, which has not something opprobrious mixed up with it, while in ancient times that state of excitement was celebrated as a blessing of the gods, as not unworthy of the gods themselves, nay, as a state in which both the warrior and the poet would perform their highest achievements. The German Rausch is the nearest approach to the Sanskrit mada.’

In this version, mada has generally been rendered by rapture, delight, transport, or wild joy.”

Griffith has mentioned Soma as liquor in the following verses like

Rig Veda 2.14.1 “MINISTERS, bring the Soma juice for Indra, pour forth the gladdening liquor with the beakers. To drink of this the Hero longeth ever; offer it to the Bull, for this he willeth.” Tr. Ralph T.H Griffith

Rig Veda 3.48.1 “SOON as the young Bull sprang into existence he longed to taste the pressed-out Soma’s liquor. Drink thou thy fill, according to thy longing, first, of the goodly mixture blent with Soma.”

Rig Veda 4.34.5 “Out of what substance was that chalice fashioned which ye made fourfold by your art and wisdom? Now for the gladdening draught press out the liquor, and drink, O Ṛbhus, of die meath of Soma.”

Rig Veda 4.44.4 “Borne on your golden car, ye omnipresent! come to this sacrifice of ours, Nāsatyas.

Drink of the pleasant liquor of the Soma give riches to the people who adore you.”

Griffith translated Rig Veda 9.32.1 as,

पर सोमासो मदच्युतः शरवसे नो मघोनः |
सुता विदथे अक्रमुः ||

pra somāso madacyutaḥ śravase no maghonaḥ |
sutā vidathe akramuḥ ||

Rig Veda 9.32.1 “The rapture-shedding Soma-drops, effused in our assembly, have Flowed forth to glorify our prince.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

This is elaborated in Panchavimsha Brahmana as,

Pancavimsa Brahmana XI.5.1 “(The verse beginning:) ‘Forth (has) the intoxicating madacyut) Soma’ is the gayatri; intoxicating (having mada) (and) rich in sap is the afternoon service; he, thereby, puts intoxication (and) sap (in it)…” Tr. W. Caland

 

FERMENTED SOMA

As far as my knowledge is concerned, Soma by itself was mildly intoxicating and was made fully intoxicating through the fermentation process. Veda and Brahmana indicate that Soma was fermented and Swami Vivekananda also mentions that Soma was fermented and that fermented juice was intoxicating. Veda, Brahmana and Srauta Sutra state that Soma was mixed with barley [Rig Veda 9.68.4; Atharva Veda 20.24.7], it was kept for three days probably for the fermentation to complete.

Rig Veda 1.187.9 “What Soma, we enjoy from thee in milky food or barley-brew, Vātāpi, grow thou fat thereby.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 9.17.3 “Soma, with swelling waves, exhilarating, inebriating, flows to the straining-cloth, destroying the Rakshasas, and devoted to the gods.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Following verses mentions about a day or 3 days old Soma,

Rig Veda 1.45.10 “Bring with joint invocations thou, O Agni, the celestial host: Here stands the Soma, bounteous gods: drink this expressed ere yesterday.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 3.58.7 “O Asvins, very mighty ones, with Vayu and with his steeds, one-minded, ever-youthful, Nasatyas, joying in the third day’s Soma, drink it, not hostile, very bounteous givers.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

There’s one more verse from Yajur Veda which talks about the fermentation of Soma, I have mentioned this in the Sautramani sacrifice, you can read Yajur Veda 19.1, Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.32 and Satapatha Brahmana, Kanda 12, Adhyaya 7, Brahmana 3, Verses 5-6 mentioned above. William Scott Shelley has explained fermentation of Soma in the following way,

“In the preparation of the Soma beverage, the Soma stalks were boiled [Satapatha Brahmana XII.7.3.6], and remained standing for three nights [Baudhayana Srauta Sutra XVII.32]. The Taiitriya Samhita contains the mythological justification for keeping Soma for three nights: “When the Soma was being borne away, the Gandharva Vicvavasu stole it. It was for three nights stolen; therefore after purchase the Soma is kept for three nights [Taittriya Samhita VI.1.6.4]. Referring to Sura, an alcoholic beverage produced from fermented grain, the Satapatha Brahmana states: “He distils (i.e., boils) it with a view to )its being alike) the Soma-pressing. For three nights it remains standing, for the Soma remains standing for three nights after it has been brought [Satapatha Brahmana XII.7.3.6].” The Atharva Veda also makes reference to “him that takes pains, and cooks and presses the soma [Atharva Veda XI.1.30].” According to the Vedic literature, the Soma liquor was fermented. The directions in the Soma rite include the word Parisrut, “spirituous liquor [Satapatha Brahmana XII.8.2.15],” and this is also indicated in the Rgveda by the term Vatapi, “fermenting” of the Soma liquor [Rgveda I.187.10]: “What, Soma, we enjoy from thee in milky food or barley-brew, Vatapi, grow thou fat thereby [Rgveda I.187.10].”

Following the fermenting of the liquor, the Soma stalks were removed from the vessel and crushed between two stones on a cowhide [Rgveda IX.65.25, IX.79.4, X.94.9], or with a mortar and pestle [Rgveda I.28.1-6, IX.46.3]. The Rgveda tells of Soma libations “fifteenfold strong [Rgveda X.27.2], and with the addition of water [Rgveda IX.75.9, IX.107.2], which diluted the mixture and caused crushed Soma stalks to swell [Rgveda VIII.9.19, IX.64.8, IX.107.12], the Soma juice was poured over the stalks upon the cowhide, and filtered through a strainer made of cloth or wool [Rgveda VIII.2.2, IX.12.4, IX.13.1]. The Soma stalks were brown (babhru), ruddy (aruna), or tawny (hari) color [Rg Veda VIII.9.19], and Soma juice was also brown [Rgveda IX.33.2, IX.63.4, 6], ruddy [Rgveda IX.45.3], or tawny [Rgveda IX.3.9, IX.98.7]. This beverage is described in the Rgveda as “good to taste and full of sweetness, verily it is strong and rich in flavour.” Indicating that the fermenting of the liquor preceeded the pressing, Soma was often drunk unmmixed [Rgveda I.135.3, V.2.3, VII.90.2, IX.72.4], or it was mixed with milk [Rgveda I.23.1, VIII.2.3, VIII.90.10, IX.11.2, 5, IX.64.28, IX.72.1, IX.101.12, IX.107.2], butter [Rgveda X.29.6], curd [I.5.5, V.51.7, VII.32.4, IX.11.6, IX.101.12], or barley [Rgveda I.187.9, III.35.3, 7, III.52.1, IX.68.4].”
Soma and the Indo-European Priesthood: Cereal Cultivation and the Origins of Religion, Chapter 4, page 105-6, by William Scott Shelley, Published by Algora Publishing, 01-Dec-2018

 

Cannabis

In folk tradition, Shiva is often associated with cannabis, Sadhus imitates him by smoking weed. Swami Dayanand Saraswati was also addicted to cannabis. Vedas lists Bhanga (Cannabis) among the top five best herbs on the earth,


Atharva Veda 11.6.15 “Of five broad groups of herbs from which the damn is most powerful, we, speak Dnrbha, Bhanga-Hemp, barley and Saha. Let them save us from disease.” Tr. Acharya Vaidyanath Shastri (Arya Samaj)

The Sanskrit word mentioned in above verse is Bhanga/Bhaga which means hemp (cannabis).


Atharva Veda 2.4.5 “May this Jangida and Shana, the cannabis (probably as it is now known) save us from rheumatism. One of them, the Jangida is brought from the forest and another, the Shana is drawn out from various herbaceous saps.” Tr. Acharya Vaidyanath Shastri (Arya Samaj)

The Sanskrit word mentioned is Shana, which means Cannabis. In the Puranas, Cannabis is also known as Vijaya, following verse shows that Bhairava (form of Shiva) accepted it,

Brahmanda Purana Lalita Mahatmya 9.73 “Then the gem named Kaustubha came up. Janardhana took it. Thereafter, the great medicinal herb named Vijaya (Hemp), that caused intoxication through the smell of its leaves, was born. Bhairava accepted it.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

The following verse is about using cannabis in oblation,

Agni Purana 95.32-38 “…The oblation should be separately performed with the substances, known as the Vijaya (cannabis sativa), and Lakshmana, Vala (small cardamoms), Gaduchi…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

The post Intoxicant Consumption in Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Scientific Errors In Hinduism https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2019/03/29/scientific-errors-in-hinduism/ Fri, 29 Mar 2019 10:04:26 +0000 http://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2017/10/29/scientific-errors-in-hinduism/ SCIENTIFIC ERRORS IN HINDUISM Written by Sulaiman Razvi The Hindus claim that they were so scientifically advanced that everything was made by them. Later on the knowledge was either destroyed by Muhgals or the white people copied their ideas. As soon as something is discovered they claim that it was already mentioned in Hindu scriptures. […]

The post Scientific Errors In Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
SCIENTIFIC ERRORS IN HINDUISM

Written by Sulaiman Razvi

The Hindus claim that they were so scientifically advanced that everything was made by them. Later on the knowledge was either destroyed by Muhgals or the white people copied their ideas. As soon as something is discovered they claim that it was already mentioned in Hindu scriptures. Ironically such advanced people’s research is now limited in finding medicinal values of Cow Urine and Dung. They invented everything except for pen to note down their inventions. I will be mentioning some verses from my article Scientific Errors In Vedas but without the Hindi translation as it makes the article very lengthy. This article deals with various scientific errors in Hindu scriptures including the Vedas. And I have written this according to my capability, if a scholar writes about scientific errors in Hinduism then he may find even more errors than I did. It is ridiculous to claim that Hinduism is a scientific religion, this article proves that the Rishis wrote down science of their period which is irrelevant to modern science. Some verses even start with “Scientists says” which suggests that science in Puranas was plagiarized from scientists of that time.

Scientific knowledge in Hindu scriptures is highly objectionable, Atharved 2.32.3 has chant to destroy pests, Atharva Veda 5.23.5 has chant to destroy worms, this is the scientific knowledge imparted by the Vedas. It is mentioned in Vishnu Purana book 5, chapter 11 that Indra was offended by the loss of his offerings, so he caused heavy rain to deluge Gokul, then Krishna held the mountain Govardhana to shelter the cowherds and their cattle. Although this can be dismissed as a miracle but the following scientific errors can’t be dismissed with the said excuse.

 

Mountains had Wings

Vedic Science

Hinduism says that mountains had wings and used to fly and then Indra cut off their wings, the reason why Indra did this varies according to different Puranas, some say that their wings were becoming too large so Indra cut them off and then they became clouds, some says that Gods feared flying mountains would fall to the ground and kill

people so for this reason Indra cut off their wings. Mainak mountain was saved as he took shelter in Vayu Devta.

Valmiki Ramayana 5.1.123-5 “O son! Earlier in the Krita yuga, mountains had wings. With speed equal to that of Garuda and Vayu, they went in all directions. After that when those mountains were thus flying freely, Devas and living creatures together with sages obtained fear in the doubt that those mountains might fall down. Then the angry Devendra who performed a hundred Asvamedha rituals, cut off the wings of thousands of mountains by his weapon vajra then and there.” Tr. K.M.K Murthy

Srimad Bhagavatam 8.11.34 “Indra thought: Formerly, when many mountains flying in the sky with wings would fall to the ground and kill people, I cut their wings with this same thunderbolt.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Matsya Purana 125.10-17 “…The clouds Puskarabartaka have been born from the wings (of the mountains). These wings are named Puskara and hold a huge volume of water hence these clouds are known as Puskaravarta. The valiant Indra cut down the wings of the mountains that used to fly at their will and cause ruin and destruction to the rising generation (of the universe)…” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Linga Purana I.54.46-48 “…The origin of the third type of clouds is from the wings of mountains chopped off by Indra.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahmanda Purana I.2.22.41 “The wings of very powerful mountains that had increased in size and who used to go wherever as they pleased, were chopped off by Indra who wished to secure the welfare of all living beings.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Harivamsa Purana 3.40.19 “Knowing that the mountains are responsible for lack of firmness (immobility) of earth, the destroyer of strongholds (Indra), the lord, after installing the mountains at their own places, cut off their wings with his weapon, the hundred jointed (edged shataparva) Vajra.”

Vayu Purana I.51.38 “The wings of the powerful mountains who could go as per their will and pleasure, had grown very large. Indra cut them off for the (welfare of all) living beings.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

H.H. Wilson writes in the footnoes of the verse Rig Veda 2.12.2,
“Yah parvatan prakupitan aramnat; the Scholiast says he quieted the mountains, going hither and thither, as long as they had wings: Indra cut them off.”

Swami Prabhupada also wrote,
“In many descriptions in Vedic literature it is found that mountains also fly in the sky with wings. When such mountains are dead, they fall to the ground, where they stay as very large dead bodies.” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 8.11.12
http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/8/11/12

top

 

Embryology

Vedic Science

According to Hinduism a woman conceives child after the semen mixes with her menstrual blood,

Matsya Purana 39.10 ”The menstrual flow of a woman suddenly develops conception as soon as it mingles itself with the semen virile of man, through the sap of the flowers of herbs.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Varaha Purana 125.14 ”The generative fluid is in the female and the semen is in the male. In the womb they combine to form a being. This is due to my Maya.” Tr. Vekitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Following are the embryological developments mentioned in Hindu scriptures,

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.72.42-47 “…Blood takes its origin from Rasa (a vital fluid constituent of the body) and it is said that the flesh originates from blood. The source of fat is from the flesh. It is defined that the bone originates from the fat. From the bone the pith and marrow take their origin and the origin of Semen is from the marrow. (?) Foetus originated from semen virile through its assimilative rasa bodily fluid. It is there that water is mixed initially (?). This is called the Saumya Rasi. The foetus that is solidified [lit. born of Asman, stone solid] is called the second Rasi. One should know that semen is of the nature of Soma and Menstrual blood is of the nature of fire. These two Evolutes follow Rasa…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana I.14.17-22 “Then, at the time of conception, Kalana, the embryo at its first stage (in the form of a drop) is formed. In due course the Kalana develops into bubbles. Just as a lump of clay pressed by the wind in the potter’s wheel and shaped by the hands (of the potter) attains multifarious shapes, so also the foetus united with bones and impelled by the wind becomes a human body with proper forms, features and mind. The wind assembles them together. From the wind water is generated. From the water the vital breath is formed and through the vital breath the semen gets developed. Thirty three parts of blood (female contribution) and fourteen parts of the semen mixing together form only half a Pala (two karsas) and is deposited in the womb. The child in the womb is covered by the five vital breaths. From the father’s body he inherits his forms and features.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 39.14-16 “At the time of menstruation, the air draws the semen virile up, from the inside, after which it magnifies itself there; and then it develops into the embryo and assumes human or animal form (according to the kind of the womb where such development occurs)…” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

The following excerpts from Brahma Vaivarta Purana and Skanda Purana provide details about Puranic Embryology,

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Prakriti Khanda 35.121-141 “…As soon as the semen is cast into the womb it is mixed up with blood. If there is excess of blood, the issue takes the form of his mother, and if there is excess of semen, the issue takes his father’s form. The combination of the semen with the blood on even days, i.e. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, results in a male issue, otherwise, in a female issue…Semen and blood get united in one night. This union, followed by development from day to day. On the seventh day, the fetus takes the form of a jujube and it takes the form of a pillow in a month, the shape of a lump of flesh without hands and feet in three months and is vested with hands, legs and other members of the body in the fifth month. In the sixth month the body gets animation and consciousness, the animate body then knows the past, but like a bird in a cage, it suffers endless torments. The child in the womb occupies the most unholy place for residence, partakes of the remains of the food eaten by its mother and contemplates Hari in endless tortures. After four months of trouble the child impelled by the wind of the womb is born. But by the illusion of Hari, it forgets the past and oblivious of the quarters, time, space and the necessities…” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen

Skanda Purana V.iii.159.33-53 “…when semen and blood become mixed due to the intercourse of a man and a woman, a creature is born undoubtedly…In the first month it is a phlegmatic mass with the full complement of the body ingredients. In the second month it is a lump of flesh; in the third it gets equipped with sense organs. From the element of ether it derives lightness, subtlety, sound, power of hearing, strength etc. From air the Atman obtains sense of touch, movement, digestive power and roughness. From fiery element the sense of vision, warmth, digestive capacity, colour, and illumination are obtained. It takes from watery elements chillness, fluidity, dampness and softness. From earth element it takes odour, sense of smell, weight and physical form. These are unborn Atman takes up in the third month and beings to throb. If the longing of a pregnant woman is not fulfilled, the foetus becomes defective. It may get ugliness or even death. Hence the woman should be kept pleased. In the fourth month the limbs get firmness. Blood begins to flow in the fifth month. Physical strength is obtained in the sixth month. Complexion is fixed and the nails and hairs grow at that time. In the seventh month, the foetus becomes endowed with consciousness and mind and the body has all the nails and hundreds of hairs. In the eighth month, the outer skin is fixed and the foetus becomes endowed with the power of memory. It is at this time that his sin pursues the foetus and the mother as well. Hence if the birth is premature and the child is born in the eighth month it dies invariably. Either in the ninth or the tenth month the child comes out naturally forced by the powerful winds at the time of delivery…Now it has its full complement of the limbs of the body. There are one hundred vulnerable joints with three hundred Asthas (bones?). There are seven skull pieces in the head created by the Self born Lord himself. O descendant of Bharata, there are three and half crores of hairs on the limbs. There are seventy two thousand Nadis (nerve vessels) fanning out.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Both these passages are contradicting each other. Hinduism believes that a woman becomes pregnant after semen mixes with her menstrual blood. Semen contains millions of sperm and a woman becomes pregnant when a sperm enters egg of the female and not when entire semen mixes with blood. Every Purana which talks about Embryology says that a woman becomes pregnant after her blood mixes with semen which is a scientific error. Foetus doesn’t take the form of a jujube in a week. The above verse from Brahma Vaivarta Purana says that foetus takes the shape of a lump of flesh without hands and feet in three months and is vested with hands and legs in the fifth month which is not correct because the foetus starts developing limbs in 8 weeks (2 months) and by 14th week (3 ½ month) the lower limbs are well developed, refer Mayo Clinic’c articles Link 1 and Link 2,

In this article by babycenter.com you can see pictures of foetus development week by week.

It also says that the baby “partakes of the remains of the food eaten by its mother” while the baby doesn’t eat food in the womb, it gets all nutrients from the umbilical cord. Now let’s move on to Skanda Purana. It says that in the third month the baby gets the power of hearing, whereas the baby begins to hear from the 18th week (4 ½ month), refer Mayo Clinic‘s article. It also says that the baby obtains sense of movement, digestive power in the third month whereas this happens after the fourth month, Refer Mayo Clinic. Blood begins to flow in the 6th week and heart pumps about 100 pints of blood each day in 17th week (4 month & 1 week) but Skanda Purana says that blood begins to flow in the fifth month, refer Mayo Clinic and Parents.com. Skanda Purana says that in the sixth month the baby grows hairs and nails and by seventh month it has all hairs and nails whereas baby’s fingernails starts forming in 10 weeks (2 months & 2 weeks) and toenails appears in 14-15 (3 ½ months) weeks and develops in 17th week (4 months and 1 week), refer Mayo Clinic link 1, link 2 and UNSW.edu.au. Hairs starts growing in 22 week (5 months & 2 week) and gets a full head of hairs by 30th week (7 month & 2 weeks), refer Mayo Clinic, link 1 & link 2. Skanda Purana is bit correct about bones of baby but not precisely accurate, a new born baby has 270-350 bones. It says that baby’s skulll has 7 pieces whereas the skull of a baby consists of five main bones: two frontal bones, two parietal bones, and one occipital bone. These are joined by fibrous sutures, which allow movement that facilitates childbirth and brain growth, refer Stanford Children’s Health & Wikipedia.

Now let’s evaluate Embryology mentioned in Padma and Bhagavad Puranas,

Padma Purana II.66.22-38 …The semen with the blood (of the woman) would be (turned into) a foetus in a day. Then within five nights bubbles would be formed in the foetus. It takes the form of flesh in the five forms; neck, head, shoulder (s), spine and belly; so also hands and feet, the two sides, waists, and (the other parts of) the body; the limbs are produced one by one within two months. After three months, hundreds of sharp joints are produced (i.e. formed). Fingers etc. are produced (i.e. are formed) one by one in four months. After five months mouth, nose and ears are produced (i.e. formed). Within six months, the row of teeth, so also tongue and nails are formed, so also cavities in the ears are formed. So also are formed anus, penis, organ of generation and the male organ of generation. The joints which (are present) in the limbs, are formed within seven months. In the eight month the head with the entire body with limbs and with each limb clearly separated is formed. He is complete and endowed with five. Due to the power of the food of (i.e. eaten by) the mother and by the tastes of six kinds, fixed in the umbilical cord (i.e. the foetus) grows day by day.” Tr. N.A Deshpande

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.31.2-5 “On the first night, the sperm and ovum mix, and on the fifth night the mixture ferments into a bubble. On the tenth night it develops into a form like a plum, and after that, it gradually turns into a lump of flesh or an egg, as the case may be. In the course of a month, a head is formed, and at the end of two months the hands, feet and other limbs take shape. By the end of three months, the nails, fingers, toes, body hair, bones and skin appear, as do the organ of generation and the other apertures in the body, namely the eyes, nostrils, ears, mouth and anus. Within four months from the date of conception, the seven essential ingredients of the body, namely chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow and semen, come into existence. At the end of five months, hunger and thirst make themselves felt, and at the end of six months, the fetus, enclosed by the amnion, begins to move on the right side of the abdomen. Deriving its nutrition from the food and drink taken by the mother, the fetus grows and remains in that abominable residence of stools and urine, which is the breeding place of all kinds of worms.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam says a head is formed in a month whereas head develops in 7th week (1 month & 3 weeks) refer Mayo Clinic’s article. It says by the end of third month (i.e. on 3rd month) nails appear whereas baby’s fingernails starts forming in 10 weeks (2 months & 2 weeks) and toenails appears in 14-15 weeks (around 3 ½ months) and develops in 17th week (4 months and 1 week), refer Mayo Clinic link 1, link 2. Srimad Bhagavatam says that fingers, nostrils, toes, reproductive organ appears in third month whereas it occurs much early than that, fingers starts forming at 8th week (2 months), nostrils form at 7-8 week (around 2 months), toes forms at 9th week (2 month & 1 week), genitals develops on 11th week (2 months & 3 week), refer Mayo Clinic’s article.

Now let’s evaluate Padma Purana. Padma Purana says fingers are formed in 4 months which is contrary to what is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam which says they are formed in 3 months but in reality this occurs much earlier than that, reference is already given above. It says after five months nose, ears are produced whereas ears starts developing much earlier than that i.e. in 8th week (2 months) and baby may begin to hear by 18th week (4 months & 2 weeks), refer Link 1 and Link 2. And nose is formed in 2nd month (week 8) refer Mayo Clinic. It says nails are formed in 6th month whereas baby’s fingernails starts forming in 10 weeks (2 months & 2 weeks) and toenails appears in 14-15 weeks and develops in 17th week (4 months and 1 week), refer Mayo Clinic link 1, link 2 and UNSW.edu.au. Padma Purana says that reproductive organs are formed in 6th month which is contrary to what is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam which says that reproductive organ is formed in 3 months which are both contradictory. Organ of generation develops on 11th week (2 months & 3 week), refer Mayo Clinic’s article.

I have checked these facts from several websites but I am quoting only Mayo Clinic because it is very reliable, readers can read about Mayo Clinic on Wikipedia. The following topic is also about Embryology in Hinduism.

top

 

Semen is produced?

These verses even says that bone is produced from fat,

Brahma Purana 70.49 “Fat is produced from flesh; bone is produced from fat; marrow is generated from bone and semen is produced from marrow.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Also mentioned in Brahmanda Purana 2.3.72.44

Harivamsa Purana 1.40.48-56 “The distillate of various foods, rasa, vital-juice, produces blood, and flesh is produced from that blood; fat comes from flesh and bones from that fat; bones generate marrow and marrow generates seminal fluid, from which pregnancy occurs; hence, rasa, vital-fluid is substratum of all… Water is the primary principle of that rasa, vital-fluid, and this belongs to the soma, the moon, or, the nectarean principle of the moon, in the somatology – Greek – soma -atos ‘body’ and its formation… heat resides in the second half, say in menstrual blood… hence, the being of living beings is a compound of coolness and heatedness of the moon and fire. Thus the essence of all juice, the seminal fluid, is created by an excess of phlegm; blood is created by an excess billious matter. The seat of phlegm is the heart and the seat of bile is the navel. The heart, which is in the body, is known as the seat of the mind. The fire exists behind the cavity of the navel – jaThara agni – is none other than huta-ashana, the devourer of oblations, whose life-spirit is madhu-sUdana. Mind is known as prajApati, the phlegm as soma and the bile as agni. Thus the whole world is a commixture of heat and cold. Where a conception takes place, as is the formation of a cloud, the air enters there accompanied by the Absolute… It then creates the various limbs and nourishes them. Inside the body the vital air divides itself into five kinds of airs, namely prANa, apAna, samAna, samAna and vyAna, and gradually assumes proportions.” Tr. Desiraju Hanumant Rao

Vayu Purana II.35.45-46 ”From flesh fat is produced and bone is developed from fat. Pith and marrow are developed from bone and semen virile is generated from marrow; foetus is developed from semen through assimilative activity of Rasa bodily fluid (or through the activity rooted in sexual pleasure).” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

 

Conceiving pregnancy at will without intercourse

Hinduism says that sexual intercourse wasn’t needed to conceive birth in ancient period and offspring were begotten by flat of the will and in the succeeding Yuga women conceived pregnancies just by touch,

Mahabharata 12.207.38-40 “…Sexual congress, O chief of the Bharatas, was then not necessary for perpetuating the species. In those days offspring were begotten by flat of the will. In the age that followed, viz., Treta, children were begotten by touch alone. The people of that age even, O monarch, were above the necessity of sexual congress. It was in the next age, viz., Dwapara, that the practice of sexual congress originated, O king, to prevail among men. In the Kali age, O monarch, men have come to marry and live in pairs…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Vayu Purana II.2.45 ”The creation of the earlier ones was due to thought, sight, and touch. Thenceforth, the subjects in this world were born of sexual intercourse.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by G.P. Bhatt

Seer Urva is said to have created a son named Aurva with his mental ability,

Matsya Purana 175.43-44 ”…If one has the seed of asceticism within him, he can create a son from his mind…The ascetics ought to beget progeny out of the embryo created by their mind, and your address to me is bereft of dharma, and is like the speech of those who are not good. By the power of my innerself, I shall create a son, without the help of a woman, after illumining my mind with the glory of asceticism. I shall create such a son out of my soul, who would be ready to consume the creation. Afterwards the sage Urva, absorbed in his asceticism, throwing his thighs into the fire rubbed them with a kusu grass. Then the son in the form of Fire, desirous of consuming the universe, was produced from his thigh, by its own force without the help of any firewood. In such a way the fearful Aurva was begotten from the thigh of the seer Urva.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

top

 

Conceiving pregnancy by drinking semen

Hinduism also says that a woman can become pregnant by drinking semen. It even says that animals can become pregnant after drinking human semen,

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Brahma Kanda 20.33-46 “…At that time, Menaka was passing by that way, At the sight of her thigh and breast the semen of the saint was discharged. Thereupon the woman Kalavati drank it cheerfully, went to her husband, bowed to him and told him everything about, her pregnancy…” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen

Varaha Purana 95.20-21 “Finding the water fragrant (with it), Mahismati told her friends that she would drink it. She then drank the water containing the emission of the sage. As a result she conceived and in due time brought forth, a son named Mahisa, intelligent and valiant.” Tr. Venkitaasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Skanda Purana III.iii.19.64 The semen virile of the royal sage Yupaketu fell into water. It is said that a harlot drank that water together with the semen and became pregnant” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana V.iii.5.27-37 “…O excellent king, Paramesthin Rudra sported about with Uma in the vast expanse of sea-like water. A splendid girl was born out of the sweat of Uma due to her delight. When Sarva’s chest pressed against the breasts of Uma, a great girl of lotus-like eyes issued forth from the sweat…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Purana 4.2.13-17 “Yuvanaswa had no son, at which he was deeply grieved. Whilst residing in the vicinage of the holy Munis, he inspired them with pity for his childless condition, and they instituted a religious rite to procure him progeny. One night during its performance the sages having placed a vessel of consecrated water upon the altar had retired to repose. It was past midnight, when the king awoke, exceedingly thirsty; and unwilling to disturb any of the holy inmates of the dwelling, he looked about for something to drink. In his search he came to the water in the jar, which had been sanctified and endowed with prolific efficacy by sacred texts, and he drank it. When the Munis rose, and found that the water had been drunk, they inquired who had taken it, and said, “The queen that has drunk this water shall give birth to a mighty and valiant son.” “It was I,” exclaimed the Raja, “who unwittingly drank the water!” and accordingly in the belly of Yuvanaswa was conceived a child, and it grew, and in due time it ripped open the right side of the Raja, and was born, and the Raja, did not die…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Animals becoming pregnant,

Skanda Purana III.iii.19.65 “After drinking the semen of Sage Vibhandaka together with water, a female deer became pregnant and gave birth to Rsyasrnga.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Mahabharata 1.3.17 “…The Rishi thus addressed, answered Janamejaya, ‘O Janamejaya, this my son, deep in ascetic devotions, accomplished in the study of the Vedas, and endued with the full force of my asceticism, is born of (the womb of) a she-snake that had drunk my vital fluid…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Devi Bhagavatam 5.2.27-31 “…Vyasa said :– O king! Hearing thus the sweet words of Fire, Rambha quitted the hold of his hairs and said :– O Lord of the Devas! If thou art pleased, grant my desired boon that a son be born unto me, who will destroy the forces of my enemy and who will conquer the three worlds. And that son be invincible in every way by the Devas, Danavas and men, very powerful, assuming forms at will, and respected by all. The Fire [Agni] said :– O highly Fortunate! You will get your son, as you desire; therefore desist now from your attempting suicide. O highly fortunate Rambha! With any female of whichever species, you will co-habit, you will get a son, more powerful than you; there is no doubt in this. Vyasa said :– O king! Hearing thus the sweet words of the Fire as desired, Rambha, the chief of the Danavas, went, surrounded by Yaksas, to a beautiful place, adorned with picturesque sceneries; when one lovely she-buffalo, who was very maddened with passion, fell to the sight of Rambha. And he desired to have sexual intercourse with her, in preference to other women. The she-buffallo, too, gladly yielded to his purpose and Rambha had sexual intercourse with her, impelled as it were by the destiny. The she-buffalo became pregnant with his semen virile…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

top

 

Seven layers of the Skin

There are three layers of the skin, 1) Epidermis, 2) Dermis and 3) Hypodermis. But according to Agni Purana there are seven layers of the skin,

Agni Purana 350.40-45 “The external layers of the skin, together with the one that contains blood, are seven in number.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

top

 

Seven Oceans created by the impression of King Priyavrata’s chariot’s wheel

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.1.31 “When Priyavrata drove his chariot behind the sun, the rims of his chariot wheels created impressions that later became seven oceans, dividing the planetary system known as Bhū-maṇḍala into seven islands.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Also mentioned in Devi Bhagavatam 8.4.1-28

top

 

Shape of the Earth

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/science-vedic-flat-earth-untitle-1.jpg?w=357&h=449

Earth according to Vedas is four cornered,

Rig Veda 10.58.3 Thy spirit, that went far away, away to the four cornered earth…

Satapatha Brahmana says the same,

Satapatha Brahman 6.1.2.29 …Now this earth is four-cornered, for the quarters are her corners: hence the bricks are four-cornered; for all the bricks are after the manner of this earth.

Ramayana also endorses it,

Valmiki Ramayana 5.9.26 “the floor was covered by a carpet, wide and four-cornered like the earth…” Tr. Hari Prasad Shastri

Hari Prasad Shastri writes in the footnotes,
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/1.jpg?w=526&h=42

“Four-Cornered – The ancient Hindu belief was that the earth was four-cornered.”
The Ramayana of Valmiki, Translated by Hari Prasad Shastri, Shanti Sadan 29 Chepstow Villas, London, W.II. 1952. Printed in Great Britain at the Burgleigh Press, Lewins Mead, Bristol.

Another translation,

Valmiki Ramayana 5.9.26 “…containing spacious and parti-colored woolen clothes bearing the marks of the Earth*; extensive as the Earth is, with kingdoms and dwellings…” Tr. Manmath Nath Dutt

M.N. Dutt writes in the footnotes,
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/2.jpg?w=572&h=61
“*i.e. four-cornered, The Earth, in Hindu cosmogony, is a flat surface having four corners.”
The Ramayanna, Edited and Published by Manmatha Nath Dutt, Rector, Keshub Academu. Printed by Girish Chanda Chackravarti, Deva Press, 65/2, Beadon Street, Calcutta. 1892.

Hindi translation of Valmiki Ramayana 5.9.26 by Dwaraka Prasad Sharma,
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/3.jpg?w=458&h=194

Padma Purana 1.19.166-171 “…O you creator of the worlds, you are the protector and creator of us and (also) of the worlds. This flat world will be elevated by your favour…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Rig Veda 8.6.5 “His might is manifest, for Indra folds and unfolds both heaven and earth, as (one spreads or rolls up) a skin.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Rig Veda 6.8.3 “Wonderful Mitra propped the heaven and earth apart, and covered and concealed the darkness with his light. He made the two bowls part asunder like two skins. Vaiśvānara put forth all his creative power.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

One can Google how a hide (skin of animal) is stretched and spread. Some Puranas describes the earth as lotus shaped,

Vishnu Purana 2.12.36 “From the waters, which are the body of Vishnu, was produced the lotus shaped earth, with its seas and mountains.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Vayu Purana I.34.44 “The lotus that was fashioned by Visnu grew from his umbilicus. The earth along with the forests and the trees was evolved in the shape of a lotus.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Srimad Bhagavatam describes the planetary system or the earth as lotus shaped and Jambudvipa (Which is supposed to where we live) in the shape of leaf of a lotus flower,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.16.5 “The planetary system known as Bhū-maṇḍala resembles a lotus flower, and its seven islands resemble the whorl of that flower. The length and breadth of the island known as Jambūdvīpa, which is situated in the middle of the whorl, are one million yojanas [eight million miles]. Jambūdvīpa is round like the leaf of a lotus flower.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Markandeya Purana 156.22 also mentions Earth as a lotus. Puranas says that Vishnu flattened the Earth,

Padma Purana 1.3.55 “The beginningless supreme being, then having flattened the earth, piled the mountains on it according to (its) divisions.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Vishnu Purana 1.4.45-48 “The supreme being thus eulogized, upholding the earth, raised it quickly, and placed it on the summit of the ocean, where it floats like a mighty vessel, and from its expansive surface does not sink beneath the waters. Then, having levelled the earth, the great eternal deity divided it into portions, by mountains…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Kurma Purana I.6.25 “He levelled the earth and gathered the mountains together on it…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Shiva Purana VayaviyaSamhita 7, Section I.11.34-35; Vayu Purana I.6.27 “The Boar brought the earth to its own place. It then assumed his natural form and fixed it there. He levelled the earth, fixed the mountains and set up the four worlds on the earth as before.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Veda says that the Earth is stretched or spread out. Hindus often uses such verses against other religions, wondering what they will have to say about these,

Rig Veda 3.6.5 Great are the deeds of thee, the Great, O Agni: thou by thy power hast spread out earth and heaven.

Rig Veda 10.62.3 Ye raised the Sun to heaven by everlasting Law, and spread broad earth, the Mother

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/4.jpg?w=324&h=434

Some translates words like Gau, Bhu Mandala as globe which is misleading, they try to insert their own definitions while according to Hinduism, the Earth is four-cornered, lotus shaped, shaped like a leaf of a lotus flower etc, but the idea of Earth as a flat circular disk is emphasised in the Puranas. Puranas describes the earth as a flat disc of enormous size. In its centre was Mount Meru, round which sun, moon and stars revolved. Around Meru were continents or regions (Dvipa), separated from the central peak by oceans, and named according to the great trees which stood on their shores opposite Meru. According to some Puranas there are Saptadvipas (four regions/continents/islands) in the world and as per some there are Chaturdvipa (four Dvipas) including Jambduvipa. Below the earth are seven levels of hell and above the earth is heaven, the earth is established on waters. This is the description of earth given in Hindu scriptures. The verses are not clear, but if you search Jambudvipa on Google then you will find stuff related to Earth as a Flat Circular disc also if you imagine the Earth as described in Puranas then you will get a flat circular earth.

Vishnu Purana 2.2.4-36 “PARÁŚARA.–You shall hear, Maitreya, a brief account of the earth from me: a full detail I could not give you in a century. The seven great insular continents are Jambu, Plaksha, Sálmali, Kuśa, Krauncha, Śáka, and Pushkara: and they are surrounded severally by seven great seas; the sea of salt water (Lavańa), of sugar-cane juice (Ikshu), of wine (Surá), of clarified butter (Sarpi), of curds (Dadhi), of milk (Dugdha), and of fresh water (Jala). Jambu-dwípa is in the centre of all these: and in the centre of this continent is the golden mountain Meru…The capital of Brahma is enclosed by the river Ganges, which, issuing from the foot of Vishńu, and washing the lunar orb, falls here from the skies…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Agni Purana 212.33-35 “…Obeisance to the mount Meru, the representative of Vishnu on earth. Salutation unto the mountain which forms the main stay of the earth. I make obeisance to the mountain situate at the centre of the earth…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Harivamsha Purana 3.34.4 “Containing the earth within four boundaries, the Lord created the great ocean. At the centre of the earth, the golden mountain, meru was installed.” Tr. Desiraju Hanumanta Rao

Padma Purana VII.2.10-17 “…At the centre of the earth he produced the great mountain (viz. Meru) with jewelled peaks…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Brahmanda Purana I.2.21.13-16 “…The extent of the earth towards all the sides (quarters) from the middle of the Meru is remembered as one crore and eightynine lakhs (of Yojanas)…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Purana 2.4.87-93 “…In this manner the seven island continents are encompassed successively by the seven oceans, and each ocean and continent is respectively of twice the extent of that which precedes it…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Following verses shows that Mount Meru is in the middle of the earth with land surrounding it and the land is separated by oceans,

Vayu Purana I.34.37 “From the unmanifest the great lotus of the earth is evolved. Its pericarp is the four-cornered Meru that is five times great.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 123.27-28 “Thus the seven dvipas are surrounded by the seven oceans…” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Linga Purana I.46.1 “The Earth consists of seven continents. It is full of rivers and mountains. It is surrounded by seven oceans all round and embellished by them.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana I.34.46 “The four famous great continents are stationed on the petals. The powerful Meru is stationed on the pericarp.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Similar thing is mentioned in Mahabharata,

Mahabharata 6.6.18-21 “Besides Meru are situated, O lord, these four islands, viz., Bhadraswa, and Ketumala, and Jamvudwipa otherwise called Bharata, and Uttar-Kuru which is the abode of persons who have achieved the merit of righteousness. The bird Sumukha, the son of Suparna, beholding that all the birds on Meru were of golden plumage, reflected that he should leave that mountain inasmuch as there was no difference between the good, middling, and bad birds. The foremost of luminaries, the sun, always circumambulates Meru” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Vayu Purana I.34.56 “That Meru, the purifier of living beings, is encircled by worlds. Four islands are established on its different sides.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana I.50.68-70 “The entire earth is known as fifty crores (of Yojanas) in extent. From the middle of Meru on all four sides is half of it. Half the extent of the earth is stated in terms of Yojanas. The extent of the earth towards all the sides (quarters) from the middle of Meru is said to be eleven crores and eighty nine lakhs (of Yojanas) and fifty thousand.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana I.2.15.12-13 “Jambudvipa is immense and glorious with huge zones all round. It is encircled by nine worlds that evolve a number of living beings. It is surrounded on all sides by the briny sea the extent of which is equal to that of Jambudvipa itself.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

 

Earth is immovable

There are chapters in Puranas about movements of planets. It mentions revolution of all planets of our solar system like Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and even satellite and star like Moon and Sun but nowhere mentions the movement of the Earth. Which proves that the Earth according to Hinduism is stationary.

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.52.8 “The earth overwhelmed by the ocean began to quake though its name is Acala (immovable). There was a break and hindrance in the penance and abstract meditation of the ascetics.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva 12, Section 62, verse 2 “Bhishma said, ‘Of all kinds of gifts, the gift of earth has been said to be the first (in point of merit). Earth is immovable and indestructible…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Vamana Purana 8.26 “I bow down to the Worshipful Lord Visnu who raised the immovable earth with one single tusk, who sustains everything, and who sleeps absorbing the entire universe in Him.” Tr. Ananada Swarup Gupta

Mahabharata 13.62.2 “…Earth is immovable and indestructible…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mahabharata 5.76.7-8 “Behold, O Krishna, these the firmament and the earth which are immovable, immense, and infinite, and which are the refuge of, and in which are born these countless creatures.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Vayu Purana I.35.11; Linga Purana I.49.25b-27 “Meru has four great ranges (legs) in all the four quarters. Held by them, the earth with her seven continents does not move.” Tr. G.V. tagare

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 87.99-104 …Vrinda, so saying, remained there like the immoveable earth….” Tr. Various Sanskrit Scholars, Edited by B.D. Basu.

Atharva Veda 6.44.1 “The heavens have stood still, the earth has stood still, all creatures have stood still. The trees that sleep erect have stood still: may this disease of thine stand still!” Tr. Maurice Bloomfield

top

 

Sun revolves around the Earth

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.21.87-88 “Everyday the sun traverses those (zones) in due order. Just as the outer rim of the potter’s wheel comes back quickly (i.e. revolves), so also the sun functions quickly during his Souther transit. Hence, he traverses a major portion of the Earth in the course of a shorter period.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana I.2.23.44-45 “Thus the sun traverses the quarters by means of his swift chariot with one wheel. The horses are splendid but they do not have the usual place (? Akramaih). In the course of a day and night, the sun traverses the earth consisting of the seven continents and oceans by means of his chariot with a single wheel.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 126.41-46 “The Sun in course of one single day and night goes swiftly over the world consisting of the seven oceans and the seven islands, seating in His one-wheeled chariot and drawn by seven horses. The seven horses yoked to the Sun’s chariot are no other than the seven chhandas metres); they can assume forms at their will; they go as they like…Ascending on such a chariot the Sun travels the earth in course of one day (24 hours.) The horses were yoked at the beginning of Kalpa and carry on the Sun toll the end of the Great Dissolution (Maha Pralaya). Thus He goes on round and round, day and night, surrounded by the Valakhillya Munis…” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Vayu Purana I.52.43-44 “Thus the Sun moves ahead quickly in his celestial sphere by means of his single-wheeled chariot dragged by the unimpaired gentle horses. In the course of a day and night he traverses over the world of seven continents and oceans by means of his single wheeled chariot dragged by the seven horses.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana I.50.142 “Within a short time, therefore, the sun traverses the extensive earth. Within twelve Muhurtas it traverses quickly from the south to the north.” Tr. G.V. tagare

Brahmanda Purana I.2.23.44-45 “Thus the sun traverses the quarters by means of his swift chariot with one wheel. The horses are splendid but they do not have the usual place (? Akramaih). In the course of a day and night, the sun traverses th earth consisting of the seven continenents and oceans by means of his chariot with a single wheel.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Linga Purana Section I.54.9-12 “…Similarly when the sucker of waters (i.e. the sun) moves about in the middle of Puskara the mountain to the north of Manasa, he traverses a thirtieth part of the earth in a Muhurta (48 mts). Understand this number in yojanas travelled in a Muhurta. The speed of the noble souled sun per Muhurta is three million one hundred and fifty thousand yojanas…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana I.50.119-121; Matsya Purana 124.40-60 “When the sun passes through the middle of the sky, it traverses one thirtieth of the diameter of the earth in a Muhurta (forty eight minutes). In regard to the distance traversed in Yojanas, know that it is three million one hundred and fifty thousand in full. This is the distance traverses by the sun in one Muhurta.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.5 “The sun-god, who is Nārāyaṇa, or Viṣṇu, the soul of all the worlds, is situated in outer space between the upper and lower portions of the universe. Passing through twelve months on the wheel of time, the sun comes in touch with twelve different signs of the zodiac…” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.7 “The sun-god has three speeds — slow, fast and moderate. The time he takes to travel entirely around the spheres of heaven, earth
and space at these three speeds is referred to, by learned scholars, by the five names Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Satapatha Brahmana 8:7:2:5 …having once revolved round these worlds, that sun would not pass by them. Let him lay down the two last alongside the two first by reaching over them: he thus causes that sun to pass by these worlds; and hence that sun revolves incessantly round these worlds again and again (from left) to right.

Varaha Purana 26.8 “From its lustre arose twelve suns, and the principal one among these now revolves round the world.” Tr. Vankitasubramonia Iyer, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata 6.6.7-16 “…This (the land where we are) is in the Varsha that is called after Bharata…Besides Meru are situated, O lord, these four islands, viz., Bhadraswa, and Ketumala, and Jamvudwipa otherwise called Bharata, and Uttar-Kuru…The foremost of luminaries, the sun, always circumambulates Meru, as also the moon with (his) attendant constellation, and the Wind-god too…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mount Meru is in the centre of the world.

Rig Veda 1.35.9 “The gold-handed, all-beholding luminary travels between the two regions of heaven and earth, dispels diseases, and this, verily, is known as the sun, and it finally overspreads the sky, extending from the dark interspace to the celestial region” Tr. SatyaPrakash Saraswati.

Nirukta 7.23 The sun having first revolved towards the northern hemisphere, a person holds a polished (piece of) white copper, or crystal, focusing the sun-rays in a place where there is some dry cow-dung, without touching it… Now (had VaisVauara been the sun), there would have occurred expressions relating to VaisVanara in those same hymns and shares which are assigned to celestial deities, i.e. Savitr, [Surya], Pusan, Visnu, and [the VisVedevas.] And they would have praised him by (attributing to him) the functions of the sun, as thou risest, thou settest, thou revolvest, &c.

Atharva Veda 13.2.6 “Hail to thy rapid car whereon, O Sūrya, thou circlest in a moment both the limits…[44] The suppliant’s way, filling the earth, the Mighty circleth the world with eye that none deceiveth…” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Vayu Purana I.50.60 “Revolving all round, the Sun illuminates and protects the three worlds. Hence on account of illumination and protection, he is called ‘Ravi’. The root av means ‘illumination’ (and protection.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Following verses shows movements of the Sun,

Brahmanda Purana I.2.21.35-36 “Understand the movement of the sun during the southern transit, as he goes to that quarter. His movement is above all the guardians of the quarters. During this southern transit, the sun rushes forward like an arrow that is discharged. He revolved always, taking the circle of luminaries with him.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.21.45-46 “The sun revolves rapidly like the whirling firebrand. Moving about, the sun traverses the revolving constellations. Thus the sun thereby moves to the south among the four quarters. The sun rises and sets again and again.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 125.50-58 …The success of the sun’s chariot is due to the conjunction (with Dhruva). Thus this divine solar chariot moves about in the heaven. The pins of the yoke and axle are on its south. The pair of reins of the yoke and the wheel of this aerial chariot revolve round and round in all directions like the potter’s wheel…

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.6 “Thus the time the sun takes to rotate through half of outer space is called an ayana, or its period of movement [in the north or in the south].” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Vayu Purana I.51.68-69 “With that the lord Sun moves quickly in the heaven. There are two reins of the chariot tied to the tips of the pole and the axle. Propelled by Dhruva the chariot moves in the sky in a circular fashion.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana I.50.92-93 “Understand the solar movement when the sun reaches south during the southern transit all round above the guardians of the worlds. In his transit to the south, the sun moves fast like a discharged arrow. It takes the group of luminary bodies with it and revolves always.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana I.50.151-4 “During the northern transit, the movement of the moon (?) is slow during day and fast during night. During the southern transit the sun’s movement is dast during day and slow during night. Dividing nights and days thus by its special diverse movements, the sun traverses the path by its even (regular) and uneven (irregular) movement.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Many verses are clearly saying that the sun travels around the earth so there is no way for apologists to defend these verses. Also read categories like Sun moves in a chariot pulled by Seven Horses, Speed of Sun moving around the Earth which proves that the Sun indeed revolves around the earth as per Hinduism.

top

 

Sun moves in a chariot pulled by seven horses

Sun travelling in a horse pulled by seven horses is quite similar to Greek mythology’s Sun god Helios. Indian Prime Minister from the Hindu nationalist party said that, In our mythology we have imagined the sun god Surya riding on seven horses. This has basis in Hindu scriptures which says,

Rig Veda 1.50.8; 1.50.1 O, Bright sun, a chariot named harit with seven horses takes you to sky

Mahabharata book 13.158.20-22 …the sun possessed of a thousand rays… He it is that constitutes the wheel of the year, having three naves and seven horses to drag it…He is the sun, the dispeller of all darkness.

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.21.12-19 “Thus the chariot of the sun-god, which is trayimaya, or worshiped by the words om bhur bhuvah svah, travels through the four residences…My dear King, the carriage of the sun-god’s chariot is estimated to be 3,600,000 yojanas [28,800,000 miles] long and one-fourth as wide [900,000 yojanas, or 7,200,000 miles]. The chariot’s horses, which are named after Gayatri and other Vedic meters, are harnessed by Arunadeva to a yoke that is also 900,000 yojanas wide. This chariot continuously carries the sun-god. Although Arunadeva sits in front of the sun-god and is engaged in driving the chariot and controlling the horses, he looks backward toward the sun-god…My dear King, in his orbit through Bhu-mandala [Earth], the sun-god traverses a distance of 95,100,000 yojanas [760,800,000 miles] at the speed of 2,000 yojanas and two krosas [16,004 miles] in a moment.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Brahmanda Purana I.2.23.50 “…The lord of the day (i.e. the sun) thus revolves and wanders by means of horses that gallop and that are as swift as birds.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Linga Purana I.55.81-82 “Thus the sun, the harbinger of the day moves ahead quickly in a single wheeled chariot drawn by seven green imperishable horses. He whirls day and night in his chariot which has a single wheel. He traverses in heaven over the seven continents and oceans with the help of seven groups.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Devi Bhagwatam 8.15.40-45 “…The seat of the Sun on his chariot measures 36 Lakh Yoyanas wide. The Yuga measures in length one fourth of the above dimensions, that of his seat. The Chariot is moved by seven horses, consisting of the seven Chhandas, Gâyatrî, etc., driven by Aruna. The horses carry the Sun for the happiness of all. Though the charioteer sits in front of the Sun, his face is turned towards the west. He does his work as a charioteer in that state…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

It’s possibly inspired by the Trundholm Sun Chariot commonly found in the European mythologies. Some apologists tries to defend this by saying that seven horses mentioned here are not actually horses but seven rays. In many Hindu scriptures the Sun is described as of having a thousand rays not 7 rays and none of the Puranas or the Mahabharat explains seven horses as seven rays, so this proves that its apologists concocted explanation which has no basis. If seven horses are described as seven rays then does that mean the Moon too emits ten rays as Hindu scriptures describes moon moving in a chariot pulled by 10 horses. Sun is described in Hindu scriptures including the Vedas as of having 1000 rays not 7 rays, these 7 horses’ names are different than the names of rays of sun given in Hindu scriptures. Hindu scriptures clearly mentions that the seven horses are seven Vedic metres who have assumed the shape of horses. Some also explain it by saying that one wheel of the chariot signifies day or year, five spokes in it signifies five seasons etc. which is true to an extent but the one wheel represents year and five spokes of the chariot represents five seasons, the chariot is not a metaphor. Just as in the Tricolor (Indian flag) the saffron, white and green represents courage and sacrifice, peace and truth, and faith and chivalry respectively, the Ashoka Chakra in the middle represents the eternal wheel of law so the wheel of the chariot and its spokes too represent year and seasons in the same manner. Hindu scriptures even gives the size of Sun’s chariot, how will apologists explain that? If it is symbolic then why Hindu scriptures mentioned the size of chariot? And why do they say that Sun moves around in his chariot? Hindu scriptures also mentions chariot of moon what does it signify? Also check above topic especially Brahmanda Purana I.2.23.44-45 and Vayu Purana I.52.43-44 which clearly states about Sun revolving around the earth in a chariot pulled by horses and even has a charioteer in front. Logically speaking does the Sun rotates or revolves through rays if horses means rays? Before speaking about 7 horses of the sun, the Mahabharata verse mentions 1000 rays of the sun which makes it pretty clear that 7 horses aren’t really rays, moreover if seven horses of the sun means 7 rays of the sun then what does 10 horses of the moon means? Hindu text mentions 10 horses of the moon also, does that mean moon also emits 10 types of rays?

top

 

Even the Moon moves around the earth in a chariot pulled by horses

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.23.50-51 “He is served by Gandharvas and groups of celestial damsels by means of sons and dances. The lord of the day (i.e. the sun) thus revolves and wanders by means of horses that gallop and that are as swift as birds. The chariot of Soma (the Moon) has three wheels. His horses have the lustre of Kunda (white jasmine) flowers. They are ten in number and they are yoked to the left as well as to the right. The moon traverses by means of this.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana I.52.50-51 “The chariot of the Moon has three wheels. The horses are tied in pairs on either side. The chariot along with the horses and the charioteer has come out of the womb of the waters. The three wheels have a hundred spokes. Excellent white horses have been yoked thereto. They are ten in number. They are slender and divine. They are unimpeded and have the velocity of the mind. They are yoked but once (in the beginning of the Kalpa) and they travels till the end of the Yugas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

 

Speed of Sun moving around the Earth

Linga Purana Section I.54.9-12 “…Similarly when the sucker of waters (i.e. the sun) moves about in the middle of Puskara the mountain to the north of Manasa, he traverses a thirtieth part of the earth in a Muhurta (48 mts). Understand this number in yojanas travelled in a Muhurta. The speed of the noble souled sun per Muhurta is three million one hundred and fifty thousand yojanas…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana I.50.119-121 “When the sun passes through the middle of the sky, it traverses one thirtieth of the diameter of the earth in a Muhurta (forty eight minutes). In regard to the distance traversed in Yojanas, know that it is three million one hundred and fifty thousand in full. This is the distance traverses by the sun in one Muhurta.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

1 Muhurta = 48 minutes

1 Yojana = 8 miles (as per Hindu translators of Puranas)

3,150,000 Yojana*8 miles = 25,200,000

25,200,000/48 = 525,000 i.e. speed in one minute

525,000*60 = 31,500,000 miles per hour

According to modern science,
“The Sun’s orbital speed around the Galaxy: ~200 km/s (720,000 km/h, 450,000 mph) The speed of the ground beneath your feet, as a result of the Earth’s rotation: 1000 km/h (600 mph) at the latitude of Sheffield (53 degrees); it goes up to 1670 km/h (1000 mph) at the equator.”
http://www.iop.org/activity/outreach/resources/pips/topics/earth/facts/page_43079.html

http://solar-center.stanford.edu/FAQ/Qsolsysspeed.html

The orbital speed of the sun given in Vayu Purana is 31,500,000 mph and the orbital speed of the sun according to science is 450,000 mph which is nowhere close to the speed given in Puranas. Brahmanda Purana mentions a different speed, so let’s have a look at that too,

Brahmanda Purana I.2.21.60-65 “…Thus, when the sun traverses the middle of the sky, it passes through parts of the earth in the course of a Muhurta as it were (?) Understand the number of Yojanas here in the course of a Muhurta. It is one hundred and eightyone thousand Yojanas. This is the speed of the sun in a Muhurta.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

181,000*8 = 1,448,000 miles

1,448,000/48 = 30,166 in a minute

30,166*60= 1,810,000 mph

This speed given is also not correct, the speed given in Srimad Bhagavata (Bhagavad Purana) is different so let’s evaluate its authenticity as well,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.21.12 “Thus the chariot of the sun-god, which is trayīmaya, or worshiped by the words om bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ, travels through the four residences mentioned above at a speed of 3,400,800 yojanas [27,206,400 miles] in a muhūrta.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

mph already given hence,

27,206,400/48 (1 Muhurta) = 566,800

566,800*60= 34,008,000 mph

Whereas the orbital speed of the sun is 450,000 mph.

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.21.19 “My dear King, in his orbit through Bhū-maṇḍala, the sun-god traverses a distance of 95,100,000 yojanas [760,800,000 miles] at the speed of 2,000 yojanas and two krośas [16,004 miles] in a moment.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

top

 

Moon travels faster than the Sun

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.8 “Above the rays of the sunshine by a distance of 100,000 yojanas [800,000 miles] is the moon, which travels at a speed faster than that of the sun. In two lunar fortnights the moon travels through the equivalent of a saṁvatsara of the sun, in two and a quarter days it passes through a month of the sun, and in one day it passes through a fortnight of the sun.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

It says that the Moon travels faster than the Sun.

“The Moon orbits Earth at a speed of 2,288 miles per hour (3,683 kilometers per hour). During this time it travels a distance of 1,423,000 miles (2,290,000 kilometers).”

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/176–How-fast-does-the-Moon-travel-around-Earth-

Whereas the sun travels at a speed of 450,000 which means that as per modern science, the sun travels faster than the moon but it’s contrary to Vedic Science.

top

 

Speed of Planets

Brahmanda Purana I.2.24.110-1 “Three planets among them which orbit very far away and above all are the Saturn, the Jupiter and the Mars. It should be known that they orbit very slowly. The great planets beneath them are the four fast moving ones, viz. the sun, the moon, the Mercury and the Venus.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Speed of slow moving planets

Speed of Saturn 34,821 kilometers per hour
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/122-How-long-does-it-take-Saturn-to-go-around-the-Sun-

Speed of Jupiter 47,051 kilometers per hour
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/90-How-long-does-it-take-Jupiter-to-go-around-the-Sun-

Speed of Mars 86,871 kilometers per hour
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/75-How-long-does-it-take-Mars-to-go-around-the-sun-

Fast moving planets

Speed of Mercury 170,505 kilometers) per hour
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/22-How-fast-does-Mercury-orbit-the-Sun-

Speed of Venus 78,341 miles per hour
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/54-How-long-does-it-take-Venus-to-go-around-the-Sun-

Speed of Moon 3,683 kilometers per hour
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/176–How-fast-does-the-Moon-travel-around-Earth-

Mars orbits faster than Venus still it’s counted as slow moving planet. And moon orbits very slow despite that its included in fast moving planets. Though it is correct about Saturn and Jupiter compared to Mercury and Venus.

top

 

Moon has water

Vayu Purana I.53.57 “The orb of the Moon is of solid water and the orb of the Sun is of solid refulgence.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

Another Vayu Purana may be saying the same,

Vayu Purana I.53.84-86 “Thus the abodes and their resident deities are mentioned. The abode of the thousand rayed Sun is full of fire and sparkling. The abode of the thousand rayed Moon is full of water and sparkling white. The abode of the five rayed charming planet Budha is dark in color.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Linga Purana I.52.3 “The storehouse of water in the sky which is called Soma (moon) is the support of all living beings. To Devas, it is the receptacle of nectar.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahmanda Purana I.2.23.78-79 “The divine spheres of the sun and the moon are sparkling and white. They are of the form (or full of) of fire and water. They move about in the firmament. They resemble auspicious round pots. The sphere of the moon is remembered to be consisting of dense water. The white and brilliantly sparkling sphere of the sun is composed of dense fiery splendour.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Hinduism also says that Moon is born from waters,

Matsya Purana 126.48 “The Moon has been born from waters along with His chariot, horses and the charioteer. That chariot is decorated with fine garlands and yoked with excellent white horses, rests on three wheels.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

top

 

How Full Moon occurs

According to Hinduism, the Sun fills the moon with a nectar which lasts until 33330 Devas drinks it and turns it dark. The nectar is described as sweet like honey and consisting of the essence of the watery juice. It is the food of the Devas which makes them immortal. Seems this is the Soma Ras.

Vayu Purana I.52.60-66 “Beginning with the second day in the dark half and ending with the fourteenth day Devas drink the watery wine, the nectar of the Moon that is essentially made up of water and that by nature consists of tasty essence. By the brilliance of the Sun the nectar is collected and prepared in the course of a fortnight. On the full moon night Devas, Pitrs and the sages attend the Moon facing the Sun. The digits being drunk decline gradually in the dark half and become refilled in the bright half. When days pass on gradually Devas drink the moon for half a month until the new moon day and go away. On the new moon day Pitrs resort to the Moon. When the fifteenth part of the digits is left over in the later part of the day, that part is used up by the groups of Pitrs. The remaining digit is drunk by Pitrs during the period of two Kalas. From the lunar rays the nectar of Svadha comes out on the new moon night. They drink the nectar and remain content for a month. They attain immortality.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 126.53-60 “…in the dark fortnight, the Moon wanes daily from the second day till the Chaturdasi tithi (the fourteenth day after the full Moon) when the Devas drink up the soft and excellent nectar of the Moon, sweet like honey and consisting of the essence of the watery juice. For half the month the nectar becomes stored up in the Moon by the Sun’s ray, so that the Devas would be able to drink it; and the quantity of this nectar becomes maximum on the full moon night when the Devas adore the Moon for another supply of the same, gathered from the Sun’s radiance in course of a fortnight.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Matsya Purana 126.61-70 “…From the beginning of the dark fortnight the Moon turns black, wanes and becomes dull; His digits decline owing to His nectar being drunk up day by day. 33330 Devas drink the lunar ambrosia. The Moon thus declines during the dark fortnight and waxes until He becomes complete in the bright fortnight. Thus, drinking the nectar, the Devas, at the end of the fortnight, go away elsewhere on the Amasvasya (dark) night when the Pitris come to Him. When the still small portion of the 15th part of the Moon is left, they drink that in the afternoon on the next day for a brief period of two kalas and go away after the completion of this dark fortnight…” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Vishnu Purana 2.12.1-9 “The radiant sun supplies the moon, when reduced by the draughts of the gods to a single Kalá, with a single ray; and in the same proportion as the ruler of the night was exhausted by the celestials, it is replenished by the sun, the plunderer of the waters: for the gods, Maitreya, drink the nectar and ambrosia accumulated in the moon during half the month, and from this being their food they are immortal. Thirty-six thousand three hundred and thirty-three divinities drink the lunar ambrosia. When two digits remain, the moon enters the orbit of the sun, and abides in the ray called Amá; whence the period is termed Amávásya. In that orbit the moon is immersed for a day and night in the water; thence it enters the branches and shoots of the trees; and thence goes to the sun.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

top

 

All planets and stars originated from the Sun

Brahmanda Purana I.2.24.46 “All these, viz. the moon, the stars and the planets should be known as originating from the sun. The moon is the lord of all stars and the sun is the king of planets.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Linga Purana I.59.41-45 “…It should be known that the moon, stars and planets are all born of the sun…” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

top

 

Moon is bigger in size than the Sun

Brahmanda Purana I.2.21.8 “In diameter as well as girth (Circumference), the moon is twice as much as the sun.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana I.53.61-62 “…The diameter of the Sun is nine thousand Yojanas. The girth of the Sun is three times its diameter. The width of the Moon is twice that of the Sun.”Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

Vayu Purana I.50.63 “The extent of the sun is nine thousand Yojanas. The girth or the extent of its disc is thrice its diameter. The lunar disc is twice the solar disc (in diameter as well as girth).” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 123.57-58 “The diameter of the Sun is nine thousand yojanas and its circumference is three times that (2700 yojanas). The diameter of the Moon is twice the diameter of the Sun; its circumference is thrice its diameter.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Linga Purana I.61.28-29 “The diameter of the sun is nine thousand yojanas. The extent of its circular surface is three times that. The extent of the moon is twice that of the sun…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by B.D. Basu

Another scientific blunder, there is no need to provide proof but still for your ease let me present the size of the sun and moon as per science,

Size of the Sun

“The sun is nearly a perfect sphere. Its equatorial diameter and its polar diameter differ by only 6.2 miles (10 km). The mean radius of the sun is 432,450 miles (696,000 kilometers), which makes its diameter about 864,938 miles (1.392 million km). You could line up 109 Earths across the face of the sun. The sun’s circumference is about 2,713,406 miles (4,366,813 km).”

https://www.space.com/17001-how-big-is-the-sun-size-of-the-sun.html

Size of the Moon

“The moon’s mean radius is 1,079.6 miles (1,737.5 kilometers). Double those figures to get its diameter: 2,159.2 miles
(3,475 km). The moon’s equatorial circumference is 6,783.5 miles (10,917 km).

The moon’s surface area is about 14.6 million square miles (38 million square kilometers), which is less than the total surface area of the continent of Asia (17.2 million sq mi or 44.5 million sq km).”

https://www.space.com/18135-how-big-is-the-moon.html

Both the Sun and the Moon revolves around the Earth as per Hinduism and since the moon appears bigger to the naked eye than the sun so the Rishis may have thought that moon must be bigger in size than the sun.

top

 

Size of Earth, Moon, Sun and other Planets

Size of the Earth,

Brahmanda Purana I.2.21.12 “…The entire Earth is remembered as fifty crores (of Yojanas) in extent.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Purana 2.4.18 “…Such, Maitreya, is the earth, which with its continents, mountains, oceans, and exterior shell, is fifty crores (five hundred millions) of Yojanas in extent…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

500000000*8 = 4000000000 miles

And this number is nowhere close to the number proved by modern science, this number doesn’t match with either Earth’s radius or diameter.

“The radius of Earth at the equator is 3,963 miles (6,378 kilometers), according to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. However, Earth is not quite a sphere. The planet’s rotation causes it to bulge at the equator. Earth’s polar radius is 3,949 miles (6,356 km) — a difference of 14 miles (22 km).

Using those measurements, the equatorial circumference of Earth is about 24,900 miles (40,070 km). However, from pole-to-pole — the meridional circumference — Earth is only 24,812 miles (39,931 km) around. This shape, caused by the flattening at the poles, is called an oblate spheroid.”
https://www.space.com/17638-how-big-is-earth.html

Devi Bhagavatam 8.18.11-24 “…O Best of the twice-born! Below this Antarîksa is this earth, measuring one hundred Yoyanas…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Size of the Sun

Brahmanda Purana I.2.21.69 “The circumference of the sun is estimated to be nine crores of Yojanas as well as fortyfive hundred thousands (i.e. 9,45,00000 Yojanas).” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana I.2.21.7 “The extent of the disc of the sun is nine thousand Yojanas. Its girth is three times the extent.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

The same book gives contradictory numbers, let’s evaluate both numbers,

9 crores of Yojanas is the circumference of the Sun as per Brahmana Purana,

90,000,000*8= 720,000,000 miles

9,45,00000*8= 756,000,000 miles

As per the second verse,

9,000*8= 72,000 miles

“The sun is nearly a perfect sphere. Its equatorial diameter and its polar diameter differ by only 6.2 miles (10 km). The mean radius of the sun is 432,450 miles (696,000 kilometers), which makes its diameter about 864,938 miles (1.392 million km). You could line up 109 Earths across the face of the sun. The sun’s circumference is about 2,713,406 miles (4,366,813 km).”
https://www.space.com/17001-how-big-is-the-sun-size-of-the-sun.html

The numbers are again nowhere close. Also the diameter given below in Srimad Bhagavatam is inaccurate.

Size of the Moon,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.24.2 “The sun globe, which is a source of heat, extends for 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles]. The moon extends for 20,000 yojanas [160,000 miles], and Rāhu extends for 30,000 yojanas [240,000 miles]…” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Devi Bhagavatam 8.18.1-9 “…So the sphere of the Moon extends upto the twelve thousand Yoyanas…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Diameter of Moon given in Srimad Bhagavatam

160,000 miles

Diameter of Moon given in Devi Bhagavatam

12,000*8= 96,000 miles

“The moon’s mean radius is 1,079.6 miles (1,737.5 kilometers). Double those figures to get its diameter: 2,159.2 miles
(3,475 km). The moon’s equatorial circumference is 6,783.5 miles (10,917 km).
The moon’s surface area is about 14.6 million square miles (38 million square kilometers), which is less than the total surface area of the continent of Asia (17.2 million sq mi or 44.5 million sq km).”
https://www.space.com/18135-how-big-is-the-moon.html

Size of Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. The size is given in ratios and not Yojanas and one can easily find the error in this when it says that Jupiter is less than Venus when Jupiter is the biggest planet of our solar system,

Brahmanda Purana I.2.23.104-6; Matsya Purana 128.64-65 “The diameter and extent of the sphere of Bhargava (the Venus) it laid down as one sixteenth of that of the moon. Brhaspati (the Jupiter) should be known as one-fourth less than the Venus (i.e. three fourth of its size). The Mars and Saturn are remembered to be three fourths of Jupiter in extent. In diameter and extent, Mercury is three-fourths of either of them.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

The mean radius of moon in kilometres is 1737 divided by 16 is 108 kilometres, so Brahmanda and Matsya Purana are saying that the mean radius of Venus is 108 km when the actual mean radius of Venus is much bigger than the moon, the mean radius of Venus is 6051 km. Linga Purana gives different sizes of planets, I will just present the verse to you.

Linga Purana I.57.13-15 “The diameter, the circumference and the distance in yojanas of Bhargava (Venus) is a sixteenth part of that of the moon. Brhaspati (Jupiter) is of three-fourths of the size of Venus. Mars and Saturn are three-fourths of the size of Brhaspati. Budha (Mercury) is three-fourths of their size in extent and circumference.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

The contradictions in these two verses proves that they were written on imaginations and whims and has no scientific basis.

top

 

Moon emits rays

Vayu Purana I.51.20 “The hot rays emanate from the sun; the cool rays from the moon. These two powerful hot and cool rays sustain the universe.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

Vayu Purana I.52.49 “The Moon too moves among the stars that stay in the pathway of heaven (vithi). The increase and decrease of its rays are similar to the increase and decrease of the Sun” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

Brahmanda Purana I.2.23.52 “…The shrinking and lengthening of its rays are remembered as being like those of the sun.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Linga Purana I.56.3 “The moon traverses in his chariot along with Devas and Pitrs. It has white rays in the form of sparkling water particles.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Rig Veda 10.12.7; Atharva Veda 18.1.35 “In him the gods find pleasure at the sacrifice; they seat themselves on the altar of the sacrifices, They placed light in the sun; beams in the moon; and these untiring shed their light around.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

top

 

What causes hoarfrost/dew drops?

Hinduism says that four elephants of the four quarters spraying water from their huge trunks causes hoarfrost. Or it may be referring to a cloud who could take shape of any. But I am sure that it talks about the elephants that’s holding up the earth because the 43rd verse states that “Elephants, mountains and clouds along with serpents belong to one and the same family” had it been a type of cloud then this verse wouldn’t have separated elephants from clouds and also the Brahmanda Purana makes it more clear.

Vayu Purana I.51.45-47 “During Hemanta (early winter) Parjanya and the elephants of the quarters born of chilliness shower snow (drops) for making the corn flourish…The elephants of the quarters spray all round drops of water from the Ganga by means of their huge trunks. That (spray of water) is called the hoarfrost.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Purana 2.9.16-18 “…the water, although that of the Gangá of the sky, is scattered, by the elephants of the quarters, not by the rays of the sun: it is only when such rain falls, and the sun is in the even asterisms, that it is distributed by his beams.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Brahmanda Purana I.2.22.47-52a “Smoke is conducive to development of all of them without any distinction. The most excellent among them is Parjanya. The Elephants of the quarters are four in number (Although) these are separate, the source of origin of elephants, mountains, clouds and serpents is the same and water is remembered as that origin. On being directed to make the plants and trees flourish, Parjanya and the Diggajas (Elephants of the quarters) showers snowdrops during Hemanta (early winter), born of cool virility. …With their huge trunks, the elephants of the quarters receive the waters oozing from the Ganga and scatter them in the form of water spray. That is remembered as dew drops.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

 

Sun emits different types of rays which are responsible for changes in Season

As the Earth spins on its axis, producing night and day, it also moves about the Sun in an elliptical (elongated circle) orbit that requires 365 1/4 days to complete. The Earth’s axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees and is why we have seasons. When the Earth’s axis points towards the Sun, it is summer for that hemisphere. When the Earth’s axis points away, winter can be expected.

But according to Vedic Science we have seasons because the sun emits different types and specific number of rays and changes them to cause different seasons.

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.24.32-33 “During Vasanta (spring) and Grisma (summer), the sun blazes by means of three hundred rays. During the rainy season and autumn he showers (rain) by means of four hundred rays. During Hemanta (early winter) and Sisira (later winter), he scatters snow by means of three hundred rays.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Linga Purana I.59.41-45 “…The thousand rays of the sun serve the purpose of the world. Reaching the earth they assume different forms by emitting snow, rain and heat…” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana I.52.36 “In accordance with the seasons, the Sun changes his rays, releasing heat in the summer, mist and fog in the winter and rain during the rainy season and demarcates day and night. He (thus) propitiates Devas, Pitrs and human beings.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

Vayu Purana I.53.25-27; Linga Purana I.59.31a-31b “During the spring and the summer he blazes with the three hundred rays. During rains and autumn he generates rain by the four (hundred rays). The Sun creates mist and fog by means of the three (hundred rays) during early and late winter. He deposits energy on the medicinal herbs. By means of Svadha he propitiates Pitrs. By means of nectar of three varieties he bestows immorality. Thus thousand rays of the Sun achieve the purpose of the worlds. They differ according to the season by exuding water, chilliness and heat.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

Matsya Purana 128.24-25 “During spring and hot weather the sun imparts heat by his three hundred rays; during the rainy season and autumn causes rain by his four hundred rays; during the dewy and winter season imparts cold by his three hundred rays.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Brahmanda Purana also says that Sun moves in medium speed to make day and night equal in Autumn and Spring seasons,

Brahmanda Purana I.2.21.142 “During the time in between the Autumn and the Spring, the sun proceeds with a medium speed and he resorts to its eastern peak.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

 

Moon causes rain

Hindu scriptures correctly says that the sun takes up the water through rays but also makes an unscientific claim that the water is transferred to moon which then sends it to clouds (perhaps to Abhra clouds) that causes rain, some also say that the cloud named Abhra doesn’t cause rainfall while Linga Purana I.54.39-40 states that Abhra means ‘that which showers water’.

Brahmanda Purana I.2.22.13-21 “…the sun takes away the water of the entire world, O excellent Brahmanas. The moon transmits the entire water drunk by the sun. The torrential currents of water (Downpour of rain) functions through Nadis (vein like vessels) accompanied by the wind. The water that oozes out of the moon remains in the food (i.e. plants and food crops). The water that has fallen down from the moon, from the sky, is conducive to the welfare of all the worlds. The entire universe has the moon as its support. This has been truthfully recounted. The Usna (hot virility) oozes out of the sun, and the Sita (chill virility) functions from the moon.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Linga Purana Section I.54.29-33 “The waters drunk by the sun penetrates the moon gradually and from the moon they drip down to the clouds. On being tossed about by the wind, the cluster of clouds causes shower on the earth…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana I.51.14-15 “The water drunk in by the sun gets transferred to the moon from the solar fire. Through the Nadis (tubular veins) full of wind the activity of sustaining the worlds begins. What exudes from the moon, the sun receives at its tips. When the wind blows the clouds let it shower on the earth.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

Aitareya Brahmana Book 8, Para 28 “…The rain having rained enters into the moon…” Tr. Arthur Berriedale Keith

Vishnu Purana 2.9.8-18 “…The sun with his scorching rays absorbs the moisture of the earth, and with them nourishes the moon. The moon communicates, through tubes of air, its dews to the clouds, which, being composed of smoke, fire, and wind (or vapour), can retain the waters with which they are charged: they are therefore called Abhras, because their contents are not dispersed When however they are broken to pieces by the wind, then watery stores descend, bland, and freed front every impurity by the sweetening process of time…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Linga Purana mentions strange water cycle,

Linga Purana I.54.65-68 “There is neither increase nor decrease of water, if we consider it duly. The wind presided over by Dhruva withdraws the rain. It falls off the planet sun and spreads through the sphere of the stars. At the close of the movement, it re-enters the sun and is presided over by Dhruva.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Dhurva means Pole Star.

top

 

Unique way to cause rain

A Hindu MP of India was ridiculed for saying that Smoke from Yajna goes up, rainfall comes down. But what people may not be knowing is that he said this on the basis of Hindu scriptures, so those making fun of this statement should also make fun of Hindu scriptures which promotes such unscientific things,

Yajur Veda 2.16 “We perform the yajna for Vasus, Rudras and Adityas…The desired oblation (Ahuti) reaches the space, comes in contact with air and the light of that sun. It thence brings down rain for us…” Tr. Devi Chand

Yajur Veda 3.49 “The oblation full of cooked articles put into the fire, goes up to the sky. And returns there from full of rain.” Tr. Devi Chand

Manu Smriti 3.76. An oblation duly thrown into the fire, reaches the sun; from the sun comes rain, from rain food, therefrom the living creatures (derive their subsistence).

Maitrayana Brahmana 6.37 … ‘The oblation which is properly thrown on the fire, goes toward the sun; from the sun comes rain…”

top

 

What causes Earthquakes and who lifts the Earth?

Valmiki Ramayana says that four elephants are holding up the earth and if the easterly elephant namely Viruupaaksha moves its trunk then earthquakes occurs on earth,

Valmiki Ramayana 1.40.13-22 “While digging the earth there they beheld a mountain similar easterly elephant named Viruupaaksha, which is bearing the eastern side of earth’s surface on its head. Oh, Rama, the legatee of Raghu, that great easterly elephant Viruupaaksha is bearing the entire eastern earth along with its mountains and forests on its head. On certain occasions, oh, Rama of Kakutstha, when that great-elephant moves its head desiring respite in tiresomeness then earthquakes will occur on earth. After splitting the eastern direction then they split opened the southern direction, and even in southern direction they beheld an elephant that is similar to a very great mountain, and that is sustaining southerly side of earth on its head, and on seeing that mammoth elephant of venerable character, namely Mahapadma, they went into an inordinate astonishment. Even in the westerly direction those great mighty sons of Sagara beheld an infinite and mountain similar elephant of western direction, called Sumanasa. In the northern direction, oh, Rama, they beheld Bhadra, a snow-white elephant with an auspicious body bearing northern side of this earth.” Tr. Shri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao

6th century Indian astronomer named Varahamihira also writes about this,

क्षितिकंम्पमाहुरेके बृहदन्तर्जलनिवासिसत्वकृतम् ।
भूभारखिन्नदिग्गजविश्रामसमुद्भवं चान्ये ॥१॥
Brihatsamhita 32.1 “Some hold that an earth-quake is caused by huge animals living in the midst of the ocean, while others opine that it is the result of the rest that is availed of by the elephants of the quarters tired by the weight of the earth.” Tr. Panditbhushan V. Subrahmanya Shastri & Vidwan M. Ramkrishna Bhat

I quoted it to show that elephants holding up the earth is literal and not simile and this view was widely held by Hindus even in the 6th century. Vishnu Purana says that Vishnu in the form of a snake named Shesha is holding up the world and the earth trembles if he yawns,

Vishnu Purana 2.5.20-25 “…Śesha bears the entire world, like a diadem, upon his head, and he is the foundation on which the seven Pátálas rest. His power, his glory, his form, his nature, cannot be described, cannot he comprehended by the gods themselves. Who shall recount his might, who wears this whole earth, like a garland of flowers, tinged of a purple dye by the radiance of the jewels of his crests. When Ananta, his eyes rolling with intoxication, yawns, then earth, with all her woods, and mountains, and seas, and rivers, trembles…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Shiva Purana says that earthquakes occurs when Shesha stretches himself,
Shiva Purana, Uma Samhita 5, chapter 15, verses 18-21 “Holding the sphere of the earth on his back, Sesa, the lord of Bhutas stands at the root of Patala. He is worshipped for his endless attributes. The power of his virility cannot be adequately described even by the ambitious gods nor can his form be known…With his eyes rolling due to inebriation when Sesa stretches himself, the earth quakes along with all its mountains, oceans and forests.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Srimad Bhagavatam and Devi Bhagavatam also says that four elephants are holding up the universe,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.20.39 “On the top of Lokāloka Mountain are the four gaja-patis, the best of elephants, which were established in the four directions by Lord Brahmā, the supreme spiritual master of the entire universe. The names of those elephants are Ṛṣabha, Puṣkaracūḍa, Vāmana and Aparājita. They are responsible for maintaining the planetary systems of the universe.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Devi Bhagavatam 8.14.1-29 “…The self-born Brahmâ has placed very big elephants on all sides of it. Hear their names. These are Risabha, Puspachûda, Vâmana, and Aparâjita. These four elephants are said to hold all the Lokas in their respective positions. The Bhagavân Hari gives strength to these elephants and to Indra and others who are reckoned to be His Vibhûtis (powers)…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Srimad Bhagavatam also says that Vishnu in the form of a dolphin or Gigantic porpoise is holding up the universe or earth,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.23.4 “Some persons describe this system of heavenly luminaries as being supported by the mystical Yogic powers of Lord Vasudeva who has assumed the form of a Gangetic porpoise.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata and Puranas says that a snake named Shesha is holding up the Earth and that’s the reason snakes are found in the ground,

Mahabharata 3.202.12-13 “…then lay in Yoga sleep on the wide hood of the Snake Sesha of immeasurable energy, and the Creator of the Universe, that highly-blessed and holy Hari, knowing no deterioration, lay on the hood of that Snake encircling the whole Earth…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.25.2 “Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: This great universe, situated on one of Lord Anantadeva’s thousands of hoods, appears just like a white mustard seed. It is infinitesimal compared to the hood of Lord Ananta.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Mahabharata describes how Adishesha held the earth, I am quoting some excerpts from the section,

Mahabharata1.36.17-25 “Then Sesha replied, ‘O divine Grandsire, this is the boon desired by me; viz., may my heart always delight in virtue and in blessed ascetic penances, O Lord of all!’ Brahman said, ‘O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thy self-denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be done by thee for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly and well this Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and retreats, so that she may be steady.’ Sesha said, ‘O divine Lord of all creatures, O bestower of boons, O lord of the Earth, lord of every created thing, lord of the universe, I will, even as thou sayest hold the Earth steady. Therefore, O lord of all creatures, place her on my head.’ Brahman said, ‘O best of snakes, go underneath the Earth. She will herself give thee a crevice to pass through. And, O Sesha, by holding the Earth, thou shalt certainly do what is prized by me very greatly…Then the elder brother of the king of the snakes, entering a hole, passed to the other side of the Earth, and holding her, supported with his head that goddess with her belt of seas passing all round.’ Brahman said, ‘O Sesha, O best of snakes, thou art the god Dharma, because alone, with thy huge body, thou supportest the Earth with everything on her, even as I myself, or Valavit (Indra), can…The snake, Sesha, the lord Ananta, of great prowess, lives underneath the Earth, alone supporting the world at the command of Brahman. And the illustrious Grandsire, the best of the immortals, then gave unto Ananta the bird of fair feathers, viz., the son of Vinata, for Ananta’s help.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Swami Prabhupada wrote,

“The incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead known as Śeṣa or Ananta has unlimited strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty and renunciation. As described in this verse, Ananta’s strength is so great that the innumerable universes rest on His hoods. He has the bodily features of a snake with thousands of hoods, and since His strength is unlimited, all the universes resting on His hoods feel no heavier than mustard seeds. We can just imagine how insignificant a mustard seed is on the hood of a serpent. In this connection, the reader is referred to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter Five, verses 117-125. There it is stated that Lord Viṣṇu’s incarnation as the serpentine Ananta Śeṣa Nāga supports all the universes on His hoods. By our calculation, a universe may be very, very heavy, but because the Lord is ananta (unlimited), He feels the weight to be no heavier than a mustard seed.” Swami Prabhupada 5.17.21 https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/5/17/21

Vishnu Purana book 2, chapter 5 states that Sesha is a form of Vishnu but Mahabharata says that Sesha is a form of Shiva,

Mahabharata 13.14.151 “…Mahadeva is the soul of all creatures. He pervades all things. He is the speaker of all discourses (on duties and rituals)…He it is that assumes the form of Sesha who sustains the world on his head…”

It’s not just elephant, snake or dolphin that is holding up the earth, Hindu scriptures also says that Vishnu in the form of a boar is holding up the earth and also saving it from sinking in waters. The following topic is also related to this one.

top

 

Earth established on waters

Scientists are spending billions of dollars to find water on other planets but Vishnu’s avatar Varaha found water below the earth some 3000 years ago and also saved the earth from sinking into that water. The story of Varaha lifting up the earth in Puranas may have taken inspiration from Brahmanas,

Satapatha Brahmana 14:1:2:11 “Then (earth) torn up by a boar (he takes), with (Vâg. S. XXXVII, 5), ‘Only thus large was she in the beginning,’–for, indeed, only so large was this earth in the beginning, of the size of a span. A boar, called Emûsha, raised her up, and he was her lord Pragâpati: with that mate, his heart’s delight, he thus supplies and completes him 1;–‘may I this day compass for you Makha’s head on the Earth’s place of divine worship: for Makha thee! for Makha’s head thee!’ the import of this is the same as before.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Shiva Purana, VayaviyaSamhita 7, Section I.11.31 “The he lifted the Earth sunk under water and held it on his curved fangs. He rose up from the nether worlds.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Harivamsha Purana 3.35.1 “(O janamejaya!) The earth which was installed on the top surface of the water body, did not sink, like a huge ship, due to its vast body.” Tr. Desiraju Hanumant Rao

Vayu Purana I.50.7 “Waters lie within the earth and the earth is established over waters. The sky is above, the earth is below (it) and again waters are underneath.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, Edited by G.P Bhatt

Brahmanda Purana I.I.5.10 On seeing that the earth had sunk into the water he thought- ”What form shall I assume and uplift the earth?”[15] Assuming this inimitable form of a boar, Hari entered the nether worlds for uplifting the earth.

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.13.31 “Lord Boar very easily took the earth on His tusks and got it out of the water. Thus He appeared very splendid. Then, His anger glowing like the Sudarśana wheel, He immediately killed the demon [Hiraṇyākṣa], although he tried to fight with the Lord.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Devi Bhagavatam 8.2.34-38 “…He came up from the Rasâtala and placed the earth on the waters. He then went away to His Vaikuntha abode…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Devi Bhagavatam 8.2.11-20 “The ocean was very much agitated with the fierce striking of the hairs of the Boar, when He entered into the waters, and spoke thus :– “O Deva ! O Thou, the destroyer of the afflictions of your refuges! Protect me.” Hearing the words of the ocean, the God Hari tore asunder all the aquatic animals and went down beneath the waters. Searching violently hither and thither, He knew the earth by her smell. At once the Bhagavân Hari, the Lord of all, went to Her and rescued the earth by raising Her up on his big teeth, the Earth that was the abode of all the beings. When the Bhagavân, the Lord of all the sacrifices, came up with the Earth on the top of His teeth, He looked beautiful like the elephant of a quarter taking out by the root and holding a thousand petalled lotus upon his tusks.” Tr. Swami Vijnananada

Vishnu Purana 1.4.45-48 “The supreme being thus eulogized, upholding the earth, raised it quickly, and placed it on the summit of the ocean, where it floats like a mighty vessel, and from its expansive surface does not sink beneath the waters. Then, having levelled the earth, the great eternal deity divided it into portions, by mountains…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Harivamsa Purana 1.40.6 “We have heard that sage Krishna-dwaipAyana described this great boar incarnation before the twice-born ones when they assembled at a sacrifice, and detailed as to how that enemy-eradicator, Vishnu, incarnating himself as a boar, saved the earth sunk in the ocean with his tusks; now I would like to hear at length the various deeds performed by the intelligent slayer of enemies hari in his incarnation of boar.” Tr. Desiraju Hanumanta Rao

I remember, when I had posted a meme on my Facebook account about Varaha lifting up the Earth from waters, a Hindu tried to explain it by saying that the water mentioned in Purana is not actually water and later gave a lame explanation. Those who try to give “water” a metaphorical meaning should read following verses which refutes their claim,

Vayu Purana I.6.10-27 ”Observing that the earth was overflowed with waters on all sides, (he thought to himself), ”Oh, what great form should I assume and uplift the earth”? He thought of the form of a Boar charmingly comfortable in sporting about in waters…It had a girth of ten and a height of a hundred Yojanas. It resembled a dark blue cloud in complexion. It grunted like the rumbling of thunder-clouds…Assuming this large immeasurable form of a boar, Visnu entered the nether regions in order to lift up the earth…. [25-27] Holding the Earth in his hands he brought it to its place. The supporter of the Earth at first mentally supported the earth and then released it. Over the flood of waters, the Earth floated like an immense boat. Due to the activities of the lord, it did not sink. With a desire to set up the universe, the lord lifted up the Earth. Then, he, the lotus-eyed lord, decided to divide the Earth. He levelled the Earth and created the mountains on it.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

 

Distance between Planets

Brahma Purana 21.5-9 “O brahmins, the disc of the sun is stationed a hundred thousand Yojanas away from the earth. The disc of the moon is stationed a hundred thousand Yojanas away from the sun. Full hundred thousand Yojanas above the moon, the entire sphere of the stars shines. O brahmins, mercury (Budha) is two hundred thousand Yojanas above the sphere of stars…Saturn (Sauri) is stationed two hundred thousand Yojanas above Jupiter…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

The above verse says that the sun is a hundred thousand Yojanas away from the earth, so let’s do the calculation now,

1 Yojana = 8 miles

100,000*8= 800,000 miles

Distance between Earth and the Sun as per science

“149,600,000 kilometers (km) or 92,900,000 miles”
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/features/F_Measuring_the_Distance_Student_Pages.html

https://www.space.com/17081-how-far-is-earth-from-the-sun.html

The verse also says that the Saturn is stationed two hundred thousand Yojanas “ABOVE” Jupiter.

200,000*8= 1,600,000 miles

“The distance between Saturn and Jupiter is 4.32 AU. That’s approximately 646,270,000 km or 401,592,178 miles.”
https://theplanets.org/distances-between-planets/

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.8 “Similarly the Moon is observed to be a hundred thousand Yojanas above the rays (orb) of the Sun. As it is faster in velocity (than the sun), it goes ahead (of the Sun). It covers in two fortnights the circuit made by the Sun in one (complete) year; in two days and a quarter of that distance which the Sun traverses in a month; and in one day the distance the Sun requires a fortnight to cover.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

The distance between Moon and Sun mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam is same as mentioned in Brahma Purana 21.5-9, so now let’s calculate the distance,

100,000*8= 800,000 miles

“The moon is 93205678.8356 miles away from the sun which is 150 million kilometres.”
https://www.universetoday.com/20566/how-far-is-the-moon-from-the-sun/ .

Distance between Planets,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.14-17 “Situated 1,600,000 miles above Mercury, or 8,800,000 miles above earth, is the planet Mars. If this planet does not travel in a crooked way, it crosses through each sign of the zodiac in three fortnights and in this way travels through all twelve, one after another. It almost always creates unfavorable conditions in respect to rainfall and other influences. Situated 1,600,000 miles above Mars, or 10,400,000 miles above earth, is the planet Jupiter, which travels through one sign of the zodiac within the period of a Parivatsara. If its movement is not curved, the planet Jupiter is very favorable to the brāhmaṇas of the universe. Situated 1,600,000 miles above Jupiter, or 12,000,000 miles above earth, is the planet Saturn, which passes through one sign of the zodiac in thirty months and covers the entire zodiac circle in thirty Anuvatsaras. This planet is always very inauspicious for the universal situation. Situated 8,800,000 miles above Saturn, or 20,800,000 miles above earth, are the seven saintly sages, who are always thinking of the well-being of the inhabitants of the universe. They circumambulate the supreme abode of Lord Viṣṇu, known as Dhruvaloka, the polestar.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Above verse says that Mercury is 1,600,000 miles above Mars while according to science, The distance between Mercury and Mars is 1.14 AU. That’s approximately 170,030,000 km or 105,651,744 miles. It also says that Earth is 8,800,000 miles away from Mars while Earth is 0.52 AU away from Mars. That’s approximately 78,340,000 km or 48,678,219 miles.
https://theplanets.org/distances-between-planets/

It also makes the claim that “Situated 1,600,000 miles above Mars, or 10,400,000 miles above earth, is the planet Jupiter”

While as per science the distance between Mars and Jupiter is 3.68 AU. That’s approximately 550,390,000 km or 342,012,346 miles. And the distance between Earth and Jupiter is 4.2 AU. That’s approximately 628,730,000 km or 390,674,710 miles.
https://theplanets.org/distances-between-planets/

It then makes claim that “Situated 1,600,000 miles above Jupiter, or 12,000,000 miles above earth, is the planet Saturn”

While the fact is, The distance between Saturn and Jupiter is 4.32 AU. That’s approximately 646,270,000 km or 401,592,178 miles and the distance between Saturn and Earth is 8.52 AU. That’s approximately 1,275,000,000 km or 792,248,270 miles.

https://theplanets.org/distances-between-planets/

Following verses from Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.12-13 are related to this subject. It makes the claim that Mercury is 1,600,000 miles above Venus or 7,200,000 miles above earth. While the distance between Mercury and Venus is 0.34 AU. That’s approximately 50,290,000 km or 31,248,757 miles. And the distance between Mercury and Earth is 0.61 AU. That’s approximately 91,691,000 km or 56,974,146 miles.
https://theplanets.org/distances-between-planets/

top

 

Sun, Venus and Mercury has same Orbits

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.12 “Some 1,600,000 miles above this group of stars is the planet Venus, which moves at almost exactly the same pace as the sun according to swift, slow and moderate movements. Sometimes Venus moves behind the sun, sometimes in front of the sun and sometimes along with it. Venus nullifies the influence of planets that are obstacles to rainfall. Consequently its presence causes rainfall, and it is therefore considered very favorable for all living beings within this universe. This has been accepted by learned scholars.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.13 “Mercury is described to be similar to Venus, in that it moves sometimes behind the sun, sometimes in front of the sun and sometimes along with it. It is 1,600,000 miles above Venus, or 7,200,000 miles above earth. Mercury, which is the son of the moon, is almost always very auspicious for the inhabitants of the universe, but when it does not move along with the sun, it forbodes cyclones, dust, irregular rainfall, and waterless clouds. In this way it creates fearful conditions due to inadequate or excessive rainfall.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

top

 

Orbits of Planets are above each other

According to Hinduism, orbits of the planets are above each other. Also read Srimad Bhagavatam 5.22.8; 5.22.14-17 which I have mentioned in Distance in Planets category,

Brahmanda Purana I.2.24.121 “The Mercury orbits above all the stars. The Venus orbits above the Mercury. The Mars does so above the Venus and the Jupiter above the Mars.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 128.71-73 “The Sun moves lowest down of all the planets. Above Him the Moon travels. The stars travel above the Moon; above Moon, travels Mercury; above Mercury, travels Venus; above Venus, travels Mars; above Mars, travels Jupiter; above Jupiter, travels Saturn.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

top

 

Planets move propelled by the rope of wind

Hinduism says that planets move due to wind as Hinduism believes that there is air in space,

Matsya Purana 128.14 “All these stars are tied to Dhruva: and they move on propelled by the wind. The Moon and the Sun move on in the celestial firmament, prompted by currents of strong wind. They glide on tied to the Dhruva. Their motions round the pole are brought about by these ropes made of wind.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Linga Purana I.57.7 “The stars and the luminaries, urged by the circular gusts of wind, move like fire brands. Since the wind bears the luminaries, it is called Pravaha.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

top

 

Wind stars from Sun

Vayu Purana I.51.53 “The wind starts from the planet sun and traverses the entire stellar zone. At the end of the day it enters the sun encompassed by Dhruva.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

 

Sun and Moon dipping in water

Vamana Purana 16.53 “Burnt by the fire of the eyes of Siva, the restless Surya immersed in the Asi and reaching Varuna, he had a dip in it as freely as he like.” Tr. Ananda Swarup Gupta

Rig Veda 7.55.7, Atharva Veda 4.5.1 The Bull [Vushab/Sun] who hath a thousand horns, who rises up from out the sea…

Kausitaki Brahmana 18.9 Him who yonder gives heat they seek by these pressings to obtain; the rising by the morning pressing, (the sun) in the middle (of his course) by the midday pressing, (the sun) as he sets by the third pressing. He, having entered the waters, becomes Varuna.

Aitareya Brahma Book 4, Chapter 20, verse 13 “…This (Aditya, the sun) is ‘the swan sitting in light’…he is ‘born from the waters’ (abja), for in the morning he comes out of the waters, and in the evening he enters the waters.” Tr. Martin Haug

Vishnu Purana 2.12.8-9 “whence the period is termed Amávásya. In that orbit the moon is immersed for a day and night in the water; thence it enters the branches and shoots of the trees; and thence goes to the sun.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Atharva Veda 13.2.4 “Victorious, inspired, and brightly shining, whom seven strong tawny-coloured coursers carry, Whom Atri lifted from the flood to heaven, thus men behold thee as thy course thou runnest.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 10.72.7 “When, O ye Gods, like Yatis, ye caused all existing things to grow, Then ye brought Sūrya forward who was lying hidden in the sea.” Tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith

Hinduism also says that the sun enters fire while setting, I don’t understand this verse so I leave it to the readers to understand it.

Vayu Purana I.50.112-3 “When the sun sets, the brilliance of the sun partially enters fire. Hence fire shines more brilliantly at night, even from a distance. When the sun rises again, the brilliance of fire enters the sun. The sun rises again, the brilliance of fire enters the sun. This together with the brillaince left in the sun at the time of sunset, makes it all the more brilliant. So the sun blazes during the day.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

 

How Eclipse occurs

According to Vedic mythology a demon covers the Sun which causes solar eclipse.

Rig Veda 5.40.5-6 O Sūrya, when the Asura’s descendant Svarbhanu, pierced thee through and through with darkness, All creatures looked like one who is bewildered, who knoweth not the place where he is standing. What time thou smotest down Svarbhanu’s magic that spread itself beneath the sky, O Indra, By his fourth sacred prayer Atri disoovered Sūrya concealed in gloom that stayed his function.

Following verses may have taken inspiration from the above Vedic verse. A demon named Rahu which is a star according to Hinduism causes Solar and Lunar eclipses.

Devi Bhagavatam 8.18.1-9 “…The Asura Râhu thus covers his rays. So the sphere of the Moon extends upto the twelve thousand Yoyanas. Râhu covers the field of the thirteen thousand Yoyanas. So he covers both the Sun and the Moon. Desire to take the vengeance of the previous enmity, he covers them during the time of Parva (the festivals). This planet wants to cover them from a distance. Hearing this, the Bhagavân Visnu hurls His Sudars’an Chakra against Râhu. This Chakra (disc) is encircled with the fiery flames and is very terrible. When all the quarters were filled with its violent flames, Râhu became instantly alarmed and fled away from the distance. O Devarsi! This is known as the eclipse known amongst the mortals…” Tr. Swami Vijananda

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.24.1-3 “Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, some historians, the speakers of the Purāṇas, say that 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles] below the sun is the planet known as Rāhu, which moves like one of the stars. The presiding deity of that planet, who is the son of Siṁhikā, is the most abominable of all asuras, but although he is completely unfit to assume the position of a demigod or planetary deity, he has achieved that position by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Later I shall speak further about him. Rāhu tried to create dissension between the sun and moon by interposing himself between them. Rāhu is inimical toward both the sun and the moon, and therefore he always tries to cover the sunshine and moonshine on the dark-moon day and full-moon night…After hearing from the sun and moon demigods about Rāhu’s attack, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, engages His disc, known as the Sudarśana cakra, to protect them. The Sudarśana cakra is the Lord’s most beloved devotee and is favored by the Lord. The intense heat of its effulgence, meant for killing non-Vaiṣṇavas, is unbearable to Rāhu, and he therefore flees in fear of it. During the time Rāhu disturbs the sun or moon, there occurs what people commonly know as an eclipse.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Swami Prabhupada writes on Srimad Bhagavatam 5.24.2-3 “As stated herein, the sun extends for 10,000 yojanas, and the moon extends for twice that, or 20,000 yojanas. The word dvādaśa should be understood to mean twice as much as ten, or twenty. In the opinion of Vijayadhvaja, the extent of Rāhu should be twice that of the moon, or 40,000 yojanas. However to reconcile this apparent contradiction to the text of the Bhāgavatam, Vijayadhvaja cites the following quotation concerning Rāhu; rāhu-soma-ravīṇāṁ tu maṇḍalā dvi-guṇoktitām. This means that Rāhu is twice as large as the moon, which is twice as large as the sun. This is the conclusion of the commentator Vijayadhvaja. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, is always the protector of His devotees, who are also known as demigods. The controlling demigods are most obedient to Lord Viṣṇu, although they also want material sense enjoyment, and that is why they are called demigods, or almost godly. Although Rāhu attempts to attack both the sun and the moon, they are protected by Lord Viṣṇu. Being very afraid of Lord Viṣṇu’s cakra, Rāhu cannot stay in front of the sun or moon for more than a muhūrta (forty-eight minutes). The phenomenon that occurs when Rāhu blocks the light of the sun or moon is called an eclipse. The attempt of the scientists of this earth to go to the moon is as demoniac as Rāhu’s attack. Of course. their attempts will be failures because no one can enter the moon or sun so easily. Like the attack of Rāhu, such attempts will certainly be failures.” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 5.24.2-3
http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/5/24/2
http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/5/24/3

top

 

Clouds originating from wildfire is conducive to forests

Linga Purana I.54.39-40 “…The cloud originating from sacrificial smoke is conducive to the welfare of the twice born. The cloud originating from the smoke of the forest fires, is conducive to the welfare of the forests.” Tr. Board of Scholars, Edited by J.L. Shastri

How Gold came on earth?

Earth’s Gold Came from Colliding Dead Stars but according to Hinduism, Gold and Silver appeared on earth after ejaculation by Shiva.

Srimad Bhagavatam 8.12.32-33 “While running after her, the semen of Siva of unfailing procreative capacity, went on escaping like that of a big bull leader of a herd pursuing a fecundable cow or as that of a rutting leader elephant running after a fertilizable she-elephant. Oh ruler of the earth! The various places on earth where the seed of that great souled god fell, became the areas of silver and gold ores. Tr. Swami Prabhupada

top

 How mountains were formed

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.7.9b-11 “As the previous creation was being burned formerly by the Samvartaka fire, the mountains of that period had been melted by that fire. They were then scattered by the wind. Due to chillness, they became solidified. Wherever the (molten rocks) were split there arose mountain. They are called Acalas (not-moving or immobile)…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana 7- “On seeing the earth fully engulfed in waters, he entered the waters after assuming the form of a Boar. After lifting up the earth from the waters, he deposited the waters of the oceans in the oceans, of the rivers in the rivers and of the earth on the earth. Then he collected the mountains. When the previous creation was being burnt by the Samvartaka, fire of dissolution, the mountains lay destroyed and (scattered) all over the earth. In that one vast ocean, the (solidified) waters tossed by wind got collected together due to cold. Wherever they were (thus) stuck (heaped) together, there they became immovable. The mountains are called Acalas because they become motionless after being dried up and solidified…” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by G.P. Bhatt

What are the stars?

Virtuous men become stars,

Black Yajur Veda 5.4.1.3 “…these are the lights of the sky; verily he wins them; the Naksatras are the lights of the doers of good deeds…” Tr. Arthur Berriedale Keith

Satapatha Brahmana 6:5:4:8 “May the divine women, with unclipped wings, dear to all the gods, bake thee, Aṅgiras-like, O fire-pan, in the lap of the earth!’ for of old the divine women, with unclipped wings, dear to all the gods, did bake it, like Aṅgiras, in the lap of the earth; and with their help he now bakes it. But, surely, these are the stars,–the women (gani) are indeed the stars, for these are the lights of those righteous men (gana) who go to the celestial world: it is by means of the stars that he thus bakes it.” Tr. Julius Eggeling

Sky/Heaven is supported by pillars

Rig Veda 6.72.2 O lords of resplendence and bliss, you bestow light to the dawns; you upraise the sun with his splendour; you prop up the sky with the supporting pillar of the firmament; you spread out the earth, the mother of all. Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati

Rig Veda 6.47.5 “This very same exilir of devotional love finds the wavy sea of brilliant colours in fore-front of the dawns, whose dwelling is in firmament. This might exilir sustains the heavens up with a mighty pillar, the sender of rains, the leader of the winds.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati

Rig Veda 8.41.10 “In his successive functions, he emits his bright rays (during day) or turns them dark (during the night). He measures out the eternal abode, and supports with the pillar of the firmament, both heaven and the earth. May all our adversities vanish” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati

What supports the Sky?

Satapatha Brahmana 3.3.4.2. He then makes (the sacrificer) say, after touching (the Soma), ‘The bull hath propped the sky, the welkin.’ For, when the gods were spreading the sacrifice, they were afraid of an attack on the part of the Asura-Rakshas. Now by what he says, ‘The bull hath propped the sky, the welkin…

top

 

Sky/Heaven can fall on us

Rig Veda 2.17.5 “…He controls the earth that nourishes us all, and with his skill, stays the heaven from falling” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati

 

 

The post Scientific Errors In Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Killing Infidels in Hinduism https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2019/03/20/violence-in-hinduism/ Wed, 20 Mar 2019 03:42:04 +0000 http://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2016/06/20/violence-in-hinduism/     Written by Sulaiman Razvi Do mention the link of this blog when you copy any verse You may have heard a lot of Hindus saying that Hinduism is a very peaceful and tolerant religion (or the way of life as they say). Hindus say that unlike other religions (hinting at Islam and Christianity) […]

The post Killing Infidels in Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
 

 

Written by Sulaiman Razvi

Do mention the link of this blog when you copy any verse

You may have heard a lot of Hindus saying that Hinduism is a very peaceful and tolerant religion (or the way of life as they say). Hindus say that unlike other religions (hinting at Islam and Christianity) you will not be punished or put into hell for rejecting the Hindu faith or blaspheming the religion. I was reading the book The Land of the Lingam by Arthur Miles, I read only the first few pages but I found one very interesting observation by Arthur Miles, he wrote,

“Ask any Hindu to explain his religion, and he will wander off into a labyrinth of words from which nothing will extricate him but the end of your endurance. If you comment on his belief, he will tell you that you do not understand. ‘You do not understand’ is always the last word of the Hindu.”

Hindus will first claim that Hinduism is a very tolerant religion and when you show any violent verse from any Hindu scripture he would be startled to read the verse and try to escape the argument, on failing to explain any verse he will claim that Hindus don’t behead people for the difference in faith. Hindus would very comfortably call Muslims terrorists or being terrorist sympathizers but they turn a blind eye when it comes to Hindu terrorists. Leave aside condemning Hindu terrorism, Hindus don’t even consider Hindu terror organizations to be terrorists, they call them patriots and social workers and they outrightly deny the existence of Hindu terrorism. No community on the earth glorifies terrorism except the Hindu community. I recommend them to go through How peaceful are Hindus to know about the violence perpetrated by Hindus. According to the Central Government, MoS home affairs Nityanand Rai, India witnessed 3,399 cases of communal or religious rioting during the period 2016-2020. India is probably the only country in the world that faces such a large number of communal clashes probably because Hindus are majority in India. There is no communal violence in Mayalsia, Indonesia where Hindus are minority with a Muslim majority population. These two countries are perfect examples because those states have religious diversity like India. Hindus boast about India being a secular state which is the home of over 90% of all Hindus in the world. It’s quite funny that on the one hand, they boast about India’s secularism only to portray themselves as champions of secularism which is only for image building, and on the other hand, they dream of establishing Hindu Rashtra (State) via ethnic cleansing or subjugation of minorities. India is secular not because Hindus are majority but because of people like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and all these persons are hated by Hindu extremists, they even want to build Nathuram Godse temple the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. If majority of Hindus had really been secular, then the right wing would not have thrived in India. Hindu leaders giving hate speech against minorities gets full support from Hindus and no case will be lodged against them. Some Hindu leaders talk about killing Muslims and Christian, some vandalize Mosques and Churches, some talks about raping minority women, some leaders who killed Muslims in riots gets Z+ security, people are lynched for eating beef, some are shot dead for expressing their views on Hinduism, a Hindu leader talks about demolishing Mosques, another one talks about finishing off Islam and Christianity from India by 2022. All these are happening in a secular India, imagine what would’ve happened to minorities if India had been a Hindu state. Dr. B.R Ambedkar had rightly said,

“The Hindus claim to be a very tolerant people. In my opinion this is a mistake. On many occasions they can be intolerant and if on some occasions they are tolerant that is because they are too weak to oppose or too indifferent to oppose.” Source

When a Muslim man was lynched on rumors that he ate beef, a magazine belonging to a Hindu terror outfit justified the killing by saying that Vedas say kill those who slaughter cows. The way Hinduism treats its own Shudras reveals whether it is peaceful or violent, not to speak of what it says about other religions, every 18 minutes a crime is committed against a Dalit and all these have scriptural sanctions. Some Hindus also say that they don’t use verses from their scripture to justify the killing of non-Hindus. That’s true because they would’ve cited verses only if they were familiar with their scriptures. Common Hindus don’t cite verses from Hindu scriptures because they have never read them. Surely they don’t cite their scriptures but violence perpetrated on minorities by Hindus is surely inspired by their religion. You will find hundreds of Hindu scholars spewing venom against non Hindus but you will hardly find any who try to foster the relationship between Hindus and non-Hindus. Hindu scholars spewing venom in their Dharm Sansads only proved that Hinduism is violent because Hindu scholars are well acquainted with their texts. Why were people lynched for eating beef and transporting cows if Hindus don’t believe in their scriptures? Why atrocities against Dalits is rampant if Hindus don’t get inspiration from their scriptures? When you show something from Hindu scriptures, the Hindu would quickly reply that ‘Our religion is not like Islam and Christianity dependent on one book, We believe in whatever we want to and reject whatever we want to, we don’t need scriptures.’ If Hindus don’t require Hindu scriptures, then on what basis Babri mosque was demolished? Because it was believed to be the birthplace of a mythological figure called Rama mentioned in Ramayana for which there is no archaeological evidence to prove that he ever existed. Do Hindus directly get revelation from God on how to perform Puja and all, that they don’t need Hindu scriptures? Well, this is one of the tricks used by Hindus in argument as Hindu scriptures are fallible, they can’t be defended, Hindus would resort to many such tricks to find an easy route to escape.

When you talk about violence in India, Hindu fanatics will never talk about that rather he will start his whataboutery. And then shamelessly accuse others of being violent. Amnesty International annual report condemns growing intolerance in India, USCIRF report shows religious intolerance rose in India in the year 2015. Instead of correcting themselves and stop supporting Hindu hate mongers, Hindus will rather say that ‘You first see what’s happening in so and so country, go and condemn that first’ or else will tell you that ‘if you are so uncomfortable in India then leave and go to some other country’. Such is their hypocrisy. They suddenly develop love for the world when communal violence in India is discussed. If violence is perpetrated by some non-Hindu even in a country far away from India then Hindus will view it as an act of barbarism, religious bigotry and will blame the culprit’s religion but if the same kind of incident is perpetrated by Hindus then Hindus view it as an act of bravery and would applaud the act, and they would start whataboutery to divert the topic. They would be overwhelmed to hear that a particular number of Muslims have been killed in a particular country but will find no problem going to Christian and Muslim countries to earn their bread and butter. Hindus will insult other religions even if any crime like theft and murder is committed by a non-Hindu, they would drag religion even in such stray crimes (which has nothing to do with religion) but they would never ever say a word against Hinduism when Hindu priests are caught in rape and murder cases, when Dalit is killed, when there is honour killing due to inter-caste marriage, when there is an attack on minority, etc.

Hindus leave no stone unturned in calling other religions violent but are unaware of their own religion. All such violence is inspired by their religious text. Without reading any scripture Hindus would conclude that Hinduism is peaceful, promotes the idea of universal brotherhood and that other religions like Buddhism and Jainism are also accepted. Hindus claim that you can even be an atheist and attain salvation, you will not be put in hell for rejecting Hinduism, etc. All these claims of Hindus shall be refuted in this article. Read the entire article for better understanding as some verses dealing with the same subject are posted in different categories.

 

Intolerance within Hindu caste and sect

Hinduism is perhaps the only religion that divides its believers into castes and sects. There is birth-based discrimination. Hinduism says that people responsible for a mixture of caste will be put into hell fire, Shudra kings in the Kali Yuga will be slain by Kalki avatar, Shudra who takes up the duty of Brahmin will be punished, etc.,

Brahma Purana 106.121 “There is a hell named Gudapaka. It is full of boiling eddies of treacle and molasses. A man responsible for the mixture in castes is thrown into it. He is burnt therein.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Some scriptures also say that Kalki will kill Shudra kings and all those people born of mixed castes,

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.31.77-84 “In the previous Svayambhuva Manvantara, he had been born of a part of Madhava (Visnu). For a full period of twenty years, he wandered over the Earth taking with him an army along with horses, chariots and elephants. Surrounded by hundreds and thousands of Brahmanas wielding weapons, he killed all the Mlecchas all round along with those kings, the heretics born of Sudra women. The lord exterminates those heretics. Everywhere he kills all those who are not scrupulously religious. The lord who was strong and who annihilated all the Mlecchas slew these also People who were born of parents of different castes, those who depended on them, the Udicyas (Notherners), Madhya Desyas (Persons of middle lands), Parvatiyas (Mountain-dweller), Pracyas (Easterners), Praticyas (Westerners), those who talk about on the ridges of the Vindya mountains, Daksinatyas (Southerners), Dravidas along with Simhalas (Ceylonese), Gandhara, Paradas, Pahlavas, Yavanas, Sakas, Tusaras. Barbaras, Cinas (Chinese), Sulikas, Daradas, Khasas, Lampa-karas, Katakas and different tribes of Kiratas. The powerful lord wielding the discuss slew all these barbarous people.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.4.22 “In his incarnation as Buddha, He shall bewilder by his arguments of ahimsa (non-injury) the Daityas performing sacrifices, though not entitled to the performance thereof. Then in the Kali Yuga, incarnating himself as Kalki He shall slay the Sudra kings.” Tr. J.M. Sanyal

Shudras cannot even drink the milk of tawny cow,

Varaha Purana 112.19-21 “Those (Sudras) who drink (the milk of) Kapila make their forefathers eat the filth in the earth for long. Note what happens to the Sudras who feed on the milk, ghee and butter of the Kapila cows. They go to the terrible hell called Raurava.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer

Inter-mingling of Shudras and Brahmanas is evil of Kali Yuga,

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.31.41 “Alliances and associations of the Sudras and Antyayonis (lowest born) with Brahmanas take place in the Kali Yuga, in regard to bed, seats and food stuffs.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kurma Purana I.30.6 “In Kaliyuga, the Sudras will have close association with the Brahmanas by the use of spells and incantations as well as through the sharing of beds, seats and food.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Intolerance towards Shudras is briefly explained in articles Caste system in Hinduism and Manu Smriti and Untouchables.

top

Intolerance towards sects

Hinduism also has sects. Other than dividing people into castes Hinduism also sanctions sects. At present time there are many sects of Hinduism like Lingayat, Arya Samaj, ISKCON, etc. There are mainly two sects in Hinduism Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Shaivites are followers of Shiva and Vaishnavites are followers of Vishnu and his avatars. Shaivite Puranas do recognize Vishnu and his avatars as Gods and Vaishnavite Puranas also recognize Shiva as God. But Shaivite scriptures hail Shiva as the Supreme God and depict Vishnu as a weak god while Vaishnavite scriptures call Vishnu as the Supreme God and humiliate Shiva. There have also been some clashes between these two groups,

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/on-the-eve-of-kumbh-a-conflict-between-priests-and-sadhus/

A similar clash happened in the 19th century also,

“At the Kumbh Mela at Ujjain in 1826, a combined army of Vaishnavite warrior-sadhus and Maratha soldiers inflicted a harsh military defeat on the Shaivite sadhus, and ended up plundering their temples and monasteries. Later, while the British put an end to the regular bouts of violence between the warrior-sadhus Shaivites and Vaishnavites, they made separate arrangements for both orders at the Kumbh Melas at Allahabad and Hardwar to prevent bloodshed over which sadhu order should have precedence in bathing in the Ganga.” The Radical Humanist, Volume 67, by Manabendra Nath Roy, p.13 also mentioned by Yoginder Sikand http://www.islamicvoice.com/january.98/FEAT1.HTM

Visit by naga sadhus at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams leads to ‘suddhi’
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/160717/visit-by-naga-sadhus-leads-to-suddhi.html

In Tamil Nadu two groups of Vaishnavite Hindus namely Vadakalai and Thenkalai fought each after a dispute over whether to hold prayer in Sanskrit or Tamil https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vadakalai-and-thenkalai-iyengars-come-blows-again-over-sanskrit-vs-tamil-prayer-102453

Although both these sects co-exist today but there seems to have a tiff between them in the scriptures. There is a battle of supremacy in both Shaivite and Vaishnavite scriptures. Shaivite scriptures show that Vishnu and his avatars worshiped Shiva,

Linga Purana Section I, 98.159-162 “Suta said: Thus he eulogised the bull-bannered lord with his thousand names. The lord (i.e. Visnu) bathed Siva and worshipped him with lotus flowers. In order to test Visnu, Mahesvara the lord of the worlds hid one of the lotus flowers intended for the worship. Visnu from whom the flowers was taken away thought thus, ‘What is this?’ After realising thee loss of the flower Visnu plucked out his eye and devoutly worshipped the preceptor of the universe, the support of all beings. He worshipped him repeating the last name of the lord.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

It’s a Linga Purana story to show Shiva’s superiority over Vishnu. Another story shows that the Sudarshana Chakra (Discus) which Vishnu wielded was actually given by Shiva as a boon to Vishnu after Vishnu rigorously worshiped Shiva,

Linga Purana Section I.98.1-3 “The sages said: O Suta, how was the discus Sudarsana acquired from Mahesvara, the lord of Devas, by lord Visnu? It behoves you to recount it. Suta said: A terrible fight ensued between Devas and the leading Asuras causing destruction to all living beings. On being pierced and hit by lances, iron clubs, javelins and arrows of bent knots Devas became extremely terrified and fled. [18-26] Lord Visnu said: O Devas, I shall approach lord Siva now along with all the eternal Devas and shall carry out your task in full. O Devas, after acquiring the discus, formerly made by the slayer of the Tripuras in order to kill Jalandhara, I shall kill all the six thousand eight hundred great Asuras and Daityas beginning with Dhundhu…Suta said: After saying this to the excellent Devas, Visnu, the excellent one among Devas, remembered lord Siva worshipped him. On the splendid summit of the Himavan he duly installed the Linga that resembled the mountain Meru. It had been made by Visvakarman. Repeating the hymn called Tvarita-Rudra and the Rudrasukta he bathed the Linga and worshipped it with scents. It was charming in its flame-like form. He eulogised Rudra; worshipped him in the fire and bowed down to him. Repeating the thousand names in order he worshipped lord Siva… [169-170] Glancing lovingly at Visnu who stood aside with palms joined in reverence, Sankara, Mahadeva said smilingly. O Visnu, the task of Devas has been well understood by me. I shall give you the splendid discuss Sudarsana.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

This is how Shaivite Purana shows Shiva as the supreme god. Another Shaivite scripture says that,

Shiva Purana, Kotirudrasamhita 4.27.35-42 “Gautama said:- You are evil-minded desiring to put me in distress as I am a devotee of Siva. Hence you shall be averse to the Vedas always. Henceforth your faith in the rites of the Vedas, particularly with reference to the path of Siva yielding salvation shall cease to exist…fall, ye all, deep into the hell…You will not have Siva as your sole deity. You will be considering the matchless Siva on a par with other gods…All your descendants-sons, grandsons and other, O brahmins, shall be non-Saivites. You shall stay certainly in hell along with your sons.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

These verses are implying that being a Shaivite alone can bring you salvation and being non-Shaivite will lead you to hell. A story also shows that Vaishnavite were averse to Shiva,

Shiva Purana, Rudrasamhita 2, Parvatikhanda III.33.5-6 “Now, a certain brahmin professing Vaisnava cult came here and spoke very critically about Siva. Ever since, the mother of Parvati has gone out of sense. Hence she does not wish her daughter’s marriage with Siva.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Another verse from Shiva Purana says that only those sons who are Shaivite shall receive the inheritance,

Shiva Purana Vayaviyasamhita 6, section II.39.58-60 “…The descendant shall propitiate devotees. Only a devotee of Siva shall inherit his wealth. If his children are not initiated in Saivite cult the wealth shall be handed over the Siva. No child shall take it.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Contrary to those Shaivite verses other Puranas (mostly Vaishnavite) praise Vaishnavism and hail Vishnu as the supreme god, Sage Narada said,

Garuda Purana I.99.6-7 “The following should not be entertained. A sickly person, a person deficient in limbs or having additional appendages, a one-eyed man, son of a widow after remarriage, a fallen sinner like Avakirna and those who do not conform to conventions, and a a-Vaisnava (non-believer in Visnu). These are not worthy of being invited for Sraddha. They (the deserving brahmins) shall be invited the day before when they shall observe celibacy.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Skanda Purana II.ii.10.120-1 “(As opposed to these) Avaisnavas (‘non-devotees of Visnu’) hate auspicious conduct of (other) men. They themselves indulge in evil conduct and evil thoughts in the minds. They are undisturbed even if great misfortune befalls them. They take delight in sexual enjoyment. Those Avaisnavas are inebriated. They do not resort to the Lord even for a moment, although he is the cause of supreme happiness and is present in the lotus of the heart. They always cover up the names of Hari by means of aimless, worthless and futile network of words…Indeed those devoid of devotion to Visnu are human brutes.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

One who blasphemes a Vaisnava cannot be protected by anyone. Even if a person is as strong as Lord Siva, if he blasphemes a Vaisnava, he is sure to be destroyed. This is the verdict of all sastras. If one does not care for the verdict of the sastras and dares blaspheme a Vaisnava, he suffers life after life because of this.” Chaitanya Bhagavata Madhya 22 by Vrindavana Dasa Thakura, Tr. Swami Prabhupada

A Purana even says that one should not reside in a kingdom where the king is not a Vaishnavite,

Skanda Purana II.v.11.23-24 “Bharadvaja said: Well asked, O highly fortunate one, since you are a devotee of Visnu. The earth that you protect, O king, is blessed. The subjects (governed by you) are good (blessed). One shall not stay in that kingdom where the king is not a Vaisnava. Better to stay in a forest or in a Tirtha but not in a realm where there are no Vaisnavas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vaishnavite scripture suggests that sage Bhrigu was a Vaishnavite, sage Bhrigu curses followers of Shiva in the following way at a particular incident,

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.28-29 “One who takes a vow to satisfy Lord Śiva or who follows such principles will certainly become an atheist and be diverted from transcendental scriptural injunctions. Those who vow to worship Lord Śiva are so foolish that they imitate him by keeping long hair on their heads. When initiated into worship of Lord Śiva, they prefer to live on wine, flesh and other such things. Bhṛgu Muni continued: Since you blaspheme the Vedas and the brāhmaṇas, who are followers of the Vedic principles, it is understood that you have already taken shelter of the doctrine of atheism.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Swami Prabhupada writes: “It is sometimes seen that devotees of Lord Śiva imitate the characteristics of Lord Śiva. For example, Lord Śiva drank an ocean of poison, so some of the followers of Lord Śiva imitate him and try to take intoxicants like gāñjā (marijuana). Here the curse is that if someone follows such principles he must become an infidel and turn against the principles of Vedic regulation. It is said that such devotees of Lord Śiva will be sac-chāstra-paripanthinaḥ, which means “opposed to the conclusion of śāstra, or scripture.’…” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.28 http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_4.2.28

Swami Prabhupada also writes,

“Lord Śiva’s symptoms of austerity are not exactly those of a Vaiṣṇava. Lord Śiva is certainly the number one Vaiṣṇava, but he exhibits a feature for a particular class of men who cannot follow the Vaiṣṇava principles. The Śaivites, the devotees of Lord Śiva, generally dress like Lord Śiva, and sometimes they indulge in smoking and taking intoxicants. Such practices are never accepted by the followers of Vaiṣṇava rituals.” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 4.6.36. http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_4.6.36

Many Hindus were offended when a guy impersonated Shiva in the movie P.K and ran fearing his life, Hindus who were offended by this attacked theatres and called for a boycott of the film and upcoming films of the lead actor. I am wondering if they will tear and burn up this scripture in which Shiva is depicted in such a humiliating way. The story says that a fight between Shiva and Krishna erupted and Krishna defeated Shiva. Shiva was so scared of Krishna’s fiery that he ran away in fear and hid in a mountain.

Skanda Purana II.ii.12.14-18 “…Nila mountain is in the third Yojana (i.e. 3X12 Kms.). This is the holy spot of the Lord of Gauri named Ekamrakavana. Not far off, O king, is the place where, being afraid, he sought refuge. Indradyumna said: Why was the Lord of Gauri (Siva) frightened? With whom did he seek refuge?” Tr. G.V. Tagare

It’s a Shaivite Purana but according to the translator, this is invented by Vaishnavites to show Krishna’s superiority. The translator Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare wrote,

“A Vaisnavite twist to show the inferiority of Siva to Visnu. The fight between Siva and Visnu for one king of Kasi (Kasiraja) and the subsequent defeat of Siva and his praise of Visnu and Siva’s departure from Varanis to Ekamra Vana (vv50-79)-all this is invented to show Visnu’s superiority.”

Although Skanda Purana is a Shaivite Purana but it may have also been composed by Vaishnavites that’s why there are many verses praising Vishnu and ridiculing Shiva as G.V. Tagare rightly points out. The war between Shiva and Krishna/Vishnu is explained briefly in God fighting each other category. Shiva helps his devotee to fight Krishna/Vishnu and he is humiliated in the following way,

Skanda Purana II.ii.12.81-85a “Mahadeva said: O lord of Devas…carrying out your behest will be the cause of my welfare, O lord of the worlds. On account of my stupidity, I Lord, I had been arrogant. There, O Lord, your own blessing is the cause of my fickleness. Since you command me, O Lord of Devas, to proceed to Purusottama, I shall carry out your behest reverently and proceed to the auspicious holy place that bestows salvation. Do a favour to me and promise that you alone will protect and sustain my sacred region Purusottama…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

This is also explained in Gods fighting each other category. Just like this verse, Vishnu is also ridiculed in a Shaivite Purana,

Shiva Purana, Satarudra Samhita 3.23.13-16 “When his pride fell off, Visnu was dejected, and dispirited. He then realised that Siva was sporting about in the form of a bull. Then on realising that Siva himself had come in the form of a Bull, Visnu spoke in a shrill voice with drooping shoulders and palms joined in reverence. Visnu said: O lord of the gods, O ocean of mercy, O lord Siva, I had been deluded by your Maya and my mind had been confused. O lord, I fought with you, Siva. Taking pity on me, O lord, let this offence be excused.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

This verse is also explained in Gods fighting each other category.

back to top

Kapalika

Kapalika was Shaivite sect. The Aghori Sadhus are an offshoot of this sect. Followers of Kapalika sect used human skull as a begging bowl and also used to eat food from it, they applied ashes from crematorium and had many such weird practices. Kapalika sect has gone extinct but we can get a sense of their belief from Aghoris which is an offshoot of Kapalika. You can understand it better by looking at the following graph taken from Wikipedia

 

Shiva is said to be a Kapalin himself,

Skanda Purana V.iii.214.2-3 “The lord wandered over the earth as a Kapalin (holder of a skull) wearing patched garments. He was surrounded by Pisacas, Raksasas, Dakinis, and Yoginis. He assumed the form of Bhairava and resorted to a cremation ground where he performed an elaborate penance causing freedom from fear to all the three worlds…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Shiva Purana Ruda-Samhita 2, Satikhanda section II.27.22 “Daksa, the evil-minded, did not invite Siva for that sacrifice, deciding that He was not worthy of taking part in the sacrifice because he was a Kapalin.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

In Varaha Purana 97.1 Shiva is infuriated when Brahma calls him Kapalin. I have mentioned this verse in Gods fighting each other category.

Kapalikas are praised,

Skanda Purana I.iii.(P).8.76-80 “May the eminent sages staying in them protect the system of the worship of Siva. The devotees of Siva and the Pasupatas shall beg for alms (for their sustenance). Let these and the others of Yogic power and practice, as well as the Kapalikas always protect this holy spot. All the kings of past, present and future shall protect this spot without any disobedience to their commands…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Rishi Upamanyu praises Kapalins,

Shiva Purana Vayaviyasamhita 6, Section II, 31.173-4 “[Upamanya said] The followers of Siva who adhere to the philosophical path, those who perform the Pasupata rites those who observe holy rites and the Saivite holy men such as Kapalikas-all these are adherents and executors of Siva’s behests. They shall be worshipped by me at the behest of Siva. May these bless me. Let them praise the successful holy rite.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Kapalika Vrata prescribed by Shiva in general,

Skanda Purana V.i.6.84-94 “…[Shiva said] O sinless Devas, since I came over here it is called Mahakalavana. To you also who wished to perform austerities, it is Mahakalavana (forest of great opportunity). This secret holy shrine will become renowned in the world with this twin name. It is a secret forest. It is the cremation ground. It is the greatest and most majestic of all holy spots. This Kalavrtacarya (performace of Kapala Vrata) has been proclaimed by me. The devotee embellished with Kapala Vrata should take food in the Kapala (skull). The Kapala should always be held in the hand. He should be contented with the alms thus received in the course of his Vrata. He should (outwardly) adopt terrific features and reside in the cremation ground…He should adorn all limbs with holy ash… Formerly I too had adopted the Kapala Vrata and practised it. Kapala is the greatest of all secrets, holy and destructive of sins…[96] If out of delusion any man hates this Mahavrata, he will be overpowered by sins. Even after hundreds and crores of births, he is not rid of that sin. Hence no one should hate or violate it…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kapalika sect and other Shaivite sects are condemned in Vaishnavite Purana and Shaktism and even say that Shiva created these sects to delude people,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 7.39.21-30 “…The S’âstras that are extant, as contrary to the S’rutis and Smritis, are all Tâmasa S’âstras, Mahâdeva has framed these Vâma, Kâpâlak, Kaulaks, Bhairava and such like S’astras for fascinating the people; else he has no object in framing them…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Varaha Purana 174.42-42 “The Brahmana said: He who dies with the food given by a Sudra within him, becomes ghost. By mere contact of, not to say sitting together or eating with, Nagas (a naked sect), Kapalikas or Pasandas, one becomes a ghost.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Kurma Purana II.39.56-62 “Indeed the holy Pasupata vow has been formerly designed by me for the achievement of liberation. It is the greatest of all secrets. It is the subtlest essence of the Vedas. One who performs Pasupataa vow, shall be quiescent; he must have perfect self-control; he should dust his body with sacred ashes; he should observe celibacy and remain naked. Or he should wear a loin-cloth or a single garment; he should be silent and engaged in the study of Vedas. The scholar shall meditate on Siva as Pasupati. Sruti states that this Pasupata Yoga should be resorted by the seekers of liberation; that those who maintain Pasupata rite should be free from desire…There are other scriptures opposed to the Vedic view. They have been propounded by me alone and they are very fascinating in this world. Those cults are Vama, Pasupata, the Soma cult, the Lakura (Lakula) and the Bhairava and such other cults which are opposed to Veda should not be resorted to.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kurma Purana II.16.15 “One should not even verbally revere and honour the heretics, those who indulge in wrong actions, those who perform black magic, the Pancaratras and the Pasupatas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

There is another Shaivite sect called Nakula which is also condemned in Vaishnavite Purana. A story in Kurma Purana says that Shiva urged Vishnu to create scriptures for deluding the sinners, on being urged by Shiva, Vishnu creates it and he then urges Shiva to also create some deluding cults. Urged by Vishnu, Shiva creates some sects which include Kapalika, Pasupata, and Nakula as mentioned in this Vaishnavite Purana in an effort to declare these Shaivite sects as deceitful and heretic sects,

Kurma Purana I.16.117-9 “Hence, O bull-bannered lord, we shall compose scriptures for deluding the sinners and for saving those who are out of the pale of the Vedas.’ Thus addressed by Visnu, the slayer of Mura, Rudra composed deluding Scriptures and Kesava too did the same, on being urged by Siva. They were the treatises of the cults of Kapala, Nakula, Vama, Bhairava, both of Western and Eastern variety. Pancaratra, Pasupata and thousands of other cults as well.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare writes “The list shows what sects were regarded as being out of the pale of Vedic religion in KP. Out of these, Kapalas, or Kapalikas whether Brahminic or non-Brahminic, ate and drank in human skulls, wore garlands of skulls and indulged in horrid practices of wine-drinking, in sexual orgies and living in unclean manner (S.N. Dasgupta Ind. Phil. V.P.2, 3). Nakulas are the followers of Nakula or Lakulisa, a semi-historical founder of a sect of Saivism. In the Vayu P.23.2.17-23 and the LO.I.24, he is said to be an incarnation of Siva in a cemetry and Kayavarohana in Bhrgu ksetra, in Dabhoi Tehsil in Gujarat. Vama is a general term for the (Sakta?) observers of socially disapproved practices, the group being designated as Five Ma-karas. Bhairavas are also Saivites who worshipped Bhairava form of Siva. Bhairava-worship has been very popular among the masses in Maharashtra. Pancaratras, the Vasudeva worshippers who were later accommodated by the followers of Veda, held the famous Catur-vyuha (the four manifestations of Vasudeva) doctrine and had their own way of worship, are quite famous. Pasupatas are the followers of system founded by Umapati Srikantha (or Siva) and they are mentioned in Mbh. Santi. 337.62….”

Kurma Purana II.39.56-62 “Indeed the holy Pasupata vow has been formerly designed by me for the achievement of liberation. It is the greatest of all secrets. It is the subtlest essence of the Vedas. One who performs Pasupataa vow, shall be quiescent; he must have perfect self-control; he should dust his body with sacred ashes; he should observe celibacy and remain naked. Or he should wear a loin-cloth or a single garment; he should be silent and engaged in the study of Vedas. The scholar shall meditate on Siva as Pasupati. Sruti states that this Pasupata Yoga should be resorted by the seekers of liberation; that those who maintain Pasupata rite should be free from desire…There are other scriptures opposed to the Vedic view. They have been propounded by me alone and they are very fascinating in this world. Those cults are Vama, Pasupata, the Soma cult, the Lakura (Lakula) and the Bhairava and such other cults which are opposed to Veda should not be resorted to.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Just like Vaishvanite distortion of the Shaivite Skanda Purana II.ii.12.14-18, a Linga Purana verse may have also been twisted by Vaishnavite where Indra says,

Linga Purana Section I.40.38-39 “People overwhelmed by misery will never see the maximum span of life of hundred years. In Kali all the Vedas will not be available. Yajnas perish afflicted by people of no virtue. Ochre-robed and naked anchorites will be wandering and many Kapalikas (ascetics holding skulls as their begging bowls) will infest the territories.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana a Vaishnavite Purana condemns Kapalikas and other religions also,

Vayu Purana I.58.64-66 “Yajnas are forsaken when Dharma receives a setback. There will be many types of heretics like wearers of ochre-coloured robes (Buddhists), Jainas and Kapalikas (skull bearing mendicants). There will be sellers of the Vedas and the sacred places. Heretics antagonistic to the discipline and arrangement of different castes and stages of life will be born. When Kali Yuga sets in, the Vedas will not be studied. Sudras will be experts and authorities in the affairs of Dharma.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Shaivite Puranas says Shiva was a Kapalika, and he recommended the Kapalika Vrata, Kapalikas are praised in Shaivite Puranas but Vaishnavite Puranas says that Shiva created Kapalika and other Shaivite sects to delude the sinners. It’s clear proof that Vaishnavite text wants to demonize Shaivite sects. Shaivite sects are even called heretic sects in Vaishnavite Puranas. Read verses in Intolerance towards Buddhism and Jainism category in which Kapalika sect are condemned by Vaishnavite Puranas. The worship of Shivlingam is condemned in Vedas. Shiva was the local deity of India who was later assimilated in the Vedic religion by Aryans. Read What is Shivling? for this explanation.

top

Others

There is a conflict between Hindu sects, one sect accuses the other of not following Vedas properly,

Swami Prabhupada the founder of ISKCON and also a follower of Gaudiya Vaishnavism writes on Arya Samaj,

“Those who are Āryans strictly follow the Vedic principles, but in this age of Kali a community has sprung up known as the ārya-samāja, which is ignorant of the import of the Vedas in the paramparā system. Their leaders decry all bona fide ācāryas, and they pose themselves as the real followers of the Vedic principles. These ācāryas who do not follow the Vedic principles are presently known as the ārya-samājas…” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 5.15.1 http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_5.15.1

Swami Prabhupada on Ramakrishna mission,

“So you take any means, the Ramakrishna Mission also says like that. Yata mata tata patha. “You can worship brahma-varcasa, you can worship Devī-māyā; you can worship Vasūn; you can worship Rudra; you can worship anyone; ultimately, you become one with the Supreme.” Most misguiding. Here it is… But if you want this particular thing, then you worship this. In the Bhagavad-gītā also, it is confirmed, yānti deva-vratā devān pitṟn yānti pitṛ-vratāḥ (BG 9.25).
You will find, rascal gurus, they are preaching like that, that “Whatever you do, it is all right.” There is a big mission, they say also that yata mat tata patha. “Whatever you have manufactured, the way of salvation, that’s all right.”
https://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Yata_mata_tata_patha

Founder of Arya Samaj Swami Dayanand Saraswati writes on Puranik (orthodox) Hindus who worship idols. Puranik Hindus constitute the majority of the Hindu population,

“Fie on you! O you senseless, idiotic author of the Bhagvat Puranana. What a shameless creature you were! You did not feel a bit of shame or hesitation in writing such falsehood! You became so utterly blind.” by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Satyarth Prakash, Ch 11, page 407, Tr. Chiranjiva Bhardwaja http://satyarthprakash.in/english/chapter-eleven/

He also wrote,

“A Shaiva is really one who worships Shiva – the All merciful Being; a Vaishnava is one who worships Vishnu – the All-pervading God. A Ganpata is one who worships Ganpati – The Lord of Hosts i.e., (of the Universe); Bhagvata is one who sits at the feet of the muses. A Saurka is one who is the devotee of the All-pervading God, the Soul of the Universe – animate and inanimate. Thus Rudra, shiva, Vishnu, Ganapati, Surya, connote God, and Bhagvati connotes truthful speech. These various Puranic texts were invented owing to the wrong interpretation of the Vedic texts (quoted above)… likewise the Shivites, Shaktas, Vaishnavites and the like revile one another, because they are ignorant of the true meanings of the words Shiva, Rudra, Vishnu, etc., which, as is set forth in the first chapter of this book, are the different names of the Immutable God Who is Self-existent, All-wise and Blissful. These men of little understanding do not use their brains and never give the least thought to the matter, otherwise they will soon find out that all such terms as Shiva, Rudra, and Vishnu connote One Supreme, Incomparable< Omniscient God, the Controller of the universe, on account of His possessing multitudinous attributes. Would not the wrath of God descend on such people?” By Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Satyarth Prakash, Ch 11, page 366-7, Tr. Chiranjiva Bhardwaja

Clashes between Hindu sects still exist. A clash broke out between Arya Samajis and followers of Sant Rampal because Arya Samajis who abuse other religions were offended by the ‘Derogatory’ remarks made on Dayanand Saraswati by Sant Rampal. Another clash had erupted between these two groups over the handling of Ashram.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/3-killed-100-injured-in-Rohtak-ashram-clash/articleshow/20020428.cms

In Karnataka, clashes between two Shaivite sub sects was reported,

Karnataka: Clashes break out between members of Lingayat and Veerashaiva communities in Kalaburagi
https://scroll.in/latest/872597/karnataka-clashes-break-out-between-members-of-lingayat-and-veershaiva-communities-in-kalaburagi

top

Intolerance towards other religions

Now this one is really an interesting topic that would expose those Hindus who claim that Hinduism tolerates other religions. Hindus claim that Buddhism and Jainism are sects of Hinduism. And that both share the same values and teachings. It’s quite funny to hear from Hindus that Hinduism tolerates other religions when it doesn’t even tolerate its own Shudra. Shudras are not even considered Aryas, they are called Anaryas (Non-Aryans), non-Hindus in Hindu scripture, and works of scholars are called with slang terms like Maleccha (Barbarian/foreigner), Yavana who are considered to be viler than Chandalas, etc. Can such religion really preach tolerance?

There are numerous Hindu scholars who have given hate speeches against Muslims, Sakshi Maharaj vowed death sentence to those converting to Islam & Christianity and called for death to those who slaughter cows; Yogi Adityanath said he will kill 100 Muslims for 1 Hindu, he said he will install idols of Hindu deities in mosques and gave various other hate speeches; Mahant Kanhaiyya Das said Muslims will have to go to Pakistan or Kabristan; Behead those who slaughter cows, says Shankaracharya Jagadguru Narendrananda Saraswati of Varanasi’s Sumeru Peeth; Honour people who murdered cow killer, says Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Board chairman Swami Parmatamanand; Nothing bigger deed than cow protection said VHP leader Acharya Dharmendra who is known for giving hate speeches against Muslims oftenly, also said Muslims Are our disease, our headache that the Hindus need to deal with; Sadhvi Prachi justifies Dadri murder, says beef-eaters deserve such treatment and also said it is time to make India free of Muslims; Sadhvi Kamal equates cow vigilantes to Bhagat Singh, calls them future heroes; Hang those who eat beef as status symbol, says Sadhvi Saraswati also said, If we do not stock arms, we will be destroyed in future; Justifying cow vigilantism Ramdev said Gau rakshaks forced to come on streets as police fail to deal with cow smuggling; Swami Narendranath told Hindus to drop mobile phones, pick up arms, Sadhvi Deva Thakur vowed to attack Muslim pilgrims going to Hajj and also called for forcible sterlization of Muslims and Christians, Swami Pranavanandram tells Hindu youths to lure Muslim girls, Hindu Mahasabha leader Swami Om says he will kidnap Shahrukh, Aamir and Saif Ali khan and forcefully convert them to Hinduism, Ram Vilas Vedanti said he asked kar sewaks to demolish shrine [Babri Mosque], he said ‘will go to jail but won’t lie’, Swami Yati Narsinghananda gave several hate speeches against Muslims, says Muslims are carrying the corpse of a dead religion that has started to stink and also gives arms training openly to Hindu terrorists, in another incident he called for massacre of Muslims, he has given several hate speeches against Muslims openly calling for massacre of Muslims yet he is roaming free, “Those we call Muslims in our current era were called demons in earlier eras” also said “…I am telling each and every Muslim, we will eradicate Islam from the country one day.” also said, “I appeal to all you young people, these Muslims who keep coming out [on the streets], they should find out what will happen to them the day we come out. And I would like to tell Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, please don’t worry, we are all with you. You have brought the CAA, now bring the National Register of Citizens and after that put a stop to the population of the ‘katuon’. If these swine increase their numbers, they will spread filth, so to save this country from filth and dirt, please bring a law to stop their population, we will support you.”; Mahant Gyan Das said If not in Ayodhya, will the temple be built in Mecca? Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopananda makes anti Muslim speech, makes remarks against Burkha, Polygamy, Triple Talaq; Hindu seer Swami Paripoornanda was banished from Hyderabad over ‘anti-Muslim comments’; Swami Aseemanand, Acquitted in Samjhauta Blast case says Muslims are ‘big problem’ for India; Swami Agnivesh appeals for ban on burqa. Then calls it ‘odd and scary’; Swami Mahamandleshwar Prabhodanand Giri Maharaj of Hindu Raksha Senasaid Muslims must convert to Hinduism if they want to stay in India otherwise they will be kicked out to Pakistan. Acharya Shekhar threatens to persecute Muslims, says “Will create so many graveyards you will struggle for space to bury your dead” He cannot even tolerate a language like Urdu just because of its association with Muslims of the subcontinent, he forced railway authority to remove Urdu from signboard from newly-built Chintaman Ganesh railway station in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain. Swami Anand Swaroop of Shankaracharya Parishad calls for econimic and social boycott of Muslims, “One who reads the Quran becomes a beast, they are no longer human. For those who wish to remain connected to India, they must give up the Quran and namaz. If we start boycotting Muslims socially and economically, they will embrace Hinduism.”

Dharma Sansad a religious congregation of Hindu seers organised by Yati Narsinghanand’s Dasna Hindu Peeth Ghaziabad witnessed numerous calls for genocide of Muslims by Hindu religious leaders. Annapurna Maa of the Niranjani Akhara said “It’s an alarming situation. If we rise to the occasion and realise their intention even today, India will not become Islamic but a Sanatan Vedic Hindu nation,” she added. “I am willing to sacrifice myself to ensure a Muslim prime minister does not take over in 2029. We need to increase our population over them. If needed, we can kill them. We will be considered winners even if 20 lakh of their population is killed.” Anand Swaroop, head of a body named the Shankaracharya Parishad sought to threaten hotels in Haridwar against holding Christmas celebrations on 25 December, he also vowed not to allow Eid celebrations, “It’s a norm since 1915 that non-Hindu religious functions cannot be held in Haridwar, acknowledged as a pilgrimage city of Hindus. We have written to nearly 300 hotels that they should not entertain Christmas celebrations at their places on 25 December. If they do, they will have to face the consequences.” Seer Sindhu Sagar called on “rich Hindu villagers” to “buy all Muslim properties and keep the village free of the minority population”. “Harass them to the extent that they are forced to sell off their houses. I have arrested more than 10 Muslims on false charges under the SC/ST Act.” Swami Prabodhanand said, “Just like Myanmar, the police, the army and every Hindu must pick up arms and organise a cleansing [of Muslims…We have no other choice.” Another speaker, Sadhvi Annapurna or Pooja Shakun Pandey repeated the call for genocide: “If you want to finish off their population then we are ready to kill them. Even if 100 of us are ready to kill 20 lakh of them, then we will be victorious” Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati argued that an “economic boycott” of Muslims was not enough: “No community can survive without picking up weapons…And swords won’t work, they look good only on stages.” Sagar Sindhuraj Maharaj said at the event“After you go out from here, the message should go that if they accept Hindu religion then lives would be spared, otherwise these people can kill and chase us from here just like in Myanmar.”

I have mentioned only those Hindu scholars who made it to the news, there are many more Hindu scholars who comment against Islam and Muslims on social media, and they pass Islamophobic remarks in their religious events. So much is the hatred for Muslims by Hindu scholars because this is what Hinduism teaches them. This is not something new, Hindus have been giving hate speeches and persecuting non-Hindus for centuries, this hatred was directed towards Buddhism and Jainism in ancient India when Buddhism and Jainism flourished in India and the responsibility of giving hate speeches against them was taken up by Hindu scholars like Adi Shankaracharya, Kumarila Bhatta, Basava, etc., and now they are targeting Muslims because Islam is the second-largest religion in India so Hindus want to wipe out the Muslim community in India.

top

Intolerance towards Buddhists

In the 2nd century BC, Patanjali tells us that the relationship between Brahmins and Buddhists is like that between the snake and the mongoose. Swami Dayanand Saraswati criticized Buddhism in his book Satyarth Prakash, Adi Shankaracharya criticized Buddhist scriptures and used abhorrent words for Buddha,

Brahma Sutra 2.2.32 “To be brief, from every point of view that this Buddhist doctrine may be examined for finding out some justification, it breaks down like a well sunk in sand; and we do not find any least logic here. Hence also all behaviour based on the Buddhist scripture is unjustifiable. Moreover, Buddha exposed his own incoherence in talk when he instructed the three mutually contradictory theories of the existence of eternal objects, existence of consciousness, and absolute nihilism; or he showed his malevolence towards all creatures, acting under the delusion that these creatures would get confused by imbibing contradictory views. The idea is that the Buddhist view should be abjured in every way by all those who desire the highest good.” Tr. Swami Gambhirananda

Jaimini wrote about Buddhist scriptures,

Purva Mimansa Sutra of Jaimini, Pada 3, verse 14, Adhikarana VII (b) “With regard to the non-Vedic scriptures of the Bauddha, &c., the Purvapaksa is that, ‘inasmuch as these are as much scriptures of actions as the Veda, their authoritative character cannot be denied. The eternal and authoritative character of these scriptures can be proved by the same arguments that have been put forward in support of the eternality of the Veda.’
The Siddhanta is that, inasmuch as these other scriptures are acknowledged to have been the work of human authors, they cannot be accepted to be possessed of infallible authority. They they are not eternal is proved by their having been compiled by human authors; and also by the absence in those so called ‘scriptures’ of all regularity; that is to say, they are found to be full of incorrect words and phrases…” Tr. Pandit Ganganath Jha

Kumarila Bhatta wrote about Buddhist scriptures,

Tantra Vartika, Adhyaya 1, Pada III, Adhi (7d) “…Thus, then, we conclude that on account of their being composed of incorrect words and expressions, the scriptures of the Bauddha, &c., can never be held to be either a Veda, or an eternal scripture…Nor can these scriptures be held to be eternal, because there is a clean remembrance of their authors (Buddha, and others) And hence in matters relating to Dharma, which is amenable only to an eternal scriptures (as proved under Sutra I-1-2), we cannot admit of the independent authority of the Bauddha scriptures.” Tr. Pandit Ganganath Jha

Hindus claim that Buddhism is part of Hinduism. That Buddha was an avatar of Vishnu. An Indologist said that Buddha was considered an avatar of Vishnu only to convert the Buddhists to Hinduism. A Dalit scholar writes,

“Declaring the Buddha as ninth avatara of Vishnu, by the Brahmanic Puranas, was meant to cause confusion in the minds of people with the result that Buddhism came to be treated as a “heretical” and “aesthetic” branch of Brahmanism” http://www.ambedkar.org/books/dob15.htm

As per Hindu texts and scholars. Buddha rejected Vedas and established anti-Vedic philosophy to stop the animal sacrifice. Some Hindu scholars say that people during Buddha’s time were engaged in animal sacrifice because they lived on the wrong interpretation of Vedas and that the Vedas do not sanction animal killing. My question is if people during Buddha’s time misinterpreted the Vedas then why the avatar of Vishnu establish anti-Vedic, atheistic philosophy? Why didn’t he just revive the Vedas? Why wasn’t he born as the revivalist of Hinduism?

Hindus would very happily tell you that Buddha was an avatar of Vishnu but they will never tell you the truth about this avatar. According to Hindu scriptures, Vishnu didn’t incarnate as Buddha to guide people to the right path or to teach them Vedas, Vishnu incarnated as Buddha to delude people by establishing a false religion called Buddhism. Hindu scripture says that to delude the sinners and demons and to defeat the demons Vishnu incarnated as Buddha and made all the demons accept Buddhism who would continue to spread this religion. Hindu text explicitly says that Buddhism is a false religion,

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.37 “Asuras, the enemies of the celestials, became proficient in the knowledge of the Vedas, and having got made by Mayadanaba (an Asura of that name) and invisible city of velocity, engaged themselves in the destruction of the people. Thereupon the glorious God incarnated Himself as Buddha, and with a view to bring about a confusion of their understanding and to create avarice in them taught them many false religions in the guise of a Pashanda (one setting the true religious texts at naught).” Tr. J.M. Sanyal

Padma Purana VI.252.108-115 “…The glorious one, taking up the form of Buddha, deluded his enemies. Those who were deluded by that teaching gave up all religious practices….” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Garuda Purana 3.15.26 “Then in Kali age, the Lord was born in the Kikata [modern Bihar] as Buddha. He deluded the asuras and flouted the Vedas.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Agni Purana 16.1-5 “Agni said:- I will now describe the Buddha incarnation…Formerly in the war between gods and demons the former were defeated by the latter. Saying ‘Save us, Save us!’ they sought refuge with Iswara. Being incarnation of illusion and infatuation he was born as the son of Suddhodana. He infatuated the Daityas and made them relinquish the religion of the Veda. They then became followers of Buddha and induced others to forsake Vedic religion. He became Arhata and afterwards made others Arhatas. Divorced from Vedic religion they became all Pashandinas [Irreligious people]. They committed (sinful) deeds capable of taking one to hell and received (gifts) from degraded persons…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

It’s mentioned in Bhagavad Purana,

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.24 “Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Añjanā, in the province of Gayā, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.19.24-25 “In this way while carrying away the hose with the intention of interrupting Prthu’s sacrificce, Indra assumed and abandoned deceitful disguise of nude ascetics (Digamabara Jainas), red-robed ascetics (Buddhists) and others (such as Kapalakas). Minds of men, through their misapprehension (of the true teachings of the Vedas), are generally attracted to these pseudo-religious sects as the true religion, as they are charmingly presented with excellent eloquence.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.19.23-25 “All the forms that Indra assumed for the purpose of stealing the sacrificial horse in disguised form are therefore considered to be vile and generally adopted by persons known as Pashandas. The guises so assumed and cast off by Indra for the purpose of stealing the horse with a view to thwarting the performance of Prithu’s sacrifice have been the cause of unreligious creeds as professed by Jainas, Buddhas, and Kapalikas. Although such forms faith differ widely from the true religion or truth, they attracted the attention of the people. Such creeds in view of their intelligent arguments prove apparently charming to weak minds.” Tr. J.N. Sanyal

Ironically, verse 14 of this chapter states that Indra assumed the form of a Hindu saint, but that form is not listed here among Pashandas (Heretics), these verses also dub Jainism, Buddhism, and Kapalika sect as false religions. The Sanskrit word mentioned here for Buddhists is rakta pata which means red-robed, As Buddhist monks don red robes, it’s an expression used in Hindu scriptures to refer to Buddhists, Sanskrit word for Jain is Nagna which means naked referring to Digambara Jains. Upadharmesu is translated as towards false religions. The above verses are trying to say that Buddhism and Jainism are false religions and people are attracted to these sects as true religions. Gautama Rishi curses the Brahmins who oppressed him in the following way,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 12.9.63-81 “O vile Brâhmanas! You will be always averse to see the festivals of S’iva, to worship S’iva, to Rudrâksa, to the Bel leaves, and to the holy Bhasma (ashes). You will be wholly indifferent to practise the right ways of living as presented in the Vedas and Smritis, to preserve your conduct good and to observe the path of knowledge to Advaita Jñânam, to practise restraint of senses and continence, to the daily practices of Sandhyâ Bandanam, to performing the Agnihotra ceremonies, to the study of the Vedas according to one’s own S’âkhâ or to the daily studies thereof as to teach those things or to give, as gifts, cows, etc., or to perform the S’râddhas of the fathers, etc., or to perform Krichchra Chândrâyana and other penances. O Vile Brâhmanas! As you are ready to do these mean things, you will have to suffer for this that you will desist from worshipping the Most Adorable S’rî Bhagavatî Devî and that you will worship the other Devas with faith and devotion and hold on your bodies S’amkha, Chakra and other signs. You will follow the Kâpâlikas, Bauddha S’âstras and other heretics. You will sell your father, mother, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters and even your wives too! You will sell the Vedas, Tîrthas, and your Dharma. You will not feel ashamed in any way to sell all these. You will certainly have faith in Kâpâlika and Bauddha opinions, Pâñcharâtras and Kâma S’âstras…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Why Gautam Rishi is cursing Brahmins is not the topic of this discussion but the way he is cursing them is very important, he curses them to follow Bauddha (Buddhist) scriptures, and he curses them to sell father, mother, sister, brother, daughters, and even wives. So following Buddhist, Jain and Kapalika scriptures are considered so worst in the sight of Gautama Rishi that he compares it to selling mother and daughter. The following verses show that they would enter hell because they embraced the heretic philosophy like Buddhism, Jainism and Kapalika,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 12.9.91-100 “…Some of them began to mark on their bodies various heretical signs, e.g., Taptamûdrâ, etc.; some became Kâpâlikas; some became Kaulas; some Bauddhas and some Jainas. Many of them, though learned, became lewd and addicted to other’s wives and engaged themselves in vain and bad disputations. For these, they will have to go again surely to the Kumbhîpâka hell…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Hindu scriptures even consider Buddhist worship places to be equivalent to cremation ground, place inhabited by wicked men, etc.,

Kurma Purana II.11.48-49 “The following places are also to be avoided for Yogic Practice: places where vermins abound, cremation ground, dilapidated cowpen, the quadrangle or place where four roads meet, a crowded noisy place or where there is an ant-hill or a Caitya (Buddhist place of worship), an unauspicious place full of wicked men, and places where mosquitoes are in plenty. Nor should one practice Yoga when the body is ailing or when the mind is dispirited.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana says that the Asuras (Demons) created Buddhism and Jainism,

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.14.38b “Formerly, in the battle between the Devas and the Asuras, the Asuras were defeated. They created the heretics like Vrddhasravakis, Nirgranthas, (nude Jainas), Sakyas (Buddhists), Jivaskas and Karpatas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Another verse calls them heretics who will flourish in the Kali Yuga,

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.31.65 “After the advent of the Kali age, many types of heretics crop up. They may be Buddhists wearing ochre-coloured robes, Jainas, Kapalikas and others who sell the Vedas. Still others are those who sell holy centres of pilgrimage.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Rama in Valmiki Ramayana says that Buddhists are thieves and should be punished like a theif,

यथा हि चोरः तथा हि बुद्ध |
स्तथागतं नास्तिकमत्र विध्हि |
तस्माद्धि यः शङ्क्यतमःप्रजानाम् |
न नास्ति केनाभिमुखो बुधः स्यात्

Ramayana of Valmiki, Ayodhya Kanda II.109 “I blame this act of my father’s, viz.,-that he took (for his priest) one of perverse understanding, who rangeth by help of such an intellect-who is frightfully atheistic, and who hat swerved from the path of righteousness. As a thief is, so is a Buddha, and know that in this matter, an atheist is in a like predicament. Therefore, such an one, when capable of being punished like a thief for the good of the people, should be punished like a thief; and let no Brahmana ever speak with an atheist.” Tr. Manmath Nath Dutt

Yatha hi chor = As a theif
Sa tatha hi Buddhah = so is Buddha/Buddhist

Ralph T.H. Griffith has also translated it as Buddhist. The reason why I translated the Sanskrit version word by word is that Hindu scholars are deliberately distorting the translation. Hari Prasad Shastri translates it as Charvaka school, and another one translates it as atheistic way even when there is a clear mention of the word Buddha which is translated into English as Buddha or Buddhist. Buddha in Sanskrit means intellectual so here it is surely not condemning ‘Intellectual’ and also it makes no sense at all. Jabali was persuading Rama to follow atheistic philosophy and Buddhism is also considered atheistic philosophy so by keeping all these in mind the word Buddhah here refers to Buddha/Buddhist, it’s true that Ramayana may not have been composed when Buddhism was founded, this seems to be a later interpolation added by Rishis. Other Hindu scriptures say that one should avoid seeing Buddhists and the very sight of a Buddhist monk even in a dream is a bad sign,

Narada Purana I.15.49-53 “There is no expiation anywhere to those persons who intimately associate themselves with Sudra women, whose bodies are nourished with the food of the Sudras and who indulge themselves in denouncing the Vedas. There is no expiation here or hereafter to those who find fault with stories of saintly people. Even through hundreds of expiations, it is impossible to see the redemption of that Brahmana who enters a Buddhistic shrine, even in a great emergency. The Buddhistic are heretics, as they are the revilers of the Vedas. Hence, a Brahmana shall not even look at them, since they are excluded from righteous holy rites. A Brahmana may enter a Buddhist shrine knowingly or unknowingly. If he enters knowingly, there is no redemption at all. This is the decision of the scriptures.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

The Yajnavalkya Smriti says that the very sight of a monk with red robes and shaven head (referring to Buddhists), even in a dream, is a bad sign. [Yajnavalkya SmritiI/272-273]

Touching a Jain or Buddhist

A similar thing is mentioned in Basava Purana which narrates a story of a Basava devotee, that a devotee of Basava in his dream touched a Buddhist so to expiate the sins of touching a Buddhist he burned himself in Srisailam,

Basava Purana Chapter VI, The Story of Vira Sankara “Listen to the story fo Vira Sankara, a devotee of Kama Killer. Even in his dreams he never thought of, touched, or spoke about other gods. This was the guiding principle of his life. Then one night he dreamed that he had touched a Buddhist. He was enraged and woke up wondering what to do. ‘What do you do with a pot that has been touched by a dog? You have to burn it, that is what!’ he though. ‘And he went resolutely to Srisailam. In front of Hatakesvara raged a fire and on this fire he placed an iron griddle and sat in the middle of it. In order to double the fearsome heat of the griddle, he hit himself with thirty-two weapons…” Tr. Velcheru Narayana Rao

Brahmanda Purana even says that one gets defiled by touching a Digambara Jain,

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.14.88 “It is laid down that one gets defiled by touching a women in her menses, a woman in confinement, a dog, a Candala, nudes (like Digambara Jainas) Nagnas and others and those persons who had carried a dead body.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana says that by touching a dog, a Chandala and a Jain one becomes impure,

Vayu Purana 17.24-25 “A woman in menses in all the castes becomes pure in three nights. It is laid down that by touching a woman in her menses, a woman lying-in-chamber, a dog, a Candala, a nudist like a Digambara Jaina and similar people and those who have borne a dead body, one gets polluted. He must take bath along with his clothes and smear clay twelve times on himself. Then he becomes pure.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by G.P. Bhatt

Narada Purana I.7.54 “O observer of good vows! There is no atonement for an atheist, an ungrateful fellow, a person indifferent to dharma and a treacherous fellow.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare writes in footnotes,
“(I.7.54) Nastika: This term includes not merely those who deny the existence of God, but those who do not accept the authority of the Vedas. It includes Jainas, Bauddhas, Pasupatas and such heretics. One should take bath along with the clothes if one is touched by them (Sat-trimsan-mata quoted in Pravascilla-Prakarana P.110 and Smrti-candrika I.P.118)…”

Usana & Atri Smritis also prohibit touching Mlechcha,

Usana Samhita Chapter 5 Verse 30-32 “…One should not touch a person of grim visage, a Mlechchha and a woman in menses.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Atri Samhita 1.263-4 “By touching a Chandala, an outcaste, a Mlechchha, a wine-bowl, or a woman in [her] menses, a twice-born person should not take his meals. If [he is touched by any of these] while taking [his] meals, [he must at once stop.] Thereafter he should not take his meals; and giving up his food, he should bathe. And being commanded by the Brahmanas, he should fast for three nights. And taking Yavaka (food prepared from barley) together with clarified butter, he should complete the sacrifice” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Sankha Smriti prohibits Dvijas to celebrate a Shraddha in a Mlechcha (foreigners are considered barbarians) country or visiting a Mlechcha country. Hindu scholars consider Muslims as Mlechcha while millions of Hindus are going to Muslim countries for a better living,

Sankha Samhita 15.4 “A wise man should not celebrate a Sraddha ceremony either in a Mlechchha country, or at dawn, evening or night. He should not visit even a Mlechchha country.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Vishnu Smriti 84.1-4 “Let not a man do a Sraddha ceremony in a country of the barbarians. Let him not go to a country of the Barbarians…The country, in which there exists not the division of the four-fold social order, should be regarded as a country of the barbarians, otherwise it is Aryavarta (the land of the Aryas).” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Swami Dayanand Saraswati the founder of Arya Samaj wrote,

“The Charvakas, the Buddhists and the Jainees began to revile the Vedas when they saw that the professed believers in these scriptures followed such wicked modes of conduct. The founded a new religion which is atheistic and anti-Vedic…” Satyarth Prakash, by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Ch 12, page 510, Tr. Chiranjiva Bhardwaja
http://www.aryasamajjamnagar.org/chaptertwelve.htm

Swami Prabhupada the founder of ISKCON wrote,

“According to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Śrīpāda Śaṅkarācārya preached the Māyāvāda philosophy for a particular purpose. Such a philosophy was necessary to defeat the Buddhist philosophy of the nonexistence of the spirit soul, but it was never meant for perpetual acceptance. It was an emergency. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa was accepted by Śaṅkarācārya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead in his commentation on Bhagavad-gītā.” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 3.4.20
http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/3/4/20

top

Buddhists and Jains seeing Shraddha invalidates it

Forget about participation of Buddhists and Jains in a Hindu ritual, the Hindu ritual becomes void if it is merely sighted by a Buddhist or a Jain, they must not be present at Hindu rituals as per Hindu texts.

Kurma Purana II.21.32-33 “That Sraddha wherein the wicked Tamasikas such as old Sravakas (Buddhists), Jainas, knowers of Pancaratra, followers of Kapalika and Pasupata sects, atheists, and others like them eat food offered to gods, does not bestow excellent benefit here and hereafter.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare explains the word Nagnas “The explanation in VV.35 ff below shows that the term Nagna includes Jainas, Buddhists, Jivakas (i.e. Ajivakas, the followers of Mankhali Gosala) and such other sects who do not follow Brahminism. It includes also apostate Brahmanas, atheists and the committers of gross sins (Mahapatakas)…”

Usana Samita 4.23-30 “The following are disqualified to be present at a Sraddha ceremony…The Sramanas (Bouddha ascetics); Nirgoodas, (a class of naked mendicants); those, who, know the doctrines of the Pancharatra; Jinas; the Kapalikas, the Pasupatas; if these and similar other heretics, wicked souls pervaded by the quality of Tammas, partake of the Havi, the Sraddha does not become successful, and it does not yield fruits in the next world.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.14.34 “The Nagnas (naked) and other persons must not see the well-arranged Sraddha rite. The Sraddha viewed by these do not reach the Pitrs or the Pitamahas (grandfathers).” Tr. G.V. Tagare.

Vayu Purana Part 2, 16.24 ”The naked and similar (apostates and non-Vedic sects) people should not see the Sraddha rite. This is the rule. Such Sraddhas as are seen by these, do not reach Pitrs or Pitamahas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare writes: ”As explain below (vv.26ff), those who do not have the protective covering of the Vedas. The text not only includes non-Vedic sects like Jains and Buddhists but includes apostate Brahmins, atheists, committer of gross sins (maha-patakas).

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.15.59-62 “…One should avoid persons with tonsured head, persons, with matter hair and persons with ochre robes in the Sraddha rite.” Tr. G.V. Tagare
Kurma Purana II.22.34-35 “The following shall be shunned and kept at a great distance from Sraddhas viz. one who is deficient in any limb, a fallen one, a leper, one with running sores, an atheist, a cock, a pig, and a dog. One shall avoid a loathsome fellow, an unclean fellow, the naked one, the intoxicated one, the rogue, a women in her monthly course, the blue-garmented, the ochre-garmented and the heretic.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

Shiva incarnates to stop Buddhism

You may have heard the proverb “Diamond cuts diamond (Loha Lohe ko kat ta hai)’. Hindu scripture says the same about stopping Buddhism. According to Hindu scriptures and scholars, Shiva incarnated on earth and established a false philosophy (Advaita Vedanta) just to stop another false philosophy called Buddhism. Hindu scholars consider Adi Shankaracharya to be an incarnation of Shiva as Adi Shankaracharya had successfully stopped Buddhism and even persecuted Buddhists and Jains and established objectionable philosophy (Advaita Vedanta) for which he was sometimes considered crypto-Buddhist by some Hindu scholars. It’s mentioned in Padma Purana wherein Shiva says,

Padma Purana 6.236.5-7 “…Visnu of the form of Buddha proclaimed the false Buddhist doctrine and those of the naked and wearing dark blue garments for the destruction of the demons. The doctrine of Maya (illusion) is a wicked doctrine and said to be pseudo-Buddhist. I myself, of the form of a Brahmana, proclaimed it in Kali (age).” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

A verse in Kurma Purana may also be talking about this,

Kurma Purana I.30.31-32a “Persons practising vows not sanctioned by the Vedas, of wicked behaviour and of futile efforts, will be deluding all other people by exhibiting the fruits thereof. Their minds are enveloped and vitiated with ignorance and these base people follow feline tricks. [33b-36] Sankara, Nilalohita, will take up incarnations for the establishing the Srauta (Vedic) and Smarata (belonging to the Smrtis) rites, with a desire for the welfare of his devotees. He will teach his disciples the knowledge pertaining to the Brahman. Those who resort to the essence of Vedantas (Upanishads) and follow the holy rites indicated in the Vedas and such of those holy rites as are pointed out with special reference to the people of all castes, serve him in whatever manner they can. They overcome defects or sins of Kali Age and attain the greatest region.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Swami Prabhupada wrote,

“In this regard, it is stated in the Padma Purana that Lord Siva appeared as a brahmana in the age of Kali to preach the Mayavada philosophy, which is nothing but a type of Buddhist philosophy. It is stated in Padma Purana: Lord Siva, speaking to Parvati-devi, foretold that he would spread the Mayavada philosophy in the guise of a sannyasi brahmana just to eradicate Buddhist philosophy. This sannyasi was Sripada Sankaracarya. In order to overcome the effects of Buddhist philosophy and spread Vedanta philosophy, Sripada Sankaracarya had to make some compromise with the Buddhist philosophy, and as such he preached the philosophy of monism, for it was required at that time. Otherwise there was no need for his preaching Mayavada philosophy. At the present moment there is no need for Mayavada philosophy or Buddhist philosophy, and Lord Caitanya rejected both of them. This Krishna consciousness movement is spreading the philosophy of Lord Caitanya and rejecting the philosophy of both classes of Mayavadi. Strictly speaking, both Buddhist philosophy and Sankara’s philosophy are but different types of Mayavada dealing on the platform of material existence. Neither of these philosophies has spiritual significance. There is spiritual significance only after one accepts the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita, which culminates in surrendering unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Generally people worship Lord Siva for some material benefit, and although they cannot see him personally, they derive great material profit by worshiping him.” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 4.24.17
http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_4.24.17

He also wrote,

“Lord Chaitanya admitted that Sankaracharya was an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and Lord Shiva is one of the greatest devotees, a Mahajan of the Bhagwat school. There are twelve great authorities on devotional service, and Lord Shiva is one of them. Then, why did he adopt the process of Mayavadi philosophy? The answer is given in the Padma Purana, where there is a statement by Lord Shiva as follows: “The Mayavadi philosophy is veiled Buddhist philosophy.” In other words, the void philosophy of Buddha is more or less repeated in the Mayavadi philosophy of impersonalism, althouth the Mayavadi philosophy claims to be directed by the Vedic conclusions. Lord Shiva thus admits that this philosophy was manufactured by him in the Age of Kali as a Brahmin boy to mislead the atheist class of men: “Actually, the Supreme Personality of Godhead has His transcendental Body, but I describe the Supreme as impersonal. Similarly, I have explained the Vedanta Sutra also on the same principles of Mayavadi philosophy.” Teachings of Lord Chaitanya (1968) http://vanisource.org/wiki/TLC_19_%281968%29

Madhavacharya wrote that Devas went to Shiva and complained about the prevalence of Buddhists and Kapalikas and requests him to re-establish the Vedic religion, Shiva accepts their requests and tells them that he will incarnate as Adi Shankaracharya, his son will incarnate as Kumarila Bhatta and Indra will incarnate as King Sudhanva. Kumarila Bhatta with the help of King Sudhanva had persecuted Jains and Buddhists,

“…The Devas once resorted to Siva, the Lord of the Silver Mountain, for seeking a favour, just as they appraoch the Icy Moon…They addressed Him thus with folded palms: ‘In days of yore, it was to favour us that Lord Vishnu incarnated Himself as the Buddha and diverted unrighteous men from contaminating the Vedic path, by preaching a new religion for them. But today, the country is filled with the heterodox followers of that religion, as night is by darkness. They are indulging in carping criticism of the Veda, declaring it to be just a fraudulent means of livelihood for a few, and condemning its teachings on the duties of Varnas and Ashramas as mere superstitions. As people have given up the orthodox Vedic path and become heretics, there is none to do the daily devotional acts like Sandhya, or to take to the life of rununciation…The followers of the cults of Siva and Vishnu bear on themselves the emblems of the Linga and the Chakra, but they too have given up Vedic rituaals, just as evil men abandon mercy…Therefore, for the protection of the world and for the happiness of the good and holy ones, Thou shouldst deign to eradicate the world of these vicious and perverse men and their practices, and re-establish the Vedic religion on firm ground.’ When the Devas had completed their submission, the great God Siva said: ‘Taking a human body, I shall secure what is good for you. I shall establish the Dharma, conquering all the leaders of the perverse paths. I shall produce a commentary on the Brahma Sutras, setting forth the true teachings of the Vedas. I shall do this, taking the form of a great Sannyasin, Sankara by name, accompanied by four disciples who would be like the luminous sun dispelling the darkness of ignorance conjured up the acceptance of duality…God Siva cast his lvoing glance, so rare for any one to get, on his son Shanmukha (also called Skanda and Subrahmanya)…Siva, the great God having matted locks, spoke thus to His son: ‘Dear one! Hear my words that are meant for the blessing of the world…And I have now promised to the Devas, as you know very well, that I shall undertake to rejuvenate the gnostic teachings which form the ultimate purport of the Veda. Now, you have to do your part of the work, and that iss the revival of the ritualistic section of Brahma (the Veda) condified by Jaimini, and thereby gain the reputed name of Subrahmanya (promoted of Brhamanya), besides the commonly known name of Kumarila Bhatta, the preacher of the Vedic Karma-Kanda. In order to refute and confute the Buddhists who are attacking the the Vedic teachings and to establish the Vedic way of life, you have to be born in the world. For your help, Brahma will be born as the scholar Mandana, while Indra will become the king Sudhanva for the very same purpose.” Shankara Digvijaya 1.27-56, by Madhavacharya, Tr. Swami Tapasyanand

top

Kalki avatar a murderer of Buddhists

As per Kalki Purana, the final avatar of Vishnu takes birth on the earth, plunders nearby tribes to support his father’s horse sacrifice, kills many people and exterminates almost every tribe and also persecutes Buddhists. What is the crime of Buddhists that they deserve to die at the hands of Kalki avatar? Because they are Buddhists, they are heretics, because they don’t follow Vedic religion. I am using Kalki Purana which is translated and edited by ISKCON scholars Bhumipati Das and Purnaprajna Das and the translation is published as ‘Sri Kalki Purana’.

Sri Kalki Purana 13.39-44 “Lord Kalki appeared to flourish, being surrounded by all these family members. Once, Lord Kalki’s father, Visnuyasa, who was on the level of Lord Brahma, decided to perform a horse sacrifice. Understanding the intention of His father, Lord Kalki said: My dear father, I will go out and defeat all other kings in battle and thus bring you sufficient wealth so that you can conduct the horse sacrifice properly. Lord Kalki, who was certainly capable of conquering all other kings, offered His obeisances to his father and then set out with his army to first conquer Kikatapura. Most of the inhabitants of this city were Buddhists, who never offered oblations to their forefathers, nor worshiped the demigodsThey did not deignate themselves or their families in terms of caste, and thus there was no conception of high or low birth. As far as earning wealth, marriage, or eating were concerned, they had no sense of discrimination. The people of that city were interested only in eating, drinking, and making merry. When the ruler of that city, who was named Jina, head that Lord Kalki had come to fight, He quickly gathered an army consisting of one aksauhini.” Tr. Bhumipati Das edited by Purnaprajna Das

Sri Kalki Purana 16.1 “Suta Gosvami said. After killing the Buddhists and mlecchas of Kikatapura, Lord Kalki took their wealth and returned to His capital, along with His vast army” Tr. Bhumipati Das edited by Purnaprajna Das

This proves that his sole purpose for killing Buddhists of Kitaka was to plunder them. Kalki born to Vishnuyasa is also mentioned in Agni Purana chapter 16.

Sri Kalki Purana 3.10 “Thereafter, You will set out to conquer the entire world and in the course of that conquest, You will defeat many sinful kings who are representatives of Kali. You will also annihilate many followers of Buddhism and finally, You will entrust the responsibility of ruling the world to Devapi and Maru.” Tr. Bhumipati Das, edited by Purnaprajna Das

Sri Kalki Purana 10.30 “Recently, You appeared as Lord Kalki in order to eliminate the dynasty of Kali by destroying the Buddhists, atheists, and mlecchas, thereby protecting the true path of religion. What more can we say about your causeless mercy?” Tr. Bhumipati Das edited by Purnaprajna Das

Sri Kalki Purana 20.25 “You will be happy to learn that I have already defeated the Buddhists residing at Kikata-desa. My mission is to destroy all the miscreants who are envious of you and other Vaisnavas. You can now wander fearlessly over the earth because I am just about to set out on a tour to conquer all the kings of the world.” Tr. Bhumipati Das, edited by Purnaprajna Das

Sri Kalki Purana 14.11 “Although Lord Kalki’s wonderful horse had been injured by Jina’s trident, he soon regained his composure and began roaming over the battlefield, jumping fiercely while angrily attacking hundreds and thousands of Buddhist soldiers. In this way, Lord Kalki’s horse killed many sinful men. [13] Within a short period of time, Gargya and his associates killed six thousand Buddhist warriors. Bhargya killed ten million enemy soldiers with the help of his army, and Visala killed twenty five thousand.” Tr. Bhumipati Das edited by Purnaprajna Das

The translator Bhumipati Das explains why verses in Kalki Purana are in the past tense when it predicts the advent of the Kalki avatar,

“Among the upa-puranas or sub Puranas, the Kalki Purana is most sacred and widely respected. At the end of Kali-yuga, the Supreme Lord, Hari, will incarnate as Lord Kalki and kill all the mlecchas, yavanas, atheists, and Buddhists of the world that defy the Vedic authority. The pastimes of Lord Kalki are subject matter of this literature, which is presented in story form. Exalted personalities can see everything, past, present, and future. For this reason, there is no fault in narrating these future events as if they had already occurred. The Kalki Purana consists of thirty-five chapters.” by Bhumipati Das in Introduction of book Sri Kalki Purana, Published by Jai Nitai Press

top

Intolerance towards Jainism

Just like Buddhism, the Jain religion is also declared a false and a heretic religion in Hindu scriptures. Swami Dayanand Saraswati wrote,

“When the people of Aryavarta gave up the study of the Vediclore which alone enables one to discriminate between right and wrong, ignorance spread over the land and many sects sprang up, the Jain religion, whose teachings are opposed to science, took root in the country…” By Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Satyarth Prakash, Ch 12, p.499, Tr. Chiranjiva Bhardwaja http://www.aryasamajjamnagar.org/chaptertwelve.htm

‘What a nice trap have the Jainees set to attract fools who would like nothing better than to be placed in the way of attaining salvation without having to do (righteous) deeds. We do not think that there exists a religion more idiotic than this.” by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Satyarth Prakash, Ch 12, page 559, Tr. Chiranjiva Bhardwaja http://satyarthprakash.in/english/category/satyarthprakash/page/5/

Both Jainism and Hinduism recognises Rishabhdeva or Rishabhnatha as Tirthankara (first teacher). But Hinduism doesn’t believe Tirthankara to be a Jain or as the founder of Jainism. Hindu scriptures say that Rishabhdeva was a Hindu god and avatar.

Linga Purana I.24.43-47 says that Shiva will incarnate as Rsabha

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.13 Says that Rishabhdeva was the eighth incarnation of Vishnu

Swami Prabhupada wrote: “…Jains refer to Lord Ṛṣabhadeva as their original preceptor. If such people are serious followers of Ṛṣabhadeva, they must also take His instructions…” On Srimad Bhagvatam 5.6.12 http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_5.6.12

He means to say that Jains don’t follow what Rishabhdeva preached. There are different versions regarding the founder of Jainism in Hindu scriptures. Some Hindu scripture says that a King named Arhat was the founder, some say Jina was the founder, some say Brihaspati in Shukracharya’s guise founded Jainism, and some say Vishnu created an illusory form namely Arhat to delude people. Jains are referred to in Hindu scriptures as Arhat, Jina, Jaina and also Jain. A story from Padma Purana alone is enough to give the image of how Jainism is viewed in Hinduism. Let me present the verses first,

Padma Purana II.37.4-11 [Suta said] I shall tell (you) all the sinful conduct of Vena. When he a noble king knowing righteousness was ruling, a man, having put on a guise, naked, of a huge body, with his head clean-shaved, of a great lustre, holding under his armpit a broom of peacock’s feathers, and a drinking-pot made of cocoa-nut in his hand reciting (texts containing) wrong doctrines, vilifying the Vedic religion, came (there). He quickly came to (the place) where Vena was (seated). The sinner entered the court of that Vena. Seeing him having arrived (there) Vena asked him a question: ‘Who are you, taking up such a form…What is your faith? Tell me (all this). What is your Veda (i.e. which Veda do you follow)? What are your practices…What are the real characteristics of your faith? Tell me all that and the truth before me.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Padma Purana II.37.12a-21 “Hearing those words of Vena the sinful man said these words. The sinful man said: In vain you are ruling. You are a great fool, there is no doubt about it. I am all-in-all of Dharma (i.e. religious practices). I am most adored by gods. I am knowledge…I am Dharma (i.e. religious practices)…Know me to be the chief Jaina saint, having body of true religion. The meditating sages, intent on (obtaining) knowledge, run to me only. Vena said: What kind of acts (do you do)? What is your doctrine? What are your practices? Tell (all this to me). The sinful man said: (That is my faith) where Arhats are the gods, and Nirgrantha is looked upon as the preceptor…The best worship is that of a Jaina mendicant, and the best meditation is that of an Arhat. This way of life is seen in the Jaina faith. I have told you all this i.e. the characteristics of my faith….” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

King Vena was surprised looking at this Jain saint so he asked him about his faith and practices. The Jain saint also criticizes the animal slaughter sanctioned by the Vedas. I have not added those verses here as it would’ve made the passage very long, I tried to make it as short as possible, we shall read it in Meat consumption in Hinduism article. So the Jain saint explains his beliefs and also criticizes the Vedic religion. Now read how the Jain religion is viewed by Hindu sages who addressed king Vena in the following way,

Padma Purana II.38.25-30 “When Kali (yuga) sets in, all men, deluded by sins, will act after having resorted to the Jaina faith. Men will abandon Vedic practices, and will commit sins. There is no doubt that the Jaina faith is the root of sin. O best king, the fall of those men, who are heaps of sins, brought about by this great delusion. Govinda (i.e. Visnu), destroyer of all sins, will be (appearing) for their destruction and for nothing else. Taking the form of his liking he will restrain (them) from sins. When sins will have thus accumulated, he, the god will be (appearing) as Kalki for the destruction of the Mlecchas; there is no doubt about it. Give up the behavior of (i.e. proper for) Kali (yuga) and resort to merit. Heave truthfully; become the guardian of your subjects.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

On being advised by the Jain saint, King Vena embraces Jainism,

Padma Purana II.38.1-5a “Suta said: Vena, thus advised by that very sinful Jina, and deluded by him, attained to a sinful attitude. Abandoning the Vedic faith and rites of a truthful conduct, he saluted the feet of that very wicked one. There was cessation of good sacrifices, and also of that Vedas. Religious practices full of holy scriptures (i.e. as told in the holy scriptures) did not proceed at that time. As a result of (bad) rule, the world became full of all sins. When that king ruled, there were no sacrifices, no (recitation of) the Vedas, no excellent purport of the holy texts, no charity and no study, O brahmanas.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

So according to Hindu texts, King Vena was a righteous and noble king but as soon as he embraced Jainism he started ruling badly. This shows that whoever is against Hinduism (or is a non-Hindu) is demonized in Hindu scriptures. The verse also says that deluded by sins people will resort to Jainism. And have you noticed how the Jain saint is addressed here? He is addressed in these verses as ‘the wicked one’ and ‘the sinful man’. It means whoever is not an Arya cannot be righteous, all non-Hindus are wicked and sinful. We find mention of King Vena in other scriptures also but they don’t mention that he had embraced Jainism. He has also been demonized in those scriptures as a bad ruler probably because he left the Vedic religion and embraced Jainism.

Also, read Srimad Bhagavatam 4.14.30-35 in the Blasphemy category where Brahmins killed King Vena for blaspheming Vishnu. Bhagavad Purana insults Jainism in the following way,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.6.9 “Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued speaking to Mahārāja Parīkṣit: My dear King, the King of Koṅka, Veṅka and Kuṭaka whose name was Arhat, heard of the activities of Ṛṣabhadeva and, imitating Ṛṣabhadeva’s principles, introduced a new system of religion. Taking advantage of Kali-yuga, the age of sinful activity, King Arhat, being bewildered, gave up the Vedic principles, which are free from risk, and concocted a new system of religion opposed to the Vedas. That was the beginning of the Jain dharma. Many other so-called religions followed this atheistic system.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Swami Prabhupada wrote “The followers of King Arhat went under the name Jains” http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_5.6.10

He also wrote,

“…the King of Koṅka and Veṅka acted like a paramahaṁsa and imitated Lord Ṛṣabhadeva. He introduced a system of religion and took advantage of the fallen condition of the people in this age of Kali. It is said in Vedic literatures that people in this age will be more inclined to accept anyone as the Supreme Lord and accept any religious system opposed to Vedic principles. The people in this age are described as mandāḥ sumanda-matayaḥ. Generally they have no spiritual culture, and therefore they are very fallen. Due to this, they will accept any religious system. Due to their misfortune. they forget the Vedic principles. Following non-Vedic principles in this age, they think themselves the Supreme Lord and thus spread the cult of atheism all over the world.” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 5.6.9 http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_5.6.9

So the founder of Jainism was bewildered and taking advantage of Kali Yuga he established the false religion called Jainism. It also says that Jainism is opposed to the Vedas. Kurma Purana lists Jaina texts in ignorant scriptures,

Kurma Purana I.12.261 “Those various scriptures which are contrary to Srutis and Smrtis seen in this world, are based on Tamo-guna or ignorance. Belief in them or practising in accordance with them is a Tamasa activity. They i.e. those contrary to Vedas are the cults of Kapala, Bhairava, (v.1. Pancaratras), Yamala, Vama, and Arhata and others similar to these also. In another incarnation of mine, these scriptures having been promulgated by me to delude the people who themselves try to mislead other persons by propagating their false scriptures.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare wrote,

Pasupatism: KP. records two forms of Pasupatism, one approved by Vedic tradition and the other condemned so much that sect is not only classed with non-Vedic heretic sects like Vama (‘left hand’ type of Tantrism) and Arhata (Jainas) created for the delusion of non-believers (KP.I.12.261-62) but the believers are prohibited from even speaking with those heretics (KP.II.16.15)…” Ganesha Vasudeo Tagare, Introduction (V) Religious Sects in the KP, p.xxxiv

A verse in Vishnu Purana says that the demons embraced Buddhism and Jainism which are false doctrines and it is prohibited to converse with them, eat in their house, meet them, etc., the entire chapter is important. If possible you can read the entire chapter available at sacred-texts.com. The passages are long though I have presented certain points only,

Vishnu Purana 3.18.1-3 “PARÁŚARA.–After this, the great delusion, having proceeded to earth, beheld the Daityas engaged in ascetic penances upon the banks of the Narmadá river ; and approaching them in the semblance of a naked mendicant, with his head shaven, and carrying a bunch of peacock’s feathers…[7-14] By such persuasions, and by many specious arguments, did this delusive being mislead the Daityas from the tenets of the Vedas…might be the duty of those who go naked, or who go clothed in much raiment: and so the Daityas were seduced from their proper duties by the repeated lessons of their illusory preceptor, maintaining the equal truth of contradictory tenets; and they were called Arhatas, from the phrase he had employed of “Ye are worthy (Arhatha) of this great doctrine;” that is, of the false doctrines which he persuaded them to embrace. The foes of the gods being thus induced to apostatize from the religion of the Vedas, by the delusive person sent by Vishńu, became in their turn teachers of the same heresies, and perverted others; and these, again, communicating their principles to others, by whom they were still further disseminated, the Vedas were in a short time deserted by most of the Daitya race…[18-26] In this manner, exclaiming to them, “Know!” (Budhyadwam), and they replying, “It is known” (Budhyate), these Daityas were induced by the arch deceiver to deviate from their religious duties (and become Bauddhas)The delusions of the false teacher paused not with the conversion of the Daityas to the Jaina and Bauddha heresies, but with various erroneous tenets he prevailed upon others to apostatize, until the whole were led astray, and deserted the doctrines and observances inculcated by the three Vedas. Some then spake evil of the sacred books; some blasphemed the gods; some treated sacrifices and other devotional ceremonies with scorn; and others calumniated the Brahmans…”The precepts,” they cried, “that lead to the injury of animal life (as in sacrifices) are highly reprehensible…If an animal slaughtered in religious worship is thereby raised to heaven, would it not be expedient for a man who institutes a sacrifice to kill his own father for a victim?…[42-45] Let not a man associate, in residence, sitting, or society, with him whose person or whose house has been blasted by the sighs of the gods, progenitors, and spirits. Conversation, interchange of civilities, or association with a man who for a twelvemonth has not discharged his religious duties, is productive of equality of guilt; and the person who eats in the house of such a man, or sits down with him, or sleeps on the same couch with him, becomes like him instantaneously… [102-4] These, Maitreya, are the persons called naked, the meaning of which term you desired to have explained. Their very looks vitiate the performance of an ancestral oblation; speaking to then destroys religious merit for a whole day. These are the unrighteous heretics to whom a man must not give shelter, and speaking to whom effaces whatever merit he may that day have obtained.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

This chapter of Vishnu Purana is explained briefly in Punishment for Apostasy under the sub-category Examples. Skanda Purana also says that demons embraced Buddhism,

Skanda Purana VII.I.119.46-50 “…the Daitya warriors became furious. They rushed thereat roaring like rumbling clouds. When they were killed, they shouted ‘Ha! Ha!’ some of the Asuras entered the sea. A few Danavas went over the mountains. Some of them had tonsured their heads and they stayed within forests as rogues. Some of them adopted the Vrata of the Nirgranthas (nude sages or Digambara Jainas) and preached sermons on the pious activities of merciful nature. Some of them became afraid of (the goddess) for their lives. They resorted to the life of heretics. They were fools engaged in arguments and disputations about basic or original causes. They had no cleanliness and they did not crave for anything. They are indeed seen even today in the world of Ksapanakas (Buddhist monks). Others are Bhindakas excluded from the scriptures of Saiva cult.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

A story in Devi Bhagavatam says that Brihaspati deceived the demons by assuming the form of Sukracharya and preached Jain religion to them and the demons rejected the real Sukracharya who later cursed the demons for not recognizing him, thus the motive of Brihaspati was accomplished as the demons were cursed and could be easily be defeated by Indra, so Brihaspati went to Indra and informed him about this. It shows that demons were the first to embrace Jainism.

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 4.13.44-58 “Vyâsa said:– Please hear what the disguised Brihaspatî in the shape of S’ukrâchârya did afterwards. The demons were made to understand clearly by Brihaspatî; and then they took him for S’ukrâchârya and placed implicit faith on him and began to think of him and him alone. The Daityas, enchanted and deceived by the magic of Brihaspatî, took now his refuge for acquiring the knowledge from him, since they mistook him for S’ukrâchârya. Who is there that is not enchanted by the idea of gaining something? On the other hand, when the term of ten years was over, S’ukrâchârya, the real Guru of the Daityas, ceased enjoying Jayantî and began to remember his disciples, the Daityas. He now began to think that “My disciples, the Daityas, are expecting every instant my return; and I would now go and see them, bewildered with fear. They are my devotees and I ought to do such that they might not be afraid of the Devas.” And then he exclaimed to Jayantî, “O beautiful one! Let my sons take the shelter of the Gods; your term of ten years is today over; I now go therefore, to see my disciples; soon I will again come to you.” “Be it so”, replied Jayantî, the best of those who know religion, “you can go where you like; I am not to destroy your Dharma.” Hearing these words, S’ukrâchârya went hurriedly to the Demons and saw the Devaguru Brihaspatî sitting before them in the guise of S’ukrâchârya. He was explaining to them the Jaina doctrines, compiled by himself and finding fault with the act of envy, taking revenge and killing and cursing the sacrifices, etc. He was telling them “O Enemies of Gods! Truly, I am telling you words that will, no doubt, prove good to you. Non-killing is the highest virtue; even the enemies ought never to be killed. It is the Brâhmanas, addicted to enjoyments and pleasures of the senses, who want to satisfy their tastes and pleasures that are found in the Veda’s injunctions to kill animals; but there is no virtue higher than non-killing animals.” O king! S’ukrâchârya was perfectly astonished to hear Brihaspatî, the Guru of the Devas, speaking against the Vedas and began to think that Brihaspatî is certainly my enemy. My disciples have been duped by this cheat; there is no doubt in this.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 4.13.59-62 “Fie to Avarice! It is the seed of sin; very strong and the veritable gate to hell; Brihaspatî, even, the Guru of the Devas, is speaking lies, bound under the influence of this heinous avarice! Oh! What wonder is this that the Guru of the Devas, who is the promulgator of all the religious S’âstras and whose word is accepted as the final decision, is now expounding the doctrines of atheists. When Brihaspatî can become the expounder of atheistic doctrines, impelled by covetousness what to speak of those whose minds are not pure and whose intelligence is not sharp? This Deva Guru, though a Brâhmin, is acting today like a rogue, wanting to take away all and is deceiving my disciples the Daityas, who have been confounded by his magic.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 4.14.16-19 “Vyâsa said:– Thus saying S’ukrâchârya hurriedly went away, infuriated with anger. Brihaspatî was glad and remained there with his mind calm. Brihaspatî then knowing the Daityas cursed by S’ukrâchârya, assumed his real appearance, left that place, and hurriedly returned to Indra. He began to say “I have undoubtedly succeeded in my undertaking; the Daityas have been cursed and left by me too. They are now helpless; so, O Good Suras! I have made them cursed, you would better now try to fight with them.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

The founder of Virashaivism, Basava (initially a Shaiva Brahmin), was the chief minister of the Kalachuri king Bijjala, a staunch Jain with his capital at Kalyana in modern day Karnataka. The Basava Purana, a long hagiography dedicated to Basava narrates that not only did he successfully plot a regicide, but also sanctified violence against Jains, in rather gruesome ways such as putting “a sharp spear on the skulls of Jains”. Such an ideology fell in line with Virashaivism’s idea of opposing the caste system and ostentatious rituals, tenets that made the new religion popular with the masses in no time. Being the religion dominating Karnataka in the early medieval era, Jainism took the greatest hit and saw a sharp fall in its following.

Apart from vying for political patronage, the Lingayats (followers of Virashaivism) also started appropriating and converting Jaina basadis (shrines) into Virashaiva temples, an act that not only signified Virashaiva strength, but was also a practical necessity for a nascent religion with not enough resources to build a new temple from scratch.

Basava’s anniversary is celebrated across India mainly in Karnataka on the pretext that he was a social reformer let’s have a look at what Basava Purana the sacred text of Lingayat says about Jainism. Basava is regarded as the incarnation of Nandi, The Basava Purana II.32 says that Narada reported to Siva that, while other religions were flourishing, the Saiva faith was with few exceptions dying out among the Brahmins and so decaying among other castes also; Siva then asked Nandin to become incarnate as the Virasaiva saint Basavanna to preach Virasaivism in keeping with orthodox dharma.

Jains in Basava Purana are called two-legged beasts, animals, dogs, etc, so much is the love for Jains from one of the biggest reformers of Hinduism. The following verses show how Jains were persecuted and Vasadis (Jain Shrines) were destroyed by devotees of Basava while Basava didn’t stop it and instead Basava praised his devotee for carrying out the persection,

Basava Purana, chapter VI “O Jain, is it appropriate for me to cut off my head and get it right back? No, I will cut it off now and walk the streets of this town for seven days and then get it back. Can you even watch me do that? Not only that, I will tear down all the Jain vasadis in Kalyana so that there will not even be one left for a sample. Furthermore, I will smash all the idols of Jina. This is my vow. Is there any reason why I should not subject you two-legged beasts to this?” he said. The Jains agreed to his proposal. They all gathered together and sat on one side and watched. On the other side sat Basava with the devotees in attendance. Bijjala and his ministers were also there, along with all the people of the city young and old alike…Basava praised him; the devotees cheered him on..For seven days, Ekanta Ramayya strode though the city. Then he went and stood in front of the temple gate and cried out, ‘Come on now, you Jains, you have seen my vow!”…  The Jains gave him an acknowledgement of his victory, written by the king. And they all come and bowed down before the assembly of devotion. On each person’s face the devotees impressed the marks of Siva. With cries and roars, the heroic assembly of mahesvara rose up. They quickly destroyed all the Jain vasadis and broke the heads of all the Jina idols. When they were finished, there was not a trace of a Jain vasadi or a Jina idol in all of Kalyana. In a fury, the devotees harassed and killed every known Jain and smashed them all into the ground. The devotees of Black Throat responded by praising the peerless courage of Ekanta Ramayya. Meanwhile, Basava worshipped Ekanta Ramayya as if he were Sangamesa…” Tr. Velcheru Narayana Rao

Basava Purana Chapter VI “Therefore, it is not within your capacity to know our Lingadeva’s power. Ramanatha is everything, but yet the nondevotees are not capable of gaining him. Don’t say that this has never been proven! If you simply ask me to, I will give you visible evidence. It is well known there are seven hundred Jain vasadis in Potlaceruvu, and I am going to have them all destroyed. You are mere animals. What more can I say to you?” Tr. Velcheru Narayana Rao

Some Jains tried to kill Tirunavakarisa in unsuccessful attempts and they were scared that he would kill them so they converted to Shaivism but this didn’t stop Tirunavakarisa, he destroyed many Jain shrines and broke the idols of Jains.

Basava Purana Chapter VI “…When the Jains were unable to kill him by any means whatsoever, they began to be afraid that he would kill them. So those who had been tormenting him asked him for refuge, and he protected them. He wiped out their old marks and gave them rudraksa, ashes, and the rest of the five marks. In a rage, he destroyed all the Jain images and wrecked all the Jain vasadis. ‘For doing so, Tirunavakarisa became known as the destroyer of the Jains…” Tr. Velcheru Narayana Rao

Nowadays many Hindus try to bring Jains and Buddhists within the Hindu fold so as to increase the numbers in population and also claims that Hinduism believes all religion to be true but a story from Basava Purana says how Pilla Narayana converted 2000 Buddhists and drove away the Buddhist saint,

Basava Purana Chapter VI “There was a Buddhist guru who was attended by two thousand disciples. Pilla Nayanaru drove the guru away and converted the two thousand Buddhists into devotees of Siva.” Tr. Velcheru Narayana Rao

top

Shudras will embrace Buddhism and Jainism

Hindu scriptures predicted that some Shudras will embrace Buddhism and Jainism,

Kurma Purana I.30.13 “When the close of Yuga is imminent, Sudras calling themselves Jinas (subduers of sense organs) will perform holy rites by shaving off their heads, wearing ochre robes and black antelope skins and keeping their teeth white.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana Part I.58.59 “When the close of Yuga is imminent, Sudras exhibiting their white teeth, with clean shaven heads and wearing ohcrecoloured robes will perform sacred rites, proclaiming that they have conquered the sense organs.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by G.P. Bhatt

G.V. Tagare writes “Probably a reference to Buddhist monks, as Buddhism prevailed all over India at the time of these Puranas.”

G.V. Tagare explains the word Jina in the footnote as “This refers to Buddhist Bhiksus. The term ‘Jina’ means ‘the subduer of sense organs’ and is applied to the Buddha, Jainas (especially Digambaras) are mentioned in V.16 below.”

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.6.11 “Believing in the blind tradition the new way of life chosen by them but which is unsupporter by the Vedas, they of their own accord will fall into dark abymsalhell.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by J.L. Shastri

Harivamsa Purana 3.3.17 “Shudras with white teeth, anjan in eyes, shaven head and wearing ochre clothes will earn their livelihood, following the dharma of shakyabuddha.” Tr. A. Purushothaman and A. Harindranath

Narada Purana I.41.54-55 “The Sudras will not serve the twice-born. Assuming the airs of heretics, the base-born assume and practice holy rites of the Brahmanas. The Sudras will clothe themselves in ochre-robes; they will have matted hair; they will smear ashes all over their bodies. Thus equipped and employing deceptive arguments, they will begin to expatiate on Dharma. [58-] Occupying excellent seats, Sudras will expatiate on Dharma-religious duties-to Brahmans who habitually destroy Dharma. These and many other heretics such as nude ascetics (Digambaras), red-roled mendicants, will roam about; most of whom will be decrying the Vedas. [71] After the advent of the Kali age, Sudras and outcastes will become kings and the Brahmans will be engaged in rendering service to them. They will be begging for alms” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

Conversation and company with Infidels, Buddhists and Jains are prohibited

Swami Prabhupada wrote, “…Another group of non-Āryans are the Jains, who are referred to in the present verse. Not only do they not follow the Vedic principles, but they have no relationship with Lord Buddha, though they claim to. Imitating the behavior of Sumati, they also claim to be descendants of Ṛṣabhadeva. Those who are Vaiṣṇavas carefully avoid their company because they are ignorant of the path of the Vedas….” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 5.15.1
http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_5.15.1

Manu Smriti 2.10-11 “The Veda is called the S’ruti, and the Dharma S’astra is called the Smriti. Their teachings should not be put to the test of logic, for virtue has emanated from these two. The Brahmana, who by dint of logic, tries to bring these S’astraas into disrepute, shall be excommunicated from the society, as a heretical [Nastika] calumniator of the Vedas.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Hindu scholar Medhatithi the commentator of Manu Smriti wrote on this verse,

“On the ground of ‘untruthfulness’ and ‘unreliability’ if a twice-born person, relying upon the science of dialectics;-the ‘science of dialectics’ here stands for the polemic works written by Atheists, treatises of Bouddhas and Charvakas, in which it is repeatedly proclaimed that ‘The Veda is conducive to sin’;- relying upon such a science, if one should scorn the Veda; i.e., when advised by some one to desist from a certain course of action which is sinful according to the Veda and the Smrtis…such a person should be cast out by the good-despised by all cultured persons-out of such acts as ‘officiating at sacrifices’, ‘teaching,’ ‘honours of a guest’ and so forth….” Medhatithi on Manu Smriti 2.11

Vishnu Purana narrates the story of a Hindu king named Satadhanu who on account of his conversation with heretics was reborn as a dog, it explicitly considers conversing with non-Hindus as a grave sin leading to severe punishments,

Vishnu Purana 3.18.48-50 “Men fall into hell who converse with one who takes his food without offering a portion to the gods, the sages, the manes, spirits, and guests. Let therefore a prudent person carefully avoid the conversation, or the contact, and the like, of those heretics who are rendered impure by their desertion of the three Vedas…[56-63] On one occasion, when they had fasted on the full moon of Kártika, and had bathed in the Bhagirathí, they beheld, as they came up from the water, a heretic approach them, who was the friend of the Rájá’s military preceptor. The Rájá, out of respect to the latter, entered into conversation with the heretic; but not so did the princess; reflecting that she was observing a fast, she turned from him, and cast her eyes up to the sun. On their arrival at home, the husband and wife, as usual, performed the worship of Vishńu, agreeably to the ritual. After a time the Rájá, triumphant over his enemies, died; and the princess ascended the funeral pile of her husband. In consequence of the fault committed by Śatadhanu, by speaking to an infidel when he was engaged in a solemn fast, he was born again as a dog…[74-81] “Dost thou not remember, oh king, the circumstance of conversing with a heretic, which I called to thy recollection when thou wast a dog…she exclaimed, “recollect yourself: away with this uncouth form, to which the sin of conversing with a heretic has condemned you…Such, Maitreya, is the sin of conversing with a heretic, and such are the expiatory effects of bathing after the solemn sacrifice of a horse, as I have narrated them to you. Let therefore a man carefully avoid the discourse or contact of an unbeliever, especially at seasons of devotion, and when engaged in the performance of religious rites preparatory to a sacrifice…[103-4] Men, indeed, fall into hell as the consequence of only conversing with those who unprofitably assume the twisted hair, and shaven crown; with those who feed without offering food to gods, spirits, and guests; and those who are excluded from the presentation of cakes, and libations of water, to the manes.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Heretics here refer to Buddhists and Jains, reading the entire chapter of Vishnu Purana will help understand this better.

Usana Samhita Chapter 2, Verse 4-6 “After conversing with a Chandala or a Mlechchha, after talking with abandoned women or with Sudras…drinking or touching urine and excreta, one should rinse his mouth again, even if he has rinsed it once…” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Mahabharata prohibits Hindus to converse with atheists,

Mahabharata Santi Parva 12.168 “Bhishma said, ‘Listen to me, O Yudhishthira, as I speak to thee, in detail, of those men with whom friendships may be formed and those with whom friendships may not be formed…one that is an atheist, one that is a slanderer of the Vedas…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Vishnu Smriti 64.14 And not speak with a member of any Mlechchha or low caste.

Radha the concubine cum aunt of Krishna said,
Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 111.12-37 “…As a man runs away at the sight of a deadly snake, so you should also carefully avoid the company of unbelievers….” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen

Shiva Purana, SivaPurana-Mahatymyam 7.14 “He shall not look at women in their menstrual period. He shall not converse with fallen people, nor talk to haters of brahmins, or unbelievers in the Vedas.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Jagdish Lal Shastri wrote, “The Chapters (1-7) on the glory of Sivapurana are taken from Skanda Purana.”

Kurma Purana prohibits Dvijas to reside in the kingdom of a Shudra or a place inhabited by heretics,

Kurma Purana II.16.23-24 “On shall never stay in a village surrounded by unrighteous persons or afflicted by many pestilences. One shall never stay in the kingdom of a Sudra, or in a place inhabited by heretics. A Brahmana should not stay in any other except in the land between the mountains Himavan and the Vindhya and between the Eastern and Western oceans. [26-27] An excellent Brahmana shall not stay anywhere else except within half a Krosa of the holy river (1 Krosa=3 Km). He shall not stay near the village of the Sudras. He should not live in the same place with that of fallen castes, Candalas, Pukkasas, foolish fellows, arrogant persons, Sudras and the people of the lowliest castes called Antavasayins.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

Persecution of Buddhists and Jains

Hindu scriptures spewing venom against Buddhists and Jains and calling their faith as false religions resulted in persecution of Buddhists and Jains by Hindus. There was no large-scale persecution at once but there was a systematic ethnic cleansing of Buddhists and Jains in India that annihilated them. Even Hindu scholars agree that Buddhism and Jainism were prevalent religions in India, but their population has been reduced to a miniscule population due to the persecution, Swami Vivekandanda wrote,

And such was his heart that he burnt to death lots of Buddhist monks — by defeating them in argument! And the Buddhists, too, were foolish enough to burn themselves to death, simply because they were worsted in argument! What can you call such an action on Shankara’s part except fanaticism? But look at Buddha’s heart! Ever ready to give his own life to save the life of even a kid — what to speak of “[(Sanskrit)]– for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many”! See, what a large – heartedness — what a compassion!” The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 7/Conversations And Dialogues/II https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_7/Conversations_And_Dialogues/II

Swami Prabhupada the founder of ISKCON wrote,

“The exact word used in Sanskrit is nāstika, which refers to one who does not believe in the Vedas but manufactures some concocted system of religion. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said that the followers of the Buddhist system of religion are nāstikas. In order to establish his doctrine of nonviolence, Lord Buddha flatly refused to believe in the Vedas, and thus, later on, Śaṅkarācārya stopped this system of religion in India and forced it to go outside India.” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.30
http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/4/2/30

Swami Apurvanand, an author from Vivekananda’s tradition, describes, on the authority of an ancient text “Shankara Vijay” by Anandagiri, how Dharmapala, a Bouddha Aacharya of Nalanda Boudha Vidyapitha was defeated in ‘shastrartha’ i.e. interpreting old existing texts, without trying to elucidate new principles, by Kumarila Bhatta. Kumarila, an uncle of Buddhist scholar Dharmakirti, being defeated and humiliated by Dharmakirti, decided to study Buddhist shastras as he thought ‘it is always necessary to study the enemy before attacking it’ and joined Nalanda in the guise of a disciple of Dharmapala, in order to acquire enough knowledge of Buddhism so as to defeat Buddha’s doctrine. After studying Buddhism for some time, he challenged his guru Dharmapala, defeated him in ‘shastrartha’, and saw his guru embrace ‘tushanal’ i.e. a funeral pyre made up of hay and dry wood. Dharmapala declared before being burnt alive, “I am defeated by brilliance of Kumarila, but still I believe in supremacy of Buddha’s doctrine, I am not deviated at all from Buddha, His Dhamma or His Sangha, and so I would renounce my life rather than renounce Buddhism“. This is an account from a Brahmanic book and not from a Buddhist one. Shastrartha, Swamiji tells us, involved scholarship i.e.. an ability to quote from ancient texts, literary acumen, ability to debate and argue without cause, without logic, demonstration of so called yogic powers etc. [Swami Apurvananda, “Aacharya Shankara” 2nd edition. 1989, (Marathi translation of Bengali book), Ramakrishna Matha, Dhantoli, Nagpur, p. 94 ff.] http://www.ambedkar.org/research/Holi__A_Festival_To_Commomorate_Bahujan_Burning.htm

Swami Dayanand Saraswati the founder of Arya Samaj wrote,

“About 2,200 years ago Shankaracharya, a Braahmana of Dravid (Southern India), studied Grammar and all other Shaastras- books on Logic, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Theology, etc. – during student life, and seeing the religious degradation of his country began to soliloquies thus:- “What a pity! The true theistic Vedic religion has disappeared, whilst the atheistic Jain religion has prevailed to the great detriment of the people. This (i.e., the Jain religion) must be put down somehow.” Shankarcharya had not only read the Shaastras but also the Jain scriptures. He was also a powerful debater…He began to think as to what was the best method of overthrowing Jainism. At last he came to the conclusion that preaching and holding discussions with the Jainis were the best methods to put down Jainism. With this object in view he went to Ujjain (in Central India). King Sudhanwa then ruled there…He went to the king and said “You have read the Jain books as well as Sanskrit, and also believe in the Jain Religion. I, therefore ask you to arrange a discussion between the exponents of the Jain religion and myself on the condition that the vanquished party should embrace the religion of the victor and that you should also accept his faith…For ten years he toured all over the country, refuted Jainism and advocated the Vedic religion. All the broken images that are now-a-days dug out of the earth were broken in the time of Shankar, whilst those that are found whole here and there under the ground had been buried by the Jainis for fear of their being broken (by those who had renounced Jainism)…At that time this country was very rich, and its people were also patriotic. Shankar, King Sudhanwa and other kings had not had the Jain temples pulled down as they intended to establish schools therein to teach the Vedas and other Shaastras.” Satyarth Prakash, by Swami Dayanand Sasarwati, Ch 11, page 345-7, Tr. Chiranjiva Bhardwaja http://www.aryasamajjamnagar.org/chaptereleven.htm

As per Dayanand, Shankaracharya and Sudhanva did not demolish Jain temples because they had intended to use them for the teaching of the Vedas. This means if they had infrastructure they would’ve demolished it. This is clear proof of how non-Hindu worship places were appropriated by Hindus. Swami Dayanand writes that Jainism had once prevailed in India,

“The Jainees differ from them. Mahavira and Gautama Gandharas (lords of hosts) are called Buddhas by the Buddhists, while they have been named Ganthara and Kinavara by the Jainees. Raja Shiva Prashad whose forefathers have been Jaiinees for generations together writes in their Chapter of his book called Itihas Timirnashak that Jina lived altogether about 1,000 years before Swami Shankarcharya. The Buddhist or the Jain religion prevailed in the whole of Bharatavarsha (India). He then adds the following footnote. “By the term Bauddha (Buddhist religion) we mean that anti-Vedic religion which prevailed in all India from the time of Gandhar Mahavir, or Gautama Swami to that of Swami Shankar” Satyarth Prakash, by Swami Dayanand, Ch 12, p.524, Tr. Chiranjiva Bhardwaja
http://www.aryasamajjamnagar.org/chaptertwelve.htm

Madhavacharya also wrote that Buddhism and Jainism dominated India,

“The land became full of Buddhists, and the adherents of the Vedas dwindled. So I planned to overcome these Buddhists and re-establish the dominance of the Vedic religion. Their leaders, along with the disciples, have been going about converting all kings to their faith and instigating them to reject the Vedas…[Kumarila said] I recognise you as an incarnation of Guha born for the eradication of Buddhists.” Sankara Dig Vijaya 7.77-106, by Madhavacharya, Tr. Swami Tapasyanand

He also wrote about ending Buddhism and Jainism,

“Thus did the king, whom Skanda (Kumarila) converted, free the country from the menace of Buddhists and Jains, just as the obstacles in the path of Yoga are eradicated by a wise sage. And simultaneously, just as the light of the rising sun obliterates the darkness of night, the preachings of the Vedic truth by that Brahmana sage reversed the pace of the ignorance produced by the heretical teachings. When the elephants of Jaina and Buddhist heretics disappeared because of the roaming lion of Kumarila, the tree of Vedic wisdom began to spread everywhere with luxuriant foliage. As the fire-born Kumarila was thus resuscitating the Vedic path of Karma, Lord Siva condescended to be born in order to save the world floundering in the ocean of transmigratory existence.” Sankara Dig Vijaya 1.95-98, by Madhavacharya, Tr. Swami Tapasyanand

There is a story mentioned in Skanda Purana about a king who embraced Jainism. And was later forced to reconvert to Hinduism by the Brahmins. The text depicts Jainism negatively. Kumarapala (1143-1172 A.D) was a Shaivite king and he was converted to Jainism by the Jain saint named Acharya Hemachandra. King Kumarapala stopped appeasing the Brahmins, he forbade animal slaughter which was part of Vedic Yajna (sacrifices), and he took away their authority and possessions so they went away from the kingdom and resided elsewhere. Kumarapala stripping the Brahmins off their authority is what irked the Brahmins and was the main cause of all these things. Then another king who was the father-in-law of Kumarapala summoned them and inquired about everything and told them to go to Kumarpala and to ask him to return their possession. Kumarapala refused and criticized the Vedic sacrifices that includes slaughtering animals and all. This angered the Brahmins, so after praying to Hanuman they received a talisman that was hair (purportedly of Hanuman) and threw it in the palace which burnt everything, the Jain mendicants fled for their lives.

Skanda Purana III.ii.36.46-62 “…They came to the brave king Ama stationed in Kanyakubja, who was surrounded by heretics. After arriving at the city of Kanyakubja, O king, they stayed for a few days on the banks of Ganga. Those Modha Brahmanas became tired. The king was informed by spies and they were brought to his presence…Even as the Brahmanas were standing, he asked all of them,’O Brahmanas, tell (it now) why you have come. What is the matter?’ The Brahmanas said: O king, we have come here from Dharmaranya to you. (It is) your son-in-law Kumarapala (Kumbhipala in v43) by whom the edict of authority of the Brahmanas, which was wonderful, has been destroyed. He has done so, because he follows the Jaina cult and has been instigated by Indrasuri…On hearing the words of the Brahmanas, the king, spoke to them: ‘You all may go quickly and at my behest say to King Kumarapala: Return the settlement of the Brahmanas to them.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana III.ii.36.34-38 “On hearing this straight from his preceptor, the powerful ruler of Kanyakubja named Ama continued to rule the kingdom. He became an emperor and was keen in protecting the subjects. Due to the advent of Kali, the subjects became inclined to commit sins. Inciting by Ksapanas (Buddhist mendicants) and following their instructions, the subjects gave up their Vaisnava cult and adopted the Buddhist way of life. [46] All the different castes were converted to Jaina cult. Brahmanas were not honoured. No religious rites like Santika and Paustika were performed. No one ever used to perform charity. Time passed like this.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

People committing sins embraced Buddhism and Jainism. So people embracing other religions like Buddhism and Jainism is seen negatively here, it says that people were inclined to commit sins and the very next line talks about those people converting to Buddhism and Jainism.

King Kumarapala replied to them,

Skanda Purana III.ii.36.62 “[Kumarapala said] O Brahmanas, I shall not abide and honour the Royal Charter issued by Rama. I disown the Brahmanas who indulge in violence and kill animals in Yajna. There is no question of my having any respect for and devotion to these killers.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kumarapala had embraced the Jain religion. And then this happened,

Skanda Purana III.ii.38.14-24 “[The king said] May all of you go where Rama and Hanuman are staying. Rama will give everything. What for did you come here, O Brahmanas? I will never give. I will never give even a Varatika (a cowrie); no village and no means of livelihood. Go wherever it pleases you. On hearing the terrible words, the Brahmanas were excited with anger. They said, ‘Well, suffer the anger of Rama and Hanuman now.’ After saying this, they threw down the packet of hair from the left armpit given by Hanuman in the abode of the kind. The excellent Brahmanas then retired. When the group of the Brahmanas departed, the whole place was ablaze with columns of flames. Everything became full of flames of fire. All the royal paraphernalia got enveloped in fire: the umbrellas, the chowries, the treasury rooms, the arsenals etc. The queens, the princes, the elephants and many horses, the vehicles and conveyances of all sorts all were completely burningSeeing everything burnt down, the naked Jaina mendicants, trembling again and again, took in their hands their pots, auspicious sticks, red blankets and without shoes or sandals fled away to ten directions.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

For the fear of being killed by the Brahmins’ talisman the King Kumarpala as well as his subjects who had resorted to Jainism reverted to Vaishnavite Hinduism and the authority of Brahmins was reinstated by the king,

Skanda Purana III.ii.38.30-48 “The king ran on foot here and there alone and lamenting enquired, ‘Where are the Brahmanas?’ On hearing from the people, the king went to that place where the Brahmanas (were resting). O king after going there suddenly, he caught hold immediately of the feet of the Brahmanas. The king fell down unconscious. Repeating the name of the son of Dasaratha, ‘Rama, Rama’, the king with deep humility spoke these words to the Brahmanas: ‘I am the servant of the servant of that Rama and of Brahmanas. I had become blind through the darkness of ignorance…Whatever you desire, I shall grant it. Devotion to Brahmanas as well as to Rama should (will) always be engaged in by me. I shall never do anything other than these, O Brahmanas.’ On that occasion, O king, the Brahmanas became merciful. In order to quell the curse, they threw the other packet. When the hairs were thrown, the army regained life. The quarters became clear and pure…As before, the common people became obedient to Brahmanas. Excepting the Visnu cult, they did not know (i.e. recognize) any other religious belief. A new letter of authority legally binding as before was issued. Heretics were banished, duly making the scripture hold good. Those outside the pale of the Vedas including the good, the middling and the lowly disappeared…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Now I shall ask all those Hindus who say that Buddhism and Jainism are accepted in Hinduism if so then why did people converting to Jainism irked the Brahmins? Why do Hindu scriptures talk so negatively about Jainism? Hemchandra also died after he lost a debate as Brahmins had made it a custom to burn Buddhists and Jain scholars after defeating them in debates. There is a different version that Kumarpala embraced Shaivism, eminent historian Romila Thapar wrote,

“A sixteenth century text narrates that Hemachandra was defeated in a debate and sentenced to death whereupon Kumarapala reconverted to Shaivism.” Somnath: The many voices of a history, by Romila Thapar, p.116, Published by Penguin books, 2008.

Romila Thapar cited the reference of Gadadhara, Sampradaya Pradipa, quoted in A.K. Majumdar, Chalukyas of Gujarat, p.329 ff.

Kumarapala’s nephew and also his successor Ajayapala is said to have demolished many Jain temples, Romila Thapar wrote,

“It is strange that the brahmans did not ask Hanuman for a talisman against the Turks. Kumarapala’s successor, Ajayapla, is said to have desecrated Jaina temples and looted others and supported the Shaiva religion. His son, also a zealous Shaiva, worshipped at the Somanatha.”- Somnath: The many voices of a history, by Romila Thapar, p.116, Published by Penguin books, 2008

Another historian wrote,

“However, Ajaypala, nephew and successor of Kumarpala was a Saivite. He subjucated Jains. Mihirakula ended the Gupta kingdom c. 480 CE. He was considered as an opponent by the Jains because he created policies to subjucate Jainism.” Glasenapp 1999, p. 52, as mentioned in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Jainism

“According to the Prabandhachintarnani Ajayapala destroyed the Jain temples built by his uncle. He showed no favour to Ambada and Kumzirapala’s other Jain ministers” Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: pt. 1. History of Gujarát, p.194, Government Central Press, 1896 – Bombay

Hindus have started a new trend of blaming Muslims, Hindus are blaming Muslims for the caste system, They say that Sati Pratha was also due to Muslims despite the fact that their scriptures encourage Sati Pratha, They also claim that child marriage in India is also because of Muslims even when Swami Vivekananda refuted this claim, they blame foreigners for almost every evil of their religion. And they also blame Muslims for the fall of Buddhism in India. It’s true that some Muslim conquerors may have been cruel towards Buddhists like the demolition of Nalanda but this cannot be taken as Muslims annihilated Buddhists, do Hindus mean to say that the demolition of Nalanda annihilated Buddhists from India? An important question is If Muslims wiped out Buddhism from India then why did they spare Hinduism? Hindus have their answer ready, they claim that Hindus defended the religion. But who really defended it? Even Hindu rulers who are considered ‘brave warriors’ by Hindutvadis were defeated by Muslims. Prithviraj Chauhan couldn’t fight the army of Muhammad Ghori so he had to make an alliance with neighboring Rajpur kings and lost the second battle, Maharana Pratap lost the war against Mughal in which the commander was a Rajput, Shivaji was captured by Mughals and escaped and never had the courage to fight in a war and resorted to guerilla tactics. His son Sambhaji was executed by the Mughals, Marathas lost the third Panipat war, and Rana Sanga lost to Babur. Muslims reached Deccan India within the 13th century and ruled till Britishers invaded India. So Hindu rulers should have repelled the Muslim invasion if they were so powerful, but they failed to do so which proves that Muslim rulers overpowered them. Now, these same Hindus spread false information that the Hindu population in Pakistan and Bangladesh has declined in the last 70 years. Imagine if the Hindu population can decline without the government’s support in 70 years then what could’ve been done in 800 years by Muslim rulers.

So why didn’t Muslim rulers annihilate Hindus like they annihilated Buddhists?

The answer is, that Muslims didn’t annihilate Buddhists and Jains but Hindus did! Buddhism was on its deathbed when Muslims arrived in India. This was because of the systematic persecution of Buddhists and Jains by Hindu rulers and scholars. Genocide of Buddhists and Jains started many centuries before Muslims arrived in India. Pushyamitra Sunga (185 BC-149 BC) had persecuted thousands of Buddhist monks and demolished many Stupas and Viharas. Hindus love to quote Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on this issue. Dr. Ambedkar wrote articles on the persecution of Buddhists by Hindus but Hindus prefer to quote the last line wherein he blames Muslim invaders for giving a death blow to Buddhism in India. Vinay Lal a Professor of History and Asian American Studies at UCLA wrote,

“On this view, Buddhism found competition in Islam for converts among low-caste Hindus. Even Ambedkar, whose animosity towards Hinduism is palpable, was nonetheless firmly of the view that Islam dealt Buddhism a death blow. As he was to put it, “brahmanism beaten and battered by the Muslim invaders could look to the rulers for support and sustenance and get it. Buddhism beaten and battered by the Muslim invaders had no such hope. It was uncared for orphan and it withered in the cold blast of the native rulers and was consumed in the fire lit up by the conquerors.” Ambedkar was quite certain that this was “the greatest disaster that befell the religion of Buddha in India.” We thus find Ambekdar embracing the “sword of Islam thesis”: “The sword of Islam fell heavily upon the priestly class. It perished or it fled outside India. Nobody remained alive to keep the flame of Buddhism burning.” [3] There are, of course, many problems with this view. The “sword of Islam” thesis remains controversial, at best, and many reputable historians are inclined to dismiss it outright. Islam was, moreover, a late entrant into India, and Buddhism was showing unmistakable signs of its decline long before Islam became established in the Gangetic plains, central India, and the northern end of present-day Andhra and Karnataka.” – Buddhism’s Disappearance from India, by Vinay Lal https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/paths/BuddhismDisappear.doc

As Vinay Lal rightly pointed out, Buddhism had already declined long before the advent of Muslims in India hence Muslim rulers cannot be blamed for the disappearance of Buddhism in India. As Hindu fanatics are very fond of quoting one line of Dr. Ambedkar out of context, Let me quote some passages on the persecution of Buddhists and Jains written by Dr. Ambedkar’s followers,

“Formerly a feudatory of Chalukya, Dantidurga was the founder of Rastrakuta dynasty, a strong, aggresive and militant supporter of Brahmanism. Cave XV at Ellora called Dasavtara, which has a long undated inscription of Dantidurga carved on its entrance, was originally a Buddhist Vihara, which was converted to Brrahmanic Temple, by chiseling out Buddhist images. [Yazdani G., ‘Early History of Deccan’, Oxford Univ. Press, 1960, p.731]

“Damodarvarman, who is regarded predecessor of Attivarman, was devotee of Samyak Sambuddha. The Kapoteswara temple at Chezarla of fourth century was a originally a chaitya hall later converted into a brahmanic temple. He is described as son of king who performed Hiranyagarbha mahadana. Attivarman, worshiper of Sambhu, performed this mahadana. [D. C. Sarkar, ‘Classical age’ p.202 ff.]

“For it was in the Dark Age that religious persecution began in India. Monasteries were demolished, monks were banished, and books were burnt: and wherever the Rajputs became rulers, Buddhist edifices went down and Hindu temples arose. By the end of the 10th century, Buddhism was practically stamped out from India, and the work of destruction was completed by the Muslims who succeeded the Rajputs as masters of India.” [Epochs of Indian History, by R. C. Dutt]

Preceeding three passages are taken from http://www.ambedkar.org/research/Rajput_Period_Was_Dark_Age_Of_India.htm

“… Under his (Sankara’s) very supervision, the Buddhist, their statues and monument at Nagarjunakonda were destroyed. A.H. Longhurst, who conducted excavations at Nagarjunkonda, has recorded it in his invaluable book: ‘Memoir of the Archaeological Survey of India’ No.54, The Buddhist Antiquities of Nagarjunkonda, by A.H.Longhurst, Delhi, 1938, p.6.

“The ruthless manner in which all the buildings at Nagarjunakonda have been destroyed is simply appalling and cannot represent the work of treasure seekers alone as so many of the pillars, statues, and sculptures have been wantonly smashed to pieces. Had there been a town close at hand a Amaravati, one can understand the site being used as a quarry by modern builders as was so often done in India. But this never occurred at Nagarjunakonda as there are no towns and no cart roads in or out of the valley. Local tradition relates that the great Hindu philosopher and teacher Shankaracharya of medieval times came to Nagarjunakonda with a host of followers and destroyed the Buddhist monument. Be this as it may, the fact remains that the cultivated lands in the valley on which ruined buildings stand represent a religious grant made to Shankaracharya and it was only with the sanction of the present religious Head of the followers of the great teacher that I was to conduct the excavations. This same Brahmin pontiff, who resides at Pushpagiri in the Guntur District, also owns the Srisailam temple in the Nallamalais, which no doubt was acquired in the same manner as it seems to have been a Buddhist site originally.” [Bhagwan K.S.: 1986: 14]

Preceeding two passages are taken from titled ‘Srisailam is Buddhist’ http://www.ambedkar.org/Tirupati/Chap7.htm

“Hindu rulers and monks destroyed Buddhism by burning alive Buddhist monks” – Ernest Trump and W.H. McLeod as scholars of Sikh history religion and culture by Tricholan Singh

“Hindu ruler in the region had been marked by oppression and cruelty toward both the large Buddhist population and lower caste Hindus. By their tolerance the Muslims, as they had in other conquered regions, soon won over the populace, who had little regard for their previous rulers.” A brief history of Pakistan By James Wynbrandt p.46-47, Infobase Publishing, 2009

Historians discover a Jain inscription at Quilashpur
Speaking on this discovery, Mr Reddy said, “Stones one foot tall and two feet wide were used for the construction of this wall. During the Kakatiya rule, Jainism was opposed and Shaivism came to prominence. As result, all the Jain temples, basadis, inscriptions etc., were destroyed. Remnants of these temples can still be seen at several places within the perimeter of this village. These remnants were used for the construction of this fort. Along with this inscription, several stones with Jain symbols are also found on the wall.”
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/220617/historians-discover-jain-inscription-at-quilashpur.html

“Dr Karuna Kamble, who follows Buddhism, said: “Some of the presentations are very interesting and gave us a lot of insights. One of the speakers highlighted a list of temples which were converted into temples of other religions. He also spoke of people in a village who once found a Buddha statue and started treating it as a Rama idol and started praying to it.
Worshipping archaeologists went and explained it to the villagers, they did not accept it. They also showed them a BUddha temple changed into a Shiva temple.”
Published in Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad edition, Dated 17/11/2019.
https://www.pressreader.com/india/deccan-chronicle/20191117/281771336022434

http://epaper.deccanchronicle.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=14115434&fbclid=IwAR29KNmViD1oxYFPM3iP45wKyPdbbZbDTPUU1HPdJLNT122EAwH_JIKlwO4

“Chola kings burnt Jain temples in Belvola province” Some aspects of Religions and Politics in India during the thirteenth century pg 88, By K.A Nizami

There are also references of Chola kings killing Hindus.

“The Cheras were original Mundas, Many of whom were Buddhists even before their arrival in Tamil Nadu. It was they as well as the Buddhist missionaries from the Maurya Empire that brought the religion of Buddha to the South. They were distinctly a powerful minority in Tamil Nadu and were subjected to persecution by the Brahmin Counsellors of the Dravidian Hindu Kings during the ascendancy of Brahmanical Hinduism in the South.” Land and people of Indian states and union territories: in 36 volumes pg 30. Kerala By S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. Bhargava

A 15th century Buddhist Lama named Taranatha writes,

“The trithikas became victorious and destroyed many temples of the insiders. They robbed in particular the centers for the Doctorine and took away the Deva Dasa (Vihara slaves)…(Many debates were lost in the south and) as a result, there were many incidents of the property and followers of the insiders being robbed by the tirthika Brahmans.” Tāranātha’s History of Buddhism in India By Tāranātha, p.226, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1990

Pushyamitra Sunga was a religious bigot who killed Buddhists and destroyed their worship places,

“The the Brahmana king Pusyamitra, along with other tirthikas, started war and this burnt down numerous monasteries from the Madhyadesa to Jalandhara. They also killed a number of vastly learned monks. But most of them fled to other countries. As a result within five years the Doctorine was extinct in the north- Tāranātha’s History of Buddhism in India pg 121, By Tāranātha, Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya, Alaka Chattopadhyaya

Buddhist religious scriptures such as the Asokavadana allege that the first Shunga king Pusyamitra (an orthodox Brahmin) was hostile towards Buddhists and persecuted the Buddhist faith. Buddhist wrote that he ”destroyed monasteries and killed monks” 84000 Buddhists stupas which had been built by Asoka were destroyed (R. Thaper), and 100 gold coins were offered for the head of each Buddhist monk. In addition Buddhist dources allege that a large number of Buddhist monasteries (Viharas) were converted to Hindu temples, in such places as Nalanda, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, or Mathura. More overt forms of Hindu hostility to Buddhism also played a role…There were episodes of Hindu persecution of Buddhists starting in the 6th century. Furthermore, the Buddha was described as an incarnation of the god Vishnu, who came to earth to delude demons (or people depending on the text) into denying the authority of the Vedas, in order to lead them to Hell. Shankara, the great Hindu philosopher and reformer, described the Buddha as an enemy of the people{17}.- Light from the East: Eastern Wisdom for the Modern West pg 192, By Harry Oldmeadow

“84,000 Buddhist stupas which had been built by Ashoka were “destroyed” (R. Thaper), and 100 gold coins were offered for the head of each Buddhist monk (Indian Historical Quarterly Vol. XXII, p.81 ff cited in Hars.407, also Divyavadana, p.429-434)

There is also archaeological evidence to prove that Buddhist worship place were destroyed by Pushyamitra Sunga, the Deorkothar Stupa was destroyed by Pushyamitra Sunga which P.K. Mishra (Archaeological Survey of India) discovered Deorkothar in 1982 with Ajit Singh and returned to excavate the site in 1999. http://archive.archaeology.org/online/news/deorkothar/

“The Buddhist accounts are unanimous in representing Pushyamitra Sunga as a persecutor of Buddhism. His persecution started in Magadha where it is said he tried unsuccessfully to destroy the famous Kukkutarama monastery in Ptaliaputra. He went up to Sakala to execute his policy of persecution. There he offered a reward of 100 dinaras for the head of every Buddhist monk. The Buddhist account further tell us that his policy involved him in a war with a Yaksha named Krimisa and ultimately brought about his death at a place called Sthulakostha. This evidence cannot be completely discarded.” A Comprehensive History of India, Volume 2, p.364, K. Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri, Orient Longmans, 1970, also mentioned in Buddhism and Indian Civilization, p.83,

By R.K. Pruthi, Discovery Publishing House, 01-Jan-2004

“The Sungas: Following the Mauryans, Pusymitra Sunga is linked in legend with the persecution of Buddhists and a resurgence of Hinduism that forced Buddhism outwards to Kashmir, Gandhara and Bactria. There is some doubt as to whether he did or did not persecute Buddhists actively.” Buddhism and Dalits: Social Philosophy and Traditions

By C. D. Naik, p.30, Gyan Publishing House, 01-Jan-2010

A 15th century Lama named Taranatha wrote that many of the Buddhist worship places were restored by another king after the reign of Pushyamitra,

“It is clear that when he was residing at Sri Parvata these damages were done by the Brahman king Pusyamitra. So this appears to be the begining of the decline (of the Doctorine).
After that, king Phanicandra was ruling in Magadha. During this time, in Gauda of Bhangala in the east, there was the king Gauda Vardhana with great power and wealth. He rebuilt the monasteries previously damaged and thus helped the centres to increase.” Tāranātha’s History of Buddhism in India By Tāranātha, Ch 16, p.121, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1990

Some Hindus instead of condemning what Pushyamitra did, start defending him just because he was a Hindu. The only reference they furnish is Sanchi and Barhut stupas inscriptions which say ‘During the supremacy of Shungas’. They attribute these to Pushyamitra and cite them as an example of his secularism, but according to historians these were built by his successors,

“Buddhist stupa at Sanchi, India. (Mark Weiss) destroyed by Pushyamitra and then restored by his successor, Agnimitra. Similarly, N.N. Ghosh (1945) writes that the gateway of Bharhut was built not during the reign of Pushyamitra but by his successors, who followed a more tolerant policy toward Buddhism as compared to Pushyamitra, a leader of Brahmanic reaction. The destruction and burning of the great monastery of Ghositarama at Kaushambi in the second century BC is also attributed to the Sungas. For instance, J.S. Negi (1958) notes that G.R. Sharma, who was responsible for most of the excavation work at Kaushambi, was inclined to connect this phenomenon with the persecution of Buddhism by Pushuamitra.” Popular Controversies in World History: Investigating History’s Intriguing Questions [4 volumes]: Investigating History’s Intriguing Questions, p.97, by Steven L. Danver, ABC-CLIO, 22-Dec-2010

“Who was responsible for the wanton destruction of the original brick stupa of Ashoka and when precisely the great work of reconstruction was carried out is not known, but it seems probable that the author of the former was Pushyamitra, the first of the Shunga kings (184-148 BC), who was notorious for his hostility to Buddhism, and that the restoration was affected by Agnimitra or his immediate successor.” in John Marshall, A Guide to Sanchi, p. 38. Calcutta: Superintendent, Government Printing (1918).

No matter how much Hindutvadis defend Pushyamitr Sunga, Buddhist sources and archaeological evidence proves that he indeed persecuted Buddhists and destroyed their worship places. Another persecutor of Buddhists was Shaivite king Mihirakulu,

“The extensive landed property put at the disposal of the Buddhist institutions by emperor Kanisha, was confiscated by the new oppressive regimes to strengthen the Brahminic hegemony. The persecution of the Buddhists and destruction of their institutions began in the sixth century by the tyrant Mihirakulu were on a mass scale.” A social history of India By S. N. Sadasivan p.238, APH Publishing, 01-Jan-2000

“A patron of Shaivism (worship of the Hindu god Shiva), Mihirakula is recorded in Buddhist tradition as having been uncouth and extremely cruel.” http://www.britannica.com/biography/Mihirakula

“The greatest of royal persecutors of Buddhism in India was the Huna tryant Mihirakulu (Mahiragula). His sacrilegious acts against Buddhism are recorded by Kalhana and corroborated by Hsun-tsang and the Manjusrimulakalpa. The Kashmir historian compares Mihirakula with Yama, the god of death, for the former’s atrocities. At one place Kalhana remarks: ‘One’s tongue would become polluted if one attempted to record his cruelties and evil deeds in detail. From this authority we learn that Mihirakula patronized brahmanas, worshipped Siva, and erected a temple of Siva, called Mihiresvara in Srinagara.” Studies in the Buddhistic Culture of India During the 7th and 8th Centuries A.D, By Lal Mani Joshi, p.320, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1977

“Though persecution, notably violent repression in south India by a devotional cult of Shiva worshipers (bhakti Hindus), who slaughtered Jains by the tens of thousands, and owing to doctrinal and social assimilation and conversion, mainly with and to Hinduism, their numbers remain small, but disproportionately socially and politically influential.” The Greenwood Encyclopedia of International Relations: F-L, By Cathal J. Nolan, p.849, Greenwood Publishing Group, 01-Jan-200

Refrences on Madurai Massacre of 8000 Jains,

“But the Cholas and the Pandyas were bigoted Saivas and are said to have persecuted the Jainas. The Pandya king Sundara is said to have impaled 8000 of them, and pictures on the walls of the great temple at Madura represent their torture. Fortunately stories of such persecution are very rare…” Ancient India, By Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, p.430, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1977

“With the Hindu Renaissance, Jainism in South India went into retreat. There may have been a terrible persecution of Jains in the eight century. Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu show the impaling of eight thousand Jains at Madurai. In Karnataka Jains were slaughtered by the Virashaiva movement.” Faith & philosophy of Jainism, p.180, By Arun Kumar Jain, Gyan Publishing House, 01-Jan-2009

“One instance of supression would come during the eleventh century in Tamil Nadu where Tirujnanasambandhar, a Hindu king, reportedly slaughtered many Jains, as depicted at the Minakshi Temple in Madurai. See Bhaskar Ananand Salatore, Mediavel Jainism: With Special Reference to the Vijayanagara Empire (Bombay: Karnatak Publishing House, 1938), pp.278-279.

As mentioned in the book Ahimsā, Anekānta, and Jaininsm, By Tara Sethia, p.137, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 2004

King Sudhanva had ordered to kill Buddhists from the Himalayas to Rameshwaram, and Buddhists fled from India to save their lives,

“In the seventh century A.D. at the time of Sankaracharya, Sudhanva was king of Ujjayini; he persecuted the Buddhists and obliged them to take refuge in the countries beyond the boundaries of India.” Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography, Volume 2, p.671, by Subodh Kapoor, Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd, 2002

A Hindu king named Shashanka is said to have uprooted the Bodhi Tree under which Buddha was enlightened,

“Xuangzang’s report also mentions that, in the 7th Century, Shashanka of the Kingdom of Gouda (Bengal), was expanding his influence in the region in the aftermath of the fall of the Gupta Empire. He is blamed by Xuangzhang and other Buddhist sources for the murder of Rajyavardhana, a Buddhist king of Thanesar, Xuangzang writes that Shashanka destroyed the Bodhi tree of enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and replaced Buddha statues with Shiva Lingams.” Buddhism and Dalits: Social Philosophy and Traditions, p.36, By C. D. Naik, Gyan Publishing House, 01-Jan-2010

Some historians even say that Nalanda was burned by Hindus also. Read the article for more information,

https://vedkabhed.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/how-shankaracharya-destroyed-buddhism-and-founded-hinduism-in-the-8th-century/

Persecution of Jain at the hands of Basava Lingayat (Shaivite sub-sect) founder.

“At the turn of the 12th century, followers of a revolutionary religious movement, Virashaivism (literally, heroic Shaivism), employed architectural reuse among other things to signal their triumph over Jainism, a rival religion.
The founder of Virashaivism, Basava (initially a Shaiva Brahmin), was the chief minister of the Kalachuri king Bijjala, a staunch Jain with his capital at Kalyana in modern day Karnataka. The Basava Purana, a long hagiography dedicated to Basava narrates that not only did he successfully plot a regicide, but also sanctified violence against Jains, in rather gruesome ways such as putting “a sharp spear on the skulls of Jains”. Such an ideology fell in line with Virashaivism’s idea of opposing the caste system and ostentatious rituals, tenets that made the new religion popular with the masses in no time. Being the religion dominating Karnataka in the early medieval era, Jainism took the greatest hit and saw a sharp fall in its following.
Apart from vying for political patronage, the Lingayats (followers of Virashaivism) also started appropriating and converting Jaina basadis (shrines) into Virashaiva temples, an act that not only signified Virashaiva strength, but was also a practical necessity for a nascent religion with not enough resources to build a new temple from scratch.
Accordingly, as Julia Hegewald argues in her paper on temple conversions in Karnataka, the Lingayats appropriated and reused the Doddappa Temple at Adargunchi, Karnataka. Built sometime between 10th and 11th centuries, the temple today is fronted by a stone sculpture of the bull Nandi (Shiva’s vehicle) and houses a massive black stone statue of a Jina, placed alongside a Shiva linga (phallus, the form in which Lingayats worship Shiva).
Save the image of the Jina, the entire temple was extensively rebuilt during the Virashaiva takeover of the basadi. Instead of destroying/mutilating the Jina statue, it was retained and painted with parallel white lines on the forehead, arms, shoulders and chest, an imitation in paint of the sacred white ash the Virashaivas often smear themselves with. The idea was to retain the statue as a “sign of domination and control” thereby sending a clear signal of Virashaiva’s triumph over Jainism.
Another interesting example of such a reuse comes from the Megudi temple at Hallur, Karnataka. Here, as opposed to Aadargunchi, the temple was converted in situ, sans any extensive rebuilding.
Constructed between the 7th and 9th centuries, the Megudi temple was reused as a Virashaiva shrine sometime in the 12th century. Here the Jina idol was uprooted from garbagriha, smeared with sacred Virashaiva ash, and placed in the central aisle that now leads to the sanctum sanctorum housing the Shiva linga. Such a placement of uprooted idol ensured that every devotee approaching the inner chamber would see the displaced Jina and be aware of the Virashaiva “annexation” of the temple.
To further bolster the “conquered image” of the temple, two sculptures of the Jina adorning the main entrance have also been significantly disfigured even though all the other sculptures, inside and outside the temple, have been kept intact. Appropriations, as glaring as the above mentioned examples, must have inspired significant awe in the newly converted followers of Virashaivism and deep anxiety in the Jains.

http://www.dailyo.in/politics/ayodhya-myth-conflict-babri-masjid-hindu-muslim-architecture/story/1/17009.html

LIST OF BUDDHIST AND JAIN WORSHIP PLACES DEMOLISHED OR TURNED INTO HINDU TEMPLES

Swami Vivekananda acknowledged that Puri Jagannath was a Buddhist worship place,

“To any man who knows anything about Indian history, that very statement proves that the whole thing was a fraud, because the temple of Jagannath is an old Buddhistic temple. We took this and others over and re-Hinduised them. We shall have to do many things like that yet.” Complete-Works / Volume 3 / Lectures from Colombo to Almora / THE SAGES OF INDIA http://www.swamivivekanandaquotes.org/2014/04/swami-vivekananda-buddhism.html

“Damodarvarman, who is regarded predecessor of Attivarman, was devotee of Samyak Sambuddha. The Kapoteswara temple at Chezarla of fourth century was a originally a chaitya hall later converted into a brahmanic temple. He is described as son of king who performed Hiranyagarbha mahadana. Attivarman, worshiper of Sambhu, performed this mahadana. [D. C. Sarkar, ‘Classical age’ p.202 ff.]

“The Ravana Ki Khai cave is a Buddhist Vihara converted to a temple dedicated to Siva.- Encyclopaedia of tourism resources in India, Volume 2 pg 232, By Manohar Sajnani

“…Dasavatara, which was originally a Buddhist shrine and was later converted into Brahmanic temple and adorned with both Shaivite and Vaishnavite bas-reliefs..” [Yazdani :1960 :754]

“Samkara is known to have founded his Sringeri matha on the site of a Buddhist monastery…” [Joshi: 1977: 314

Lord Ayyappa is a Buddhist temple http://www.ambedkar.org/Tirupati/Chap5.htm

http://www.ambedkar.org/buddhism/K_Jamanadas_Proves_Tirupati_Temple_As_A_Buddhist_Shrine.htm

“Scholars agreed that the inner first and second galleries, which contain narrative panels depicting Hindu scences, might have been carved at a later time possibly during the reign of Jayavarman VIII (r. 1243-1295) who was a bigoted Hindu king to have reputedly converted the Bayon into a Hindu temple and also damaged many other Buddhist buildings.” Roveda 1998: 131-150 as mentioned in Buddhist Architecture, By Le Huu Phuoc, p.263, Grafikol, 2010

“The following temples were once Buddhists shrine: The Vadakkunnathan temple of trichur, the kurumbha bhagavathi temple of cranganore, and the durga temple at Paruvasseri near trichur. A large number of Buddha image have been discovered in the coastal districts of Alleppey and Quilon; The most important Buddha image is the famous Karumati Kuttan near Ambalappuzha.” Land and people of Indian states and union territories: in 36 volumes p.30, Kerala By S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. Bhargava, Gyan Publishing House, 2005

“Not only theoretically did the Hindus attack Buddhism, but the hundreds of Buddhist monks were slaughtered, their temples destroyed and ”the massacre of thousands of Bhuddist families was ordered by the sixth century c.e, Hindu king” Mihirakulu.[Heritage of Kashmir pg 58 by Muhammad Amin Pandit ]” Numerous Buddhist temples were taken over by the Brahmins, the most prominent being the shrine of Pas Pahar atop the Takht i Sulaiman overlooking the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Which was renamed the Shankaracharya temple and was dedicated to Jyesteswara or Shiva. The HIndu King Nara is said to have burnt down thousands of (Buddhist) Viharas [Islamic culture in Kashmir p.43, By G.M.D. Sofi]. Brahmanical hostility against the Buddhists persisted even in the period of Muslim rule. Thus, we learn that Udayagiri, the Brahmin Prime minister of Sultan Shahabuddin suggested to the king that to overcome his fiscal crisis he should loot the Buddhist temples and melt their idols to make coins. The King, however, responded with ”indignation at this suggestion.”[Islamic culture in Kashmir p.139, By G.M.D. Sofi] But on the other hand, Muslim rulers allowed religious freedom and some of them even collected ”books on the puranas, logic and Mimansa from different parts of India at considerable expense. These books were placed at the disposal of the scholars. [Zaina Rajatarangini pf 215 by Srivara translated in English by kashi Nath Dhar] – Challenges to religions and Islam: a study of Muslim movements, p. 1348, by Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi also mentioned in The role of Kashmiri Sufis in the promotion of social reform and communal harmony, 14th-16th century, p.10, by Yōgīndar Sikkand, Centre for Study of Society & Secularism (Bombay, India)

“Buddhism in Southern India: In the south of India while there was no over persecution of Buddhists at least two Pallava rulers Simhavarma and Trilochana are known to have destroyed Buddhist stupas and have had Hindu temples built over htem. However, Bodhidharma, a patriarch of Zen Buddhism was a Brhamin prince from the Pallava dynasty.” Buddhism and Dalits: Social Philosophy and Traditions, By C. D. Naik, p.32, Gyan Publishing House, 01-Jan-2010

“Shri K. R. Srinivasan has confirmed that what is now known as Anantasayangudi cave temple in Undavali was a temple of Vishnukundin times and originally a Buddhist temple which was converted to a Vishnu temple. [p. 33 and 81, ‘Temples of South India’] http://www.ambedkar.org/research/Rajput_Period_Was_Dark_Age_Of_India.htm

“Buddhist shrines were converted into Brahmincal ones, and Brahmincal legends called Kshetra Puranas, were engrafted on the Buddhist legends, and found a place in the Brahmanda and Skanda Puranas. Gayu, Bhuvaneswari, Sanchi, Puri, all come under the same category. Coming to Southern India, we have the well known places Tirupati and Conjeceram abaring in the same fate, the Buddhist phase of Tirupati having been an image of Padmapani, the Padma (lotus) being now covered by a Kavaeha (Sheath), while the image itself is passing by the name of Srinivasn. This fact was first known about 1850 to the employes in the inner part of the temple, when some parts of the Kaveha haing become too much loosened, had to undergo repairs. The real nature was at once discovered. But the matter was kept a profounf secret. Now are the Saiva temples of Conjeveram any way better; Conheveram, which had during the time of Hioun Thsand so many as 10000 Buddhist Bhikshus and about 100 Sangharanas, had its Sangharamas converted in the course of three following centuries into Saiva temples during the reign of Saiva kings. Even to day, a Jaina Buddhist temple is seen in a village two miles off, but which once formed part of it with a number of Jains living there and a large number of Buddhist statues are scattered about in the Saiva temples. The history of Indian temples architecture shows that most of these temples the exceptions are very few have undergone three stages: first, they were Buddhistic, then they became Saivite, ad lastly they were Vaishnava temples.” The Theosophist May 1891 to September 1891 By H. S. Olcott p.683, Theosophical Publishing House, 1891

“According to Dr. Jayaprakash, a number of Buddha statues have been discovered at places like Ambalapuzha, Karunagapalli, Pallickal, Bharanikkavu, Mavelikara and Neelamperur in Kerala. ‘They are either in the form of smashed pieces or thrown away from viharas. Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala and Lord Padmanabha at Thiruvananthapuram are the proxy images of Buddha being worshipped as Vishnu. Hundreds of Buddhists were killed on the banks of Aluva river. The term ‘Aluva’ was derived from ‘Alawai’ which means ‘Trisul’, a weapon used by Hindu fanatics to stab Buddhists. Similarly, on the banks of the Vaigai river in Tamilnadu, thousands of Buddhists were killed by the Vaishnava Saint, Sambanthar. Thevaram, a Tamil book, documents this brutal extermination of Buddhism.’ http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/15042001/Art06.htm

“The important temples at Tirupathi, Aihole, Undavalli, Ellora, Bengal, Puri, Badarinath, Mathura, Ayodhya, Sringeri, Bodhigaya, Saranath, Delhi, Nalanda, Gudimallam, Nagarjunakonda, Srisailam and Sabarimala are some of the striking examples of Brahminical usurpation of Buddhist centres.”
“King Jalaluka destroyed the Buddha viharas, King Jalaluka destroyed the Buddha viharas.”

http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/15042001/Art06.htm

“Accordingly, as Julia Hegewald argues in her paper on temple conversions in Karnataka, the Lingayats appropriated and reused the Doddappa Temple at Adargunchi, Karnataka. Built sometime between 10th and 11th centuries, the temple today is fronted by a stone sculpture of the bull Nandi (Shiva’s vehicle) and houses a massive black stone statue of a Jina, placed alongside a Shiva linga (phallus, the form in which Lingayats worship Shiva).

Constructed between the 7th and 9th centuries, the Megudi temple was reused as a Virashaiva shrine sometime in the 12th century. Here the Jina idol was uprooted from garbagriha, smeared with sacred Virashaiva ash, and placed in the central aisle that now leads to the sanctum sanctorum housing the Shiva linga. Such a placement of uprooted idol ensured that every devotee approaching the inner chamber would see the displaced Jina and be aware of the Virashaiva “annexation” of the temple.”
http://www.dailyo.in/politics/ayodhya-myth-conflict-babri-masjid-hindu-muslim-architecture/story/1/17009.html

“Today, the presiding deity of Koodalmanikyam Temple near Irinjalakuda is Bharata, the brother of Ram; originally it was Bharateswara. the Digambara Jain saint. At one time flourishing in numbers, today the Jain community is small, but active.” Stark World Kerala, p.236, by Theresa Varghese, Published by Stark World Pub., 2006

The temple at Kallil, in Perumbavoor, was believed to have been a Jain shrine to Parshvanatha, Mahavira, and Padmavathi Devi. Now it is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Devi, but Jain pilgrims also pray there.
http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/essential-kerala/2017/11/22/kallil-temple-mystery-hanging-boulder-perumbavoor.html

Mathilakam was one of the famous Jain centres during Chera dynasty’s rule. There was a huge Jain temple in Mathilakam. The remnants of the temple are still found in the locality. Later, the Jain temple was transformed to a Shiva temple.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/ancient-script-found-at-mathilakam-belongs-to-eighth-century-historian/article6184439.ece

For your ease, I am mentioning the list of Buddhist and Jain worship places destroyed or converted by Hindus,
*Doddappa Temple at Adargunchi, Karnataka was a Jain Shrine
*Megudi temple at Hallur, Karnataka was a Jain shrine
* Matilakam temple was a Jain temple which was converted to Shiva temple.
*Puri Jagannath was a Buddhist temple
*Kapoteshwar temple in Guntur district was a Buddhist monastery.
*Pas Pahar Buddhist shrine converted into Hindu Shankaracharya temple.
*Idols of Mahavira, Adinatha and Parsvanath converted into idols of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva at the Jain site in Purhurmalai near Usilampatti near Madura.
*Statue of the Buddha at Ariyankuppam in Puducherry converted into Brahma idol.
*Anantasayangudi cave temple in Undavali a Buddhist temple converted into Vishnu temple.
*Lord Ayyappa was a Buddhist temple.
*Tirupati was a Buddhist shrine.
*During the Chera era Padmanabha temple was a Buddhist Vihara.
*In Kumbakaonam Nageswaran Thirumanjana Veedhi there was a Buddha statue called Bagavarishi. The Nigandu says that Buddha was called by the name Vinayaka. In later periods many Buddha temples were converted as Vinayaka temples.
*Ravan ki Khai was a Buddhist Vihara converted into Shiva temple.
*Vadakkunnathan temple in Trichur.
*The Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple of Cranganore.
*Durga temple at Paruvasseri near Trichur.
*Temples at Tirupathi, Aihole, Undavalli, Ellora, Bengal, Puri, Badrinath, Mathura, Ayodhya, Sringeri, Bodhigaya, Saranath, Delhi, Nalanda, Gudimallam, Nagarjunakonda, Srisailam, Sabarimala, Vithoba (Pandharpur), Balaji, Mahabalipuram were once Buddhist Stupas and Viharas.
*Koodalmanikyam Temple was once a Jain temple having idol of Digambara Jain saint Bharateshwar
*Kallil temple in Perumbavoor was a Jain shrine to Parshvanath, Mahavira and Padmavathi Devi which has now become a Hindu temple

HINDU KINGS PLUNDERING HINDU TEMPLES

Muslim rulers like Mahmud Ghazni looting Somnath is seen as religious extremism but what will Hindutvadis call this?

“There are instances of Hindu rulers destroying temples in order to loot their wealth, such as Harshadeva of Kashmir, who defiled and looted temples and even had a special officer whose function was to seize the icons of tribal shine, and in Bodhgaya a Buddhist Vihara was destroyed by Sasanka in the 6th C to build a Hindu temple which still exists.” Sampradayikta Virodhi Andolan, Black Sunday. December 1992 p.2 as mentioned in Religion und Gewalt: Konflikte, Rituale, Deutungen (1500-1800), edited by Kaspar von Greyerz, Kim Siebenhüner, p.72, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2006

Harsha, a ruler of Kashmir (1089-1111AD), plundered all the temples in his own kingdom, barring four, in order to replenish his treasury, and not a word of protest was uttered. He destroyed both Hindu and Buddhist temples, and is credited with creating an office of “devotpaatana-nayaka”, destroyer of gods. Reference ” Rajatarangini”.

“The plunder of temples was carried out by kings irrespective of their religion. Temples were repositories of wealth. An ideological fig leaf was taken from religion to justify the desecration. Temples were plundered by the Marathas in Tipu’s Sultante. The Shirangapatanam temple was destroyed by the Maratha armies and was repaired by Tipu Sultan. Attacking the temple was also a way of Humiliting the other kings… Temples were also looted by ing Harsha of kashmir in the 11th century. A mention of this is found in Kalhan’s book Rajtarangini, which syas that he appointed a special officer to uproot the golden idols from the temples. This offiver was designated as devotpatan naya’s (officer who uproots the Gods). Parmar Kings (Shubharvarnman a.d 1193-1210) destroyed Jain temples in Cambay and Dabhoi in addition to plundering temples in his own kingdom.” Communal Politics: Fact versus Myth, p.52, By Ram Puniyani

“642 AD: Pallava king Narasimhavarman I looted the image of Ganesha from the Chalukyan capital of Vatapi (present day Badami in Belgaum dist.)

692 AD: Chalukyas invaded North India and brought back to the Deccan what would appear to be images of Ganga and Yamuna looted from defeated powers.

8th century AD: Bengali troops sought revenge on King Lalithaditya’s kingdom in Kashmir by destroying what they thought was an image of Vaikunta the state deity of Kashmir kingdom.

9th century AD: Rashtrakuta king Govinda III invaded and occupied Kanchipuram which so intimidated the King of Sri Lanka that he sent Govinda (probably Buddhist) images representing the Sinhala state.

Rashtrakuta king Indira III not only destroyed the temple of Kalapriya at Kalpa near the Jamuna river, patronized by their deadly enemies, the Pratiharas, but they took special delight in recording the fact.

9th century AD: Pandyan King Srimara Srivallabha also invaded Sri Lanka and took back to his capital golden Buddha image.

Early 10th century, Pratihara King, Hermabapala, seized solid gold image of Vishnu Vaikunta when he defeated the Sahi kings of Kangra (Himachal Pradesh)

Early 11th century: Chola King, Rajendra I furnished his capital with images he seized from several prominent neighbouring kings: Durga and Ganesha images from the Chalukyas, Bhairava, Bhairavi and Kali images from the Kalingas or Orissa as Nandi image from the Eastern Chalukyans.”
David Gilmartin and Bruce B. Lawrence (ed.), Beyond Hindu and Turk, University Press of Florida, 2000.

“Rawat tells us of how numerous Buddhist temples in Ayodhya were forcibly taken over by the Brahmins and turned into Hindu shrines, some of which, such as the Dant Dhawan Mandir, still stand today. In addition to its Buddhist link, Ayodhya also has a Sikh and Jain connection” Review by Yoginder Sikand https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/saldwr/conversations/topics/592?var=1

You may also like to read,

http://scroll.in/article/767065/war-trophies-when-hindu-kings-raided-temples-and-abducted-idols

https://vedkabhed.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/how-shankaracharya-destroyed-buddhism-and-founded-hinduism-in-the-8th-century/

https://vedkabhed.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/were-buddhists-persecuted-by-hindus/

back to top

Intolerance towards Zoroastrianism

There is no direct reference made to Zoroastrianism in Hindu scriptures. But in the Vedas, the Asuras are depicted as villains, in Zoroastrian text Ahura is god and in the Vedas Asuras are demons. In Vedas, Devas are gods while in Zoroastrian text Daevas are demons. Zoroastrian text also speaks about the Aryan country. This suggests that Vedic religion and Zoroastrianism are approximate of the same age and there was a war between Aryans and Zoroastrians. Vedas speaks about killing the Asuras, and Zoroastrian texts also speak about killing Daevas by thousands. Zoroastrian text speaks of several Daevas but not all those Daevas are mentioned in Vedas. Daeva in Zoroastrianism may mean all evils and not just the Aryans. Only a few Devas (Vedic gods) like Mitra, Yama, Indra, etc., can be found in both Vedas and Zoroastrian texts, but these gods are viewed as heroes in the Zoroastrian text who sided with the Zoroastrians against Aryans. I won’t indulge further on this topic as it is related to the Aryan invasion/migration and a separate article would be appropriate to discus this.

As the proverb goes ‘History is written by the victors’. Learning about Asuras and Devas in Vedas would be one-sided we have to look at the other side also to get a better understanding of what really may have happened. Asuras are demonized and depicted like villains in the Vedas, but are the Devas depicted as heroes in Zoroastrian texts? Let’s have a look at some Zoroastrian verses,

Ushtavad Gatha, Yasna 44 verse 20 “I ask Thee, O Mazda, How it is possible for the Daevas to become kind severance, the persons who fight for their selfish ends and for satisfying their wishes. The have flung all earth to hatred and anger with the help of Kavis, Karapans and Usikhsh (2). Would they ever strive to cause the advance and security of the world through Asha and bring about peace and love for all.” Tr. Mobed Firouz Azargoshasb

Ahunuvaita Gatha Yasna 30 Verse 6 “The followers of Daeva (or Devil worshippers) did not choose the right path, because they were in doubt and were deceived. Hence, they did not choose the right path but followed the worst thought, the devil or anger, which is the cause of all evil deeds, so as to destroy the mental life of the people.” Tr. Mobed Firouz Azargoshasb

Yasna 12.4 “I reject the authority of the Daevas, the wicked, no-good, lawless, evil-knowing, the most druj-like of beings, the foulest of beings, the most damaging of beings. I reject the Daevas and their comrades, I reject the yatu and their comrades; I reject any who harm beings. I reject them with my thoughts, words, and deeds. I reject them publicly. Even as I reject the [evil authorities], so too do I reject the hostile followers of the druj.” Tr. J.H. Peterson

Daevas were oppressors

Frawardin Yasht 13.57 “We worship the good, strong, beneficent Fravashis of the faithful, who showed their paths to the stars, the moon, the sun, and the endless lights, that had stood before for a long time in the same place, without moving forwards, through the oppression of the Daevas and the assaults of the Daevas.” Tr. James Darmesteter

Frawardin Yasht 13.130 “We worship the Fravashi of the holy Yima, the son of Vivanghant; the valiant Yima, who had flocks at his wish; to stand against the oppression caused by the Daevas, against the drought that destroys pastures, and against death that creeps unseen.” Tr. James Darmesteter

Aban Yasht 5.58 “They begged of her a boon, saying: “Grant us this, O good, most beneficent Ardvi Sura Anahita! that we may overcome the valiant warrior Tusa, and that we may smite of the Aryan people their fifties and their hundreds, their hundreds and their thousands, their thousands and their tens of thousands, their tens of thousands and their myriads of myriads.” Tr. James Darmesteter

Warharan Yasht 14.60 “That I may be as constantly victorious as any one of all the Aryans; that I may smite this army, that I may smite down this army, that I may cut in pieces this army that is coming behind me.” Tr. James Darmesteter

back to top

Intolerance towards Dasyus

When you read the Vedas you will find that there were other tribes also in the Vedic period who followed different religions and customs. And many times Aryans used to attack them mainly for the purpose of plundering them which is evident from the plunder and massacre of Kikata and Panis tribes which I have mentioned in Killing infidels in Vedas article. Yaska Acharya defines Dasyu as,

Nirukta 7.23 Dasyu (demon) is derived from (the root) das, meaning to lay waste.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati defines Dasyu as wicked one. Veda says that the Dasyus followed a different religion, they did not sacrifice, and they are also called godless. Maybe they had atheistic philosophies like Buddhists. Veda explicitly commands the Aryans to kill and plunder Dasyus because of the difference in faith. I have used Hindi translations by Pandit Ram Govind Trivedi and Shri Ram Sharma Acharya,

Rig Veda 10.105.8 Grind off our sins: with song will we conquer the men who sing no hymns: Not easily art thou pleased with prayerless sacrifice.

Rig Veda 8.59.11 The man who brings no sacrifice, inhuman, godless, infidel, Him let his friend the mountain cast to rapid death, the mountain cast the Dasyu down.
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/rig-veda-8-59-11.jpg?w=300

Dasyus are riteless

Rig Veda 1.33.4-5 Thou slewest with thy bolt the wealthy Dasyu, alone, yet going with thy helpers, Indra! Far from the floor of heaven in all directions, the ancient riteless ones fled to destruction. Fighting with pious worshippers, the riteless turned and fled, Indra! with averted faces…
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/rig-veda-1-33-4-5.jpg?w=300

 

Dasyus have alien laws

Rig Veda 10.22.8 Around us is the Dasyu, riteless, void of sense, inhuman, keeping alien laws. Baffle, thou Slayer of the foe, the weapon which this Dasa wields.
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/rig-veda-10-22-8.jpg?w=300

Dasyus differs from Rites and Rituals and doesn’t observe fire sacrifices

Rig Veda 8.70.11 “May your friend, the cloud, hurl that infidel down from heaven who differs from us in rites and rituals, is inhuman, who does not observe fire sacrificials, and who does not show reverence to Nature’s bounties.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati

Dasyus/Panis are faithless, niggards, without belief, sacrifice and worship

Rig Veda 7.6.3 “May the fire divine chase away those infidels, who do not perform worship and who are uncivil in speech. They are niggards, unbelievers, say no tribute to fire divine and offer no homage. The fire divine turns those godless people far away who institute no sacred ceremonies.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati

Plundering the Dasyus

Rig Veda 6.14.3 “Adorable Lord takes manifold treasures of disbelievers for the preservation of the worshippers. Faithful devotees triumph over wicked and unrighteous and humble him who does not abide by the prescribed conduct of life.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/rig-veda-6-14-3.jpg?w=300

Dasyus not offering oblation to Vedic gods, not sacrificing, being riteless, without worship and rituals are emphasized, the difference in faith is emphasized in the Vedas which means that one of the main reasons for killing Dasyus was their religion.

back tot top

Hindu gods are murderers

Hindu gods killed many innocent people. Hindu gods are said to have taken birth on earth in flesh and bone to guide people, a god was engaged in a lecherous activity, and another one was engaged in getting back his wife for over a decade. I really don’t know what message they left for humanity. Hindu gods are depicted wielding weapons with fierce facial expressions. Many times innocent blood was shed with those weapons. Here are some stories about Hindu gods killing innocent people, I will start with Vishnu and his avatars. Let’s have a look at the words of the demon,

VISHNU

Matsya Purana 178.6-22 ”He is my enemy. He is the destroyer of my elders, He lived in the oceans, destroyed the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. It can be said that as long as he lives, the war between us will not end. There will be a most fearful fight between Him and me. He has killed many demons in this battle. He is very cruel. He has not shown His clemency even to the children and the woman of the demons killed. He is shameless. He is Visnu. He is the heaven of the Devas. He sleeps on the Sesa serpent…” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, Edited by B.D. Basu

Demons in Hindu scriptures don’t necessarily mean beings with monstrous looks. Some non-Vedic tribes were considered demons in Hindu scriptures. We read here that Vishnu killed women and children of the enemy demons. Vishnu on being urged by Indra is said to have beheaded the wife of sage Bhrigu and Bhrigu cursed Vishnu to take incarnations on earth.

Valmiki Ramayana, Uttara Kanda, chapter 51. “Learn, O king, what happened formerly during the conflict between the Devas and Asuras. The Daityas, whom the Suras threatened, took refuge with the consort of Bhrigu and she, having given them a haven, they dwelt there in safety. Seeing them thus succoured, the Chief of the gods, enraged with his sharp-edged discus severed the head of Bhrigu’s wife. Beholding the murder of his consort, Bhrigu, in his wrath, instantly cursed Vishnu, the destroyer of enemy hosts, saying:- ‘Since in thine insensate fury, thou has slain my spouse, who should never have died thus, thou shalt take birth in the world of men, O Janardana, and there thou shall live separated from thy consort for many years.” Tr. Hari Prasad Shastri

Matsya Purana Part I, 47.101-105 “At that, both Indra and Visnu were overcome with fear and began to contrive some means of escape. Visnu said to Indra:- ‘How shall we escape from her?’ Indra replied:- ‘Lord! kill her before she consumed me. I am solely protected by you, destroy her soon without delay.’ Visnu thought over the great sin of killing a woman, in spite of that, he took up his Sudarsana Chakra to free Himself from that impending calamity. Trembling with fear, on thinking over the consequences of her anger and being afraid of the consequences of His own wrath, He severed her head with His Chakra. The sage Bhrigu then cursed Visnu for killing his wife.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

As per Brahmanda Purana 2.3.72.139-140 Vishnu pierced her head with his weapon and cut it into three parts. The context of this story is that. There was a battle between demons and Devas. Demons suffered a huge loss at the hands of the Devas and only a few demons survived so they wanted to take shelter and Shukra asked the Daityas to take refuge in his father’s house till he gets a boon from Shiva to defeat the Devas. So Daityas took shelter with the wife of sage Bhrigu who assured them safety. But Indra and Vishnu arrived there to kill Daityas but Shukra’s mother resisted the attack as she possessed powers and was going to burn up Indra and Vishnu so Indra asked Vishnu to kill her and Vishnu beheads her with his Sudarshan Chakra, Bhrigu arrived at the house and finds his wife killed by Vishnu and he curses Vishnu. As per Devi Bhagavatam Vishnu resurrects Bhrigu’s wife but as per Matsya Purana 1.47.108-111 Bhrigu resurrects his own wife. Vishnu and Indra could’ve fled from the spot or paralyzed her but they killed her. There’s a verse in Bhagavad Purana which says that Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra causes miscarriages of demons’ wives,

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.24.15 When the Sudarśana disc enters those provinces, the pregnant wives of the demons all have miscarriages due to fear of its effulgence.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

VAMANA

There was an Asura king named Mahabali who was a just and noble king. But to secure the kingship of Devas, Vamana avatar of Vishnu killed him and sent him to the lower world. This is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto  8 chapters 18-20

PARASHURAMA

Parashurama was the sixth avatar of Vishnu. He is said to have beheaded his own mother Renuka as well as his brothers on the command of his father Jamadagni. Parashurama’s name in Mahabharata also appears as Rama, so do not confuse this Rama with Rama the killer of Ravana,

Mahabharata Vana Parva 3.116.13-14 “And then Rama, the slayer of hostile heroes, came to the hermitage, last of all. Him the mighty-armed Jamadagni, of great austerities, addressed, saying, ‘Kill this wicked mother of thine, without compunction, O my son.’ Thereupon Rama immediately took up an axe and therewith severed his mother’s head.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

The context of the story is that Renuka went to bathe and on her return, she happened to see King Chitraratha of Martikavata copulating with his wives, she was inspired with desire, and when she returned to the hermitage her husband Jamdagni came to know about it so he ordered his sons to kill her, they refused but Parshurama on the command of his father beheaded his mother. Jamadagni also told Parashurama to kill his brothers as they refused his command and Parashurama obeying his father’s command killed his brothers as well. But on Parashurama’s request to Jamadagni, his mother Renuka and brothers were brought back to life and Parashurama also requested that his mother and brothers shall not remember anything.

Srimad Bhagavatam 9.16.6 “Jamadagni then ordered his youngest son, Paraśurāma, to kill his brothers, who had disobeyed this order, and his mother, who had mentally committed adultery. Lord Paraśurāma, knowing the power of his father, who was practiced in meditation and austerity, killed his mother and brothers immediately.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.23.65 has an indirect reference to Parashurama’s killing of his own mother.

What was the sin of Renuka? That she was sexually aroused seeing the sexual intercourse of a king! Surely what she did was sinful but not so much that she deserved to be beheaded by her son the sixth incarnation of Vishnu. And Hindu god Parashurama also beheaded his mother without any hesitation.

Parashurama annihilated the entire Kshatriya race because his father was killed by Kartavirya Arjuna who belonged to the Kshatriya caste. He is said to have killed Kshatriyas twenty-one times,

Srimad Bhagavatam 9.16.10 “Once when Paraśurāma left the āśrama for the forest with Vasumān and his other brothers, the sons of Kārtavīryārjuna took the opportunity to approach Jamadagni’s residence to seek vengeance for their grudge. The sons of Kārtavīryārjuna were determined to commit sinful deeds. Therefore when they saw Jamadagni sitting by the side of the fire to perform yajña and meditating upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is praised by the best of selected prayers, they took the opportunity to kill him. With pitiable prayers, Reṇukā, the mother of Paraśurāma and wife of Jamadagni, begged for the life of her husband. But the sons of Kārtavīryārjuna, being devoid of the qualities of kṣatriyas, were so cruel that despite her prayers they forcibly cut off his head and took it away.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 9.16.16 Thus lamenting, Lord Paraśurāma entrusted his father’s dead body to his brothers and personally took up his axe, having decided to put an end to all the kṣatriyas on the surface of the world. [18-19] With the blood of the bodies of these sons, Lord Paraśurāma created a ghastly river, which brought great fear to the kings who had no respect for brahminical culture. Because the kṣatriyas, the men of power in government, were performing sinful activities, Lord Paraśurāma, on the plea of retaliating for the murder of his father, rid all the kṣatriyas from the face of the earth twenty-one times. Indeed, in the place known as Samanta-pañcaka he created nine lakes filled with their blood.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Brahma Purana 104.110-111 “The Earth where crores of Ksatriyas remained scattered about, the Earth that is adorned by the mountains Meru and Mandara was rid of Ksatriyas twentyone times by the lord. After making the Earth devoid of Ksatriyas, Parasurama of great fame performed a horse sacrifice in order to dispel his sins.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata Adi Parva 1.2.1-7 “The Rishis said, ‘O son of Suta, we wish to hear a full and circumstantial account of the place mentioned by you as Samanta-panchaya.'”Sauti said, ‘Listen, O ye Brahmanas, to the sacred descriptions I utter O ye best of men, ye deserve to hear of the place known as Samanta-panchaka. In the interval between the Treta and Dwapara Yugas, Rama (the son of Jamadagni) great among all who have borne arms, urged by impatience of wrongs, repeatedly smote the noble race of Kshatriyas. And when that fiery meteor, by his own valour, annihilated the entire tribe of the Kshatriyas, he formed at Samanta-panchaka five lakes of blood. We are told that his reason being overpowered by anger he offered oblations of blood to the manes of his ancestors, standing in the midst of the sanguine waters of those lakes. It was then that his forefathers of whom Richika was the first having arrived there addressed him thus, ‘O Rama, O blessed Rama, O offspring of Bhrigu, we have been gratified with the reverence thou hast shown for thy ancestors and with thy valour …” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Parashurama burned up the entire city along with the inhabitants

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.46.20-26 “A battle took place once again between Rama and the kings, wherein the infuriated sage of high intellect, killed a hundred kings. After killing Surasena and others along with their armies and vehicles, he made the entire group of Ksatriyas fall on the ground in a moment. The kings who survived, whose wishes had been frustrated and whose vehicles and armies has been killed fled in all directions. After routing the armies, killing the enemies and winning the battle, Rama killed hundreds of kings and heroes by means of the fire from his excellent arrows. Overwhelmed with fury and desirous of burning the entire city, Bhargava discharged a missile that had a lustre similar to that of Kalagni (the fire of world-destruction). The fire from that missile burned the city along with elephants, horses and men. The flames enveloped the clusters of the entire rampart-wall of the city.  On seeing the city being burned and desirous of saving his own life, Prince Virihotra became frightened and fled quickly for the sake of life.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

How is it possible that all the Kshatriyas in the world were engaged in sinful activities? As I said earlier, everything Hindu gods didn’t like is demonized in Hindu scriptures. Parashurama killed all Kshatriyas to avenge his father’s murder by a few Kshatriya.

KRISHNA

Krishna beheaded a washerman just because he refused to give him clothes and spoke rudely,

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.41.36-37 “Fools, get out of here quickly! Don’t beg like this if You want to stay alive. When someone is too bold, the King’s men arrest him and kill him and take all his property. As the washerman thus spoke brazenly, the son of Devaki became angry, and then merely with His fingertips He separated the man’s head from his body.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

The slaughter of the washerman is summarized in Bravaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 132.62-75 and also mentioned in Agni Purana 12.23. Krishna and Balrama visited the city Mathura. And a washerman was passing by so they asked him to give them some clothes that belonged to the King. From the words of the washerman, it appears that he thought Krishna and Balrama to be wanderers. So he plainly refused to give clothes. This story sounds same as the crimes we read where thieves kill people to take their possessions. After beheading the washerman Krishna and Balrama took the clothes.

Krishna couldn’t bear criticism. He beheaded King Shishupala just because he abused him. Pandavas were performing sacrifice at Indraprastha where Shishupala was also present and he was beheaded there.

Padma Purana VI.252.13-20 “All those, protected by Krsna, having saluted and praised Krsna, went to their respective countries. Then, going to Indraprastha with the two (i.e. Bhima and Arjuna), Krsna made Yudhisthira perform the Rajasuya sacrifice. There, after the sacrifice was over, the chief honour was given to Krsna with the consent of Bhisma. There Sisupala spoke many abusive words to Krsna. Krsna too cut off his head with the Sudarsana (disc)…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.74.39-44 “Upon hearing such intolerable blasphemy of the Lord, several members of the assembly covered their ears and walked out, angrily cursing the King of Cedi. Anyone who fails to immediately leave the place where he hears criticism of the Supreme Lord or His faithful devotee will certainly fall down, bereft of his pious credit. Then the sons of Pāṇḍu became furious, and together with the warriors of the Matsya, Kaikaya and Sṛñjaya clans, they rose up from their seats with weapons poised, ready to kill Śiśupāla. Undaunted, Śiśupāla then took up his sword and shield in the midst of all the assembled kings, O Bhārata, and hurled insults at those who sided with Lord Kṛṣṇa. At that point the Supreme Lord stood up and checked His devotees. He then angrily sent forth His razor-sharp disc and severed the head of His enemy as he was attacking. When Śiśupāla was thus killed, a great roar and howl went up from the crowd. Taking advantage of that disturbance, the few kings who were supporters of Śiśupāla quickly left the assembly out of fear for their lives.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

As you may know that Krishna was killed accidentally by a hunter named Jara. Although Jara murdered Krishna and can’t be called innocent but this contradicts modern Hindus’ statement that Krishna was very merciful. Even after begging for mercy Krishna took revenge and killed Jara but awarded him entry to heaven,

Vishnu Purana 5.37.60-69 “Respecting the words of the Brahman, the imprecation of Durvásas, the illustrious Krishńa sat engaged in thought, resting his foot upon his knee. Then came there a hunter, named Jará, whose arrow was tipped with a blade made of the piece of iron of the club, which had not been reduced to powder; and beholding from a distance the foot of Krishńa, he mistook it for part of a deer, and shooting his arrow, lodged it in the sole. Approaching his mark, he saw the four-armed king, and, falling at his feet, repeatedly besought his forgiveness, exclaiming, “I have done this deed unwittingly, thinking I was aiming at a deer! Have pity upon me, who am consumed by my crime; for thou art able to consume me!” Bhagavat replied, “Fear not thou in the least. Go, hunter, through my favour, to heaven, the abode of the gods.” As soon as he had thus spoken, a celestial car appeared, and the hunter, ascending it, forthwith proceeded to heaven.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Balrama

Balarama is sometimes considered an avatar of Vishnu. As per Hindu texts, Balarama was addicted to gambling. Balarama is said to have played dice with Rukmi the brother-in-law of Krishna. It is said that Rukmi wanted to avenge the elopement of his sister Rukmini by Krishna so he challenged Balarama the brother of Krishna in the game of dice who accepted it without hesitation though he wasn’t an expert at it. Balarama lost many bets to Rukmi but won the final bet which was very big. Then an argument ensued between Rukmi and Balarama that Balarama had cheated him (Rukmi) and that Rukmi is the real winner. Balarama couldn’t tolerate this so he killed Rukmi for such a petty argument,

Vishnu Purana 5.23.10-28 “After the wedding had been solemnized, several of the kings, headed by him of Kalinga, said to Rukmin, “This wielder of the ploughshare is ignorant of the dice, which may be converted into his misfortune: why may we not contend with him, and beat him, in play?” The potent Rukmin replied to them, and said, “So let it be:” and he engaged Balaráma at a game of dice in the palace. Balaráma soon lost to Rukmin a thousand Nishkas: he then staked and lost another thousand; and then pledged ten thousand, which Rukmin, who was well skilled in gambling, also won. At this the king of Kalinga laughed aloud, and the weak and exulting Rukmin grinned, and said, “Baladeva is losing, for he knows nothing of the game; although, blinded by a vain passion for play, he thinks he understands the dice.” Halayudha, galled by the broad laughter of the Kalinga prince, and the contemptuous speech of Rukmin, was exceedingly angry, and, overcome with passion, increased his stake to ten millions of Nishkas. Rukmin accepted the challenge, and therefore threw the dice. Baladeva won, and cried aloud, “The stake is mine.” But Rukmin called out as loudly, that he was the winner. “Tell no lies, Bala,” said he: “the stake is yours; that is true; but I did not agree to it: although this be won by you, yet still I am the winner.” A deep voice was then heard in the sky, inflaming still more the anger of the high-spirited Baladeva, saying, “Bala has rightly won the whole sum, and Rukmin speaks falsely: although he did not accept the pledge in words, he did so by his acts (having cast the dice).” Balaráma thus excited, his eyes red with rage, started up, and struck Rukmin with the board on which the game was played, and killed him… When Krishńa heard that Rukmin had been killed by his brother, he made no remark, being afraid of Rukminí on the one hand, and of Bala on the other…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

RAMA

Rama beheaded a Shudra named Shambuka because that Shudra was practicing penance that may have included chanting some Vedic Mantras.

Ramayana of Valmiki, Uttara Kanda 7, Chapters 75-76 ”On this that Prince born of Raghu approached the one who had given himself up to rigorous practices and said:- ”Blessed art thou, O Ascetic, who art faithful to thy vows! From what caste art thou sprung, O Thou who hast grown old in mortification and who art established in heroism. I am interested in this matter, I Rama, the son of Dasaratha. What purpose hast thou in view? Is it heaven or some other object? What boon dost thou seek by means of this hard penance? I wish to know what thou desirest in performing these austerities, O Ascetic. May prosperity attend thee! Art thou a brahmin? Art thou an invincible Kshatriya? Art thou a Vaishya, one of the third caste or art thou a Shudra? Answer me truthfully!”…Hearing the words of Rama of imperishable exploits, that ascetic, his head still hanging downwards, answered:- ”O Rama, I was born of a Shudra alliance and I am performing this rigorous penance in order to acquire the status of a God in this body. I am not telling a lie, O Rama, I wish to attain the Celestial Region. Know that I am a Shudra and my name is Shambuka.” As he was yet speaking, Raghava, drawing his brilliant and stainless sword from its scabbard, cut off his head. The Shudra being slain, all the Gods and their leaders with Agni’s followers, cried out, ”Well done! Well done!” overwhelming Rama with praise, and a rain of celestial flowers of divine fragrance fell on all sides, scattered by Vayu.” Tr. Hari Prasad Shastri

Ramayana of Valmiki, Uttara Kanda 7, Chapters 75-76 “O Kakutstha be happy! This very day that child has received new life and has been restored to his parents. The child was resuscited at the instant that the head of the Shudra fell.” Tr. Hari Prasad Shastri

A Brahmin boy died in Ram’s kingdom so Rama went out to find the cause of this death signifying that there must be some unrighteous thing going on that led to the death of this boy. So Rama found Shambuka who was hanging upside down from a tree performing vigorous penance. Ram asked his caste and reason for his penance and beheaded him. Some apologists say that Rama beheaded Shambuka because Shambuka was performing penance to acquire a boon for an evil purpose. If Shambuka was slain for that then why wasn’t Ravana beheaded too? Is that because Ravana was a Brahmin and Shambuka was a Shuda? Shambuka in this passage clearly said that he is performing penance to acquire the status of God in his body. He wasn’t performing it with some evil intention. If he was lying and Rama already knew his intention then why did he first enquired and then beheaded him? Why didn’t he just go there and behead him? Rama asked Shambuka’s caste, Shambuka reiterated that he is a Shudra. Shudra caste is emphasized here which means that Rama beheaded him because a Shudra should not perform such penance.

Lakshmana on the command of Rama is said to have cut off the nose and ears of Ravana’s sister Shurpanakha who had approached Rama expressing her love for him.

Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kanda 3.18.20-21 “She is freakish, knavish and overtly ruttish, oh, tigerly man, it will be apt of you to deface this paunchy demoness” Thus Rama said to Lakshmana. Thus said to that mighty Lakshmana he infuriately drew sword and chopped off her ears and nose before the very eyes of Rama.” Tr. Desi Raju Hanumanth Rao

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.47.17 ”He is so very wily that in his incarnation as Rama, he had killed the king of monkeys, (Vali) like a hunter. Also, being brought under the control of his wife he cut off the nose of a woman Shurpanakha by name, who had come to him being stricken with amorous desire.” Tr. J.M. Sanyal

Also mentioned in Agni Purana 7.5

In the next life, Shurpanakha is incarnated as Kubja the hunchback woman and Rama as Krishna and these two had an illicit relationship which I have mentioned in Hinduism and Lust article.

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 115.93-102 “Kubja, in her previous birth, was the sister of the wicked Ravana. Her name was Surpanakha. Actuated by lust, she desired the society of Rama. Lakshamana, the chief of the pious men, cut off her nose….” Tr. Various Sanskrit Scholars, Edited by B.D. Basu

It is said that Shurpanakha was going to kill Sita. There is another version that says that when Shurpanakha approached Rama, he asked her to go to Lakshman and then Lakshman cut off her nose and ears. But the story in Ramayana seems more authentic. Lakshman cutting off the nose and ears of Ravan’s sister is what provoked Ravana to revenge. It’s quite funny that Ravana is demonized despite being a Brahmin and Shiva’s ardent devotee just because he abducted Ram’s wife Sita. But Hindu gods raping and abducting women doesn’t make them villains. I say Shurpanakha was lucky enough to have only her ears and nose cut off. There is a story of another woman being deformed by Lakshmana who approached Lakshamana to express her love,

Valmiki Ramayana Aranya Kanda 3.69.15-17 “Closeting Soumitri in her embrace she told him this sentence, “I am Ayomukhi, by my name… you won me by your heroic personality, by that way, none can win me over… thus, you alone are my lover… oh, hero, oh, my husband… you will romance with me on mountaintops, in rivers, and on sandy isles, till the end of this life…” So is the love prattle of that demoness Ayomukhi. When said that way that enemy-suppressor Lakshmana became furious, and upraising his sword he sheared off her nose, one ear, and one of her breasts.” Tr. Desi Raju Hanumanth Rao

Now some people may say that this is the same story with variations in names. The name of the woman here is Ayomukhi whereas in the same Valmiki Ramayana Surpanakha appears to be the name of Ravana’s sister. So the same variation cannot occur in the same text. Shurpanakha expressed her love for Rama while Ayomukhi expressed her love for Lakshmana, also there is no mention of cutting up Shurpanakha’s breast but this story does. Most important of all, the mutilation of Ayomukhi occurred after Sita was abducted while Shurpanakha’s mutilation happened before Ravana abducted Sita. Poor lady Ayomukhi’s ears, nose and breast were cut off by the cruel Lakshman just because she expressed her love.

HANUMAN

In the Valmiki Ramayana Hanuman is said to have burnt up Lanka along with its inhabitants. The word demon is used to describe the people of Lanka. As you may know, Non-Hindus were considered demons, just go to Sri Lanka and let’s see whether you find humans or demons there. The verses also show that the Lankans amassed great wealth,

Valmiki Ramayana Sundara Khanda 5, Sarga 54, Verses 24- “The demons, who were running hither and thither to protect their houses and who lost their spirits and abundant wealth, created a tumultuous nose, saying “Alas! The fire-god has come really in a form of this monkey! Some women crying and carrying their suckling’s with their hair dishevelled, fell down from their houses, which were enveloped with fire, and shone like flashes of lightning falling from clouds in the sky. As the fire does not get satisfied with any amount of firewood and straw fed to it, Hanuma was not wearied in killing any number of demons. The earth was not then wearied in receiving the number of demons killed by Hanuma (in her lap).” Tr. K.M.K. Murthy

KALKI

According to Hindu texts, Kalki avatar kills Shudra kings, Buddhists and heretics, he also plunders them,

Vayu Purana I.58.76-83 “He will be called Pramiti. He was born of a part of Visnu formerly in the Svayambhuva Manvantara. He wandered over the earth for full twenty years. He led an army consisting of cavalry, chariots and elephants. He was surrounded by hundreds and thousands of Brahmanas armed with weapons. He killed Mlecchas in thousands. He went everywhere. After killing the kings born of Sudra women, he exterminated the heretics. He killed thousands of persons who were not religious and righteous. He killed those born of mixed castes as well as those who depended on them. He killed the Udicyas (northerners), Madya Desyas (people of the Middle Land), mountain-dwellers, easterners, westerners, dwellers in Vindhya and Aparanta. He killed the southerners, Dravidas, Simhalas, Gandharas, Paradas, Pahlavas, Yavanas, Tusaras, Barbaras, Cinas, Sulikas, Daradas, Khasas, Lampakas, Ketas, and the different tribes of Kratas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by G.P. Bhatt

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.31.88-90 “Annihilating every thing by his ruthless activity, he made only seeds to remain on the earth. He managed to subdue the Vrsala who were generally sinful, by making them angry with one another on sudden provocations. Thereafter, in the region between the Ganga and the Yamuna, he established his camp of rest along with his followers. Thereafter, when the Kalpa elapsed, he went back to his eternal abode along with his army after exterminating Mleccha kings by thousands.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 144.51-59 “King Pramati of the Bhrigu family and Chandramasa gotra was born at the end of Svayambhuva Manu in the Sandhyamsa period, to inflict proper punishment on the sinners. That king travelled all over the earth for 30 years and collected arms and ammunitions, elephants, horses and chariots and marched with a vast army consisting of horses and elephants and accompanied by 100,00 Brahmana soldiers armed with various kinds of weapons, against the Mlecchas and destroyed them. After killing all the Sudra kings he annihilated all the hypocrites. After destroying all the sinners and subduing the people living in the North, central regions, the mountaineers, the inhabitants in the East and West, the residents on the Vindhyas, the Deccanis, the Dravidians, the Singhalese, the inhabitants of the Mleccha countries (Kabul and Kandhara), the Paradas, the Pahlavas, the Yavanas, the Sakas, the Tusaras, the Svetas, the Pulindas, the Barbaras, the Khasas, the Lampakas, the Andhrakas, the Daradas, the Ifalikas, he exterminated the Sudras. King Pramati was born of Visnu’s part in Manu’s family and was famous as Chandramasa.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

This is also mentioned in Brahmanda Purana 1.2.31.77-80 and Vayu Purana I.58.76-83 which I have mentioned in Intolerance within caste and sects category and it is also mentioned in Linga Purana Section I.40.50-56. It would have been comprehensible if the verse said that Kalki (Pramati) killed the sinners and wrongdoers but killing people born of mixed castes, and kings born to Shudra mothers is casteist. And saying that all people living in the north, south, east and west are all wrong doesn’t make any sense either, some of the tribes mentioned are traceable.

Kalki avatar annihilating humans and subduing low castes,

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.73.111-116 “The lord Visnu who had been born in the previous birth as a powerful one, Pramiti by name, will be born in the Gotra of Candramas when the Kaliyuga is complete. Thus these ten incarnations of the lord are remembered. he accepts different wombs in the three worlds partially, adopting at different periods of time, different physical bodies, and different purposes for the manifestations. He will be born in the twenty-fifth Kalpa. For twenty-five years he will be exterminating the living beings and all human beings (?). With this cruel act, he will render the Earth left with only the seeds. He will subdue Vrsalas (low caste people) and almost those evil-doers. Thereafter, Kalki will become contented along with his army. Those who are not killed in this action, those who achieve something, will become deluded suddenly and fight with one another.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Do read Kalki Purana 13.39-44 and Kalki Purana 16.1 which I have already mentioned in this article in Kalki avatar a murderer of Buddhists category. Let me once against quote them for you,

Sri Kalki Purana 16.1 “Suta Gosvami said. After killing the Buddhists and mlecchas of Kikatapura, Lord Kalki took their wealth and returned to His capital, along with His vast army” Tr. Bhumipati Das edited by Purnaprajna Das

Sri Kalki Purana 13.39-44 “Lord Kalki appeared to flourish, being surrounded by all these family members. Once, Lord Kalki’s father, Visnuyasa, who was on the level of Lord Brahma, decided to perform a horse sacrifice. Understanding the intention of His father, Lord Kalki said: My dear father, I will go out and defeat all other kings in battle and thus bring you sufficient wealth so that you can conduct the horse sacrifice properly. Lord Kalki, who was certainly capable of conquering all other kings, offered His obeisances to his father and then set out with his army to first conquer Kikatapura…” Tr. Bhumipati Das edited by Purnaprajna Das

It proves that his primary aim was to plunder people. If you are conversant with Indian history you might be knowing that Kikata is present-day Bihar. And Bihar was once dominated by Buddhists, some historians even say that Bihar is the corrupted word for Vihar which means a Buddhist temple or monastery. Buddhism might have been the prevalent religion in Kikata (Bihar) when Kalki Purana was written so the composer wrote all these fairy tales keeping that in mind or else they may have written it based on the prediction of Kali Yuga in Hindu scriptures which says that people will become heretics (Jains, Buddhists). Also, these verses of plundering Kikata may have been inspired by the Vedic verses in which Vedic gods plunders Kikata tribe just because they didn’t offer any oblation to them. Read Killing infidels in Vedas for more information.

 

SHIVA

Shiva burned up Tripura (Three cities) along with women and children. Tripura was a city inhabited by Asuras. Shiva with the help of other gods like Agni, Vishnu, Ashvinkumar, Yama, Kala, Ghandarvas, Brahma burned the city as well as its inhabitants. It’s not objectionable if Devas had killed combatant Asuras but they killed non-combatant Asuras along with their children and women. Your heart may tremble reading the following verses,

Matsya Purana 188.1 “Marakandeya said:- Hear from me, Yudhisthira! what you have asked me to explain. The spot on the banks of the Narmada where the Lord is enshrined is renowned as Mahesvara in all the three worlds and at the very same place He devised His plans of annihilating Tripura. [6-15] …In that way, Siva waited for thousands of years after making such preparations. When the three Puras (cities) fell in one line the Lord let out His arrow on Tripura when the inmates of Tripura became helpless and many kind of destructive omens occurred there…Then the wind Sambartaka that blows at the close of a cycle commenced…It produced fire on account of which the trees of Tripura began to crumble down. There was chaos everywhere. All the gardens were burnt down in an instant…[25-40] The pleasure gardens smiling with lotus beds were also burnt down along with the swans and cranesThe fire of the Lord’s fury burnt down quite unsparingly several children, cows, birds, horses, women, and many people sleeping as well as awake. The nymph like beauties of Tripura fell down burnt with their young ones hugged to their breasts. Some ladies wearing garlands of pearl and gold fell down on the ground consumed by flames and suffocated by smoke. Some beauties seeing their Lord lying on the ground jumped down from the upper storey of their mansion and were instantly eaten up by the flames…Some ladies of the cloudy hue wearing garlands and armlets, some fair-complexioned beauties giving milk to their dear little ones were also consumed by fire. Some ladies seeing their children eaten up by the fire sent forth shrilling wails. Some ladies wearing diamond and emerald necklaces and shining like the moon with their children in their lap, fell down on the ground after being charred. Some moon faced beauties waking up from their sleep found their mansion on fire and began to lament on realizing their children being burnt. Some ladies adorned with golden ornaments fell down on the ground holding their consumed children in their arms… [41-48] Some overcome by the fury of the fire with their hands folded and uplifted began to pray as follows:- ‘Agni! if thou art angry with the male population hostile to thee; what is the fault of the women confined in the houses like so many domesticated Kokilas pent up in cages…[51-53]…Hearing such speech of the ladies the Agni said ‘I am not consuming you of my own will. I have been born to cause destruction. I have no mercy. I make my way everywhere freely through the glory of Siva…” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Shiva Purana, Rudrasamhita 2, Yuddha Khanda 5.10.35 “Other Asuraas too, children and old men were completely burnt out, O Vyasa, at the bidding of Siva and speedily reduced to ashes. Just as the universe is burnt at the end of a Kalpa so also every thing and everyone there, whether woman or man or vehicles, was reduced to ashes by that fire.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Only those who worshipped Shiva and Ganesh were not burnt and all those who opposed God and whose activities were destructive (read not worshipping Shiva) were burnt including children, women and old people.

Matsya Purana 140.59-69 “The women folk in the amorous embraces of their lords in their residences and pleasure groves, were also reduced to ashes. No women could go away elsewhere. They were also consumed by fire in the company of their lords. Some of them cried out with folded hands and with tears in their eyes ‘O Agni! I am the wife of another; O Thou, the holy witness of all the things in the three worlds! You ought not to touch me. O Deva! my husband and myself are asleep; I have not done any thing vicious and sinful; therefore, go away by another path leaving my home with my beloved. One woman holding her infant stood, facing the fire and said ‘Agni! I have obtained this infant after great privations and it does not behove thee to burn this darling of mine‘. Some of the women folk threw themselves into the waters of the ocean after forsaking their husbands. Many of the women shivered under the destructive influence of fire and exclaimed with bewildering excitement, ‘O, father! O, husband! O, mother! O, maternal uncle! etc. ‘As the heat emanating from the houses withers the lotuses springing in the ponds thereof, so consumed the fire at Tripura the lotus-like faces of those women along with their bodies…There was a great uproar when the women flew with their jingling ornaments and cried out in great consternation, on account of the fire produced form the destructive arrow of Siva.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Other verses show that Devas were engaged in annihilating all of the Asuras, verses from Matsya Purana prove that, non-combatant Asuras including children, women and old people were also burned to death,

Matsya Purana 148.1-7 “Tarakasura said:- ‘Hearken, O, valiant Asuras! every one should direct his intelligence to his well being. Danavas! all the Devas are the annihilators of our race. They are our ancient enemies. Our family religion is, therefore to establish firmly our eternal enmity with them. Today we shall certainly make a move to check the advance of the Devas and conquer them by the strength of our arms. But I do not consider it proper to fight with the Devas without practising austerities, I shall, therefore, first practise severe austerities; then we will conquer the Devas and enjoy the three worlds…” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

The following verses describe the Tripura city,

Matsya Purana 140.53-57 “The arrow burnt the three cities as fire burns heaps of straw…The Tripura fort looked then like a good family brought to ruin by a wicked son. Afterwards, the houses of Tripura looking like the peaks of Sumera, Mandarachala and Kailasa, the beautiful places with gateways and perforated works and balconies, the pleasure rendezvous full of lovely ponds, the abodes of demons decorated with banners, buntings and wreaths of gold were eaten up by the thousand tongue fire.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

From the above verses as well as verses from Matsya Purana 188.1 we get to know that the Asuras were much more civilized than the Devas, the city of the enemies is described in such a beautiful manner. It shows the civilization of the Asuras who had lofty buildings, lovely palaces beautifully decorated with wreaths of gold, gardens with beautiful ponds, Asura women wearing necklaces of diamonds and gold, etc. After reading these things do you really think they were demons? A woman in this verse clearly says, “‘Agni! if thou art angry with the male population hostile to thee; what is the fault of the women confined in the houses like so many domesticated Kokilas pent up in cages” But this didn’t stop cruel Agni from consuming them.

INDRA

Indra doesn’t deserve to be called a God. Even the most lecherous person’s actions on earth cannot be compared to the evils done by Indra. Indra lusted after other’s wives, raped women, committed adultery, consumed alcoholic drinks and even killed innocent people. Indra entered the womb of Diti and cut off the fetus into nine parts to kill the baby,

Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita 2, Parvati Khanda 3, Ch 14, verses 8-14 ”My son Marici begot Kasyapa who married thirteen daughters of Daksa. The eldest of them Diti bore two sons: Hiranyakasipu the elder and Hiranyaksa the younger. When these two began to harass the gods, Visnu assumed the forms of Man lion and Boar and killed them. Then gods became fearless and happy. The distressed Diti sought refuge in Kasyapa and serving him with devotion and observing the sacred rites she conceived. On coming to know of it, Indra entered her womb forcibly and cut it off many a time with his thunderbolt. By the power of her sacred rites, the child in the womb did not die as she was sleeping at that time, by a stroke of good luck. They were cut into seven pieces and so she had seven sons. These sons became gods by the name of Maruts.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

This is also mentioned in Vayu Purana 6.102-3; Agni Purana 19.19-20; Valmiki Ramayana Bala Kandam 1.46 and as per Brahmanda Purana 2.3.5.68 Indra entered the belly through the vaginal passage. I am posting the summary of this story by Desi Raju Hanumanth Rao so you can understand the context,

“Diti seeks for a son to kill Indra because Indra and other gods have killed her sons in the battle after churning Milk Ocean. But Indra, being her stepson arrives at her place of asceticism, with view to destroy that Indra-killer. On a fateful day when Diti failed to maintain the procedure of vow, Indra enters her womb and dissects the foetus into seven fragments, which later become sapta marut gaNa-s, The Seven Wind-gods.”

Indra killed a Muni Trisira/Vishwarupa who was meditating,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 6.2.1-11. “Vyâsa said:- The extremely covetous Indra, then, mounted on his Airâvata elephant and determined to kill the Muni. He went to him and saw him immersed in deep Samâdhi, firmly seated in his posture and with his speech controlled. At that time, a halo of light emanated from his body and he looked like a second Sun and a blazing fire. Indra became very sad and dejected when he saw that. Indra then thought within himself thus :– “Oh! Can I slay this Muni, free from any vicious inclinations, and endowed with the power of Tapas, blazing like a fire! This is quite against the Dharma. But, Alas! He wants to usurp my position; how can I, then, neglect such an enemy?” Thus cogitating, Indra hurled at the Muni his swift going, infallible thunderbolt, the Muni remaining engaged in his penance and shining like the Sun and Moon. The ascetic, struck thus, fell on the ground and died, like a mountain peak struck by thunder falling on the ground and presenting a wondrous sight. Indra became very glad when he killed the Muni…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Also mentioned in Mahabharata Udyog Parva 5, section 9; Satapatha Brahmana 1.6.3.1-2. Muni Trisira/Vishwarupa had three heads for which he was called Trisira. He dedicated one head to the recitation of Vedas, one head for eating and one for observing the surroundings. Indra was afraid that Muni Trisira/Vishwarupa may replace Indra from his Indraship due to the rigid penance. So at first, he sent several Apsaras like Urvashi, Menaka, Rambha, Ghritachi and Tilottama who tried to interrupt Muni Trisira’s penance by singing and dancing in front of him and even seducing him but in vain. So at last Indra decided to kill him. But even after killing Muni Trisira with a thunderbolt, Indra thought that Trisira was alive so he asked a woodcutter named Taksa to cut off the heads of the Muni with his axe,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 6.2.1-14. “…Indra, then, went back soon to his own abode; on the other hand, the high-souled Muni, though killed, looked as it were, living by the lustre of his own body. Indra, then, seeing him lying like a living man thought that the Muni might get alive and so became very sad. While he was thus arguing in his mind, he saw before him a wood cutter named Taksa and began to speak to him for his own selfish ends thus “O Artisan! Cut all the heads of this Muni and keep my word; this highly lustrous Muni is looking as it were alive; therefore, if you sever his heads, he cannot be alive.” Taksa then cursed him and spoke thus. “O King of the Devas! The neck of this Muni is very big and therefore cannot be severed; my axe is not at all fit for this work. Specially I cannot do such a blameable act. You have done a very heinous crime, quite against the law of the good persons; I fear sin; I will not be able to cut the heads of a dead man. This Muni is lying dead; what use is there in severing his head again? O Pâkas’âsana! The killer of the demon Pâka! Why do you fear in this?” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

The woodcutter was first reluctant but Indra convinced him and lured him with a share in the sacrifice and then the woodcutter cut off three heads of Trisira,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 6.2.21 “Vyâsa said:– O King! That Taksâ became very glad when he heard thus from Indra and struck off the heads of the Muni with his very strong axe.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

So Vishwakarma the father of Trisira created a son Vritra to avenge the death of his son,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 6.2.21-53 “When Vis’vakarmâ heard that his virtuous son had been killed, he became very angry (in his mind) and said that as Indra had killed his qualified son engaged in asceticism without any offence, he would create another son to kill Indra. Let the Devas see his strength and power of Tapasyâ and let Indra, too, reap the far-reaching effects of his own Karma. Thus saying, Vis’vakarmâ distressed with anger, offered oblations in the sacrificial Fire, reciting Mantram from the Atharvan Vedas, with the object of producing a son. When Homa was performed for eight nights consecutively, a man quickly came out of that burning fire, as if he was the Incarnate of Fire itself…Father! Of what avail is that to his father when he is not able to remove his sorrows!” O Father! Shall I drink the ocean or crumble the mountains to dust or shall I obstruct the passage of the rising Sun or shall I kill Indra, Yama, or the other host of Devas or shall I root out the earth and throw it with all beings into the ocean?” O King! Hearing thus the sweet words of his son, Vis’vakarmâ gladly told his mountain-like son “O my Son! You are capable to save me from troubles (Vrijina) hence you are named Vritra. O highly Fortunate One! Your brother, named Tris’irâ, was a great ascetic; his three faces were all very strong. He was thoroughly conversant with the Vedas and the Vedangâs and well versed in all the other knowledges. He remained always engaged in practising asceticism, surprising to the three worlds. Indra killed my qualified son with his thunderbolt; that wicked soul severed the three heads without any offence. Therefore, O Best of beings! Kill that vicious, shameless, deceitful, wicked Indra guilty of the sin of Brahmahattyâ…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Indra slaying Vritra is praised in Vedas and many Puranas also. But in the Vedas, it is in metaphor. Wherein Indra means Sun and Vritra means cloud. It could be possible that Vedic verses were composed praising the killing of Vritra by Indra. Vritra was born to avenge the murder of his brother and still, Indra is praised in Vedas. But Vritra seems to be a kind-hearted man who entered into a truce with Indra. But the vicious Indra decided to kill him in a deceitful way. Indra sent Rambha to seduce Vritra so that he may be distracted and that will help Indra to kill Vritra. Indra’s plan was successful, Vritra fell into this trap and was killed with Indra’s thunderbolt. The following verse shows that they had entered into a truce,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 6.1.1-12 “…The powerful Vritra entered into a treaty and kept himself peaceful when Indra and Visnu violated truth and treacherously killed him by Jalaphena (the watery foams)…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Rig Veda and Mahabharata show that Indra sought the help of Vishnu who advised him to befriend Vritra and thus making it easier for Indra to kill Vritra,

Rig Veda 6.20.2 Even as the power of Dyaus, to thee, O Indra, all Asura sway was by the Gods entrusted, When thou, Impetuous! leagued with Viṣṇu, slewest Vṛtra the Dragon who enclosed the waters.

Mahabharata 5.10.1-43 “Indra said, This whole indestructible universe, O gods, hath been pervaded by Vritra. There is nothing that can be equal to the task of opposing him. I was capable of yore, but now I am incapable. What good betide you, can I do? I believe him to be unapproachable. Powerful and magnanimous, possessing immeasurable strength in fight, he would be able to swallow up all the three worlds with the gods, the Asuras, and the men. Therefore, hear ye dwellers of heaven, this is my resolution. Proceeding to the abode of Vishnu, in company with that high-souled Being must we consult, and ascertain the means of slaying this ruthless wretch.’ “Salya continued, ‘Indra having thus spoken, the gods with that host of Rishis repaired to the mighty god Vishnu to place themselves under the-protection of that protector of all. And afflicted with the dread of Vritra, they said unto the Supreme Lord of the deities. Thou hadst in former times covered the three worlds with three steps. Thou hadst procured the ambrosial food, O Vishnu, and destroyed the Asuras in battle. Thou didst bind the great Asura Vali and hadst raised Indra to the throne of heaven. Thou art the lord of the gods, and this entire universe is pervaded by thee. Thou art the God, the mighty Deity, saluted by all persons. Be thou the refuge of all the celestials together with Indra, O best of gods. The whole universe, O slayer of Asuras, hath been pervaded by Vritra. And Vishnu said, ‘I am no doubt bound to do what is for your good. I shall, therefore, tell you of a contrivance whereby he may be annihilated. Do ye with the Rishis and the Gandharvas repair to the place where Vritra that bearer of a universal form is and adopt towards him a conciliatory policy. You will thus succeed in overthrowing him. By virtue of my power, victory, ye gods, will be won by Indra, for, remaining invisible, I shall enter into his thunderbolt, that best of weapons. O foremost of gods, depart ye with the Rishis and the Gandharvas. Let there be no delay in effecting a peace between Indra and Vritra.’…If I do not kill Vritra, this great and mighty Asura of gigantic frame, even by deceit, it will not go well with me.’ And as Indra thought of all this, bearing Vishnu in mind he beheld at that instant in the sea a mass of froth as large as a hill. And he said, ‘This is neither dry, nor wet, nor is it a weapon; let me hurl it at Vritra. Without doubt, he will die immediately.’ And he threw at Vritra that mass of froth blended with the thunderbolt. And Vishnu, having entered within that froth, put an end to the life of Vritra. And when Vritra was killed, the cardinal points were free from gloom; and there also blew a pleasant breeze; and all beings were much pleased…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

The following verses from Padma Purana have a slightly different version that exhibits how Indra killed him,

Padma Purana II.24.34-43 “He thought of a stratagem to kill him. He sent Rambha (after telling her:) ”With this or that trick, delude the great demon. O auspicious one, do that to delude the great demon, so that by killing him I shall get happiness.”…[44b-51] very wise Vrtra, confiding (in Indra) in all matters, and knowing Indra to be a great friend, was not afraid of him. Moving (i.e. he moved) in the great auspicious forest…Vrtra, having come there, saw that Rambha, with charming, large eyes with his mind full of sexual desire.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Padma Purana II.25.11-20 “[Vrtra said] O you beautiful lady, I have sought your shelter. Protect me form the (disturbance caused by) sexual desire. O you of large eyes, resort to me, who am, O dear one, distressed by sexual desire. Rambha said: There is no doubt that today I shall submit myself to you; O hero, you should do whatever I tell you to do…Having thus established a relation with her, the very powerful best demon enjoyed in that very meritorious forest. The great demon was very much stupefied by her singing, dancing, charming smile and sexual intercourse (with her). She said to that noble and best demon: ‘(Please) drink wine; (please) drink madhu-madhavi (a kind of intoxicating drink)… But that respectable lady Rambha lovingly gave wine to him against his will. Due to civility for her he drink wine at that time. When he was extremely stupefied by the wine, and lost his senses, just then Indra struck him with his thunderbolt. Then that killer of Vrtra (i.e. Indra) was tainted with such sins as killing a brahmana.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

It’s mentioned in Shastra that Indra gave part of the Brahmin-slaughter sin to women,

Vasistha Dharma Shastra 5.7. For it has been declared in the Veda, ‘When Indra had slain (Vritra) the three-headed son of Tvashtri, he was seized by Sin, and he considered himself to be tainted with exceedingly great guilt. All beings cried out against him (saying to him), ‘O thou slayer of a learned Brâhmana! O thou slayer of a learned Brâhmana!’ He ran to the women for protection (and said to them), ‘Take upon yourselves the third part of this my guilt (caused by) the murder of a learned Brâhmana.’ They answered, ”What shall we have (for doing thy wish)?’ He replied, ‘Choose a boon.’ They said, ‘Let us obtain offspring (if our husbands approach us) during the proper season, at pleasure let us dwell (with our husbands until (our children) are born.’ He answered, ‘So be it.’ (Then) they took upon themselves (the third part of his guilt). That guilt of Brâhmana-murder appears every month as the menstrual flow. Therefore let him not eat the food of a woman in her courses; (for) such a one has put on the shape of the guilt of Brâhmana-murder.

Violating treaties was no big deal for Indra. A demon named Namuchi had entered into a peace treaty with Indra for fear of being killed. But Indra violated the treaty and killed him,

Rig Veda 8.14.13 13 With waters’ foam thou torest off, Indra, the head of Namuci, Subduing all contending hosts.

Mahabharata 9.43.32-46 “Vaishampayana said, “Listen to that history, O ruler of men! Hear of those occurrences as they happened! Hear how Vasava, in days of yore, broke his treaty with Namuchi! The Asura Namuchi, from fear of Vasava, had entered a ray of the Sun. Indra then made friends with Namuchi and entered into a covenant with him, saying, ‘O foremost of Asuras, I shall not slay thee, O friend, with anything that is wet or with anything that is dry! I shall not slay thee in the night or in the day! I swear this to thee by truth. Having made this covenant, the lord Indra one day beheld a fog. He then, O king, cut off Namuchi’s head, using the foam of water (as his weapon). The severed head of Namuchi thereupon pursued Indra from behind, saying unto him from a near point these words, ‘O slayer of a friend, O wretch!’ Urged on incessantly by that head, Indra repaired to the Grandsire and informed him, in grief, of what had occurred. The Supreme Lord of the universe said unto him, ‘Performing a sacrifice, bathe with due rites, O chief of the celestials, in Aruna, that tirtha which saveth from the fear of sin!” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Indra and Namuchi having entered into a peace treaty and Indra violating it and killing Namuchi is also mentioned in Panchavimsha Brahmana 12.6.8-9. Mahabharata and Panchavimsha Brahmana has the same version of the story which makes it authentic but there is another version mentioned in Brahma Purana which says that Indra fled the battlefield and Namuchi chased him and he was killed there,

Brahma Purana: Gautami-Mahatmya 54.33-40 “Brahma said: Formerly, there was a very powerful leader of Daityas named Namuci. His enmity towards Indra was terrible. It caused hairs to stand on end. Once Namuci, the heroic leader of Daityas, saw Indra abandoning the battle and going off. Then he pursued him. On seeing him coming Indra became overwhelmed with fear. Leaving off Airavata, Indra entered the foam of water. The thunderbolt-armed Indra instantly killed his enemy through the foam…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Rishi Mandavya

A Brahmin couple was traveling during the night, due to the ailment of the husband, the wife named Sandili carried her husband, due to exhaustion and darkness, she faltered and fell on a pole or Trishul on which a Rishi named Mandavya was performing penance, he was hurt by that so he cursed Kaushik to die when the sun rises.

Skanda Purana, Avantya Khanda 5, Reva Khanda 3, chapter 171, verses 40-54 “When those leading Brahmanas went out of sight, the female ascetic Sandili came there on the second day. She was carrying her husband on her head and wandering about at night. She did not see the sage (Mandavya). O Yudhisthira, she was staggering due to the excess of burden. The Brahmana on the stake was not noticed by her. The chaste lady faltered and slipped down against the knees of the Brahmana on the stake. Due to the fall of the faltering lady much pain was caused to the sage…The sages said: Moving about at will, you appear to be unaware of other people’s distress and pain. In the morning as soon as the sun rises your husband will die. O low-born woman, only your own misery you know and not that of any other person. Sandili became chagrined at those terrible words. Afflicted with grief…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

This is also mentioned in Markandeya Purana 16.14-30.

back to top

War tactics and courage of Hindu gods

Hindu gods are depicted as brave warriors but these brave warriors were sometimes scared of their enemies and even fled the battlefield. Being gods they also used war tactics same as human beings do. The following verses show how Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma were defeated by a Danava and they fled in fear,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 5.7.4-11. “Seeing the Dânava, Vâsudeva Hari raised his discus in anger and attacked him with great force to kill him. Just when Hari struck the Dânava violently with his Chakra, the powerful Dânava quitted immediately his lion-form, assumed the buffalo form and struck Hari with his two horns. Vâsudeva, thus pierced in his breast with the horns, became confounded and fled away as best as he could till he reached his own abode, Vaikuntha. Seeing Hari thus fleeing away, S’ankara, too, thought him invulnerable and fled to his Kailâs’a mountain with fear. Brahmâ, too, fled to his own abode with terror; but the powerful Vâsava took patience and remained steady in the battle. Varuna taking his S’akti waited patiently for battle. Yama, too, with his staff remained there ready to fight. Kuvera, the Lord of the Yaksas, remained very busy in close fighting with the Dânavas; Fire, taking S’akti, also waited. The Sun and Moon, the Lord of the stars, both remained in firm resolve to fight with Mahisa, the lord of the Dânavas…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Rama killing Bali.

Rama killed Bali while Bali was busy fighting Hanuman. That too Rama shot an arrow by hiding behind a tree. Rama killing Bali is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Ch 16.

Krishna and Balrama vs Yavana army,

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.52.5-8 “The Lord again returned to the city of Mathura which was still besieged by the Yavana army. He annihilated the Yavana army and carried of their wealth as spoils to Dvaraka. While the wealth was being transported on the backs of men and oxen under the direction of the Imperishable Lord, Jarasandha, commanding an army of twentythree aksauhinis arrived on the scence. Observing their violent onrush of inimical forced, Balarama and Krsna, the descendants of Madhu adopted the human way of life and quickly began to run, Oh king. Though dauntless, they left the vast treasure (the spoils from the Yavana army) and similating terrified cowards, they ran for many yojanas on foot, tender like lotuspetals.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by J.L. Shastri

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.52.10-12 “Apparently exhausted after fleeing a long distance, the two Lords climbed a high mountain named Pravarṣaṇa, upon which Lord Indra showers incessant rain. Although he knew They were hiding on the mountain, Jarāsandha could find no trace of Them. Therefore, O King, he placed firewood on all sides and set the mountain ablaze. The two of Them then suddenly jumped from the burning mountain, which was eleven yojanas high, and fell to the ground.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Vishnu beheads the demons by assuming the form of a woman,

Agni Purana 3.11-15 “Taking ambrosia from his hands the Daityas gave half of it to the gods and went away with the other half. Vishnu, the root of creation, then assumed the form of a (beautiful) damsel. Beholding her endued with beauty, the Daityas, overcome with fascination, said ‘Be our wife, take this ambrosia, O fair one and make us partake of it.’ Saying ‘So be it’ Hari took it from them and made the celestials drink of it. Assuming the form of the moon Rahu drank up the portion offered to the sun and moon and therefore his head was severed off his head by his enemy Hari. He then said to Hari, the giver of boon. ‘By thy mercy I have attained immortality.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

back to top

Mercilessly killing the enemy

Hindu gods mercilessly killed their enemies. They beheaded them, peeled out the skin, cut off all the limbs, cut them into pieces, burned them, etc.

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 5.26.62-65 “Vyâsa said:– O King! Hearing thus the words of Ambikâ, Kâlikâ spoke to Her again:– “In this war-sacrifice there is this axe which is like a sacrificial post; I will offer these two as victims to Thy sacrifice. Thus no act of envy will be committed (i.e., killing in a sacrifice is not considered as envy).” Thus saying, the Kâlikâ Devî cut off their heads with great force and gladly drank their blood. Thus seeing the two Asuras killed, Ambikâ said gladly:– Thou hast done the service to the gods; so I will give Thee an excellent boon. O Kâlikâ! As Thou hast killed Chanda and Munda, henceforth Thou wilt be renowned in this world as Châmundâ.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Agni Purana 234.8-16 “Now I shall describe the measures of illusion to be practised by a king in frightening away the hearts of a hostile army, to show that the God is on the side of his countrymen…Similarly the quarters of the enemy should be denuded with showers of simulated blood, and a similar severed head of the adversary should be exhibited at the terrace of the palace.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Srimad Bhagavatam 8.10.57 “Thereafter, two very powerful demons named Mālī and Sumālī were killed by the Supreme Lord, who severed their heads with His disc. Then Mālyavān, another demon, attacked the Lord. With his sharp club, the demon, who was roaring like a lion, attacked Garuḍa, the lord of the birds, who are born from eggs. But the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original person, used His disc to cut off the head of that enemy also.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 5.14.40-56 “…Mahâ Mâyâ then, became very angry and began to hurl arrows after arrows so incessantly that all the armours of all the Dânavas became pierced and were cut down to pieces…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Shiva Purana, Rudrasamhita 2, Yuddha Khanda section V, 55.30 “At the bidding of Siva, lord Krsna, the destroyer of heroic enemies, chopped off several arms of Bana by means of Sudarsana.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.59.14 “The Lord severed the heads, thighs, arms, legs and armor of these opponents led by Pīṭha and sent them all to the abode of Yamarāja. Narakāsura, the son of the earth, could not contain his fury when he saw the fate of his military leaders. Thus he went out of the citadel with elephants born from the Milk Ocean who were exuding mada from their foreheads out of excitement.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Skanda Purana I.iii(P).11.27 “Then, the Goddess who tormented Mahisa, cut off his head with a sharp-edged sword and stood on his head and danced.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Valmiki Ramayana Aranya Kanda, 26.13-15 “Neverthless, as Dushana rushed upon him, Rama cut off both his arms with his arrows, and that mace, loosed from his grasp, fell forward on the field like unto the banner of Indra, Whilst Dushana, bereft of it, his arms severed, sank to the earth like a mighty elephant that, stripped of its tusks, succumbs.” Tr. Hari Prasad Shastri

Mahabharata Vana Parva 3.202.35 “Markandeya continued, ‘Then Govinda began to reflect but uncovered space found he none and when he could not discover any spot that was uncovered on earth or in the sky, that foremost Deity then beheld his thighs to be absolutely uncovered. And there, O king, the illustrious Deity cut off the heads of Madhu and Kaitabha with his keenedged discus!'” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Harivamsa Purana 2.85.62 “The discuss Sudarshana released from the hand of Narayana (Krishna), sparkling like the sun cut off the head of Nikumbha, decorated with the best earrings.”

Harivamsa Purana 2.93.48-49 “Pradyumna cut off the heads of many demons, which were shining, decorated by diadems. He cut off the heads of some demons, along with hair and ear rings. Pradyumna with high splendor, cut off the heads, bodies, and body-pieces of the demons and scattered them on earth.”

Devi Bhagavatam 5.30.37-64. “Vyâsa said :– O King! Thus saying the Chandikâ Devî instantly cut off the head of Nis’umbha by Her axe with great caution. The head thus severed from the body by the blow of the Devî, the headless Demon began to roam there with great force with club in his hand. The Devas then got very much frightened; The Devî, then, cut off the hands and feet of that headless Demon with sharpened arrows. That vicious wretch fell down lifeless, on the ground like a mountain…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

back to top

Gods fighting each other

Other than killing innocent people, Hindu gods were also engaged in fighting each other. Several questions arise when reading stories of gods fighting each other. Which god is right when two gods fight each other? Are Hindu gods so stupid not to understand right and wrong that they have to become physical with each other? What example are they leaving for human beings by fighting with each other? Can’t Hindu gods forgive the other to give an example to their creation? Or can’t they settle the matter through talks?

SHIVA VS YAMA

Brahma Purana 35.11 “Obeisance to one who annhilated the god of Death…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Jagdish Lal Shastri writes, “Annihilated the god of death. Siva gave Mrkandu a boon that a pious son would be born to him but he would live only for sixteen years. The child was born and named Markandeya. He was educated in Vedas and Sastras. When the hour of his death arrived, the boy embraced the linga idol of Siva. When Yama, the god of death came to fetch him, the angry Siva arose out of the idol and killed Yama. At the request of gods Yama was revived to life but Markandeya was granted youth for ever.”

Brahma Purana: Gautami-Mahatmya 24.9-21 “Brahma said: Then Mrtyu with the noose in his hand entered the place where that brahmin was worshipping Siva. The brahmin was not at all aware of either Yama’s servants or Mrtyu himself…Then Mrtyu thew up the noose against Sveta. O great sages, Nandin then became angry. Nandin hit Mrtyu with the baton given by Siva. Mrtyu fell on the ground. Then the messengers saw that Mrtyu was struck down. They intimated the incident to Yama. Then Dharma whose vehicle is buffalo and who controls all addressed his attendants and associates…’Hurry up, hurry up’, said Yama to them and himself proceeded ahead, surrounded by these and others, to the place where Sveta the excellent brahmin was worshipping Siva…Karttikeya pierced the servants of Yama by means of his javelin. He killed Yama, the powerful ruler of southern quarter.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

SHIVA’S VIRABHADRA VS GODS

Daksha organized a Yajna and invited all gods and sages except for his son in law Shiva and spoke ill of Shiva. So Shiva’s wife asks him to destroy the sacrifice of Daksha. On being requested Shiva creates a form called Virabhadra. Virabhadra then goes to the place and destroys everything, kicks and beats up the sages, paralyses some Devas and kills some, cuts off Agni’s tongue, plucks out eyes of Bhaga and does many more violent things and finally beheads Daksha,

Kurma Purana I.15.35-42 “Sri Devi said: O Sankara, Daksa who had been my father in the previous birth is performing a Yajna after censuring your status and your own self…Please destroy that sacrifice immediately…Thus implored by the goddess, the great Lord, the Lord of Devas, created Rudra immediately with a desire to destroy the Yajna of Daksa. He was highly infuriated. He had a thousand heads, a thousand eyes and huge arms, a thousand in number. He was invincible. He resembled the fire at the close of the Yugas. He was terrible due to his curved fangs. He could not be seen (directly) due to his glaring brilliance. He held a conch and a discus. He had a staff in his hand. He roared loudly. He held a horn in his hand and was beautified with Bhasma (ashes). He became famous as Virabhadra…Siva spoke to him thus: ‘O Ganesvara (leader of the attendants). Blessings unto you. After censuring me, Daksa is performing a Yajna, at Gangadvara, (near the source of the river Ganga). Destroy that sacrifice of Daksa.’ Then the sacrifice of Daksa was destroyed by Virabhadra playfully like a single lion released from bondage… [59b-67a] The leaders of Ganas became infuriated. They uprooted the sacrificial posts and threw them here and there. The Ganesvaras, all of whom were terrible ones, took the sacrificial horse along with the Prastotr and Hotr (the priests) and hurled them into the currents of Ganga. Even Virabhadra whose mind was ablaze with wrath, paralysed the hand of Indra as he raised it to strike and did the same to other gods. Sportively he plucked out the eyes of Bhaga by the tip of his finger nails. Hitting with his fist he felled down the teeth of Pusan. The mighty leader of Ganas sportively and smilingly kicked Lord Moon with the big toe of his leg. O excellent sages, he cut off the pair of hands of fire and playfully plucked out his tongue. Then he kicked sages on their heads. The mighty one then pierced Visnu, who had been coming thither on his Garuda with sharp arrows after stunning Sudarsana. The powerful Garuda stared at the Gana and suddenly hit him with his wings and roared like the ocean.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Also mentioned in Linga Purana Section I, 82.98-103; Varaha Purana chapter 21. After Daksha was beheaded a goat’s head was fixed and was resurrected as mentioned in Devi Bhagavatam 7.30.39-50, as per Linga Purana Section I.82.98-103 Saraswati’s lips and nose were also cut off. This story mentioned in Linga Purana is more violent,

Linga Purana Section I.100.15-19 “…Virabhadra of great splendour and undistressed soul made the hands of Indra and other Devas stunned as they raised them. He uprooted the eyes of Bhaga sportively with the tip of his finger. With his fist he hit the teeth of Pusan and made them fall. He kicked the moon with the toe of his foot. He cut off the head of lord Indra. After cutting off the hands of Agni and after uprooting his tongue sportively he kicked him on his head with his leg. He cut off the staff of Yama. He hit lord Isana a guardian of the quarters of great strength by means of his trident. Without any difficulty he killed thirty three Devas thus. Sportingly he killed three thousand three hundred and thirty three Devas along with the three leading Devas. He killed the leading sages too. This lord killed those Devas who stood in readiness for fighting. Lord Rudra hit them with his fist, swords, arrows and other things. Then Visnu of great splendour and intensified strength lifted up his discus, and fought with Rudra. A terrible fight ensured between them. It made hairs to stand on end.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita 2, Satikhanda Section 2.1.32-34 “They worked a great havoc there. Virabhadra chastised everyone and spared none. After defeating Visnu and the Devas with strenuous effort, the chief of Ganas cut off the head of Daksa and consigned it to the sacrificial fire. Working great havoc he destroyed the sacrifice. Then he came back to the mountain and bowed to Lord Siva” Tr. J.L. Shastri

There is another story that may talk about a different event but it looks like it’s about this same event,

Skanda Purana V.ii.64.19b-25 “The share of Sambhu was not appropriated by Brahma in his sacrifice. Mahadeva is the annihilator of the universe. (But,) O king, he (too) was deluded by his sense-organs and he became angry with Suras (Devas). The Suras are the Vibhutis (empowered parts) of Siva. All the three worlds are solely intended for his sport. Yet, by him the bow was strung well for the sake of a share! The teeth of Pusan were shattered. Divakara (the Sun) was made unconscious. The eyes of Bhaga were plucked and the god of Yajna in the form of an antelope was hit. The Devas turned into Pasus (animals). The sages were denied the Vedas. The Dharmasastras of the sages were taken away by the all powerful Lord…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

SHIVA VS GANESHA

Shiva Purana Rudrasamhita 2, Kumara Khanda IV.13.15-20 “Once when Parvati was taking her bath, Sadasiva rebuked Nandin and came into the inner apartment. The mother of the universe, seeing the untimely arrival of Siva in the midst of her bath and toilet stood up. The beautiful lady was very shy then…At the time when the incident occurred, Parvati, the great Maya, the great goddess, thought as follows. ‘There must be a servant of my own who will be expert in his duties. He must not stray from my behest even a speck.’ Thinking thus the goddess created a person with all the characteristics, out of the dirt from her body. [30-37] Thus placing her son at the doorway, Parvati began to take bath with her friends, unworried. O excellent sage, at this very moment Siva who is eagerly indulgent and an expert in various divine sports came near the door. Not knowing that he was lord Siva, the consort of Parvati, Ganesa said ‘O sir, without my mother’s permission you shall not go in now. My mother has entered the bath. Where are you going now? Go away’ saying thus, he took up his staff to ward him off. On seeing him Siva said ‘O foolish fellow, whom are you forbidding? O wicked knave, don’t you know me? I am Siva, none else’. Thereupon Ganesa beat Siva with the staff. Siva expert in various sports became infuriated…When lord Siva tried to enter the house, Ganesa became infuriated, O brahmin, and struck him with his staff once again.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Shiva Purana Rudra Samhita 4, Kumarakhanda IV, 16.7-8 O sage, after fighting for a long time along with the army and seeing him terrific, even Siva was greatly surprised. Thinking withing himself ”He has to be killed only by deception and not otherwise” he stayed in the midst of the army. [11-12] Then Ganesa the heoioc son of Sakti following the course of heroes, at first worshipped (i.e., struck) Visnu with his staff, Visnu who confers happiness to all. ”I shall cause him delusion. Then let him be killed by you, O lord. Without deception he cannot be killed. He is of Tamasika nature and inaccessible.” [29-35] After remembering the lotus like feet of Siva, Visnu took up his discus and split the iron club by means of discus. Ganesa hurled the piece of iron club at Visnu which was caught by the bird Garuda and rendered futile. Thus for a long time the two heroes Visnu and Ganesa fought with each other. Again the foremost among heroes, the son of Parvati took up his staff of unrivalled power remembering Siva and struck Visnu with it. Struck with that unbearable blow he fell on the ground. But he got up, quickly and fought with Parvati’s son. Securing this opportunity, the Trident-bearing deity came there and cut off his head with his trident. O Narada, when the head of Ganesa was cut off, the armies of the gods and the Ganas stood still.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

What kind of gods are these? One (Ganesha) doesn’t know his own father, the other (Shiva) who is considered The destroyer couldn’t kill Ganesha, so with the help of Vishnu he beheads a child that too by using deception.

SHIVA VS BRAHMA

Varaha Purana 97.1-7 “Varaha said: O Earth, now listen to the origin of Rudra Vrata, by knowing which one gets freed from all sins. The red-eyed and tawny coloured Rudra who was created by Brahma in his third birth, was borne by him in pleasure on his shoulder. When he was thus on the shoulder, the fifth head of Brahma told Rudra the Atharvan mantra by which release is obtained. ‘O Kapalin, Rudra, Babhru, Bhava, Kairata, Suvrata, my valiant and broad-eyed son, do protect this world’. When Rudra was thus addressed by the names which he would be getting in future he was angry at the word ‘Kapala’ used and clipped off that (fifth) head. The head was clipped off by the nail in the left thumb, but it got to the hand.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

All Puranas are unanimous that Shiva beheaded Brahma but there is variation as to why he beheaded him, above verses say that Shiva was infuriated when Brahma called him Kapala but Kurma Purana II.31.1-32 says that Brahma and Shiva were quarreling over supremacy and Shiva found Brahma arrogant so he in anger cut off the head of Brahma. There are a few other versions. Shiva beheading Brahma is also mentioned in Skanda Purana V.iii.173.1-5; Brahma Purana: Gautami-Mahatmya 43.19-23; Shiva Purana, Vayaviyasamhita 6, Section I, 30.19

There is a story in Shiva Purana which says that Shiva was going to kill Brahma because Brahma watched his wife lustfully and even discharged semen,

Shiva Purana, Rudrasamhita 2, Satikhanda 2.19.43- “Lord Siva said:- O patriarch Daksa what has just been requested by Visnu my great devotee and agreed to by me shall be done here. ‘O lord, whoever stares at Sati lustfully shall be killed by you.’ I Shall make these words of Visnu true by killing Brahma. Why did Brahma stare at Sati lustfully? Moreover he has committed a sin by discharging his semen. Hence I shall kill him.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Brahma begs for mercy and at last, Vishnu acts as a mediator and pacifies Shiva and urges him not to kill Brahma and Shiva agrees. Another version of the story is mentioned in Vamana Purana,

Vamana Purana 2.35-37 “Discerning forthwith the faces resembling the Sun, the face of Brahman remarked thus, ‘Bubbles are formed when water is disturbed, Is there any valour in them’? The great Sankara who was enraged to hear this severed with the tip of his nail the head of Brahman which had spoken to him rudely. Thus chopped, the head fell on the left paml of Sankara himself and never dropped down from his hand.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

SHIVA VS AURVA

It’s not actually a fight. Shiva burns up the hermitage of sage Aurva for which Aurva curses him.

Varaha Purana 147.9-14 “Then in that famous tirtha known as Goniskramana, lord Siva came near him. Aurva was then going to the river Ganga to gather lotus flowers. Knowing him thus out of the hermitage, Siva entered it. It was auspicios, beautiful and full of fruits and flowers. But it was soon reduced to ashes by the heat of the halo of Siva. After burning that hermitage, Siva quickly returned to (his abdode in) the Himalayas. [19-] From that moment Siva, although he is the lord of the world, began to be tormented by great heat, and he told Parvati: ‘Seeing the penance of Aurva, the gods were afraid and they told me: ‘The heat of the penance of this Aurva affects the whole world. But he does not desire anything. How can we remedy thiss?’ When told thus, I caste my eye on his hermitage. In a moment it was burnt down, and we returned. Being sorry and angry at this, Aurva cursed me, and that has resulted in this torment of mine.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

KRISHNA VS SHIVA

Aniruddh the grandson of Krishna fell in love with Uma the daughter of Banasura. So he followed her to her palace and was captured by Banasura’s men. Aniruddha didn’t return home for months and Sage Narada informed that Aniruddha has been captured by Banasura. So the battle between Krishna and Banasura ensued. Banasura was a devotee of Shiva and several other Shiva’s followers were harassed by Krishna so Shiva decided to help Banasura in the battle. Kartikeya son of Shiva also helped him. Banasura along with Shiva were overpowered by Krishna so Shiva requested Krishna not to kill Banasura so Krishna only cuts off the hands of Banasura.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.63.12-14 “Lord Śiva, wielder of the trident, shot various weapons at Lord Kṛṣṇa, wielder of Śārṅga. But Lord Kṛṣṇa was not in the least perplexed: He neutralized all these weapons with appropriate counterweapons. Lord Kṛṣṇa counteracted a brahmāstra with another brahmāstra, a wind weapon with a mountain weapon, a fire weapon with a rain weapon, and Lord Śiva’s personal pāśupatāstra weapon with His own personal weapon, the nārāyaṇāstra. After bewildering Lord Śiva by making him yawn with a yawning weapon, Lord Kṛṣṇa proceeded to strike down Bāṇāsura’s army with His sword, club and arrows.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.63.22 “After Lord Śiva’s followers had been driven away, the Śiva-jvara, who had three heads and three feet, pressed forward to attack Lord Kṛṣṇa. As the Śiva-jvara approached, he seemed to burn everything in the ten directions. Seeing this personified weapon approach, Lord Nārāyaṇa then released His own personified fever weapon, the Viṣṇu-jvara. The Śiva-jvara and Viṣṇu-jvara thus battled each other. The Śiva-jvara, overwhelmed by the strength of the Viṣṇu-jvara, cried out in pain. But finding no refuge, the frightened Śiva-jvara approached Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of the senses, hoping to attain His shelter. Thus with joined palms he began to praise the Lord. The Śiva-jvara said: I bow down to You of unlimited potencies, the Supreme Lord, the Supersoul of all beings. You possess pure and complete consciousness and are the cause of cosmic creation, maintenance and dissolution. Perfectly peaceful, You are the Absolute Truth to whom the Vedas indirectly refer.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Also mentioned in Brahma Purana chapter 97; Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 54.12-23 and Agni Purana chapter 12.

SHIVA VS VISHNU

There is another battle between Shiva and Krishna. And in this battle, Shiva helps Kasiraja and is defeated by Krishna. But in Skanda Purana it is a battle between Shiva and Vishnu. The discus of Krishna manifests itself as Vishnu. The story is that a King named Paundraka claims to be Vasudeva, this angers Krishna and he prepares for a battle against the imposter Vasudeva (Paundraka). King Paundraka is helped by his friend who is also a king of Kasi named Kasiraja. Since Kasiraja was a devotee of Shiva he propitiates Shiva for help in the battle against Krishna and Shiva agrees to help him,

Skanda Purana II.ii.12.14-18 “…Nila mountain is in the third Yojana (i.e. 3X12 Kms.). This is the holy spot of the Lord of Gauri named Ekamrakavana. Not far off, O king, is the place where, being afraid, he sought refuge. Indradyumna said: Why was the Lord of Gauri (Siva) frightened? With whom did he seek refuge?” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana II.ii.12.45-57 “O king, many king ruled over that city. Formerly in Dvapara Yuga, there was a king there (commonly) called Kasiraja. By means of severe penance he propitiated Lord Sambhu with this aim in his mind: ‘I will excel in war Acyuta (Krsna), the conquerer of kings, the chief of whom is Jaraasandha.’ The Pinaka-bearing Lord (Siva) who was propitiated, granted him that boon: ‘O suppressor of enemies, you will conquer the Slayer of Kamsa in battle. For your sake I shall fight seated on my Bull, along with (my attendants) Pramathas…That Lord (Krsna) who is the immanent soul (of all), knew the incident of that sort, and sent his Discus for killing Kasiraja. The infuriated Discus that was very fierce in appearance, had the refulgence of a thousand suns. It knew the power of the mind of Visnu. It cut off the head of Kasiraja and burned to ash his army as well as that city. On seeing that extremely violent action Pasupati (Siva) became furious. Surrounded by his Ganas and seated on his Bull, the Pinaka-bearing Lord rushed at it. Then Sambhu looked at the Sudarsana Discus at the outset and discharged his Pasupata missile in front of it, like an ominous calamity. Formerly Sambhu had secured a boon from Visnu who had been pleased by his devotion: ‘On being remembered by you I shall invigorate your missile. But if you go against me, it will become lustreless (and ineffective.’ When this Pasupata missile which was (usually) terrible, became futile and when Varanis was burned, the Bull-bannered Lord became afraid. Then he eulogized the Primordial Purusottama, the cause of all the worlds.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana II.ii.12.65-77 “When (the Lord) who burned the Tripuras eulogized thus, Adhoksaja (Visnu) manifested himself after casting off the form of the Discus. His face (indicated that he was) delighted. The glorious Lord held the conch, the discus and the iron club. He was seated on Garuda as if on a lotus seat…Though he was an ocean of mercy, he spoke the husband of Girija (who was) firghteneed, as if he waas angry with him. Sri Bhagavan said: How has such an evil-mindedness beset you at this time? O Sambhu, for the sake of an insect (i.e. an insignificant) king, you have come to fight with me! How many examples of my power have not been known to you, O Durjati (Siva). It is true that your Pasupati missile cannot be vanquished by Suras and Asuras. The Discus is a form of my anger. I t cannot spare even you…Now if you wish to sport about with Gauri here for a long time, if you wish that this city of Varanasi should stay for a long time (do as follows). On the shore of the Southern Sea there is a holy spot well known after my name, viz. Sripurusottama. It is adorned by Nila mountain…O annihilator of Tripuras, stay there fearlessly along with Parvati.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana II.ii.12.80-83 “Narada said: On being told thus by Vasudeva the Three-eyed Lord bent down his head. With palms joined in reverence he spoke to the slayer of Madhu: Mahadeva said: O Lord of Devas, O Lord of the universe, O Lord, O dispeller of the agony of those who bow down (to you) carrying out your behest will be the cause of my welfare, O Lord of the worlds. On account of my stupidity, O Lord, I had been arrogant. There, O Lord, your own blessing is the cause of my fickleness. Since you command me, O Lord of Devas, to proceed to Purusottama, I shall carry out your behest reverently and proceed to the auspicious holy place that bestows salvation” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Krishna beheads Kasiraja with his Sudarshan Chakra as mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.66.22.

There was another battle between Shiva and Vishnu. Where Shiva kills Vishnu’s three sons in the form of a bull for creating havoc and Vishnu fights Shiva and is defeated by that Bull, Vishnu wasn’t aware that the bull was actually Shiva,

Shiva Purana, Satarudra Samhita 3, chapter 23, verses 3-12 “Then the bull attacked Visnu’s sons wielding their bows for fighting, deluded by Siva’s Maya and proud of their great strenght and exploit. O excellent sage, the sons of Visnu becamame furious. Those heroes roared loudly and rushed against Siva. Rudra in that form of a bull was furious at those sons of Visnu who rushed at him. He kicked them with his hoofs and tore them with his horns. When their limbs were split by Rudra, they swooned and lost their lives. They were immediately destroyed. When they were killed Visnu the foremost of the strong came out shouting loudly and hastened towards Siva. On Seeing Siva in the form of the bull going along after killing his sons, Visnu hit him with divine arrows and missiles. Then the infuriated Siva, the highly powerful one in the form of a bull stood like a mountain and caught hold of all those milssiles of Visnu…The lord leaped up suddenly and kicked the infuriated Visnu who was deluded and could not realise him. The lord then tore him with his horns. Unable to bear the onslaught, Visnu deluded by Maya was exhausted and utterly shattered.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Shiva Purana, Satarudra Samhita 3, chapter 23, verses 13-16 “When his pride fell off, Visnu was dejected, and dispirited. He then realised that Siva was sporting about in the form of a bull. Then on realising that Siva himself had come in the form of a Bull, Visnu spoke in a shrill voice with drooping shoulders and palms joined in reverence. Visnu said: O lord of the gods, O ocean of mercy, O lord Siva, I had been deluded by your Maya and my mind had been confused. O lord, I fought with you, Siva. Taking pity on me, O lord, let this offence be excused.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

SHIVA’S VIRABHADRA VS VISHNU’S NARASIMHA

The story of Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar killing Hiranyakashipu with his claws by placing him on his lap is well known. This story ends with the killing of Hiranyakaship in Vaishnavite Puranas, however, it has an addition in Shaivite Puranas which says that this avatar of Vishnu was killed by Shiva’s Sharaba form and this story can be found only in Shaivite Puranas to show Shiva as superior to Vishnu. The summary of the story is that fiery Narasimha didn’t just stop after killing Hiranyakaship, Narasimha created havoc on the earth and was going to annihilate the universe. Gods propitiated “The Destroyer” Shiva to stop it and save the world. Hence, Shiva sent his Virabhadra form to pacify Narasimha avatar. Virabhadra praised Narasimha and requested him to stop the annihilation of the universe as “The Destroyer” is only Shiva but all in vain. Sweet words of Narasimha instead infuriated Narasimha and he held the Virabhadra form. Thence Virabhadra form disappeared with a change in environment marking the advent of the most fierce form of Shiva known as Sharaba. This form is explained in the following way,

Shiva Purana, Satarudrasamhita 3, chapter 12, verses 2-11 “Nandisvara said: Thus admonished by Virabhadra, the Man-lion became furious. He roared and began to seize him with force. In the meantime, the splendour of Siva rose up unbearably enveloping the sky all around. It was terrible and cause for imminent fear. Then in a trice the form of Virabhhadra became invisible…Even as all the gods stood watching with the auspicious shouts of victory, Lord Siva became manifest in the form the Annihilator. He had a thousand hands and wore matted hair. His head was adorned with wings and beak. His body was fierce and fully developed. His fangs were very sharp. Adamantine claws were his weapons. His neck was black in colour. He had a huge arms and four legs. He was blazing like fire. His voice was resonant and terrible like the rumbling sound of the clouds that gather at the end of a Yuga. His three eyes were as wide and blazing as the fire of the evil spirit of great fury. His fangs and lips were clearly visible. He was producing a hissing sound of Humkara. Siva of such a form appeared in sight.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

The following verses show Virabhadra’s attempt to calm Narasimha which further infuriated Narasimha,

Shiva Purana, Satarudrasamhita 3, chapter 11, verses 25-27 “[Virabhadra says] O lord Narasimha, O soul of the universe, subdue this extremely terrible body yourself in my presence. Nandisvara said; Urged thus with quiet peaceful words of Virabhadra, the arrogant man-lion assumed a more terrible anger…The Man-lion said: Go back the way you have come from. Do not speak offending words. I am now going to annihilate the universe of the mobile and immobile beings.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

The following verses show how he killed Narasimha and skinned him to wear it as a garment.

Shiva Purana, Satarudrasamhita 3, chapter 12, verses 12-36 “At his very vision Visnu lost his strength and exploit. He assumed a lustre of the flickering glow-worm beneath the sun. Fluttering with his wings, and tearing the navel and legs he bound the legs of the Man-lion with his tail and his hands with his own hands. He struck his chest, caught hold of Visnu. It expanded in the sky along with the gods and sages. Like a vulture seizing a serpent he fearlessly caught hold of Visnu, lifted him up and fell him to the ground. At the time of flight he was excessively oppressed being hit with the wings. Then Lord Siva took Visnu and flew him. All the gods followed him eulogising him with the words of obeisance. Brahma and other sages bowed to him with reverence and love. Being led thus Visnu was helpless. His face was pallid and sorrowful. With palms joined in reverence he eulogised Lord Siva with prayers of simple words. After eulogising Mrda with the hundred and eight names of the lord, Nrsimha requested lord Sarabha again. ‘O great lord, whenever my ignorant mind becomes defiled by arrogance, it shall be removed by you alone’ Nandisvara said: Thus saying with love to Siva, the Man-lion turned submissive and bowed to him. Visnu was utterly defeated and came to the end of his life…Lord Virabhadra, the leader of the Ganas, of great strength, peeled off the hide of the Man-lion and went to the mountain taking it with him. From that time Siva began to wear the hide of the Man-lion. His head was the leading bead in his necklace of skulls.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Linga Purana says that only bones were left with a face but Shiva Purana says that Virabhadra/Sharabha used Narasimha’s head as bead in his necklace of skulls. Sharabha killing Narasimha is also mentioned in other verses. Brahma says in Skanda Purana,
Skanda Purana I.iii(U).16.17 “If you had not killed Nrhari (Man-lion) by assuming the form of Sarabha (i.e. a fabulous eight footed animal) alone, he would have destroyed the universe like Hiranyakasipu.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

INDRA VS SHIVA

Mahabharata, Drona Parva 7, Section 202, Verses 82-84 “When the triple city began to burn, the goddess Durga went to see the sight, with a child on her lap having only five clumps of hair on its head. Uma then asked the gods who that child was. The malevolent Indra then tried to strike him with the thunder-bolt. Thereupon the all-powerful Lord of all the worlds, possessed of the six excellent qualities the Bhagas, smilingly paralysed the arm of the enraged Indra wielding the thunder bolt.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

MARUTS VS INDRA

Rig Veda 1.170.2 The Maruts are thy brothers. Why, O Indra, wouldst thou take our lives? Agree with them in friendly wise, and do not slay us in the fight.

Rig Veda 1.171.6 Do thou, O Indra, guard the conquering Heroes, and rid thee of thy wrath against the Maruts…

KRISHNA VS INDRA

Vishnu Purana 5.30.51-68 “…and Indra accordingly, attended by the army of the celestials, marched to attack Hari, in defence of the Parijata tree. The gods were armed with clubs, swords, maces, and darts; and Indra wielded the thunderbolt. As soon as Govinda saw the king of the gods advancing against him on his elephant, attended by the immortals, he blew his shell so that the sound filled all the regions, and he showered smilingly myriads of arrows upon his assailants…The son of Devaki thew his mace at the club of Yama, and cast it broken upon the ground: he cut in bits the litter of the lord of the sun: he severed Agni into a hundred parts with his arrows, and scattered the Vasus through the realms of space: with his discus he cut off the points of tridents of Rudras, and cast themselves upon the earth: and with the shafts shot from his bow he dispersed the Sadhyas, Visvas, Maruts, and Gandharbas, like fleeces of cotton from the pods of the wings and nails, and bit and bruised and scratched the deities who opposed his lord…When all other weapons had been cut to pieces, Indra stood armed with his thunderbolt, and Krshna with the discus Sudarsana. Beholding them thus prepared to fight, all the people of the three spheres exclaimed, ‘Alas! alas!’ Indra launched his bolt, but in vain, for Hari caught and arrested it…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

H.H. Wilson summarizes this as,

“Krishńa restores her earrings to Adití, and is praised by her: he visits the gardens of Indra, and at the desire of Satyabhámá carries off the Párijáta tree. Śachí excites Indra to its rescue. Conflict between the gods and Krishńa, who defeats them. Satyabhámá derides them. They praise Krishńa.”

VISHNU VS LAKSHMI

Now, this is a good lesson to all married men, do not provoke your wife and do not talk about other women, she can even behead you. Lakshmi beheads Vishnu using a curse because Vishnu laughed at her unnecessarily,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 1.5.74-86 “Does anything take place in this world without any cause? Now hear why Hari’s head was cut off. Once on a time, seeing the beautiful face of His dear wife Laksmî Devî, Hari laughed in presence of Her. At this Laksmî Devî came to understand that “He has seen surely something ugly in my face and therefore He laughed; otherwise why my Husband would laugh at seeing me. But what reason can there be as to see ugliness in my face after so long a time. And why shall He laugh without seeing something ugly, without any cause. Or it may be, He has made some other beautiful woman as my co-wife“. Thus arguing variously in her mind, Mahâ Laksmî gradually got angry and Tamo guna slowly possessed Her. Then, by turn of Fate, in order that god’s work might be completed, very fierce Tamas Sakti entered into Her body. She got very angry and slowly said:– “Let Thy head fall off”. Thus, owing to feminine nature and the destiny of Bhagvan, Laksmî cursed without any thought of good or bad, causing Her own suffering. By the Tâmasî S’akti possessing Her, she thought that a co-wife would be more painful than Her widowhood and thus She cursed Him. Falsehood, vain boldness, craftiness, stupidity, impatience, over-greediness, impurity, and harshness are the natural qualities of women. Owing to that curse, the head of Vasudeva has fallen into the salt ocean. Now I will fix the head on His body as before…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

VISHNU VS GODS

Gods accidentally or deliberately cut off the head of Vishnu. Vishnu slept placing his head at the end of a bow. Gods created white ants and made a deal with them and made them gnaw the bowstring. When they did so it cut off the head of Vishnu,

Satapatha Brahmana 14.1.1.6-9 Now he who is this Vishnu is the sacrifice; and he who is this sacrifice is yonder Âditya (the sun). But, indeed, Vishnu was unable to control that (love of) glory of his; and so even now not every one can control that (love of) glory of his. Taking his bow, together with three arrows, he stepped forth. He stood, resting his head on the end of the bow. Not daring to attack him, the gods sat themselves down all around him. Then the ants said–these ants (vamrî), doubtless, were that (kind called) ‘upadîkâ ‘–‘What would ye give to him who should gnaw the bowstring?’–‘We would give him the (constant) enjoyment of food, and he would find water even in the desert: so we would give him every enjoyment of food.’–‘So be it,’ they said. Having gone nigh unto him, they gnawed his bowstring. When it was cut, the ends of the bow, springing asunder, cut off Vishnu’s head.

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 1.5.23-36 “Brahmâ said :– We will give you, too, share in this our Yajña (sacrifice); so hear me; do our work and rouse Visnu from His sleep. During the time of performing Homa whatever ghee will fall outside the Homa-Kund (the sacrificial pit) will fall to your share; so be quick and do this. Sûta said:– Thus ordered by Brahmâ, the Vamrî insect soon ate away the fore end of the bow that rested on the ground. Immediately the string gave way and the bow went up; the other end became free and a terrible sound took place. The Devas bcame afraid; the whole universe got agitated; the earth trembled. The sea became swollen; the aquatic animals became startled; violent wind blew; the mountains shook; ominous meteors fell. The quarters assumed a terrific aspect; the Sun went down the horizon. In that time of distress the Devas became anxious what evil might come down. O ascetics! while the Devas were thus cogitating, the head with crown on it of the Devadeva Visnu vanished away ; no body knew where it fell. When the awful darkness disappeared, Brahmâ and Mahâdeva saw the disfigured body of Visnu with its head off. Seeing that headless figure of Visnu they were greatly surprised; they were drowned in the ocean of cares and, overwhelmed with grief, began to weep aloud…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

INDRA VS ARJUNA

Although Arjuna wasn’t a god but his adviser was Krishna so the story can be mentioned here. Actually, it was not a battle between Arjun and Indra but between Arjuna and Ashwasena but Indra decided to fight noticing that his friend’s son Ashwasena was going to get killed by Arjuna,

Mahabharata Adi Parva 1.229 “But Aswasena, the mighty son of Takshaka, was there. He made great efforts to escape from that fire; but confined by Arjuna’s shafts he succeeded not in finding a way. It was then that his mother, the daughter of a snake, determined to save him by swallowing him first. His mother first swallowed his head and then was swallowing his tail. And desirous of saving her son, the sea-snake rose (up from the earth) while still employed in swallowing her son’s tail. But Arjuna as soon as he beheld her escaping, severed her head from her body by means of a sharp and keen-edged arrow. Indra saw all this, and desiring to save his friend’s son, the wielder of the thunderbolt, by raising a violent wind, deprived Arjuna of consciousness.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

INDRA VS SAGARA’S SONS

Indra uses his tactics to kill the sons of king Sagara,

As per the story mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam 9.8. There was a king named Sagara who was the ancestor of Hindu god Ram. He had 60,000 sons. Instructed by sage Aurva, King Sagara performed Ashvamedha sacrifice but Indra stole the horse and left it in sage Kapila’s Ashram. Indra made Sagara’s sons lose their intelligence and disrespected the sage. As the sage was meditating and as soon as he opened his eyes the sons of Sagara were burned with the fire emanating from their own bodies

INDRA VS VISHWARUPA

This is another version of Indra killing Vishwarupa. Geeta Kasturi summarizes the story as,

“The story goes that rishi Vishvarupa was very fond of his mother. She was from the family of asuras. Prompted by the affection for her, he used to give a portion of the sacrificial oblations secretly to the asuras. Indra detected the treachery of the rishi and cut off the three heads of Vishvarupa.”

This story iss mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavad Purana) and Devi Bhagavatam,

Srimad Bhagavatam 6.9.4 “Indra, the king of gods, noticed his contempt and faithlessness to gods and his sham righteousness. Being afraid (lest Asuras should be powerful) he immediately cut down (Visvarupa’s) heads in wrath.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Srimad Devi Bhagavaram 3.12.25 verses says that Vishwarupa would utter Mantras beneficial to gods when they were present and in the absence of gods he would pray for the welfare of Daityas.

INDRA VS MUNI DADHYAM

Devi Bhagavatam 7.36.28. “O Best of Mountains! It is very difficult to acquire Brahma Jñâna. Hear a story. A Muni named Dadhyam of Atharvana family went to Indra and prayed to him to give Brahma Jñâna. Indra said: “I would give you Brahma-Jñâna, but if you impart it to any other body, I would sever your head.” Dadhyarna agreed to this and Indra gave him the Brahma-Jñâna. After a few days, the two As’vins came to the Muni and prayed for Brahma Vidyâ, The Muni said:– “If I give you the Brahma-Vidyi, Indra, will cut off my head.” Hearing this the two As’vins said:– “We will cut your head and keep it elsewhere and we will attach the head of a horse to your body. Instruct us with the mouth of this horse and when Indra will cut off your this mouth, we will replace your former head.” When they said so, the Muni gave them the Brahma-Vidyâ. Indra cut off his head by his thunderbolt. When the horse-head of the Muni was cut off, the two physicians of the Devas replaced his original head. This is widely known in all the Vedas.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

For more information read the article Head transplant in Vedic period.

VASHISHTHA VS VISHWAMITRA

Vishwamitra came to the hermitage of sage Vashishtha. Vashishtha had a genie of the lamp-like cow perhaps known as Kamdhenu who would grant all desires. Vishwamitra became very excited about the cow so he wanted to obtain it and he asked Vasishtha for it and said that in return he would give him many cows. But Vasishtha refused so Vishwamitra became angry and wanted to take it away by force. Vishwamitra’s sons were killed by Vashistha and to avenge it Vishwamitra started performing austerities in the forest in order to obtain a boon from Shiva. Vrishadwaja (appellation of Shiva) decided to bestow a boon. Vishwamitra asks him to confer the science of archery with all its mysteries and mantras as well as its virtues and also weapons. Then Vishvamitra goes to Vasishtha’s hermitage and attacks him

Ramayana of Valmiki, Bala Kanda 1.55.5-7 “And seeing the army annihilated by the high-souled Vasishtha, the hundred sons of Vicwamitra, equipped with various weapons, rushed in high ire against that best of mantra-reciting ones. Thereupon, uttering a roar, that might ascetic consumed them quite. And in a moment, Vicwamitra’s sons together with horse and car and foot were reduced to ashes by the high-souled Vasishtha.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Vishwamitra instigated Rakshasas to kill Vashishtha’s son and Vashishtha’s sons were also killed. And in grief, Vashishtha’s tried to commit suicide by jumping from a mountain but he fell on a heap of cotton, then he torched the forest and entered it but it didn’t burn him and then he tied a weight to his neck and drowned himself in the waters but even that didn’t kill him. He came to know that his daughter in law is pregnant so he gave up the idea of committing suicide,

Mahabharata Adi Parva 1.178.41-49 “Beholding Saktri thus slain and devoured, Viswamitra repeatedly urged that Rakshasa (who was within the monarch) against the other sons of Vasishtha. Like a wrathful lion devouring small animals, that Rakshasa soon devoured the other sons of the illustrious Vasishtha that were junior to Saktri in age. But Vasishtha, learning that all his sons had been caused to be slain by Viswamitra, patiently bore his grief like the great mountain that bears the earth. That best of Munis, that foremost of intelligent men, was resolved rather to sacrifice his own life than exterminate (in anger) the race of Kusikas. The illustrious Rishi threw himself down from the summit of Meru, but he descended on the stony ground as though on a heap of cotton. And, O son of Pandu, when the illustrious one found that death did not result from that fall, he kindled a huge fire in the forest and entered it with alacrity. But that fire, though burning brightly, consumed him not. O slayer of foes, that blazing fire seemed to him cool. Then the great Muni under the influence of grief, beholding the sea, tied a stony weight to his neck and threw himself into its waters. But the waves soon cast him ashore. At last when that Brahmana of rigid vows succeeded not in killing himself by any means, he returned, in distress of heart, to his asylum.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

OTHERS

Emperor Bharat son of Dushyant

Srimad Bhagavatam 9.20.30 “During his expedition for the conquest of the world, he defeated the tribes Kiratas, Hunas, Yavanas, Andhras, Kankas, Khasas and Sakas and killed the Mleccha kings who were inimical to Brahmins or Vedas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by J.L. Shastri

Rig Veda 4.30.8-11 talks about Indra killing Usha and Rig Veda 4.18.12 talks about Indra killing his father. Although these verses are considered to be allegorical but they are still worth reading.

back to top

Sins leading to hell

Hinduism too has the concept of heaven and hell but unlike Abrahamic religions, Hinduism has temporary heaven and hell. The reason I am mentioning it here is because it refutes the claim of deceitful Hindus on the internet who claims that ‘You are free to do anything, you will not be put into hell for doing this or that thing’. Hinduism lists several sins that could lead one to hell, I am mentioning some of them like not worshiping Shivling leads one to hell, who doesn’t observe Yajnas, those who don’t follow the path laid down by Vedas, etc.,

Shiva Purana, Vidyeshvara Samhita 1, chapter 19, verse 26 “If a brahmin does not worship the earthen phallic image he shall fall in the terrible hell with a terrible trident pierced through his body.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 75.43-52 “…A fool who slanders Siva, Durga, Ganes’a, the Sun, a Brahmin, a Vaisnava and Visnu goes to the hell called the great Raurava. A person who does not maintain his parents, chaste wife, spiritual guide, and widowed sister, and widowed daughter goes to hell. If a Ksatriya, Vais’ya or Sudra male has no faith in Hari or a Brahmin and if a youthful woman has no faith in her husband, then these wretches undoubtedly suffer the torments of hell…” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen

Skanda Purana III.ii.18.156-7 “She creates obstacles for a foolish one who does not worship. He will have to witness death of the couple, destruction of wealth, great fear, pain, sickness and incidents of arson. For this reason, O Brahmanas, an intelligent devotee should worship Matangi.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Devi Bhagavatam 9.35.1-44 “…If any Brâhmana does not worship with devotion the phallic emblem of S’iva, he goes to the dreadful S’ûlaprota Kunda for that heinous sin. He remains there for one hundred years; then he becomes a quadruped animal for seven births and again he becomes born a Devala Brâhmin for seven births when he becomes freed.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Narada Purana I.15.130b-131a “Those who have ceased to perform the rites and the yajnas for Pitrs (manes) and Devas, those who stay outside the part of the Vedas, are notorious as heretics. They undergo all sorts of tortures.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narada Purana I.15.89 “Those who have abandoned the five great sacrifices go to the hell Lalabhaksa. One who abandons worship goes to the hell Raurava. [96b-97] The person who abandons his religious duties is called a heretic by learned men. He and a person who associates with him are great sinners. They fall into hells in a serial order, in the course of thousand and millions of kalpas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana II.iv.6.26 “Those foolish persons who revile noble-souled Vaisnavas, fall into hell named Maharaurava along with their manes.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda Purana: Lalit-Mahatmya 33.84-86 “The glorious Maharudra who holds the trident is served by other Rudras, the chief among whom is Hiranyabahu. He is accompanied by those Rudranis too. With the tip of his trident, he pierces those persons who have neglected visiting Lalita, who are haughty, and who are repoached by elderly people. He burns them by means of fierce fires originating from his eyes. He destroys their wives, children and servants, He is the great hero who obediently carries out the behest of Lalitha.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahma Purana 106.33-38-41 “Yama’s servants said: You have not performed sacrifices at the proper time. You have not offered gifts to the brahmins. Moreover, when something was offered to brahmins you had actively prevented it. The time for the reaping of the fruits of that sin has arrived, O base men, your assets were not burnt by fire nor did they perish in water. They had not been seized by kings or robbers. Where are they now? Why were they not handed over to brahmins…On hearing the words of Yama’s servants they lose their taste therein. They are afflicted by hunger and thirst (all the more). Thereafter they are tortured by the servants of Yama with terrible weapons. The ruthless emissaries of Yama attack them from the rear with iron clubs, iron-rods, javelins, tomaras, pattisas, bhindipalas and parighas. They are bit and pierced by arrows, axes and maces. The sinners are attacked from the front by lions, tigers etc. and are eaten up by them.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Varaha Purana 134.61-64 “Varaha said: O Earth, I shall tell you what happens to the man who offers forbidden flower for me…Fools alone dare to offer me like this and they fall into the hell called Raurava, and then, because of their ignorance, undergo a lot of suffering. They remain as monkeys for ten years, cats for thirteen years.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer

Shiva Purana, Uma Samhita 5.10.19-20 “If men, out of greed, pluck and sniff at flowers of the temple parks, or wear them on their heads, their heads are covered with iron spikes and their noses are filled with plenty of acid and other things.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Linga Purana Section II.18.60-62 “…The lord said thus:-‘O excellent-faced lady, a person who applies Bhasman is on a par with my son Ganesa. What is repugnant to them should be eschewed. A householder who is devoid of Brahman (Vedic knowledge) and who does not wear the caste mark Tripundra falls into the depths of hell. All his holy rites of worship, charitable gifts and holy ablutions are in vain like the Homa performed in the ashes.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana Section II.21.59-61 “Brhaspati said: The man who after hearing this explanation of the procedure of Sraddhas, becomes malicious, is an atheist enveloped in darkness. He will drown himself in the terrible hell. He who has perfectly controlled his mind, finds all his great ailments terminated. He who is not mindful of the Asramas (stages of life) stated in the Vedas attains the Kumbhika hell. He attains the status of a thief and gets his tongue cut. Those who censure Yoga become lumps of clay in the ocean and decay as long as earth exists. Hence, this is the Dharma (virtue) intended in the Sraddha that it should be performed by a man with faith (in it.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by G.P. Bhatt

Padma Purana IV.1.8-13 “…For a man who would create an obstacle in the act of the narration of Visnu’s account, there is no escape from hell for a hundred period of Manu. For those who having hear the account (as narrated) in the Puranas, censure or scoff at it, always have the very afflicting hells on their hands (i.e. waiting for them)…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Shiva Purana Vayaviyasamhita 6, Section II, 41.38 “This excellent gem of Sivapurana, should not be mentioned to those who do not know the Vedas, nor should it be imparted to a disciple who is not a devotee of Siva nor to an atheist. If it is imparted to these out of delusion it yields hell.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.19.57b-58a “After hearing these rules and regulations regarding Sraddha, if any man does not perform it, he is an atheist and he shall fall into the terrible hell enveloped in darkness.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kurma Purana II.24.7 “Either due to atheistic feelings or due to lethargy, if anyone does not wish to maintain sacrificial fires, nor does he perform Yajnas, he falls into many hells.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana III.iii.22.39-41 “Men who censure a man conversant with the Puranas or the story that dispels sins, become dogs in a hundred births. The base men who talk and interrupt while the (Purana) story is progressing, will be born as donkeys first and then as chameleons. Those men who never listen to the holy story will fall into terrible hells and later be born as wild pigs.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

back to top

Hinduism is the only way to salvation

Contrary to the much hype by Hindus. One should worship a Deva, believe in the Vedas, and sacrifice to the gods in order to attain salvation, if he doesn’t then he keeps taking rebirth and is also put in hell in between the cycles of birth as punishment. Attaining heaven is the main aim of Abrahamic religions but attaining salvation is the main aim of Hinduism. It’s mentioned in the Vedas,

Rig Veda 9.73.9 “The thread of the cosmic sacrifice, spread over the ultraphychic filter, extends as if, by its act up to the tip of venerable Lord’s tongue; the prudent devotees attain it; but he who is incompetent and faithless shall sink into the pit of hell, even whilst he is in this world.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati

Rig Veda 1.164.39 “They are atheists and of weak intellect, and continually remain sunk in the depths of misery and pain who do not believe in, know, and commune with, Him who is Resplendent, All-glorious, All-Holy, All-knowledge, sustainer of the sun, the earth and other planets, Who pervades all like ether, is the Lord of all and is above all devatas. It is by the knowledge and contemplation of God alone that all men attain true happiness.” Tr. Dr. Chiranjiva Bhardwaja, as mentioned in the book Satyarth Prakash, By Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Ch 7, page 203.

Krishna said,

Gita 9.3 “Those who are not faithful in this devotional service cannot attain Me, O conqueror of enemies. Therefore they return to the path of birth and death in this material world.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.21.1 “The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who give up these methods for achieving Me, which consist of devotional service, analytic philosophy and regulated execution of prescribed duties, and instead, being moved by the material senses, cultivate insignificant sense gratification, certainly undergo the continual cycle of material existence.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

He also said,

Gita 8.11-13 “Persons who are learned in the Vedas, who utter oṁ-kāra, and who are great sages in the renounced order enter into Brahman. Desiring such perfection, one practices celibacy. I shall now briefly explain to you this process by which one may attain salvation. The yogic situation is that of detachment from all sensual engagements. Closing all the doors of the senses and fixing the mind on the heart and the life air at the top of the head, one establishes himself in yoga. After being situated in this yoga practice and vibrating the sacred syllable oṁ, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the spiritual planets.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Gita 4.40 “The ignorant fool, one without faith in Vedic scriptures, and one afflicted by inner doubt and uncertainty is ruined and for one afflicted by doubt and uncertainty there is no happiness in this world nor the next.”

Brahma Purana 65.71-73 “Thus O brahmins is the greatest abode of Visnu endowed with all enjoyable pleasures and attributes. It is conducive to the pleasures of everyone. It is holy and full of mysteries. Atheists and profligates do not go there. Nor do the following go there viz.-the ungrateful and those who are of uncontrollable sense-organs. The devotees of Visnu who worship Vasudeva the preceptor of the universe with devotion, go to the world of Visnu.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Skanda Purana II.ii.26.28-33 “…One who installs the idol of Hari in accordance with the injunctions in the Mansion does not get involved in the bondage of physical bodies. He goes to the great region of Visnu.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narada Purana I.41.106 “It is only through the repetition of the names of Hari that redemption is attained by the people who commit sins, who are beyond the pale of Vedic path and who are wanting in mental purity.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Srimad Bhagavatam 7.1.32 “Somehow or other, one must consider the form of Kṛṣṇa very seriously. Then, by one of the five different processes mentioned above, one can return home, back to Godhead. Atheists like King Vena, however, being unable to think of Kṛṣṇa’s form in any of these five ways, cannot attain salvation. Therefore, one must somehow think of Kṛṣṇa, whether in a friendly way or inimically.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.26.3 “…And for one who acts impiously and ignorantly because of atheism, the resultant hellish life is the worst. Because of ignorance, every living entity has been carried by various desires into thousands of different hellish planets since time immemorial. I shall try to describe them as far as possible.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagvatam 6.1.40 “The Yamadūtas replied: That which is prescribed in the Vedas constitutes dharma, the religious principles, and the opposite of that is irreligion. The Vedas are directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, and are self-born. This we have heard from Yamarāja.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 6.6.29-32. “The Munis said:– “O King! All the creatures certainly enjoy the fruits of their Karmas, whether good or bad; how then, can persons, of perverted intellect, obtain peace when they do mischief to others. The treacherous persons certainly go to hell and suffer miseries always. The slayers of Brâhmanas and the drunkards may get liberation; but never the faithless and those who go against their friends get off free; these will have to suffer undoubtedly in the hells.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Bali to Rama

Ramayana of Valmiki, Kishkindha Kanda 4.17.36 “The regicide, the brahmincide, the slayer of the cow, the thief and the one who finds pleasure in the destruction of other beings, the unbeliever and the one who weds before his elder brother, all these enter hell…” Tr. Hari Prasad Shastri

Vayu Purana section II.15.127 “These five do not attain the benefit of pilgrimage: those who have no faith, sinners, atheists, permanent doubters and those who always seek a cause (for everything).” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by G.P. Bhatt

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 6.11.57-65. “Vyâsa said:– O King! There is only one path and none other which can save a man from the sin of this Kâlî; and that is this:– The Jîvas must meditate on the lotus-feet of the Highest Devî for the purification of all their faults and sins. O King! There is so much strength in Her sin-destroying Name, that the amount of sin in this world falls much less in proportion to that. Where, then, is the cause of fear? Her Name, uttered at random, even in an unconscious state, bestows so much unspeakable results that even Hari, Hara and others have not the capacity to know that.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

back to top

Atheism

This is a very important topic for discussion. Hindus claim that you can even be an atheist and attain salvation. I don’t really know what is the basis of this claim. They should furnish references showing that even an atheist who doesn’t believe in god and Veda, who never sacrificed for Devas or worshipped them can go to heaven temporarily and attain salvation. I am not challenging them but asking for educational purposes. Buddhism and Jainism are condemned in Hindu scriptures because of their atheistic doctrines then how can Hindus claim that you can be an atheist? Why do Hindu scriptures lay stress on the atheistic doctrines of Buddhism and Jainism while condemning them and rejecting them as false religions? Now they cite Mimamsa philosophy to support their argument, such atheistic doctrines are later entrants to Hinduism probably to counter Buddhism. Do they even know what Mimamsa is? Mimamsa has both theistic and atheistic doctrines, it rejects a personal god but believes in the authority of the Vedas. Now you tell me, is there any atheist on the face of this earth who claims the Vedas to be authoritative? Atheism is strongly condemned in Hindu scriptures, Vedas even call for the death of godless atheists. Buddha is criticized for rejecting the Vedas so how can Hindus claim this? If they want to prove that Atheists can attain salvation then they should furnish references showing that a man who doesn’t believe in god, in Vedas, in Brahmins, who doesn’t worship and who doesn’t sacrifice can attain salvation. That’s it. No need for further discussion. Hindu scholars have also translated the word Nastika as an infidel. Nastika in Sanskrit is literally translated as Atheist. But in Vedic (Hindu scriptures) terminology an atheist doesn’t necessarily mean the one who doesn’t believe in god, but it has several meanings like a non-Hindu is also considered to be an atheist, a censurer of Vedas is also considered an atheist, etc, let me present some sources,

Rig Veda 9.13.9 “O Pavamamas, driving off the godless, looking on the light, Sit in the place of sacrifice.” Tr. Ralph. T.H. Griffith

Rig Veda 7.6.3 “The foolish, faithless, rudely-speaking niggards, without belief or sacrifice or worship,— Far far sway hath Agni chased those Dasytis, and, in the cast, hath turned the godless westward.” Tr. Ralph. T.H. Griffith

Kurma Purana II.24.10 “He who is one who maintains sacrificial fires but does not wish to perform sacrifice to the lord by means of meditation, is a confused person. He should not be conversed with. What more (need be said) that man is an atheist.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Varaha Purana 58.5-6 “Visnu should be considered as Rudra and Laksmi as Gauri. He who speaks of difference between them is lowly (Adhama) and should be considered an atheist outside the field of dharma.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, J.L. Shastri

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.30 “Bhṛgu Muni continued: Since you blaspheme the Vedas and the brāhmaṇas, who are followers of the Vedic principles, it is understood that you have already taken shelter of the doctrine of atheism.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

“The ‘infidel’ is one who has no religion, his son is ‘the son of an infidel’. Vijnanesvara in Mitakshara on Yajnavalkya Smriti verse 244

Swami Prabhupada wrote, “…An atheist is called a demon, and it is a fact that even a person born of good parents can turn into a demon by bad association…” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 3.3.6
http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_3.3.6

Swami Prabhupada also wrote, “Bhṛgu Muni, in cursing Nandīśvara, said that not only would they be degraded as atheists because of this curse, but they had already fallen to the standard of atheism because they had blasphemed the Vedas, which are the source of human civilization. Human civilization is based on the qualitative divisions of social order, namely the intelligent class, the martial class, the productive class and the laborer class. The Vedas provide the right direction for advancing in spiritual cultivation and economic development and regulating the principle of sense gratification, so that ultimately one may be liberated from material contamination to his real state of spiritual identification (ahaṁ brahmāsmi). As long as one is in the contamination of material existence, one changes bodies from the aquatics up to the position of Brahmā, but the human form of life is the highest perfectional life in the material world. The Vedas give directions by which to elevate oneself in the next life. The Vedas are the mother for such instructions, and the brāhmaṇas, or persons who are in knowledge of the Vedas, are the father. Thus if one blasphemes the Vedas and brāhmaṇas, naturally one goes down to the status of atheism. The exact word used in Sanskrit is nāstika, which refers to one who does not believe in the Vedas but manufactures some concocted system of religion…” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.30 http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_4.2.30

He also wrote, “The Buddhists are called atheists because they have no respect for the Vedas, but those who defy the Vedic conclusions, as above mentioned, under the pretense of being followers of the Vedas, are verily more dangerous than the Buddhists.” http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_Introduction

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.30 “By blaspheming the principles of the Vedas, which are the pure and supreme path of the saintly persons, certainly you followers of Bhūtapati, Lord Śiva, will descend to the standard of atheism without a doubt.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

back to top

Punishment for Atheists

Skanda Purana V.iii.227.1-10 “[Sri Markandeya said]…Persons who have no faith, those who are atheists fall into the terrible Naraka. So said Paramesvara…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

People who commit these sins are considered criminals

Vishnu Smriti 37.44. Reviling the Veda; [30-31] Studying irreligious books; Atheism;

Vamana Purana 40.35-36 “Therefore Dharma is not to be shunned, for Dharma is the supreme goal. Men devoid of Dharma go to the wide Raurava hell. Dharma, they say, enables a safe passage in heaven and here and Adharma leads to downfall in this world and the next.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

Narada Purana I.15.79-80 “I shall tell you the sufferings of the atheists who turn their faces away from Hara and Hari. They will be compelled to eat salt for ten million years. Then, they are scorched and fried in red hot sand in Raurava hell. These men of sinful acts remain in that hell for the period of a Kalpa. O ruler of men, in other hells also (they are tortured) like this.”  Tr. G.V. Tagare

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.15 “These godless people hate Lord Hari-their very indwelling self who abides in the bodies of others as well (as their Soul); and fixing their attachment to their mortal body and its relatives (wives, sons, etc.), they fall down deep into hell.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by J.L. Shastri

Kurma Purana II.19.31-32 “If any Brahmana does not practise his duty either due to atheism or due to lethargy, he falls into the terrible hells and is reborn as a crow. There is no other way for liberation excepting performance of the duties of one’s own Asrama (stage of life). Hence one should perform the holy rites for the satisfaction of Paramesthin (god Brahma).” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Purana 3.17.5-7 “PARÁŚARA.–The Rig, Yajur, and Sáma Vedas constitute the triple covering of the several castes, and the sinner who throws this off is said to be naked (or apostate). The three Vedas are the raiment of all the orders of men, and when that is discarded they are left bare. On this subject hear what I heard my grandfather, the pious Vaśisht́ha, relate to the magnanimous Bhíshma.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Skanda Purana V.ii.67.23-31 “…[Isvara said] a voice issued from the firmament as uttered by me in compassion: ‘Do not say anything out of the way. The immutable Srutis should not be censured. The Puranas spoken by Brahma, the creator of the worlds, cannot be otherwise. The atheists who censure the Puranas and Dharmasastras fall into the terrible hell and remain there till all living beings are annihilated.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narasima Purana 53.15-16 “…I salute god Kesava the supreme intuitive, who protects the godly persons who are religion abiding by killing the wicked and atheists through his incarnation in varied forms and in every age…” Tr. Joshi K.L. Shastri and Bindiya Trivedi

Atheists are condemned in Hindu scriptures,

Brahma Purana 46.60-61 “This hymn is conducive to wealth. It dispels sins. It is auspicious. It bestows worldly pleasures and salvation. It is a rare esoteric secret. It is sacred. It should not be imparted to any one and everyone. It should not be imparted to an atheist, a fool, an ungrateful person, an arrogant or to one of wicked intellect. It should never be handed over to a knave.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahma Purana 60.16 “O excellent Brahmins, the knowledge of the purana should not be imparted to an atheist…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Kurma Purana II.26.67 “A person who knows Dharma should not offer even water to an atheist or a heretic or to a sceptic or to a person who does not know the Vedas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahmanda purana 2.3.14.43 “One shall discard the very sight of these viz-the Brahman slayer, the ungrateful one, the atheist, the defiled of the preceptor’s bed, the robber and the ruthless person.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kurma Purana II.21.43-44 “The following are defilers of rows:- an ungrateful person, a back-biter, a ruthless person, an atheist, person who censures the Vedas, a person injuring friends and a cheat. All these should not be fed (in a Sraddha). They cannot be given any gift in holy rites…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahma Purana 137.52-53 “Thus, O excellent sages, the great Liberation, the essences, has been recounted by me. On realising it one does not return. It should not be imparted to an atheist or to a person who is not a devotee. O brahmins, it should not be imparted to an evil-minded person nor to a person who has no faith and who is averse to everything good.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

back to top

Punishment for Disbelievers

Rig Veda 9.63.5 ‘‘Augmenting the strength of resplendent self, urging the waters and rejuvenating all noble acts and destroying the infidels.” Tr. SatyaPrakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidyalankar

Rig Veda 1.121.13 “O glorious resplendent sun, may you stop your yellow horses, which drag the wheel of your chariot in the opposite direction,-the one of back-gear,-drive them away to the opposite bank of navigable rivers where the non-worshippers, the infidels, reside.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidyalankar

Rig Veda 6.67.9 “O light-divine and plasma-divine may you exterminate those who strive against you and break the laws that are agreeable and beneficial and also those divinities, and mortal, who are not dilligent in adoration, and those who work without faith and those who performing works do not worship and those who do not propitiate you.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidyalankar

Rig Veda 7.93.5 “When two large, mutually defiant hosts, emulous in corporal vigour, contest, may you destroy the godless in favour of the god fearing and in favour of the person who pours out devotional sentiments.” Tr. Svami SatyaPrakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidyalankar

Rig Veda 8.45.23 “Let not the fools or those who mock, beguile you, when they seek your protection; may you not favour the unbelievers and godless.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidyalankar

Rig Veda 7.97.9 “…May you sharpen our intellects and wake up our thoughts and spirit; destroy the godless and the malice of our enemy.” Tr. Svami Satya Prakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidyalankar

Atharva Veda 12.3.43 May Agni burn the God-denying demon: let no carnivorous. Pisicha drink here. We drive him off, we keep him at a distance. Adityas and Angirases pursue him!

Following is the Hindi translation and commentary by Shripad Damodar Satvalekar,
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/atharva-veda-12-3-43.jpg?w=300

Rig Veda 1.33.4 “…As atheistic un-righteous persons who revile God are ruined by His Powers or germs are destroyed by the rays of the sun, in the same manner, you should endeavour to put an end to the lives of those wicked persons who forcibly take away and enjoy other’s articles and who do not perform Yajnas and other noble deeds who are utterly selfish.” Tr. Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda

I didn’t use some of these Vedic verses in the article Killing infidels in Vedas. Just look at what Muni Ved Vyasa says in Mahabharata,

Mahabharata Santi Parva 12.34-35 “[Vyasa said] I shall now mention other acts that men should not do, viz., acts that are interdicted by both the world and the Vedas. Listen to me with concentrated attention. The rejection of one’s own creed, the practice of other people’s creed, assisting at the sacrifice or the religious rites of one that is not worthy of such assistance…these all have been pronounced by persons conversant with duty to be acts that no one should do.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Other Mahabharata verses show how infidels are roasted in hell,

Mahabharata, Santi Parva 12.181.4-5 “Those that are virtuous in their acts, and possessed of faith, and that have their senses under control, become born as affluent men and repeatedly sport in festivities and heaven and happiness. Unbelievers, with their arms manacled, are sent to regions rendered inaccessible by carnivorous beasts and elephants and full of terrors in consequence of snakes and robbers. What more need be said of them?” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mahabharata, Santi Parva 12.323 “They that are unbelievers have to pass, with groping hands, through regions infested by beasts of prey and elephants and pathless tracts teeming with snakes and robbers and other causes of fear. What more need be said of these?” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.9.4 “…we offer obeisance to you (a gracious) Lord who is spurned by the atheists (like Mimamsakas, Sankhyas etc.) and believers in false logic and who therefore deserve (stay in) Hell.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by J.L. Shastri

Buddhists beware you will go to hell,

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 11.1.25-37 “…Whatever goes clearly against the Vedas can in no way be accepted as a proof. In matters concerning Dharma, the Vedas is the Sole Proof. Therefore that which is not against the Vedas can be taken as proof; otherwise not. Whoever acts Dharma according to other proofs than what is ordained in the Vedas, goes to the hell in the abode of Yama to get his lesson. So the Dharma that is by all means to be accepted as such, is what is stated in the Vedas. The Smritis, the Purânas, or the Tantra S’âstras can be taken also as authoritative when they are not conflicting to Vedas. Any other S’âstras can be taken as authoritative when it is fundamentally coincident with the Vedas. Else it can never be accepted. Those who do injury to others even by the blade of a Kus’a grass used as a weapon, go to hell with their heads downwards and their feet upwards. Those that follow their own sweet free will, that take up any sort of dress (e. g. Bauddhas), those that follow the philosophical doctrines called Pâs’upatas, and the other hermits and saints and persons that take up other vows contrary to the religions of the Vedas, for example, the Vaikhânasa followers, those who brand their bodies by the hot Mudrâs, at the places of pilgrimages, e. g. Dvârkâ, etc., they go to hell with their bodies scorched by red hot brands (Tapta Mudrâs). So persons should act according to the excellent religions commanded by the Vedas…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Padma Purana VI.253.36-39 “That devotee of Visnu, who does not practise the acts prescribed in the Srutis and Smrtis, becomes a heretic, and would stay in the Raurava hell. Therefore, a man should offer to the lord of the world a worship fit for his caste…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 75.62-77 “…A Brahmin who does not worship Visnu is like a Chandal; and one who adopts the tenets of Bama (name of Gouri, Laksmi or Saraswati) goes to hell…” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen

Narada Purana, Uttarabhaga 21.38 “These persons are to be punished and given capital punishment- he who eschews Visnu the foremost among the gods and worships any other deity…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana VII.I.3.144 “Thus the foolish ones will say, others will laugh. The non-beleivers, the people destined to fall into hell, get their minds overwhelmed by sins. At the advent of Kali Age, they will never gain Siddhi.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krisna Janma Khanda 75.73-82 “…Even the worship of Siva’s male organ for one time after having constructed it with clay or cow dung and sand secures dwelling in heaven for a hundred ages: and whoever worships a hundred such organs obtains the desired meed; and whoever worships a hundred thousand such organs attains the position of S’iva, but one who does not worship S’va goes to hell. Those who slander or calumniate the venerable, and most lovely S’iva dwell in hell as long as Brahma exists and suffer endless torments.” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen.

Linga Purana Section II.11.35-37 “If people forsake Linga and begin to worship other deities they will go to the Raurava hell along with the king, their ruler. If a king ceases to be a devotee of Siva and becomes attached to other Devas, it is like the behaviour of a young woman who discarding her husband revels among her paramours.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Kurma Purana I.12.259-61 “The hells such as Tamisra and others were created beneath the earth by god Brahma for those people who do not practise the duties prescribed in my Dharma. There is no scripture other than the Vedas which lays down what is Dharma. A person who takes delight in other things (not sanctioned by the Vedas), should not even talked to by twice-born persons viz. Brahmanas, Ksatriyas and Vaisyas. Those various scriptures which are contrary to Srutis and Smrtis seen in this world, are based on Tamo-guna or ignorance. Belief in them or practising in accordance with them is a Tamasa activity.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Padma Purana V.96.49b-76a “Yama said: Those men who are averse to religion through their deeds mind and words, and who are without (i.e. who do not have) devotion to Visnu, go to hell. Those men who look upon Brahma, Sankara and Visnu as different (from one another), and who are detached from knowledge about Visnu, go to hell…A man who worships what should not be worshipped, and does not worship what should be worshipped, and is disinterested in the knowledge about Visnu, suffers in many hells…Those who, when proper time has come, do not devoutly offer sraddha through atheism or greed or delusion are roasted in hell…and who is inclined to atheism, would live in the abode of hell…Those who, even after seeing the door of (the temple of) the lord or (even after hearing) his name or the sacred text (even after seeing) his attendants, do not salute etc. become the residents of hell….” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Who becomes an infidel?

As you may know, whatever we are today is because of the deeds of our past lives as per Hinduism. A person is born as a Shudra or a Chandala because he committed theft in his previous life etc. So what makes one non-Hindu?

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 85.159-169 “…One the days of the five important festivals, a man must abstain from woman, oil, fish and flesh. The great fool who violates this rule must go to the hell called ‘the tooth of thunder or adamant.’ That sinner after having lived there in great pain turns into an infidel for seven births and a chandal for seven births. A wretch who does not bow to a Brahmin or an idol remains impure all his life and is afterwards born as an infidel.” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen

Infidels cannot act as a witness and should not be consulted

Brihaspati Smriti 7.30 Persons addicted to adultery or to drinking, gamblers, those who calumniate everybody, the insane, the suffering, violent persons, and unbelievers cannot act as witnesses.

Brihaspati Smriti 7.33 They who are ignorant of the customs of the country, unbelievers, despisers of the sacred books, insane, irate, avaricious, or troubled (by pain or illness) should not be consulted in the decision of a cause.

Kurma Purana I.1.10 “On hearing it (the divine story) even a sinner attains the highest state of existence. No one should recount this holy story at any time to an atheist or a non believer.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

back to top

Punishment for Apostasy

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.26.14-15 “He who bears malice towards his parents, Brahmanas and the Vedas is hurled into the hell called Kalasutra. It is a plain of a copper-sheet ten thousand Yojanas in area. The sheet of copper is heated by fire from below and the Sun from above…They (servants of Yama) throw in the hell called Arispatravana (a forest of trees with sword-like leaves) a person who, while in this world, abandons his Vedic way of life even when there was no calamity and embraces a heretic sect. They strike him with a whip. And while he runs hither and thither (to avoid whipping), all the limbs of his body are cut down by the two-edged sword-like leaves of the palm trees thereof. Crying with exceuciating pain, ‘Alas! I am killed’, he falls in a swoon at every step. A renegade from one’s faith he reaps the fruit (punishment) suitable for the sin of embracing a heretic creed.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by J.L. Shastri

Other translators have translated similarly.

Manmath Nath Dutt translates it as “…He that, when no danger threatens, forsakes the path of the Veda and follows that of a heretic, is thrown by the servants of Yama into the hell named Asipatravana, and is lashed by them. The sinner, sore afflicted, rusheth about hither and thither. The leaves of the palmyra palm growing in the wood have two sharp edges like that of swords, and these teat his body grievously. Then the wreth, suffering greatly, exclaims: ‘Ah! I am undone’; and stumbles at every step on account of the severe torment he undegoes.”

J.M. Sanyal translates it as “He that, even when no danger threatens, forsakes the path prescribed by the Vedas and follows that of a heretic, is thrown by the servants of Yama into the hellish region named Asipatravana”

Gita Press translation: “…Him, again, who actually deviates here form the path chalked out for him by the Vedas, otherwise than in an emergency (warranting such a course) and embraces a heretic creed, the servants of Yama throw into (the hell called) Asipatravana…apostate as he is, reaps the fruit of the sin attaching to heretics.”

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 8.22.2-52 “…The man who, getting even a trifling wealth and food-stuff, does not perform the five Mahâ Yajñâs and gives not a share of that to the Devas and feeds his own belly with that like a crow, is taken by the ferocious Yamadûtas to the worst Krimibhojana Naraka for his sinful deeds. This hell is one lakh Yoyanas wide and is the reservoir of worms. It causes terror to the inhabitants of the hell. That sinner assumes the form of an insect and is eaten up on return by the insects and thus passes his time there. When a man does not give any share to the Atithis or the guests and does not offer oblations to the Fire and eats his food, he, too, goes to the above hell…He who transgresses the path of the Vedas in times other than those of calamity and danger and follows other paths even to a trifling distance, that sinner is taken by Yamadûtas to Asipatra Kânana and there whipped severely. Not being able to bear that, he runs wildly to and fro and is pierced by the sharp edged Asi leaves on both his sides. His whole body being cut asunder, he cries “Oh! I am killed!”and faints away. Then feeling himself pained very much, he tumbles down at every step. Thus the sinner suffers for violating the path of the Vedas.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Srimad Devi Bhagavatam 7.39.21-30. “To preserve My Commandments, I have created the Brâhmana and the Ksattriya castes. My secrets are all embodied in the S’rutis. For that reason, the words of the S’rutis are no doubt to be known and observed by the sages. O Mountain! When the Dharma (righteousness) declines and the Adharma (unrighteousness) reigns supreme, I then manifest Myself in the world as Sâkambharî, Râma, Krisna and others. Therefore, the Devas, the preservers of the Vedas, and the Daityas, the destroyers of the Vedas are classified. Whoever does not practise according to the Vedas I have created many hells for their lessons. When the sinners hear of those hells, they get extremely terrified. The king should banish those stupid persons from his kingdom and the Brâhmins should not talk with them nor take them in their own lines nor when partaking of food, those who forsake the Vaidic Dharma and go for shelter to another Dharma.” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Kalki punishing apostates,

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.12.26 “He will meet out proper punishments to those going astray from the path of religion, and for piety and supreme welfare of the earth he will punish Kali.” Tr. J.M. Sanyal

Skanda Purana III.i.30.21 “A man who transgresses the Vedic path and goes along a despicable path is cast into Asipatravana by the servants of Yama. But if he takes his holy bath in Dhanuskoti, he is not thrown therein.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Leave aside apostasy from religion it’s even prohibited for an ascetic to leave asceticism,

Narada Smriti 5.39 An apostate from asceticism shall become the king’s slave. He can never be emanicipated, nor is there any expiation of his crime.

Vishnu Smriti 5.152 An apostate from religious mendicity shall become the king’s slave.

Vamana Purana 12.84 “He who forsakes the Vedas, sacrificial fire, preceptor, wife, and parents, is hurled down from the peaks of mountains by the servants of Yama.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

back to top

Examples

There are some examples where demons devoted to Devas were killed soon after they left the Vedic religion and embraced other religions like Buddhism and Jainism. There is a story of the sons of Raji being killed by Indra after Brihaspati deludes them to leave the Vedic religion and converts them to Jainism.

Matysa Purana 24.47-49 “…Brihaspati then went and deluded the other sons of Raji with false philosophy and established the Jina religion opposed to the Vedas, though himself a knower of the Vedas and Indra on finding the sons of Brihaspati propagating a religion different from the Vedas based on a show of reason only killed them with his mighty thunderbolt.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Rig Veda 8.85.15 might be related to this verse.

Vishnu Purana 4.19.6-7 “…replied Vrihaspati, “I had been applied to by you before, I could have done anything for you that you wished; as it is, I will endeavour and restore you in a few days to your sovereignty.” So saying, he commenced a sacrifice for the purpose of increasing the might of Indra, and of leading the sons of Raji into error, and so effecting their downfall. Misled by their mental fascination, the princes became enemies of the Brahmans, regardless of their duties, and contemners of the precepts of the Vedas; and thus devoid of morality and religion, they were slain by Indra, who by the assistance of the priest of the gods resumed his place in heaven…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Srimad Bhagavatam 9.17.15 “Brhaspati, then offered oblations to fire (with malevolent purpose against the sons of Raji and made them stray from the path of religion) and Indra slew them once and all as they swerved from the path (of righteousness) and not a single son (of Raji) survived.” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by J.L. Shastri

Also mentioned in Vishnu Purana book 4 chapter 9 which H.H. Wilson summarizes as “Descendants of Raji, son of Áyus: Indra resigns his throne to him: claimed after his death by his sons, who apostatize from the religion of the Vedas, and are destroyed by Indra. Descendants of Pratíkshatra, son of Kshatravriddha.”

A story in Shiva Purana goes like this,

Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita 2, Yuddhakanda 5, chapter 4, verses 1 “[Sanathkumara said] For causing obstacles in their virtuous activities, Visnu of great brilliance, created a Purusa* born of himself. [9-12] Let your name be Arihat. You will have other auspicious names too. I shall assign to you a place afterwards. Now hear with reverence what is relevant to the context. O you who wield Maya, create a deceptive sacred text of sixteen hundred thousand verses, contrary to Srutis and Smritis wherein Varnas and Asramas shall be eschewed. Let that holy text be in Apabramsa language…I shall bestow on you the ability to create it. Different kinds of magic arts shall be subsevient to you. [18-20] O ascetic, no doubt, Vedic and Smarta rites flourish and shine there. But these shall certainly be exploded through this Vidya. O you shaven head, you shall go there for destroying the residents of the three cities. Revealing the Tamasika rites, destroy the three cities. After that, O great one, you shall go to the desert region and stay there carrying on your own duties and activities till the advent of the Kali age. When the Kali age begins let your Dharma be revealed. You shall then continue to do so by means of disciples and disciple’s disciples.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Shiva Purana, Rudrasamhita 2, Yuddha Khanda 5, chapter 10, verse 29 “Since they had refrained from the worship of Siva, hundreds of Asuras were burnt by the fire generated by the arrow. They cried ‘Ha Ha’ in distress.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

This story is about the burning of Tripura. This is about Jina (Jain) religion. As per this story, the residents of Tripura followed the Vedic religion and they couldn’t be killed so Vishnu created an illusory form and named him Arihat and when the residents abandoned the Vedic religion, they were burnt alive. The translator Jagdish Lal Shastri writes on the footnote of Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita 2, Yuddhakanda 5.4.1,

“*According to the present context Visnu created a delusive teacher called Mayamoha who created a Mayasastra of sixteen lakhs of slokas in Apabhramsa, preaching Jina Dharma for misguiding the Asuras. Mayamoha created four sorts of preachers for the propagation of Jina Dharma. He preached non-violence, forbade Srauta and Smarta rituals, discarded Varnasrama system, created an order for women that resulted in leaving their home and leading the life of nuns. In some versions, the role is assigned to Brhaspati, the preceptor of the Gods who in the guise of their preceptor Sukra deludes the Asuras…”

Vishnu Purana also has a similar story wherein demons were killed after they abandoned the Vedic religion and embraced Jainism and Buddhism. H.H. Wilson writes on chapter 4.17-18

“Of heretics, or those who reject the authority of the Vedas: their origin, as described by Vaśisht́ha to Bhíshma: the gods, defeated by the Daityas, praise Vishńu: an illusory being, or Buddha, produced from his body.”
“Buddha goes to the earth, and teaches the Daityas to contemn the Vedas: his sceptical doctrines: his prohibition of animal sacrifices. Meaning of the term Bauddha. Jainas and Bauddhas; their tenets. The Daityas lose their power, and are overcome by the gods. Meaning of the term Nagna. Consequences of neglect of duty. Story of Śatadhanu and his wife Śaivyá. Communion with heretics to be shunned.”

Vishnu Purana 3.17.35-44 “…Upon the conclusion of their prayers, the gods beheld the sovereign deity Hari, armed with the shell, the discus, and the mace, riding on Garud́a. Prostrating themselves before him, they addressed him, and said, “Have compassion upon us, O lord, and protect us, who have come to thee for succour from the Daityas. They have seized upon the three worlds, and appropriated the offerings which are our portion, taking care not to transgress the precepts of the Veda. Although we, as well as they, are parts of thee, of whom all beings consist, yet we behold the world impressed by the ignorance of unity, with the belief of its separate existence. Engaged in the duties of their respective orders, and following the paths prescribed by holy writ, practising also religious penance, it is impossible for us to destroy them. Do thou, whose wisdom is immeasurable, instruct us in some device by which we may be able to exterminate the enemies of the gods.” When the mighty Vishńu heard their request, he emitted from his body an illusory form, which he gave to the gods, and thus spake This deceptive vision shall wholly beguile the Daityas, so that, being led astray from the path of the Vedas, they may be put to death; for all gods, demons, or others, who shall be opposed to the authority of the Veda, shall perish by my might, whilst exercised for the preservation of the world. Go then, and fear not: let this delusive vision precede you; it shall this day be of great service unto you, oh gods!” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Vishnu Purana 3.18.1-11 “PARÁŚARA.–After this, the great delusion, having proceeded to earth, beheld the Daityas engaged in ascetic penances upon the banks of the Narmadá river; and approaching them in the semblance of a naked mendicant, with his head shaven, and carrying a bunch of peacock’s feathers, he thus addressed them in gentle accents: “Ho, lords of the Daitya race! wherefor is it that you practise these acts of penance? is it with a view to recompense in this world, or in another?” “Sage,” replied the Daityas, “we pursue these devotions to obtain a reward hereafter; why should you make such an inquiry?” “If you are desirous of final emancipation,” answered the seeming ascetic, “attend to my words, for you are worthy of a revelation which is the door to ultimate felicity. The duties that I will teach you are the secret path to liberation; there are none beyond or superior to them: by following them you shall obtain either heaven or exemption from future existence. You, mighty beings, are deserving of such lofty doctrine.” By such persuasions, and by many specious arguments, did this delusive being mislead the Daityas from the tenets of the Vedas…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

This is a reference to Digambara Jains. Jain saints still carry peacock feathers with their heads shaven and roam naked.

Vishnu Purana 3.18.7-14 “…might be the duty of those who go naked, or who go clothed in much raiment: and so the Daityas were seduced from their proper duties by the repeated lessons of their illusory preceptor, maintaining the equal truth of contradictory tenets; and they were called Arhatas, from the phrase he had employed of “Ye are worthy (Arhatha) of this great doctrine;” that is, of the false doctrines which he persuaded them to embrace. The foes of the gods being thus induced to apostatize from the religion of the Vedas, by the delusive person sent by Vishńu, became in their turn teachers of the same heresies, and perverted others; and these, again, communicating their principles to others, by whom they were still further disseminated, the Vedas were in a short time deserted by most of the Daitya race…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

And then reference to Buddhist monks is made,

Vishnu Purana 3.18.14-26 “…Then the same deluder, putting on garments of a red colour, assuming a benevolent aspect, and speaking in soft and agreeable tones, addressed others of the same family, and said to them, “If; mighty demons, you cherish a desire either for heaven or for final repose, desist from the iniquitous massacre of animals (for sacrifice), and hear from me what you should do. Know that all that exists is composed of discriminative knowledge. Understand my words, for they have been uttered by the wise. This world subsists without support, and engaged in the pursuit of error, which it mistakes for knowledge, as well as vitiated by passion and the rest, revolves in the straits of existence.” In this manner, exclaiming to them, “Know!” (Budhyadwam), and they replying, “It is known” (Budhyate), these Daityas were induced by the arch deceiver to deviate from their religious duties (and become Bauddhas), by his repeated arguments and variously urged persuasions, When they had abandoned their own faith, they persuaded others to do the same, and the heresy spread, and many deserted the practices enjoined by the Vedas and the laws. The delusions of the false teacher paused not with the conversion of the Daityas to the Jaina and Bauddha heresies, but with various erroneous tenets he prevailed upon others to apostatize, until the whole were led astray, and deserted the doctrines and observances inculcated by the three Vedas. Some then spake evil of the sacred books; some blasphemed the gods; some treated sacrifices and other devotional ceremonies with scorn; and others calumniated the Brahmans. “The precepts,” they cried, “that lead to the injury of animal life (as in sacrifices) are highly reprehensible. To say that casting butter into flame is productive of reward, is mere childishness. If Indra, after having obtained godhead by multiplied rites, is fed upon the wood used as fuel in holy fire, he is lower than a brute, which feeds at least upon leaves. If an animal slaughtered in religious worship is thereby raised to heaven, would it not be expedient for a man who institutes a sacrifice to kill his own father for a victim…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Vishnu Purana 3.18.30-36 “…By such and similar lessons the Daityas were perverted, so that not one of them admitted the authority of the Vedas. When the Daityas had thus declined from the path of the holy writings, the deities took courage, and gathered together for battle. Hostilities accordingly were renewed, but the demons were now defeated and slain by the gods, who had adhered to the righteous path. The armour of religion, which had formerly protected the Daityas, had been discarded by them, and upon its abandonment followed their destruction. Thus, Maitreya, you are to understand that those who have seceded from their original belief are said to be naked, because they have thrown off the garment of the Vedas…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Vishnu Purana 3.18.49-50 “…Let therefore a prudent person carefully avoid the conversation, or the contact, and the like, of those heretics who are rendered impure by their desertion of the three Vedas. The ancestral rite, although performed with zeal and faith, pleases neither gods nor progenitors if it be looked upon by apostates…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Read Conversation and company with infidels, Buddhists and Jains category for more information on the above verse.

Killing those who left Shaivite Hinduism and embraced Buddhism

Shiva Purana, RudraSamhita 2, Yuddha Khanda section 5, chapter 6, verses 28 “O lord, favourably disposed towards your devotees, those Asuras have resorted to Buddha’s religion and philosophy, thanks to our good fortune and hence they have eschewed all Vedic sacred rites.[36-37] Shiva said:- But the great Asuras are my firm devotees. They shall be killed only by me, for they have been forced to abandon their excellent virtue under false persuasion. Let Visnu or any one else slay them now that they have been made to abandon their Dharma. The Asuras of the three cities have become devoid of devotion to me.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

So demons couldn’t be killed because they followed the Vedic path. If demons committed sins then why weren’t they killed? Why was there a need to convert them to Buddhism and Jainism? Does being a Hindu makes one immune to all sins? If demons got power from the Vedic religion then why didn’t Hindu gods from whom the religion emanates stop it? Vishnu in Vishnu Purana 3.17.42-44 clearly says that those being led astray from the path of the Vedas shall be put to death. This one sentence of Vishnu is enough to prove the point that they were killed only because of their apostatizing from Vedic religion. Vishnu Purana book 3 chapter 18 even says that those Daityas who embraced Buddhism and Jainism and also persuaded others to do the same were led astray, meaning they followed the false religion.

back to top

Blasphemy

Seems like Hindu gods didn’t like to hear criticism. There are references to the punishment of blasphemers in this world and hereafter for censuring gods, Vedas, Puranas, and even for censuring Brahmins. Krishna said,

Gita 16.18-20 “Bewildered by false ego, strength, pride, lust and anger, the demons become envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in their own bodies and in the bodies of others, and blaspheme against the real religion. Those who are envious and mischievous, who are the lowest among men, I perpetually cast into the ocean of material existence, into various demoniac species of life. Attaining repeated birth amongst the species of demoniac life.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Gita 9.11-12 “Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be. Those who are thus bewildered are attracted by demonic and atheistic views. In that deluded condition, their hopes for liberation, their fruitive activities, and their culture of knowledge are all defeated.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Kurma Purana I.16.168b-170a “Those who consider Visnu as the unmanifest Atman and who are endowed with faith, but who worship Isana with a different vision (i.e. regard him as different from Visnu) are not my beloved ones. Those deluded persons who hate the creator of the world are roasted and cooked in Raurava and other hells and are not released there from even after hundreds and crores of kalpas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 40.116-141 “…A sinner who slanders Brahma, the creator of the world, the goddess Durga who is the best of female deities, Laksmi, Saraswati, Sita, Tulsi, Ganga, the Vedas, the mother of the Vedas, a vow, devotion, mystic formula pertaining to worship of the spiritual guide who gives formula will dwell in the hell called the ‘Blind well’ for half the period of the longevity allotted to Brahma, where bitten by snakes he will scream dreadfully. Whoever slanders Lord Harisikesa Visnu, literally, lord of senses) regarding him as an ordinary god or talks ill of the Puranas (which engender faith in Hair and are more praiseworthy than the S’rutis) or blames the cow herdess, Raddha, who sprang out of half of the body of Krisna or the ever-adorable Brahmins must dwell in the hell called Avatoda so long as Brahma exists. He dwells there with his feet upwards and face downwards surrounded by snakes. There, bitten by fearful snakes, he screams horribly and oppressed by hunger, he consumes saliva, ordure and urine. Then the fearful myrmidons of Yama in anger thrust torches into his mouth, chastise him in the morning, noon and evening, storm and thunder. He is then very much frightened and with the torments caused by beating he is rendered thirsty and drinks urine to quench his thrust.” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen.

Padma Purana IV.17.14-18 “Formerly in Tretayuga there was a sinful brahmana by name Sudarsana. O best brahmana, on the day of (i.e. sacred to) Visnu he would always eat (food, i.e. would not observe a fast). He always censured the sacred texts and always condemned the vows…O brahmana, when once the time of death arrived, he died. The messengers of Yama came (to his place), and binding him they took him to Yama’s abode…[22-28] Suta said: O brahmana, then, by Yama’s order his terrible messengers threw him into faeces (where he remained) for more than a hundred ages of Manu. Freed from there he became (i.e. was born as) a village pig on the earth. For a long time he would remain in hell due to his having eaten food on the day of (i.e. sacred to) Visnu…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Kurma Purana II.16.16 “One should not even mentally think of those people who censure the Vedas, Devas and the Brahmanas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana V.ii.68.24-33 “…Those who commit breach of trust, those who have sex with other men’s wives and those who speak ill of the Vedas, attain the state of Pisaca. Men who always decry the Puranas and Dharmasastras and who calumniate others become Pisacas…” Tr. G.V. Tagare
Pisacas means ghosts.

Skanda Purana I.iii(U).5.23 “A person with malice towards Visnu shall become a lizard and one who is malicious to Siva shall become a mouse.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana IV.ii.74.120 “Those who censure Mahadeva, those senseless ones who censures the holy spot and those who censure the Purana, should never be talked to.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana IV.ii.75.”A deluded fool engaged in censuring Siva, a censurer of Saivite scriptures- there is no expiation for him. No such redemption is seen in any scripture by anyone. He who performs the act of censuring Siva should be known as a soul-killer, a murderer of the three worlds. He is baser than the basest. He should not be talked to. Those who are engaged in censuring Siva in the midst of the devotees of Siva, fall into the terrible hell as long as the Sun and the Moon (shine).” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Ramcharitmanas, Uttarakanda, Chopai 130, verse 12 A reviler of Lord Hara and his own preceptor takes the form of a frog (after his death) and his birth in that form is repeated a thousand times. A reviler of the Brāhmaṇas, after suffering tortures in a number of hells, is born on earth in the form of a crow.

Shiva Purana, Vidyesvarasamhita 1.24.45-46 “Fie upon the forehead that is devoid of ash. Fie upon the village that has no Siva temple. Fie upon that life that does not worship Siva. Fie upon the lore that does not refer to Siva. Great indeed is the sin accruing even from the sight of those who censure Siva who is the support of three worlds and those who censure the man wearing Tripundra on his forehead. They are on a par with pigs of rubbish, demons, donkeys, dogs, jackals and worms. Such sinful persons are hellish fiends even from their verse birth.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Padma Purana V.20.39-44 “…Those sinners who (even) once censure the salagrama stone, are cooked in the Kumbhipaka (hell) till deluge. The mother, the father, the groups of relatives of thaat foolish man who prohibits a man on the point of worshipping (a salagrama stone), rot in hell…” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

Vamana Purana 12.3-4 “Those who always censure the Vedas, gods and the Brahmanas, and the sinners who do not respect the teachings of the Puranas and Itihasas, those who find fault with their preceptors, those who hinder the performance of sacrifices, those who prevent donor from making gifts – all fall in these hells.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

Shiva Purana, Uma Samhita 5.10.21-23 “Red-hot three pointed iron rods are thrust and pushed through the chest, neck, tongue, tooth-joints, palate, lips, nostrils and all the limb-joints of those persons who slander and censure the noble-preacher of virtue, devotees of the gods, fire-god and preceptor as well as the eternal scriptural texts.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata Vana Parva 3.31 “A rejector of proofs, a slanderer of the interpretation of the Vedic scriptures, a transgressor urged by lust and covetousness, that fool goeth to hell.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Kurma Purana II.34.87-89 “If one spits at or reviles in front of Devas and the sages, one should burn one’s tongue by means of a firebrand. Gold too should be given as gift. If any Brahmana passes urine in the garden of Devas (i.e. in the precincts of shrines) even for once, his penis should be cut off for the sake of expiation and he should perform Candrayana rite. If out of delusion, an excellent Brahmana passes urine in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple; his penis should be cut off. He should perform the Candayana rite.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahma Purana Gautami Mahatmya 100.44-46 “The Vaiya said: I think that Dharma (Virtue) is the greatest thing. You can do whatever you please. The sinner who censures brahmin, preceptors, Devas, Vedas, Dharma and Visnu should not be touched. The evil-minded sinner, doer of wicked actions and base conduct, who blasphemes Dharma should be cast off and neglected.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Markandeya Purana 25.33 After touching or holding converse with blasphemers of the gods, pitris, and holy sastras, sacrifices, prayers and other sacred objects, one should purify one’s self by grazing at the sun.

Tulsidas Ramayana chaupai 116 “He who blasphemes a Brahman to hell will be hurled…” Tr. A.G. Atkins

Ishvar said,

Kurma Purana II.4.16 “I alone am the unchanging (eternal) preceptor of all Yogins; I am the protector of the virtuous and the slayer of those who hate the Vedas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brahma Purana 106.135 “There is a hell named Atratistha. It contains putrescent urine and faeces. Those who censure Smrtis and the Vedas fall into it with faces downwards.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahma Purana 105.40-45 “…All these have death under delusion-the perjuror, he who tells lies, he who kills others and he who censures the Vedas. The attendants of Yama are terrible. They have putrid odour. They have massive iron clubs in their hands. These persons are wicked in their designs. When they appear in front of him the dead man begins to tremble. He cries incessantly calling out his mother, father and brothers, O brahmins. That word Yama is indistinct…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Vayu Purana Part II.39.156-7 “He who sells the Vedas, he who blasphemes the Vedas, those who abuse or disrespect elders or hit them with wounding words and one who carnally approaches forbidden women – all these fall into hell named Sabala, A thief or a trespasser falls into the hell Vimoha… [158]… Those who hate Devas and Brahmanas, those who do not worship preceptors and those who contaminate precious gems fall into the hell Krmibhaksya.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kurma Purana II.16.38-40 “…One should scrupulously avoid blaspheming Devas and the Vedas. O great sages, no atonement is seen ordained in the scriptures in the case of a Brahmana who censures Devas, sages, Brahmanas, or the Vedas. If a man loudly decries or censures the preceptors, Devas or the Vedas, he shall be cooked in the hell Raurava for hundreds of crores of Kalpas and even more.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Ramcharitmanas, Uttarakanda, Chopai 120, verse 13 “Those conceited persons who revile the gods and the Vedas are cast into the hell known as Raurava. They who delight in vilifying the saints are reborn as owls, who love the night of delusion and for whom the sun of wisdom has set.” Tr. Gita Press

Skanda Purana I.iii(U).5.17-18 “Sinners are made to bear heavy burdens by the messengers of Yama. A Brahmana-slayer shall be (reborn as) a tuberculosis patient…He who censures the VEdas shall become a Candala.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Purana 2.7.11-13 “…and he who is disrespectful to his spiritual guide, who is abusive to his betters, who reviles the Vedas, or who sells them, who associates with women in a prohibited degree, into the Lavańa (salt) hell…” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Vishnu Purana 1.6.29-31 “Those, however, in whose hearts the dross of sin derived from Time (Kála) was still more developed, assented not to sacrifices, but reviled both them and all that resulted from them, the gods, and the followers of the Vedas. Those abusers of the Vedas, of evil disposition and conduct, and seceders from the path of enjoined duties, were plunged in wickedness… [36-41] For those who neglect their duties, who revile the Vedas, and obstruct religious rites, the places assigned after death are the terrific regions of darkness, of deep gloom, of fear, and of great terror; the fearful hell of sharp swords, the hell of scourges and of a waveless sea.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Garuda Purana 4.5-12 “…Those who despise places of pilgrimage, good men, good actions, teachers and Shining Ones; those who disparage the Purāṇas, the Vedas, the Mīmāṁsā, the Nyāya and the Vedānta…” Tr. Ernest Wood and S.V. Subrahmanyam

Sins that are equal to Brahmin-slaughter

Brahma Purana, Gautami-Mahatmya 94.35 “He who out of hatred censures Devas, Vedas, spiritual learning and the assemblage of virtuous brahmins shall be a brahmin-slayer.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.19.59b-60 “One who censures and reviles at yogins, meditators and those who desire Moksa, shall fall into a terrible hell. There is no doubt that even he who listens to the same falls into the hell of terrible appearance and is enveloped in darkness al round. By reviling at leading Yogins a man never goes to heaven.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Markandeya Purana 14.43-44 “…Those who have repeated the S’astra improperly; those who have given utterance to an evil word; those who have blasphemed the Veda, the gods, the dvijas and their guru; for so many year terrible bird with adamant beaks tear out those men’s very tongues as they are continually reproduced.”

Markandeya Purana 14.63-64 “And base men who have hearkened to blasphemy against gurus, the gods, and dvijas, and against the Vedas,-these servants of Yama continually drive iron wedges, red as fire, into the ears, of such wicked men who rejoice in such things though they bewail the while Whoever, led by anger and covetousness, have broken up and destroyed beautiful rest-houses, the abodes of gods and brahmanas, and assemblages in the temple of the gods,-Yama’s exceedingly cruel servants continually flay the skins of those men from their body by means of these sharp instruments.”

Examples

Parvati commands Hindus to kill the person who revils Shiva,

Shiva Purana, Rudrasamhita 2, Parvatikhanda Section III.28.38-39 “[Parvati said] A person who disparages Siva is definitely worthy of being killed by Siva’s attendants. If it is a brahmin he must be dismissed or the hearer shall go away from that place immediately. This wicked man will again disparage Siva. Since he is a brahmin, he is not to be killed. He shall be abandoned. He shall not be seen at all.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.4.17-18 “Satī continued: If one hears an irresponsible person blaspheme the master and controller of religion, one should block his ears and go away if unable to punish him. But if one is able to kill, then one should by force cut out the blasphemer’s tongue and kill the offender, and after that one should give up his own life. Therefore I shall no longer bear this unworthy body, which has been received from you, who have blasphemed Lord Śiva. If someone has taken food which is poisonous, the best treatment is to vomit.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Swami Prabhupada wrote “The answer to that argument is that Satī was not vilifying but defending. If possible she should have cut out Dakṣa’s tongue because he blasphemed Lord Śiva. In other words, since Lord Śiva is the protector of religion, a person who vilifies him should be killed at once, and after killing such a person, one should give up one’s life. That is the process, but because Dakṣa happened to be the father of Satī, she decided not to kill him but to give up her own life in order to compensate for the great sin she had committed by hearing blasphemy of Lord Śiva. The instruction set forth here in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is that one should not tolerate at any cost the activities of a person who vilifies or blasphemes an authority. If one is a brāhmaṇa he should not give up his body because by doing so he would be responsible for killing a brāhmaṇa…” Swami Prabhupada on Srimad Bhagavatam 4.4.17 http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_4.4.17

Brahmins killed a King named Vena for blasphemeing Vishnu,

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.14.30-35 “My dear Vidura, all good fortune unto you. The foolish King, who thought himself very learned, thus insulted the great sages, and the sages, being broken hearted by the King’s words, became very angry at him. All the great saintly sages immediately cried: Kill him! Kill him! He is the most dreadful, sinful person. If he lives, he will certainly turn the whole world into ashes in no time. The saintly sages continued: This impious, impudent man does not deserve to sit on the throne at all. He is so shameless that he even dared insult the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu. But for King Vena, who is simply inauspicious, who would blaspheme the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose mercy one is awarded all kinds of fortune and opulence? The great sages, thus manifesting their covert anger, immediately decided to kill the King. King Vena was already as good as dead due to his blasphemy against the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus without using any weapons, the sages killed King Vena simply by high-sounding words. After all the sages returned to their respective hermitages, the mother of King Vena, Sunīthā, became very much aggrieved because of her son’s death. She decided to preserve the dead body of her son by the application of certain ingredients and by chanting mantras [mantra-yogena].” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

This is the same King Vena who embraced Jainism.

Some foolish minorities in India blame politicians for communal clashes, saying that they do it for elections. It’s somehow true, but Hindus don’t think like that. I haven’t seen any Hindu blaming politicians for communal clashes rather he will directly abuse the religion and blame the entire community. When dealing with the saffronized textbook, minorities say that Britishers deliberately distorted history as part of their Divide and Rule policy. But Hindus don’t say that. It were not politicians or Britishers who commanded Hindu rulers like Pushyamitra, Kinnara, Shashanka, Chola kings, etc to kill Jains and Buddhists, it were not politicians or the Britshers who ordered Hindu scholars like Adi Shankaracharya and Kumarila Bhatta to insult Jainism and Buddhism and persecute their followers, from the persecution of Buddhists and Jains, killing nearly a million Muslims in post-Independce riots, 1984 Anti-Sikh riots, pulling down the mosque, numerous riots where Muslims were targeted, anti-Christian Kandhamal riots, vandalization of Churches and Mosques, numerous hate speeches against minorities by Hindu leaders, there is something common. All these drew inspiration from the hate preached by their religion. I may sound like a Hindutvadi because I am speaking in their language that’s because I am responding to them in the language they understand the most.

back to top

The post Killing Infidels in Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
Caste System in Hinduism https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2019/03/05/caste-system-in-hinduism/ Tue, 05 Mar 2019 09:42:25 +0000 http://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2016/06/05/caste-system-in-hinduism/   Written by Sulaiman Razvi Caste system is one of the evils of Hindu religion that still exists in the society. Caste system is nothing but isolating the low castes from the society. It divides people within the Hindu fold. The condition of low caste people has been miserable. Low castes people suffered the Brahminical […]

The post Caste System in Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>
 

Written by Sulaiman Razvi

Caste system is one of the evils of Hindu religion that still exists in the society. Caste system is nothing but isolating the low castes from the society. It divides people within the Hindu fold. The condition of low caste people has been miserable. Low castes people suffered the Brahminical oppression. The Untouchables were not allowed within the gates of Pune city under the reign of Peshwas and Marathas. In Gujarat the Untouchables were forced to wear horns. In Bombay they were not allowed to wear clean and untorn clothes. Read the article Manu and the Shudras for more information on the condition of low castes in ancient India. Low caste women were not allowed to cover their breasts. This was abolished by Tipu Sultan. But was again reinforced after his death. In the 18th century, Low caste women lead Channar revolt which resulted in many low caste Hindus converting to Christianity. Oppression by Brahmins made low castes people embrace other faiths especially Islam. Swami Vivekananda wrote,

“Why amongst the poor of India so many are Mohammedans? It is nonsense to say, they were converted by the sword. It was to gain their liberty from the . . . zemindars and from the . . . priest” [ Source ]

Islam came in India as a savior to the low castes. The low castes were attracted towards the equality given in Islam unlike Hinduism which discriminated people based on their birth. Although the Indian constitution guarantees equal right to every citizen irrespective of religion or caste. The menace of caste system still exists in India. A temple was washed after Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi visited it [1], Dalits threatened the priests that they will convert to Islam if they are prohibited from entering the temple [2], a Dalit man was set afire for fetching water at a hand pump [3], another Dalit man was killed for ringtone praising Dr. B.R. Ambedkar [4], honor killings due to inter-caste marriage is well known.

The National Human Rights Commission Report on the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes says that, “every 18 minutes a crime is committed against a Dalit. Every day 3 Dalit women are raped, 2 Dalits are murdered and 2 Dalits Houses are burnt in India, 11 Dalits are beaten. Every week: 13 Dalits are murdered, 5 Dalits home or possessions are burnt, 6 Dalits are kidnapped or abducted.”

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dalits-untouchable-rohith-vemula-caste-discrimination/1/587100.html

http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/OldNewsPage/?Id=1465

“…in 27.6% of India’s villages, Dalits are prevented from entering police stations. In 25.7% of the country’s villages, Dalits are prevented from entering ration shops. In 35% of villages, Dalits are barred from selling produce in local markets. In 47% of villages with milk cooperatives, Dalits are prevented from selling milk, and in 25% of such villages, they are prevented from buying milk altogether.

Further, according to official Indian crime statistics, 27 atrocities against Dalits are committed every day. 13 Dalits are murdered every week. 3 Dalit women are raped every day. A crime is committed against a Dalit every 18 minutes. This, despite the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Worse, these crimes are on the rise. According to data released by NACDOR, a total of 3,198 cases related to atrocities on dalits have been registered between 2004 and 2013 as against 1,305 from 1994 to 2003. These crimes rose by another 19 percent in 2014. According to statistics compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crimes against SCs rose to 47,064 in 2014 from 39,408 in 2013. In 2012 there were 33,655 crimes against dalits, about the same as in 2011…”

Source: http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/NewsDetail/index/1/8214/Cow-Fury-4-Dalits-Stripped-and-Beaten-by-Shiv-Sena

There have been thousands of caste related violence in India, you can refer to Wikipedia’s article Caste-related violence in India. All these caste based violence perpetrated by higher caste people is wholly inspired by religious doctrine. Hindu god Rama is said to have beheaded a Shudra named Shambuka just because he was practising religious rite. With such kind of stories is sure to inspire radicals. Some apologists try to show that there is no caste system in Hinduism, that it is actually is based on profession one acquires. I would have appreciated their effort if they really wanted to emancipate the low castes. But there is actually a motive behind it. Politicians try to befriend Dalits only to garner votes and to use low caste people in riots. While religious leaders do it to get as many followers as they can, because more followers means more donations and popularity. One such Hindu reformer was Dayanand Saraswati who said that Veda treats all castes alike. But he said this only to get followers. He didn’t abolish the caste system, but upheld the caste system. He discriminated between the castes. He opined that the duty of a Shudra is to serve the Dvijas and held Manu Smriti has authoritative text, read the article Mulshankar and Casteism for more information. Hindu terror organizations conducts Ghar Wapsi programs, rallies against minorities but they never conduct any event or program for the betterment of the low caste Hindus. Purusha Sukta is said to be the root of caste system in Hinduism, it is mentioned in Veda,

Rig Veda 10.90.12 The Brahman was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rājanya made. His thighs became the Vaiśya, from his feet the Śūdra was produced.

Table of Contents

 

.

Birth based caste system

As we all know, caste system in Hinduism is birth based and not based on the profession acquired by the individual.

Apastamba Dharma Shastra 1.1.1.4-5 [There are] four castes Brahmana, Kshatriyas, Vaishya, and Shudra. Among these, each preceding (caste) is superior by birth to the one following.

Mahabharata 13.143.6 “The illustrious one said, ‘The status of a Brahmana, O goddess, is exceedingly difficult to attain. O auspicious lady, one becomes a Brahmana through original creation or birth. After the same manner the Kshatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra, all become so through original creation.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Kisari Mohan Ganguli writes,

”Nisargat is literally through creation or original nature, or birth. Of course, what is implied is that one becomes a Brahmana, or Kshatriya, or Vaisya or Sudra, through original creation as such, by the Self-born, that is, birth.” [ Source ]

Narada Purana I.24.7-9 “Those castes are said to be four, viz., the Brahmans, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. Among these the Brahmana is the foremost. The Brahmanas, Ksatriyas and Vaisyas- these three are called Dvijas (the twice-born), because at first they are born of their mothers and later on, they are consecrated by means of sacred thread with due repetition of the Mantras (which constitute the second birth). Thus twice-born-ness is attained by these three classes. All holy rites and duties must be performed by these castes in accordance with the specific duties prescribed for their castes. By failing to perform the holy duties prescribed for one’s own caste, one is called a heretic by learned men.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

It is mentioned in Bhagavat Purana,

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.5 “But Brahmanas, Ksattriyas and Vaisyas, by virtue of their original birth, and second birth through their Upanayana (investiture of the sacred thread) ceremony (become eligible for studies, performance of sacrifices, etc.)…” Tr. G.V. Tagare, edited by J.L. Shastri

Manu 10.5 In all castes (varna) those (children) only which are begotten in the direct order on wedded wives, equal (in caste and married as) virgins, are to be considered as belonging to the same caste (as their fathers).

Acharya Medhatithi writes on Manu Smriti 2.148

“Jati stands for ‘Janma’, birth.”

Shiva Purana, Uma Samhita 44.13 ”O excellent sage, birth as a man is very difficult to obtain; especially that as a Brahmin…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Padma Purana II.38.20b-24 “[The Sages said:] The three castes viz. brahmanas, ksatriyas and vaissyas are twice born. This (i.e. the Veda) is an ancient sacred text meant for all the castes. The beings behave according to the Vedic practices; therefor they (continue to) live. You are born in the family of Brahman. (So) you are a brahmana only.” Tr. N.A. Deshpande

.

Agni Purana 162.3-7 “…By reading the Vedas and practicing equally to all, a man enters the region of paradise. This is the prerogative of the twice born castes, specifically belonging to a Brahamana as his birth right, as he might read the Vedas and realise the truths inculcated therein by living any of the four orders of life. A Brahmana by dwelling in this world, may attain the Supreme Brahma.” Tr. M.N. Dutt-

.

Vasistha Dharma Shastra 4.1-3 The four castes are distinguished by their origin and by particular sacraments. There is also the following passage of the Veda, ‘The Brâhmana was his mouth, the Kshatriya formed his arms, the Vaisya his thighs; the Sûdra was born from his feet.’ It has been declared in (the following passage of) the Veda that (a Sûdra) shall not receive the sacraments, ‘He created the Brâhmana with the Gâyatrî (metre), the Kshatriya with the Trishtubh, the Vaisya with the Gagatî, the Sûdra without any metre.’

.

Mahabharata 13.27.3-6 “O best of kings, how may one, if he happens to be a Kshatriya or a Vaisya or a Sudra, succeed in acquiring the status of a Brahmana? It behoveth thee to tell me the means. Is it by penances the most austere, or by religious acts, or by knowledge of the scriptures, that a person belonging to any of the three inferior orders succeeds in acquiring the status of a Brahmana? Do tell me this, O grandsire!’ “Bhishma said, ‘The status of a Brahmana, O Yudhishthira, is incapable of acquisition by a person belonging to any of the three other orders. That status is the highest with respect to all creatures. Travelling through innumerable orders of existence, by undergoing repeated births, one at last, in some birth, becomes born as a Brahmana.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

.

Skanda Purana clearly states that a Shudra must not study, must not sacrifice, he has to stay in the same state as at birth which is contrary to what apologists claim that a Shudra by studying Veda becomes a Brahmin,

Skanda Purana V.iii.122.16 ”A separate duty has not been assigned by Paramesthin to the Sudra. He need not have any Mantra, consecration or pursuit of lores. He need not have any conventional study of the science of words (i.e. Grammar) and special worship of deities. He has to be, day and night, in the same state as at birth.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Manu Smriti 10.3 On account of his pre-eminence, on account of the superiority of his origin, on account of his observance of (particular) restrictive rules, and on account of his particular sanctification the Brahmana is the lord of (all) castes (varna).

Manu Smriti 1.98-99 The very birth of a Brahmana is an eternal incarnation of the sacred law; for he is born to (fulfil) the sacred law, and becomes one with Brahman. A Brahmana, coming into existence, is born as the highest on earth, the lord of all created beings, for the protection of the treasury of the law.

Katyayana Samhita 8.6 “Many wives of the same caste and of other castes existing, the rite of churning, for producing the Fire, should be done by the chaste wives of the same caste, on account of the superiority of birth.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Mahabharata, Santi Parva 12 Section 72 “…Matariswan answered, ‘The Brahmana, O best of kings, has sprung from the mouth of Brahman. The Kshatriya has sprung from his two arms, and the Vaisya from his two thighs. For waiting upon these three orders, O ruler of men, a fourth order, viz., the Sudra, sprung into life, being created from the feet (of Brahman). Originally created thus, the Brahmana takes birth on earth as the lord of all creatures, his duty being the keep of the Vedas and the other scriptures. Then, for ruling the earth and wielding the rod of chastisement and protecting all creatures, the second order, viz., the Kshatriya was created. The Vaisya was created for supporting the two other orders and himself by cultivation and trade, and finally, it was ordained by Brahman that the Sudra should serve the three orders as a menial.’ “Pururavas said, ‘Tell me truly, O god of Winds, to whom, this earth righteously belong. Does it belong to the Brahmana or to the Kshatriya?’ “The god of Winds said, ‘Everything that exists in the universe belongs to the Brahmana in consequence of his birth and precedence. Persons conversant with morality say this. What the Brahmana eats is his own. The place he inhabits is his own. What he gives away is his own. He deserves the veneration of all the (other) orders. He is the first-born and the foremost. As a woman, in the absence of her husband, accepts his younger brother for him, even so the earth, in consequence of the refusal of the Brahmana, has accepted his next-born, viz., the Kshatriya, for her lord…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

top

.

Caste is based on Karma and caste of parents

As per Hinduism, a person attains specific caste due to the deeds of past life, Krishna said,

Gita 18.41 “Of Brahmanas, Kshtriyas and Vaishyas, as also the Sudras, O Arjuna, the duties are distributed according to the qualities born of their own nature.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Ramanuja Acharya writes on this verse,

”The character of Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras arise from their various inherent dispositions. In other words their past Karma is the cause of their being born in a specific social group…”

Swami Swarupananda writes on Gita 18.41,

“According to the Karma or habits and tendencies formed by desire, action, and association in the past life manifesting themselves in the present as effects. Or, nature (Svabhava) may here mean the Maya made up of three Gunas, the Prakriti of the Lord”

It is mentioned in Brahma Vaivarta Purana,

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 74.10 ”According to Karma, some go to heaven or are severally born in the houses of a Brahmin, Ksatriya, Vaisya or a Sudra.” Tr. Rajnedra Nath Sen

Chandogya Upanishad 5.10.7. ‘Those whose conduct has been good, will quickly attain some good birth, the birth of a Brahmana, or a Kshatriya, or a Vaisya. But those whose conduct has been evil, will quickly attain an evil birth, the birth of a dog, or a hog, or a Kandala.” Tr. Swami Nikhilanda

.

CHILD BORN TO PARENTS OF DIFFERENT CASTES

A Brahmin couple begets a Brahmin child, a Shudra couple begets a Shudra child.

Mahbharata 13.48 The Brahmana may take four wives, one from each of the four orders. In two of them (viz.,the wife taken from his own order and that taken from the one next below), he takes birth himself (the children begotten upon them being regarded as invested with the same status as his own)… A Kshatriya may take three wives… The Vaisya may take two spouses…The Sudra can take only one wife, viz., she that is taken from his own order. The son begotten by him upon her becomes a Sudra….

But if parents belong to different caste then the child will not belong to either his mother or father’s caste,

Manu 10.5 In all castes (varna) those (children) only which are begotten in the direct order on wedded wives, equal (in caste and married as) virgins, are to be considered as belonging to the same caste (as their fathers).

Vishnu Smriti 16.1-3 Sons [begotten] on women equal in caste [to their husbands] are equal in caste [to their fathers]. [Sons begotten] on women of lower castes, become of the caste of their mothers. Sons begotten on women of higher castes are despised by the twice-born.

Agni Purana 150.9-11 ”The duties which appertain to the Shudra caste, O thou best of the Bhrigus, are to serve the Brahmins and to practice the handicrafts. Since the investiture with the holy thread, a member of the twice born caste is supposed to take a second spiritual birth, and I shall describe the castes which children born of parents not members of the same caste, would respectively belong to. A child born of parents belonging to different castes would get the caste of its mother, but on the contrary a child born of a Shudra father by a Brahmin mother would be a Chandala.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Manu Smriti 10.6. Sons, begotten by twice-born man on wives of the next lower castes, they declare to be similar (to their fathers, but) blamed on account of the fault (inherent) in their mothers.

Manu Smriti 10.16 From a Sudra spring in the inverse order (by females of the higher castes) three base-born (sons, apasada), an Ayogava, a Kshattri, and a Kandala, the lowest of men;

.

Manu Smriti 10.6-23 gives a list of castes that springs up due to inter-caste marriage. It is mentioned in Yajnavalkya,

Yajnavalkya Smriti verse 90 By men of the same caste (Varna) in women of the same caste (Varna) are born sajati (sons of equal birth or caste). In blameless marriages sons (are begotten continuing the line.

Like Manu, Yajnavalkya also goes on mentioning the list of castes from verse 91. However this system mentioned may not be applicable in the case of Niyoga. Because all men of Kshatriya caste were killed so the Kshatriya ladies went to Brahmins for contracting Niyoga and their son were considered Kshatriyas,

Mahabharata “1.104 And the illustrious scion of Bhrigu’s race, by means of his swift arrows annihilated the Kshatriya tribe one and twenty times. “And when the earth was thus deprived of Kshatriyas by the great Rishi, the Kshatriya ladies all over the land had offspring raised by Brahmanas skilled in the Vedas. It has been said in the Vedas that the sons so raised belongeth to him that had married the mother. And the Kshatriya ladies went in unto the Brahamanas not lustfully but from motives of virtue. Indeed, it was thus that the Kshatriya race was revived.”” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Sons born to father of higher caste (like Brahmin) are considered to be Brahmin in quality only, though of low caste than their father. It is mentioned in Manu Smriti,

Manu Smriti 10.67-69 The decision is as follows: ‘He who was begotten by an Aryan on a non-Aryan female, may become (like to) an Aryan by his virtues; he whom an Aryan (mother) bore to a non-Aryan father (is and remains) unlike to an Aryan.’ The law prescribes that neither of the two shall receive the sacraments, the first (being excluded) on account of the lowness of his origin, the second (because the union of his parents was) against the order of the castes. As good seed, springing up in good soil, turns out perfectly well, even so the son of an Aryan by an Aryan woman is worthy of all the sacraments.

Some scholars interpret the ‘Sacraments’ here as minor sacrifice like Pakayajna which can be performed by low caste also. It is mentioned in Mahabharata,

Mahabharata 13.48.5 “The son that is begotten by a Brahmana upon a Sudra wife is called Parasara, implying one born of a corpse, for the Sudra woman’s body is as inauspicious as a corpse. He should serve the persons of his (father’s) race. Indeed, it is not proper for him to give up the duty of service that has been laid down for him.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

So this is yet another proof that caste is based on birth in a particular family, If a baby is born in a Brahmin family then he is a Brahmin but if he is born to a Shudra parents then he is Shudra by default which is his permanent caste for entire lifetime.

.

top

.

Discrimination on the basis of caste

.

Mahabharata 12.188.5 “The complexion the Brahmanas obtained was white; that which the Kshatriyas obtained was red; that which the Vaisyas got was yellow; and that which was given to the Sudras was black.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mahbharata 9.38.1-2 “Vaishampayana said, “Then Valadeva, O king, proceeded to Vinasana where the Sarasvati hath become invisible in consequence of her contempt for Sudras and Abhiras. And since the Sarasvati, in consequence of such contempt, is lost at that spot, the Rishis, for that reason, O chief of the Bharatas, always name the place as Vinasana.” Tr. Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Swami Prabhupada the founder of ISKCON said that Shudra must not be given freedom and must not be treated equally.

Swami Prabhupada said, “Śūdra is to be controlled only. They are never given to be freedom. Just like in America. The blacks were slaves. They were under control. And since you have given them equal rights they are disturbing, most disturbing, always creating a fearful situation, uncultured and drunkards. What training they have got? They have got equal right? That is best, to keep them under control as slaves but give them sufficient food, sufficient cloth, not more than that. Then they will be satisfied.” Room Conversation Varṇāśrama System Must Be Introduced — February 14, 1977, Māyāpura
https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1977/feb?d=1

Swami Prabhupada says Shudras have no brain,

“Sudras [black people] have no brain,” he said. “In America also, the whole [of] America once belonged to the Red Indians. Why they could not improve? The land was there. Why [did] these foreigners, the Europeans, came and improved [it]? So sudras cannot do this. They cannot make any [improvements].”
https://www.ibtimes.com/swami-prabhupada-founder-hare-krishna-movement-virulent-racist-anti-semite-1412102

“The real aim is tam abhyarcya, how to become Kṛṣṇa conscious. Everyone is…. Brāhmaṇa is guiding, kṣatriya is ruling, and vaiśya is producing food, and śūdra, they have no brain; they are helping.” Swami Prabhupada, Morning Walk — April 9, 1976, Vṛndāvana
https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1976/apr?d=1

Swami Prabhupada says Shudras are ignorant,

“Those who are completely in ignorance are called śūdras. And those who are less than that are animals or animal life.” Swami Prabhupada, Room Conversation — November 3, 1976, Vṛndāvana
https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1976/nov?d=1

.

Greeting a Shudra is prohibited,

Atri Samhita 1.308 “He, who unknowingly salutes a lowcaste person, should immediately bathe and get [himself] purified by taking clarified butter.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

Speaking with a low caste is prohibited

Hinduism the so called most tolerant religion prohibits a Dvija to converse with a low caste,

Apastamba Dharma Shastra 2.1.2.8. As it is sinful to touch a Candala, [so it is also sinful] to speak to him or to look at him. The penance for these [offences will be declared].

Usana Samhita Chapter 2, Verse 4-6 “After conversing with a Chandala or a Mlechchha, after talking with abandoned women or with Sudras…drinking or touching urine and excreta, one should rinse his mouth again, even if he has rinsed it once…” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Vishnu Smriti 71.58-59 “Nor converse with a woman in her flow. Nor with the degraded and low-caste men.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

One shouldn’t even look at the Shudra

Satapatha Brahmana 14:1:1:31 And whilst not coming into contact with Sûdras and remains of food; for this Gharma is he that shines yonder, and he is excellence, truth, and light; but woman, the Sûdra, the dog, and the black bird (the crow), are untruth: he should not look at these, lest he should mingle excellence and sin, light and darkness, truth and untruth.

Usana Samhita 9.53 “By taking food, out of ignorance, after seeing a Mahapatakin, a Chandala, or a woman in [her] menses, one is purified [by fasting] for three nights.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Parashara Smriti 6.22 Having seen a Chandala, a Brahmana should cast look at the sun; having touched a Chandala a Brahaman should bathe with all his wearing apparels on.

One should avoid journey if one sees a Chandala,

Agni Purana chapter 230 “…A pregnant woman, a widow, drugs such as the Pinyaka, etc., a Chandala, a member of the Shvapacha or any other vile caste, a butcher, or a killer of birds, should be removed from the presence of a man, about to start a journey…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Hinduism also says that one should avoid the sight of a person who cooks for Shudra, who burns corpses of Shudra, a Chandala and equates them to bastard, theives etc,

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 78.33-41 “O father, now I am going to describe to you things whose sight is sinful. Bad dream is the root of sin and sole cause of calamity. The sight of the following…the cook of a S’udra, one who burns the corpse of a S’udra, a Brahmin who eats food prepared in connexion with the funerals of a S’udra…a S’udra, a widow, a Candal…a bastard, a thief, a liar…a Brahmin who is the husband of a barren woman, a S’udra who commits adultery with a Brahmin woman…” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen

Manu Smriti 4.140. Let him not journey too early in the morning, nor too late in the evening, nor just during the midday (heat), nor with an unknown (companion), nor alone, nor with Sudras.

.

Even stepping on Shadow of low caste is prohibited

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar wrote, “Under the rule of the Marathas and the Peshwas the Untouchables were not allowed within the gates of Poona city, the capital of the Peshwas between 3 p. m. and 9 a. m. because, before nine and after three, their bodies cast too long a shadow; and whenever their shadow fell upon a Brahmin it polluted him, so that he dare not taste food or water until he had bathed and washed the impurity away. So also no Untouchable was allowed to live in a walled town ; cattle and dogs could freely enter but not the Untouchables.”

Usana Samhita 9.89 “By getting on the shadow of a lowcaste person, one should drink clarified butter after bathing. By looking at the Sun in an impure state, one should recite the Mantram Agnindraja.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Kurma Purana II.34.80 “…On treading the shadow of a Candala, one shall take bath and drink ghee.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

.

Some other verses about discriminating the low caste

Skanda Purana III.ii.40.63 “The Sudras who become antagonistic to those Brahmanas who were honoured by Brahma, Visnu and Siva go to the Raurava hell.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narada Purana I.12.12 “Whatever is given in charity to one who habitually partakes of Sudra’s food or to one who cremates the corpses of Sudras or to one who takes food prepared by an unchaste woman, becomes futile.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narada Purana I.23.26 “The observer of the holy rite should never talk to one who nourishes his progeny through a Sudra woman, to the husband of a Sudra woman and to one who performs sacrifices on behalf of those who are not eligible for the same.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

.

PROHIBITED FOR A SHUDRA SERVANT TO MAKE WEALTH

Mahabharata 12.60.28-29 “A Sudra should never amass wealth, lest, by his wealth, he makes the members of the three superior classes obedient to him. By this he would incur sin. With the king’s permission, however, a Sudra, for performing religious acts, may earn wealth.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mahabharata 12.166.8 “The Shudra is not competent to celebrate a sacrifice. The king should, therefore, take away (wealth for such a purpose) from a Shudra’s house.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

So a Shudra servant cannot even amass wealth and rather has to seek permission from the king for making wealth.

Mahabharata 12.60.36 “The Sudra should never abandon his master, whatever the nature or degree of the distress into which the latter may fall. If the master loses his wealth, he should with excessive zeal be supported by the Sudra servant. A Sudra cannot have any wealth that is his own. Whatever he possesses belongs lawfully to his master.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Manu Smriti 8.417 Let a Brahmana unhestitangly appropriate to himself whatever (his) Sudra (Slave) has earned, inasmuch as nothing can be belong to the latter, he being himself an enjoyable good of the Brahmana.

Manu Smriti 10.129 No collection of wealth must be made by a Sudra, even though he be able (to do it); for a Sudra who has acquired wealth, gives pain to Brahmanas.

top

.

Penance for killing a Shudra

The penance for killing a Shudra is as same as killing animals in many Hindu texts while Manu Smriti prescribes death penalty for killing a Brahmin,

Mahabharata 12.165.56 “Having slain a dog or bear or camel, one should perform the same penance that is laid down for the slaughter of a Sudra.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Agni Purana 169.25-32 “…A man having killed a cat, a mongoose, a frog, a dog, a Godha, an owl, and a crow, should practice the penance he ought to have done, if he had killed a Shudra…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Following is the punishment to be meted out to a Shudra if he kills a Brahmin,

Narada Purana I.30.17-18 “On killing an ordinary Brahmana (by birth only who has not studied the Vedas, etc.), he should perform the expiatory rite for one year. O Brahmana, thus the mode of expiating for killing a Brahmana has been stated. The expiation for a Ksatriya is twice this and that for a Vaiya is thrice: Learned men know that the Sudra who kills a Brahmana is to be pounded to death with a club.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

.

Touching low castes makes on impure

Hindu text prohibits a Dvija (Brahmin, Kshatriya & Vaishya) to touch low castes especially Chandalas. And the penance for touching low castes is to consume Panchagavya which is a mixture of five products of cow like Cow Urine, Cow Dung, Milk, Curd and Clarified Butter. Which means that low castes in Hinduism are considered worse than cow dung and urine. There are four castes in Hinduism and there is no fifth caste. Groups like Chandala, Musahar… are outcasts i.e., they are outside the pale of four Varnas. They are called Achoots (Untouchables) in Hinduism. This may be because it is prohibited for Dvijas to touch them. Hindu text mentions Low castes, women in her menses on par with dogs and pigs and states by by touching this a Dvija ought to get cleansed. Hindu text goes on to say that a low caste intentionally touching a high caste person must be put to death,

Vishnu Smriti 5.104 If one who (being a member of the Kandala or some other low caste) must not be touched, intentionally defiles by his touch one who (as a member of a twice-born caste) may be touched (by other twice-born persons only), he shall be put to death.

Another clear translation,
Vishnu Smriti 5.103 “A man belonging to a caste that is not touched, and willingly touching the three [higher] castes, shall be killed.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Angiras Samhita 1.39 “When [a Brahmana] is touched by a woman in [her menses], by a dog or by a Sudra, he becomes purified by the Panchagavya after fasting for a night.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Angiras Samhita 1.9-10 “If he on any occasion, touched by a Sudra who has not washed his mouth after taking meals, he should bathe and recite [the Gayatri] and shall become purified by [fasting for] half a day. If a Vipra is [similarly] touched by a Vaisya, a dog or a Sudra, he shall after fasting for one night become purified with the Panchagavya” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dath

Parasara Smriti 7.22 “A Brahmana, who touched a dog, or a Sudra before washing his mouth, after eating, should fast for a day, and take the compound known as Panchagavyam in order to recover his cleanness.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Yama Samhita verse 41 “A twice-born person, who has the leavings of food in his mouth, on being touched by such a person, a dog, or a Sudra become purified with the Panchagavya, after fasting for a night.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Apastamba Samhita 5.1-2 “What would be the form of expiatory penance for a twice-born one, who, touched by a Chandala, drinks water before performing an A’chamanam? A Brahmana under the circumstance, should regain his purity by fasting for three nights and by taking Panchagavyam, while the term of the penance is two days only for a Kshatriya, its other factors remaining the same.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Apastamba Samhita 7.5 “A woman in her menses, happened to be touched by a S’vapak or a Chandala, should fast for three nights and recover her purity by taking Panchagavyam, thereafter.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Apastamba Samhita 7.19 “A Brahmana-woman in her menses, happening to be touched by a S’udra woman, similarly circumstanced as herself, should regain her purity by fasting for a whole day and night, and by taking Panchagavyam.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Usana Samhita 8.75 “By touching a Chandala, a woman who has given birth to a Child, a dead body, a woman in [her] menses or those touched by her, or any outcaste, one should bathe for purification. If, out of mistake, one touches an article touched by a Chandala, a woman who has given birth to a child, or a dead body, purification is attained by bathing, rinsing the mouth and [thereafter] reciting the Gayatri.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Atri Samhita 1.263-4 “By touching a Chandala, an outcaste, a Mlechchha, a wine-bowl, or a woman in [her] menses, a twice-born person should not take his meals. If [he is touched by any of these] while taking [his] meals, [he must at once stop.] Thereafter he should not take his meals; and giving up his food, he should bathe. And being commanded by the Brahmanas, he should fast for three nights. And taking Yavaka (food prepared from barley) together with clarified butter, he should complete the sacrifice” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Atri Samhita 1.185 “…if a twice-born person being anointed with oil or clarified butter, touches a Chandala; he should, after fasting for a day and night, purify [himself] with the Panchagavya.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Atri Samhita 1.233 “The foremost of the twice-born, when, having still the leavings of food in his mout, touched by a caste outside [the pale of the recogniged castes], should, after fasting for five nights, get purified with the Panchagavya.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Atri Samhita 1.273 “By being touched by dogs, Chandalas, or crows, a woman in her menses should remain fasting till [the menstrual period] and should get herself purified by bathing in time.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Samvarta Samhita verses 178 “By touching Chandala, an outcaste, a dead-body, a lowcaste, a woman in her menses, and a woman in a state of impurity consequent on child-birth, one should bathe with the cloth on.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Apastamba Samhita Chapter 4 Verse 5 “…While the term of the penance should be extended to six days in case where he might have touched a Chandala before rinsing his mouth with water, after a meal.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Usana Samhita Chapter 5 Verse 30-32 “…One should not touch a person of grim visage, a Mlechchha and a woman in menses.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Angiras Samhita 1.37-38 “One does not become of pure conduct so long as the menstrual flow continues. When the menses is stopped, a woman may be employed in domestic works and known for sexual purpose. On the first day [of the menses], she is a Chandala woman; on the second, she is the murderer of a Brahmana; on the third, she is called a washer-woman; and on the fourth day, she becomes purified.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dath

Narada Purana I.14.2-3 “I shall mention the atonement to the person who, while taking food, touches an impure or a fallen person or a Candala, either out of anger or due to ignorance. Such a person shall perform bath three times a day (trisavana snana) either for three days or for six days. A Brahmana becomes pure by sipping paca-gavya (the five products of the cow taking collectively, viz. milk, curds, clarified butter, urine, and cowdung).” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Smriti 23.41 Mire and water in the ruts on a high road, defiled by the touch of a dog, of a crow, or of a low caste person, as well as buildings constructed of baked bricks are purified by the winds.

Kurma Purana II.34.65 “A Brahmana, while Ucchista (with particles of food in the mouth or on hand) willfully touches Candalas or fallen persons (outcastes) should observe the Prajapatya vow for purification.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Garuda Purana 1.222.20-21 “…A brahmin defiled by the touch of a dog or a Sudra defiled by Ucchista shall fast for a night and drink Pancagayva. He shall become pure. Touched by an outcaste he shall fast for five nights.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

.

top

Torturing the low caste

Agni Purana 227.21-31 “…a Shudra using force to a Kshatriya should have his tongue cut off. A Shudra who would aspire to give moral instructions to a Brahmana, should be punished by the king…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Vishnu Smriti 5.24 “If one delivers religious instructions with haughtiness, the king shall pour hot oil into his mouth.” Tr. Manmath Nath Dutt

Manu Smriti 8.282-3 If out of arrogance he spits (on a superior), the king shall cause both his lips to be cut off; if he urines (on him), the penis; if he breaks wind (against him), the anus. If he lays hold of the hair (of a superior), let the (king) unhesitatingly cut off his hands, likewise (if he takes him) by the feet, the beard, the neck, or the scrotum.

Manu Smriti 8.272. If he arrogantly teaches Brahmanas their duty, the king shall cause hot oil to be poured into his mouth and into his ears.

Manu Smriti 8.270-1 A once-born man (a Sudra), who insults a twice-born man with gross invective, shall have his tongue cut out; for he is of low origin. If he mentions the names and castes (gati) of the (twice-born) with contumely, an iron nail, ten fingers long, shall be thrust red-hot into his mouth.

Matsya Purana 227.73-75 “A Sudra should be deprived of his tongue if he abuses violently a twice-born, if his offence be moderate; if his offence be highest, he is to be fined Uttama Sahasa. A king should be put a red, hot iron spike twelve Angulas long in the mouth of a Sudra who vilifies violently one, taking his name, caste and house. A Sudra who teaches Dharma to the twice born should also be punished by a sovereign by getting hot oil poured into his ears and mouth.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

.

The irony is that a Shudra is given corporal punishment for abusing Dvijas (Twice-born) while a Brahmin or other castes are not,

Gautama Dharma Shastra 12.11-13 But a Brahmana (who abuses) a Kshatriya (shall pay) fifty (Karshapanas), One half of that (amount if he abuses) a Vaisya, (and if he abuses) a Sudra, nothing.

Matsya Purana 227.67-68 ”A Ksatriya who abuses a Brahmana should be fined 100 Panas, a Vaisya doing so should be fined 200 Panas, and a Sudra if he does so should be sentenced to capital punishment. A Brahmana who abuses a Ksatriya should be fined 50 Panas, if he abuses a Vaisya, he should be fined 25 Panas and if he abuses a Sudra the fine should be 12 Panas.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Manu Smriti 8.279-280 With whatever limb a man of a low caste does hurt to (a man of the three) highest (castes), even that limb shall be cut off; that is the teaching of Manu. He who raises his hand or a stick, shall have his hand cut off; he who in anger kicks with his foot, shall have his foot cut off.

.

If a Shudra is accused of committing some crimes, then he should prove his innocence by drinking poison, by means of fire ordeals etc.,

Agni Purana 255.32-47 “The accused should fast and bathe at sunrise with all his clothes on the day of the test, and pass through his ordeal in the presence of the king and the Brahmanas. An old, infant, blind, lame, invalid, or a female accused should be tested with the ordeal by scale, while the innocence of a Shudra, should be ascertained by means of the ordeal by fire, water, or the seven Yava (barley) weights of poison… In the ordeal by fire, the palms of the accused, should be first examined as to whether it had not been plastered over with clay… Then the accused should address the fire god as follows:- ”Thy seat is in the inside of all creatures, O Fire, and thou art the witness of acts of merit and demerit. I have held thee in my palms, speak truth, O god, as a witness of my innocence.” Then a red hot iron ball, weighing fifty Palas should be placed on his palms, covered as above and the accused or the person suspected, should be asked to slowly walk over seven Mandalas or rings… In an ordeal by poison, the accused should first address the poison to be imbibed… Thus having addressed the poison (born of a hill), he should imbibe the same in the presence of the assembled Brahmanas. His innocence should be established, if he could assimilate the poison safely without rethcing or vomiting.” Tr. M.N Dutt

Manu Smriti 9.248. But the king shall inflict on a base-born (Sudra), who intentionally gives pain to Brahmanas, various (kinds of) corporal punishment which cause terror.

.

.

top

.

Discrimination on food

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/dalits-water-dyuurwlxcaaj6n4.jpeg?w=380&h=276

Most of the crimes against Dalits is inspired by Hindu religious texts. There have been numerous cases where Dalit cooks were fired from their job because upper caste Hindus refused to eat food cooked by them, such as school children refusing to eat food cooked by a Dalit cook and then threw the food, another Dalit cook was fired after caste Hindu parent protested, a Dalit man was set afire for fetching water from a well, a Dalit boy was beaten up for touching utensils of upper caste Hindus.

Forget about a Shudra eating with upper castes, a Shudra isn’t even allowed to eat cow dung and drink cow urine,

Apastamba Samhita 5.4 “Sudras should not be enjoined to drink Panchagavyam, inasmuch as they are not privileged to utter any Mantras. A Sudra, guilty of any delinquency, should regain his purity by confessing it to a Brahmana and by making gifts.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

Eating remnants of Dvija master’s meal

As per Hindu text the Shudra servant or slave must eat the remnants of his Dvija master’s meal,

Manu Smriti 10.125 The remnants of their food must be given to him, as well as their old clothes, the refuse of their grain, and their old household furniture.

Mahabharata 13.143.29 “As regards food, he should eat that which remains after the needs of all persons have been satisfied.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Manu Smriti 5.140. Sudras who live according to the law, shall each month shave (their heads); their mode of purification (shall be) the same as that of Vaisyas, and their food the fragments of an Aryan’s meal.

Shudra here refers to those Shudras who are servants in the house of Dvijas and it also refers to Slaves. The Dvijas are not even allowed to give the leavings of their food to other Shudras,

Manu Smriti 4.80-81; Vasistha 18.14 Let him not give to a Sudra advice, nor the remnants (of his meal), nor food offered to the gods; nor let him explain the sacred law (to such a man), nor impose (upon him) a penance. For he who explains the sacred law (to a Sudra) or dictates to him a penance, will sink together with that (man) into the hell (called) Asamvrita.

It’s the highest level of hypocrisy, a Brahmin should feed his Shudra servant with the remnants of his meal but if a Brahmin accidentally eats the remnants of the food partaken by a Shudra or even in the company of a Shudra then he is to perform penance,

Manu Smriti 11.153. But he who has eaten the food of men, whose food must not be eaten, or the leavings of women and Sudras, or forbidden flesh, shall drink barley (-gruel) during seven (days and) nights.

.

The penance for eating the remnants of Shudra meal is as follows

Garuda Purana ch 231 “Articles of Indian bell metal, smelled by kine or defiled by the touch of residue of a Sudra’s meal, or by the contact of a dog or a crow, are purified by being rubbed with ten kinds of ashes. Having partaken his meal out of the saucer of a Sudra, a Brahmana shall regain his purity by fasting for a day, and by taking Panchgavya as well.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Garuda Purana 1.222.2 “If inadvertenly a brahmin takes food defiled by the Ucchista (residual of food partaken) of a Sudra he should fast for a day and night and drink Pancagavya. He shall be purified.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Atri Samhita 1.72 “By taking forbidden food, the residue of a food partaken of by a Sudra or a woman, or by eating forbidden meat, one should drink the extract of barley for seven nights. [74] By being touched by castes that should not be touched, one should bathe. He, who takes the residue of their food, should perform a distressing penance for six months.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Vishnu Smriti 51.57-58 “Having eaten the food of a Chandala, one shall fast for three nights. A Paraka penance is the expiation for eating the cooked food of a Chandala.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

For those who don’t know about Panchagavya. Let me tell you Panchagavya is the mixture of five products of cow, they are cow dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee. The leavings of a Shudra is considered so worst, And ironically it is cleansed by consuming cow urine and dung. Shudras are much worst than animal’s dung and urine as per Hindu text. Apastamba allows Dvija to partake the food cooked by a Shudra. Dayanand Saraswati had also used this verse from Apastamba to support his view that food cooked by a Shudra in the house of a Brahmin may be eaten. But Dayanand is said to have refused to partake the food in a Brahmin’s house that was cooked by a Shudra. So he didn’t practice it himself then how can he advocate this to others. As I said earlier, trying to give rights to low castes was a drama just to get followers. Dayanand didn’t abolish the evil Vedic caste system but upheld it. Read the article Mulshankar and Casteism. As Dayanand had used the verse from Apastamba to support his view, let me quote a verse from Apastamba prohibiting it,

Apastamba Dharma Sutra 1.6.18. According to some (food offered by people) of any caste, who follow the laws prescribed for them, except that of Sudras, may be eaten.

.

Eating food in the company or in the house of a low caste is prohibited

Mahabharata 13.136.20-22 “The Brahmana who takes his food in the company of Sudras is purged from all impurity by duly observing the ceremonies of purification. The Brahmana who takes his food in the company of Vaisyas is absolved from sin by living on alms for three successive nights. If a Brahmana takes his food with Kshatriyas, he should make expiation by bathing with his clothes on.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Angiras Samhita 1.4 “When one drinks water lying stale in a vessel in the house of a lowcaste person, he should perform a penance. [7] By drinking, unknowingly, water from degraded castes, a Brahmana, fasting for a day and night, becomes purified with the Panchagavya.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dath

Likhita Samhita verse 70 “By unwillingly partaking of boiled rice (lit. any kind of food) in a Chandala’s house, as well as of that prepared by a fallen or degraded person, one should live on water alone for a fortnight. The term of the penance should be extended to a month in cases where the delinquency has been knowingly committed.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

Eating food cooked by low caste

Other Hindu texts doesn’t prohibit a Brahmin from partaking food in the company of upper three castes (Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya) but it clearly prohibits them from partaking food with Shudra (Anarya) and Mleccha (Non Hindus).

Angiras Samhita 1.48 “He, who continually partakes of a Sudra’s food for one month, becomes a Sudra in this birth and is born as a dog after death.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Brahma Purana 115.24 ”The food cooked by a Sudra is despised by gods and noble men, O goddess. That which is uttered by Brahma is authoritative.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Manu Smriti 4.223. A Brahmana who knows (the law) must not eat cooked food (given) by a Sudra who performs no Sraddhas; but, on failure of (other) means of subsistence, he may accept raw (grain), sufficient for one night (and day).

Garuda Purana 1.115.7. ”Women perish due to their beauty, penance due to fury, the way due to an undue length and pious brahmana by taking sudra’s food.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Kurma Purana II.17.1 ”A Brahmana should not eat food offered by a Sudra whether out of delusion or otherwise. He who eats it, except an emergency, is born as a Sudra.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narada Purana I.26.33 “One should avoid even from a distance, the wind from the winnowing basket, the smoke from the burning corpse, eating the cooked food of a Sudra and the contact with the paramour of a Sudra woman.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Atri Samhita 1.195-6 “A washerman, a cobbler, an actor, a Varuda, a Kaivarta, a Meda, and a Bhilla these seven are known in the Smriti, as degraded castes. By knowing their women, taking their food and accepting gifts from them, if willingly one should perform Prajapatya for a year; and, if unknowingly, two Chandrayanas.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Atri Samhita 1.168-173 “A twice-born person, who take food from a washer-man or from an actor, or from one who lives on bamboo work, should perform a Chandrayana. By knowing women of lowcastes, taking their meals and lying with them on the same bed, one should get [himself] purified with a Paraka. By drinking the water [that lies’ in a Chandala’s vessel, the foremost of the twice-born should live, for thirty-seven days, on barley and the urine of a cow. A Brahmana, who unknowingly partakes of cooked food touched by outcastes or by women in [their] menses, should perform half a Prajapatya. The [following are the means of] expiation for the four castes when they [happen to] partake of a Chandala’s food. A Brahmana should perform a Chandrayana; and a Kshatriya, a Santapanam. A Vaisya should perform a penance and live on the Panchagavya for six nights. A Sudra should perform [the same] for three nights and purify [himself] by making gifts.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Atri Samhita 1.248 “By knowingly drinking water from the Sudras, a Brahmana should fast for a day and night and [then] after bathing, should get [himself] purified with the Panchagavya.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Atri Samhita 1.208 “The celestials do not partake of the food nor drink the water offered by the foremost of the twice-born, who eats the food of a drunkard or of a Chandala.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Apastamba Samhita 9.40 “A Brahmana, drinking water in touch with a Chandala, should regain his purity by fasting for a day and night and by bathing thrice during the fast.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Angiras Samhita 1.53-55 “If a twice-born person, being fed by a Sudra’s food, procreates sons, those sons belong to him (i.e., the Sudra who gives the food): for semen originates from food. Any article touched by a Sudra, or any residue of his food, should not be given to a twice-born out of carelessness or with the one palm. So the ascetic Apastamva has said. One may always take a Brahmana’s food; a Kshatriya’s, on Parva-days; a Vaisya’s, in times of calamity; but never a Sudra’s.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

A Dvija is punished for dying with the food of a Shudra in his stomach

Mahabharata 13.143.18 “The food of a Sudra, O goddess, is always disapproved of by the high-souled deities. Even this, I think, is the authority enunciated by the Grandsire with his own mouth. If a Brahmana, who has set up the sacred fire and who performs sacrifices, were to die with any portion of a Sudra’s food remaining undigested in his stomach, he is sure to take birth in his next life as a Sudra.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Vasistha Dharma Shastra 6.27-28 If a Brahmana dies with the food of a Sudra in his stomach, he will become a village pig (in his next life) or be born, in the family of that (Sudra). For though a (Brahmana) whose body is nourished by the essence of a Sudra’s food may daily recite the Veda, though he may offer (an Agnihotra) or mutter (prayers, neverthless) he will not find the path that leads upwards.

Vyasa Samhita 4.64 “He, who dies with a Sudra’s boiled rice in his stomach, is sure to be reborn as a hog, and all his progeny will belong to the same genus, after death.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Skanda Purana VII.I.223.50 “If a Brahmana dies with the food offered by a Sudra remaining undigested within his belly he certainly becomes a Preta even if he has learned all the six Angas of the Vedas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Preta means ghost.

Skanda Purana V.iii.11.30-31 ”Brahamana’s food is (regarded as) Amrta (Nectar); Ksatriya’s food is remembered as milk; Vaisya’s food is mere food, and Sudra’s food is proclaimed as blood. Those excellent Brahmanas who get nourished with Sudra’s food and juice and later die, become deprived of Tapas and knowledge and are born as crows and vultures.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Varaha Purana 174.42 ”He who dies with the food given by a Sudra within him, becomes a ghost.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata 13.141.38 “Another duty of the Brahmana consists in avoiding the food prepared by the Sudra.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Vasistha Dharma Sutra 10.31; 20.17; Skanda Purna V.iii.50.6-8 also prohibits the twice born from partaking the food of Shudras.

.

Vessels touched by low caste becomes unclean & also prohibition to use utensils of Shudras

Usana Samhita 9.49 “By drinking water touched by a Chandala, the foremost of the twice-born becomes purified [by fasting] for three nights or by taking the Panchagavyam.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Samvarta Samhita verse 30 “He, who takes his food or drink from a Sudra’s hands, should get himself purified with the Panchagavya after fasting for a day and night. [32] By taking food in a vessel belonging to a Sudra or in a broken plate, one should get himself purified with the Panchagavya after fasting for a day and night.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Parasara Smriti 7.24 Vessels of bell metal, smelled by kine, or defiled by the touch of dogs, crows, etc., or out of which Sudras have taken their food, should be purified by rubbing them with ten kings of ashes.

Vyasa Samhita 3.53 “Boiled rice procured with one’s own earnings, or kept in a vessel which is not defiled by the touch of wine, nor licked by a dog, nor smelled by a cow, nor touched by a crow or a Sudra, is always pure.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Samvarta Samhita verse 194 “By taking food from the vessel of a degraded caste, or from that of a woman in menses, one would become purified, in half-a-month, by living upon barley and the urine of a cow.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Samvarta Samhita verses 182 “By drinking well water contaminated by a Chandala’s vessel, one becomes purified by living on barley and the urine of a cow for three nights.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar lead Mahad Satyagraha in 1927 to allow untouchables to use public water tanks, this discrimination can be found in Hindu texts,

Parasara Smriti 6.24 “Having drunk the water of a well which has been defiled by the touch of a Chandalas water pot, a Brahmana should live on barley and cow’s urine for three days, whereby he would regain his personal cleanness.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Apastamba Samhita 2.2 “Having drunk water in a Prapa, or that lieing accumulated in a forest or in the furrows of a ploughed field, as well as that which is flowing out of a pond, or is owned by a Svapak or a Chandala, one should regain one’s purity by drinking Panchagavyam. [5] Having drunk water out of, or bathed in, a well or tank, caused to be excavated by another, one should regain one’s purity by drinking Panchagavyam.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

top

.

Leftover food of Shraddhas to Shudras

Guess what? Hinduism doesn’t even permit the Shudras to eat the leavings of a Shraddha,

Manu Smriti 3.249 The foolish man who, after having eaten a Sraddha (-dinner), gives the leavings to a Sudra, falls headlong into the Kalasutra hell.

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.15.56 ”The leavings of food from a Sraddha should not be given to women or Sudras.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Out of compassion a Brahmin may give the fragments of his Shraddha meal to his Shudra servant but never to other Shudras.

A sacrifice called Bhuta Yajna can be performed with the remaining food (not leftover food) and this is to be given to dogs, pigs and Chandalas,

Markandeya Purana 29.45-46 “Having done reverence to the gods, and the pitri and guests, relatives likewise, and female relations, and gurus also, the griha stha who has substance should scatter the fragments on the ground for both dogs and low caste men and birds.”

Kurma Purana II.18.105-6 “With the cooked food that remains after the offering unto Devas, one should offer Bhuta Bali. This should be known as Bhuta Yajna. It is the bestower of prosperity unto all embodied beings. O excellent Brahmanas, the cooked food should be given to dogs, cooker of dogs (i.e. Candalas), fallen persons (i.e. outcastes) and birds, on the ground outside.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Manu Smriti 3.92. Let him gently place on the ground (some food) for dogs, outcasts, Kandalas (Svapak), those afflicted with diseases that are punishments of former sins, crows, and insects.

top

.

Shudra’s food at sacrifices

It is mentioned in Smritis that the food offered to gods and manes will not be accepted if the sacrifice is assisted by the Shudra wife,

Manu Smriti 3.18 ”The oblations, offered by a twice-born one who is assisted by a Sudra woman in the capacity of his principal married wife in the rite of a Pitri or Daivaa Sraddha ceremony, neither the manes, nor the divinity partake of. Even by practicing hospitality to Atithis, he cannot ascend to heaven, after death.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Vishnu Smriti 26.7 The gods and Pitris do not accept the oblations offered to them by (twice born ones), who perform the Daiva and Pritri (sacrifices), or propitiate the Atithis, in the company of their Sudra wives; such men go to hell.

top

.

Barred from sacrifices

It is mentioned in Veda,

Krishna Yajur Veda 7.1.1.5 [After it the Anustubh metre] was created, the Vairaja Saman, of men the Çudra, of cattle the horse. Therefore the two, the horse and the Çudra, are dependent on others. Therefore the Çudra is not fit for the sacrifice, for he was not created after any gods.

Shudra is prohibited to participate in sacrifice just because of his birth in a Shudra family and one of the main reason behind Shudra been prohibited to participate in sacrifice is because it includes recitation of Vedic mantras and Shudras are clearly prohibited from uttering any Vedic mantra. Adi Shanakaracharya writes,

”But this scriptural ability is denied by the prohibition of the right to study. As for the text, ”The Sudra is unfit for performing a sacrifice” (Tai. S.VII.i.1.6), since it is based on a logic having common application, it suggests that the Sudra has no right to knowledge as well, for the logic applies both ways.” Shankaracharya on Brahma Sutra 1.3.34, Tr. Swami Gambhiranand

It is mentioned in Brahmana,

Pancavimsa Brahmana 6.1.11 Out of his feet, his firm support, he created the twenty one fold (stoma); along with it of the metres the anustubh came into existence, of the deities none, of the men the Sudra. Therefore the Sudra is, it is true, rich in cattle, but excluded from the sacrifice, for he has no deity, as no deity had come into existence after him.

Shiva Purana, Kailasa Samhita 6.12.22 ”The Vedas enjoin rituals for the first three castes. The Sudras are excluded since their only activity is service.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata 5.29.26 “The following are the duties declared for a Sudra from the olden times. He should serve the Brahmanas and submit to them; should not study; sacrifices are forbidden to him; he should be diligent and be constantly enterprising in doing all that is for his good. The king protects all these with (proper) care, and sets all the castes to perform their respective duties. He should not be given to sensual enjoyments. He should be impartial, and treat all his subjects on an equal footing.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Manu Smriti 11.13. (Or) the (sacrificer) may take at his pleasure two or three (articles required for a sacrifice) from the house of a Sudra; for a Sudra has no business with sacrifices.

Mahabharata 12.165.8 “The Sudra has no competence for performing a sacrifice. The king should, therefore, take away (wealth for such a purpose) from a Sudra house of ours.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Varaha Purana 211.4 ”Three castes participate in sacrifices and share their benefits in general. The Sudras are kept out by Brahmins from those that are purified by Vedas.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata 13.91.43-44 “From the place where the Sraddha is being performed, the Chandala and the Swapacha should be excluded, as also all who wear clothes steeped in yellow, and persons affected with leprosy, or one who has been excasted (for transgressions), or one who is guilty of Brahmanicide, or a Brahmana of mixed descent or one who is the relative of an excasted man. These all should be excluded by persons possessed of wisdom from the place where a Sraddha is being performed…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Vayu Purana Part 2, 16.24 ”The naked and similar (apostates and non-Vedic sects) people should not see the Sraddha rite. This is the rule. Such Sraddhas as are seen by these, do not reach PItrs or Pitamahas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare writes,

”…The text not only includes non Vedic sects like Jains and Buddhists but includes apostate Brahmins, atheists, committer of gross sins (maha-patakas).

Brahmanda Purana 2.3.11.87 ”The following should always be avoided in the Sraddha ceremonies; Sudras, milk of Avi (a variety of sheep), the varieties of grass named Balbaja, Virana and Otuvala, pebbles and Laddus (a sweetmeat?)” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kurma Purana II.16.54 ”Instructions regarding observance of holy vows should not be given to a Sudra; a learned man should not expound Dharma unto him. No one should submit to anger and avoid hatred and passion.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kurma Purana I.12.25b-26 ”The Almighty Lord created Brahamanas from his mouth and the Ksattriyas from his arms. The Lord created Vaisyas from both of his thighs. The grand-sire of the universe created Sudras from the pain of his feet. Brahma created all castes excepting the Sudras, for the purpose of (performance of) sacrifices.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Likhita Samhita verse 6 “The [three] twice-born castes have equal rights in both Ishta and Purtta works. A Sudra is entitled to [perform] Purtta [works] but not Vedic rites.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Manu 10.126. A Sudra cannot commit an offence, causing loss of caste (pataka), and he is not worthy to receive the sacraments; he has no right to (fulfil) the sacred law (of the Aryans, yet) there is no prohibition against (his fulfilling certain portions of) the law.

Manu Smriti 4.81 “The Brahmana, who gives religious instructions to a Sudra, or advises him to practise a religious vow, is drowned with that Sudra in the hell of Asamvritam (unrestrained darkness).” Tr. Manmath Nath Dutt

.

top

.

Prohibition to perform sacrifice for low castes

A good reply to apologists from Mahabharata,

Mahabharata 13.128.5 “That man who thinks it all right when a Sudra ignites the fire upon which he is to pour libations or who does not see any fault when women who are incompetent to assist at Sraddhas and other rites are allowed to assist at them, really becomes stained with sin.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Varaha Purana 112.16-22 ”One who receives Kapila as a gift from a Sudra should be considered as most lowly like a Candala. Therefore let not a Brahmin receive the offering from Sudras. They are to be kept far away like dogs during sacrifices. They are discarded by the manes during new moon and full moon. They should not be spoken to and nothing should be received from them because they do only sinful deeds. Those (Sudras) who drink (the milk of) Kapila make their forefathers eat the filth in the earth for long. Note what happens to the Sudraas who feed on the milk, ghee and butter of the Kapila’s cows. They go to the terrible hell called Raurava. After living there for a hundred crores of years, they are born as dogs.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Mahabharata 13.23.16 “Those Brahmanas who pour libations on the sacred fire for Sudras, or who are preceptors of Sudras, or who as servants of Sudra masters, do not deserve to be invited.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Narada Purana I.15.32b-34 “The Brahman who, on being invited by a Sudra, partakes of his food, should be known as a wine addict. He is excluded from all holy rites. That mean fellow who does the work of an attendant with the permission of a Sudra, incurs a sin equal to drinking of wine…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Markandeya Purana 14.83 By receiving favours from an outcaste, by performing sacrifices for an outcaste, by constant attendance on an outcaste a man ever reaches the condition of an insect that lives among stones.

Markandeya Purana 15.1 For accepting anything of value from an outcaste, let a dvija be born an ass; but let him who sacrifices for the outcaste become a worm, on his release from hell.

Vamana Purana 12.86 “He who accepts Daksina from Candalas or Sudras, the priest and the person employing the priest to perform a sacrifice, every one of them is born as a big insect inside stone slabs.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

Brahma Purana 108.37 “A Brahmana though well versed in the Vedas is born as an ass if he receives charity from a fallen person. [40-43]If he officiates at a sacrifice performed by a low person, he is born a worm and in the form of a worm he lives for fiteen years. Released from the form of worm he is born an ass and in the form of an ass he lives for five years; in the form of a cock for five years; in the form of a jackal for five years; then he is born in the form of man; then a jealous person; then an animal…” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Yama Samhita verse 29-32 “…one who officiates as a priest for those to whom no such service should be given…all these should be carefully shunned at a Sraddha and [while making gifts].” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Gautama Dharma Shastra 20.1 Let him cast off a father who assassinates a king, who sacrifices for Sudras, who sacrifices for his own sake (accepting) money from Sudras…

Usana Samhita 4.23-30 “The following are disqualified to be present at the Sraddha ceremony:- Those, who sell the Sruti; those who marry widows; those, who enter in to a locked room without the permission of the owner; and those, who officiate as priests for inferior castes; are described as out-castes.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Usana Samhita 9.56 “By officiating as a priest for servants, [or by helping] others (i.e., other castes) in other rites, by performing rites causing death to another person, and other unworthy deeds, [a Brahmana] becomes purified by three distressing penances.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

top

.

Proof that Shudras were kept away from sacrifices

Mahabharata 2.35.8-10 ”That (sacrificial) platform, crowded with the celestials, Brahmanas and the great Rishis, all endued with the Vedas, looked as beautiful as the sky studded with the stars .O king there was no sudra or any man without vows near the inner (sacrificial) platform of Yudhisthira’s palace. Seeing the prosperity of the prosperous and intelligent Dharmaraja, which was the result of that sacrifice, Narada became exceedingly happy.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Shudras are not allowed to participate in sacrifice or perform it. However Hinduism allows Shudra to perform minor sacrifices but without uttering any Mantra, they are to be kept away from sacrifices due to the fact that Shudras are not allowed to hear any Mantra,

Mahabharata 12.60 “Sacrifice has been laid down as a duty of the three other orders. It has been ordained for the Sudra also, O Bharata! A Sudra, however, is not competent to utter swaha and swadha or any other Vedic mantra. For this reason, the Sudra, without observing the vows laid down in the Vedas, should worship the gods in minor sacrifices called Paka-yajnas.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Other than the sacrifice to Manes, Shudras cannot perform any other sacrifice. As it is said that serving the twice born (Dvija) is equivalent to sacrifice for the Shudras,

Vayu Purana Part 1, 57.50 “Aranbha (expedition or enterprise) was a sacrifice for Ksattriyas. Havis (offering of ghee etc.) was the Yajna of Vaisyas. Sudras had service as Yajna and excellent Brahmanas had Japa (chanting of Mantras) as their Yajna.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Above verse from Vayu Purana is talking about the Treta Yuga. Treta Yuga is the second Yuga among the four Yugas or ages of mankind in Hinduism. It says that service to Dvija was the Yajna of the Shudras which shows that Shudras were not allowed to perform sacrifice in such earlier period also. However this is not just limited to the Treta Yuga but also applicable in the present Kali Yuga, it is mentioned in Mahabharata,

Mahabharata 12.232 “The growing of corn is the sacrifice laid down for the Vaisyas. Serving the three other orders is the sacrifice laid down for the Sudras.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

top

.

Touch of dogs, pigs and low castes invalidates a sacrifice

Manu Smriti 3.240-1 What (any of) these sees at a burnt-oblation, at a (solemn) gift, at a dinner (given to Brahmanas), or at any rite in honour of the gods and manes, that produces not the intended result. A boar makes (the rite) useless by inhaling the smell (of the offerings), a cock by the air of his wings, a dog by throwing his eye (on them), a low-caste man by touching (them).

top

.

Difficult for a Shudra to worship

Skanda Purana II.iv.3.35-37 ”He who worships and bows to the idols installed by Sudras, goes to hell along with ten ancestors and ten descendants. If one touches the idol worshipped by a Sudra, he will burn (get burnt) his family up to the seventh generation. Hence one must enquire and worship an idol that has been installed by Brahmanas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Varaha Purana 186.49-50 “But a Salagrama should not be touched by men of inferior caste or by women and Sudras. If a woman or Sudra touches it even out of curiosity, the result will be torment in hell till deluge.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Narada Purana III.67.33 “One should not worship an idol if it crooked, burnt, or broker, if its head is split, or if it is looking upwards, or if it is touched by an amyaja (outcaste) and others.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

A Shudra is not even allowed to utter Om.

Narada Purana III.70.72-73 “This is called Visnu Gayatri which removes all sins. Tara=om., hrt=namah, then bhagavan ending in the dative case, then vausdevaya. This great mantra consisting of twelve syllables gives enjoyment and salvation. This is to be used without tara=om by women and sudras but by the twice born it is used with tara=om.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

A Shudra should also avoid Vedic Japa,
Narada Purana, Uttarabhaga 61.51-53 “The procedure for the holy dip and the repetition of Japas is, in regard to the three castes, the same as mentioned in the Vedas. O fair lady, in regard to the Sudras and the women the repetition of the Vedic texts is to be avoided…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

It is mentioned in Mahabharata,

Mahabharata 13.23.7 “Food that has been eaten by a person incompetent to utter the syllable Om, or that has been eaten by a person bearing arms, O Bharata, or that has been eaten by a wicked person should be known to form the portion of Rakshasas*.” Tr. Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Kisari Mohan Ganguli writes in the footnote,

”* i.e., any food, a portion of which has been eaten by any of these persons, is unworthy of being given away. If given, it is appropriated by Rakshasas. One incompetent to utter Om is, of course, a Sudra.” [ Source ]

Skanda Purana V.iii.228.9 “The following six things cause downfall of women and Sudras: japa, penance, pilgrimage, renunciation of the world, practice of Mantras and initiation for the adoration of a deity” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

.

Barred from studying Vedas

Not even a single Hindu text permits a Shudra to study Vedas. Puranas explicitly says that since Vedas cannot be learned by Shudra and women, the God composed Itihasa (Ramayana, Mahabharata) and Puranas for them,

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.25 ”The degenerated twice-borns, the Sudras and women are barred from the holy truths of the Vedas, and, out of compassion for them, Maharshi Vyasa composed the Mahabharata.” Tr. J.M. Sanyal

Devi Bhagavatam 1.3.18-24 “…knowing this in every Dvâpara Yuga Bhagavân expounds the holy Purâna Samhitas. The more so because women, S’udras, and the lower Dvijas are not entitled to hear the Vedas; for their good, the Purânas have been composed…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

But Shudras should hear Puranas behind a screen,

Garuda Purana I.20.13-14 “None of the other classes (Vaisya or Sudra) is authorized to hear the Purana. If, by mistake, he narrates it to an unworthy person, he becomes the object of censure. But, if he narrates the Purana from behind the screen, then both the deserving and the undeserving person become worthy to hear.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Same is repeated in Natya Shastra, Gods along with Indra approached Brahma and said,

Natsya Shastra 1.12-13 As the Vedas are not to be listened to by those born as Sudras, be pleased to create another Veda which will belong to all the Colour-groups (Varna). ‘Let it be so’, said he in reply and then having dismissed the king of gods (Indra) he resorted to yoga (concentration of mind) and recalled to mind the four Vedas.”

Brahma Purana 64.19 ”In regard to the people of the first three castes the rite of holy bath and the reception of Mantras is in the manner mentioned in the Vedas. The utterance of the Vedic passage is to be avoided by women as well as Sudras.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Garuda Purana gives an accounts of sins that will lead to hell in chapter 4 and it says that if a Shudra studies Vedas then he will go to hell,

Garuda Purana 4.22 “The Śūdra who studies the letter of the Vedas, who drinks the milk of the tawny cow, who wears the sacred thread or consorts with Brāhmiṇ women. [23] Having come all along the path the sinful reach the abode of Yama, and having come, by command of Yama, the messengers hurl them into that river again.” Tr. Ernest Wood and S.V. Subrahmanyam

Parasara Smriti 1.64 “Drinking the milk of a Kapila cow, knowing a Brahmana woman, and reciting the Vedas are the acts, by doing which a Sudra is punished with hell.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Apastamba Dharma Shastra 1.1.1.6 (For all these), excepting Sudras and those who have committed bad actions, (are ordained) the initiation, the study of the Veda, and the kindling of the sacred fire; and (their) works are productive of rewards (in this world and the next).

It is mentioned in Bhagavat Purana that twice born men only are entitled for performing sacrifices and to learn Vedas,

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.40 “All twice-born men — brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas — must perform sacrifice, study the Vedic literature and give charity. Only the brāhmaṇas, however, accept charity, teach the Vedic knowledge and perform sacrifice on behalf of others.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.13 “He is called a dvija or twice-born one whose (sixteen) purifying rites (accompanied by recitation of mantras) have been performed without any break in succession, and to whom god Brahma has designated as such. Performance of sacrifices, study of scriptures and charity are prescribed for all twice-born classes (viz. Brahmana, Ksattriya and Vaisya) who are of pure birth and conduct. It is for these that duties incumbent on different stages of life (asrama) are prescribed.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

But a Brahmin alone can teach the Vedas,

Manu Smriti 1.103. A learned Brahmana must carefully study them, and he must duly instruct his pupils in them, but nobody else (shall do it).

Manu Smriti 10.1. Let the three twice-born castes (varna), discharging their (prescribed) duties, study (the Veda); but among them the Brahmana (alone) shall teach it, not the other two; that is an established rule.

If all the three castes have learned the Vedas then why does it differentiates the Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas? As apologists claim that one who is learned in the Vedas is a Brahmin. And when Kshatriya and Vaishya are conversant with the Vedas then why a Brahmin alone should teach it why cannot a Kshatriya or a Vaishya teach the Veda?

.

top

.

Scholars prohibiting teaching of Vedas to Shudras

Acharya Medhatithi writes on Manu Smriti 2.241,

“Though the term ‘non Brahmana’ denoting all the three castes, except the Brahmana, stands for all men, yet the Shudra could not be meant here; for the Shudra is not entitled to learn the Veda; and it is only when one has learn something that he can teach it. ‘But by transgressing the scriptural ordinance, the Shudra also might learn the Veda, just as the Ksattriya and the Vaishya do the work of teaching (which is not permitted).’ This also cannot be; because it has been laid down that is the Shudra happens to learn the Veda, his body should be cut up. And since the penalty is so severe, it follows that the act if a grievous sin.”

Adi Shankaracharya writes in the commentary of Gita 18.41,

“Sudras are separated from others who are all mentioned together in one compound word, because Sudras are of one birth and are debarred from the study of the Vedas…” Tr. Mahadeva Shastri

Adi Shankaracharya also writes on Brahma Sutra 1.3.38

“38. And on account of the prohibition, in Smriti, of (the Sûdras’) hearing and studying (the Veda) and (knowing and performing) (Vedic) matters.

The Sûdras are not qualified for that reason also that Smriti prohibits their hearing the Veda, their studying the Veda, and their understanding and performing Vedic matters. The prohibition of hearing the Veda is conveyed by the following passages: ‘The ears of him who hears the Veda are to be filled with (molten) lead and lac,’ and ‘For a Sûdra is (like) a cemetery, therefore (the Veda) is not to be read in the vicinity of a Sûdra.’ From this latter passage the prohibition of studying the Veda results at once; for how should he study Scripture in whose vicinity it is not even to be read? There is, moreover, an express prohibition (of the Sûdras studying the Veda). ‘His tongue is to be slit if he pronounces it; his body is to be cut through if he preserves it.’ The prohibitions of hearing and studying the Veda already imply the prohibition of the knowledge and performance of Vedic matters; there are, however, express prohibitions also, such as ‘he is not to impart knowledge to the Sûdra,’ and ‘to the twice-born belong study, sacrifice, and the bestowal of gifts.’–From those Sûdras, however, who, like Vidura and ‘the religious hunter,’ acquire knowledge in consequence of the after effects of former deeds, the fruit of their knowledge cannot be withheld, since knowledge in all cases brings about its fruit. Smriti, moreover, declares that all the four castes are qualified for acquiring the knowledge of the itihâsas and purânas; compare the passage, ‘He is to teach the four castes’ (Mahâbh.).–It remains, however, a settled point that they do not possess any such qualification with regard to the Veda.”

Ramanuja Acharya writes on Brahma Sutra 1.3.38,

“38. And on account of the prohibition of hearing, studying, and performance of (Vedic) matter.
The Sûdra is specially forbidden to hear and study the Veda and to perform the things enjoined in it. ‘For a Sûdra is like a cemetery, therefore the Veda must not be read in the vicinity of a Sûdra;’ ‘Therefore the Sûdra is like a beast, unfit for sacrifices.’ And he who does not hear the Veda recited cannot learn it so as to understand and perform what the Veda enjoins. The prohibition of hearing thus implies the prohibition of understanding and whatever depends on it.”

Madhvacharya first tries to say that Shudra can also study scriptures but later clearly prohibits a Shudra from studying Vedas,

“…For, in the text, ‘Let the Brahmana be initiated at the age of eight and let him be taught scripture,’ the ceremony of purification is mentioned as the immediate preliminary condition to teaching scripture. And in the case of the Sudra, the absence of this ceremony of purification is spoken of in the Paingin’s Sruti. ‘The Sudra has no consecrated fire, no sacrifice, no prayers, no ceremonies (to be performed); no process of purification, no austerities (to be practised). Hence the Sudra is not eligible for the study of Scripture…Haridrumata having (first) concluded that ‘A non-brahmin is not capable of such truthful answer,’ (ib), and consequently Satyakama was not a Sudra, proceeded to perform the ceremony of initiation for him. Hence the Sudra is not eligible for the study of the Vedas. For the Sudra is prohibited (from the study of the Vedas) as in the Gautama Dharma Sastra, ‘The ears of him (the Sudra) who hears the Veda are to be filled with molten lead and lac, his tongue is to be slit if he pronounces it, his heart is to be cut open, if he attempts to know its meaning.’ And Smriti says, ‘the Sudra has no (consecrated) fire (to be maintained), no sacrifices (to be performed); so possibly he could not study the Vedas; however, free service to the three higher classes is prescribed for the Sudra, as the means of higher life’…” Madhvacharya on Brahma Sutra 1.3.36-38, Tr. S.Subba Rau

Vijnanesvara writes in Mitakshara,

“Manu has also shown that the twice born alone are entitled to study the Dharma Sastras and a Brahmana alone can teach them and no one else.” Vijnanesvara in his book Mitakshara on Yajnavalkya Smriti verse 3

Keshava Kashmiri writes on Bhagavad Gita 18.41

“…The Brahmins the priestly class, the ksatriyas or royal warrior class and the vaisya’s the mercantile and agricultural class are all spoken of in unison because they only have the right to initiation making them qualified to study the Vedic scriptrures, engage in yagnas or ritualistic propitiation and worship. Whereas the sudra or servant class are mentioned separately as they have not the qualification for initiation and study of the Vedic scriptures but all are factually the product of their own innate natures.

To study the Vedic scriptures and perform yagna the prerequisite of initiation essential and required. A sudra is a fourth class citizen who may perform unauthorised activities without sin because they are only once born from the womb not twice born by the spiritual master. It is prohibited in the Vedic scripture to initiate a sudra. If done it will bring calamity upon the spiritual master, his dynasty and the whole kingdom. There are direct references in the Vedic scriptures prohibiting sudras from initiation. Such passages as: The sudra carries the dead body to the cremation ground that is a sudra and if a sudra hears a mantra his ears should be filled with wax, if he recites a mantra his tongue should be cut out and if he memorises a mantra his life should be taken. So it can be understood that in ancient times the prohibitions of a sudra were strictly enforced…” Keshava Kashmiri on Bhagavad Gita 18.41

.

Sridhara Swami writes on Bhagavad Gita 18.41

“…Now Lord Krishna commences a new theme with this verse explaining that the duties of the different classes of Vedic society such as brahmana or priestly class, ksatriya or royal and warrior class, vaisya or agricultural and mercantile class as well as sudra or menial worker class which is the only one not qualified to take part in any Vedic activity as they serve the other three classes. The duties enjoined for all the classes are clearly delineated and itemised with distinct divisions…” Sridhara Swami on Bhagavad Gita 18.41

.

It is mentioned in Bhagvad Gita,

Gita 9.32 ”For those who take refuge in Me. O Partha, though they be of sinful birth- women, Vaisyas, and Sudras even they attain the Supreme Goal.” Tr. Swami Nikhilananda

Hindu scholar named Swami Swarupananda writes,

”Of inferior birth…Shudras because by birth, the Vaishyas are engaged only in agriculture, etc., and the women and Shudras are debarred from the study of the Vedas.” Source

.

Swami Nikhilananda writes,

”The Vaisyas are engaged in agriculture and trade; women and Sudras are debarred from the study of the Vedas. Therefore all these classes of people remain outside the Vedic scheme of salvation…” [Swami Nikhilananda on The Bhagwad Gita 9.32, page 233, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, 1944, Printed in USA by The Haddon Craftsmen, Inc.] Source

Another scholar named Swami Sivananda writes,

“…Women and Sudras are debarred by social rules from the study of the Vedas…”

Now no one can claim that they know Hinduism more than these scholars especially a scholar of such calibre like Adi Shankaracharya.

.

top

.

Prohibtion to teach Vedas

Skanda Purana III.ii.6.79 ”One should never teach a Vedic Mantra to a Sudra. (Thereby) the Brahmana becomes deficient in his Brahmanical powers and the Sudra in his merit” Tr. G.V. Tagare

It is mentioned in Manu Smriti that sacrificing for a lower castes, or assisting them in sacrifice and teaching them is prohibited,

Manu Smriti 10.109-111 On (comparing) the acceptance (of gifts from low men), sacrificing (for them), and teaching (them), the acceptance of gifts is the meanest (of those acts) and (most) reprehensible for a Brahmana (on account of its results) in the next life. (For) assisting in sacrifices and teaching are (two acts) always performed for men who have received the sacraments; but the acceptance of gifts takes place even in (case the giver is) a Sudra of the lowest class. The guilt incurred by offering sacrifices for teaching (unworthy men) is removed by muttering (sacred texts) and by burnt offerings, but that incurred by accepting gifts (from them) by throwing (the gifts) away and by austerities.

Manu Smriti 11.181 “By sharing the same bed, or cushion, or by riding in the same car with, or by eating in the company of a degraded person for a year, a man becomes degraded’ by teaching the Vedas to such a person, or by officiating as a priest at a sacrifice instituted by him, or by contracting any marital relation with him, one becomes degraded on the same day.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Same is repeated in Vasishta,

Vasistha Dharma Shastra 1.22 Now they quote also (the following verse): He who during a year associates with an outcast becomes (likewise) an outcast; not by sacrificing for him, by teaching him or by (forming) a matrimonial (alliance with him), but by using the same carriage or seat.

Vishnu Smriti 71.48-52 “Let him not teach lessons to a Sudra. Nor give the leavings of his plate or the residue of clarified butter he has drunk to a Sudra. Nor sesame. Nor instructions in religion. Nor in the mode of practising Vratas.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Skanda Purana V.iii.228.8-9”One should not give knowledge, leavings of food or Havis to a Sudra. He should not be taught righteous and pious rites nor should he be initiated in Vratas. The following six things cause downfall of women and Sudras: japa, penance, pilgrimage, renunciation of the world, practice of Mantras and initiation for the adoration of a deity” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Mahabharata 13.10.66-70 “Unto Sudras, therefore, the Brahmanas should never give instructions. Hence, O king, the Brahmana should avoid imparting instructions (to such as are low-born), for it was by imparting instruction to a low-born person a Brahmana came to grief. O best of kings, the Brahmana should never desire to obtain instruction from, or impart instruction to, a person that belongs to the lowest order. Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas, the three orders, are regarded as twice-born. By imparting instruction unto these, a Brahmana does not incur any fault. They, therefore, that are good, should never discourse on any subject, for imparting any instruction, before persons of the inferior order.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

.

Vasistha Dharma Shastra 20.45. Property received from outcasts, after forming alliances with them either by (teaching) the Veda (and by sacrificing) or by marriage, must be relinquished. Let him not associate with such (men).

.

top

.

Shudras studying Vedas is one of the evils

Shudras studying the Veda and performing sacrifice are some of the evils of Kali Yuga predicted in Hindu scriptures,

Linga Purana Section I.40.40-41 ”Some sell Vedas and others sell Tirthas (holy waters) i.e. make illegal gain out of these. When Kali yuga begins heretics will be born who will be opposed to the system of four castes and stages of life. Sudras will learn the Vedas and will become experts in the meaning of Dharma.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Tulsi Ramayana, Uttara Kanda, Doha 98A-B.1 Dominated by women, my lord, all me dance to their tune like a monkey controlled by its trainer. Sudras instruct the twice born in spiritual wisdom and, wearing the sacred thread, accept the worst type of gifts.

Kurma Purana I.30.21-22 ”In Kaliyuga, the Brahmanas, dependent on the Sudras, hover round and serve the Sudras seated in their vehicles and eulogise them by songs of praise and prayer. Dependent on Sudras, they teach them Vedas. Due to the calamity of appeasing those without Vedas, they resort to terrible atheism.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Matsya Purana 273.46-47 ”Thenceforward all this world will fall upon very bad times. Men will be liars, greedy, and destitute of righteousness, affection and wealth. The religion of Srutis and Smritis will become very lax, and so also will be destroyed the orders and castes. The people will be of mixed origin, weak in body and will be led astray and deluded. Brahmanas will sacrifice for Sudras (or will study under Sudraas) and Sudras will take to teaching Mantras.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Matsya Purana 144.40-42 ”Many with them profess to be Brahmajnanis, because, thereby, they will easily earn their livelihood. Some hypocrites will mark their bodies with Vedic symbols also. In the Kaliyuga any body will study the Vedas; Sudraas will be experianced in the Vedas. So there will be many false religionists.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Narada Purana I.41.54-55 “The Sudras will not serve the twice-born. Assuming the airs of heretics, the base-born assume and practice holy rites of the Brahmanas. The Sudras will clothe themselves in ochre-robes; they will have matted hair; they will smear ashes all over their bodies. Thus equipped and employing deceptive arguments, they will begin to expatiate on Dharma. [58-] Occupying excellent seats, Sudras will expatiate on Dharma-religious duties-to Brahmans who habitually destroy Dharma. These and many other heretics such as nude ascetics (Digambaras), red-roled mendicants, will roam about; most of whom will be decrying the Vedas. [71] After the advent of the Kali age, Sudras and outcastes will become kings and the Brahmans will be engaged in rendering service to them. They will be begging for alms” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vayu Purana Part 1, 58.46 “Then, when the end of the age approaches, even the great goddess like the earth will yield but little fruit. Sudras will begin to perform penance” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Mahabharata 13.94.11 “[Rishi Agastya said] That Time has come upon us. Hence, Righteousness is afflicted. It is meet that I should go to heaven for good, before unrighteousness assails the world and establishes itself here! Before the time comes when Brahmanas, loudly uttering the fully Vedas, within the precincts of villages and inhabited places, cause the Sudras to hear them, before the time comes when kings often against the rules of Righteousness from motives of policy, I shall go to heaven for good.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

.

top

.

Shudras hearing or reciting the sacred text

Hinduism prohibits Dvijas (upper three castes) from reciting Vedas in the presence of Shudras,

Narada Purana I.15.100-1 “I shall mention the fruits of sins accruing to those who engage themselves in the recitation and study of the Vedas in the vicinity of women and Sudras. Listen to it attentively. They are compelled to stand with their heads down and legs upwards. Thus, they are nailed to two pillars and are compelled to inhale smoke continuously in this posture. They stay thus for the period of year of god Brahma.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Manu Smriti 4.99. Let him not recite (the texts) indistinctly, nor in the presence of Sudras; nor let him, if in the latter part of the night he is tired with reciting the Veda, go again to sleep.

Usana Samhita 3.65 “No study [is allowed] in a village inhabited by low-caste people, near an irreligious person, when cries are heard and where there is a multitude of men.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Vasistha Dharma Shastra 18.11-14 Some call that Sudraa race a burial-ground. There (the Veda) must not be recited in the presence of a Sudra. Now they quote also the (following) verses, which Yama proclaimed: ‘The wicked Sudra-race is manifestly a burial ground. Therefore (the Veda) must never be recited in the presence of a Sudra. Let him not give advice to a Sudra’…

Apastamba Dharma Shastra 1.3.9.6 He shall never study in a burial ground nor anywhere near it within the throw of a Samya. [8-9] But if that place is known to have been a burial ground he shall not study (there). A Sudra and an outcast are (included by the term) burial ground, (and the rule given, Sutra 6, applies to them.)

Linga Purana Section I.85.161 ”The repeater of the mantras shall not perform japa in the open street, or in the presence of the Sudras or in a ground smeared with blood, or sitting in a cot.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Usana Samhita 8.72 “By reciting the Vedas, dharma-Sastras and the Puranas before the Chandalas, one is purified by the Chandrayana. There is no other means of redemption for him.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Vishnu Smriti 30.4-15 “For the whole day and night the Vedas should not be studied on the eighty or the fourteenth day of the moon’s (wane or increase)…Nor near the Sudras and the degraded.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

It is prohibited for a Shudra to hear the Vedas,

Devi Bhagavatam 11.15.11-20 “As a man of a lowest caste acts contrary and incurs a sin if he hears the Veda mantra…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Mahabharata 2.44.15 “Desirous of speedy death, this fool had desired Rukmini. But the fool obtained her not, like a Sudra failing to obtain the audition of the Vedas.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

If the Shudra somehow manages to hear the Vedas then he is punished in the following way,

Katyayana Smriti verse 486 “The king should punish a sudra, who forsakes the order of sannyasins (after having entered it) and who intently practises japa (silent muttering of prayers) and homa, with death (or corporal punish) or he should be punished with double the fine.” Tr. P.V. Kane

.

If a Shudra pronounces the Vedic text then his tongue should be clipped off and body must be mutilated,

Gauatama Dharma Shastra 12.4-6 Now if he listens intentionally to (a recitation of) the Veda, his ears shall be filled with (molten) tin or lac. If he recites (Vedic texts), his tongue shall be cut out. If he remembers them, his body shall be split in twain.

Atri Samhita 1.19 “The Sudra who engages in the recitation [of the Gayatri] and the offering of oblations to the Sacred Fire, should be killed by the king; for by that he becomes the destroyer of the kingdom as the water is of fire.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Skanda Purana V.iii.200.6 ”It has been decided that for merely pronouncing the Veda (Vedic text by a Sudra) the tongue of that Sudra should be cut off by Ksatriyas who are the protectors of Dharma” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Brihaspati Smriti 20.12 (A Sudra) teaching the precepts of religion, or uttering the words of the Veda, or insulting a Brahman, shall be punished by cutting out his tongue.

.

top

.

Proof that Veda was not taught to Shudras

Skanda Purana III.i.10.32 ”The Sudra named Drdhamati came to the hermitage and was honoured by the ascetics. He prostrated in front of them with the eight limbs (touching the ground). [34-44] Then he felt inclined to perform an excellent penance. So he approached the Kulapati (Head sage of the hermitage) and spoke these words… O sage of good holy rites, initiate me in the Yaga rite. O Brahmana, I belong to the Sudra community, O excellent one. I wish to render services to you. Be pleased with me who have sought refuge in you. When this was spoken by the Sudra, the Brahmana spoke to him: A Sudra being low low birth cannot be initiated in a sacrifice. Be pleased to listen. If you are so inclined, be engaged in service. No (religious) instructions is to be given to one of low caste. In instructing him, the preceptor incurs great sin. A learned man shall not teach a Sudra, nor should he perform a Yaga on his behalfIf a Brahmana were to teach a Sudra these subjects, the other Brahmanas shall banish him from the village, from Brahmana community. One shall abandon like a Candala, the Brahmana who instructs a Sudra. One should avoid from afar a Sudra who is literate. Hence, welfare unto you. Render service unto Brahmanas with reverence. Service to the twice-born has been prescribed by Manu and others (as the duty) of a Sudra.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Drdhamati was not taught Vedas just because he belonged to Shudra caste.

Ramanuja Acharya and Adi Shankaracharya writes that Gautama Rishi started teaching Vedas to Jabala only after he ascertained that Jabala was not a Shudra. They also prohibit teaching Veda to Shudras

Acharya Ramanuja writes in the commentary of Brahma Sutra 1.3.37

“37. And on account of the procedure, on the ascertainment of the non-being of that.
That a Sûdra is not qualified for knowledge of Brahman appears from that fact also that as soon as Gautama has convinced himself that Gâbâla, who wishes to become his pupil, is not a Sûdra, he proceeds to teach him the knowledge of Brahman.”

Shankaracharya writes on Brahma Sutra 1.3.37,

” 37. And on account of (Gautama) proceeding (to initiate Gâbâla) on the ascertainment of (his) not being that (i.e. a Sûdra).

The Sûdras are not qualified for that reason also that Gautama, having ascertained Gâbâla not to be a Sûdra from his speaking the truth, proceeded to initiate and instruct him. ‘None who is not a Brâhmana would thus speak out. Go and fetch fuel, friend, I shall initiate you. You have not swerved from the truth’ (Kh. Up. IV, 4, 5); which scriptural passage furnishes an inferential sign (of the Sûdras not being capable of initiation).”

Gautama Rishi started teaching Vedas to Jabala only after knowing that he was not a Shudra, this shows that Veda was not taught to Shudras.

.

top

.

Teaching Vedas to Shudras was considered a taboo

Sita the wife of Rama said,

Ramayana of Valmiki, Sundara Khanda 28.5 “I may be slain by that dreadful monster but I can no more give him my affection than a brahmin can impart the teachings of the Veda to one of low caste.” Tr. Hari Prasad Shastri

Srimad Bhagavatam 9.18.14 “And we are even more respectable because we are in the dynasty of Bhṛgu. Yet although this woman’s father, being among the demons, is our disciple, she has put on my dress, exactly like a śūdra taking charge of Vedic knowledge.” Tr. Swami Prabhupada

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.13 “To this proud, impious fellow who has given up performance of religious acts, and has violated all the bounds (of religious prosperity), I gave my young daughter though reluctant to do so, as one would be to impart the sacred beautiful word (Vedas) to a Sudraa (who is not eligible to receive Vedic lore).” Tr. G.V. Tagare

.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.38.4 “Just as recitation and study of the Vedas is impossible to a person born in the Sudra class, I consider that gaining even the sight of Krsnaa of excellent renown is very difficult for me, inasmuch as my mind is addicted to sensual pleasures.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Mahabharata, Adi Parva 1.160 “How shall I be able to place this sole daughter of thy house–this innocent girl–in the way along which her ancestors have always walked? How shall I then be able to impart unto this child every desirable accomplishment to make him virtuous as thyself, in that season of want when I shall become masterless? Overpowering myself who shall be masterless, unworthy persons will demand (the hand of) this daughter of thine, like Sudras desiring to hear the Vedas.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

.

top

.

Duty of a Shudra

Garuda Purana ch 96 ”the sole duty of a Shudra is to render personal service to the foremost of the twice born castes.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Yajur Veda 30.5 For Brahman (Priesthood) he binds a Brahman to the stake; for Kshatra (Royalty) a Râjanya; for the Maruts a Vaisya; for Penance [service] a Sudra;

Vamana Purana, Saromahatmya 22.38-39 “In its middle is a mighty Banyan tree, the embodiment of Sthanu. From Him have issued the castes, Brahmans, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas, and Shudras were born from Him to render service to the twice born…” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

Vishnu Purana 3.8.33-34 “Attendance upon the three regenerate castes is the province of the Śúdra, and by that he is to subsist, or by the profits of trade, or the earnings of mechanical labour. He is also to make gifts; and he may offer the sacrifices in which food is presented, as well as obsequial offerings.” Tr. H.H. Wilson

Narasima Purana 58.10-13 “The Sudra should serve all these three varnas and serve the Brahmanas like a slave. He should donate from his earning without asking for anything form others. He should do agriculture for survival. He should worship the stars every month as per the religion and justice and always wear old apparel. He should clean the pots used by the Brahmanas keep attachment with his own wife.” Tr. Joshi K.L. Shastri and Bindiya Trivedi

Sankha Samhita 1.5 Serving the Brahmanas, and performance of different handicrafts should be the specific duties of a Sudra. Practice of forbearance, truthfulness, and self-control, and cleanliness of body and spirit are equally obligatory on all, without any distinction of caste.

Katyayana Smriti verse 722 “One may make the sudra work as a slave, whether he be purchased or not purchased; the creator himself created him for slavery.” Tr. P.V. Kane

Mahabharata 13.141 “The service of the three regenerate classes constitutes the high duty of the Sudra. That Sudra who is truthful in speech and who has subdued his senses is regarded as having acquired meritorious penances. Verily, the Sudra, who having got a guest, discharges the duties of hospitality towards him, is regarded as acquiring the merit of high penances. That intelligent Sudra whose conduct is righteous and who worships the deities and Brahmanas, becomes endued with the desirable rewards of righteousness.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Manu Smriti 10.123. The service of Brahmanas alone is declared (to be) an excellent occupation for a Sudra; for whatever else besides this he may perform will bear him no fruit.

The same is repeated in Apastamba Dharma Shastra 1.1.1.7; Vishnu Smriti 2.8; Manu Smriti 10.334 and Yajnavalkya Smriti 1.120. Shudra’s duty is to serve the twice born but it is prohibited for twice born to serve low caste people,

Padma Purana V.9.40-47 …A brahmana should always avoid serving low people….

top

.

Punishment for not carrying out his duties

Parasara Smriti 2.16 By not in any way serving the Brahmanas, and by doing heinous acts, a Sudra becomes short lived, and goes to hell, after death. These duties are imperatively obligatory on the men of four castes.

Skanda Purana III.ii.40.56 ”If a Sudra created for service does not serve Brahmanas, nor does he give the means of sustenance (to them), Hanuman becomes angry with him.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

.

Prohibition to intermingle

Satapatha Brahmana 3:1:1:10. Let him not commune with every one; for he who is consecrated draws nigh to the gods, and becomes one of the deities. Now the gods do not commune with every one, but only with a Brahman, or a. Râganya, or a Vaisya; for these are able to sacrifice. Should there be occasion for him to converse with a Sûdra, let him say to one of those, ‘Tell this one so and so! tell this one so and so!’ This is the rule of conduct for the consecrated in such a case.

Samvarta Samhita verses 197 “By associating with an outcast for a month or a half, one would become purified, in half-a-month, by living upon barley and the urine of cow.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Parasara Smriti 6.43 “One should immediately come out of the room in which a Chandala has entered, and throw away all the earthen pots kept therein.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Angiras Samhita 1.49-50 “[Partaking of] a Sudra’s food, associating with a Sudra, sitting with a Sudra, acquiring knowledge from a Sudra, degrade even one burning with Brahma-energy. The twice-born person, who utters benediction before a Sudra and salutes him, that Brahmana as well as the Sudra go to hell.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Kurma Purana II.16 28-29 “The following eleven defects caused by mingling of the castes are called sins of intermixture (Samkarya Dosas) viz. sharing the same bed, sharing a common seat, sitting in the same row, sharing of the same vessel, partaking of the cooked food together, presiding over the sacrifices, teaching, marriage alliance, taking of food together, studying together, and jointly presiding over the sacrifices.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Inter-dining, sharing the same seat and doing other things together is a sign of civilization and a humane act while the Hindu scriptures views it as an evil thing.

Kurma Purana II.16.26-27 ”An excellent Brahmana shall not stay anywhere else except within half a Krosa of the holy river (1 Krosa=3 Km). He shall not stay near the village of the Sudras. He should not live in the same place with that of fallen castes, Candalas, Pukkasas, foolish fellows, arrogant persons, Sudras and the people of the lowliest castes called Antavasayins.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Smriti 35.2-4 “He, who associates with an outcaste, for a year, becomes himself an outcast. Likewise, by riding in the same carriage, by sharing the same bed, and by eating (in the same row) with him.” Tr. Manmatha Nath dutt

Skanda Purana III.ii.6.76-77 ”Close association with fallen people is but conducive to one’s own fall. One should never offer a higher seat or rostrum to a Sudraa. (Thereby) a Brahmana becomes deficient in his Brahmanical powers and a Sudraa in his merits. Instruction in Dharma to Sudras shall obstruct one’s own progress and glory.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

A Shudra is punished if he sits on the same seat with a Brahmin

Manu Smriti 8.281. A low-caste man who tries to place himself on the same seat with a man of a high caste, shall be branded on his hip and be banished, or (the king) shall cause his buttock to be gashed.

Vishnu Smriti 5.20 “If one (i.e., a low-caste man) sits on the same seat [with a superior caste] he, having his hip branded, shall be banished.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Varaha Purana 112.25-27 ”Once a Brahmin receives a gift from a Sudra, his ancestral manes fall into filth. No other Brahmin shall speak with him or share a seat with him. He is to kept afar. The Brahmin who, however, chances to speak with him or share a seat, shall perform Prajapatyakrcchra ceremony for purification.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Vamana Purana, Saromahatmya 28.43-44 “At the time of creation Sankara was worshipped by the Lord on the northern bank of the Sarasvati known by the name Caturmukha. Having saluted Him with faith, a man is absolved of all sins, arising out of lustful intermixture of castes and interdining.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

Narada Purana I.41.33-38 “The Brahmanas and other castes get mixed with other castes mutually; all castes will be more or less like the Sudras, overwhelmed by lust and fury, confounded and afflicted by unncessary distress. In the Kali Yuga the excellent men become mean and the base men rise to excellence…Brahmanas become the pall-bearers of the Sudras…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narada Purana I.14.60b-62a “If one is touched by persons belonging to Candala and Svapaca castes, ablution (for purification) is enjoined even at night, but he shall not stay there with those low castes, at night, he will regain purity immediately after taking bath. If unknowingly a person had been careless enough to stay there (with low castes) at night, his sin is increased a hundred-fold.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Following verse shows prevalence of caste system under the reign of Rama,

Skanda Purana III.ii.30.93-94 “Ther was neither mental anguish nor illnes, O king, in the kingdom of Rama. All the women were chaste; all the men were devoted to their parents. Brahmanas were devoted to the (study of) Vedas always; Ksatriyas served Brahmanas. Men of Vaisya caste continued to be devoted to Brahmanas and cows. There was no mixture of castes and no transgression of duties. There was no barren or wretched woman; no woman had only a single child or had her child dead.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

This was the so called ideal state (Ram Rajya) of Rama.

Skanda Purana VII.I.206.6-7 “[Isvara said] If a Brahmana cooks food on behalf of a Sudra in the manner of Upaniksepa that food shall also be Abhojya (unfit for consumption) and the Brahmana falls down. The food of a Sudra, the association of a Sudra, occupying the same seat as the Sudra, and learning a lore from a Sudra – these will cause the fall of even the resplendent one.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

top

.

Intermingling of castes is evils of Kali Yuga

Linga Purana Section I.40.6-8 “Men perish. Ksatriyas and Vaisyas decline gradually. In Kali Sudras claim kinship with brahmins through their learning through interdining and sharing seats and beds. Kings become mostly Sudras and they harass brahmins. Killing of foetus and murder of heroes become prevalent. Sudras adopt the conduct of life prescribed for the Brahmins and the brahmins adopt the ways of Sudras.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Brahmanda Purana 1.2.31.42 “Span of life, intellect, strength, beauty and prestige of the family dwindle down and become extinct. The Sudraas take to the conduct of life of the Brahmanas and the Brahmanas behave and act like Sudras.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Kurma Purana I.30.18 ”O tormentor of enemies, Sudras will be occupying lofty seats in the middle of Brahmanas. In Kali age, as a result of the influence of times, the king will dishonour the Brahmins.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narasima Purana 54.44-46 “The Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaisya and Sudra all will have over excitement and sensuality and reproduce a hybrid generation by mixing with one another. In the state of such a hybrid generation, relations like teacher and student, father and son, husband and wife will be kicked off…” Tr. Joshi K.L. Shastri and Bindiya Trivedi

.

top

.

Inter-caste marriage is prohibited

.

Hinduism prohibits inter-caste marriage to an extent. It permits a Brahmin to take wives of all four castes, but at the same time also prohibits to take a Shudra wife, Yajnavalkya and Vasishta are of the same view. However this has been interpreted by some scholars as, a Brahmin can take a Shudra wife but he should not have sexual intercourse with her in her ‘courses’ which can impregnate her, in other words it prohibits a Brahmin from begetting child on a Shudra wife, a Shudra wife is taken only for sexual gratification. As per Hindu scriptures a Dvija should take his first wife from his own caste and then of succeeding castes. A Kshastriya can take wives of his own caste, a Vaishya and a Shudra wife, a Vaishya can marry women from Vaishya and a Shudra caste while a Shudra can take only one wife from his own caste.

Gita 1.41-43 “By the prevalence of impiety, O Krishna, the women of the family becomes corrupt. Women corrupted, there will be intermingling of castes (Varna-Samkara), O descendant of Vrishnis. Confusion of castes leads the family of these destroyers of families also to hell; for, their forefathers fall (down to hell), deprived of the offerings of pinda (rice-ball) and water. By these evil deeds of the destroyer of families which cause the intermingling of castes, the eternal dharmas of castes and families are subverted.” Tr. A. Mahadeva Sastri

Madhavacharya writes on Gita 1.41 “When there is a resultant intermixture of castes due to the destruction of the family structure; those who are responsible are damned to hell; but not only these ruinous family members. Their forefathers are also sent to hell as well due to the cessation of the ritual offerings of food and water that are no longer given due to the fact that there no longer exist any male descendants to perform such rites”

Sridhar Swami writes on Gita 1.41 “When this happens there is an intermingling of castes and the ancestors of these destroyers of the family fall from heaven as they are deprived of their periodic ritual offerings of food and water.”

Kesava Kasmiri writes on Gita 1.41-42 “In regard to the result of undesirable progeny. The intermixture of castes that follow the family customs and honor the age-old Vedic traditions with those that do not causes a degradation in society and leads the family to a hellish existence. Not only this but the anscestors of such a family also suffer as well because there is no descendant qualified to perform the propitiatory rites prescribed in Vedic scriptures such as sraddha and tarpana. . Being deprived of these oblations due to the absence of qualified progeny as a result of destruction of the family structure the ancestors fall down from heaven and go directly to the hellish planets. In the previous verse the effects of the intermixture of castes as described in the Vedic scriptures regarding the ancestors has been determined. Now Arjuna describes the misery experienced for those who are responsible for causing this intermixture of castes beginning with dosair etaih. Due to these evils the essential duties prescribed in the Vedic scriptures for the four castes which are the authorised and proven means leading humanity to the highest good and which are faithfully instructed by holy sages and spiritual masters are all forsaken.”

Swami Nikhilananda writes on Gita 1.41-42 “…Mixing of castes – One of the evil consequences of the depletion of the number of men in society is that the women break the caste rules and traditions as regards marriage. Marriage outside one’s caste is considered irregular by the Hindu law-givers. Rice-balls and water- The reference is to the Hindu religious rites for the dead, known as the Sraddha ceremony, in which rice-balls and water are offered by the eldest son for the satisfaction of the soul of the deceased. This ceremony cannot be performed by children born of irregular marriages, that is to say, marriage in which husband and wife belong to different caste, Deprived of the rice balls and water, the soul of the deceased, according to Hindu tradition, goes to hell…”

Usana Samita 9.51 “By marrying in another caste (i.e., a Sudra maiden), one (i.e., a Brahmana) becomes a Mahapatakin (great sinner). By associating with such a sinner, one also becomes a sinner.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Agni Purana 150.14-15 A marriage should take place only between the members of the same class, the union of a person belonging to a higher class with one of the lower being always forbidden…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Devi Bhagavatam 9.34.32-91 “…This is a general remark; now hear everything in particular. O Chaste One! The Brâhmin wives of S’ûdras or the S’ûdra wives of Brâhmanas are Atyâgamyâs (very unfit to be approached) and blameable both in the Vedas and in the society. A S’ûdra going to a Brâhmanî woman commits one hundred Brahmahattyâs; so a Brâhmana woman going to a S’ûdra goes to the Kumbhîpâka hell. As a S’ûdra should avoid a Brahmâni, so a Brâhmana should avoid a S’ûdra woman…” Tr. Swami Vijnananda

Vamana Purana 35.21-27 “…intermixing in all the varnas (castes), abandonment of Omkara…marrying a low-caste woman like a Candala…all these entail suffering in hell.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

Skanda Purana V.i.29.27-33 “…An uncivilized Brahmana who carnally serves a Sudra woman and one who marries a Sudra woman, both of them fall into the hell…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Death Penalty for Intercaste marriage

If a Shudra wants to marry a Brahmin women then he is given death sentence.

Matsya Purana 227.131 “If a low caste man wants to marry a high caste girl and does so would be punished with death; similarly a high class woman marrying a low caste man should be punished with death.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Hindu texts award lesser punishment for a Brahmin man committing adultery but awards death penalty to Shudra if he commits adultery with high caste woman. It says that the Shudra must be burnt alive,

Vasistha Dharma Shastra Chapter 21 Verses 1-3 If a Sûdra approaches a female of the Brâhmana caste, (the king) shall cause the Sûdra to be tied up in Vîrana grass and shall throw him into a fire. He shall cause the head of the Brâhmanî to be shaved, and her body to be anointed with butter; placing her naked on a black donkey, he shall cause her to be conducted along the highroad. It is declared that she becomes pure (thereby). If a Vaisya approaches a female of the Brâhmana caste, (the king) shall cause the Vaisya to be tied up in Lohita grass and shall throw him into a fire. He shall cause the head of the Brâhmanî to be shaved, and her body to be anointed with butter; placing her naked on a yellowish donkey, he shall cause her to be conducted along the highroad. It is declared in the Veda that she becomes pure (thereby). If a Kshatriya approaches a female of the Brâhmana caste, (the king) shall cause the Kshatriya to be tied up in leaves of Sara grass and shall throw him into a fire. He shall cause the head of the Brâhmanî to be shaved, and her body to be anointed with butter; placing her naked on a white donkey, he shall cause her to be conducted along the highroad. It is declared in the Veda that she becomes pure (thereby).

Arthashastra of Chanayka Book 4 Chapter 13 A Kshatriya who commits adultery with an unguarded Bráhman woman shall be punished with the highest amercement; a Vaisya doing the same shall be deprived of the whole of his property; and a Súdra shall be burnt alive wound round in mats.

Manu Smriti 8.374 “For having sexually visited a woman of any twice-born caste, whether protected or unprotected by her husband, a S’udra shall be punished with the mutilation of his reproductive organ and a confiscation of all his goods and estates in the first named instance (i.e., for knowing an unprotected twice-born woman), and in the last named case he shall pay the penalty with his life and all his goods and estates will be escheated to the sovereign.” Manmatha Natha Dutt

Gautama Dharma Shastra Chapter 23 Verse 14-15 14. A woman who commits adultery with a man of lower caste the king shall cause to be devoured by dogs in a public place. He shall cause the adulterer to be killed (also).

Gautama Dharma Shastra 12.2 If he [Shudra] has criminal intercourse with an Aryan woman, his organ shall be cut off, and all his property be confiscated.

Apastamba Dharma Shastra Prasna II, Patala 10, Khanda 27 Verse 9 A Sûdra (who commits adultery) with a woman of one of the first three castes shall suffer capital punishment

Mahabharata 13.48 “It is only from sexual union of women with persons who should not have such union with them that mixed classes spring up.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Mahabharata 13.91.88.90 “That Sudra who has sexual intercourse with a Brahmana woman, has, after death, to take birth as a hog. As soon as he takes birth in the porcine order he dies of disease, O king. The wretch has next to take birth as a dog. O king, in consequence of his dire act of sin. Casting off his canine form he regains upon the exhaustion of his demerit, the status of humanity. The Sudra who begets offspring upon a Brahmana woman, leaving off his human form, becomes reborn as a mouse.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Garuda Purana ch 95 “A Brahmana is at liberty to take a wife from any of the first three social orders, or to put it more explicitly, a Brahmana shall marry a girl either of his own caste, or one belonging to the warrior (Kshatriya), or to the trading (Vaishya) community. Similarly a Kshatriya shalll marry a Kshatriya or a Vaishya girl, while a Vaishya shall take a wife from his own community, the marriage of a Shudra girl with a member of any of the twice born castes being hereby absolutely forbid.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Manu 3.14. A Sudra woman is not mentioned even in any (ancient) story as the (first) wife of a Brahmana or of a Kshatriya, though they lived in the (greatest) distress.

Some interpret it as, a Brahmin should not take a Shudra wife as his first wife. He can take four wives of succeeding castes i.e., first a Brahmin, second a Kshatriya and so on, His Brahmin wife is considered superior among wives of other castes.

Hindu text goes on to depict Shudra wives as sex objects when it says that a Brahmin can marry a Shudra only for sexual pleasure,

Vasistha Dharma Shastra 18.17-18 Let him not approach a wife of the Sudra caste after he has built the fire altar for a Srauta sacrifice. For a Sudra wife who belongs to the black race, (is espoused) for pleasure, not in order to fulfil the law.

Vishnu Smriti 26.5 ”The Sudra wife of a Brahmana can never be for virtue. She is only the object of enjoyment of a passionate Brahmana.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

The son of a Brahmin born to Shudra mother shall not inherit anything,

Manu Smriti 9.155-6 The son of a Brahmana, a Kshatriya, and a Vaisya by a Sudra (wife) receives no share of the inheritance; whatever his father may give to him, that shall be his property. All the sons of twice-born men, born of wives of the same caste, shall equally divide the estate, after the others have given to the eldest an additional share.

.

top

.

Segregation of humans into castes

Hinduism even discriminates between the style of living. Nothing can be more disgusting than this,

Manu Smriti 10.51-54 But the dwellings of Kandalas and Svapakas shall be outside the village, they must be made Apapatras, and their wealth (shall be) dogs and donkeys. Their dress (shall be) the garments of the dead, (they shall eat) their food from broken dishes, black iron (shall be) their ornaments, and they must always wander from place to place. A man who fulfils a religious duty, shall not seek intercourse with them; their transactions (shall be) among themselves, and their marriages with their equals. Their food shall be given to them by others (than an Aryan giver) in a broken dish; at night they shall not walk about in villages and in towns.

.

Hinduism also divides the lifestyle of persons belonging to different castes, it says all castes should dress differently, should have different names, should make houses differently, it completely divides their way of living,

Manu Smriti 2.30-32 But let (the father perform or) cause to be performed the Namadheya (the rite of naming the child), on the tenth or twelfth (day after birth), or on a lucky lunar day, in a lucky muhurta, under an auspicious constellation. Let (the first part of) a Brahmana’s name (denote something) auspicious, a Kshatriya’s be connected with power, and a Vaisya’s with wealth, but a Sudra’s (express something) contemptible. (The second part of) a Brahmana’s (name) shall be (a word) implying happiness, of a Kshatriya’s (a word) implying protection, of a Vaisya’s (a term) expressive of thriving, and of a Sudra’s (an expression) denoting service.

Agni Purana 152.2-8; Vishnu Purana 3.10.8-12 ”The name of a Brahmin child should end with the term ”Sharma” (the happy one), the name of a child of the Kshatrya caste should end with the term ”Varma” (the defender or protector) while those of a Vaishya or a Shudra child should respectively end with the terms ”Gupta” and ”Dasa” (slave).” Tr. M.N. Dutt

.

Manu Smriti 3.8-9 Let him not marry a maiden (with) reddish (hair), nor one who has a redundant member, nor one who is sickly, nor one either with no hair (on the body) or too much, nor one who is garrulous or has red (eyes), Nor one named after a constellation, a tree, or a river, nor one bearing the name of a low caste, or of a mountain, nor one named after a bird, a snake, or a slave, nor one whose name inspires terror.

Hinduism also makes discrimination in marriages,

Agni Purana 153.1-4 “…A Kshatriya woman having been duly wedded, should hold an arrow in her hand, a Vaishya bride should hold a paddy measure while a Shudra girl should hold a cotton string in her hand just after the wedding ceremony had been gone through…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Method of building houses should also be different,

Matsya Purana 253.13-14 ”In laying the foundations of a building or digging a tank or well first it is necessary to test the nature of the soil before commencing the operations and lying Vastua. White earth is lucky for the Brahamanas, red is good for the Ksatriyas, yellow earth for the Vaisyas, and black earth is auspicious for the Sudras. This can be ascertained by digging. The earth tasting sweet is good for the Brahmanas…and astringent earth is good for the Sudras.” Tr. Taluqdar of Oudh, edited by B.D. Basu

Natya Shastra II.46-57 Direction of pillars (first to be raised) should be different as per castes

.

Garuda Purana 1.213.143 “The procedure of bath has been laid down thus by great men. While taking bath Brahmins, Ksatriyas and Vaisyas have to repeat Mantras. A Sudra has to observe silence during bath and perform Namaskara also silently.” Tr. J.L. Shastri

Garuda Purana chapter 94 ”A member of any of the twice born castes, shall first take two draughts of water to rinse his lips with, and then cleanse his face with undisturbed and frothless water. The twice born shall purify their breasts, throats, palates and umbilical regions with water. It will be enough for women and Shudras to purify their regions of back and umbilicus.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

.

Discrimination even at performing funeral rites,

Manu Smriti 5.92. Let him carry out a dead Sudra by the southern gate of the town, but (the corpses of) twice-born men, as is proper, by the western, northern, or eastern (gates).

Manu Smriti 5.104. Let him not allow a dead Brahmana to be carried out by a Sudra, while men of the same caste are at hand; for that burnt-offering which is defiled by a Sudra’s touch is detrimental to (the deceased’s passage to) heaven.

Agni Purana 158.38-51 ”A Brahmana who has followed the dead body of a Shudra to the burning ground or has joined with friends of such a deceased in mourning his death, becomes pure at the expiry of three days. On a Shudra woman having been delivered of a child in the house of a Brahmana, or a Shudra having, departed his life therein, the master of the house should abstain from making any gift or from undertaking any religious ceremony for the attainment of any object, for that entire day. Cooking pots and other articles of pottery should be thrown away and the flows an walls should be plastered over with a fresh coating of clay, whereby the house would be again clean and pure…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Vishnu Smriti 29.1-4 “one shall not allow the dead body of a twice-born person to be carried by a Sudra. Nor [that of a] Sudra by a twice-born person…The Sudras [shall never carry the dead body of a] twice-born one even if he be their father.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras should have umbrellas of different colors,

Varaha Purana 128.38 ”The white umbrella is for the Brahmin, red for Ksatriya, yellow for Vaisya, and blue for Sudra.” Tr. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

.

top

.

Low castes are equal to dogs, pigs and other animals

Linga Purana Section I.85.216 “He shall not partake of the cooked rice touched and defiled by pigs, Candalas, wicked people and cock. If he eats it he shall repeat the japa hundred and eight times.” Tr. Board of Scholars, edited by J.L. Shastri

Manu Smriti 12.55 The slayer of a Brahmana enters the womb of a dog, a pig, an ass, a camel, a cow, a goat, a sheep, a deer, a bird, a Kandala, and a Pukkasa.

Manu Smriti 3.239 A Kandala, a village pig, a cock, a dog, a menstruating woman, and a eunuch must not look at the Brahmanas while they eat

Apastamba Dharma Shastra 2.7.17.20. They blame it, if dogs and Apapâtras are allowed to see the performance of a funeral-sacrifice.

Gautama Dharma Shastra 15.24. If (a funeral offering) is looked at by dogs, Kandâlas, or outcasts, it is blemished.

Mahabhara 13.23.5 “Gifts of articles that have been proclaimed before many people or from which a portion has been eaten by a Sudra, or that have been seen or licked by a dog, form portions of Rakshasas.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Agni Purana 168.1-12 ”…The boiled rice smelled by a cow, or dedicated to one’s ancestors, as well as that partaken of by a Shudra or a dog, or that prepared by a fallen man, if eaten by a person, would entail the performance of the pencance known as the Taptakrichchha…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Narada Purana I.26.30-31 “If he touches a wet bone, leavings of food, a Sudra, a fallen man, a serpent or a dog, he should bath along with the clothes he is wearing. After touching the funeral pyre, a piece of wood thereon, the sacrificial pole, a Candala and a professional worshipper of idols, he should plunge into water along with the clothes he is wearing.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narada Purana II.51.42 “O Narada, it is laid down (in Smritis) that the sprinkling of the vessels is for the destruction of defects (defilement) due to the glances of Sudras, the fallen ones and donkeys and other beings (at them).” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vamana Purana 15.19 “By touching a woman in menses, a dog, a naked man, a woman recently delivered, and untouchables, one should take a bath for purification, as also those that carry dead bodies.” Tr. Anand Swarup Gupta

Yajnavalkya Smriti 1.197 “Mud and water lying on a roadside and buildings made of burnt bricks, when touched by Chandalas or by other degraded castes, and by dogs and crows, are purified by air.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Skanda Purana III.ii.5.129 “Food is to be scattered outside for the sake of dogs, fallen persons, Candalas, persons sick with sinful ailments (leprosy etc), crows, worms etc.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Baudhayana Srauta Sutra 28.8 “Now we shall explain the expiation in connection with the defilement of kindling woods. The kindling woods become defiled on account of eight contingencies. The defilement of kindling woods occurs as a result of the contact with an impure object, a dog, a Candala, a Sudra, a crow, a sinner, a donkey, or a woman in her menses. One should discard such kindling woods, and get prepared similar new ones…” Tr. C.G. Kashikar

top

.

Sinners will take birth as low castes

Garuda Purana 4.58-63 Thus, it is declared, O Tarksya, that there are many torments for the sinful. Why should I explain them fully, when they are spoken of in all the S’astras? Being tortured thus, men and women by thousands are baked in dreadful hells until the coming of the deluge. Having eaten there their undecaying fruits they are born again. By order of Yama they return to the earth and become unmoving and other creatures: Trees, bushes, plants, creepers, rocks and grasses, these are spoken of as unmoving; enveloped in great delusion, Insects, birds, animals and fish;–it is said that there are eighty-four hundred thousands of fates of birth-fates. All these evolve thence into the human condition; having come back from hell they are born in the human kingdom amongst low outcastes, and even there, by the stains of sin, become very miserable.

Garuda Purana 5.11 Who steals jewels is born in a low caste…

Apastamba Dharma Sutra, Prasna 2, Patala 1, Kanda 2.6 Thus after having undergone a long punishment in the next world, a person who has stolen (the gold of a Brahmana) or killed a (Brahmana) is born again, in case he was a Brahmana as a Kandala, in case he was a Kshatriya as a Paulkasa, in case he was a. Vaisya as a Vaina.

Skanda Purana V.iii.171.14-22 “…O excellent Brahmanas, these people fall into terrible hell and are reborn as Candalas: those who do not take holy bath regularly; those who do not practise Japa, Homa, worship of Suras, hospitality to other people, performance of Pitr Sraddha during Parvas and also regular Dana…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Skanda Purana V.iii.155.79b-89a “…Those who utter falsehood jeopardising cows and Brahmanas fall into the Kalsutraka hell. The torture therein as per the authors of the scriptural texts is indeed terrible. After experiencing those sufferings those who come back in the human world are born as men of low caste…” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Vishnu Smriti 44.9 Those, who are guilty of committing crimes leading to defilement, are re-born in the wombs of outcast women.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Yajnavalkya Smriti Chapter 3 Verse 213 One, who robs another’s jewel, is born in a degraded caste…” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Hinduism says that whores becomes untouchable woman in their next life,

Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 85.105-116 “…A whore after having suffered the torments of hell called Raurava for a long time attains the form of a useless worm for a century and by turns for seven birth she attain the condition of a widow, a barren woman, an untouchable woman of low class and a woman with her nose cut…” Tr. Rajendra Nath Sen

top

.

Response to Apologists

Dalits suffered the Brahmincal oppression for ages then why suddenly some people has to show equality in Hindu scriptures instead of rejecting such anti Human scriptures? If Hindu scriptures really advocated equality for all then why did the Brahmins hid those verses in their dhotis? As I said earlier they have no sympathy towards the low caste people, all they want is votes and followers. In present age they cannot enforce their inhumane Brahmin laws moreover the constitution of India giving equal rights to everyone (including Dalits) is being one of the main reason some have started to show equal status (and also to present Hinduism in good light).

Akhil Bhartiya Kshetriya Brahmin Mahasangh criticized Baba Ramdev’s statement that “I have studied Vedas hence I am a Brahmin”
Nakul Pandey said that one becomes a Veda master by learning the Vedas but not a Brahmin. Birth, education and Karma is the neccisity to be a Brahmin, Pandey said.
http://www.jagran.com/jharkhand/giridih-15453202.html

Converts to get caste, gotra of Hindu ancestors: Yogi Adityanath
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Converts-to-get-caste-gotra-of-Hindu-ancestors/articleshow/45515721.cms

So Hindu scholars are still acknowledging the fact that caste is based on birth. The most common explanation given by Hindu apologists is that,

.

CLAIM:- Hinduism doesn’t believe in caste system. Caste system was actually based on the profession, by the passage of time this system became caste system. It wasn’t based on their birth but it was wholly based on the profession acquired by the individual. If a Shudra studies the Vedas, he becomes a Brahmin.

.

RESPONSE:-

I don’t need to refute this point, because the greatest scholar of Hinduism, Adi Shankaracharya had refuted this long ago,

“The pûrvapakshin maintains that the Sûdras also have such a claim… Smriti moreover speaks of Vidûra and others who were born from Sûdra mothers as possessing eminent knowledge.–Hence the Sûdra has a claim to the knowledge of Brahman.

To this we reply that the Sûdras have no such claim, on account of their not studying the Veda. A person who has studied the Veda and understood its sense is indeed qualified for Vedic matters; but a Sûdra does not study the Veda, for such study demands as its antecedent the upanayana-ceremony, and that ceremony belongs to the three (higher) castes only. The mere circumstance of being in a condition of desire does not furnish a reason for qualification, if capability is absent. Mere temporal capability again does not constitute a reason for qualification, spiritual capability being required in spiritual matters. And spiritual capability is (in the case of the Sûdras) excluded by their being excluded from the study of the Veda.–The Vedic statement, moreover, that the Sûdra is unfit for sacrifices intimates, , because founded on reasoning, that he is unfit for knowledge also;”
Shankaracharya on Brahma Sutra 1.3.34

He also said in his commentary of Brahma Sutra 1.3.36,

“36. On account of the reference to ceremonial purifications (in the case of the higher castes) and on account of their absence being declared (in the case of the Sûdras).

That the Sûdras are not qualified, follows from that circumstance also that in different places of the vidyâs such ceremonies as the upanayana and the like are referred to.”

The statement that ‘Shudra becomes a Brahmin if he studies the Vedas’ is a white lie. Because not even a single Hindu scripture allows a Shudra to study Vedas. As Shankaracharya rightly pointed out that a Shudra cannot study the Vedas as learning the Veda requires one to go through the Upanayana ceremony and this ceremony is permitted only for upper three castes. Smritis gives instructions only to Dvija children but they doesn’t even mention about Shudra children, It is mentioned in Manu Smriti,

Manu Smriti 2.35-40 According to the teaching of the revealed texts, the Kudakarman (tonsure) must be performed, for the sake of spiritual merit, by all twice-born men in the first or third year. In the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation (upanayana) of a Brahmana, in the eleventh after conception (that) of a Kshatriya, but in the twelfth that of a Vaisya. (The initiation) of a Brahmana who desires proficiency in sacred learning should take place in the fifth (year after conception), (that) of a Kshatriya who wishes to become powerful in the sixth, (and that) of a Vaisya who longs for (success in his) business in the eighth. The (time for the) Savitri (initiation) of a Brahmana does not pass until the completion of the sixteenth year (after conception), of a Kshatriya until the completion of the twenty-second, and of a Vaisya until the completion of the twenty-fourth. After those (periods men of) these three (castes) who have not received the sacrament at the proper time, become Vratyas (outcasts), excluded from the Savitri (initiation) and despised by the Aryans. With such men, if they have not been purified according to the rule, let no Brahmana ever, even in times of distress, form a connexion either through the Veda or by marriage.

https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/manu-smriti-2-35-40.jpg?w=370&h=496

.

As you can see Manu only gives instructions about when Dvija students should be initiated but not about Shudra students, Yajnavalkya is of the same view,

Yajnavalkya Smriti verse 14 In the eighth year of conception or in the eighth (year of) birth, the Upanayana ceremony of the Brahmanas, of the Ksatriyas in the eleventh; of the Vaisyas in eleven plus one. Some say according to family custom. It is mentioned in

It is mentioned in Agni Purana,

Agni Purana 152.2-8 ”The rite of Chudakaranam (binding of the tuff of hair on the crown of a child) together with that of Upanayanam (investiture with the holy thread in the case of a Brahmana child) should be performed in its eighth year or in the eighth year counted from the period of jestation, while the same should be performed in the eleventh and the twelfth year (counterd from the period of gestation) in the case of a Kshatriya, and Vaishya child respectively.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Acharya Medhatithi writes,

“…Of these four, three castes are ‘twice born’, the initiatory rite being prescribed for them. ‘One caste’ is the Shudra; there is no Initiatory Rite for him; since the injunction of this rite contains the distinct mention of the three castes, Brahmanas and the rest; e.g., the Brahmana shall be initiated in the eight year, the Ksattriya in the eleventh and the Vaishya in the twelfth; and nowhere is the name of the Shudra mentioned…” Medhatithi on Manu Smriti 10.4

Vyasa Samhita 1.5-6 “The term ‘twice-born’ denotes the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas. Only these three orders are entitled to practise religious rites propounded in the Srutis, Smritis and Puranas in exclusion of all other castes. The fourth order is the Sudra, hence the Sudras, are entitled to practise religious rites, but they are not privileged to recite any Vedic Mantras, nor to pronounce the terms Savaha, Svadha and Vashat.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Apastamba Samhita 5.3 “No expiatory penance, vow, Tapassya, or Homa exists for a member of the fourth social order (Sudra).” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Narada Purana I.24.19-27 “(The duties of a Brahmana are:) He should offer charitable gifts to the Brahmans; he should worship the gods by means of sacrifices; for the sake of livelihood he may beg for alms; he should teach others. He should perform sacrifices on behalf of those who are eligible for the same; he should perpetually offer water libations; he should learn the Vedas and maintain sacrificial fires…(The duties of a Ksatriya are): O excellent Brahman, a Ksatriya should give charitable gifts to Brahmanas, he should learn the Vedas; he should worship Devas by performance of sacrifices…O excellent Brahman, breeding of cattle, commerce, agriculture and study of the Vedas are glorified as the duties of the Vaisya also…A Sudra also should give charitable gifts, but he should not perform domestic sacrifices involving cooking. He should render service to the Brahmans, Ksatriyas and the Vaisyas.” Tr. G.V. Tagare

Narada Purana says that Brahmins, Kshatriya and Vaishya should study Vedas but Shudras should engage themselves only in serving the twice-born. As you can see Hindu texts gives instructions on when Brahmin, Kshatria and Vaishya children should be initiated for Vedic study but they don’t mention about Shudra children as Shudra by birth has no right to study the Veda, they are completely barred from the Vedas.

.

PERFORMANCE OF SACRIFICE IS PERMITTED ONLY FOR THREE CASTES

Manu Smriti 2.16 “He, whose all life, from the rite of Nisheka to that of funeral, is governed by the regulations of the Sastrass, is alone competent to read, or to hear this Sastra, and no other.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

. https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/manu-smriti-2-16.png?w=468&h=178

.

Yajnavalkya Smriti verse 10 “The castes are the Brahmanas, the Ksatriyas, the Vaisyas and the Sudras. Only the first three (of these) are twice-born, the performance of the ceremonies beginning with the rite of impregnation and ending (with the funeral rites) in the cremation ground, of these only, is prescribed with sacred formulas.”

Vishnu Smriti 2.2-3 “The first three of these are (called) twice-born. For them the whole number of ceremonies, which begin with the impregnation and end with the ceremony of burning the dead body, have to be performed with (the recitation of) Mantras.

Mahabharata 3.149 “while to serve the twice-born orders is said to be the duty of the Sudra. The Sudras cannot beg alms, or perform homas, or observe vows; and they must dwell in the habitation of their masters.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

.

Another claim is that

If a Brahmin doesn’t study the Vedas then he becomes a Shudra

Brahmin whether learned or illiterate is still a Brahmin due to his birth

It’s true to an extent. If a Brahmin doesn’t study the Vedas then he looses his rank. This is actually quoted out of context. When Hindu text says “loses the rank of a Brahmin”, it connotes degradation and losing the authority to perform rites. It doesn’t literary mean that the Brahmin just by refusing to study the Vedas becomes low caste. However there are expiations for all such sins in which the Brahmin looses his rank but there is absolutely no instruction which can elevate a Shudra to the status of a Brahmin in the same life. Can any apologist quote a single verse which says that if a Shudra studies the Vedas then he can become Brahmin in the very same life? It is mentioned in Upanishad,

Chandogya Upanishad 6.1.1. Harih, Om. There lived once Svetaketu Aruneya (the grandson of Aruna). To him his father (Uddilaka, the son of Aruna) said: ‘Svetaketu, go to school; for there is none belonging to our race, darling, who, not having studied (the Veda), is, as it were, a Brahmana by birth only.’

As you can see, a Brahmin is still considered a Brahmin just on the basis of his birth even if he has not studied the Veda. For detailed explanation on this Brahmin loosing his status issue, read the article Response to Manu Smriti and Shudras. Hindu scripture rather says that a Brahmin whether he has learned the Vedas or not is still a Brahmin. It is mentioned in Mahabharata,

Mahabharata 3.199.88 “Whether the Brahmana be cognisant of the Vedas or ignorant of them, whether they be pure or impure, they should never be insulted, for Brahmanas are like fires.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

How can one remain a Brahmin if is he is ignorant of Vedas? As it is claimed by apologists that one ignorant of Vedas becomes a Shudra.

.

Mahabharata and Smriti shows that even if one is ignorant of the Vedas then he is still a Brahmin due to his birth (in a Brahmin family). Mahabharata and Maharshi Manu lists learned Brahmin and unlearned Brahmin separately,

Mahabharata 12.180 “Thou, O Kasyapa, art a human being! Amongst human beings, thou art again a Brahmana. Among Brahmanas, thou art again one that is conversant with the Vedas.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

Manu Smriti 1.96-97 Of created beings the most excellent are said to be those which are animated; of the animated, those which subsist by intelligence; of the intelligent, mankind; and of men, the Brahmanas; Of Brahmanas, those learned (in the Veda); of the learned, those who recognise (the necessity and the manner of performing the prescribed duties); of those who possess this knowledge, those who perform them; of the performers, those who know the Brahman.

Manu Smriti 9.317. A Brahmana, be he ignorant or learned, is a great divinity, just as the fire, whether carried forth (for the performance of a burnt-oblation) or not carried forth, is a great divinity.

Manu Smriti 2.118. A Brahmana who completely governs himself, though he know the Savitri only, is better than he who knows the three Vedas, (but) does not control himself, eats all (sorts of) food, and sells all (sorts of goods).

This again implies that one need not study Vedas to be a Brahmin as it is all based on one’s birth. A Brahmin whether learned or unlearned is a Brahmin. Hindu apologists should know that a learned Brahmin is called Vipra. There is an example too in Puranas where a man born in a Brahmin family was still considered a Brahmin despite not knowing Vedas and engaged in sinful activities,

Varaha Purana 167.3-4 “Varaha said:- In Ujjayini there was a Brahmin who never cared for the rules of virtuous life. He never worshipped gods and never bowed to the saints. He never bathed in any holy tirtha. He knew neither the Vedas nor the Vedangas. He was lustful and longed for the wives of others.” Tr. Vekitasubramonia Iyer, edited by J.L. Shastri

Vyasa Samhita 4.41-43 “One, born of the seeds of a Brahmana but not purified with any of the purificatory rites or Mantras, and making use of his caste as a means of livelihood, is called a Sama Brahmana. A Brahmana, unto whom all the purificatory rites of Garbhdanam, etc., have been performed, but who has neither read nor taught any part of the Vedas, is called a Vruva Brahmana. A Brahmana, who practises penitential austerities and performs the rite of Homa, every day, and teaches the Vedas with their Kalpas and Rahasyas, is called an Acharyaya.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Parasara Smriti 8.11 “Brahmanas, who are ignorant of the Vedas, and Gayatri and Sandhya, and those who do not cast any oblation in the sacrificial fire and live by agriculture, are only Brahmanas in name.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Vyasa Samhita 4.33 “A gift should be made to an erudiate person living at a distance in preference to an illiterate on living close by one’s house. Nothing can be humiliating (insulting) to an illiterate Brahmana.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Usana Samhita 3.118 “An illiterate Brahmana, accepting funeral cakes, gold, kine, horses, lands and sesame seeds, gets consumed like a wood” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

Manu Smriti 2.157-8 “Like unto a wooden elephant or a leathern deer, a Brahmana, who has not studied, bears only the name of a Brahmana. As a eunuch is (sexually) fruitless (unsuccessful) in respect of a woman, as (sexually) fruitless is the meeting of two cows, as fruitless is the gift to an ignorant, so fruitless (is the life of a) Brahmana who has not studied the Riks (i.e., the Vedas).” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

Vyasa Samhita 4.37-38 “A Brahmana, who has not studied the Vedas, does, like a wooden elephant, or a leather-deer, but bear the name of the genus he belongs to. Like a deserted hamlet, like a waterless well, a Brahmana, who has not read the Vedas, is a Brahmana only in name.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

.

The above verses praises a learned Brahmin over an unlearned Brahmin just as it is mentioned in Manu,

Manu Smriti 1.95-99 “Of the created things the animate creatures are the highest; of the animate creatures the intelligent ones are the highest, of the intelligent creatures men are the highest, and among men the Brahmanas are the highest. Among Brahmanas the erudite ones are the highest, among the erudite Brahmanas those, who think it their duty to perform the Sastric rites, are the highest, among the latter those, who perform such rites, are the highest, and among the performers of rites the knowers of Brahma are the highest. The Brahmana has originated as the eternal embodiment of virtue. His origin is for the furtherance of virtue; he becomes of the essence of Brahma. Born as a Brahmana, he wields the supremacy of the world, the ruler of all creatures, the custodian of the treasure of virtue.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Manu Smriti 12.92. After giving up even the above-mentioned sacrificial rites, a Brahmana should exert himself in (acquiring) the knowledge of the Soul, in extinguishing his passions, and in studying the Veda.

.

Apologists have one more explanation. They say if a Brahmin is of evil behavior or behaves like a Shudra then he becomes a Shudra. This is wrong because it is mentioned in Manu Smriti,

.

Manu Smriti 10.73 Having considered (the case of) a non-Aryan who acts like an Aryan, and (that of) an Aryan who acts like a non-Aryan, the creator declared, ‘Those two are neither equal nor unequal.’

. https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/manu-smriti-10-73.png?w=458&h=136

Above is Rameshvar Bhatt’s Hindi translation. The meaning of this verse is simple, A Sudra by behaving like a Brahmin doesn’t become a Brahmin likewise a Brahmin by behaving like a Shudra doesn’t become a Shudra. This is based on Pundit Tulsiram’s interpretation and various other scholars are of the same view. I am reproducing Pundit Tulsiram’s translation with commentary of Manu Smriti 10.73,
https://vedkabhed.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/manu-smriti-10-73-tulsiram.jpg?w=462&h=491

.

It is mentioned in Mahabharata,

Mahabharata 13.151.20-23 “Even the Brahmana that is destitute of knowledge is a god and is a high instrument for cleansing others. He amongst them, then, that is possessed of knowledge is a much higher god and like unto the ocean when full (to the brim). Learned or unlearned, Brahmana is always a high deity. Sanctified or unsanctified (with the aid of Mantras), Fire is ever a great deity. A blazing fire even when it burns on a crematorium, is not regarded as tainted in consequence of the character of the spot whereon it burns. Clarified butter looks beautiful whether kept on the sacrificial altar or in a chamber. So, if a Brahmana be always engaged in evil acts, he is still to be regarded as deserving of honour. Indeed, know that the Brahmana is always a high deity.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

.

There is another verse in Manu Smriti which refutes the claim of apologists.

Manu Smriti 10.96 A man of low caste who through covetousness lives by the occupations of a higher one, the king shall deprive of his property and banish.

If caste system is based on profession then why punish the low caste for living the occupation of higher one? Hindu text also says that in time of distress when one cannot make a living with the occupation of one’s caste can live by the occupation of other castes but it doesn’t say that by acquiring the profession of higher caste the Shudra becomes a Brahmin.

Moreover it is prohibited to change profession,

Vasistha Dharma Shastra 19.7-8 Let the king, paying attention to all the laws of countries, (subdivisions of) castes (gati) and families, make the four castes (varna) fulfil their (respective) particular duties. Let him punish those who stray from (the path of duty).

Atri Samhita 1.17 “The king, who punishes them who, renouncing their own religion, follow another’s, becomes glorified in the celestial region. By following his own religion even a Sudra enjoys the celestial region. Another’s religion should be renounced like the most beautiful wife of another person.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

And a Dvija can live by other professions also and that doesn’t change his caste,

Parasara Smriti 2.15 “Even an agriculturist Kshatriya should propitiate the gods and Brahmanas with the produce of his fields. A Vaisya, or a Sudra should always live by trade, agriculture, or handicraft.” Tr. Manmatha Nath Dutt

Gautama Dharma Shastra 7.6-7 On failure of the (occupation lawful for a Brahmana) he may live by the occupations of a Kshatriya. On failure of those, he may live by the occupations of a Vaisya.

Manu Smriti 10.81-82 But a Brahmana, unable to subsist by his peculiar occupations just mentioned, may live according to the law applicable to Kshatriyas; for the latter is next to him in rank. If it be asked, ‘How shall it be, if he cannot maintain himself by either (of these occupations?’ the answer is), he may adopt a Vaisya’s mode of life, employing himself in agriculture and rearing cattle.

Agni Purana 258.80-83 “… A Shudra living like a Brahmana and performing religious rites exclusively belonging to the creed of the latter, should be liable to pay a fine of eighteen hundred Panas…” Tr. M.N. Dutt

Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.16-17 allows a Brahmin to take Vaishya’s occupation but no where it says that by doing so the Brahmin will become a Vaishya. I don’t have to explain this as this verse speaks for itself. There is another such verse mentioned in Tulsi Ramayana,

Tusli Ramayana, Aranya Kanda, Doha 33.1 A Brahmana, even though he curse you, beat you or speak harsh words to you, is still worthy of adoration; so declare the saints. A Brahmana must be respected, through lacking in amiability and virtue; not a Sudra, though possessing a host of virtues and rich in knowledge.

Krishna says in Gita that one should stick to the profession even if they are imperfect in it. Now you tell me if caste was based on profession then why it’s prohibited to change the profession? Have a look at what Krishna says,

Gita 18.41-48 “Of Brâhmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaishyas, as also of Sudras, O scorcher of foes, the duties are distributed according to the Gunas born of their own nature. The control of the mind and the senses, austerity, purity, forbearance, and also uprightness, knowledge, realisation, belief in a hereafter,—these are the duties of the Brâhmanas, born of (their own) nature. Prowess, boldness, fortitude, dexterity, and also not flying from battle, generosity and sovereignty are the duties of the Kshatriyas, born of (their own) nature. Agriculture, cattle-rearing and trade are the duties of the Vaishyas, born of (their own) nature; and action consisting of service is the duty of the Sudras, born of (their own) nature. Devoted each to his own duty, man attains the highest perfection. How engaged in his own duty, he attains perfection, that hear…Better is one’s own Dharma, (though) imperfect, than the Dharma of another well-performed. He who does the duty ordained by his own nature incurs no evil. One should not relinquish, O son of Kunti, the duty to which one is born, though it is attended with evil; for, all undertakings are enveloped by evil, as fire by smoke.” Tr. Swami Swarupananda

Swami Prabhupada discourages ‘changing of castes’ and advises that a Shudra should remain a Shudra,

“Not that a śūdra man is by force become a brāhmaṇa. You cannot improve. That is not possible. But even if he remains a śūdra and does accordingly, he will get the same position as devotee. Sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya sam… [Bg. 18.46]. He’ll get the perfection. At the present moment the idea is: if one remains a śūdra, then he cannot get perfection. No. Even a śūdra can get perfection provided he does the work of a śūdra perfectly. Therefore why a śūdra artificially should be a brāhmaṇa? Let them, let him remain a śūdra, and if he follows strictly the rules and regulation of śūdra, he’ll also be as good as a brāhmaṇa. The same example: Just like head is as important as my leg. It is not that because it is leg, it is less important than my head. And if you ask the head, “Do the work of a leg,” it is impossible. And if you ask the leg to work as a brain, that is impossible. Let him remain brain, let him remain leg, and do your duty and you become perfect.” Room Conversation
Varṇāśrama System Must Be Introduced — February 14, 1977, Māyāpura
https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1977/feb?d=1

It is mentioned in Manu Smriti,

Manu Smriti 8.20-21 ”The Judicial officer of a king must be a Brahmana even if he be a mere Brahmana by birth (and bereft of the virtues of his order), or a mere professional adjudicator of issues, and not a Sudra under any circumstances whatsoever.” Tr. M.N. Dutt

.

If the Shudra is competent enough, possess all knowledge then why a ignorant Brahmin is still considered superior than him just because of his birth as a Brahmin? Padma Purana VII.23.29 says that king named Nityodaya was a Shudra by caste but being a King didn’t change his caste. Caste system is not based on education, it’s based on birth. Normally a father would give best education to his child but Hindu text says that a son born to Dvija is still not Dvija if the mother belongs to low caste,

Mahabharata 13.47.17 “The son born of the Sudra wife should not be regarded as invested with the status of a Brahmana in consequence of his being unskilled (in the scriptures and the duties ordained for the Brahmana). Only those children that are born of wives belonging to the three higher orders should be regarded as invested with the status of Brahmanas.” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

.

Apologists misinterpret Hindu text to show that some personalities attained higher castes. It’s true that one attains higher caste in the next life but in no way can one attain higher caste in the same life. As per Hindu text it is only in next birth that a man attains higher caste or is degraded to lower caste.

Apastamba Dharma Sutra 2.5.11.10-11 In successive births men of the lower castes are born in the next higher one, if they have fulfilled their duties. In successive births men of the higher castes are born in the next lower one, if they neglect their duties.

Manu Smriti 10.42. By the power of austerities and of the seed (from which they sprang), these (races) obtain here among men more exalted or lower rank in successive births.

Manu Smriti 9.334-5 But to serve Brahmanas (who are) learned in the Vedas, householders, and famous (for virtue) is the highest duty of a Sudra, which leads to beatitude. (A Sudra who is) pure, the servant of his betters, gentle in his speech, and free from pride, and always seeks a refuge with Brahmanas, attains (in his next life) a higher caste

Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, 13.28 “…If born as human being, he is sure to take birth as a Pukkasa or a Chandala. Verily, one having taken birth in that sinful order of existence, viz., Pukkasa, one, O Matanga, has to wander in it for a very long time. Passing a period of one thousand years in that order, one attains next to the status of a Sudra. In the Sudra order, again, one has to wander for a long time. After thirty thousand years one acquire the status of a Vaisya. There, in that order, one has to pass a very long period. After a time that is sixty times longer than what has been stated as the period of Sudra existence, one becomes a person of the fighting order. In the Kshatriya order one has to pass a very long time. After a time that is measured by multiplying the period last referred to by sixty, one becomes born as a fallen Brahmana. In this order one has to wander for a long period. After a time measured by multiplying the period last named by two hundred, one becomes born in the race of such a Brahmana as lives by the profession of arms. There, in that order, one has to wander for a long period. After a time measured by multiplying the period last named by three hundred, one takes birth in the race of a Brahmana that is given to the recitation of the Gayatri and other sacred Mantras. There, in that order, one has to wander for a long period. After a time measured by multiplying the period last named by four hundred, one takes birth in the race of such a Brahmana as is conversant with the entire Vedas and the scriptures…” Tr. K.M. Ganguli

.

So no matter what you do, you should perform duties prescribed for your castes and only after few thousand years you can attain higher caste.

Some examples:-

Skanda Purana V.ii.22 A Kshatriya king was a Shudra named Somaka in one of his previous birth.

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.13.15 Yama was cursed by Sage Manduka and was born as a Shudra

Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.72-73 Sage Narada was cursed to become Shudra from the womb of a maidservant and after his birth by serving the Brahmins he took birth as a Brahmana.

Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita 4.9.3 A Brahmin lady named Saumini had become an outcaste in her next birth.

Mahabharata 13.10 In consequence of the merit he acquired by those practices, the Sudra in the next life, took birth in the family of a great king, and in course of time became possessed of great splendour

Prabhupada writes on SB 4.30.48 ” In this connection the word mahad-avajñānāt is significant. King Dakṣa was the son of Lord Brahmā; therefore in a previous birth he was a brāhmaṇa.
But because of his behaving like a non-brāhmaṇa (abrāhmaṇa) by insulting or disrespecting Lord Mahādeva, he had to take birth within the semen of a kṣatriya — that is to say, he became the son of the Pracetās.”

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on Bhagvad Purana 4.30.48 http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_4.30.48

As you can read, all these people attained higher or were degraded to lower caste only in their next birth. As it is mentioned in the Hindu law book Apastamba 2.5.11.10-11 that only in successive births men take higher caste or are degraded to low caste. And why should god assign this? Is Hindu god a job recruiter who commands that people born in specific caste must perform specific job. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was born in a Dalit family but due to his hard work he became the first Minister of Law and Justice and was also the chairman of Constitution drafting committee. It’s not like if a person is born in family of specific should continue to do his family business, people have varied interests. Wasn’t Hindu god aware of this fact? This is my reply to the apologists.

.

Caste system is an integral part of Hinduism, you cannot be a Hindu and reject caste system. Caste system is an evil which Hinduism has produced and upheld in India. Message of god is eternal it cannot be outdated like Hinduism. It is no different than the racial discrimination fought by Nelson Mandela. Such evil thing surely cannot be from god.

.

The post Caste System in Hinduism appeared first on VedKaBhed.Com.

]]>