Ask a (the) hindu(s)!!! (Hinduism)

[Aupmanyav]

Yes, the Gods were changed to their former forms when their spouses (Saraswati, Laxmi, and Parvati) requested her.

'Dharma' is measured by its effect on the society. Simply said 'dharma' is socially supportive action. Taking care of family and elders is 'dharma'. Truth, piety, non-violence, is 'dharma'. Abandoning anger, pride, greed, lust, attachment, is 'dharma'.

[EtuMalku]

Mighty Don,
Explain to me the Hindu perspective of prana, please?

[Aupmanyav]

Prana is a Sanskrit word that refers to a vital, life-sustaining force of living beings. It is not Atman, or Soul. In Ayurveda and Yoga, it is the central concept where it is believed to flow through a network of fine subtle channels called nadis. The three main channels are: the ida (right), the pingala (left), and the sushumna (central). All physical feelings or energies that arise or flow within the body might also be interpreted as evidence that prana is at work. It can be compared to the chinese concept of chi.

Prana is also a term which can be further classified into subcategories, referred to as pranas. According to Hindu philosophy these are the vital
principles of basic energy and subtle faculties of an individual that sustain physiological processes. There are five pranas or vital currents in the Hindu system:

Prana : Responsible for the beating of the heart and breathing. Prana enters the body through the breath and is sent to every cell through the circulatory system.
Apana : Responsible for the elimination of waste products from the body through the lungs and excretory systems.
Udana : Responsible for producing sounds through the vocal apparatus, as in speaking, singing, laughing, and crying. Also it represents the conscious energy required to produce the vocal sounds corresponding to the intent of the being. Hence Samyama on udana gives the higher centers total control over the body.
Samana : Responsible for the digestion of food and cell metabolism (ie. the repair and manufacture of new cells and growth). Samana also includes the heat regulating processes of the body. Auras are projections of this current. By meditational practices one can see auras of light around every being. Yogis who do special practise on samana can produce a blazing aura at will.
Vyana : Responsible for the expansion and contraction processes of the body, eg. the voluntary muscular system.

(Adapted from Prana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

[Don Penguinoini]

Originally Posted by +Xausted

bearing in mind there is no original founder of this faith , do you believe that this strenghenths Hinduism, or weakens it? ....Therefore is it just an interpratation of the culture in which it grew up in or a truth so long forgotten that it doesnt matter? (be warned....I have a 4000 word essay on this subject)

One man means that there is one set belief. Hinduism is a flexible religion, which people have different interpretations. I think it is good that people must do this and that, or nothing. It is the opposite to Abrahamic faiths. They rely on the rules of one man (rarely a woman) Hindu's can turn to many different people for spiritual guidance.

[Troublemane]

Originally Posted by 3.14

is there a way to measure dharma?

Ya, you measure dha' arma by da length of da sleevas.

[Aupmanyav]

Originally Posted by +Xausted

bearing in mind there is no original founder of this faith , do you believe that this strenghenths Hinduism, or weakens it? ....Therefore is it just an interpratation of the culture in which it grew up in or a truth so long forgotten that it doesnt matter? (be warned....I have a 4000 word essay on this subject)

I think it is the strength of hinduism. Hinduism does not want one to be dictated by the views of one person and wants one to think for him/herself. They arrive at different conclusions according to their inclination. Hinduism accepts all such views. However, it demands from everyone good social behaviour. I am a non-dualist (advaita) and atheist, my family is theist. I have studied science, they have not. Naturally our conceptions will be different.

What is wrong if it is an interpretation of the culture? What truth are you talking about? That there is a God, and he sent a son or a messenger? And that your soul will be raised from dead at the end of the world, those who have been servile to the views of these two are sent to heaven and those who do not accept what they said would be sent to hell? These people were able to fool others because of the fear of death.

Truth is very different. Every thing in this universe is made up of one energy/substance (in the Einsteinian sense). When the body dies nothing remains of us except the body whose atoms disintegrate to combine with many living and non-living things. There is nothing like soul or God. Your 4,000 words essay is not going to change the world.