Some Questions Regarding Hinduism... There are a few questions about Hinduism. In fact I want to confirm everything that i have heard from people about certain beliefs in Hinduism. Q:1. What is Mahabharat? What is its significance in Hinduism? Is it true that in Hindus a women is allowed to marry five men at a time and they can all have sex together. Q:2. Is it true that at least one of the Hindu Gods became homosexual because his wife left him? Can you give me name of that God? Q:3. Is it true that Hindus are allowed to tell lies or do any evil as and when needed as long as they can justify its need? I have been told that this is Lord Krishna's teaching. Q:4. Hindus as part of there customs wash private parts (Lingham)of the statues of there Gods? What is the philosophy behind that? Q:5. Is it true that before the arrival of Muslims in India Hindu Women did not cover there chests? Q:6. Are the 'untouchables' part of Hindu society or are they part of Hindu religion? Q:7. Is satti (when women is killed after her husband dies) part of Hindu religion? Q:8. If a Hindu women cannot have a child from her husband she is allowed to sleep with any one to have a child. Kindly give me references with the answers. Is there a book on Hinduism that is readable and which contains all there philosophies? Reply I am not an expert in Hinduism, I had therefore forwarded your questions to a number of scholars of Hinduism registered at "xpertsite.com". Unfortunately, in response to my posting, only one of the registered scholars responded. Below is the reproduction of his answers: Mahabharata is an Indian Epic written on composed on the basis of the Great War of Righteousness fought about 3205 years back between the two opposing traits in every society. One, those forces that lead truthful and pious life based on scriptural dictates - The Pandavas, and two, the evil forces that deviate from the path of Dharma - The Kauravas. Does a Muslim male marrying four wives get engaged in sex with all of them at a time? No. Similarly, it is improper to say that the five Pandavas had sex with their one wife at a time. Rather, it was planned that only one of the five brothers could stay with Draupadi for the decided period of time. Rest four were not allowed to enter the room or palace out of turn, failure to comply with this rule led to banishment of the intruder for one year. Not True. Sexuality has low priority and importance in Hinduism. The main emphasis is on renunciation of sense enjoyment and to lead life to realize or experience the divinity of Soul or God realization. The mythological writings, to which Mahabharata belongs, contain these basic principles in the form of stories and parables for common men and women who are engrossed in the worldly life. True principles of Indian philosophy are contained in Vedas and Upanishads. But to understand these scriptures and lofty ideas contained therein, one requires certain qualifications, the most important being to learn under the guidance of a teacher. The other two qualifications are human birth and desire to become free. There can be no greater misconception and misrepresentation than this! The whole basis of Hindu thought is Satyameva Jayate - Let the truth prevail. Only Truth triumps, and not the untruth. Sri Krishna told the Gita. His teachings are translated in almost every language and it sells as many copies as those of Koran and Bible. The reference above is related to apparent falsehood which is seen in certain stories of the great Indian epics and mythologies that are needed as spices to food, but this 'falsehood' is only for the truth and righteousness to prevail. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva is seen as the creator, sustainer and destroyer of the Universe respectively, from cycle to cycle. This is symbolic worship of prosperity and creation. This is done in relation to Lord Shiva only. It has no narrow meaning of individual sexuality or perversion, but has cosmic dimensions. This may be the custom in a few aborigine clans. But by and large, women in India used to wear clothes and put on choli to cover the breast. The distortion in Indian society requires a serious and longer discussion for it is really difficult to understand. Briefly, I would say that because of lack of uniform development of intellect and necessity of mential works to ease the burden on the "seekers of Truth", a class of people developed or evolved who were required to labor and work for tohers. This included sewage disposal, processing leather of dead cattle etc. They were denied the right to education and study of scriptures. Unfortunately, they were treated worse than the slaves are. This 'blot of untouchability' remains one of the major sources of misunderstanding of the great Hindu religion. But one thing is sure; this is a social aberration and not a defect in the Hindu religious scriptures. Not as a routine or as widespread as one might presume. Only a small section of nothern Indian women mostly because of ill treatment meted out to them after their widowhood, a few women took their own lives by immolating themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands. The real motive was two fold. In a few case the widow really thought her husband as all - Pati Parmeshwar - and without him now her life was vacuum. But equally true is the fact that the family members on husband side were also concerned about the landed property to which the widow might put her claim. This custom nonetheless is not in vogue now and is banned under the Indian Constituion. The answer is NO. I have avoided to add anything to these answers, as I do not possess the expertise of doing so. However, I hope this answer would be of some help to you. In case you have any further question on the subject, you may contact the person who has answered these questions directly by going to his page on the 'xpertsite.com'. The URL is: http://www.askme.com/ViewProfile.asp?XID=142198&CID=1461 Regards, The Learner