Tuesday, November 30, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 30: 30-Nov-2010

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.


Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for the subsequent 10 updates.


Session 30: Nov 30 2010
Theme: Vahanas or Vehicles of Hindu Gods & Goddesses
  1. Vishnu's vehicle is Garuda. Which of the 8 Matas (Ashta-Matrika) described in Devi Mahatma also have Eagle as vehicle? #DharmaQuiz 388 Ans: Vaishnavi. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrikas
  2. Saraswati is the Goddess mounted on the bird, which is India's national bird today. Which male god also has the same mount? #DharmaQuiz 389 Ans: Subrahmanya or Murugan or Shanmukha or Kartikeya. (Note that Saraswati's primary vehicle is listed. She also sat on Hamsa/Swan & others)
  3. Name the vehicle of Shani #DharmaQuiz 390 Ans: Crow
  4. Out of all vehicles of Hindu Gods/Goddesses, which animal has the largest number of statues/temples today? #DharmaQuiz 391 Ans: Nandi (Bull) ; Read more here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandi_%28bull%29  . (Snake, the vehicle of Kamakya also qualifies, but Bull of Shiva is more famous)
  5. Which Hindu Goddess is pictured as mounting a female animal that is sometimes represented as Tigress & sometimes as Lionness #DharmaQuiz 392 Ans: Durga. More here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawon
  6. Delhi is said to have been founded close to the "City of Lord of Devas/Heaven". What was the name of his massive vehicle? #DharmaQuiz 393 Ans: White Elephant named Airavata. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airavata
  7. Ganesha riding a mouse/mushaka is famous. Name 1 other vehicle Ganesha rode in his various avataras #DharmaQuiz 394 Ans: Lion, Peacock, Horse etc.  More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha#Vahanas

List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @syamk79    : 6
  • @zreeks        : 6
  • @clumsycoder    : 6
  • @pangalanrao    : 5
  • @nharipra     : 4
  • @Biorahul    : 4
  • @emanin  : 4
  • @pavanaja    : 3
  • @PointBlank2108    : 3
  • @AviTweets     : 3
  • @visaraj    : 3    
  • @avinashbhat01     : 3
  • @ipramodv    : 3
  • @vishchan    : 2
  • @KVSarmaJ    : 2
  • @rainaamit    : 2
  • @S_Chaitanya    : 2
  • @JanardhanMukthi :2
  • @maneeshjnair    : 1
  • @HinduAmericans    : 1
  • @phursat    : 1
  • @alien_lama     : 1    
  • @_Aniket    : 1
  • @deepnest     : 1
  • @nimeshchandra    : 1
  • @centerofright    : 1
  • @GRKini        : 1
  • @NayakPradeep     : 1

Congratulations!

Watch out for  the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

Friday, November 26, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 29: 26-Nov-2010

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.


Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for the subsequent 9 updates.

Session 29: Nov 26 2010
Theme: War & Weapons in Hindu Epics
  1. Name the Vishnu avatar to kill a demon who could not be killed by a human or animal, neither in nor outside residence. #DharmaQuiz 380 Ans: Narasimha
  2. Name the female warrior form of the Divine energy Shakti, who got 1 weapon each from all Gods to eliminate evil. #DharmaQuiz 381 Ans: Durga
  3. Shri Rama broke a bow/Dhanush during Sita's Swayamwar. That divine bow was gifted to Sita's father by whom? #DharmaQuiz 382 Ans: Parashurama (who in turn got it from Shiva)
  4. Rama stops Lakshmana from using the deadliest weapon Brahma Astra, citing the cause wasn't worthy enough. Against whom? #DharmaQuiz 383 Ans: Indrajitu also known as Meghnad, Ravana's son
  5. Gandhi called battlefield as soul & warrior as man's impulses struggling against evil.Which scripture his commentary was on? #DharmaQuiz 384 Ans: Bhagavad Gita
  6. The most famous story of a Kavacha (armour) in Hindu scriptures is in Mahabharata. Who was the mother of that baby born with it? #DharmaQuiz 385 Ans: Kunti (foster mother Radha)
  7. The most famous wresling contest in Mahabharata was involving Bhima & Jarasandha. What's the Sanskrit word to describe it? #DharmaQuiz 386 Ans: Malla Yuddha (a category inside Dwandhwa Yuddha)
  8. What was the Sanskrit term used to describe the 12 Rules of fair engagement in Mahabharata war, agreed by both parties?  #DharmaQuiz 387 Ans: Dharma Yuddha. Read more details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmayuddha 

 List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @poojarakanagar : 8
  • @pavanaja  : 8
  • @emanin  : 8
  • @zincoshine : 7
  • @Saffronizer 7
  • @amanpaggarwal :  6
  • @AmareshRath  : 6
  • @Susmit101176 : 5
  • @FEEL4INDIA : 5
  • @mayureshgaikwad  : 5
  • @nharipra : 5
  • @subodh1945 : 4
  • @VinayPawar : 4
  • @nimeshchandra : 4
  • @ranganaathan  : 3
  • @ashokmkini : 3
  • @lodyaashi : 2
  • @jatinkhanna26 : 2
  • @RaoAvirneni : 2
  • @shrilathaputhi : 2
  • @avinashbhat01 : 2
  • @AviTweets : 2
  • @AjoyChatterjee : 2
  • @shibu_kt : 2
  • @PRanam1 : 2
  • @Ro1p  : 1
  • @ashok567 : 1
  • @sageisfree : 1
  • @HinduAmericans : 1
  • @Nilesh_Kamani : 1
  • @GRKini  : 1
  • @Sshankara : 1
  • @centerofright : 1
  • @dharm_rakshak : 1
  • @kppradeepdr : 1
 Congratulations!

Watch out for  the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 28: 23-Nov-2010

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.


Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for the subsequent 8 updates.

Session 27: Nov 16 2010
Theme: Hindu Rituals and Routines
  1. "Shanti" in mantras are chanted thrice. For adhidaivika (Godly) & for adhibhautika (Earthly) forces. Name the 3rd force - #DharmaQuiz 370 Ans: Adhyatmika (Spiritual or internal forces)
  2. A coconut, offered in temples as means to fulfill our desires, symbolises which Hindu God? #DharmaQuiz 371 Ans: Shiva, the 3 eyed one. The three eyes of the coconut represent the three eyes of Shiva / Trayambaka- Rudra.
  3. Every Hindu pooja/worship starts with lighting of a lamp. What does light signify? #DharmaQuiz 372 Ans: Knowledge (Jnana)
  4. Hindus do namaste to God, beings & things. Namas-Te literally means 'I bow to you'. In spiritual sense, who is that 'you'? #DharmaQuiz 373 Ans: Divinity, which exists in all living & non-living beings
  5. Hindus don't touch paper/books with feet usually as it signifies the Goddess of knowledge. Name her - #DharmaQuiz 374 Ans: Saraswati
  6. Hindus apply Tilak (or similar stuff) on forehead, usually between eyebrows. In the language of #Yoga, which Chakra is that? #DharmaQuiz 375 Ans: Aajna Chakra 
  7. What is the type of namaskara/salutation called, which involves prostrating fully in front of God or a human? #DharmaQuiz 376 Ans: Saashtaanga (Involving all organs)
  8. What do you call the ritualistic step of symbolically offering food to God, before we consume as Prasada? #DharmaQuiz 377 Ans: Naivedyam in Sanskrit (or Bhog in Hindi)
  9. #Hindu pooja/worship usually has a metal or earthen pot filled with water & decorated with leaves. What is it called? #DharmaQuiz 378 Ans: Kalasha
  10. Which is the holiest plant to Hindus that is described as- "which is incomparable in its qualities"? #DharmaQuiz 379 Ans: Tulasi (tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi)
Please refer to this very well written article explaining each step of basic Hindu rituals. Feel free to distribute to your friends & family as this is a very neat starting point for anyone to understand 'why' we do things that we do.

Hindu Rituals and Routines: Why do we follow them?
http://www.bristolhindutemple.co.uk/Hindu_Rituals_handbook.pdf

 List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @kishor_narayan : 8
  • @Saffronizer : 8
  • @pangalanrao  : 8
  • @pavanaja     : 7
  • @vishchan     : 5
  • @ashokmkini     : 5
  • @lodyaashi      : 5
  • @sbhagat10     : 5
  • @AviTweets     : 5
  • @PointBlank2108     : 4
  • @S_Chaitanya     : 4
  • @daps1312     : 4
  • @subodh1945     : 4
  • @GRKini         : 3
  • @maheshpavan7    : 3
  • @amanpaggarwal    : 3
  • @AmareshRath     : 3
  • @shibu_kt     : 3
  • @PRanam1     : 3
  • @ipramodv      : 3
  • @FEEL4INDIA   : 2
  • @zincoshine     : 2
  • @poojarakanagar   : 2
  • @drsunda     : 1    
  • @ranganaathan    : 1
  • @jatinkhanna26    : 1
  • @newton_vishal    : 1
  • @ninaada     : 1
  • @rsenthilkumar     : 1
  • @Susmit101176     : 1
  • @vinodweb     : 1
  • @sureshnakhua     : 1
  • @abhi_dave     : 1
  • @dr_satvir      : 1
  • @jothishnair1010  : 1
 Congratulations!

Watch out for  the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 27: 16-Nov-2010

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.


Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for subsequent updates.

Session 27: Nov 16 2010
Theme: Hanuman
  1. Hanuman is the most famous Pavan Putra (son of Lord of Winds/Vayu). Name the other from Hindu Epics. #DharmaQuiz 360 Ans: Bhima
  2. The greatest hero of Hindu epics, Hanuman's father's name literally refers to a colour in Sanskrit. Which one? #DharmaQuiz 361 Ans: Kesari/ Saffron
  3. Name the literary work of Maha Kavi (Great Poet) Kalidasa, that has plenty of details of Hanuman - #DharmaQuiz 362 Ans: Raghuvamsha
  4. Which book/Kanda of Ramanayana describes the place where Hanuman lived, in detail? #DharmaQuiz 363 Ans: Kishkinda (Earliest picked)
  5. During war, Hanuman brought the entire Sanjivani hill from Himalayas. Who administered the life-saving herb to Lakshmana? #DharmaQuiz 364 Ans: Physician Sushena
  6. Name the 20KM long island near Rameshwaram, from where Hanuman's army started building the floating stone bridge to Lanka #DharmaQuiz 365 Ans: Dhanush Kodi
  7. Which country has the tallest Hanuman statue outside India? It's 85 feet tall to be precise. #DharmaQuiz 366 Ans: Trinidad and Tobago
  8. Which language (now absorbed into Hindi) did Tulsidas compose Hanuman Chalisa in? #DharmaQuiz 367 Ans: Awadhi
  9. One of the most breath-taking Hanuman devotional song is Anjaneya Dandakam. Which language is that in? #DharmaQuiz 368 Ans: Telugu  Listen to it in this brilliant goose-bump inspiring Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oQjnVyRkoo
    Lyrics: http://divinebrahmanda.blogspot.com/2010/06/sri-hanuman-dandakam-lyrics.html
  10.  Hanuman is considered a Chiranjeevi (Immortal, not eternal). Name the other Chiranjeevi from Ramayana. #DharmaQuiz 369 Ans: Vibhishana, brother of Ravana (Technically Parashurama can also be considered)
 List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @Saffronizer :  8
  • @vishchan  6
  • @emanin  6
  • @kishor_narayan   5
  • @Biorahul  5
  • @nharipra  4 
  • @pangalanrao   4
  • @ranganaathan  2
  • @S_Chaitanya 2
  • @sanjeevirao   2
  • @GRKini   2
  • @KVSarmaJ 2
  • @AmareshRath  2
  • @ashokmkini   1
  • @Sumeet_IH   1
  • @kirankarlmarx  1
  • @Lovejaanu  1
  • @NR_Tatvamasi  1
  • @mrshilpa1987  1
  • @zincoshine  1
  • @deepnest  1
  • @Scrap370  1
  • @avinashbhat01  1
  • @jatinkhanna26  1
  • @mayureshgaikwad  1
  • @sbhagat10 : 1
  • @thinkerspad  : 1
 Congratulations!

Watch out for  the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

DharmaQuiz Session 26: 12-Nov-2010

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.


Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for subsequent updates.

Session 26: Nov 12 2010
  1. Which Hindu Guru's famous was 'The Science of Self Realisation'? #DharmaQuiz 352
    Ans: Srila Prabhupada
  2. Who compiled the legendary Yoga Sutras or foundational texts of #Yoga ? #DharmaQuiz 353
    Ans: Patanjali
  3. What is the most famous text on Hindu philosophy created by Sage Gautama 1800 years back? #DharmaQuiz 354 Ans: Nyaya Sutras
  4. Who composed the 1500yr old #Tamil religious, spiritual & ethics poetic work, The Tirumantiram? #DharmaQuiz 355 Ans: Tirumular
  5. Which 20th century Hindu saint was renowned for discourses on Upanishads? He also was a founder of VHP - #DharmaQuiz 356 Ans: Swami Chinmayananda
  6. Which Indian President had written deep philosophical treatises on Bhagavadgita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras? #DharmaQuiz 357 Ans: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
  7. Name a very famous 19th century Hindu Swami, who wrote 14 volume explanation of the six Vedangas #DharmaQuiz 358 Ans: Swami Dayananda Saraswati. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Dayananda#Works
  8.  Name the Hindu Philosopher, whose three 18th century books on worship of Mother Goddess, are considered an authority #DharmaQuiz 359 Ans: Bhaskara Raya More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaskararaya
One or more correct Answers provided by the following Twitter users:
  • @jayapradeep
  • @vishchan
  • @gauravrai
  • @Biorahul 
  • @_Aniket
  • @AMDhananjay
  • @Scrap370
  • @subodh1945
  • @pavanaja
  • @ninaada
  • @visaraj 
  • @deepnest 
  • @centerofright 
  • @neetaraina1
  • @pangalanrao
  • @GRKini 
  • @NR_Tatvamasi 
  • @abhi_dave
  • @mjrajput
Congratulations!

Watch out for  the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 25: 2-Nov-2010

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.


Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for subsequent updates.

Session 25: Nov 02 2010
  1. Vedas are divided into 4 divisions. Brahmana, Aranyaka & Upanishad are three. Name the first division #DharmaQuiz 344 Ans: Samhita
  2. Out of the 6 Vedangas ( Organs of Vedas), which one deals with padas & syllables? #DharmaQuiz 345 Ans: Chandas
  3. Name the Maha (main) Purana which tells us stories of Lord Krishna primarily. #DharmaQuiz 346
    Ans: Bhagavata Purana. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavata_Purana
  4. Which group of #Hindu scriptures literally means "that which is remembered"? #DharmaQuiz 347
    Ans: Smriti.  More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smriti
  5.  Which group of Hindu scriptures literally means "implying sitting near a teacher to receive instruction"? #DharmaQuiz 348 Ans: Upanishad (Upa =  nearby; ni = at a proper place; shad = sitting down near)
  6. Which of the 4 Vedas are supposed to be sung in melodious ragas, and not chanted? #DharmaQuiz 349 Ans: Sama Veda 
  7. Does Bhagavad Gita belong to Shruti or Smriti categories of Hindu scriptures? #DharmaQuiz 350
    Ans: Smriti 
  8. Name any one of the 3 upanishads that have originated from Atharva Veda. #DharmaQuiz 351
    Ans: Any of Mundaka, Prashna or Mandukya
 One or more correct Answers provided by the following Twitter users:
  • @kishor_narayan
  • @abhi_dave
  • @subodh1945
  • @S_Chaitanya 
  • @vishchan
  • @NR_Tatvamasi
  • @zincoshine
  • @nimeshchandra
  • @Biorahul 
  • @prashanthkpp 
  • @sanjeevirao    
  • @nharipra
  • @emanin
 Congratulations!

Watch out for  the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

DharmaQuiz Session 24: 29-Oct-2010

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.


Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for subsequent update.

Session 24: Oct 29 2010
  1. What is the Sanskrit root for the word #Dharma and what does it mean? -- #DharmaQuiz 336
    Ans: Dhri meaning 'to uphold'
  2. What is the Pali language word for Dharma that #Buddha used extensively? #DharmaQuiz 337
    Ans: Dhamma
  3. Which is the most famous verse from Bhagavad Gita that talks about Dharma & Adharma? #DharmaQuiz 338 Ans: Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya. More here: http://www.asitis.com/4/7.html 
  4. In the 4 Purusharthas defined in Hinduism, Dharma is the 1st one. Which is the 4th one? #DharmaQuiz 339 Ans: Moksha
  5. Buddha extensively talked about a wheel of law/doctrine. What was it called? #DharmaQuiz 340
    Ans: DhammaChakra 
  6. SriSri's Art of Living has a divine society initiative that starts with 'Dharma'. Name it #DharmaQuiz 341
    Ans: Dharma Sthamba Yojana. http://www.artoflivingindia.in/service_dsy.asp
  7. What's the other name of the famous character Dharmaraya in Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 342
    Ans: Yudhishtira
  8. Name the famous pilgrimage center in #Karnataka that literally means 'Place of Dharma". #DharmaQuiz 343 Ans: Dharmasthala
 One or more correct Answers provided by the following Twitter users:
  • @vishchan
  • @nharipra
  • @clumsycoder
  • @Dosabandit 
  • @emanin
  • @lodyaashi
  • @kishor_narayan
  • @ranganaathan
  • @sureshnakhua
  • @AMDhananjay
  • @GRKini
  • @avinashbhat01
  • @kartikkewll
  • @mayureshgaikwad
  • @Biorahul   
  • @therohanpatil
  • @colnrkurup
  • @knackofflying
  • @sanjeevirao
  • @pawandurani
  • @sharmarohitraj
 Congratulations!


Watch out for  the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.