Friday, July 22, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 79: 19-Jul-2011

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 59 updates.

Session 79: July 19,  2011
Theme: Saint Poets of India

  1. In which language did saint Thyagaraja compose his Keertanas praising the Lord? #DharmaQuiz 738. Ans: Telugu
  2. Lalleshwari was a famous saint poet of Kashmir combining Shivism & Sufi. Which century did she live in? a) 15. b) 18. c) 14 #DharmaQuiz 739. Ans: Fourteenth century
  3. Salabega, son of a Muslim military man & a Hindu lady, wrote a num of devotional poems on Lord Jagannath. In which language? #DharmaQuiz 740. Ans: Oriya
  4. Born in a Buddhist family 800 years back, who authored the famous Sanskrit epic Gita Govinda, a Krishna & Radha love story. #DharmaQuiz 741. Ans: Jayadeva
  5. Name the very famous Hindu Emperor from the heart of South India, who composed a Sanskrit work, Jambavati Kalyana. #DharmaQuiz 742. Ans: Krishna Deva Raya.
  6. Akha Bhagat, also known as, Akho, was a Bhakti saint 400 yrs back. In which language did he write? #DharmaQuiz 743. Ans: Gujarati
Just for this session, I didn't get time to compile the score card. Apologies. 

Congratulations to all those listed above! Also, thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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 78: 15-Jul-2011

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 58 updates.

Session 78: July 15,  2011
Theme: Guru Purnima
  1. The prayer: "Guruve Sarva Lokanam, Bhishaje bhava rogiNam", has reference to whom? a) Vyasa b) Dakshinaamurthy c) Vasishtha. #DharmaQuiz 731. Ans: Dakshinaamurthy
  2. Name a very famous Guru/Acharya, born near Udupi 775 yrs back, a huge Krishna devotee and an authority in Vedic Philosophy. #DharmaQuiz 732. Ans: Madhwacharya
  3. Name the son of Shardhvamsha, a master of all 4 divisions of archery, and an archery guru of both Pandavas and Kauravas. #DharmaQuiz 733. Ans: Kripacharya
  4. Name the brilliant student, whose thumb as 'Guru Dakshina' (teacher's offering), was the most controversial in Mahabharata. #DharmaQuiz 734. Ans: Ekalavya
  5. Name the spiritual Guru of Shivaji, who was born on Rama Navami, so strong that he could do 1200 Surya Namaskars a day! #DharmaQuiz 735. Ans: Samarth Ramdas.  More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarth_Ramdas
  6. Name the town, considered as the birthplace of 12 holy Gurus of Assam/ Ahom Kingdom. a) Narayanpur. b) Dispur. c) Udaipur. #DharmaQuiz 736. Ans: Narayanpur
  7. The incredibly melodious, "Khandana Bhava Bandhana" Bangla song, is which famous Guru's aarti? #DharmaQuiz 737. Ans: Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
List of people who got answers right:
  • @pirateadmiral : 7
  • @sharathinindia : 7
  • @DrSatyaSaraswat : 6
  • @venkateshkm : 6
  • @ManikandSharma : 6
  • @DevNakshi : 6
  • @vprajus : 5
  • @ajith_shetty : 4
  • @AviTweets : 4
  • @NR_Tatvamasi : 4
  • @suresh_kini : 3
  • @sharady2j : 3
  • @patilso : 3
  • @piyush_bakshi : 3
  • @man0jsharma : 3
  • @jaya_1234 : 3
  • @ind_phi : 2
  • @NPatnaik55 : 2
  • @itsmesuresh : 2
  • @saurabhvc : 2
  • @girist : 2
  • @RightWiChap : 2
  • @ahmednkhan : 2
  • @DigitalSHIV : 2
  • @doubtinggaurav : 2
  • @zincoshine : 2
  • @sharmarohitraj : 2
  • @Suratsuri : 2
  • @arora_chandan : 1
  • @mjrajput : 1
  • @miumesh : 1
  • @_ankitG : 1
  • @ramjoukani : 1
  • @venshu : 1
  • @3lochn : 1
  • @manohar_sram : 1
  • @stormylook : 1
Congratulations to all those listed above! Also, thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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, July 12, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 77: 12-Jul-2011

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 57 updates.

Session 77: July 12,  2011
Theme: Ramayana
  1. Name Ravana's father from Ramayana - #DharmaQuiz 725. Ans: Vishravas
  2. Next to which pond or Sarovara, did Shabari in Ramayana stay? (Hint: Near today's Hampi) #DharmaQuiz 726. Ans: Pampa Sarovara
  3. In Ramayana who is popularly credited as the founder of Ayodhya city, Rama's birthplace? #DharmaQuiz 727. Ans: Ikshwaku
  4. Next to which river is Ramayana's very famous city Ayodhya? #DharmaQuiz 728. Ans: Sarayu
  5. Whom did Rama send as his messenger to Ravana's asthana, after blockading Lanka Puri? #DharmaQuiz 729. Ans: Angada, son of Vali (and later sent Hanuman)
  6. Out of the 4 Vedas, Ravana was an expert in one. Which one? (Hint: Musical) #DharmaQuiz 730. Ans: Samaveda
 List of people who got answers right:
  • @prashanthkpp : 5
  • @amitgupta_lnct : 4
  • @surabhi18 : 4
  • @ItsJyoti : 4
  • @WordOfTheFree : 4
  • @sharathinindia : 4
  • @manohar_sram : 4
  • @man0jsharma : 3
  • @bhartendu2206 : 3
  • @DrSatyaSaraswat : 3
  • @TwtbyKoushik : 3
  • @balajisanjeev : 3
  • @debaduttakar  : 3
  • @ManikandSharma : 2
  • @ashok567 : 2
  • @mjrajput : 2
  • @Akhil_Hpd  : 2
  • @BKS_5 : 2
  • @patilso : 2
  • @swamilion : 2
  • @YearOfRat : 1
  • @sweetandu : 1
  • @ahmednkhan  : 1
  • @ShaileshTewarie : 1
  • @TheArvindDhar : 1
  • @DigitalSHIV : 1
  • @vprajus : 1
  • @Sshankara : 1
  • @sureshnakhua : 1
  • @dwellerinme : 1
  • @priyanksri : 1
  • @IndicRace : 1
  • @sureshvar : 1
  • @indiantweeter : 1
Congratulations to all those listed above! Also, thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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 76: 8-Jul-2011

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 56 updates.

Session 76: July 8,  2011
Theme: Hindu Philosophy or Darshanas 
  1. There are two kinds of Hindu Darshanas or Philosophies: Aastika & Naastika. What do naastikas not accept as authoritative? #DharmaQuiz 718. Ans: Vedas
  2. Out of these three aastika schools of philosophy, which one is related to logic? a) Mimamsa. b) Nyaya. c) Samkhya. #DharmaQuiz 719. Ans: Nyaya
  3. Out of these schools of Indian philosophy, which one deals with meditation? a) Yoga. b) Charvaka. c) Jaina.  #DharmaQuiz 720. Ans: Yoga
  4. Out of these 3 aastika Hindu philosophies, which one was nicknamed 'Uttara Mimamsa'? a) Nyaya. b) Vaisheshika. c) Vedanta. #DharmaQuiz 721. Ans: Vedanta
  5. Name the naastika Indian philosophy, today considered as a separate religion, where you find Digambaras or "sky clad" monks. #DharmaQuiz 722. Ans: Jina school of thought or Jainism.
  6. Name the ancient Indian naastika philosophy which derided the authors of the Vedas as "buffoons, knaves, and demons". #DharmaQuiz 723. Ans: Charvakas or Skeptical materialists.
  7. Which Aastika philosophy reduces all objects in the physical universe to a finite number of atoms? #DharmaQuiz 724. Ans: Vaisheshika or Atomism.
For more learning check this out, along with the interesting links from within:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_philosophy

List of people who got answers right:
  • @pirateadmiral : 7
  • @asraghunath : 7
  • @sharathinindia : 6
  • @abeerustaad : 6
  • @shivsankar : 6
  • @balajisanjeev : 5
  • @ajith_shetty : 5
  • @DevNakshi : 5
  • @thinkerspad : 3
  • @chhayank : 3
  • @Koundinya1990 : 3
  • @VerseCannon : 3
  • @man0jsharma : 3
  • @Sshankara : 2
  • @I_am_Rajarshi : 2
  • @manohar_sram : 2
  • @ManikandSharma : 1
  • @rogerm104 : 1
  • @ItsJyoti : 1
  • @amsrjn : 1
  • @sharmarohitraj : 1
  • @amitgupta_lnct : 1
  • @umeshparab : 1
  • @patilso : 1
Congratulations to all those listed above! Also, thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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, July 5, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 75: 5-Jul-2011

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 55 updates.

Session 75: July 5,  2011
Theme: Swami Vivekananda
  1. In which city of USA was the September 1893 Parliament of World Religions happen? Swami Vivekananda stole the show there. #DharmaQuiz 711. Ans: Chicago
  2. Name the Governor General of India who famously proclaimed: "Vivekananda saved Hinduism, saved India." #DharmaQuiz 712. Ans: C Rajagopalachari
  3. Swami Vivekananda's books on the 4 Yogas are considered exemplary: Raja, Karma & Bhakti are the 1st 3. Name the 4th Yoga. #DharmaQuiz 713. Ans: Jnana Yoga
  4. Swami Vivekananda started Prabuddha Bharata, a monthly magazine in 1896. In which language is it published for 115 yrs now? #DharmaQuiz 714. Ans: English
  5. Vivekananda was born near Kolkata in January 1863 during a famous festival based off sun's transition into a rashi. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 715. Ans: Makara Sankranti
  6. Swami Vivekananda established a famous matha near Kolkata, which became Ramakrishna matha's headquarters. Where is it? #DharmaQuiz 716. Ans: Belur
  7. Vivekananda's message: "Arise, Awake and Stop not till the goal is reached" is derived from which Veda? #DharmaQuiz 717. Ans: (Krishna) Yajur Veda. More here: Katha Upanishad – 1.3.14 - from Krishna Yajur Veda. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katha_Upanishad#Notable_verses
More on the 7th question, from kaTha upanishad:

उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत
प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत ।
क्षुरस्य धारा निशिता दुरत्यया
दुर्गं पथस्तत्कवयो वदन्ति ॥ कठ उपनिषद् – 1.3.14 ॥


Translation:
Arise, awake, and learn by approaching the exalted ones,
for that path is sharp as a razor’s edge, impassable,
and hard to go by, say the wise. Katha Upanishad – 1.3.14

List of people who got answers right:
  • @DevNakshi  : 7
  • @prashanthkpp : 6
  • @neetaraina1 : 6
  • @BhaskarChat: 6
  • @IndianWeera : 6
  • @arunz : 6
  • @sharathinindia : 6
  • @asraghunath : 5
  • @swamilion : 4
  • @Koundinya1990 : 3
  • @chhayank : 3
  • @TwtbyKoushik : 2
  • @abeerustaad : 2
  • @callsriganesh : 2
  • @mayureshgaikwad : 1
  • @ahmednkhan : 1
  • @shivsankar : 1
  • @man0jsharma : 1
  • @antidespondent : 1
  • @venkataa  : 1
  • @AmiSri : 1
  • @DheepakG  : 1
  • @suresh_kini  : 1
  • @karthik_s025 : 1
  • @Krishnara  : 1
  • @gkundra  : 1
Congratulations to all those listed above! Also, thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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 74: 1-Jul-2011

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 54 updates.

Session 74: July 1,  2011
Theme: Sampradayas or Denominations of Hindu Philosophy
  1. Name the principal acharya of Srivaishnava Sampradaya (denomination), who fought to eradicate caste system in South India.  #DharmaQuiz 704. Ans: Ramanujacharya
  2. Name the Advaita following Hindu Saint, who was the first to bring Hinduism to the west, via very articulate discourses.  #DharmaQuiz 705. Ans: Swami Vivekananda.
  3. There were 3 major theological schools of Shaivism: 1) Kashmir Shaivism 2) Saiva Siddhanta (TN & SL). Name the famous 3rd.  #DharmaQuiz 706. Ans: Veera Shaivism from Karnataka, and parts of Andhra & Maharashtra.
  4. Vaishanvism has a connection with Shakta philosophy via Goddess Durga. What is Goddess Durga called in Vaishnava philosophy? #DharmaQuiz 707. Ans: NarayaNi.
  5. Which sampradaya/denomination of Hindu philosophy did Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada take to the west?  #DharmaQuiz 708. Ans: Vaishnavism
  6. Pick the one right answer. 'Bhakti movement of medieval India was based off': a) Vedas b) Puranas c) Upanishads. #DharmaQuiz 709. Ans: b) Puranas
  7. The orthodox Nambudari community of Kerala belong to which sampradaya? Shakta, Shrauta or Shaiva? #DharmaQuiz 710. Ans: Shrauta, based on Purva Mimamsa
You can refer to this for more information regarding Hindu sampradayas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_denominations


List of people who got answers right:
  • @rohitbhatta : 6
  • @venkateshkm : 6
  • @sharathinindia : 5
  • @pvaidyaraj : 5
  • @Amaresh80 : 5
  • @IndianWeera : 5
  • @balajisanjeev : 4
  • @DevNakshi : 4
  • @ajith_shetty : 4
  • @pirateadmiral : 4
  • @vishchan : 4
  • @I_am_Rajarshi : 3
  • @svelaga : 2
  • @TheArvindDhar : 1
  • @manohar_sram : 1
  • @dwellerinme :
  • @ahmednkhan : 1
  • @saurabhvc : 1
Congratulations to all those listed above! Also, thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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, July 1, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 73: 28-June-2011

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 53 updates.

Session 73: June 28,  2011
Theme: The Holy Cow!

  1. Name the most famous personality from Hindu epics, who is associated as a good friend of go mata/ sacred cow. #DharmaQuiz 698. Ans: Krishna
  2. Samarth Ramdas was instrumental in giving 'Go Brahmana Pratipalak' title to a very famous king. Name the king/emperor. #DharmaQuiz 699 Ans: Chhatrapati Shivaji
  3. GoSwamy Tulsidas said, a cow's 4 legs indicate the four Purusharthas. Name the last Purshartha. #DharmaQuiz 700. Ans: Moksha
  4. Ancient Indian poet Kumara Vyasa termed cow as the mother figure of humans & animals. In which language did he write in? #DharmaQuiz 701. Ans: Kannada
  5. Guru Gobind Singh has prayed in his Chandi Deewar, for protection of cow family. Which Goddess did he pray to? #DharmaQuiz 702. Ans: Durga
  6. In Mahabharata the Lord says 'Gaavo Vishvasya Mataram' (Cow is the mother of this universe). To whom did he say that? #DharmaQuiz 703. Ans: To Arjuna
Just for this session, the list of people who got answers right is not being published. Thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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.