Friday, December 31, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 38: 31-Dec-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 18 updates.

Session 38: Dec 31, 2010
Theme: Hindu Heritage in today's Pakistan geographical region
  1. How many Samvatsaras or Hindu calendar years are there in one cycle? #DharmaQuiz 447 Ans: 60
  2. Samvatsaras are divided into 3 groups. The current year is in the middle group. To which God is this group dedicated to? #DharmaQuiz 448 Ans: Vishnu
  3. There are 27 nakshatras or stars in Vedic/Hindu Astrology. In which nakshatra was Lord Rama born in? #DharmaQuiz 449 Ans: Punarvasu
  4. Rashis or Zodiac signs in Astrology symbolize parts of Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra. How many degrees does each Rashi occupy? #DharmaQuiz 450 Ans: 30 degrees each, adding upto 360' of the full chakra
  5. Among the 9 grahas or planets in Hindu astrology, 4 symbolize 'Tamas' or Dark Guna/character. Name any 1 of those planets. #DharmaQuiz 451 Ans: Any of Mangala, Shani, Rahu & Ketu
  6. The duration of Kali Yuga or era is defined as 4,32,000 years. How many Kali Yugas could fit into one Satya Yuga? #DharmaQuiz 452 Ans: Four. Treta yuga was 3 times and Dwapara Yuga was twice as big as Kali Yuga.
  7. Which Yuga was Lord Krishna in? #DharmaQuiz 453 Ans: Dwapara Yuga, the 3rd one.
 List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @pangalanrao : 7
  • @GirishLN : 7
  • @shibu_kt : 6
  • @pinkylama : 6
  • @itsmesuresh : 5
  • @Biorahul : 5
  • @AviTweets : 4
  • @cpdarshi : 3
  • @lshyam : 3
  • @subodh1945 : 3
  • @Yours_dude : 2
  • @alien_lama : 2
  • @S1024B : 1
  • @AMREEKANGANDU : 1
  • @shivsankar : 1
  • @avneeshG1 : 1
  • @mukund_sr : 1
  • @JanardhanMukthi : 1
  • @pawandurani : 1

Congratulations & have a great new year 2011. What started as just fun interaction with a couple of tweeple, has turned out to be a thing I look back proudly at 2010. You guys are making #DharmaQuiz a real fun to look forward on Tuesdays and Fridays. Thanks to all those who answer correctly, attempt anyway and silently follow 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, December 28, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 37: 28-Dec-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 17 updates.

Session 37: Dec 28, 2010
Theme: Hindu Heritage in today's Pakistan geographical region
  1. Name the ancient university town, near Islamabad, #Pakistan, which derives its name from Ramayana's Bharata's descendant. #DharmaQuiz 439 Ans: Taksha Shila or Taxila on Taksha, Bharata's descendent. 
  2. A big portion of Rig Veda, the most ancient religious text, is said to be composed in which province of #Pakistan? #DharmaQuiz 440 Ans: Punjab. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism_in_Punjab#Vedic_Punjab
  3. Lahore is credited to have been founded by Lava, Rama's son. Which Pakistan city was founded by Kusha, Lava's twin brother? #DharmaQuiz 441 Ans: Kasur
  4. Name the Pakistan Punjab city, termed "city of gold" earlier, for housing an extremely large sun temple, with 6000 ppl inside it! #DharmaQuiz 442 Ans: Multan
  5. Name the Pak Punjab city, starting with 'S', said to have been founded by Mahabharata's Nakula & Sahadeva's maternal uncle. #DharmaQuiz 443 Ans: Sialkot, founded by Shalya, brother of Madri in Mahabharata
  6. Katasraj temple in Paki Punjab was the site of enchanted pool episode in Mahabharata. Who tests Yudhishtira in the scene? #DharmaQuiz 444 Ans: Yama, Yudhishtira's father in the form of an Yaksha. Temple details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katasraj_temple . Also, check out the awesome 18 wise Qs & Ans between father & son here: http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/11/yudhishtira-and-yaksha-questions-and.html
  7. Name the imp kingdom from Mahabharata & the only province in today's Pak, where Hindus form more than 5% of total population #DharmaQuiz 445 Ans: Sindh, 6.6% as per last Pakistan census
  8. The southern door of Sarvajna or Sharada Peetha in PoK was opened only after this great monk won debates. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 446 Ans: Adi Shankara. The southern door was opened when he, representing South India, won the debates.
List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @rainaamit : 8
  • @gautshen : 7
  • @TheArvindDhar : 6
  • @GirishLN : 6
  • @rohitbhatta : 5
  • @centerofright : 4
  • @NayakPradeep : 2
  • @avinashbhat01 : 2
  • @itsmesuresh : 1
  • @rsenthilkumar : 1
  • @nharipra : 1
  • @shivsankar : 1
  • @Gaandeeva : 1
  • @Karmasura : 1
  • @subodh1945 : 1
  • @Truthtriumphs : 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, December 24, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 36: 24-Dec-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 16 updates.

Session 36: Dec 24, 2010
Theme: Pilgrimage centers of South Western India

  1. Name the river where 10s of millions of Ayyappa devotees take the holy bath, before ascending Sabarimala sacred hills. #DharmaQuiz 432 Ans: Pamba or Pampa
  2. In one of the most visited temples in Tamil Nadu, you will hear "Vel Muruga Haro Hara" loud chants. Name the place. #DharmaQuiz 433 Ans: Palani, Dandayudha Pani or Murugan or Subrahmanya temple
  3. Name the temple town in South Karnataka which literally means, "the place where the Lord who drank poison resides". #DharmaQuiz 434 Ans: Nanjana Gudu (Nanju = poison, Gudu = Nest)
  4. Name the 4th most daily visited temple in India today.This also hosts the max marriages & rice feeding ceremonies in Kerala. #DharmaQuiz 435 Ans: Guruvayur Krishna or Guruvayurappan temple
  5. Name the scenic hills on Karnataka TN border,that houses a famous Shiva temple as well as the largest elephant pop in India. #DharmaQuiz 436 Ans: Male Mahadeshwara Hills or MM Hills
  6. What do people generally call those wearing black, blue or saffron cloths for making pilgrimage to Sabarimala? #DharmaQuiz 437 Ans: Swami or Ayyappa, with respect.
  7. Name the gateway to Sabarimala, where Ayyappa pilgrims dance with colours, in front of a Muslim darga. #DharmaQuiz 438 Ans: Erumeli (in Malayalam means the place where buffalo/Mahishi was killed)
Refer to this map for locations of these spots:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=203728991290315274634.000497fde995bc8419a6a&mid=1293018913



List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @TheArvindDhar : 6
  • @shibu_kt : 6
  • @AviTweets : 5
  • @NR_Tatvamasi : 5
  • @rsenthilkumar : 5
  • @VikasSaraswat : 5
  • @itsmesuresh : 4
  • @odunghat : 3
  • @sanjeevirao : 2
  • @malleshwara : 2
  • @JanardhanMukthi : 2
  • @Jattaville : 2
  • @poojarakanagar : 1
  • @msnarain : 1
  • @RaoAvirneni : 1
  • @visaraj : 1
  • @av_kv : 1
  • @lshyam : 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, December 17, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 35: 17-Dec-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 15 updates.

Session 35: Dec 17, 2010
Theme: Pilgrimages
  1. Name the world's most visited religious place, which happens to attract 50,000 to 1,00,00 people a day, throughout the year. #DharmaQuiz 426 Ans: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Tirumala on top of the hill holds the main Venkateshwara or Balaji temple.
  2. Name the world's largest annual pilgrimage with an estimated 45 to 50 million devotees visiting every year #DharmaQuiz 427 Ans: Sabarimala Aiyyappa pilgrimage at Kerala
  3. In South India, Tirupati sees the most 1st head shave or Chudakarana/Mundan of a babies. Name its N. Indian equivalent spot. #DharmaQuiz 428 Ans: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
  4. Name the temple that has the world’s largest free vegetarian eatery. 80,000 meals during week days & 1,60,000 on weekends! #DharmaQuiz 429 Ans: Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab.
  5. In pilgrimages,  Hindus often shave their head as hair (vanity). This symbolically surrenders which characteristic of a human? #DharmaQuiz 430 Ans: Ahankara/ Ego
  6. Name the most commonly used 2 word Sanskrit phrase to describe a religious pilgrimage. #DharmaQuiz 431 Ans: Teertha Yatra
List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @vishchan    : 4
  • @clumsycoder    : 4
  • @nharipra    : 3
  • @PRanam1    : 3
  • @mrshilpa1987    : 3
  • @SivaChandan     : 3
  • @AmareshRath    : 2
  • @Jattaville    : 2
  • @rohitbhatta    : 2
  • @vinodweb    : 2
  • @GirishLN    : 2
  • @abhi_dave    : 2
  • @nondescriptguy    : 2
  • @pinkylama    : 2
  • @aakash_sd     : 1
  • @itsmesuresh    : 1
  • @GirishLN    : 1
  • @balajisanjeev    : 1
  • @i_have_life    : 1
  • @NR_Tatvamasi   : 1
  • @sanjeevirao    : 1
  • @centerofright    : 1
  • @ipramodv    : 1
  • @gootypp    : 1
  • @ranganaathan    : 1
  • @kirankarlmarx    : 1
  • @malleshwara    : 1
  • @paddylives    : 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.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 34: 14-Dec-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 14 updates.

Session 34: Dec 14 2010
Theme: Spirituality via key numbers
  1. In Hindu philosophy, there are 3 fundamental operating principles of Prakruti or nature. Name the dark or negative Guna. #DharmaQuiz 418 Ans: Tamas
  2. The Sanskrit word for the 5 senses of a human being says they literally "belong to" a Rig Veda deity. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 419 Ans: Indra (from Indriya, literally meaning, belonging to Indra)
  3. The word Science comes from Latin Scientia, meaning Knowledge. Name the Hindu scriptures that mean 'Knowledge' in Sanskrit. #DharmaQuiz 420 Ans: Veda (Knowledge or Wisdom) from the root word 'Vid' or 'to know'
  4. In Vedanta philosophy the soul or Atman is covered with 5 sheaths or Koshas. Name the innermost or blissful kosha. #DharmaQuiz 421 Ans: Anandamaya kosha : More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosha
  5.  #Yoga talks of Pancha Kleshas (5 Afflictions or poisons) from Hindu spirituality. Name the one representing attachment. #DharmaQuiz 422 Ans: Raga. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kle%C5%9B%C4%81_%28Hinduism%29
  6.  Which sacred number is common between most Hindu Gods' name pooja and the beads in prayer beads (Japa Mala)? #DharmaQuiz 423 Ans: 108
  7. Out of the 6 Astika or orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, which one extensively deals with Logic? #DharmaQuiz 424 Ans: Nyaya. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyaya
  8.  Out of the 5 great elements of universe or Pancha Bhutas per Hindus, which word denotes water? #DharmaQuiz 425 Ans: Aapah or Aap (plural aapas). Will consider Jala too.
List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @sukanyadevi    : 8
  • @NR_Tatvamasi    : 8
  • @nharipra     : 7
  • @shibu_kt     : 7
  • @pavanaja     : 6
  • @Biorahul     : 6
  • @pinkylama    : 6
  • @clumsycoder     : 5
  • @balajisanjeev    : 5
  • @vishchan     : 5
  • @gdeepy        : 5
  • @zreeks        : 4
  • @zincoshine    : 4
  • @AmareshRath    : 3
  • @mayureshgaikwad : 2
  • @ravindra014     : 2
  • @S_Chaitanya    : 2
  • @neetaraina1    : 2 
  • @thinkerspad     : 2
  • @GRKini        : 2
  • @mjrajput    : 1
  • @stormylook     : 1    
  • @FEEL4INDIA    : 1
  • @AnilAarush    : 1
  • @amanpaggarwal    : 1
  • @JanardhanMukthi : 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, December 10, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 33: 10-Dec-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 13 updates.

Session 33: Dec 10 2010
Theme: Upanishads
  1. The very famous saying, 'Asatoma Sad gamaya, Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya' is in which Upanishad? #DharmaQuiz 410 Ans: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
  2. Chandogya and Taittiriya are examples of prose Upanishads. Name 1 Poetic Upanishad #DharmaQuiz 411 Ans: Any of these - Kena, Katha, Isha or Mundaka
  3. Tat Tvam Asi (Thou art that) is 1 of 4 Maha Vakyas or core basis of Hindu Vedanta philosophy. Quote any 1 other Maha Vakya. #DharmaQuiz 412 Ans: Any of the bottom three.  
    • 1. Tat Tvam Asi - "Thou art That" (Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 of the Sama Veda) 
    • 2. Prajnanam Brahma - "Consciousness is Brahman" (Aitareya Upanishad 3.3 of the Rig Veda) 
    • 3. Ayam Atma Brahma - "This Self (Atman) is Brahman" (Mandukya Upanishad 1.2 of the Atharva Veda) 
    • 4. Aham Brahmasmi - "I am Brahman" (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yaju Veda)
  4. Name any one Hindu saint/guru who wrote commentary on the main/Mukhya upanishads #DharmaQuiz 413 Ans: Any of these guru trio, but not limited to them: Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhwa
  5. There are 3 primary sources for ALL Hindu schools of philosophy or Vedanta, upanishads being 1. Name one other. #DharmaQuiz 414 Ans: Brahma Sutras and Bhagavad Gita
  6. There are at least 3 main/Mukhya upanishads from Atharva Veda. Name any one of them #DharmaQuiz 415 Ans: Mundaka, Mandukya and Prashna
  7. Name the German Philosopher who was amazed by Upanishads and called them, "the production of the highest human wisdom". #DharmaQuiz 416 Ans: Arthur Schopenhauer
  8. Name the only set of Hindu scriptures that made to "The 100 Most Influential Books Ever Written" in 1998. #DharmaQuiz 417 Ans: Upanishads, all of them collectively 
For further info, please refer to this. It has most of the details presented above plus lot more links for further study: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanishads


List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:

  • @gauravrai     : 8
  • @aakash_sd    : 8
  • @shibu_kt    : 7
  • @nharipra    : 7
  • @prashanthkpp     : 7
  • @sukanyadevi    : 6
  • @emanin        : 6
  • @Biorahul     : 5
  • @NR_Tatvamasi     : 3
  • @rohitbhatta    : 2
  • @ashokmkini       : 2
  • @rsenthilkumar    : 2
  • @balajisanjeev    : 1
  • @mrecjaipur    : 1
  • @S_Chaitanya    : 1
  • @pangalanrao    : 1
  • @daps1312    : 1
  • @gkamesh    : 1
  • @maheshpavan7    : 1
  • @gdeepy     : 1
  • @kpraveenkumars    : 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.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 32: 7-Dec-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 12 updates.


Session 32: Dec 7 2010
Theme: Miscellaneous
  1. In which village was Basavanna, the famous Hindu social reformer of middle ages, born? #DharmaQuiz 402 Ans: (Basavana) Bagewadi
  2. Who sang the first 2 shlokas of legendary suprabhatam, "Kausalya supraja Rama purva sandhya pravartate" in Ramayana?  #DharmaQuiz 403 Ans: Sage Vishwamitra, waking Rama up at an ashram on the day of a major yajna to fight Rakshasas
  3. Which was the capital of Pandavas in Mahabharata, very close to modern day Delhi? #DharmaQuiz 404 Ans: Indraprastha
  4. If Shalivahana (Shaka) is the most widely used Hindu calendar in south India, which calendar is popular in the north? #DharmaQuiz 405 Ans: Vikram Shaka
  5. Which sage was born a Kshatriya, but with dedicated penance, became a Brahmarshi? #DharmaQuiz 406 Ans: Vishwamitra
  6. Out of the 60 samvatsaras/calendar years per Hindu calendar, name the samvatsara covering 2010-11. #DharmaQuiz 407 Ans: Vikruti
  7. Name the classical poet, literally called the Little Vyasa, who adapted the most famous version of Mahabharata in Kannada. #DharmaQuiz 408 Ans: Kumara Vyasa or Gadugina Narayana who created Gadugina Bharata or Kumara Bharata
  8. Name the Jain sect which in Sanskrit literally means 'Sky Clad'. #DharmaQuiz 409 Ans: Digambar
List of people who got answers right and indicating how many they got right:
  • @rainaamit    : 7
  • @pavanaja    : 7
  • @nharipra     : 7
  • @vishchan    : 6
  • @jayapradeep    : 6
  • @poojarakanagar    : 5
  • @AviTweets    : 4
  • @ashokmkini    : 4
  • @zreeks        : 4
  • @RaoAvirneni    : 4
  • @clumsycoder    : 4
  • @prashanthkpp    : 3
  • @lodyaashi     : 2
  • @av_kv        : 2
  • @Sshankara    : 2
  • @subodh1945    : 2
  • @Ro1p        : 1
  • @durgeshkaushik    : 1
  • @ranganaathan    : 1
  • @FEEL4INDIA     : 1
  • @Susmit101176    : 1
  • @S_Chaitanya    : 1
  • @mayureshgaikwad : 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 31: 3-Dec-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 11 updates.

Session 31: Dec 3 2010
Theme: Shivite Pilgrimage Centers
  1. What's the name of Shivite pilgrimage center located close to the origin of Godavari river? #DharmaQuiz 395 Ans: Triambakeshwar, Maharashtra
  2. Name a famous Jyotir Linga, one of 12 most visited by Shiva worshipers, located in an island in Narmada river. #DharmaQuiz 396 Ans: Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh
  3. Name the only Jyotir Linga location in the state of Tamil Nadu #DharmaQuiz 397  Ans: Rameshwaram
  4. Name the famous deity of the very first Jyotir Linga, where people go to attain moksha by spending final days #DharmaQuiz 398 Ans: Kashi Vishwanath
  5. Name the famous Shiva Pilgrimage center that is also incidentally the highest body of fresh water in the world #DharmaQuiz 399 Ans: Manas Sarovar in Tibet, at 15,000 ft above sea level
  6. Name the place where a very famous temple for the son of Shiva & Vishnu's female avatar is located #DharmaQuiz 400 Ans: Sabarimala in Kerala
  7. Name the northernmost Jyotir Linga which is accessible only by foot, for just 6 months a year. #DharmaQuiz 401 Ans: Kedarnath in Uttarakhand

Since I got delayed in consolidating answers & Twitter handles, I will have to skip that section, just for this one session. Apologies.

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 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.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 23: 26-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 23: Oct 26 2010
  1. The famed Lalita Sahasra Nama (1000 names of goddess Lalita) is a part of conversation between whom? #DharmaQuiz 328 Ans: Hayagriva & Agastya from Brahmanda purana
  2. Who's the wife of Kubera, the Lord of wealth? #DharmaQuiz 329 Ans: Ans: Bhadra
  3. Name the commentary on Bhagawad Gita that Lokamanya Tilak wrote. #DharmaQuiz 330 Ans: Gita Rahasya
  4. Name the Yajnya (fire sacrifice) that King Dasharatha did to beget sons in Ramayana #DharmaQuiz 331 Ans: Putra Kameshti
  5. Among the Hindu Agamas (post Vedic scriptures), which is considered to be the very first Agama? #DharmaQuiz 332 Ans: Shakta Agama
  6. By which name is Shiva worshiped in the holy site Gokarna, Karnataka? #DharmaQuiz 333
    Ans: Mahabaleshwar
  7. Name any 3 nagaris (well developed cities) that are mentioned in Ramayana #DharmaQuiz 334
    Ans: Mithila, Ayodhya, Lanka
  8. Name the cave in #Kashmir , where Lord Shiva explained the secrets of immortality & creation of Universe to Goddess Parvati - #DharmaQuiz 335 Ans: Amarnath
 One or more correct Answers provided by the following Twitter users:
  • @itsmesuresh
  • @sbhagat10
  • @clumsycoder
  • @rohitbinjrajka
  • @Biorahul
  • @sharmarohitraj 
  • @pavanaja
  • @AmareshRath 
  • @AMDhananjay 
  • @ashok567
  • @emanin
  • @JaggedArrowHead
  • @NR_Tatvamasi 
  • @zreeks 
  • @vishchan
  • @mpramodkumar
  • @Sumeet_IH 
  • @avinashbhat01
  • @prashanthkpp
  • @AjithSuresh


 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, October 22, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 22: 22-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 22: Oct 22 2010
  1. Ramayana's writer, Vaalmiki derives his name from the Sanskrit word "Valmik". What does that mean? #DharmaQuiz 319 Ans: Ant Hill
  2. #Valmiki is celebrated as Adi Kavi or First Poet of #Sanskrit. What was the first thing he started? #DharmaQuiz 320 Ans: Shloka or Verse of Sanskrit Poetry
  3. Who were the first two disciples of Sage Valmiki to whom he taught Ramayana? Ans: Lava & Kusha 
  4. Valmiki's #Ramayana is 24000 shlokas/verses in poetry form. They are in 7 chapters/Kandas. How many Sargas/Cantos are there? #DharmaQuiz 322 Ans: 500
  5. Prior to becoming a sage, #Valmiki was a robber. Who was his last (unsuccessful) robbing victim? #DharmaQuiz 323 Ans: Bharhmarshi Narada
  6. What was Valmiki's birth name and who was his father? #DharmaQuiz 324 Ans: Ratnakara, Prachetasa 
  7. What was the first word of the very first Sanskrit shloka that came out of Valmiki's mouth? #DharmaQuiz 325 Ans: Manishad (more here: http://www.indiadaily.in/2009/10/04/valmiki-jayanti-to-be-celebrated-today/ )
  8. Sita gave birth to her twins in Valmiki Ashram/hermitage. Near which city of #India today you can find that spot? #DharmaQuiz 326 Ans: Amritsar, Punjab. More here: http://www.bhagwanvalmiki.com/valmiki-tirath.htm 
  9. Name any two states from #India that are celebrating Valmiki Jayanti state holiday today #DharmaQuiz 327 Ans: Punjab and Karnataka
 One or more correct Answers provided by the following Twitter users:
  • @clumsycoder
  • @zreeks
  • @ashok567
  • @vishchan
  • @NR_Tatvamasi
  • @Du_Hast_Aki
  • @keyasmamma
  • @Biorahul
  • @ashokmkini
  • @pavanaja
  • @emanin
  • @lodyaashi
  • @mvaru
  • @sharmarohitraj
  • @rahulbhardwaj11
  • @JaggedArrowHead
 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, October 19, 2010

DharmaQuiz Session 21: 19-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 21: Oct 19 2010
  1. Which is the 60th #Hindu samvatsara or year? #DharmaQuiz 309 Ans: Akshaya
  2. Who was the wife of Manmatha in Hindu Puranas? #DharmaQuiz 310 Ans: Rati
  3. Who is the 'Adhi Devata' or designated deity for the famous Gayatri Mantra?  #DharmaQuiz 311 Ans: Savitr. Close to Surya/Sun, but read more here for subtle differences: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savitr
  4. What was the earlier name of Bhishma Pitamah in #Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 312 Ans: Devavrata
  5. Which famous #Hindu Epic character was named Ayonija ? #DharmaQuiz 313 Ans: Sita (The one who's not born from a human womb)
  6. In Hindu Puranas & Epics, you will find 3 very famous 'Ramas'. Shri Rama is one. Name the other 2 #DharmaQuiz 314 Ans: Parashurama & Balarama
  7. Who's Surya's son among the Nava Grahas (Nine Planets/solar entities) that Hindus worship in temples?  #DharmaQuiz 315 Ans: Shani
  8. Name the most famous #Tamil version of #Ramayana -  #DharmaQuiz 316 Ans: Kamba Ramayana
  9. Who composed the famous Soundarya Lahari praising the Goddess - #DharmaQuiz 317 Ans: Adi Shankara  (Second part, thanks to @NR_Tatvamasi )
  10. Name the most complicated battle trap from #Mahabharata that Arjuna's son Abhimanyu fell victim to - #DharmaQuiz 318 Ans: Chakra Vyuha or Padma Vyuha
One or more correct Answers provided by the following Twitter users:
  • @RaoAvirneni
  • @zmanoj
  • @JaggedArrowHead
  • @AjithSuresh
  • @nharipra
  • @NR_Tatvamasi
  • @emanin
  • @subodh1945
  • @odunghat
  • @PointBlank2108
  • @AviTweets
  • @vishchan
  • @banerji1
  • @daps1312
  • @prashanthkpp
  • @zincoshine
  • @zreeks
  • @centerofright
  • @secular_
  • @Saffronizer
  • @Right_Wingdian
  • @S_Chaitanya
  • @lodyaashi
  • @gauravrai 
  • @clumsycoder
Congratulations!

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

DharmaQuiz Session 20: 15-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.


Session 20: Oct 15 2010

  1. Nava Ratri means 9 holy nights of Goddess #Durga. Which form is she worshiped during 6th night? #DharmaQuiz 299 Ans: Katyayani 
  2. Which form of Devi is proclaimed to be the NaDa-Devi (state goddess) of #Karnataka ? #DharmaQuiz 300 Ans: Bhuvaneshwari 
  3. Adi Shankara cited 18 Shakti Peethas (Pilgrimage Centers) for Goddess. In which country is the Shankari Devi peetha? #DharmaQuiz 301  Ans: Sri Lanka
  4. Goddess Durga is worshipped with Durga Suktam verses. Which Upanishad are they from? #DharmaQuiz 302  Ans: Maha Narayana Upanishad
  5. #Bangladesh's "national temple" for goddess Durga literally hosts "Goddess of Dhaka" - Name the primary deity - #DharmaQuiz 303 Ans: Dhakeshwari
  6. Which South Indian city hosts the world famous Dasara 9 day festival with a grand Vijaya Dashami elephant procession? #DharmaQuiz 304 Ans: Mysore or Mysuru
  7. With what name is Dussehra or Nava Ratra celebrated in the country of #Nepal ?  #DharmaQuiz 305
    Ans: Dashain 
  8. In Sanskrit what is the exact meaning of the word Durgaa ? #DharmaQuiz 306
    Ans: The Invincible
  9. Which city has the most visited #Durga temple in the state of #Andhra Pradesh?  #DharmaQuiz 307
    Ans: Vijayawada, Kanaka Durga Temple
  10. Who authored Durga Chalisa in Hindi? #DharmaQuiz 308
    Ans: Tulsidas (Not 100% sure though. Corrections welcome)

 One or more correct answers by the following Twitter users:
  • @vishchan 
  • @av_kv 
  • @AMDhananjay 
  • @PointBlank2108 
  • @Biorahul 
  • @pawandurani 
  • @rahulbhardwaj11 
  • @emanin 
  • @lodyaashi 
  • @sharmarohitraj 
  • @pangalanrao 
  • @RZzev 
  • @ashok567 
  • @kishor_narayan
Congratulations!

Watch out for  the next update on the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments, suggestions.This is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

DharmaQuiz Questions & Answers: Session 1 through 19

DharmaQuiz (Twitter Hashtag #DharmaQuiz) is a fun way of educating ourselves about Dharma, loosely translated as way of life or religion. It is a Hindu concept . Don't worry, there is no heavy duty preaching or sermons here, or mind boggling discussions involving God or no God, whose religion is better kind of themes. Its a simple 5 to 10 questions per session, usually twice a week. I am usually the one publishing questions and following up with the answers, but anyone on Twitter can ask questions. Note that my sources are Wiki, various websites, my mother, books on Hinduism by eminent authors like Mr.Narasimha Murthy or Mr.Kashyap. The intention is purely for knowledge exchange, and the effort is mostly recycling the vast amount of religious, scriptural or spiritual information already out there for millenia.


Right now the schedule is Tuesday and Friday afternoons, India time. So if you are on Twitter, participate each time, improve your Dharma Quotient & also followup with discussions involving other passionate participants. If not, just follow this Blog and do feel to comment honestly. All kinds of interactions are welcome, particularly if any correction is there to suggest.

Those who are not familiar with Twitter, please note that anything starting with "@" here, till the next empty space, denotes a user ID. If their name is listed, most likely they answered the question right. Since this Blog will track more meticulously starting 21-Sep-2010 (Question 249 onwards), some earlier sessions may have incomplete answers or credits for correct answers. So bear with me. Twitter unfortunately doesn't store history beyond a week, so we will play it fair going forward.

If you want to use these questions and answers for your own Quiz or Blog or other formats, please do so freely. Passing on credit is suggested, but not mandatory :)

So here we go! :)
==========================================

 Session 1:
  1. How many (Aastika) darshanas are there? #DharmaQuiz 108 Ans: Six By: @saikumar_k
  2. Which prominent #Bhakti movement composer had a nickname 'Navakoti Narayana' (koti = crore) - #DharmaQuiz 109 - Ans: Purandara Dasa By: @saikumar_k @pawandurani @pavanaja
  3. Name the most famous classical dance form that originated in #Andhra Pradesh -#DharmaQuiz 110 Ans: Kuchipudi; By: @kishan_harathi @saikumar_k @Charakan @amodiahs
  4. What was the childhood nae of #Mahavira ? #DharmaQuiz 111 Ans: Vardhaman - By @amsrjn @pawandurani
  5. Which famous South Indian religious reformer used 'Koodala Sangama' in his verses? #DharmaQuiz 112 Ans:Basavanna By: @saikumar_k @gkamesh
  6. Abhi Jnana Shakuntala, a great Sanskrit play of Kalidasa, is based off which #Hindu epic? #DharmaQuiz 113 -Ans: Mahabharata; By: @saikumar_k @eabhvee @daps1312 @centerofright @EpicDetector
  7. Earliest founder of Magadha (today's Bihar) kingdom, Jarasandha, was whose descendant? - #DharmaQuiz 114
  8. Name Lakshmana's mother in #Ramayana - #DharmaQuiz 116 -Ans: Sumitra By: @saikumar_k, @rupalimk @SivaChandan @amodiahs @AmareshRath @rsenthilkumar
  9. Name Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's father - #DharmaQuiz 117 Ans: Khudiram chattopadhay; By: @NR_Tatvamasi
  10. Who composed 'Nityanandakari Varabhayakari' prayer for Goddess Annapurneshwari - #DharmaQuiz 118 Ans: Adi Shankara; By: @NR_Tatvamasi @saikumar_k @gkamesh


Session 2:
  1. Which God does 'Ashutosh' signify? #DharmaQuiz 119 - God Shiva
  2. Gautama Buddha's father's name? #DharmaQuiz 120 - Shudhodana
  3. In Chandramana calendar which months are part of #Sharad ritu?  #DharmaQuiz 121 - Ashwayuja & Kartika
  4. As per Gregorian calendar, when did 'Vikram Shaka' start? #DharmaQuiz 122 - 56BC
  5. According to Puranas, what's Agni's vehicle? #DharmaQuiz 123 - He Goat (Tagaru)

Session 3:
  1. Name Prahlada's father -- #DharmaQuiz 124 - Ans: Hiranya Kashipu (Not Kashyap) By: @prashanthkpp @nharipra @zincoshine
  2. Name Bengal's ancient Sanskrit name - #DharmaQuiz 125 Ans: Vanga Desha (listen to Jana Gana Mana) By: @sbhagat10 
  3. Which Mantra is also known as panchkshari (5 lettered one)? - #DharmaQuiz  126 (Om) Namah Shivay By: @nharipra @bharkadatta @_SHIVANGI__
  4. Name the famous #Mysore king who was also known as 'Rajarshi' - #DharmaQuiz 127 Ans: Fourth Krishnaraja Wadeyar (No one answered it right)
  5. Per Puranas, in which punya kshetra did #Ravana place the sacred Atma Linga? #DharmaQuiz  128 Ans: Gokarna (Karnataka) By: @nharipra @gkamesh
  6. Which Hindustani classical singer got the very first Kalidas samman award? - #DharmaQuiz 131 Ans: Mallikarjun Mansur (None got it right)
  7. Who is called as the father of Carnatic classical music? - #DharmaQuiz 132 Ans: Purandara Dasa By: @saikumar_k @nharipra @digirak
  8. Who is the exclusive sculptor (Deva Shilpi) of Gods in Puranas? - #DharmaQuiz 134 - Ans: Vishwa Karma By: @saikumar_k @Sshankara
  9. What was Shiva's vehicle? Obviously, stock markets around the world pray to this each day:)- #DharmaQuiz 136 Ans: Nandi By: @SivaChandan @motihariwala @karambir_nain  @debaduttakar @amodiahs @arunvipra @avirnenirao @AmareshRath
  10. Name Tulsi Das' most famous work- #DharmaQuiz 137 Ans: RamaCharit Manas By: @zincoshine @AmareshRath @sbhagat10 @motihariwala @saikumar_k
  11. Name the famous German Indologist who called himself 'Moksha Mula Bhatta' - #DharmaQuiz  139 Ans: Max Mueller By: @pavanaja @saikumar_k

Session 4:
  1. Name #Krishna's Shanka's name - #DharmaQuiz 141
  2. Which Veda has Samvada Sukta? - #DharmaQuiz 142
  3. What's the name of script in which #Sanskrit is written in - #DharmaQuiz 143
  4. What's the name of #Vishnu's gada (weapon)? - #DharmaQuiz 144
  5. What's name 21st century name of a country from which #Gandhari came from in #Mahabharata? - #DharmaQuiz 145
  6. What's the other name of #Amarakosha? - #DharmaQuiz 146
  7. What's the name of the sea that Devas & Asuras did "manthana" (churn) in? - #DharmaQuiz 147
  8. What's the other prominent name of Omkara? - #DharmaQuiz 148
  9. Which loka that the creator #Brahma reside in? - #DharmaQuiz 149
  10. #Ramayana, the great #Hindu epic, is mostly composed in which Sanskrit Chandas? - #DharmaQuiz 150
  11. How did Rames(h)waram get its name? #DharmaQuiz 151
  12. Name the two shakas (branches) of Yajur #Veda - #DharmaQuiz 152
  13. Where was the great eastern Narendra (Vivekananda) born? #DharmaQuiz 153
  14. What was the childhood name of Balagangadhar #Tilak? #DharmaQuiz 157 Ans: Keshav
  15. Per Balagangadhar #Tilak's book 'Arctic Home of Vedas', which year were written (not revealed)? #DharmaQuiz 159 Ans: 4500 B.C.
  16. Which year did Balagangadhar #Tilak start the first public #Ganesh Utsav? #DharmaQuiz 160

Session 5:
  1. Per Puranas & pilgrimage belief, which is #Shiva's abode? #DharmaQuiz 162 Ans: Manas Sarovara
  2. Where did Adi #Shankara start the Govardhan peetha? #DharmaQuiz 163 Ans: Orissa's Puri
  3. Name the #Hindu saint & social reformer of Bangladesh, WB, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa during 16th century #DharmaQuiz 164 : Ans: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
  4. Bharata Muni's famous creation is.. #DharmaQuiz 165 Ans: Natya Shastra
  5. Which Maha Yuga is currently in progress? (Expecting a number, not Kali Yuga answer) #DharmaQuiz 166 Ans: 28
  6. Name the pilgrimage city that was also  the capital of #Pallavas #DharmaQuiz 167 Ans: Kanchipuram
  7. Name the angry sage Durvasa's mother - #DharmaQuiz 168 Ans: Anasuya

Session 6:
  1. #DharmaQuiz 168 - Name the Spiritual Organization in which women dress up like this for meditation http://twitpic.com/29xgca
  2. #DharmaQuiz 169 a) Which Hindu God's Avatar's birthplace temple is this? b) Who built a mosque next to http://twitpic.com/29xhdt
  3. #DharmaQuiz 170 Name the Swami/Baba whose ashram built this super specialty hospital in #Bengaluru http://twitpic.com/29xip2
  4. #DharmaQuiz 171 This new Sharada #temple was built in #Toronto, Canada recently. Which matha in India built it? http://twitpic.com/29xjmm
  5. #DharmaQuiz 172 Name this soothing & famous Hindu religious/spiritual speaker who comes on Aastha channel http://twitpic.com/29xkub
  6. #DharmaQuiz 173 Baba #Ramdev is demonstrating the breathing exercise here. In Yoga, what's it generally called http://twitpic.com/29xtdo

Session 7:
  1. #DharmaQuiz 174 How many purusharthas are there? 4
  2. #DharmaQuiz 175 Who was Karna's guru in #Mahabharata? Parashurama
  3. #DharmaQuiz 176 From which India's state (today) did Narahari Teertha came from during earlier times? Orissa
  4. #DharmaQuiz 177 Who took care of young Ekalavya as his father in #Mahabharata? Hiranyadhanus
  5. #DharmaQuiz 178 Which Indian state has Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati ashram? Gujarat
  6. #DharmaQuiz 179 Whose spiritual organization sells the famous Sudarshan Kriya? Art of Living
  7. #DharmaQuiz 180 Name the religion that Mughal emperor #Akbar started - Din-ellahi

Session 8:
  1. In which Hindu (lunar) month does Sharannavaratri come in? #DharmaQuiz 186 Ashwayuja
  2. Which is the only Hindu pilgrimage centre that has both a Jyotir Linga & a Shakti Peetha? #DharmaQuiz 187 Srisailam
  3. Which legendary truth seekers father was Trishanku? #DharmaQuiz 188 Harshchandra
  4. Whose name was also Vaidehi in Valmiki #Ramayana? #DharmaQuiz 189 Sita
  5. Which 21st cent Indian state has Hanuman's birthplace Anjanadri Hills & Sugriva cave from #Ramayana era? #DharmaQuiz 190 Karnataka
  6. Which Hindu deity is worshiped in the great pilgrimage site Shabari Malai in #Kerala? #DharmaQuiz 191 Swamy Aiyyappa
  7. Name the Hindu (lunar) month & Day (maasa & tithi) when India got independence (August 15 1947) #DharmaQuiz 192 Ashadha bahula Amavasya
  8. Name the temple or place where Purandara Dasa composed the very famous 'Jagadodharana' Krishna song #DharmaQuiz 193 Ambegal Krishna temple near Kengal, Chennapatna, Bengaluru Mysuru highway

Session 9:
  1. Apart from Hindus, which other major religion people have the custom of #Rakhi? #DharmaQuiz 194 Ans: Sikhs By: @pirateadmiral @sbhagat10 More: http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/institutes/rakhi_system.html
  2. Most likely, the very 1st #Rakhi was tied to #Krishna in Mahabharata. Who tied it? #DharmaQuiz 195 Ans: Draupadi By: @centerofright @daps1312 @AmareshRath @pirateadmiral @pavanaja @sbhagat10
  3. Which Kingdom's queen tied a #Rakhi to Mughal king Humayun? #DharmaQuiz 196 Chittor's rani Karnawati
  4. Many Brahmins of South India celebrate a festival on the same day as Raksha Bandhan. Which Veda do they follow? #DharmaQuiz 197 Ans: Yajur Veda By: @NR_Tatvamasi @sbhagat10 @pavanaja
  5. Name one state in India where Raksha Bandhan is also celebrated as Nariyal Purnima #DharmaQuiz 198 MH, GJ, GO By: @pirateadmiral @centerofright
  6. According to a legend, (river) Yamuna tied #Rakhi to her brother. Name him  #DharmaQuiz 199 Yama
  7. RT @satyabhashnam Who composed "Tvamev Mata Cha Pita Tvamev..." and for whom? #DharmaQuiz 200 Gandhari to Krishna

Session 10:

  1. Krishna's famous proclamation 'Sambhavami Yuge Yuge' (Will come back in every Yuga/era) is from which chapter of Bhagavad Gita? #DharmaQuiz 201 Ans: Chapter 4; http://www.asitis.com/4/8.html By: @PointBlank2108 @nharipra
  2. Name the place of birth of Swami Vivekananda - #DharmaQuiz 202 Ans: Kolkata By: @lodyaashi @SivaChandan @AmareshRath @Skandaprasad
  3. The famous Buddhist caves of Ajanta are in which district of #Maharashtra? #DharmaQuiz 203\ Ans: Aurangabad By: @visaraj @garg09 @AmareshRath
  4. Who was the Chief Commander of Pandava Army in Kurukshetra war? #DharmaQuiz 204 Ans: Drishtadrumnya By: @NR_Tatvamasi @zincoshine @nharipra @PointBlank2108 @lodyaashi @sbhagat10
  5. Which Jain religious leader got the title 'Arhanka' ? #DharmaQuiz 205 Mahavira
  6. Which city is called the Temple City of #India? #DharmaQuiz 206 Bhubaneshwar By: @AmareshRath @visaraj
  7. Which Mughal prince called Upanishads as the "Kitab al-maknun" or the hidden book mentioned in the #Quran? #DharmaQuiz 207 Ans: Dara Shikoh By: @sbhagat10 @Swabhimaan @SivaChandan
  8. Which #Christian saint established "7 & half" churches in #Kerala in AD 52? #DharmaQuiz 208 Ans: Thomas the Apostle By: @ranganaathan @zincoshine
  9. Who was the first to realise (Sakshatkara) the holy Gayatri mantra? #DharmaQuiz 209 Ans: Vishwamitra By: @Gaandeeva @NR_Tatvamasi
  10. Who gave pashupata astra to Arjuna in #Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 210 Ans: Lord Shiva By: @zincoshine @SivaChandan @lodyaashi @sbhagat10

Session 11:

  1. Name the Brahman boy who was Krishna's childhood friend #DharmaQuiz 211 Ans: Kuchela By @pavanaja @kishor_narayan @lodyaashi @nharipra @VintageCrusher @visaraj @centerofright @thinkerspad @amodiahs @satyabhashnam
  2. Name #Krishna's birth mother & foster mother - #DharmaQuiz 212 Ans: Devaki & Yashoda
  3. (Tough one) Name the 57th kingdom established by Sri #Krishna - #DharmaQuiz 213 Ans: Dwarawati
  4. Other than Arjuna, 3 others were lucky to hear Bhagavad Gita straight from #Krishna. Name at least 1 of them - #DharmaQuiz 214 Hanuman, Vedavyasa, Sanjaya By: @kishor_narayan @iBeingMe @AmitGadhvii @lodyaashi @nharipra @thinkerspad @VintageCrusher @visaraj @Biorahul @NR_Tatvamasi @satyabhashnam
  5. {Very easy} Name of #Krishna's conch is.. - #DharmaQuiz 215 Ans: Panchajanya By: @kishor_narayan @lodyaashi @nharipra @Biorahul @pavanaja @amodiahs @satyabhashnam
  6. #Krishna in Sanskrit is a male term meaning "the dark one". Name the dark female of Mahabharata known as 'Krishnaa' - #DharmaQuiz 216 Ans: Draupadi By: @nimeshchandra @vishchan @preetamhegde @kishor_narayan @lodyaashi @NR_Tatvamasi @ashokmkini @Satyabhashnam
  7. Name the waiting room for people in line to meet #Krishna - #DharmaQuiz 217 Ans: Virajas
  8. Satyabhama, #Krishna wife, is credited to have saved 16,100 women imprisoned by a evil demon Narakasura. Which festival celebrates that event? #DharmaQuiz 218 Ans: Deepavali/Diwali By: @nharipra @ashokmkini @kishor_narayan
  9. Name the 1st Hindu Purana to be translated to European language, which celebrates Krishna's childhood stories #DharmaQuiz 219 Ans: Bhagavata Purana
  10. Astrological calculations put #Krishna's birth year to be 3228 BC. Name the calendar month (Jan-Dec) #DharmaQuiz 220 Ans: July By: @blossoms41 @nharipra

Session 12:
  1. Name #shiva's 'ornament' for neck #DharmaQuiz 221 Snake By: @Biorahul @nharipra @lodyaashi @neetaraina1 @centerofright @ranga_chennai
  2. Name #Karnataka's first female 'Jagadguru'  #DharmaQuiz 222 Mata Mahadevi - http://bit.ly/axqoZ0
  3. Which Upanishad had Nachiketa's story? #DharmaQuiz 223 Katha Upanishad By: @Biorahul @nharipra
  4. Which modern Indian state was mentioned as Kalinga in #Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 224 Orissa By: @amit14oct @subodh1945 @centerofright @dibyabttb @daps1312 @nharipra @vishchan @Biorahul
  5. Bharata muni had enunciated 8 Rasas (aesthetics) in Natya (Dance) Shastra. Name the 9th one that got added later making it NavaRasas #DharmaQuiz 225 Ans: Shantam or Peace Rasa - http://bit.ly/7llI0k By: @zincoshine @NR_Tatvamasi @_ravisun @Biorahul
  6. Which #Veda has Pavamana Suktas #DharmaQuiz 226 Ans: Rig Veda By: @NR_Tatvamasi @nharipra 
  7. #DharmaQuiz 227 - Name the #Afghanistan 5th century Shahi King who consecrated this marble #Ganesha at Gardez http://twitpic.com/2m3bf1 Ans: Khingala (No one got it)

Session 13:

  1. In which dialect of #Hindi did Tulasidas write Ramacharitamanas during 16th century? #DharmaQuiz 232 (#HindiDiwas) Ans: Awadhi
  2. Name the 15th century sightless saint, #Hindi poet & musician, whose devotional songs were dedicated to Lord Krishna. #DharmaQuiz 233 Ans: Surdas
  3. Name the district in today's #Rajasthan in which the incredible Vishnava Bhakti saint poet Meera Bai was born in- #DharmaQuiz 234 Ans: Nagaur district
  4. 3 Muslims brought to life the incredible Radha Kaise Na Jale song in the movie Lagaan. Aamir & Rahman were 2. Name the 3rd - #DharmaQuiz 235 Ans: Javed Akhtar
  5. Name the famous Krishna Bhajan that was in Slumdog Millionnaire movie; Also who was the poet? #DharmaQuiz 236 Ans: Darshan Do Ghanshyam  Soordas
  6. RT @NR_Tatvamasi Name the founder editor of gita press,gorakhpur and the hindi magazine kalyan #dharmaquiz 237 Ans: Jaya Dayal Goyandka
  7. What's the name of Hindi poetry style in which Tulsidas, Kabir, Surdas, Rahim etc. composed devotional/philosophical poems? #DharmaQuiz 238 Ans: Dohas
  8. RT @NR_Tatvamasi Name the famous bhashya of Bhagavad Gita in #Hindi by Swami Ram Sukh Das #DharmaQuiz 239 Ans: sadhak sanjivani

Session 14:

  1. Hindus invoke 7 holy river names into Kalasha during Puja. Ganga,Godavari,Narmada,Saraswati & Yamuna are 5. Name the other 2 #DharmaQuiz 240 Ans: Sindhu & Cauvery By: @AviTweets @vishchan @NR_Tatvamasi @pavanaja @Biorahul
  2. Bhageeratha is credited to getting Ganga to this earth. Which of today's Indian state was he from? #DharmaQuiz  241 Ans: UP By: @NR_Tatvamasi @vishchan @Biorahul @thinkerspad
  3. Which of the holy rivers for Hindus, literally means 'The Dark River'?  #DharmaQuiz 242 Ans: Krishnaa By: @nharipra @NR_Tatvamasi
  4. Which holy river of #India is literally termed as "the son of the creator" by Hindus? #DharmaQuiz 243 Ans: Brahma Putra By: @pavanaja @Gaandeeva @Biorahul @ashok567 @ashaymudholkar @thinkerspad
  5. Which major west flowing river has been mentioned at least 175 times in Rig #Veda?  #DharmaQuiz 244 Ans: Sindhu By: @ashaymudholkar
  6. Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering happens in 4 places. 2 are on river Ganga's banks. Name other 2 rivers. #DharmaQuiz 245 Ans: Kshipra & Godavari By: @NR_Tatvamasi @garg09 (half) @_SHIVANGI__ (half) @thinkerspad
  7. Name one river bathing festival, that is dedicated to Sun worship (Surya) #DharmaQuiz 246 Ans: Chhath Puja By: @NR_Tatvamasi @debaduttakar
  8. Name the holy town on the banks of TungaBhadra river, at the border of Karnataka & Andhra #DharmaQuiz 247 Mantralaya By: @AMDhananjay @ashok567 @pavanaja @vishchan @Gaandeeva @NR_Tatvamasi @garg09
  9. Among the 7 holiest rivers for Hindus, which one is predominantly east to west flowing? #DharmaQuiz 248 Ans: Narmada By: @pavanaja @NR_Tatvamasi

Session 15: 21-Sep-2010

  1. RT @nharipra How many wives did Dasharatha have? No it is not just the 3 famous ones mentioned in #Ramayana #DharmaQuiz 249 Q Ans: 350 By: None
  2. How many wives did #Krishna really marry in traditional way in #Mahabharata ? No, it's not in 1000s or even 100s) #DharmaQuiz 250 Ans: 8 By: @prashanthkpp @NR_Tatvamasi @centerofright
  3. Traditionally #Hindu society accepted polygamy for 1 class of people only. Who were they? #DharmaQuiz 251 Ans: The Royal or warror Class - Kshatriyas By:  @kishor_narayan @lodyaashi @thinkerspad @vishchan @_SHIVANGI__ @Swabhimaan @prashanthkpp 
  4. What was the name of Sita's younger sister who married an avatar of Shesha (snake) in #Ramayana ? #DharmaQuiz 252 Ans: Urmila By: @kishor_narayan @thinkerspad @NR_Tatvamasi @vishchan @prashanthkpp @subodh1945 @nimeshchandra
  5. Draupadi's case is a rare example of #PolyAndry in #Hindu epics. Name the mother of her youngest 2 husbands? #DharmaQuiz 253 Ans: Madri By: @_SHIVANGI__ @lodyaashi @prashanthkpp @centerofright @kishor_narayan @voxindica @thinkerspad @NR_Tatvamasi
  6. Name the earliest known historic book that gave property rights to wives in #Hindu society (hint: Centuries before #Jesus) #DharmaQuiz 254 Ans: Chanakya's ArthaShastra By: @NR_Tatvamasi  @prashanthkpp
  7. In Vedic age, if teacher was "Acharya" what was teacher's wife referred as? Many had sacred scriptures revealed to them! #DharmaQuiz 255 Ans: Acharyini By: @NR_Tatvamasi 
  8. Who is considered as the 'witness' for SaptaPadi or Seven Steps that a man takes with his bride in #Hindu wedding? #DharmaQuiz 256 Ans: Agni By: @gauravrai @ashok567 @thinkerspad @Nisharp @NR_Tatvamasi
  9. What is the #Sanskrit term to describe the vow for one wife or monogamy? #DharmaQuiz 257 Ans: Eka Patni Vrata By: @kishor_narayan @ashok567
  10. In India, #Hindus are legally bound to have only 1 spouse at a time. In which year was that law passed by parliament? #DharmaQuiz 258 Ans: 1955 By: @prashanthkpp
Session 16: 24-Sep-2010

  1. Name Krishna's son who got married to Duryodhana's daughter. #DharmaQuiz 259
    Ans: Samba married Lakshmanaa
  2. RT @nharipra Manthara, responsible for Rama's vanavaasa, is the avatar of which evil being ? #DharmaQuiz 260 Ans: Alakshmi, wife of Kali
  3. RT @centerofright What is the name of Lord Agni's wife? #DharmaQuiz 261
    #swaha devi
  4. RT @NR_Tatvamasi Name the princess of Vidharbha who married sage Agasthya during ancient times #DharmaQuiz 262 Ans: Lopamudra
  5. RT @NR_Tatvamasi Name Raja Raja Chola's wife, for whose memory a Shiva temple built #DharmaQuiz 263 Ans: Panchavan Madevi
  6. RT @NR_Tatvamasi Name the wife of Kardama Prajapathy #DharmaQuiz 264 Ans: Devahuti
  7. What was Swami Vivekananda's Guru's wife's name? #DharmaQuiz 265 Ans: Sharada
  8. Radha, the wife of Adhiratha, a charioteer of the Dhritarashtra raised a famous #Mahabharata character. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 266 Ans: Karna
  9. Name the #Manipur princess, whose legendary son fought against his own father #Arjuna in #Mahabharata - #DharmaQuiz 267 Ans: Chitrangada
  10. Name the wife of Ravana's brother Vibhishana - #DharmaQuiz 268 Ans: Sarma

Session 17: 28-Sep-2010


  1. What does Ayodhya (A-Yodhya) in #Sanskrit mean? #DharmaQuiz 269
    Ans: Yodhya = Warrable/Conquerable; Ayodhya = UnConquerable By: @Biorahul @pavanaja @kishor_narayan @Swabhimaan @nharipra
  2. On the bank of which river is #Ayodhya situated? #DharmaQuiz 270 Ans: Sarayu By: @prashanthkpp @nharipra  @ashokmkini @av_kv @pavanaja @kishor_narayan @Biorahul @vishchan @pawandurani
  3. Kuvempu, a Jnanapeetha winning literary figure in #Kannada wrote a #Ramayana. What's it called? #DharmaQuiz 271 Ans: Ramayana Darshanam By: @Biorahul @vishchan @pavanaja @kk_19_80 @shakwrites @lodyaashi @nharipra @kishor_narayan @prashanthkpp
  4. Sage Agastya recited a hymn to Sun God, to Lord #Rama on battlefield. Name it #DharmaQuiz 272
    Ans: Aditya Hridayam By: @kishor_narayan @prashanthkpp @nharipra @iamgauttam
  5. Name the chief commander of invader King Babur, who destroyed #Rama temple in #Ayodhya to build a Masjid -> #DharmaQuiz 273 Ans: Mir Baqi By: @NayakPradeep @subodh1945 @prashanthkpp @vishchan @nharipra @Swabhimaan @iamgauttam
  6. There was a famous Kingdom of Ayutthaya between 14th & 18th century in South East #Asia. Which language they spoke? #DharmaQuiz 274 Ans: Thai By: @prashanthkpp @nharipra @Nisharp
  7. There is a temporary Ram Lalla idol in #Ram Janmabhumi temple in #Ayodhya. From which city did that idol come from? #DharmaQuiz 275 Ans: Jaipur. {None got this}
  8. What was the ancient kingdom's name that #Ayodhya was a capital of? #DharmaQuiz 276 Ans: Kosala (Awadh) By: @AMDhananjay @pavanaja @Biorahul @nharipra @kishor_narayan @Nisharp
  9. Name the ASI chief who published a final report citing a pre-existing ancient temple in #Ayodhya Babri complex -  #DharmaQuiz 277 Ans: BB Lal By: @vishchan @centerofright @Biorahul
  10. How many avataras (incarnations) did Lord #Vishnu take before being born as #Rama on this earth? #DharmaQuiz 278 Ans: Six By: @theSaketRanjan @Nisharp @nharipra @pavanaja @Biorahul @prashanthkpp
  11. The invader erected Babri structure in #Ayodhya, is surrounded by a structure bearing Sita's name. What's that? #DharmaQuiz 279 Ans: Sita Rasoi By: @Swabhimaan @subodh1945 @priysaig @theSaketRanjan
  12. Last one. #Ayodhya Shri Rama is given the greatest title 'Maryada Purushottam' . What does that mean? #DharmaQuiz 280 Ans: The ideal man or The Finest Specimen of a disciplined Human Being By: @kishor_narayan @vishchan

Session 18: 30-Sep-2010 (SaffronDay at Ayodhya!!)

  1. #Ayodhya's Shri Rama is also called Adi Purusha: What's the meaning of that name? #DharmaQuiz 281 Ans: Primal Being 
  2. #Ayodhya's Shri Rama is worshiped with "Om Peeta Vasase Namah". What does Peetavasase mean? #DharmaQuiz 282 Ans: Clad in yellow garments 
  3. #Ayodhya Shri Rama is glorified with "Shri RamChandra Kripalu Bhajaman" bhajan. Who authored it? #DharmaQuiz 283 Ans: Tulsidas
  4. The very famous #Ayodhya Shri Rama bhajan "Payoji maine Ram ratan dhan payo" was whose composition? #DharmaQuiz 284 Ans: Meera Bai
  5. Born near #Ayodhya, took name Nilkanth, started 7yr journey across India, today worldwide temples in his name. Who is this? #DharmaQuiz 285 Ans: Bhagawan Swaminarayan
  6. Name the 1st Tirthankar of #Jain Religion, father of Jainism, who was born in #Ayodhya #DharmaQuiz 286 Ans: Rishab Dev
  7. Name the #Indonesia province, ruled by a monarchy still, that is named after #Ayodhya #DharmaQuiz 287 Ans: YogyaKartha
  8. Name the Solar Clan's (Surya Vamshi) dynasty of Lord Rama of #Ayodhya #DharmaQuiz 288
    Ans: Ikshwaku Dynasty

Session 19: 06-Oct-2010

  1. Which #Hindu Temple has a 'no-land-obstacle' travel line to South Pole ? #DharmaQuiz 289 via @amodiahs Ans: Somnath
  2. Name the wife of Veda Vyasa and mother of Sage Suka #DharmaQuiz 290 via @Gaandeeva Ans: Pinjala or Vatika 
  3. Creator Brahma's 1 day per #Hindu cosmology is 4.32 billion yrs, also known as #Kalpa. Name the current Kalpa #DharmaQuiz 291 via @Gaandeeva Ans: Shweta varaha Kalpa
  4. Name assumed by Nakula during #Mahabharata Pandavas incognito period in Virata? #DharmaQuiz 292 via @Gaandeeva Ans: Damagranthi
  5. Who was the oldest known warrior to participate in the #Kurukshetra war of #Mahabharata ? #DharmaQuiz 293 via @Gaandeeva Ans: Baahlika , brother of Shantanu, Bhishma's uncle
  6. #Hindu Panchanga or Almanac is made of 5 units: Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra are 3. Name other 2 #DharmaQuiz 294 Ans: Yoga & Karana
  7. Name the Gayatri mantra famed Vishwamitra's father #DharmaQuiz 295 Ans: Gadhi Maharaj
  8. Who made Veda Vyasa write #Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 296 Ans: Ganapati
  9. Which 21st century city is considered as the oldest #Hindu holy city, continuously inhabited for over 3200 yrs? #DharmaQuiz 297 Ans: Varanasi
  10. Which state in #India has the world's tallest Hanuman statue today? #DharmaQuiz 298 Ans: Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answers by: @itsmesuresh @nharipra @centerofright @NR_Tatvamasi @Biorahul @zincoshine @jatinkhanna26 @NR_Tatvamasi @prashanthkpp @vishchan

Watch out for  the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments, suggestions or more importantly - interest to participate in free & fun way of distribution of spiritual knowledge.