DharmaQuiz: November 2010

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.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

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

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
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)
Name the vehicle of Shani #DharmaQuiz 390 Ans: Crow
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)
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
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
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.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

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

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
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
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)
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
Gandhi called battlefield as soul & warrior as man's impulses struggling against evil.Which scripture his commentary was on? #DharmaQuiz 384 Ans: Bhagavad Gita
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)
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)
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

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.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

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

"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)
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.
Every Hindu pooja/worship starts with lighting of a lamp. What does light signify? #DharmaQuiz 372 Ans: Knowledge (Jnana)
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
Hindus don't touch paper/books with feet usually as it signifies the Goddess of knowledge. Name her - #DharmaQuiz 374 Ans: Saraswati
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
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)
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)
#Hindu pooja/worship usually has a metal or earthen pot filled with water & decorated with leaves. What is it called? #DharmaQuiz 378 Ans: Kalasha
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

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.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

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

Session 27: Nov 16 2010
Theme: Hanuman

Hanuman is the most famous Pavan Putra (son of Lord of Winds/Vayu). Name the other from Hindu Epics. #DharmaQuiz 360 Ans: Bhima
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
Name the literary work of Maha Kavi (Great Poet) Kalidasa, that has plenty of details of Hanuman - #DharmaQuiz 362 Ans: Raghuvamsha
Which book/Kanda of Ramanayana describes the place where Hanuman lived, in detail? #DharmaQuiz 363 Ans: Kishkinda (Earliest picked)
During war, Hanuman brought the entire Sanjivani hill from Himalayas. Who administered the life-saving herb to Lakshmana? #DharmaQuiz 364 Ans: Physician Sushena
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
Which country has the tallest Hanuman statue outside India? It's 85 feet tall to be precise. #DharmaQuiz 366 Ans: Trinidad and Tobago
Which language (now absorbed into Hindi) did Tulsidas compose Hanuman Chalisa in? #DharmaQuiz 367 Ans: Awadhi
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
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

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.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

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

Session 26: Nov 12 2010

Which Hindu Guru's famous was 'The Science of Self Realisation'? #DharmaQuiz 352
Ans: Srila Prabhupada
Who compiled the legendary Yoga Sutras or foundational texts of #Yoga ? #DharmaQuiz 353
Ans: Patanjali
What is the most famous text on Hindu philosophy created by Sage Gautama 1800 years back? #DharmaQuiz 354 Ans: Nyaya Sutras
Who composed the 1500yr old #Tamil religious, spiritual & ethics poetic work, The Tirumantiram? #DharmaQuiz 355 Ans: Tirumular
Which 20th century Hindu saint was renowned for discourses on Upanishads? He also was a founder of VHP - #DharmaQuiz 356 Ans: Swami Chinmayananda
Which Indian President had written deep philosophical treatises on Bhagavadgita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras? #DharmaQuiz 357 Ans: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
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
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

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.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

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

Session 25: Nov 02 2010

Vedas are divided into 4 divisions. Brahmana, Aranyaka & Upanishad are three. Name the first division #DharmaQuiz 344 Ans: Samhita
Out of the 6 Vedangas ( Organs of Vedas), which one deals with padas & syllables? #DharmaQuiz 345 Ans: Chandas
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
Which group of #Hindu scriptures literally means "that which is remembered"? #DharmaQuiz 347
Ans: Smriti. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smriti
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)
Which of the 4 Vedas are supposed to be sung in melodious ragas, and not chanted? #DharmaQuiz 349 Ans: Sama Veda
Does Bhagavad Gita belong to Shruti or Smriti categories of Hindu scriptures? #DharmaQuiz 350
Ans: Smriti
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

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.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

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

Session 24: Oct 29 2010

What is the Sanskrit root for the word #Dharma and what does it mean? -- #DharmaQuiz 336
Ans: Dhri meaning 'to uphold'
What is the Pali language word for Dharma that #Buddha used extensively? #DharmaQuiz 337
Ans: Dhamma
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
In the 4 Purusharthas defined in Hinduism, Dharma is the 1st one. Which is the 4th one? #DharmaQuiz 339 Ans: Moksha
Buddha extensively talked about a wheel of law/doctrine. What was it called? #DharmaQuiz 340
Ans: DhammaChakra
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
What's the other name of the famous character Dharmaraya in Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 342
Ans: Yudhishtira
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

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Friday, November 26, 2010

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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