DharmaQuiz: December 2010

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.

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 18 updates.

Session 38: Dec 31, 2010
Theme: Hindu Heritage in today's Pakistan geographical region

How many Samvatsaras or Hindu calendar years are there in one cycle? #DharmaQuiz 447 Ans: 60
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
There are 27 nakshatras or stars in Vedic/Hindu Astrology. In which nakshatra was Lord Rama born in? #DharmaQuiz 449 Ans: Punarvasu
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
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
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.
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.

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 17 updates.

Session 37: Dec 28, 2010
Theme: Hindu Heritage in today's Pakistan geographical region

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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

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 16 updates.

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

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
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
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)
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
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
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.
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

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.

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 15 updates.

Session 35: Dec 17, 2010
Theme: Pilgrimages

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.
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
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
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.
In pilgrimages, Hindus often shave their head as hair (vanity). This symbolically surrenders which characteristic of a human? #DharmaQuiz 430 Ans: Ahankara/ Ego
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

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.

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 14 updates.

Session 34: Dec 14 2010
Theme: Spirituality via key numbers

In Hindu philosophy, there are 3 fundamental operating principles of Prakruti or nature. Name the dark or negative Guna. #DharmaQuiz 418 Ans: Tamas
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)
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'
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
#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
Which sacred number is common between most Hindu Gods' name pooja and the beads in prayer beads (Japa Mala)? #DharmaQuiz 423 Ans: 108
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
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

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.

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 13 updates.

Session 33: Dec 10 2010
Theme: Upanishads

The very famous saying, 'Asatoma Sad gamaya, Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya' is in which Upanishad? #DharmaQuiz 410 Ans: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Chandogya and Taittiriya are examples of prose Upanishads. Name 1 Poetic Upanishad #DharmaQuiz 411 Ans: Any of these - Kena, Katha, Isha or Mundaka
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)

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
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
There are at least 3 main/Mukhya upanishads from Atharva Veda. Name any one of them #DharmaQuiz 415 Ans: Mundaka, Mandukya and Prashna
Name the German Philosopher who was amazed by Upanishads and called them, "the production of the highest human wisdom". #DharmaQuiz 416 Ans: Arthur Schopenhauer
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

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.

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 12 updates.

Session 32: Dec 7 2010
Theme: Miscellaneous

In which village was Basavanna, the famous Hindu social reformer of middle ages, born? #DharmaQuiz 402 Ans: (Basavana) Bagewadi
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
Which was the capital of Pandavas in Mahabharata, very close to modern day Delhi? #DharmaQuiz 404 Ans: Indraprastha
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
Which sage was born a Kshatriya, but with dedicated penance, became a Brahmarshi? #DharmaQuiz 406 Ans: Vishwamitra
Out of the 60 samvatsaras/calendar years per Hindu calendar, name the samvatsara covering 2010-11. #DharmaQuiz 407 Ans: Vikruti
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
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

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.

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 11 updates.

Session 31: Dec 3 2010
Theme: Shivite Pilgrimage Centers

What's the name of Shivite pilgrimage center located close to the origin of Godavari river? #DharmaQuiz 395 Ans: Triambakeshwar, Maharashtra
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
Name the only Jyotir Linga location in the state of Tamil Nadu #DharmaQuiz 397 Ans: Rameshwaram
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
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
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
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.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Friday, December 24, 2010

Friday, December 17, 2010

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Friday, December 10, 2010

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

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