DharmaQuiz: January 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 44: 28-Jan-2011

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

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 24 updates.

Session 44: Jan 28, 2011
Theme: Manas Putras of Brahma: Born out of mind sense of the Creator

Name the very famous sage from Puranas who was born out of Brahma's mind sense. Depicted in movies as a funman.. #DharmaQuiz 493 Ans: Narada
Name the powerful woman born out of Brahma's mind sense. She married sage Atri & did penance to make Ganga flow. #DharmaQuiz 494 Ans: Anasuya
Name the sage born out of the creator's mind sense with a name that denotes he was born out of 'burning charcoal'. #DharmaQuiz 495 Ans: Angirasa
Name the sage born out of the creator's mind sense who is credited to be originator of Bhargava clan - #DharmaQuiz 496 Ans: Bhrigu
Name the all powerful Lord, born out of creator's mind sense, and became the son in law of Daksha Prajapati #DharmaQuiz 497 Ans: Rudra Prajapati or Shiva
Name the first progenitor of mankind, born out of creator's mind sense, and ruled for 308 million years. #DharmaQuiz 498 Ans: Swayambhuva Manu (Swayam = self, bhuva = born)
#Kashmir valley is named after an ancient sage, whose father was born out of creator's mind sense. Name the father. #DharmaQuiz 499 Ans: Marichi
Final, 500th DharmaQuiz Qn:)) -- Name the court sage of Shri Rama's father, who was born out of creator's mind sense. #DharmaQuiz 500 Ans: Vashishtha

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

@Saffronizer : 8
@bhAratenduH : 8
@emanin : 7
@cpdarshi : 7
@subodh1945 : 7
@GirishLN : 6
@TheArvindDhar : 5
@FEEL4INDIA : 5
@nharipra : 4
@Biorahul : 4
@clumsycoder : 4
@nationalizer : 4
@smartrudra : 4
@AmareshRath : 3
@saikumar_k : 3
@avinashbhat01 : 3
@khaishk : 3
@abhi_bol : 2
@centerofright : 2
@lodyaashi : 2
@Right_Wingdian : 1
@ranganaathan : 1
@abhishinde : 1
@ranga_chennai : 1
@av_kv : 1
@bhaw_jha : 1
@lillyvgp : 1

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

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

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 43: 25-Jan-2011

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

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 22 updates.

Session 43: Jan 25, 2011
Theme: Flags and Patriotism in Hindu Epics

"Janani Janma bhumischa Swargad api Gariyasi" (Mother & motherland r superior to Heaven) is Nepal's national motto. Who said it first? #DharmaQuiz 485. Ans: Rama, while leaving Lanka, saying to his brother.
Who has Garuda, the divine bird, as a symbol on his flag, hence being called Garuda Dhwaja? #DharmaQuiz 486 Ans: Vishnu, Narayana and generally all avataras of Vishnu
In Mahabharata, a guy named 'Good warrior' changed his name to 'The Unconquerable one' & put a hooded cobra flag. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 487 Ans: Duryodhana (The unconquerable one) who was initially named Suyodhana (The Great warrior)
India's national song Vande Mataram, though bowing to mother India, is also interpreted as bowing to a Goddess. Name her. #DharmaQuiz 488 Ans: Goddess Durga (or Bhavani)
Which great warrior in Mahabharata entered the battlefield with a flag bearing the all powerful Hanuman? #DharmaQuiz 489 Ans: Arjuna (Bhima was essentially a brother of Hanuman as both were born from wind. Bhima also was the elder brother of Arjuna)
In Hindu temples, there's a designated spot to hoist the sacred flag. What's the Sanskrit name for this flag mast? #DharmaQuiz 490 Ans: Dhwaja Stambham
During Navaratri, Goddess Durga's dress colour during the 1st day, is also a colour in India's national flag. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 491 Ans: Green. More: http://hindupad.com/vratas-pujas/9-colours-of-navratri-2009-nine-colours-of-dresses-to-wear-in-saran-navratri-2009/
Which colour from India's national flag is also the usual dress colour of Goddess Saraswati, depicting purity? #DharmaQuiz 492 Ans: White. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati#Iconography

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

@MANOJAVANOOR : 8
@pinkylama : 8
@Saffronizer : 7
@TheArvindDhar : 5
@clumsycoder : 5
@GRKini : 5
@avinashbhat01 : 4
@nharipra : 4
@supriyasureshp: 3
@neetaraina1 : 3
@kishan_harathi : 3
@abhi_bol : 3
@neophyteblogger : 2
@khaishk : 2
@rahulbagati : 2
@stormylook : 2
@NR_Tatvamasi : 2
@indiarediscover : 2
@S1024B : 2
@vishchan : 2
@Ro1p : 1
@idurgesh : 1
@sureshnakhua : 1
@satyabhashnam : 1
@mithyavadini : 1
@debaduttakar : 1
@mukund_sr : 1

DharmaQuiz Session 42: 18-Jan-2011

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

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 22 updates.

Session 42: Jan 18, 2011
Theme: Ancient Hindu society and Science. Contd

One of the 8 branches of ancient Indian medicine system, Ayurveda is Shalya Chikitsa. What did that branch deal with? #DharmaQuiz 477. Ans: Surgery
Name the father of Indian medicine, who lived 2300 years ago. Was instrumental in developing medicine &lifestyle Ayurveda. #DharmaQuiz 478. Ans: Charaka
Embryology & Pregnancy management is found in 2 pre-Christ-era Samhitas, under the subject of Garbhini Vyakarana.Name any 1. #DharmaQuiz 479 Ans: Charaka or Sushruta Samhita. More: http://www.niam.com/corp-web/Motherhood.html
700 yrs ago, a detailed book on Indian music by Sharangadeva, had a description of 24 arteries of human body. Name the book. #DharmaQuiz 480 Ans: Sangita Ratnakara - 2.105. (Dhamanyo raktavaahinyaschaturvimshati reetah)
Blood flow from heart to organs & then back to heart via veins was described in a Samhita supposedly from Rig Veda. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 481 Ans: Bhela Samhita. More here: http://is1.mum.edu/vedicreserve/bhel_samhita.htm
Sushurta Samhita from nearly 2500 years back deals with a term called Ojas in Sanskrit language. What does that mean? #DharmaQuiz 482 Ans: Vigour or Vitality or Life energy
Legendary ancient Indian surgeon Sushruta mastered 2 types of surgeries. Plastic surgery was one. Name the 2nd key surgery. #DharmaQuiz 483. Ans: Eye surgery
{Final} Name the work of Nalanda university during ancient India, that describes the 16 medicinal properties of Gold. #DharmaQuiz 484 Ans: Rasaratmna Samuchhaya (5.3 through 5.20). "Aayurlakshmee prabhatheesmrutikaram Akhila vyaadhi vidhwamsi punyam..."

Just for this session, I missed listing the people with right answers on time. Apologies! But thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 41: 11-Jan-2011

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

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 21 updates.

Session 41: Jan 11, 2011
Theme: Ancient Hindu society and Science

The great Sushruta taught intestinal surgery 2800 years back! On the banks of which river did he practice #Medicine? #DharmaQuiz 469 Ans: Ganga
Arabic Si-Fir became Latin Ziffire & then English Zero. What was the original Sanskrit name from which Arabs derived Si-Fir? #DharmaQuiz 470 Ans: Shunya. Shunya (nothing) existed in India for millennium, which Persians used as sifr (empty) starting 976 AD, Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Khwarizmi's time, then adopted by Arabs also as sifr or Si-Fir, then making journey to Europe to eventually become Zero.
The sequence of creation of matter; akasha -> Vayu -> Agni -> Apah -> Prithvi is described in which major Upanishad? #DharmaQuiz 471 #Physics Ans: Taittiriya Upanishad, Brahmananda Valli, Anuvaka 1 (Tasmaad va etasmaadaatman aakahah sambhutah | Aakashat vaayuh, vayoh agnih, agneh aapah, adbhyah prithvi || ). Akasha=ether/sky, vayu=air, agni=energy/fire, apah=liquid/water, prithvi=solid/earth. More here: http://avgwarrier.blogspot.com/
Earliest speed of light computation is credited to 14th cent Sayanacharya; 1,85,016 miles/sec.Which kingdom did he live in? #DharmaQuiz 472 Ans: Vijayanagar Kingdom, South India. Full details here: http://www.tginvents.com/tushar/speedoflight.htm
Which ancient Indian astronomy book (2000+ yrs old?) describes an accurate circumference of Earth and diameter of Mercury? #DharmaQuiz 473 Ans: Surya Siddhanta. More here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Siddhanta
850 yrs back, mathematician Bhaskaracharya was the head of astronomical observatory at Ujjain. Name his main work (book). #DharmaQuiz 474 Ans: Siddhanta Shiromani comprising of Lilavati, Bijaganita, Grahaganita & Goladhyaya. More here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bh%C4%81skara_II
Who was considered the chief architect in Hindu scriptures, the one who built Deva Loka & God's palaces? #DharmaQuiz 475 Ans: Vishwakarma
In ancient Hindu society, what was the term used for Chemistry or Alchemy? #DharmaQuiz 476 Ans: Rasayana Shastra

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

@Biorahul : 7
@Saffronizer : 6
@subodh1945 : 5
@bhAratenduH : 5
@daps1312 : 5
@rohitbhatta : 5
@avinashbhat01 : 4
@FEEL4INDIA : 3
@VScricket : 3
@rainaamit : 2
@neetaraina1 : 2
@GirishLN : 2
@ashokmkini : 2
@amodiahs : 1
@AviTweets : 1
@Gaandeeva : 1
@ranganaathan : 1
@subh_10 : 1
@PointBlank2108 : 1
@prashanthkpp : 1
@dharm_rakshak : 1
@__Pala : 1

Friday, January 7, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 40: 7-Jan-2011

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

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 20 updates.

Session 40: Jan 7, 2011
Theme: Sanskrit root of Hindu culture

In the epic saying of Lord Krishna.. "Yadaa Yadaa hi dharmasya, glanir bhavati Bharata..", what does Glani mean? #DharmaQuiz 461 #Sanskrit Ans: :Decrease, deterioration or reduction
Indian Air Force's motto is "नभःस्पृशं दीप्तम् || Nabah Sprisham Deeptam". What does Deepta in #Sanskrit mean? #DharmaQuiz 462 Ans: Inflamed, Brilliant, Glory, Lighted etc.
"Prajnanam Brahma" is a Maha Vakya for Hindus. What does PraJnana mean in #Sanskrit? #DharmaQuiz 463 Ans: Wisdom, Knowledge or Consciousness
2000 years back, in which script was Samskritam or #Sanskrit written in? No, it is not Deva Nagari. #DharmaQuiz 464 Ans: Brahmi
#Sanskrit is one of the very few languages with Dual concept for nouns. If Ramah is singular, what's the dual form for it? #DharmaQuiz 465 Ans: Ramou
Maharshi is a very common name in Hindu scriptures. Which Sandhi (word join) makes Maha + Rishi = Maharshi? #DharmaQuiz 466 #Sanskrit Ans: GuNa Sandhi (Swara sandhi considered too)
Motto of #Indonesia's Navy is - जलेष्वेव जयामहे' || Jaleshveva Jayamahe". Name one equivalent word for Jala in #Sanskrit. #DharmaQuiz 467 Ans: Apah, Salil, Udakam, Sudhaa or Toyam
Mumbai Police Emblem is सद्रक्षणाय खलनिग्रहणाय || Sadrakshanaaya Khalanigrahanaaya". Meaning of KhaLa in Sanskrit? #DharmaQuiz 468 Ans: Thief, evil, bad person or Wicked

A couple of excellent resources to study further:-

a) Sanskrit Dictionary for both Roman and Devanagari scripts. Fabulous one as it auto fills your query - http://spokensanskrit.de/
b) Sandhi Engine: http://sanskrit.inria.fr/DICO/sandhier.html

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

@NR_Tatvamasi : 8
@Saffronizer : 7
@nharipra : 7
@Biorahul : 6
@daps1312 : 5
@FEEL4INDIA : 4
@cpdarshi : 4
@vandebharat : 4
@lifemantra : 3
@TheArvindDhar : 2
@AmareshRath : 2
@ssudhirkumar : 2
@kalika3107 : 1
@av_kv : 1
@zincoshine : 1
@kishan_harathi : 1
@vivekshenoy : 1

DharmaQuiz Session 39: 4-Jan-2011

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

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 19 updates.

Session 39: Jan 4, 2011
Theme: Hindu Jyotish/Astrology & Cosmology, contd.

What's the name of paksha or fortnight from Amavasya (new moon) to Purnima (full moon) in Hindu calendar? #DharmaQuiz 454 Ans: Shukla (gradually whitening moon)
Name the full moon day which is celebrated by Hindus honouring the great sage Vyasa, who wrote down Mahabharata. #DharmaQuiz 455 Ans: Guru or Vyasa Purnima
Out of the 6 rithu/ruthu/seasons in Hindu calendar, name the 1 representing pre winter in India, also having word snow in it #DharmaQuiz 456 Ans: Hemanta from root word Hima (snow)
Hindus using lunar calendars adjust every 3yrs by adding an extra month to catchup with solar cal.What is that month called? #DharmaQuiz 457 Ans: Adhika Masa
Name a Lunar Hindu calendar month that also has a very close match in name to one of 27 Nakshatras/zodiac/stars. #DharmaQuiz 458 Ans: Marga Shira or Mriga Shira (Head of a deer)
Out of the 4 padas/quarters in Kali Yuga, which pada are we in now? #DharmaQuiz 459 Ans: First
Ursa Major, the constellation, is called by what name in Hindu Astrology? #DharmaQuiz 460 Ans: Sapta Rishi (Saptarshi) Mandala

Congratulations to all those who got the right answers. Just for this session, user names' listing is being skipped.

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, January 28, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 44: 28-Jan-2011

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 43: 25-Jan-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 42: 18-Jan-2011

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 41: 11-Jan-2011

Friday, January 7, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 40: 7-Jan-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 39: 4-Jan-2011

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