DharmaQuiz: February 2011

Friday, February 18, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 50: 18-Feb-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 30 updates.

Session 50: Feb 18, 2011
Theme: Terms related to creation concept in Vedas

Which is the 50th Samvatsara or Hindu year out of the set of 60 that repeat in a cycle? #DharmaQuiz 540 Ans: Anala. More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samvatsara
In the famous Vishnu Sahasranama or 1000 names of Vishnu, which one is the 50th name of Lord Vishnu? #DharmaQuiz 541 Ans: Vishwakarma. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu_sahasranama
50th name in a famous Ashthottaram (108 names) is "Om Bijapuraphalasaktaya Namaha". Which Lord's name is that? #DharmaQuiz 542 Ans: Lord Ganesha More: http://www.astroloka.com/showarticle.aspx?articleid=313&article=108+names+of+Lord+Ganesha+-+Sri+Ganapathay+Ashtothram
Which Lord's 50th name in the 108 name Ashthottara is "Om Lakshmana pranadataaya namah"? #DharmaQuiz 543 Ans: Hanuman / Anjaneya. More: http://www.saihanuman.com/hanuman-mantra.html
Gandhari gave birth to 100 boys and one girl in Mahabharata. Name the 50th Kaurava in that list of 100 Kauravas. #DharmaQuiz 544 Ans: Nishamgy. More here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=137088887279&topic=10434
What's the Sanskrit word for Fifty? #DharmaQuiz 545 Ans: Panchashat More here: http://veda.wikidot.com/sanskrit-numbers
Out of the four Ashramas of a Hindu person's life, which one should ideally start at the age of 50? #DharmaQuiz 546 Ans: Vanaprastha or Hermitage phase of life
In the 50th Shakti Peetha of Goddess, she is worshiped as Nandini. In which state of India is this peetha in? #DharmaQuiz 547 Ans: West Bengal. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakti_Peethas
Muktika Upanishad gives the name of 108 Upanishads. Name the 50th Upanishad from that grand list. #DharmaQuiz 548 Ans: Sharabha. More: http://www.vedah.com/org/literature/upanishads/108Upanishads.asp

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

@khaishk : 8
@neetaraina1 : 8
@Saffronizer : 8
@cpdarshi : 8
@pirateadmiral: 7
@kamalranjini : 7
@Amaresh80 : 6
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@shwetakeshav : 5
@GirishLN : 5
@rohitbhatta : 4
@adhyam : 3
@mjrajput : 2
@smartrudra : 2
@hbnsl : 2
@itsmesuresh : 2
@idurgesh : 1
@keshda : 1
@dharm_rakshak : 1
@MukulKMishra : 1
@Swabhimaan : 1
@keerthanpai : 1
@rajudasonline : 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.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 49: 15-Feb-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 29 updates.

Session 49: Feb 15, 2011
Theme: Terms related to creation concept in Vedas

In Vedas God is described in two ways. One is Nirakara (formless). What's the Vedic word for "with form"? #DharmaQuiz 532 Ans: Saakaara (also Saguna)
According to Hindu scriptures who is termed as the mother of all Gods? Her name translated to "Not Bound" - #DharmaQuiz 533 Ans: Aditi : More here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aditi
Which Loka (abode) is described along with Bhu and Suvah in the all famous Gayatri mantra? #DharmaQuiz 534 Ans: Bhuvah
In Hindu cosmology, derived from ancient Vedas, what is the projected shape of our universe? #DharmaQuiz 535. Ans: Anda or Egg (Brahmanda is the concept)
Which Veda first mentions Hiranya Garbha (The Golden womb) when describing cosmic creation? #DharmaQuiz 536 Ans: Rig Veda 10.121, Hiranya Garbha sukta
Nasadiya Sukta, in the 10th mandala of Rig Veda, is a very famous part of Hindu scriptures. What does it describe? #DharmaQuiz 537 Ans: Creation of Universe; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasadiya_Sukta
In Hindu version of repeated creation & destruction of our universe, what is the term used to describe destruction? #DharmaQuiz 538 Ans: Pralaya
Krishna reveals the the universal form in Bhagavad Gita. What's that Rupa/form called? #DharmaQuiz 539 Ans: Vishwa Rupa or Virat Rupa

Please refer to this research work cited by @neetaraina1
Science of Creation: Big-Bang Theory, String Theory Vs Vedic theory
http://vedicscience.net/files/science%20of%20creation.pdf

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

@cpdarshi : 8
@nationalizer : 8
@khaishk : 8
@kishor_narayan : 8
@Saffronizer : 8
@emanin : 7
@neetaraina1 : 7
@pvaidyaraj : 7
@pirateadmiral : 6
@TheArvindDhar : 6
@rohitbhatta : 5
@AshutoshNSingh : 4
@binoyashokan : 4
@S_Chaitanya : 4
@smartrudra : 4
@kinglyscience : 3
@talmukund : 3
@Amaresh80 : 3
@subodh1945 : 3
@pavanaja : 3
@kamalranjini : 3
@bioismypassion : 2
@keshda : 1
@mjrajput : 1

Friday, February 11, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 48: 11-Feb-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 28 updates.

Session 48: Feb 11, 2011
Theme: Theme: Asuras or Demons in Hindu Puranas/Epics

Who was the mother of Daityas or Demons or Rakshasas? #DharmaQuiz 523 Ans: Diti
Who was the younger brother of rakshasa Hiranyakashipu? #DharmaQuiz 524 Ans: Hiranyaksha
Name the Asura grandson of Prahlada in memory of whom Onam festival is celebrated in #Kerala. #DharmaQuiz 525 Ans: Bali or Maha Bali
Name the great Asura King Prahlada's aunt, whose burning is symbolically celebrated as Holi festival by Hindus. #DharmaQuiz 526 Ans: Holika
Name the man eater Asura from Mahabharata, who had forced the local Raja to send him daily supply or food plus a man to eat. #DharmaQuiz 527 Ans: Bakasura
Name the son of Bhima and a Asura girl. That Asura girl's brother was killed by Bhima. Also Himachal has temples for her. #DharmaQuiz 528 Ans: Ghatokacha son of Hidimbi. Ghatam = pot and utkacha = hairless. He was born with hairless head shaped as a pot.
During Samudra Manthan, one Asura managed to drink Amruta, but only till neck. Also credited to causing eclipses. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 529 Ans: Rahu
Name the Asura, from Devi Mahatmya, who had the boon of him being cloned for every drop of his blood falling to ground. #DharmaQuiz 530 Ans: Raktabija Asura
Name the guru of Rakshasas/demons, upon whom the common Indian word for Friday is named after. #DharmaQuiz 531 Ans: Shukra Acharya

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

@cpdarshi : 9
@Saffronizer : 9
@Rahulbaba19 : 9
@pirateadmiral : 9
@GirishLN : 9
@bhaw_jha : 9
@shibu_kt : 8
@pangalanrao : 8
@clumsycoder : 8
@AviTweets : 8
@Amaresh80 : 7
@dhanu_hansda : 7
@itsmesuresh : 7
@kishor_narayan : 7
@nationalizer : 7
@TheArvindDhar : 6
@debaduttakar : 6
@smartrudra : 6
@PointBlank2108 : 5
@lshyam : 4
@talmukund : 4
@keshda : 4
@mayureshgaikwad : 4
@srikanth_km : 3
@ecophilo : 2
@subodh1945 : 2
@rahulbagati : 2
@sureshnakhua : 2
@therepublian : 2
@binoyashokan : 2
@kamalranjini : 2
@malleshwara : 1
@gootypp : 1
@anand_rohan : 1
@Right_Wingdian : 1
@hbnsl : 1
@venkateshkm : 1
@Rohitdass : 1
@deepnest : 1
@_SHIVANGI__ : 1

DharmaQuiz Session 47: 8-Feb-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 27 updates.

Session 47: Feb 8, 2011
Theme: Universal brotherhood and Gender equality in Vedas

1. "Yathemam vacham kalyani..." Yajur Veda 26.2 champions that Knowledge is for ALL. What does "Kalyanim vacham" mean? #DharmaQuiz 515 Ans: Auspicous/sacred word. Refer to page 9 here: http://www.vedah.com/org/literature/PDFs/Atharva_Veda.pdf

Yathemam vaacham kalyaneem avadaani janebhyah |
brahma Rajanyaabhyam Shudraya Chaaryaya cha svaya chaaranaaya cha |
Priyo devaanaam dakshinaayai daaturiha bhuyaasamayam me kaamah
Samrudhyasaamupa maado namatu ||

So that I may speak the blissful Word to the masses of the people,
to the brahmana and the rajanya (kshatriya),
to the shudra and the vaishya,
to our own men and to the stranger.
Dear may I be to the devas and to the giver of the sacred gifts here.
May this my wish prosper; may that be mine.

2. "Na dwiteeyo, na triteeyo.." Atharva Veda 13.4.16-18, 20 declares that there is one GOD. What does the word 'Uchyate' mean? #DharmaQuiz 516 Ans: "it is called" or "it is Known as" or "it is said so"

Na dviteeyo na triteeyaschaturtho naapyuchyate |
Na panchamo na shashthah saptamo naapyuchate |
Naashthamo na navamo dashamo naapyuchate |
tamidam nigatam sahah sa esha eka ekavrideka eva ||

No second God, no third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eight, ninth or tenth.
This energy is fully within HIM. This God is only ONE.

3. "Swayam vajins tanvam.." Yajur Veda 23.15 calls upon a human to take care of body well. What does 'Mahimaa' mean? #DharmaQuiz 517 Ans: Highness

"Ashvam Maa Himseehi" says Yajur Veda 13.42 preaching Ahimsa. What does 'Maa" there mean? #DharmaQuiz 518 Ans: Don't

4. "Ajyeshtaso akanishthaso.." Rig Veda 5.60.5 declares universal brotherhood sans discrimination. What does "kanishtha' mean? #DharmaQuiz 519 Ans: Lower or Inferior

Ajyeshthaso Akanishthasa ete sam bhrataro vavriduh saubhagaaya ||
These humans.. no one is superior, no one is inferior.
They are brothers working with unity for collective betterment.

5. "Sujataaso janusha .." Rig Veda 5.59.6 disqualifies birth based discrimination. What does 'Sujata' mean? #DharmaQuiz 520 Ans: Born in a good (superior) family

Sujaataaso Janushaa Prishnimaataro divo maryaah ||
Those who treat earth as God (Tillers) too, due to being human children on the bright Lord, are by birth superior only.

6. "Tvam Stree Tvam Pumanasi.." Atharva Veda 10.8.27 prohibits gender discrimination. Give one Sanskrit synonym of Stree. #DharmaQuiz 521 Ans: Mahila, naari

Tvam Stree Tvam Pumaanasi Tvam Kumara uta vaa Kumari ||
You have been a woman, a man, a boy and a girl. Now just a human

7. "Sa me shraddham cha medham.." Atharva Veda 19.64.1 encourages open mindedness. What does 'Medha' mean? #DharmaQuiz 522 Ans: Intelligence, intellect, Wisdom

Just for this session, compilation of twitter user names was not done. Apologies.
Thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

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

Friday, February 4, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 46: 4-Feb-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 26 updates.

Session 46: Feb 4, 2011
Theme: Dharma in Karnataka

On the banks of which river was Kishkinda, from Ramayana era, located? #DharmaQuiz 508 Ans: Tunga Bhadra (known as Pampa Saras during Ramayana times). Refer to this great map describing Rama's journey from Ayodhya to Lanka: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/97/PlacesRelatedToRama.JPG
In which place did Adi Shankara establish the first of his 4 mathas across India? #DharmaQuiz 509 Ans: Sringeri
Hanuman was the son of Vayu/Pavan during Treta Yuga. Bhima was in Dwapara. Who is believed to be Vayu Putra in Kali Yuga? #DharmaQuiz 510 Ans: Madhwacharya. More here: http://www.itslife.in/2009/01/madhwa-navami
Veera Shaiva is a sect among Hindus who worship Shiva Linga. In which state is this sect predominantly found? #DharmaQuiz 511 Ans: Karnataka, started by Basavanna
1030 yrs ago, a 60 ft statue of Jain Bahubali was sculpted in S India. In 2007 voted into 7 wonders of India. Where is it? #DharmaQuiz 512 Ans: Shravana Belagola
350 yrs back, a 137.5 ft Islamic dome came up in S.India. Now world's 3rd largest surviving pre-modern era dome.Where's it? #DharmaQuiz 513 Ans: Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur, Karnataka
Which mighty kingdom's kings considered themselves as deputies of Lord Virupaksha (Shiva)? #DharmaQuiz 514 Ans: Vijaya Nagar

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

@saikumar_k : 7
@emanin : 7
@pangalanrao : 7
@NR_Tatvamasi : 6
@GirishLN : 6
@AmareshRath : 5
@shibu_kt : 4
@vishchan : 4
@GRKini : 3
@TheArvindDhar : 3
@unknown_indian : 3
@subodh1945 : 2
@vishchan : 1
@avinashbhat01 : 1
@Susmit101176 : 1
@nationalizer : 1
@sanjeevirao : 1
@pawandurani : 1
@prashanthbn : 1

DharmaQuiz Session 45: 1-Feb-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 25 updates.

Session 45: Feb 1, 2011
Theme: Medieval India's Devotional Saints

Name the 16th century scholar, philosopher and bhakti preacher, whose ancestors were from #Andhra. Founder of Pushtimarga. #DharmaQuiz 501 Ans: Vallabha Acharya (1479-1531)
Name the 14th century religious poet from #Maharashtra whose 61 compositions are a part of Sikh scripture Granth Sahib. #DharmaQuiz 502 Ans: Namadeva (1270-1350)
Name the 16th cent grammarian, spiritual reformer & Bhakti propagator in #Bengal & #Odisha. Credited to Hare Krishna mantra. #DharmaQuiz 503 Ans: Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534)
Name the 15th century saint from #Gujarat, who composed what later became, Mahatma Gandhi's favourite bhajan. #DharmaQuiz 504 Ans: Narsi Mehta (1414 – 1481)
Name the 16th century famous Krishna devotee from #Karnataka who is credited to the miracle in Udupi temple. #DharmaQuiz 505 Ans: Kanaka Dasa (1508-1606)
Name the 16th century's bhajan composer and singer, a blind, from #Uttar Pradesh, who was a student of DQ 501's answer. #DharmaQuiz 506 Ans: Sant Sur Das
During 6-9 cent AD, 12 #Tamil poet saints were named as "those immersed in God". Who were they? #DharmaQuiz 507 Ans: Alwars

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

@Saffronizer 7
@emanin 6
@saikumar_k 6
@NR_Tatvamasi 6
@TheArvindDhar 4
@khaishk 4
@subodh1945 4
@clumsycoder 4
@GirishLN 4
@gdeepy 2
@mjrajput 2
@rubenmasc 2
@rahulbhardwaj11 2
@PointBlank2108 1
@Mrityunjoykjha 1
@keshda 1
@bhavinhjoshi 1
@AmareshRath 1
@neophyteblogger 1
@Ro1p 1
@nationalizer 1
@smartrudra 1
@Malligere 1

Friday, February 18, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 50: 18-Feb-2011

Thursday, February 17, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 49: 15-Feb-2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 48: 11-Feb-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 47: 8-Feb-2011

Friday, February 4, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 46: 4-Feb-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 45: 1-Feb-2011

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