DharmaQuiz: March 2011

Friday, March 18, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 58: 18-Mar-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 38 updates.

Session 58: Mar 18, 2011
Theme: Holi Special

Holi is a symbolic celebration of the evil demonness Holika being burnt. Who destroyed her with Lord Brahma's help? #DharmaQuiz 595. Ans: Her nephew Prahlada.
It is also believed that Kama Deva, god of love, was charred to death on Holi-Day. Whose opening of eye caused it? #DharmaQuiz 596. Ans: Lord Shiva, by opening his third eye.
Name the birth place of Lord Krishna, around which, Holi is celebrated with Radha & Krishna processions. #DharmaQuiz 597. Ans: Mathura
Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of a very famous 15/16th century saint from Eastern India. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 598. Ans: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Holi was typically celebrated for 3 days. Holi Purnima & Puno were the first 2. Name the common name the 3rd "gulal" day. #DharmaQuiz 599. Ans: Parva, Dhruddhi, Dhuli, Dulendi or Phag. More here: http://hinduism.about.com/od/holifestivalofcolors/a/holybasics.htm
Amitabh Bachchan made 'Hori Khele Raghuveera Avadh mein' very popular. Which Yuga is the Holi depiction in that song from? #DharmaQuiz 600. Ans: Treta Yuga of Lord Shri Rama.
Name the South American country where Holi is a national holiday, with a name Phagwah. #DharmaQuiz 601 Ans: Guyana and Suriname. More here: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/guyana/public-holidays
What's the common name given in South India for Holika Dahan (burning of commonness Holika) ? #DharmaQuiz 602. Ans: Kama Dahana (Burning of Kama)

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

@cpdarshi : 8
@AshutoshNSingh : 7
@khaishk : 7
@Amaresh80 : 7
@TheArvindDhar : 6
@amitgupta_lnct : 6
@clumsycoder : 6
@matarishva : 5
@itsmesuresh : 4
@rudraveenaa : 4
@subodh1945 : 2
@bhartendu2206 : 1
@hbnsl : 1
@I_am_Rajarshi : 1
@venshu : 1
@zainsapan : 1
@mayureshgaikwad : 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, March 15, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 57: 15-Mar-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 37 updates.

Session 57: Mar 15, 2011
Theme: Misc

Whose was also known in Hindu Puranas as Paaka Shasana? #DharmaQuiz 587 Ans: Indra
Milk, curds, Gomutra & Gomaya belong to 'Pancha Gavya' (from cow) category. Name the 5th one use in purification. #DharmaQuiz 588 Ans: Ghee
Who authored the Natya Shastra, the ancient India's manual for dance? #DharmaQuiz 589 Ans: Bharata Muni
Which 'Kalpa' is currently running as per Hindu calendar/cosmology? #DharmaQuiz 590 Ans: Shweta Varaha Kalpa. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalpa_%28aeon%29
Name one other popular name of the sacred river Ganga. #DharmaQuiz 591 Ans: Bhagirathi or Jahnavi
Which sage authored Neeti Shataka, an ancient Indian philosophical book on conduct, wisdom & behaviour? #DharmaQuiz 592 Ans: Bhartruhari More here: http://www.sandeepweb.com/2006/04/06/neeti-shataka-of-bhartruhari/
Out of the most famous 10 Upanishads, which one features the story of the brave boy Nachiketa? #DharmaQuiz 593 Ans: KaThopanishad
Near which holy city did Adi Shankara setup a matha (1 of 4) symbolically for Atharva Veda? #DharmaQuiz 594 Ans: Jyotir Matha near Badrinath, Uttarakhand. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara#Mathas

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

@pvaidyaraj : 8
@pirateadmiral : 6
@pavanaja : 5
@Amaresh80 : 5
@nationalizer : 5
@AviTweets : 5
@matarishva : 5
@amitgupta_lnct : 4
@khamandhokla : 1
@Rupalimk : 1
@Sumeet_IH : 1
@EuphoricPinaki : 1
@tickle_me_not : 1

DharmaQuiz Session 56: 11-Mar-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 36 updates.

Session 56: Mar 11, 2011
Theme: Ethics, morals and values in Vedas

One of the 10 faces of Vedic Dharma is Aasteya. What does it mean? #DharmaQuiz 579 Ans: Avoiding any focus on others' wealth, not stealing.
"Indriya Nigraha" is one of the 10 prescribed faces of Vedic Dharma. How many indriyas / senses are referred to? #DharmaQuiz 580 Ans: 5; Hearing, Smelling, Taste, Touch and Sight. Inward focus of them towards self is the real Indriya Nigraha.
1 of these 3 from 10 faces of Vedic Dharma actually gets closest to keeping Shanti/peace. a)Dhriti b) Dama c) Dhee. Which 1? #DharmaQuiz 581 Ans: Dama = Being stable minded & never bothering too much about anything.
Which one of the 10 faces of Vedic Dharma focuses on never getting angry or losing temper? #DharmaQuiz 582 Ans: Akrodha
Name the famous disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati whose earlier name was Munshi Ram & was a firm #Atheist earlier. #DharmaQuiz 583 Ans: Swami Shraddhananda. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Shraddhanand
In Sanskrit what does the word 'Ari' mean? #DharmaQuiz 584 Ans: Shatru / Enemy
Some very famous Vedic mantras talk about 'Purusha' . Not exactly meaning 'Man'. So what is the contextual meaning? #DharmaQuiz 585 Ans: Paramatma, creator, GOD
Out of the 8 Yoga Angas ( limbs) Pranayama is breath control. Which one is for sense control? #DharmaQuiz 586 Ans: Pratyahara. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratyahara

For this session, compiling the correct answer providing names got delayed. Sorry about that.
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, March 8, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 55: 8-Mar-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 35 updates.

Session 55: Mar 8, 2011
Theme: International Womens Day Special

Name the fisherwoman who became the great grand mother of all Pandava & Kaurava princes in Mahabharata.#DharmaQuiz 571 #WomensDay Ans: Satyavati or Matsya Gandhi (smelling like fish)
Powerful Bhishma in Mahabharata was defeated due to the revenge of a woman who was reborn as Shikhandi. Name the woman. #DharmaQuiz 572 Ans: Ambe (Amba), the princess of Kashi.
A famous Kerala born saint, tricked his mother for permission to take Sanyas (asceticism) using a crocodile.Name the mother. #DharmaQuiz 573 Ans: Aryamba, mother of Adi Shankara.
Name the mother from Deccan who inspired his future emperor son with Rama,Bhima,Vijayanagar kings kind of inspiring stories. #DharmaQuiz 574 Ans: Jijabai, mother of Shivaji. More here: http://www.yousigma.com/biographies/shivaji.html
Name the philosopher queen of Madhya Pradesh, whose 30 years of 18th century rule helped Hindu temples across India. #DharmaQuiz 575 Ans: Ahalyabai Holkar, who helped with her private funds. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahilyabai_Holkar
Name the famous 19th cent Anglo-Irish girl, named by India's greatest monk of those days as 'The 1 who is dedicated to God'. #DharmaQuiz 576. Ans: Sister Nivedita, named by Swami Vivekananda
Name the 3rd wife of Krishna who accompanied him in a battle to kill the demon Narakasura. #DharmaQuiz 577Ans: Satyabhama
Who is considered as Veda Mata or the mother of all Vedas,the holiest of Hindu scriptures? #DharmaQuiz 578 #WomensDay. Ans: Gayatri. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri

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

@Saffronizer: 8
@lodyaashi : 8
@pavanaja : 8
@Rahulbaba19 : 7
@kishor_narayan : 7
@NR_Tatvamasi : 7
@KVSarmaJ : 7
@cpdarshi : 7
@sivakumar_king : 5
@GirishLN : 5
@matarishva : 4
@Amaresh80 : 4
@akhilm176 : 3
@preetamhegde : 3
@srikanth_km : 3
@venkateshkm : 2
@AshutoshNSingh : 2
@colnrkurup : 2
@Krishnara : 1
@priysaig : 1
@4MAK : 1
@transcendare : 1

DharmaQuiz Session 54: 4-Mar-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 34 updates.

Session 54: Mar 4, 2011
Theme: Lanka Centric

Name the daughter of an Apsara (Celestial being) maiden, Hema, who married a very famous #Ramayana King. #DharmaQuiz 563 Ans: Mandodari (meaning Soft Bellied)
Vajrajwala, grand daughter of the famous Demon king Bali married a Ramayana character who was legendary for his sleep. Who? #DharmaQuiz 564 Ans: Kumbha Karna
Name the oldest Sanskrit poetic composition, which could even be older than 6000 yr old Epic of Gilgamesh from Sumeria. #DharmaQuiz 565 Ans: Ramayana
How many days did the great war in Lanka last from Maha Vishnu's 'maryada purushottama' avatar epic? #DharmaQuiz 566 Ans: Thirteen days: Read more here about the scientific dating attempt of Ramayana war: http://www.scribd.com/doc/23133909/The-Scientific-Dating-Ramayana-and-the-Vedas-P-V-Vartak
Sita's chastity was protected because Ravana had a curse from his step brother's son that he can't force any woman.Name him. #DharmaQuiz 567 Ans: NalaKubera, son of Ravana's step brother Kubera.
Name the vulture which told Sugriva's army the exact location of abducted Sita in Lanka. #DharmaQuiz 568 Ans: Sampati, brother of Jatayu. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampati
Name the famous woman devotee of Rama who spent a big part of life waiting for him at Matanga hill, near present day Hampi. #DharmaQuiz 569 Ans: Shabari
Who became the king of Lanka after the destruction of war & rebuilding? #DharmaQuiz 570 Ans: Vibhishana

For this episode, skipping the list of folks who got right answers. 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, March 4, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 53: 1-Mar-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 33 updates.

Session 53: Mar 1, 2011
Theme: Maha ShivaRatri Special

#Shivaratri is celebrated to give thanks to Shiva for taking care of Kshira Sagara poison. Sanskrit name for 'blue throat'? #DharmaQuiz 565 Ans: Neela Kantha
#Shivaratri is celebrated via a full night vigil, because Lord Shiva came in the form of what, during midnight? #DharmaQuiz 566 Ans: Linga
#Shivaratri is celebrated because he married a beautiful Goddess on this day, becoming 'Saguna Brahman'. Name her. #DharmaQuiz 567 Ans: Parvati
#Shivaratri usually falls on the 14th night of Krishna Paksha (darker fortnight) of which Hindu lunarcalendar month? #DharmaQuiz 568 Ans: Phalguna
#Shivaratri is the night when Shiva performed the dance of primordial creation, preservation & destruction.Name the dance. #DharmaQuiz 569 Ans: Tandava Nritya (Tandava dance)
A common misconception is that Linga is a phallus. Totally incorrect. What's the most common English word describing Linga? #DharmaQuiz 570 Ans: The Mark or Sign (of the omnipotent Lord) . Highly popular Rudra mantras & Chamakam - from Yajur Veda, have NO 'phallus' mention. Read entire Linga Purana or Shiva Purana . That 'phallus' story is a twisted concoction of 19th century Europeans in most cases. The most learned Swami Vivekananda lamented "Explanation that Shiva Linga as a phallic emblem was the most thoughtless & during degraded times".
There are 12 holiest Lingas on this planet which every Hindu should try to visit once in a lifetime. What are they called? #DharmaQuiz 571 Ans: Jyotir Lingas (Signs of Light)
There is an awesome place in India that has close to 1,00,00,000 Shiva Lingas. Which state is that in? #DharmaQuiz 572 Ans: Karnataka. Place is Koti (crore) Lingeshwara. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotilingeshwara ; From a movie song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIQzKDdixbk

More reference material:

What is Shiva Linga? All About the Symbol of Shiva. http://hinduism.about.com/od/lordshiva/a/What-Is-Shiva-Linga.htm
Why Celebrate Maha Shivratri? 3 Reasons to Celebrate Shivratri. http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/whyshivratri.htm
Maha Shivratri: The Night of Shiva http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/mahashivratri.htm

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

@pirateadmiral : 8
@saffronizer: 8
@nationalizer : 7
@Amaresh80 : 7
@shwetakeshav : 6
@Biorahul : 6
@matarishva : 5
@AviTweets : 4
@mjrajput : 4
@Gaandeeva : 4
@malleshwara : 3
@lodyaashi : 3
@pavanaja : 3
@AshutoshNSingh : 2
@zeusnyx : 2
@akhilm176 : 2
@sureshnakhua : 2
@Truthtriumphs : 1
@AvinashBJP : 1
@msigeek : 1
@mseetharam : 1
@rudraveenaa : 1
@NayakPradeep : 1
@cfcvenkat : 1
@Susmit101176 : 1
@venkateshkm : 1
@sajeev_kumar : 1
@smartrudra : 1
@rohitbhatta : 1
@TheArvindDhar : 1
@preetamhegde : 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, March 1, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 52: 25-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 32 updates.

DharmaQuiz Session 52: 25-Feb-2011

Name Yama's capital #DharmaQuiz 557 Ans: Sayamini Nagar
In which state is Baisakhi celebrated with the most visible pomp & fare? #DharmaQuiz 558 Ans: Punjab
Who cursed women to be not able to keep secrets? He was a major part of Mahabharata. #DharmaQuiz 559 Ans: Yudhishthira
How many heads does the creator Brahma have? #DharmaQuiz 560 Ans: Four
Who wrote 'Bharata Champoo' Sanskrit book? #DharmaQuiz 561 Ans: Anantha Bhatta
What's the name of Sword in Vishnu's hand? #DharmaQuiz 562 Ans: Nandaka
Name the Adhi Devata or Prime Goddess of Madhurai. #DharmaQuiz 563 Ans: Meenakshi
{Final, Open till 7PM} Name the capital of the god of winds, Vayu. #DharmaQuiz 564 Ans: Gandhavati Nagar

Thanks to all those who participated in this session. Since I got delayed in compiling the right answers, skipping the listing of names for this session. Aplogies.

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 51: 22-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 31 updates.

DharmaQuiz Session 51: 22-Feb-2011
Theme: Ancient India's progenitors of various countries/regions

Utkala was the son of Ila. Which region did Utkala rule over? #DharmaQuiz 549 Ans: Odisha
Son of Yayati & Devayani is credited to be the progenitor of people who found Turvaski which later became #Turkey. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 550. Ans: Turvasu More here: http://www.jatland.com/home/Turkey
Who was the father of the famous mother of many dynasties, Devayani? #DharmaQuiz 551 Ans: Shukracharya, the guru of Rakshasas
Who was the father of Yadavas or Yadav dynasty? #DharmaQuiz 552 Ans: Yadu, the eldest son of Devayani & Yayati
There's a strange Puranic mention of son giving his youth to father and later father returning it. Name the famous son. #DharmaQuiz 553 Ans: Puru, son of Yayati from Sharmiste, the maid of his wife Devayani.
Name the son of Yayati, who some scholars term as the ancestor of Zoroastrian, Iranian, Greek & some European people. #DharmaQuiz 554 Ans: Dhruyu. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druhyu
A Sanskrit name of Ionia (#Greece) is found in Mahabharata, as a kingdom far west, progenited by 1 of Yayati's son. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 555 Ans: Yavana kingdom. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yavana_Kingdom
{Final, open till 6.30} Mahabharata mentions a cold country near Af-Pak & #Kashmir border area, famous for horses. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 556 Ans: Kambhoja. More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamboja_Kingdom

Thanks to all those who participated in this session. Since I got delayed in compiling the right answers, skipping the listing of names for this session. Aplogies.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Friday, March 4, 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

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