DharmaQuiz: May 2011

Monday, May 30, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 66: 27-May-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 46 updates.

Session 66: May 27, 2011
Theme: Mahabharata

Who was called 'Savyasachi' in Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 653 Ans: Arjuna
Who was the purohit or priest of Pandavas in Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 654 : Ans: Dhauwmya
Before the year of hiding, on which species of tree did Pandavas hide their weapons? #DharmaQuiz 655. Ans: Shami tree. Interesting read suggested by @Indianweera - http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020928/windows/main2.htm
Who had the nick name 'vrikodara' in Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 656. Ans: Bheema
Based on Mahabharata a famous novel called 'Parva' was written in Kannada. Name the author. #DharmaQuiz 657. Ans: Dr. S.L. Bhairappa
Government of India gives a prestigious sports award in India named after a Pandava from Mahabharata. Who is that? #DharmaQuiz 658. Ans: Arjuna
Which clan or vamsha/vansh did Bhishma belong to? #DharmaQuiz 659. Ans: Chandra (Kuru) Vamsha
Who cursed the great warrior Karna in Mahabharata that lead to his death eventually? #DharmaQuiz 660. Ans: Parashurama

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

@IndianWeera : 8
@prashanthkpp : 8
@venkateshkm : 8
@gdeepy : 8
@pavanaja : 8
@akhilm176 : 7
@Amaresh80 : 7
@TheArvindDhar : 7
@amitgupta_lnct : 6
@ajith_shetty : 4
@balajisanjeev : 4
@iRatzzz : 4
@maheshrao : 3
@jemin_p : 3
@manohar_sram : 3
@mayureshgaikwad : 3
@AvinashBJP : 3
@TheMachoMaestro : 2
@thinkerspad : 2
@AMDhananjay : 2
@srikanth_km : 1
@ArunManjunath : 1
@_Lingaraj : 1
@sckini : 1
@centerofright : 1
@sivakumar_king : 1
@I_am_Rajarshi : 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.

DharmaQuiz Session 65: 20-May-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 45 updates.

Session 65: May 20, 2011
Theme: Ashtra Chakras or Eight Vital Signs of Human Body

In Atharva Veda there is a mention of 8 chakras or vital spots in a human body. Name the chakra closest to 'that' hole. #DharmaQuiz 647. Ans: Muladhara chakra
Name the chakra closest to human heart in the Ashta (eight) chakra vital spot system described in Vedas. #DharmaQuiz 648. Ans: Anahata Chakra
One vital chakra has the name almost same as a North Eastern state of India today. Near which body part is that chakra? #DharmaQuiz 649. Ans: Naval area (Manipuraka chakra)
Most of the people meditating focus between their eyebrows. Which chakra is closest to that 'third eye'? #DharmaQuiz 650. Ans: Ajnaa Chakra or Ajyan chakra
Name one of the 8 chakras referred by atharva Veda, which is closest to human thyroid gland.. having 'purity' in its name. #DharmaQuiz 651 And: Vishuddhi
{Final, open till 9 PM} Name the most superiod Chakra, which literally means 'Thousand Petalled Lotus' in Tantric terms. #DharmaQuiz 652. Ans: Sahasraara Chakra

Here is the mention of these chakras in Atharva Veda, one of the holiest Hindu religious scriptures.

Ashtchakra navadwara devanam puryodhya |
Tasyam hiranyayah koshah swargo jyotishavritah || Atharva Veda 10.2.31

For more details, please read through this informative writeup:
http://www.aryasamaj.org.fj/Publications/Others/Prayer_to_God.htm

The same Chakras (7 of the 8) described in Shakta Tantra terminology, with illustration here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra#Description

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

@amitgupta_lnct : 6
@shibu_kt : 6
@svelaga : 6
@Lata_MV : 5
@Amaresh80 : 5
@I_am_Rajarshi : 5
@khaishk : 4
@DevNakshi : 3
@BKS_5 : 3
@zainsapan : 2
@idurgesh : 2
@sudarshvoleti : 2
@anish_appu8 : 1
@matarishva : 1
@_IamJyothi : 1

DharmaQuiz Session 64: 10-May-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 44 updates.

Session 64: May, 10, 2011
Theme: Panchopachara (5 step) Pooja

While commoners apply Gandha to Gods during pooja using ring finger, some use middle finger. Which mantra experts are those? #DharmaQuiz 640. Ans: Gayatri mantra upasakas (experts)
When a 5 step pooja (panchopachara pooja) is performed, what is offered to Bhagawan during the 2nd step? #DharmaQuiz 641. Ans: Patra/Pushpa : Sacred Leaves like Tulasi and flowers with fragrance
While doing aarti to God, usually a circle of oval shape is followed. In which direction if we take a clock as analogy? #DharmaQuiz 642. Ans: Clockwise
Before offering food to Lord, a square patch is made with water & on top of that offering is placed. What do you the patch? #DharmaQuiz 643. Ans: Mandala
When offering coconut or fruits to God during Naivedya, a specific type of leaf is usually kept as the base. Which one? #DharmaQuiz 644. Ans: Betel leaves (Veelya in Sanskrit)
In poojas, before offering food to the God (Naivedya), 2 steps involving fire are followed. One is Dhoopa. Name the 2nd one. #DharmaQuiz 645. Ans: Deepa (light)
Why do we offer fragrant flowers to Gods during pooja? Describe in one or two sentences. #DharmaQuiz 646. Ans: Daivi Shakti (God's energy) passes through flowers, keeping a sacred environment for hours or even days; Gives a pleasing & good scented look for the folks watching and doing the pooja.

For this session, the correct answering twitter handles were not compiled, hence skipping the same.

Watch out for the next edition!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 63: 03-May-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 41 updates.

Session 63: May 03, 2011
Theme: Some Famous Hindus

Name the brilliant mind of ancient India who authored Nitishastra, a treatise on the ideal way of (Indian) lifestyle. #DharmaQuiz 633. Ans: Chanakya. As @rudraveena pointed out, Vidur, Barthrahari (Neeti Shataka) and even Ravana have given Neeti preachings, but I was specifically asking a book from ancient India (1000-4000 yrs ago).
A philosopher from Kerala, born in a backward caste family,said: 'Ask not, Say not, Think not caste. Think only Gods'. Who? '#DharmaQuiz 634. Ans: Narayana Guru. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayana_Guru
Name the scholarly ex President of India, who was appointed earlier by Oxford university to teach Eastern religions & ethics #DharmaQuiz 635. Ans: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarvepalli_Radhakrishnan
Name the first female Hindu Prime Minister of a nation in the Western Hemisphere of our planet. #DharmaQuiz 636 Ans: Kamla Persad-Bissessar. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamla_Persad-Bissessar
Name the Hindu King of medieval South East Asia, who built the world's largest religious (temple) complex till date. #DharmaQuiz 637. Ans: Surya Varman II. More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suryavarman_II and http://www.angkor-visit.com/angkor_wat.html
Name the very famous Rajput clan king, who was most likely the last independent Hindu ruler to occupy Delhi's throne. #DharmaQuiz 638. Ans: Prithviraj Chauhan. As some folks pointed out, Hemu prior to Akbar may also be a contender, but since he ruled independently for only 4 weeks, we will go with Prithviraj for his illustrious independent rule.
Name the Hindu saint, who has 350 ashrams around the world today,with Ahmedabad being the headquarters #DharmaQuiz 639. Ans: Asaram Bapu

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

@IndianWeera : 7
@Saffronizer : 7
@kishor_narayan : 6
@arunz : 6
@PointBlank2108 : 5
@I_am_Rajarshi : 5
@pirateadmiral : 5
@Bgiridharr : 3
@matarishva : 2
@rudraveenaa : 2
@vishchan : 2
@amitgupta_lnct : 2
@mseetharam : 2
@BeingHindu : 2
@mjrajput : 2
@Sshankara : 1
@vbsingh60 : 1
@asamits : 1
@abaneaba : 1
@asiddh : 1
@neetaraina1 : 1
@wavehit : 1
@TheMachoMaestro : 1
@alien_lama : 1
@dhruvhere : 1
@sivakumar_king : 1
@Lata_MV : 1
@svelaga : 1
@callsriganesh : 1
@pillupiddu : 1
@tdadvait : 1

DharmaQuiz Session 62: 26-Apr-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 42 updates.

Session 62: Apr 26, 2011
Theme: Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi

Which district of Andhra Pradesh is Sathya Sai Baba's #Puttaparthi in? #DharmaQuiz 626. Ans: Ananthapur
The word Sai (Saayeen) means Sufi Fakir. Which language is this word originally from? #DharmaQuiz 627. Ans: Farsi / Persian
In one of the commercial capitals of North America, a Sathya Sai school is rated the number one school. Name the city. #DharmaQuiz 628. Ans: Toronto. More here: http://sathyasaischool.ca/media/news/Sathya_Sai_School_24%20Hrs%20Toronto%20Edition_28Mar2011.pdf
SaiBaba: "When the magnet does not attract the needle,the fault lies in dirt covering needle". Who's magnet in the analogy? #DharmaQuiz 629 Ans: Bhagawan / God
SaiBaba established 3 temples signifying Satyam Shivam Sundaram (Truth's Eternal & Beautiful). Where's the Sundaram temple? #DharmaQuiz 630. Ans: Chennai
Sathya Sai Baba claimed as an avatar of Shirdi #SaiBaba. Which branch of Hindu philosophy did Shirdi Baba preach? #DharmaQuiz 631. Ans: Advaita Vedanta
{Final; Open till 9 PM} Sathya #SaiBaba established an ashram about 25 KM outside of #Bengaluru. What's its name? #DharmaQuiz 632. Ans: Brindavan

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.

Monday, May 30, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 66: 27-May-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 65: 20-May-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 64: 10-May-2011

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 63: 03-May-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 62: 26-Apr-2011

You Are Visitor Number: