DharmaQuiz: December 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 110: 30-Dec-2011

Theme: Ancient India, Modern Concepts

Which is the shortest Veda among the 4? #DharmaQuiz 904. Ans: Sama Veda
Name the ancient Indian epic, in which possible artificial insemination technique was hinted, resulting in multiple births. #DharmaQuiz 905. Ans: Mahabharata, Birth of 100 Kauravas
Vishwaruchi is termed to be the ancient Indian name for Blackhole concept. Which Upanishad is it found in? (Starts with M) #DharmaQuiz 906. Ans: Mundaka Upanishad
16 functions of human brain were first said to have been described in an Upanishad. Name it (starts with E). #DharmaQuiz 907. Ans: Eitereya Upanishad.
By what name do we call Lord Shiva, when he is doing cosmic dance, symbolically describing cosmos? #DharmaQuiz 908. Ans: Nataraja

Just for this session, I will skip publishing the scores. It's the day before new year's eve, and past midnight too. Hope you will excuse me as it takes over an hour to get scores computed.

Happy new year 2012 to everyone!

Friday, December 23, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 109: 23-Dec-2011

Theme: Hindu cultural history of Indian city names.

Name the Indian city, whose name was that of a state not so long ago, whose name is derived from demon Mahishasura. #DharmaQuiz 899. Ans: Mysore from Mysuru derived from Mahishuru. (uru or ooru = city).
This is probably the 2nd oldest city in India. Mughals renamed it as "Settled by (Islamic) God". Name this Hindu Holy city. #DharmaQuiz 900. Ans: Allahabad known earlier as Prayag.
Name this megapolis of India, whose name is derived from the Hindu Goddess' name, "Maha Amba" or The Great Mother - #DharmaQuiz 901. Ans: Mumbai derived from Mumba Devi or Maha Amba Devi.
Name this metro city of India, whose name by some versions means, "The Land of the Goddess Kali". #DharmaQuiz 902. Ans: Kolkata derived from Kali kata or Kali Kshetra originally.
Name this city in the west of India, where Lakshmana is believed to have cut off Shurpanakha's nose. #DharmaQuiz 903. Ans: Nashik. (In Sanskrit, naasika = nose)

Top scorers for this session:

@bhaviknz : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@antidespondent : 5
@RohitRajpurohit : 5
@clumsycoder : 5
@sudhen03 : 5
@PriyaTweets_ : 5
@gdevraj : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@Sammy_2912 : 5
@pkagrawala : 5
@hindu_tweeter : 5
@voxindica : 5
@vijirak : 5
@nitinsaini76 : 5

Congratulations to these:

@dvijanma : 4
@Musunurii : 4
@keerthinarayan8 : 4
@khaishk : 4
@iSaakshi : 4
@kirankarlmarx : 4
@sharathinindia : 4

@psudo : 3
@jitndr : 3
@chaitanyabdesai : 3
@anivyas : 3
@vkspathak : 3
@sanrobin3 : 3
@malaylakhani : 3
@Susri1210 : 3

@biswajeetdash : 2
@madhu52 : 2
@manohar_sram : 2
@jaideepb : 2
@AvinashCKM : 2
@InternetVHindu : 2

@beingjyoti : 1
@madaddie24 : 1
@ParwezAhmedKhan : 1
@amitprabhu : 1
@stormylook : 1
@BHARATH_H_RAJU : 1
@rajivgaxdhi : 1
@Ace_Of_Pace : 1
@ishekhar_sk : 1
@nimeshchandra : 1
@miumesh : 1
@rajsekharpattem : 1
@MRWIndia : 1
@ankushraj29 : 1
@veenaazz : 1
@DaringDeepa : 1
@folotole : 1
@rajputrahul19 : 1
@mayaadvaita : 1
@asimhot : 1
@chhayank : 1

Many congratulations to all those listed above and those who attempted but couldn't manage to get here. Better luck next time!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 108: 20-Dec-2011

Theme: Bhagavad Gita

How many verses are there in Bhagavad Gita ? #DharmaQuiz 894. Ans: 700
Krishna says in Gita : "Karmanyeva Adhikaraste....". What does the Sanskrit word "Hetu' mean in that stanza? #DharmaQuiz 895. Ans: Hetu = cause
Bhagavad Gita occurs in which "Parva" of Mahabharata? a)Shanti Parva. b)Bhishma Parva. c)Srishti Parva. #DharmaQuiz 896. Ans: b - Bhishma Parva's 25th through 42nd chapters.
Apart from Arjuna, Hanuman's spirit & Sanjaya (divya drishti), who else was the direct audience of Krishna's Gita discourse? #DharmaQuiz 897. Ans: Barbarika, son of Ghatotkacha.
All the 18 chapter titles of Bhagavad Gita end with a common word. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 898. Ans: Yoga.

Top Scorers:

@bhaviknz : 5
@Amaresh80 : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@shaileshsoni : 5
@iSaakshi :5

Also, congrats to:

@PriyaTweets_ : 4
@shawjipk : 4
@hindu_tweeter : 4
@sharathinindia : 4
@Sammy_2912 : 4

@pvaidyaraj : 3
@biswajeetdash : 3
@AshutoshNSingh : 3
@sudhen03 : 3
@CAKiranb : 3

@chaitrabhat7 : 2
@pkagrawala : 2
@smna17 : 2

@Ind_Renaissance : 1
@VijayShenli : 1
@gaurishevatekar : 1
@tpratheesh : 1
@manohar_sram : 1
@deepaksam5 : 1
@talismaan : 1
@Rasraj : 1
@manu_bhaarat : 1
@rsenthilkumar : 1
@nimeshchandra : 1
@DaringDeepa : 1
@mediacrooks : 1

Many congratulations to all those who attempted the above. Today being a Gita trend day on Twitter, it was a slightly tougher quiz, so understandably not many scoring top scores as session 106 for example. Still, a good show.

Keep it up!

DharmaQuiz Session 106: 13-Dec-2011

Theme: Mapping Mahabharata places to today's maps.

What was the Mahabharata time name for Delhi, aka Dilli? #DharmaQuiz 884. Ans: Indraprastha
Rukmini, the eldest wife of Krishna, was from which of today's region of Maharashtra state? #DharmaQuiz 885. Ans: Vidarbha
Jarasandha, the famed wrestler king from Mahabharata, was from which of today's Indian state? #DharmaQuiz 886. Ans: Magadha or Bihar.
Name the most famous queen mother from Mahabharata, whose origin is from today's NW Pakistan and Eastern Afghanistan area. #DharmaQuiz 887. Ans: Gandhari
Name today's Indian state, where the location at which Krishna revealed Bhagavad Gita, exists. #DharmaQuiz 888. Ans: State is Haryana, Kurukshetra is the place.

Top Scorers in this Session:

@PriyaTweets_ : 5
@ramas_cal : 5
@shawjipk : 5
@mspenta : 5
@Sammy_2912 : 5
@hchaturv : 5
@saurabhvc : 5
@back_to_vedas : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@Senag23 : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@jagdish : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@NikhilNikunj : 5

Also, Congratulations to:

@hindu_tweeter : 4
@GrandIndusJurix : 4
@kapil_dev : 4
@kishan_harathi : 4
@idurgesh : 4
@AvinashCKM : 4

@gabbar01 : 3
@pantgovinda : 3
@scharati : 3
@wavehit : 3
@psudo : 3
@pchaturved : 3
@iNIMISH : 3
@Rasraj : 3
@octa_sud : 3
@mamtan14 : 3
@folotole : 3

@sapana_almelkar : 2
@7Notes4Beats : 2
@voxindica : 2
@stormylook : 2
@itsmesuresh : 2
@radiatingenergy : 2
@manohar_sram : 2
@anivyas : 2
@theSaketRanjan : 2
@jemin_p : 2

@simplybhavesh : 1
@yuvrajsays : 1
@swamilion : 1
@surajasar : 1
@zincoshine : 1
@nimeshchandra : 1
@jaideepb : 1
@manu_bhaarat : 1
@kk_ahm : 1
@krishnarjun108 : 1
@kamalphil : 1
@IYogiBear : 1
@sohanjain : 1
@vibrantindia1 : 1
@gakiq : 1
@girikesavan : 1
@Sapianonline : 1
@srikanth_km : 1
@SSamdarshi : 1
@mayaadvaita : 1
@biswajeetdash : 1
@anuragjain12 : 1

As you can see, this was one of the easy sessions with lots of people landing on the score board. Glad to see so many folks interested in discussing India's heritage spots. Thanks to all those who attempted without getting there.

Better luck next time to everyone!

Friday, December 16, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 107: 16-Dec-2011

Theme: Famous Dharma people who were not stopped by caste/background barrier

Name the great-grand mother of Arjuna and Duryodhana, who was a fisherwoman and ran a ferry service across the river. #DharmaQuiz 889. Ans: Satyavati.
Name the tribal woman, a daughter of a hunter, who offered half eaten fruits to Rama, and heard a nava-bhakti discourse. #DharmaQuiz 890. Ans: Shabari.
Name the highway robber, who used to loot people before killing them, but later turned out to be a great "EPIC" writer! #DharmaQuiz 891. Ans: Valmiki.
Name the son of a daasi or a servant woman, who gave religious and administration instructions to King Dhritarashtra. #DharmaQuiz 892. Ans: Vidura
By some accounts, Rama's guru was a son of a prostitute, but became a very learned sage. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 893. Ans: Vasistha.

Answers to session 107:

Top Scorers:

@pirateadmiral : 5
@gdeepy : 5
@kishan_harathi : 5
@RohitRajpurohit : 5
@Sammy_2912 : 5
@surabhi18 : 5
@hindu_tweeter : 5
@rajudasonline : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@imukuvacha : 5

Congratulations:

@Mimaniya : 4
@twitrkshukla : 4
@shawjipk : 4
@jemin_p : 4
@dwellerinme : 4
@kapil_dev : 4
@sharathinindia :4
@sgdas2004 : 3
@keerthinarayan8 : 3
@chikchirp : 3
@scharati : 3
@CAKiranb : 3
@manohar_sram : 2
@jaideepb : 2
@gkamitabh : 2
@Rasraj : 2
@anivyas : 2
@melatturng : 2
@_stupid_common_ : 2
@TheArvindDhar : 2
@mspenta : 2
@gayu_tweets : 2
@shaileshsoni : 2
@vinukj : 1
@kalpesh0304 : 1
@Flyfiddlesticks : 1
@nandini2611 : 1
@im_adi : 1
@the_4th_estate : 1
@Sapianonline : 1
@pchaturved : 1
@retinaboss : 1
@_Rohaan : 1
@2thsculptor : 1
@twisteD_Canine : 1
@b_rishav : 1
@AAA2100 : 1
@KetPan : 1
@dppoddar : 1
@chaitanyabdesai : 1
@AmiSri : 1
@gpg_28 : 1
@agenthunt : 2
@DaringDeepa : 1
@rsenthilkumar : 1

Congratulations to all those listed above. Also, thanks to those who didn't get there, but attempted. Better luck next time.

Leave comments if you have something to say on DharmaQuiz.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 105: 09-Dec-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 105: 09-Dec-2011
Theme: 21st century Hindu Gurus and Saints.

Which famous Hindu Guru has made "Sudarshan Kriya" a very popular technique in 21st century? #DharmaQuiz 879. Ans: Sri Sri Ravishankar
Which famous Hindu Guru of 21st century made Kapalbhati Yoga a household name? #DharmaQuiz 880. Ans: Baba Ramdev
Name this Hindu spiritual guru of 21st century, whose ashram claims that she has hugged 3,10,00,000 people around the world! #DharmaQuiz 881. Ans: Mata Amritanandamayi
Name this 21st century soothing voice Hindu preacher, who founded Vishwa Jagriti Mission & has over 1,00,00,000 followers. #DharmaQuiz 882. Ans: Sudhanshu Maharaj
Name this Sindh born famous Guru, who today has 350 ashrams and teaches Jnana/Bhakti/Karma Yoga mix. #DharmaQuiz 883. Ans: Asaram Bapu.

Answers to session 105:

Top Scorers:

@DrSatyaSaraswat : 5
@sureshvar : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@arunz : 5
@shaileshsoni : 5
@ramas_cal : 5
@shibu_kt : 5
@mamtan14 : 5
@Sammy_2912 : 5
@vijirak : 5
@kishor_narayan : 5

Congratulations to:

@clumsycoder : 4
@Dptoshniwal1 : 4
@amitgupta_lnct : 4
@sudhen03 : 4
@CAKiranb : 3
@dhruvhere : 3
@2thsculptor : 3
@stormylook : 3
@twisteD_Canine : 3
@gchellappan : 3
@iSaakshi : 3
@Rasraj : 2
@psudo : 2
@mebrahmin : 2
@santosh2304 : 2
@biswajeetdash : 2
@Purple_Truths : 2
@keerthinarayan8 : 2
@asimhot : 1
@venkat1INDIA : 1
@yogesh_kris : 1
@iSaakshi : 1
@Flyfiddlesticks : 1
@Garib_Aadmi : 1
@Andewalla : 1
@NAashish : 1
@MRYYTYUNJAY : 1
@rajputrahul19 : 1
@manohar_sram : 1
@madhusudan41 : 1
@amitvkaushik : 1

Thanks to all those who ended up on the score board above, particularly those who top scored! Also thanks to those who attempted, but couldn't make it up there. Better luck next time.

Feel free to write comments and additional info regarding any topic in this particular DharmaQuiz. Till next time..

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 104: 06-Dec-2011

DharmaQuiz Session 104: 06-Dec-2011
Theme: Saint Poets of medieval India.

Tyagaraja, the composer of Pancharatna Kritis, the most famous South Indian devotional songs, composed in which language? #DharmaQuiz 874. Ans: Telugu (and Sanskrit)
Name this 13/14th century Marathi devotional Abhanga composer, whose 61 hymns made to the Guru Granth Sahib of Sikhism. #DharmaQuiz 875. Ans: Sant Namdev
Name this "Father of Carnatic or South Indian Music",whose devotional songs invariably contained 'Vithala' or Vishnu's name. #DharmaQuiz 876. Ans: Purandara Dasa
Achyutananda was a Vaishnava saint/composer from 16th century Eastern India. Which language did he translate Sanskrit into? #DharmaQuiz 877. Ans: Oriya.
Name this female poet saint from Rajasthan, who is likely the most famous Krishna Bhajan composer! #DharmaQuiz 878. Ans: Meera bai

Answers to session 104:

Top Scorers:

@vcd_87 : 5
@DevNakshi : 5

and congrats to:

@Sammy_2912 : 4
@sharathinindia : 4
@shawjipk : 4
@pvaidyaraj : 4
@bhaviknz : 4

@Susri1210 : 3
@scharati : 3
@agenthunt : 3
@KVSarmaJ : 3

@chikchirp : 2
@mamtan14 : 2
@TheArvindDhar : 2
@hindu_tweeter : 2
@stormylook : 2

@subodh1945 : 1
@miumesh : 1
@Senag23 : 1
@WhatElseIsOnTV : 1
@NAashish : 1
@DrSatyaSaraswat : 1
@gchellappan : 1
@imoindian : 1
@Mimaniya : 1
@kapil_dev : 1
@ItsJyoti : 1
@jaygun_00 : 1
@arora_chandan : 1
@ranganaathan : 1
@gootypp : 1
@rmsripada : 1
@shivsankar : 1
@jaideepb : 1

Congratulations to all those who attempted and those who succeeded in getting to the scorecard above. Keep watching for DharmaQuiz action every Tuesday and Friday around 5 PM India time. Open till 11 PM India time to cater for other time zones. Try your best and always help yourself with some small serving of Dharma:)