DharmaQuiz: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 152: 31-Jul-2012

Theme: Festivals of Shravana Month

During Shravana saturdays what's the popular chant when people go home to home seeking alms? a) Mahadev b) Govinda. c)Devi. #DharmaQuiz 1116. Ans: b) Govinda Govinda.
On the 8th day of Shravana month's 2nd paksha, a very famous born-in-prison child's birthday is celebrated. Whose? #DharmaQuiz 1117. Ans: Krishna.
During the Purnima day of Shravana month, some Hindus celebrate Upakarma festival. What do they change on that day? #DharmaQuiz 1118. Ans: Sacred Thread or Yajnopaveeta.
During Shravana month, sisters tie Raakhi to their brothers. Does Raksha Bandhan fall in Shukla paksha or Krishna paksha? #DharmaQuiz 1119. Ans: Purnima or Full moon day.
{Final, Open till 11PM} During Shravana month, there are Gowri poojas done by females each week. On which day of the week? #DharmaQuiz 1120. Ans: Tuesdays.

Top Scorers:

@abhipar7 : 5
@arunz : 5
@dolby_mehul : 5
@surnell : 5

Congrats to:

@iSaakshi : 4
@iSumitRk : 4
@sharad_51 : 4
@geophyraj : 4
@sweetandu : 4
@a_adarsh : 4
@vinodvyas220 : 4
@hethal09 : 4
@prawinsays : 4
@TheArvindDhar : 4
@pkagrawala : 4
@gupta_n : 4
@anandt_05 : 4
@sharathinindia : 4
@iCSM : 4

@kk_ahm : 3
@mayureshgaikwad : 3
@Dhanushm : 3
@udgeetha : 3
@CAKiranb : 3
@philAmit : 3
@Susri1210 : 3

@premchandu_a : 2
@niraj_dave : 2
@sureshnakhua : 2
@voxindica : 2
@bhijeetD : 2
@Keefarqpaindha : 2
@sanjeevirao : 2

@sumat_patel : 1
@raopm9 : 1
@kalyan_sk3011 : 1
@saggirex : 1
@gkamitabh : 1
@m_mrsrita : 1
@long_laugh : 1
@ashutoshkulkar1 : 1
@kaushkrahul : 1
@puneethot : 1
@NikhilShembekar : 1
@AmitRVSharma : 1
@gandabherunda : 1
@shivsBHARAT : 1
@amitraval111 : 1
@rk_kulkarni : 1
@Narainised : 1
@gauravrathi08 : 1
@ABeautifulDawn : 1
@alkeshtunara : 1

Many thanks to all participants. The "Govinda Govinda" chant that people use to ask alms on Shravana saturdays is a bit tricky.

More coming up on Friday. Subscribe to @kiranks/dharmaquiz list on Twitter to automatically get every session's answers in your Twitter Connect/mention without fail.

Friday, July 27, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 151: 27-Jul-2012

Theme: Vara MahaLakshmi Festival

Lakshmi is worshiped as "Surabhyai Namah". There's also a famous cow from Puranas which was called Surabhi. Name the cow. #DharmaQuiz 1111. Ans: Kamadhenu.
Lakshmi is worshiped as "Adityai namah" and "Dityai Namah". Among Aditi and Diti, who is called "Deva Matri'? #DharmaQuiz 1112. Ans: Aditi, the mother of all gods.
Vara MahaLakshmi is worshiped as "Padmodbhavaa". What does Padmod-bhavaa mean? #DharmaQuiz 1113. Ans: Originated or Born in a Lotus.
Lakshmi is lauded during pooja and bhajan as "Ahlaada Janani". What does Ahlaada in Sanskrit mean? #DharmaQuiz 1114. Ans: Ahlaada = Happiness, Bliss.
{Final, Open till 11PM} We worship Goddess Lakshmi as "Sarvopadrava NivaariNi". What does "Upadrava" mean in Samskritam? #DharmaQuiz 1115. Ans: Trouble or Obstacle

Top scorers:

@ksmsundaram1975 : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@TheArvindDhar : 5
@arunz : 5
@shawjipk : 5
@philAmit : 5
@bkartic : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@pkagrawala : 5
@hindu_tweeter : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@Tasmayi : 5
@Right2bRight : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@sharad_51 : 5

Congratulations to :

@bhijeetD : 4
@DevNakshi : 4
@aravozhukkam : 4
@surenc1974 : 4

@dolby_mehul : 3
@niraj_dave : 3
@udgeetha : 3
@smna17 : 3
@gchellappan : 3
@vschanna : 3
@hemanthkeelara : 3

@Flyfiddlesticks : 2
@ChandanYogendra : 2
@mbhagawat : 2
@CAKiranb : 2

@lodyaashi : 1
@Susri1210 : 1
@rajivgaxdhi : 1
@mayaadvaita : 1
@Swabhimaan : 1
@vinaykashy : 1
@Satya046 : 1
@manjumca34 : 1
@a_adarsh : 1
@seshasivasailam : 1

May Goddess Lakshmi bless you all!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 150: 24-Jul-2012

Theme: Asom or Assam.

Are majority of Asom's Hindus Shaivas or Vaishnavas? #DharmaQuiz 1106. Ans: Vaishnavas.
The most important cultural and social events of Asom are the Bihu festivals. How many Bihus usually celebrated in a year? #DharmaQuiz 1107. Ans: Three.
During the Bishuba Sankranti period, Bagurumba, a folk dance is performed by this famous tribe of Asom. Name the tribe. #DharmaQuiz 1108. Ans: Bodo Tribe.
In Asom, two important cultural and religious institutions exist. The Satras and the Naamghars. What are Naamghars? #DharmaQuiz 1109. Ans: Village house of prayers.
{Final, Open till 11PM} A 15th century Asom Vaishnava saint created Sattriya, one of India's 8 classical dances. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 1110. Ans: Srimanta Sankardeva.

Top Scorers:

@sharad_51 : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@a_adarsh : 5
@mareekuree : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5

Congrats to:

@bigvjp : 4
@TheArvindDhar : 4
@anandt_05 : 4

@vschanna : 3
@__Alka : 3
@Dhanushm : 3

@Youhu_Tarazu : 2
@subodh1945 : 2

@bezubaan : 1
@ElangoMaran : 1
@goldenarcher : 1
@keerthinarayan8 : 1

Thanks to all participants in Dharma Quiz for making us achieve this 150th session milestone. Without your passionate support, this would not have happened.

Keep it going!

DharmaQuiz Session 149: 17-Jul-2012

Theme: Sanskrit Grammar

2400 year old book Ashthadhyayi, eclipsed earlier Sanskrit grammar schools. Name the author: a) Garga b) Panini c) Atri. #DharmaQuiz 1101. Ans: b) Panini.
This Sanskrit grammarian, author of Mahabhashya, shares name with a Yoga legend. Name him: d) Manu. e) Indra f) Patanjali. #DharmaQuiz 1102. Ans: f) Patanjali.
vyakaraNa or grammar, is one of the 6 ancient Dharmic disciplines. Which discipline? g) Vedanga. h) Purana. i) Agnihotra. #DharmaQuiz 1103. Ans: g) Vedanga.
This famous Chinese Buddhist monk documented Indian Sanskrit Grammar tradition. Who? j) Wa Ching. k) Qu Mong. l) Xuanzang. #DharmaQuiz 1104. Ans: Xuanzang. Read more -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xuanzang
{Final, Open till 11 PM} This very ancient Sanskrit Grammarian lived near Peshawar, Pakistan, 2800 yrs ago. Name him: m) Nagarjuna n) Garga. o) Saakatyaana. #DharmaQuiz 1105. Ans: o) Saakatyaana.

Top Scorers:

@pkagrawala : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@vschanna : 5
@asraghunath : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@MetalDew : 5
@bhijeetD : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@agenthunt : 5
@DevNakshi : 5

Congrats to:

@voxindica : 4
@ranganaathan : 4

@Rasraj : 3
@hindu_tweeter : 3
@kalyan_sk3011 : 3

@octotus : 2
@Hitlerbai : 2
@dimpsdawns : 2
@ashutoshkulkar1 : 2

@nandakumarm : 1
@keerthinarayan8 : 1
@vga_sagar : 1
@_GheTa : 1
@The_Rocktor : 1
@shyamendra : 1
@jemin_p : 1
@sandeepsmysore : 1
@hindu_rashtra : 1
@bhattvihang : 1
@udgeetha : 1
@mayaadvaita : 1
@ulatyabomba : 1

Thanks for your participation!

Friday, July 13, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 148: 13-Jul-2012

Theme: Surya Bhagawan or Sun God

What's the name of Surya Bhagawan's (Sun God) mother? #DharmaQuiz 1096. Ans: Aditi.
Name any one of Surya Bhagawan's sons. #DharmaQuiz 1097. Ans. Yama, Shani or Karna.
Name any one Dharmic festival, that is primarily dedicated to Surya Bhagawan's worship. #DharmaQuiz 1098. Ans: Chhath Puja, Ratha Sapthami or Makara Sankranti. Kumbh Mela considered too.
Which animal is shown as Surya Bhagawan's vehicle in Puranas, and how many of them together? #DharmaQuiz 1099. Ans: (Chariot with) seven White Horses. One answer conveyed that it is one horse for each day of the week. Another answer says, it is one for each major colour composition of white light (VIBGYOR).
{Final, Open till 11 PM} When water is offered with both palms to Surya Bhagawan, what is it ritually called? #DharmaQuiz 1100. Ans: Arghya Pradanam or offering Arghya.

Top Scorers in Session 148:

@DevNakshi : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@rvaidya2000 : 5
@MetalDew : 5
@surenc1974 : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@ranganathabhatt : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@pirateadmiral : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@vschanna : 5
@a_adarsh : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5

Congratulations to the rest of the scorers:

@NectarSrc : 4
@talismaan : 4
@bhattvihang : 4
@Fuehrer_India : 4
@Dhanushm : 4
@FatAngryBird : 4

@Tasmayi : 3

@jaya_888 : 2
@hethal09 : 2
@pvaidyaraj : 2
@jai1900 : 2
@abhipar7 : 2

@nation1st : 1
@jemin_p : 1
@manohar_sram : 1
@ganeshmahnar : 1
@hindu_rashtra : 1
@_cowInspector : 1
@lchavan : 1
@NR_Tatvamasi : 1
@__Alka : 1
@hpadhur : 1
@dildhondtahai : 1
@seshasivasailam :
@Rasraj : 1
@Govind1603 : 1
@OjhaSumit : 1
@roshan_halwai : 1
@tyrantasorus : 1
@ultrasecular : 1
@TusharG : 1
@numbbybirth : 1
@aparajiths : 1
@udayanojha : 1
@rucheesharma : 1
@idurgesh : 1
@PrincePetrovic : 1
@bharat_no_india : 1
@kaushkrahul : 1
@navneet178 : 1
@prakashbhutoria : 1
@mallikaarjuna24 : 1
@hgsutras : 1

Looking forward to the next edition soon. Suggest topics if you have any.

Friday, July 6, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 147: 6-Jul-2012

Theme: The 7 Sacred Rivers for Hindus

Kapila or Kabini a river originating in Kerala, joins one of the 7 most sacred rivers for Hindus. Name the sacred river. #DharmaQuiz 1091. Ans: Kaveri.
This sacred river of India is termed in Hindu scriptures as the daughter of Saranyu (wife of Surya). Name the river. #DharmaQuiz 1092. Ans: Yamuna (or Yami)
This river, among the 7 most sacred rivers for Hindus, touches the northernmost part of (Greater) Jammu & Kashmir. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1093. Ans: Sindhu.
This river, among the 7 most sacred for Hindus, is the second longest within Indian borders, after Ganga. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1094. Ans: Godavari. 1465 KM long.
{Final, Open till 11 PM} This river, among the 7 most sacred rivers for Hindus, was traditionally a boundary between North and South India. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1095. Ans: Narmada.

Top Scorers:

@MV_BN : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@surnell : 5
@sharad_51 : 5
@surenc1974 : 5

Congratulations to:

@danjurious : 4
@iSaakshi : 4
@sharathinindia : 4
@neerajstpl : 4

@iCSM : 3
@DevNakshi : 3
@lagudapandi : 3

@TheArvindDhar : 2

@amit8195 : 1
@Singh_ummm : 1
@proudHindu123 : 1
@Malligere : 1
@BKS_5 : 1
@chaitanyadj : 1
@chandrabhushanj : 1
@AnkurTri : 1
@Marut_ : 1
@anandt_05 : 1
@NectarSrc : 1
@hrishisays : 1
@pathak_rajiv : 1

See you next week, with a new edition of DharmaQuiz.

You can subscribe to @kiranks/dharmaquiz list for answers right into your Twitter inbox.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 146: 3-Jul-2012

Theme: Guru Purnima or the day of a Guiding Teacher.

Which famous Guru 1200 years back, created the extremely philosophical & invaluable 580 verse poem, "Viveka Chudamani"? #DharmaQuiz 1086. Ans: Adi Shankara. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viveka_Chudamani
Name this 19th century Guru, who authored "Satyarth Prakash". He was also the first to give a call for 'Swarajya". #DharmaQuiz 1087. Ans: Dayananda Saraswati. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayananda_Saraswati
Name this recent Guru,whose birth name was Satyanarayana Raju. He preached: "Love All,Serve All" & "Help Ever, Hurt Never". #DharmaQuiz 1088. Ans: Satya Sai Baba.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satya_Sai_Baba
Name this Guru maa, in her 40s,educated in a convent but preaches Upanishads, Yoga, Buddhism, Sikhism etc. Runs Shakti NGO. #DharmaQuiz 1089. Ans: Anandmurti Gurumaa - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandmurti_Gurumaa
{Final, Open till 11 PM} Name this aspect of Shiva, personifying ultimate awareness. Prayed with "Gurave Sarva Lokanaam..". #DharmaQuiz 1090. Ans: Dakshina Murthy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakshinamurthy and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakshinamurthy_Stotram

Top Scorers this time:

@philAmit : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@bigvjp : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@ravighiyar : 5
@MV_BN : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@DevNakshi : 5

Congratulations to all these scorers:

@sharathinindia : 4
@FEEL4INDIA : 4
@hindu_tweeter : 4
@surenc1974 : 4
@vschanna : 4
@guruprasadbhat : 4

@pchaturved : 3
@Gaandeeva : 3
@hchaturv : 3
@dimpsdawns : 3
@pvaidyaraj : 3
@sharad_51 : 3

@Hitlerbai : 2

@aparajiths : 1
@preethamsai : 1
@harsha_bsh : 1
@bkartic : 1
@Mangesh_skr : 1
@Gurush_ : 1
@BhatJayaram : 1
@hanmireddy : 1
@pvsswamy : 1
@kaushkrahul : 1
@manohar_sram : 1
@prawinsays : 1
@voxindica : 1
@mohandoshi : 1
@s_paramvir1 : 1
@Marut_ : 1

Better luck next time.

Om Gurubhyo Namah! Harih Om..

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Friday, July 13, 2012

Friday, July 6, 2012

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

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