DharmaQuiz: February 2013

Friday, February 22, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 197: 22-Feb-2013

Theme: Physics and Science from ancient India.

12th century's Rasarnava describes a Magnet as having Bhramakam, Chumbakam, Karshakam, Dravakam and Romakam. Chumbakam means? #DharmaQuiz 1346. Ans: Chumbakam = attraction or clutching effect.
Taittiriya Upanishad: From THAT (absolute cause) space came, then wind,fire, water & earth. What's the word used for space? #DharmaQuiz 1347. Ans: Aakasha
Agastya Samhita describes generation of electrical energy using copper plates. What's the Sanskrit word for copper? #DharmaQuiz 1348. Ans: Taamra.
What's the most commonly used measurement of distance, during Ramayana and Mahabharata times? #DharmaQuiz 1349. Ans: Yojana.
Newton's Cause & Effect was shown in Vaisheshika Darshanam. Is Vaisheshika a philosophy or ritual? #DharmaQuiz 1350. Ans: Philosophy

Top scorers of session 197:

@JagannathAjnabi : 5
@pradeepkhs : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@indianomad : 5
@S_Mandalia : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@man8shree : 5
@cubicle_warrier : 5
@surnell : 5
@vinodvyas220 : 5

Congrats to:

@Sahyadri : 4
@surenc1974 : 4
@vishal1818 : 4

@sharathinindia : 3
@kishor_narayan : 3
@ankushraj29 : 3
@dolby_mehul : 3
@milindatkgp : 3
@sumat_patel : 3

@Kiran_Speaks : 2
@shrutireplys : 2
@AdwaitanWay : 2
@pravinrao6750 : 2
@Marut_ : 2
@srikrishnaus : 2
@manjunathkumarr : 2
@abhi_bol : 2

@aptwits : 1
@ganeshh_k : 1
@srikrishnaus : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
@punter_me : 1
@ashok567 : 1
@alien_lama : 1
@bkn69 : 1
@jusubha : 1
@shriram78 : 1
@lalit1988sa : 1
@dominodeck : 1
@sumanthbharatha : 1
@Flyfiddlesticks : 1
@jenaanindya : 1
@Modi4India : 1
@Saffronista : 1

Three more session to go before our 200th! A special prize will come on that day.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 196: 19-Feb-2013

Theme: Hinduism

Hinduism not only covers other-worldly spirituality, but also this-worldly science, medicine & engineering. True or False? #DharmaQuiz 1341. Ans: True.
Researchers say, the first vernal equinox recorded in the Rig Veda, could be from around 10,000 BCE. Of which star? #DharmaQuiz 1342. Ans: Ashwini.
The word "Arya" is used 36 times in 34 hymns of Rig Veda. Does it depict an honourable address, or a racial reference? #DharmaQuiz 1343. Ans: An honourable address.
There are many references for the word "Hindu" in the 4 Vedas. True or False? #DharmaQuiz 1344. Ans: False. There are no reference to "Hindu" at all in the 4 Vedas.
Hinduism has been all encompassing, allowing theistic, atheistic & agnostic beliefs. Yes or No? #DharmaQuiz 1345. Ans: Yes.

Check first 4 columns for ancient Hindu scientists

Top Scorers for session 196:

@karuvaki : 5
@man8shree : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@S_Mandalia : 5
@indianomad : 5
@Sahyadri : 5
@asraghunath : 5
@CJ_Shekhar : 5
@sndpmysuru : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@hindu_tweeter : 5
@shylsmn : 5
@dolby_mehul : 5

Congrats to:

@geophyraj : 4
@ComedyDivine : 4
@Kiran_Speaks : 4
@iParamanand : 4
@ankushraj29 : 4
@surya_sarathi : 4
@ashutoshkulkar1 : 4
@kaashthakkar : 4

@avinashbhat01 : 3
@Mamdhata : 3
@DrSaisree : 3
@stormylook : 3
@Susri1210 : 3
@RatnaniHitesh : 3

@cgmagia : 2
@cubicle_warrier : 2
@pp_chn : 2
@octotus : 2

@rinku3009 : 1
@ramjoukani : 1
@chand_andas : 1
@pdeept : 1
@Venkat80777360 : 1
@vijay_rajan : 1
@Confuje : 1
@ssmalani : 1
@bipinkumarrai : 1
@subodh1945 : 1
@curryputtar : 1
@subramanianaras : 1
@adityaagnihotri : 1
@iDevNakshi : 1

Happy that you all participated in a session to refresh our knowledge about ancient India.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 195: 12-Feb-2013

Theme: In front of traditional Hindu Homes.

1) What do you call the famous folk art, found in front of most Hindu homes, made out of stone powder, and some colours? #DharmaQuiz 1336. Ans: Rangoli. Other names include, Alpana, Kolam and Muggu.

Question 1

2) Usually, Hindu homes will have Ocimum tenuiflorum plant in front, as a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi. What's the Sanskrit name? #DharmaQuiz 1337. Ans: Tulasi which means "The Incomparable" in Sanskrit.


Question 2

3) This symbol is usually found in front of Hindu homes and shops, which in Sanskrit means "To be good". Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1338. Ans: Swastika. "su" meaning "good" or "auspicious," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix. The swastika = "to be good".

Question 3

Question 4

4) This is usually made of leaves and flowers, and hung over doors in Western and Southern Indian Hindu homes. What is it? #DharmaQuiz 1339. Ans: Torana.

5) In new south Indian Hindu homes,1st pooja is for this. What is this called? #DharmaQuiz 1340. Ans: Hosalu in Kannada, Gadapa in Telugu, Umbaro in Gujarati, Thadya in Tulu, Thali in Marwadi, Umbaratha in Marathi, Dehleez in Hindi (?), Threshold in English? (per Sujata).

Question 5

Top Scorers during 195:

@bvrsreddy : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@raopm9 : 5
@Susri1210 : 5
@asraghunath : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@Ethirajans : 5
@sndpmysuru : 5
@man8shree : 5
@iDevNakshi : 5
@mrsnrao : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@Sahyadri : 5
@indianomad : 5
@s_navroop : 5
@Kiran_Speaks : 5
@smna17 : 5
@cubicle_warrier : 5

Congrats to these on scoreboard:

@manjunathkumarr : 4
@vasenvy : 4
@vinodvyas220 : 4
@CJ_Shekhar : 4
@S_Mandalia : 4
@cgmagia : 4
@Hindustani12 : 4
@dolby_mehul : 4
@Mamdhata : 4
@ramariyer : 4

@gchellappan : 3
@anu_km : 3
@shakkuiyer : 3
@ankushraj29 : 3
@pp_chn : 3
@bhushkam : 3
@BalachandarS : 3

@mayureshgaikwad : 2
@Darksider150 : 2
@gupta_n : 2
@sumat_patel : 2
@rinku3009 : 2
@krunalthegreat : 2
@Voter77 : 2

@geophyraj : 1
@gboxam : 1
@samiir : 1
@D_AweRageIndian : 1
@Deven_krum : 1
@ananddetroja : 1
@arunz : 1
@HighRisque : 1
@KedarGaddar : 1
@halovivek : 1
@ankaachoo : 1
@NAIRPRAKASH12 : 1
@rishitwt : 1
@lakshana7 : 1
@priyankish : 1
@mpadmasri : 1
@prashantgilda : 1
@junejarajiv : 1
@MKJagadish : 1
@elluranand : 1
@Kudladaye : 1
@priyankish : 1
@um_dubey : 1
@advanirajesh : 1
@ARSHURPALI : 1
@vinaykamma : 1
@amitweeter : 1
@AshGudAshItGets : 1
@BKS_5 : 1
@ssmalani : 1
@oneandonlydilip : 1
@seeniram : 1
@Keefarqpaindha : 1
@suar4sure : 1
@SatyaHariom : 1
@AntarikshG : 1
@PankajBagla : 1
@kaashthakkar : 1
@KGLatha : 1
@ankur130 : 1
@ashwin_polali : 1

Thanks for partcipating!

Picture sources: Indiaparenting, Blogger, richardcassaro and gstatic

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 194: 5-Feb-2013

Theme: Hindu Philosophy Concepts.

If Ahimsa is the opposite of Himsa, what is the opposite of savishesha (with distinctive characteristics)? #DharmaQuiz 1331. Ans: Nirvishesha.
Advaita and Dwaita are two famous forms of Indian philosophy. Name one other school of philosophy with the word 'Advaita'. #DharmaQuiz 1332. Ans: Vishistadvaita.
Name the Buddhist equivalent for the Hindu concept of Moksha. #DharmaQuiz 1333. Ans: Nirvana.
7 kinds of rishis existed in India: Kandarshi, Srutarshi, Paramarshi, Devarshi, Rajarshi & Maharshi. Name the 7th type. #DharmaQuiz 1334. Ans: Brahmarshi, the most prominent ones.
If form is Yantra, sound is Mantra, then technology of using form and sound together is called..? #DharmaQuiz 1335. Ans: Tantra.

Top scorers for session 194:

@Sahyadri : 5
@priyankish : 5
@ramas_cal : 5
@CJ_Shekhar : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@shawjipk : 5
@karuvaki : 5
@S_Mandalia : 5
@surenc1974 : 5
@shylsmn : 5
@Manjunaath : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@geophyraj : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@indianomad : 5
@cubicle_warrier : 5
@man8shree :' 5

Congrats to these scorers:

@shriram78 : 4
@ShubhamBhuyaat : 4
@vintejban : 4
@pp_chn : 4
@iDevNakshi : 4
@shanthigrama : 4
@vinodvyas220 : 4

@Kiran_speaks : 3
@Susri1210 : 2
@raopm9 : 2
@pradeepkhs : 2
@MSLohia : 2
@ChandanYogendra : 2
@trivedianupam : 2
@vishal1818 : 2

@ISB_Devil : 1
@vedaspeak : 1
@SubedarSahab : 1
@seeniram : 1
@vasenvy : 1
@InamdarVijay : 1
@sriram20 : 1
@Rahulhr24 : 1
@maathinamalla : 1
@ArunKrTiwari : 1
@iambuddha119 : 1
@DhanyaMadhavanN : 1
@Marut_ : 1
@vinod_gowda : 1
@rishitwt : 1
@TheArvindDhar : 1
@saggirex : 1
@tdadvait : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
@chinmaywadikar : 1
@iyernbk : 1
@rovenky : 1

Congrats to everyone who got to the scoreboard!

Friday, February 1, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 193: 1-Feb-2013

Theme: When a Hindu Dies...

Source: Realpagan

If a Hindu infant dies, is it usually cremated or buried? #DharmaQuiz 1326. Ans: Buried. Most likely because the babies are considered pure of all sins and the soul is still unattached to the physical body. Burning the body is needed to liberate the soul from the attachment of the physical body.
After cremation of a Hindu, ash is collected & immersed in a river. Along with ash, what else is a part of this immersion? #DharmaQuiz 1327. Ans: Bone remains.
Yearly, during memorial or Shraddha of a dead Hindu, rice balls are offered to spirit of dead person. What r they called? #DharmaQuiz 1328. Ans: Rice balls are called Pinda
When it comes to after death ritual, what is common between Romans & Vikings of Europe, and Hindus & Sikhs of India? #DharmaQuiz 1329. Ans: Funeral Pyre. Hindus and Sikhs burn on the ground. Vikings used to burn the dead bodies on specially created boats.
{Final, Open till 10 PM} When a Hindu Sanyasi or Ascetic dies, is the body cremated or buried?
{Optional: Do you know why?} #DharmaQuiz 1330. Ans: Buried in sitting position, with a Samadhi constructed around the place. Symbolically, a Sanyasi casts his physical body into fire by wearing SAFFRON robes when entering this phase, signifying purification of body through fire, thus freeing the soul WHILE the body is still alive. Hence, sannyasis are not cremated after death as most Hindus are, but may instead be buried. Rarely, Jala samadhi or water burial. See below for additional explanations by Dharma Quiz patrons.

Top scorers for session 193:

@shawjipk : 5
@iDevNakshi : 5
@nanditathhakur : 5
@shylsmn : 5
@Sahyadri : 5
@indianomad : 5
@S_Mandalia : 5
@Kiran_speaks : 5
@arunz : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@keewwllguy : 5
@luckyfresh : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@man8shree : 5
@PrateekBahl : 5
@ramas_cal : 5
@shibu_kt : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@gbhat_ : 5

Congrats for these to get to scoreboard:

@Dhanushm : 4
@tapo_c : 4
@cubicle_warrier : 4
@karuvaki : 4
@vinodvyas220 : 4
@MediaRebut : 4
@cgmagia : 4

@s_navroop : 3
@rinku3009 : 3
@kalyan_sk3011 : 3
@TheArvindDhar : 3
@Phirmi_Bodo : 3
@geophyraj : 3
@_shomy : 3
@Susri1210 : 3
@prashantwa : 3

@Biki56881596 : 2
@Mehul_Vaidya : 2
@ankushraj29 : 2
@PankajBagla : 2
@Marut_ : 2
@anilkohli54 : 2
@udayanojha : 2
@coat32 : 2

@AmiSri : 1
@kumarravish : 1
@ibadni : 1
@bobbyfaith : 1
@wavehit : 1
@_AimA_ : 1
@hs2031 : 1
@pankajkr06 : 1
@DivineSingh : 1
@NeenaRai : 1
@sridharkswamy : 1
@DonAmit : 1
@Infernal_Wrath_ : 1
@GirishPodar : 1
@pp_chn : 1
@vinodvyas220 : 1
@hindu_r : 1
@Lohana1983 : 1
@arjjun_kodoth : 1
@Confuje : 1
@lchavan : 1
@melatturng : 1
@ranganaathan : 1
@Prebasha : 1
@Dinuraghubansi : 1
@AvinashCKM : 1
@iyernbk : 1
@adityaagnihotri : 1
@bihariprincess : 1
@rajivgaxdhi : 1
@Idea_maniac : 1
@OnlySumedha : 1
@pepsi_ipl : 1
@hethal09 : 1
@foreversky : 1
@Shradha_ekm : 1
@ajayjmun : 1

Why Sanyasis are buried? Some viewpoints by participants:

Sharmistha Nandy: Buried in Padmasana. Padmasana is a yoga posture. Cos they believe in reincarnation.
Manjusha: Buried because Sadhus and Sanyasis are detached from the world and they have no attachment to their body. .
Guruprasad Bhat: The reason is when they take Sanyasa, they perform their own (n parents') Shraddha and their "Shikha" is cut off. As they are treated as dead once, they either take Jal-Samadhi or are Buried (sometime, even ALIVE)!
Tiwari Anand Dr.: Buried as coz of Tapa all gunas are already burnt
GP: Buried..with the Brahma Randra opened (actually it is not prescribed in the shastras to do this...but their heads ar smashed)
Himanshu Sharma: Buried.coz it is blvd that the soul(atma) of sanyasi has no longing or affection for the body (sarir).
Prateek Bahl: Buried. Because they wear saffron which symbolizes fire hence can't be cremated <-- Heard it somewhere.
Andal : Sanyasi wears saffron robes which means he is purified by agni. So he is buried.
Rahul Ghildiyal : Why?-Spiritual knowledge already purified them & they have already completed these rites prior to their death.
Santhosh T : I stumbled across another answer. Sanyasis are detached from the world and they have no attachment to their body. Self realization attained by them makes the body irrelevant to them when alive. Cremation is thus unnecessary.
Divine Illumination : He is Burried in a Sitting Yoga Position as he is considered an illuminated being.
T Chaudhuri : An ascetic is buried as his body is pure & the spiritual aura in his body will have beneficial effect on ppl coming to the samadhi.
Rajesh gupta : Sanyasi is buried because sanyasi's atma don't have attachment to body, so their is no risk for his or her soul to wander.i suppose
Addicted : Buried, symbolically gross impurities already burnt,so burial/samadhis built as spiritual energy is still there!
Pp Chn : Buried bcoz by being a Sanyasi they've gained liberation from birth/death cycle
Vinodvyas : Buried because their soul is already detached and therefore no need to burn body to detach soul

Thanks for this wonderful session and knowledge while answering questions!