DharmaQuiz: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 219: 31-May-2013

Theme: Yoga, from Panchanga

There are 27 Yogas in Vedic Astrology. How many of them are considered auspicious or good for muhurtas? #DharmaQuiz 1461. Ans: 16 Shubha or Auspicious Yogas. But some people say 18 considering Dhruva and Dhriti, so that answer is also considered
Vyatipata, one of the 27 Yogas of Hindu Astrology is not considered auspicious. What does Vyatipata mean? #DharmaQuiz 1462. Ans: Calamity.
Ayushmaan is a good Yoga. What does it mean? #DharmaQuiz 1463. Ans: Longeivity
Vajra is one of the 27 Yogas of Vedic Astrology. Is that a good yoga or bad, for muhurtas? #DharmaQuiz 1464. Ans: Inauspicious or bad.
Yoga is a part of Panchanga or Hindu almanac. True or False. #DharmaQuiz 1465. Ans: True, along with Nakshatra, Vara, Tithi and Karana

Read more here: http://www.astrojyoti.com/naksatratithiyogainfo.htm

Top scorers for session 219:

@manya_rao : 5
@bhaviknz : 5
@man8shree : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 5
@anandt_05 : 5

@iCSM : 4
@iSaakshi : 4
@cgmagia : 4

@VellaDev : 3
@Simuntweets : 3
@Kaushikrg : 3

@rkamath1982 : 1
@cubicle_warrier : 1
@vsumanthkumar : 1

Maybe this astrology topic was not that interesting for many. Will try something new next time.

Any topic suggestion?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 218: 28-May-2013

Theme: Bhagawan Vishnu

What's the name of the gada or mace that Lord Vishnu carries? #DharmaQuiz 1456. Ans: Kaumodaki
Who are the two dwarapalakas or gate keepers of Vishnu's abode, Vaikuntha? #DharmaQuiz 1457. Ans: Jaya and Vijaya.
Vishnu Purana's Book 4 and Chapter 4, clearly talks about Rama Setu (bridge) between India and Sri Lanka. True or False? #DharmaQuiz 1458. Ans: True. Vishnu Purana - Book IV, Chapter4, Verses 40-49
A very famous warrior chanted the 1000 names of Vishnu, on his deathbed, which became known as Vishnu Sahasra Nama. Who? #DharmaQuiz 1459. Ans: Bhishma, chanted this to Yudhishtira. This is per149th chapter of Anushasanaparva (verses 14 to 120) in Mahabharata.
Name the mother of 2 brothers, Vishnu's gate keepers' avataras, to eliminate whom Vishnu came twice. #DharmaQuiz 1460. Ans: Diti, the mother of Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Vishnu came in Varaha and Narasimha avataras to eliminate them, respectively.

Top Scorers of Session 218:

@biswajeetdash : 5
@vschanna : 5
@brahmavith : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 5
@lodyaashi : 5
@saikumar_k : 5
@Tasmayi : 5
@dolby_mehul : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@man8shree : 5
@CJ_Shekhar : 5
@Mamdhata : 5
@Kaushikrg : 5
@Parixyt : 5
@amitscmishra : 5
@dolby_mehul : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@sreekannoth : 5
@ComedyDivine : 5

Congrats to:

@Simuntweets : 4
@PrachinVaani : 4
@sushmahari : 4
@voxindica : 2
@VellaDev : 4
@Modi4India : 4

@mukunthaniyer : 3
@pundeerjitendra : 3
@KamalPremi2 : 3
@ssmalani : 3
@ramprakashbagri : 3
@ankushraj29 : 3
@Shivsankar : 3

@raopm9 : 2
@Ameysd : 2
@vijayamaajgd : 2
@agneepankh : 2
@SvenVish : 2
@kshetragnya : 2
@kv18 : 2
@AshutoshNSingh : 2
@natb786 : 2
@veraghavan : 2

@rn201959 : 1
@mahnooj : 1
@BhaghatGuru : 1
@nanduhari : 1
@manohar_sram : 1
@Ethirajans : 1
@infoHINDU : 1
@karuvaki : 1
@SelvakP : 1
@madhusudan1908 : 1
@prashanthv108 : 1
@rodencha : 1
@VAIDYALINGAMPUT : 1
@niku_sai : 1
@paritosh2608 : 1
@RoshanSdrprop : 1
@SPHEREHEADSAYS : 1
@madhuiyengar : 1
@IamSrivatsanV : 1
@Satya046 : 1
@KrishnHelpIndia : 1
@Kannadiga1956 : 1
@gantinm : 1
@SadanandaAithal : 1
@RocketLaunche10 : 1
@NikhilShastry : 1
@InternetHindu08 : 1
@GIJurix : 1
@vinod_gowda : 1
@goldenarcher : 1
@ramayanfestival : 1
@letsgethere : 1
@smartsam15 : 1
@ProudDilliwala : 1

Congrats to all those who attempted and got into this list!

Feel free to leave a comment on your suggestions or corrections.

Friday, May 24, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 217: 24-May-2013

DQ 1453: Image - Blogspot

Theme: Narasimha

1) Narasimha, Vishnu's 4th avatara, is also known as NruKesari. What does Kesari here mean? #DharmaQuiz 1451. Ans: Kesari = Simha = Lion.

2) There are many forms of Narasimha. Name the one which is a manifestation of meditative pose of this Vishnu's avatara. #DharmaQuiz 1452. Ans: Yoga Narasimha.

3) Where's this 900 yr old magnificent Narasimha temple (see image), a combination of Odiya & Dravida architecture? #DharmaQuiz 1453. Ans: Simhachalam near Visakhapatnam, AndhraPradesh.

Read more: http://kittuistheking.blogspot.in/2012/05/simhachala-varaha-lakshmi-narasimha.html

DQ 1454. Image - Wiki

4) Where is this massive monolithic 22 feet tall Narasimha statue (see image)? {Capital of a big medieval empire}. #DharmaQuiz 1454. Ans: Hampi, Karnatka. The capital of the glorious Vijayanagara empire

5) The oldest continuously used religious text, Rig Veda, has reference to Narasimha. True or False? #DharmaQuiz 1455. Ans: True. Vishnu Suktam.

Top Scorers for Session 217:

@dolby_mehul : 5
@Bacchuji : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 5
@man8shree : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@Parixyt : 5
@Tasmayi : 5
@Mamdhata : 5

Congratulations to:

@Kaushikrg : 4
@KamalPremi2 : 4

@nareshdixit82 : 3
@kirankonnects : 3

@vintejban : 2
@PrachinVaani : 2
@madhuiyengar : 2
@Kannadiga1956 : 2
@harshavs : 2
@raamss : 2

@Punit_shandilya : 1
@Rohithns : 1
@voxindica : 1
@ssmalani : 1
@sanjayleo : 1
@venshu : 1
@iRushikesh : 1
@Sachin_Pratap : 1
@skdeshpande : 1
@ts_manjunath : 1
@VellaDev : 1
@indrajeetd : 1
@urrohit : 1
@pras4net : 1
@maverickraahul : 1
@deepak_aj : 1
@debakanta87 : 1
@TripathiGaurav : 1
@ksinamdar : 1
@irvathoor : 1
@suhasn88 : 1
@ksrasish : 1
@spandanknr : 1
@rangirangi : 1
@balamy : 1
@HiSudheendra : 1
@udaya_krishna : 1
@drarora_gaurav : 1
@NikhilShastry : 1

Jai Lakshmi Narasimha!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 216: 21-May-2013

Theme: Minor Characters in Ramayana

Name this good friend of King Dasharatha who gives vital information to Rama in the forest. #DharmaQuiz 1446. Ans: Jatayu, the vulture.
Name this women infamous in Ramayana for planting the seeds of jealousy in the royal Queen's mind. #DharmaQuiz 1447. Ans: Manthara, the maid of Queen Kaikeyi.
Who escorted the younger Rama to King Janaka's court, in Ramayana? #DharmaQuiz 1448. Ans: Guru Vishwamitra. Lakshamana is also accepted as an answer.
In SE Asian versions of Ramayana, these 2 brothers from South India given more space than in Valmiki's Ramayana. Who? #DharmaQuiz 1449. Ans: Vali and Sugriva.
Was the famous brother of Rama who accompanied to forest, the son of Dasharatha's 2nd wife or 3rd? #DharmaQuiz 1450. Ans: Third wife, Sumitra.

Toppers for Session 216:

@arunz : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5
@PrachinVaani : 5
@CJ_Shekhar : 5
@whitetiger2651 : 5
@Tasmayi : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@dolby_mehul : 5
@saikumar_k : 5
@Abhishek_0512 : 5
@Bacchuji : 5

Congrats to these:

@dominodeck : 4
@sweetandu : 4
@Simuntweets : 4
@pundeerjitendra : 4
@laxmikant209 : 4
@Mimaniya : 4
@Kaushikrg : 4

@ssmalani : 3
@Susri1210 : 3
@GuruCharan99 : 3
@_shomy : 3
@cubicle_warrier : 3
@gboxam : 3

@sachinjohri : 2
@abhisays : 2
@pvsswamy : 2
@akhilm176 : 2
@trolleswar : 2
@its_poooja : 2
@HarishS66284892 : 2
@ksinamdar : 2
@VellaDev : 2
@BKottadamane : 2
@followchandru : 2
@VinayChawla_ : 2
@kumarravish : 2
@IamSrivatsanV : 2
@shreeramm : 2

@abhisek_yadav : 1
@iVpsingh : 1
@sharathinindia : 1
@rohit2vats : 1
@rexrao52 : 1
@KamalPremi2 : 1
@talkmithilesh : 1
@rkamath1982 : 1
@Sandip27111963 : 1
@vvs8787 : 1
@VssSarma : 1
@rishitwt : 1
@Phirmi_Bodo : 1
@krajthakkar : 1
@urrohit : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
@SvenVish : 1
@iA3Hi : 1
@Ishaa777 : 1
@Dinuraghubansi : 1
@ProudDilliwala : 1
@Ganeshmahnar : 1
@bsr3012 : 1
@AskingAmit : 1
@ur_vivek : 1
@amitprabhu : 1
@kesarirang : 1

Great response today. Thanks to everyone!

Friday, May 17, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 215: 17-May-2013

Theme: Rivers from Adi Shankara's life history.

Name the river that was closest to Adi Shankara's home, when he was a child. #DharmaQuiz 1441. Ans: Poorna, which is known as Periyar now.
Name the river on whose bank Adi Shankara had the historic 15 day long philosophical debate with Ubhaya Bharati's husband. #DharmaQuiz 1442. Ans: Narmada river. Husaband was Mandana Mishra.
Adi Shankara established a famous peetha, and made Sureshwaracharya as the peetha adhipati. On which river's bank? #DharmaQuiz 1443. Ans: Tunga river. Established Sringeri's Sharada Peetha.
Adi Shankara opened the southern door of Sarvajna peetha, which is under Pakistan's control today. On which river's bank? #DharmaQuiz 1444. Ans: Neelum or Kishenganga River.
{Final,Open till 10PM} Which river is closest (10 KM) to the northernmost of the 4 mathas that Adi Shankara established? #DharmaQuiz 1445. Ans: Dhauliganga most likely. But since it is a hilly terrain and distances are tough to measure, Alaknanda River or just Ganga is also considered. All are close enough answers.

Answers for Session 215:

Could not compile. The response was very good, but after a browser restart, now able to gather older answers. Will do it promptly next time.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 214: 14-May-2013

Theme: Sacred Cow - Go Mata

What is the Sanskrit name that literally gets translated as "The child who protects the cows"? #DharmaQuiz 1436. Ans: Bala Gopala, which is the name for Shri Krishna when he was younger.
Give one reason why Jains respect cows and bulls as sacred? #DharmaQuiz 1437. Ans: Their first Tirthanka was named Vrishabh (or the Bull). Also, they believe that all lives are sacred.
Name one country on this planet today, where Cow is the national animal. #DharmaQuiz 1438. Ans: Nepal. Also Netherlands (maybe for other reasons)
Name the pre-Islamic Egypt's Goddess of Cows (see pic). Because of her, cows were not sacrificed -> #DharmaQuiz 1439. Ans: Hathor. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hathor
Which religion calls Cow's Urine as "Nirang" and uses it for purifying the home after a death? #DharmaQuiz 1440. Ans: Zoroastrian or Parsees. Read more here: http://www.avesta.org/ritual/funeral.htm - Friend @GuruCharan99 says it is bull's urine. @sudhee26 says that Gayomaj is cow's urine. Nirang is bull's urine.

For DQ 1439 - Source Wiki

Top Scorers for session 214:

@surnell : 5
@Tweelak : 5
@siddarthpaim : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@Bacchuji : 5
@FEEL4INDIA : 5
@MV_BN : 5
@manya_rao : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5
@sudhee26 : 5

Congrats to:

@rahulghildiyal : 4
@man8shree : 4
@LoveAkkiKat4Eva : 4
@GuruCharan99 : 4
@CJ_Shekhar : 4
@cubicle_warrier : 4

@pramodthap : 3
@Kgk8985 : 3
@Kaushikrg : 3
@jai_bharat123 : 3
@cgmagia : 3
@dolby_mehul : 3

@drarora_gaurav : 2
@MangoAdmi : 2
@Indigoez : 2
@ssmalani : 2

@vinayhebbur : 1
@snehdeeppandya : 1
@sethiapavan : 1
@hr5485 : 1
@deepakmr27 : 1
@rucheesharma : 1
@rahulgrover88 : 1
@rishitwt : 1
@manavjivan : 1
@dg_dreamer : 1
@sriakg : 1
@GRKini : 1
@madhu_greenleaf : 1
@KeyaSMamma : 1
@kirankonnects : 1
@hm_eVOTS : 1
@Kar7x : 1
@iagaj : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
@philAmit : 1
@BalakrishnaKini : 1
@Uppinakayi : 1

Go Mata Ki Jai!

Friday, May 10, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 213: 10-May-2013

Theme: Hindu Scriptures

Ramayana is a:- a) Purana. b) Itihasa c) Sutra. #DharmaQuiz 1431. Ans: b) Itihasa.
Shvetashvatara is a:- d) Chandas e) Brahmana. f) Upanishad. #DharmaQuiz 1432. Ans: f) Upanishad.
Name any one Maha Purana that is also the name of a famous Rishi. #DharmaQuiz 1433. Ans: Markandeya, Narada or Skanda.
Samhita is a division of:- g) Vedas. h) Puranas. i) Vedangas. #DharmaQuiz 1434. Ans: g) Vedas
Hindu temples are built following Agama Shastra.Which type of Agama is usually linked to Tantras? #DharmaQuiz 1435. Ans: Shakta Agama. (Shakti or Devi)

Top scorers for session 213:

@Bacchuji : 5
@prawinsays : 5
@Sharnarthee : 5
@stormylook : 5
@dolby_mehul : 5
@manya_rao : 5
@Mamdhata : 5
@LoveAkkiKat4Eva : 5
@Parixyt : 5
@sundeeppatkar : 5
@cubicle_warrier : 5
@CJ_Shekhar : 5
@Gurush_ : 5
@ComedyDivine : 5
@DrShobha : 5
@ramas_cal : 5
@MV_BN : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5
@bhaviknz : 5
@surenc1974 : 5
@philAmit : 5
@man8shree : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@Santhosht_ : 5

Congrats to:

@Blstrngbrnacles : 4
@GuruCharan99 : 4
@anandt_05 : 4

@mamtan14 : 3
@Simuntweets : 3
@siddarthpaim : 3
@Manushpareek1 : 3
@ProudBharatiya1 : 3
@sengar_nagendra : 3

@drarora_gaurav : 2
@jitvg : 2
@bagshish : 2
@venshu : 2
@kartheeque : 2

@namburi_ram : 1
@Smarty_in : 1
@drsharathhd : 1
@ashishgaba : 1
@sharmabrr : 1
@TheArvindDhar : 1
@venkataa : 1
@anuraagdamle : 1
@Sh07509514 : 1
@seshasivasailam : 1
@SamitLive : 1
@ssmalani : 1
@bajajsanjay : 1
@sanjay1502 : 1
@sanaatankumar : 1
@kirankonnects : 1
@ksmsundaram1975 : 1
@s_hindurashtra : 1
@kaushkrahul : 1
@balmaa : 1
@sriram20 : 1

See you next week with a brand new topic about Hindu culture.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 212: 7-May-2013

Theme: Famous Gurus of Ancient India

Bhagavad Gita was narrated to Dhritarashtra by Sanjaya. Who was Sanjaya's guru in Mahabharata? #DharmaQuiz 1426. Ans: Veda Vyasa.
Which Guru created the unique "middle heaven", named after King Trishanku? #DharmaQuiz 1427. Ans: Vishwamitra.
In Kalidasa's "Abhijnana Shakuntala", which Guru was responsible for Dushyanta forgetting Shakuntala, via a curse? #DharmaQuiz 1428. Ans: Durvasa.
In Mahabharata, the warring factions Pandavas and Kauravas both had the same Guru. Who was it? #DharmaQuiz 1429. Ans: Guru Dronacharya.
One of best Gurus in Indian history was Chanakya. Which university did he study in, 2350 years ago? #DharmaQuiz 1430. Ans: Takshashila, in today's Pakistan.

Toppers of session 212:

@DrShobha : 5
@manya_rao : 5
@shivsankar : 5
@bhaviknz : 5
@man8shree : 5
@Sharnarthee : 5
@cubicle_warrier : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@VaniSattiraju : 5
@AnuragKashyap_8 : 5
@manohar_sram : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5
@PrachinVaani : 5
@philAmit : 5
@CJ_Shekhar : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@Simuntweets : 5
@smna17 : 5
@ankushraj29 : 5
@jitvg : 5

Congrats to:

@shreeramm : 4
@Santhosht_ : 4
@IntrepidTrooper : 4
@Bacchuji : 4
@PrateekBahl : 4
@anuradha0223 : 4
@DrPannagDesai : 4

@harishkrbansal : 3
@lodyaashi : 3
@SPKEF : 3
@sanjay1502 : 3
@Svishh : 3
@dhruvalp3 : 3
@dinesh_38 : 3
@ramana1729 : 3
@bkapilan : 3
@dhruva91 : 3

@mukunthaniyer : 2
@bajajsanjay : 2
@HarishS66284892 : 2
@AbhinavShankar1 : 2
@darshanbirur : 2
@NiranjanAcarya : 2
@Parixyt : 2
@Blstrngbrnacles : 2
@kartheeque : 2

@gangesh194 : 1
@Satya046 : 1
@nkp_81 : 1
@bipbhat : 1
@Bihar_ke_lala : 1
@sengar_nagendra : 1
@DemocraticApple : 1
@kapildevs7 : 1
@SpunamiR : 1
@2Rattandeep : 1
@ashishaima : 1
@_cowInspector : 1
@rangirangi : 1
@mrsnrao : 1
@siddarthpaim : 1
@iAshh : 1
@arunvipra : 1
@dolby_mehul : 1
@kaushkrahul : 1
@VikkChauhan06 : 1
@Taatya_Vinchu : 1
@OneindiaKannada : 1
@mandukulkarni : 3
@maulik_doshi : 1
@MayankBhambhu : 1
@sundeeppatkar : 1
@CalmAadmi : 1
@Ameysd : 1
@hiteshrangra : 1
@ishuaadi : 1
@Rashtravaadi2 : 1

Great response today! See you next time.

Friday, May 3, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 211: 3-May-2013

Theme: Mahabharata's eastern kingdoms, mapped to today's Indian states

Arjuna went to war with a king of Pragjyotisha in Mahabharata. Which state in India was known then as Prag jyotisha? #DharmaQuiz 1421. Ans: Asom.
In Mahabharata, 5 kingdoms are linked to Sudeshna, wife of Asura king Vali. Anga, Vanga, Kalinga and Pundra are 4. Name 5th - #DharmaQuiz 1422. Ans: Suhma, in today's southern region of Poschim Bongo.
Krishna kills a king named Vasudeva who ruled today's North Bihar and North Poschim Bongo areas. Ancient Kingdom's name? #DharmaQuiz 1423. Ans: Pundra.
Vanga desha, from Mahabharata, is mostly in today's Bangladesh. Whom did they side with, during the war of Kurukshetra? #DharmaQuiz 1424. Ans: Kauravas.
Which of these two Mahabharata kingdoms had boundary till Godavari river? Anga or Kalinga? #DharmaQuiz 1425. Ans: Kalinga.

Top Scorers of Session 211:

@jitvg : 5
@kshetragnya : 5
@philAmit : 5
@man8shree : 5
@PrachinVaani : 5
@Santhosht_ : 5
@Manjunaath : 5
@amitscmishra : 5
@Bacchuji : 5
@sudhee26 : 5
@manya_rao : 5
@FEEL4INDIA : 5
@biswajeetdash : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@cubicle_warrier : 5

Congrats to:

@Mamdhata : 4
@dolby_mehul : 4
@sweetandu : 4
@Sharnarthee : 4

@pvaidyaraj : 3
@S_Senshi : 3
@surnell : 3
@Kaushikrg : 3

@psxyz : 2
@vinodvyas220 : 2
@Simuntweets : 2

@geophyraj : 1
@nehaactivist : 1
@iamjhakaas : 1
@parthajha : 1
@Ethirajans : 1
@LoveAkkiKat4Eva : 1
@dg_dreamer : 1
@mukulkanitkar : 1
@Tweet_TiNG : 1
@ravideli : 1
@usrnamecntblnk : 1
@bhs7rocks : 1
@Rakeshbhaati : 1
@psychiatrycal : 1
@drarora_gaurav : 1
@ssmalani : 1
@gautamsinha1 : 1
@Parixyt : 1
@Marut_ : 1
@sreedharag : 1
@Dinuraghubansi : 1
@KESHAV8691 : 1
@sengar_nagendra : 1
@rinku3009 : 1

See you next week!

DharmaQuiz Session 210: 26-Apr-2013

DQ 1416; Source esamskriti

Theme: Ancient Hindu Temple architecture
(except one new temple)

1) Where is this Sun temple? This grand temple is based on an inverted lotus-base plinth. #DharmaQuiz 1416.

DQ 1417: Source: blogspot

Ans: Modhera, Gujarat.

2) Where is this 800 year old Dancing Shiva temple? Supposedly the center of world's magnetic equator. #DharmaQuiz 1417. Ans: Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.

3) This 75 year old grand temple is the nerve center of a great order of monks in India. Where is it? #DharmaQuiz 1418. Ans: Belur Matha, Poschim Bongo.

DQ 1418; Source: BelurMath

DQ 1419: Source: lh4.ggpht

DQ 1420: Source: photovide.com

4) This Vaishnava temple is 2000+ years old. The second time built in 59 BCE. Which state is it in? #DharmaQuiz 1419. Ans: Kerala

5) 1200yrs ago, temple carved from 1 rock, scooping 400000 ton rock. Where's it? #DharmaQuiz 1420. Ans: Ellora, Maharashtra.

Thanks for participating!

Friday, May 31, 2013

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Friday, May 24, 2013

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Friday, May 17, 2013

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Friday, May 3, 2013

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