DharmaQuiz: June 2014

Friday, June 27, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 284: 27-June-2014

Theme: Tirthankaras of Jainism and their symbols.

#DharmaQuiz 1806: Swastika is a symbol of which of the 24 Shvetambara Jain Tirthankaras?
Ans: Suparshwanatha.

#DharmaQuiz 1807: Which of the 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism had Mahisha or Buffalo as the lanchana (symbol)? Ans: Vasupujya

#DharmaQuiz 1808: What was the symbol of Chandra Natha Jina Tirthankara? Ans: Crescent or Ardha Chandra.

DQ 1808: Pic: jainworld.com

#DharmaQuiz 1809: Who was the first Tirthankara of Jain tradition of 24 Tirthankaras?
Ans: Rishabha.

{Final,Open till 10.30PM} #DharmaQuiz 1810: Which of the 24 Tirthankaras of Jain tradition (icon of ahimsa) has lion or Simha as a symbol? Ans: Mahavira.

Read more on this topic: http://pachpadra.com/Tirthankar.php

Scores for session 282:

@vndsr14 : 5
@lodyaashi : 1
@pramod_klr : 5

@mamtan14 : 4
@SnookyBangalore : 4

@kunalkothary : 3
@Monika_jain17 : 3

@amitsinghai16 : 1
‏@RamnathAnanth : 1
@chutiya_paa : 1
@drarora_gaurav : 1
@rishirajlahiri : 1
@bhandarihant31 : 1
@RakeshChouhan : 1
@acharya2 : 1
@rajeshkupadhyay : 1
@ashwanijain05 : 1
@_shomy : 1
@deshi_mangoman : 1
@YutikaBharadwaj : 1
‏@Saaamrii : 1
‏@aajnachakra : 1
@LuharSen : 1
@AnirudhaLimaye : 1

See you next week!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 283: 24-June-2014

DQ 1801

Theme: Ancient Hindu stone temples

#DharmaQuiz 1801: There are five stone rathas built in India 1400 years ago, one for each Pandava. Where? Ans: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

#DharmaQuiz 1802: This is a 1400 year old Brahma, from a ceiling of a temple built by Chalukya dynasty. Where? Ans: Aihole, Karnataka.

DQ 1802

#DharmaQuiz 1803: This temple is the largest stone structure in India to survive from ancient times.
Where is it? Ans: Ellora, Maharashtra.

DQ 1803

DQ 1804

#DharmaQuiz 1804: This wheel is one of the world's greatest stone sculpture treasure.
Which temple is this in? Ans: Konark Sun temple, Odisha.

DQ 1805

#DharmaQuiz 1805: Topmost stone of this 1000 yr old temple weighs 80,000 KG!
Where is this? Ans: Brihadeshwara temple, Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

All the pictures are from this excellent site. Read further there:
http://www.hinduwisdom.info/Hindu_Art.htm

Scores:

@GayathriSrinath : 5

@pramod_klr : 4
@cgmagia : 4
@vndsr14 : 4
@mamtan14 : 4
@mrsnrao : 4

@Deveshvari : 2
@venkataa : 2
‏@geejay100 : 2
@rmhiremath1949 : 2
‏@bhaviknz : 2
@bezubaan : 2
‏@meenabg : 2
@MorbidMortal : 2

@SangeetaRG : 1
@musicaltrees : 1
@cashkumark : 1
@prasad1654 : 1
@ChetanBadgujar7 : 1
@Deipakk : 1
@sarvatrra : 1
@VijayShenli : 1
@skdeshpande : 1
@akediya : 1
@abhi_pn : 1
‏@anamika_99 : 1
@vsharma0007 : 1
@rahulragarwal : 1
@dksuresh : 1
@ThangaMani : 1
@sreeharshabg : 1
@tbsingh1008 : 1
@O_Priya : 1
@subaganesh : 1
@Madirakshi : 1
@psxyz : 1
‏@shriramganesan : 1
‏@hoveringfalcon : 1
@rohan194 : 1
@SrDPO : 1
‏@politiclpeacock : 1
@Asach4 : 1
@mitkon : 1
@bhavinjadav : 1
@centerofright : 1
@a_truthsayer : 1
@Asach4 : 1
‏@geetababes : 1
@NerdOnParole : 1
@MaItReYsHaRmA_v : 1
@vikas_tr : 1
@vyshaka : 1
@OnlyHindusthan1 : 1
@MMSumanth : 1
@nickygirish : 1
@vishal1818 : 1
@rajanvt : 1
@srijai : 1

See you on Friday.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 282: 17-June-2014

Theme: Panchatantra

#DharmaQuiz 1796: Great Panchatantra stories are attributed to the ancient Indian scholar Vishnu
Sharma. In which century BCE did he live? Ans: 3rd century BCE in Northern India.
Read more: http://hinduism.about.com/od/panchatantra/fl/The-Panchatantra.htm

#DharmaQuiz 1797: In 1429 CE, Panchatantra was translated from Sanskrit as 'Kelileh o Demneh'.
To which language was that translation? Ans: Farsi or Persian. The exact name of that language could
have been Pahlavi at the time of translation.

#DharmaQuiz 1798: Panchatantra, the collection of the most famous stories in the world, is termed Niti Shastra. What does Niti mean? Ans: Niti = Good conduct or moral conduct.

#DharmaQuiz 1799: There are in total 87 immortal stories in Pancha Tantra.
How many books are they organized into? Ans: Five books.

{Final, Open till 10.30PM} #DharmaQuiz 1800: Panchatantra is translated into 60 languages. Ibn al
Muqaffa translated it into which language? Ans: Arbi or Arabic.

Read More: http://www.arabacademy.com/arabic-blog/arabic-books/kalila-wa-dimna/

Answers to session 282:

Didn't collect. Sorry.. Worldcup :)

Friday, June 13, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 281: 13-Jun-2014

Theme: Source of the famous Hindu stotras or prayers

#DharmaQuiz 1791:
Famous Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, त्र्यम्बकम् यजामहे / triambakam yajamahe, is from Rig Veda. What does Triambakam mean? Ans: The one with 3 eyes (Lord Shiva)

#DharmaQuiz 1792:
शान्ताकारम भुजगशयनम / Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam , a famous prayer for Lord Vishnu, is from which Hindu sacred text? Ans: Prayer before chanting Vishnu Sahasra Nama. If anyone knows the exact composer or the text, please leave a comment.

#DharmaQuiz 1793:
श्री राम राम रामेति / Shri Rama Rama Raameti - a popular Rama prayer is from which sacred source?
Ans: Rama Raksha Stotra, atribted to Rishi Budha kaushik. It's mentioned in Padma Purana about Ishwara telling this to Parvati.

Read fully here: http://www.vedicyagyacenter.com/articles/sriramaraksha-stotram.html

#DharmaQuiz 1794:
गणानां त्व गणपतीम् / Gananam Tva Ganapatim - The most sacred Ganesha strotra, is from which Veda? Ans: Rig Veda 2.23.1. And possibly in Atharva Veda too.

{Final, Open till 10.30 PM} #DharmaQuiz 1795:
सर्व मंगल मांगल्ये / Sarva Mangala Mangalye prayer to Devi is from which sacred Hindu text? Ans: Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya. It is a part of Markandeya Purana.

You can download the 139 page Devi Mahatmya PDF from here. Very precious asset.
http://www.ambaa.org/pdf/devii_mahatmyam_1.pdf

Answers to Session 281:

@SamitLive : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@karthikjana : 5
@abhishek_2411 : 5

@meenabg : 4
@ashujoshi27 : 4
‏@gboxam : 4

@chandrasuren : 3
@pramod_klr : 3

@PrashanthSai369 : 2
@deshi_mangoman : 2

@rinku3009 : 1
‏@jemin_p : 1
@HokageMihir : 1
@sudhica84 : 1
‏@surnell : 1
@mukunthaniyer : 1
@kirtweetz : 1
@upma23 : 1
@ratanagarwal : 1
‏@pramod_klr : 1
@sumashiv : 1
@kbsnataraj : 1
@AnirudhaLimaye : 1
@nemkals : 1
@shreevarapuncha : 1
@rucheesharma : 1

It's important for all of us to know the most basic and commonly used mantras/shlokas and their origin. It helps!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 280: 10-Jun-2014

Theme: Ancient rock carved murtis in India

#DharmaQuiz 1786: These magnificent ancient rock carving of Shiva is in which North Eastern state of India? Ans: Tripura. Kailashahar in North Tripura district is famous for the Unakoti Shiva pilgrimage.

DQ 1786: Pic: indiaonline.in

#DharmaQuiz 1787: This large Shiva Linga, a monolith always surrounded by water, is in which south Indian state? Ans: Karnataka. It's in Hampi. Badavilinga (near to Lakshmi-Narsimha statue) is a monolith, carved out of one rock. The sanctum chamber that houses it is a large stone, brick and mortar structure.

DQ 1787: Pic: Blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 1788: At Siyamangalam, TN, a temple on top of a rock. Only brave climb dangerous steps. For which Deva? Ans: Murugan or Subrahmanya or Kartikeya.

DQ 1788. Pic: gkamesh.wordpress

DQ 1789. Pic: pkothavade.blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 1789: This Hanuman carving by lake is near a famous fort at 3500 feet in Western India. In which state? Ans: Maharashtra. Vilaspur area. Bhaje fort and caves.

DQ 1790. Pic: trekearth

{Final,Open till 10.30 PM} #DharmaQuiz 1790: This ancient rock carving of Maitreya is in which North Indian state? Ans: Jammu and Kashmir. Karchay Khar village, Suru valley, Kargil district.

Scores in session 280:

‏@PrashanthSai369 : 4
‏@man8shree : 4
‏@pramod_klr : 4
@Tasmayi : 4

@RakiTweets : 3

@shivprasath : 2
‏@muktivardhan : 2
@durgaramdas : 2

‏@raamss : 1
@SonofUdupi : 1
‏@Yaba_dabadoo : 1
@ChampakRoy : 1
@Ravindra_Maiya : 1
@SadanandaAithal : 1
@balaji210671 : 1
@arunpatil36 : 1
‏@rajeev_n : 1
@KRMuraleedharan : 1
@anamika_99 : 1
@sridhar17 : 1
@comfykaju : 1
@vvkashyap : 1
@RameshAllenki : 1
@dilipdehariya : 1

Feel free to leave future sessions' topic suggestion.

Friday, June 6, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 279: 6-Jun-2014

Theme: Ancient Indian names for famous places.

#DharmaQuiz 1781: During Ramayana era, which place was called as Pampa Kshetra? Hint: In Kali Yuga became a mighty capital. Ans: Hampi, Karnataka.

#DharmaQuiz 1782: During ancient times, a famous place in today's south India, with French influence, was called Veda Puri. Name it. Ans: Puducherry or Pondicherry.

#DharmaQuiz 1783: Which major landmass in Asia, the abode of Lord Shiva, was known as Trivishtapa during ancient times? Ans: Tibet.

#DharmaQuiz 1784: Which major city in India today was called during ancient times, as 'Punyapattanam' (City of Auspicious Deeds)? Ans: Pune, Maharashtra.

{Final,Open till 10.30PM} #DharmaQuiz 1785: This city that is the abode of Devi Maha Lakshmi, was known as Karaveera Pura. Name it. Ans: Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
Read more: http://www.shaktipeethas.org/ashtadasa/topic538.html

Answers to session 279:

@GuruCharan99 : 5
@pramod_klr : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@chandrasuren : 5

@ragusmg : 4
@meenabg : 4
@whitetiger2651 : 4
@deshi_mangoman : 4
@AgentSaffron : 4
‏@JagannathAjnabi : 4
@durgaramdas : 4

@mitkon : 3

@NilimaNilimas : 2
@PrashanthSai369 : 2

@DanielDurairaj2 : 1
@Sh07509514 : 1
‏@im_adi : 1
@abishtooh : 1
@Gurunamo : 1
@mahi1878 : 1
@KamalPremi2 : 1
@Bharath_SN : 1
@SwathiRagha : 1
@udupinet : 1
@Sajikairali : 1
‏@SSKvenkatesh : 1
@KesariDhwaj : 1
@pranesh_k : 1
@Susri1210 : 1
@kadian_anurag : 1
‏@luitelshravan : 1
@amitsinghai16 : 1
@BharatKandpal2 : 1
@Maasterjee : 1
@sudhica84 : 1

It's always exciting to know about the historical names for the places we are fond of.
They tell a lot about the culture of that place.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 278: 3-Jun-2014

Theme: Shakhas (branches or recension) of Vedas.

#DharmaQuiz 1776: Sama Veda was supposedly having 1000 shakhas or branches. Now only 2 or 3 remain. Name any one remaining shakha. Ans: Jaiminiya/Talavakara, Ranayaniya and Kauthuma

#DharmaQuiz 1777: Out of 50 Shakhas of Atharva Veda only a couple remain today. Shaunkiya is one. Is this found north of Narmada or south? Ans: Mostly North.

#DharmaQuiz 1778: The Taittiriya shakha is one of the remaining from 109 original shakhas.
Of which Veda? Ans: Yajur Veda

#DharmaQuiz 1779: Out of 21 shakhas of Rig Veda originally, only one particular recension or shakha is well preserved (1028 hymns). Name it. Ans: Shakalya mostly. Some say Bashkala also.

{Final,Open till 10.30PM} #DharmaQuiz 1780: Out of the original 1,00,000+ verses of four Vedas, approximately how many are existing today? Ans: 20,023 (some say 20,379)

Answers to session 288:

@meenabg : 5

@PrateekBahl : 4
@durgaramdas : 4

@chandrasuren : 3

@JagannathAjnabi : 2

@SriAiyerRS : 1
@praddie : 1
@AmerPadma : 1