DharmaQuiz: Lakshmi

Showing posts with label Lakshmi. Show all posts

Friday, November 18, 2016

Ancient and Medieval Indian Coins

#DharmaQuiz Session 369: 18-Nov-2016

#DharmaQuiz 2236: This was a gold coin from 14th century south India. King in the pose of Hanuman. Which empire? Ans: Vijayanagara Empire, Bukka Raya I, Gold pagoda, 1344-1377.

DQ 2236. Pic from coinindia.com

Fastest three answers: @viveksurat, Telugutalli and @Aks9009Pa

#DharmaQuiz 2237: This is a golden coin from 800+ years ago in North India. A foreign invader continued the Goddess Lakshmi coins. Who? Ans: The coin is an issue of Muhammad bin Sam, more generally known as Muhammad of Ghor.

DQ 2237. Pic from coinindia.com

Fastest three answers: @viveksurat, ‏@simuntweets and @VedantIndia

#DharmaQuiz 2238: These are 1500 year old coins from a mighty empire that ruled most of Indian subcontinent then. Which dynasty?
Ans: Gupta dynasty.

DQ 2238. Pic from coin-competition.eu

Fastest three answers: @Telugutalli @viveksurat and @vermaaakash10

#DharmaQuiz 2239: Silver coin having "Jagadamba Prasanna" was minted to commemorate coronation of a great Indian King of 17th century. Who?
Ans: Chhatrapati Shivaji.

DQ 2239. Pic from www.thehindu.com

Fastest three answers: @ShefVaidya, @rohit24r and ‏@viveksurat.

#DharmaQuiz 2240: Hanuman image one paisa coin from central India. 1888 CE (1945 VS). Name that princely state of British India.
Ans: Ratlam

DQ 2240. Pic from blogspot.com

Fastest three answers: @viveksurat, @simuntweets and @ImpatientMonk

Have a good weekend!

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Akshaya Tritiya

#DharmaQuiz Session 329: 21-Apr-2015

#DharmaQuiz 2031: On #AkshayaTritiya, this benevolent Devi was said to be born. Name her. Ans: Devi Annapurna.

DQ 2031. Pic - aghori.it

#DharmaQuiz 2032: On #AkshayaTritiya, Jains give a ceremonial bath (Abhisheka) to Tirthankara Rishabhadeva. With which juice? Ans: Sugar cane juice.

#DharmaQuiz 2033: #AkshayaTritiya is when Ganga descended to earth. This is one of her origin points. Where is this? Ans: Gaumukh, Bhagirati's origin point. Bhagirati is one of Ganga's main starting tributaries.

DQ 2033. Pic - jyoti-kothari.hubpages.com

#DharmaQuiz 2034: He was made a custodian of wealth and property with Lakshmi on #AkshayaTritiya by Shiva. Who is he? Ans: Kubera.

DQ 2034. Pic - blogspot.com

#DharmaQuiz 2035: On #AkshayaTritiya, Surya gifted a famous vessel to Yudhishtira. Name it. Ans: Akshaya Patra.

DQ 2035. Pic - Wiki

Scores for session 329:

@CJoshi28 : 5

@yadavendraSS : 4
@kmukundra : 4
@stormylook : 4
@karthikjana : 4

@deshi_mangoman : 3

@prasannarl1 : 2
@vinodthakur3 : 2
@GhostriderYahoo : 2
@ChughShobu27 : 2
@nandaakumar : 2
@kpramodrai : 2
@kirtweetz : 2
@mpsharma56 : 2
@rinku3009 : 2
@bohrapankaj : 2
@RAMESH4184 : 2
@tweeteringuise : 2
@gurudath29 :

@developermv : 1
@Harish8hs : 1
@Vamsee9002 : 1
@kharwar_banaras : 1
@manoj_niketa : 1
@BramhaKamal : 1
@ashujoshi27 : 1
@jain_hd : 1
@Manjunaath : 1
@SnghAP : 1
@pareshmshah12 : 1
@kkapilrai : 1
@harishkrcr : 1
@Rakesh_Hassan : 1
@surimohnot : 1
@abhilashbalu : 1
@deepti_nainwal : 1
@pinktoothjourno : 1
@udayakandate : 1
@Richanjgd : 1
@Ay_Prashanth : 1
@atul_doshi : 1
@lalitadvani : 1
@RaghuKandkur : 1
@SonalShriv : 1
@Chandra_bhs : 1
@DharamaKshetra : 1
@gorishankaryad1 : 1
@anayaseth : 1
@ispastwadi : 1
@oojnas : 1
@kartikanandan : 1
@mithlm88 : 1

Hope you all had a great Akshaya Tritiya!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Deepawali or Diwali

DharmaQuiz Session 303: 21-Oct-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1901: Lord Krishna's wife killed Narakasura, on Naraka Chaturdashi day of Deepawali. Name her. Ans: Satyabhama.

#DharmaQuiz 1902: On 1 of the Deepawali days, some Hindus celebrate Bali Pratipada.
Name any non Deepawali festival where Bali is welcomed. Ans: Onam, in Kerala.

#DharmaQuiz 1903: Does Happy Dhanteras festival day during Diwali, occur before or after Amavasya? Ans: Before.

#DharmaQuiz 1904: Name a country on the South American continent, where Diwali is a national holiday. Ans: Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago or Suriname. Technically T & T are islands off the north of SA continent.

#DharmaQuiz 1905: Grandest event of 5 Day Diwali is Lakshmi's birth.
During which Puranic event was she born? Ans: Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). @Individualist_ says, not born but manifested.

Scores for session 303:

@GuruCharan99 : 5
@mdbiyani : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5
@CJoshi28 : 5
@MangoAdmi : 5
‏@arunz : 5
@Mamdhata : 5
@pramod_klr : 5
@mareekuree : 5
@Telugutalli : 5

@gboxam : 4
@sreekannoth : 4
@keshavaram : 4
@Tweelak : 4
@pandey_ashishkp : 4

@stormylook : 3
@krajthakkar : 3
@Simuntweets : 3

@nehjin8 : 2
@bhupinderpti : 2
@vschanna : 2
‏@Seek_self_truth : 2
@SwathiRagha : 2
@Lawan22 : 2

@acrajesh : 1
@narayanbpurohit : 1
@shegde63 : 2
@Maveric1128 : 1
@kapilsanvaliya : 1
‏@surecussam : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
‏@Anoopsri : 1
@TheJanamejaya : 1
‏@trueindian131 : 1
@patnaikt : 1
@acharya2 : 1
@AnupamkPandey : 1
@gandabherunda : 1
@ushamirra : 1
@saumya1985 : 1
@sibhaskaran : 1
@HarishankarSY : 1
@mrsnrao : 1
@prasad1654 : 1
@AmalPar : 1
‏@vjchats : 1
@ishuaadi : 1
‏@magaxiom : 1
@aravindan_krish : 1
@6amiji : 1
@ShivaKap : 1
‏@sun_pathak : 1

Happy Deepawali to all!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 274: 13-May-2014

Theme: Famous temples of the world.

#DharmaQuiz 1756: Name one temple that is dedicated to the Lord of creation, Brahma. Ans: Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, Pushkar, Rajasthan. Also, Kumbhakonam's Lord Brahma temple.

#DharmaQuiz 1757: Tell one place and city outside of South India, where an Ayyappa temple exists. Ans: RK Puram, Dilli; Goregoan, Mumbai; Southern Avenue, Kolkata. Also, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Agra, Nagpur, Betul..

#DharmaQuiz 1758: In which city and country is the biggest Sikh Gurudwara outside Punjab, located? Ans: Havelock Road, Southall, London, UK.

#DharmaQuiz 1759: A fabulous golden temple for Lakshmi, in Shri Chakra shape (Star) is on 100 acre land. Where is it? Ans: Sripuram near Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

DQ 1759: Pic - blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 1760:Where is this standing Shiva statue? This is probably the world's tallest Shiva
statue. Ans: Bhaktapur, Nepal. 143 feet tall.

DQ 1760: Pic - bossnepal

Answers for session 274:

@mareekuree : 5
@meenabg : 5

@PrashanthSai369 : 4
@gboxam : 4
@pramod_klr : 4
@man8shree : 4
‏@shivprasath : 4
@SamitLive : 4

@InduSarabhai : 3
@MorbidMortal : 3
@rinku3009 : 3

@RakiTweets : 2
@Ehashanali : 2
@911ashish : 2
‏@guruswamy_c : 2

‏@_shomy : 1
@Adv_P_G : 1
@alok174 : 1
‏@amitsinghai16 : 1
‏@ankurjpr : 1
‏@ashokbarjasar : 1
@ASHOKTHEKING : 1
@athreyaa : 1
@balamy : 1
@BashamPb : 1
‏@carvk : 1
‏@chaitanyadj : 1
@cheenisrini : 1
@ChorSipahi : 1
‏@DelRastogi : 1
@dhwaj23 : 1
@Diler_Thakur : 1
@ecophilo : 1
@Jaihind100 : 1
@kalia_perumal : 1
@kbarthwal : 1
@KesariDhwaj : 1
@mahesh4shriya : 1
@mamtan14 : 1
@mayankmatador : 1
@mylovenamo : 1
@neohunk007 : 1
‏@pchidu420 : 1
@pramoo : 1
@pushkaranand11 : 1
@raghumedicon : 1
@ramprakash74 : 1
‏@ranjanbaisak : 1
@raviprawat : 1
@RramachandranR : 1
@sensiblesuraj : 1
@sharmaswati28 : 1
@swarya55 : 1
‏@Tan_Tripathi : 1
@TorontoDreams : 1
@vasudevan_k : 1
@vishalnext : 1

Thanks for participating.

Friday, November 1, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 239: 1-Nov-2013

Theme: The five days of Diwali or Deepavali

#DharmaQuiz 1581: Today is Dhanteras, auspicious day of buying precious metals. Does this happen on Trayodashi of Krishna or Shukla paksha?. Ans: Krishna Paksha (waning moon).
#DharmaQuiz 1582: Tomorrow is Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali. In which of today's Indian states did Narakasura live during Mahabharata?. Ans: Asom, in those days it was called Pragjyotisha as it was called then. @bhs7rocks on Twitter explains that Tezpur is named so because lot of blood [Tex] was shed in the battle between him and Krishna.
#DharmaQuiz 1583: Sunday is Lakshmi Puja, the third day of Diwali. It happens on the Amavasya of which Hindu calendar month?. Ans: Ashwin or Ashvayuja. But Kartika Maasa according to Vikrama Shaka and Ashvin Maasa according to Shaalivahana Shaka. Thanks @GuruCharan99. Also, @sweetandu explains that the month is called in Tamil Ipasi.
#DharmaQuiz 1584: If the 2nd day of Deepavali is about Krishna avatara of Vishnu,which avatara is linked to the 4th day, the Bali Pratipada?. Ans: Vamana.
{Final,Open till 10PM} #DharmaQuiz 1585: The fifth and final day of Deepavali is a sister-brother day. What's the Konkani name for this day?. Ans: Bhau Beej

Top Scorers in Session 239:

@iSaakshi : 5
@Simuntweets : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 5
@man8shree : 5
@Parixyt : 5
@mamtan14 : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@bhaviknz : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@shanthigrama : 5
@smna17 : 5

Congrats to:

‏@goyalprtk : 4
@JagannathAjnabi : 4

@jananisri77 : 3
@AnirudhaLimaye : 3

@gautamchopra : 2
@sachinjohri : 2
@rohitsamvada : 2

@akshri_250 : 1
@kalika3107 : 1
@zombiespirits : 1
@FatAngryBird : 1
@NanOratoR : 1
@SATISHSHARMAJMU : 1
‏@akhilm176 : 1
‏@bhs7rocks : 1
@Narainised : 1
@shamsunderts : 1
@astrolife : 1
@jodhra63 : 1
@piyush1062 : 1
@vivekashenoy : 1
@Arpithams : 1
@IMeAndMine : 1

Have a bright, noisy and fun filled Deepavali.

Friday, August 16, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 229: 16-Aug-2013

Theme: Lakshmi Mata

1) Maa Lakshmi is worshiped as "Padmakshi". What does that name mean? #DharmaQuiz 1521. Ans: Eyes like that of Lotus.

2) Out of the Ashtha Lakshmi (8 forms of Lakshmi), which form is this? #DharmaQuiz 1522. Ans: Santana
Lakshmi the one blessing santana or progeny.

For DQ 1552 {Image: iskconbangalore.org}

3) This is a very famous Lakshi temple near the western coast of India. Built first 1300yrs ago.
Where? #DharmaQuiz 1523 Ans: Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Built first by Chalukya Empire in 700 AD.

For DQ 153 {Image: southpedicon2013.org}

4) Today is Vara Mahalakshmi vrata in south India. Does this festival fall closest to Shravana Purnima
or Shravana Amavasya? #DharmaQuiz 1524. Ans: Friday before Shravana Purnima.

5) Rig Veda's Shree Sukta praises Lakshmi as "Ishwareegm sarva bhootanam". What does that phrase mean? #DharmaQuiz 1525. Ans: The supreme Goddess of all beings.

Read the complete Shree Sukta and meaning here -> http://www.divyajivan.org/ashtalakshmi/sri_suktam.htm

Top scorers for session 229:

@vipulgupta1976 : 5
@ramas_cal : 5
@sushmahari : 5
@CJ_Shekhar : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@man8shree : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5
@surenc1974 : 5
@pangalanrao : 5

@sharathinindia : 4

@gboxam : 3

@rajsusraj : 2
@Sahyadri : 2
@tradetoday99 : 2
@Ramabhakthan : 2
@pramodgurav : 2
@vadiinna : 2
@pranavINC : 2
@HarishS66284892 : 2

@MadhuRa_april : 1
@Bengalur_Huduga : 1
@RangDeYaara : 1
@PrachinVaani : 1
@ranjandey007 : 1
@r_v_prasad : 1
@vinod_gowda : 1
@BhattJignes : 1
@SharathVS : 1
@SysEr : 1
@rajsusraj : 1
@konchady : 1
@cubicle_warrier : 1
@KS_Winchester93 : 1
@kmramanathan : 1
@aravinds91 : 1
@chaitanyadj : 1
@mobieng : 1
@haritirumalai : 1
@astrolife : 1
@VellaDev : 1
@sudarshan_v1 : 1
@GirishLN : 1
@terikehkeloonga : 1
@rahulbagati : 1
@prabhavabhat : 1
@ishuaadi : 1
@HinduRohini : 1
@RishiShenoy : 1
@kaunteya : 1
@octotus : 1
@BalachandarS : 1
@jodhra63 : 1

Congrats to all those who made to the list, as well as those who attempted. Jai Lakshmi Mata!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 200: 5-Mar-2013

Theme: Significance of numbers in Dharma

The mystical symbol AUM (Om), also known as Pranava, is made up of parts from how many Sanskrit letters? #DharmaQuiz 1361. Ans: Three. Aa, Va, Ma.
How many Aastika (Orthodox) schools of Philosophy are there in Hinduism? #DharmaQuiz 1362. Ans: Six. They are Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta.
Popularly, how many forms of Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth), are worshiped together (like courage, knowledge, wealth etc.) ? #DharmaQuiz 1363. Ans: Eight. Ashta Lakshmis. Adi, Dhana, Dhanya, Gaja, Santana, Veera, Vijya and Vidya.
In Dharmic tradition, how many ashramas or stages of life are defined for a human? #DharmaQuiz 1364. Ans: Four. Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.
How many worlds or planes or spheres of existence, are cited in the most revered Gayatri mantra? #DharmaQuiz 1365. Ans: Three. Bhur (Physical or Earth), Bhuvah (Astral) and Suvah (Celestial).

Top Scorers in this milestone point of 200th episode!

@sndpmysuru - Fastest Winner! Gets 'Science in Samskrit" book as a gift :)

Other Top Scorers - 27 this time!

@abhipar7 : 5
@kritdeo : 5
@Tasmayi : 5
@pllks30 : 5
@ramas_cal : 5
@avinashjanardan : 5
@shawjipk : 5
@surenc1974 : 5
@suar4sure : 5
@geophyraj : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@Kiran_Speaks : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@arunz : 5
@ankushraj29 : 5
@kishor_narayan : 5
@DrSaisree : 5
@bhaviknz : 5
@hchaturv : 5
@surnell : 5
@ashutoshkulkar1 : 5
@AdwaitanWay : 5
@kritdeo : 5
@hemanthaj : 5
@S_Mandalia : 5
@AntarikshG : 5
@sharathinindia : 5

Congratulations to those who came close:

@iDevNakshi : 4
@sumanthbharatha : 4
@keewwllguy : 4
@sudhee26 : 4
@gboxam : 4
@Tweelak : 4
@s_navroop : 4
@Santhosht_ : 4
@rsyashasvi : 4
@man8shree : 4

@vishal1818 : 3
@verma_shefali : 3
@manohar_sram : 3
@siddalinga1 : 3
@nanditathhakur : 3
@deshrajeev : 3
@dolby_mehul : 3
@gunturmaverick : 3

@cubicle_warrier : 2
@indianhindu16 : 2
@krishnakkmumbai : 2
@at_patel : 2
@Lawan22 : 2
@raopm9 : 2
@Marut_ : 2

@sreedharag : 1
@mrsnrao : 1
@hindu_r : 1
@ajay5963 : 1
@jp_surat : 1
@AbhinavShankar1 : 1
@Pul_verize : 1
@RocketLaunche10 : 1
@CAPMohan : 1
@sahucar : 1
@GrandIndusJurix : 1
@Shahmihir4 : 1
@ghoshashim : 1
@subodh1945 : 1
@Tailor_Durden : 1
@sri709 : 1
@AshGudAshItGets : 1
@IgnitedBrain : 1
@PTSwami : 1
@AAP_ka_BAAP : 1
@shivanikapoor01 : 1
@philAmit : 1
@Ameysd : 1

Thanks for participation and encouragement friends. It feels great to cross this 200th episode milestone!

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!

Friday, June 15, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 144: 15-Jun-2012

Theme: Hindu Rituals

Of which Hindu ritual, "Paani grahana" is a part of? a)Naming ceremony. b) Marriage. c) Death ceremony. - #DharmaQuiz 1076. Ans: b) Marriage.
There is a Hindu samskara called Karna Vedha. It's related to which of the following? d) Hands. e) Ear. f) Nose . - #DharmaQuiz 1077. Ans: e)Ear
When is this prayer usually said? "karagre vasate Lakshmi.. kara madhye Saraswati"? g) Morning. h) Before lunch i) Evening. #DharmaQuiz 1078. Ans: g) Morning. More: "karaagre vasate lakshmi karamadhye saraswati karamoole sthithaa gouri prabhaate karadarshanam" when looking at both palms first thing in the morning.
When Hindus say "paada sparsham kshamaswa me" prayer, whom are they addressing? j) Sky. k) Fire. l) Earth. - #DharmaQuiz 1079. Ans: l) Earth. Hindus touch the floor and pray "samudra vasane devi parvata sthana mandale Vishnu patnee namasthubhyam paada sparsham kshamaswa me" to ask for forgiveness for touching mother Earth with foot.
{Final, Open till 11PM} Among Hindu samskaras or customs, which one comes first? m)Jatakarma n) Namakarana o) Chudakarana - #DharmaQuiz 1080. Ans: m) Jatakarma.

Two good references to read further:
http://www.vmission.org.in/hinduism/samskaras.htm
http://sanskritdocuments.org/articles/customs_rituals_in_Hindu_dharma_IISH_Gopalakrishnan.doc

Top Scorers:

@vinodvyas220 : 5
@iCSM : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@shawjipk : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@akhilm176 : 5
@rahulghildiyal
@shanthigrama : 5
@bhaviknz : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@premchandu_a : 5
@philAmit : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@surnell : 5
@gdeepy : 5

Congrats to all these, who answered well!

@Susri1210 : 4
@Gurush_ : 4
@gnanambalam : 4
@prashanth__s : 4
@rk_kulkarni : 4
@Marut_ : 4

@kaushkrahul : 3
@Tasmayi : 3
@arora_chandan : 3
@abhipar7 : 3
@akhil_fsu : 3

@gototihar : 2
@ManishManke : 2
@swathyg : 2
@NAashish : 2
@kharesm : 2
@archie229 : 2
@Hindustanumh : 2
@talismaan : 2
@karthik_sy : 2
@somaiyahiral : 2
@WiseIndian : 2
@MaheshwarBhatP : 2
@pravinrao6750 : 2
@ashok567 : 2
@TobaTekSing : 2
@SarathRamakrish : 2

@idhairya : 1
@psudo : 1
@hm_eVOTS : 1
@ecophilo : 1
@harshvb : 1
@achandwar : 1
@truevirathindu : 1
@TheArvindDhar : 1
@VickyTweets9 : 1
@rajiv2131 : 1
@sanathandharma : 1
@AvinashCKM : 1
@CricRaks : 1
@_cowInspector : 1
@raghu_ji : 1
@VijayShenli : 1
@1KaDuM : 1
@pramodthap : 1
@Shree03 : 1
@krimhumhrim : 1
@suren_bamel : 1
@riteshshetty : 1

Thanks for a wonderful participation today. You can always refer to this blog after 11 PM IST, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Also, you can subscribe on Twitter to @kiranks/dharmaquiz list for an update tweet with answers.

Friday, May 11, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 136: 11-May-2012

Theme: Vande Mataram

In Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee sang "Malayaja Sheetalam". What does that phrase mean? #DharmaQuiz 1036. Ans: malaya-ja = of the fragrance of (Sandalwood) hilly trees. Sheetalam = cold winds. So "Cold winds of delight" is the poetic expression. Check this for malaya-ja meaning - http://vedabase.net/sb/10/35/20-21/
Mother India is termed as "Suhasini" in Vande Mataram. What does Suhasini mean? #DharmaQuiz 1037. Ans: Woman with lovely smile.
Vande Mataram song describes the nation-goddess' brave face as 'ripu daLa variNi' - What does it mean? #DharmaQuiz 1038. Ans: ripu = enemy; daLa = army; variNi = Destroyer.
What is Bankim Candra conveying with the words "Shubra Jyotsna" in Vande Mataram? #DharmaQuiz 1039. Ans: Shubra = Clean (white). Jyotna = Light - referring to moonlight.
Vande Mataram talks of "kamalaa kamaladaLa vihaariNi". Which Goddess is being referred here? #DharmaQuiz 1040. Ans: Lakshmi.

Please refer for Shri Aurobindo's authentic translation for the entire Vande Mataram:
http://www.indianchild.com/vande_mataram.htm

Top Scorers:

@Gaandeeva : 5
@venkateshkm : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@clumsycoder : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@shanthigrama : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@SAKottadamane : 5

Congratulations to:

@TheArvindDhar : 4
@bhijeetD : 4
@prashanthkpp : 4
@neerajstpl : 4

@talmukund : 3
@kalyan_sk3011 : 3
@_Innovision : 3
@Rasraj : 3
@shalini_mishtie : 3

@akhilm176 : 2
@AjitVGupta : 2
@geophyraj : 2
@neesh2073 : 2
@abhipar7 : 2
@sharathinindia : 2
@pchaturved : 2
@tnvlalitha : 2

@MukulAgarwal66 : 1
@khaishk : 1
@BalkishanLohia : 1
@puneethot : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
@neesh2073 : 1
@arvind_joshi : 1
@BasantiMomified : 1
@shakwrites : 1
@pvnatarajan : 1
@hakkiraju : 1
@rpmkarthi : 1
@vastav4 : 1
@seshasivasailam : 1
@mamtan14 : 1
@dnaveenvarma : 1
@manojkagarwal : 1

This was indeed a very interesting session for me, as I had to read through some good translations. If you know more authentic translations of Vande Mataram, than presented above, kindly share word by word translations.

If there's a mistake, do correct in a comment.

Friday, October 28, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 96: 28-Oct-2011

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for the subsequent 76 updates.

Session 96: October 28, 2011
Theme: Deepavali or Diwali

Pandavas appeared back from vanavasa or banishment in forest during Diwali. How many years were they banished in forest? #DharmaQuiz 832. Ans: Twelve years (see question. asking only about vanavasa, not agnata vasa or incognito)
It was on Deepavali day, Amavasya, that Arya Samaj's founder attained nirvana. Name him - #DharmaQuiz 833. Ans: Mahrashi Dayananda
Deepavali also marks the death of demon Narakasura. Along with Krishna, which of his wives went to battleground with him? #DharmaQuiz 834. Ans: Satyabhama
The foundation stone of a very famous Sikh shrine was laid out on Diwali day in 1577. Name its city. #DharmaQuiz 835. Ans: Amritsar
Diwali is the birthday of a very famous Hindu Goddess. Name the event in which she was born. #DharmaQuiz 836. Ans: Samudra Manthan or Churning of the sea.

List of people who got one or more answers answers right, with their scores:

@vipulgupta1976 : 5
@sureshvar : 5
@DevNakshi : 4
@RohitRajpurohit : 4
@amitgupta_lnct : 4
@mspenta : 4
@ajith_shetty : 4
@kishan_harathi : 3
@sharathinindia : 3
@Sammy_2912 : 3
@matarishva : 2
@agenthunt : 2
@itsmesuresh : 2
@keerthinarayan8 : 2
@jaideepb : 1
@Geminiseventh : 1
@pantgovinda : 1
@chikchirp : 1
@kanika_22 : 1
@tgirishkumar : 1
@prasad_athereya : 1
@sapana_almelkar : 1
@dimpsdawns : 1
@rubenmasc : 1

Congratulations to all those listed above! Also, thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

Watch out for the next update. Usually these quiz sessions happen on Tuesday and/or Friday afternoon India time, while being open for at least 3 hours for answers to come in. Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

Friday, September 2, 2011

DharmaQuiz Session 84: 12-Aug-2011

Kindly refer to the following link for an introduction to what this DharmaQuiz is all about. It also has the first 19 sessions' Questions and Answers.

http://dharmaquiz.blogspot.com/2010/09/dharmaquiz-questions-answers.html

Then refer to the right panel of this blog window, under 'Blog Archive' section for the subsequent 64 updates.

Session 84: August 12, 2011
Theme: Goddess Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi is said to shine like "Hiranya". What does Hiranya mean? #DharmaQuiz 770. Ans: Gold
Lakshmi is seated on a particular flower and also praised, as beautiful as the same flower. Name that flower. #DharmaQuiz 771. Ans: Padma or Lotus
Lakshmi is praised during prayer as "Eashvareegam Sarva Bhutanaam". What does 'Bhuta' mean in this context? #DharmaQuiz 772. Ans: (God) Created Beings
Goddess Lakshmi is also referred with a very popular, one Sanskrit syllable. Yes, just ONE syllable. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 773. Ans: Shreehi (Shree with a visarga or 2 dashes in Devanagari)
Goddess Lakshmi is praised as 'Hema Maalini". What does Hema Maalini mean? #DharmaQuiz 774. Ans: Garlanded with Gold.
A 16 shloka (hymn) prayer, from Rig Veda Khilani, is recited for Lakshmi strictly by meter. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 775. Ans: Shri Sukta

All questions above are from Shri Sukta.

Read more here:
http://www.greenmesg.org/mantras_slokas/devi_lakshmi-sri_suktam.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_sukta

Video of traditional, with strict adherance to meter, Shri Sukta rendering, like you hear in temples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znx82Y4glAk

Video here with Sanskrit and English translation of Shree Suktam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vd6xbQDTYs

List of people who got one or more answers answers right:

@GirishLN
@Amaresh80
@manohar_sram
@rv_nath
@RohitRajpurohit
@asraghunath
@saurabhvc
@_SHIVANGI__
@aurabhvc
@sharathinindia
@ManikandSharma
@RetardRahulG
@DevNakshi
@AviTweets
@MrsGandhi
@AshutoshNSingh
@pangalanrao
@vasantgoswami
@amit_sincy
@wavehit
@Ravitejadanda
@casperghost7
@mukuvacha

Congratulations to all those listed above! Also, thanks to all those who attempted as well as those who are silently following the tweets or blog.

Watch out for the next update! Of course, don't forget to leave your comments & suggestions, as well as subscribe to this blog. It is just a fun way to participate in sharing of religious / spiritual knowledge.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Friday, November 1, 2013

Friday, August 16, 2013

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Friday, July 27, 2012

Friday, June 15, 2012

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday, September 2, 2011

You Are Visitor Number: