Friday, November 29, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 244: 29-Nov-2013

Theme: Famous mantras from Upanishads

#DharmaQuiz 1606: सत्यं वद। घर्मं चर। स्वाध्यायान्‌ मा.. "Satyam vada; dharmam chara" - This message about truth is from which Upanishad? Ans: Taittiriya Upanishad 1/11 (Shiksha Valli)
Read more in here: http://www.swaminarayan.org/essays/2010/0802.htm


#DharmaQuiz 1607: ॐ असतोमा सद्गमय । तमसोमा ज्योतिर्गमय "Om asato maa sad gamaya tamaso maa jyotir gamaya" - Which Upanishad is this from? Ans: Brihadaryanaka Upanishad 1.3.28
More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadaranyaka_Upanishad


#DharmaQuiz 1608: उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत - Uthishtata jagrata, praapya varaan nibodhata - From which Upanishad is this from? Ans: Katha Upanishad 1.3.14

More here: http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=14158

#DharmaQuiz 1609: प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्म - prajnaanam Brahma - From which upanishad is this Maha Vakya?. Ans: Aithareeya Upanishad 3.3 of Rig Veda.

#DharmaQuiz 1610: तत् त्वम् असि - tat tvam asi - "Thou art That" - From which Upanishad is this Maha Vakya? Ans: Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 of the Sama Veda. In the dialogue between Shvetaketu and his father Uddalaka.

Toppers for session 244:

  1. @iParamanand : 5
  2. @GuruCharan99 : 5
  3. @bhaviknz : 5
  4. ‏@Tasmayi : 5
  5. @iRohitBhat : 5
  6. @sharathinindia : 5
  7. @surenc1974 : 5
  8. @KaushikRg : 5
  9. @PrachinVaani : 5
  10. @sweetandu : 5
  11. @ramas_cal : 5
Congrats to the following too:

@man8shree : 4
@Mamdhata : 4
@SriAiyer2RS : 4

@Talk_karma : 2
@rinku3009 : 2

@JagannathAjnabi : 1
@venkataa : 1
@jodhra63 : 1
@D_Shadz : 1
@Telugutalli : 1
@anantjoshi84 : 1
@brahmavith : 1

Please explore some nice mantras and mahavakyas from Upanishads when you have time.  Friend @PrachinVaani shared Upanishads chronologically ordered by him.
http://historyindianized.blogspot.in/2013/06/the-era-of-upanishads-2.html?m=1

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 243: 26-Nov-2013

Theme: Hindu Dharma's Key Acharyas

#DharmaQuiz 1601: Who is termed as the greatest Paramacharya for classifying the sacred Vedas into four parts? Ans: Veda Vyasa.

#DharmaQuiz 1602: Can you name one famous Guru, who can fit into "Dharmacharya" title for writing exemplary bhashyas on Vedas & Upanishads? Ans: Adi Shankara as the most prominent.

#DharmaQuiz 1603: Name 1 Hindu Guru who can fit into "Karmacharya" title for outstanding work done in motivating and organizing Hindu society. Ans: Swami Vivekananda as one prime example.

#DharmaQuiz 1604: Name one Hindu Guru who can fit into "Vijnanacharya" title for tremendous contribution to science or mathematics scholarship. Ans: Bhaskaracharya as one prime example.

{Final, Open till 10 PM} #DharmaQuiz 1605: Name a Guru who formulated foundational sutras of Yoga, fit enough to be praised as "Yogacharya". Ans: Patanjali

Toppers for session 243:

@Bengalur_Huduga : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 5
@brahmavith : 5
‏@bhaviknz : 5
@Simuntweets : 5
@man8shree : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5

Congrats to:

@cubicle_warrier : 4
@rajeshrajput1 : 4
@sreekannoth : 4
@Mamdhata : 4

@showadarsh  : 3
@PankajBagla : 3
@venkataa : 3

@ijitendramodi : 2
@Archana1207 : 2
@tradetoday99 : 2
‏@right_advocate : 2

@ramanujam75 : 1
@mjrajput : 1
@PrashantRastog1 : 1
@njith : 1
‏@rao_deepak : 1
@shrivijaybk : 1
@imRaghu4mKoppal : 1
@imthe_Right : 1
@Atulkbhaskar : 1
@Ignoramusme : 1
@CurrAffairs : 1
@ManikGup92 : 1
@kathalkar24 : 1
@antapravah : 1
@ShubhamBhuyaat : 1
@Purusharth6 : 1
@theninjax : 1
@esgeeaar : 1
@pulkitgupta80 : 1
@DrSrishtiGupta : 1
@SriAiyer2RS : 1
‏@iNIMISH : 1
@GaneshChakravor : 1

See you on Friday.

Friday, November 22, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 242: 22-Nov-2013

Theme: Hindu Astrology and Calendar
  1. #DharmaQuiz 1596: Out of the 60 Hindu Samvatsaras, which samvatsara are we currently in?. Ans: Vijaya Nama Samvatsara.
  2. #DharmaQuiz 1597: During which calendar month (Jan to Dec) did Dakshinayana start in 2013? Ans: July.
  3. #DharmaQuiz 1598: Today is Sharad Ritu and Kartika maasa in South India. Which Ritu (ecological season) is it in most of North India today?. Ans: Hemanta Ritu (pre winter season). Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritu_%28Indian_season%29
  4. #DharmaQuiz 1599: As per the Hindu astronomical period of time measurement, we are in the 7th Manvantara. Which Manu is this attributed to?. Ans: Vaivaswata Manvantara. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manvantara
  5. #DharmaQuiz 1600: There are four padas (quarters) for Kali Yuga. In which pada are we today, per Hindu Astrology?. Ans: First Pada.
Topper for session 242:
  • @SarathRamakrish : 5
  • ‏@KaushikRg : 5
  • ‏@shawjipk : 5
  • @GuruCharan99 : 5
 
Congrats to:
  1. @bsr3012 : 4
  2. @sndpmysuru : 4
  1. ‏@sweetandu : 3
  2. @man8shree : 3
  1. @gbhat_ : 2
  2. @madhukarmp : 2   
  3. @DrPannagDesai : 2
  4. @JagannathAjnabi : 2
  1. ‏@nareshdixit82 : 1
  2. @bhrigupathi : 1
  3. @Livenletlive33 : 1
  4. @shakkuiyer : 1
  5. @SriAiyer2RS : 1
  6. @kirankonnects : 1
  7. ‏@drarora_gaurav : 1
  8. @pvnananth : 1
  9. @Telugutalli : 1
See you next week.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 241: 19-Nov-2013

Theme: Bhajans, Aartis and Suprabhatams

#DharmaQuiz 1591: Who put to music the most common version of "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram" bhajan that Mahatma Gandhi used to sing?. Ans:  Vishnu Digambar Paluskar.

#DharmaQuiz 1592: The most famous suprabhatam in South India you can find is "Kausalya Supraja Rama Purva...". Who composed it ~600 yrs ago?. Ans: During 1430 CE by Prativaadibhayankara Sri Anantacharya Read it here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suprabhatam#Venkateshwara_Suprabhatam

#DharmaQuiz 1593: Every Ramakrishna matha will sing "Khandana Bhava Bandhana" aarti composed by Swami Vivekananda. Usually in which raaga?. Ans: Mishra Kalyana. @GuruCharan99 explains that it was originally composed in Raga Mishra Kalyan in Belur Mutt. But it can also be sung in Dhrupad raaga.

#DharmaQuiz 1594: The Ram Bhajan "Jaise Suraj ki Garmi se" became immensely popular. Which movie featured it for the first time? Ans: Parinay

{Final, Open till 10 PM} #DharmaQuiz 1595: Who composed about 140 years ago, the very famous "Jai Jagadish Hare" aarti bhajan in Punjab? Ans: Pandit Shardha Ram Phillauri.

Answers for session 241:

@GuruCharan99 : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5  
@bhaviknz : 5
@KaushikRg : 5


@DrSrishtiGupta : 3
@rinku3009 : 2
@sachinjohri : 2
@niranjanpai : 2

@YashwantCharan : 1
@kirankonnects : 1
@pvnananth : 1
@ABoni8 : 1
‏@bechaara : 1
@myself_a_desi : 1
@ssk3071 : 1

Hope you enjoyed it today. It was tough.

Friday, November 8, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 240: 8-Nov-2013

Theme: Sun worship among Hindus
  1. #DharmaQuiz 1586: Today is Chhath pooja mainly celebrated in Bihar. What do women give to Surya Bhagawan on this day?. Ans: They give Arghya to rising and setting sun. Along with water, wheat, sugarcane, bananas, milk and coconut too offered. Thanks to ‏@man8shree for details.
  2. #DharmaQuiz 1587: Worshiping Solar deities is an ancient Indian custom. Which Aditya or Sun is the great Gayatri mantra dedicated to?. Ans: Savitr (Tat Savitur varenyam). @cgmagia explains futher - "Savitr" one of aditya offspring of Vedic deity Aditi. His name in Vedic Sanskrit connotes impeller, rouser, vivifier.
  3. #DharmaQuiz 1588: The 7th day after Sun starts his northern ascent (Uttarayana), Hindus celebrate a festival dedicated to Sun. Name it. Ans: Ratha Saptami.
  4. #DharmaQuiz 1589: This is a temple dedicated to Surya or Sun God. Also a UNESCO World heritage site. Where is it? Ans: Konark, Puri, Odisha. @amitagra21 explains further that this is not a temple anymore, but is only the remnants of a grand temple destroyed by "Kalapahar".
    DQ 1589 ; From Wiki
  5. #DharmaQuiz 1590:  Name this community found in North India, Pakistan & Afghan, who were historically Sun-worshipers. Ans: Gujjars -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurjar - Answers with Suryavamshi or Suryavanshi also accepted.
Top scorers of session 240:
  1. @GuruCharan99 : 5
  2. @bhaviknz : 5
  3. @vipulgupta1976 : 5
  4. @man8shree : 5
Congrats to all the following: 
  1. @paivijay : 4   
  2. ‏@sharathinindia : 4
  3. @cgmagia : 4
  4. ‏@arunz : 4
  5. @n_dolli : 4
  1. @Simuntweets : 3
  2. @wakeupindia777 : 3
  3. @tradetoday99 : 3
  1. @MeSavitha : 2
  2. @AgentSaffron : 2
  3. @rohitsamvada : 2
  1. ‏@nkgrock : 1
  2. @RaghuVamshee : 1
  3. @Mamdhata : 1
  4. ‏@_shomy : 1
  5. @dheepakg : 1
  6. @trolleswar : 1
  7. ‏@sillyslaphappy : 1
  8. @usrnamecntblnk : 1
  9. @sparkbird : 1
  10. @gugujyoti : 1
  11. @indiapremi : 1
  12. @kalika3107 : 1
  13. @lodyaashi : 1
  14. @DreameMerchant : 1
  15. ‏@ShatajitBasu : 1
  16. @rajeshrajput1 : 1
  17. @pappu_pedia : 1
  18. @chetankshet : 1
  19. @pramod_klr : 1
  20. @hthakur1990 : 1
  21. @pramoo : 1
  22. ‏@chaitanyasoul : 1
  23. @amitagra21 : 1
  24. @chaitanyasoul : 1
  25. @aackthu : 1
  26. @errajalok : 1
  27. @Livenletlive33 : 1
  28. @shikha_shrivas : 1
  29. @BhartPutra : 1
See you next week.


Friday, November 1, 2013

DharmaQuiz Session 239: 1-Nov-2013

Theme: The five days of Diwali or Deepavali
  1. #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).
  2. #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.
  3. #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.
  4. #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.
  5. {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:

  1. @iSaakshi : 5
  2. @Simuntweets : 5
  3. @GuruCharan99 : 5
  4. @man8shree : 5
  5. @Parixyt : 5
  6. @mamtan14 : 5
  7. @sweetandu : 5
  8. @bhaviknz : 5
  9. @KaushikRg : 5
  10. @shanthigrama : 5
  11. @smna17 : 5
Congrats to:
  1. ‏@goyalprtk : 4
  2. @JagannathAjnabi : 4
  1. @jananisri77 : 3
  2. @AnirudhaLimaye : 3
  1. @gautamchopra : 2
  2. @sachinjohri : 2
  3. @rohitsamvada : 2
  1. @akshri_250 : 1
  2. @kalika3107 : 1
  3. @zombiespirits : 1
  4. @FatAngryBird : 1
  5. @NanOratoR : 1
  6. @SATISHSHARMAJMU : 1
  7. ‏@akhilm176 : 1
  8. ‏@bhs7rocks : 1
  9. @Narainised : 1
  10. @shamsunderts : 1
  11. @astrolife : 1
  12. @jodhra63 : 1
  13. @piyush1062 : 1
  14. @vivekashenoy : 1
  15. @Arpithams : 1
  16. @IMeAndMine : 1

Have a bright, noisy and fun filled Deepavali.