[Prev][Next][Index]
Puranic Quiz
Hi Friends!
Here are some tid-bits from the Puranas. (This is what I collected from
newsgroups. (And most of the stuff - Questions and short answers are from
sramalin@memstvx1.memphis.edu)).
-- Hope You Like These -- Bye -- Sastry
1. When Sati dies, Siva takes to reclusion and forgets the world. Taking this
as opportunity, a certain demon prays to Brahma that he be killed by only
son of Siva. So all the Gods go and urge Indra to see that Siva somehow comes
out of his meditation and marries to beget a son. When Siva marries Parvathi
the son of Siva kills this demon. Name the demon.
A : Taraka(sura) is the demon. Siva's son is Skanda/Kartikeya/Kumara Swamy.
2. Some one wanted to go to Heaven with his own human body. Several people
try to convince him that it is not possible. He goes to a sage and urges
only to get rejected. He goes to another and the later tries to send him
to Heavens in vain. Name all the personalities here.
A: Trishanku wanted to go to the Heavens. Vasistha says no. Viswamitra nods
since his arch rival said no. Viswaamitra creates an entirely new Heaven
with his powers, when through his first attempts Trisanku was sent
to Heaven, but was booted out of it by Indra.
This New Heaven is called Trishanku Swargam. (Often used to describe some
arbit phase "between success and failure").
3. When Rama wanted to go to Lanka, He asks the sea to give way but the king
of Sea comes out and says the a certain monkey in the army can do the
construction easily.[May be a civil Engineer for OVERSEAS projects ! :))].
Name that monkey.
A: Neela.
4. When the Gods and demons churned the ocean, Nectar (Amrita) was produced
after so much of sweat. A messenger came out of the ocean carrying Nectar. Who
was that messenger ?
A: Dhanvantari.
5. Brahma's first creation were some people who rejected the idea of Brahma
that they procreate. Among those people there were four who were always naked
and who always remained as children, always devoted to Vishnu. Can you recall
their names ?
A: Sanaka, Sananda, Sanatkumar, Sanatana. These are the four who curse Jaya
and Vijaya to be born as human beings on earth.
(Jaya and Vijaya are the Dwaarapaalakas of Vishnu. They are cursed when they
don't allow these four sages to see Vishnu. They are given options.. Live long
lives as humans and as devotees of Vishnu or live short lives as cruel people
when Vishnu would come and kill them fast. They prefer the latter -- In terms
of the time they'd be away as humans. They are the notorious four sets of
brothers 1) Hiranyaasksha and Hiranya kashipa,
2) Ravana and Khumbhakarna
3) Sisupaala(?) and ???
4) ??? and ???
I am sorry guys! I forgot!
Any experts, please mail answers to ssi@fidelio.rutgers.edu)
6. Let us turn the topic to Vahanas(Carriers) of the Gods. It is very easy to
tell the Vahanas of Vishnu or Siva. How about the Vahanas of Manmatha (who was
burnt to ashes by Siva) and Skanda ?
A: Manmatha : Parrot and Kartikeya : Peacock
7. When Aswaththama went at night to kill the sleeping heros, he comes across a
fierce figure with whom he first fights momentarily before he enters the tents.
When he was unable do anything to that figure, that very figure turns out and
gives a sword to Aswaththama to kill the heros. Name the figure and tell the
reason (as told by the very figure) why the sword is given.
A: The fierce figure is Siva in the form of Mahakala who was there to destroy
the rest of the people. He was looking for a medium to act. Every one had to
die at the end of war leaving the Pandavas and Krishna and some select Yadavas.
The time had come for their end. Therefore the sword would work out the
needed destruction through Aswaththama.
8. In the second birth, to whom Sati is born as Parvathi (Her father)?
a: Himavan (and Menaka). If you had been to the Kuchipudi dance by ChinaSatyam
you should have answered this.
Hence Parvathi's other names
Girija (daughter of a mountain) / Sailaja (daughter of a stone).
9. Name the sword of Ravana and the God who gave it to him.
A: Chandrahas. Given by Lord Siva for the Bhakthi Ravana displayed to that
God while crossing the Kailas on Pushpak.
10. A certain king did so many good deeds that he became Indra. But temper and
ego blinded his eyes and one of the seven seers cursed him to become a big snake
in a forest. He would get relief from his snake life after he talks to
Yudhistira. Any idea who is that ?
A: Nahusha. He was cursed after he made the seven sages carry
his palanquin as bearers, and on top of that kicks Agastya with
his left leg for being too slow.
