Answers: Thedal Quiz – 2

Once again thanks all for your active participation in our second quiz.  There were good number of responses this time as well. 

Here are some of the readers who got all the answers right: 

Renganathan & Ramasamy. 

Many congratulations!

Here are the answers to the questions:

1.Which great literary work is also known as ‘The Fifth Veda’?

Mahabhaaratha. There is an age old saying, ‘Bhaaratham Panchamo Veda:’ which means Mahabhaaratha is considered as the fifth Veda. It is so because it contains a lot of aspects  that help a person lead a Vedic life.  Some of the key  elements of Mahabhaaratha include ‘Bhagavad Gita’, ‘Yaksha Prashna’, ‘Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama’ etc. to name a few. 

2. Which sage among the Saptha Rishis (7 Eminent sages) was proficient in both Tamil and Sanskrit languages and also figured in the Ramayana?

Sage Agasthiya.  While being among the Saptha Rishis, he had authored ‘Agaththiam’ in Tamil which is the oldest work on Tamil Grammar and is also mentioned in the work, Tholkaappiam.  He also was proficient in Sanskrit. He advised Rama on how to fight with Ravana during Ramayana.  You can read more about the sage here. 

3. In Ramayana, who was the brother of Sampaathi the vulture, who did a great service to Lord Rama?

Jataayu. In Ramayana, he fought the mighty Ravana during the abduction of Sita. After putting up a brave fight, he was struck down by Ravana.  He lived enough to tell Rama about the abduction before attaining Moksha. Though Jataayu was a bird, Rama performed his last rites just the same way he did to his father Dasharatha. 

4. According to Mahabharatha, who was the sister of Shakuni?

Gandhaari. Both siblings were born to the Gandhaara king.  She is also the wife of Dhrutharashtra and mother of all Kauravaas including Duryodhana.

5. Which Vaishnavite Azhwar in his literary work wrote (‘Aran Naaranan Naamam’) indicating that Shiva and Vishnu are one?

Poigai Aazhwaar. He was the first among Vaishnavaite Aazhwaars and in his work ‘Mudhal Thiruvandhaadhi’, he wrote that though the names, mounts, residing places and deeds are different, Shiva and Vishnu are one and the same. (Vaishnava philosophers provide a deeper meaning to this verse, but that would be beyond the scope at this point). 

6. Which is the only Vaishnavaite Divyadesam temple (present in Earth) that is located outside India?

Saligram, Mukthinath, Nepal.  This is the only Divadesam that is outside of India among the 106 Earthly ones. The remaining 2 are Thirupaarkadal and Paramapadham which are not in this realm. 

7. Where in India can you find the largest Nandi Statue (Mount of Lord Shiva) ?

Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh.  The second largest is in Lord Brhadeeshwara Temple also known as ‘Peria Koil’ in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. 

8. According to a line from Sangam Literature, the mountain areas are protected by Seyon. (‘Seyon meya maivarai ulagamum’). Who is He?

Lord Muruga. During Sangam period , five main Gods were worshipped. They were Maayon (Lord Vishnu), Seyon (Muruga), Indra, Varuna and Goddess Kotravai. 

9. Which Shaivaite Naayanaar (sage) is also known as Thiruvaathavuraar?

Manikka Vaasagar, the author of Thiruvaasakam. Since he was born in Thiruvaathavur (in Madurai), he received this name. 

10. Who wrote Gita Govindam which is organized as lines grouped as ‘eights'(Ashtapathis)?

Jayadeva. In this book, Jayadeva describes the love for Radha and other Gopikaas towards Lord Krishna. 

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