Thanks again for your active participation in our seventh quiz on literary lines. We thank all readers and respondents for their active participation.
Here are the readers who got all the answers right:
Soumya and Padma Gopal.
Many congratulations!
Here are the answers:
1. “vanamaali gadhi shaarngi shanki chakri cha nandaki”
Vishnusahasranamam/Mahabharata by Veda Vyasa. This sloka is to request the Lord who wields various weapons and the vanamala (garland of flowers) to protect us all.
2. “annam na nindhyaath “
Yajur Veda/Taittiriya Upanishad. Upanishads are part of the Vedas that implore people to follow basic tenets that are beneficial to the world. Taittiriya Upanishad is one of the foremost among them. The above saying means ‘do not abuse food’, thus outlining the significance of Annam/food.
3. “sambhavami yuge yuge”
Bhagavad Gita/Mahabharata by Veda Vyasa. This sloka (‘paritranaaya sadhoonam.. ‘) is present in Chapter 4, sloka 8. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna in the battlefield these words: “For the protection of the pious, for the destruction of the evil/sinful ones and to establish righteousness (Dharma), I manifest Myself in every age.”
4. “namostu ramaaya sa lakshmanaya”
Sundara Kandam/Srimad Ramayanam by Valmiki. Lord Hanuman offers his saluations thus: “I bow to Rama who is with Lakshmana, Sita, the daughter of king Janaka. I bow to Lord Shiva, Indra, Vaayu, Chandra and Surya.”
5. “bhava shankara deshika me charanam”
Thotakashtakam by Thotakacharya, a disciple of Sri Adishankara. In each word of this exquisite hymn Thotakacharya brings out the utter devotion that he has for his Guru, Shankara.
6. “ suravara-varśhiṇi durdhara-dharśhiṇi durmukha-marśhiṇi “
“Mahsishasura Mardhini” stotram attributed to Sri Adishankara. This hymn is in praise of Goddess Durga when she slayed the demon Mahishasura.
7. “maahavir vikram bajrangi kumati nivar sumati ke sangi”
Hanuman Chalisa by Sri Tulsidas who also wrote Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of Ramayana. Hanuman Chalisa comprises 40 hymns and is the most popular among those in praise of Lord Hanuman, and is recited by millions of Hindus.
8. “anjile onru petraan anjile onraith thaavi”
Kambaramayanam by Kambar. This verse is again in praise of Lord Hanuman, where Kambar invokes the five elements to sing his praise thus:
- Born out of one element – Vayu deva (Air)
- Crossed one element – Ocean (Water)
- Met the one born out of one element – Sita (born out of Land)
- Flew through one element – Akaasha (Sky)
- Set this element upon the city – Lanka burning (Fire)
Kambar’s word play is worthy of admiration here.
9. “anrivvulagam alandhaai adi potri”
Thiruppaavai by Aandal. This song is the 24th one out of 30 songs of Thiruppaavai. This line signifies the 5th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, namely Vaamana Avatara where he measured the worlds using three steps.
10. “anne unnai allal ini yaarai ninaikkene”
Thevaaram by Sundarar. This particular verse is in praise of Lord Shiva who is considered a ruby of the place Mazhapadi. Those who have read Kalki’s great work ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ can link the place Mazhapadi to this verse.
11. “enaith thodarndhu irukkum enthai muruganaip padineen”
Kanda Shasti Kavacham by Sri Deveraya Swamigal. It is a devotional song composed in Tamil on Lord Muruga seeking his protection and grace. Devotees believe that regular chanting of this song will help them overcome their problems in life.
12.“ vendiathaith thandhida venkatesan enrirukka”
‘Kurai onrum illai’ by Sri C. Rajagoplachari (Rajaji). This was written in gratitude to Lord Venkateswara maintaining that there are no regrets about anything in life when the Lord is present with us.
Rangarajan has been blogging for over 12 years now on various topics. With Thedal, he becomes one with the universe and he is hoping that his search will help him discover the eternal truth. Please join him as he traverses through the universe across temples, philosophies and science!