Positives from the lockdown – Part 1

The current lockdown has brought many families to connect digitally with their loved ones, such as chatting, exchanging recipe videos, kids showcasing their singing and dancing talent in family whatsapp groups. Family get-together is one of many good things that happened during this lockdown.

We came across many such interesting events and wondered whether such occurrences would have taken place if this lockdown was not announced in first place. Through this lockdown special series, we would like to share few interesting get-together stories. We found these stories inspiring as they are a big learning experience for children – How to effectively utilise our time and energy when things are in not our control. As parents our focus is on bringing up our children to be good human beings more than just successful ones. 

सुखदु:खे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ |
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि || 38||

sukha-duḥkhe same kṛitvā lābhālābhau jayājayau

tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṁ pāpam avāpsyasin

“Fight for the sake of duty, treating alike happiness and distress, loss and gain, victory and defeat. Fulfilling your responsibility in this way, you will never incur sin. Thus, Krishna tells Arjuna to treat happiness and sadness the same and do his duty. Parents should also encourage children to develop good habits at very early age. Such proper guidance will make them to be a good informed decision maker in future.

Anay – The Little Quiz Master

The first one in this series is about 6-year-old kid Anay who did a Quiz program in his family chatroom. Anay started showing interest towards books when he turned 4. His parents encouraged him by gifting storybooks of Panchatantra, Tenali Raman, Akbar Birbal, Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc. His parents thus helped him to develop the habit of reading and made him stay away from time-wasting gadgets. 

Recently, he conducted a quiz on Ramayana and Mahabharata in one of his family chatting sessions. He himself prepared all the questions and there were some interesting questions which even the adults found challenging to answer. 

Such activities will encourage kids to learn our history not just limited to Ramayana and Mahabharata, but also now about our rich history of 2000 years including the rule of Cholas, Pallavas, Chalukyas and many more.

Here are those questions. Test your knowledge and also share it with your kids. Answers are available at the end of this article.

1. Whom did King Dashrath kill by mistake because of which he was cursed?
2. Name the Yajna after which the four princes were born to King Dashrath
3. When Rama and Lakshmana were young, Sage Vishwamitra took their help to kill two demons who were disturbing his Vedic rituals. Name the demons.
4. Who cursed Ravana that his end will come because of monkeys?
5. Who tried to stop Hanuman from entering Lanka the first time?
6. Who convinced Queen Kaikeyi to crown Bharat the King instead of Ram?
7. While Ram is considered an avatar of Vishnu, who is Lakshman an avatar of?
8. Who is Raavan’s half brother?
9. Apart from being a brave warrior, Raavan also excelled in playing a musical instrument. Which one?
10. Who gave ‘the boon that neither Gods nor Demons would be able to destroy Raavana?
11. Who tried to save Sita when Raavan abducted her?
12. Who helped Ram, Lakshman and Sita to cross the River Ganga in his boat when they were in exile?
13. Who prescribed the Sanjeevani Booti for Lakshman?
14. Why did King Janak choose Lord Shiva’s Bow for Sita’s swayamvar
15. Who confirmed to Rama that Sita is in Lanka.
16. Which two places did Ram, Lakshman and Sita live during their exile?
17. Who designed the bridge to Lanka, which is now known as Ram Sethu?
18. Name the wife of Dronacharya
19. Who is the only sister of the 100 Kaurava Brothers
20. Name King Shantanu’s first wife
21. Who built the Palace of Illusions?
22. After losing their kingdom in the game of dice, the Pandavs were sent in exile. In the 13th year they were hiding in disguise. Can you name the disguise of each of the Pandav brothers?
23. Who is Ghatotkach’s mother?
24. Other than the pandava brothers, Bheem also had another brother. Name him?
25. Who took the Kavach and Kundal of Karna?
26. What was the original name of Indraprastha when it was given to Pandavas?
27. Name the commander-in-chief of the Pandav Army.
28. Name the formation created by Dronacharya in which Abhimanyu was killed.
29. Who became the commander of the Kaurava Army after the death of Bheeshma?
30. Who participated in the Mahabarata war through his presence in Arjuna’s chariot flag?

In the end little quiz master was asked few questions on Ramayana and Mahabharata to test his knowledge level. His spontaneous reply with reasons amazed everyone. With his parents permission we are adding 1 minute audio clipping.

In the end to everyone’s surprise he gave away his drawings as prize to winners.

Inspired by Anay’s quiz my daughter immediately asked a question – In mahabharata how many sons did Dhritarashtra have? My wife replied 100. With a smile she said No Amma its 101. Yuyuyutsu was born to Dhritarashtra and Sughada. He is the only son who fought war from pandavas side.

We request readers to share such inspiring and interesting stories during this lockdown. We will be glad to post them as an article in Thedal.

Answers to Anay’s questions 1. Shravan Kumar 2. Putra Putra Prapti Yajna Yajna 3. Mareech and Subahu 4. Nandi – the ount of Lord Siva 5. Sursa – Mother of Serpents 6. Manthara – maid of Queen Kaikeyi 7. Sheshnaag – Snake in which Lord Visnu rests 8. Kuber – God of wealth 9. Veena 10. Lord Brahma 11. Jatayu – a Vulture 12. Guha – the Hunter King 13. Sushena – the royal physician of Lanka 14. As a Child Sita broke the bow. 15. brother of Jatayu 16. Chitrakoot and Panchvati 17. Nala – son of Great architect Vishwakarma 18. Kripi, sister of Guru Kripacharya 19. Who is the only sister of the 100 Kaurava Brothers Dushala 20. Ganga 21.Mayasur 22. Yudhishtar – (Dice player named Kanga) Arjun (Dance teacher named Brihanala), Bheema (Cook named Ballva), Nakul & Sahadeva – Herdsmen named Tantripal and Dharmagranthi) 23. Hidumbi – sister of wicked demon Hidumba who tried to kill Bheema 24. Hanuman – both are sons of Vayu the wind god 25. Indra (to save his Son Arjuna) 26. Khandavprastha 27. Drishtyudamna (brother of Draupadi) 28. Chakravyuha (meant to trap Arjuna) 29. Acharya Drona 30. Hanuman