Hinduism: The Whole Epic Trivia Quiz

Answer: Brahma

Brahma is believed to have five heads. First, having only one head, he created a very beautiful lady called Shatarupa or Saraswati. She was so beautiful that he could not take his eyes off her. She, out of shyness, moved around so that Brahma could not see her. Brahma, being the creator, created four more heads so that he could see her wherever she went.

He made another head in top of those four so he could see her when she moved up. Shiva later burned that head as he was offended by Brahma. Daksh is known as the human son of the god and his story is very famous too.

Answer: Madhu and Kaitav

These were very powerful demons that fought Vishnu for days until defeating him. Vishnu, very shocked that they defeated him, asked them to name a boon. Madhu and Kaitav mocked him, by saying "powerful people give boons and you are not powerful so, oh Vishnu, ask a boon from us. We shall grant you your wish." Getting his chance, Vishnu asked them their death as a boon. Madhu and Kaitav, defeated by his wits told Vishnu, they could only be killed in his lap. Vishnu extended his lap so wide the universe was filled with it.

He caught the two demons and eventually killed them.

Answer: True

You may not know this, but it is true that Nandi the bull was cursed by Parvati. Once, Shiva and Parvati were playing a game of dice. They decided Nandi would be the umpire. Although Shiva lost Nandi announced him as the winner, as he was his master. Parvati, angry at this, cursed Nandi to be killed by a disease. Nandi asked for forgiveness and Parvati agreed, on the condition that Nandi had to offer what he loved the most (green grass) to Ganesha once a month.

Answer: Kamdev

This is a story of how Shiva defeated Kamdev or Kam (love and greediness) and was called Pashupati. Later, when Kamdev's consort Rati asked for forgiveness, Shiva told her that in Dwapar Yug Kamdev would be reborn as Pradyumna, Krishna's son. He would then kill a demon to be Kamdev again.

Answer: Sharda

Sharda is another name of Sarasvati. Sati and Uma are Parvati's other names and Shri is Lakshmi. These three goddess combined their powers together and merged into Devi Durga. Devi Durga then became Mahakali and killed Mahisasur, thus ending the misery of three worlds.

She is also called Mahisasur Mardini - Killer of Mahisasur. Although Durga was granted the powers of all the gods, she is believed to be an incarnation of Lakshmi, Parvati and Saraswati.

Answer: Sukracharya

Sukracharya is the demons' teacher. He is a Shiv devotee but offended Vishnu. Long ago, Vishnu killed his mother with his disc as she refused to evict the demons that hid in her house; he wanted to kill them for the welfare of the earth. Vhrigu rishi cursed Vishnu, saying he would have to live 100 years without his wife, and that happened in the life of Ram (an incarnation of Vishnu). Sukracharya vowed to be Vishnu's enemy and take his revenge.

Answer: Ram and Sita

Although Treta Yug is a long Yug, and has many stories, the story of Shri Ram is the most important thing in the Yug. The devas went to Vishnu and asked for his help killing the demon Ravan. Shri Vishnu then became Ram, Kaushyala and Dashrat's son. Later, when he was in his teens, he married Sita.

They were exiled. Ravan kidnapped Sita and Ram killed him. Later in this Yug, Sita went into exile by herself and gave birth to two twin sons. This is story is told in the Ramayana.

Answer: Angad and Citraketu

Urmila was the daughter of Janak and she married Lakshman, the son of Dashrat and Sumitra. Years after Ravan was killed, when Sita was sent into exile, all four sisters (Sita, Urmila, Sutkirti and Mandavi) give birth to two sons each. Here's the list.

1) Ram and Sita became the parents of Luv and Kush.
2) Bharat and Mandavi became the parents of Daksh and Pushkar.
3) Lakshman and Urmila became the parents of Angad and Citraketu.
4) Satrughna and Sutkirti became the parents of Subahu and Sutushen.

Answer: True

Rohini was the first wife of Vasudev. She lived with Yasodha and Nandarai after Vasudev married Devaki and was sent to prison. Nandarai was her brother-in-law. Shri Krishna regarded her as a second mother and she was known as Balaram's mother who gave birth to him.

Answer: Kalki

Kalki, the magnificent horseman, is believed to be the tenth incarnation of Shri Vishnu. Although he has not yet been incarnated in this earth, it is believed he will show up around 500 years from now. Call it a superstition or a myth, but many people throughout the world believe this. Some stories about Kalki have been told too!