Gods, stories, And Epics Flashcards

1
Q

Who is Brahma?

A

Brahma is the creator god in Hinduism and part of the Trimurti. He created the universe and all beings. His consort is Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.

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2
Q

Why does Brahma have four heads?

A

Brahma’s four heads symbolize his knowledge of the four Vedas. They also represent his ability to see in all directions.

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3
Q

Who is Vishnu?

A

Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe in Hinduism. He is part of the Trimurti and is known for his avatars, including Rama and Krishna.

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4
Q

What is Vishnu’s role in the Trimurti?

A

Vishnu sustains and maintains the universe, ensuring balance and harmony between creation and destruction.

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5
Q

Who is Shiva?

A

Shiva is the destroyer in the Trimurti. He represents transformation and the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. His consort is Parvati.

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6
Q

What is the significance of Shiva’s third eye?

A

Shiva’s third eye represents wisdom and insight. It also symbolizes destruction, as it can burn away ignorance and illusions.

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7
Q

Who is Saraswati?

A

Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, music, and the arts. She is Brahma’s consort and often depicted with a veena and a swan.

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8
Q

What is Lakshmi known for?

A

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fortune. She is Vishnu’s consort and is worshipped during Diwali.

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9
Q

What is the story of Lakshmi’s emergence?

A

Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during the churning of the Milky Way (Samudra Manthan). She chose Vishnu as her consort.

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10
Q

Who is Parvati?

A

Parvati is the goddess of fertility, love, and devotion. She is Shiva’s consort and the mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya.

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11
Q

How did Ganesha get his elephant head?

A

Shiva accidentally decapitated Ganesha. To revive him, Shiva replaced his head with that of an elephant.

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12
Q

Who is Kartikeya?

A

Kartikeya, also known as Murugan or Skanda, is the god of war. He is Parvati and Shiva’s son and rides a peacock.

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13
Q

What is the story of Rama?

A

Rama is Vishnu’s seventh avatar. His story, the Ramayana, tells of his quest to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana.

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14
Q

Who is Krishna?

A

Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. He is known for his childhood exploits, teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, and his role in the Mahabharata.

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15
Q

What is Krishna’s connection to Radha?

A

Radha is Krishna’s beloved and symbolizes the ultimate devotion and love for the divine.

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16
Q

Who is Hanuman?

A

Hanuman is the monkey god and a devotee of Rama. He is known for his strength, loyalty, and role in the Ramayana.

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17
Q

What is the story of Hanuman and the mountain?

A

When Lakshmana was wounded, Hanuman flew to the Himalayas to fetch a healing herb. Unable to identify it, he carried the entire mountain.

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18
Q

Who is Durga?

A

Durga is a fierce warrior goddess and an incarnation of Parvati. She is celebrated for defeating the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

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19
Q

What is the story of Kali’s dance?

A

Kali, an incarnation of Durga, went on a destructive rampage after slaying demons. To calm her, Shiva lay beneath her, and she stopped upon realizing she was standing on him.

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20
Q

Who is Indra?

A

Indra is the king of the gods and the god of rain and thunderstorms. He wields the thunderbolt (vajra).

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21
Q

What is the story of the Samudra Manthan?

A

The gods and demons churned the ocean to obtain amrita (nectar of immortality). Many treasures emerged, including Lakshmi, and Vishnu intervened to distribute the nectar.

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22
Q

Who is Agni?

A

Agni is the fire god and a mediator between humans and gods through sacrificial rituals.

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23
Q

What is the story of Savitri and Satyavan?

A

Savitri’s devotion saved her husband, Satyavan, from Yama, the god of death. Her wisdom and determination forced Yama to return his life.

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24
Q

Who is Yama?

A

Yama is the god of death and the ruler of the underworld. He judges souls and guides them to their next life.

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25
Q

Who is Surya?

A

Surya is the sun god and a source of life and energy. He rides a chariot drawn by seven horses.

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26
Q

What is the story of the Pandavas?

A

The Pandavas are the five brothers in the Mahabharata. They fought against their cousins, the Kauravas, in the Kurukshetra war.

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27
Q

Who is Draupadi?

A

Draupadi is the wife of the Pandavas and a central figure in the Mahabharata. Her humiliation by the Kauravas led to the great war.

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28
Q

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

A

The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It explores duty, dharma, and devotion.

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29
Q

Who is Shakti?

A

Shakti is the divine feminine energy and the source of all creation. She manifests as goddesses like Durga, Kali, and Parvati.

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30
Q

What is the significance of the Trimurti?

A

The Trimurti represents the three cosmic functions: creation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu), and destruction (Shiva).

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31
Q

What is the Ramayana about?

A

The Ramayana is the epic story of Prince Rama, his exile, the abduction of his wife Sita by Ravana, and their eventual reunion after a battle to restore dharma.

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32
Q

Who wrote the Ramayana?

A

The sage Valmiki wrote the Ramayana.

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33
Q

Why was Rama exiled to the forest?

A

Rama was exiled for 14 years due to a promise made by King Dasharatha to his wife Kaikeyi, who demanded the throne for her son Bharata.

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34
Q

Who is Sita?

A

Sita is Rama’s wife and the incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi. She symbolizes purity and devotion.

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35
Q

How was Sita abducted?

A

Ravana abducted Sita by luring Rama and Lakshmana away with a golden deer and tricking Sita into crossing a protective line (Lakshmana Rekha).

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36
Q

What is Hanuman’s role in the Ramayana?

A

Hanuman, the monkey god, helps Rama locate Sita, crosses the ocean to Lanka, and burns Ravana’s city with his fiery tail.

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37
Q

Who is Ravana?

A

Ravana is the ten-headed demon king of Lanka who abducted Sita. He represents ego and desire.

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38
Q

What is the significance of the bridge to Lanka?

A

Rama’s army, led by Hanuman and Sugriva, built a bridge (Rama Setu) across the ocean to Lanka to rescue Sita.

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39
Q

How did Ravana die?

A

Ravana was killed by Rama in battle after a fierce war. Rama used a special arrow blessed by the gods to pierce Ravana’s heart.

40
Q

What is the Agni Pariksha?

A

Sita underwent a trial by fire (Agni Pariksha) to prove her purity after being rescued from Ravana.

41
Q

What is the Mahabharata?

A

The Mahabharata is an epic about the rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas, culminating in the Kurukshetra war. It also contains the Bhagavad Gita.

42
Q

Who wrote the Mahabharata?

A

The Mahabharata was written by the sage Vyasa.

43
Q

Who are the Pandavas?

A

The Pandavas are five brothers—Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—born to Pandu through divine blessings.

44
Q

Who are the Kauravas?

A

The Kauravas are the 100 sons of Dhritarashtra, led by Duryodhana, who oppose the Pandavas in the Mahabharata.

45
Q

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

A

The Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, focusing on dharma, duty, and devotion.

46
Q

Why did the Kurukshetra war begin?

A

The war began because the Kauravas refused to give the Pandavas their rightful share of the kingdom, despite Krishna’s efforts to mediate peace.

47
Q

What is Draupadi’s vow?

A

Draupadi vowed to tie her hair only after it was washed with Dushasana’s blood, following her humiliation in the Kauravas’ court.

48
Q

How did Bhima fulfill Draupadi’s vow?

A

Bhima killed Dushasana in the war and brought his blood to Draupadi to honor her vow.

49
Q

What is the story of Ekalavya?

A

Ekalavya, a skilled archer, cut off his thumb as a guru dakshina (teacher’s fee) for Dronacharya, even though Drona never formally taught him.

50
Q

How did Karna die?

A

Karna was killed by Arjuna in the Kurukshetra war after being cursed by his guru and unable to defend himself due to his chariot wheel getting stuck.

51
Q

What is Krishna’s childhood story with Kansa?

A

Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva but raised by Yashoda to protect him from Kansa, who feared a prophecy of his death by Krishna.

52
Q

What is the story of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill?

A

Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his finger to protect the villagers from torrential rains sent by Indra, teaching them to worship nature over gods.

53
Q

What is the significance of Krishna’s flute?

A

Krishna’s flute symbolizes divine love and attraction. His music enchanted the gopis, representing the soul’s yearning for union with the divine.

54
Q

What role did Krishna play in the Mahabharata?

A

Krishna served as Arjuna’s charioteer, advisor, and guide, delivering the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

55
Q

What is the story of the Syamantaka jewel?

A

Krishna was accused of stealing the Syamantaka jewel but cleared his name by finding it with a bear king, proving his innocence.

56
Q

What is the story of the churning of the ocean?

A

The gods and demons churned the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to obtain amrita (nectar of immortality), producing treasures like Lakshmi, the moon, and poison consumed by Shiva.

57
Q

Why did Shiva drink poison during Samudra Manthan?

A

Shiva drank the poison (halahala) to save the world from destruction. It turned his throat blue, earning him the name Neelkanth.

58
Q

What is the story of Ganga’s descent to Earth?

A

The river goddess Ganga descended to Earth to purify the ashes of King Bhagiratha’s ancestors but was tamed by Shiva, who caught her in his hair.

59
Q

Who is Nandi?

A

Nandi is Shiva’s bull and his loyal vehicle (vahana). He guards the entrance to Shiva’s abode.

60
Q

What is the story of Daksha’s yajna?

A

Daksha insulted Shiva, leading Sati (Shiva’s consort) to immolate herself. Shiva destroyed the yajna and mourned Sati, eventually reincarnated as Parvati.

61
Q

Who is Narasimha?

A

Narasimha is Vishnu’s half-man, half-lion avatar, who appeared to save his devotee Prahlada by killing the demon Hiranyakashipu.

62
Q

What is the story of Matsya, the fish avatar?

A

Matsya, Vishnu’s fish avatar, saved the Vedas and humanity from a great flood by guiding Manu’s boat to safety.

63
Q

Who is Vamana?

A

Vamana is Vishnu’s dwarf avatar who humbled the demon king Bali by covering the universe in three steps.

64
Q

What is the story of Parashurama?

A

Parashurama, Vishnu’s warrior-sage avatar, destroyed corrupt kshatriyas (warriors) 21 times to restore dharma.

65
Q

What is dharma?

A

Dharma is the moral and ethical code of living, often described as one’s duty or righteousness in Hindu mythology.

66
Q

What is karma?

A

Karma refers to the law of cause and effect, where one’s actions determine future outcomes, central to many mythological stories.

67
Q

The Exile of Rama (Ramayana)

A

Rama is exiled to the forest for 14 years due to a promise made by his father, King Dasharatha, to Queen Kaikeyi. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana leave Ayodhya to live in the forest, setting the stage for the epic.

68
Q

The Abduction of Sita (Ramayana)

A

Ravana tricks Sita into leaving her protective boundary (Lakshmana Rekha) by disguising himself. He abducts her and takes her to Lanka, leading Rama and Lakshmana to embark on a rescue mission.

69
Q

The Burning of Lanka (Ramayana)

A

Hanuman, while searching for Sita in Lanka, sets Ravana’s city ablaze with his fiery tail after being captured and humiliated by Ravana.

70
Q

The Bridge to Lanka (Ramayana)

A

Rama’s army of monkeys and bears, led by Hanuman and Sugriva, builds a bridge (Rama Setu) across the ocean to reach Lanka and rescue Sita.

71
Q

The Death of Ravana (Ramayana)

A

In a climactic battle, Rama defeats and kills Ravana with an arrow blessed by the gods, restoring dharma and rescuing Sita.

72
Q

The Trial by Fire (Ramayana)

A

Sita undergoes a trial by fire (Agni Pariksha) to prove her purity after her rescue from Ravana. She emerges unscathed, affirming her innocence.

73
Q

The Dice Game (Mahabharata)

A

Yudhishthira loses his kingdom, wealth, and even Draupadi in a rigged dice game with Duryodhana. This event triggers the Pandavas’ exile and sets the stage for the Kurukshetra war.

74
Q

Draupadi’s Humiliation (Mahabharata)

A

Draupadi is dragged into the Kauravas’ court and insulted, but her dignity is saved by Krishna, who miraculously extends her saree to prevent disrobing.

75
Q

Arjuna’s Journey for Divine Weapons (Mahabharata)

A

Arjuna undertakes a penance to please Lord Shiva and other gods, earning divine weapons like the Pashupatastra to prepare for the war.

76
Q

The Bhagavad Gita (Mahabharata)

A

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna delivers spiritual teachings to a conflicted Arjuna, emphasizing dharma, devotion, and selfless action.

77
Q

The Death of Karna (Mahabharata)

A

Karna is killed by Arjuna during the war after being cursed by his guru and rendered defenseless when his chariot wheel gets stuck.

78
Q

The Vow of Bhishma (Mahabharata)

A

Bhishma takes a vow of celibacy to ensure his father’s happiness, sacrificing his personal life and becoming the most devoted warrior of his time.

79
Q

The Battle of Kurukshetra (Mahabharata)

A

The Pandavas and Kauravas engage in an epic war lasting 18 days. The Pandavas emerge victorious, but the war causes immense loss on both sides.

80
Q

The Swarga Arohana (Mahabharata)

A

The Pandavas embark on their final journey to heaven (Swarga). Along the way, only Yudhishthira reaches heaven in his mortal form, accompanied by a dog representing dharma.

81
Q

The Birth of Krishna (Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana)

A

Krishna is born to Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison to end the tyranny of Kansa. He is secretly taken to Gokul and raised by Yashoda and Nanda.

82
Q

Krishna Lifts Govardhan Hill (Bhagavata Purana)

A

Krishna lifts the Govardhan Hill on his finger to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from torrential rains sent by Indra, teaching them to rely on nature and self-effort.

83
Q

The Rasa Lila (Bhagavata Purana)

A

Krishna dances with the gopis in the Rasa Lila, symbolizing the soul’s union with the divine. He multiplies himself to be with each devotee individually.

84
Q

The Defeat of Kansa (Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana)

A

Krishna defeats and kills his tyrannical uncle Kansa in a wrestling match, fulfilling the prophecy of Kansa’s death at his hands.

85
Q

The Syamantaka Jewel (Bhagavata Purana)

A

Krishna clears his name by recovering the stolen Syamantaka jewel from a bear king and exposing the true thief.

86
Q

Krishna and Sudama (Bhagavata Purana)

A

Krishna’s childhood friend Sudama visits him in poverty. Krishna warmly welcomes him and secretly blesses Sudama with wealth and prosperity.

87
Q

The Churning of the Ocean (Vishnu Purana)

A

The gods and demons churn the ocean to obtain amrita (nectar of immortality). Treasures like Lakshmi, the moon, and poison emerge, which Shiva consumes.

88
Q

The Descent of Ganga (Skanda Purana)

A

King Bhagiratha performs penance to bring the river goddess Ganga to Earth to purify his ancestors’ ashes. Shiva controls her descent by catching her in his matted hair.

89
Q

The Birth of Durga (Devi Mahatmya)

A

Durga is created by the combined energies of the gods to defeat the buffalo demon Mahishasura. She embodies their powers and rides a lion into battle.

90
Q

The Slaying of Mahishasura (Devi Mahatmya)

A

Durga battles and slays Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, who represents ignorance and arrogance, restoring peace and dharma.

91
Q

Shiva and the Poison (Skanda Purana)

A

During the churning of the ocean, Shiva consumes the deadly poison (halahala) to save the world. His throat turns blue, earning him the name Neelkanth.

92
Q

The Story of Narasimha (Vishnu Purana)

A

Narasimha, Vishnu’s half-man, half-lion avatar, appears to save Prahlada and kills the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who had received a near-invincible boon.

93
Q

The Story of Vamana (Vishnu Purana)

A

Vishnu’s dwarf avatar Vamana humbles King Bali by covering the universe in three strides, reclaiming the heavens for the gods.

94
Q

The Story of Matsya (Vishnu Purana)

A

Vishnu, in the form of a fish (Matsya), warns Manu of a great flood, guiding him and the seeds of life to safety in a boat.

95
Q

Daksha’s Yajna (Skanda Purana)

A

Daksha insults Shiva, prompting Sati (Shiva’s wife) to immolate herself in grief. Shiva destroys the yajna, and Sati is later reborn as Parvati.

96
Q

Ganesha’s Creation (Shiva Purana)

A

Parvati creates Ganesha from clay to guard her chambers. Shiva unknowingly beheads him and later revives him with an elephant’s head.