Hindu Myths and Legends Trivia Quiz

Answer: Surya

The Sun god is known as Surya or Ravi. According to Hindu legends, Surya is one of the 'Ashta Dikpalakas' or the eight protectors of the world. The sun is also part of the Navagraha or nine planets in Hindu legends. The Gayathri mantra or chant is the most auspicious of prayers and is dedicated to the sun god.

Answer: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

The Trinity or Trimurthi are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is known as the creator, who is responsible for the creation of the world. Vishnu is the preserver who protects the world and Shiva or Rudra is the destroyer of evil. The Trinity is considered the most powerful of the Hindu Gods.

Answer: Indra

Indra or Devendra is known in Hindu legends as the King of the Gods. Indra is credited with introducing the art of Indrajala or magic. Agni is the god of fire, Vayu the god of wind and Varuna is the god of water.

Answer: Buddha

According to the Puranas or legends, Lord Vishnu incarnated on earth to protect the good and destroy the evil. These incarnations or avatars are known as Dashavatara (ten avatars):
1) Matsya - Fish; this is similar to the Noah's Ark story where two of each species is taken in a ship to protect it from destruction
2) Kurma - the tortoise, which helps in the churning of the ocean
3) Varaha - the boar, which killed the demon Hiranyaksha
4) Narasimha - the lion man, who killed the demon Hiranyakashipu
5) Vamana - the dwarf, who banished the arrogant king Bali
6) Parashurama - the warrior sage who killed the demon Kartaviryarjuna
7) Rama - one of the greatest avatars, who killed the evil Ravana
8) Krishna - the god who was born on earth to protect the good
9) Buddha - Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is sometimes considered to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu (although many Hindus disagree)
10) Kalki - the destroyer; this avatar has not yet manifested. When evil dominates, legend has it that Vishnu will incarnate as Kalki and bring about the end of the world.

Answer: Yama

Yama is the God of death who presides over Naraka or Hell. According to Hindu legends, when a person dies he goes before Yama. Chitragupta is Yama's clerk who has with him a book containing the life record of all humans. Based on the good deeds and evil deeds (karma) done, the person is sent to hell or heaven.

Answer: Lakshmi

In Hindu mythology Lakshmi or Shree is known as the Goddess of wealth. Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. Lakshmi came forth from the churning of the ocean and selected Vishnu as her consort. Saraswathi is the Goddess of Knowledge and wife of Brahma and Parvati is the wife of Shiva and known as Shakthi - the mother Goddess.

Answer: When the moon is swallowed by a planet

In Hindu mythology, the malefic planet Rahu is believed to swallow the moon, resulting in an eclipse.

Answer: Manu and Shatrupa

The first man is Manu and the first woman is Shatrupa. Both of them were created by the God Brahma. Since the first man was Manu, the word for mankind is Manukula. Manu is supposed to have drafted a code known as Manu Smriti. Indra is the king of gods and Shachi is his wife; Hari is Lord Vishnu and Shree his wife Lakshmi; Surya is the sun god and his wife is Chaya.

Answer: Because the crow is the vehicle of Saturn

The God Shani or Saturn is supposed to ride on a crow. Saturn is regarded as very inauspicious and is supposed to bring bad luck, so even the crow is regarded as inauspicious and is avoided.

Answer: To celebrate the return of Lord Rama to his capital Ayodhya

Diwali or Deepavali is the festival of lights. This festival is celebrated by lighting lamps and bursting fire crackers. Legend has it that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to his capital Ayodhya after killing the demon king Ravana and finishing an exile of 14 years.

The festival of Dussehra or Dasara (Vijayadashami) is celebrated to mark the killing of Ravana. According to some legends, Deepavali is celebrated as 'Naraka Chaturthi' to mark the killing of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna.