Mahabharata Epic Quiz

Bhishma instructed Yudhishthira on Dharma (righteous duty) and Neeti (statecraft/ethics) in the Shanti Parva (Book of Peace) of the Mahabharata while lying on a bed of arrows. This extensive discourse covers various aspects of governance, morality, duties of kings, and philosophical wisdom. Yudhishthira sought out Bhishma's guidance after the war, concerned about ruling justly. Bhishma's teachings constitute a significant portion of the Shanti Parva and are considered a treasure house of ethical and political wisdom.

Dhananjaya was one of Arjuna's epithets, meaning 'conqueror of wealth' or 'winner of riches'. After defeating all the kings during the Rajasuya sacrifice performed by Yudhishthira, Arjuna earned this title. The other options refer to different titles or names: Vishwajita means 'conqueror of the world', Rajadhiraja means 'king of kings', and Mahendra was the name of Arjuna's conch shell.

According to the Mahabharata, the mighty bow used to test suitors in Draupadi's swayamvara was extremely heavy and difficult to string. The claimed answer is 'kindhura', though the exact spelling varies in different recensions (some texts refer to it simply as a very heavy bow without a specific name). Gandiva was Arjuna's personal bow given by Agni, while Sharnga was Vishnu's bow.

Duryodhana was captured by Chitrasena, the king of Gandharvas, in the Dwaita Vana (Dwaita Forest). This incident occurred when Duryodhana, accompanied by the Kauravas, went to the Dwaita Forest and was defeated by the Gandharvas who were allies of the Pandavas. The Gandharvas took him captive, and he had to be rescued by the Pandavas.

The Lakshagraha (house of lac) incident, where Duryodhana tried to kill the Pandavas in a palace made of wax (lac), took place at Varanavata. Duryodhana built this palace with highly flammable materials and planned to set it on fire. However, Vidura had warned the Pandavas, and they escaped through a tunnel before the fire.

After collecting the Saugandhika flowers for Draupadi, Bhima encountered his brother Hanuman (both being sons of Vayu, the wind god) in the kingdom of Subaha. This meeting is significant because Hanuman appears to Bhima and teaches him humility, showing that despite Bhima's great strength, there exists greater power.

According to the Mahabharata, when Yudhishthira was asked by a python (actually the king Nahusha in cursed form) what is the fastest thing in the world, he replied 'the mind'. This was one of the questions Yudhishthira answered correctly to rescue Bhima from the python. The mind is faster than wind, arrows, or divine weapons as it can travel anywhere instantly.

Nahusha, a former king of the lunar dynasty, was cursed to become a python and could only be released if someone answered his questions correctly. He captured Bhima, and Yudhishthira answered his questions to free his brother. After being satisfied with Yudhishthira's wisdom, Nahusha was released from his curse and ascended to heaven.

The sage Maitreya cursed Duryodhana that he would die when his thigh was broken by Bhima. This curse was significant because Duryodhana had previously shown disrespect to Maitreya. During the Kurukshetra war, Bhima fulfilled this curse by striking Duryodhana's thigh with his mace, which led to Duryodhana's death - a violation of the rules of mace combat.

Ganesha agreed to write the Mahabharata on the condition that Vyasa provide non-stop dictation. Vyasa would recite continuously, and Ganesha would write simultaneously. If Vyasa paused, Ganesha would stop writing. This led Vyasa to compose complex verses to give himself time to think of the next part.

Parashurama, the axe-wielding Brahmin warrior, was Karna's guru. After Karna was rejected by Drona (who only taught Kshatriyas and Brahmins), he approached Parashurama and lied about his caste to learn warfare. Parashurama taught him the use of the Brahmastra and other divine weapons. When the truth was discovered, Parashurama cursed Karna.

When a ball fell into a well during the Pandavas' childhood, Arjuna retrieved it by shooting arrows made of grass (darbha) and creating a chain with them to pull it out. This feat demonstrated his exceptional archery skills even as a child, amazing not just his family but also Drona who witnessed this display of prowess.

Krishna protected the four birds (who were sages in their previous birth) by removing the bell from his chariot and covering them with it till the end of the war. These birds had fallen onto the battlefield, and Krishna ensured their safety by sheltering them under the bell throughout the 18-day Kurukshetra war.

Bhishma means 'the terrible one' or 'the dreadful one' (from Sanskrit 'bhishma'). His original name was Devavrata, but he earned the name Bhishma after taking the terrible vow of celibacy and lifelong loyalty to his father's throne.

Bhishma received the boon of iccha-mrityu (death at will) from his father Shantanu after taking the vow of celibacy. This allowed him to choose the time of his death, which he did after lying on a bed of arrows for 58 days.

The eight sons of Ganga (and Shantanu) were the Ashta Vasus - eight Vedic deities who were cursed to be born as mortals. Seven died at birth, but the eighth (Bhishma/Devavrata) lived due to a boon.

Bhishma narrated the Vishnu Sahasranama (thousand names of Vishnu) to Yudhishthira while lying on his bed of arrows after the Kurukshetra war, in response to Yudhishthira's questions about dharma.

Sanjaya, who had received divine vision from Ved Vyasa, gave a live running commentary of the Kurukshetra war to Dhritarashtra (the blind Kaurava king), which forms the basis of the Bhagavad Gita's battlefield setting.

This famous verse from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 18, Verse 78) means 'Wherever there is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, and wherever there is Arjuna, the archer, there will certainly be prosperity, victory, happiness, and morality.' It is the concluding verse of the Gita.