general knowledge Online Quiz - 5256

Hanuman is indeed the avatar (son) of Vayu, the Hindu wind god. In Hindu mythology, Hanuman was born with blessings from Vayu and Shiva, and is known as Vayuputra (son of Vayu). This makes Vayu the correct answer. The other options are incorrect: Agni is fire, Indra is king of gods, and Shiva is the destroyer.

Ashwatthama (spelled 'Aswathama' in option A) is indeed the son of Dronacharya in the Mahabharata. He was a key warrior and remained alive at the end of the war. The other options are incorrect: Shikhandi was a different warrior, Shuka was a sage, and Mareecha (Maricha) was from Ramayana, not Mahabharata.

Shalya (option B) was indeed the charioteer (sarathi) for Karna during the Mahabharata war. This was part of a complex arrangement where Shalya, who favored the Pandavas, was forced to drive Karna's chariot and constantly demoralized him. The other options are incorrect: Shakuni was another Kaurava ally, Drishtadyumna (misspelled as 'Drustadumna') was Shikhandi's brother, and Ashwatthama was a warrior, not a charioteer.

The Dashavatara (10 avatars) of Lord Vishnu in order are: 1) Matsya (fish), 2) Kurma (tortoise), 3) Varaha (boar), 4) Narasimha, 5) Vamana, 6) Parashurama, 7) Rama, 8) Krishna, 9) Buddha, 10) Kalki. Therefore, the third avatar is Varaha (option C), making the claimed answer correct.

The question asks which option is NOT an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna (A) and Rama (B) are both major avatars. Sheshashaya or Shishumara (D) refers to Vishnu reclining on Shesha Naga and is considered an avatar form. Lakshmana (C), however, was Rama's brother in the Ramayana and is NOT considered an avatar of Vishnu. This makes Lakshmana the correct answer to the 'not an avatar' question, so the claimed answer is correct.