Hindu Deities and Epics

According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga before his battle with Ravana. This special puja is known as Akal Bodhan (untimely awakening) because it was performed in autumn instead of the usual spring time. The worship was done to gain the goddess's blessings for victory in the impending battle.

Varuna is the Hindu god of water, seas, and oceans in Vedic mythology. He is an important deity associated with cosmic order and the celestial ocean. Jal means water but is not a specific god, Pavan is the wind god, and Indra is the king of gods associated with rain and thunderstorms, not specifically oceans.

In Hindu mythology, Surya (the sun god) has several sons. Yama (Yam Deva) is the god of death and justice, Shani (Shani Deva) is the god of karma and justice, and Karna was born to Kunti through Surya's blessing. Hanuman is an avatar of Shiva, not Surya's son.

According to the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna's earthly incarnation ended when a hunter named Jara mistakenly shot him in the heel with an arrow, which was actually a fulfillment of a curse and marked the beginning of the Kali Yuga.

Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura during Dwapara Yuga, which is why Diwali is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. Narayana is another name for Vishnu but Krishna is the specific avatar who killed Narakasura. Shiva and Rama are associated with different events in different yugas.

Dehradun is linked to the Mahabharata through Guru Dronacharya, who is believed to have been born here. The city derives its name from Drona, and the term Drona refers to his ashram in the Garhwal region. This makes Mahabharata the correct answer.

According to the Ramayana, after killing Ravana (a Brahmin and Shiva devotee), Lord Rama was advised by sages to perform penance for Brahmahatya (killing a Brahmin). He worshipped Lord Shiva at Rameswaram and established a Shiva lingam there to seek absolution from Shiva specifically.

Matsya, the fish avatar of Vishnu, appeared in the Satya Yuga (also called Krita Yuga). According to Hindu mythology, the first three avatars - Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), and Varaha (boar) - all appeared during the Satya Yuga. Matsya saved the Vedas and humanity from a great flood by guiding Manu's boat to safety.

Kurma, the tortoise avatar of Vishnu, appeared in the Satya Yuga. In this incarnation, Vishnu took the form of a tortoise to support Mount Mandara during the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan), allowing the devas and asuras to obtain the nectar of immortality. Matsya, Kurma, and Varaha are all Satya Yuga avatars.

Varaha, the boar avatar of Vishnu, appeared in the Satya Yuga. In this incarnation, Vishnu rescued the earth (goddess Bhudevi) from the cosmic ocean by lifting her on his tusks after defeating the demon Hiranyaksha. This is the third avatar of Vishnu, completing the trio of Satya Yuga avatars along with Matsya and Kurma.

Narasimha, the half-man half-lion avatar of Vishnu, appeared in the Satya Yuga. This avatar emerged to kill the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who could not be killed by any man or animal, during dusk or day, inside or outside. Narasha killed him at dusk on the threshold of his palace, placing him on his lap and tearing him apart with his claws.

Vamana, the dwarf avatar of Vishnu, appeared in the Treta Yuga. In this incarnation, Vishnu appeared as a Brahmin dwarf and asked King Bali for three paces of land. When granted, Vamana grew to cosmic size and covered the heavens and earth in two steps, sending Bali to the underworld with the third step. This avatar marks the transition from Satya to Treta Yuga.

Parashurama, the warrior sage with an axe, appeared in the Treta Yuga. He is the sixth avatar of Vishnu and is known for annihilating the Kshatriya warriors to avenge his father's death. Parashurama is unusual among avatars as he is considered immortal (chiranjeevi) and is said to be one of the seven immortals who will live until the end of the current Kali Yuga.

Rama (Ramachandra), the prince and king of Ayodhya, appeared in the Treta Yuga. He is the seventh avatar of Vishnu and the protagonist of the epic Ramayana. Born as the eldest son of King Dasharatha, Rama is revered as Maryada Purushottam (the ideal man) and his story represents dharma, duty, sacrifice, and righteous living.

Krishna appeared during Dwapara Yuga, which is the third yuga in the Hindu cycle of four ages. According to Hindu mythology, Krishna incarnated towards the end of Dwapara Yuga to establish dharma and defeat evil forces. Satya Yuga precedes Dwapara, while Kali Yuga follows it.