Welcome to the Navratri Quiz. Do you know Rama offered his eye to Devi Durga. One form of Durga rides a donkey. There is more. If you know the answers, you can submit this through comments section. Happy Quizzing!

Devi herself has manifested herself before Rama and Lakhshman and said that she was happy with their worship. Which day of Navratra was that day?

In order to defeat Ravana, Rama started Devi Durga worship. He had to offer Blue lotuses to Goddess but one lotus was missing. Himself being called Kamalnayan Lord Rama started to take out his one eye. At this point, Goddess Chandika (Durga) appeared before him and blessed for Victory.

Which form of Navdurga rides a Donkey?

Which form of Devi was born to a Sage?

Which form of Devi creates the solar system?

She contains pitcher which is full of blood.

Lord Rama has also observed Navratri Vrata. Who has advised him on how to perform this puja?

Lord Kartikeya was born to this form of Goddess Durga. Which is that form?

Which form of Devi is also known as “Shubhamkari” ?

Which form of Devi was cleaned with water of The Ganges by Lord Shiva?

Which form of Devi symbolises “Perfection” ?

Boons are integral part of Indian Mythology. Lord Brahma is associated with some of the famous boons. Here are some of the famous boons are detailed. I am sure you will enjoy some of the known and unknown boons.

Meghnaad’s boon

He was granted boon by Brahma that he would never be won over in any battle, until his Yagna (fire-worship) of his native goddess Nikumbala was disturbed and destroyed. Lakshman disturbed his yagna and finally killed him in the battle.

Lord Shiva’s boon to Jayadrath

Jayadrath had a boon that he could hold all the Pandavas for a day in battle, except for Arjuna. This proved to be undoing of Abhimanyu when Arjuna was not around in the battle and Drona formed a Chakravyuha. When Arjuna heard this, he vowed that he will kill Jayadrath or will sacrifice his life. Lord Krishna has to do a bit of work to deal with this situation. Even killing of Jayadrath was tricky which will be detailed in next section.

Jayadrath father’s boon

Whosoever causes the head of his son to fall on the earth, his head would blow into thousand pieces.One day Jayadratha met his father Vridhakshtra who was a sage. He asked his father to grant him a boon by which he could choose the time of his death just like Shantanu who gave a similar boon to Devavrata (i.e. Bhishma). He said that who ever caused the head of Jayadrath to fall on the ground, will be killed immediately by having his own head burst into hundred pieces. When Arjuna beheaded Jayadrath, he ensure that his head falls in the lap of his meditating father.

Bhishma from Shantanu

Shantanu blessed his son that he would chose his own time of death. This was following the Bhishma pratigya taken by Devvrata.

Durvasa to Kunti

Birth of Pandavas. Kunti served sage Durvasa for a year and he became very pleased with her. He has given her a mantra. Using this, she could call any god at anytime who would assist her in begetting a son. Kunti used this mantra four times and Madri couple of times.

Sage Parashar’s boon to Satyavati

Satyavati, the mother of Ved Vyasa, smelled like a fish. Sage Parashar saw her once and got smitten by her beauty and proposed her. Satyavati put forth couple of conditions, one of them was that she should get rid of the smell from her body. Parashar told her that this would be fulfilled and instead of the smell, a fragrance will emanate from her body which can be sensed miles away.

Boon of Vali

Ram has to kill him in disguise because of a boon. While in fight, opponents half strength would be transferred to him. This story is also available in the link given above.

Parshuram’s boon to Karna

Parshuram cursed Karna which resulted in him being defeated in the Mahabharata. But Parshuram also blessed Karna to have everlasting fame.

Boon to Hiranyaksha by Brahma

Once Hiranyaksha did a lot of austerities so that Lord Brahma would give him a boon. He asked and received a boon that no god, demon, beast or human could ever kill him. He was killed by Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Hiranyakashyap’s boon

Hiranyakashyap had a similar boon. And his boon also included that he would not be killed in day or night, inside or outside a house, nor by a human or beast. He was killed by Narsingh avatar – a Vishnu dashavatar. His son Prahlad was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and he summoned his lord after Hiranyakashyap challenged him that where is his lord?

Shiva’s boon to Arjuna

The boon which Arjuna is said to have received was called Pashupata, Shiva’s most powerful weapon.

Boons to Hanuman

Hanuman was blessed with two boons which were useful in Sunder Kand.

First was given to him by Brahma that no weapon could harm him. When Brahmastra was used on him, he let himself captured to honour the greatest weapon brahmastra.

Second was given to him by Surya. He was given Laghima and Garima (to be able to attain the smallest or to attain the biggest form). With the helo of these, he went past Sursa.

Shiva’s boon to Ganesha

Shiva granted Ganesha a boon that before beginning of any undertaking or task people would worship Lord Ganesh. Thus the reason for worship of ganesha before start of any work.

Brahma’s boon to Anjana

Anjana was initially cursed to live as a vanaar, Brahma told her that she would be absolved of the curse if she gives birth to a incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Karna’s boon to Kunti

Karna assured Kunti that  will not use a weapon twice against Arjuna. He later did not use the Naga astra. He also promised Kunti that she will have five sons, so he did not killed Pandavas other than Arjuna, though he could do so.

Kaikeyi’s boon by Dashrath

Dashrath granted couple of boons to Kaikeyi during Dev Asur sangram. Dashrath was deeply wounded and he was tended by Kaikeyi. She claimed two boons that Dasharatha had long ago granted her, which resulted in Lord Rama’s vanvaas.

Shiva’s boon to Draupadi for desired husband(s)

Draupadi wanted to have a husband with fourteen qualities. Shiva said this is difficult. Upon insistence, he said that she will get five husbands. He gave another boon to her.

Draupadi’s boon to remain as a virgin

Shiva granted a boon that she would regain virginity as soon as she takes a bath in the morning. Thus she was able to become the wife of five pandavas at the same time.

Gandhari’s boon to Duryodhana

The whole story is narrated here.

Boon of Madhu and Kaitabh

These demons had a boon that they would only die when they want it. Lord Vishnu killed them eventually.

Shri Krishna granted boon to Shishupal’s mother Shrutishrava

Shri Krishna promised to his aunt to forgive hundred misdeeds of Shishupala before killing him.

In Hindu mythology, all the God and Goddesses are associated with some trees, shrubs and creepers. Similarly, all nine planets are believed to control the destiny of a person are associated with trees, bushes and grass.  Navgrah Vatika is a garden of nine trees, bushes and grasses which represents planets. These trees are planted in a particular direction to get the benefits of nine planets or grahs hence it is called Navgrah Vatika.

Importance of Navgrah Vatika

In Navgrah Vatika each plant represents different celestial forces so, vatika is used to get the power of navgrah. It creates positive energy and purifies air. It removes vastu dosh. Navgrah vatika brings prosperity, good health and wealth.

Name of trees with direction

1. Achyranthes aspera   It is a common weed of Amaranthaceae family. Its Common name is Chaff flower, in sanskrit its called apamarga, in hindi it’s called chirchra. It represents Mercury or Budha. It is planted in north direction.

2.Ficus racemosa It is commonly known as cluster fig or Gular. It represents the planet Venus or Shukra. It is planted in East direction. This tree is considered sacred among Hindus. Its wood is used in homa ceremony.

 

3.Butea monosperma it is commonly known as Palash : This represents Moon or Chandra. It is planted in southeast direction.  Spoons/Ladles made of this tree are used in various Hindu rituals to pour Ghee (clarified butter) into the fire. The tri foliated formation of its leaves represent Holy Trinity Vishnu, Brahma and Mahesh.

A very interesting story is also related to Palash Tree.  Once Parvati cursed Gods to be born as trees. Due to the curse Agni dev or God of Fire was converted into Palash tree, Vishnu into Peepal and Rudra into Vata tree.

4. Peepal Tree, Ficus religiosa or sacred fig

Peepal tree is considered sacred among hindus. Roots of the trees represents Brahma, Vishnu represents its trunk and Shiva represents its leaves. People often water the tree on saturday as it is believed that Vishnu along with Lakshmi resides on tree on Saturday. One who worship the tree is rewarded with wealth and name. It represents Jupiter or guru. It is planted in Northeast direction.

5. Calotropis procera It is also known as ark. It represents Sun or Surya. It is planted at the center or middle. Incidentally, this tree is found to be effective in treating skin and wound infections in traditional medicine.

6. Acacia catechu it is also known as khair. It represents Mars or mangal It is planted in South direction. Usually Sruva or sacrificial ladle is made from its wood.

 

7. Imperata cylindrica or thatch grass or Darbha. It represents Ketu. It is planted in north west direction. During Kurmavatara hairs grew from the tortoiseshell of Lord Vishnu. They washed ashore to become Darbha grass. Hindu considered it very sacred and it is used in all religious ceremonies. Darbha mats are considered best for meditation.

8. Prosopis cineraria also known as Shami. It represents Saturn or Shani. It is planted in west direction.It is believed that offering shami leaves to ganesha, Shiva and Hanuman one is blessed with longevity, honour and prosperity. It is also believed that Shami tree gives power and victory to those who pray to it.

9. Cynodon dactylon It is also known as Durva grass. It represents Rahu. It is planted in south west direction. No puja is considered completed without offering Durva grass to Lord Ganesha.

Once there was a demon named Analasura who emitted fire from his eyes and destroyed whatever came in his way. Ganesha had a fierce battle with him. Finally, Ganesha gulped him down and became restless due to the heat inside his body. Moon, Vishnu and Shiva all came for his help. Finally  he was relieved when some sage placed some durva grass on his head. Then Ganesha declared whosoever worship him with durva grass will forever receive his blessing.

 

On the eve of Ganesha Chaturthi, here are some of the interesting stories about Lord Ganesha.

How he became Ekdant

Brahmavart Puran states that  when Parshuram went to Kailash Mountain to meet Shiva, he was meditating. Lord Ganesha did not allow Parshuram to meet Shiva. Parshuram got angry and attacked Ganesha.

The weapon he used to attack Ganesha was given to him by Lord Shiva only. Ganesha did not want the attack to go waste as it was his father’s weapon, so he took the attack in his teeth and thus lost one of his teeth. Since then he is known as Ekdant.

Lord Ganesha’s family

Lord Ganesha has two wives Ridhhi (representing Prosperity) and Sidhhi (representing Intellectual Enlightenment). Furthermore, he had two sons – Ridhhi bore him Subha (representing Auspiciousness) while Sidhhi bore him Labha (representing Profit).

 

Writing of Mahabharat

Lord Ganesha and Sage Vyasa wrote the entire Mahabharata epic. The great sage requested Ganesh to write the poem as he dictated, knowing this would be a arduous task . Ganesha agreed on one condition, Vyasa must recite the entire poem un-interrupted, without pausing or taking a break. The great sage agreed to this request however found a way to give himself a break. When struggling to go ahead, he would give Ganesh incredibly difficult complex passage to write. Ganesh would be forced to ask questions giving the tricky Vyasa the time to rest when needed.

Ganesha is elder or Kartikeya

According to Shiva Purana, Lord  Kartikeya is the elder son of Shiva. He is the senapati of the army of Gods. Some people believe that Ganesha is the elder son. This could be because of the practice of worshipping him first, as he is Prathampoojy (the first worshipped due to a boon of Shiva ) which may have been mistaken for ‘first born’. This is just one of the many explanations given. However, many traditions worship Ganesha as the elder son.

However, it is difficult to say that who is older.

Lord Ganesha’s image is printed on Indonesia’s note

Yes, he is not confined to India. He is famous in Indonesia and appears on their currency.

 

We know that Arjuna used the famous bow called Gandiva. This is an interesting story on how Arjuna came into possession of Gandiva bow.  The Gandiva was made by Brahma and it could be used to One lakh enemies at a time. Later it came into possession of Indra, then to Chandra and then Varuna.

The whole story goes here.

There was a kingby the name Swetaki who was known for performing very long yagnas. His priests assisted him for a long time until they  became frail. Once, Swetaki desired to conduct a one hundred years long yagna.

His priests, tired from the hardships done earlier, pretended to be angry and told the King to approach Rudra for help. Swetaki was disappointed  but he anyway meditated upon Rudra for a while in the ranges of Kailash.

Finally, Lord Shiva appeased with Swetaki and agreed to help Swetaki under the condition that the King should first lead a life of Brahmachari for twelve years and  he should continue to pour Ghee (clarified butter) into sacrificial fire without intermission for the whole period.

Swetaki did as advised, and a Lord Shiva appointed Durvasa as his priest who officiated the grand hundred-years long yagna. Swetaki, due to his virtuous nature, later ascended to the heavens.

This created a problem for Agni, who developed indigestion because of ghee feeding into fire for twelve years. Lord Brahma advised him to burn Khandava forest, this will cure his indigestion. Agni tried to burn the forest but failed as many as seven times but could not burn the Khandava forest.

Agni again asked Brahma for help, who advised him to approach Nara & Narayana, who were on earth in the form of Arjuna and Krishna.

Agni approached  Arjuna and Krishna, who were living in the woods in the vicinity of the Yamuna. In exchange for their help, Agni requested for Varuna to give Krishna the mace by the name Kaumodaki and the Discus Chakrayudha that had a pole attached to it in the center. Varuna also offered Arjuna the bow Gandiva, two inexhaustible quivers and a chariot made by Viswakarma that had Hanuman in its banner. He also gave him white steeds that were born in the region of Gandharvas. This  was the chariot in which Soma (Chandra) had earlier vanquished the Danavas.

This is how Arjuna received Gandiva and Krishna received Kaumodaki.