Samskara
Values taught to us by parents, teachers and life
Nurture (Culture/Samskara)
What are statues of God called?
Murti
Why do we light a lamp?
Light represents knowledge - Signifies removal of ignorance
For whom do we offer butter, buttermilk or milk cream
Lord Krishna
Which festival you celebrate with lights and sweets?
Diwali
What we came with naturally? ex: talents, guna etc.
Prakruti (Nature)
God is a super power/energy we need to be devoted to. God dispenses justice. This concept is called?
Dwaita - God is different from us
Each ceremony is begun and ended by blowing into what?
A conch shell
Which God's favorite prasad is Modak?
Lord Ganesha
When a sister ties a thread on the brother's wrist?
Rakhee OR Raksha Bandhan
A state of imbalance or doshas, or going against what is natural.
Vikruthi
All in one and One in All - God is not different from you or Atma is part of Paramatma. This concept is called?
Adwaita
End part of the pooja cermony?
Aarti
True or False: Prasad must always be sweets
False: It is different for various festivals
Which is a festival post Winter Solistice? We eat sesame sweets and make a bonfire, also harvest time.
Pongal - South India, Sankranthi, Lori
As a human being we have choices - making the right choices gives us
Freedom
True or False: Sanatan Dharma is the absolute set of practices regardless of class, caste, or sect.
True - that is the essence of Hinduisim and the prescribed path for a human being to attain enlightenment/moksha
What are initial offerings to the deity during the shodasa upachara (16 steps) Pooja Ceremony?
Aasana, Clothes, Water, Chandan (perfume)
We do not allow certain foods to be used in Prasad offerings, ex: Garlic. What is the type of food called?
Answer: Satvik food. According to the Vedas, food changes the mood of the human being. Spiritual path requires being satvik
Name a festival when you are up all night singing bhajans
Shivrathri
Practicing chanting, poojas and rituals will give you Moksha? True or False -
False - Discipline to get on the spiritual path - it is not the end to the means.
The "shalagrama" (a special type of fossil) is sacred to which god(s)?
The sacred thread ceremony marks the entry into formal vedic education along with Gayatri Mantra.
Upanayana
True or False: Prasadam is a type of surrender, meditation & acceptance.
True. Remember the significance of modak, you don't know what is going to be inside, ends up being sweet.
Which is a festival which always happens in middle of April?
Tamil New Year, Baisakhi, Bengali New Year