General India / History Trivia
Which Indian emperor adopted Buddhism after the Kalinga war?
Ashoka the Great
What does the word Upanishad literally mean?
“Sitting near the teacher” (upa-ni-shad)
Who founded the Swaminarayan Sampradaya?
Sahajanand Swami (Bhagwan Swaminarayan)
Which warrior tried to convince Arjuna to fight even before Krishna spoke the Gita?
Bhishma (and also Duryodhana, but Bhishma strongly urged duty first)
In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, what are the yamas and niyamas?
Ethical restraints and observances (discipline in living)
What year did India officially become a Republic?
1950
What is the Sanskrit root of the word “Yoga,” and what does it mean?
Yuj – to unite/join
Which saint composed the “Hanuman Chalisa”?
Goswami Tulsidas
Krishna says “Perform your duty, abandon attachment to success and failure.” Which verse is this idea from?
Chapter 2, Verse 47
Which yogic path emphasizes devotion to God as the means of liberation?
Bhakti Yoga
The “Iron Pillar” of Delhi is famous for not rusting for over 1600 years. Which dynasty built it?
Gupta dynasty (King Chandragupta II)
Which great Sanskrit poet is called the “Shakespeare of India”?
Kālidāsa
Who debated Mandana Mishra and his wife Ubhaya Bharati and won, establishing Advaita?
Adi Shankaracharya
Krishna describes three Gunas in nature. Name them.
Sattva, Rajas, Tamas
Which Upanishad is the earliest source describing meditation on “Om”?
Mandukya Upanishad
Which South Indian king sent an embassy to China and maintained strong overseas trade?
Raja Raja Chola I
Translate: “Asato ma sadgamaya, tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, mrityor ma amritam gamaya.”
Lead me from untruth to truth, darkness to light, mortality to immortality
Which Bhakti saint said, “I searched for God in temples and mosques, but found Him within”?
Sant Kabir
According to Krishna, what is the greatest enemy of the self?
Desire (Kama), born of Rajas
What is the difference between Samadhi and Moksha?
Samadhi is meditative absorption (temporary); Moksha is liberation (permanent)
What is the name of the world’s oldest known stepwell, located in Gujarat and now a UNESCO site?
Rani ki Vav
What does the word “Purusha” signify in Sankhya philosophy?
The eternal Self / pure consciousness distinct from matter (Prakriti)
Sant Dnyaneshwar’s commentary on the Gita is called Bhavarthadeepika, but is popularly known as?
Dnyaneshwari (or Jnaneshwari)
Krishna says, “Among the Pandavas, I am _____.” In which chapter does He say this? (and blank)
Arjun, Chapter 10 (Vibhuti Yoga)
In the Gita, Krishna describes a yogi who eats moderately, sleeps moderately, and works moderately. Which chapter is this?
Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga)