Celestial Beings
The god of death and duty. Yudhishthira's divine father.
Who is Yama/Dharmaraj?
Nakula/Kunti
Son/Mother
Although Nakula's birth mother was Madri, he was Kunti's favorite son
Why didn't Yudhisthir agree to attack Kauravas before the 13 year exile was over?
He felt it would be against Dharma, since he had accepted the conditions of the Dice game. Also, he felt that he had to endure the exile as a punishment for his weakness: attachment to playing Dice game
Why did Yudhisthira refuse to go to war with Kauravas before completing the thirteen years exile?
He chose to follow Dharma. As a King he wanted to model the right course of actions for everyone.
In Mahabharata, who taught Karma Yoga to whom?
Lord Krishna to Arjuna
The god who gave Akshay patra to Yudhisthir
Sun (Suryadev)
Arjuna/Krishna
Friend, Cousin, Teacher
Why did Lord Shiva fight with Arjuna as hunter before giving the Pasupata
Because it’s a very powerful weapon. So it can only be given to the rightful person (who is strong enough to handle and wise to know when to use it).
What were Dhritarashtra's main flaws
Blind attachment to his son Duryodhana
Excessive greed to hold on to power
What is the basic Law of Karma
Good actions lead to Good results, Bad actions lead to Bad results
The Apsara that cursed Arjuna
Urvashi
Sahadeva/Ashwinikumar
Son/(God) Father
Why did Urvashi's curse to Arjuna become a boone?
It made it easier for him to hide his identity during the 13th year
Give an example for this lesson: "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change"
-Eklavya
-Pandava's use of the exile to purify and strengthen themselves
What governs the results one gets from an action
The results are provided by the Lord (adding his grace) based on the actions performed by an individual
The divine father of a key character in both Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Vayu: Father of Hanuman and Bheema
Draupadi/Sairandhri
Same person (identity taken during 13th year of exile)
Why didn't Bheeshma side with the Pandavas during the dice game?
He had taken the vow to support and protect the king of Hastinapur
What is the significance of Arjuna choosing Krishna over his Army? How does that apply to us?
Arjuna choosing Krishna represents choosing the Lord over material things. In our lives the Lord represents Dharma and our inner conscience. Choosing to do the right things despite temptations of material gains results in the most happiness in the end
What is the best attitude towards good and bad things that may happen in life
Have Gratitude to the Lord for the good things
When bad things happen see what message is God conveying (what is the lesson we can learn)
The Gandharva who was Arjuna's friend in the heaven and captured Duryodhana at a lake
Chitrasena
Bheema/Bheeshma
Grandson/Grandfather (Grand-uncle)
Why did the news of Kichaka's killing promp Duryodhana to attach Virata's kingdom?
Because Duryodhana suspected that Kichaka was killed by Bheema and he wanted to blow Pandava's cover by attacking Virata's kingdom
Why was Karna's loyalty to Duryodhana misplaced?
It started with Duryodhana's selfish ambitions
Karna placed Loyalty to a highly flawed person above the path of Dharma and above God
If God is in everything, why should we pray to a particular form such as an Isthadevata?
It is much easier for a human mind to comprehend and connect with a particular form based on our own characteristics