Characters
Vows and Curses
Events
Trivia
Geeta
100
This person was Kunti's fourth born.
Who is Arjuna?- the one of indomitable Will. He was born of the grace of the King of Devas- Indra.
100

I would not wed and ever serve the throne of Hastinapura

What was Devavrata’s vow?- Now known as Bheeshma, he was bound by this vow even when his step mother asked him to break the vow.

100
The song of the Lord that assures that by giving up all karmas and dharmas, one should take refuge in Him alone. He assures that he will release you from all bondage.
What is the Bhagavad Geeta?- the 701 verses that form the kernel of the Mahabharata itself.
100
The daughter of Dhritarashtra
Who was Duhshala?
100

What are the three Gunas mentioned in the Gita? 

Options: A) Good, Bad, Neutral | B) Sattva, Rajas, Tamas | C) Earth, Water, Fire | D) Body, Mind, Soul

Correct Answer: B) Sattva, Rajas, Tamas

Discussion Prompt:

  • When have you experienced clarity (Sattva), activity (Rajas), or inertia (Tamas)?
200
The mother of Duryodhana
Who was Gandhari?- The daughter of Subala, she was the princess of the land of many tribes- modern day Afghanistan- upa - gana
200

"Since you deceived me, the knowledge I gave you will fail you when you need it the most."

Who to Who ?

Parashurama cursed Karna:

Meaning:

  • At the most critical moment in battle, Karna would forget the incantations (mantras) needed to summon the divine weapons.

⚔️ How the curse came true

During his final duel with Arjuna:

  • Karna tried to invoke the Brahmastra, but the mantra slipped from his memory.
  • This was exactly the moment Parashurama’s curse took effect.

Combined with other curses, this sealed Karna’s fate.

200
Loss would mean that the loser would go to the forest for 12 years and a thirteenth year must be spent in hiding.
What is the game of dice?- Discovery during the 13th year would mean another 12 years of exile. Dharmaraja's loss and the insult of Draupadi sealed the fate of the Kauravas.
200
The yagna of the destruction of snakes
What is the Sarpa satra- performed by Janamejaya during which time the Mahabharata was narrated. A boiiy named Astika interfered. His mother Manasa was a Naga and father was a Brahmin. Janamejaya heeded the words of the learned Astika and ceased the massacre.
200

Question: "What is 'Nishkama Karma' in the Gita?"

Correct Answer: C) Desireless action


Discussion Prompt:

  • When have you done something just because it felt right, not for reward?
300

The foster father of Karna

Adhiratha, the charioteer of King Dhritarashtra.

  • Adhiratha belonged to the Suta community (charioteers and storytellers).
  • He and his wife Radha found baby Karna floating in a basket on the Ganga.
  • They raised him with deep love, which is why Karna is often called Radheya (son of Radha).

 

300
Your race will be wiped out as they self destroy as you did not halt the killing of my sons
What was Gandhari’s curse to the Pandavas? Krishna received the curse with a sweet smile and said that the Vrishnis could be killed only by self destruction. But, thanks to Gandhari’s curse, Krishna would not have to eliminate the race. They would eliminate themselves. He then brought Gandhari to her senses by explaining that the destruction was brought upon Duryodhana by her blind attachment to him.
300
The place where all the Pandavas except Yudhisthira fell dead.
What is the enchanted pool? - upon answering the Yaksha's questions, he summed up that righteousness and truth are a man’s only weapon and protection.
300
The father of Drona
Who was Bharadwaja?
300

Question: "What is the 'Vishvarupa' shown to Arjuna?"

Correct Answer: C) Krishna's cosmic form


Discussion Prompt:

  • How can remembering the bigger picture (cosmic perspective) beyond immediate problems reduce anxiety?
400
The Gandharva who taught Arjuna all of the art forms
Who was Chitrasena? Chitrasena was a king of the Gandharvas and he taught Arjuna and the two also became good friends. When Duryodhana was captured by the gandharvas, Yudhisthira ordered his brothers to rescue Duryodhana from them. The 4 Pandavas reluctantly hurried off and fought with Chitrasena's army, with Arjuna fighting Chitrasena with celestial weapons. Arjuna requested Chitrasena to release Duryodhana. On his request, Chitrasena released Duryodhana. Arjuna also introduced Chitrasena as his dance teacher to his brothers.
400
You have pleased me with your generosity, so you may have my Sakthi but you may use it but once.
What was Indra’s boon to Karna? It was used by Karna after Alayudha was killed and it seemed that Ghatotkacha would wipe out the Kaurava forces singlehandedly.
400

When the rules were taught to the ruler and the ultimate Dharma was taught to Yudhishthira in the form of a chant with the 1008 names of the Lord

on Bheeshma's death bed

400
The foster father of Karna
Who was Adiratha?
400

How does the Gita describe the mind?  

Restless and difficult to control


Discussion Prompt:

  • What techniques help you calm your mind?
500

Name two pairs of twins (Boy/Girl) who had an important impact on the Mahabharata war.

1. Draupadi & Drishtadyumna (commander of the Pandava army)

  • They were born together from the yajna fire performed by King Drupada

2. Kripa & Kripi

  • Children of sage Sharadvan
  • Kripa was a Kaurava commander; Kripi was the mother of Ashwatthama.

3. Uttara & Uttaraa 

  • Children of King Virata
  • Uttara fought early in the war; Uttaraa married Abhimanyu.
500
You shall be ever rejected by humans, for your desire to destroy the sons of Pandu and make the world Pandava less. You shall wander among crematoriums for your deeds, friendless and without a loving word from anyone.
What was Krishna’s curse to Ashwatthama? He had invoked the Brahmaseershaastra and discharged it to destroy all the Pandavas. Arjuna countered it and when the astras were stopped in mid air by the Rishis who said their meeting would cause world destruction, Arjuna managed to withdraw it with his powers. Aswatthama did not have that power. So, Krishna revived the child of Abhimanyu and Uttaraa- Pareekshith and Aswatthama had to give up his precious gem that he wore on his head- one that would keep the wearer disease and hunger free.
500
The killing of this individual was reported to Duryodhana by his spies and he suspected that the Pandavas lived in the kingdom of the Matsyas- likely modern day Assam
Who was Keechaka
500
The penultimate commander of the Kaurava forces.
Who was Salya. The warrior who was the uncle of the Pandavas, tricked into joining the Kauravas due to his vanity. The warrior who is the very personification of the vagaries of an individual- he disheartened Karna by speaking the truth about Karna’s inability to destroy Arjuna and then ascended to the position of commander of all Kaurava forces upon the death of Karna due to his vainglorious tendencies. He was killed by Yudhisthira on the 18th day of the war and was succeeded by Aswatthama.
500

What is 'Yoga' according to the Gita?

Union with the Divine

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