Week 1
Who used to be known as Ratnakar?
Rishi Valmiki
What was Dashratha doing in the Jungle when Shravana and his parents were there?
He was hunting and was determined to bring something home.
What are the names of Dashratha's 4 sons?
Ram, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, and Bharata
What was the test kept for Seeta's Swayamvar and why?
They would have to pick up the Shiv Dhanush, bend and string it. Seeta was able to pick up the Shiv Dhanush when she was a child.
Why did all the kings laugh at Ram when he went to pick up the Shiv Dhanush at the Seeta's Swayamvar?
They thought he was too young and weak.
What was Ratnakar told to chant to wash away his sins?
Rama, Rama, Rama...
Which kingdom was Ayodhya the capital of?
The kingdom of Kosal
What does Rishi Vishwamitra ask King Dashratha when he visits Ayodhya and what is Dashratha's initial response?
He asks for Ram to come to protect his Yagya; At first, Dashratha isn't willing to send Ram as he was still young.
What was Parashuram's challenge to Ram?
He had to bend the Vishnu Dhanush.
What is Rishi Vishwamitra's hermitage called?
Siddhashram
What did Ratnakar collect every time he killed someone?
Pebbles
What curse do Shravana's parents give Dashratha?
Dashratha will also grieve for his son who has been separated from him.
What is the name of the Rakshasi that Ram kills in the forest?
Taataka
What was Seeta's sister's name?
Urmila
True or False
Ratnakar was a Brahmin at birth.
True
Why does Ratnakar ask his family if they will share his sins? What is his family's response?
He comes across Narada Muni and he tells Ratnakar to ask his family the question; his family says they would not share the sins.
Why did Shravana have to carry his parents instead of taking a chariot? Where was he taking them?
He was carrying them because his parents were blind and they didn't have enough money for a chariot. He was taking them to Kashi.
Who joined Taataka's son to disturb the Yagya?
Sabaahu
Who was King Janak and which kingdom was he the ruler of?
He was Seeta's father and he is the King of Mithila.
About how many verses does the Ramayana have?
Why did Ratnakar receive the name Rishi Valmiki?
When he had woken from his penance an anthill had grown over him. An anthill in Sanskrit is called a valmika.
What does Dashratha have to perform in order to have kids?
Putra Kameshti Yagya
What mantras does Rishi Vishwamitra give Ram and Lakshman?
What was King Janak doing when he found baby Seeta?
He was plowing his field.
Who were Lakshmana, Shatrughna, and Bharata married to.
Laksmana married Urmila, Seeta's sister. Bharat and Shatrughna married Mandavi and Shrutakriti, Seeta's cousins.