Avatars
What avatar is the fish?
Matsya
What does the story of Hiranyakashipu teach?
The Lord will always protect those with devotion to him.
What is Prayala?
Total destruction
Who was Parikshit?
King of his Kingdom
Who is Narasimha and who does he kill?
Narasimha is the half-lion half-man and he killed Hiranyakashipu
What is Matsya avatar story most similar to?
Noah's arc. Also, the Lord will keep his followers safe from the worst of dangers.
What is Vaikuntha?
Eternal Heavenly realm, abode of Vishnu
Why did Parikshit allow Kali into his kingdom?
Kali convinced Parikshit because he explained the four Yugas are a cycle and the cycle must not be broken
Who is Kurma Avatar?
Turtle
What does Varaha Avatar teach?
Preservation and balance; one must make sure to fight to preserve what is sacred.
Who are the gate keepers of Vaikuntha?
Jaya and Vijaya
Where in Parikshit's Kingdom was Kali allowed to spread?
Wherever there is adharma:
1. Gambling
2. Alcohol
3. immortal man-woman relations
4. violence, untruthfulness, pride, brutality
What avatar kills Hiranyaksha?
Varaha (Boar)
What does the story of Vamana teach us?
Too many riches brings rise of evil. Riches come and go but God will always remain.
Who are the Sanat Kumaras? What did they do?
4 sons of Brahma who roam the universe as children. They cursed Jaya and Vijaya for not allowing them into Vaikuntha
Why was Parikshit cursed to have 7 days left to live?
For putting a dead snake on Shami Rishi's neck.
Who is Vamana? Who is the main opponent in the story?
What two lessons does Kurma Avatar teach?
1. Withdraw all parts from oneself
2. Do not get distracted by materialistic illusions
Who were Jaya and Vijaya in each of their births as enemies of Vishnu?
1. Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu
2. Ravana and Kumbhakarna
3. Shishupala and Dantavakra
How was Parikshit still able to attain Moksha?
Detachment from worldly pleasures. He gave his kingdom to his sun, listened to stories of saints, lived in the moment, worshipped the Lord, lost his fear of death, and realized the ultimate truth of life.