1.
Narasimha is the _________ incarnation of Vishnu.
Correct Answer
B. Fourth
Explanation
Narasimha is considered the fourth incarnation of Vishnu. In Hindu mythology, Vishnu takes various forms or avatars to protect the world from evil and restore balance. The fourth avatar is Narasimha, who is depicted as a half-man, half-lion creature. He is known for his ferocity and is believed to have appeared to vanquish the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Narasimha is highly revered and worshipped by devotees for his courage and protection.
2.
To annihilate which demon did Vishnu appear as Narasimha?
Correct Answer
A. Hiranyakashipu
Explanation
Vishnu appeared as Narasimha to annihilate Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu was a powerful demon king who had gained a boon that made him virtually invincible. He became arrogant and began tormenting the gods and his own son, Prahlada, who was a devotee of Vishnu. In order to protect Prahlada and restore balance, Vishnu took the form of Narasimha, a half-man and half-lion creature, and killed Hiranyakashipu. This event is celebrated as the Narasimha Jayanti festival in Hindu mythology.
3.
The reason for Hiranyakashipu’s anger towards Vishnu:
Correct Answer
C. Vishnu killed his brother
Explanation
Hiranyakashipu's anger towards Vishnu can be attributed to the fact that Vishnu killed his brother. This act of Vishnu would have caused Hiranyakashipu to harbor resentment and seek revenge against Vishnu.
4.
Hiranyakashipu performed Tapas or austerities to impress which Hindu God?
Correct Answer
D. Brahma
Explanation
Hiranyakashipu performed Tapas or austerities to impress Brahma. Tapas is a form of intense meditation and self-discipline practiced in Hinduism to gain spiritual power. Hiranyakashipu, a demon king, sought to gain immortality through his austerities and believed that by impressing Brahma, the creator of the universe, he could achieve this goal. Brahma, being pleased with Hiranyakashipu's devotion and penance, granted him a boon, but Hiranyakashipu's intentions were ultimately thwarted by Lord Vishnu.
5.
Hiranyakashipu did not ask this as a boon?
Correct Answer
B. He should not be killed by Vishnu
Explanation
Hiranyakashipu did not ask for the condition that he should not be killed by Vishnu as a boon because he considered himself to be superior to all gods, including Vishnu. He believed that he was invincible and wanted to ensure that no one, not even the gods, could harm him. By omitting the condition of not being killed by Vishnu, he thought he had covered all possibilities and made himself immortal. However, his arrogance and belief in his own power ultimately led to his downfall when Vishnu took the form of Narasimha and killed him.
6.
Hiranyakashipu asked people to worship:
Correct Answer
C. Hiranyakashipu – their king
Explanation
Hiranyakashipu, being an egotistical and power-hungry king, demanded that people worship him as their deity. This reflects his arrogance and desire for absolute control over his subjects. By demanding worship, Hiranyakashipu aimed to establish his authority and ensure unquestioning loyalty from the people. This choice also aligns with his belief in his own divinity and his refusal to acknowledge any higher power or deity.
7.
What was the name of Hiranyakashipu’s son?
Correct Answer
B. Prahlada
Explanation
Hiranyakashipu's son was named Prahlada.
8.
Prahlada worshiped _________
Correct Answer
A. Vishnu
Explanation
Prahlada worshiped Vishnu because Vishnu is considered as the supreme deity in Hinduism and is believed to be the preserver and protector of the universe. Prahlada was a devotee of Vishnu and had unwavering faith in him, even in the face of adversity. His devotion to Vishnu was so strong that it angered his father, Hiranyakashipu, who wanted to be worshiped as a god himself. Prahlada's devotion to Vishnu ultimately led to his protection and the downfall of his father.
9.
The entire kingdom was worshipping Hiranyakashipu but then how did Prahlada learn to worship Sri Hari Vishnu or Narayana?
Correct Answer
B. He learned about Vishnu from Sage Narada when he was in his mother’s womb
Explanation
Prahlada learned about Vishnu from Sage Narada when he was in his mother's womb. This suggests that he gained knowledge and understanding of Vishnu's worship even before he was born. This could explain how he developed a devotion towards Vishnu, despite the fact that the entire kingdom was worshipping Hiranyakashipu.
10.
Fed up with his son’s Vishnu worship, finally Hiranyakashipu decided to
Correct Answer
D. Kill his son
Explanation
Hiranyakashipu, frustrated with his son's devotion to Vishnu, ultimately decides to kill his son. This extreme action demonstrates his anger and intolerance towards his son's beliefs and worship. By eliminating his son, Hiranyakashipu hopes to put an end to the influence of Vishnu in his family and kingdom.
11.
What was the name of Hiranyakashipu’s Sister?
Correct Answer
C. Holika
Explanation
Holika is the correct answer because she was the sister of Hiranyakashipu. In Hindu mythology, Holika is known for her role in the story of Prahlada, the son of Hiranyakashipu. She was tricked into sitting on a pyre with Prahlada by Hiranyakashipu, but due to Prahlada's devotion to Lord Vishnu, he was protected and Holika was burned instead. This event is celebrated as the festival of Holi in India.
12.
What did Hiranyakashipu’s Sister do to Prahlada?
Correct Answer
A. Jumped into fire with him
Explanation
Hiranyakashipu's sister jumped into fire with Prahlada. This suggests that she was influenced by her brother's anger and hatred towards Prahlada, and was willing to go to extreme measures to harm him. By jumping into the fire, she intended to kill both herself and Prahlada, demonstrating her loyalty and support for her brother's evil intentions. This act highlights the intense conflict and animosity between Prahlada and his family members who opposed his devotion to Lord Vishnu.
13.
Which popular festival is celebrated as Prahlada’s victory over Holika through his Vishnu devotion?
Correct Answer
D. Holi
Explanation
Holi is celebrated as Prahlada's victory over Holika through his Vishnu devotion. In the Hindu mythological story, Prahlada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and his aunt Holika had a boon that made her immune to fire. However, when she tried to burn Prahlada by sitting in a fire with him, the opposite happened and Prahlada remained unharmed while Holika burned. This event symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is celebrated as Holi, where people play with colors and bonfires are lit to commemorate the story.
14.
When Prahlad said Vishnu is everywhere; pointing to what did Hiranyakashipu asks is Vishnu in this?
Correct Answer
D. Pillar
Explanation
Hiranyakashipu asked if Vishnu is in the pillar when Prahlad said that Vishnu is everywhere.
15.
Narasimha had the face of a _______
Correct Answer
C. Lion
Explanation
Narasimha had the face of a lion.
16.
Where did Narasimha place Hiranyakashipu to overcome the boon that he will not be killed on earth or sky?
Correct Answer
B. On his lap
Explanation
Narasimha placed Hiranyakashipu on his lap to overcome the boon that he will not be killed on earth or sky. This action allowed Narasimha to kill Hiranyakashipu, as he was neither on the earth nor in the sky at that moment.
17.
Hiranyakashipu had got the boon that he will not be killed by a weapon. Then how did Narasimha kill him?
Correct Answer
C. With his nails and fingers
Explanation
Even though Hiranyakashipu had received the boon that he could not be killed by a weapon, Narasimha was able to kill him using his nails and fingers. This is because Narasimha, being a half-human and half-lion deity, did not count as a conventional weapon. Therefore, he was able to bypass the protection granted by the boon and defeat Hiranyakashipu using his own physical strength.
18.
The anger of Narasimha continued to create havoc even after Hiranyakashipu’s death. Finally who was able to calm down Narasimha?
Correct Answer
C. Young Prahlada
Explanation
Young Prahlada was able to calm down Narasimha. Prahlada was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu and had unwavering faith in him. Despite facing numerous hardships and witnessing the death of his father at the hands of Narasimha, Prahlada's love and devotion towards Lord Vishnu remained steadfast. His pure heart and devotion touched Narasimha, and he was able to control his anger and restore peace.
19.
There is a legend in South India which says that Lord Shiva took an incarnation to pacify Narasimha – what is the name of the incarnation?
Correct Answer
A. Sharabha
Explanation
The correct answer is Sharabha. According to the legend in South India, Lord Shiva took the incarnation of Sharabha to pacify Narasimha.
20.
There is another legend in South India which says that unable to control his anger, Narasimha took another fierce incarnation of?
Correct Answer
B. Ganda Bherunada – two headed bird
Explanation
In this legend, it is believed that Narasimha, the half-man half-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu, took another fierce incarnation as Ganda Bherunada, a two-headed bird. This incarnation was a result of Narasimha's inability to control his anger.