Answers to Quiz on DHYAANA
HARI AUM
Prostrations to all.
The following are the scores for the quiz on dhyaana:
Aparna - 9.5
Rajesh Kumar - 9.5
Mallika - 9.5
Neelakantan - 6
Scores really dont matter but what matters is participation which is instigated by desire to know and understand things. :)Aparna was the first to reply to the quiz and that too on the same day the question was raised. Special thanks to her for the same.
Hope at least a few of us would have been benefitted by this quiz. The answers below:
1. Patanjali is the saiva sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras which forms the basis for the Yoga darshana of the shad darshanas.
2. Sankhya-Yoga is the pair. The other pairs are Nyaaya-Vaisheshika, Mimamsa-Vedanta. Sankhya is very similar to yoga except for few differences (which is out of the scope of this mail). Sankhya is based on three works -- Sankhya Sutras of Kapila Muni, Ishwarakrishna's Sankhya Karika and Tattva Samaasa of Kapila Muni (sankhya sutras that is available today is considered to be a newer version written by somebody and hence is not considered that authentic whereas Ishwarakrishna's Sankhya Karika is around 2 BC also having a commentary titled Tattva kaumudi of Vachaspathi Mishra on it. Sankhya Sutras basically have two commentaries on them - one by Aniruddha and the other by the great Vijnaana Bhikshu)
3. Tatra pratyaya ekathaanathaa dhyaanam (3.2) - there (on that focus of concentration), perception becoming one-pointed is called meditation.
4. Dhyaana yoga is the 6th chapter which is titled different by Sankara bhashya and other works. There are 42 verses in total authored by Krishna in the chapter.
5. Many defined it as concentration on Lord etc. but the correct definition in Gita itself is: Sidhyasidhya samobhootva samatvam yoga uchyatheA person who is equal to both good and bad -- samatvam or equanamity of mind to environment, situations and conditions is called Yoga. Thus Yoga = Samatvam or Sama Bhaavana. Which Krishna himself later defines as seeing the Self in all and all in the Self. Interesting that none got this answer right (though were granted mark because all answers were right based on normal word of Yoga but not right based on Krishna's yoga definition).
6. Patanjali is famous for Yoga Sutra and the Mahabhashya on Panini's vyaakarana sutras (only this work is called mahabhashya among all other sanskrit commentaries).
7. Dhyaana is meditation which has many pre requisites and is part of karma whereas nidhidhyaasana is contemplation which doesn't have any conditions and is part of jnaana.
8.Astanga yoga -- everybody already knows it and hence am not going into the details.
9. Vedantic samadhi is savikalpa and nirvikalpa. The two similar samadhis that Yoga accepts is samprajnaatha and asamprajnaatha -- in the first there is prajnaa or perception of an entity different from oneself whereas in the second there is no such prajnaa or vritti at all. Asamprajnaatha is to be aspired which is devoid of all vrittis and is the culmination of yoga (chitta vritti nirodham)
10. Tattva vaisharadhi is the name of the sub-commentary of Vachaspathi Mishra on Yoga Sutra bhashya of Vyaasa. Once again, thanks to all those who have replied to this question.
Prostrations to all.
Thanks
Hariram
Let a moment not pass by without remembering God
Quiz on DHYAANA
HARI AUM
Prostrations to all.
First of all – we haven’t decided the next topic of the week. Do reply back so that we don’t lose another day choosing the topic.
Here goes the quiz on “Topic of the week – Dhyaana”. Questions might require research or googling and might be out of syllabus as wellJ.
1. One of the shad darshanas defines Dhyaana as a sadhana and the darshana has been established by a Siva bhaktha who is said to have witnessed the Tandava of Siva. Which is the darshana and who is the person establishing the darshana?
2. Shad darshanas are known in pairs of two. Which darshana pairs with the darshana mentioned in 1?
3. Quote the Sanskrit sutra defining Dhyaana in the darshana (along with chapter, sutra number and translation in English).
4. Which is the dhyaana yoga chapter of Gita and what is the total number of slokas from Krishna’s mouth in the chapter?
5. Define Yoga as per Krishna.
6. Patanjali is famous for two of his works. Name the works.
7. Differentiate Dhyaana (yoga dhyaana) and Nidhidhyaasana.
8. Name the astangas of Yoga and define each in brief (max 2 sentence for each).
9. What are the two main types of Samadhi of Yoga and Vedanta (the answer will be four names in total)?
10. What is the name of the sub-commentary of Vachaspathi Mishra to the commentary of Vyaasa on the Yoga Sutras?
11. (Optional) Which type of yoga dhyaana have you practiced and your experiences on the same (irrespective of whether those are obstacles or mystic experiences).
Do reply back with question number and answer.
The quiz will be open till Thursday morning IST (if people require more time, we can have it till Friday EOD).
Prostrations to all.
HARI AUM
Thanks
Hariram
Let a moment not pass by without remembering God
Quiz - 5 - Answers
HARI AUM
Prostrations to all.
Please find answers inline. Pardon the late reply for the answers. Really happy that whoever answered the same spend good time learning and understanding both madhva's work as well as the counter work. The score for the same are:
Mallika - 9
Rajesh Kumar - 8.5
Neelakantan - 8.5
Rajesh Gaurav - 9
1. There are three khandana works of Madhva directed against advaita. Name the three works.
ANSWER: The three khandana works are mayavada khandana, anumaana khandana and upaadhi khandana.
Mayavada khandana attacks the anubandha chathustaya of advaita or advaita itself in general.
Anumana khandana also known as prapancha mithyaatva anumaana khandana attacks the various inferences given by advaitins to prove the illusory or mithyaatva of the world (jagan mithyaatva). A deeper criticism is found in Nyaayamrita of Vyaasateertha which was answered by advaita siddhi of madhusudana saraswathi.
Upaadhi khandana attacks the concept of upadhi or limitations which differentiates the kutastha atman from brahman - the upadhi of maya or avidya or the three bodies is thoroughly attacked as being illogical.
2. What is the main topic of Mayavada Khandana of Madhvacharya?
ANSWER: The main topic is refutation of anubandha chathustayam of advaita and hence refuting advaita itself in general.
3. What are the two qualities (adjectives) of Vishnu accepted by Dvaita?
ANSWER: Vishnu is "devoid of bad qualities" and "full of auspicious qualities". One is negation of bad qualities & other attributing infinite qualities.
Madhva says thus in tattva viveka
svatanthro bhagavaan vishnuh nirdosha akhila sadgunah
Bhagavan Vishnu is indepedent -- nirdosha or devoid of doshas & akhila sadgunah or filled with all good qualities.
4. How does advaita define Vishnu and how does Mayavada Darpana define Narasimha?
ANSWER: Vishnu vyaapanasheelam (this is what Sankara gives in many places) - vishnu is one who is all pervasive.
Yat cha kinchit jagat sarvam drishyathe srooyathe api va
anthar bahischa tat sarvam vyaapyan naaraayana sthitah
Whatever is there in the world as seen or heard, all is pervaded in and out by Narayana -- thus says Narayana Sooktham.
Mayavada darpana defines Narasimha as the baadavagnih which removes the ocean of samsaara & of the nature of sat chit ananda. As explained earlier, baadavagnih is that fire which dries up the ocean (we have heard of ocean vanquishing fire but this fire dries up the ocean as well).
5. What is anubandha chathustayam?
ANSWER: Anubandha chathustayam can be said to be preface or the four important things about a particular work.
a) adhikaari - eligible person to learn and benefit from the work
b) vishaya - subject matter of the work
c) prayojanam - fruit of learning the work
d) sambandha - relation between vishaya and prayojanam
6. Explain the words pointing out anubandha chathustayam in madhva’s dhyaana sloka and the dhyaana sloka of Mayavada Darpana.
ANSWER: Mayavada khandana dhyaana sloka is:
Narasimha akhila ajnaana matha dhvaantha divaakarah
jayathi amitha satjnaana sukha shakthi payonidhih
Vishayah - akhila ajnaana matha dhvaantha - destroyer of all the tenets of ajnaana or advaita (this being the main content of mayavada khandana)
prayojanam - jayathi - praise to the Lord -- as per dvaita, praising the Lord or knowing that the Lord alone is independent & praising him will lead the Lord to help the seeker out of ignorance and thereby give liberation by the grace of the Lord
adhikaari - akhila ajnaana matha dhvaantha and jayathi as well --- one who wants to get rid of wrong notions of advaita thereby praising the Lord as different from limited jeeva
sambandha - one who learns teh work will get the prayojanam of grace of teh Lord (the second line of the verse points to the sambandha as the link between praise and getting grace of teh Lord)
Mayavada darpana dhyaana sloka is
Narasimho akhila samsaara bhava baadavaagnih
satyam jnaanam anantham cha sarva upaadhi vivarjitham
vishayah - akhila samsaara bhava baadavaagnih -- that agni which removes the ocean of samsaara through proper knowledge of the scriptures as jnaana alone removes ajnaana
prayojanam - satyam jnaanam anantham - realization of bliss which is the very purpose of any being
adhikaari - akhila samsaara bhava -- one who wants to come out of hte ocean of samsaara
sambandha -- sambandha is baadavagnih - that agni which removes ignorance or gives teh prayojanam through proper knowledge or the vishaya.
7. What is Baadavagni?
ANSWER: Baadavagnih is the fire that dries up ocean - the fire of knoweldge removes ajnaana (thereby removing the effect of ajnaana which is karma -- as per Krishna, jnaana removes karma).
8. What are the three reasons stated by dvaitins to prove that advaita is anaarambhaneeyam (cannot be started)?
ANSWER: a) anyatha prathipaadakatvaat - as the subject matter of advaita is different from what scriptures propound
b) baaditha vishayatvaat - since the subject-matter or vishaya vanishes after realization even as the forgotten Self (which is the vishaya for a forgotten person who has lost his memory) vanishes after remembrance dawns.
c) vedaadeh tat paratva niraasa - since vedas propound contrary things to advaita thereby refuting advaita
9. What are the counter three reasons that Mayavada Darpana gives to show that advaita is to be started (the arguments counter or refute the arguments stated by dvaitins that advaita is anaarambhaneeyam)?
ANSWER: a) sruthi ukthatvaat -as sruthi propounds advaita in statements like sarvam khalu idam brahma, neha nana asthi kinchana etc.
b) avidhyayaa brahmano vishayatva angeekaaraat -as long as forgotten, the vishaya is there - but after remembrance, vishaya vanishes - it all depends on whether ajnaana is there or not -- and advaita accepts vishaya as long as ajnaana is there.... therefore no fault of baadhita vishayam
c) upapatteh - logical enough to accept the tenet of advaita
10. What are the three parts of an anumaana (inference) that Vedanta accepts?
ANSWER: prathijnaa - that which is to be proved
hetu - reason
udaaharana - example
The hill has fire, because smoke is seen, like in hearth.
prathijnaa - hill has fire (to be proved)
hethu - because smoke is seen in the hill (wherever smoke is there, fire is also there)
udaaharana - like in hearth where smoke is seen & hence fire is also present
Prostrations to all.
HARI AUM
Thanks
Hariram
Let a moment not pass by without remembering God
Quiz - 5
HARI AUM
Prostrations to all.
As mentioned earlier, we will have this quiz on Mayavada Khandana and Darpana which we have been learning till now. Please send the reply by next Thursday (almost a week’s time in order to go through the blog site for the same).
The blog reference for this quiz is:
http://mayavadadarpanam.blogspot.com/.
1. There are three khandana works of Madhva directed against advaita. Name the three works.
2. What is the main topic of Mayavada Khandana of Madhvacharya?
3. What are the two qualities (adjectives) of Vishnu accepted by Dvaita?
4. How does advaita define Vishnu and how does Mayavada Darpana define Narasimha?
5. What is anubandha chathustayam?
6. Explain the words pointing out anubandha chathustayam in madhva’s dhyaana sloka and the dhyaana sloka of Mayavada Darpana.
7. What is Baadavagni?
8. What are the three reasons stated by dvaitins to prove that advaita is anaarambhaneeyam (cannot be started)?
9. What are the counter three reasons that Mayavada Darpana gives to show that advaita is to be started (the arguments counter or refute the arguments stated by dvaitins that advaita is anaarambhaneeyam)?
10. What are the three parts of an anumaana (inference) that Vedanta accepts?
Prostrations to all.
HARI AUM
Thanks
Hariram
Let a moment not pass by without remembering God
Quiz - 4 - Answers
HARI AUM
Prostrations to all.
The answers to the quiz are inline in blue. There were five responses in total (consistent for all the quiz). The score is as below (though scores dont really matter):
Neelakantan - 9.5
Rajesh Kumar - 9.5
Mallika - 9.5
Rajesh Gaurav - 9.5
R S Iyer - 9
Only R S Iyer got the complete answer for bhakthi schools of Vedanta.
Pardon the late judgement of the quiz as thought would give enough time for people to answer. The next quiz will be related to Mayavada series that we have been learning (hope people dont stop replying to the quiz just because the topic is tough :-)).
Lastly, thanks to the interest shown in the quiz series from all those who have answered and all those who have been watching this series though unable to answer because of various restriction.
1. Wherein in Gita has the Lord explained bhakthi in a complete way?
Chapter 12 - Bhakthi Yoga2. What are the two sutra works on bhakthi and their authors?
Narada Bhakthi Sutras & Shandilya Bhakthi Sutras
3. What are the two main types of bhakthi?
Apara Bhakthi and Para Bhakthi
4. Define Bhakthi in exactly two words (there can be many answers but the answer should be justifiable by the bhakthi literatures).
The answers that were found are:
Parama Prema
amrita svaroopa
mukthi sadhakam
atma nivedanam
one-pointed devotion
unconditional surrender
nirmamo nirahankaarah
All of the answers are perfect -- if "I" as an individual would have to answer this question, then the answer would "total" (poorna) and "unconditional" (avicchinna) which are two different aspects (related to of course the basics of bhakthi which is SURRENDER) essential in bhakthi (this has been explained in Bhakthi Darpanam work).
5. Which saint’s name flashes in the mind when we hear the word Bhakthi (a quite famous person – rather infamous as the problem creator in the puranasJ)?
Narada
6. Which are the bhakthi schools of Vedanta (is out of topic but google search will easily give the answer)?
Interestingly, Advaita is not considered a bhakthi school because it believes in jnaana which is para bhakthi (where differentiation is not possible). When we say bhakthi school, the first point is that it is dependent on Ishwara (and dependency is possible only if Ishwara is different from oneself) -- thus bhakthi schools means dependency on Ishwara different from the Self.
The bhakthi schools of Vedanta with their propagator in braces are (in order in which they were given life by the propagators as per history):
Vishista advaita (Ramanuja)
Dvaita (Madhva)
Dvaita advaita (Nimbarka)
Shuddha advaita (Vallabha)
Achintya bheda abhedha (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)
7. Which is the purana that blends bhakthi and jnana in the most perfect way?
Srimad Bhagavatham
8. Who is the saint whose commentary is available on the bhakthi sutras?
Narayana Teertha
Comment of Neelakantan on this question -- whose devotional songs are a part and parcel of Sampradaya Bhajans.
9. How many chapters are there in Narada Bhakthi Sutras, what are their names and what do they explain about (two-three lines would suffice)?
5 chapters.
PARABHAKTHI SVAROOPAM - wherein the ultimate or higher devotion is explained
PARABHAKTHI MAHATVAM - importance of supreme devotion
BHAKTHI SAADHANAANI - wherein the different means or sadhanaas for bhakthi is propounded PREMA NIRVACHANAM - Love or pure devotion is explained beautifully with examples and logic MUKHYA BHAKTHI MAHIMA – explains the importance of Bhakthi
10. What is the total number of sutras in Narada Bhakthi Sutras?
84Prostrations to all.
HARI AUM
Thanks
Hariram
Let a moment not pass by without remembering God
Quiz - 4
HARI AUM
Prostrations to all.
Since nobody voluntarily took up the next quiz, hence am taking this up for this time. Before this quiz ends (last day for answering this quiz is the coming Wednesday), will chose a person if nobody voluntarily takes this up & that person will have to come up with the quiz on Friday next weekJ.
This time, rather than having quiz on general topics, let us have a quiz on Bhakthi based on the postings on Naradi Bhakthi Sutras and Bhakthi Yoga of Gita (which was taken by Rajesh Kumar). These two sites can be accessed from our blog site. For quick reference, below are the links to the two blogs:
http://naradabhaktisutras.blogspot.com/ (this doesn’t have the last couple of postings)
http://gitabhaktiyoga.blogspot.com/The below are the questions which require mostly one-word or one-sentence answers.
1. Wherein in Gita has the Lord explained bhakthi in a complete way?
2. What are the two sutra works on bhakthi and their authors?
3. What are the two main types of bhakthi?
4. Define Bhakthi in exactly two words (there can be many answers but the answer should be justifiable by the bhakthi literatures).
5. Which saint’s name flashes in the mind when we hear the word Bhakthi (a quite famous person – rather infamous as the problem creator in the puranasJ)?
6. Which are the bhakthi schools of Vedanta (is out of topic but google search will easily give the answer)?
7. Which is the purana that blends bhakthi and jnana in the most perfect way?
8. Who is the saint whose commentary is available on the bhakthi sutras?
9. How many chapters are there in Narada Bhakthi Sutras, what are their names and what do they explain about (two-three lines would suffice)?
10. What is the total number of sutras in Narada Bhakthi Sutras?
Send across the answers before Wednesday. For all the quiz series, there have been a set of consistent participants – hoping that few more would contribute to this quiz series which is quite simple & doesn’t take much time to answer as well.
Prostrations to all.
HARI AUM
Thanks
Hariram
Let a moment not pass by without remembering God
Quiz - 3 - Answers
Hari OM,
Here are the answers to last week’s quiz. A total of 5 people responded and the answers are collected in the attached document for reference.
All questions and answers offered to AMMA.
1.Name the four places in different directions where Acharya established centers of learning (mutts) in India.
Answer: Sringeri in Karnataka in the south,
Dwaraka in Gujarat in the west,
Puri in Orissa in the east,
Jyotirmath (Joshimath) near Badarinath in Uttaranchal in the north.
2. Name the four main disciples of Acharya who presided over these four mutts. (if corresponding mutt is also mentioned then good, else only names will also do)
Answer: Sureshwaracharya - Sarada peetha SringeriHastamalakacharya - Dwaraka pitham , DwarakaPadmapadacharya - Govardhana peetham, PuriTotakacharya - Jyothirmatha, Badarinath
3. Fill up the blanks
i)Isha Upanishad: Yajur veda:: Chandogya Upanishad : ________Answer: Sama veda
ii)Mandukya upanishad: Atharvana veda:: Brihadaranyaka upanishad:_______Answer: Shukla Yajurveda
4. Match the following
Answers:
a) Hastamalakeeyam iv) Hastamalakab) Tattva bodha i) Sankaracharyac) Bhamati ii) Vachaspati Misrad) Panchapaadika iii) Padma paada
5) Mention the 4 famous Mahavakyas.
Answers:
TAT TVAM ASI from Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 and 6.9.4
PRAJNAANAM BRAHMA from Aitareya Upanishad 3.3AHAM BRAHMA ASMI from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10AYAM ATMA BRAHMA from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.5.19 and Mandukya Upanishad
6) Shoonyavaada is a section of ______
Answer: Buddhism, this school was propounded by Nagarjuna
7) What are the Aavarana and Vikshepa aspects of Maya? One line answers will be fine.
Answers: Avarana is the veiling power of Maya. It veils the reality i.e. the real nature of Self
and vikehspa is the projecting power which projects or superimposes non reality on reality.
Also refer to Laghu vasudeva mananam chapter 1, Panchadashi chapter 1 for more detailed explanation on these.
8) Which are the three types of lakshanas? Just mentioning of names will do. Explanations with examples or one line definitions are better.
Answers:
The three ways of defining are thus. Let us take the example of Brahman itself..
Vyaavritta lakshana- Distinguishing one thing from other clearly and thus defining, the example is the ‘neti neti’ way, of pointing out Brahman as different from all the illusory objects of worldThatastha lakshana – This is the relative definition. Example is Brahman is explained as the cause and substratum of all creation.
Svaroopa lakshana - The very nature is taken as definition, like Brahman is verily Sat Chit and Ananda.
9) What is triputi?Answers: The triad, i.e. the subject, object and the medium or the action between them.
In case of gaining knowledge it is the known, knower and knowledge, in case of action, the subject, object of action and the action.
10) Mention the three levels of reality as per Advaita.
Answers:Prathibaasika Satyam or temporary reality: Reality of the dream world experienced as well as the illusory experiences like the rope-snake, nacre-silver etc.Vyavahaarika Satyam or empirical reality: reality of the world experienced in the waking state. It is also illusory and temporary only but relative. Paramaarthika Satyam or absolute reality: where there is only one truth and there is nothing but Non dual Self.
Requesting someone from the group to take up the next quiz.
Also pardon all for the break in Atma Bodha learning as I will be on leave the rest of week.
Hari OM
With regards,
Mallika R
What you have is God's gift to you and what you do with what you have is your gift to God
Quiz - 3
Hari OM,
Continuing here with the next part of the quiz. The questions are really simple and hope everyone makes most use of this opportunity to revise whatever we have learnt till now in the group.
The questions are both subjective and objective and can be easily googled or got from previous discussions from vedanta tattva blogsite. May AMMA guide all to the ultimate goal.
Let us offer our salutations to Acharya Sankara by starting the first 2 questions of quiz on Acharya.
1. Name the four places in different directions where Acharya established centers of learning (mutts) in India.2. Name the four main disciples of Acharya who presided over these four mutts. (if corresponding mutt is also mentioned then good, else only names will also do)
3. Fill up the blanks
i)Isha Upanishad: Yajur veda:: Chandogya Upanishad : ________
ii)Mandukya upanishad: Atharvana veda:: Brihadaranyaka upanishad:_______
the options for both questions are:
a) Rig veda b) Yajur veda
c) Sama veda d) Atharvana veda
4. Match the following
a) hastamalakeeyam i) Sankaracharya
b) Tattva bodha ii) Vachaspati Misra
c) Bhamati iii) Padma paada
d) Panchapaadika iv) Hastamalaka
5) Mention the 4 famous Mahavakyas.
6) Shoonyavaada is a section of ______
a) Buddhism b) Advaita c) Jainism d) Charvakas
7) What are the Aavarana and Vikshepa aspects of Maya ?
One line answers will be fine.
8) Which are the three types of lakshanas?
Just mentioning of names will do, explanations with examples or one line definitions are better.
9) What is triputi?
10) Mention the three levels of reality as per Advaita.
Requesting everyone to participate in the quiz.
Offering humble prostrations to guru,
Hari OM
With regards,
Mallika R
What you have is God's gift to you and what you do with what you have is your gift to God
