March 28 is Rama Navami this year. Did you know Ramayana is the most popular Hindu story that has been presented in numerous different languages and versions by so many saints and is also an integral part of the culture in many countries around the world?
Take this quiz to learn about interesting variations and tidbits about Ramayana:
1. Who was the great saint who wrote the Ramayana which is recognized to be the oldest and first version?
A. Sage Valmiki
B. Sage Tulsidas
C. Sage Veda Vyasa
2. Name the Tamil poet who is the author of Ramavataram, the Tamil version of Ramayana
A. Subramanya Bharati
B. Kambar
C. Thiruvalluvar
3. Name the great Saint wrote ‘Bhavartha Ramayana’ in Marathi
A. Sant Eknath
B. Sant Tukkaram
C. Sant Jnaneshwar
4. This version of Ramayana written by Goswami Tulsidas is very popular in North India
A. Adhyatma Ramayana
B. Pothi Ramayana
C. Ramacharitmanas
5. This great saint wrote a series of kirtans depicting the entire Ramayana
A. Sri Purandaradasa
B. Sant Meera Bai
C. Sri Thyagaraja
6. These are two of many Asian countries in which Ramayana is part of the culture:
A. Iraq and Iran
B. Indonesia and Thailand
C. Russia and Turkey
7. ‘Chaupai’ is a quatrain verse in Indian poetry that uses a metre of four syllables. Hanuman Chalisa is based on this meter. Name the version of Ramayana that is set in Chaupai:
A. Valmiki Ramayana
B. Ramcharitmanas
C. Ramavataram
8. ___________ Ramayana is found in Brahmanda Purana which is authored by Vyasa
A. Mahabharata
B. Bhagavad Gita
C. Adhyatma
9. Name the scripture in which Sage Shuka narrated a concise version of Ramayana:
A. Mahabharata
B. Srimad Bhagavatam
C. Srimad Bhagavad Gita
10. In which Parva in Mahabharata is Ramayana narrated?
A. Drona Parva
B. Bheesma Parva
C. Vana Parva
Compiled by
Ramya Srinivasan, San Jose CA
Answers:
1– A, 2- B, 3- A, 4- C, 5- C, 6- B, 7- B, 8– C, 9-B, 10 – C
