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🕯️ Section 1: Yajna, Nature, and Existence (Q17–30)
| No. | Question (English / Sanskrit) | Answer | Wisdom / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | What is the Sama beneficial for sacrifice? (Kiṃsvid Ekam Yajñiyaṃ Sāma?) |
Prāṇa (Life Breath) |
Life breath is essential for chanting the Sama Veda; it follows the physical body in Vedic classification. |
| 18 | What is the Yajus beneficial to yagna? (Kiṃsvid Ekam Yajñiyaṃ Yajuḥ?) |
Manas (Mind) |
The mind is equated to the Yajur Veda because ritual formulas require total mental focus. |
| 19 | Which is chosen for the yagna itself? (Kā Ca Enām Vṛṇute Yajñam?) |
Rik Eka (One Verse) |
Refers to the Gayatri Mantra. The "One Rik" embraces the essence of the Yajna. |
| 20 | What can the sacrifice not be without? (Kāṃ Yajño Nāti Vartate?) |
Rik Eka (The Gayatri) |
Without the knowledge and chanting of that specific Rik, the sacrifice cannot be completed. |
| 21 | What is the best among those that shower? (Kiṃsvid Avapatāṃ Śreṣṭham?) |
Varsham (Rain) |
Rain is life's sustenance. Legend says a King once imprisoned clouds until they agreed to rain on time. |
| 22 | What is the foremost put into the ground? (Kiṃsvid Nivapatāṃ Varam?) |
Bījam (Seed) |
Like a seed for crops, Shraddha (ancestral rites) is the seed for a flourishing lineage. |
| 23 | What is the best among four-footed animals? (Kiṃsvid Pratiṣṭhamānānām?) |
Gāvaḥ (Cows) |
Cows represent being "well-settled" and prosperous (Samriddhi) in a home. |
| 24 | What is the best among those begotten? (Kiṃsvid Prajavatāṃ Varam?) |
Putraḥ (Child) |
A child (son or daughter) is the highest blessing, as seen with Janaka (Sita) and Drupada (Draupadi). |
| 25 | Who breathes but does not live? (Uśvasan Ko Na Jīvati?) |
The Negligent Man | A "living corpse" is one who fails to serve Gods, Guests, Dependents, Ancestors, and the Self. |
| 26 | Which is weightier than the earth? (Kiṃsvid Gurutaraṃ Bhūmeḥ?) |
Mātā (Mother) |
A mother's patience and burden-bearing capacity exceed that of the Earth itself. |
| 27 | What is higher than the sky? (Kiṃsvid Uccataraṃ Khāt?) |
Pitā (Father) |
The Father initiates the child into knowledge (Brahmopadesam), elevating their stature above the sky. |
| 28 | What is swifter than the wind? (Kiṃsvid Śīghrataraṃ Vāyoḥ?) |
Manaḥ (Mind) |
The mind can travel vast distances instantly (e.g., remembering home while far away) faster than air. |
| 29 | What is more numerous than grass? (Kiṃsvid Bahutaraṃ Tṛṇāt?) |
Chintā (Worry) |
Grass blades are uncountable, but the mind's unnecessary anxieties are even more infinite. |
| 30 | What does not close its eyes while asleep? (Kiṃsvid Suptam Na Nimiṣati?) |
Matsyaḥ (Fish) |
In the natural world, the fish sleeps without closing its eyes. |
🌊 Section 2: Motion, Friends, and Truth (Q31–48)
| No. | Question (English / Sanskrit) | Answer | Wisdom / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | What does not move after birth? (Kiṃsvid Jātam Na Chopati?) |
Aṇḍam (Egg) |
Unlike a human baby, an egg remains motionless after being laid until it hatches. |
| 32 | What is that which is without heart? (Kasyasvit Hṛdayam Nāsti?) |
Aśmanah (Stone) |
Physically heartless. Poetically, duty can make one appear as heartless as a stone (e.g., Rama banishing Sita). |
| 33 | What swells by its own force? (Kiṃsvid Vēgēna Vartatē?) |
Nadi (River) |
A river flows with speed and naturally expands in volume as it progresses. |
| 34 | Who is the friend of a traveler? (Kiṃsvid Pravasato Mitram?) |
Vidyā (Education) |
Knowledge (like language skills) supports one in foreign lands where they are otherwise alone. |
| 35 | Who is the friend of one at home? (Kiṃsvin Mitram Gṛhē Sataḥ?) |
Bhāryā (Wife) |
The wife is the "best friend" (Sakhā), managing the home and relationships with mutual respect. |
| 36 | Who is the friend of the sick? (Kiṃsvid Mitram Āturasya?) |
Bhiṣak (Physician) |
A patient trusts the doctor to remove suffering, even if the treatment (surgery) causes pain. |
| 37 | Who is the friend of the dying? (Kiṃsvid Mitram Mariṣyataḥ?) |
Dānam (Charity) |
When the body turns to ash, only the charity performed in life accompanies the soul. |
| 38 | Who is the guest of all creatures? (Ko Atithiḥ Sarva Bhūtānām?) |
Agni (Fire) |
Fire is the central guest in all rituals, from birth (Punyahavachanam) to death (Cremation). |
| 39 | What is the eternal Dharma? (Kiṃsvid Dharmam Sanātanam?) |
Krishna | Vedic scholars proclaim "Kṛṣṇam Dharmam Sanātanam"—Krishna is righteousness itself. |
| 40 | What is Amrita (Nectar)? (Kiṃsvid Amṛtam Rājēndra?) |
Soma / Gavamritham | Soma juice (used in Yagnas) and cow's milk products symbolize true ritual purity. |
| 41 | What is this entire Universe? (Kiṃsvid Sarvam Idaṁ Jagat?) |
Vāyu (Air/Wind) |
Air is omnipresent and pervades the entire universe. |
| 42 | What is that which journeys alone? (Kiṃsvid Eko Vicarati?) |
Sūrya (Sun) |
Though surrounded by planets, the Sun acts as a single, powerful entity (Ekah). |
| 43 | What is that which is born again? (Ko Jāyatē Punaḥ Punaḥ?) |
Chandra (Moon) |
The Moon waxes and wanes, seemingly dying and being reborn due to Daksha's curse. |
| 44 | What is the remedy against snow? (Kiṃsvid Himasya Bhaiṣajyam?) |
Agni (Fire) |
Fire is the essential cure for Hima (cold) to survive freezing conditions. |
| 45 | What is the large receptacle? (Kiṃsvid Āvapanam Mahat?) |
Bhūmi (Earth) |
The Earth is the biggest vessel, bearing the weight of millions without complaint. |
| 46 | What is the all-comprehensive virtue? (Kiṃsvid Ekam Padam Dharmyam?) |
Dākṣyam (Skill) |
Goodness needs skill to succeed. Nala survived exile because he had skills (driving/cooking). |
| 47 | What is the foundation of fame? (Kiṃsvid Ekam Padam Yaśaḥ?) |
Dānam (Charity) |
To sustain fame (Yasha), one must give back to society. Charity keeps fame alive. |
| 48 | What leads to Heaven? (Kiṃsvid Ekam Padam Svargyam?) |
Satyam (Truth) |
Unlike lies which vary, Truth never changes. It is the singular path to Heaven. |
💎 Bonus Insights
The Soma Yajnam 🍃
The Soma Yajnam is a significant sacrifice where the result, Soma Rasam, is equated to Amritam.
- Result: A sacred liquid from a creeper, distinct from alcohol.
- Power: Grants "undying youth" to the consumer.
- Healing: Bath water from the performer of this Yagam was historically used as medicine.
Krishna as Sanatana Dharma 🙏
Learned scholars of the Vedas and Upanishads proclaim with one voice:
"Kṛṣṇam Dharmam Sanātanam"
This asserts that the great soul Krishna is Sanatana Dharma; the eternal religion is inseparable from him.
The Concept of "Better Half" 💑
In the context of Perumal (Vishnu) and Piratti (Lakshmi), Piratti is the "Better Half."
- Mathematical Analogy: While they appear equal (0.5 each), Piratti is metaphorically derived from 0.52, while Perumal is 0.48.
- The Meaning: The difference exists because Piratti is unaware of dhandana (punishment). Her nature is purely infinite compassion and grace, making her the superior part of the divine whole.
Reference: Watch on YouTube
📝 Acknowledgment & Disclaimer
These articles are based on discourses by Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, who renders discourses in English & Tamil on Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Vishnu Purāna, Bhagavad Gitā, Vishnu Sahasranāma, and Divya Prabanda in the upanyāsam, pravachanam, or kālakshepam style. Visit https://desikadaya.org for more information. These notes are presented solely for educational purposes to help viewers download and benefit from these teachings. Any incorrect interpretations or inaccuracies are mine and unintentional—please forgive me. For any feedback, please send an email.