This month sees celebrations of both Krishna Janmashtami (4 Sept) and Ganesh Chaturthi (15 Sept). We have ten questions for you, culled from the pages of Heart2Heart, to test your knowledge relating to Lord Krishna and Lord Ganesha. Good luck!

1. In our September 2003 issue, when we first started our ‘Sai Bhajan Classroom’ section, we presented this Ganesha bhajan, with meaning and pronunciation.

Gouri Suthaaya Om Namah Om
Lambodaraaya Om Namah Om
Vighneshwaraaya Om Namah Om
Bhava Dukha Bhanjana Om Namah Om

What does the word Vighneshwaraaya mean?

A. Elephant head God.
B. Remover of obstacles.
C. One who loves eating laddoos.
D. Son of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

2. In our ‘Conversations with Sai’ from the September 2006 issue, Dr Hislop once asked Swami:

“What kind of person was Chaitanya?”

To which Swami replied...

Chaitanya also would sing to Krishna and dance in ecstasy with Krishna. Once he visited an admirer. He was lodged in a room next to the prayer hall. Whenever food was offered to the 5-metal idol of Krishna, Chaitanya was observed to be eating that same food in his room. The host decided to make a test. He locked Chaitanya in his room and there was some opening through which he could see Chaitanya. Food was offered to the Krishna idol, and Chaitanya was seen to be eating the food. The host entered the room and slapped Chaitanya on both cheeks.

What happened next?

A. The metal idol of Krishna disappeared.
B. Chaitanya left the city.
C. Krishna came in his dream and chastised the host.
D. Devotees chased the host away!

3. In our September 2005 issue, in our ‘Feature Articles’ section, we presented Swami's teachings on the significance and importance of the sacred offerings made to Ganesh during Ganesh Chaturthi. Why are these offerings made?

A. To improve health and confer happiness.
B. To seek knowledge.
C. To lose weight.
D. To gain material prosperity.

4. In the feature article, ‘Primordial Deity - Powerful Inspiration’ from the August 2006 issue, Dr. T. Ravi Kumar shares with us the meaning of a very popular stotram in praise of Lord Ganesha and how it holds ideals for everyone. It goes like this:

Suklambharadhram vishnum,
sasi varnam chatur bhujam
prasanna vadhanam dyayeh
sarvavigna upashantaye

Thus, Lord Ganesha holds Himself forth as an ideal for all in this stotram (and more so for the Sai students). Consider this:

Suklambharadharam [the one with white garments on]: we should wear immaculate white (pure) clothes.
Vishnum [all-pervading]: be present everywhere where you supposed to be in time.
Sashi varnam [of bright complexion]: have the vibhuti spot on your forehead.
Chatur bhujam [who has four hands]: be an achiever, be industrious.
Prasanna vadhanam [ever smiling face]: be cheerful and joyous.

What humorous meaning to the words Prasanna Vadhanam, does Swami give?

A. Don't worry, Be happy!
B. Count your Blessings!
C. No Castor Oil face!
D. Devotion is Deep Ocean.

5. ‘Swami's Brindavan Discourses’ of our July 15th 2004 issue, concerned the meaning behind our spiritual festivals. Besides recalling the teachings of Lord Krishna as given to us in the Bhagavad Gita, what did Bhagavan say we should contemplate on Krishna Jayanti Day?

A. How Krishna loves to sing and dance.
B. How Krishna loves to eat butter.
C. How Krishna played pranks with His playmates.
D. How Krishna is the Embodiment of Nectarine Sweetness.

6. In our ‘Cover Story: The Krishna Story’ from the October 2004 issue, we learn what Swami says was the main purpose of the Krishna Avatar. What was this purpose?

A. To save humanity by killing the demons.
B. To save the Pandavas.
C. To show how man can earn the love of God.
D. To show His Divinity through His Leela's.

7. In the November 2005 issue, in our Feature Article, ‘The Sai Avatar on Himself’, we shared an extract from the conversations between Swami and Dr Hislop, where Hislop asked:

"Swami, it seems to be the case that from the time of Krishna to Sathya Sai.”

Sai: Time? I AM KRISHNA ! Where is time?
Hislop: Then, Swami, this has to be the best time of the world for persons to be born?

What did Swami reply next?

A. “No, My Shirdi Avatar was a better time.”
B. “No, My Rama Avatar was the best time.”
C. “Yes, This is the very best time.”
D. “My Prema Sai Avatar will be the best of all.”

8. In our features section of the August 2005 issue, we carried a Discourse given by Bhagavan on Krishnastami Day, 10 Jun, 1974. He mentioned “During Krishna 's Time, His parents, His companions, His devotees - no one had peace from......”

Who was He referring to?

A. Demons
B. The Kauravas.
C. His Uncle Kamsa .
D. Constant rainfall.

9. In our ‘Chinna Katha: The Winning Smile’ from the April 2007 issue, we shared a small story narrated by Bhagavan about how once the three brothers, Lord Krishna, Balarama and Satyaki had strayed into the jungle when they were barely four years and how a demon confronted them but was wounded by the other two in a fierce battle.

What happened when it was little Lord Krishna 's turn to fight him?

A. Lord Krishna used His arrows to kill him.
B. Lord Krishna used Love as His weapon.
C. Lord Krishna turned him into a stone.
D. The demon called his other friends to help him against Lord Krishna.

10. In “The True Meaning of Darshan Sparshan and Sambarshan’ from the June 1st 2004 issue, Prof G. Venkataraman shares a small story that Swami has narrated several times before about the time when Mother Yashoda was filling water in her pots and she asked little Lord Krishna for help.

What did Lord Krishna do?

A. Lord Krishna just laughed and ran away.
B. Lord Krishna played a prank and made holes in all the pots.
C. Lord Krishna carried them all the way until they reached home.
D. Lord Krishna asked his playmates to carry the pots for her.

Dear Reader, did you like this quiz? Is it too difficult? Is it interactive enough? How does it help you? Please tell us at h2h@radiosai.org.

-Heart2Heart Team