Hindu mythology quiz: test your knowledge of gods and epics
Quick, free quiz on Hindu mythology with instant results.
This Hindu mythology quiz helps you test your knowledge of gods, epic heroes, and timeless stories. If you want a broader challenge, try our Hinduism quiz. Dive into the epics with a Mahabharata and Ramayana quiz, or focus on a single hero in a quick Hanuman quiz. Get instant results and discover a few new facts as you play.
Study Outcomes
- Identify Key Deities -
Recognize major Hindu gods and goddesses featured in epic tales and recall their distinctive attributes and roles.
- Recall Epic Narratives -
Pinpoint significant events from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and summarize their importance in Hindu mythology.
- Analyze Mythological Themes -
Examine common symbols and moral lessons within Hindu legends and understand their relevance to cultural values.
- Assess Knowledge Gaps -
Evaluate which areas of your Hindu mythology quiz performance need improvement and target topics for further study.
- Apply Quiz Strategies -
Use effective recall techniques and critical thinking skills to tackle hindu questions with confidence.
- Deepen Cultural Insight -
Develop a richer appreciation for India's divine lore and its ongoing influence on literature and art.
Cheat Sheet
- Epic Narratives of Ramayana and Mahabharata -
The Ramayana (24,000 verses) and Mahabharata (100,000 verses) form the backbone of Hindu mythology, chronicling Lord Rama's exile and the Pandava-Kaurava war (Monier-Williams, 1899). Focus on sections like the Adi Parva and Yuddha Parva to trace heroic journeys and pivotal events with clarity. Reviewing these epic structures from sources like Oxford India Research ensures a solid foundational timeline for your mythology quiz triumph.
- Trimurti: Roles of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva -
The Trimurti - Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer - symbolizes cosmic functions outlined in the Puranas (Müller, 1859). Remember their attributes: Brahma's four heads (Vedas), Vishnu's conch and chakra, Shiva's trident and damaru drum as visual cues. Linking each deity to their cosmic duty helps cement their significance for quick recall during hindu trivia.
- Dashavatara Mnemonic for Vishnu's Incarnations -
Vishnu's ten avatars (Dashavatara) span from Matsya to Kalki; a popular mnemonic is "My King Valiantly Navigated Many Rivers Rapidly, Krishna Conquered Demons" to capture Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki. This catchy phrase aligns each avatar with its key trait and sequence, aiding memorization. Cross-check with Britannica's "Avatars of Vishnu" entry for authoritative validation in your hindu mythology quiz.
- Symbolism in Deity Iconography -
Common motifs like the lotus (purity), the conch or shankha (primal sound "Om"), and the chakra or wheel (dharma) recur across Hindu art and temple carvings. Noting these symbols in context - e.g., Lakshmi's lotus or Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra - fosters deeper understanding and identification. Review high-resolution images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection to see these symbols in scholarly detail for your indian mythology quiz or to ace hindu questions.
- Yuga Cycle: Four Cosmic Ages -
The cycle of Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali Yuga spans 4,320,000 years, decreasing in virtue with each age (Rig Veda commentary, Harvard Oriental Series). A quick formula: total cycle = 10,000 divine years (1 divine year = 360 human years), so Satya Yuga is 4,320,000 human years, Treta 3,240,000, and so on. Grasping this chronology from academic sources empowers your timeline-based mythology quiz answers and helps you tackle hindu questions with confidence.