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Quizzes > Books & Literature

Quiz on Mahabharata and Ramayana: Test Your Epic Knowledge

Quick, free Ramayana and Mahabharata quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Mohamed SheriffUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art scene with stylized heroes and deities from Mahabharata and Ramayan on dark blue background for quiz

This Mahabharata and Ramayana quiz helps you check what you remember about key stories, heroes, and moments. Answer quick questions, see instant results, and pick up short notes as you go. For related challenges, try the Hindu mythology quiz, explore the Hanuman quiz, or take a broader Hinduism quiz.

Who is traditionally credited as the author of the Mahabharata?
Ganesha
Valmiki
Veda Vyasa
Bheeshma
The Mahabharata is traditionally attributed to the sage Veda Vyasa, who is also believed to have compiled the Vedas. It was recited by Ganesha at Vyasa's request but authored by Vyasa himself. This epic comprises over 100,000 shlokas and includes the Bhagavad Gita. .
Who is the central hero of the Ramayana?
Rama
Hanuman
Ravana
Lakshmana
Lord Rama is the protagonist of the Valmiki Ramayana, embodying dharma, virtue, and ideal kingship. His exile, rescue of Sita, and battle with Ravana form the core narrative. Other figures like Lakshmana and Hanuman play key supporting roles. .
How many Kaurava brothers were there in the Mahabharata?
99
50
101
100
Dhritarashtra fathered a hundred sons through Queen Gandhari, and they are collectively known as the Kauravas. A hundred brothers challenged the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War. Yuyutsu, though born later, is not always counted among those hundred. .
What is the name of Lord Rama's bow?
Sharanga
Gandiva
Pinaka
Kodanda
Lord Rama wielded the mighty bow Kodanda throughout the Ramayana. This bow symbolizes his martial prowess and divine heritage. Gandiva belongs to Arjuna, Pinaka is Shiva's, and Sharanga is associated with Vishnu in other legends. .
Who is the mother of the Pandavas?
Madri
Satyavati
Kunti
Gandhari
Kunti, the biological mother of Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna, received a boon to bear children of divine origin. Madri bore the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. Gandhari and Satyavati are from other branches of the Kuru dynasty. .
What was the name of the demon king in the Ramayana?
Mahishasura
Ravana
Hiranyakashipu
Vritra
Ravana, the ten-headed ruler of Lanka, is the primary antagonist of the Ramayana. He abducted Sita, prompting Rama's journey to rescue her. Ravana's devotion to Shiva contrasts with his role as a powerful demon king. .
Which brother of Rama accompanied both Sita and Lakshmana into exile?
Kusha
Lakshmana
Shatrughna
Bharata
Lakshmana insisted on joining Rama and Sita during their fourteen-year exile to honor his brother's dharma. Bharata stayed back to govern Ayodhya in Rama's stead, while Shatrughna managed other duties. .
What is the name of Krishna's kingdom in the Mahabharata?
Hastinapura
Indraprastha
Mathura
Dwarka
Krishna ruled the city of Dwarka, a fortified kingdom on India's western coast. It was built as a refuge for the Yadava clan. Hastinapura was the Kuru capital, Indraprastha the Pandava seat, and Mathura Krishna's birthplace. .
What is the meaning of 'Dharma Yuddha' in the context of the Mahabharata war?
Unrestricted war
Personal duel
Righteous war
Heavenly battle
'Dharma Yuddha' refers to a war fought under strict ethical rules, as prescribed in the epic. Both sides were expected to maintain honor, avoid attacking noncombatants, and follow agreed codes. Deviations from these rules became key tensions. .
Which weapon did Arjuna use to kill Karna in the Kurukshetra war?
Anjalika arrow
Brahmastra
Pasha
Vajrayudha
Arjuna used the Anjalika arrow to slay Karna as he was unarmed and fixing his chariot wheel. This incident occurred after Krishna reminded Arjuna of Karna's misdeeds. The Anjalika arrow struck Karna's chest, ending his life. .
Where did the Pandavas spend their final year of exile before the Kurukshetra war?
Gandhara
Indraprastha
Upaplavya
Virata in disguise
The Pandavas spent their thirteenth year in disguise at King Virata's court, fulfilling the terms of their exile. They concealed their identities to avoid detection by the Kauravas. This period is known as Agyatavasa. .
Which mythical bird tried to rescue Sita and was mortally wounded by Ravana?
Sampati
Jatayu
Garuda
Suparna
Jatayu, an eagle-like demigod, confronted Ravana as he fled with Sita. Despite his valor, Jatayu was overpowered and fatally wounded. He later informed Rama of Sita's abduction. .
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
A collection of Vedic hymns
An epic poem about Rama
A biography of Krishna
A 700-verse dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna
The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse philosophical dialogue embedded in the Mahabharata's Bhishma Parva. It occurs just before the Kurukshetra War, where Krishna counsels the hesitant Arjuna on duty, righteousness, and devotion. .
Who taught Abhimanyu the technique to enter the Chakravyuha?
Krishna
Bhima
Yudhishthira
Arjuna
Arjuna instructed his son Abhimanyu in the method to enter the Chakravyuha formation. Unfortunately, Abhimanyu did not learn the exit strategy and was trapped. This episode is one of the most tragic in Mahabharata. .
Which river served as the eastern boundary of Hastinapura kingdom?
Saraswati
Ganges
Godavari
Yamuna
Hastinapura was situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in northern India. The river provided natural defense, water supply, and fertile plains for agriculture. Many key events in the epic take place along the Yamuna's shores. .
Which sage placed a curse that influenced events leading to the fall of the Kuru warriors?
Durvasa
Veda Vyasa
Narada
Markandeya
Sage Durvasa was angered by an insult during the Pandavas' exile and cursed that his arrival would cause crisis in Hastinapura. This curse disrupted peace and contributed indirectly to critical war decisions. Durvasa's temper and curses recur throughout Hindu epics. .
In the Ramayana, which demoness guarded the southern gate of Lanka and first encountered Hanuman?
Kumbhini
Akshayakumara
Simhika
Lankini
Lankini was the female gatekeeper of Lanka, commissioned by Ravana to guard its southern gate. When Hanuman arrived, she challenged him and was swiftly defeated. This is his first encounter with a guardian demon in Lanka. .
What is the name of the serpent on which Lord Vishnu rests, and which Krishna incarnated as to protect his devotees?
Kaliya
Vasuki
Takshaka
Shesha
Ananta Shesha is the multi-headed serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines in cosmic sleep. Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, is sometimes called Ananta or Shesha to signify this eternal form. Other serpents like Vasuki and Kaliya appear in different tales. .
Who narrated the events of the Kurukshetra war to the blind king Dhritarashtra in the Mahabharata?
Vidura
Santhanu
Sanjaya
Bhishma
Sanjaya was granted divine vision by Vyasa, allowing him to see and report the war's events to King Dhritarashtra. He provided a blow-by-blow account including Krishna's counsel. Vidura and Bhishma were advisors but did not narrate the battle. .
What is the original language in which Valmiki composed the Ramayana?
Prakrit
Sanskrit
Pali
Tamil
Valmiki composed the Ramayana in classical Sanskrit, the scholarly and liturgical language of ancient India. This epic is one of the earliest and most influential works in Sanskrit literature. It set the standard for poetic grace and narrative style. .
Who rescued Hanuman from drowning when he crossed the ocean to reach Lanka?
Varuna
Samudra, the sea god
Indra
Agni
When Hanuman leapt across the ocean to find Sita, the sea god Samudra carried him safely to Lanka. Later, Samudra's favor helped Hanuman and Rama's forces. This episode highlights divine support in Hanuman's mission. .
What deceptive tactic did Draupadi use to test Krishna's powers during exile?
She pretended to faint
She requested an unending sari
She performed a mock battle
She asked for endless food
During exile, Draupadi tested Krishna by asking for a sari that would never run out or get soiled. Krishna responded by providing an endless supply, demonstrating his divine grace. This miracle reinforced her faith amid hardship. .
What is the Telugu translation of the name Duryodhana?
?????????
???????
????????
????????
In Telugu script, Duryodhana is written as ????????, preserving the Sanskrit pronunciation. The other variants alter the suffix or spelling incorrectly. This name refers to the eldest Kaurava prince. .
How is Dushasana's name written in Telugu?
????????
??????
??????
????????
The correct Telugu rendering of Dushasana is ????????, matching the doubling of ? in Sanskrit. Variants missing or misplacing the conjunct consonant are incorrect. He was the second eldest Kaurava. .
Which Telugu term refers collectively to the Kauravas?
?????????
???????
???????
?????????
Kauravas are collectively called ??????? in Telugu, following the Sanskrit 'Kaurava'. The other forms mix scripts or add incorrect suffixes. This term denotes the 100 sons of Dhritarashtra. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Epic Characters -

    Spot major heroes and villains from the Mahabharata and Ramayan with focused quiz questions.

  2. Summarize Pivotal Events -

    Review key battles, divine interventions, and legendary moments through our mahabharata quiz format.

  3. Memorize Kauravas Names in Telugu -

    Use an easy way to learn Kauravas names in Telugu by matching each of the 100 princes to their proper names and roles.

  4. Differentiate Character Relationships -

    Map family ties and alliances among Pandavas, Kauravas, and allied clans within the epic narrative.

  5. Apply Knowledge in the Quiz Mahabharata Challenge -

    Engage with our quiz mahabharata to test your understanding and reinforce epic lore through interactive scoring.

  6. Analyze Quiz Performance -

    Evaluate your results to pinpoint strengths and uncover areas for further study on both sagas.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Structure of the Mahabharata's 18 Parvas -

    The Mahabharata is divided into 18 major books (Parvas) ranging from Adi Parva (origins) to Svargarohanika Parva (afterlife journey), as outlined by Cambridge University Press. Memorize key events in each Parva - like the dice game in Sabha Parva - to navigate quiz questions effortlessly. A timeline chart or flashcards can reinforce your understanding of this epic's flow.

  2. Pandavas vs. Kauravas: Core Character Map -

    According to Harvard South Asia Institute, knowing the five Pandava brothers and the 100 Kaurava siblings is crucial for any Mahabharata quiz. Create a simple family tree diagram to visualize relationships and alliances at a glance. Group characters by role (warriors, sages, strategists) to recall their contributions during pivotal events like Kurukshetra.

  3. Mnemonic for Telugu Kauravas Names -

    The University of Hyderabad suggests chunking the 100 Kaurava names into ten groups of ten, then using a catch-phrase for each set (e.g., "DURA-DUSA-…") to trigger recall. Practice reciting these mnemonics aloud daily: it's the easiest way to learn Kauravas names in Telugu. Pair each group with a vivid mental image for stronger retention during your quiz mahabharata.

  4. Seven Kandas of the Ramayan -

    Per the Baroda Oriental Institute, the Ramayan is organized into Bala, Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishkindha, Sundara, Yuddha, and Uttara Kandas. Use a mnemonic like "BAAS-KSYU" to remember the sequence of adventures from Rama's childhood to his return to Ayodhya. Summarize each Kanda in a single line to review the storyline swiftly before taking a ramayan quiz segment.

  5. Understanding Dharma and Its Dilemmas -

    Oxford University Press notes that Dharma (righteous duty) underpins many epic conflicts - think Yudhishthira's moral crisis after the dice game or Rama's exile. Jot down three real-world scenarios where dharma clashes with personal desire to sharpen your analytical answers. This conceptual clarity will boost confidence when tackling questions on epic ethics and decision-making.

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