This quiz is designed to motivate you to study the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava scriptures in specific, and the Sad Darshanas in general, which are necessary to understand Gauḍīya philosophy properly.
Jnana or knowledge related to bhakti is also part of bhakti. In fact, hearing, which includes studying shastra, is the first limb of bhakti. Learning, followed by consolidating and then testing our knowledge in the form of a quiz is a fun and effective way to help us retain information.
This quiz is in multiple-choice questions format. (MCQs). If you see the response that you anticipated simply click on it. The quiz will immediately show which answers are correct or incorrect so we can learn as we go.
1 / 10
Is it possible that one develops śraddhā in bhakti without hearing any śāstra at all?
Learn more Relation Between Shraddha and Bhakti
2 / 10
What is śāstrīya-śraddhā?
Learn more: Two Types of Śraddhā – Laukīkī and Śāstrīya
3 / 10
What does it mean to say that śāstrīya-śraddhā is nirguṇā?
The word nirguṇā means that śāstrīya-śraddhā is not a product of the guṇas but independent of them. As there are broadly three types of śaktis in existence— māyā, the jīvas, and svarūpa śakti of Bhagavān Himself, it follows that śāstrīya-śraddhā is a transformation of Bhagavān’s svarūpa śakti. This is only appropriate, given that bhakti itself is Bhagavān’s svarūpa śakti, as explained in Anuchheda 139 of the Bhakti Sandarbha.
As such, śāstrīya-śraddhā can only come from a genuine guru who has it. It is this śraddhā which is called the bhakti-latā bīja or seed of the devotional creeper in the scriptures.
4 / 10
According to Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, what are the symptoms of śraddhā?
Learn more: Symptoms of Śraddhā
5 / 10
Surrender (śaraṇāpatti) is sixfold, being divided into the whole (aṅgī) and its constituent parts (aṅgas). Which of the following is the aṅgī, or “the whole.”?
Surrender (śaraṇāpatti) is defined in the Vaiṣṇava Tantra:
“ānukūlyasya saṅkalpaḥ prātikūlyasya varjanamrakṣiṣyatīti viśvāso goptṛtve varaṇaṁ tathā”
“There are six symptoms of self-surrender: a firm resolve to act congenially to Bhagavān, to forsake all that is unfavorable to Bhagavān, a firm belief that Bhagavān will give one protection, deliberate acceptance of Bhagavān as one’s guardian and nourisher, submission of the self, and humility.”
Śaraṇāpatti is sixfold, being divided into the whole (aṅgī) and its constituent parts (aṅgas). The fourth item, goptṛtve varaṇam, or “the deliberate acceptance of Bhagavān as one’s guardian,” is the aṅgī, or “the whole.” The reason for this is that the act of selecting someone as one’s guardian or protector constitutes the true meaning of the word śaraṇāgati, or “approaching someone for shelter.” The other five items are aṅgas, or “parts,” because they are assistants to this principle.
Learn more: Surrender.
6 / 10
Why is dīkṣā compulsory to get the real blessing of the Name (which is Kṛṣṇa prema)?
One must be free from Nama-aparadha to get the blessings of the Name. One of the aparadhas is guroravajna – disrespect to guru. Now, to do that, one must have a guru. Otherwise, the term aparadha makes no sense. This is the implied meaning of the aparadha (vyanjana vritti).
The other aparadha is sruti-sastra-nindanam – criticizing sruti and scriptures based on sruti. Not following the scripture knowingly is as good as criticizing it. The very sastra which gives so many details and glorification of the Name also instructs about the need to take a guru. Accepting one part and rejecting the other is called ardha-kukkuti-nyaya –– the half-hen principle, i.e., that I accept what is convenient and leave what is troublesome. This does not work.
Moreover, there are descriptive and injunctive statements. They must be distinguished. All the glorificatory statements are descriptive, but diksha is an injunction. It cannot be avoided. All this is explained in the booklet Nama Tattva.
Learn more: Necessity of Diksha and Chanting
7 / 10
If a disciple resides at a considerable distance from their guru, how can they establish and maintain a connection with their spiritual teacher?
Learn more Guru-sevā Is the Key to Success
8 / 10
Who is a vartma–pradarśaka guru?
Learn more: Guru-tattva: Dīkṣā- and Śikṣā-guru
9 / 10
What is the main characteristic of a kaniṣṭhādhikāri?
Learn more: What is a Kaniṣṭhādhikāri?
10 / 10
What is the greatest blessing for a conditioned being?
Learn more Atha Sadhu-sanga (Part 1)
Your score is
Restart quiz
Please click the stars to rate the quiz
