Q 01/05

Within the Hindu Trimurti, Vishnu is known by which title?

A) The Creator

B) The Preserver

C) The Destroyer

D) The Awakener

Answer · why

B) The Preserver

Brahma creates and Shiva destroys; Vishnu presides over sattva, the quality of goodness and maintenance.

Q 02/05

Vishnu is the Supreme Being of which major Hindu tradition?

A) Shaivism

B) Shaktism

C) Smartism

D) Vaishnavism

Answer · why

D) Vaishnavism

In that tradition he is the supreme Lord who creates, protects and transforms the universe, not merely one of three.

Q 03/05

Vishnu's skin is traditionally shown in which colour?

A) Dark blue

B) Crimson

C) Emerald

D) Golden

Answer · why

A) Dark blue

In Sri Lanka he is called Upulvan, meaning blue-lotus coloured, and Buddhists there venerate him as the island's guardian.

Q 04/05

What is the name of the conch shell Vishnu holds?

A) Sudarshana

B) Panchajanya

C) Kaumodaki

D) Kaustubha

Answer · why

B) Panchajanya

It is named after a demon who lived in the sea; in tradition its blast opened and closed the Kurukshetra war.

Q 05/05

The Sudarshana Chakra held by Vishnu is what kind of weapon?

A) A longbow

B) A trident

C) A spinning discus

D) A thunderbolt

Answer · why

C) A spinning discus

Legend says the divine architect Vishvakarma made it from the trimmed-off splendour of the Sun, along with Shiva's trident.