Social Science Questions & Answers

When will the Earth die? As you have already seen, the very existence of the Earth, and all the other planets in the solar system, depends upon the Sun. You have seen how the Sun provides enormous amounts of energy by the change of the gas hydrogen into the gas helium. But as with any other ‘engine’ the fuel, that …

Animals first appeared on earth about 430 million years ago, but did not begin to resemble the ones we know today until 360 million years later. Sharks however were already abundant about 340 million years ago. It seems that the first land animals were insects such as scorpions and millipedes. But they were greatly different from today’s insects. Next to …

Vishwamitra (विश्वामित्र) was the guru of Lord Rama. He took prince Rama and Lakshmana to forest for the protection of Yagna. There after, he lead them to Mithila*, to participate in the Swayamvaram of Sita Devi. Lord Rama successfully lifted the Shiva Danushu and married Sita Devi. Sage Vishwamitra was son of King Gadhi. His original name was Kaushika. King …

Vibhishana (विभीषण) is a significant character in the epic Ramayana, who served Rama during the fight of Rama and Ravana though he was the brother of Ravana, the king of Lanka. Although Vibhishana was born in Rakshasa dynasty he was a noble character. Vibhishana was against the kidnapping and abduction of Sita. He advised his elder brother Ravana to return …

Parshvanath or Parshvanatha was the twenty-third Tirthankara (fordmaker) in Jainism. He is the earliest Jain leader generally accepted as a historical figure. He was a nobleman belonging to the Kshatriya caste. Parshvanath is also known as Appandai or Appandainathar. He lived a life of a nobleman for 30 years and was never married, before he renounced the world to become …

Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes pacifism and a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called Jina (Conqueror or Victor). Jainism is also …

Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshiped on the ninth day of Navratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. …

The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta‘, who is worshiped on the third day of Navratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta‘. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a …

Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshiped on the fourth day of Navratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until …

What is an Easter Egg? Easter eggs are specially decorated eggs given out to celebrate the Easter holiday or springtime. It is the influence of the traditional spring rites that made Easter so egg-special. And myths coming down to us from an incredibly distant past have shown man’s relationship with the egg to be very deep seated one. This is …