riddle.

  a few Sanskrit shlokas/verses which act as riddles also.

1]Kaa Paandu patni griha bhushanam ke

ko Raama shatruhu kim Agastya janma?

Suryaika putro vada vetsi chetvam

Kunti sutaah Raavana Kumba Karnaha Who is Pandu’s wife? Who makes home beautiful/sweet? Who is the enemy of Rama? Where was sage Agastya born? Who is Sun’s son? . The answer is in last line. Kunti is Pandu’s wife. It is son, who beautifies home. Ravana is the enemy of Rama. Agastya was born in pitcher and Sun’s son is Karna.

2]Sneham dadaati yo mahyam nityam tasmai dadaamyaham

Jyotih padaarta jnaanaartham ko aham vadatu samprataam. “He who gives me oil, I give him the light and knowledge. Tell me who am I. Answer: Lamp.”

3]Yaanasya angam Harehe shastram chinham Bhaarata bhoopatehe

Chalantam vartulaakaaram yo jaanaati sa panditaha. “I am the part of vehicle, and a weapon of Shri Hari. I am also the symbol of an Indian king, having cyclical motion. He is wise, who knows this. Answer: wheel”

4] Nrityaami nityam dhavalaastareshu Sanketika ankaihi prakatee karomi.

Bhaavam Janaanaam hridayeshu goodham krishnaanana alochya vadantu kaaham? “I manifest, the emotions hidden in the hearts of people symbolically. I appear blue-black, dancing on white papers. Tell me who am I?” Answer: Language.

5]Trinetropi Shivo na asmi ghato na asmi jalaanvitaha

Koorchasmashruyuto nityam naro naasmi braveetu maam. “I am three eyed but not Shiva; I am filled with water, but not a pot; I have beard and mustache but not a man. Tell me who am I?” [Answer: Coconut.]

6] Dantair heenaha shilaabhakshi nirjeevo bahu bhashakaha

Gunasyuti samridhdhopi para padena gachchati. “ Though toothless I eat stones. Though life less, I speak many languages. Stitched firmly, I walk by others’ feet.” Answer: Foot wear.

7]Megha shyaamosmi no Krishno mahaa kaayo na parvataha

Balishtosmi na Bheemosmi kosmyaham naasikaa karaha. “I have dark cloud complexion, but am not Krishna. I have a huge body, but am not a mountain. I am very strong, but not Bheemasena. My nose is my hand. Tell me who am I? Answer: Elephant.

8]Svachcha achcha vadanam lokaaha drastum ichchanti me yadaa

Tatra atmaanam hi pashyanti khinnam bhadram yathaa tatham. “Who ever wishes to see my clean and tidy face, sees himself there, sad, happy, in what ever state he is.” Answer: Mirror.

9]Nandaami meghaan gagane avalokya

Nrityaami gaayaami bhavaami tushtaha

Na aham krishikaha pathikopi naaham

Vadantu vijnaa mama naamadheyam. “I rejoice seeing dark clouds in the sky. I dance, sing and become ecstatic. I am neither a farmer nor a traveller, wearied in the scorching sun. Tell me O wise, who am I?” Answer: Peacock

10]Aham cha tvam cha rajendra lokanaathaa vubhaavapi

Bahurveeraham Raajan, Shasti Tatpurushe bhavaan. “O King, we both are Lokanaathas. I am Lokanaatha in Bhurveehi compound. You are Lokanaatha in Shasti Tatpurusha compound.”. Here the beggar is telling the king that they both are Lokanathas. How is this possible? The word Lokanatha can be interpreted in two ways. In Bahurveehi Compound, it becomes “Loka eva naathaha yasya saha” meaning ‘the one to whom the whole world is Lord’. It means he/the beggar is subservient to the entire world. In Shasti Tatpurusha it becomes, ‘The Lord of the world’.