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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the Atharva Vedic ritual, the Great Naked Woman is treated as a _____.
(a) Scapegoat.
(b) God.
(c) Specator.
(d) Cup of Soma.

2. The god Parjanya is closely associated with _____.
(a) Thunder and lightning.
(b) Rain and snow.
(c) Day and night.
(d) Cremation.

3. Who are the sons and daughters of the father in "To Arms"?
(a) Flowers.
(b) Arrows.
(c) Leaves.
(d) Rocks.

4. Who is Rudra's successor as a Hindu god?
(a) Savitr.
(b) Siva.
(c) Visvadevas.
(d) Pusan.

5. Asura is a _____ in early Vedic tradition, before he becomes a demon.
(a) Sky god.
(b) Lion.
(c) Frog.
(d) Fertility god.

6. What is the metaphor used in "Parjanya, the Cow" to represent the cloud that does not give rain?
(a) The dried fig.
(b) The sterile cow.
(c) The goat skin.
(d) The empty Soma vessel.

7. What is the name of Yama's twin?
(a) Yamani.
(b) Yami.
(c) Yamindra.
(d) Yamo.

8. What is the name of the god of intimate friendship among one's own kind?
(a) Indra.
(b) Soma.
(c) Atri.
(d) Mitra.

9. What does the name Vena mean?
(a) Light.
(b) Longing.
(c) Thirst.
(d) Elder.

10. The word for exertion of religious activity in "Agastya and Lopamudra" is _____.
(a) Toil.
(b) Conversion.
(c) Prostrate.
(d) Pray.

11. Mudgala's wife hopes that Indra will turn her husband into a _____.
(a) Bull.
(b) Cow.
(c) Frog.
(d) Lion.

12. What is the name of the god of formal hospitality to strangers?
(a) Savitr.
(b) Aryaman.
(c) Ushas.
(d) Rudra.

13. The red streaks in "The Gale Wind" may be the redness in the sky during rain, or the _____ of the wind.
(a) Blood of the sacrifice.
(b) Chestnut horses.
(c) Flames of Agni.
(d) Breath of the gods.

14. In "Have Mercy on Us, Rudra", Rudra's hair is braided or piled on top of his head in a _____.
(a) Tangled mess.
(b) Pyramid.
(c) Chignon.
(d) Basket.

15. The _____ in "Indra and the Monkey" is the conquering Aryan.
(a) Scapegoat.
(b) Enemy.
(c) Ally.
(d) Poet.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the Maruts give Gotama when he prays to them?

2. Urvasi is a _____.

3. The family of sages who praise Dawn in "Dawn and the Asvins" are called _____.

4. What is Nirrti called in the texts of the Rig Veda?

5. According to the author, who is the only Vedic goddess of any true stature?

(see the answer keys)

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