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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Vena", Soma is the _____ who roars as he mingles with the waters.
(a) Elephant.
(b) Buffalo.
(c) Bull.
(d) Lion.

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

3. The family of sages who praise Dawn in "Dawn and the Asvins" are called _____.
(a) Asvins.
(b) Gotamas.
(c) Brahmins.
(d) Asturas.

4. The Maruts are _____ portrayed always as a group.
(a) Wind-gods.
(b) Sun worshipers.
(c) Fertility gods.
(d) Water-gods.

5. What do the Maruts give Gotama when he prays to them?
(a) A son.
(b) A fountain.
(c) Gold.
(d) Silver.

6. Who performed the first sacrifice by mortals for immortals?
(a) Manu.
(b) Soma.
(c) Visnu.
(d) Savitr.

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

8. 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.

9. What is Agastya's chosen path in life when his wife approaches him to beget a child?
(a) That of a charioteer.
(b) That of the ascetic.
(c) That of a farmer.
(d) That of a herdsman.

10. Pusan is the _____ of the sun.
(a) Husband.
(b) Maker.
(c) Herder.
(d) Charioteer.

11. What is Nirrti called in the texts of the Rig Veda?
(a) Destruction.
(b) Dawn.
(c) Night.
(d) Seduction.

12. Who invokes the Asvins to help her find her husband?
(a) Indrani.
(b) Yami.
(c) Ghosa.
(d) Agastya.

13. Sindhu is a _____ goddess.
(a) River.
(b) Mountain.
(c) Tree.
(d) Dog.

14. What is the name of Indra's wife?
(a) Yamani.
(b) Indora.
(c) Yamora.
(d) Indrani.

15. 'A woman in need of help' in "The rescue of Atri" designates a woman _____.
(a) In the pangs of labor.
(b) Who hasn't drunk Soma.
(c) In mourning.
(d) Who has no children.

Short Answer Questions

1. Asura is a _____ in early Vedic tradition, before he becomes a demon.

2. Who are the sky and earth parents of?

3. What does the name Vena mean?

4. Who is the mother of the gods?

5. The _____ in "Indra and the Monkey" is the conquering Aryan.

(see the answer keys)

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