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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What word means dark, formless, terrifying abyss?
(a) Abhvam.
(b) Adharma.
(c) Siva.
(d) Agamas.

2. In stories associated with "Apala and Indra", what is the first skin that is sloughed off of Apala?
(a) A deer.
(b) A hedgehog.
(c) A dog.
(d) A jackal.

3. The divine prototype for marriage is the hierogamy of Surya and _____.
(a) Indra.
(b) Atri.
(c) Soma.
(d) Agastya.

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

5. The three vats in "Parjanya, the Cow" are clouds full of rain or vessels full of _____.
(a) Sunlight.
(b) Sap.
(c) Milk.
(d) Soma.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Three Strides of Visnu", the commentator suggests that the ferocious beast is a _____.

2. In the Atharva Vedic ritual, the Great Naked Woman is treated as a _____.

3. _____ is incarnate as a goddess closely associated with the Asvins.

4. Who are 'those who eat serpents' most likely to be in "Savitr at Sunset"?

5. Seven gods guard Soma, among whom _____ is the foremost.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the conflict present in all of the dialogues with women in the Rig Veda? Who succeeds, and who fails in this conflict?

2. What is the nature of Soma in "The Marriage of Surya"?

3. In the dialogue between Agastya and the Maruts in "Agastya and the Maruts", what is Agastya trying to do?

4. In "Varuna Provoked to Anger", what is the nature of Vasistha's sins toward Varuna?

5. Why does the author say it is a possibility that priests are being satirized in "The Frogs"?

6. What are two meanings of "Atri and the Lost Sun"?

7. What does Vena personify in the hymn of the same name, and how does this relate to the theme of the hymn?

8. What is Varuna asked to protect the worshiper from in regards to his own power?

9. Who are the sons of the sun and what are their roles?

10. Who brandishes their power and in what way in "The Deeds of Varuna"?

(see the answer keys)

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