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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The Vasus are a group of gods associated with _____.

2. "The Origins of Sacred Speech" hymn speaks of the recreation of the origins of sacred speech through _____of the Vedic sacrifice.

3. What are the sisters that embrace the pressing stones?

4. The Invoker is what type of priest in "The Sacrifice of the Horse"?

5. What is the male element of the newborn sun or fire?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is meant by the "mist" metaphor in "Aditi and the Birth of the Gods"?

2. Who are the Asuras in the beginning of the Vedas, as opposed to their role toward the end?

3. What is the function of the goat in "The Funeral Fire"?

4. Who are the three brothers in "The Riddle of the Sacrifice" and with whom are they associated in the text?

5. In "The Creation of the Sacrifice", what is the significance of weaving?

6. What is the meaning of the use of hunger in "In praise of Generosity"?

7. What is the significance of the membrane in "The Gods Coax Agni Out of the Waters"?

8. What is the sacred grass in "The Hymn of Man" and what is it used for?

9. What is the function of the enclosing-sticks in "The Hymn of Man" as opposed to the fuel-sticks?

10. What are the the three forms of speech highlighted in the hymn, "Speech", and what do they represent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the two incarnations of Parjanya? What is the significance of Parjanya as a god figure? What is paradoxical about Parjanya's gender in "Parjanya, the Cow"?

Essay Topic 2

How does the author characterize the nature of the Rig Veda in the section entitled "Realia"? Why are the gods usually invoked? What is her opinion on the relationship between the ideas in the Rig Veda and the material world?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the meaning of "Hiranyagarbha". What are the different meanings of the separate parts of the word? What is the symbolism contained in the word?

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