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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 three vats in "Parjanya, the Cow" are clouds full of rain or vessels full of _____.

2. What does the name Vena mean?

3. Who are the sky and earth parents of?

4. _____ are both offenses and Varuna's punishment of those offenses.

5. The word for exertion of religious activity in "Agastya and Lopamudra" is _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the poet ask for at the end of "Parjanya, the Bull", and why?

2. What is the role of beauty in regards to women in the Rig Veda?

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

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

5. In "The Courtship of Ghosa", what does Ghosa ask the Asvins?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many metaphors for the sun in the Rig Veda. Find examples of these and explain how they are used. The sun itself is a metaphor for which gods? Cite examples.

Essay Topic 2

Who are the demons in the Rig Veda? Where do they live? Why do they live there? How do they interact with the gods? What is Sarama's role in relation to the demons?

Essay Topic 3

Where does Speech come from? What is its importance? How is speech personified in the hymn, "Speech"?

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