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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. From what is no creature free from?

2. What does Sanjaya say would resemble Krishna's revealed splendor?

3. Krishna says some people have divine tendencies. What does he say others have?

4. What does Krishna say Arjuna needs in order to see what he desires to see?

5. What is the attitude toward praise and blame for a devotee of Krishna?

Short Essay Questions

1. With what kind of person is Krishna in love?

2. Who does Krishna say are the most established in yoga?

3. How does Arjuna begin this chapter?

4. What is the relationship between Purusha and prakriti?

5. What exists without Krishna?

6. What are the limits to Krishna's divine power?

7. How does Krishna enable Arjuna to see his immortal nature?

8. What does Krishna tell Arjuna about the path to the Unrevealed?

9. What are some of the most glorious of Krishna's divine powers?

10. Describe those with demonic tendencies.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the beginning of the first chapter, Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya to tell him what happened on the field of dharma where his family gathered to fight the Pandavas. The story of the Bhagavad Gita then unfolds for the reader through the mouth of Sanjaya.

How do we understand the story differently because it is narrated by Sanjaya, and not Krishna or Arjuna? How does this choice make the reader feel? In what ways does this narrative device enhance the effect of the story? Discuss citing specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

Krisha says, "At the beginning of time I declared two paths for the pure heart: jnana yoga . . . and karma yoga."

Part 1) Compare and contrast jnana yoga and karma yoga.

Part 2) What kind of aspirants does Krishna say pursue each? What are the advantages of each path?

Part 3) Discuss which path Krishna favors.

Cite specific textual examples for all of the above.

Essay Topic 3

Krishna tells Arjuna that the gunas come from him, and although he is not in them, he enjoys their play. Write an essay discussing the following:

Part 1) What is the guna sattva? What are some examples of a sattvic attitude? What are some examples of sattvic action? What do souls possessing a primarily sattvic nature worship?

Part 2) What is the guna rajas? What are some examples of a rajastic attitude? What are some examples of rajastic action? What do souls possessing a primarily rajastic nature worship?

Part 3) What is the guna tamas? What are some examples of a tamasic attitude? What are some examples of tamasic action? What do souls possessing a primarily tamasic nature worship?

Part 4) What is the destiny of souls which are guided by sattva, rajas, and tamas respectively?

Part 5) Can the gunas be transcended?

Use specific examples from the text for all of the above.

(see the answer keys)

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