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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. What is the path for those who have ascended to yoga?

2. According to Krishna, what do those who excel control?

3. What two paths did Krishna at the beginning of time for the pure of heart?

4. According to Krishna, the standards that outstanding persons create will be followed by whom?

5. What do the six months of the northern path of the sun lead souls to?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Krishna say a sinner may become holy?

2. What are some of the things Krishna says to describe his nature as the Lord?

3. What specific instructions does Krishna give for dying?

4. What does Krishna say determines the destination of the dying.

5. What does Krishna say about those who abstain from action to enjoy sensual pleasures?

6. What are the eight divisions of Krishna's prakriti?

7. What does Krishna say about those who follow the path of service?

8. What does Krishna say about the duality of attraction and aversion?

9. What are Krishna's instructions to those who aspire to a state of yoga?

10. Describe Krishna's instructions for the practice of meditation.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of duality arises consistently in the Bhagavad Gita. What is duality and why is it central to Krishna's teaching? Discuss citing specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

Toward the end of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna shifts his attention to those souls with "demonic tendencies."

1) Describe the attitudes of souls of this nature. How are they different from the attitudes Krishna has previously promoted?

2) Discuss what Krishna teaches concerning the destiny of souls of demonic nature.

3) What are the "three gates" to self-destruction? How may these be avoided?

Use specific examples for all 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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