View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Krishna among bodies of water?

2. What does Krishna say tamas binds us to?

3. What word best describes sattva?

4. Which kind of renunciation is superior according to Krishna?

5. What does Krisha say it is not fitting to renounce?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Arjuna begin this chapter?

2. What is the difference between the two kinds of renunciation?

3. What kind of food do those ruled by each of the gunas eat?

4. What exists without Krishna?

5. What kind of knowledge belongs to each of the gunas?

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

7. What is the relationship between Purusha and prakriti?

8. Describe those with demonic tendencies.

9. Describe the three gunas.

10. How do those ruled by each of the gunas worship?

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

In chapter twelve, Krishna describes at length the one with whom he is in love. What are the characteristics of this "one?" How do the characteristics of this one fit into Krishna's previous teachings? Discuss citing specific examples.

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)

This section contains 754 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample