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

2. What kind of renunciation is tyaga?

3. What is Krishna among bodies of water?

4. What does Arjuna say he sees within Krishna's body?

5. Among mountains what is Krishna?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Krishna explain to Arjuna in this chapter?

2. What happens to souls who die in each of these states?

3. Why does Arjuna apologize to Krishna?

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

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

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

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

8. What instructions does Krishna give Arjuna at the beginning of this chapter?

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

10. What does Krishna say are the two orders of being in the world? Is there anything beyond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Krishna speaks to Arjuna at length about dying and one's conduct at the time of death. How does one's conduct at the time of death influence the destiny of one's soul? How does Krishna say Arjuna's soul may be united with him when Arjuna dies, and what are Krishna's instructions for this? Use specific examples from the text.

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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