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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 charge Arjuna to cultivate?

2. Why do neither gods nor sages know Krishna's origins?

3. Who is the author of the scriptures?

4. What do those whose faith is tamasic worship?

5. In this chapter, what does Krishna say Brahman may be called?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What exists without Krishna?

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

5. What are some of the qualities found in living creatures who have their source in Krishna?

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

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

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

9. How does Arjuna begin this chapter?

10. Describe those with demonic tendencies.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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's teachings consistently return to several major things that bind souls to death and rebirth.

Part 1) Identify three such things and explain them clearly citing specific examples from the Gita.

Part 2) Outline in detail the means Krishna offers for transcending these, and breaking the cycle of death and rebirth.

Part 3) Attempt to unify these themes, using either your own words or Krishna's, into a single instruction for attaining what Krishna calls "the supreme goal."

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

(see the answer keys)

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