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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 kind of renunciation is tyaga?

2. What does Krishna say is the source from which all creatures evolve?

3. What word best describes sattva?

4. Where does Krishna tell Arjuna to still his mind?

5. What does Krishna say brings immediate peace?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Arjuna apologize to Krishna?

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

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

4. What are Krishna's instructions for Arjuna if he finds he cannot still his mind?

5. How does Arjuna begin this chapter?

6. Describe those with demonic tendencies.

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

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

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

10. Describe the three gunas.

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

"Awakened sages call a person wise when all his undertakings are free from anxiety about results; all selfish desires are consumed in the fire of knowledge." What does this statement of Krishna's mean? Why should one not care about the outcome of his actions? What is the "fire of knowledge?" Is this theme central to Krishna's teaching? Why or why not? Use specific examples from the text.

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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