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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 Arjuna say is Krishna's body?

2. Who does Krishna say is truly his devotee?

3. How does Arjuna say the gods behave toward Krishna?

4. What do those whose faith is sattvic worship?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. With what kind of person is Krishna in love?

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

3. Why does Arjuna apologize to Krishna?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What is the relationship between Purusha and prakriti?

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 grants Arjuna a cosmic vision of his supreme immutable nature. How does this happen? What does Arjuna see? What is the impact of the vision on Arjuna? What is the impact of the vision on the reader? Discuss citing specific examples.

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