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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Vasus are a group of gods associated with _____.
(a) The moon.
(b) The sun.
(c) The crops.
(d) The horses.

2. The author calls the unknown god the _____.
(a) Sunray.
(b) Silver Serpent.
(c) Icarus of Antiquity.
(d) Golden Embryo.

3. What are the sisters that embrace the pressing stones?
(a) Gems.
(b) Fingers.
(c) Other stones.
(d) Dirt.

4. What animal joins the horse in sacrifice?
(a) A goat.
(b) A donkey.
(c) A dog.
(d) A bird.

5. The enemy of true speech in "The Origins of Sacred Speech" is said to have been the _____ of the author.
(a) Best friend.
(b) Son.
(c) Wife.
(d) Rival.

6. How many corners does the earth have in "A Spell to Turn Back the Departing Spirit"?
(a) Three.
(b) Two.
(c) Four.
(d) One.

7. How many of the horse's thirty-six ribs are distributed to the universe in ritual sacrifice?
(a) One.
(b) Thirty-four.
(c) Ten.
(d) Twenty-two.

8. Who are Agni's sons?
(a) The poets.
(b) The priests.
(c) The sages.
(d) The Maruts.

9. What was used to protect female mourners instead of mascara or eye-shadow, as stated in the "Burial Hymn"?
(a) Clay from sacred ground.
(b) Ash mixed with olive oil.
(c) Blessed berry juice.
(d) Ritually purified butter.

10. _____ are seers as well as poets.
(a) Demi-gods.
(b) Painters.
(c) Priests.
(d) Sages.

11. Which word in the Rig Veda means 'to sprinkle'?
(a) Descend.
(b) Dust.
(c) Anoint.
(d) Spray.

12. What are the human and demonic enemies of the invading Indo-Aryans?
(a) Agnus.
(b) Panis.
(c) Saramas.
(d) Atmans.

13. The word for heart mind and life-spirit is _____.
(a) Karma.
(b) Coeur.
(c) Hama.
(d) Manas.

14. How many people slaughter the horse of Tvastr during sacrifice?
(a) Twelve.
(b) Six.
(c) One.
(d) Twenty.

15. At the end of "The Birth of Agni", what does Agni turn into?
(a) A frog.
(b) A horse.
(c) A bull.
(d) A demon.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is "Destruction" in the "Burial Hymn"?

2. Who is considered the quintessential generous patron?

3. When Agni becomes priest, his _____ are both flame and prayer.

4. What is the name given to the cremation fire?

5. "The Sacrificial Priests" is described as a kind of _____ for priests.

(see the answer keys)

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