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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Rbhus are the _____ of the gods.
(a) Horsemen.
(b) Translators.
(c) Craftsmen.
(d) Housekeepers.

2. What is the name of the sacrificial drink pressed from a plant?
(a) Soma.
(b) Karma.
(c) Buttermilk.
(d) Broth.

3. In "We Have Drunk the Soma", Dawn harnesses _____ to her chariot to bring treasure to the singer of the hymn.
(a) The sun.
(b) Docile cows.
(c) Seven eagles.
(d) Indra.

4. Who are the ancient dark divinities?
(a) The Asisis.
(b) The Agnis.
(c) The Vyalkasas.
(d) The Asuras.

5. What is the piece of wood attached crosswise at the top of the stake used in the horse sacrifice?
(a) The knob.
(b) The cleft.
(c) The weft.
(d) The corbel.

6. How many people restrain the horse of Tvastr during sacrifice?
(a) Four.
(b) Eight.
(c) Two.
(d) Ten.

7. The horses of Indra in "The Sacrifice of the Horse" are _____.
(a) Two dapple grays.
(b) Two bay stallions.
(c) Two roan mares.
(d) Two grey donkeys.

8. What are the four social classes in Indian civilization called?
(a) Fifes.
(b) Sects.
(c) Varnas.
(d) Yamas.

9. What does the word 'tapas' mean?
(a) Heat.
(b) Longing.
(c) Cold.
(d) Death.

10. Saryanavat is the name of the _____ where Soma plants are found.
(a) Mountains.
(b) River.
(c) Marshes.
(d) Plain.

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

12. What is the male element of the newborn sun or fire?
(a) The flames.
(b) Eyes.
(c) Bones.
(d) Heat.

13. What is the path of death referred to, as in "The Boy and the Chariot"?
(a) The golden road.
(b) The lonely road.
(c) The water trail.
(d) The evil way.

14. What is the female element in the oblation ritual called?
(a) The fourth element.
(b) The sky maker.
(c) The boneless one.
(d) The air taker.

15. Indra splits open a _____ to release trapped cows.
(a) Boulder.
(b) Cave.
(c) Giant egg.
(d) Ocean.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who eats the flesh of the sacrificed horse?

2. The enemy of true speech in "The Origins of Sacred Speech" is said to have been the _____ of the author.

3. Who is sometimes Indra's enemy, yet helps him fight the serpent and steal the solar disc?

4. What is the center of the wheel in the "All-Maker" myth called?

5. What did Martanda's name originally mean in "Aditi and the Birth of the Gods"?

(see the answer keys)

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