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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Max Muller dubs the unknown god _____.
(a) Deus Ignotus.
(b) Brahma.
(c) Deus Ex Machina.
(d) Ixus Dominus.

2. Savitr is the _____ and the embodiment of twilight.
(a) Indoctinated ally of Indra.
(b) Divine obstetrician.
(c) Holy sepulchre.
(d) Sacred sage.

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

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

5. Who is "Destruction" in the "Burial Hymn"?
(a) Indra's sister.
(b) The male personification of evil.
(c) Karma.
(d) The female personification of disorder.

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

7. The long-haired ascetic is an early precursor of the Upanisadic _____.
(a) Yogi.
(b) Soma.
(c) Sacrifice.
(d) Yama.

8. Varuna and Mitra are keepers of the _____.
(a) Sticks.
(b) Pressing stones.
(c) Soma.
(d) Moral law.

9. Who is the beloved grey priest?
(a) The rain.
(b) The night sky.
(c) The Soma plant.
(d) The oblation fire.

10. What word is often identified with the soul?
(a) Sound.
(b) Water.
(c) Fire.
(d) Breath.

11. Susna is the demon of _____.
(a) Day.
(b) Drought.
(c) Flood.
(d) Night.

12. The Soma stalk mixes with water to form the juice of _____.
(a) Immortality.
(b) Learning.
(c) Nothingness.
(d) Death.

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

14. The mane of a horse is a metaphor for what?
(a) The rays of the sun.
(b) The crops in the fields.
(c) The rain.
(d) The love of Indra.

15. What is symbolic of primeval chaotic matter, the seed of the creator, and the sacrificial oblation?
(a) Milk.
(b) Water.
(c) Butter.
(d) Sky.

Short Answer Questions

1. In later Sanskrit, a wish is a chariot made of _____.

2. At the end of "The Birth of Agni", what does Agni turn into?

3. The Maruts are referred to as _____ in "The Cows in the Cave".

4. Cows appear in the metaphors involving Soma as _____ or water.

5. What is the inner membrane of the embryo called?

(see the answer keys)

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