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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What turns into a plant that is used as a substitute for the Soma plant in the hymn, "Soma and Indra and the Eagle"?
(a) A leaf.
(b) A dragon scale.
(c) A seed.
(d) A feather.

2. What is the center of the wheel in the "All-Maker" myth called?
(a) The navel.
(b) The hub.
(c) The chestnut.
(d) The kernel.

3. What is the name given to the cremation fire?
(a) Agni.
(b) Yama.
(c) Dharma.
(d) Aditi.

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

5. All fires die out when Siva is wrongly accused in "The Birth of Agni" and he departs from the _____.
(a) Pine Forests.
(b) Black Hills.
(c) High Desert.
(d) Gray Mountains.

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

7. Which river surrounds heaven and earth in the unknown god myth?
(a) Ganges.
(b) Euphrates.
(c) Tiber.
(d) Rasa.

8. _____ is the cry that is made when an offering is presented to the gods.
(a) "Vasat!".
(b) "Visvakarman!".
(c) "Agni!".
(d) "Soma!".

9. The daughter of the sun is the _____ of Soma.
(a) Friend.
(b) Wife.
(c) Sister.
(d) Niece.

10. What is the sky divided into in "A Spell to Turn Back the Departing Spirit"?
(a) Two planes.
(b) Four quarters.
(c) Six quadrants.
(d) Three levels.

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

12. What is the inner membrane of the embryo called?
(a) Cytoplasm.
(b) Nucleus.
(c) Caul.
(d) Wall.

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

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

15. What did Martanda's name originally mean in "Aditi and the Birth of the Gods"?
(a) Keeper of the sun.
(b) Born of an egg.
(c) Beholder.
(d) Eye of the sky.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the hymn "Yama and the Fathers", who is being told to go away from the burning-ground where they live?

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

3. Who are Agni's sons?

4. Saryanavat is the name of the _____ where Soma plants are found.

5. An Asura is a form of high ____.

(see the answer keys)

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