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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is another name for the Maruts?
(a) Brahmins.
(b) Visnus.
(c) Asvins.
(d) Rudras.

2. The divine prototype for marriage is the hierogamy of Surya and _____.
(a) Atri.
(b) Indra.
(c) Soma.
(d) Agastya.

3. In "The House of Clay", Varuna casts his snares upon the offending worshiper in the form of _____.
(a) Dropsy.
(b) Thirst.
(c) Malaria.
(d) Hunger.

4. In "Have Mercy on Us, Rudra", Rudra's hair is braided or piled on top of his head in a _____.
(a) Basket.
(b) Tangled mess.
(c) Pyramid.
(d) Chignon.

5. According to the author, who is the only Vedic goddess of any true stature?
(a) Dawn.
(b) Yami.
(c) Aditi.
(d) Siva.

6. What is another name for the 'axis mundi' mentioned in "Guard Us from the Monstrous Abyss"?
(a) The navel of the world.
(b) The daylight in the rock.
(c) The lightning of Agni.
(d) The Soma.

7. Urvasi is a _____.
(a) Sun goddess.
(b) Poet.
(c) Mortal.
(d) Water-nymph.

8. The family of sages who praise Dawn in "Dawn and the Asvins" are called _____.
(a) Brahmins.
(b) Asvins.
(c) Gotamas.
(d) Asturas.

9. The word _____ means 'one who sheds rain or seed'?
(a) Cloudmaster.
(b) Emit.
(c) Virile.
(d) Flake.

10. In "The Deeds of the Asvins", the feet in the phrase 'in three chariots with six horses and a hundred feet' are _____.
(a) Rocks.
(b) Roots.
(c) Stars.
(d) Oars.

11. The god Parjanya is closely associated with _____.
(a) Day and night.
(b) Rain and snow.
(c) Cremation.
(d) Thunder and lightning.

12. Pusan presides over _____.
(a) Roads and journeys.
(b) Mountains and hills.
(c) Fertility and death.
(d) Sky and earth.

13. Who is the mother of the Maruts?
(a) Parjanya.
(b) Prsni.
(c) Usas.
(d) Yama.

14. A 'yojana' is a measurement of _____.
(a) Distance.
(b) Weight.
(c) Height.
(d) Time.

15. Parsu's name,as mentioned in the notes for "Indra and the Monkey", means _____.
(a) Cow.
(b) Rib.
(c) Sacrifice.
(d) Song.

Short Answer Questions

1. 'A woman in need of help' in "The rescue of Atri" designates a woman _____.

2. Rudra is known as the punisher of _____.

3. The _____ in "Indra and the Monkey" is the conquering Aryan.

4. Asura is a _____ in early Vedic tradition, before he becomes a demon.

5. What is the name of the god of intimate friendship among one's own kind?

(see the answer keys)

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