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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "The Three Strides of Visnu", the commentator suggests that the ferocious beast is a _____.
(a) Buffalo.
(b) Lion.
(c) Bear.
(d) Bull.

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

3. In stories associated with "Apala and Indra", what is the second skin that is sloughed off of Apala?
(a) An alligator.
(b) A snake.
(c) An eagle.
(d) A frog.

4. Who are the sky and earth parents of?
(a) The maruts.
(b) The stars.
(c) The bull.
(d) The sun.

5. The overturned cask is a frequent metaphor for a _____.
(a) The loss of life.
(b) A torrent of rain.
(c) The loss of Soma.
(d) An earthquake.

6. In "Parjanya, the Bull", what is Parjanyas' enormous deadly weapon?
(a) A mountain.
(b) A winged lion.
(c) A scythe.
(d) A thunderbolt.

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

8. Rudra is known as the punisher of _____.
(a) Warriors.
(b) Murder.
(c) Incest.
(d) Women.

9. 'A woman in need of help' in "The rescue of Atri" designates a woman _____.
(a) Who hasn't drunk Soma.
(b) Who has no children.
(c) In the pangs of labor.
(d) In mourning.

10. Who performed the first sacrifice by mortals for immortals?
(a) Manu.
(b) Soma.
(c) Savitr.
(d) Visnu.

11. What is the metaphor used in "Parjanya, the Cow" to represent the cloud that does not give rain?
(a) The goat skin.
(b) The dried fig.
(c) The sterile cow.
(d) The empty Soma vessel.

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

13. What does the name Vena mean?
(a) Thirst.
(b) Light.
(c) Longing.
(d) Elder.

14. Seven gods guard Soma, among whom _____ is the foremost.
(a) Agastya.
(b) Vayu.
(c) Indra.
(d) Visnu.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Apala's husband supposedly hate her in the later commentaries associated with "Apala and Indra"?

2. What is the symbol of an unfaithful woman in "Pururavas and Urvasi"?

3. What is the name of Yama's twin?

4. In "Have Mercy on Us, Rudra", Rudra's hair is braided or piled on top of his head in a _____.

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

(see the answer keys)

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