View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the section of the book called "Realia", the hymns are characterized by the author as having a _____ element.
(a) Acerbic.
(b) Decidedly sacred.
(c) Zoarastrian.
(d) Dionysian.

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

3. Mudgala's wife hopes that Indra will turn her husband into a _____.
(a) Bull.
(b) Lion.
(c) Frog.
(d) Cow.

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

5. Who are 'those who eat serpents' most likely to be in "Savitr at Sunset"?
(a) Dogs of war.
(b) Birds of prey.
(c) Sages.
(d) Maruts.

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

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

8. What is Agastya's chosen path in life when his wife approaches him to beget a child?
(a) That of a farmer.
(b) That of a charioteer.
(c) That of a herdsman.
(d) That of the ascetic.

9. Who is the mother of the gods?
(a) Siva.
(b) Aditi.
(c) Yami.
(d) Mitra.

10. The three vats in "Parjanya, the Cow" are clouds full of rain or vessels full of _____.
(a) Sap.
(b) Milk.
(c) Soma.
(d) Sunlight.

11. In "Varuna the Friend of Vasistha", where does the sun rest all night?
(a) In the valley of the kings.
(b) In the river.
(c) In the heart of Vasistha.
(d) In the rock of darkness.

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

13. In stories associated with "Apala and Indra", what is the first skin that is sloughed off of Apala?
(a) A hedgehog.
(b) A jackal.
(c) A dog.
(d) A deer.

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

15. What is the name of Yama's twin?
(a) Yamo.
(b) Yamani.
(c) Yami.
(d) Yamindra.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Svarbhanu is the demon of _____ in "Atri and the Lost Sun".

3. What word means dark, formless, terrifying abyss?

4. For what is 'the house of clay' a metaphor?

5. In "Vena", Soma is the _____ who roars as he mingles with the waters.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 365 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample