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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. In "Gambler's Lament", dice are born during a storm and cease to hang like _____ from the nut tree.
(a) Bones.
(b) Earrings.
(c) Pendulums.
(d) Stars.

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

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

6. In the hymn, "Indra and the Maruts", what type of animal is named as 'the does' that are yoked to the chariot?
(a) Impalas.
(b) Goats.
(c) Gazelles.
(d) Deer.

7. _____ is incarnate as a goddess closely associated with the Asvins.
(a) Prsni.
(b) Atri.
(c) Night.
(d) Dawn.

8. Asura is a _____ in early Vedic tradition, before he becomes a demon.
(a) Lion.
(b) Fertility god.
(c) Sky god.
(d) Frog.

9. Svarbhanu is the demon of _____ in "Atri and the Lost Sun".
(a) Eclipses.
(b) Sunlight.
(c) Night.
(d) Hunger.

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

11. What is the name of the god of intimate friendship among one's own kind?
(a) Mitra.
(b) Soma.
(c) Atri.
(d) Indra.

12. What is the symbol of an unfaithful woman in "Pururavas and Urvasi"?
(a) The eagle.
(b) The broken chalice.
(c) The broken twig.
(d) The jackal.

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

14. The _____ in "Indra and the Monkey" is regarded as the indigenous inhabitant, regarded as demonic.
(a) Sage.
(b) Demi-god.
(c) Slave.
(d) Poet.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who invokes the Asvins to help her find her husband?

2. Varuna binds _____ in his snares of disease and misfortune in "Varuna Provoked to Anger".

3. What does Apala want to do for Indra to get him to help her in "Apala and Indra"?

4. The three vats in "Parjanya, the Cow" are clouds full of rain or vessels full of _____.

5. What is the metaphor used in "Parjanya, the Cow" to represent the cloud that does not give rain?

(see the answer keys)

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