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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is the name of the god of formal hospitality to strangers?
(a) Savitr.
(b) Aryaman.
(c) Ushas.
(d) Rudra.

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

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

10. What do the Maruts give Gotama when he prays to them?
(a) Gold.
(b) Silver.
(c) A son.
(d) A fountain.

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

12. What is Rudra the embodiment of?
(a) Cleverness and thievery.
(b) Peace and death.
(c) Wildness and unpredictable danger.
(d) Love and wisdom.

13. What word means dark, formless, terrifying abyss?
(a) Siva.
(b) Agamas.
(c) Adharma.
(d) Abhvam.

14. 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) Stars.
(c) Oars.
(d) Roots.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. Who is Rudra's successor as a Hindu god?

4. _____ is incarnate as a goddess closely associated with the Asvins.

5. What is the name of Indra's wife?

(see the answer keys)

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