View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Apala want to do for Indra to get him to help her in "Apala and Indra"?
(a) Kill her husband.
(b) Give herself to him.
(c) Press Soma.
(d) Sacrifice a horse.

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

3. What is Nirrti called in the texts of the Rig Veda?
(a) Night.
(b) Destruction.
(c) Seduction.
(d) Dawn.

4. The Maruts are _____ portrayed always as a group.
(a) Wind-gods.
(b) Water-gods.
(c) Fertility gods.
(d) Sun worshipers.

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

6. Who are the sons and daughters of the father in "To Arms"?
(a) Arrows.
(b) Leaves.
(c) Rocks.
(d) Flowers.

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

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

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

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

11. Varuna is called the _____ in the "Deeds of Varuna".
(a) Keeper.
(b) Master of Horse.
(c) Emperor.
(d) Lord of Soma.

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Varuna Provoked to Anger", even _____ does not avert evil in the poet's estimation.

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

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

4. In stories associated with "Apala and Indra", what is the first skin that is sloughed off of Apala?

5. Who is said to have found the lost sun?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 359 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample