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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the hymn "Yama and the Fathers", who is being told to go away from the burning-ground where they live?
(a) Mud daubers.
(b) Ants.
(c) Cold-blooded snakes.
(d) Flesh-eating ghouls.

2. What did Martanda's name originally mean in "Aditi and the Birth of the Gods"?
(a) Born of an egg.
(b) Eye of the sky.
(c) Beholder.
(d) Keeper of the sun.

3. Sarasvati is the goddess of _____.
(a) Weather.
(b) Food.
(c) Love.
(d) Speech.

4. Susna is the demon of _____.
(a) Drought.
(b) Flood.
(c) Day.
(d) Night.

5. What are said to have more powers than the Fathers in heaven?
(a) The goats of heaven.
(b) The horses of heaven.
(c) The children of heaven.
(d) The Mothers of heaven.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Agni becomes priest, his _____ are both flame and prayer.

2. Who carries Indra to heaven to bring Soma to men and gods?

3. What is the piece of wood attached crosswise at the top of the stake used in the horse sacrifice?

4. Who is the beloved grey priest?

5. Savitr is the _____ and the embodiment of twilight.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the state of clarity of the early stages of creation in "The All-maker", according to the author, and why?

2. What is the meaning of the use of hunger in "In praise of Generosity"?

3. What are the meanings of the recurrent epithet, "Knower of creatures"?

4. Who eats from the tree of knowledge in "The Riddle of the Sacrifice", and what does this mean?

5. What is the nature of the 'child of the waters' and how does this relate to Agni?

6. What is the function of the "Royal Consecration" hymn, and what would accompany it?

7. In "Aditi and the Birth of the Gods", what does the author think is meant by the poet's seeing the birth of the gods?

8. What is the sacrificial horse identified with?

9. What is the sacred grass in "The Hymn of Man" and what is it used for?

10. What is the function of the enclosing-sticks in "The Hymn of Man" as opposed to the fuel-sticks?

(see the answer keys)

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