2. What word denotes mankind, the eponymous ancestor of mankind, or the brother of Yama?
(a) Marut.
(b) Varut.
(c) Manu.
(d) Amnis.

3. Cows appear in the metaphors involving Soma as _____ or water.
(a) Milk.
(b) Clouds.
(c) Blood.
(d) Whey.

4. What is the male element of the newborn sun or fire?
(a) Heat.
(b) The flames.
(c) Eyes.
(d) Bones.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What turns into a plant that is used as a substitute for the Soma plant in the hymn, "Soma and Indra and the Eagle"?

2. In the hymn "Yama and the Fathers", who is being told to go away from the burning-ground where they live?

3. In "We Have Drunk the Soma", Dawn harnesses _____ to her chariot to bring treasure to the singer of the hymn.

4. At the end of "The Birth of Agni", what does Agni turn into?

5. How many people slaughter the horse of Tvastr during sacrifice?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the distinction between food that is for the gods and food that is for the dead fathers?

2. Who are the Angirases and with whom are they often linked?

3. What does the hymn, "The Sacrificial Priests", liken the work of the priests to? How?

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

5. How are Agni and Soma linked?

6. What is the back story about the priest of the oblation's getting angry in "The Birth of Agni", and what does the priest do that is mentioned in this hymn?

7. Who are the three brothers in "The Riddle of the Sacrifice" and with whom are they associated in the text?

8. What is the role of the goat in "The Sacrifice of the Horse" and for whom does it do this?

9. What is the function of the goat in "The Funeral Fire"?

10. What is the significance of the membrane in "The Gods Coax Agni Out of the Waters"?

(see the answer keys)

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