View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The word for exertion of religious activity in "Agastya and Lopamudra" is _____.
(a) Conversion.
(b) Toil.
(c) Prostrate.
(d) Pray.

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

3. In "Varuna Provoked to Anger", even _____ does not avert evil in the poet's estimation.
(a) Awareness.
(b) Sacrifice.
(c) Sleep.
(d) Prayer.

4. In "Have Mercy on Us, Rudra", Rudra's hair is braided or piled on top of his head in a _____.
(a) Basket.
(b) Pyramid.
(c) Chignon.
(d) Tangled mess.

5. In "The Deeds of the Asvins", the feet in the phrase 'in three chariots with six horses and a hundred feet' are _____.
(a) Roots.
(b) Oars.
(c) Rocks.
(d) Stars.

Short Answer Questions

1. Seven gods guard Soma, among whom _____ is the foremost.

2. In the hymn, "Indra and the Maruts", what type of animal is named as 'the does' that are yoked to the chariot?

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

4. In the Atharva Vedic ritual, the Great Naked Woman is treated as a _____.

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the different meanings of the 'house of clay' metaphor in "The House of Clay"?

2. Why is the Rig Veda described in "Realia" as worldly?

3. What is the conflict present in all of the dialogues with women in the Rig Veda? Who succeeds, and who fails in this conflict?

4. What are two meanings of "Atri and the Lost Sun"?

5. Who competes in the contest in "The Maruts" and what are they doing in the competition?

6. What is the role of beauty in regards to women in the Rig Veda?

7. What is Yami's argument to persuade Yama to have incest relations with her, and who does she invoke to aid her with this?

8. What does the poet ask for at the end of "Parjanya, the Bull", and why?

9. What is Varuna asked to protect the worshiper from in regards to his own power?

10. How is creation mythology presented in "Varuna Provoked to Anger"?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 727 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample