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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. Rudra is known as the punisher of _____.
(a) Warriors.
(b) Murder.
(c) Women.
(d) Incest.

2. In the Atharva Vedic ritual, the Great Naked Woman is treated as a _____.
(a) Specator.
(b) Cup of Soma.
(c) Scapegoat.
(d) God.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. The word _____ means 'one who sheds rain or seed'?

3. In "Varuna the Friend of Vasistha", where does the sun rest all night?

4. What does Apala want to do for Indra to get him to help her in "Apala and Indra"?

5. Who is the mother of the Maruts?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is the nature of Soma in "The Marriage of Surya"?

5. What does Vena personify in the hymn of the same name, and how does this relate to the theme of the hymn?

6. According to Indian theory, what happens to the sun during the rainy season?

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. How is the phrase 'O, little mother' a triple entendre in "Indra and the Monkey"?

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

10. Why does the author say it is a possibility that priests are being satirized in "The Frogs"?

(see the answer keys)

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