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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Who is a kavi?

3. Who is considered the quintessential generous patron?

4. What is the female element in the oblation ritual called?

5. The word for heart mind and life-spirit is _____.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How is butter visualized in the hymn, "Butter"?

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

5. What is the sacrificial horse identified with?

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

7. How are Agni and Soma linked?

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

9. What is meant by the "mist" metaphor in "Aditi and the Birth of the Gods"?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Where does Speech come from? What is its importance? How is speech personified in the hymn, "Speech"?

Essay Topic 2

What are the different types of oblation? Where and when are they presented, and by whom? Cite specific instances from the hymns.

Essay Topic 3

Describe how Soma is symbolic. What is it made from? What is its function? Who uses it? Why?

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