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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. The Rbhus are the _____ of the gods.

2. _____ is the cry that is made when an offering is presented to the gods.

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

4. Vivavsan is a name for the _____.

5. Who is the mother of the sun?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who are the Asuras in the beginning of the Vedas, as opposed to their role toward the end?

3. In the hymn "The Child of the Waters", what do the three women give to the deity, and why?

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

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

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

7. What is the sacrificial horse identified with?

8. How are Agni and Soma linked?

9. What is the actual content of the secret in "The Mystery of Agni"?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how Dawn performs her duties in "Dawn and the Avins". What does she drive back every day? How does she shower men with her gifts?

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

Who are the demons in the Rig Veda? Where do they live? Why do they live there? How do they interact with the gods? What is Sarama's role in relation to the demons?

(see the answer keys)

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