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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. What is another name for the Maruts?

2. In "Gambler's Lament", dice are born during a storm and cease to hang like _____ from the nut tree.

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

4. Who called "Indra and the Monkey' the strangest hymn in the Rig Veda?

5. What is Rudra the embodiment of?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. In "Indra and the Maruts", why does Indra mock the Maruts?

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

5. Who brandishes their power and in what way in "The Deeds of Varuna"?

6. In the dialogue between Agastya and the Maruts in "Agastya and the Maruts", what is Agastya trying to do?

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

8. What is the meaning or the invocation, 'O, master of the stones' in "The House of Clay"?

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

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

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

What are the Maruts known for? Whom do they serve? Why does Agastya have to apologize to them?

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This section contains 710 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample