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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. Who invokes the Asvins to help her find her husband?
2. In "Parjanya, the Bull", what is Parjanyas' enormous deadly weapon?
3. Asura is a _____ in early Vedic tradition, before he becomes a demon.
4. What is the metaphor used in "Parjanya, the Cow" to represent the cloud that does not give rain?
5. According to the author, who is the only Vedic goddess of any true stature?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does the poet ask for at the end of "Parjanya, the Bull", and why?
2. What is Varuna asked to protect the worshiper from in regards to his own power?
3. Why does the author say it is a possibility that priests are being satirized in "The Frogs"?
4. What are the different meanings of the 'house of clay' metaphor in "The House of Clay"?
5. Why is the Rig Veda described in "Realia" as worldly?
6. What is the conflict present in all of the dialogues with women in the Rig Veda? Who succeeds, and who fails in this conflict?
7. What is the nature of Soma in "The Marriage of Surya"?
8. In "Varuna Provoked to Anger", what is the nature of Vasistha's sins toward Varuna?
9. Who brandishes their power and in what way in "The Deeds of Varuna"?
10. What is the central image of the hymn, "Mudgala's Wife and the Bull in the Chariot", and how do their interpretations overlap?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Describe the many faces of Agni and how he fits into the hierarchy of beings in the Rig Veda. What is mysterious about his birth? Why does he hide?
Essay Topic 2
What tasks is Varuna charged with? Who is Varuna a friend of? What threatens their friendship? How is this resolved?
Essay Topic 3
There are many metaphors for the sun in the Rig Veda. Find examples of these and explain how they are used. The sun itself is a metaphor for which gods? Cite examples.
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This section contains 736 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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