Author: Aniruddha dasa
Company: ISKCON Melbourne

BRAHMANA INITIATION EXAMINATION 
4 Hours Allowed for Completion
SECTION ONE

	To pass this section it will be necessary to write the English translation to 15 of the following 50 important Bhagavad-gita slokas.  Extra marks will be given for Sanskrit.

2.12		3.9		7.7		 9.11		14.27
2.13		3.21		7.14		 9.13		15.7
2.14		3.27		7.19		 9.22		15.15
2.20		4.7		7.24		 9.25		18.42
2.40		4.8		7.26		9.26		18.54
2.41		4.34		8.5		 9.27		18.55
2.44		5.18		8.6		10.8		18.61
2.59		5.29		8.16		10.10		18.65
2.62		6.47		9.20		13.22		18.66
2.63		7.3		9.10		14.26		18.78

										45 Marks

							2 for correct English
							1 for correct Sanskrit

SECTION TWO:

1. What is the difference between Deity worship and idol worship? 		5 Marks
2. Why is purity stressed in Deity worship?						5 Marks
3. Discuss the inter-relationship between Deity worship and nama-sankirtan.	5 Marks
    
4.How does opulent temple worship benefit:
(i)	devotees?							2.5 Marks
(ii)	people in general?						2.5 Marks

SECTION THREE:

1.Knowledge of the Bhagavad-gita entails the comprehension of five basic truths; describe and explain them.									5 Marks				
2.Describe:
	(i)	Sanatana Dhama						2.5 Marks
	(ii)	Sanatana Dharma						2.5 Marks

3.Give an account of events leading up to the battle of  Kuruksetra		5 Marks
4.Explain the ten offences in the chanting of the Hare Krsna Maha-mantra.	20 marks 
5.Give an account of the life of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (approx 500 words)	20 Marks
6. Discuss the similarities and differences between Visnu and Krsna	5   Marks
7. Explain the concept of “isavasya” given in Isopanisad.			5 Marks
8. Give a chronological account of the development of the Srimad Bhagavatam.												5 Marks
 9.  Explain (giving evidence) how Krsna is the source of all incarnations.		5 Marks
10. Explain Vyasadeva’s lamentation (as described in the First Canto of the Srimad    Bhagavatam).									5 Marks
11. Describe and give examples of the five primary rasas described in the Nectar of Devotion.											10 Marks
12. How can we counter the argument that the super-human pastimes of Krsna are mythology.											5 Marks
13. Explain (giving examples) Prabhupada’s statement that “Life comes from life”.(ie. in contrast to the dogmas of modern scientific theory).					5 Marks

									Total 150 Marks