Question

There are _______ mantras in the Rigveda which include the unpromising Valakhilia hymns-
1. 1549
2. 1028
3. 760
4. 1875

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 1028

The correct answer is 1028.

• There are 1028 mantras in the Rigveda which include the unpromising Valakhilia hymns.
• The Rig Veda consists of 1028 hymns, organised into ten books known as maṇḍalas.
• They were composed in an archaic language named Vedic that gradually evolved into classical Sanskrit.
• Each maṇḍala has sūktas (hymns) formed by individual strophes.
• The Rig Veda is the earliest of the four Vedas and one of the most important texts of the Hindu tradition.
• It is a large collection of hymns in praise of the gods, which are chanted in various rituals.

• Samaveda
  • There are 1549 verses (except 75 verses, all have been taken from Rigveda)
  • There are two Upanishads embedded in Samaveda – Chandogya Upanishad and Kena Upanishad
  • The Samaveda is considered the root of Indian classical music and dance
  • It is considered as the storehouse of the melodious chants
  • Though it has lesser verses than Rigveda, however, its texts are larger
  • There are three recensions of the text of the Samaveda – Kauthuma, Raṇayaniya and Jaimaniya
• Yajurveda
  • Stands to mean ‘Worship Knowledge’, Yajurveda dates back to 1100-800 BCE; corresponding with Samaveda.
  • It compiles ritual-offering mantras/chants.
  • These chants were offered by the priest alongside a person who used to perform a ritual (in most cases yajna fire).
• Atharvaveda
  • Stands to mean a tatpurusha compound of Atharvan, an ancient sage, and knowledge (atharvan+knowledge), it dates back to 1000-800 BCE.