FOUR VEDAS

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

FOUR VEDAS

1. Rigveda (ऋग्वेद)

The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas and is regarded as the world's earliest sacred scripture. It was composed between 1500–1200 BCE in Vedic Sanskrit by various sages (Rishis). The Rigveda consists of 10 Mandalas, 1,028 hymns (Suktas), and about 10,552 mantras. It mainly contains hymns dedicated to deities such as Indra, Agni, Varuna, Soma, Surya, Vishnu, Rudra, and Ushas. It provides valuable information about the early Vedic society, religion, economy, agriculture, political organization, and rivers like the Saraswati. Famous hymns include the Gayatri Mantra, Purusha Sukta, and Nasadiya Sukta.

2. Yajurveda (यजुर्वेद)

The Yajurveda is the second of the four Vedas and is known as the Veda of Sacrificial Rituals. It primarily explains the procedures for performing Yajnas (sacrificial ceremonies) and religious rituals. Written in both prose and verse, it contains nearly 1,975 mantras. The Yajurveda is divided into two major branches: Shukla (White) Yajurveda and Krishna (Black) Yajurveda. Important Upanishads associated with it include the Isha Upanishad, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Taittiriya Upanishad, and Katha Upanishad. It played a significant role in shaping Vedic rituals, priesthood, religious ceremonies, and philosophical traditions in ancient India.

3. Samaveda (सामवेद)