Rigveda- The Earliest Scripture of Hinduism

Of the four Vedas (Veda means knowledge), the Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda, the Rigveda is the oldest religious text in the world still looked on as sacred, and therefore, is also known as the first testament of mankind. Dating the Rigveda is a subject of conjecture. the probable date for its composition may be around 1700 BC.

Vedas are written is Sanskrit. The first three Vedas are collectively known as Trayi or trio. Each Veda is further divided into Samhitas or collections. These were learnt by heart and then passed on from the teachers to the disciples.

The Rigveda is neither a historical nor a heroic poem but is mainly a collection of hymns of praise composed by many authors. It describes the religious life of the early Aryans in India. The hymns of Rig Veda were recited at the time of sacrificial rites and other rituals with utmost devotion. These hymns are still recited by the Hindus at different ceremonies that include weddings and funerals. In fact they are daily devotions of many Brahmins.

The Rigveda contains 1028 hymns (sukta) and is divided into ten “circles” (mandalas). The tenth mandala is said to have been added later as its language differs slightly from other mandalas, contains the famous Purushasukta which explains the four varnas (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra) were born from the mouth, arms, thighs and feet of the creator.

Rigveda contains the famous Gayatri mantra, addressed to the old solar god Savitr, still considered to be the most sacred by the Hindus. The oldest exegetical work on Rig Veda is the Nirukta (Etymology) of Yashka dating back to 500 BC.

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