Which of the following Vedas is a 'Book of rituals?

Correct option is C

​The correct answer is (c) The Yajurveda

Explanation:

The four Vedas are:

1. Rigveda

• Meaning: "Rig" means "praise" or "hymn," so the Rigveda is the "Book of Hymns."
• Content: It is the oldest of the four Vedas, composed around 1500–1200 BCE. It contains 1,028 hymns (called Suktas) in praise of various deities, including Agni (fire), Indra (the king of gods), Varuna (the god of water and cosmic order), Soma (the moon and plant), and others. These hymns are prayers and praises to the gods, aimed at achieving prosperity, peace, and divine blessings.
• Structure: The Rigveda is divided into 10 books (called Mandalas), and each book contains hymns dedicated to different deities or themes.
• Significance: It primarily addresses ritualistic and sacrificial aspects of Vedic religion. The hymns are composed in Sanskrit, and the text is highly symbolic, with a deep philosophical undertone exploring the relationship between humans and the divine.

2. Yajurveda

• Meaning: "Yajus" means "sacrifice" or "ritual," and Yajurveda is the "Book of Rituals."
• Content: Composed around the same time as the Rigveda, the Yajurveda is a manual for performing rituals and sacrifices. Unlike the Rigveda, which consists mainly of hymns, the Yajurveda contains instructions and formulas for rituals, including prayers, sacrifices, and ceremonies that were central to Vedic religious practices.
• Structure: It has two main branches:
  • Shukla Yajurveda: The "white" or "clear" Yajurveda, which contains mostly prayers and mantras for rituals.
  • Krishna Yajurveda: The "black" or "dark" Yajurveda, which contains more explanatory material alongside the mantras.
• Significance: The Yajurveda plays a crucial role in guiding priests in performing yajnas (sacrificial offerings) and maintaining harmony with the cosmic order. It includes mantras and rituals for sacrifices to gods, ancestors, and natural forces.

3. Samaveda

• Meaning: "Sama" means "melody," so Samaveda is the "Book of Songs" or "Book of Chants."
• Content: The Samaveda is composed largely of melodies and chants, based on the hymns of the Rigveda. The focus of the Samaveda is on musical elements, with the hymns set to specific tunes or melodies that were sung during sacrifices.
• Structure: It consists of 1,875 verses, most of which are taken directly from the Rigveda. However, the Samaveda organizes them differently, primarily in the context of performance and chanting during religious rituals.
• Significance: The Samaveda emphasizes the importance of sound, music, and rhythm in religious ceremonies. The Vedic chants, called Saman, were believed to have spiritual power, and this Veda is crucial in the performance of ritualistic music during sacrifices.

4. Atharvaveda

• Meaning: The name Atharvaveda comes from Atharva, the name of an ancient sage. It is sometimes called the "Veda of Magic and Charms."
• Content: The Atharvaveda is the most recent of the four Vedas and differs significantly from the other three in terms of its subject matter. It contains hymns, spells, incantations, and charms aimed at healing, protection, and dealing with everyday life challenges. It also addresses various rituals, but they are more practical and focused on mundane concerns such as health, wealth, love, and social harmony.
• Structure: The Atharvaveda contains about 730 hymns in 20 books, with many verses that reflect a blend of magic, medicine, and philosophical thought.
• Significance: It is notable for its practical approach to life, focusing on spiritual healing, and has a broader scope of topics, including medicine, protection from evil, and rituals for daily needs. The Atharvaveda is sometimes viewed as bridging the gap between ritualistic Brahmanism and the more philosophical aspects of later Vedic and Upanishadic thought.

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