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Questions tagged [rig-veda]

The oldest of the four Vedas. See also [vedas].

The Rigveda (Sanskrit: ऋग्वेद ṛgveda, a compound of ṛc "praise, verse" and veda "knowledge") is a sacred Indo-Aryan collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns still being used in India. It is counted among the four canonical sacred texts (śruti) of Hinduism known as the Vedas.

It is one of the oldest extant texts in any Indo-European language. Philological and linguistic evidence indicate that the Rigveda was composed in the north-western region of the Indian subcontinent, most likely between c. 1500–1200 BCE, though a wider approximation of c. 1700–1100 BCE has also been given.

The Rigveda contains several mythological and poetical accounts of the origin of the world, hymns praising the gods, and ancient prayers for life, prosperity, etc.Some of its verses are still recited as Hindu prayers, at religious functions and other occasions, making it probably the world's oldest religious texts in continued use.

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What does this Rig Veda verse mean about the fivefold human race?

Rigveda Mandala 1 Sukta 12 Indra who rules with single sway men, riches, and the fivefold race of those who dwell upon the earth. What is fivefold race referring to? I think it's referring to Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and…
Ikshvaku
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contradiction between Nasadiya Sukta and Hiranyagarbha

I was going through the mentioned phrases of Rig Veda and got little confused in different points on creation. In Nasadiya it is mentioned that even creator might don't know about creation. on the other side Rigveda (10.121) mentions the…
shivankgtm
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Who was Namuchi?

In Rigveda, Indra is known to slay various demons like Vrita, Sambhar, Vala etc. Rigveda alludes one story of Namuchi Vadh where Namuchi grows very powerful and he grabs Indra in his arm-pit(similar to Bali and Ravan incident). This incident ensues…
user12262
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Who does "sons of Bharatas" refer to in this Rig Vedic verse?

Rig Veda Mandala 2, Hymn 36, verse 2 states: य॒ज्ञैः सम्मि॑श्लाः॒ पृष॑तीभिर्ऋ॒ष्टिभि॒र्याम॑ञ्छु॒भ्रासो॑ अञ्जिषु॑ प्रि॒या उ॒त । आ॒सद्या॑ ब॒र्हिर्भ॑रतस्य सूनवः पो॒त्रादा सोमं॑ पिबता दिवो नरः ॥ yajñáiḥ sámmišlāḥ pṛ́ṣatībhir ṛṣṭíbhir yā́mañ chubhrā́so…
inpraiseofagni
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Why did Purusha Sukta from Rig Veda contain mention about Yajur and Sama Vedas?

Consider the following mantra from Purusha Sukta 10.90.9 From that great general sacrifice Ṛcas and Sāma-hymns were born: Therefrom were spells and charms produced; the Yajus had its birth from it. Rig veda was considered to be the oldest. …
Srimannarayana K V
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What are eight Asthakas of Rigveda?

A Sanskrit book mentions that Rigveda is divided in 8 ashtakas and 10 mandalas. I am aware of mandalas but what are 8 asthakas of Rigveda?
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Who are the dark-coloured inhabitants in this Rig Veda verse?

The Rig Veda has a verse that says: "Through fear of thee [Agni] the dark-coloured inhabitants fled, not waiting for battle, when, O Agni (fire) burning brightly for Puru, and destroying the cities, thou didst shine." (VII, 5, 3) Who are the…
Ikshvaku
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Is there a scriptural statement anywhere elevating Rig Veda Samhita over the rest of Shruti?

From what I understand there is a lot of overlap between Rig Veda Samhita and the other Vedas. Atharva Veda is considered a late addition to the Vedic corpus. At least linguistically, Rig Veda Samhita is the oldest Hindu scripture (although other…
S K
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Where is "Reality is one, though wise men speak of it variously." in the Rig Veda?

In "An Apology for Apologetics: A Study in the Logic of Interreligious Dialogue" by Paul J. Griffiths, Paul writes the following: The Rigveda, India's oldest collection of sacred texts, contains the famous line: "Reality is one, though wise men…
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What are the 360 forms/names of the Youth mentioned in Rig Veda I.155.6?

Rig Veda I.155 is dedicated to Indra/Vishnu. Rig Veda I.155.6 says as follows: चतुर्भिः साकं नवतिं च नामभिश्चक्रं न वर्त्तं वयतीन्रवीविपत | बर्हच्छरीरो विमिमान रक्वभिर्युवाकुमारः परत्येत्याहवम || caturbhiḥ sākaṃ navatiṃ ca nāmabhiścakraṃ na…
Srimannarayana K V
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What is the inner/esoteric meaning of the this Rig Vedic verse?

Rig Veda 10.72.2 says as follows: बरह्मणस पतिरेता सं कर्मार इवाधमत | देवानाम्पूर्व्ये युगे.असतः सदजायत || These Brahmaṇaspati produced with blast and smelting, like a Smith, Existence, in an earlier age of Gods, from Non-existence sprang. Can…
Srimannarayana K V
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Are 'Magh' and 'Ang' tribes of RigVeda?

There are various tribes of RigVeda is described in later scriptures but none of them mentions Ang and Magh as RigVedic tribe. Most of the scriptures mentions Maghadh (whose inhabitants are called Magh) and Ang as area/ country located in present…
B.N. Bhaskar
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Why Nasadiya Sukta says even god himself might not know about creation?

Then even non-existence was not there, nor existence, There was no air then, nor the space beyond it. What covered it? Where was it? In whose keeping? Was there then cosmic fluid, in depths unfathomed? Why is there so much uncertainty in it? also,…
shivankgtm
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Is Mount Meru described in Rigveda?

There is controversy created on this issue now on social media, some people saying that it's described in Rigveda, while others not. So, is it really described in any verse of Rigveda ?
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Rig Veda 1-114 final part

In Rig Veda 1-114 imā rudrāya tavase kapardine kṣayadvīrāya pra bharāmahe matīḥ | yathā śamasad dvipade catuṣpade viśvaṃ puṣṭaṃghrāme asminnanāturam || mṛḷā no rudrota no mayas kṛdhi kṣayadvīrāya namasā vidhemate | yacchaṃ ca yośca…
Lucky Pashu
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