Know About Rigveda - The Most Ancient Scripture In The World

Rigveda is the first among the four Vedas. Besides, it is also the most ancient scripture in the world. The earlier three Vedas (Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda) have come out from the Rig Veda. Rig Veda’s content is poetic, while Yajur Veda is in prosaic form, and Sama Veda is musical. The importance of Rig Veda can be measured by the fact that UNESCO has included 30 manuscripts of Rig Veda dating from 1,800 BC to 1,500 BC in the list of cultural heritage. Vedas are supposed to be the words of God, so it is relevant for all times.

The Creation Of The Rigveda

The mantras & richas (invocations) of the Rigveda do not all belong to the same timeline. It was created gradually, over the years, at different points in time. The speciality of Rig Veda is that we get to discover the political system and history of the Aryans while going through this Veda. Besides, they also contain information about the geopolitical situation and the invocation to the gods and goddesses. Not just that, Rigveda also includes information on medical treatment. In Rigveda, nature is stated to be equal to God. Therefore, Indra, Sun, and Agni have been assigned particular roles. Because all three are the basis of nature.

Rig Veda With Meaning

Rigveda means such information or knowledge which is bound to invocations (richas). This is purely poetic and is a complete scripture in itself.

Introduction About Rigveda

The Rigveda is the most ancient and the first of the four Vedas, which increases its importance. There are 1,028 suktas in its 10 chapters. Besides, there are about 10,580 mantras in it. Each of the chapters of the Rigveda is important in its own way. Its first and last chapters are somewhat larger, which have 191 suktas. The second to seventh chapter in Rigveda is the best part. There is also a similarity between the first and eighth chapters of Rigveda in their first 50 suktas.

The ninth chapter of the Rigveda contains a collection of eight chapters related to Soma. It does not have any new Suktas. The 10th chapter contains the Suktas of the first chapter only. Not only this but there is also information about medicines. 125 medicines are found in 107 places. It has about 400 richas (invocations) composed of various sages. These richas are dedicated to various deities like Agni, Vayu, Varuna, Indra, Vishwadeva, Marut, Prajapati, Surya, Usha, Pusha, Rudra etc.

The first chapter of the Rigveda contains verses composed by various sages. Still, the second chapter is composed by Grutsamaya, third by Vishwamitra, fourth by Vamdev, fifth by Atri, sixth by Bharadvaja, seventh by Vashistha of the eighth by Kanva & Angira, the ninth and tenth chapters are composed by many sages.

The Various Parts Of The Rig Veda

Each of the four Vedas has its own sections & divisions. If we talk about the Rigveda, there are two sections, namely Ashtak Kram and Mandal Kram. The Ashtak Kram consists of eight Ashtakas, and every Ashtal is divided into eight chapters. Besides, every chapter is divided into Vargas, the number of Vargas is 2,006, And if we talk about Mandal Krama, there are a total of 10 Mandals in the Mandal Krama. There are 85 Anuvakyas and 1,028 Suktas. Besides, there are 11 Balkhilya Suktas. The number of mantras in Rig Veda is 10,600.

The Branches Of The Rig Veda

There are several branches of the Rig Veda. It is believed that there are 21 branches, out of which five are pretty important. They are – Shakalp, Vaaskal, Ashlaayan, Shankhaayan, and Mandukaayan.

The Upvedas Of The Rig Veda

If we talk about Rig Veda, it’s Upveda is the Ayurveda. Ayurveda is considered the gift of Bhagwan Dhanvantri.

The Upanishads Of Rig Veda

Currently, there are 10 Upanishads considered to be of Rigveda. These are – Aitrey, Kaushitaki, Mudral, Nirvana, Nadbindu, Akshmaya, Tripura, Bahruka, and Saubhagyalakshmi.

Brahman Scriptures Of Rig Veda

There are 13 Brahman scriptures in Rigveda. Two of them are Aittrey Brahman (Shaishreeyshaakal shaakha) and Kaushitaki (Shankhayan) Brahman.

The Special Points Of Rig Veda

  • Rig Veda is the most ancient scripture.
  • By combining certain shlokas (verses) and facts of Rigveda, first Sam Veda and then Yajur Veda was written.
  • Atharva Veda was written at last, amongst the four Vedas.
  • There are 10 chapters and 1,028 suktas in Rig Veda. And there are 11,000 mantras.
  • In the various chhandas of Rigveda, there are around 400 eulogies attributed to multiple gods and goddesses like Agni, Vayu, Varun, Indra, Vishwadev, Marut, Prajapati, Surya, Usha, Pusha, Rudra, Savita and other gods and goddesses.
  • Of all the gods & goddesses, the maximum (250) is attributed to the brave god Indra. The next most referred to God in Rig Veda is Agni, the Fire God, referred to 200 times.
  • There is a description of 33 gods and goddesses in Rigveda.
  • There is a mention of 25 rivers in Rig Veda, of which Sinhu (Indus) is considered the most.
  • Rig Veda has considered Saraswati as the most ancient river.
  • Herein, Ganga and Saryu rivers are mentioned once each and the Yamuna river is mentioned twice. The last money to be mentioned is Gaumal.
  • The ancient scripture Rigveda mentions the world 176 times.
  • Rig Veda also gives-Mahamrityunjay mantra. It is the mantra that can increase your longevity.
  • There are eight Ashtaks in Rigveda, and there are eight chapters in every Ashtak.
  • There are 10 Mandals, 1,028 Sukt, 8 Ashtaks, 64 Adhyay (chapters) and 85 Anuvak.
  • The total number of mantras is 10,552.
  • There are 217 Chhands in Rig Veda.
  • There are 24 Anuvak, 191 Suktas and 1,976 Mantras in Rig Veda.
  • In the 2nd chapter, there are four Anuvak, 43 Suktas and 429 Mantras.
  • In the 3rd chapter, there are five Anuvaks, 62 Sukts and 617 Mantras.
  • In the fourth chapter, there are five Anuvaks, 58 Sukts and 589 Mantras.
  • In the fifth chapter, there are six Anuvaks, 87 Sukts and 727 Mantras.
  • In the sixth chapter, there are six Anuvaks, 75 Sukts and 765 Mantras.
  • In the seventh chapter, there are six Anuvaks, 104 Sukts and 841 Mantras.
  • In the eighth chapter, there are 10 Anuvaks, 103 Sukts and 1,726 Mantras.
  • In the ninth chapter, there are 7 Anuvaks, 114 Sukts and 1,097 Mantras.
  • In the 10th chapter, there are 12 Anuvaks, 191 Sukts and 1,754 Mantras.
  • In all the 10 chapters, there are 85 Anuvaks, 1,028 Sukts and 10,589 Mantras.
  • Thirty manuscripts of Rig Veda have been included in UNESCO’s heritage list.
  • These manuscripts were composed from 1,800 BC to 1,500 BC.

Conclusion

Rigveda is the first among all the Vedas. It is called the first religious scripture of humankind and also the progenitor of formal Hinduism. Besides, it is a masterpiece and contains profound ancient wisdom in the form of richas or invocations to the gods and goddesses.

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