Q140. Which Veda contains 1,028 hymns traditionally arranged into ten Mandalas?
[2026 – RRB NTPC Graduate]
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Yajurveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: A. Rigveda
Explanation: The Rigveda Samhita comprises 1,028 hymns, including the Valakhilya hymns, conventionally arranged in ten Mandalas or books and dedicated to numerous Vedic deities.
Q139. In Rigvedic terminology, the term “Gopati” primarily referred to the:
[2026 – RRB NTPC Graduate]
A. Village priest
B. Lord or protector of cattle
C. Commander of infantry
D. Collector of taxes
Answer: B. Lord or protector of cattle
Explanation: Cattle constituted an important measure of wealth in Rigvedic society. Consequently, terms connected with cattle acquired political significance, and gopati denoted a lord or protector of cows.
Q138. Which statement best describes the authorship of the Rigveda?
[2026 – RRB NTPC UG]
A. It was written by a single king.
B. It was composed entirely by one priest.
C. Its hymns were composed by different sages over generations.
D. It was written by Buddhist monks.
Answer: C. Its hymns were composed by different sages over generations.
Explanation: Rigvedic hymns are attributed to numerous rishis and families of seers. They developed through an oral tradition over several generations rather than originating from a single author.
Q137. In Later Vedic society, which varna chiefly represented the producing classes engaged in agriculture, cattle-rearing and trade?
[2026 – RRB NTPC Graduate]
A. Brahmana
B. Kshatriya
C. Vaishya
D. Shudra
Answer: C. Vaishya
Explanation: Vaishyas formed the principal productive and tax-paying section of Later Vedic society. Agriculture, pastoral activity and commerce were commonly associated with their social and economic functions.
Q136. The hymns of the Vedas were primarily composed in which language?
[2026 – SSC MTS]
A. Pali
B. Prakrit
C. Vedic Sanskrit
D. Tamil
Answer: C. Vedic Sanskrit
Explanation: The Vedic corpus was composed in Vedic Sanskrit, an early form of Indo-Aryan. It differs linguistically from the later Classical Sanskrit standardized in the grammatical tradition.
Q135. In which text is the river Sarasvati prominently mentioned for the first time in Vedic literature?
[2026 – SSC MTS]
A. Rigveda
B. Arthashastra
C. Ramayana
D. Manusmriti
Answer: A. Rigveda
Explanation: Sarasvati is celebrated repeatedly in the Rigveda as a mighty and sacred river. It occupied a major place in the geographical and religious imagination of early Vedic communities.
Q134. Which Veda is particularly associated with melodies, chants and the early tradition of Indian music?
[2026 – SSC GD]
A. Rigveda
B. Yajurveda
C. Samaveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: C. Samaveda
Explanation: The Samaveda primarily rearranges Rigvedic verses for melodic chanting during sacrifices. Its sophisticated musical recitation is therefore regarded as an important early foundation of Indian music.
Q133. Which Veda is principally a collection of sacrificial formulae and ritual instructions?
[2026 – SSC CGL Tier-II]
A. Rigveda
B. Yajurveda
C. Samaveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: B. Yajurveda
Explanation: The Yajurveda contains prose formulae and verses used by officiating priests during sacrificial ceremonies, making it the Veda most directly connected with the practical performance of yajnas.
Q132. In Vedic terminology, a “Rik” means:
[2026 – SSC CGL Tier-II]
A. A sacred hymn or verse
B. A tax paid to the king
C. A military formation
D. A territorial unit
Answer: A. A sacred hymn or verse
Explanation: Rik denotes a verse of praise. The Rigveda derives its name from these riks, which were recited to praise deities including Indra, Agni, Soma and Varuna.
Q131. What does the term “Samhita” signify in the context of Vedic literature?
[2026 – SSC CGL Tier-II]
A. A collection or systematic compilation
B. A royal decree
C. A philosophical debate only
D. A Buddhist monastic code
Answer: A. A collection or systematic compilation
Explanation: Samhita literally conveys the idea of putting together or collection. Each Veda has a Samhita containing its basic compilation of mantras, hymns, chants or sacrificial formulae.
