Q70. Which Rigvedic hymn is traditionally cited in connection with the four-varna scheme?
[2023 – Delhi Police]
A. Purusha Sukta
B. Nasadiya Sukta
C. Gayatri Mantra
D. Nadistuti Sukta
Answer: A. Purusha Sukta
Explanation: Purusha Sukta in the tenth Mandala presents the cosmic being Purusha whose symbolic sacrifice produces the four varnas from different parts of his body.
Q69. Which Vedic deity was known by the epithet “Purandara”, meaning destroyer of forts?
[2023 – WBCS]
A. Agni
B. Indra
C. Varuna
D. Soma
Answer: B. Indra
Explanation: Indra, the prominent warrior deity of the Rigveda, is frequently called Purandara. He is praised for victories, destruction of enemy strongholds and slaying the dragon Vritra.
Q68. The 1,028 hymns of the Rigveda are organized into ten:
[2022 – RRB NTPC CBT-II]
A. Mandalas
B. Puranas
C. Nikayas
D. Vedangas
Answer: A. Mandalas
Explanation: Mandalas are the ten major books of the Rigveda. They contain Suktas composed of individual riks, producing a layered structure for the text’s hymnic material.
Q67. Which is the oldest among the four Vedas?
[2022 – SSC MTS]
A. Atharvaveda
B. Rigveda
C. Samaveda
D. Yajurveda
Answer: B. Rigveda
Explanation: Rigveda preserves the earliest layer of Vedic composition. Its hymns precede the other Vedic Samhitas in their core form and are fundamental sources for Early Vedic history.
Q66. Which Veda contains 1,028 hymns?
[2022 – RRB Group D]
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Atharvaveda
D. Yajurveda
Answer: A. Rigveda
Explanation: The Rigveda’s standard corpus comprises 1,028 Suktas distributed across ten Mandalas, with prayers addressed especially to Agni, Indra, Soma, Varuna and other deities.
Q65. Which Veda is conventionally called the “Book of Songs” or “Book of Chants”?
[2022 – RRB Group D]
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Yajurveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: B. Samaveda
Explanation: Samaveda supplied melodies for verses sung during Soma sacrifices. Many verses derive from the Rigveda but were reorganized specifically for liturgical musical performance.
Q64. The hymns of the Rigveda are known as:
[2022 – RRB Group D]
A. Suktas
B. Sutras
C. Jatakas
D. Agamas
Answer: A. Suktas
Explanation: A Sukta is a hymn composed of multiple riks. The word means “well-spoken,” reflecting the sacred poetic quality attributed to Vedic compositions.
Q63. Which statement about the Rigveda is incorrect?
[2022 – Telangana Police SI]
A. Indra is one of its most important gods.
B. Agni receives many hymns.
C. Rudra is the most frequently invoked deity in the Rigveda.
D. It contains hymns composed by various sages.
Answer: C. Rudra is the most frequently invoked deity in the Rigveda.
Explanation: Indra receives the greatest number of Rigvedic hymns, followed prominently by Agni. Rudra is significant but is invoked far less frequently than these major deities.
Q62. Which is considered the oldest Veda?
[2022 – OSSC CGL]
A. Rigveda
B. Atharvaveda
C. Samaveda
D. Yajurveda
Answer: A. Rigveda
Explanation: Rigveda’s oldest hymnic layers predate the other Vedic Samhitas, making it the earliest literary source for Indo-Aryan culture in the north-western subcontinent.
Q61. Which Veda may be described primarily as the “Book of Sacrificial Rituals”?
[2022 – RRB Group D]
A. Yajurveda
B. Rigveda
C. Samaveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: A. Yajurveda
Explanation: Yajurveda contains sacrificial utterances and directions required by the Adhvaryu priest, whose role involved the physical performance and organization of Vedic yajnas.
