Question

By which of the following names are the prayers written in Rigveda known?

• A. Kavya
• B. Shloka
• C. Sukta
• D. Richa

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Sukta

Rigveda: Structure and Content

• The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas, considered a foundational text of Hinduism. It is composed in Vedic Sanskrit and consists of 1028 hymns (suktas), organized into 10 mandalas (books).

• Each hymn is a collection of verses called rik.

• The term 'Sukta' literally means 'well-recited' or 'good hymn' and refers to a specific hymn or a collection of verses dedicated to a particular deity. These suktas form the core prayers and devotional verses within the Rigveda.

Key Deities and Themes

• The hymns primarily praise various deities, with Indra, the god of thunder and war, receiving the most attention. Other prominent deities include Agni (fire), Soma (a ritual drink), Surya (sun), and Ushas (dawn).

• The prayers often invoke these gods for blessings, protection, and prosperity, and also reflect philosophical inquiries and cosmological speculations.