RIGVEDA Meaning and
Definition
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Rigveda, also known as the Rig Veda or Rigved, is one of the oldest sacred texts in the Hindu tradition and is considered the oldest existing religious text in the world. It is a collection of hymns and verses that make up the foundational text of the Vedic period in ancient India.
Composed in Sanskrit, the Rigveda comprises a total of 1,028 hymns or suktas, organized into ten books or mandalas. These hymns are primarily addressed to various deities, such as Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Soma, and contain intricate poetic compositions that celebrate the powers and attributes of these gods. The Rigveda encompasses a wide range of themes, including cosmology, creation myths, rituals, moral principles, and philosophical speculations.
The text holds immense religious and cultural significance for Hindus, shaping their beliefs, rituals, and concepts of divinity. It is considered the foundation of Vedic knowledge and formed the basis for subsequent Vedic literature. Additionally, the Rigveda provides insight into the social, cultural, and linguistic aspects of ancient Indian society during its composition.
Scholars date the Rigveda to around 1500 – 1200 BCE, although some hymns might have originated even earlier. The text has been preserved through an oral tradition and later transmitted in writing, ensuring its preservation over thousands of years. Its systematic arrangement and poetic complexities exhibit a remarkable example of ancient Indian literary and religious tradition.
Common Misspellings for RIGVEDA
- eigveda
- digveda
- figveda
- tigveda
- 5igveda
- 4igveda
- rugveda
- rjgveda
- rkgveda
- rogveda
- r9gveda
- r8gveda
- rifveda
- rivveda
- ribveda
- rihveda
- riyveda
- ritveda
- rigceda
- rigbeda
Etymology of RIGVEDA
The word "Rigveda" is derived from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. It comprises two components: "Rig" and "Veda".
- Rig: The word "rig" originates from the Sanskrit root "ric" which means "to praise" or "to shine". In the context of the Rigveda, it refers to the hymns or verses in the collection.
- Veda: "Veda" means "knowledge" or "sacred knowledge" in Sanskrit. It signifies the four ancient Hindu scriptures: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda.
Combining these two elements, "Rigveda" can be translated as "Knowledge of Verses" or "Sacred Knowledge of Hymns".
