2015 · Q96
Which of the following characteristic(s) describes the nature of religion according to the Rig Veda ?
- 1Rig Vedic religion can be described as naturalistic polytheism.
- 2There are striking similarities between the Rig Vedic religion and the ideas in the Iranian Avesta.
- 3Vedic sacrifices were conducted in the house of the priest who was called yajaman.
- 4Vedic sacrifices were of two kinds — those conducted by the householder and those that required ritual specialists.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
General KnowledgeHistory of India
- A3 only
- B1 and 2 only
- C1, 2, 3 and 4
- D1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation
Rig Vedic religion can be described as naturalistic polytheism (1), and there are striking parallels between it and the ideas in the Iranian Avesta (2). Vedic sacrifices were of two kinds — domestic rites and the larger rites requiring ritual specialists (4). But the yajamana was the patron/sacrificer, not the priest, and sacrifices were not conducted in the priest's house — so statement 3 is false. The answer is 1, 2 and 4 — option D.