Rig Vedas

Rigveda is most significant amongst all Vedic literatures. It is a collection of thousands of mantras. Indeed, those mantras which are considered holy, sacred and praise worthy are known as Hymns. In this form, Veda containing hymns in praise of Gods called Rigveda. The priest who used to recite mantrass of this Rigveda is called ‘Hotri’.

According to Patanjali, several branches of Rigtveda were popular as well as in practice. Maharishi aitreya in his composition, ‘Charan Vyuh’ quotes five branches of Rigveda – (1) Shakal (2) Vaskal (3) Ashvalaya (4) Shanklyayan (5) Mandukayan. Out of them, only shakal & Vacakal were very much in practice.

Presently, Samhita of only shukal branch is available. Although, these were five disciples were of shakal rishi in later years-Mudral, galay, Shaluja, Vatsya and Shuishir and on this basis, shakal branch was also classified into fiver parts, later.

Rigveda contains total 10552 mantras. A group of several mantras whose author was one & were dedicated to one god were given the form of Sukta by finding them in chchands & such sukta are found in total 1028 (including 11 (eleven) valkkilya. There suktas were, later divided into groups & were called Mandals. Which are found in total 10 no. & as such this veda is also called ‘Dastai Veda’.

Most of its mantras are related with praise of Gods. 33 Gods have been described in it which are associated three different worlds (Lok) – Earth, space & Sky (Dhroun). However, theoretically it is dedicated to fire God (Agni dev) & knowlege is its nautre.

1st & 10th Mandal of Rigveda are considered written in the last of all. It contains Sukta of 100 words as such it is called ‘’Shastrin Mandal’’.

2nd – 7th Mandal of it is considered as the oldest one & it is called ‘Vansh Mandal’ or ‘Family Book’ as it has been written by only one rishi parivara (family) –

Mandal	Author Rishi family
2nd Mandal	Grit Sanad
3rd Mandal	`VishwaMitra
4th Mandal	Vaam Dev
5th Mandal	Atri
6th Mandal	Bhardwaj
7th Mandal	Vashishtha

Kanva family is considered as visionary of 8th Mandal. It contains mantras related with woments like apala and Ghosha 9th Mandal is called Devmandal and it contains mantras associated with Pawman and Angira. It is considered to be dedicated to Som.

The description about conduction of Mantras of Rigveda is found in its two Brahaman – Aitraye and Kaushiki like wise its associated upnishad and aranayak hafve same name aitraye and Kaushiki. Aitraye Brahaman finds first mention about political system.

This ved is an important source of information about Indian history of the period between 1500 BC-1000BC. it contains detailed escription about the then popular mathematics, physics, medical science, Environment, social & cultural life of Aryans etc.

However all the suktas of rigveda are important but only few Suktas are useful to know about the then histor4ical and social system eg –

Marriage Sukta – At that time marriage system was quite normal contianing three process, Kanya dan, Preetibhat and Saptapadi, Marriage was held at adult age, child marriage was unknown.

Surya Sukta – In it Uttam Bahu (Bhadra Bahu) in described ideal bride used to connect three general.

Akshya Sukta -It mentions about a Gamblours grivances and torture by relatives. Sabitru dev advise him to do agriculture works as remedy.

Manduk Sukta - It hints about verbal study of students education was not available for all but no body has special privilage on education.

Mritu Sukta -It is also called antyesthi Sukta. it finds mention of rituals performed after death and it is the oldest proof of Pind-Dan like wise a mantra of this informs about widow remarriage.

Vaak Sukta -It is important for literature and is dedicated to goddess of Veena (lute) and contains discussion about melody, Chchand ah Alankar etc.

Purush Sukta -It is 90^th Sukta of 10^th Mandal and much light has been thrown on social stratification. It binds mention about birth of four varnas  frofm four organs of body of adipurush.

Nadi Sukta - This Sukta has geographical importance. 10^th Mandal contains discussion on 42 rivers  of which only 19 rivers have been described with there name. Sarswati has been called Naditrama (Mother of rivers) in it. In this Sukta, Yamuna and ganga binds mention three times and one times, respecdtively.

Like wise aryans had good knowledge of different disease and its medical treatment. In anshidhi Sukta rudra and Dhanwantari has been regarded as god of medicines and god of immortability respectivfely. Discussion has been made also about clritical disease like Mirgi, Sirovedana (Headache) etc. like wise aryanyani Sukta is associated with environment.

It seems that mutual relations were not clear. yamyami Sambad Sukta tells about that Yami wants to establish relationship with Yam.

Beside there are more Suktas which have social and cultural significance. Such Suktas are – Hiranya Garbh Sukta (Birth of Universe), Nardiya Sukta (Philosphical thought) Sarmapani Sambad (animal significance), Purukha-Urvashi Sambad.

In real sense  rigveda is the original base of all vedas and Vedic literature. Most of the mantras of Yajurveda and Samveda have been taken from rigveda, on this basis religious skelatan of aryans was standing in existence.

Visionary Rishies of rigveda have tried to touch all aspects of human life. it has many mantras associated with agriculture, marriage, environment, medical science natural calamaties and there control etc.