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UPSC History The vedic period - Early vedic period, Later vedic period and sangam period Question Bank Vedic Period/Mahajanapadas/Nandas etc

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    Which of the following characteristic(s) describes the nature of religion according to the Rig Veda?   [2015-I]
    1. Rig Vedic religion can be described a naturalistic polydieism.
    2. There are striking similarities between the Rig Vedic religion and the ideas in the Iranian Avesta.
    3. Vedic sacrifices were conducted in the house of the priest who was called yajaman.
    4. Vedic sacrifices were of two kind - those conducted by die household and those that required rituals specialists.
    Select the correct answer using the code give below:

    A)  3 only                         

    B)  1 and 2 only    

    C)  1, 2, 3 and 4       

    D)         1, 2 and 4 only             

    Correct Answer: C

    Solution :

    Even though monotheism characterizes some of the hymns of Rig Veda, naturalistic polytheism and monism can be discerned in the religion of the hymns of Rig Veda. Like the rigvedic Aryans the ancient Iranians worshipped gods like Mitr. Vayu and Verutraghna. They also wore the scared thread and worshipped fire etc. Initially sacrifices were simple, house hold duties performed by the oldest male member of the house yajmana who acted as priest and the oldest female member, yajmana patni (wife of the householder) who assisted in the act. The agnihotra was a simple domestic sacrifice to be performed daily by the head of a Dvija household in the morning and the evening. Other involved the participation of many different ritual specialists along with their assistants.  


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