Vedic Age

1. The term 'Aryan' denotes : [U.P.S.C. (Pre), U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]

(a) An ethnic group
(b) A nomadic prople
(c) A speech group
(d) A superior race

Correct Answer: (d) A superior race

Solution:'Aryan' is a term meaning 'noble' which was used as a self-designation by Indo-Iranian people. In classic Sanskrit the word Arya means- 'A nobleman'. The word was used by the people of the Vedic period in India as an ethnic label for themselves as well as to refer noble class. Scholars point out that even in ancient times, the idea of being an 'Aryan' was religious, cultural and linguistic, not racial.

2. Meaning of the term 'Arya' in classical Sanskrit is [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]

(a) Believer of the God
(b) A hereditary cast
(c) A believer in particular religion
(d) A Noble man

Correct Answer: (d) A Noble man

Solution:'Aryan' is a term meaning 'noble' which was used as a self-designation by Indo-Iranian people. In classic Sanskrit the word Arya means- 'A nobleman'. The word was used by the people of the Vedic period in India as an ethnic label for themselves as well as to refer noble class. Scholars point out that even in ancient times, the idea of being an 'Aryan' was religious, cultural and linguistic, not racial.

3. Which one of the following is oldest Veda : [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995, Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

(a) Yajurveda
(b) Rig Veda
(c) Samaveda
(d) Atharvaveda

Correct Answer: (b) Rig Veda

Solution:In Indian literature, Vedas are the most ancient scriptures which are four in numbers, namely Rig Veda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. Rig Veda is the most important and oldest among all these.

4. 'Trayi' is a name for - [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]

(a) Three Vedas
(b) Dharma, Sangha and Buddha
(c) Three Gods in Hindu Pantheon
(d) Three seasons

Correct Answer: (a) Three Vedas

Solution:Rig Veda, Yajurveda and Samaveda are called Vedatrayi or simply Trayi.

5. In which Vedic text the term 'Varna' is found referred for the first time? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

(a) Rig Veda
(b) Atharvaveda
(c) Samaveda
(d) Yajurveda

Correct Answer: (a) Rig Veda

Solution:The 'Varnas' have been known from Rig Veda since a hymn in the Rig Veda portrays the Brahmin (Priest), the Kshatriya (noble), the Vaishya (commoner) and the Shudra (servant) issued forth at creation from the mouth, arms, thighs and the feet of the primeval person (Purusha). Although the literal meaning of the word Varna is colour or class (in Sanskrit).

6. The 'Purush Sukta' related to Varna System is originally found in - [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

(a) Atharvaveda
(b) Samaveda
(c) Rig Veda
(d) Manusmriti

Correct Answer: (c) Rig Veda

Solution:The 'Varnas' have been known from Rig Veda since a hymn in the Rig Veda portrays the Brahmin (Priest), the Kshatriya (noble), the Vaishya (commoner) and the Shudra (servant) issued forth at creation from the mouth, arms, thighs and the feet of the primeval person (Purusha). Although the literal meaning of the word Varna is colour or class (in Sanskrit).

7. Match the following: [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]

List-I	List-II
A. Atharvaveda	1. God Grace
B. Rig Veda	2. Sacrifice process
C. Yajurveda	3. Medicine
D. Samaveda	4. Music

Code :

	A	B	C	D
(a)	3	1	2	4
(b)	1	2	3	4
(c)	2	3	4	1
(d)	3	4	1	2

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Correct Answer: (a)

Solution:The correctly matched list is as follows -

Atharvaveda - Medicine
Rig Veda - God Grace
Yajurveda - Sacrifice process
Samaveda - Music

8. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003, U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002]

List-I	List-II
A. Rig Veda	1. Musical hymns
B. Yajurveda	2. Hymns and rituals
C. Samaveda	3. Charms and spells
D. Atharvaveda	4. Hymns and prayers

Code :

	A	B	C	D
(a)	4	2	1	3
(b)	3	2	4	1
(c)	4	1	2	3
(d)	2	3	1	4

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Correct Answer: (a)

Solution:Rigveda consists of 1028 hymns and 10552 Verses or mantras or shlokas. Yajurveda contains the description of stotras and recitals. The Samaveda consists of many hymns which are taken from Rig Veda and are indeed lyrical and melodious. The Atharvaveda contains a lot of knowledge of the physical world and spirituality.

9. Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

(a) Rig Veda
(b) Yajurveda
(c) Atharvaveda
(d) Samaveda

Correct Answer: (c) Atharvaveda

Solution:The earliest description of charms and spells can be found in Atharvaveda. Rig veda contains hymns and poems about deities and asking for favors. Samveda consists of hymns about religious rituals asnd should be sung instead of read or recited. Yajurveda consists instructions for religious rituals, including the rituals hymns of the yajnas.

10. In Rig Veda there are....... mantras - [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

(a) 1028
(b) 1017
(c) 1128
(d) 1020

Correct Answer: (a) 1028

Solution:Rigveda consists of 1028 hymns and 10552 Verses (mantras).Samveda consists 1549 hymns.Atharveda consists 730 hymns.Yajurveda consists of 3093 hymns