Vedic Literature | GK Questions and Answers on Vedic Period

1. Which of the following Vedic literature refers to the ‘to sit near the feet of’?
  1. Vedangas
  2. Upanishads
  3. Aranyakas
  4. Brahamanas

Answer: Upanishads

Explanation – The Upanishads are a collection of texts of religious and philosophical nature, written in India. Etymologically, the name Upanishad is composed of the terms upa (near) and shad (to sit), meaning something like “sitting down near”. Hence, B is the correct option.

2. Which of the following Vedic literature where the Varna system was discussed?
  1. Rigveda
  2. Samaveda
  3. Yajurveda
  4. Atharvaveda

Answer: Rigveda

Explanation – Ninth Mandal of Rigveda contains hymns called Purusha Sukta from where Varna system was discussed. Hence, A is the correct option.

3. Which of the following statement (s) is/are related to the Aranyakas?
  1. Written in forests for the hermits and students of the Vedas.
  2. Initiated a changeover from materialistic religion to spiritual religion. Hence, they formed a tradition that culminates in the Upanishads.
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither A nor B

Answer: Both 1 and 2

Explanation – The Aranyakas were written in forests and are concluding parts of the Brahmanas. They are like a bridge between Vedas cum Brahamanas and Upanishads. They don’t lay much emphasis on rites, ritual and sacrifices, but have philosophy and mysticism. So they have moral science and philosophy. Hence, C is the correct option.

4. Which of the following Vedic literature contains details about the meanings of Vedic hymns, their applications, and stories of their origins?
  1. Vedangas
  2. Upanishads
  3. Aranyakas
  4. Brahamanas

Answer: Brahamanas

Explanation – The Brahmanas are the prose texts which explain the hymns in the Vedas, give explanation and applications and related stories of their origin. Hence, D is the correct option.

5. Which of the following Vedic literature is the collection of sacrificial formulae?
  1. Rigveda
  2. Samaveda
  3. Yajurveda
  4. Atharvaveda

Answer: Atharvaveda

The Atharvaveda is composed in Vedic Sanskrit, and it is a collection of 730 hymns with about 6,000 mantras, divided into 20 books. It is the collection of sacrificial formulae which were written both in prose and poetry. Hence, D is the correct option.

6. Which of the following are correctly matched
  1. Shiksha - Phonetics of Science of Pronunciation
  2. Kalpa - Rituals and ceremonies
  3. Nirukta - Etymology (Origin of words)
  4. All the above are correctly matched

Answer: All the above are correctly matched

Explanation: The Vedanga are six auxiliary disciplines in Vedic culture are as:

(A)Shiksha- Phonetics of Science of Pronunciation

(B) Kalpa- Rituals and ceremonies

(C)Vyakarana - Grammar

(D)Nirukta – Etymology (Origin of words)

(E)Chhanda – Metrics, rules of poetic composition

(F)Jyotisha- Astronomy

7. Which of the following Vedic literature contains Gayatri Mantra?
  1. Rigveda
  2. Samaveda
  3. Yajurveda
  4. Atharvaveda

Answer: Rigveda

Explanation – Third Mandal of Rigveda contains the Gayatri Mantra which was compiled in the praise of sun god Savitri. Hence, 1 is the correct option.

8. Which of the following is not correctly matched?
  1. Aitareya or Kaushitaki Brahamnas- Yejurveda
  2. Tandya and Jaiminiya Brahamans-Samveda
  3. Taittireeya and Shatpatha Brahamans- Yajurveda
  4. Gopath Brahamans- Atharvaveda

Answer: Aitareya or Kaushitaki Brahamnas- Yejurveda

Explanation – The Brahmanas are the prose texts which explain the hymns in the Vedas, give explanation and applications and related stories of their origin. They also have some stories related to the certain persons related to the Vedic Text. Aitareya or Kaushitaki Brahamnas were allotted to the Rigveda for detailing. Tandya and Jaiminiya Brahamans to Samveda for detailing. Taittireeya and Shatpatha Brahamans to Yajurveda for detailing. Gopath Brahamans to the Atharvaveda for detailing. Hence, 1 is the correct option

9. Which of the following is correctly matched:
  1. Rigveda- Hotra or Hotri
  2. Samaveda - Udgatri
  3. Yajurveda - Adhvaryu
  4. All the above

Answer: All the above

Explanation – Rishi who were experts in Rigveda were called hotra or hotri. Udgatri was the experts of Samaveda. Adhvaryu was the experts of the knowledge of Yajurveda. Indian medicinal science i.e. Ayurveda has its origin from Atharvaveda. Hence, D is the correct option.

10. How many times is the river Ganga mentioned in the Rigveda?
  1. One
  2. Two
  3. Three
  4. Ten

Answer: One

River Ganga is mentioned only one time in Rigveda.

11. In which of the following Vedas the word “mrig” is used for a wild elephant?
  1. Rigveda
  2. Samaveda
  3. Yajurveda
  4. Atharvaveda

Answer: Rigveda

Explanation: The word “mrig” for wild elephant is used in Rigveda.

12. Which of the following Brahmanical texts describes the reincarnation theory of the soul?
  1. Aitareya Brahmana
  2. Kaushitaki Brahmana
  3. Jaiminiya Brahmana
  4. Shatapatha Brahmana

Answer: Kaushitaki Brahmana

Explanation – The reincarnation theory of the soul is described in the Kaushitaki Brahmana.

13. In which book the theory of the origin of the state is mentioned for the first time?
  1. Aitareya Brahmana
  2. Gopatha brahmin
  3. Shaunak
  4. Piplad

Answer: Aitareya Brahmana

Explanation – The theory of the origin of the state is mentioned for the first time in the Aitareya Brahmana.

14. In which Veda is the divine principle of the king described?
  1. Rigveda
  2. Samaveda
  3. Yajurveda
  4. Atharvaveda

Answer: Rigveda

Explanation – The divine principle of the king is described in Rigveda.

15. In which of the following Vedas “Panchagni Vidya” is first mentioned?
  1. Rigveda
  2. Samaveda
  3. Yajurveda
  4. Atharvaveda

Answer: Rigveda

The “Panchgani Vidya” is mentioned for the first time in Rigveda.

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