The Rig Veda

The Rig Veda (1896) , translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith

The Rig Veda is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns counted among the four Hindu religious texts known as the Vedas. The Rig Veda was likely composed between roughly 1700–1100 BCE, making it one of the oldest texts of any Indo-Iranian language, one of the world's oldest religious texts. It was preserved over centuries by oral tradition alone and was probably not put in writing before the Early Middle Ages.

The Rig Veda is considered to be oldest written book on the planet, and was likely composed between roughly 1500–1200 BCE. It is the earliest of the four Hindu religious scriptures known as the Vedas. It consists of 1,017 hymns (1,028 including the apocryphal valakhilya hymns 8.49-8.59) composed in Vedic Sanskrit, many of which are intended for various sacrifical rituals. These are contained in 10 books, known as Mandalas. This long collection of short hymns is mostly devoted to the praise of the gods. However, it also contains fragmentary references to historical events, notably the struggle between the early Vedic peoples (known as Aryans) and their enemies, the Dasa. The first of The Vedas.

The Rig Veda

Rigveda (padapatha) manuscript in Devanagari, early 19th century

This work is now in the public domain because it originates from India and its term of copyright has expired. According to The Indian Copyright Act, 1957, all documents enter the public domain after sixty years counted from the beginning of the following calendar year (ie. as of 2023, prior to 1 January 1963) after the death of the author.

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

The Rig Veda

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The Rig Veda

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