Rigveda Samhita Download Full Pdf File
The Rigveda  is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns along with associated commentaries on liturgy, ritual and mystical exegesis. It is one of the four sacred canonical texts (śruti) of Hinduism known as the Vedas.The core text, known as the Rigveda Samhita, is a collection of 1,028 hymns (sūktas) in about 10,600 verses (called ṛc, eponymous of the name Rigveda), organized into ten books (maṇḍalas). In the eight books that were composed the earliest, the hymns are mostly praise of specific deities.The younger books (books 1 and 10) in part also deal with philosophical or speculative questions,with the virtue of dāna (charity) in society and with other metaphysical issues in their hymns.                                        
This is a sacred text which never fails to fascinate scholars and historians and they all acknowledge its significance, even to this day. On that note, let us look at some interesting facts about the Rig Veda.
1. The Rig Veda is the oldest text in any Indo-Europian language and it might have originated as early as 1700 BC, before the existence of most religions.

2. It is a collection of Vedic age Sanskrit hymns that were passed down orally through many generations, before eventually being written down.

3. Many verses of the Rig Veda are still used as very important Hindu prayers and during rituals.

4. The Rigveda contains many secrets and explanations about the origin of the world, the greatness of the Gods and a lot of advice for living a fulfilling and prosperous life.

5. The Rig Veda is divided into 10 books or mandalas, which consist of 1028 hymns called sukta that were supposed to be used in rituals.

6. Indra is the main deity mentioned in the Rig Veda and he is seen as the supreme God.

7. The fire God Agni, the sky God Varuna, and the Sun God Surya were some of the other main deities who were prominent in the Rig Veda alongside older Aryan deities.

8. Rudra, the God of storms and mountains as mentioned in the Rig Veda is the origin for Lord Shiva, the Hindu God.

9. Lord Vishnu who is one of the Trimurti of Hindu Gods was also a minor deity, as mentioned in the Rig Veda.

10. According to the Rig Veda, the Universe originated from Prajapati, the earliest God and the principle sourceof creation.

11. Rig Veda had the original concept of the caste system which is still practiced in modern Hindu society today.

Rig Veda Summary for UPSC
The Rigveda is divided into ten books which are known as Mandalas
It is a collection of 10,600 verses and 1,028 hymns
It is the oldest text in any Indo-European language
It has originated from early as 1700 BC
The Angiras (rishi family) has composed 35% of the hymns and the Kanva family who has composed 25% of Rig Veda.
Many verses of the Rig Veda are still used as very significant Hindu prayers and during rituals.
It contains numerous secrets and clarifications about the origin of the world, the importance of the Gods and a lot of advice for living a satisfying and successful life.
As per to the Rig Veda, the Universe devised from Prajapati, the initial God and the principle basis of creation.
The hymns are known as Sukta that were composed to be used in rituals.
Indra is the chief deity cited in the Rig Veda.
The sky God Varuna, fire God Agni, and the Sun God Surya were some of the other chief deities who were important in the Rig Veda beside older Aryan deities.
The God of storms and mountains Rudra, as cited in the Rig Veda is the origin for Lord Shiva, the Hindu God.
Lord Vishnu who is one of the Trimurti of Hindu Gods was also a minor deity, as mentioned in the Rig Veda.
The universally famous Gayatri mantra (Savitri) is also in Rig-Veda.
The varna system, Four-fold division of society, ‘Sudra’, Gamester’s Lament, Purusha Shukta Hymns are mentioned in this Vedic text
Rig Veda had the original concept of the caste system which is still practiced in modern Hindu society today.

This is a sacred text which never fails to fascinate scholars and historians and they all acknowledge its significance, even to this day. On that note, let us look at some interesting facts about the Rig Veda.