UPSC Prelims 2012 Q73: Ancient History – Vedic Period
The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of
- (a) Bhakti
- (b) image worship and Yajnas
- (c) worship of nature, and Yajnas
- (d) worship of nature and Bhakti
Answer: (c) worship of nature, and Yajnas
Explanation
Religion of the early Vedic Aryans
The Rig Veda shows a religion built around forces of nature treated as gods, and sacrifices offered to them.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Bhakti | Incorrect | Bhakti as personal devotion grew much later |
| (b) image worship and Yajnas | Incorrect | There were no images or temples |
| (c) worship of nature, and Yajnas | Correct | Nature gods and fire sacrifices |
| (d) worship of nature and Bhakti | Incorrect | Bhakti is out of place in this period |
Chief Rig Vedic gods:
| God | Force of nature |
|---|---|
| Indra | Rain and thunder; the most praised god |
| Agni | Fire; carries offerings to the gods |
| Varuna | Water and cosmic order (rita) |
| Soma | The sacred plant and drink |
| Ushas, Aditi | Dawn and motherhood; goddesses were few |
Aim of worship: cattle, sons, health and victory, not salvation.
Answer: (c) worship of nature, and Yajnas.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Bhakti developed in later centuries, not in the early Vedic age.
- (b) Incorrect. There was no image worship in the early Vedic religion.
- (c) CORRECT. Early Vedic religion was worship of nature along with Yajnas.
- (d) Incorrect. Bhakti was not part of the early Vedic religion.
Key point
Rig Vedic religion: nature gods (Indra, Agni, Varuna, Soma), yajnas, no idols or temples, prayers for material gains; bhakti and image worship came later.
Remember
Early Vedic religion = nature gods + yajnas.
Common mistakes
- Projecting later temple and idol worship back onto the Vedic age.
- Treating Bhakti as a Vedic idea.
- Forgetting that Indra, not Vishnu or Shiva, was the chief god then.
Exam tip
Remove the two late arrivals, bhakti and image worship. Only one option is free of both.
Sources
- R.S. Sharma — India's Ancient Past, Ch on the Age of the Rig Veda
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part I, Ch 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings)