Rig Veda

Questions for Further Study

• 1. Outline the distinctions between the three major sacred texts of Hinduism: the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Puranas.
• 2. Compare “The Demons in Hell,” a magic spell or charm used to ward off evil, with “The Ritual for Evil Spirits,” one of the rituals contained in the Yengishiki. How are the two rituals similar and how do they differ? What do the differences tell you about the differences between early Hindu society and Japanese Shinto society?
• 3. The god Indra can be thought of as a parallel to the Greek god Zeus. Compare Indra as portrayed in “The Killing of Vritra” with Zeus as portrayed in Cleanthes’ “Hymn to Zeus.” Again, what do the differences in the texts tell you about the differences between the early Hindu culture and Greek religious beliefs?
• 4. Compare “The Three Strides of Vishnu” with the Vishnu Purana. How did the conception of Vishnu change in the intervening millennium? Why do you think this change took place?
• 5. The Rig Veda documents the emergence and development of the Indian caste system. Why do you think issues of social class, occupation, and the like became bound up with religious beliefs during this period?