Rik (verse)
| Rik | |
|---|---|
| ऋक् | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| Period | Vedic |
| Books | Rigaveda |
| Mantras for the praise of the deities in the text Vedas | |
Rik (Sanskrit: ऋक्[1]) refers to Mantras in the Rigaveda which are meant for the praise of the deities. They are the metrical portions of hymns and are regarded as the principal mantras in the Vedas.[2][3] They are considered the speech of the Vedas.[4] According to Yaska, the Rik is also called Archani.[5] The major Riks of the Vedas were composed on the banks of the Indus river in the Indian subcontinent.[6]
The collection of Riks is called as Rik-Samhita in the Vedas. The Rik-Samhita constitute the Samhita portion of the text Rigaveda. It is also known as Rigaveda Samhita. There are about 10552 Rik verses in the Rigaveda Samhita.[7] The first Rik verse in the Samhita is dedicated to Lord Agni as
ॐ अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम्। होतारं रत्नषातमम्।।१।।
— Rik 1, Sukta 1, Mandala 1, Rigaveda
Etymology
Rik is a Sanskrit term or word. The general meaning of the word 'Rik' is praise or prayer. There is a quote regarding the term Rik as
ऋच्यते स्तूयतेऽनया इति ऋक् ।
Description
The Rik mantras are used to praise or pray to the deities. These are recited to perform stuti and prarthana of the deities in Hinduism.[5] It is estimated that the final reduction of the Rik mantras took place during the period when the Brahmanical element became predominant in the Indian subcontinent.[6]
The Riks are the earliest sources of faith in Hinduism. In the Vedic literature, there is the anteriority of the Rik to the Brahmanas.[6] According to lectures of Rajkumar Sarvadhikari, the Rik is the parent tree in Vedas, while the other two Sama and Yaju of the Vedas are only its offshoots and they are very properly called the attendents of the Rik.[8]
Dating
In the development of the Vedic literature, the Rik is the oldest textual literature and the earliest depository of the Aryan faiths.[6]
References
- ↑ शास्त्री, ज्ञान प्रकाश (2005). वैदिक साहित्य के परिप्रेक्ष्य में निघण्टुकोष के पर्यायवाची नामों में अर्थभिन्नता (in Hindi). Parimala Pablikeśansa. ISBN 978-81-7110-271-6.
- ↑ Whitney, William Dwight (1873). Oriental and Linguistic Studies ...: The Veda. The Avesta. The science of language. Scribner, Armstrong.
- ↑ Fay, Edwin Whitfield (1899). The Rig-Veda Mantras in the Grhya Sūtras. Stone Printing and Manufacturing Company.
- ↑ Macdonald, Kenneth Somerled (1901). The Brahmanas of the Vedas. Christian Literature Society for India. p. 33.
- 1 2 3 घोष, इला (2007). ऋग्वैदिक ऋषिका जीवन एवं दर्शन (in Hindi). ईस्टर्न बुक लिंकर्स. ISBN 978-81-7854-125-9.
- 1 2 3 4 Temple, George (1890). India-ancient and Modern: Being a Geographical Description of the Country (with Special Reference to Sacred Places), an Account of the Races, Religions, Manners, Customs and Occupations of the Natives of India. Railway Service Press.
- ↑ "Rigveda | Vedic Heritage Portal". vedicheritage.gov.in. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
- ↑ Sarvadhikari, Rajkumar (1882). The Principles of the Hindu Law of Inheritance ... Thacker, Spink. p. 140.