The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas, composed in Vedic Sanskrit. It is classified as Shruti ("that which is heard"), distinguishing it from Smriti ("that which is remembered"). The Vedic tradition relied heavily on oral transmission for preservation.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Rigveda was not originally written down; it was recited by teachers and heard by students. The transmission was strictly oral, passed down through generations of priestly families.
- Statement 2 is Correct: To ensure the text remained unaltered over centuries, great care was taken to memorize every syllable, word, and intonation. Complex recitation techniques (such as Pada-patha and Krama-patha) were developed to prevent errors or corruption of the text.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: There was a significant time gap between the composition and the printing of the Rigveda. It was composed around 1500–1000 BCE but was written down several centuries later. The text was printed for the first time less than 200 years ago.
Key Takeaway:
The Rigveda is a Shruti text preserved through a rigorous oral tradition of memorization and recitation, with written manuscripts and printing appearing much later in history.