Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Rigveda is the earliest of the four Vedas and serves as a foundational text of the Vedic culture. It is a collection of hymns dedicated to various deities, reflecting the socio-religious life of the early Vedic period.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Rigveda is the oldest Veda, composed approximately 3500 years ago (c. 1500 BCE). It predates the Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Rigveda was not written down or printed immediately. It belongs to the Shruti tradition, meaning it was recited, heard, and memorized. It was passed down orally from generation to generation for centuries. The text was written down several centuries after its composition, and it was printed less than 200 years ago.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Rigveda contains over a thousand hymns, known as sukta (meaning "well-said"). These hymns were composed by sages (rishis) to praise various gods and goddesses, such as Agni, Indra, and Soma.
Key Takeaway
The Rigveda is the oldest Vedic text, composed around 1500 BCE and preserved through an oral tradition for centuries before being committed to writing or print.