Gayatri mantra, the highly revered mantra is from which of the following?

Appeared in: AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Explanation

The Gayatri Mantra originates from the Rigveda, which is the oldest and most important of the four Vedas in Hinduism.
Specifically, it is found in Mandala 3, Hymn 62, Verse 10 of the Rigveda.
The mantra is a hymn dedicated to Savitr, the sun deity, and is a prayer for intellectual and spiritual enlightenment.

Option A: The Aitareya Brahmana is a commentary text associated with the Rigveda. It explains the rituals and ceremonies related to the hymns but is not the original source of the hymns themselves.
Option C: The Upanishads are philosophical texts that form the later part of the Vedas. They focus on the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and the ultimate reality (Brahman), rather than being a collection of hymns or mantras.
Option D: The Samaveda is a collection of melodies and chants. While many of its verses are taken directly from the Rigveda and set to music for chanting during rituals, the original textual source of the mantra is the Rigveda.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Origin of the Gayatri Mantra in Vedic Literature as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general knowledge question. Understanding the origins of significant cultural and spiritual elements like the Gayatri mantra provides a broader educational foundation.
The mantra is a central part of daily spiritual practice for many Hindus, often recited at sunrise and sunset, believed to purify the chanter and the listener.
What if the question asked for the Veda of 'chants and melodies'? In that case, the correct answer would be the Samaveda, as its primary purpose is to provide the musical settings for hymns, many of which are drawn from the Rigveda.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Gayatri mantra'.
Recognize that the options provided are all significant texts from ancient Indian Vedic and post-Vedic literature.
Recall or deduce the nature of each text. The Rigveda is the foundational collection of hymns.
The Samaveda is about melodies, the Upanishads are philosophical, and the Brahmanas are commentaries.
Since the Gayatri mantra is a foundational hymn, its source must be the oldest collection of hymns, which is the Rigveda.
Eliminate the other options based on their primary function (commentary, philosophy, music).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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