Indra is the most prominent and frequently invoked deity in the Rigveda, with approximately 250 hymns dedicated to him, more than any other god.
He is depicted as the king of the Devas (gods) and the powerful god of thunder, storms, rain, and warfare.
Indra's central role in many myths, including his victory over the serpent Vritra, underscores his supremacy in the early Vedic belief system.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
Option B: Agni, the god of fire, is the second most important deity in the Rigveda, not the most prominent. He is the intermediary between humans and gods.
Option C: Pashupati is an epithet for Shiva and is primarily associated with the pre-Vedic Indus Valley Civilization and later Shaivism, not the Rigvedic pantheon.
Option D: Vishnu holds a minor position in the Rigveda, often appearing as an ally of Indra. His role as a supreme deity developed much later in Hinduism.
Related Visual
Visual 1: Chart - A hierarchical chart illustrating the prominence of deities in the Rigveda, with Indra positioned at the top, followed by Agni, Soma, and others, to visually represent their importance.
Clinical Relevance
Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Deities of the Vedic Period as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general knowledge question related to ancient history and religious texts.
There is no direct clinical relevance for nursing practice.
Understanding diverse cultural and religious backgrounds can contribute to holistic patient care, but this specific historical fact does not have a direct application in a clinical setting.
How to Approach the Question
First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Rig Veda' and 'most prominent god'.
Recognize this as a factual recall question from ancient history.
Access your knowledge of the Vedic period and its pantheon of gods.
Systematically evaluate each option based on their known status in the Rigveda.
Recall or deduce that Indra is celebrated as the king of gods and has the most hymns dedicated to him, making him the most prominent.
Eliminate the other options by placing them in their correct context: Agni as second, Vishnu as later prominent, and Pashupati as belonging to a different tradition/era.
Concept Tested & Keywords
Concept Tested: Deities of the Vedic Period
Stem keywords: Rig Veda, prominent god
Lead-in keywords: most
Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
QGD_gPx1koqSIwNWu7FpMn
Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Ahmedabad-2015
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.