3976 - The Rig Veda
Author: Wendy Doniger Penguin classic
Description: The Rig Veda is one of the oldest and most significant texts in the Indo-European literary tradition. Composed between 1200 and 900 BCE, it comprises over 1,000 hymns (suktas) dedicated to various deities, including Agni, Indra, and Soma. These hymns explore themes such as creation, sacrifice, death, and the natural world, offering profound insights into early Vedic thought and spirituality. Wendy Doniger’s translation provides a comprehensive selection of 108 hymns, chosen for their eloquence and philosophical depth, accompanied by detailed notes and an introduction that contextualize the text within its historical and cultural milieu. ⸻ Keywords: Rig Veda, Vedic hymns, Indo-European literature, Hindu scripture, creation myths, sacrifice, early Vedic thought, Wendy Doniger, ancient texts ⸻ Ideal for: Students and scholars of religious studies, particularly those focusing on Hinduism and ancient Indian literature; readers interested in comparative mythology and Indo-European traditions; individuals seeking a scholarly yet accessible introduction to one of the foundational texts of human civilization. ⸻ Age: 18 years and up (recommended for adults due to the complex themes and scholarly nature of the text) ⸻ Theme: Creation, sacrifice, death, the divine, the natural world, early Vedic spirituality, ritual, cosmology ⸻ Tone: Scholarly, analytical, reverential, interpretive ⸻ Book Type: Academic translation with scholarly commentary; part of the Penguin Classics series ⸻ Length: 352 pages.