UPSC Prelims 2004·GS1·art-and-culture·religion and literature

Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. ARig-veda
  2. BYajur-veda
  3. CAtharva-vedaCorrect
  4. DSama-veda

Explanation

The correct answer is C because the Atharva-veda is distinct from the other three Vedas as it focuses on the daily life, superstitions, and beliefs of the common people. It contains a collection of 730 hymns, many of which are magical spells, chants, and charms intended to ward off evil spirits, cure diseases, and bring luck or success in various worldly activities. In contrast, the Rig-veda consists of hymns dedicated to deities, the Sama-veda focuses on melodies for chanting, and the Yajur-veda details the rituals and formulas for performing sacrifices. Therefore, the account of magical charms and spells is uniquely associated with the Atharva-veda.
art-and-culture: Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells?
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