The oldest scripture known to man. Another work which the Egyptians believe was created around the same time is the Book of the Dead. The Babylonian work called Gilgamesh is believed to be from a later period. Though the other two have no relation to contemporary culture, Rigveda is considered the basis of Hinduism. Yajurveda, Samaveda and Adharvaveda were created after Rigveda.

Rigveda is divided into 10 mandalas and consists of 1017 suktas and 10472 riks. Though there are 11 more suktas called Balakhilya, they are not included usually in the compilation. Mandalas 2-7 have been created in separate rishikulas, as 2 – Bhargava, 3 – Vishwamitra, 4 – Vamadeva, 5- Atri, 6 – Bharadwaja, 7 – Vasishta. The eighth mandala and 50 suktas of the 1st mandala have been made by Kanva’s kula. The tenth mandala was made later and its creator is unknown. A few of its suktas are also different from the others in Rigveda. Some of them show the delight of the Aryans as they entered India.

Most experts believe that Rigveda was written between 2500-2000 BC. The pauranik belief is that each veda originated from each of the four faces of Brahma. Brahma gave it to his sons and in the Dwapara yuga, the sages got it. Vishnu incarnated as Vyasa to maintain dharma. Vyasa divided the vedas among his son Shakalya and his disciples. Shakalya got the Rigveda and he imparted it to his disciples as per Bhagavata Skanda 12.

An attendant of Skanda as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 46 verse 12.

The wife of Ajameedha, a Chandravanshi king, as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 95 verse 37.

The son of Deerkhatapas, who meditated in Mandara, north of Kashi. He was killed by Chitrasena which led to the entire family killing themselves. Deerkhatapas survived and because he scattered their remains in Shulabhedatheertha, they attained heaven as per Skandapurana.

The foster father of Bali and Sugriva. He was the ruler of Kishkinda and was childless for a long while. During that time, Bali and Sugriva were living with Ahalya in Gautama’s hermitage. Riksharajas got Indra’s permission to adopt them as per Uttararamayana.

Once when Brahma was meditating on the Meru mountains, teardrops fell from his eyes and he collected them in his hand. From it was created a vanara and this was Riksharajas. Once he approached a stream to quench his thirst. He saw his reflection there, and thinking it was an enemy jumped into the stream to catch it. But he realised his folly and soon climbed back, but became a woman. Meanwhile, Surya and Indra both saw this beautiful form and ejaculated. Indra’s seed that fell on the head became Bali and Surya’s seed that fell on the neck became Sugriva. The next morning Riksharajas regained his male form, took the two babies and narrated what had happened to Brahma. Brahma consoled him and made him the king of Kishkinda. After his death, the kingdom was ruled bu Bali.

One of the seven most important mountains in India as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 9 verse 11.

The son of Shikhandi. He had a horse colored red and white as per Mahabharata Dronaparva  Chapter 23.

The son born to Hariha and his queen Sudeva. Riksha married Jwala and they had a son named Matinara as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 95.

A Puruvanshi king. The father of Samvarana as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 94.

A smalls ection of the vedas. The veda that emanated from God’s mouth at the time of creation had Rik and three other sections as per Vishnupurana Ansh 3 Chapter 4. ‘Richa’ means worship. It became ‘Rik’ in the context of worshiping the devas.