Question

What does the Yajur veda contain?
A. Only hymns
B. Spells and charms
C. Hymns and rituals
D. Commentaries on society

Answer 1

Hint: If we look at it Yajur veda is very unique in relation to the Rig Veda and Sama Veda Samhitas. It is mainly in exposition structure. Yajur veda derived its name from the sanskrit word yajus which means worship and the word veda which translates to knowledge.

Complete answer:
Out of the four vedas Yajur veda is the second one in sequence. It is the sacred text in the hindu religion. It is said to have emerged out of the southern face of Brahmā who is also known as the creator. It is also called as Adhvaryuveda, since it's main use is in the performance of the Vedic sacrifices where the adhvaryu is the chief priest under whose direct guidance the entire sacrifice is performed. It is sometimes also Adhvaryu veda, named after a sage Adhvaryu, who used to guide the performance of a sacrifice and other rituals and also since the significant purpose of the Yajur veda is to perform sacrifices, it called by the name of Adhvaryu veda.

Yajur veda has been split into two major parts, the first one is Krishna Yajur Veda and the second one is Shukla Yajur veda. The Krishna Yajurveda is described by combination of mantra and brahmana while the Shukla Yajurveda keeps up away from the two. The Shukla Yajurveda is connected with the Aditya-school and the Krishna Yajurveda is connected with the Brahma-school. The Yajur Veda is a Samhita, which is one of four areas of the Hindu sacred writings which has the most elevated impact upon the lives of the Hindus . A Samhita is an assortment of mantras, or hymns, the major part of which recognises and commends god.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: The content available in the Yajur veda gives us a lot of information about agriculture and the social and economical aspect of the vedic period. The earliest trustworthy translations of the Yajur Veda were from AB Keith and Julius Eggeling in the British colonial era. AB keith translated the Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajur veda and Julius Eggeling translated the Satapatha Brahmana of the Shukla Yajur veda.