The terms used for cereals in the Rig Veda are:

The correct answer is  Godhuma and Vrihi.

Key PointsTerms used for cereals in the Rig Veda

• The Rig Veda is one of the oldest sacred texts of the ancient Indian civilization, composed around 1500-1200 BCE.
• It contains hymns dedicated to various deities and provides insights into the early Vedic culture and society.
• In the context of cereals, the Rig Veda mentions different types of grains that were known and cultivated by the Vedic people.
• Godhuma refers to wheat, which is one of the primary cereals mentioned in the Rig Veda.
• Vrihi refers to rice, another significant cereal crop in Vedic agriculture.
• Other options like Yava (barley) and Dhanya (general term for grains), Tila (sesame) and Khala (threshed grain), Priyangu and Shyamaka (millets) are also mentioned in ancient texts but are not the primary terms used for cereals in the Rig Veda.

Additional Information

• The Vedas are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. They constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism.
• The Rig Veda is divided into ten books called Mandalas. Each Mandala contains hymns (Suktas) which are composed in praise of various deities.
• The agricultural practices during the Vedic period were mainly dependent on the cultivation of cereals like wheat, barley, and rice.
• Yava (barley) was another important cereal mentioned frequently in the Vedic texts, indicating its prominence in Vedic agriculture.
• Dhanya is a generic term used to refer to grains and cereals collectively.
• Tila (sesame) was primarily used for oil extraction and as a food item.
• Khala refers to threshed grain, indicating the process of separating grain from the husk.
• Priyangu and Shyamaka refer to types of millets, which were also part of the Vedic diet.
• The mention of these cereals and grains in the Rig Veda provides valuable insights into the agricultural practices, diet, and economy of the Vedic period.