Which of the following characteristic(s) describes the nature of religion according to the Rig Veda ? 1. Rig Vedic religion can be described as naturalistic polytheism. 2. There are striking similarities between the Rig Vedic religion and the ideas in the Iranian Avesta. 3. Vedic sacrifices were conducted in the house of the priest who was called yajaman. 4. Vedic sacrifices were of two kinds — those conducted by the householder and those that required ritual specialists. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Rig Vedic religion is characterized as naturalistic polytheism, as it deified natural forces like the sun, moon, and rivers [1]. There are significant linguistic and religious similarities between the Rig Veda and the Iranian Avesta, including shared deities like Mitra and Varuna and the ritual use of Soma (Haoma) [3]. Regarding sacrifices, the Rig Veda distinguishes between two types: simple domestic sacrifices performed by the householder and complex public rituals requiring specialized priests like the Hotri [3]. Statement 3 is incorrect because the 'yajaman' (sacrificer) was the patron or householder who instituted the sacrifice, not the priest [3]. The rituals were typically conducted at the yajaman's residence or a specially prepared ground, but the term specifically refers to the one for whom the sacrifice is performed, distinguishing them from the ritual specialists.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Early India: The Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Iron Age and Vedic Cultures > Vedic Religion and Rituals > p. 26
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Connection between Persian and Sanskrit > p. 49
3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Iranian_religion