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

Answer: (c) Atharvaveda

The Atharvaveda is the Veda of spells, charms and everyday remedies. The Rigveda holds hymns, the Yajurveda sacrificial formulae and the Samaveda melodies.

• ✓ (c) The Atharvaveda collects charms, spells and healing formulae, including plant remedies for disease.
• ✗ (a) The Rigveda is the oldest collection of hymns to the gods.
• ✗ (b) The Yajurveda gives the formulae used in sacrifices.
• ✗ (d) The Samaveda is the Veda of chants set to melody.

Remember · Atharvaveda: charms, spells and healing; Rigveda: hymns; Yajurveda: ritual formulae; Samaveda: chants.

📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 11 Knowledge Traditions and Practices of India, Part I, Ch 8 (practise this chapter)

Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2004, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 2004: the answer shown is the one the sources above support. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). · Report an error