Which one of the following is not related to the Rigvedic period?

Question

Which one of the following is not related to the Rigvedic period?

1. A. Ghosha
2. B. Gargi (Correct answer)
3. C. Apala
4. D. Vishvavara

Correct Answer

Option B — Gargi

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Gargi.

Key Points

• Gargi is not associated with the Rigvedic period.
• She belongs to the Later Vedic / Upanishadic age.
• Gargi Vachaknavi was a renowned woman philosopher who appears in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, where she famously challenges the sage Yajnavalkya in a philosophical debate at the court of King Janaka of Videha (in present-day Bihar/Mithila).
• She is celebrated as a brahmavadini — a woman devoted to the pursuit of knowledge of Brahman.
• By contrast, Ghosha, Apala and Vishvavara are all women seers (rishikas) credited with composing hymns in the Rigveda itself.
• Ghosha, daughter of Kakshivan, composed hymns in the tenth mandala; Apala is associated with a hymn seeking cure from a skin ailment; and Vishvavara belonged to the Atri family.

Exam Tip

• distinguish Rigvedic women composers (Ghosha, Apala, Lopamudra, Vishvavara) from Upanishadic women philosophers (Gargi, Maitreyi) — this exact distinction is repeatedly tested.

प्रश्न (हिन्दी में)

निम्नलिखित में से कौन एक ऋग्वैदिक युग से सम्बन्धित नहीं है?

1. A. घोषा
2. B. गार्गी
3. C. अपाला
4. D. विश्ववारा