The Rig Veda is the oldest existing Veda amongst the other four. It consists of 1028 individual Sanskrit hymns. It is said to be one of the first extensive composition in any Indo-European language that has survived for our perusal. Historians argue that it was compiled around 1200-900 BC. The focus of this Veda is on worldly prosperity and natural beauty. The text is organised in 10 books, known as Mandalas, of varying age and length. Furthermore, each mandala comprises of several Suktas or hymns, which are usually for sacrificial purposes.
Most of the hymns concentrate on the themes of life, death, creation, sacrifice and for seeking godly pleasure or soma. The entire Rig Vedic hymns are dedicated to several deities, in particular to their chief deity, Indra. The other prominent Gods mentioned in the Rig Veda are Agni (God of fire), Varuna (God of water), Rudra (God of wind/storm), Aditya (a form of Sun God), Vayu (God of air) and the Ashwini twins. There are several hymns dedicated to female Goddesses too; like Usha (Goddess of Dawn), Prithvi (Goddess of the earth) and Vak (the Goddess of speech).