In Vedic religion, who is regarded as the most prominent deity in the Rig Veda hymns?

Introduction / Context:
The Rig Veda is the oldest of the Vedic texts and contains hymns addressed to various deities. Understanding which gods were most prominent in the Rig Vedic pantheon is a basic part of early Indian religious history. Many objective questions ask about the main deity of the Rig Veda to test awareness of early Vedic religious beliefs.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is specifically on the Rig Veda, not later Vedic or Puranic literature.
• The options list several deities: Indra, Agni, Pashupati, Vishnu and Soma.
• We must identify the deity who receives the largest number of hymns and is most prominently celebrated in the Rig Veda.
• The answer should reflect the early Vedic phase rather than later Hindu developments.

Concept / Approach:
In the Rig Veda, Indra, the god of thunder, war and rain, is celebrated as the chief of the gods and the great hero who slays the demon Vritra. A large number of hymns are dedicated to him. Agni, the fire god, and Soma, the ritual drink personified, are also important, but Indra clearly stands out in terms of the number of hymns and the emphasis placed on his exploits. Vishnu, though present, becomes more prominent in later Hinduism, and Pashupati in the strict sense is associated with later Shaivite imagery.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative check is to look at how often the gods appear in standard summaries of the Rig Veda. These accounts usually list Indra, Agni and Soma as key deities, but specifically mention that Indra has the maximum number of hymns. This repeated emphasis confirms that he is the central figure in the Rig Vedic pantheon.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Agni: Very important as the fire god and mediator of sacrifices, but he does not surpass Indra in prominence.
• Pashupati: A title associated more with later Shaivism and possible Harappan interpretations, not the central Rig Vedic deity.
• Vishnu: Revered in a limited Vedic role, but he becomes a major deity mainly in later religion, not as the chief Rig Vedic god.
• Soma: Important as the ritual drink and deity, however he does not hold the same chief warrior position as Indra.

Common Pitfalls:
One common mistake is to project later Hindu religious importance back onto the Vedic period and choose Vishnu or Shiva related forms. Another error is to assume that Agni, because he is central to the sacrificial ritual, must be the main god. For exam purposes, it is best to remember that Rig Vedic religion was dominated by Indra as the heroic storm and war god.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Indra.