In the hymns of the Rigveda, which Vedic god is the most prominent deity, receiving the largest number of individual hymns in this earliest Sanskrit scripture?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of early Vedic religion as reflected in the Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas. The Rigveda is a collection of hymns addressed to various deities connected with natural forces and social life. One particular deity stands out as the most frequently praised and invoked, which reflects the values and concerns of the Vedic people.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The text in focus is the Rigveda, the earliest Vedic Samhita.
• The question asks which god is the most prominent in this text, measured by the number of hymns addressed.
• Options include Indra, Agni, Pashupati, Vishnu and Varuna, all names associated with different aspects of early Indian religious thought.
• The task is to identify the deity who receives the largest number of hymns in the Rigveda.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the central role of Indra in Rigvedic religion. Indra is described as the king of the gods and the god of thunder, rain and war. He is famous for the myth of slaying the demon Vritra, thereby releasing the waters and bringing fertility to the land. Because the Vedic people were concerned with cattle wealth, battles and rainfall, they invoked Indra frequently, which is why he has the highest number of hymns in the Rigveda. Other gods like Agni, Varuna and Vishnu are also important, but they do not surpass Indra in terms of the sheer number of hymns.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the main deities of the Rigvedic pantheon Indra, Agni, Varuna, Soma, Vishnu and others.Step 2: Remember that Indra is repeatedly described as the most powerful warrior god, protector of the Aryan tribes and destroyer of enemies.Step 3: From your reading, note that the largest number of hymns in the Rigveda are dedicated to Indra, followed closely by Agni and then other deities.Step 4: Compare this with the options and identify Indra as the only deity who clearly fits the description of most prominent in terms of hymn count.Step 5: Choose Indra and eliminate the other options as secondary in this specific text.

Verification / Alternative check:

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Agni: The fire god who is central to ritual, but he has fewer hymns than Indra in the Rigveda.
• Pashupati: Often associated with Shiva in later traditions, but not the primary Rigvedic deity.
• Vishnu: A significant deity even in the Rigveda, but his prominence grows much more in later periods; he does not have the largest number of hymns here.
• Varuna: Important as the guardian of cosmic and moral order, yet his hymn count is lower than that of Indra.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes project the importance of later Hindu deities back onto the Rigveda and pick Vishnu or Shiva related names such as Pashupati. Another mistake is to assume that the ritual role of Agni automatically makes him the most praised, whereas in terms of hymn count Indra still leads. To avoid confusion, remember that Rigvedic religion is more oriented toward deities of war, rain and sacrifice and that Indra is at the top of that list.

Final Answer:
The most prominent god in the hymns of the Rigveda, receiving the largest number of hymns, is Indra.