The hymns of the Rigveda were composed over many centuries. They are traditionally regarded as the collective work of:

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on the nature of the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas and one of the earliest known religious texts in the world. Understanding whether it was composed by one person or by many helps you appreciate how Vedic literature developed gradually through the contributions of numerous rishis, or seers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the authorship of the Rigvedic hymns.
• Options range from a single author to many authors and seer families.
• We assume awareness that the Rigveda is divided into mandalas associated with different rishi families.
• The question asks how the hymns are regarded in traditional and scholarly understanding.

Concept / Approach:
The Rigveda is not the work of one individual. Instead, it is a collection of more than a thousand hymns composed and preserved by different priestly families over a long period, often estimated from around 1500 to 1000 BCE or even longer. Each mandala (book) of the Rigveda is associated with particular rishi lineages, such as the family of Vasishtha or Vishvamitra. This clearly shows that the hymns are the work of many authors, not four or seven individuals, and certainly not one single inspired writer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Rigveda contains 10 mandalas with over a thousand hymns.Step 2: Recognise that traditional lore assigns many of these hymns to different rishis and their families.Step 3: Understand that the text grew over time as more hymns were added by various seers, not in one single composition.Step 4: Compare this with the options: only option d mentions many authors and seer families over a long period.Step 5: Conclude that option d best represents the traditional and scholarly view of Rigvedic authorship.

Verification / Alternative check:
Introductory books on Vedic literature explain that Rigvedic hymns are attributed to around a dozen major rishi families, along with many individual seers. They emphasize that the text is a layered collection, not a unified work by a single author. Exam manuals typically summarise this by saying the Rigveda is the work of many authors or rishis, confirming option d as the expected answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
One single inspired author: This does not match the complex internal structure and traditional attributions within the Rigveda.Four authors belonging to one royal family: There is no standard tradition that restricts authorship to such a small and specific group.Seven authors representing seven ancient schools: While seven rishis or sages are important in Indian myth, the Rigveda is not viewed as the work of just seven authors.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may assume a sacred text must have a single author, because that pattern appears in other religious traditions. Others may be misled by the idea of seven sages and think the Rigveda belongs to them alone. To avoid these misunderstandings, remember that the Rigveda is a collective product of many rishis and families over centuries.

Final Answer:
The hymns of the Rigveda are traditionally regarded as the collective work of many authors and seer families over a long period.