Question

Arrange the following philosophical inquiries from the Nasadiya Sukta (The Hymn of Creation, RV 10.129) in their correct thematic order:
A. pra vocat (Who could declare it?)
B. ka iha (Who here...)
C. ka ī dadarśa (Who indeed saw it?)
D. prathamasya-hnaḥ (Of the first day/origin)
E. ko asya veda (Who knows of this?)

• A. A, B, C, E, D
• B. B, D, C, E, A
• C. A, B, C, D, E
• D. E, D, C, B, A

Hint:

Vedic skepticism follows the order: "Where? $\rightarrow$ When? $\rightarrow$ Who saw? $\rightarrow$ Who knows? $\rightarrow$ Who can say?". If you remember this "staircase of doubt," you can order these fragments easily.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Nasadiya Sukta is the absolute peak of Vedic philosophical speculation. After describing the emergence of the "One" (Tadekam) through the power of heat and desire, the rishi (Parameshti Prajapati) concludes the hymn with a series of profound questions. This "Interrogative Philosophy" marks a departure from dogmatic myth-making, as the poet admits that the ultimate origin of the universe might be beyond the knowledge of even the gods.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The fragments provided represent the core of the questions asked in the 6th and 7th stanzas of the Sukta. The logic of the inquiry follows a sequence of depth:

1. B (Ka iha): "Who in this world..." - The poet starts by looking for an authority among living beings.
2. D (Prathamasya-hnaḥ): "...[knows] of the first day?" - He identifies the mystery: the exact moment of the 'first day' when the unmanifest became manifest.
3. C (Ka ī dadarśa): "Who actually saw it?" - This phrase (found in related cosmogonic hymns like RV 1.164.4) emphasizes Pratyaksha (direct perception). If no one was there, how can anyone know?
4. E (Ko asya veda): "Who knows this (truth)?" - He moves from seeing to Jnana (knowledge). Even if no one saw it, does anyone possess the intellectual knowledge of it?
5. A (Pra vocat): "Who can declare it?" - Finally, even if someone knows, who has the power of speech (Vach) to accurately describe the origin?

The sequence B-D-C-E-A traces the path of human inquiry: Searcher (B) $\rightarrow$ Mystery (D) $\rightarrow$ Sight (C) $\rightarrow$ Knowledge (E) $\rightarrow$ Speech (A). The Nasadiya Sukta concludes that because the gods were born after the creation, even they might not know. The final verse reaches the ultimate height of agnosticism: "He who is the overseer in the highest heaven, he perhaps knows—or perhaps even he knows not!" This humility is the hallmark of the 10th Mandala. For NTA exams, the agnostic ending and the "Who knows?" (Ko veda) motif are the most critical points to remember.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct logical sequence of the philosophical inquiries is B, D, C, E, A. Thus, option (2) is correct.