The Final Compilation of the Rig Veda: A Sacred Corpus of the End of Civilization

The Rig Veda, considered the oldest sacred text of humanity, is a collection of 1,028 hymns divided into ten mandalas (chapters). This fascinating corpus reflects the beliefs, practices and worldviews of the Indus-Sarasvati civilization, sometimes called the « civilization of the seven rivers ». However, the history of its compilation reveals a significant evolution linked to the environmental and cultural upheavals that marked the end of this civilization.

A Compilation Progressing Over Time

During the golden age of the urban Indus civilization, the first nine mandalas formed the bulk of the Rig Veda. These books center on the deified forces of nature (Indra, Agni, Ushas, etc.) and, predominantly, on the Soma, a sacred plant at the heart of Vedic rituals.

The ninth mandala is entirely dedicated to Soma, celebrating this plant in hymns exalting its divine and entheogenic properties. This mandala shows us a time when Soma, as a ritual element, occupied a central place in the spirituality and practices of this civilization.

However, a significant event – possibly related to the great global drought of 2200 BCE – led to a shortage of Soma. This change appears to have transformed the structure and direction of the Vedic tradition.

The Tenth Mandala: A Late Addition

The tenth mandala of the Rig Veda differs significantly from the previous ones. It contains more recent hymns, dealing with philosophical, metaphysical and social themes. Hymns such as the famous Purusha Sukta (which describes cosmic creation) or the Nasadiya Sukta (which explores the genesis of the universe) indicate a shift from a spirituality based on rituals linked to Soma to a more abstract and symbolic reflection.

This last mandala seems to have been added when the Soma was no longer available, marking an important cultural transition. Without the sacred plant, rituals gradually transformed, and the oral tradition evolved into compositions focused on cultural memory, collective identity, and philosophy.

A Testimony to the End of a Civilization

The final compilation of the Rig Veda, incorporating the tenth mandala, coincides with the disintegration of the urban Indus-Sarasvati civilization. The loss of the Sarasvati, the sacred river and pillar of this civilization, led to migrations and a remodeling of spiritual practices. This context probably catalyzed the addition of the tenth mandala to adapt the Vedic tradition to a new era marked by social and environmental changes.

During the urban period, the Rig Veda remained a text focused on Soma and natural forces. In late civilization, it became a more diverse corpus, incorporating existential reflections adapted to a changing world.

Conclusion

The compilation of the Rig Veda is much more than a simple religious work: it is a mirror of the profound transformations of the Indus-Sarasvati civilization. While the first nine mandalas celebrate a prosperous era when Soma was abundant, the tenth mandala reflects the challenges and adaptations of a culture confronted with its own fragility. This sacred corpus, in its evolution, offers a unique window on the way in which human societies respond to crises and reinvent their spirituality in order to survive.