The Rig Veda deserves study for multiple reasons. It is the oldest and most complete Indo-European linguistic monument in existence. It is also the point of origin and foundation of all the doctrines of classical India. It constitutes the principal source of information for the understanding of Vedism, that is, the oldest form of Brahmanism or Hinduism, the most important religion of India and one of the most important of humanity. It is an invaluable document for understanding the human spirit and human society, for learning about the reactions and attitudes of humankind in ancient times. In many passages of the hymns, we find those mystical intuitions that make the Upanishads of more recent times so interesting. From a literary point of view, most of the hymns, it is true, are merely functional, with a religious or magical purpose, without aesthetic interest. But we also find hymns that constitute compositions of literary value and expressions, images, and comparisons that are beautiful, effective, or laden with suggestion, even in their strictly functional parts.