Question

Which of the following is NOT a Vedanga?
A. Nirukta: Etymology
B. Vyakarana: Grammar
C. Kalpa: Ritual instruction
D. Virakta: Philosophy

Answer 1

Hint: Six auxiliary disciplines connected with the research and interpretation of the Vedas are known as Vedangas.
These subjects were an integral and necessary part of the ancient method of Vedic education, aimed at fostering the students' overall growth with a deeper knowledge of the Vedas and Vedic practises.

Complete answer:
Shiksha (Phonetics), Kalpa (Ritual Canon), Vyakaran (Grammar), Nirukta (explanation), Chhanda (Vedic metre) and Jyotisha (Astrology) are the six Vedangas. The Rishis created the Vedangas-"limbs of the Vedas" to make the metaphysical and ceremonial principles of the Vedas comprehensible. As an integral subset of the 14 vidyasthanas, the six Vedangas (organs of the Vedas) are glorified as the abode of real knowledge and wisdom.

Siksha deals with each syllable; Chhanda with the mastery of rhyme and metre; Vyakarna with the examination of celestial bodies to find an auspicious moment for ritual performance; and Kalpa with the ethical, spiritual and bureaucratic perceptions connected with ritual performance as a way of life.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D)

Note: The Vedangas, around or after the middle of the 1st millennium BCE, possibly evolved towards the end of the Vedic period. The Nighantu by Yaska, dated to approximately 5th century BCE, is an early text of the genre.
Vedanga jyotisha is made up of 162 verses that deal with astrology and astronomy. It lists the names of the weekdays and the seven grahas. And it provides the names of the seven karanas of the Hindu calendar, in addition to the already known tithi, nakshatra and yoga.