Final answer:
The oldest collection of hymns and poems sacred to the Aryans is the Rigveda, which is part of the Vedas—the foundational texts of Hindu religious practice and beliefs. The Rigveda contains hymns, prayers, and metaphysical speculation, forming the base for subsequent Hindu scriptures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The oldest of the four collections of hymns & poems sacred to the Aryans is the Rigveda. This ancient collection of texts is part of the sacred scriptures of Hinduism known as the Vedas, which were brought to India by the Aryans. The Rigveda represents the earliest layer of Vedic texts and is a critical component in the understanding of the development of Vedic religious practices and beliefs.
The Vedas initially were transmitted orally in Sanskrit and contain a vast array of hymns, prayers, and rituals dedicated to various deities. The Rigveda itself examines metaphysical questions about the universe and the origins of gods and humanity. It lays the foundation for later Hindu texts, such as the Upanishads, which delve into philosophical discussions about reality and the nature of existence.