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Rtvik or Rtvij (Samskrit : ऋत्विक् ऋत्विज् ) are professional priests who play an important role in conducting yagnas (usually Srauta yagnas) and establish the connection between the devatas of the yagna and the yajamaani. Well versed in vedic procedures by studying different Kalpas and qualified to conduct ''[[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yagnas]]'' they conduct appropriate rituals while reciting mantras. Rtviks are trained in the particular vedic kalpas and they attain proficiency by practice.

Rtvik or Rtvij (Samskrit : ऋत्विक् ऋत्विज् ) are professional priests who play an important role in conducting yagnas (usually Srauta yagnas) and establish the connection between the devatas of the yagna and the yajamaani. Well versed in vedic procedures by studying different Kalpas and qualified to conduct ''[[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yagnas]]'' they conduct appropriate rituals while reciting mantras. Rtviks are trained in the particular vedic kalpas and they attain proficiency by practice.

All homas and yagnas do not require the appointment of Ritviks. For Smarta karmas and nityakarmas such as sandhyavandana, agnihotras, panchamahayagnas, devata pujas at home, priests are not required.

All homas and yagnas do not require the appointment of Ritviks. For Smarta karmas and nityakarmas such as sandhyavandana, agnihotras, panchamahayagnas, devata pujas at home, rtviks are not required.

To perform elaborate Srauta karmas (Somayaganas and a few Haviryagnas) presence of four official priests are very important.  

To perform elaborate Srauta karmas (Somayaganas and a few Haviryagnas) presence of four official rtviks are very important.  

== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

Shabdakalpadruma defines ऋत्विजः ॥ Rtvij as follows  

Shabdakalpadruma defines ऋत्विजः ॥ Rtvij as follows  

* ऋतौ यजतीति one who performs yagnas.   

* ऋतौ यजतीति one who performs yagnas in all the six seasons (vasanta, greeshma, varsha, sharad, hemanta, shishira).   

* अग्न्याधेयं पाकयज्ञानग्निष्टोमादिकान्मखान् .यः करोति वृतो यस्य स तस्यर्त्विगिहोच्यते - one who does Agnaayadheya, paakayagnas, Agnistoma and other yagnas he is termed as Rtvik (Manava Kosha 2.143)  

* अग्न्याधेयं पाकयज्ञानग्निष्टोमादिकान्मखान् .यः करोति वृतो यस्य स तस्यर्त्विगिहोच्यते - one who is selected to perform Agnaayadheya, paakayagnas, Agnistoma and other yagnas he is termed as Rtvik (Manava Kosha 2.143)  

* पुरोहितः ॥ Purohita (Kalpadruma), आग्नीध्रः, याजकः (amarakosha) are synonyms for Rtvik.  

* पुरोहितः ॥ Purohita (Kalpadruma), आग्नीध्रः, याजकः (amarakosha) are synonyms for Rtvik.  

* As members of a social class, they belong to the class of '''विप्रः ॥ vipra'''.  <blockquote>जन्मना ब्राह्मणो ज्ञेयः संस्कारैर्द्विज उच्यते विद्यया याति विप्रत्वं त्रिभिः श्रोत्रियलक्षणम् .. इति प्रायश्चित्तविवेकः (Shabdakalpadruma).</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : One who is born as a brahmana, who after upanayana samskara is a divja and is after vidhyaabhyasam is termed as vipra, these are the three lakshanas of a Srotriya according to Prayaschittaviveka as given in Shabdakalpadruma.</blockquote>

* As members of a social class, they belong to the class of '''विप्रः ॥ vipra'''.  <blockquote>जन्मना ब्राह्मणो ज्ञेयः संस्कारैर्द्विज उच्यते विद्यया याति विप्रत्वं त्रिभिः श्रोत्रियलक्षणम् .. इति प्रायश्चित्तविवेकः (Shabdakalpadruma).</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : One who is born as a brahmana, who after upanayana samskara is a divja and is after (veda) abhyasam is termed as vipra, these are the three lakshanas of a Srotriya according to Prayaschittaviveka as given in Shabdakalpadruma.</blockquote>

* Satapatha Brahmana (3.5.3.12) ye vai braahmanaah susrubamsoanucanaste viprah. They are also called as the protectors of yagna Satapatha brahmana (1.5.1.12) yagnasya praavitaraah  

* Satapatha Brahmana (3.5.3.12) ye vai braahmanaah susrubamsoanucanaste viprah. They are also called as the protectors of yagna Satapatha brahmana (1.5.1.12) yagnasya praavitaraah  

==चातुर्होत्र || Chief Priests of Yagna==

==चातुर्होत्र || Chief Priests of Yagna==

In Srauta yagnas priests play a very important role. They are called as Hota, Adhvaryu, Udgaata, and Brahma.   

In Srauta yagnas rtviks play a very important role. They are called as Hota, Adhvaryu, Udgaata, and Brahma.   

The '''Rig-Veda Samhita''' is the oldest book of the Hindus. Its priest is called the '''<u>Hotri</u>'''. The '''Yajur-Veda Samhita''' is mostly in prose and is meant to be used by the '''<u>Adhvaryu</u>''', the Yajur-Vedic priest for explanations of the rites, supplementing the Rig-Vedic Mantras. The '''Sama-Veda Samhita''' is mostly borrowed from Rig-Vedic Samhita and is meant to be sung by the '''<u>Udgatri</u>'''. The '''Atharva-Veda Samhita''' is meant to be used by the '''<u>Brahma</u>''', the Atharva-Vedic priest, to correct the mispronunciations and wrong performances that may accidentally be committed by the other three priests<ref>Swami Sivananda, All about Hinduism, Page 32</ref>.   

The '''Rig-Veda Samhita''' is the oldest text of Sanaatana Dharma. Its rtvik is called the '''<u>Hotri</u>'''. The '''Yajur-Veda Samhita''' is mostly in prose and is meant to be used by the '''<u>Adhvaryu</u>''', the Yajur-Vedic rtvik for explanations of the rites, supplementing the Rig-Vedic Mantras. The '''Sama-Veda Samhita''' is mostly borrowed from Rig-Vedic Samhita and is meant to be sung by the '''<u>Udgatri</u>'''. The '''Atharva-Veda Samhita''' is meant to be used by the '''<u>Brahma</u>''', the Atharva-Vedic rtvik, to correct the mispronunciations and wrong performances that may accidentally be committed by the other three rtviks<ref>Swami Sivananda, All about Hinduism, Page 32</ref>.   

=== Hota ===

=== Hota ===

The '''hotṛ''' is the reciter of invocations or mantras. These could consist of single mantras (''ṛca''), pair of them (''pragātha'') or in triplets ( ''tṛca''), or entire set of mantras (''suktas''), belonging to the [[Rigveda|''ṛgveda'']].   

The '''hotṛ''' is the reciter of invocations or mantras. These could consist of single mantras (''ṛca''), pair of them (''pragātha'') or in triplets ( ''tṛca''), or entire set of mantras (''suktas''), belonging to the [[Rigveda|''ṛgveda'']].   

Brahma's position is said to be high in the yagnas and it was believed that only silent sitting of Brahma and observation of the procedures makes the yagna successful. He uses Atharvaveda mantras to 'heal' it when mistakes have been made.<ref name=":0" /> In the Aitereya Brahmana it is mentioned that half the portion of yaaga Dakshina should be given to Brahma and remaining half to be paid to other priests.

Brahma's position is said to be high in the yagnas and it was believed that only silent sitting of Brahma and observation of the procedures makes the yagna successful. He uses Atharvaveda mantras to 'heal' it when mistakes have been made.<ref name=":0" /> In the Aitereya Brahmana it is mentioned that half the portion of yaaga Dakshina should be given to Brahma and remaining half to be paid to other priests.

== Assistants and Rtvik sankhya ==

== Assistants and Rtvik sankhya ==

Mantra 2.1.2 of Rigveda states:

Mantra 2.1.2 of Rigveda states:  

तवाग्ने <nowiki>'''होत्रं''' तव '''पोत्र'''मृत्वियं तव '''नेष्ट्रं''' त्व'''मग्नि'''</nowiki>दृतायतः

तवाग्ने <nowiki>''होत्रं''</nowiki> तव पोत्रमृत्वियं तवनेष्ट्रं त्वमग्निदृतायतः । तव <nowiki>'''प्रशास्त्रं''' त्व'''मध्वरीय'''</nowiki>सि ब्रह्मा चासि गृहपतिश्च नो दमे ॥

तव <nowiki>'''प्रशास्त्रं''' त्व'''मध्वरीय'''</nowiki>सि ब्रह्मा चासि गृहपतिश्च नो दमे

The above mantra enumerates the rtviks as the ''hotṛ'', ''potṛ'', ''neṣṭṛ'', ''agnīdh'', ''prashāstṛ'' (meaning the ''maitrāvaruna'') and ''adhvaryu''.

According to Asvalaayana Srauta sutras (4.1.16) the following assistants are listed in each gana of the rtviks. In the systematic expositions of the ''[[shrauta sutra]]s'',<ref>''Shānkhāyana SS'' 13.4.1, ''Āsvalāyana SS'' 4.1.4-6.</ref> the assistants are classified into four groups associated with each of the four rtviks.   

 

According to Asvalaayana Srauta sutras (4.1.16) the following assistants are listed in each gana of the priests. In the systematic expositions of the ''[[shrauta sutra]]s'',<ref>''Shānkhāyana SS'' 13.4.1, ''Āsvalāyana SS'' 4.1.4-6.</ref> the assistants are classified into four groups associated with each of the four chief priests.   

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

!Veda

!Veda

|Potaa

|Potaa

|Agniidhra

|Agniidhra

|}Each of the four priests has three assistants with them. The assistants together with their main priest forms their individual ganas, namely Hotagana, Adhvaryugana, Udgatagana, Brahmagana, thus the number totals to 16 priests.  

|}Each of the four rtviks has three assistants with them. The assistants together with their main rtvik forms their individual ganas, namely Hotagana, Adhvaryugana, Udgatagana, Brahmagana, thus the number totals to 16 rtviks.  

A total of sixteen priests are mandated to be present in conducting Somayaaga.

A total of sixteen rtviks are mandated to be present in conducting Somayaaga.

According to Kaushitaaki sampradaya there must be seventeen priests in the somayaga and they are called "Sadasya". Satapata Brahmana clearly prohibits the appointment of seventeenth priest Satapata brahmana 10.4.1.19.

According to Kaushitaaki sampradaya there must be seventeen rtviks in the somayaga and they are called "Sadasya". Satapata Brahmana clearly prohibits the appointment of seventeenth rtvik Satapata brahmana 10.4.1.19.

However, the presence of all the sixteen priests is not necessary in every yagna and different priests are required for different types of yagnas.  

However, the presence of all the sixteen rtviks is not necessary in every yagna and different rtviks are required for different types of yagnas.  

=== Importance of Assistants ===

=== Importance of Assistants ===

Assistants priests have important roles during yaagas. Among them assistant of Hota, namely Maitravaruna, assistant of Adhvaryu, Pratiprasthata and assistant of Brahma, Agnidhra have important role in the conduct of different yaagas and isthis.   

Assistants rtviks have important roles during yaagas. Among them assistant of Hota, namely Maitravaruna, assistant of Adhvaryu, Pratiprasthata and assistant of Brahma, Agnidhra have important role in the conduct of different yaagas and isthis.   

For example : Maitravaruna has to recite the sastras for the dual deities Mitra and Varuna in Somayaaga. Pratiprasthata has to initiate others in diksha during ceremonies of Satrayaaga. Agnidhra maintains the agnihotras in Somayaaga.  

For example : Maitravaruna has to recite the sastras for the dual deities Mitra and Varuna in Somayaaga. Pratiprasthata has to initiate others in diksha during ceremonies of Satrayaaga. Agnidhra maintains the agnihotras in Somayaaga.  

==Yajamana==

==Yajamaana==

The requirements of the fully developed yaagas like Somayaaga and Satrayaaga are rigorous and professional priests only can perform them adequately without mistakes<ref name=":0" />.  

The requirements of the fully developed yaagas like Somayaaga and Satrayaaga are rigorous and professional rtviks only can perform them adequately without mistakes<ref name=":0" />.  

It is the Yajamana, who intents to conduct, takes the diksha and starts a yaaga or isthi with the ceremony Rtvikvarana and ends it with the Dakshinaadana ceremony. In the middle though it is done by the priests the yajamana is also mandated to recite mantras and perform some ceremonies. He takes part in offering the havis into the agnihotra and consumption of the havis during havishbhakshana by the priests. Thus, the yajamani who is the intended beneficiary of the yaaga, is a direct participant with others take his stead in situations when he is unable to participate. The Agnihotra homa is performed by the yajamana only. Only if he falls ill, in his place a rtvik conducts it.  

It is the Yajamana, who intents to conduct, takes the diksha and starts a yaaga or isthi with the ceremony Rtvikvarana and ends it with the Dakshinadaana ceremony. In the middle though it is done by the rtviks the yajamana is also mandated to recite mantras and perform some ceremonies. He takes part in offering the havis into the agnihotra and consumption of the havis during havishbhakshana by the rtviks. Thus, the yajamana who is the intended beneficiary of the yaaga, is a direct participant with others take his stead in situations when he is unable to participate. The Agnihotra homa is performed by the yajamana only. Only if he falls ill, in his place a rtvik conducts it.  

Yajamaana patni is also has a role to play in many yaagas. Any yagna or yaaga is to be performed only by a sapatnika yajamaani. When yajamaani is unable to perform his role, his wife, son, brother-in-law and ultimaltely the rtviks are authorized to take his role.

Yajnapatni is also has a role to play in many yaagas. Any yagna or yaaga is to be performed only by a sapatnika yajamaana. When yajamaana is unable to perform his role, his wife, son, brother-in-law and ultimately the rtviks are authorized to take his role.

In the Samvastsarsaadhya satra yaaga, the yajamaanis are the priests and there are no other priests to preside over the yaaga.<ref name=":0" />

In the Samvastsarsaadhya satra yaaga, the yajamaanis are the rtviks and there are no other rtviks to preside over the yaaga.<ref name=":0" />

In ancient days, brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaisyas had the right to perform yagnas and yaagas. Example: Raajasuya yaaga is performed by Kshatriyas.

In ancient days, brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaisyas had the right to perform yagnas and yaagas. Example: Raajasuya yaaga is performed by Kshatriyas.

In the present days, the growing importance of the '''purohita''' is seen primarily because fewer people are taking part in learning the vedic scriptures and practicing Agnihotram on everyday basis.  

In the present days, the growing importance of the '''purohita''' is seen primarily because fewer people are taking part in learning the vedic scriptures and practicing Agnihotram on everyday basis.  

Domestic grhyakarmas are widely practiced in the present generation and do not require the elaborate procedures of Srauta yaagas. Priest or purohits who are educated in Grhyasutras are conducting them. Hence with the disappearance of Vedic ritual practice, ''purohita'' has become a generic term for "priest".  

Domestic nityakarmas (sandhyavandana, agnihotra, panchamahayagnas), naimittika karmas conducted for particular reasons (Shraadha, samskaaras, shanti prakriyas in the events of earthquakes, maharudrabhishekam, chandi homa, mahasudarshana homa, vishnu yaaga etc) are widely practiced in the present generation and do not require the elaborate procedures as required for Srauta yaagas. Rtvik or purohits who are educated in Grhyasutras are conducting these activities. Hence with the disappearance of Vedic yaaga practices, ''purohita'' has become a generic term for "priest".  

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]]

*[[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]]