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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.
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.
To perform elaborate Srauta karmas (Somayaganas and a few Haviryagnas) presence of four official priests are very important.
== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==
Shabdakalpadruma defines ऋत्विजः ॥ Rtvij as follows
* ऋतौ यजतीति one who performs yagnas.
* 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)
* 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>
* 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==
In Srauta yagnas priests 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>.
=== 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'']].
Hota's duties include reciting the Anuvaakya and Yaajya mantras. He pronounces "vashatkaara" at the time of placing the aahuti in the agnihotram. In the Darsapurnamaasa yaaga he recites saamidheni mantras and in Somayaaga he recites Shastra with his assistants<ref name=":0">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (2014) Ph. D Thesis from Assam University : ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/41946 A Study of the Asvalayana srauta sutra with reference to the principal sacrifices.]'' </ref>. Thus his role as an invoker of devatas by reciting the appropriate propitiatory mantras is clearly significant.
=== Adhvaryu ===
The '''adhvaryu''' is in charge of the physical details of the sacrifice. In particular the term ''adhvara'' is defined by Maharshi Yaska in Nirukta as - Adhvarasya netaa (Nirukta 1.8.1) adhvaram yunakti iti adhvaryuh - one who relates to the yagna completes all works of the yagna, he is the leader of the yagna<ref name=":0" />.
The ''adhvaryu's'' duties include measuring the ground, to build the yagnavedi, homakunda, prepare the yagna patras (vessels and tools), fetch samidhas (wood) and water, light the fire, arrange for dravyas (milk, honey, tila etc), cook the required havirdravyas (purodasa, odhanam, animal parts in case of Pasuyaaga) and offer the aahutidravyas in the fire<ref name=":0" />.
Each action is accompanied by ''yajus'' belonging to the ''[[yajurveda]]''.
=== Udgaata ===
The '''udgātṛ''' was a chanter of mantras set to melodies (''sāman'') taken from the [[Samaveda|''sāmaveda'']].
There presence of Udgaata and his assistants is necessary only in the Somayaaga. He plays a specialized role in the Somayaaga - a characteristic function of the ''udgātṛ'' is to sing saamagaana in praise of the invigorating properties of ''soma pavamāna'', the freshly pressed juice of the soma plant.<ref name=":0" />
=== Brahma ===
The Brahma is the protector and supervisor of the yagna. He is knowledgeable in the three Vedas, so he is called Trivedavid. In the Satapata Brahmana it is clearly mentioned that one who has the knowledge of the three vedas may take the charge of Brahma. ()
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 ==
Mantra 2.1.2 of Rigveda states:
तवाग्ने <nowiki>'''होत्रं''' तव '''पोत्र'''मृत्वियं तव '''नेष्ट्रं''' त्व'''मग्नि'''</nowiki>दृतायतः
तव <nowiki>'''प्रशास्त्रं''' त्व'''मध्वरीय'''</nowiki>सि ब्रह्मा चासि गृहपतिश्च नो दमे
The above hymn enumerate the priests 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 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"
!Veda
!Ganas
!Chief Priest
!Role
! colspan="3" |Assistants
|-
|Rig Veda
|Hotagana
|'''Hota'''
|Invoker chants mantras
|Prashasta or Maitravaruna
|Acchaavaaka
|Graavastut
|-
|Yajur Veda
|Adhvaryugana
|'''Adhvaryu'''
|Executor of yaagam
|Pratiprasthata
|Neshta
|Unneta
|-
|Saama Veda
|Udgaatagana
|'''Udgaata'''
|Singer of saamans
|Prastota
|Pratiharttaa
|Subrahmanya
|-
|Adharva Veda
|Brahmagana
|'''Brahma'''
|Protector of yaagam
|Brahmaacchamsi
|Potaa
|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.
A total of sixteen priests 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.
However, the presence of all the sixteen priests is not necessary in every yagna and different priests are required for different types of yagnas.
=== 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.
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==
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" />.
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.
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.
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 ancient days, brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaisyas had the right to perform yagnas and yaagas. Example: Raajasuya yaaga is performed by Kshatriyas.
== Purohita ==
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".
==See also==
*[[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]]
*[[Agnistoma]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
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.
To perform elaborate Srauta karmas (Somayaganas and a few Haviryagnas) presence of four official priests are very important.
== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==
Shabdakalpadruma defines ऋत्विजः ॥ Rtvij as follows
* ऋतौ यजतीति one who performs yagnas.
* 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)
* 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>
* 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==
In Srauta yagnas priests 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>.
=== 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'']].
Hota's duties include reciting the Anuvaakya and Yaajya mantras. He pronounces "vashatkaara" at the time of placing the aahuti in the agnihotram. In the Darsapurnamaasa yaaga he recites saamidheni mantras and in Somayaaga he recites Shastra with his assistants<ref name=":0">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (2014) Ph. D Thesis from Assam University : ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/41946 A Study of the Asvalayana srauta sutra with reference to the principal sacrifices.]'' </ref>. Thus his role as an invoker of devatas by reciting the appropriate propitiatory mantras is clearly significant.
=== Adhvaryu ===
The '''adhvaryu''' is in charge of the physical details of the sacrifice. In particular the term ''adhvara'' is defined by Maharshi Yaska in Nirukta as - Adhvarasya netaa (Nirukta 1.8.1) adhvaram yunakti iti adhvaryuh - one who relates to the yagna completes all works of the yagna, he is the leader of the yagna<ref name=":0" />.
The ''adhvaryu's'' duties include measuring the ground, to build the yagnavedi, homakunda, prepare the yagna patras (vessels and tools), fetch samidhas (wood) and water, light the fire, arrange for dravyas (milk, honey, tila etc), cook the required havirdravyas (purodasa, odhanam, animal parts in case of Pasuyaaga) and offer the aahutidravyas in the fire<ref name=":0" />.
Each action is accompanied by ''yajus'' belonging to the ''[[yajurveda]]''.
=== Udgaata ===
The '''udgātṛ''' was a chanter of mantras set to melodies (''sāman'') taken from the [[Samaveda|''sāmaveda'']].
There presence of Udgaata and his assistants is necessary only in the Somayaaga. He plays a specialized role in the Somayaaga - a characteristic function of the ''udgātṛ'' is to sing saamagaana in praise of the invigorating properties of ''soma pavamāna'', the freshly pressed juice of the soma plant.<ref name=":0" />
=== Brahma ===
The Brahma is the protector and supervisor of the yagna. He is knowledgeable in the three Vedas, so he is called Trivedavid. In the Satapata Brahmana it is clearly mentioned that one who has the knowledge of the three vedas may take the charge of Brahma. ()
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 ==
Mantra 2.1.2 of Rigveda states:
तवाग्ने <nowiki>'''होत्रं''' तव '''पोत्र'''मृत्वियं तव '''नेष्ट्रं''' त्व'''मग्नि'''</nowiki>दृतायतः
तव <nowiki>'''प्रशास्त्रं''' त्व'''मध्वरीय'''</nowiki>सि ब्रह्मा चासि गृहपतिश्च नो दमे
The above hymn enumerate the priests 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 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"
!Veda
!Ganas
!Chief Priest
!Role
! colspan="3" |Assistants
|-
|Rig Veda
|Hotagana
|'''Hota'''
|Invoker chants mantras
|Prashasta or Maitravaruna
|Acchaavaaka
|Graavastut
|-
|Yajur Veda
|Adhvaryugana
|'''Adhvaryu'''
|Executor of yaagam
|Pratiprasthata
|Neshta
|Unneta
|-
|Saama Veda
|Udgaatagana
|'''Udgaata'''
|Singer of saamans
|Prastota
|Pratiharttaa
|Subrahmanya
|-
|Adharva Veda
|Brahmagana
|'''Brahma'''
|Protector of yaagam
|Brahmaacchamsi
|Potaa
|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.
A total of sixteen priests 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.
However, the presence of all the sixteen priests is not necessary in every yagna and different priests are required for different types of yagnas.
=== 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.
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==
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" />.
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.
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.
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 ancient days, brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaisyas had the right to perform yagnas and yaagas. Example: Raajasuya yaaga is performed by Kshatriyas.
== Purohita ==
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".
==See also==
*[[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]]
*[[Agnistoma]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}