Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 3
Chapter 364 — ब्रह्मवर्गः
Brahmavarga: Lexical Classification of Brahminical/Ritual Terms
सभासदः सभास्तारा ऋत्विजो याजकाश् च ते अध्वर्यूद्गातृहोतारो यजुःसामर्ग्विदः क्रमात्
sabhāsadaḥ sabhāstārā ṛtvijo yājakāś ca te adhvaryūdgātṛhotāro yajuḥsāmargvidaḥ kramāt
They are the members of the assembly and the luminaries (leaders) of the assembly; likewise the officiating priests (ṛtvij) and the sacrificers. In due order they are the Adhvaryu, the Udgātṛ, and the Hotṛ, who are respectively versed in the Yajus, the Sāman, and the Ṛk (Vedas).
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Assign and verify the correct ṛtvij roles by Veda-specialization (Yajus/Sāman/Ṛk) to maintain śrauta correctness in chanting and performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ṛtvij Order and Veda-Competence (Adhvaryu–Udgātṛ–Hotṛ)","lookup_keywords":["ṛtvij","adhvaryu","udgātṛ","hotṛ","yajus-sāman-ṛk"],"quick_summary":"The officiants are enumerated with their functional order and textual competence: Adhvaryu (Yajus), Udgātṛ (Sāman), Hotṛ (Ṛk), alongside sabhā leadership and yajaka participants."}
Concept: Specialization and ordered cooperation (krama) among Veda-knowers is a prerequisite for correct yajña execution.
Application: When organizing a śrauta rite, appoint priests by proven śākhā-competence and maintain the prescribed sequence of functions to avoid mantra/karma mismatch.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yajna-vidhi (Vedic ritual protocol and priestly roles)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three principal priests positioned around the altar: Adhvaryu handling implements and Yajus formulas, Udgātṛ singing Sāman with assistants, Hotṛ reciting Ṛk; sabhā leaders seated as overseers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yajña altar with three officiants clearly differentiated by posture and implements, Adhvaryu near ladles and vessels, Udgātṛ with chant gesture, Hotṛ with manuscript-like palm leaf, warm earthy tones, stylized ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, triad of priests around a blazing altar, gold-leaf accents on vessels and fire, richly patterned garments, symmetrical arrangement emphasizing hierarchy and order","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout showing Adhvaryu–Udgātṛ–Hotṛ in sequence, fine outlines, soft colors, minimal background, focus on role-identifying attributes","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pavilion scene with three specialists performing distinct actions, attendants holding instruments and vessels, intricate textiles and architecture, refined facial detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अध्वर्यूद्गातृहोतारो → अध्वर्यु + उद्गातृ + होतारः (द्वन्द्व-समास); यजुःसामर्ग्विदः → यजुः + साम + ऋग् + विदः (द्वन्द्व-समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 364.2; Agni Purana 364.4; Agni Purana 364.5
FAQs
It classifies key yajña functionaries and specifies their Vedic specializations: Adhvaryu (Yajurveda), Udgātṛ (Sāmaveda), and Hotṛ (Ṛgveda), establishing correct ritual role-assignment.
By cataloging institutional roles—assembly leadership (sabhāsada/sabhāstārā) alongside ritual offices (ṛtvij, yajaka)—it functions like a technical manual that preserves social and liturgical organization in a compact, reference-style format.
Correct appointment of qualified priests and proper ordering of roles safeguards the integrity of sacrifice, ensuring the rite yields its intended merit (puṇya) and avoids ritual defects (doṣa).