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
അവർ സഭാസദരും സഭയുടെ താരങ്ങളായ നേതാക്കളും ആകുന്നു; കൂടാതെ ഋത്വിജരും യാജകരും. ക്രമമായി അധ്വര്യു, ഉദ്ഗാതാവ്, ഹോതാവ്—അവർ യഥാക്രമം യജുസ്, സാമൻ, ഋക് വേദങ്ങളിൽ നിപുണർ.
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).