Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa ("of a hundred paths") 13.1.5

But, indeed, distinction, royal sway, departs from him who performs the horse-sacrifice; and when a man attains to distinction, the lute is played to him. Two Brâhmanical lute-players sing (and play) for a year; for that--to wit, the lute--is a form (attribute) of distinction: it is distinction they thus confer upon him.

Concerning this they say, ‘Were both to be Brâhmanas who sing, noble rank (or political power) would depart from him; for he--to wit, a Brâhmana--is a form of the priestly office; and the nobility takes no delight in the priestly office (or priesthood).

‘And were both to be Râganyas (nobles), spiritual lustre would depart from him; for he--to wit, the Râganya--is a form of noble rank, and spiritual lustre takes no delight in noble rank.' One of those who sing is a Brâhmana, and the other a Râganya; for the Brâhmana means priestly office, and the Râganya noble rank: thus his distinction (social position) comes to be guarded on either side by the priesthood and the nobility.

Concerning this they say, ‘Were both to sing by day, his distinction would be apt to fall away from him: for that--to wit, the day--is a form of the priestly dignity; and when the king chooses he may oppress (despoil) the Brâhmana, but he will fare the worse (or, become the poorer) for it.

'And if both (were to sing) at night, spiritual lustre would fall away from him; for that--to wit, the night--is a form of the nobility, and spiritual lustre takes no delight in the nobility.' The Brâhmana sings by day, and the Râganya at night; and thus, indeed, his distinction comes to be guarded on either side by the priesthood and the nobility.

'Such sacrifices he offered,--such gifts he gave!' such (are the topics about which) the Brâhmana sings; for to the Brâhmana belongs the fulfilment of wishes: it is with the fulfilment of wishes he (the Brâhmana) thus endows him (the Sacrificer). 'Such war he waged,--such battle he won!' such (are the topics about which) the Râganya sings; for the battle is the Râganya's strength: it is with strength he thus endows him. Three stanzas the one sings, and three stanzas the other, they amount to six,--six seasons make up a year: he thus establishes (the Sacrificer) in the seasons, in the year. To both of them he presents a hundred; for man has a life of a hundred (years), and a hundred energies: it is vitality and energy, vital power, he confers upon him.