A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c10.59
A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c10.59
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c10.59
These sixteen priests are commonly called by the name of Ritvij, and are chosen by the man in whose favour the sacrifice is offered, the Yajamâna or Svâmin. There are other priests, such as the Samitri, (the slayer,) the Vaikartas, (the butchers,) the Chamasâdhvaryus, (the assistants of the Adhvaryus,) but they do not rank as Ritvij. The Kaushîtakins admit a seventeenth Ritvij, the so-called Sadasya, who is to superintend the whole sacrifice.¹ This large array of