Hindu Administrative Institutions c8.s2.3

c8.s2.3

Just as the *Rājasūya* sacrifice was for the consecration of a Kṣatriya to the office of a king, so also was the *Bṛhaspatisava* for the consecration of the purohita to his office of *Purohiti*¹ or *Purodha*.² With all his political functions he had also religious duties to perform. He took part in the sacrifices (it must undoubtedly be sacrifices performed by the Kṣatriyas in as much as he is a political functionary of the state) and acted the *Hotṛ* and *Brahman ṛtvik*. In the *Rājasūya* of Yudhiṣṭhira Vyāsa officiated as *Brahman*, and Dhaumya as *Hotṛ*.³ Sukra officiated as *Brahman* in the *Aśvamedha* of Bali.⁴ Again he alone had the power to propitiate gods with offerings of various kinds for the general welfare of the king and kingdom against the natural and unforeseen calamities of the state. He was thus another guardian of the realm and it is but fitting that he is characterized as the *rāṣṭragopa*.⁵