Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c11.8

c11.8

The extant *Brāhmaṇas* group themselves round the several Vedas which thus determine their subject-matter. Thus the *Brāhmaṇas* of the Rigveda contain only such explanations of the ritual as are needed by the *Hotṛi* priest in his task of collecting from the total body of the hymns the verses suited to each particular occasion as its *śastra* (canon). Being liturgical works, they follow the order of the sacrificial performance without reference to the sequence of the hymns in their *Veda*. The *Brāhmaṇas* of the Sāman and Yajus confine themselves to the duties of the Udgātṛi and Adhvaryu priests and follow the order of the ritual already established in their respective Vedas.