Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c8.22

c8.22

But, according to the Rigvedic passage cited by Yāska, the performance of a *Yajña* depends upon a fourth Ṛitvik called *Brahmā* whose duty is to give directions to the other priests regarding their duties and prevent their errors (*sati pramāde samādhātuṁ samarthaḥ*). Therefore, he was one who was proficient in all the three Vedas (*Sarvavidyaḥ ... Vedatrayoktasarva-karmābhijñaḥ*). Yāska cites Chhāndogya-Upanishad [iv, 16, 1, 2] to explain further the status of the Brahmā priest. "Of Yajña there are two ways, the way of Mind and the way of Words (*Manaścha Vāk cha vartanī Yajñasya*). The way of Mind is cultivated by Brahmā and the way of Words by the three priests, Hotā, Udgātā, and Adhvaryu." This means that the Brahmā priest has to ensure the proper performance of the Yajña as a whole and in parts and to revolve in his mind its entire plan to prevent its errors (*pramādarāhityāya manasā samyaganusandheyaḥ*): The other three priests jointly are responsible for uttering the Mantras of their respective Vedas. The Brahmā alone was responsible for the success and efficacy of the Yajña, its execution in accordance with its inherent purpose and spirit (*Brahmā tu eka eva manorūpaṁ yajñabhāgaṁ saṁskaroti*), while the other three priests looked to its letter, its textual performance, and were responsible for its words as they were needed (*Vāgrūpaṁ yajñamārgaṁ saṁskurvanti*).