Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c8.23

c8.23

It will thus appear that the Vedic Mantras which were later classified into four Saṁhitās were inspired by the needs of prayer and worship in the form of performance of Yajñas or sacrifices. While the Adhvaryu prepared the ground of the Yajña and constructed its altar and platform on which he sat and offered oblations, the *Hotā* uttered the Ṛiks to invoke the deity of worship and the Udgātā would go round the altar chanting the relevant Sāma Ṛiks, while the Brahmā kept the master's eye on every detail of the worship and the fulfilment of its general scheme and underlying spiritual purpose.