Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c9.s1.18

c9.s1.18

There may be a doubt whether *Kalpa* as a subject of study is known to the Rigveda. But the doubt is solved by a reference to the Hymn vii, 103, where there is a verse mentioning *Soma-yājī* Brāhmaṇas, *Satra* continuing for full one year (Parivatsarīṇaṃ) and Adhvaryu. A sacrifice lasting for one year must have required for its performance the services of the full complement of priesthood consisting of sixteen members. There is another verse in the same hymn describing how the Udgātā priests (Gāyatriṇaḥ) were chanting (gāyanti) hymns, how the Arkis (Hotā Priests) were uttering their Arkas (hymns) in praise of the deity (Archanti) and also the Brahmā priests who were supervising the sacrifice. The elaborate scale on which the Soma-sacrifice was performed is also indicated in a passage of Rigveda : “Yat sānoḥ sānum āruhat bhūri aspashta-kartvam,” implying that it required *bhūri* or elaborate preparation [i, 10, 2].