Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c7.s5.4

c7.s5.4

Holding a debate is treated at par with organizing a *yajña* ritual.⁷⁵ The similarity of the structural designs between *yajña* and *vāda* is maintained to a large extent, so that the performers involved in the performance of a *yajña* are called *sadasyas*, the juries deciding the debate in favour of the two disputants are also called *sadasyas*. The *sadasyas*, seven, five or three in number, should be free from prejudices against or any biases in favour of any of the debaters. They are also called *vipras* (scholars).