Those who have followed the procedures in Homas,Sacrificial 🔥 Fires Ceremonies conducted would have noticed terms like Acharya,Hotar and Rikvik.While people can identify Acharya, not many people know about Ritvik.
Ritvik
The Vedic priest who officiates Vedic sacrifices or rituals known asYajnasis known as Ritvik . Qualification as below.
Qualification
- Well-versed in the Vedas.
- Should have gained his knowledge the guru, in the guru-shishya tradition of learning.
- Of good lineage.
- He should have been leading a pure life.
Types of Rikviks
- Hotar representing theRig Veda
- Adhvarya representing theYajur Veda
- Udgatar representing theSama Veda
- Brahma representing theAtharva Veda
Each one of these Ritviks has three assistants . Details.
- Hotar – Maitravaruna, Acchavaka, Gravastut
- Adhvaryu – Pratiprasthata, Neshta, Unneta
- Udgatar – Prastota, Pratiharta, Subrahmanya
- Brahma – Brahmanachamsi, Agnidhra, Pota