no brahmin or fourfold varna in the rig vedas?
no “brahmin”, only "hotris" or "ritvij”?
brahmin first mentioned in the later “brahmanas”
and perhaps upanishads came to be because ppl were repulsed by the brahmanas at the time (samana era)?
RIG VEDIC TYPES OF PRIESTS & CHANTING:
The Hotri performs the recitation of hymns (mantras) during Vedic rituals, along with the Adhvaryu (who performs the physical acts of the ritual), the Udgatri (who chants hymns during the ritual), and the Brahma (who supervises the ritual and acts as the chief officiating priest)
Ritvij: This term refers to the priest who oversees the performance of the rituals and ensures their correct execution. The Ritvijas were knowledgeable in the correct performance of the rituals and were responsible for overseeing the entire sacrificial process. -- The Ritvij priests work under the supervision of the Hotri, who recites the Vedic hymns during the ritual.
Hotri: This term refers to the priest who recites the hymns and performs the ritual sacrifices. The Hotris were responsible for the recitation of the sacred hymns, the preparation of Homa: the ritual fire, and the offering of the sacrificial oblations.
Udgatri: The Udgatri is the priest who chants the hymns of the Sama Veda, one of the four Vedas, during the ritual. The Udgatri is responsible for singing the hymns in a specific melody or tune, known as the Sama, and is often accompanied by musical instruments.
Adhvaryu: This term refers to the priest who performs the physical acts of the ritual, such as preparing the sacrificial altar, kindling the sacred fire, and offering the oblations. The Adhvaryus were responsible for the physical aspects of the rituals.
Mantras: Mantras are sacred words or phrases that are chanted or recited during religious rituals. They are believed to possess inherent power and are used for various purposes such as invoking deities, seeking blessings, expressing devotion, and attaining spiritual or worldly goals. Mantras are typically composed in Vedic Sanskrit and follow specific rules of pronunciation, meter, and intonation. They are considered to be sacred sounds that have a profound effect on the practitioner's consciousness and are used as a means of communication with the divine.
Samans: Samans, also known as Sama mantras or Sama Vedic hymns, are a specific type of mantras that are used in the Sama Veda, one of the four Vedas of Hinduism. The Sama Veda is primarily associated with the musical or melodic aspect of the Vedic tradition and is considered to be the source of Indian classical music. Samans are sung rather than recited and are characterized by their musical notation, rhythm, and melody. They are chanted in a specific musical style and are accompanied by the playing of musical instruments during Vedic rituals.
Soma: Soma is a Vedic ritualistic practice associated with the preparation and consumption of a sacred ritual drink called Soma. The Soma plant, which is believed to have psychoactive properties, is used to prepare the Soma drink, which is offered to the gods in Vedic rituals as a form of divine nourishment. The Soma ritual is described in detail in the Vedas, particularly in the Rigveda, and it was an important part of the Vedic religion.
Homa: Homa, also known as Yajna or Agnihotra, is a ritualistic fire offering or sacrifice performed in Hindu, Vedic, and other Indic religious traditions. It involves the offering of various substances, such as ghee (clarified butter), grains, and herbs, into a sacred fire, accompanied by the recitation of specific mantras (sacred chants) for various purposes, such as invoking the gods, purifying the environment, and seeking blessings or protection. Homa is considered a sacred act of worship and offering, and it is performed by trained priests (such as Hotris, Ritvij, Udgatri, and Adhvaryu) according to specific rules and procedures laid out in the ancient texts.
Hotris: Hotris are the priests who are responsible for reciting the mantras and performing the fire rituals (Homa) during Vedic ceremonies. They are experts in the recitation of sacred verses, hymns, and prayers, and their role is central to the performance of various rituals. Hotris are responsible for kindling the sacred fire, offering oblations into the fire, and invoking the deities through mantras during the Homa ceremony.
Udgatris: Udgatris, also known as Udgatri priests, are specifically associated with the Soma sacrifice, which is a prominent Vedic ritual involving the preparation and consumption of a sacred drink made from the Soma plant. Udgatris are responsible for chanting the Sama Vedic hymns, known as Samans, in a specific musical style during the Soma sacrifice. They are considered experts in singing and reciting the Sama Vedic hymns, which are an integral part of the Soma ritual.
Zarathustra = Jarathustra in Sanskrit
AVESTAN TYPES OF PRIESTS & CHANTING
Hotri (Vedic) vs. Hota (Avestan): Both are priests who play a role in the performance of rituals. The Hotri recites the Rig Veda hymns during Vedic rituals, while the Hota recites the Avesta hymns during Zoroastrian rituals.
Ritvij (Vedic) vs. Ratu (Avestan): Both are priests who perform specific rituals. The Ritvij is responsible for conducting the Vedic sacrifice and ensuring its proper performance, while the Ratu is a priest who officiates in various Zoroastrian rituals.
Udgatri (Vedic) vs. Zaotar (Avestan): Both are priests who chant specific hymns. The Udgatri chants the hymns of the Sama Veda during Vedic rituals, while the Zaotar chants the Avesta hymns during Zoroastrian rituals.
Adhvaryu (Vedic) vs. Athravan (Avestan): Both are priests who perform specific tasks in rituals. The Adhvaryu is responsible for the physical aspects of the Vedic sacrifice, such as preparing the ritual implements and offering the oblations, while the Athravan is a priest who performs various tasks related to the Zoroastrian rituals.
There is no direct equivalent of Sraosha in the Vedic tradition. Sraosha is a specific term used in Zoroastrianism to refer to a priest who has a role in protecting the sacred fire and performing other rituals related to the fire.
SAMANS
The Samans are chanted or recited during Zoroastrian religious ceremonies by priests known as "Mobeds" or "Magi," who are considered to be the custodians of the Avesta and are responsible for conducting religious rites and rituals according to Zoroastrian traditions. The Samans are considered to be an important part of the oral tradition of Zoroastrianism, passed down from generation to generation through the priestly lineage.
The Gathas are a collection of 17 hymns or songs composed by the ancient Iranian prophet and poet Zarathustra (also known as Zoroaster), and they are considered the most sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion. The Samans, also known as Sama hymns, are a specific category of hymns in the Gathas that are meant to be chanted or sung in a specific melodic mode or tune, with rhythmic patterns and musical notations.The Samans are considered to be an important aspect of the religious and liturgical practices of Zoroastrianism, and they are chanted or sung by trained priests or performers during rituals and ceremonies. The Samans are believed to have a specific spiritual and purifying effect, and they are considered to be powerful tools for invoking the divine, seeking blessings, and purifying the soul. The musical aspect of the Samans in the Gathas is an important feature of Zoroastrian worship and is considered to be an integral part of the religious experience in Zoroastrianism.
HAOMA is a plant and a ritualistic element in the Avesta, the primary scripture of Zoroastrianism, and not directly related to fire rituals. Haoma is a sacred plant, also known as soma in Vedic tradition, which was used in the performance of religious rituals for its perceived psychoactive and visionary properties. In Zoroastrianism, haoma is considered a divine plant associated with the god Haoma and is used in the Yasna, the primary ritual of Zoroastrian worship, where it is prepared and consumed as a ritual offering.
