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SOCIAL LIFE AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS 155 of the king (rājakammikā), or as those who had followed different professions of their own. 'In the second connection, they are introduced as those who went out of the social environments and lived the life of tāpasas or isis in forest homes called assamas with or without their families and resident pupils. Of those in service of the king, the most important was the Purohita. Next to him in importance were the amaccas or maħāmattas (councillors and ministers). The Yăcakas (sacrificers) and others were no better than assistants in the office of the Purohitai. Partly in connection with the king, they held the position of mahāsālas or heads, of Vedic institutions. They came to represent the sotthiya class of Brāhmaṇas who were occasionally' employed by the kings as dütas (ambassadors). The Brahmins also filled the office of senāpatis (generals), and issatthas, or yodhājīvas (soldiers), chariot-drivers, trainers of elephants, legal experts and judges. To the people in general thegungendered services as purohitas and priests, as physicians and druggists, as astronomers and architects, as ballad-reciters and matchmakers. They pursued various other vocations of life as well in their own independent capacities as private citizens. The economic position of the Brāhmaṇas as a class, other than those in high royal service, the mahāsālas, and the few farmers and traders, could not but be
