Most Ancient Aryan Society

Author(s): Ram Chandra Jain
Publisher: Institute of Bharatalogical Research Sriganganagar Rajasthan

Page 251

(224) It gives the full picture of the Āryan Way of life condensed in one Rc. The words Rtvij and Hotāram are used in this Ķc in the sense of priest-hood ; hence the meaning of the word 'Purohita' as priest may easily be ruled out. Agni is Deva, a leader but he is also Purohita. Yāşka traces the word to Puras + hita' literally, 'placed before',14 meaning the man who sits in front or the foremost man. Purohita, then, means foremost Deva; the supreme Deva. Agni is the associate of men (Purohita) sitting in the East, east signifying the foremost or the first. Agni is Purohita at a Yajña and of a Yajña. Heaven and Earth are also Purohita at Yajña.16 Agni is Purohita by birth.18 Agni is Purohita of gods including Rudras and Vasus and also of men. Brahmaṇspati, the supreme Leader of the Brahma, and Sūrya are also Purohitas of gods. Sāyņa comments the word as 'placed in front of' and Wilson similarly translates it.? Agni rides in the same car with Indra and gods.18 Purohita Sūrya is slayer of Asuras.'' Purohita Brahmanaspati is renowned in battle.20 Purohita was not only a hero of peace but also of war as War and Peace were undivided to the ancient Aryans. Purohita, in this Ķc, is said to possess great wealth. He is not a heavenly being but a living being of this earth. Association of material wealth with the supreme Leader of Yajña makes the sense of the Řc very clear. Purhoita, hence, in this context means Ganapati. Yajña is tribal activity in war and peace. This Ķc glorifies Gaņapati Agni, the supreme leader of the Aryan military, economic and social tribal ( Yajñic) activities resulting in the amassing of large material wealth to be distributed by him, as Rc 3 of this Sūkta sings, for fame and progeny. We, through this analytic method, get a real and truthful picture of the Aryan institutions of Yajña, Deva, Ganapati and others in this Rc.