1-14-35, Sanskrit Verse
Hootaa adhvaryuhu tathaa udgaataa
hasteena samayoojayan
mahishyaa parivruittyaa athaa
vaavaataam aparaam tathaa
Hoota = The priest who pours clarified butter/drops wood into the sacrificial fire.
Adhvaryu = The priest who guides/manages/presides the sacrifice.
Udgaata = The priest who sings the sacrificial mantras and hymns.
CONTEXT
Dasaratha performed the 'Putra Kaameesht`hi' sacrifice to beget children.
ENGLISH
The hoota took the hands of the Queens.
The adhvaryu took the hands of neglected queens.
The Udgaata took the hands of the concubines of the King.
CRITICAL REMARKS:
The king giving the hands of the concubines to guests is understandable. Why should he hand over the Queens and the neglected wives? Bringing all these women to the sacrificial place and gifting them to the lead priests, sends us to an interpretation of the next consequence: the priests having access to the gifted women after taking them to their guest rooms. Otherwise this ritual becomes meaningless. The priests are said to be conquerers of their senses after performing great penance. They should have refused to take the hands of the women.
