ṛtvij

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Ṛtvij. The Hindu priests employed in sacrificial rituals. In origin four, they extended to seven: Hotar, Potar, Neṣṭar, Agnīdh, Praśāstar, Adhvaryu, and Brahman. By the time of Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa (3. 6. 2. 1), they are called ‘seven Hotṛs’, Hotṛ having become the chief.