Concept of Priesthood in the Vedas

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Max Muller, a renowned Indologist, emphasized that the true history of mankind lies in the history of religion, as it guides humanity towards a deeper knowledge and love of God, underpinning all cultural developments. Religion, featuring belief in the supernatural, prayer, and worship, is essential to every culture. The priesthood, acting as mediators between humans and the divine, is a central aspect of religious practice, demanding purity, dedication, and intelligence from its members. This thesis focuses on the Vedic religion, particularly its priesthood as depicted in the Rigveda Samhita. The study explores the various classes of Vedic priests, such as Hotri and Adhvaryu, and their roles, including the mythological origins of priesthood. It examines priestly gods like Agni, the quintessential priest in Vedic hymns. Vedic sacrifice (yajna) is crucial, symbolizing a movement from the profane to the sacred and emphasizing the priest's role in maintaining cosmic order through correct rituals. The Vedic priest was seen as a representative of the people, possessing intercessory powers and mystical qualities. Despite criticisms and evolving religious practices in post-Vedic India, the need for a priestly mediator in religious worship persists universally, fulfilling a fundamental human need to connect with the divine.

Dr. Kurian V.K. is a distinguished professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, renowned for his significant contributions to both academic research and teaching. With a profound expertise in philosophical and religious studies, he focuses on comparative religion, ethics, and metaphysics. His extensive scholarly work includes numerous publications in prestigious journals and presentations at international conferences, establishing him as a respected authority in his field.Dr. Kurian's dynamic teaching style is celebrated for fostering critical thinking and lively discussions. He engages students deeply with complex philosophical and religious concepts, highlighting their contemporary relevance. His courses are known for their intellectual rigor and supportive learning environments, inspiring students to develop a nuanced understanding of the subjects.Beyond his teaching, Dr. Kurian actively mentors students, guiding them through their academic and professional journeys. He also participates in various academic and community initiatives, contributing to broader philosophical and religious discourse. Dr. Kurian's dedication to education and his insightful contributions have earned him admiration and respect from both colleagues and students.

If an ordinary Hindu is now asked to name the most important book of his faith, he might mention the Gita, Ramayana or Bhagavata Puranam. The Veda, the real Sruti is almost forgotten. This is the plight of this great body of religious literature which is considered infallible, eternal and self- existing. Our research took us to this nearly forgotten but magnificent realm of religious of florescence of by gone days, to look for religious meaning once again, especially for the institution of priesthood which is going through a crisis at this juncture.

In this endeavour to seek treasures in the Vedic religion we received whole hearted support and encouragement from many persons. First of all, Professor N.S.S. Raman, my supervisor who took great interest in the work and guided me at every stage, deserves my heartfelt gratitude. I am also happy here to acknowledge the encouragement. I received from Dr. John Perumattam, Eparch of Ujjain and from Dr. R. Panikkar, professor of Religious Studies at the University of California. My special thanks are due to Khrist Panthi Ashram, its inmates and especially to Acharya Isvara Prasad. The excellent library of the Ashram, the companionship and prayer life shared together were all helps in the hard life of a research scholar. The kind cooperation of the librarians of the University is gratefully acknowledged here.