Purohita
पुरोहित
purohita
A priest is called as Purohita. Purohita is a learned person in religious matters, who does a spiritual service on behalf of another person. A learned man and a person doing service in temple are also called as Purohita.
Veda uses the word Purohita for a highly respected person. In the first mantra of RV we have this word, “Agni meele purohitam”. Here the meaning of purohita is: one who placed in front (Puras meaning "front", and hita, "placed"). Here agni is invited to lead other Devas to the sacred place. Purohita is used as a synonymous word for Rishi in many instances. Rishis are intellectuals, who move ahead of the society and society just follow them.
In puranas we cannot find a king instruct a Rishi to do a service, instead we can see rulers are taking advice from a Rishi.
Word | Sanskrit | IAST | In General | Veda | Purana |
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