Hotā
Hotā, “the one who offers the oblation”
Grammar: masculine noun; the nominative of hotṛ.
Meaning: an officiant of a yajña.
In the scriptures: the Madhyama Parva of the Bhavishya Purāṇa names the hotā with the ācārya and the brahmā among those who serve a rite. If ṛtvij brāhmaṇas are not available, the ācārya may also serve as hotā (Bhāga 1, Chapters 19–21). By the measure of the anushṭhāna there should be eight hotās, eight dvārapālas and eight yājaka brāhmaṇas, all pure and masters of the Veda mantras. On entering the maṇḍala each is respectfully seated in his own place, in order: the ācārya on the west of the vedī, the brahmā at the front of the kuṇḍa, and the hotā, the dvārapālas and the rest in their places (Bhāga 2, Chapters 17–18). The ācārya, the hotā, the brahmā and others are appointed with gandha and other things (Bhāga 3, Chapters 14–17). At the close the ācārya receives food, cloth and dakshiṇā, and the hotā and other dvijas the dakshiṇā they wish (Bhāga 3, Chapters 2–3).
Related terms: Ṛtvij · Ācārya · Yajña · Dakshiṇā
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 1, Chapters 19–21; Bhāga 2, Chapters 17–18; Bhāga 3, Chapters 2–3, 14–17