Significance of Maitravaruna
Maitravaruna, according to Dharmashastra, encompasses various roles and significances within sacrificial rituals. It can refer to a designated priest to whom orders are directed for ritual actions, a special goblet used in sacrifices, or a priest invoked to recite texts related to offerings. This term also denotes a specific figure in charge of directing hymns and invocations during Vedic ceremonies, highlighting its integral role in the effectiveness of these sacred rites.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Maitravaruna'
Maitravaruna in Hinduism refers to a priestly figure involved in sacrificial rituals, reciting specific verses and addressing offerings to deities like Agni and Indra-Agni, facilitating the connection between the sacrificer and the divine.
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) A priest within the ritual context who requires one of the designated goblets.[1] (2) A specific officiating priest role that involves the invocation of certain deities during the ritual.[2] (3) The entity to whom the sacrificer hands over his staff during the Soma ritual.[3] (4) A priest who directs the Hotri to recite specific hymns for the deities during the ceremony.[4] (5) A designated priest or figure to whom the officiant addresses orders for the ritual actions.[5]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) One of the classes of priests who receive compensation after the chief priests.[6]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) A specific Brahman or priest associated with the deities Mitra and Varuna during the sacrificial rites.[7] (2) Maitravaruna is a cup in the ritual, linked with the sacrificer's intelligence and will, again addressed for purity and lustre.[8] (3) A priestly recitation related to productiveness, significant in the procedure of offering omenta.[9] (4) A reference to a cup or container used for water in the rituals.[10] (5) A priest who is responsible for a lower volume recitation of the morning litany to avoid disturbing the Hotri.[11]