Preceptors of the Vedas are of two sorts, viz., those who are conversant with the Self and those that are otherwise. Of these the former are superior on account of their knowledge of Birth and Death.
प्रवक्तृणि द्वयान्याहुरात्मज्ञानीतराणि च। आत्मज्ञानि विशिष्टानि जन्माजन्मोपधारणात्॥