Brāhmaṇas (Brahmanas) well-versed in the Vedas — those perform vrata (ritual to be performed, with a specific purpose) according to the instruction of their guru, are called ādiṣṭi (adisti, those who act according to instruction). If the ādiṣtī brāhmaṇas, while performing the vrata, consume rice dedicated to a śrāddha (sraddha, funeral rite), the vrata gets destroyed. It is in this context that the ādiṣṭī (adisti) brāhmaṇas have been mentioned in Mahābharata.