( the D in the beginning of this name is pronounced like a hardened 'th' in 'thou'. The Y is a consonant and is pronounced like 'y' in 'you'.)
Dhoumya was the purohith ( conductor of ritual formalities) of the Paandavas.
Every ritual activity undertaken by the performer is conducted by a qualified person with thorough knowledge of scriptures and procedures. Kings and other persons of high rank engage a person or group of persons for this purpose while the general public avail the services of practising priests for their needs.
When Arjuna defeated a gandharva named Angaaraparna at night time after their escape from the wax-house, the gandharva advised them to adopt a scholar as their official priest to look after the conduct of their regular performances of rituals like fire worship, oblations etc. Then the paandavas asked him to suggest a person suitable to be their priest. Angaaraparna suggested Dhoumya who was fast observing penances at a place named Uthkacha. Accordingly, Paandavas selected Dhoumya as their priest. Dhoumya too accepted their offer and lived with them till the end.
During the Paandavas'stay in the forest, when Jayadratha abducted Droupadi, Dhoumya tried to syop him but in vain.
When Ashvamedham was undertaken by Yudhishthira, Arjuna went as guard of the horse. Dhoumya's disciple,Somashravas went alongwith Arjuna for doing the required rituals wherever necessary.
"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."
DEDICATED TO MY DEAR NIECE VYSHNAVI KRISHNA