According to McNeill, a Brahmin priest could recite at least one of the Vedas. The practice was essential for several centuries when the Vedas had not yet been written down. It must have had a selective effect, since priests would have been recruited from those able or willing to memorise long passages. Therefore, this kind of recruitment helped in the dissemination of the work, since a memorised passage could be duplicated many times.

Which one of the following can be inferred from the above passage?

A) Reciting the Vedas was a Brahmin’s obligation.
B) The Vedic priest was like a recorded audio cassette.
C) McNeill studied the behaviour of Brahmin priests.
D) Vedic hymns had not been scripted.
E) The passages recited by the priest were always in the original fashion.