The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c10.17

c10.17

The striking point of this rather trite story is that the final success is not brought about, as we would expect, by the orderly performance and conclusion of the sacrifice, but, on the contrary, by the drastic disturbance and overthrow of the proceedings. It would seem that here death and destruction breaking out of the ritual structure are not so much a fatal disturbance as they are the essence of the sacrifice itself. Only by submitting to the mortal perils of sacrifice can one hope to find access to the transcendent. Yet there is no glorification of heroic death. The cry “Viva la muerte” has no place in the liturgy. One simply tries somehow to come through and to reach the goal in spite of all the risks. It is not a matter of egregious bravery and even less of superior sacrificial knowledge. We are even told that Sthūra’s companions were a rather miserable band (*pāpagrāmatarā iva hi tataḥ purāsuḥ*). There is no question of their redeeming themselves by seeking death in battle. When misfortune hits them, this does not mean that their path *per aspera* will automatically lead them *ad astra*. By itself, Sthūra’s death on the place of sacrifice is just a lusterless misfortune. It is only the unexpected revelation of his entering heaven that brings ultimate redemption. Till then, the final outcome remains uncertain.