The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c10.42

c10.42

The ultimate breakdown of ritualism is, however, not the last word. This is illustrated again by the agnihotra, namely, by its last manifestation, the *prāṇāgnihotra*, or sacrifice in the internal fires of the breaths. In plain fact, it is a meal surrounded by some simple ritual acts and mantras.⁴⁹ But its significance is far weightier than it appears. The idea of numinosity and transgression involved in the production, preparation, and eating of food make the connection with sacrifice a natural one. The special importance of the prāṇāgnihotra is the fusion and concentration of both meal and sacrifice in the single person of the sacrificer. It emancipates the sacrificer from society. In sovereign independence from the surrounding world, he performs his sacrifice, which is at the same time his meal.