The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c11.15

c11.15

Therefore the gods too are said to drive about on their chariots while their opponents, the asuras, stay at home. And it is through their wheeled drive that they obtain the revelatory vision of the sacrificial “work” (*karman*).¹⁷ The statement is, as usual, short and undramatic. The “vision” in this context is, of course, nothing more exciting than ritual procedure. But however devoid of drama, it is nonetheless highly suggestive of a previous and totally different state of affairs. The interesting point is, however, not the hint at the violent warrior ethos, but the fact that this was the condition for the revelatory vision.