The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c12.s1.3

c12.s1.3

In the meantime, it will have become clear that the difference between the rājasūya of the *Yajurveda* and the abhiṣeka in the *Aitareya Brāhmaṇa* is not a result of confusion but of the way in which the cycle was cut. The *Aitareya Brāhmaṇa* begins with the enthronization, which is followed by the unction. But there the matter does not end, for, as we have seen, after the unction the king goes abroad on a war or raiding expedition. This is also clearly indicated in the *Aitareya Brāhmaṇa*. After the punarabhiṣeka, the king not only makes three steps to the north—which is a symbol of departure and conquest—but the text follows this up with instructions and explanations regarding battle rites.⁸⁰ Still clearer is the case of the *aindramahābhiṣeka* in the same text, where a list is given of kings who performed this ceremony, went out on conquest, and on their return performed another consecratory sacrifice, namely, the horse sacrifice.⁸¹