The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c14.s1.35

c14.s1.35

All this, however, is remote from the strict separation of power and authority where we started our discussion. In fact, it is its very opposite. Coming together in the nexus of the sacrificial contest, power and authority as well as priesthood are inextricably interwoven. The ever-repeated contest decided who should occupy the central position of connective sacrality—till the next challenge.