[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985) › c19.s11.12 # The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c19.s11.12 The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c19.s11.12 - **Language:** English ### [c19.s11.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c19.s11.12) 12. I refrain from translating these terms since this would only give them a deceptive air of precision, without clarifying the context. So much is clear, however, they do not indicate specific administrative charges, but rather functions in agonistic potlatch festivals. Thus \*sūta\*, \*grāmaṇī\*, \*saṃgrahītṛ\*, and \*rathakāra\* are connected with chariot racing and chariot fighting. One commentary consideres the \*kṣattṛ\* to be a charioteer, although he seems to be connected instead, together with the \*govikarta\*, with the slaughter and cooking of the cow that is staked in the royal game of dice. The \*akṣavāpa\* clearly serves the king in the dicing match, while the \*takṣan\* is described elsewhere as cutting off and receiving the head of the sacrificial victim (\*MS\* 2. 4. 1)—a custom eliminated in the normalized śrauta ritual. The point to be retained is that all these personages are assocaited with contests (chariot racing, dicing) and their prizes (the cow in the game of dice). - [Previous: c19.s11.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c19.s11.11) - [Next: c19.s11.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c19.s11.13) - [Up: c19.s11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c19.s11) ## Linked texts (1) - [Maitrāyaṇīsaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.krsnayajur*maitrayani.2.4.1) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c19.s11.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c19.s11.12) · Pramāṇa