The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c19.s6.23

c19.s6.23

The last episode clearly shows the pattern of challenge and reversal: First Janaka asks the questions, then it is Yājñavalkya's turn, and finally Janaka again challenges Yājñavalkya with questions. In a similar way, we see Uddālaka first as challenger and then being challenged himself by Svaidāyana and becoming his pupil. The contestants in the brahmodya of the horse sacrifice also take turns. The contest, then, goes on indefinitely, cyclically alternating the roles.