The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c6.s1.12

c6.s1.12

Now in the sādyaskra, the original agonistic character of the ritual is still to some extent manifest. The war and racing chariot are still very much in evidence, and, at least according to one text,²³ a chariot race was part of the ritual. Particularly interesting is the legend which is meant to explain the sādyaskra: "The Ādityas competed with the Aṅgirases for the possession of the heavenly world; they considered: which of our two parties will officiate at the ritual of the other, that party will be left behind (on earth while the other wins heaven)." The Aṅgirases then invite the Ādityas to their ceremony, but the Ādityas find a way out by preparing a ceremony that can be performed on one day (the sādyaskra) and consequently can take place before the Aṅgirases' ceremony. Thus the Aṅgirases are forced to accept the invitation of the Ādityas, who in this way win the contest.²⁴ Less mythological, almost "historical," is a similar story of rivalry told in connection with a variant of the sādyaskra, the *parikrī*, where Keśin Dārbhya and Khaṇḍika are said to compete with each other for the kingship of the Pañcālas. Khaṇḍika hopes to win by announcing the sādyaskra to Keśin; but Keśin retorts by announcing to his opponent the parikrī, which gives him the upper hand over Khaṇḍika.²⁵