[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) › c6.s1.17 # The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c6.s1.17 The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c6.s1.17 - **Language:** English ### [c6.s1.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c6.s1.17) An illustration of this alternating pattern seems still to be contained in \*Aitareya Brāhmaṇa\* 4. 25. This text declares that in the beginning Prajāpati undertook the dīkṣā and invited the seasons and the months to officiate for him in the twelve-day ritual. Having officiated for Prajāpati and having received his dakṣiṇās, the seasons and the months feel "heavy" (\*gurava ivāmanyanta\*). In their turn, they undertake the dīkṣā and have Prajāpati officiate for them. Thus "Prajāpati, (who is) the year, found support in the seasons and months; the seasons and months (in their turn) found support in Prajāpati, the year; they became firmly established in each other." We might say, in other words, alternately the one represents the brahman out of which the other is reborn. - [Previous: c6.s1.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c6.s1.16) - [Next: c6.s1.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c6.s1.18) - [Up: c6.s1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c6.s1) ## Linked texts (1) - [Aitareyabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.aitreya.4.25) — Mahidāsa Aitareya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c6.s1.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.heesterman-1985.c6.s1.17) · Pramāṇa