The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c6.s1.4

c6.s1.4

For our discussion, two points are of particular interest. First, though the ritual is a regeneration of the universe, it is not a communal, but a strictly private celebration, centering on the single *yajamāna* who is the sole beneficiary.⁵ Second, the ritual is the domain of absolute purity; the brahmin ritual specialists are pure and the *yajamāna* has to undergo a purificatory ceremony, the *dīkṣā*, in order to be admitted to the ritual.