The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c6.s3.10

c6.s3.10

Thus the brahmin is no longer the rival on whom death and impurity are devolved and who is entitled to a "revanche.'' In the classical ritual, we see him as a member of the brahmin caste whose functional speciality is the liturgy. Death and impurity having been "assimilated away,'' the ritual has become the domain of absolute purity. The brahmin's world is a pure world and consequently his place in the hierarchy is the highest.