The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c7.3

c7.3

It stands to reason that the ritual must bear the imprint of this contradiction between abstract symbol and concrete reality. The foe is overcome by abstract means, without being bodily present; in fact, he cannot possibly have a standing on the place of sacrifice. Nevertheless, it is sometimes enjoined that he should be remunerated—without even being present—by a