The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c7.6

c7.6

The brāhmaṇa discussions on the details of the ritual system contain many references to the “head of the sacrifice,” its being severed, the outflowing essence, and especially its being restored. It will be clear that the severing and restoration of the head in the language of the ritual system can only be an abstract expression. At first, though, one would be inclined to think of the head of the sacrificial victim. But it is exactly here that the abstract nature of the expression stands out clearest. There cannot be any question of the victim’s head being referred to; the victim is explicitly not beheaded; it is even forbidden to make offerings of the victim’s head.³