The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c7.s1.15

c7.s1.15

Putting it briefly, the purīṣa is the subterranean abode of the decomposed Agni (or the sacrifice), which is brought forth again from its womb, the loam pit or, in the standard ritual, the cātvāla pit on the ritual emplacement. The meaning, symbolic ramifications, and derivation are, however, far from being clear and require a special investigation beyond the scope of this essay.⁶³ There is, however, one feature that can point to a connection with the underlying realities with which we are concerned. Purīṣa is persistently connected with cattle, and the adjective purīṣya is declared to mean *paśavya*, pertaining to cattle.⁶⁴ In one passage purīṣa is identified with *goṣṭha*, the cattle corral.⁶⁵ Also interesting is the prescription that the sacrificer who wishes to obtain cattle should cover the place where the offerings are set down (*vedi*) with purīṣa, which he has taken from elsewhere,⁶⁶ possibly with somebody who possesses *śrī*, prosperity, and whom people for that reason call purīṣya, as *Śatapatha* 2. 1. 1. 7 tells us.