The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c7.s1.5

c7.s1.5

Thus *Maitrāyaṇī Saṃhitā*, speaking about the horse, tells us that “in the beginning the gods by means of the horse conquered their dominion; the going with the horse serves for conquest”.⁵³ Further, when they have reached the loam pit or the place where the materials have previously been put ready—the rationalized ritual wants to be free from the contingencies of place and time and organizes its own universe—the adhvaryu, while reciting mantras encouraging it to drive away the enemies and to find Agni, makes the horse step forward; then he strokes its back while reciting the next mantra, which ends in "trample on the fighters," adding: "The enemies should be down, stand like Indra the Vṛtra killer conquering waters and fields''.⁵⁴ The intention is made explicit by the injunction that at this point the sacrificer should think of his enemy. What is presented as a solemn procession seems rather to be characterized as a raid, or a battle to conquer "waters and fields."