The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c7.s1.7
The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c7.s1.7
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c7.s1.7
But why this solemn announcement about the purpose of the procession? The mention of the Angirases may contain a clue; it seems to refer to their role in helping Indra to break open the Vala Cave and conquer the cows. In the same way, the mantra states, the procession goes out to fetch Agni. If I am right, this can explain the statement that by this mantra the enemy is robbed of his force;⁵⁶ that is, in plain language, the enemy is robbed of his possessions, albeit in a painlessly abstract way. But the hard facts of reality do not allow themselves to be abstracted away; they keep breaking to the surface.