The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c9.28

c9.28

The reviler, of course, does not reject sacrifice as a matter of abstract doctrine, otherwise his participation would be inexplicable. What he does reject is his opponent's sacrifice. His is not a religious doctrine but a ritual role in the contest for the goods of life, which calls for his wholehearted participation in the hope of reversing the roles. In the same way, it would seem, we must view the negation of and the disparaging doubts about Indra. In fact, it is not Indra's existence that is denied; on the contrary, the nay-sayer tries to deny his opponent Indra's presence and help.