The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c9.39

c9.39

It is at this point that the classical nāstika makes his appearance, as does the orthodox ritualist. The utter acerbity of their relations signifies the fact that they are no longer bound together in a complementary pattern. The initial point is, however, the breakthrough out of mutual dependence in the contest for the goods of life. Both ritualist and nāstika reject karman in the sense of the (sacrificial) "work" of agonistic exchange between two parties. What divides them is the truth or falsehood of the doctrine of individual karman regulated by transcendent Vedic injunction. In the essential point, man's freedom to transcend his condition of bondage, both find themselves on the same side. But neither can realize both freedom and transcendence. The ritualist (and his āstika progeny), in order to safeguard man's transcendence, subjects his freedom to transcendent injunction. The nāstika, on the other hand, surrenders transcendence in favor of man's freedom.