Studies in the Origins of Buddhism c13.162

c13.162

Pasu.—The animal sacrifice, though an integral part of the Soma sacrifice, may be performed independently also. The consumption of the Iḍā was doubtless important, but there is no question of the death and eating of a divinity.¹³⁴ The cruelty involved in the killing of the animal became noticed and the priests sought to mitigate it by mystical and quasi-magical operations.¹³⁵