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The Hieratic Religion
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sacrifice. Our good friend the poet is after all a monger in technical rites who cannot, even in the moment of his inspiration, quite forget his trade. Lest we think that just this particular poet has nodded for a moment, another hymn repeats the, to us, offensive comparison:


"The bright Dawns have risen in the East, Like sacrifice posts uplifted at the sacrifice. Luminous, pure, and clear, they have unbarred The portals of the stable of darkness." (Rig-Veda 4. 51. 2.)


We may turn this about the other way and prove the example. Just as it is possible for a brilliant poet of the Rig-Veda to institute comparisons between glorious Dawn and the tawdry sacrifice post, so it is possible for another poet to consider the sacrifice post as a subject fit for high poetic treatment. We are accustomed to make allowance for symbolism in connection with articles belonging to ritual, but I question whether the poets of any other land have ever turned their talents to such curious use:

Rig-Veda 3.8.


1. "God-serving men, O sovereign of the forest![1] With heavenly mead at sacrifice anoint thee.

  1. ↑ That is, the tree from which the sacrifice post is made.
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