118 Bajendralala Mitra— On Human Sacrifices in Ancient India. 



close by adding the following summary of the conclusions which may be 

 fairly drawn from the facts cited above : 



1st. That, looking to the history of human civilization and the rituals 

 of the Hindus, there is nothing to justify the belief that in ancient times 

 the Hindus were incapable of sacrificing human beings to their gods. 



2nd. That the S'unahsepha hymns of the Eik Sanhita most probably 

 refer to a human sacrifice. 



3rd. That the Aitareya Brahmana refers to an actual and not a typical 

 human sacrifice. 



Uh. That the Purushamedha originally required the actual sacrifice 

 of men. 



5th. That the S'atapatha Brahmana sanctions human sacrifice in some 

 cases, but makes the Purushamedha emblematic. 



6th. That the Taittiriya Brahmana enjoins the sacrifice of a man at 

 the Horse sacrifice. 



7th. That the Puranas recognise human sacrifices to Chandika, but 

 prohibit the Purushamedha rite. 



8th. That the Tantras enjoin human sacrifices to Chandika, and 

 require that when human victims are not available, an effigy of a human 

 being should be sacrificed to her. 



IM 



