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 parents; but, according to the analogy of the soul life in general, it may be assumed that the libido, which disturbed the initial equilibrium of becoming and of ceasing to be, had been stored up in the attempt to make an especially difficult adaptation, and from which it recedes even today.

After this long digression, let us turn back to the song of the Rigveda. Thinking and a conception of the world arose from a shrinking back from stern reality, and it is only after man has regressively assured himself again of the protective parental power[24] that he enters life wrapped in a dream of childhood shrouded in magic superstititions; that is to say, "thinking,"[25] for he, timidly sacrificing his best and assuring himself of the favor of the invisible powers, step by step develops to greater power, in the degree that he frees himself from his retrogressive longing and the original lack of harmony in his being.

Rigveda 10, 90, concludes with the exceedingly significant verse, which is of greatest importance for the Christian mysteries as well:

"Gods, sacrificing, rendered homage to the sacrifice: these were the earliest holy ordinances, The mighty ones attained the height of heaven, there where the Sâdhyas, goddesses of old, are dwelling."

Through the sacrifice a fulness of power was attained, which extends up to the power of the "parents." Thus the sacrifice has also the meaning of a psychologic maturation process.