Vedic ritual theory runs on identity equations, not symbols: "the sacrifice is the cow" — so seizing the cow IS seizing the sacrifice; "food is the cow" — so it is food he wins. The rite doesn't represent the outcome; rite and outcome are declared the same thing, and the declaration does the work. In the same breath, the text shows the system's mercy rule: the man and the wild animals are led around the fire and then released "for non-injury" — only the tame is taken; the wild and the human are shown the sacred fire and let go. (TB 3.9.8)

— In our words · Source: The Taittiriya Brahmana (Vedic tradition)