The Gods of Pegāna · Chapter
The Chaunt of the Priests explained
The priests of Mung chant endlessly to their god, who does not listen.
What happens
The priests of Mung chant endlessly to their god, who does not listen. They instruct the people to bring gifts to the priests so that they may cry louder to Mung, hoping that Mung will eventually hear and lift the shadow and tread that darkens their lives.
Themes in this chapter
The Illusion of Religious Authority
The priests claim to intercede with Mung, yet their god does not listen; they manipulate the people into bringing gifts to maintain their own power.
Characters to notice
- Pegāna Mung
The god to whom the priests cry out, but who does not harken.
Key passages
“All day long to Mung cry out the Priests of Mung, and, yet Mung harkeneth not.”
The priests call out to Mung all day, but Mung does not listen.
Highlights the futility of the priests' prayers.
“Rather bring gifts to the Priests, gifts to the Priests of Mung. So shall they cry louder unto Mung than ever was their wont.”
Instead, bring gifts to the priests so they will shout louder to Mung than usual.
Reveals the transactional nature of the priests' intercession.