Sacred Concord

AV 4.16a

Atharva Veda · translated by Maurice Bloomfield

shape of a ploughshare. 1. The head of the hostile rival, of the enemy that bates me, do I cut off with might. 2. This amulet, produced by the ploughshare, will prepare an armour for me: full of stirred drink it has come to me, together with sap and lustre. 3. If the skilful workman has injured thee with his hand or with his knife, the living bright waters shall purify thee from that, (so that thou shalt be) bright! 4. This amulet has a golden wreath, bestows faith and sacrifice and might; in our house as a guest it shall dwell! 5. Before it (the amulet as a guest) ghee, surâ (liquor), honey, and every kind of food we place. The amulet having gone to the gods shall, as a father for his sons, plan for us growing good, more and more day after day! 6. The amulet which Brihaspati tied, the ploughshare dripping with ghee, the strong khadira, unto strength, that Agni did fasten on; that yields him ghee more and more day after day: with it those that hate me do thou slay! 7. This amulet which Brihaspati tied that Indra did fasten on, for strength and heroism; that yields him might more and more, &c. 8. The amulet which Brihaspati tied... that Soma did fasten on unto perfect hearing and seeing; that verily yields him lustre more and more, &c. 9. The amulet which Brihaspat, tied... that Sûrya did fasten on, with that he conquered these directions of space; that yields him prosperity moreand more, &c. 10. The amulet which Brihaspati tied wearing that amulet Kandramas (the moon) conquered the golden cities of the Asuras and the Dânavas; that yields him fortune more and more, &c. 11. The amulet which Brihaspat' tied for swift Vâta (wind), that yields him strength more and more, &c. 12, The amulet which Brihaspati tied for swift Vâta, with that amulet, O Asvins, do ye guard this plough-land; that yields the two physicians (the Asvins) might more and more, &c. 13.
AV 4.16a · Atharva Veda · 4

Themes in this passage

StrengthNatureChildrenFaithFamilyProtectionTruthWar

Strength in other traditions

The same theme, as Christianity, Islam, Hellenism and Taoism address it.

Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
Job 36:5 · Bible · Job
Allah is He Who shaped you out of weakness, then appointed after weakness strength, then, after strength, appointed weakness and grey hair. He createth what He will. He is the Knower, the Mighty.
Quran 30:54 · Quran · The Romans
“Stern power of war! by whom the mighty fall, Who bathe in blood, and shake the lofty wall! Let the brave chiefs their glorious toils divide; And whose the conquest, mighty Jove decide: While we from interdicted fields retire, Nor tempt the wrath of heaven’s avenging sire.”
Iliad 5.6 · Iliad · 5
Hence he who (relies on) the strength of his forces does not conquer; and a tree which is strong will fill the out-stretched arms, (and thereby invites the feller.)
Tao Te Ching 76.3 · Tao Te Ching

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