Sacred Concord

Odyssey 12.30

Odyssey · translated by Samuel Butler

“Thus spoke Eurylochus, and the men approved his words. Now the cattle, so fair and goodly, were feeding not far from the ship; the men, therefore, drove in the best of them, and they all stood round them saying their prayers, and using young oak-shoots instead of barley-meal, for there was no barley left. When they had done praying they killed the cows and dressed their carcasses; they cut out the thigh bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, and set some pieces of raw meat on top of them. They had no wine with which to make drink-offerings over the sacrifice while it was cooking, so they kept pouring on a little water from time to time while the inward meats were being grilled; then, when the thigh bones were burned and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up small and put the pieces upon the spits.
Odyssey 12.30 · Odyssey · 12

Themes in this passage

PrayerSpeechWorshipLoveImpermanence

Prayer in other traditions

The same theme, as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism address it.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18 · Bible · Ephesians
Pray not that day for one destruction, but pray for many destructions!
Quran 25:14 · Quran · The Criterion
Below the superior (region), above the inferior (region) here, the cow has arisen supporting (her) calf by the foot. Whither is she turned; to which half (of the universe), forsooth, has she aone away; where, forsooth, does she beget? Verily not in this herd! 42. One-footed, two-footed, four-footed is she; eight-footed, nine-footed became she, the thousand-syllabled (consisting of thousand elements) pankti (quinary stanza) of the universe: the oceans from her flow forth upon (the world). 43. Ascending the heaven, immortal, receive kindly my song! The sacrifices purified by prayer lead thee forth; the bay steeds that travel upon the road carry thee. 44. That do I know of thee, O immortal, where thy march is upon the sky, where thy habitation is in the highest heaven. 45. Sûrya (the sun) surveys the sky, Sûrya the earth, Sûrya the waters. Sûrya is the single eye of being: he has ascended the great heavens. 46. The broad (directions) where the fagots that fence in (the fire), the earth turned itself into a fire-altar. There Rohita laid on for himself these two fires, cold and heat. 47. Laying on cold and heat, using the mountains as sacrificial posts, the two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, into which (the fires) rain (flowed) as ghee, carried out the sacrifice. 48. The fire of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light is kindled by prayer. From it heat, from it cold, from it the sacrifice was produced. 49. The two fires swelling through prayer, increased through prayer, sacrificed into with prayer; the two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, kindled through prayer, carried out the sacrifice. 50. One is deposited in truth, the other is kindled in the waters. The two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, kindled through prayer, carried out the sacrifice. 51.
AV 11.5e · Atharva Veda · 11
k What time ye came to the wedding of Surya, Choosing a seat together on the three-wheeled (chariot), I praise you, Açvins, gods, invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from sin. l Of the Maruts I reckon; may they aid us; May they all help this every prayer (of ours); The swift, easily controlled (ones) I call to help, May they relieve us from evil. m The sharp weapon, strong and mighty, The divine host [4] keen in the battles, I praise the gods, the Maruts; I invoke seeking aid, May they relieve us from evil. n Of the gods I reckon; may they aid us; May they all help this every prayer; The swift, easily controlled (ones) I call to help, That they may relieve us from evil. o That which now consumeth me From deed of men or gods, I praise the All-gods; I invoke seeking aid, May they free us from evil. p Us to-day Anumati. q O Anumati, thou [5]. r Vaiçvanara for aid to us. s Present in sky. t Those that expanded with unmeasured might, Those that became the supports of wealth, I praise sky and earth; I invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from tribulation. u O ye broad firmaments, make room for us; O rulers of the field, aid us; I praise sky and earth; I invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from tribulation. v Whatever sin we commit against thee, As men are wont in ignorance, O most young [6], Make us blameless before Aditi, Remove our evil deeds on all sides, O Agni. w Even as ye did set free, O bright ones, O ye that are worthy of offering, the buffalo cow bound by the foot, So do thou remove from us tribulation; Be our life prolonged further, O Agni. THE EXPLANATION OF THE PILING OF THE FIRE ALTAR
YV 7.5h · Yajur Veda

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