RV 102

Rig Veda · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

2 The Seven Rivers bear his glory far and wide, and heaven and sky and earth display his comely form. 3 Maghavan, grant us that same car to bring us spoil, thy conquering car in which we joy in shock of fight 4 Encourage thou our side in every fight: may we, with thee for our ally, conquer the foeman's host. 5 For here in divers ways these men invoking thee, holder of treasures, sing hymns to win thine aid. 6 His arms win kine, his power is boundless in each act best, with a hundred helps waker of battle's din 7 Thy glory, Maghavan, exceeds a hundred yea, more than a hundred, than a thousand mid the folk, 8 Of thy great might there is a three counterpart, the three earths, Lord men and the three realms of light. 9 We invocate thee first among the Deities: thou hast become a mighty Conquer in fight. 10 Thou hast prevailed, and hast not kept the booty back, in trifling battles in those of great account. 11 May Indra evermore be our Protector, and unimperilled may we win the booty.

RV 102 · Rig Veda · null

Themes in this passage

War Nature Strength The Divine Joy Protection

War in other traditions

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

For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

1 Samuel 17:21 · Bible · 1 Samuel

A master of the art of war has said, 'I do not dare to be the host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest (to act on the defensive). I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer to retire a foot.' This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks; baring the arms (to fight) where there are no arms to bare; grasping the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp; advancing against the enemy where there is no enemy.

Tao Te Ching 69.1 · Tao Te Ching

Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbelieve do battle for the cause of idols. So fight the minions of the devil. Lo! the devil's strategy is ever weak.

Quran 4:76 · Quran · Women

He spoke, then rush’d amid the warrior crew, And sent his voice before him as he flew, Loud, as the shout encountering armies yield When twice ten thousand shake the labouring field; Such was the voice, and such the thundering sound Of him whose trident rends the solid ground. Each Argive bosom beats to meet the fight, And grisly war appears a pleasing sight.

Iliad 14.15 · Iliad · 14

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