Sacred Concord

RV 16 (6)a

Rig Veda · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

2 So with thy joyous tongues for us sacrifice nobly in this rite. 3 For well, O God, Disposer, thou knowest, straight on, the paths and ways, 4 Thee, too, hath Bharata of old, with mighty men, implored for bliss. 5 Thou givest these abundant boons to Divodasa pouring forth, 6 Do thou, Immortal Messenger, bring hither the Celestial Folk; 7 Mortals with pious thought implore thee, Agni, God, at holy rites, 8 I glorify thine aspect and the might of thee the Bountilul. 9 Invoker placed by Manus, thou, Agni, art near, the wisest Priest: 10 Come, Agni, lauded, to the feast; come to the offering of the gifts. 11 So, Angiras, we make thee strong with fuel and with holy oil. 12 For us thou winnest, Agni, God, heroic strength exceeding great, 13 Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth, by rubbing, from the lotus−flower, 14 Thee. Vrtra's slayer, breaker down of castles, hath Atharvan's son, 15 The hero Pathya kindled thee the Dasyus'. most destructive foe, 16 Come, here, O Agni, will I sing verily other songs to thee, 17 Where'er tby mind applies itself, vigour preeminent bast thou: 18 Not for a moment only lasts thy bounty, good to many a one!
RV 16 (6)a · Rig Veda · null

Themes in this passage

StrengthThe DivineWorshipCharityJoyChildrenDeathDevotion

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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