2 Strong is the stone, the draught is strong, strong is this Soma that is pressed, 3 As strong I call on thee the Strong, O Thunder−armed, with various aids, 4 Impetuous, Thunderer, Strong, quelling the mighty, King, potent, Vrtra−slayer, Soma−drinker, 5 O Surya, when the Asura's descendant Svarbhanu, pierced thee through and through with darkness, 6 What time thou smotest down Svarbhanu's magic that spread itself beneath the sky, O Indra, 7 Let not the oppressor with this dread, through anger swallow me up, for I am thine, O Atri. 8 The Brahman Atri, as he set the press−stones, serving the Gods with praise and adoration, 9 The Atris found the Sun again, him whom Svarbhanu of the broodRV 40 (5) · Rig Veda · null
RV 40 (5)
Rig Veda · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith
Themes in this passage
StrengthNatureWorshipAngerThe DivineFearLeadership
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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