Sacred Concord

SV 4.1.1a

Sama Veda · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

1. These Soma juice mixt with curd have been expressed for Indra here: Come with thy bay steeds, Thunder-wielder, to our home, to drink them till they make thee glad! 2. Indra, these Somas with their lauds have been prepared for thy delight. Drink of the pleasant juice and listen to our songs; lover of song, reward the hymn! 3. I call on thee, Sabardugha, this day, inspirer of the psalm. Indra, the richly-yielding milch-cow who provides unfailing food in ample stream. 4. Indra, the strong and lofty hills are powerless to bar thy way None stays that act of thine when thou wouldst fain give wealth to one like me who sings thy praise. 5. Who knows what vital power he wins, drinking beside the flowing juice? This is the fair-cheeked. God who, joying in the draught, breaks down the castles in his strength. 6. What time thou castest from his seat and punishest the riteless man, Strengthen for opulence, O Indra Maghavan, our plant desired by many a one! 7. Let Tvashtar, Brahmanaspati, Parjanya guard our heavenly word, Aditi with her sons, the brothers, guard for us the invincible, the saving word! 8. Ne'er art thou fruitless, Indra, ne'er dost thou desert the worshipper: But now, O Maghavan, thy bounty as a God is poured forth ever more and more. 9. Best slayer of the Vritras, yoke thy bay steeds, Indra, far away Come with the high ones hither, Maghavan, to us, mighty, to, drink the Soma juice! 10. O Thunderer, zealous worshippers gave thee drink this time yesterday: So, Indra, listen here to him who offers lauds: come near unto, our dwelling-place! DECADE II 1. Advancing, sending forth her rays, the daughter of the Sky is seen. The mighty one lays bare the darkness with her eye, the friendly Lady makes the light. 2. These morning sacrifices call you, Asvins, at the break of day. For help have I invoked you rich in power and might: for, house by house, ye visit all. 3. Where are ye, Gods?
SV 4.1.1a · Sama Veda · 4

Themes in this passage

StrengthCharityChildrenThe DivineJoyProtectionWealthWorship

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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