m He in whose presence wheresoever Men rejoice in the dwellings of men, Whom in honour they kindle, Whom together they produce. n When we offer food, The oblations of men, He by the might of his glory [3], Graspeth the reins of sacred law. o The sacrifice seeketh the goodwill of the gods; Be kindly, O ye Adityas; Make your loving kindness turn (to us), Which shall more plenteously deliver us from distress. p Pure he dwelleth, undeceived, Among waters rich in grass, waxing old with noble sons; None slayeth him from near or from afar, Who is in the guidance of the Adityas. q Ye Adityas support the world, Gods, guardians of all the universe, Far-seeing, guarding [4] the holy, Righteous, enacting debts. r Three earths they support, and three skies; Three rules are in their ordinance; Through sacred law great is your mightiness, O Adityas; Sweet is that, O Aryaman, O Mitra, O Varuna. s Let us make supplication To those heroes, the Adityas, The tender, for help. t Nor right is visible, nor left; Nor the east, O Adityas, nor the west; Despite my feeble mind, O Vasus [5], Led by you, may I attain the light without fear. u With the most recent help of the Adityas, With their most present succour, may we be united; May the mighty ones, hearkening, establish this sacrifice For release from sin, for freedom. v Hear my cry, O Varuna, And be merciful this day; Seeking for help I call on thee. w I implore this of thee, praising thee with my hymn; The sacrificer seeketh this with his offerings; Be here, not angry, O Varuna; O wide ruler, strike not away our life.YV 1.2p · Yajur Veda
YV 1.2p
Yajur Veda · translated by Arthur Berriedale Keith
Themes in this passage
WorshipCompassionLiberationStrengthAngerChildrenComfortDharma
Worship in other traditions
The same theme, as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hellenism address it.
And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.Numbers 29:31 · Bible · Numbers
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.Quran 109:5 · Quran · The Unbelievers
Whatever a man sacrifice in this world as an offering or as an oblation for a whole year in order to gain merit, the whole of it is not worth a quarter (a farthing); reverence shown to the righteous is better.Dhp 8.108 · Dhammapada · The Thousands
Full fifty more from Athens stem the main, Led by Menestheus through the liquid plain. (Athens the fair, where great Erectheus sway’d, That owed his nurture to the blue-eyed maid, But from the teeming furrow took his birth, The mighty offspring of the foodful earth. Him Pallas placed amidst her wealthy fane, Adored with sacrifice and oxen slain; Where, as the years revolve, her altars blaze, And all the tribes resound the goddess’ praise.) No chief like thee, Menestheus! Greece could yield, To marshal armies in the dusty field, The extended wings of battle to display, Or close the embodied host in firm array. Nestor alone, improved by length of days, For martial conduct bore an equal praise.Iliad 2.41 · Iliad · 2
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