Sacred Concord

Odyssey 10.46

Odyssey · translated by Samuel Butler

“‘When you shall have thus besought the ghosts with your prayers, offer them a ram and a black ewe, bending their heads towards Erebus; but yourself turn away from them as though you would make towards the river. On this, many dead men’s ghosts will come to you, and you must tell your men to skin the two sheep that you have just killed, and offer them as a burnt sacrifice with prayers to Hades and to Proserpine. Then draw your sword and sit there, so as to prevent any other poor ghost from coming near the spilt blood before Teiresias shall have answered your questions. The seer will presently come to you, and will tell you about your voyage—what stages you are to make, and how you are to sail the sea so as to reach your home.’
Odyssey 10.46 · Odyssey · 10

Themes in this passage

PrayerJusticePovertyRepentanceWarWorship

Prayer in other traditions

The same theme, as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism address it.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18 · Bible · Ephesians
Pray not that day for one destruction, but pray for many destructions!
Quran 25:14 · Quran · The Criterion
Below the superior (region), above the inferior (region) here, the cow has arisen supporting (her) calf by the foot. Whither is she turned; to which half (of the universe), forsooth, has she aone away; where, forsooth, does she beget? Verily not in this herd! 42. One-footed, two-footed, four-footed is she; eight-footed, nine-footed became she, the thousand-syllabled (consisting of thousand elements) pankti (quinary stanza) of the universe: the oceans from her flow forth upon (the world). 43. Ascending the heaven, immortal, receive kindly my song! The sacrifices purified by prayer lead thee forth; the bay steeds that travel upon the road carry thee. 44. That do I know of thee, O immortal, where thy march is upon the sky, where thy habitation is in the highest heaven. 45. Sûrya (the sun) surveys the sky, Sûrya the earth, Sûrya the waters. Sûrya is the single eye of being: he has ascended the great heavens. 46. The broad (directions) where the fagots that fence in (the fire), the earth turned itself into a fire-altar. There Rohita laid on for himself these two fires, cold and heat. 47. Laying on cold and heat, using the mountains as sacrificial posts, the two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, into which (the fires) rain (flowed) as ghee, carried out the sacrifice. 48. The fire of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light is kindled by prayer. From it heat, from it cold, from it the sacrifice was produced. 49. The two fires swelling through prayer, increased through prayer, sacrificed into with prayer; the two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, kindled through prayer, carried out the sacrifice. 50. One is deposited in truth, the other is kindled in the waters. The two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, kindled through prayer, carried out the sacrifice. 51.
AV 11.5e · Atharva Veda · 11
k What time ye came to the wedding of Surya, Choosing a seat together on the three-wheeled (chariot), I praise you, Açvins, gods, invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from sin. l Of the Maruts I reckon; may they aid us; May they all help this every prayer (of ours); The swift, easily controlled (ones) I call to help, May they relieve us from evil. m The sharp weapon, strong and mighty, The divine host [4] keen in the battles, I praise the gods, the Maruts; I invoke seeking aid, May they relieve us from evil. n Of the gods I reckon; may they aid us; May they all help this every prayer; The swift, easily controlled (ones) I call to help, That they may relieve us from evil. o That which now consumeth me From deed of men or gods, I praise the All-gods; I invoke seeking aid, May they free us from evil. p Us to-day Anumati. q O Anumati, thou [5]. r Vaiçvanara for aid to us. s Present in sky. t Those that expanded with unmeasured might, Those that became the supports of wealth, I praise sky and earth; I invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from tribulation. u O ye broad firmaments, make room for us; O rulers of the field, aid us; I praise sky and earth; I invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from tribulation. v Whatever sin we commit against thee, As men are wont in ignorance, O most young [6], Make us blameless before Aditi, Remove our evil deeds on all sides, O Agni. w Even as ye did set free, O bright ones, O ye that are worthy of offering, the buffalo cow bound by the foot, So do thou remove from us tribulation; Be our life prolonged further, O Agni. THE EXPLANATION OF THE PILING OF THE FIRE ALTAR
YV 7.5h · Yajur Veda

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