Then came the vultures' mighty king Where sat the Vanars sorrowing,-- Sampati,(761) best of birds that fly On sounding pinions through the sky, Jatayus' brother, famed of old, Most glorious and strong and bold. Upon the slope of Vindhya's hill He saw the Vanars calm and still. These words he uttered while the sight Filled his fierce spirit with delight: "Behold how Fate with changeless laws Within his toils the sinner draws, And brings me, after long delay, A rich and noble feast to-day, These Vanars who are doomed to die My hungry maw to satisfy."Ramayana 4.250 · Ramayana · 4
Ramayana 4.250
Ramayana · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith
Themes in this passage
StrengthCourageDeathFamilyJoyLeadershipNaturePeace
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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