Sacred Concord

RV 33 (2)

Rig Veda · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

2 With the most saving medicines which thou givest, Rudra, may I attain a hundred winters. 3 Chief of all born art thou in glory, Rudra, armed with the thunder, mightiest of the mighty. 4 Let us not anger thee with worship, Rudra, ill praise, Strong God! or mingled invocation. 5 May I with praise−songs win that Rudra's favour who is adored with gifts and invocations. 6 The Strong, begirt by Maruts, hath refreshed me, with most invigorating food, imploring. 7 Where is that gracious hand of thine, O Rudra, the hand that giveth health and bringeth comfort, 8 To him the strong, great, tawny, fair−complexioned, I utter forth a mighty hymn of praises. 9 With firm limbs, multiform, the strong, the tawny adorns himself with bright gold decorations: 10 Worthy, thou carriest thy bow and arrows, worthy, thy manyhued and honoured necklace. 11 Praise him the chariot−borne, the young, the famous, fierce, slaying like a dread beast of the forest. 12 I bend to thee as thou approachest, Rudra, even as a boy before the sire who greets him. 13 Of your pure medicines, O potent Martits, those that are wholesomest and healthbestowing, 14 May Rudra's missile turn aside and spare us, the great wrath of the impetuous One avoid us. 15 O tawny Bull, thus showing forth thy nature, as neither to be wroth, O God, nor slay us.
RV 33 (2) · Rig Veda · null

Themes in this passage

StrengthWorshipAngerCharityThe DivineComfortFearHealing

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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