RV 4 (5)

Rig Veda · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

2 Or, Indra, when with Ruma, Rusama, Syavaka, and Krpa thou rejoicest thee, 3 Even as the wild−bull, when he thirsts, goes to the desert's watery pool, 4 May the drops gladden thee, rich Indra, and obtain bounty for him who pours the juice. 5 With mightier strength he conquered strength, with energy he crushed their wrath. 6 He who wins promise of thine aid goes girt as with a thousand mighty men of war. 7 With thee, the Mighty, for our Friend, we will riot fear or feel fatigue. 8 On his left hip the Hero hath reclined himself: the proffered feast offends him not. 9 Indra, thy friend is fair of form and rich in horses, cars, and kine. 10 Come like a thirsty antelope to the drinking−place: drink Soma to thy heart's desire. 11 Priest, let the Soma juice flow forth, for Indra longs to drink thereof. 12 The man with whom thou fillcst thee with Soma deems himself a pious worshipper. 13 Press out the Soma juice, ye priests, for Indra borne upon his car. 14 To the brown juice may his dear vigorous Bay Steeds bring Indra, to our holy task. 15 Pusan, the Lord of ample wealth, for firm alliance we elect. 16 Sharpen us like a razor in the barber's hands: send riches thou who settest free. 17 Pusan, I long to win thy love, I long to praise thee, Radiant God. 18 My kine, O Radiant God, seek pasture where they will, my during wealth, Immortal One. 19 Rich was the gift Kurunga gave, a hundred steeds at morning rites. 20 What by his morning songs Kanva, the powerful, hath, with the Priyamedhas, gained− 71 The herds of sixty thousand pure and spotless kine, have I, the Rsi, driven away. 21 The very trees were joyful at my coming: kine they obtained in plenty, steeds in plenty.

RV 4 (5) · Rig Veda · null

Themes in this passage

Wealth Strength The Divine Charity Friendship Anger Death Desire

Wealth in other traditions

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

And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:2 · Bible · Genesis

She spoke; Minerva burns to meet the war: And now heaven’s empress calls her blazing car. At her command rush forth the steeds divine; Rich with immortal gold their trappings shine. Bright Hebe waits; by Hebe, ever young, The whirling wheels are to the chariot hung. On the bright axle turns the bidden wheel Of sounding brass; the polished axle steel. Eight brazen spokes in radiant order flame; The circles gold, of uncorrupted frame, Such as the heavens produce: and round the gold Two brazen rings of work divine were roll’d. The bossy naves of sold silver shone; Braces of gold suspend the moving throne: The car, behind, an arching figure bore; The bending concave form’d an arch before. Silver the beam, the extended yoke was gold, And golden reins the immortal coursers hold. Herself, impatient, to the ready car, The coursers joins, and breathes revenge and war.

Iliad 5.77 · Iliad · 5

Give unto orphans their wealth. Exchange not the good for the bad (in your management thereof) nor absorb their wealth into your own wealth. Lo! that would be a great sin.

Quran 4:2 · Quran · Women

While he was thus in two minds Helen came down from her high vaulted and perfumed room, looking as lovely as Diana herself. Adraste brought her a seat, Alcippe a soft woollen rug while Phylo fetched her the silver work-box which Alcandra wife of Polybus had given her. Polybus lived in Egyptian Thebes, which is the richest city in the whole world; he gave Menelaus two baths, both of pure silver, two tripods, and ten talents of gold; besides all this, his wife gave Helen some beautiful presents, to wit, a golden distaff, and a silver work box that ran on wheels, with a gold band round the top of it. Phylo now placed this by her side, full of fine spun yarn, and a distaff charged with violet coloured wool was laid upon the top of it. Then Helen took her seat, put her feet upon the footstool, and began to question her husband.42

Odyssey 4.12 · Odyssey · 4

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