Sacred Concord

RV 44

Rig Veda · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

2 For thou art offering−bearer and loved messenger, the charioteer of sacrifice: 3 As messenger we choose to−day Agni the good whom many love, 4 Him noblest and most youthful, richly worshipped guest, dear to the men who offer gifts, 5 Thee, Agni, will I glorify, deathless nourisher of the world, 6 Tell good things to thy praiser, O most youthful God, as richly worshipped, honey−tongued, 7 For the men, Agni, kindle thee as all possessor and as Priest; 8 At dawn of day, at night, Usas and Savitar, the Asvins, Bhaga, Agni's self: 9 For, Agni, Lord of sacrifice and messenger of men art thou: 10 Thou shonest forth, O Agni, after former dawns, all visible, O rich in light. 11 Like Manu, we will stablish thee, Agni, performer of the rite, 12 When as the Gods' High Priest, by many loved, thou dost their mission as their nearest Friend, 13 Heat−, Agni, who hast ears to hear, with all thy train of escort Gods; 14 Let those who strengthen Law, who bountiUly give, the life−tongued Maruts, hear our praise. 2 Agni, the Gods who understand give ear unto the worshipper: 3 O Jatavedas, great in act, hearken thou to Praskanva's call, 4 The sons of Priyamedha skilled in lofty praise have called for help 5 Hear thou, invoked withholy oil, bountiful giver of rewards, 6 O Agni, loved by many, thou of fame most wondrous, in their homes 7 Thee, Agni, best to find out wealth, most widely famous, quick to hear, 8 Singers with Soma pressed have made thee, Agni, hasten to the feast, 9 Good, bounteous, Son of Strength, this day seat here on sacred grass the Gods 10 Bring with joint invocations thou, O Agni, the celestial host:
RV 44 · Rig Veda · null

Themes in this passage

WorshipLoveCharityChildrenThe DivineStrengthWealthFriendship

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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