b He, the Hotr is led forward for the sacrifice, The servant of the gods; Like a covered chariot glowing He himself knoweth health. c This Agni rescueth Us from the immortal race, He that is stronger than strength, The god made for life. d In the place of Ida we set thee down, On the navel of the earth, O Agni, all-knower, To bear the oblation [1]. e O Agni of kindly aspect, do thou with the All-gods Sit first on the birthplace made of wool, Nest-like, rich in ghee, for Savitr Do thou lead well the sacrifice, for the sacrificer. f Sit thou, O Hotr, in thine own world, wise, Place thou the sacrifice in the birthplace of good deeds Eager for the gods, do thou sacrifice to them with oblation; O Agni, bestow great strength on the sacrificer. g The Hotr hath sat him down in the place of the Hotr wise, Glittering, shining, skilful, With vows and foresight undeceived, most wealthy, Bearing a thousand, pure-tongued Agni. h Thou art the envoy, thou [2] our guardian, Thou, O bull, leadest us to better fortune; 0 Agni, be thou the guardian of our offspring, our descendants In their bodies, unfailing and radiant. i To thee, O god Savitr, Lord of things delightful, We come for fortune, O thou of constant help. k May the great ones, sky and earth, Mingle for us this sacrifice, May they sustain us with support. l Thee, O Agni, from the lotus Atharvan passed out, From the head of every priest. m Thee [3] the sage, Dadhyañc, Son of Atharvan, doth kindle, Slayer of Vrtra, destroyer of forts. n Thee Pathya Vrsan doth kindle, Best slayer of foes, Winner of booty in every conflict. o Let men say too, 'Agni hath been born, slayer of Vrtra, Winning booty in every conflict.' p Whom, like a quoit in their bands, Like a child at birth, they bear, Agni, fair sacrificer of the folk. q Bring forward the god, best finder of riches, For offering to the gods; May he sit down in his own birthplace [4].YV 5.4i · Yajur Veda
YV 5.4i
Yajur Veda · translated by Arthur Berriedale Keith
Themes in this passage
WorshipThe DivineChildrenNatureWealthStrengthWarWisdom
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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