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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 136 of 1027

Mandala 1: HYMN CXXXVI. Mitra-Varuṇa.

1.BRING adoration ample and most excellent, hymn, offerings, to the watchful Twain, the bountiful, your sweetest to the bounteous Ones. Sovrans adored with streams of oil and praised at every sacrifice. Their high imperial might may nowhere be assailed, ne’er may their Godhead be assailed.

2.For the broad Sun was seen a path more widely laid, the path of holy law hath been maintained with rays, the eye with Bhaga’s rays of light. Firm-set in heaven is Mitra’s home, and Aryaman’s and Varuṇa’s. Thence they give forth great vital strength which merits praise, high power of life that men shall praise.

3.With Aditi the luminous, the celestial, upholder of the people, come ye day by day, ye who watch sleepless, day by day. Resplendent might have ye obtained, Ādityas, Lords of liberal gifts. Movers of men, mild both, are Mitra, Varuṇa, mover of men is Aryaman.

4.This Soma be most sweet to Mitra, Varuṇa: he in the drinking-feasts, shall have a share thereof, sharing, a God, among the Gods. May all the Gods of one accord accept it joyfully to-day. Therefore do ye, O Kings, accomplish what we ask, ye Righteous Ones, whate’er we ask.

5.Whoso, with worship serves Mitra and Varuṇa, him guard ye carefully, uninjured, from distress, guard from distress the liberal man. Aryaman guards him well who acts uprightly following his law, Who beautifies their service with his lauds, who makes it beautiful with songs of praise.

6.Worship will I profess to lofty Dyaus, to Heaven and Earth, to Mitra and to bounteous Varuṇa, the Bounteous, the Compassionate. Praise Indra, praise thou Agni, praise Bhaga and heavenly Aryaman. Long may we live and have attendant progeny, have progeny with Soma’s help.

7.With the Gods’ help, with Indra still beside us, may we be held self-splendid with the Maruts. May Agni, Mitra, Varuṇa give us shelter this may we gain, we and our wealthy princes.

Asked of Guide

Why are Mitra and Varuṇa paired and praised together throughout this hymn?

Mitra and Varuṇa are paired because the hymn casts them as complementary guardians of cosmic order: Mitra is linked with law and home, Varuṇa with vast sovereign might and compassion, and together they “give forth great vital strength” that merits praise. The text repeatedly asks these two to accept offerings, protect the worshipper, and share in Soma, portraying them as co-sustainers of prosperity and moral guardianship.

The hymn names Aryaman and other Ādityas alongside Mitra-Varuṇa to show a council of allied deities—compare the Rig Veda hymns where the Ādityas act as “Lords of liberal gifts,” and Aditi appears as their mother who upholds the people. That cluster framing makes Mitra and Varuṇa the principal pair within a broader group who secure law, life, and blessing for worshippers.

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