Rig Veda · 153 of 1027
Mandala 1: HYMN CLIII. Mitra-Varuṇa.
1.WE worship with our reverence and oblations you, Mitra Varuṇa, accordant, mighty, So that with us, ye Twain whose backs are sprinkled with oil, the priests with oil and hymns support you.
2.Your praise is like a mighty power, an impulse: to you, Twain Gods, a well-formed hymn is offered, As the priest decks yon, Strong Ones, in assemblies, and the prince fain to worship you for blessings.
3.O Mitra-Varuṇa, Aditi the Milch-cow streams for the rite, for folk who bring oblation, When in the assembly he who worships moves you, like to a human priest, with gifts presented.
4.So may the kine and heavenly Waters pour you sweet drink in families that make you joyful. Of this may he, the ancient House-Lord, give us. Enjoy, drink of the milk the cow provideth.
Asked of Guide
Why are Mitra and Varuṇa paired and offered milk and oil in this hymn?
The hymn pairs Mitra and Varuṇa as a united divine pair who receive reverence and ritual support: “you, Mitra Varuṇa, accordant, mighty,” and the priests “with oil and hymns support you.” The ritual gestures—anointing with oil and offering milk—present the gods as guests and household patrons, invited into the assembly and sustained like honored lords.
The imagery makes the gods domestic and reciprocal: Aditi is “the Milch-cow” streaming for the rite, and the hymn asks that “kine and heavenly Waters pour you sweet drink” so the deities will bless the worshippers. This domestic-sacrificial logic echoes other Rig Veda hymns where gods are invited with food and drink; compare Rig Veda Mandala 1 hymns that also seat gods as guests and seek cosmic order through reciprocal hospitality.
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