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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 578 of 1027

Mandala 7: HYMN LXII. Mitra-Varuṇa.

1.SURYA hath sent aloft his beams of splendour o’er all the tribes of men in countless places. Together with the heaven he shines apparent, formed by his Makers well with power and wisdom.

2.So hast thou mounted up before us, Sūrya, through these our praises, with fleet dappled horses. Declare us free from all offence to Mitra, and Varuṇa, and Aryaman, and Agni.

3.May holy Agni, Varuṇa, and Mitra send down their riches upon us in thousands. May they, the Bright Ones, make our praise-song perfect, and, when we laud them, grant us all our wishes.

4.O undivided Heaven and Earth, preserve us, us, Lofty Ones! your nobIy-born descendants. Let us not anger Varuṇa, nor Vāyu, nor him, the dearest Friend of mortals, Mitra.

5.Stretch forth your arms and let our lives be lengthened: with fatness dew the pastures of our cattle. Ye Youthful, make us famed among the people: hear, Mitra-Varuṇa, these mine invocations.

6.Now Mitra, Varuṇa, Aryaman vouchsafe us freedom and room, for us and for our children. May we find paths all fair and good to travel. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn ask Sūrya to declare us free from offence to Mitra and Varuṇa?

The hymn pictures Sūrya as risen by the worshippers’ praise and asks him to intercede so Mitra and Varuṇa (and Aryaman, Agni) will accept them: “Declare us free from all offence to Mitra, and Varuṇa.” The poets treat the sun as an active, visible mediator whose ascent makes the community visible to those moral and cosmic powers.

The petition aims at social and ritual standing as much as at cosmic favor, wanting “freedom and room” for the singers and their descendants and paths “fair and good to travel.” That practical hope—security, cattle wealth, fame—matches other Rigveda hymns that link divine acceptance with prosperity, as in Mandala 1’s invocations where ritual praise secures blessings.

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