Sambodhi 1977 Vol 06

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 13

VEDIC MITR 4*
C. L. Prabhakar
his vizos ASO
Vedic Mitra is one of the few deities of Veda who received continuous attention even after RV. Vedic Mitra is known in the other inythologies viz., Indo-Iranian, Avestan etc. In Avesta Miora is a god of faithfulness while in RV, he is known for regulating people. He is thus described as Yatayat jjangi (RV. 3.59).
Mitra's Character in the RV is not very definite. There are many references to Mitra in the RV but there is a solitary hymn ( 3.56, 1-9) that is fully addressed to Mitra only. Seer Visvāmitra is further famous because of this besides his greatness for the Gayatrimantras (Ry 3.62.10), Viśvāmitra seems to be uniquely blessed by Savity, Mitra aud Aditya. Vedic Mitra impels men for work and activity. This feature is maintained througuout the Veda.
Like the deities viz., Agni or Indra, Mitra was not accorded an independent status in the RV. Mostly this deity is known for benefic character and supervisory functions. But Mitra joined with Varuna, occupied a significant position in the RV. There are many refernces to Miträ - Varuņa, a devatā-dvandya in the RV. This forms a separate study by itself, Mitra... Varuna indicate a power, fulfilling the entirity of action connected to Day as well as Night, Probably with Mitrā--Varuņa aspect of Aditya, Aditya's hold on the life of devotees as a whole is revealed.
Mitra is a deity belonging to Aditya group of Vedic deities. He is a solar deity. He is thus a god of light. He belonged to celestial region although Veda refers his intimacy and indebtedness to earth. Vedic Mitra in RV is worshipped for want of rain and successful operations in Agriculture. Further he is a Law-Maker. All abide by his laws. Anyone who violated them was regarded as a sipner.
Mostly witra joincd mees 10 Mithi Mits
* Paper submitted to the International Conference of Mithraic Studies, U.S.A., 1974,
I thank Prof. E. D. FRANCIS, U.S.A, for suggesting me this topic in which I was
interested for the Conference. i "Vedic Reader", MACDONELL 2 Vedic Mythology : MACDONELL On “Mitra", 3. Gayatrimantra : by Dr. C. L. PRABHAKAR, Samskruta Vimarsh, 1972.