Sukta 137
Sukta 1.137
Mitra–Varuṇa
This brief hymn invites Mitra and Varuṇa—heaven-touching royal guardians of ṛta—to come near and drink the freshly pressed Soma. It highlights Soma prepared with pressing-stones and mixed with “cow” radiance (light/knowledge) and with curd, aligning the offering with dawn and the Sun’s rays. The purpose is to secure the gods’ presence, their joyful acceptance of the libation, and the establishment of truth-order in the sacrificer’s sphere.
Mantras
Mantra 1
सुषुमा यातमद्रिभिर्गोश्रीता मत्सरा इमे सोमासो मत्सरा इमे । आ राजाना दिविस्पृशास्मत्रा गन्तमुप नः । इमे वां मित्रावरुणा गवाशिरः सोमाः शुक्रा गवाशिरः ॥
Come in full gladness with the pressing-stones; these Soma-joys are supported by the rays of Light, these Soma-joys. O two kings who touch heaven, come here to us, come near. These for you, O Mitra and Varuṇa, are Soma-draughts mixed with the ‘cow’—with rays of luminous knowledge—bright with that radiance.
Mantra 2
इम आ यातमिन्दवः सोमासो दध्याशिरः सुतासो दध्याशिरः । उत वामुषसो बुधि साकं सूर्यस्य रश्मिभिः । सुतो मित्राय वरुणाय पीतये चारुॠताय पीतये ॥
Come—these drops of Soma, these pressed draughts mixed with curd. And awaken with the Dawns together with the Sun’s rays. This Soma is pressed for Mitra and Varuṇa to drink, a fair delight for ṛta to drink.
Mantra 3
तां वां धेनुं न वासरीमंशुं दुहन्त्यद्रिभिः सोमं दुहन्त्यद्रिभिः । अस्मत्रा गन्तमुप नोऽर्वाञ्चा सोमपीतये । अयं वां मित्रावरुणा नृभिः सुतः सोम आ पीतये सुतः ॥
That Soma-stalk, like a milch-cow rich in nourishing flow, they milk out with the pressing-stones; they milk out Soma with the pressing-stones. Come here to us, turning toward us, for the drinking of Soma. This Soma for you, O Mitra and Varuṇa, is pressed by the men, pressed for drinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are paired Vedic “kings” who guard ṛta (truth-order). Mitra represents harmony and right agreements, while Varuṇa represents moral oversight and the binding power of cosmic law.
Freshly pressed Soma, prepared with pressing-stones and described in special mixtures—one enriched with “cow/radiance” (gavāśira) and another mixed with curd (dadhyāśira)—for Mitra–Varuṇa to drink.
It links the ritual to the cosmic schedule: dawn (Uṣas) and sunlight (Sūrya) symbolize awakening and clarity, fitting the idea that Soma-drinking supports ṛta and right order in both cosmos and life.