Sukta 63

Mantra 1

ऋतस्य गोपावधि तिष्ठथो रथं सत्यधर्माणा परमे व्योमनि । यमत्र मित्रावरुणावथो युवं तस्मै वृष्टिर्मधुमत्पिन्वते दिवः ॥

Guardians of Ṛta, you stand upon your chariot in the highest heaven, established in the law of Truth. Whomever you two support here, for him the rain from heaven is pressed out as sweetness—nourishment for the growth of the soul.

Mantra 2

सम्राजावस्य भुवनस्य राजथो मित्रावरुणा विदथे स्वर्दृशा । वृष्टिं वां राधो अमृतत्वमीमहे द्यावापृथिवी वि चरन्ति तन्यवः ॥

As joint sovereigns you rule this world, O Mitra and Varuṇa, seeing by the light of heaven in the assemblies of sacrifice. We seek from you the rain, the plenitude, and the immortal being; and Heaven and Earth move wide with the thunder’s powers.

Mantra 3

सम्राजा उग्रा वृषभा दिवस्पती पृथिव्या मित्रावरुणा विचर्षणी । चित्रेभिरभ्रैरुप तिष्ठथो रवं द्यां वर्षयथो असुरस्य मायया ॥

Co-sovereigns, mighty, bull-like lords of heaven and earth, O Mitra and Varuṇa who move among men: with radiant clouds you take your stand upon the roar, and by the Asura’s power of formation you make heaven pour its rains.

Mantra 4

माया वां मित्रावरुणा दिवि श्रिता सूर्यो ज्योतिश्चरति चित्रमायुधम् । तमभ्रेण वृष्ट्या गूहथो दिवि पर्जन्य द्रप्सा मधुमन्त ईरते ॥

Your formative power, O Mitra and Varuṇa, is set in heaven: the Sun moves as a light, a wondrous weapon. You veil him there with cloud and rain; then Parjanya’s drops surge forth, bearing sweetness—delight that feeds the earth and the soul.

Mantra 5

रथं युञ्जते मरुतः शुभे सुखं शूरो न मित्रावरुणा गविष्टिषु । रजांसि चित्रा वि चरन्ति तन्यवो दिवः सम्राजा पयसा न उक्षतम् ॥

The Maruts yoke their chariot for a bright and happy movement, like warriors in the seeking of the Light; and the varied thunders range through the spaces. O co-kings of heaven, Mitra and Varuṇa, pour upon us with your milk of nourishment—your sustaining essence.

Mantra 6

वाचं सु मित्रावरुणाविरावतीं पर्जन्यश्चित्रां वदति त्विषीमतीम् । अभ्रा वसत मरुतः सु मायया द्यां वर्षयतमरुणामरेपसम् ॥

A rich and fostering Word, O Mitra and Varuṇa, Parjanya utters—brilliant, full of force. O Maruts, dwell in the clouds by a wise formative power; and make the heaven rain, the ruddy one, stainless and unhurt—pouring down pure vitality.

Mantra 7

धर्मणा मित्रावरुणा विपश्चिता व्रता रक्षेथे असुरस्य मायया । ऋतेन विश्वं भुवनं वि राजथः सूर्यमा धत्थो दिवि चित्र्यं रथम् ॥

By the law of rightness, O Mitra and Varuṇa, wise in discernment, you guard the ordinances through the sovereign power of formation. By Ṛta you reign over all becoming; you set the Sun in heaven upon his radiant chariot—truth’s vision established above.