Sukta 152
Sukta 1.152
Māmateya (traditional for this adjacent hymn cluster)
Mitra-Varuṇa (dual)
Tr̥ṣṭubh (probable for RV 1.152 opening; needs full hymn metrical audit)
This hymn praises Mitra–Varuṇa as perfectly aligned guardians of ṛta (cosmic order), whose intact powers and truthful governance carry the worshipper beyond anṛta (falsehood). Through paradox and mystery imagery (the “footless” that precedes the footed; the hidden embryo that bears the burden), it points to an unseen ordering intelligence sustaining the worlds. It also turns toward ritual nourishment and inspired speech, asking for vayunāni (discernments) and the widening protection of Aditi’s wholeness.
Mantras
Mantra 1
युवं वस्त्राणि पीवसा वसाथे युवोरच्छिद्रा मन्तवो ह सर्गाः । अवातिरतमनृतानि विश्व ऋतेन मित्रावरुणा सचेथे ॥
You two clothe yourselves in a full richness; yours are the intact movements and outpourings of thought. You pass beyond all falsehoods; by ṛta, O Mitra-Varuṇa, you move together in one accord.
Mantra 2
एतच्चन त्वो वि चिकेतदेषां सत्यो मन्त्रः कविशस्त ऋघावान् । त्रिरश्रिं हन्ति चतुरश्रिरुग्रो देवनिदो ह प्रथमा अजूर्यन् ॥
This indeed—may you discern it clearly: among these, the true mantra, praised by the seer and impelled by the straight-moving force, becomes the fierce four-edged power that strikes down the three-edged; and the first god-deniers are shattered and do not endure.
Mantra 3
अपादेति प्रथमा पद्वतीनां कस्तद्वां मित्रावरुणा चिकेत । गर्भो भारं भरत्या चिदस्य ऋतं पिपर्त्यनृतं नि तारीत् ॥
Footless it moves, first among all that have feet—who has understood this of you, O Mitra and Varuṇa? The hidden embryo bears its load; it fills out the Right and drives down the Unright.
Mantra 4
प्रयन्तमित्परि जारं कनीनां पश्यामसि नोपनिपद्यमानम् । अनवपृग्णा वितता वसानं प्रियं मित्रस्य वरुणस्य धाम ॥
We behold the lover moving around the maidens, yet he does not sink down into them; unbroken, spread wide as a vesture, he wears the beloved dwelling of Mitra and Varuṇa.
Mantra 5
अनश्वो जातो अनभीशुरर्वा कनिक्रदत्पतयदूर्ध्वसानुः । अचित्तं ब्रह्म जुजुषुर्युवानः प्र मित्रे धाम वरुणे गृणन्तः ॥
Born without a horse, without reins—the steed neighs and flies with uplifted crest. The young ones accept the unthought (yet potent) brahman, singing forth the dwelling in Mitra and in Varuṇa.
Mantra 6
आ धेनवो मामतेयमवन्तीर्ब्रह्मप्रियं पीपयन्त्सस्मिन्नूधन् । पित्वो भिक्षेत वयुनानि विद्वानासाविवासन्नदितिमुरुष्येत् ॥
The nourishing cows come—helping the son of Māmata—filling in this udder the lover of brahman. Having drunk, the knower should ask for the discernments; with his mouth in worship, he should widen and protect Aditi (the infinite wholeness).
Mantra 7
आ वां मित्रावरुणा हव्यजुष्टिं नमसा देवाववसा ववृत्याम् । अस्माकं ब्रह्म पृतनासु सह्या अस्माकं वृष्टिर्दिव्या सुपारा ॥
O Mitra and Varuṇa, I turn you toward us with reverence—toward the delight of the offering—by your saving power. May our inspired word be victorious in the inner battles; may our heavenly Rain of grace be easy to cross over and safely bring us beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are a paired deity of sovereignty: Mitra represents harmony and right relationship, while Varuṇa represents vast moral-cosmic oversight. Together they uphold ṛta (truthful order).
Ṛta is the right pattern—cosmic order, truth, and lawful harmony. Anṛta is its opposite: falsehood, disorder, and what breaks alignment in thought, speech, and action.
It is a Vedic riddle pointing to unseen forces that precede visible movement and growth—an inner or hidden principle that carries the world’s burden, strengthens ṛta, and pushes down anṛta.
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