Sukta 59
Sukta 3.59
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional for RV 3.59)
Mitra
Triṣṭubh (common in this mandala; probable here)
अयं सूक्तः मित्रम् आदित्यम् स्तौति—यः “ऋतं वाचम्” (सम्यग्वचनम्) ब्रूते स्थापयति च, येन मानवा जनाः सुव्यवस्थिते सौहार्दे च प्रवृत्तिं यान्ति। मित्रः द्यावापृथिव्योः ध्रुवो धारयिता, सर्वदृक् सामाजिकस्य सत्यस्य सदाचारस्य च गोप्ता इति निरूप्यते। अग्निना शुद्धीकृतैः हविर्भिः तस्य प्रसादं, रक्षणं, समृद्धिं च प्रार्थयते।
Mantras
Mantra 1
मित्रो जनान्यातयति ब्रुवाणो मित्रो दाधार पृथिवीमुत द्याम् । मित्रः कृष्टीरनिमिषाभि चष्टे मित्राय हव्यं घृतवज्जुहोत ॥
मित्रो ब्रुवाणः जनान् यथावृत्तं यातयति; मित्रः पृथिवीम् उत द्याम् दाधार। मित्रः अनिमिषाभिः चक्षुभिः कृष्टीरभि चष्टे। मित्राय घृतवज्जुहोत हव्यं।
Mantra 2
प्र स मित्र मर्तो अस्तु प्रयस्वान्यस्त आदित्य शिक्षति व्रतेन । न हन्यते न जीयते त्वोतो नैनमंहो अश्नोत्यन्तितो न दूरात् ॥
प्र स मित्रः मर्तो अस्तु प्रयस्वान्; अन्यस्त आदित्य व्रतेन शिक्षति। न हन्यते न जीयते त्वोतो; नैनम् अंहो अश्नोति अन्तितो न दूरात्।
Mantra 3
अनमीवास इळया मदन्तो मितज्ञवो वरिमन्ना पृथिव्याः । आदित्यस्य व्रतमुपक्षियन्तो वयं मित्रस्य सुमतौ स्याम ॥
अनमीवासो वयं स्याम; इळया मदन्तो मितज्ञवो वरिमन्ना पृथिव्याः। आदित्यस्य व्रतम् उपक्षियन्तो वयं मित्रस्य सुमतौ स्याम॥
Mantra 4
अयं मित्रो नमस्यः सुशेवो राजा सुक्षत्रो अजनिष्ट वेधाः । तस्य वयं सुमतौ यज्ञियस्यापि भद्रे सौमनसे स्याम ॥
अयं मित्रो नमस्यः सुशेवो राजा सुक्षत्रो अजनिष्ट वेधाः। तस्य वयं सुमतौ यज्ञियस्यापि भद्रे सौमनसे स्याम॥
Mantra 5
महाँ आदित्यो नमसोपसद्यो यातयज्जनो गृणते सुशेवः । तस्मा एतत्पन्यतमाय जुष्टमग्नौ मित्राय हविरा जुहोत ॥
महान् आदित्यो नमसोपसद्यो यातयज्जनो गृणते सुशेवः। तस्मा एतत् पण्यतमाय जुष्टम् अग्नौ मित्राय हविरा जुहोत॥
Mantra 6
मित्रस्य चर्षणीधृतोऽवो देवस्य सानसि । द्युम्नं चित्रश्रवस्तमम् ॥
मित्रस्य चर्षणीधृतो देवस्यावोऽस्मभ्यं सानसि; द्युम्नं च चित्रश्रवस्तमं बहुयशस्कं दीप्तिमदपि नः प्रापय।
Mantra 7
अभि यो महिना दिवं मित्रो बभूव सप्रथाः । अभि श्रवोभिः पृथिवीम् ॥
यो महिना मित्रो बभूव सप्रथा दिवमभि; श्रवोभिः शक्तिभिश्च पृथिवीमप्यभि सप्रथा।
Mantra 8
मित्राय पञ्च येमिरे जना अभिष्टिशवसे । स देवान्विश्वान्बिभर्ति ॥
मित्राय पञ्च जना अभिष्टिशवसे येमिरे; स ऋतैक्ये सर्वान् देवान् बिभर्ति धारयति।
Mantra 9
मित्रो देवेष्वायुषु जनाय वृक्तबर्हिषे । इष इष्टव्रता अकः ॥
मित्रो देवेष्वायुषु जनाय वृक्तबर्हिषे कर्म करोति। इष इष्टव्रताः अकः।
Inside Sukta 59
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Mitra is invoked as the power of right speech and right direction, who sets peoples into their proper course and upholds Earth and Heaven.
- Development
The hymn expands Mitra’s sovereignty as an Āditya: approachable by reverence, favorable to the singer, and vigilant over human races with steady vision; the ritual act of offering through Agni is repeatedly urged.
- Climax
Mitra’s greatness as the guiding Āditya culminates in the call to present the most pleasing oblation into Agni specifically for him (the hymn’s central sacrificial imperative).
- Where it settles
The closing turns toward the prepared sacrificer (vṛkta-barhis) and fulfilled vows (iṣṭa-vrata), promising iṣ—nourishing plenitude and right impulses—under Mitra’s guardianship.
The deity: Mitra
- In the VedaMitra is praised as an Āditya who upholds Heaven and Earth, watches humankind with “unblinking” awareness, and guides people by true speech and right arrangement. He is approachable by reverence (namas) and gracious to the singer, receiving offerings through Agni.
- Cosmic functionMaintains ṛta as social and cosmic cohesion—contracts, friendship, agreements, truthfulness, and the stable structure that lets worlds and communities endure.
- Inner significanceThe inner power of concord: clear speech, sincerity, trust, and the capacity to align one’s will with a chosen law (vrata) so that life becomes ordered and fruitful.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin / Kauśika (Viśvāmitra line) · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for transforming kṣatriya power into brahmarṣi insight; a principal poet of Maṇḍala 3 and a major voice for Vedic ṛta (cosmic order) and communal harmony.
Famous verses
mitraḥ kṛṣṭīr animiṣābhi caṣṭe
महाँ आदित्यो नमसोपसद्यो यातयज्जनो गृणते सुशेवः । तस्मा एतत्पन्यतमाय जुष्टमग्नौ मित्राय हविरा जुहोत ॥vṛktabarhiṣe
Attributes of the deity
- Āditya (guardian of order)
- Truth-speaking and order-establishing
- Upholder of Heaven and Earth
- All-seeing (unblinking regard)
- Gracious to the worshipper
- Protector of right movement in society (yātayaj-jana)
Also by this seer
- Primary seer of much of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (many hymns to Agni, Indra, and related deities)
- Tradition associates him with the famous Gāyatrī mantra (RV 3.62.10)
- Hymns connected with the Bharata/Tr̥tsu milieu and the theology of order (ṛta), oath, and right speech
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the vedi and spread the barhis (sacred seat), becoming “vṛkta-barhis” (ritually ready).
- Kindle or attend the fire (Agni) and establish a calm, reverent posture (namas).
- Recite the hymn, emphasizing Mitra’s role as guide of peoples and upholder of Heaven–Earth.
- Offer ghṛta and havis into Agni with the intention “to Mitra,” seeking alignment with vrata (chosen law).
- Conclude with a request for iṣ (nourishing impulse/plenty) and protection for the community.
Offerings
- Ghṛta (clarified butter)
- Havis (general oblation, e.g., cooked offering)
- Barhis preparation (ritual seat/grass)
Frequently Asked Questions
Mitra is an Āditya who keeps truth, harmony, and trustworthy relations in the world. The hymn describes him as upholding Heaven and Earth and watching people with steady, unblinking awareness.
Right speech and right conduct create order in society, and Mitra is the divine power that supports this order. By offering to Mitra through Agni, the worshipper seeks harmony, protection, and nourishing prosperity (iṣ).
It suits a fire offering where ghṛta and other havis are poured into Agni “for Mitra.” The hymn especially fits occasions that require strengthening agreements, communal unity, and disciplined adherence to one’s chosen rule (vrata).
Ask anything about Sukta 59 of the Rig Veda
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
