Rig Veda 3.62.16 - Indra and Others

Rig Veda 3.62.16

Sanskrit (Devanagari):
आ नो मित्रावरुणा घर्तैर्गव्यूतिमुक्षतम | मध्वा रजांसि सुक्रतू ||

Romanized:
ā no mitrāvaruṇā ghṛtair gavyūtim ukṣatam | madhvā rajāṁsi sukratū ||

Griffith Translation:
May Mitra-Varuṇa, sapient Pair, bedew our pasturage with oil,
With meatb the regions of the air.

1. Essential Meaning in Simple Language

This verse is a prayer to Mitra and Varuna, two Vedic deities, asking them to shower our lands and lives with their blessings—symbolized by ghee (clarified butter) and honey. These are metaphors for abundance, nourishment, and sweetness. The poet seeks their wisdom and benevolence to enrich the earth and the atmosphere, making everything fertile and harmonious.

2. Deeper Philosophical or Spiritual Significance

At its heart, this verse expresses gratitude and hope for divine grace that sustains all life. Ghee and honey are not just physical substances; they represent purity (ghee) and the sweetness of life (honey). By invoking Mitra and Varuna, the poet seeks a harmonious balance in the cosmic order—where nature, society, and the inner world of the individual are in sync, nourished, and thriving.

Mitra symbolizes friendship, harmony, and social order; Varuna embodies cosmic law, truth, and the moral order. Together, they govern both the seen and unseen aspects of reality. The prayer is for their beneficent energies to permeate our world, ensuring both physical well-being and spiritual alignment.

3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors

• Mitra: Deity of friendship, agreements, and societal harmony.
• Varuna: Deity of universal law (ṛta), truth, and the moral fabric of the cosmos.
• Ghee (ghṛta): Symbolizes purity, nourishment, and the sacred. Used in rituals as a pure offering.
• Honey (madhva): Represents sweetness, pleasure, and fulfillment.
• Pasturage (gavyūti): The land that sustains livestock, symbolizing the sustenance of life.
• Regions of air (rajāṁsi): The realms of the atmosphere, signifying the vastness of the universe and the interconnectedness of all existence.

4. Connection to Universal Human Experiences and Modern Life

This ancient prayer echoes a timeless human longing: for prosperity, harmony, and sweetness in our lives. It reminds us to seek balance—not just material abundance, but also emotional and spiritual fulfillment. In today’s world, we can interpret “ghee and honey” as metaphors for healthy relationships, inner peace, and the nurturing of both body and soul.

The verse also encourages respect for the environment, recognizing that our well-being is intertwined with the earth and the atmosphere. By invoking cosmic forces for harmony, it teaches us to live in alignment with nature and moral principles.

5. Cultural and Historical Context

In Vedic society, agriculture and cattle were central to survival. Ghee and honey were highly valued, both materially and ritually. The invocation of Mitra and Varuna reflects the importance of social cohesion (Mitra) and moral integrity (Varuna) in maintaining prosperity and peace.

Ritual offerings of ghee and honey were common in Vedic ceremonies, symbolizing the desire to maintain favor with the divine and ensure the smooth functioning of the cosmic order.

6. Inspiring Reflection for Today

This verse invites us to reflect: Are our lives balanced between material comfort and spiritual sweetness? Do we nurture our environment and relationships with care and respect? Are we living in harmony with the laws of nature and society?

Modern Application:
Let us aspire for not just external abundance but also inner richness—kindness, truthfulness, and joy. Just as the Vedic sages prayed for blessings to rain upon their fields, we too can seek to cultivate fertile ground in our hearts and communities. The wisdom of Mitra and Varuna inspires us to live with integrity and compassion, creating a world where both the land and the soul flourish.

In essence:
The verse is a beautiful prayer for abundance, harmony, and sweetness—reminding us that true prosperity comes when we honor both the outer and inner worlds, guided by wisdom and goodwill.