Mitra is the Vedic deity of Anuradha Nakshatra, which spans 3°20' to 16°40' Scorpio and is ruled by Saturn. He is one of the Adityas, the sons of Aditi, and the god of friendship and the sworn agreement. In the Rig Veda he watches over people without blinking and holds up earth and sky.
Anuradha is the nakshatra of friendship and devotion. Its Vedic verse says that Mitra travels to Anuradha along the golden paths of the gods.
| Mitra | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Meaning of the name | Friend, covenant, agreement |
| Nakshatra | Anuradha (3°20' to 16°40' Scorpio) |
| Nakshatra ruler | Saturn |
| Group | One of the Adityas, the sons of Aditi |
| Vedic partner | Varuna (Mitra-Varuna) |
| His own hymn | Rig Veda 3.59 |
| Surya Namaskar name | Om Mitraya Namah, the 1st of the 12 |
In this article
What Does Mitra Mean?
The Sanskrit word mitra means a friend. In the Veda it also carries an older sense: a covenant, a pact or a sworn agreement between 2 parties. The god Mitra carries both senses.
Some scholars trace the word to a root meaning "to bind." In later Sanskrit, mitra also became a name of the Sun.
Mitra's name is also found outside India. Scholars connect him with Mithra of the Avesta, the Iranian god of the covenant. They also point to a Mitanni treaty from the 14th century BCE, which names Mitra, Varuna and Indra among the gods who guard its oath.
Mitra in the Rig Veda
Mitra has one hymn of his own in the Rig Veda, hymn 3.59. Its first verse sets out his work:
मित्रो जनान्यातयति ब्रुवाणो मित्रो दाधार पृथिवीमुत द्याम् ।
मित्रः कृष्टीरनिमिषाभि चष्टे मित्राय हव्यं घृतवज्जुहोत ॥Mitra, speaking, stirs people to action. Mitra holds up the earth and the sky. Mitra watches the peoples without blinking. Offer to Mitra an oblation rich in ghee. (Rig Veda 3.59.1)
Verse 2 says that the one who keeps Mitra's law will prosper and that no harm reaches him from near or far. In verse 8, the 5 peoples bow to Mitra, the strong helper, who supports all the gods.
The hymn also praises his reach. Verse 4 calls him a mighty king, born as an ordainer and worthy of worship. Verse 7 says that Mitra spreads across the sky by his greatness and across the earth by his fame. In verse 9, he gives food to the gods and to people who keep their vows.
Outside this hymn, Mitra usually appears with Varuna. The poets address the pair as Mitra-Varuna, a single dual name, in many hymns.
Mitra and Varuna, Guardians of Rita
Mitra and Varuna guard Rita, the true order that runs the world, the seasons and the sacrifice. Rig Veda 1.2.8 calls them ritavridhau, "the 2 who make Rita grow," and says they act through Rita.
The Brahmanas give each of the pair a role. The Shatapatha Brahmana (4.1.4.1) says that Mitra is the priesthood and Varuna the ruling power. It adds that the priesthood conceives and the ruling power acts.
The third god often named with them is Aryaman, the guardian of marriage and hospitality. Rig Veda 1.90.1 opens with all 3.
Mitra Among the Adityas
The Adityas are the sons of Aditi, and Mitra appears in every list of them. Rig Veda 7.66.4 names Mitra and Aryaman with Savitar and Bhaga at sunrise. The Bhagavata Purana (6.6.39) names 12: Vivasvan, Aryaman, Pushan, Tvashta, Savita, Bhaga, Dhata, Vidhata, Varuna, Mitra, Shatru and Urukrama.
The same Purana gives Mitra a family. His wife is Revati, and their 3 sons are Utsarga, Arishta and Pippala (Bhagavata Purana 6.18.6).
Mitra's name also opens the 12 mantras of Surya Namaskar. Om Mitraya Namah is the 1st, so each full round of the salutation begins with him.
Who Is Vasishtha, Son of Mitra and Varuna?
The sage Vasishtha is called the son of Mitra and Varuna. Rig Veda 7.33.11 names him maitravaruna, the son of Mitra and Varuna, born from the mind of the apsara Urvashi.
Verse 13 of the same hymn tells of a sacrifice where the 2 gods poured their seed into a pot. Vasishtha was born from it. Vasishtha is the seer of the 7th book of the Rig Veda. Several of its hymns are addressed to Mitra and Varuna.
Mitra and Anuradha Nakshatra
Anuradha's symbol is the lotus, and our Anuradha page calls it the Star of Devotion. Its deity is the god of the friend and the pledge. People with the Moon here often keep long friendships and treat friends as family.
Saturn, the nakshatra ruler, adds patience and steady effort. The nakshatra lies fully in Scorpio, a sign of depth and intensity. You can find your own birth nakshatra with the nakshatra calculator.
Anuradha natives often do well in work that needs trust over many years. Diplomacy, management, counselling and work across cultures are common choices.
Mitra Mantra
The Vedic verse for Anuradha in the Nakshatra Suktam of the Taittiriya Brahmana (3.1) is addressed to Mitra:
ऋध्यास्म हव्यैर्नमसोपसद्य ।
मित्रं देवं मित्रधेयं नो अस्तु ।
अनूराधान् हविषा वर्धयन्तः ।
शतं जीवेम शरदः सवीराः ।
चित्रं नक्षत्रमुदगात्पुरस्तात् ।
अनूराधास इति यद्वदन्ति ।
तन्मित्र एति पथिभिर्देवयानैः ।
हिरण्मयैर्विततैरन्तरिक्षे ॥Ridhyasma havyairnamasopasadya |
Mitram devam mitradheyam no astu |
Anuradhan havisha vardhayantah |
shatam jivema sharadah savirah |
chitram nakshatramudagatpurastat |
Anuradhasa iti yadvadanti |
tanmitra eti pathibhirdevayanaih |
hiranmayairvitatairantarikshe ||
Meaning: May we prosper, coming near with offerings and bowing. May the god Mitra give us his friendship. Making the Anuradha stars grow with our offering, may we live 100 autumns with strong sons.
A bright nakshatra has risen in the east, the one they call Anuradha. Mitra goes there by the paths the gods travel, golden paths stretched across the sky.
The second line asks for mitradheya, the bond of friendship. The verses for all 27 stars are on our page of nakshatra mantras. Learn the accents from a teacher or a recording before you recite it.
Name Mantra
ॐ मित्राय नमः
Om Mitraya Namah
It means "Om, salutation to Mitra." Mitraya is the Sanskrit form for "to Mitra."
How to Worship Mitra
Recite the Nakshatra Suktam verse or the name mantra on the days the Moon passes through Anuradha. This happens about once every 27 days. Rig Veda 3.59 asks for an oblation rich in ghee, so a ghee lamp is a simple way to make that offering at home. Surya Namaskar at sunrise, which opens with his name, also suits this worship.
All of this works on the mind. Keeping your word and staying loyal to a friend are the acts closest to Mitra's nature. For a reading of your own Moon nakshatra and running dasha, you can book a Vedic astrology consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the deity of Anuradha Nakshatra?
Mitra, the Aditya of friendship and the sworn agreement, is the deity of Anuradha. Its Nakshatra Suktam verse asks Mitra for his friendship and long life.
Who is Mitra in Hinduism?
Mitra is a Vedic god, one of the Adityas, the sons of Aditi. He guards friendship, contracts and the true order of the world with his partner Varuna.
What is the difference between Mitra and Varuna?
Both guard Rita, the true order, and the Veda usually names them together. The Shatapatha Brahmana calls Mitra the priesthood and Varuna the ruling power. Mitra also has a hymn of his own, Rig Veda 3.59.
Is Mitra a sun god?
Mitra is an Aditya, and the Adityas have a solar side. Later Sanskrit uses mitra as a name of the Sun, and Om Mitraya Namah opens the Surya Namaskar mantras.
What is the mantra of Mitra?
The Vedic mantra is the Anuradha verse of the Nakshatra Suktam, which begins "Ridhyasma havyairnamasopasadya." The name mantra is Om Mitraya Namah.
Which planet rules Anuradha Nakshatra?
Saturn rules Anuradha. The nakshatra lies fully in Scorpio, so Mars, the lord of Scorpio, also shapes it through the sign.
Summary
Mitra is the Aditya of friendship and the covenant, and the deity of Anuradha Nakshatra. Rig Veda 3.59 is his own hymn, and with Varuna he guards Rita, the true order. The sage Vasishtha is called their son.
The Nakshatra Suktam asks Mitra for friendship and 100 autumns, and Surya Namaskar opens with his name. Recite his verse on the Anuradha day and keep the promises you make to friends.
