Talk:Mitra, mitra
By Swami Harshananda
Mitra, mitra (‘the friend’)
Mitra is one of the important deities praised in the Rgveda. More often, he is praised along with Varuṇa, another Vedic god. He is one of the twelve Adityas (aspects of the Sungod, Surya). He resides in the antarikṣa or sky and gives us rain. He impels the people of the world towards constructive activity. He unites people with mutual love and friendship. He sustains the world, protects it and is capable of bestowing boons (vide Rgveda 3.59.1, 2 and 7).
The word ‘mitra’ has been used in a technical sense in political science, to indicate an ally of a king. A mitra had to be courted either by sāma (spirit of reconciliation) or by dāna (the spirit of give and take).
While maitrī or an attitude of friendship has been recommended by the
Yoga-sutras (1.33) as an aid to concentration of mind, the characteristics of a true friend (mitra) are described as follows: He will prevent you from committing sins. On the other hand he will encourage you to do good deeds. He will keep your secrets. He will praise your good qualities openly. He will not desert you in your periods of crisis. He will give all assistance when needed (Nītiśataka of Bhartṛhari 70).
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore