 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2023) |
| Mithra-Varuna | |
|---|---|
Benevolent and Aggressive Sovereignty | |
| Member of Three functions | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Double_herm_Chiaramonti_Inv1395.jpg) Janus a similar dual deity which may be related | |
| Ethnic group | Proto-Indo-Europeans |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek | Zeus†-Ouranos †has more elements of Dyēus |
| Hindu | Mitra-Varuna |
| Norse | Tyr†-Odin †name derived from Dyēus |
| Roman | Scaevola-Cocles, Janus? |
| Irish | Nuada-Lugh |
Mitra-Varuna is a proposed deity or dyad of deities suggested to have existed in Proto-Indo-European religion and mythology. First proposed by Georges Dumézil, he considered it to have been composed of two distinct elements – Mitra and Varuna – this divine pair represented different aspects of sovereignty, with Mitra embodying reason, order, and benevolence, and Varuna symbolizing violence, darkness, and inspiration.[1]
The dyad was first reconstructed as such by Georges Dumézil in his essay Mitra-Varuna.[1] The reconstruction is linked to his Trifunctional hypothesis. With each one representing the different sides of his concept of sovereignty.[1]
Varuna is seen as a binder and Mitra as an unbinder. It is proposed that the two Roman forms of debt Mutuum-Nexum were from each one respectively, and reflective of forms of debt dating back to the Proto-Indo-Europeans[1]
Dumezil proposes an analogy with yin and yang provides a useful framework for understanding the dialectic of Mitra-Varuna. Mitra may be seen as light and Varuna as dark.[1]
Varuna is frenzied and aggressive, a "terrible sovereign" which comes first, and Mitra is a slow, majestic sovereign.[1]
Mitra represents a sovereign under his reasoning aspect, luminous, ordered, calm, benevolent, and priestly. Varuna, on the other hand, represents a sovereign under his attacking aspect, dark, inspired, violent, terrible, and warlike. Some expressions that assimilate "this world" to Mitra and "the other world" to Varuna have been the subject of much commentary and can be understood in this context.[1]
The concept of Mitra as brahman and Varuna as the king of the Gandharva is a particularly suggestive formula. The Gandharva normally live in a mysterious world of their own, beyond the darkness into which Indra smote the singular Gandharva for the greater good of the brahman. In Varuna's legend, the Gandharva intervene at a tragic moment to restore his failed virility with a magic herb, just as the first Luperci put an end to the sterility of the women Romulus had abducted.[1]
The Vedic dyad Mitra-Varuna[2] is believed by Dumezil to descend from this original dyad.
The dyad was mentioned in a treaty by the Mitanni supporting the hypothesis of a Indo-Aryan superstrate in Mitanni.[3]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mitra-Varuna Georges Dumézil
- ^ S.S Gupta (2013). A Study of Deities of Rig Veda. Abhinav Publications. p. 44.
- ^ Thieme, Paul (1960). "The 'Aryan' Gods of the Mitanni Treaties". Journal of the American Oriental Society. 80 (4): 301–317. doi:10.2307/595878. ISSN 0003-0279. JSTOR 595878.