Shatapatha Brahmana 3.2.4.18

3.2.4.18

mitrastvā padi badhnītāmiti | varuṇyā vā eṣā yadrajjuḥ sā yadrajjvābhihitā syādvaruṇyā syādyadvanabhihitā syādayateva syādetadvā avaruṇyaṃ yanmaitraṃ sā yathā rajjvābhihitā yataivamasyai tadbhavati yadāha mitrastvā padi badhnītāmiti

'May Mitra bind thee by the foot!' For that rope, doubtless, is of Varuna; and were she (the cow) tied with a rope, she would be (under the power) of Varuna. And, on the other hand, were she not tied at all, she would be uncontrolled. Now that which is of Mitra is not of Varuna; and as (a cow), if tied with a rope, is under control, so it is in the case of this one when he says, 'May Mitra bind thee by the foot!'