Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c17.s2.12

c17.s2.12

(iii) The group *Mitra-Varuṇa-Aryaman* is very commonly met with in the archaic period, but not so frequently in hymns addressed to this triple deity as in Agni hymns. In the periods next following either Aryaman disappears from the group, or other names are added. In later times (e.g. RV. ix 114 3c) these gods form part of a group of seven, known as the seven Ādityāḥ, the sons of their mother Aditi. This number seven we may perhaps trace back to the archaic period by the help of viii 28 5, and if so, a door is open for H. Oldenberg’s interpretation of this group as ultimately based upon an older worship of sun, moon and five planets (*Die Religion des Veda*, p. 193).