Spiritual Authority and Temporal Power in the Indian Theory of Government c2.s1.114

c2.s1.114

²⁸ We have already (note 4) called attention to the assimilation of Mitra to Manas and of Varuṇa to Urvaśī in RV. VII. 33. 11 where the designation of Vasiṣṭha as "the son of Mitra and Varuṇa" (*maitrāvaruṇa*) can only mean that a *mithunam* of Mitra and Varuṇa has taken place, as in PB. XXV. 10, 10, or in other words that Urvaśī, thus *manasā abhigatā*, is Vāc. In PB. VII. 8. 1 it is equally clear that the birth of Vāma "amongst the Gods," i. e. the birth of Vāmadeva (the Ṛṣi of RV. IV. 1-40), implies that a conjugation of Mitrāvaruṇau has taken place, which indeed explains the special connection of the Vāmadevya Sāman (Bṛhad Uktha) with sexual intercourse (*vāmadevyam mithune protam*, CU. II. 13. 2); cf. BU. IV. 1. 6 where Brahma as Manas betakes himself to "the woman," i. e. Vāc, and a son like himself is born of her, as also in PB. VII. 6 where the father is Prajāpati; all these are versions of one and the same Ur-mythos.