History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.27

v6.c81.27

The above mentioned passages clearly show that the Vedic sages believed that not only did the several gods observe or carry out the immutably fixed ordinances laid down by themselves or by any one of them but that even wily demons had to observe them and that waters or rivers flow as ordained by gods We have to take into account along with these beliefs that the Ṛgveda often adverts to the fact that human beings also break (or violate) the *vratas* of gods, are liable to be punished therefor and pray to the gods to pity them and to withhold the punishment. For example,¹² Ṛg I. 25. 1-2 ‘Whatever ordinance (vrata) of thine, O Varuṇa! we may break day to day as people (subjects) do (i. e. break the king's law) do not reduce us to death &c.’; X. 25. 3 ‘O Soma! if I transgress your perfect (lit well-baked) vratas, then in thy exhilaration (at our sacrifices) take pity on us as a father does towards his son’. Vide also VII. 89. 5, VIII. 48 9.