O Mitra! Varuṇa! Ye dual sovereigns of day and night! By what measure do ye divide the hours? By what mysterious reckoning do ye govern the cycles that turn the world?

Thou, Mitra, dost arise with the dawn and guidest the sun across the sky. At thy coming, the creatures stir from sleep. The bird singeth its greeting. The cattle low to be milked. All the world awaketh to thy light, and order is restored.

Thou, Varuṇa, dost descend with the evening and bringeth forth the night. At thy coming, the creatures seek shelter. The eye can no longer perceive. The thief and the sorcerer venture forth, believing themselves hidden in thy darkness. Yet thou seest all, O mighty one, even in the deepest night.

The night is thy temple, Varuṇa, and the stars are thy sentries posted to watch over the world whilst mortals sleep. Thou dost not rest, O sovereign! Thy vigilance never ceaseth!

And Mitra, thy realm is the realm of relationship, of speech, of covenant kept. The merchant trusteth that Mitra will oversee his trade. The friend trusteth that Mitra will preserve his friendship. The king trusteth that Mitra will maintain the bonds of loyalty that hold the kingdom together.

Yet without Varuṇa's stern judgment, Mitra's friendship would become weakness. Without Mitra's gentle wisdom, Varuṇa's judgment would become cruelty. Thus ye are yoked together, inseparable, the two aspects of true sovereignty.

O ye who reign over light and darkness! O ye who rule the waking and sleeping worlds! Grant us the favour to dwell safely in both your realms! Let the day bring us prosperity under Mitra's smile, and let the night bring us rest under Varuṇa's watchful eye!

Ye are praised! Ye are honoured! Let your cycle continue eternal!