Rig Veda 1.152.2 - mitrāvaruṇau
एतच्चन त्वो वि चिकेतदेषां सत्यो मन्त्रः कविशस्त ऋघावान् । त्रिरश्रिं हन्ति चतुरश्रिरुग्रो देवनिदो ह प्रथमा अजूर्यन् ॥
etac cana tvo vi ciketad eṣāṃ satyo mantraḥ kaviśasta ṛghāvān | triraśriṃ hanti
caturaśrir ugro devanido ha prathamā ajūryan ||
English translation:
Many a one will not comprehend this TRUTH of theirs (varuṇa and
mitra), (but) the powerful/aggressive mantra, proclaimed by
rishis/poets.
The mighty four-edged
(weapon) smites one
with three edges; the scorners of the Divinities were
the first to waste away.
——
As the rishis of Rig Veda composed the Riks esoterically, it is of no use if we read and understand the Rig Veda exoterically. The esoteric meaning of the issue in question, as per my understanding, is as follows:
The rishi is not talking about any physical weapons here.
As Rig Veda is about spiritual concepts, the rishi is talking about the 3 types of vices that hinder the progress of the spiritual practitioner, which can be countered by 4 types of spiritual disciplines, so that one can progress spiritually.
——
The one with three edges (weapon) indicate the three bonds/fetters, by which King Varuṇa binds an individual from not progressing in spiritual path are:
1. hiṃsā (हिंसा) - to injury, harm, hurt, or violence. It encompasses any action, word, or thought that intentionally causes suffering, pain, or destruction to oneself or any other living being
2. steya (स्तेय ) - committing of any theft or misdeed
3. parigraha (परिग्रह) - possessiveness, greed, and attachment to wealth, status, or items beyond one's needs
—-
Thus, an individual is expected to overcome the above 3 vices, and habituate oneself to the following 3 positive traits, duly making the foundation of the spiritual practice by following the path of TRUTH. King Varuṇa will assist in spiritual progress.
The following are the 3 methods, in addition to following the path of TRUTH.
1. Follow the path of ऋतम् - ṛtam or the DIVINE Law/TRUTH , with trikāraṇaśuddhi - त्रिकारणशुद्धि (purity in thoughts, words and action).
2. ahiṃsā (अहिंसा) - It applies to abstaining from one’s Negative thoughts, hateful speech, and malicious action in doing harm to anyone
3. अस्तेय -asteya - non-committing of any theft or misdeed with trikāraṇaśuddhi
4. aparigraha (अपरिग्रह) - non-possessiveness (not accumulating/keeping more than required) with trikāraṇaśuddhi
——
Thus, the path of TRUTH, ahiṃsā, asteya and aparigraha together will become a powerful/aggresive mantra of Varuṇa and Mitra or four-edged (weapon) one, which will assist the individual in overcoming one (weapon) with three edges or the 3 vices or fetters of King Varuṇa (wasting away of scorners of the Divinities).
