Traditional Mitra (Sanskrit: मित्र IAST: Mitrá) is a Hindu god and generally one of the Adityas (the sons of the goddess Aditi), though his role has changed over time.

In the Rigveda, Mitra appears primarily in the dvandva compound Mitra-Varuna, which has essentially the same attributes as the god Varuna alone,[1] e.g. as the principal guardian of ṛtá "Truth, Order".

... One theory holds that the dvandvic union possibly represents an apotropaic application [of "friend"] to the otherwise frightening and dangerous Varuna.

[1] They wet the pastures with dew of clarified butter (ghee), and rain abounding in heavenly water comes from them.

A characteristic unique to Mitra is his ability to marshal the people (yātayati, yātayáj-jana), an attribute that appears to be peculiarly his.

[1] In the Brahmanas, the exegetical commentaries on the Vedas, the associations with morning and evening lead Mitra to be connected with the day, and Varuna with night.

However, his role gets significantly reduced and little is mentioned about him other than him being a solar deity and an Aditya, (the sons of the goddess Aditi, fathered by the sage Kashyapa).

[11] The pairing of Mitra with Varuna is still present;[10] a yajna dedicated to them by Vaivasvata Manu is mentioned in these scriptures.

An instance of rivalry between Varuna and Mitra also occurs: Other significant references to Mitra include the legend of Prithvi, where he acted as milkman of the gods to milk the cow-form of the earth goddess; his fight with Praheti in the Devasura war; and his worship by Pandava King Yudhishthira and Akrura.

The morning upasthaana prayer, recited to the risen sun after contemplation on the sacred Gayatri mantra, is a collection of Vedic verses addressing Mitra.

Worship begins on Kartik Sankranti, the last day of the Bengali calendar month Kartik; and after worshiping the Mitra Dev (locally called Itu Thakur) for the full month, it[clarification needed] is abducted into water on the day of Agrahayan Sankranti.