Mitra

For the Demon called Mitra in earlier localizations, see Mithras.

Mitra is a Demon in the Megami Tensei franchise.

Profile

Origin

Mitra (Vedic) or Mithra (Iranian) is an ancient god of the Indo-Iranian peoples. Mitra/Mithra's name derives from mitrá, a common noun meaning "contract" or (in later Sanskrit) "friend." Mitra/Mithra is a god associated mainly with contracts, like his name suggests. In the Vedas, Mitra has a close relationship with the god Varuna. To the Iranians, he is also associated with the sun and light, though he is not a personification of the sun itself. Additionally, while the Iranian Mithra is a warrior god, this role is taken by Indra in the Vedas.^[1]

Mithra would be incorporated into Zoroastrianism, though he is not mentioned by Zarathustra (Zoroaster) himself. Here, he is believed to be the overlord and judge of living beings.^[1] The Manichaeans would adopt the name of Mithra^[a] to refer to either the Living Spirit (in Persian) or to the Third Messenger (in Parthian and Sodgian).^[2]

The Romans adapted the name of Mithra as Mithras, though Mithras is distinct and has little to do with the Indo-Iranian god aside from his name, even though he was perceived as a Persian deity by his followers.

Design

Mitra's design in most of his appearances in the Megami Tensei franchise is inspired not by how the Iranian Mithra or Vedic Mitra are usually depicted, but by depictions of an unknown figure in the Roman Mithraic religion, whose name is hypothesized to be Arimanius (which is derived from Ahriman).

Gameplay

For complete gameplay information, see Gameplay:Mitra.

Compendium

Compendium Entries
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne	An ancient Iranian god of contracts, he was also worshiped as a sun god. At the end of time, he will descend from the heavens and raise the dead for final judgement.
Shin Megami Tensei V	Commonly known as Mitra-Buddha or Mitra. An ancient Persian god of contracts, he was also revered as a sun god. He is a protector of the world's harmony and truth, and passes judgment upon those who threaten it. It is said that one of his powers to safeguard harmony allows him to cure any illness.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance	Commonly known as Mitra-Buddha or Mitra. An ancient Persian god of contracts, he was also revered as a sun god. He is a protector of the world's harmony and truth and passes judgment upon those who threaten it. It is said that one of his powers to safeguard harmony allows him to cure any illness.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin	Zoroastrian war god who is also god of justice and light.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment	Zoroastrian war god of rain and light.
Persona 3 Reload	An ancient Persian god of contracts, who was also revered as a sun god who brought harvests when he was introduced to the Zoroastrian religion.
Persona 4	An ancient Iranian god of contracts, he was also revered as a sun god. At the end of time, he will descend from the heavens and raise the dead for final judgement.
Persona 5	An ancient Persian god of contracts, who was also revered as a sun god who brought harvests when he was introduced to the Zoroastrian religion.
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth	An ancient Persian god of contracts, he was also revered as a sun god. At the end of time, he will descend from the heavens and raise the dead for final judgement.

Game Appearances

Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Nomenclature

Names in Other Languages
Language	Name	Meaning
English	MithraShin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax Persona 3 Persona 3 FES Persona 4 Persona 4 Golden Devil Survivor 2 MithrasShin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Devil Survivor: Overclocked MitraShin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux Shin Megami Tensei IV Shin Megami Tensei V Persona 5
Japanese	ミトラDigital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Shin Megami Tensei V Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Persona 3 Persona 3 Reload Persona 4 Persona 5 Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2 Mitora ミスラShin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Shin Megami Tensei IV Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis Persona 2: Innocent Sin Persona 2: Eternal Punishment Misura	Mitra Mithra
Simplified Chinese	密特拉 Mìtèlā	Mitra
Traditional Chinese	密特拉 Mìtèlā	Mitra
French	Mitra	Mitra
German	Mitra	Mitra
Italian	Mitra	Mitra
Korean	미트라 Miteura	Mitra
Polish	Mitra	Mitra
Brazilian Portuguese	Mitra	Mitra
Russian	Митра Mitra	Mitra
Spanish	Mitra	Mitra
Turkish	Mitra	Mitra

Gallery

Render of Mitra from Shin Megami Tensei V
Render for Persona 5
Render from Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Model of Mithra from Persona 4 Golden
Model of Mitra from Persona 3 Reload
Sprite of Mitra from Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II
Animated sprite of Mitra from Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II

Videos

Mitra's Daily Demon Showcase for Shin Megami Tensei V

Notes

↑ Mihr in Middle Persian and Parthian, and Miši in Sogdian

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Hanns-Peter Schmidt, MITHRA i. MITRA IN OLD INDIAN AND MITHRA IN OLD IRANIAN. Published August 15, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2023. Encyclopaedia Iranica.
↑ Werner Sundermann, MITHRA iii. IN MANICHEISM. Published July 20, 2002. Retrieved August 8, 2024. Encyclopaedia Iranica.

[2] Mihr in Middle Persian and Parthian, and Miši in Sogdian

[iranica_1-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Hanns-Peter Schmidt, MITHRA i. MITRA IN OLD INDIAN AND MITHRA IN OLD IRANIAN. Published August 15, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2023. Encyclopaedia Iranica.

[iranica_3-3] Werner Sundermann, MITHRA iii. IN MANICHEISM. Published July 20, 2002. Retrieved August 8, 2024. Encyclopaedia Iranica.

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