In the post-Vedic texts – in which Mitra practically disappears – Mitra evolved into the patron divinity of friendship, and because he is "friend", abhors all violence, even when sacred.
ɪnðə pˈoʊstvˈɛdɪk tˈɛksts ɪnwˌɪtʃ mˈɪtɹə pɹˈæktɪkli dˌɪsɐpˈɪɹz mˈɪtɹə ɪvˈɑːlvd ˌɪntʊ ðə pˈeɪtɹən dᵻvˈɪnᵻɾi ʌv fɹˈɛndʃɪp, ænd bɪkˈʌz hiː ɪz "fɹˈɛnd", ɐbhˈoːɹz ˈɔːl vˈaɪələns, ˈiːvən wɛn sˈeɪkɹɪd.