Varuna
Overview
Varuna is a deity in Hinduism, the god of water and the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law of the underwater world. A Makara is his mount. His consort is the Hindu goddess Varuni. Originally the chief god of the Vedic pantheon, Varuna was replaced by Indra and later faded away with the ascendancy of Shiva and Vishnu.
Etymology and Other Names
The name Varuna (Sanskrit: वरुण) stems from the Sanskrit word vr (to surround, to bind), related to vrtra (demon who obstructs). Varuna is also known as Pāsi-hasta (one who has a noose in his hand), and sometimes referred to as the Asura of the Sea or the Guardian of Rta.
Historical Development
Varuna is found in the oldest layer of Vedic literature of Hinduism, such as hymn 7.86 of the Rigveda. He is also mentioned in the Tamil grammar work Tolkāppiyam, as the god of sea and rain. In the Hindu Puranas, Varuna is the god of oceans, his vehicle is a Makara (part fish, part land creature) and his weapon is a Pasha (noose, rope loop). He is the guardian deity of the western direction. In some texts, he is the father of the Vedic sage Vasishtha.
Varuna in Vedic Literature
In the Vedic literature of Hinduism, Varuna is a god of moral and societal affairs, and any oath is sworn by his name. He is considered the keeper of cosmic order, a role he shares with Mitra. Varuna and Mitra are the gods of the societal affairs, keepers of law and order, and ensure all creatures of the world behave as expected. Varuna is also the god of the dead, and can grant immortality. He is attended by the beautiful nymphs of the sea and has a palace in the highest region of the sky.
Varuna in Puranic Literature
In the Puranas, Varuna is described as having a thousand eyes and oversees the entire world, the earth and the sky. He is the god of the western direction, and is associated with the evening sun. He is described as riding on a sea creature (Makara), and his weapon is a Pasha (noose). He is the lord of the waters, and is associated with the lunar node, Shasha.
Varuna in Other Religions
Varuna, in the Harivamsa, is described as Vishnu's brother. Varuna also finds mention in the early layers of the Mahabharata. In Jainism, Varuna is a yaksini. In Buddhism, Varuna is a dharmapala and the king of the western region. He is also found in the Buddhist Jataka Tales.
Varuna in Art and Iconography
Varuna is depicted as a white man riding a sea monster, holding a lasso or noose made from a snake. He is often shown as a guardian deity (Dikpala) of the western direction, in temple carvings and arts. He is sometimes shown with his consort Varuni and frequently depicted astride a sea monster.
Worship and Festivals
Varuna has been a part of the Indian tradition and culture for millennia. He is remembered annually during the Navaratri festival in India, particularly in the eastern and northeastern states of India. The Varuna Yajna, a Vedic sacrifice, is performed to please Varuna.