Basic Description: Varuna
is one of the oldest Vedic gods. Varuna is the genius
of the waters, the regent of the ocean and the creator and preserver of the
heaven and earth. He is also the governor of the night/darkness and the
lord of punishment. Varuna is all
encompassing, ocean sun, king of the universe, the supreme divinity. In
later times he became lord of the sun gods, and still later he became the god of
the oceans and rivers, a position he still occupies today.
Alternate Names:
History/Practices:
Originally
an omniscient god, he was later removed as the all powerful god and he now appears
as the god of the ocean. Varuna is no longer worshiped but he is propitiated
before voyages.
Iconography:
As
the lord of punishment he binds the guilty in fatal cords that he holds in his
hands. The cord is known as the pasa, pasha, or varunapasha. According
to the Vedas, Varuna has four faces, one of which is like the face of Agni.
He has a tongue; he eats and drinks. His eye, shared with Mitra, is the sun.
Sometimes he has a thousand fierce eyes. He winks; his breath is the wind. He
has arms and beautiful hands, as well as a shining foot. He is splendidly dressed,
wearing a golden mantel.
Mythology:
In
the Vedas, Varuna is connected not directly to water but to water elements of
ether and earth. Cosmic functions are attributed to him. He allows the sun to
shine on the firmament. The wind that roars through the air is his breath. He
created the beds of rivers, which by his command flow and pour their waters
into the oceans without allowing them to overflow. By his laws the
moon shines and the stars appear in the night sky, only to disappear mysteriously
the next day. Nothing happens without his knowledge; no creature can move without
him. He observes truth and duplicity in human beings. He has unlimited
control over the fate of human beings, knows the answer to everything, and is
merciful even to sinners. He is a wise guard of immortality. The characteristics
and functions that are ascribed to Varuna raise him far above all other Vedic
gods. In the Purănas he is the lord of water, his favorite site is Pushpagiri,
the flower mountain. He owns an umbrella named Ábhoga, fashioned from a cobra’s
hood; no water can penetrate it. Numerous legends are associated with his name,
some of which are reminiscent of the classic legends about Neptune.
Riding Animal: His
riding animal is Makara, a marine monster.
Consort:
Although
usually linked with Mitra, Varuna is occasionally invoked alone and is the uncontested
ruler of the Adityas. According to the Mahbharata, Varuna also
has a wife, Varunani or Varuni, who is the goddess of liquor.
Sources:
Danliélou, Alain. The Myths and Gods of India. Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions International, 1991.
Moor, Edward.
The Hindu Pantheon. Los Angeles: Philosophical research society,
1976.
Thomas, P. Epics, Myths
and Legends of India. Bombay, India: D. B. Taraporevala Sons &
Co. Private Ltd, 1961.
Schumacker, Stephan
and Gert Woerner. The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and
Religion. Boston: Shambhala, 1994.