Varuna

Oceans, Water & Rain

Varuna is the god of oceans, the sky and water, his name meaning he who envelops all. Varuna is one of the most influential Devas after the flooding of Bharatavarsa but he is also viewed as an upholder of truth, justice, morality and Rta (cosmic law), personifying divine authority. As a Dikpala, Varuna guards the western direction. Above all, Varuna is associated with water and cosmic balance, all waters from the sea, to rivers to rain falling under his vast influence. As the endless sky oversees vast oceans, Varuna oversees the mortal and divine realms, upholding Rta with all-seeing omniscience! This is accomplished by his loyal spies, lurking in all bodies of water and sharing with him all that is past, present and future. With this knowledge, he punishes offenders and enforces order--but he is not without mercy, showing compassion to those who repent! Like many Vedas, Varuna is a child of the sage Kashyapa and the goddess Aditi, both the Vasus and Adityas his siblings. And like his siblings, sometimes he is seen as being the child of Dyaus and Prithvi instead. Meanwhile, Varuna's wife is Varuni, the goddess of intoxication who emerged from the waters of Samudra Manthana with Amrita, the elixur of immortality!

Depiction Varuna is depicted holding a pasha (noose) which he uses to bind criminals who violate Rta while his other hand holds a pitcher. He rides a chariot pulled by either swans or crocodiles and his vahana is a Makara, a sea creature resembling a crocodile with the trunk of an elephant! His followers worship him through rituals, mantras and offerings of clean water and flowers, invoking Varuna for order, rain, harmony or protection.