Q. What was the position of Varuna in the Vedic system of Gods? 

Ans:

• Rig veda mentions as many as 33 gods, consisting of 8 Vasus, 11 Rudras, 12 Adityas, and the late Rigvedic Prajapati. • Indra, Agni and Varuna were the most popular deities of Rigvedic Aryans.©selfstudyhistory.com
• They are classified into 3 categories:
  • The earth (Prithvisthaniya) i.e. terrestrial Gods: were Prithivi, Agni, Soma, Brihaspati and rivers.
  • The intermediate space (Antarikshasthaniya) were Indra, Rudra, Vayu-Vata, Parjanya.
  • The universe/heavens (Dyusthaniya) were Daus, Surya, Varuna, Aditi, Usha and Asvin.
• Varuna has been dedicated 46 hymns in Rig Veda lesser than other important Gods like Indra (about 250 hymns in Rig Veda) and Agni (about 200 hymns in Rig Veda).
  • Throughout the Vedas, Varuna is mentioned 341 times, while Indra, chief of the Devas, is mentioned approximately six-fold that. This may misrepresent the actual importance of Varuna in early Vedic society due to the focus of the Rigveda upon Agni and Soma ritual, and the close relation between the Soma ritual and Indra.
  • It seems that Varuna was heralded as the supreme divinity in the Vedic religion for only a brief period. In the Rg Veda, he was frequently referred to by the title samraj, or “emperor,” a title which was rarely used to refer to more popular gods such as Indra, who would eventually rise to unquestioned supremacy over the rest of the pantheon. Further, in the ritual prescriptions, the Rajasuya sacrifice was carried out for the sole purpose of elevating personal status. This sacrifice is said to belong to Varuna (as well as Mitra) who most likely performed it himself with the intention of rising to supremacy over the rest of the gods. Despite his supremacy in the early Rg Veda as omniscient and omnipotent sky god, Varuna’s ascendancy through the whole of the work is not particularly evident when compared to other gods.
• Varuna and Mitra are frequently invoked together in the Rig Veda and are members of an eight member group of gods known as the Adityas.
• Varuna is the ruler of the sky realm and the upholder of natural or cosmic and moral law (rita), a duty shared with the group of gods known as the Adityas, of whom he was the chief.
  • He determines the path for all stars in heaven. He is the moral governor of all deities and ties the sinners with his pasha (noose).
  • Rita was an important aspect of tribal set-up.
• Varuna is associated with kshatra (secular power), sovereignty, and kingship.
  • He restricts and punishes evil-doers.
• He is associated with maya, an ability to construct forms. He is an all-seeing god who knows what everybody is up to.
• Varuna also personified water.
  • Varuna is the god of waters, clouds, oceans and rivers.
• He supports heaven, earth and air. He is the bestower of rain and regulates seasons (ritu). All gods obey him. He controls many natural phenomena.
• Varuna corresponds closely to the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazdah (Wise Spirit).©selfstudyhistory.com