Definition

Proper noun 1. A Vedic deity: In early Vedic religion (Vedism), Varuna is a sovereign god associated with the night sky, cosmic order (ṛta), moral law, and the waters. He is often depicted as an all-seeing judge who observes human actions, upholds justice, and punishes wrongdoing.

Usage

• In ancient hymns, Varuna was invoked as a cosmic ruler and guardian of moral order.
• The concept of divine oversight is central to Varuna's role as a watcher of mankind.
• Varuna is frequently paired with the god Mitra in Vedic texts.

Advanced Usage

• Varuna and Mitra: This pair is commonly cited as complementary upholders of the world, with Varuna representing the nocturnal, cosmic, and judicial aspects, and Mitra often associated with the day, contracts, and friendship.
• King of the Gods: In many Vedic passages, Varuna is accorded a position of supremacy among the gods, a role later attributed to deities like Indra or Vishnu in classical Hinduism.

Variants and Related Words

• Varunic (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of the god Varuna.
  • The hymn's tone was distinctly Varunic, emphasizing cosmic law and judgment.

Synonyms

• Sovereign god
• Celestial judge
• Upholder of ṛta (cosmic order)

Related Concepts

• Ṛta: The fundamental Vedic principle of cosmic and moral order that Varuna is chiefly responsible for upholding.
• Vedism: The religious system of the Vedic period, in which Varuna was a principal deity.
• Asura: In the earliest Vedic texts, Varuna is considered a great (a term meaning "lord" or "divine being"), distinct from its later demonic connotations.

Noun

1. in Vedism, god of the night sky who with his thousand eyes watches over human conduct and judges good and evil and punishes evildoers; often considered king of the Hindu gods and frequently paired with Mitra as an upholder of the world