Part 16 - Varuna and Devotion

To worship the favorite deity and please the deity and with blessings of deity get the desired results, seems to be the nature of Vedic religion.

The word Bhakti has originated from Bhaj which means to distribute. It means devotion or attachment for something, a spiritual or religious principle or a deity. The devotee should not only be the receiver of material gains or a place in heaven, but he should be a receiver of God's grace and kindness and he should at least to some extent imbibe in him the qualities of God, is what is expected while doing the Bhakti. This seems to be the concept of Bhakti Marg (devotional path).

Veda word has originated from root Vid. It’s meaning is knowledge. This is not an ordinary knowledge but it is an extraordinary knowledge. As per modern scholars, the period of this knowledge is 4000 years B.C. or so, and it has travelled for so many centuries only through oral tradition and has lasted for generations together.

Varuna is an ancient Vedic Deity or Vedic Devata and who was very powerful in the Vedic period and had a prominent place among Vedic deities. This means that he has ruled over the mind of Indian people for so many centuries.

Varuna’s physical description is found in Matsya Purana. During Tarakamay Battle the description of Varuna by the poet is as follows:

He is possessed of four oceans and his body is water. His horses are as white as the rays of Moon and are as fast as wind and in the shape of water. Varuna's body is like a Markatmani (pearl), he is wearing Gold ornaments and a Pitambar (yellow silk cloth). He has many ferocious snakes with him. He has ornaments of shell and pearl tied to his arms and he is like an agitated or rough ocean. In this description, the relation or affinity of Varuna with water is very clear. His body is water like, the four oceans in human form are in his service, he wears the shell and pearl ornament on his arms. His horses are of the shape of water.

This concept appears to be giving shape to an idea that the large waves of ocean described as horses of Varuna. The description in Matsya Purana Vayviritairjlakaraihi could have two meanings. One is 'as fast as the wind' and the other is 'driven by the wind'. This very much fits the characteristics of Varuna. In Bhagwat Purana, Varuna is mentioned as Guardian of Patal or Asur Lok. He is Lokpal or Adhipati. His fame is spread all over and in past, he has performed 'Rajasuya Yajna' defeating Gods and Demons, which is the reason for his recognition or impression of his Vedic Epithet 'Asura'.

In Bhagavata Purana, Varuna is mentioned as Guardian of Patal or Asur Lok.

He is Lokapal or Adhipati. His fame is spread all over and in part, he has performed 'Rajasuya Yajna' defeating Gods and Demons. The special characteristic of Varuna described in Brahmana texts do still exist related to him in a weaker form. But his power and might as described in Brahmana seems to have reduced in the later period. At the same time, the special characteristics described in Brahmana text related to Varuna do still exist, though in a weaker form. They seem to have reduced in the post-Vedic period.

During the initial phase of Rigveda, in the pantheon of Gods, twelve Adityas were at the highest level and Varuna ruled these twelve Adityas, indicative of his supremacy. As R.N. Dandekar has put forth, according to the need of time Varuna was replaced by Indra who killed demon Vrutra. (Jamkhedkar 2016:293)

His changed status might have been somewhat difficult to accept for the devotees. The deification of Lord Jhulelal and considering him as a form or incarnation of Varuna might have taken place around mid of the tenth Century. In the form of Lord Jhulelal, Vedic deity Varuna seems to have been re-established as an important God in this period.