Part 24 - Lord Jhulelal, Vedic deity Varuna and other water deities

Lord Jhulelal and Vedic deity Varuna are water Gods. It would be interesting to study water deities of other mythologies with these two and look for some commonalities between them. For this purpose, the examples have been chosen from Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology.

Water is given another name as 'Life' or in vernacular language is often called 'Jeevan'. With the kind of importance attributed to water, people know it is invaluable, it would be placed at the very high pedestal, equivalent to a deity or God.

In other mythologies also, one finds a great importance being attributed to water Gods and their impact is substantial. It would be interesting to look at this aspect as well.

Lord Jhulelal:

Lord Jhulelal is believed to be an incarnation of God Varuna, himself a water God. In turn his incarnation, Jhulelal has been also conferred the status of water God. These Gods are generally benevolent as water is the giver of life; they are often seen as guardians of truth, guardians of Cosmic order such as cycles of seasons, flowing of rivers, rains and many such natural phenomena which are very important for sustenance of human life.

It would be interesting to look at the water Gods in various other religious systems, their characteristics, nature and qualities, similarities and differences with Lord Jhulelal.

Water Deities in Other Mythological Systems:

Water deities are found in every mythology. (See plate 12) Some are discussed below.

Poseidon:

Poseidon is the Greek God of the sea and other waters. (Burkert 1985:136139) He was also the God of earthquakes, soil and horses. He was known as a protector of seafarers. The word Poseidon has been possibly derived from the Greek word 'Posis' which means husband or land, and da means earth. He appears as a protector as well as sometimes unruly God. He is shown carrying a trident and rides a chariot which is drawn by white horses, he is also called the brother of Zeus, the sky God.

There is one more theory according to which the second part of the word is 'Dawon', meaning water, and the name Posei-Dawon is formed which is master of waters.

He is also considered as major civic God of the city of Athens, coming next to Athena in his importance. He is also seen as the one who can create new islands and he can make the sea calm. When he is offended or ignored, he becomes angry and causes earthquakes and shipwrecks and drowning of ships. He is prayed by sailors for a safe voyage in the sea. It is believed that Alexander the Great prayed to Lord Poseidon of the Syrian sea before a battle and offered four-horse chariot which was released into the waves of the sea.

Poseidon had a consort by name Amphitrite who is an ancient sea Goddess, or a nymph meaning a minor female nature deity in Greek mythology.

Neptune:

The origin of the name Neptune appears quite complex, seems to have been derived from the 'Proto-Indo-European base, nebh meaning of which is 'moist'. Neptune is the water God in Roman mythology.

Neptune is equivalent to Poseidon, a God in Greek mythology. (James Hughes 1995: 215).

Neptune had two Paredrae. The meaning of which is the entities who accompany or pair a God. They are females in Roman Mythology. They can also be called consorts of the God. Out of the two, Salicia represents gushing, overbearing forceful waters whereas Venilia represents the water which is still and flow quietly.

An Irish God by name 'Nechtan' is his parallel as Nechtan is considered as a master of the well from which all the rivers of this world have originated. He is treated as the counterpart of Poseidon of Greek mythology. He had brothers, Jupiter and Pluto. Neptune was worshipped by the Romans as the God of horses, similar to Poseidon. Another etymology of Neptune says that 'Nuptus' means covering and it also hints at 'Nuptiae' which means the marriage of heaven and earth.

Tefnut:

In Egyptian mythology, one finds a water Goddess named 'Tefnut'. She is the goddess of moisture, rain and dew of ancient Egypt. Goddess Tefnut is a woman with a head of a lioness and a sun disc resting on her head is seen in her pictures. The literal meaning of 'Tefnut' is 'That water' while it is also believed that the God 'Ra' (God of the sun) spat her out from this mouth. (Wilkinson 2003: 183)

Sobek:

'Sobek' is also an ancient Egyptian deity of Nile river having a complex and fluid nature. (Zecchi 2010:3-4). He is represented in the form of a human with the head of the crocodile from West Africa or from river Nile. Though depicted fierce in nature like a crocodile, he is believed to protect the Egyptian people in a similar way that a crocodile protects its young ones. He is attributed to possess an apotropaic quality which means magical powers which can be used to drive away harmful or evil influences and avoiding misfortunes. His powers were particularly invoked seeking the protection against the dangers of the river Nile of Egypt. From ancient times, his presence is seen in Egyptian Pantheon.

Some other water deities:

The water deities are found in the Mythology of many countries and it could be an endless list. The nature of water deities may vary to a certain extent depending upon the geographical location of the country, the terrain, proximity to the sea, mountain, desert, rivers etc. These deities could defer in their appearance depending upon the cultures, traditions, beliefs, etc. However, it appears that water deities are present in most of the mythologies and they occupy a certain position in the mythological history of those countries and are a part of their culture.

To summarize, the water deities have an important place in culture, belief and mythological systems of those nations. They reveal many common features. They are prayed and worshiped for the safety of human beings, safe return of seafarers to home from a sea voyage. When pleased they protect and can grant boons and one cannot afford to offend or displease them. It is evident from above that the Indian mythology and other mythologies as well had recognized water and water deities as a mighty power and are therefore respected in all these mythologies.