Varuna, the god of cosmic order and water, was a towering figure in Vedic times. He upheld rita (universal truth) and punished wrongdoers with his noose. Sailors and traders invoked him for safe ...

Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, has three fathers. There is Varuna, god of the sea, who gives the world salt, fish and all the water it needs. This is why Lakshmi is called Sagara-putri, or daughter ...

Hindu priests sit inside barrels containing water as they perform special prayers ... the Sankara Mattham in Mumbai to appease the rain god Varuna Credit: AP India's financial and entertainment ...

Brahma, creator of the universe, appears along with Vaayu, Agni (god of fire), Varuna (god of water), Vishwakarma, the architect of the gods, Yama, the son of the Sun God, and Indra. All of them ...

Hindu priests sit inside barrels containing water as they perform special prayers ... the Sankara Mattham in Mumbai to appease the rain god Varuna Credit: AP India's financial and entertainment ...