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Spoiler Alert!
Warning! This page contains spoilers for Aru Shah and the Song of Death. |
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Not part of Riordanverse
The following article/section is from the Pandava Quintet continuity under Rick Riordan Presents and not the Riordanverse canon. |
Varuna is the four-armed Hindu god of the waters and the consort (husband) of Varuni.
History
Varuna is the son of Kashyapa, the sage, and Aditi, the mother goddess. He was the leader of the Âdityas, the children of Aditi. Varuna used to be god of the sky and king of heavens associated with the oceans and rivers. But after Indra slew Vritra, he overthrew Varuna as he was supposed to be in charge of the oceans, his vahana is a makara.[1]
In Ramayana, Rama prays to Varuna for help in crossing the sea to Lanka in order to save his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. But for three days there was no respond, and on the fourth morning Rama got mad and prepare to dry up the ocean to create a sand walkway for his army of monkeys. He shoots an arrow sending the ocean into flames, that was when Varuna appeared saying he didn't know how to help, the sea was too deep and he couldn't change it. He told Rama to remember that he is "the soul of peace and love, wrath does not suit him". Rama and the monkeys built a bridge to Lanka and Varuna did not disturb him.[2]
Rick Riordan Presents
Pandava Quintet
Aru Shah and the Song of Death
Aru Shah arrived at the palace of Varuna by riding inside a sea monster. There, she was welcomed by Varuni who took her inside. There she saw watching a cricket match on his iPad. He argued with his wife about drinking a little too much and completed her prophecy. On Aru asking for help he bragged that even Rama, who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu could not rein his power. Varuna said that he would grant her straight passage to the treasury. he said that it is was secret route and that nobody would find her. All she'd have to do is fill the belly of his crab guardian.
On returning with her friends after outsmarting the giant crab, they found out that Varuna had lost a bet to his wife. He also granted them the passage to the naga treasury. He reminded Aru that while the may give, it can also take.
Personality
According to his pet crab, Varuna is fickle and unpredictable, just like the ocean. He enjoys watching cricket.
Appearance
Varuna's skin was the color of cut sapphires. In his four hands were an iPad, a conch shell, a noose, and a Thums Up bottle.
Trivia
- In Sanskrit, Varuna means "to surround."[3]
- Some myths have Varuna associated with the law and underworld.
- His Greek/Roman counterpart is Poseidon/Neptune.
- His Mayan equivalent is K'ukumatz.