[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.1994 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1994 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1994 - **Language:** English ### [c5.1994](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1994) VARUNA. Similar to Οὐρανός. ‘The universal encompasser, the all-embracer.’ One of the oldest of the Vedic deities, a personification of the all-investing sky, the maker and upholder of heaven and earth. As such he is king of the universe, king of gods and men, possessor of illimitable knowledge, the supreme deity to whom especial honour is due. He is often associated with Mitra, he being the ruler of the night and Mitra of the day ; but his name frequently occurs alone, that of Mitra only seldom. In later times he was chief among the lower celestial deities called Ādityas, and later still he became a sort of Neptune, a god of the seas and rivers, who rides upon the Makara. This character he still retains. His sign is a fish. - [Previous: c5.1993](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1993) - [Next: c5.1995](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1995) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1994](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1994) · Pramāṇa