Varuna
This article is about the god. See 20000 Varuna for the trans-Neptunian object.
In Hinduism, Varuna ("he who covers" refers to the sky) is one of the most important gods in the pantheon. In pre-Vedic era, he was probably the most supreme god and keeper of order, a god of rain and law who keeps the sun moving. He was omniscient and omnipotent.
He was originally the same Indo-European god as Uranos, the sky god in Greek mythology.
Varuna is the master of rta, which is the energy that keeps the universe running on time and as it should. Varuna is a lunar deity, depicted in art as a white man wearing golden armor and holding a noose or lasso made from a snake. He rides a sea monster (Makara). He is one of the Ashta-Dikpalas, representing the west.
Varuna is a god of the dead, and can grant immortality. He is perhaps most strongly associated with rain; after Indra took his former position as overlord of the universe, Varuna became the god of oceans and rivers and keeper of the souls of the drowned. He is attended by the nagas.