Editing Ṛta (section)

===Varuna===
[[File:Varunadeva.jpg|thumb|17th century watercolour depicting [[Varuna]] (here astride the [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|Makara]]), a god closely associated with ''Ṛta'' in the [[Vedas]].]]
While the concept of ''Ṛta'' as an abstract, universal principle generally remained resistant to the anthropomorphic tendencies of the Vedic period, it became increasingly associated with the actions of individual deities, in particular with those of the god [[Varuna]] as the omniscient, all-encompassing sky.<ref>See {{harvcoltxt|James|1969|pp=34–36}} for a discussion of the historical development of the relationship of Varuna to ''Ṛta''. Ramakrishna considers it possible that Varuna was originally conceived as the personalized aspect of the otherwise impersonal ''Ṛta'', and that, as the importance of ''Ṛta'' began to wane in the late Vedic and post-Vedic periods, Varuna was demoted to the position of a god of the waters. Cf. {{harvcoltxt|Ramakrishna|1965|pp=133–134}}</ref> Although the [[Adityas]] as a group are associated with ''Ṛta'', being referred to as "the charioteers of ''Ṛta'', dwelling in the home of ''Ṛta''", it is Varuna in particular who is identified as the "friend of ''Ṛta''".<ref>RV 7.52.9; RV 8.25.2; RV 7.40.4. Quoted in {{harvcoltxt|Ramakrishna|1965|p=113}}. For a discussion of the Adityas and their relationship to ''Ṛta'', cf. {{harvcoltxt|Heckaman|1979|pp=15–20}}.</ref> The connection of Varuna and ''Ṛta'' extended beyond the physical realm and into the sphere of ritual worship, with the sacrificial fire itself being lauded as that which "harnesses the steeds and holds the reins of ''Ṛta'', becoming Varuna when he strives for ''Ṛta''".<ref>Quoted in {{harvcoltxt|James|1969|p=35}}</ref> As [[E. O. James|James]] (1969) notes, Varuna attained the position of "universal Power ''par excellence'' maintaining ''Ṛta''" and is celebrated as having "separated and established heaven and earth, spreading them out as the upper and lower firmaments, himself enthroned above them as the universal king, ordering the immutable moral law, exercising his rule by the sovereignty of ''Ṛta''.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|James|1969|pp=36;34}}</ref>