Lord Jhulelal: An Analytical Study
by Thakkar Harish Gopalji | 2018 | 62,623 words
This thesis studies Lord Jhulelal, the most important deity revered by Sindhis in India and beyond. Traditional views hold Lord Jhulelal as an incarnation of Vedic Deity Varuna (the river God). Historically, Jhulelal is a binding force for the Sindhi community who had to leave Sindh during the partition of India in order to settle at distant places...
Part 11 - Lord (Adhipati) and Guardian (Dikpal) of West (Paschim)
Varuna is closely connected with westerly direction. He is Adhipati (Lord) of West direction. (Sachdeva 2007:24). Sindh and Kutch are also situated in the Western India or Westerly part of upper India. When the Sindhi community was facing a difficult time, they approached Varuna, a mighty and powerful deity associated with a westerly direction. He is often requested and appealed to destroy the obstacles and difficulties and he is even prayed to protect the bride at the time of the wedding.
In Mahabharata's Adiparva he is called as dwelling in waters, its master, and master of West. In Bhagavat Purana there is an epithet 'Apam Pathihi' and all the aquatic creatures like crocodile, fish etc. are called his followers.
Varuna is found seated on crocodile which is his Vahana (vehicle) at Khireshwar temple, Near Harishchandragad Fort (Western Ghats in Malshej region), Maharashtra. The Ashta Dikpals are eight in number and Varuna is the Dikpal of West. (Deglurkar 2018:52)
Another Vahana that is found with Varuna is Swan. At Banteay Srei temple in Cambodia Varuna is seated on a swan. This temple is a 10 th Century temple built in Red sandstone and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is about 25 kms from the Angkor Wat main temples.
Varuna’s wife is Varuni or Varunani. A beautiful statue of Varuna with his consort Varuni made of basalt dating back to 8 th century is displayed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, (earlier known as Prince of Wales Museum), Mumbai, Maharashtra.