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Varuna, important among the eight lokapalas, is also incorporated in Indian Buddhism and is known as Sui-ten in Japanese Buddhism. As he was regarded as the god of water he had many names, such as, Jalapati, Vadopati, Amburaja. He is represented as an old man, sitting upon the Makara, 1. Development of Hindu Iconography, p. 432.

172the mythical acquatic animal. In the Raveda, Varuna was originally considered as an atmospheric deity. Both the Raveda and the Atharvaveda consider him as Aditya, and the Puranas invariably refer him as belonging to the group of twelve Adityas. His consert according to the Raveda is Varunani, "who lacks any individuality. However, Reveda depicts him as the upholder of the physical order and moral order*1 Being the lord of waters Varuna causes the rivers to flow. He is naturally invoked as the bestower of rain. In fact, he was considered to be the regulator of the seasons and lord of light and darkness, i.e. day and night. Some other texts describe the deity in various other ways. A Japanese text Shonsho-Buccho-Shu-Yuga-Ho-Giki mentions that the god, clad in armour, is placed on the 'south eastern direction of the west facing gate " 2. A hood of snake appears over his head. He is depicted seated in the knelt down position with four attendants on both sides. He holds a Naga-string. According to the Shosetsu Fudo ki Suiten is depicted in the south of the western gate in the Genzu Mandara. The Kongo-kai Sichi-Shu states that the colour of the god is lightblue. His left hand in fist is held against his waist 1. HDIJBP, p. 62. 2. BZZI, p. 145.

- 173 - ; and the right hand holds a snake string. In Japan Sui-ten or Varuna is the Deva king and the deity is included in the eminent group of twelve 'Devakings'. When located in the Ryokai-mandara he is also seen as guarding the inner-hall of the Kongo-kai Mandaras. His right hand generally holds sword. He is very often seen as riding on a tortoise. His independent image is made as the main single deity for the performance of the ritual called "Suiten-Ho". It is believed that Sui-ten saves people from the danger of the sea. One of the important representations in Japan is preserved in the To-ji temple in Kyoto. He is represented here as one of the Juni-ten or twelve guardian deities. In this representation the deity sits on a round dais. Ho holds in his right hand a looped noose which looks like a snake, in his right hand. He is attended by two other accessory deities. He wears various ornaments (PL XXVIII. Fig. 3).