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Varuna is the keeper of the celestial waters, those which flow from the
openings in the sky in the form of rain. He was worshiped with veneration
and a healthy amount of fear, for as an asura Varuna did have his sinister
aspects and was known to punish mortals who did not keep their word. He was
the cosmic hangman and his usual method of punishment was to capture the
offender with his noose. He was also a lord of the dead, a position he
shared with Yama, and could confer immortality if he so chose.
The Atharvaveda
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portrays Varuna as omniscient, catching liars in his snares. The stars are
his thousand-eyed spies, watching every movement of men (Shaunakiya
Atharvaveda 4.16, corresponding to Paippalada 5.32)