Which of the following gods is referred to as 'Ritasya Gopa' in the Rigveda?

Correct answers: (a) Varuna or (d) Agni

Explanation

In the Rigveda, Varuna is the guardian of rita, the cosmic and moral order by which the sun rises, the seasons follow one another and people speak the truth. So he is called Ritasya Gopa, "protector of rita". Varuna watches over people's conduct and punishes wrongdoing. In later Vedic times he became a god of the waters, and the idea of rita grew into that of dharma.

• Indra, the god of rain and war who killed Vritra, has the most hymns.
• Agni, the god of fire, carries the offerings to the gods.
• The Maruts are storm gods, companions of Indra.

The book's key is (a), Varuna, the god most closely linked with rita. The first hymn of the Rigveda (1.1.8) also calls Agni 'gopam ritasya', so (d) is also accepted.