 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"".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"".As 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".