"Ṛta" appears most frequently as representing abstract concepts such as "law", "commandment", "order", "sacrifice", "truth", and "regularity", but also occasionally as concrete objects such as the waters, the heavens or the sun as manifestations of the operation of "Ṛta" in the physical universe. "Ṛta" is also frequently used in reference to various Vedic deities. Thus, Bṛhaspati is referred to as possessing a powerful bow with ""Ṛta" as its string" and as one prepared to "mount the chariot of "Ṛta""; Agni is described as one who is "desirous of "Ṛta"", one who is ""Ṛta"-minded" and as he who "spread Heaven and Earth by "Ṛta""; the Maruts are referred to as "rejoicing in the house of "Ṛta"" and as "knowers of "Ṛta""; Ushas is described as having been "placed at the root of "Ṛta""; Varuna is praised as "having the form of "Ṛta"" and, along with Mitra as Mitra-Varuna, as "destroying the foes by "Ṛta"" and as "professing "Ṛta" by "Ṛta"". Epithets such as "born of "Ṛta"" and "protector of "Ṛta"" are frequently applied to numerous divinities, as well as to the sacrificial fire and the sacrifice itself.