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| Maruts | |
|---|---|
Gods of Thunderstorms | |
 A seventh century Marut detail on alintel excavated atSambor Prei Kuk,Kampong Thom Province,Cambodia | |
| Abode | Midspace |
| Weapon | Lightning & Many others |
| Parents | |
| Consort | Rodasī |
InHinduism, theMaruts (/məˈrʊts/;[2]Sanskrit:मरुत,IPA:[mɐrut̪ɐ]), also known as theMarutagana and sometimes identified withRudras,[3] arestorm deities and sons ofRudra and Prisni. The number of Maruts varies from 27 to sixty (three times sixty inRV 8.96.8). They are very violent and aggressive, described as armed with golden weapons i.e. lightning and thunderbolts, as having iron teeth and roaring like lions, as residing in the northwest,[4] as riding in goldenchariots drawn by ruddy horses.
In theVedic mythology, the Maruts act asIndra's companions as a troop of young warriors.[5] According to French comparativemythologistGeorges Dumézil, they are cognate to theEinherjar and theWild hunt.
Hymn 66 of Mandala VI of theRig Veda, the ancient collection of sacred hymns, is an eloquent account of how a natural phenomenon of a rain-storm metamorphoses into storm deities.[6]
According to the Rig Veda they wore golden helmets and breastplates, and used their axes to split the clouds so that rain may fall. They were capable of causing the mountains to tremble. Though they were the offspring ofRudra, they were previously considered byIndra, The main chieftain of heaven,[5] who was entitled asMarutvant ("Accompanied by the Maruts"). They are also accompanied by a female deity, Rodasi, who rides with them through the heavens.[7] She is variously described as their mother and wife of Rudra, standing on the clouds that are the Maruts' chariot,[8] or their collective wife and beloved, who symbolizes lightning.[9]
The Maruts assist The King of heaven Indra, to defeatVritra, lending him their power.[5] The myth continues with Indra disputing them their role on the battle, accusing them of having abandoned him after giving him encouragement before the fight, and they quarrel for the sacrifice given by the sageAgastya. However, their place to his side in mythology is accepted, appearing elsewhere with him.[7]
According to later tradition, such asPuranas,[10] the Maruts were born from the broken womb of the goddessDiti, afterIndra hurled a thunderbolt at her to prevent her from giving birth to a powerful son. The goddess had intended to remain pregnant for a century before giving birth to a son who would threaten Indra.
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