Devalok
God · All traditions · Pan-India

The Maruts

Also called: Rudras, Rudriyas, Prishnimatarah, Marudgana, Marutas

The storm gods of the Rigveda: a troop of young brothers, all of one age, sons of Rudra and the cow Prishni, who ride golden chariots drawn by spotted deer, shake the mountains and pour down rain, and attend Indra (Marutvat). The Brahmanas say they alone stood by Indra against Vritra. The Ramayana and the Puranas make them the sons of Diti and Kashyapa, cut from one unborn child into seven or forty-nine by Indra and named from his words 'ma rudah', do not cry.

Sources: Hymns of the Rigveda, tr. R. T. H. Griffith (1896), hymns read for the Vedic layer; Vedic Mythology, A. A. Macdonell (1897); The Ramayan of Valmiki, tr. R. T. H. Griffith (1870-74); The Vishnu Purana, tr. H. H. Wilson (1840) · see The Maruts's web

Relations 11

The Maruts child of

  • Dyaus (God)
    The Maruts are once called sons of Heaven (RV 10.77.2). Their usual father is Rudra.
  • Rudra (Form)
    Rudra is addressed as Father of the Maruts, and the Maruts name him as their sire.
  • Prishni (God)
    The Maruts name the cow Prishni as their mother.
  • Vayu (God)
    Vayu is once said to have begotten the Maruts in the wombs of heaven (RV 1.134.4). Elsewhere they are self-born or born from the laughter of lightning.

The Maruts worshipped by

The Maruts blessed

The Maruts blessed by

The Maruts has form

  • Rudras (Concept)
    The Maruts are often called Rudras or Rudriyas after their father; the Brahmanas then treat the Rudras as a separate class of eleven.

The Maruts rival of

The Maruts sibling of

  • Indra (God)
    The Maruts are called Indra's brothers (RV 1.170.2); another verse says they are like sons to him.

Stories 5

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