Maruts or Marutas in Rig Veda are the Gods associated with
wind and storm in Rig Veda. They accompany Indra, the king of Devas. In
Puranas, Maurts are the sons of Sage Kashyapa and Diti.
In Vedas, Maruts are said to be 7, 27, 29 or 180 in number.
They along with Indra wreak havoc on Earth by throwing thunderbolts, churning
up huge storms and creating earthquakes. They were propitiated for a peaceful
life on Earth. Thus Maruts personify natural calamities that caused trouble to
human beings on earth.
In Puranas also Marutas are associated with Indra. Sage
Kashyapa had two wives Aditi and Diti. Pleased with Aditi, Sage Kashypa blessed
her with a son – Indra. Now Diti grew jealous of Aditi and demanded an equally
radiant son from Sage Kashyapa.
Sage Kashyapa promised her a son equal to Indra. As Diti
advanced in her pregnancy, she became more beautiful and radiant. Aditi grew
jealous. She thought that her son Indra will be relegated by the son of Diti.
So she asked Indra to do something to protect his authority.
Indra cleverly won the trust of Diti by serving her. Once while Diti was
sleeping, Indra cut her womb into 49 pieces. The child got out of the womb as
49 marutas. They got the name Maruta as Indra asked them not to cry while he
cut the womb. Ma Ruda – Don’t Cry.
Thus Maruts are brothers of Indra.
Diti who lost her son, cursed Indra to lose his
kingdom. Aditi was cursed to be born on earth and grieve over children. Thus
Aditi was born as Devaki and had to see her children being killed by Kamsa.