Maruts are also called Marutagana or Marutas in Hinduism. They are the sons and storm deities of Prisni and Rudra. Maruts vary from 27 to 60 and are at times identified with Rudras. Roaring like lions, armed with golden weapons like thunderbolts, golden breastplates, golden helmets and lightning, they have iron teeth, ride golden chariots pulled by ruddy horses, the Maruts are very hostile and violent.
The Rig Veda eloquently mentions about Maruts in Hymn 66 of Mandala VI, in which a rain storm (a natural phenomenon) undergoes a process to transform into storm deities.
Marutas are companions of Lord Indra. They are an army of young warriors, according to Vedic mythology. They would split clouds with their axes for rain to fall. Clouds had the capacity of destroying forests and shaking mountains.
According to the Puranas, it is stated that Indra threw a thunderbolt at Goddess Diti to stop her from delivering a powerful son. It is believed that she planned to stay pregnant for 100 years before giving birth to Marutas who would threaten Lord Indra.
She performed a ritual for 12 months, as instructed by Kashyapa by not cursing anyone, not harming anyone, controlling anger completely, wearing clean clothing, bathing herself by immersing in water, not trimming her hair or nails, not speaking to unworthy people, worshipping Brahmins and cows etc after which she gave birth to the Maruts. Marutas were born from the splintered womb of Goddess Diti. Instead of one son, Goddess Diti gave birth to forty nine sons known as the strong and fierce Maruts.
