Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c17.s2.16

c17.s2.16

(v) It seems clear that the *Marutaḥ* are personifications of the storm-clouds, and the Vedic statement that they are sons of Dyaus (viii 20 17) may be interpreted by us as meaning that they are Indo-European deities. In the earlier parts of the Rigveda they are also entitled Rudras, but later a deity *Rudra* is evolved, who becomes their father. The Marutaḥ are frequently brought into relation with Indra. In the Māna hymns (i 165-190) Indra robs them of their share in the sacrifice, on the ground that he has conquered the Vṛtra, not they. In truth Indra appears to have stolen his title of Vṛtraghna from some earlier god or gods. Later the Marutaḥ become the fighting-men of Indra’s host, and it would seem that through them Indra first became associated with the region of the clouds.