Vedic Mythology c5.s2.t5.11

c5.s2.t5.11

Being identified with the phenomena of the thunderstorm, the Maruts are naturally intimate associates of Indra, appearing as his friends and allies in innumerable passages. They increase his strength and prowess (3, 35⁹; 6, 17¹¹), with their prayers, hymns, and songs³ (1, 165¹¹ &c.). They generally assist Indra in the Vṛtra fight (8, 652. 3; 10, 113³). They help Trita as well as Indra in slaying Vṛtra (8, 7²⁴). They are besought to sing a Vṛtra-slaying hymn (8, 78¹⁻³). They helped Indra in the conflict with the dragon and with Śambara (3, 473. 4). With them Indra gains the light (8, 65⁴), found the cows (1, 65) and supported the sky (7, 47⁵). In fact Indra accomplishes all his celestial exploits in their company (1, 100. 101. 165; 10, 65). Sometimes the Maruts appear more independent in these exploits. Thus they strike Vṛtra, assisted by Indra (1, 23⁹) and are even spoken of alone as having rent Vṛtra joint from joint (8, 7²³) or as having disclosed the cows (2, 34¹). They (like the gods in general) have Indra as their chief (1, 23⁸ &c.) and are accompanied by Indra (10, 128²). They are like sons to Indra (1, 100⁵) and are called his brothers (1, 170²). The Maruts are, however two or three times said to have left Indra in the lurch. They involved him alone in the fight with the dragon (1, 165⁶) and they abandoned him (8, 7³¹). One verse even gives evidence of hostility between Indra and the Maruts, when the latter say to him: 'Why dost thou seek to kill us, Indra? Do not kill us in the fray' (1, 170² cp. 171⁶)⁴. A Brāhmaṇa passage (TB. 2, 7, 11¹) also refers to a conflict between the Maruts and Indra.