Shloka 25
The Origin of the Maruts
Diti’s Penance and Indra’s Intervention
एकोना वै बभूवुस्ते पंचाशन्मरुतस्ततः । मरुतो नाम ते ख्याता इंद्रमेव समाश्रिताः
ekonā vai babhūvuste paṃcāśanmarutastataḥ | maruto nāma te khyātā iṃdrameva samāśritāḥ
ต่อมาพวกเขามีจำนวนสี่สิบเก้า—คือห้าสิบลบหนึ่ง เป็นเหล่ามารุต อันเลื่องลือด้วยนามนั้น และพึ่งพิงพระอินทร์แต่เพียงผู้เดียว
Unspecified narrator (contextual dialogue likely within Pulastya–Bhīṣma frame)
Concept: Unity under rightful leadership: many powers become auspicious when they take refuge (śaraṇāgati) in a sustaining principle.
Application: Coordinate diverse abilities under a shared dharmic aim; practice humility by taking refuge in higher guidance rather than competing egos.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A host of forty-nine Maruts forms a disciplined arc around Indra, each bearing wind-banners and lightning-spears. Their fierce radiance is tempered by a visible gesture of refuge—hands folded or weapons lowered—signaling allegiance and cosmic order.","primary_figures":["Indra","Forty-nine Maruts"],"setting":"Mid-sky assembly over layered clouds, with a faint horizon of the four quarters marked by directional guardians’ emblems.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["pale gold","sky blue","pearl white","slate gray","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra central with a large gold halo; forty-nine Maruts arranged in concentric symmetry like a celestial garland; embossed gold leaf on crowns and weapons; rich vermillion and emerald textiles; ornate borders with cloud-scroll motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: A lyrical sky-scape with soft gradients; Maruts painted as slender yet energetic youths in coordinated poses; delicate detailing of banners fluttering; cool blues and silvers with restrained gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Strong outlines and stylized cloud bands; Indra and Maruts with characteristic wide eyes; rhythmic repetition of figures to suggest ‘49’; dominant reds/yellows/greens with white highlights for lightning.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: A mandala-like arrangement of Maruts around Indra; floral borders and lotus rosettes; stylized lightning as decorative filigree; deep blue ground with gold and white detailing, emphasizing collective devotion/refuge."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["wind chimes","soft drum pulse","temple bells","gentle conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एकोना = एक-ऊनाः; बभूवुस्ते = बभूवुः ते; पंचाशन्मरुतः = पञ्चाशत् मरुतः; इंद्रमेव = इन्द्रम् एव.
FAQs
The Maruts are a group of storm- and wind-deities in Vedic-Puranic tradition, frequently depicted as a collective divine host associated with atmospheric power and battle.
The phrase ekonāḥ ... pañcāśat indicates a count of forty-nine; Purāṇic accounts often preserve specific traditional numbers for divine groups, and here it fixes the Maruts as forty-nine.
It conveys allegiance and dependence: the Maruts are portrayed as aligning themselves under Indra’s leadership and protection, acting as his attendant divine force.