Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, 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
پھر وہ اُنچاس ہو گئے—پچاس سے ایک کم مرُت۔ ‘مرُت’ کے نام سے مشہور ہو کر انہوں نے صرف اندَر ہی کی پناہ لی۔
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.