MAARKANDEYA presents MAHAABHAARATHAM

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W E L C O M E

"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."

DEDICATED TO MY DEAR NIECE VYSHNAVI KRISHNA

MARUTHS

( The 'th' in this name is pronounced like 'th' in 'with' . The last s indicates plural number. Maruth means 'wind'.)

A group of deities in the heaven. Mentioned in Mahaabhaaratham and many puraanams too. They are seven in number. It was described in Bhaagavatham and Vishnupuraanam that when Dithi, the mother of demons, was pregnant, indra, fearing danger from her would-be son, entered her womb and cut the foetus into eight pieces. When the being cried, Indra said, " Maa ruda. Maa ruda", which means, " Don't cry' Don't cry".

The baby did not, however, die, but took seven forms called Maruths (deriving the name from the above words of Indra) . They became associates of Indra and were admitted into gods as 'group of Maruths'. Maruth means 'wind' and Wind God too.

Our mythology says that the wind is of seven types and at the time of conclusion of the creation, each of the seven winds becomes seven fractions, dividing themselves into forty nine components. Those are called winds of destruction.

The seven winds are named as following. These names also describe the hierarchical strata (named Skandhas) they occupy in the universe.

The puraanas describe that at the time of destruction of creation (pralaya), the seven winds assume seven forms each and blow fiercefully. There are 49 ruling deities for these forty nine segments of maruths. Their names given in Vaayu Puraana are as below. Different puraanas give varied names.

1.Sathvajyothi , 2.aadithya, 3.satyajyothi, 4.Thiryagjyothi, 5.Sajyothi, 6.Jyothimaan, 7.Haritha, 8.Rithachiththa, 9.Satyajith, 10.Sushena, 11.Senajith, 12.Sathyamithra, 13.Abhimithra, 14.Harimithra, 15.Kritha, 16.Sathya, 17.Dhruva, 18.Dhartha, 19.Vidhartha, 20.Vidhaaraya, 21.Dhvaantha, 22.Dhuni, 23.Ugra, 24.Bheema, 25.Abhiya, 26.Saakshipa, 27.Eedrik, 28.Anyaadrik, 29. Yaadrik, 30.Prathikritha, 31.Rik, 32.Samithi, 33. Samrambha, 34.Eedriksha, 35.Purusha, 36.Anyaadriksha, 37.Chethas, 38.Samithi, 39.Samidriksha, 40.Prathidriksha, 41.Maruthi, 42.Saratha, 43.Deva, 44.Disha, 45.Yaja, 46.Anudrik, 47.saama, 48.Maanusha, 49.Visha.

Both Bheema and Hanumaan were named Maaruthi, meaning 'Son of Maruth (wind god)'.

There was a king whose name was Maruththa. Do not get confused between these similar names, see the subtle difference in spelling. Also, the sons of marudvati ( Daksha's daughter ) too are maruths (plural number) , with the same spelling and pronunciation .

"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."

DEDICATED TO MY DEAR NIECE VYSHNAVI KRISHNA