In Hinduism, the Maruts are minor storm deities, sons of Rudra and Diti, and attendants of Indra. The number of Maruts varies from two to sixty. They are very violent and aggressive.

According to the Ramayana, the Maruts' mother, Diti, hoped to give birth to a son who would be more powerful than Indra. She remained pregnant for one-hundred years in hopes of doing so; Indra prevented it by throwing a thunderbolt at her, splintering the fetus into the many less powerful deities.

Alternative: Marutgana, Rudras