Editing Rudras (section)

==Associations==
In [[Vedas|Vedic scriptures]], Rudras are described as loyal companions of Rudra, who later was identified with [[Shiva]]. They are considered as divine aids, messengers and forms of Rudra. They are fearful in nature. The ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'' mentions that Rudra is the prince, while Rudras are his subjects. They are considered as attendants of Shiva in later mythology.<ref name = "alain"/>

The [[Rigveda]] and the Krishna [[Yajurveda]]<ref name = "Keith">{{cite book|last=Keith|first=Arthur Berriedale |title=Krishna (Black) Yajur Veda|date=10 April 2012 |publisher=Zhingoora Books|isbn=978-1-4751-7361-1|page=670}}</ref> makes the Rudras the gods of the middle world, situated between earth and heaven i.e. the atmosphere. As wind-gods, the Rudras represent the life-breath.<ref name = "alain"/> In the ''[[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]]'', the eleven Rudras are represented by ten [[Prana|vital energies]] (''rudra-prana'') in the body and the eleventh one being the [[Ātman (Hinduism)|Ātman]] (the soul).<ref name = "alain">{{cite book|last=Daniélou|first=Alain|title=The myths and gods of India|year=1991|publisher=Inner Traditions International|isbn=0-89281-354-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/mythsgodsofindia00dani/page/102 102–4, 341, 371]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mythsgodsofindia00dani/page/102}}</ref>

The Rudras are said to preside over the second stage of creation and the intermediary stage of life. They govern the second ritual of sacrifice, the mid-day offering and the second stage of life – from the 24th to the 68 year of life. The ''[[Chandogya Upanishad]]'' prescribes that the Rudras be propitiated in case of sickness in this period and further says that they on departing the body become the cause of tears, the meaning of the name Rudra being the "ones who make cry".<ref name = "alain"/> The [[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]] explicitly states the fact that since the Rudras leaving the body – causing death – makes people cry, they are Rudras.<ref name = "alain"/>

The ''Mahabharata'' describes the Rudras as companions of [[Indra]], servants of Shiva and his son [[Kartikeya|Skanda]] and companions of Yama, who is surrounded by them. They have immense power, wear golden necklaces and are "like lighting-illuminated clouds".<ref name = "hopkins"/> The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' prescribes the worship of the Rudras to gain virile power.<ref name = "alain"/>

===Association with Maruts===
[[File:Musée Guimet 897 04.jpg|thumb|Maruts]]
Rudras are at times identified with the [[Maruts]] – sons of Rudra in the Vedas; while at other times, considered distinct from them.<ref name = "alain"/>

Some scholars believe that Rudras and Maruts could be distinct groups, Rudras being the true followers of Rudra and daivic (Godly) in nature. But poets of the ''Rigveda'' declared the Maruts to take the position of the Rudras in order to give status to the Vedic god Rudra. Later in post-Vedic literature like the epics and Puranas, Maruts were associated with [[Indra]], while Rudras gained their former status as followers of Rudra, who had evolved into Shiva.<ref name = "encyclopaedia">{{cite book|editor=Nagendra Singh|title=Encyclopaedia of Hinduism|volume=31–45|year=2000|publisher=Anmol Publications PVT. LTD|isbn=81-7488-168-9|chapter=The Historical Background of the Maruts|pages= 1067–72, 1090}}</ref> However, other scholars disregard this theory and consider that originally Rudras and Maruts were identical.<ref name = "encyclopaedia"/> A theory suggests that slowly in the Vedas two classes of Maruts came into existence: the friendly and beneficent, and the roaring and turbulent; the latter grew into the distinct group of deities called the Rudras, who were associated only with the wild Rudra.<ref name = "encyclopaedia"/>

In the ''Marut Suktas'' (RV 1, 2, 5, 8) and ''Indra-Suktas'' (RV 1, 3, 8, 10) of the ''Rigveda'' (RV), the epithet "Rudras" – originating from the verb root ''rud'' or ''ru'' and meaning howlers, roarers or shouters – is used numerous times for the Maruts – identifying them with the Rudras even when associated with Indra, rather than Rudra. There are some hymns in the ''Rigveda'' (RV 2, 7, 8, 10) that explicitly distinguish between the Maruts and the Rudras.<ref name = "encyclopaedia"/>

While the ''[[Vamana Purana]]'' describes Rudras as the sons of Kashyapa and Aditi, Maruts are described distinct from the Rudras as 49 sons of [[Diti]], sister of Aditi and attendants of Indra.<ref>Mani pp. 489–90</ref>