Editing Rudra (section)

===Relation to other deities===
Rudra is used both as a name of Shiva and collectively ('the [[Rudras]]') as the name for the [[Maruts]].<ref>For the terms "Maruts" and "Rudras" as equivalent, see {{harvp|Flood|1996|p=46}}.</ref> Maruts are 'storm gods' associated with the atmosphere.{{sfnp|Flood|1996|pp=45-6}} They are a group of gods whose number varies from two to sixty, sometimes also rendered as eleven, thirty-three{{sfnp|Macdonell|1996|p=256}} or a hundred and eighty in number (i. e., three times sixty. See RV 8.96.8.).

The Rudras are sometimes referred to as 'the sons of Rudra'{{sfnp|Flood|1996|p=46}} while Rudra is referred to as 'Father of the Maruts' (RV 2.33.1).<ref>{{harvp|Arya|Joshi|2001|loc=vol. 2, p. 78}}. For Shiva as the head or father of the group see {{harvp|Apte|1965|p=804}}. For Rudra as the head of a host of "storm spirits, the Maruts" see: {{harvp|Basham|1989|p=14}}.</ref>

Rudra is mentioned along with a litany of other deities in [[Mandala 7|RV 7]].40.5. Here is the reference to Rudra, whose name appears as one of many gods who are called upon:

{{cquote|This ''{{IAST|Varuṇa}}'', the leader of the rite, and the royal ''Mitra'' and ''Aryaman'', uphold my acts, and the divine unopposed ''Aditi'', earnestly invoked: may they convey us safe beyond evil. I propitiate with oblations the ramifications ({{IAST|vayāḥ}}) of that divine attainable ''{{IAST|Viṣṇu}}'', the showerer of benefits. ''Rudra'', bestow upon us the magnificence of his nature.  The ''{{IAST|Aśvins}}'' have come down to our dwelling abounding with (sacrificial) food.<ref>RV 7.40.4–5 as translated in {{harvp|Arya|Joshi|2001|pp=243-4}}.</ref>}}

One scholiast's{{Clarify|date=January 2010}} interpretation of the Sanskrit word ''{{IAST|vayāḥ}}'', meaning 'ramifications' or 'branches', is that all other deities are, as it were, branches of [[Vishnu]],<ref>For the scholiast interpretation of ''{{IAST|vayāḥ}}'' as "ramifications" or "branches" see {{harvp|Arya|Joshi|2001|p=244}}.</ref> but, Ralph T. H. Griffith cites Ludwig as saying, 'This [...] gives no satisfactory interpretation' and cites other views which suggest that the text is corrupt at that point.<ref>The citation continues as follows: "This, Ludwig remarks, gives no satisfactory interpretation; but I am unable to offer anything better at present. Grassman alters {{IAST|vayāḥ}} into {{IAST|vayāma}}: 'we with our offering approach the banquet of this swift-moving God, the bounteous {{IAST|Viṣṇu}}; i. e. come to offer him sacrificial food.'" in: {{harvp|Griffith|1973|loc=p. 356, note 5}}.</ref>