’Tis true, like thee, O Indra, is no other,
  Nor god nor mortal is more venerable. 
  Thou slew’st the dragon that the flood encompassed,
  Thou didst let out the waters to the ocean. 
  Thou didst the waters free, the doors wide opening,
  Thou, Indra, brak’st the stronghold of the mountains,
  Becamest king of all that goes and moveth,
  Begetting sun and heaven and dawn together.

THE MARUTS.

These gods, the constant followers of Indra, from the present point of view are not of great importance, except as showing an unadulterated type of nature-gods, worshipped without much esoteric wisdom (although there is a certain amount of mystery in connection with their birth).  There is something of the same pleasure in singing to them as is discernible in the hymns to Dawn.  They are the real storm-gods, following Rudra, their father, and accompanying the great storm-bringer, Indra.  Their mother is the variegated cow Pricni, the mother cloud.  Their name means the shining, gleaming ones.

HYMN TO THE MARUTS (vii. 56. 1-10).

Who, sooth, are the gleaming related heroes,
the glory of Rudra, on beauteous chargers? 
For of them the birthplace no man hath witnessed;
they only know it, their mutual birthplace. 
With wings expanded they sweep each other,[14]
and strive together, the wind-loud falcons. 
Wise he that knoweth this secret knowledge,
that Pricni the great one to them was mother.[15]
This folk the Maruts shall make heroic,
victorious ever, increased in manhood;
In speed the swiftest, in light the lightest,
with grace united and fierce in power—­
Your power fierce is; your strength, enduring;
and hence with the Maruts this folk is mighty. 
Your fury fair is, your hearts are wrothful,
like maniacs wild is your band courageous. 
From us keep wholly the gleaming lightning;
let not your anger come here to meet us. 
Your names of strong ones endeared invoke I,
that these delighted may joy, O Maruts.

What little reflection or moral significance is in the Marut hymns is illustrated by i. 38. 1-9, thus translated by Mueller: 

What then now?  When will ye take us as a dear father takes
his son by both hands, O ye gods, for whom the sacred grass
has been trimmed?

Where now?  On what errand of yours are you going, in heaven, not on earth?  Where are your cows sporting?  Where are your newest favors, O Maruts?  Where are blessings?  Where all delights?  If you, sons of Pricni, were mortals and your praiser an immortal, then never should your praiser be unwelcome, like a deer in pasture grass, nor should he go on the path of Yama.[16] Let not one sin after another, difficult to be conquered, overcome us; may it depart, together with greed.  Truly they are terrible and powerful; even to the desert the Rudriyas bring rain that