| In the next hymn we read about mighty strength once again growing up in forest trees and also through fissures in rocks, and we also read about darts or arrows sent to cause harm to the enemy. We find this type of reference in shamanic material investigated more in depth in upcoming chapters: (3) When what is strong ye overthrow, and whirl about each ponderous thing, Heroes, your course is through the forest trees of earth, and through the fissures of the rocks. (4) Consumers of your foes, no enemy of yours is found in heaven or on the earth: (10) Maruts, against the poet's wrathful enemy send ye an enemy like a dart. (RV1) Hymn XXXIX Maruts. In the following hymn to the Maruts, they spring from birth, which is what mushrooms do overnight. They spring up suddenly. Bull of heaven is an epithet used not only throughout Indian myth but also in Sumerian where the “Bull of Heaven” is a deity of sorts used by Ishtar which Gilgamesh must battle and slay. Purifiers, as in cleansing or the purity of the mushroom is mentioned once again, and we read about shining bright but this time compared to the sun. The A. muscaria is both red and orange and in the morning, several of them can appear as many shining suns on the ground. Finally, utters, of the sky, relates the cow deity raining nourishing fertilizing waters or milk, from which spring mushrooms: (2) They spring to birth, the lofty Ones, the Bulls of Heaven, divine, the youths of Rudra, free from spot and stain; The purifiers, shining brightly even as suns, awful of form like giants, scattering rain-drops down. (5) Loud roarers, giving strength, devourers of the foe, they make the winds, they make the lightnings with their powers. The restless shakers drain the udders of the sky, and ever wandering round fill the earth full with milk. (RV1) Hymn LXIV. Maruts The epithet of children of the cow is a reference to the cow dung in which the mushrooms grows. They are the golden ornaments on the ground: (3) When, Children of the Cow, they shine in bright attire, and on their fair limbs lay their golden ornaments, They drive away each adversary from their path, and, following their traces, fatness floweth down. (RV1) Hymn LXXXV. Maruts The significant point of this next hymn is the sacred grass on which the Maruts are prayed to, to appear and be seated for the sacrifice. The word seated is not used here, but it is elsewhere: (9) We, fain for thee, strong Indra, have pressed Soma, and, O thou sought with prayer, have made oblations. Now at this sacrifice, with all thy Maruts, on sacred grass, O team-borne God, rejoice thee. (RV1) Hymn CI. Indra |
In this next hymn, the Maruts are sung to by a poet. The mushroom is the inspiration for this singing and poetry. They are prayed to, to bring offspring which is then linked to food. So, the offspring we are reading about could very likely be the mushroom children, and not real human children being wished for. The food itself is strengthening. The A. muscaria is known to impart great strength in the consumer, according to accounts published by Wasson from Siberia. (11) May this your laud, may this your song, O Maruts, sung by the poet, Māna's son, Māndārya, Bring offspring for ourselves with food to feed us. May we find strengthening food in full abundance. (RV1) Hymn CLXVII. Indra. Maruts In the next hymn, the Maruts are compared to Somas, and stalks being pressed are now introduced. Descriptions of descending from the sky and once again, immortality is mentioned: (3) They who, like Somas with their well-grown stalks pressed out, imbibed within the heart, dwell there in friendly wise. Upon their shoulders rests as ’twere a warrior's spear and in their hand they hold a dagger and a ring. (4) Self-yoked they have descended lightly from the sky. With your own lash, Immortals, urge yourselves to speed. (RV1) Hymn CLXVIII. Maruts This next hymn uses a serpent analogy for the Maruts. I interpret this as one would see a serpent in the grass, especially a cobra. A mushroom pops up from the grass and has a rounded cap, resembling the cobra’s hood: (1) WONDERFUL let your coming be, wondrous with help, ye Bounteous Ones, Maruts, who gleam as serpents gleam. (RV1) Hymn CLXXII. Maruts The next hymn has the Maruts growing up all in a group with great strength, just like a small crop of mushrooms: (5) Rise up! even now with lauds I call the very numerous company, Unequalled, of these Maruts, like a herd of kine, grown up together in their strength. (RV-V) Hymn LVI. Maruts |