As per the Hindu mythology Marutta was a celebrated Chakravartti, a universal monarch and son of the King Avikshit. He was the grandson of legendary Khaaninetra.
Marutta ruled with kindness and justice and his people rely upon him.
Lord Indra, king of the gods, was jealous of Marutta`s growing popularity. When he found out that Marutta was preparing a Yajna fit for the gods, he blew a trumpet. Marutta`s spiritual teacher and the priest of the gods, Brihaspati was to perform the Yajna. But Indra cautioned Brihaspati that if he executed it then he would lose his priestly privileges with the gods.
Brihaspati respected his heavenly status and obeyed to what Indra had said. Brihaspati did not perform the Yajna. The worried Marutta about who would perform the Yajna. He was in desolation at the thought of failing as a king. Yajna meant to bring rain and a good harvest for his people and if he failed then the inhabitants of his country would suffer.
In desperation, he sought to end his life. But Narada stepped in, just in time.
He said that there was someone who could stand in for Brihaspati and that was his brother, Samvarta. Plotted against by Brihaspati who was jealous of his brother`s abilities, Samvarta had left his home and had become a Naga Sadhu. Narada directed Marutta to travel to Varanasi and wait outside the cremation grounds with a corpse. The naked Sadhu who walked away from the body would be Samvarta, he said.
As Narada had said, Marutta did that and once he saw a thin wiry old Sadhu make his way hastily away from the corpse, he knew he had his man. Marutta chased Samvarta who was rude, abrasive and told Marutta that he wished to have nothing to do with man or god any more. Marutta persisted and finally Samvarta agreed. The condition was that Marutta would not go back on his word. Terrible times would be inflicted on the king for his decision to go against the word of Indra but, if he abandoned his venture, there would be a curse worse than hell coming his way.
Marutta started preparations for the Yajna. He prayed to Shiva with his meditation and when Lord Shiva appeared, he showered his support and blessings upon Marutta. Marutta was confident as Shiva was on his side. Still he was ill prepared for what Indra would unleash. The weather turned against him, his people suffered, and every attempt was made to draw him away from his Yajna.
The people of Marutta`s kingdom grew exhausted and the gods wary. For Indra was a mean foe and with Brihaspati on his side, there was destruction to be wrought.
As the day drew close, Marutta sent out his invitations. All gods were on the list; even Indra. The king`s advisors asked him to keep Indra away from the Yajna but that would have rendered the Yajna incomplete said Marutta.
In the day of the Yajna, all the gods arrived. Even Indra, but Brihaspati stayed away. With their wives, their vahana and in their entire heavenly splendor, the gods took their places around the fire. As Samvarta recited his mantras, the gods found themselves drawn into their spell. The Yajna was a success as the offering made by the king was accepted and the gods participated in the great sacrifice. Samvarta found his place in the world and Indra and Marutta, it is believed lived in peace thereafter.
Marutta is also the name of a of Karandhama, a descendant of Turvasa
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