Maru¹

a region destitute of water, a desert. Always combined with -kantāra: Mnd.155 (as Name); Ja.i.107; Vb-a.6; Vv-a.332; Pv-a.99, Pv-a.112.

cp. Epic Sk. maru

Maru²

1. pl. marū the genii, spirits of the air Snp.681, Snp.688; Mil.278 (nāga-yakkha-nara-marū perhaps in meaning 2); Mhvs.5, Mhvs.27.
2. gods in general (˚-) Mhvs.15, Mhvs.211 (˚gaṇā hosts of gods); Mhvs.18, Mhvs.68 (˚narā gods and men)
   ■ Cp. māruta & māluta.

Vedic marut, always in pl. marutaḥ, the gods of the thunder-storm