| Type: | Hindu |
| Mantra: | Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya |
| Deity Of: | God of Auspiciousness, the Wind, Death, Destruction, Time, and Animals |
| Weapons: | Bow and Arrow, Trishula |
| Affiliation: | Shiva, Vayu, Deva |
| Texts: | Shri Rudram, Rig Veda |
Rudra (; Sanskrit: रुद्र) is a Rigvedic deity associated with Shiva, the wind or storms, Vayu,[1] [2] medicine, and the hunt.[3] One translation of the name is 'the roarer'. In the Rigveda, Rudra is praised as the "mightiest of the mighty".[4] Rudra means "who eradicates problems from their roots". Depending upon the period, the name Rudra can be interpreted as 'the most severe roarer/howler' or 'the most frightening one'. This name appears in the Shiva Sahasranama, and R. K. Sharma notes that it is often used as a name of Shiva in later languages. The "Shri Rudram" hymn from the Yajurveda is dedicated to Rudra and is important in the Shaivite sect.[5] [6] In the Prathama Anuvaka of Namakam (Taittiriya Samhita 4.5), Rudra is revered as Sadasiva (meaning 'mighty Shiva') and Mahadeva. Sadashiva is the Supreme Being, Paramashiva, in the Siddhanta sect of Shaivism.
The etymology of the theonym Rudra is uncertain.[7] It is usually derived from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root rud- (related to English rude), which means 'to cry, howl'. The name Rudra may thus be translated as 'the roarer'. An alternative etymology interprets Rudra as the 'red one', the 'brilliant one', possibly derived from a lost root rud-, 'red' or 'ruddy', or alternatively, according to Grassman, 'shining'.
Stella Kramrisch notes a different etymology connected with the adjectival form raudra, which means 'wild', i.e., of rude (untamed) nature, and translates the name Rudra as 'the wild one' or 'the fierce god'.[8] R. K. Śarmā follows this alternative etymology and translates the name as 'the terrible' in his glossary for the Shiva Sahasranama. Mallory and Adams also mention a comparison with the Old Russian deity Rŭglŭ to reconstruct a Proto-Indo-European wild-god named *Rudlos, though they remind that the issue of the etymology remains problematic: from PIE *reud- ('rend, tear apart'; cf. Latin rullus, 'rustic'), or *reu- ('howl').[9]
The commentator suggests six possible derivations for rudra. However, another reference states that Sayana suggested ten derivations.[10] The adjective śiva (shiva) in the sense of 'propitious' or 'kind' is first applied to the Rudra in RV 10.92.9.[11]
Rudra is called 'the archer' (Sanskrit: ) and the arrow is an essential attribute of Rudra.[12] This name appears in the Shiva Sahasranama, and R. K. Śarmā notes that it is used as a name of Shiva often in later languages. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root - which means 'to injure' or 'to kill', and Śarmā uses that general sense in his interpretive translation of the name as 'One who can kill the forces of darkness'. The names ('bowman') and ('archer', literally 'Armed with a hand-full of arrows')[13] also refer to archery.
In other contexts the word rudra can simply mean 'the number eleven'. The word rudraksha (Sanskrit: = rudra and 'eye'), or 'eye of Rudra', is used as a name for both the berry of the rudraksha tree and a name for a string of the prayer beads made from those seeds.
Rudra is one of the names of Vishnu in Vishnu Sahasranama.[14] Adi Shankara in his commentary to Vishnu Sahasranama defined the name Rudra as 'One who makes all beings cry at the time of cosmic dissolution'.[15] Author D. A. Desai in his glossary for the Vishnu Sahasranama says Vishnu in the form of Rudra is the one who does the total destruction at the time of great dissolution.[16] This is only the context known where Vishnu is revered as Rudra.
The earliest known mentions of the Vedic deity Rudra, occur in the Rigveda, where three entire hymns are devoted to him (RV 1.114, 2.33, and 7.46). Two further hymns are devoted to Rudra jointly with Soma (RV 1.43 and 6.74).[17] [18] There are about seventy-five references to Rudra in the Rigveda overall.[19]
In the Rigveda (RV) are verses which speak about the form of Rudra. Some of them are:
| त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे | tryambakaṃ yajāmahe | We worship the three eyed one | RV 7.59.12 | |
| कपर्दिने | kapardine | Who has matted hair | RV 1.114.1 | |
| हिरण्यम् इव रोचते | hiraṇyam iva rocate | Who shines like gold | RV 1.43.5 | |
| शुक्र इव सूर्यो | śukra iva sūryo | Who shines like [the] Sun | RV 1.43.5 | |
| स्थीरेभिरंगै | sthīrebhiraṃgai | Who is with firm limbs | RV 2.33.9 | |
| पुरुरुप | pururupa | Who has multiforms | RV 2.33.9 | |
| यजतं विश्वरुपम् | yajataṃ viśvarupam | Who is of the form of the universe | RV 2.33.10 | |
| येभिः शिवः | yebhiḥ śivaḥ | Who is auspicious | RV 10.92.9 |
In the Rigveda, Rudra's role as a frightening god is apparent in references to him as ghora ('extremely terrifying'), or simply as asau devam ('that god'). He is 'fierce like a terrific wild beast' (RV 2.33.11). Chakravarti sums up the perception of Rudra by saying: 'Rudra is thus regarded with a kind of cringing fear, as a deity whose wrath is to be deprecated and whose favor curried'.
RV 1.114 is an appeal to Rudra for mercy, where he is referred to as 'mighty Rudra, the god with braided hair'.
In RV 7.46, Rudra is described as armed with a bow and fast-flying arrows, although many other weapons are known to exist. As quoted by R. G. Bhandarkar, the hymn declare that Rudra discharges 'brilliant shafts which run about the heaven and the earth' (RV 7.46.3), which may be a reference to lightning.[20]
Rudra was believed to cure diseases, and when people recovered from them or were free of them, that too was attributed to the agency of Rudra. He is asked not to afflict children with disease (RV 7.46.2) and to keep villages free of illness (RV 1.114.1). He is said to have healing remedies (RV 1.43.4), as the best physician of physicians (RV 2.33.4), and as possessed of a thousand medicines (RV 7.46.3). So he is described with an alternative name, Vaidyanatha (Lord of Remedies).
A verse from the Rig Veda (RV 2.33.9) calls Rudra 'The Lord or Sovereign of the Universe' (īśānādasya bhuvanasya):
A verse of Śrī Rudram (= Yajurveda 16.18) speaks of Rudra as Lord of the Universe:
Another verse (Yajurveda 16.46) locates Rudra in the heart of the gods, showing that he is the inner Self of all, even the gods:[22]
In a verse popularly known as the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, both Rig Veda (7.59.12) and Yajur Veda (3.60) recommend worshipping Rudra to attain moksha (liberation):
In the Taittiriya Aranyaka of Yajur Veda (10.24.1),[23] Rudra is identified as the universal existent ('all this') and thus as the Purusha (Supreme Person or inner Self) of the Vedas:
The Taittiriya Aranyaka of Yajur Veda 1.10.1 identifies Rudra and Brihaspati as Sons and companions of Bhumi (Earth) and Heaven:[24]
| Sanskrit Romanized (IAST) | Roman (Harvard-Kyoto) translation | English translation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| sahasravṛdiyaṃ bhūmiḥ | yam bhUmi: sahasravrt | This world is desired as a place of abode by thousands of Jeevaraasis | |
| paraṃ vyŏmaḥ sahasravṛt | param vyOma: sahasravrt | The upper world is similarly desired by the thousands of Devas. | |
| aśvinā bhujyū nāsatyā | bhujyU na asatyA viSvasya jagata: patI aSvinA | The earth and the heaven (Svarga lOkam) are like the twin gods, Asvini Devas, who banish diseases and bless us with bhOgams; Asvini Devas are the protectors of the universe and their sankalpam (volition) never fails. | |
| viśvasya jagataspatī | |||
| jāyā bhūmiḥ patirvyoma | bhUmi: jAyA vyOma pati: taa mithunam aturyathu: | BhU lOkam is the wife and the Heaven is the husband; they are united like a couple. | |
| mithunantā aturyathuḥ | |||
| putro bṛhaspatī rudraḥ | putra: brhaspatI rudra: | We have to consider Brhaspati and Rudran (aging here) as their sons | |
| saramā iti strīpumam | saramA iti | The raised platform for the Yaagam, Yaaga meDai (Yajn~a Vedi) should be considered as a lady. | |
| iti strI pumam | Thus we are instructed about the male-female aspects of the Earth and the Heaven. | ||
| [Now comes the prayer to the abhimAna devatais for BhUmi and the upper world.] | |||
| śukraṃ vāmanyadyajataṃ vāmanyat | vAm anyat Sukram vAm anyat yajatam | Among your forms, one is the day with white hue, the other is the night with dark hue. | |
| viṣurūpe ahanī dyauriva sthaḥ | vishurUpe ahanI dyau iva stha: | Both of You stay steady as the Sooryan in the sky with equal, unique and alternating forms. | |
Rudra is used both as a name of Shiva and collectively ('the Rudras') as the name for the Maruts.[25] Maruts are 'storm gods' associated with the atmosphere. They are a group of gods whose number varies from two to sixty, sometimes also rendered as eleven, thirty-three 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' while Rudra is referred to as 'Father of the Maruts' (RV 2.33.1).[26]
Rudra is mentioned along with a litany of other deities in RV 7.40.5. Here is the reference to Rudra, whose name appears as one of many gods who are called upon:
One scholiast's interpretation of the Sanskrit word , meaning 'ramifications' or 'branches', is that all other deities are, as it were, branches of Vishnu,[27] 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.[28]
In the various recensions of the Yajurveda is included a litany of stanzas praising Rudra: Maitrāyaṇī-Saṃhitā 2.9.2, Kāṭhaka-Saṃhitā 17.11, Taittirīya-Saṃhitā 4.5.1 and Vājasaneyi-Saṃhitā 16.1–14. This litany is subsequently referred to variously as the Śatarudriyam and the Namakam (because many of the verses commence with the word namaḥ, meaning 'homage'), or simply the Rudram. This litany was recited during the Agnicayana ritual ('the piling of Agni'), and it later became a standard element in Rudra liturgy.
A selection of similar stanzas is included in the Paippalāda-Saṃhitā of the Atharvaveda (PS 14.3–4). This selection, with further PS additions at the end, circulated more widely as the Nīlarudra (or Nīlarudra Upaniṣad). Lubin suggests that in the Nīlarudra, lightning is envisioned both as Rudra's arrows and as the deity himself:
The Hindu god Shiva shares several features with Rudra. The theonym Śiva ('kind') originated as a euphemistic epithet for Rudra, who is similarly invoked as Aghora ('not frightful') and Abhayaṅkara ('providing safety'). Although Rudra remains the primary designation of the god, e.g., in the Pāśupata ascetic tradition, lay devotees preferred to address him as Śiva, Maheśvara ('Great Lord'), or Mahādeva ('Great God'), as in the Śivadharma literature, the Sanskrit epics, and the Purāṇas. Those epithets come to be the primary names of the deity.
The president of the Ramakrishna Mission, at Chennai, in commentating on the foreword to Swami Amritananda's translation of Sri Rudram and Purushasuktam, states, 'Rudra to whom these prayers are addressed is not a sectarian deity, but the Supreme Being who is omnipresent and manifests Himself in myriad forms for the sake of the diverse spiritual aspirants'. Shri Rudram occurs in the fourth Kanda of the Taittiriya Samhita in the Yajurveda.It is a preeminent Vedic hymn to Shiva as the God of dissolution and it is chanted daily in Shiva temples throughout India.[29]
The prayer depicts the diverse aspects of the Almighty. The Shri Rudram hymn is unique in that it shows the presence of divinity throughout the entire universe. We cannot confine the qualities of the divine to those that are favourable to us. The Lord is both garden and graveyard, the slayer and the most benevolent one. The Almighty is impartial and ubiquitous.[30]
In the hymn, Rudra is described as the most dreaded terroriser (frightening). Shri Rudram describes Rudra the Vedic deity as the personification of 'terror'. The name Rudra comes from ru, meaning 'Roar or howl' (the words dreaded or fearsome could only be used as adjectives to Rudra and not as Rudra because Rudra is the personification of terror) and dra, which is a superlative meaning 'the most'. So Rudra, depending on the poetic situation, can mean 'the most severe roarer/howler' or a hurricane or tempest or 'the most frightening one'.[31] [32]
Shiva as known today shares many features with Rudra, and Shiva and Rudra are viewed as the same personality in Hindu scriptures. The two names are used synonymously. Rudra, the god of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed in accordance with the element he represents as a fierce, destructive deity.
The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the Rig Veda, which is dated to between 1700 and 1100 BC based on linguistic and philological evidence.[33] A god named Rudra is mentioned in the Rig Veda. The name Rudra is still used as a name for Shiva. In RV 2.33, he is described as the 'Father of the Rudras', a group of storm gods.
Hymn 10.92 of the Rigveda states that the deity Rudra has two natures, one wild and cruel (rudra), and another that is kind and tranquil (shiva). The Vedic texts mention a horse as the vehicle (vahana) of Rudra, the "Hero on horseback" that "should be indulgent" to the singer (RV. 2.33.1). Whereas post-Vedic texts such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas mention Nandi the bull and the zebu as the vehicles of Rudra and of Shiva, thereby unmistakably linking them as the same.
In Tibetan Buddhism, according to the Padma Thang Yig, Rudra are devas (beings who live in heaven) at Maheśvara heaven. Or formerly a human monk of noble origin named Koukuntri and then Tharpa Nakpo, who misunderstands dharma and engages in a life of vice and is condemned to Naraka. After 20.000 impure lives, he is eventually reborn as a demon in Sri Lanka by a prostitute who sleeps with three kinds of supernatural creatures, giving him three heads. His birth brings about plague and famine, so he is banished to a charnel ground, but he survives by devouring his mother's corpse and returns in order to conquer the world. Becoming the lover of the rakshasa queen Krodhishvari, he battles the gods, who are terrified of his extraordinary power and call the Buddhas and boddhisattvas for help.
The Buddha Vajrasattva, who in a previous life was Tharpa Nakpo's master Thupka Zhonu, receives the mission to destroy Rudra, for which he is accompanied by Vajrapani, himself a reborn Pramadeva or Denphak, Nakpo's servant and fellow disciple. They both assume the wrathful forms Hayagriva and Vajravarahi, who challenge Rudra with nine dances and battle him. Hayagriva turns diminutive and enters Rudra's anus, after which he becomes gigantic and destroys his body from inside out, submitting the demon and converting him to true dharma.[34] [35]
In another version, Hayagriva impersonates Rudra and impregnates Krodishvari. As a result, he is reborn as the resultant child, Vajrarakshasa. He takes over Rudra's realm and defeats him by plunging a three-pointed khaṭvāṅga into his chest. He then devours Rudra, purifies him in his stomach and excretes him as a protector of dharma, who hands over his army of demons to Vajrarakshasha as attendants.[36] [37] Other versions replace Hayagriva with Ucchusma, an emanation that Vajrapani draws from his own anus.[38]
The 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, describes the incarnation of Rudra in a composition titled 'Rudra Avtar' in his book the Dasam Granth.