Essay name: Srikara Bhashya (commentary)
Author: C. Hayavadana Rao
The Srikara Bhashya, authored by Sripati Panditacharya in the 15th century, presents a comprehensive commentary on the Vedanta-Sutras of Badarayana (also known as the Brahmasutra). These pages represent the introduction portion of the publication by C. Hayavadana Rao.
Page 906 of: Srikara Bhashya (commentary)
906 (of 953)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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INTRODUCTION 845 refers to the white complexion of Siva, which evidently has
its origin in this hymn. Later Western scholars鈥攖hose
who came after Wilson-assert that Rudra in the Rig-V膿da,
is the earlier form of Siva. 1188 In the Rig-V膿da, the term Siva
(meaning auspicious) is only used as an adjective in the
sense of bringing good fortune, being gracious. It has even
been suggested that it is used (in the Rig-V膿da) euphemisti-
cally. There is no doubt that it is commonly so used in the
later V膿das, and became his exclusive name in post-Vedic
times. The transition is well marked in the period of the
驰补箩耻谤-痴脓诲补.
Siva in the Yajur-Veda.
In the 16th chapter of the V膩jasaneyi Samhita of the
Sukla Yajur Veda, god Rudra is spoken of by a large number
of epithets which, later, are peculiar to Siva. To these, in
the 39th chapter, are added Is膩na (Ruler) and Mah膩d膿va
(Supreme God), which perhaps indicate the final conversion
of Rudra into Siva. Evidently, in the special worship
of Rudra, he was already reckoned the Great God and the
Ruler of all. Accordingly, we would not be far wrong if
we assumed that, in the period of the Sukla Yajur-V膿da,
the Rudra of the Rig-Veda, has become Siva, he being
several times mentioned by the latter name as well as by
other epithets peculiar to him, such as Sankara, Mah膩d膿va,
etc.
Siva in the Brahmanas and the Atharva-Veda.
In the first part of the Gopatha Brahmana attached to
the Atharva-Veda, we find mention of Siva, which would
seem to show that in post-V膿dic times, if not already in the
Brahmana period (800-500 B.C.), Siva had become fully
established in place of Rudra. Indeed, in the Atharva-
V膿da, 1189 Rudra is elevated to a higher position. Many other
names are given to him, though the bearer of these different
'
1188 Taittiriya Samhita, 4. 5. 1; V膩jasaneya Samhita, 16. The
name Siva occurs at the end of the Satarudriya.
1189 Atharva-V膿da, IV. 28. 1; VI. 93. 2; VII.
X. 1. 3 ; XI. 2. 7; XI. 2. 4; XI. 2. 9; XI, 2, 10;
6.9; XIII. 4. 4; XIII. 4. 28; XV. 5. 1-7.
87. 1 ; IX. 7.7
XI. 2. 28 ; XI.
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