Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates 鈥楻udra in the Shatarudriya-adhyaya of the Vajasaneyi-samhita鈥� of the study on the Rudra-Shiva concept in the Vedic and Puranic literature, starting with the concept of God as contemplated by the Rishis (Vedic sages). These pages further deal with the aspects, legends, iconography and eulology of Rudra-Shiva as found in the Samhitas, Brahamanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads Sutras and Puranas. The final chapters deal with descriptions of his greatness, various incarnations and epithets.
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2(e): Rudra in the 艢补迟补谤耻诲谤颈测补-adhy膩ya of the 痴腻箩补蝉补苍别测颈-蝉补峁僪颈迟腻
The 16th chapter of the 痴腻箩补蝉补苍别测颈蝉补峁僪颈迟腻 named 艢补迟补谤耻诲谤颈测补 is an exceptional section where Rudra is prayed through numerous names.
As quoted by 痴腻箩补蝉补苍别测颈-蝉补峁僪颈迟腻 Agrawala,
鈥淲hen the author was composing that stotra he meditated on the glory of Rudra in the numerous forms both on the universal and the human planes and coined as many epithets as he could for the sake of offering his homage by using the word 苍补尘补岣�. Thus the 艢补迟补谤耻诲谤颈测补 is the first 苍补尘补岣� stotra in Sanskrit literature on the model of which many more subsequently composed.鈥�[1]
The character of Rudra is in a much more developed form in the 16th chapter of the 痴腻箩补蝉补苍别测颈蝉补峁僪颈迟腻 and here the worshipper appeals to him under a great variety of epithets. This chapter of the 痴腻箩补蝉补苍别测颈蝉补峁僪颈迟腻 named 艢补迟补谤耻诲谤颈测补 section depicts the most exceptional epithets of Rudra which shows the various aspects of his personality. Rudra鈥檚 two opposite characters, viz. malevolent and auspicious are clearly portrayed here.
J. Muir says in his book entitled Original Sanskrit Texts that,
鈥楾he imagination of the rishi runs riot in the invention of these epithets, which are the most heterogeneous description.鈥�[2]
From the title 艢补迟补谤耻诲谤颈测补 it seems that hundred names or attributes of Rudra are stated here. But here the word 艣补迟补 does not mean hundred. It is used to portray many. Here, in this section, some contradictory or opposite names are ascribed to Rudra at the same time. He is said to have braided hair as well as shaven haired at the same time. The 艢补迟补谤耻诲谤颈测补 section expresses the various names of Rudra with their derivations. So, there is an opportunity to study these names according to their etymologies. Rudra鈥檚 different names depict his different duties, nature and aspects of his personality.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Vide, Agrawala, 痴腻箩补蝉补苍别测颈-蝉补峁僪颈迟腻, 艢颈惫补 惭补丑腻诲别惫补: the Great God, p.29
[2]:
Vide, Muir, J., Original Sanskrit Texts, Vol. IV, p.402