| Rudra | |
|---|---|
 Rudra, from an 18th-century Assamese manuscript Ananda Patani. | |
| Affiliation | Shiva, Vayu, Deva |
| Mantra | Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya |
| Weapons | Bow and Arrow, Trishula |
| Texts | Shri Rudram, Rig Veda |
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Rudra (/ˈrʊdrə/; Sanskrit: रुद्र) is a Rigvedic deity associated with Shiva, the wind or storms,[1] Vayu,[2][3] medicine, and the hunt.[4] One translation of the name is 'the roarer'.[5][6][7] In the Rigveda, Rudra is praised as the "mightiest of the mighty".[8] Rudra means "who eradicates problems from their roots"[citation needed]. 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.[9][10] 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.
- ^ Basham (1989), p. 15.
- ^ The Rigveda, with Dayananda Saraswati's Commentary, Volume 1. Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha. 1974. p. 717.
The third meaning of Rudra is Vayu or air that causes pain to the wicked on the account of their evil actions...... Vayu or air is called Rudra as it makes a person weep causing pain as a result of bad deeds .
- ^ C. P. Tiele (2005). Outlines Of The History Of Religion To The Spread Of The Universal Religions. Concept Publishing Company. p. 113. ISBN 978-8172681234.
- ^ Charles Russell Coulter; Patricia Turner (4 July 2013). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Routledge. ISBN 978-1135963903.
- ^ Majumdar (1951), p. 162.
- ^ Zimmer (1972), p. 181.
- ^ Griffith (1973), p. 75, note 1.
- ^ A. B. Keith. "Yajur Veda". All Four Vedas. Islamic Books. p. 45. GGKEY:K8CQJCCR1AX.
- ^ For an overview of the Śatarudriya see: Kramrisch (1993), pp. 71–4.
- ^ For a full translation of the complete hymn see Sivaramamurti (2004), p. 13.