Rudram

''Shri Rudram'' ( sa, श्रीरुद्रम्, śrī-rudram), is a Vedic mantra or chant in homage to Rudra (an epithet of Shiva) taken from the ''Krishna Yajurveda's'' ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (TS 4.5, 4.7). It comprises two parts, the ''Namakam'' and ''Chamakam''. ''Chamakam'' ( sa, चमकम्) is added by scriptural tradition to the ''Shri Rudram''. The text is important in Shaivism, where Shiva is viewed as the Parabrahman. The hymn is an early example of enumerating the names of a deity.C Fuller (2001), ''Orality, literacy and memorisation: priestly education in contemporary south India'', Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 35, Issue 1, pages 14-15 with footnote 6

''Shri Rudram'' is also famous for its mention of the Shaivite holy mantra '' Namah Shivaya'', which appears in the text of the ' in the eighth ''anuvāka'' of ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (TS 4.5.8.1). It also contains the mantra ''Aum namah bhagavate rudraya'' and the ''Mahamrityunjaya Mantra''.

The Sri Rudram is commonly chanted during the ''Pradosha'' time, which is considered to be a time auspicious for the worship of Shiva.

Contents

''Shri Rudram'' consists of two chapters (''praśna'') from the fourth ''kāṇda'' (book) of ''Taittiriya Samhita'' which is a part of ''Krishna Yajurveda''. The names of the chapters are ''Namakam'' (chapter five) and ''Chamakam'' (chapter seven) respectively. The ''Namakam'' (chapter five) in ''Shri Rudram'' describes the names or epithets of Rudra, who is a fear-inducing/destructive aspect of Shiva. The devotee asks for the benevolent and graceful aspect of Shiva to be invoked rather than the terrible and fierce aspect of Rudra and requests for the forgiveness of sins. The ''Chamakam'' (chapter seven) asks for the fulfillment of wishes. Each chapter consist of eleven ''anuvākas'' or hymns.

* ''Namakam:'' The Namakam in particular enumerates the various epithets and names of Rudra. It recognises the violent aspects of Rudra and requests him to be benevolent and peaceful, rather than violent and destructive. It also acknowledges the presence of the deity in those from all walks of life, be they carpenters (TS 4.5.1.2) or thieves (TS 4.5.3.2).

* ''Chamakam:'' The Chamakam enumerates the various things one would want in life and requests Rudra to grant them to the devotee. It acknowledges both material and spiritual desires and requests the deity for both. Some verses invoke other deities such as Agni and Vishnu and request them to join in the devotee's prayers to Rudra.
The ''anuvākas'' or hymns of ''Namakam'' correspond to the eleven hymns of TS 4.5, with the final hymn extended by an additional eight verses, including the ''Mahamrityunjaya Mantra''. The mantra ''Om Namah Shivaya'' is derived from the ''Shri Rudram'', in which it appears in the verses of TS 4.5.8 though without the syllable ''Om''. The ''Chamakam'' consists of 11 ''anuvākas'' or hymns.The 11 th anuvāka prayer (of the chamakam), brings out the long list of benedictions asked for in the odd divine number and even human numbering .The ''anuvākas'' or hymns of ''Chamakam'' correspond to TS 4.7 and they ask God for fulfillment of wishes.

The earliest homage hymns to Rudra is the ''Śatarudrīya'' found in the '' Shukla Yajurveda'' (Vajasaneyi Samhita 16.1-66).For a full translation of the complete hymn see: Sivaramamurti (1976) C. Fuller maintains that ''Shri Rudram'' is based on ''Śatarudrīya''.

See also

* Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

Notes

References

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{{Shaivism

Sanskrit texts
Shaiva texts
Vedic hymns
Chants