Rudra, the protector
While telling Arjuna of his several manifestations, Krishna says, “Rudraanaam Shankarashchaasmi”, which means among the Rudras, I am Shankara (Bhagavad Gita, Ch.10).
The human mind is naturally inclined towards the good. But when we tilt towards evil and indulge in acts that are detrimental to other jivas in creation, the Creator has plans for us. Rudra (Rud, Skt. root, “to cry”) brings us to justice through his fearsome arrows, “making us cry”, as it were. But even as he reduces the sinner to tears, Rudra draws him closer to God. A distinction is made between the sinner and his sin, for Rudra protects the devotee even as he destroys his sins. He is none other than Shankara, the bestower of all that is good and noble.
The Rudram-Chamakam, or simply, the Rudram, is a set of powerful chants from the Krishna Yajurveda that can be heard in temples and homes, often as part of the Rudraabhishek (the ritual worship of Rudra). In the anuvaakas or segments of the Rudram, Rudra-Shiva is depicted as both gentle and fierce, lofty and puny, young and old, formless and manifest. He who steals (our sorrows) is also the one who protects (our kin, our material and spiritual riches).
Rudra-Shiva is pashupati (lord of all beings), tryambaka (the three-eyed one), mrityunjaya (victorious over death), mahadev (the great God), babhlusha (seated on the bull), harikesh (lord of the forests) and aushadhapati (repository of medicines).
The Rudram contains two important treasures. One is the sacred panchaakshara mantra — namah shivaya — which appears in the namakam part. Shiva is referred to as “the auspicious one who is more auspicious than anything else”. The second treasure is the celebrated mrityunjaya mahamantra which is believed to free one from (fear of) death, confer moksha and supreme bliss in this world and the next.
In the chamakam part of the Rudram, the devotee thanks the Almighty for gifts showered on him: cattle, crops, metals, herbs, pulses, wisdom, intellect and so on. With touching simplicity, he even thanks God for the gift of Su-dinam, a good day !
These resemble the innermost thoughts of the busy man on the move today who, nevertheless, is awestruck by the ways of the Divine. Shiva is not an elusive deity lurking in the far beyond.” As the easily pleased and accessible Ashutosh or as Nataraja, who “dances in the hearts of His devotees”, the Lord condemns none and embraces all.
Raji P. Shrivastava can be contacted at raji_1992@yahoo.co.in
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