Who is RUDRA?

- Dr. Arjun Pai

Rudra is a Yajur Veda deity associated with the wind, storm or hunting. Rud means to roar and to cry. In the Yajur veda he is the mightiest of the dieties. Ardra is one of the special nakshatras which is found in Gemini rasi and it is represented by one principal star which is bright and ruddy and multiple times bigger than our sun in our solar system, i.e. Betelgeuse. Rudra means the wild one or fierce god who destroys the forces of darkness, He is also called as “sarva”, meaning archer, an epithet of Rudra as one who kills or destroys the forces of darkness. He can be seen also as an archer skilled with bow and arrow, and is also referred to as one who eliminates all evil and brings peace.

The Yajur Veda makes reference to Rudras and their consorts Rudranis. These Rudras are the ekadasi rudras or 11 rudras.

In a veiled reference in the Yajur Veda, it points to the 11th parallel 11deg north and south of the equator as powerful energy centers for destroying evil as the forces act vertically upwards. Note that Trinidad is close to this parallel and has been used by Pujya Sri Appaji to launch many of his past universal projects, needing active participation by devotees worldwide. The parallels 11deg, 23 deg and 33 deg all are of special significance according to the Yajur Veda. Cities which run through these parallels have a lot of activity.

Marutha ganas are the sons of Rudra and identified with Rudra and also attendants of Indra, about 27 to 60 in number, carrying golden weapons, riding golden chariots driven by ruddy horses. Only Rudra can control these forces which he will use to crush and quell dark, negative forces.

RUDRA LORD OF REMEDIES ALSO

Alternatively, he is also called Vaidyanath, lord of all remedies who alleviates sufferings and dispels fears. Thus, devotees can listen to Sri Rudram or Namakam, and Chamakam, two powerful Puranic hymn with vibrations so powerful they can remove suffering!

Here let us make reference to the 19 verse of the Aditya Hridayam. Brahmeśānācyuteśāya sūryāyādityavarcasebhāsvate sarvabhakṣāya raudrāya vapuṣe namaḥ (Salutation to Him who is the inspiration to Trimurtis (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha) and inspiration to all creatures, salutation to the one who is fierce like Rudra at the end of the creation). As the Aditya Hridayam implies whenever there is need for a reawakening or fresh beginning, this is the form which he takes.

Pujya Sri Appaji has given us the simple yet powerful mantra to appease Sri Rudra, “Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha!"

Let us all chant it as many times as possible to prepare for the Maha Rudra Yaga which He is coming to perform next year!