Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Review of literature� 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.
5. Review of literature
For preparation of this dissertation, many books, articles, dictionaries published by various organisations, institutions etc., have been consulted. Among them the original works, i.e. the four Vedas including their ṇa, Āṇy첹, 貹Ծṣa, Śrautasūtras and ṛhⲹūٰ, ٳūٰ and the ʳܰṇa have been consulted. The ṛh𱹲 of ŚܲԲ첹, 첹’s Nirukta also deserve special mention.
Western scholars have contributed a lot in the field of Vedic literature and mythology. R.T.H. Griffith’s English translation of the ṻ岹 and Śܰ Yajurveda, Aitareya-ṇa Keith and A.A. Macdonell’s Vedic Index of Names and Subjects are worth mentioning. J. Muir’s Original Sanskrit Texts in five volumes is also noteworthy. It explains and interprets the passages and hymns of the Vedic ṃh, ṇa, 貹Ծṣa, 峾ⲹԲ, Ѳٲ and ʳܰṇa along with their English translations. The fourth Volume of this work has given many references to Rudra. Vedic Mythology of A.A. Macdonell, The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads of Aitareya-ṇa Keith deserve special mention. Macdonell discusses on the Vedic conceptions of the world and its origin, origin of gods and men. This book throws light on the characteristic features of different gods. Besides these above mentioned works, ղṣṇ, Ś and Minor Religious Systems by R.G. Bhandarkar, Ś in Medieval Indian Literature of Amal Sarkar are remarkable. Ś in Medieval Indian Literature consists of three chapters. It deals with the evolution of the god (Ś); the major and minor characteristics of Ś from Vedic to Purāṇic literature.
Mahadev Chakravarti also contributed a lot in the field of Rudra-Ś studies. His work entitled The Concept of Rudra-Ś Through the Ages is a very popular one. This book consists of three chapters and it carries a discussion on the gradual development of the concept of Rudra-Ś. It describes how Ś occupied an exalted position in the Brāhmaṇical pantheon. Rudra-Ś in the Vedas of P.M. Rath, Hinduder Devdevi: Udbhav o Kramabikash of Hangsanarayan Bhattacharya are noteworthy. The book Rudra-Ś in the Vedas is divided into five chapters. This book delineates on the nature, dimension of Rudra’s personality, mode of worship and position in the Vedic period, Rudra’s relation with other gods etc. Hinduder Devdevi: Udbhav o Kramabikash contains two Volumes. In this book, the writer gives so much information about Rudra-Ś from Vedic to Purāṇic period. The second volume throws light on different topics regarding Rudra such as Rudra as a destroyer, Rudra as Ś, Rudra as physician, derivations of the term of Rudra, several names of Rudra, origin of Rudra-Ś etc. The Presence of Ś by Stella Kramrisch throws glimpses of light on the various aspects of Ś-Rudra, birth of Rudra, manifestations and realizations of Rudra, the family of Ś etc. Asceticism and Eroticism in the Mythology of Ś by W.D. O’Flaherty is considered to be a contribution in this field. Ś’s different characteristics features, his (Ś’s) relation with and 峾, Vedic antecedents of Ś are discussed in this book very beautifully. վṣṇvism and Ś A Comparison by J. Gonda has been consulted for preparing this dissertation. This book deals with the character of վṣṇ and Rudra-Ś, the development of these two gods in Indian thoughts, myths and legends of Ś and վṣṇ. This book gives some information of the ritual and ceremonies of Ś and ղṣṇ.
All the names of the works could not be mentioned here in this thesis for the sake of precision and accuracy. In the bibliography of this thesis, all the names of the books have been pointed out very clearly.