Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates 鈥楻igveda (a): Physical appearance of Rudra鈥� 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.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
1. 峁欢惫别诲补 (a): Physical appearance of Rudra
The anthropomorphic depiction of Rudra鈥檚 physical appearance is met with in the 峁欢惫别诲补 in numerous contexts.
Rudra is said to have braided hair or Kapardin and his shape is dazzling.[1]
S膩ya峁嚹乧膩rya in his commentary explains the term kapardin as:
kapardina峁� ja峁乥hiryuktam.[2]
The same epithet Kapardin is also applied to 笔奴峁苍 in the 峁欢惫别诲补.[3] Rudra possesses firm-limbs and he is brown-coloured, formidable and arrayed with golden ornaments.[4] He is also said to be white-complexioned.[5] He is the possessor of beautiful lips and soft belly.[6] He shines like the gleaming sun, like gold鈥�测补岣� 艣耻办谤补 iva s奴ryo hira峁噛amiva rocate.[7] Rudra wears a glorious necklace in his neck鈥�arhanbibhar峁 s膩yak膩ni dhanv膩rhanni峁a峁� 测补箩补迟补峁� 惫颈艣惫补谤奴辫补尘[8] and he takes his seat on a chariot.[9] He is also called Tryambaka or one who has three eyes.[10]
Footnotes and references:
[6]:
峁沝奴dara岣� suhavo m膩 no asyai 产补产丑谤耻岣� su艣ipro r墨radhanman膩yai || Ibid., 2.33.5
[7]:
Ibid., 1.43.5
[8]:
Ibid., 2.33.10
[10]:
Ibid., 7.59.12