Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates 鈥楻udra and the Svishtakrit offering of the Ashvamedha sacrifice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.
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10. Rudra and the 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 offering of the 础艣惫补尘别诲丑补 sacrifice
In the 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺 literature, numerous sacrifices are discussed thoroughly. So, it can be said that Br膩hma峁噄c period was the golden age of the institution of sacrifice. Rudra played a role in some of the sacrifices described in the 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺 period.
In the 罢补颈迟迟颈谤墨测补 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺, Agni-厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 offerings are described. Here, in this context, it is said that gods became victorious over Asuras by the performance of the oblation to the 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 fire. The blood of horse was offered to the 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 fire.[1] From this connection, it can be understood that one who offers the horse鈥檚 blood to 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 fire, he became victorious over Asuras.
Rudra is called 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 Agni. The first oblation is offered with 驳辞尘峁沢补办补峁囜弓丑补 to 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 Agni. The animals are mentioned as go and 尘峁沢补. By this offering, it is desired that the animals will be kept away from Rudra.[2]
The 补艣惫补艣补辫丑补 or horse-hoof is the second offering which is offered to 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 Agni. The animals are mentioned as 别办补艣补辫丑补. By this offering to 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃 Agni who is Rudra the animals are kept hide from Rudra.[3] S膩ya峁嚹乧膩rya clarifies the term 别办补艣补辫丑补 as the body of the horse.[4]
The third oblation is offered with 办补尘补峁囜笉补濒耻 to Rudra or Agni 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃. Rudra is Agni 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃. The 辫谤补箩腻 are intended to be kept away from Rudra by this offering. Where this oblation is offered, Rudra never injures the creatures or 辫谤补箩腻 in that place.[5] The 艢atapatha 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺 describes the similar offerings in the 础艣惫补尘别诲丑补 办腻峁囜笉补.[6]
From the above discussion, it can be understood that Rudra receives his sacrificial portion as an appearance of Agni. So, here Rudra is called Agni 厂惫颈峁ａ弓补办峁泃. Three oblations are offered to Rudra for the protection of animals and human beings from Rudra.
A reference has been found in the 罢补颈迟迟颈谤墨测补 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺 where Rudra is called 鲍肠肠丑别峁峁嘺产丑腻驳补. Here, it is said that the last or remaining portion of the 搁腻箩补蝉奴测补 sacrifice is offered to Rudra. Oblations are offered to Rudra in the north quarter. This region is mentioned as the quarter of Rudra.[7]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
go尘峁沢补ka峁囜弓hena pratham膩m膩huti峁� juhoti | pa艣avo vai go尘峁沢补岣� | rudro鈥檊nisvi峁ａ弓ak峁泃 | rudr膩deva pa艣unantardadh膩ti | Ibid., 3.9.11.44
[3]:
a艣va艣aphena dvit墨y膩m膩huti峁� juhoti | pa艣avo v膩 别办补艣补辫丑补m | rudro鈥檊nisvi峁ａ弓ak峁泃 | Ibid., 3.9.11.45
[5]:
[6]:
艢补迟补辫补迟丑补-产谤腻丑尘补峁嘺, 13.3.4.3-5