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Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)

by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words

This page relates ‘Rudra in Puranic (Introduction)� 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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Rudra in Purāṇic (Introduction)

In the Purāṇic literature, the Vedic Rudra merged into a new designation �Ś� with his activities. In the Ṛgvedic period, Rudra is said to be a minor god. But in the Yajurvedic, Atharvavedic and the Brāhmaṇic age he developed his position. He is mentioned as the lord of beings. In the earlier chapters, it is already discussed that he is the supreme god and his decrees are followed by all the gods and beings. He permeates all directions. In later literature, Rudra earned a new appellation of Ś. In the Upaniṣadic literature, this chief god of later Vedic mythology, is depicted as Brahman, Absolute or the Universal soul. The worship of Rudra gradually became less when the post-Brāhmaṇical age of rationalism set in and the system of sacrifice was undermind. But the devotees invented a new name for him and called him Ś. In the later period, he is the third of the trinity, viz. , վṣṇ and Ś.

In the post-Vedic literature, different features of Rudra created a new conception of a god and gave him a charge of destruction. The characteristic features, which are asserted to Rudra in the Vedic period, are now assigned to Ś in the Purāṇic literature.

In the Purāṇic age, the concept of Ś has displayed much change and has developed more. The inner concept of delineating Rudra as Ś is brought to light through a thorough study of this matter. Ś comprises within himself the three aspects of creation, i.e. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. His ٳٱ첹 manifestation is վṣṇ, Ჹ첹 manifestation is and 峾첹 is Rudra.[1]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Ś-purāṇa, 2.3.49.22-23

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