Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rudra as Pashupati’ 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.
3. Rudra as Paśupati
In the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, Rudra is frequently addressed as the lord of animals or Paśupati.[1] In the context of Somakrayaṇavidhi of the Jyotiṣṭoma sacrifice, the soma-cow (the cow which is given for the purchase of soma plant) is addressed as Rudrā.[2] In the same context, Rudra is invoked for the safety of the soma-cow.[3] The colour of the soma-cow is mentioned as brown with redbrown eyes.[4]
In the Indraturīya sacrifice, a yoke trained cow is offered to Indra. This cow is an appropriate fee for this offering because this cow includes the nature of all gods. That cow has Agni’s nature because her shoulder is fire-burnt. She is of Varuṇa’s nature because being a female she improperly draws the cart. She has Rudra’s nature as she is a cow and she is of Indra’s nature as the sour curds which are offered to Indra made from her milk.[5]
In the context of Dākṣiṇāhoma, four kinds of sacrificial gifts are given to the priest. The first one is gold, second one cow, third cloth and forth horse. The second sacrificial gift, i.e. cow is given to Rudra or Hotṛ priest.[6]
In the context of the Sviṣṭakṛt rite of the Aśvamedha sacrifice, the Sviṣṭakṛt is said to be Rudra. Gomṛgakaṇṭha is offered in this sacrifice. Here, it is said that where this oblation is offered with gomṛgakaṇṭha, in that place Rudra does not injure the cattle.[7]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa, 1.7.3.8; 5.3.3.7
[2]:
sa vāi vāca eva rūpeṇānunikrāmati vasvyasyāditirasyādityāsi rudrā’si candrāsi vasvī hyeṣāditirhyeṣādityā hyeṣā rudrā...|| Ibid., 3.3.1.2
[5]:
...tasyaisaivānaḍuhīvahalā dakṣiṇā | sā hi vahanāgneyī | agnidagdhamiva hyasyai vahaṃ bhavati | atha yata strī satī vahati adharmeṇa | tadasyai vāruṇaṃ rūpaṃ | atha yad gauḥ, tena raudrī | atha yadasyā’aindraṃ dadhi, tenaindraīṣā hi vā’etatsarvaṃ vyaśnute tasmādeṣaivānaḍuhī vahalā dakṣīṇā | Ibid., 5.2.4.13