Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)

by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words

This page relates ‘Preface’ 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.

Preface

Sanskrit holds a special place in my heart. From my very childhood, my parents inspired me to study Sanskrit as a subject. Since then I started my journey taking Sanskrit as a major in my graduation. I was attracted to the beauty of this language. I was a student of the Veda-Group of the department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University. During that time, I got the opportunity of studying some Sūktas of the Ṛgveda which were in the syllabus of the Veda-Group in my classes. Therefore, a keen interest arose in my mind regarding the concept of Indian Mythology. When I went through the Vedic and Purāṇic texts and the legends or mythology, I found some new concepts of many gods such as Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, Pūṣan, etc. After studying these legends, I am interested to study the concept of Rudra-Śiva and the various aspects of his personality that have developed through the ages in a systematic and scientific way. Thus a humble attempt was made to prepare a dissertation on the topic entitled “RUDRA-ŚIVA CONCEPT IN THE VEDIC AND THE PURĀṆIC LITERATURE” for Ph.D degree.

Many Indian and Western scholars have contributed a lot in the field of mythological studies regarding the various appearances on the concept of RudraŚiva. Through this thesis, the characteristic features and the development of Rudra-Śiva in the Vedic and the Purāṇic age have been brought to light.

The present work comprises of seven chapters. The first chapter is the Introductory chapter. At the very beginning of this chapter, the concept of god as arising in the mind of the Vedic sages as well as the rise of the monotheistic idea in the mind of the Vedic Āryans have been discussed. Then a discussion on the prominence of Rudra-Śiva from Vedic to Purāṇic period takes place in this chapter.

The second chapter contains information regarding the various characteristic features of Rudra-Śiva in the Saṃhitā literature. The third chapter deals with the various aspects and many legends regarding the birth of Rudra-Śiva in the Brāhmaṇa literature. The fourth chapter depicts the supremacy over other deities in the Āraṇyaka, the Upaniṣadic and the Sūtra literature. Rudra-Śiva occupied an exalted position in the Upaniṣadic literature. Rudra-Śiva is portrayed as the Supreme Reality and Ultimate Brahman in the fourth chapter. The fifth chapter throws light on the origin of Rudra as Śiva in the Purāṇic literature. Here, the greatness of Śiva as well as various incarnations of him have been discussed thoroughly. Vedic Rudra is attributed by a new appellation with is power and activities, namely Śiva in the Purāṇic literature. In the sixth chapter, various epithets of Rudra-Śiva and the significance of these epithets have been discussed. The seventh chapter consists of a concluding remark on the work.

All the original and secondary sources, journals, papers, dictionaries which were consulted during my research period are mentioned in the bibliography.

In the stipulated period, I have completed this thesis under the supervision of my revered guide Associate Professor Dr. Jagadish Sarma. I shall be highly rewarded if this work could help the readers.

(Maumita Bhattacharjee)

Place: Gauhati University, Guwahati

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