Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rigveda (b): Rudra’s weapons’ 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.
1. Ṛgveda (b): Rudra’s weapons
In the Ṛgveda, Rudra’s weapon of offence is mentioned. In a Ṛgvedic mantra, it is said that he holds a thunderbolt in his hands.[1] In another mantra of the Ṛgveda, he is frequently said to be armed with a bow and arrows[2] which are strong, swift and sharp.[3] Rudra discharges these radiant arrows towards both the heaven and earth.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
śreṣṭho jātasya rudra śriyāsi tavastamastavasāṃ vajrabāho | Ibid., 2.33.3
[3]: