Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rigveda (e): Rudra’s relationship with Maruts’ 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 (e): Rudra’s relationship with Maruts
Rudra’s relationship with the Maruts is most frequently found in the Ṛgveda. Rudra is frequently declared as the father of Maruts in the Ṛgveda.[1] In this context, Sāyaṇācārya states the following story to explain how Maruts came to be known the sons of Rudra. In this story, Rudra is identified with Mahādeva. Mahādeva is another name of Śiva in the Purāṇic literature.[2] Once upon a time, Indra conquered the Asuras. Diti was the mother of Asuras. She performed austere penance and through this penance she became pregnant by her husband. Then she desired to get a son who should be able to slay Indra. Hearing this news, Indra entered into her womb in a very minute form. He divided her womb into seven parts with his thunderbolt and again divided each of these parts into seven. All the beings in one part of the womb came out from the foetus and began to weep. Maheśa and Pārvatī who were roaming for enjoyment reached that place and saw them. On seeing them, Pārvatī told Maheśa that if he loves her, he should make all those parts of flesh as separate sons. Maheśa made each of them of same age and same form and with same ornaments, gave them to Pārvatī and told Pārvatī that they are your sons. That is why, in all the Māruta hymns, Maruts are referred to as the sons of Rudra. Rudra is regarded as the father of Maruts.[3] In another mantra of the Ṛgveda, Maruts are said to be the sons of Rudra and Pṛśni.[4]
It is said that Rudra begot them (Maruts) in the pure womb of Pṛśni—
rudro yadvo maruto rukmavakṣaso vṛṣājani pṛśnyāḥ śukra udhani.[5]
In the Taittirīya Saṃhitā, it is stated that—
In some mantras of the Ṛgveda, Maruts are also called Rudrasya Sunam,[7] Rudrāsaḥ[8] and Rudriyāsaḥ.[9]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid., 1.114.6; 2.33.1
[2]:
Śiva-purāṇa, 4.35.5
[4]:
[5]:
Ibid., 2.34.2
[6]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā, 2.2.11.4
[7]:
Ṛgveda, 1.64.12; 6.50.4; 6.66.11
[8]:
Ibid., 8.13.12; 20.2
[9]:
Ibid., 6.62.8