Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Vajasaneyi-samhita (c): Oblations to different names of Rudra’ 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.
2. Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā (c): Oblations to different names of Rudra
In the context of the Horse sacrifice, a reference has been found in the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā, where Agni, Aśani, Paśupati, Bhava, Śarva, Īśāna, Mahādeva and Ugra all these names of Rudra are mentioned. The different names of Rudra are worshipped with offerings of the different parts of the body of the sacrificial horse. As the epithet of Rudra, Agni is worshipped with the heart, Aśani with the front part of heart, Paśupati with the entire heart, Bhava with the liver, Śarva with the two cardic bones, Īśāna with passion, Mahādeva with the intercostal flesh, Ugra with the rectum respectively.[1] Mahādeva is a popular name of Śiva in the post Vedic literature.[2]
The yajamāna or sacrificer as Rudra In the context of the Rājasūya sacrifice, there is a reference in the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā, where the sacrificer is identified with Rudra. The priest addresses the sacrificer as Rudra, the very kind and gracious.[3] In this connection, Uvaṭa remarks that suśeva means auspicious.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
Śiva-purāṇa, 4.35.5
[3]:
abhibhūrasyetāste pañca diśaḥ kalpantāṃ brahmastvaṃ brahmāsi savitāsi satyaprasavo varuṇo’si satyaujā indro’si viśaujā rudro’si suśevaḥ || Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā,10.28