4. Atharvaveda-saṃhitā (a): Physical appearance of Rudra

In the Atharvaveda Saṃhitā, a few descriptions about Rudra’s physical appearance are seen. He wears a black dress or a dress which is blackish in colour.^[1]

He has a belly, a mouth, a tongue and teeth and the seer paid homage to his belly, tongue and teeth thus—

aṅgebhyasya udarāya jihvāyā āsyāyate | dadbhyo gandhāya te namaḥ.^[2]

The meaning of this mantra is—veneration is paid to his organs, belly, tongue, mouth, his teeth, smell.

He is called Nilaśikhaṇḍa or blue-tufted one.^[3] He has thousand eyes^[4] and regarded as Amartya or immortal.^[5] Rudra holds in his hands a yellow golden bow and this bow is described as thousand slaying and similar to hundred weapons.

The mantra runs thus—

dhanurbibharṣi haritaṃ hiraṇyayaṃ sahasraghni śatavadhaṃ śikhaṇḍin.^[6]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Atharvaveda-saṃhitā, 11.2.18

[2]:

Ibid., 11.2.6

[3]:

rudra jalāṣabheṣaja nīlaśikhaṇḍa karmakṛt | prāśaṃ pratiprāśo jahyarasān kṛṇvaṣodhe || Ibid., 2.27.6

[4]:

Ibid., 11.2.3; 7; 17

[5]:

Ibid., 11.2.3

[6]:

Ibid., 11.2.12