Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rudra and the Svishtakrit offering of the Ashvamedha sacrifice’ 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.
10. Rudra and the Sviṣṭakṛt offering of the Aśvamedha sacrifice
In the Brāhmaṇa literature, numerous sacrifices are discussed thoroughly. So, it can be said that Brāhmaṇic period was the golden age of the institution of sacrifice. Rudra played a role in some of the sacrifices described in the Brāhmaṇa period.
In the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa, Agni-Sviṣṭakṛt offerings are described. Here, in this context, it is said that gods became victorious over Asuras by the performance of the oblation to the Sviṣṭakṛt fire. The blood of horse was offered to the Sviṣṭakṛt fire.[1] From this connection, it can be understood that one who offers the horse’s blood to Sviṣṭakṛt fire, he became victorious over Asuras.
Rudra is called Sviṣṭakṛt Agni. The first oblation is offered with gomṛgakaṇṭha to Sviṣṭakṛt Agni. The animals are mentioned as go and mṛga. By this offering, it is desired that the animals will be kept away from Rudra.[2]
The aśvaśapha or horse-hoof is the second offering which is offered to Sviṣṭakṛt Agni. The animals are mentioned as ekaśapha. By this offering to Sviṣṭakṛt Agni who is Rudra the animals are kept hide from Rudra.[3] Sāyaṇācārya clarifies the term ekaśapha as the body of the horse.[4]
The third oblation is offered with kamaṇḍalu to Rudra or Agni Sviṣṭakṛt. Rudra is Agni Sviṣṭakṛt. The prajā are intended to be kept away from Rudra by this offering. Where this oblation is offered, Rudra never injures the creatures or prajā in that place.[5] The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa describes the similar offerings in the Aśvamedha kāṇḍa.[6]
From the above discussion, it can be understood that Rudra receives his sacrificial portion as an appearance of Agni. So, here Rudra is called Agni Sviṣṭakṛt. Three oblations are offered to Rudra for the protection of animals and human beings from Rudra.
A reference has been found in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa where Rudra is called Uccheṣaṇabhāga. Here, it is said that the last or remaining portion of the Rājasūya sacrifice is offered to Rudra. Oblations are offered to Rudra in the north quarter. This region is mentioned as the quarter of Rudra.[7]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
gomṛgakaṇṭhena prathamāmāhutiṃ juhoti | paśavo vai gomṛgaḥ | rudro’gnisviṣṭakṛt | rudrādeva paśunantardadhāti | Ibid., 3.9.11.44
[3]:
aśvaśaphena dvitīyāmāhutiṃ juhoti | paśavo vā ekaśapham | rudro’gnisviṣṭakṛt | Ibid., 3.9.11.45
[5]:
[6]:
Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa, 13.3.4.3-5