Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)

by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words

This page relates ‘Shatarudriya-homa’ 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.

20. Śatarudriya-homa

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In the context of the Agnicayana, Śatarudriyahoma is performed. In this ceremony, 425 oblations are offered to the hundred Rudras or hundred forms of Rudra, the representative of life and nature in their more dreadful phases. Agni is the fire altar, has on completion become Rudra. This ceremony is performed to turn away his wrath and to obtain his favour.^[1] In the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, it is said that when the construction of the fire altar is completed, he (Agni) becomes Rudra.^[2] In another reference it is mentioned that—being afraid of Rudra, the gods collected food for him under the command of Prajāpati. Gods appeased Rudra with this food. That food by which the god Rudra was appeased was called Śatarudriya. Since hundred headed Rudra was propitiated by that food. That food was called Śataśīrṣa Rudraśamanīya, Śataśīrṣa Rudradamanīya and Śatarudriya.^[3]

Śatarudriya is called Mahaduktham [Mahaduktha] or great litany.^[4] It is recited on the Mahāvrata day.^[5]

In the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, Rudra is mentioned as Drāpi, Andhasaspati, Nīlalohita^[6] as well as in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa, Rudra is known by a new name Krayī and here it is mentioned that Rudra kills by this name.^[7]