Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘3a. Rudra in the Shulagava 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.
3a. Rudra in the Śūlagava sacrifice
In the Śāṅkhāyana Śrautasūtra, the Śūlagava sacrifice is described. This ceremony is performed for Rudra. In this ritual, a spit-ox or śūlagava is offered to Rudra for bringing good fortune.[1] This sacrifice is performed in a pure pakṣa having fast under a propitious constellation in the north-eastern direction.[2] In this ceremony, Rudra is addressed as Bhuvapati, Bhuvanapati, Bhūtapati, Bhūtānāṃ Pati, Mahato Bhūtasya Pati.[3]