Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘4e. Rudra, for prosperity’ 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.
4e. Rudra, for prosperity
According to the Hiraṇyakeśi Gṛhyasūtra, an oblation is offered to Rudra for success in trade.[1] This oblation is offered to Īśāna along with other gods.[2] Īśāna is other name of Rudra. The yajamāna cuts off some portion from every article of trade and sacrifice it uttering the mantra—‘If we trade, O gods, trying by our wealth to acquire new wealth, O gods may Soma thereon bestow splendour, Agni, Indra, Bṛhaspati and Īśāna svāhā.’[3]
According to the Āpastamba Dharmasūtra, one must clean the remnants of food left in the place where he has taken food and take those away. After that one must sprinkle water on that place and then with the help of a stick remove the remaining food from the cooking vessel. Then one must wash the vessels with water and take the remaining food to a clean place in the north region and offer to Rudra. In this way, the householder makes his house prosperous.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Hiraṇyakeśī-gṛhyasūtra, 1.4.14.8
[2]:
Ibid., 1.4.15.1
[3]:
Vide, Max Müller, F., The Sacred Books of the East, Vol.XXX, pp, 177-178