Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Vrishesha and Dvijeshvara incarnations of Shiva’ 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.
26. Vṛṣeśa and Dvijeśvara incarnations of Śiva
Lord Śiva assumed the form of a bull for the welfare of the world.[1] In the Ṛgveda, Rudra is called as Vṛṣabha. Though Sāyaṇācārya explains this meaning differently but in literary meaning it can be taken as a bull. In the Śiva Purāṇa, it is stated that once upon a time, there was a king named Bhadrāyu. Śiva assuming the form of a bull blessed Bhadrāyu. In order to test his dedication, lord Śiva manifests himself as a Brāhmaṇa known as Dvijeśvara.[2]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid., 3.22-23
[2]:
taddharmasya parīkṣārthaṃ punarāvirbabhūba saḥ | dvijeśvarasvarūpeṇa tadeva kathayāmyaham || Ibid., 3.27.3