Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rudra as Jalashabheshaja’ 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.
2.8. Rudra as Jalāṣabheṣaja
This epithet reveals his (Rudra’s) medicinal powers. Vedic commentator Sāyaṇācārya explains that jalāṣabheṣaja is such a type of medicine which confers happiness and remedies. The medicines consisting of water may also be called jalāṣabheṣaja.[1] Sāyaṇācārya again states that jalāṣa means sukha (happiness). Rudra has the medicines like jalāṣa (happiness), that is why he is regarded as Jalāṣabheṣaja.[2]
In the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā, Rudra reveals the same character. Here, he is mentioned as Daivyo Bhiṣak or the physician of the gods.[3]
Mahīdhara construes the term daivyo bhiṣak as:
daivyaḥ devebhyo hitaḥ | bhiṣak roganāśakaḥ smaraṇenaiva roganāśādbhiṣaktvam.[4]
Rudra is called Bhiṣak because he is the destroyer of diseases. One can free himself from all diseases by memorising or remembering his names. He is designated as Jalāṣabheṣaja.[5] In later literature, Śiva is mentioned as Vaidya or physician[6] and Bhiṣaganuttama.[7]
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
[3]:
adhyavocadadhivaktā prathamo daivyo bhiṣak | Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā, 16.5
[4]:
Mahīdhara, Ibid.
[5]:
rudra jalāṣabheṣaja nīlaśikhaṇḍa karmakṛt | Atharvaveda-saṃhitā, 2.27.6
[6]:
anādimalasaṃsārarogavaidyāya sambhave | namaḥ śivāya śāntāya brahmaṇe liṅgamūrtaye || Kūrma-purāṇa, 1.25.80
[7]:
śākho viśākho gośākhaḥ śivo bhiṣaganuttamaḥ || Śiva-purāṇa, 4.35.19