Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rudra as Nilalohita’ 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.
2.10. Rudra as Nīlalohita
Nīlalohita is another name of Rudra. Nīlalohita is described as having blue-neck and red elsewhere.[1]
Mahīdhara states that:
According to P.M. Rath, Nīlalohita is smoke-covered fire. The reason behind this is that the word nīla signifies the darkness of the smoke and the term lohita or red represents the flame of the fire.[3] In the commentary of the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā 16.47, Mahīdhara addresses Rudra as śiva.
Brahmā created Rudra as his son. Rudra is also known as Nīlalohita in different Purāṇas.[4] It is already mentioned in the previous chapter that Rudra is a manifestation of Śiva. There is no difference between Rudra and Śiva. One who is Śiva, he too is Rudra.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
drāpe andhasaspate daridra nīlalohita | Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā,16.47
[2]:
Mahīdhara, Ibid.
[4]:
Vāyu-purāṇa, 1.27.4; Bhāgavata-purāṇa, 3.2.7; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa, 1.9.22