Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rudra as Krittivasa’ 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.
2.13. Rudra as Kṛttivāsa
In the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā, Rudra is called Kṛttiṃ Vasāna[1] and Kṛttivāsā.[2] Uvaṭa construes the term kṛtti as:
And
kṛttivāsā as carmavasanaḥ.[4]
From this, it can be known that Rudra’s attire is made of skin.
Śiva is extolled as Kṛttivāsa in different Purāṇas.[5] In the Śiva Purāṇa, an interesting story has been depicted regarding this name. Śiva wore Gajāsura’s skin after killing him by means of his trident. From that very day, Śiva is known as Kṛttivāsa.[6] In the earlier chapter, this story has been described in detail.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
avatatadhanvā pinākāvasaḥ kṛttivāsā ahiṃsannaḥ śivo’tīhi || Ibid., 3.61
[3]:
Uvaṭa, Ibid., 16.51
[4]:
Uvaṭa, Ibid., 3.61
[5]:
Kūrma-purāṇa, 1.25.90; Vāyu-purāṇa, 2.35.192; Śiva-purāṇa, 4.35.8; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa, 2.25.14