Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rudra as Kapardin’ 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.
2.16. Rudra as Kapardin
In the Ṛgveda, Rudra is designated as Kapardin or one having braided hair.[1]
Sāyaṇācārya in his commentary of the Ṛgveda, construes the term kapardin as:
kapardinaṃ jaṭābhiryuktam.[2]
Uvaṭa takes the term kapardin as:
In another mantra of the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā, Mahīdhara explains the word kapardin thus:
kapardine jaṭilāya.[4]
From these references, it is clear that Kapardin is one who has matted hair.
The word kapardin is repeatedly used as an epithet of Śiva in the Purāṇas.[5] Besides these, lord Śiva is known as Jaṭila, Jaṭin, Śikhaṇḍin,[6] Jaṭādhara[7] also. These names signify his braided hair.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ṛgveda,1.114.5; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā, 16.29;43;48
[3]:
Uvaṭa on Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā, 16.43
[4]:
Mahīdhara, Ibid., 16.48
[5]:
Vāyu-purāṇa, 1.54.69; 2.35.163; Liṅga-purāṇa, 1.18.33; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa, 2.25.12
[7]:
sarvajñaḥ sarvadevādigiridhanvā jaṭādharaḥ | Ibid., 1.98.30