Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)

by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words

This page relates ‘Rudra as Shitikantha’ 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.

2.17. Rudra as Śitikaṇṭha

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In the Ṛgveda, Rudra is addressed as Śvitīc^[1] which is illustrated by Sāyaṇācārya as:

śvitīce śvaityamañcate.^[2]

The word śvitīc reflects the white colour of Rudra. In the Śatarudriya section of the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā, Rudra is mentioned as Śitikaṇṭha or white-throated.^[3] Mahīdhara remarks in this context that since he (Rudra) drank poison, his neck became blue in colour. The commentator also said that śitiḥ means śveta and besides this blue portion of his neck, rest of the portion is white in colour.^[4] In the Purāṇic literature, lord Śiva is depicted as Śitikaṇṭha.^[5] In the Rāmāyaṇa, Māhādeva is called Śitikaṇṭha.^[6]

The Purāṇic Encyclopaedia mentioning the reference of the Anuśāsanaparva of the Mahābhārata stated that Śiva, becoming angry, threw his triśūla into the sacrifice. After destroying the sacrifice his triśūla hit Nārāyaṇa. Śiva rushed towards Nārāyaṇa. Then Nārāyaṇa held Śiva’s throat with his hands. As a result of that Śiva’s throat became dark blue in colour. From that day, he is known as Śitikaṇṭha.^[7]