Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)

by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words

This page relates ‘Rudra as Duregavyuti’ 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.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

2.23. Rudra as Dūregavyūtī

This epithet is ascribed to Bhava and Śarva jointly in the Atharvaveda.[1] According to Griffith, Bhava and Śarva are mentioned as the possessor ‘of wild dominion.’[2]

Sāyaṇācārya explains the term dūregavyūtī as:

gāvo gayante miśrībhavanti sañcarantyasminniti gavyūtiḥ gosañcārabhūmiḥ | dūre viprakṛṣṭe yayostau dūregavyūtī | gosañcāradeśād dūradeśe vartamānāvityarthaḥ.[3]

From Sāyaṇa’s interpretation, it can be understood that they (Bhava and Śarva) remain far from the place where cows are moving.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

sahasrākṣau vṛtrahaṇā huve’haṃ dūregavyūtī stuvannemyugrau | Atharvaveda-saṃhitā, 4.28.3

[2]:

Vide, Griffith, R.T.H., The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda, Vol.I, p.169

[3]:

Sāyaṇa on Atharvaveda-saṃhitā, 4.28.3

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