Aadhibhouthika Aadhyaathmika and Aadhidhaivika

What are the functions of these Rudras?

The Rudras turn the intellect (Buddhi) towards sensuous objects and thrust the individual in the sea of (worldly life). The Paramatama (Supreme Spirit) is master of all the Rudras. Only the man who has conquered the eleven Rudras can expect to realize the Supreme.

Who are the eleven Rudras?

They are: the five organs of action (karmendriyas), the five organs of perception (jnanendriyas) and the mind. Man must seek to control as much as possible these eleven organs. From ancient times, the sages have stressed the supreme importance of sense-control as the means to God-realization.

The Rudras, in association with the Buddhi [the intellect], enter the. minds of people and cause them various types of difficulties and worries.

Of these difficulties, three types are predominant in the world.

They are Aadhibhouthika, Aadhyaathmika, and Aadhidhaivika.

Aadhibhouthika refers to difficulties caused by the five elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) and the five sheaths (relating to food, life, mind, awareness and bliss). These sufferings are caused by human beings, animals, insects or other creatures.

Aadhyaathmika refers to sufferings caused by Vaatha [wind], Pittha [bile], and Kapha [phlegm]. Aadhidhaivika refers to the calamities caused to man by floods, drought, storms, earthquakes, and similar natural disasters.

The eleven Rudras are the cause for all these sufferings. The whole world is permeated by the Rudras. Only Aadhidaivika has an element of security. Whatever emanates from Rudra is fraught with fear.

The name itself testifies to the dangerous power implicit in it. Rudhram means that which induces fear. The eleven Rudras are dreadful in form. These dreadful entities enter the minds of human beings and subject them to all kinds of afflictions.

While the Rudras are inflicting sufferings on mankind in various ways, by the control of the senses, if humans turn their minds towards God and devote themselves to Godly pursuits, they will find their path to Moksha [liberation]. Moksha means getting rid of Moha [the delusions relating to the physical].

The Mahashivaratri festival has been designed to subdue these Rudras. With sense control the Rudras can be controlled. Control of senses is, however, not easy. Even if evil impulses from external sources are controlled, those arising from within cannot be easily controlled. But if, at least on one night out of 365 days in a year, the senses are brought under control, then peace may be experienced and the quest for liberation may be initiated.

When the entire night is dedicated to the chanting of the Lord's name, one's mind, speech, and senses all get centered on God. This is a form of sense control. When this is done, people can realize the Supreme.

The Lord is experienced as Sath-Chith-Aananda. Sath is Being, that which is eternally present. Chith is awareness (or consciousness). Chith is like water. When Sath (as sugar) is combined with Chith (as water) you have neither sugar not water, but syrup. The combination of Sath and Chith results in Aananda [Bliss]. When the unchanging, eternal Divinity unites with the changing and inert Prakrithi [nature], you have Aananda.

The significance of Mahashivaratri is that it is an auspicious occasion when Sath-Chith-Aanandha can be experienced.