Anutap

An incident happened yesterday in my life that kind of made me repent a lot on some of my actions in the past.

Before I move about confessing my wrong, let me put a few words on the intention or feelings based on which I started this blog.

My feelings were blind, headless (no wonder I have Ketu in almost conjunction with my Ascendant, astrologically speaking)- it was a fire inside to tell the world about Shiva, that he is much more than mere Rudra in Vedas, Mahadeva in Puranas and even more than Sadashiva mentioned in Shiv Purana. Shiva is Truth that we see all around us.

Anyway, to express my self, I found paintings, writings all over the internet and selectively edited them and pasted on my blog.

This act was more like the passion of Shiva when Sati died. He continued his tandava, without thinking a moment that what effect it could have to the universe.

However, there is always the sudarshan chakra of Vishnu that cut Sati's body into 52 parts and made Him stop his dance of destruction.

(Image from : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/artimages/pc83.jpg)

For my blog too, I have posted many articles and particularly beautiful paintings to portray just one message- my love for Shiva. However, in doing so, I did not give due credit to the source of these paintings as I never thought it to be important. My only motive was to express myself in which ever means possible, from which ever source available.

However, I now realise that this act was not correct and I realised this from a mail sent by a blessed soul - the sudarshan chakra, Mr. Kapil Goel from Exotic India (http://www.exoticindia.com)

Sent: Tue 1/31/2006 1:29 PM

To: explore_vulcan@yahoo.com

Subject: Satyam Shivam Sundaram

Namaste Souvik,

Thank you for sharing.

I noticed that you are using our images on your blog. Though youare welcome to reproduce our images for non-commercial uses,kindly do so with the necessary credits and link to http://www.exoticindiaart.com

In case you are unable to provide the credit to the source, I request you to kindly remove the images from your page.

Warm regards,

Kapil Goel

Exotic India

http://www.exoticindia.com

I would be doing the following to rectify my mistake over the next one week:

1) Include all the image links and article links in all possible articles. I shall try my best to recollect as many links as possible and if I have missed out any, I would request the readers to correct me.

2) Put all the links of root websites from which I have taken the images in the links section of the blog. However, I may not recollect all the links or may miss some of the articles. In that respect I would be grateful if the readers could point out such lapses on my part.

Last but not the least, I would like to apologize to Exotic India and all other websites from whom I had taken the wonderful visual descriptions of Shiva for not giving them their due credit and would also like to thank Exotic India to give me an oppurtunity to revist all my blog articles once again and re-instill the spirit of devotion to the Only One, the Ultimate Truth- Shiva.

Om Namah Shivay!

Shivaya Namah Om!

~ Souvik

Adbhut Roop

Neither a man, nor a bird, nor a lion nor any other creature. In this adbhut roopa Devadidev Mahadev transcends any form imaginable by a human mind-he is none other than Sharbhesha.

In Sharbhesha rupa, his composite form transcends human iconography.

As Sharbhesha, he combines the forms of man, bird and lion.

Vishnu was too proud of his Narsimha incarnation, which combined man and lion.

To subdue Vishnu's pride, Shiva incarnated as Sharbhesha.

(Image from : http://www.gubloo.com/product/HE52/)

Apar Dhan

Dear readers,

While surfing, I found a great web-site with on-line books.

May interest some readers.

http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/

I shall also include the links in my blog main page.

The two pdfs and an executable e-book for windows are uploaded in the Files section of my group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/navlakshya/files/Shiva_Documents/

Files: saiva_dharma_shastras.pdf & saiva_dharma_shastras_orders.pdf

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/navlakshya/files

File: Nandinatha_Sutras-PC.exe

Bom Bom Bhole!

Souvik

Aadi Anadi

Na mrityur na shanka na jatibhedah

Pita naibo main naibo mata na janma

Na bandhurna mitrang gururnaibo shishyah,

Sachchidanandarupa Shivohom Shivohom

Na punyong na papong na shaukhyong na dukhong

Na mantro na tirtha na vedah na yagah

Ahang bhojanang naibo bhojyong na bhokta

Chidanandarupah Shivohom Shivohom

Translation:

I am beyond death, I am beyond doubts I am beyond divisions.

No one is my father, none my mother, nor was I born

Neither brother nor friend, neither teacher nor pupil,

I am only truth, ecstasy and consciousness, I am Shiva. I am Shiva

Nothing is sin for me, nothing is holy, sadness and happiness are not known to me

I don't need chanting, nor holy places, no veda no yagna

I am neither food, nor do I eat nor am I the enjoyer of these

My abode is always a conscious happiness. I am Shiva... I am Shiva.

Alochana-Rudra in the Vedas

RUDRÁ
This god occupies a subordinate position in the RV., being celebrated in only three entire hymns, in part of another, and in one conjointly with Soma. His hand, his arms, and his limbs are mentioned. He has beautiful lips and wears braided hair. His colour is brown; his form is dazzling, for he shines like the radiant sun, like gold. He is arrayed with golden ornaments, and wears a glorious necklace (niská). He drives in a car. His weapons are often referred to: he holds the thunderbolt in his arm, and discharges his lightning shaft from the sky; but he is usually said to be armed with a bow and arrows, which are strong and swift.
Rudra is very often associated with the Maruts (i. 85). He is their father, and is said to have generated them from the shining udder of the cow Prsni.
He is fierce and destructive like a terrible beast, and is called a bull, as well as the ruddy (arusá) boar of heaven. He is exalted, strongest of the strong, swift, unassailable, unsurpassed in might. He is young and unaging, a lord (ísana) and father of the world. By his rule and univeral dominion be is aware of the doings of men and gods, He is bountiful (midhváms), easily invoked and auspicious (sivá). But he is usually regarded as malevolent; for the hymns addressed to him chiefly express fear of his terrible shafts and deprecation of his wrath. He is implored not to slay or injure, in his anger, his worshippers and their belongings, but to avert his great malignity and his cow-slaying, man-slaying bolt from them, and to lay others low. He is, however, not purely maleficent like a demon. He not only preserves from calamity, but bestows blessings. His healing powers are especially often mentioned; he has a thousand remedies, and is the greatest physician of physicians. In this connexion be has two exclusive epithets, jálasa, cooling, and jálasa-bhesaja, possessing cooling remedies.
The physical basis represented by Rudra is not clearly apparent. But it seems probable that the phenomenon underlying his nature was the storm, not pure and simple, but in its baleful aspect seen in the destructive agency of lightning. His healing and beneficent powers would then have been founded partly on the fertilizing and purifying action of the thunderstorm, and partly on the negative action of sparing those whom be might slay. Thus the deprecations of his wrath led to the application of the euphemistic epithet sivá which became the regular name of Rudra's historical successor in post-Vedic mythology.
The etymological sense of the name is somewhat uncertain, but would be 'Howler' according to the usual derivation from rud cry.

Alochana-Atharva Veda

We find mention of Rudra even in the Atharva Veda. Mentioned below is the English translation of the portion of the Atharva Veda from "Hymns of the Atharva-Veda" translated by Maurice Bloomfield, 1897

I. Charms to Cure Diseases and Possession by Demons of Disease (Bhaishagykni)

VI, 90. Charm against internal pain (colic), due to themissiles of Rudra.

1. The arrow that Rudra did cast upon thee, into (thy) limbs,and into thy heart, this here do we now draw out away from thee.
2. From the hundred arteries which are distributed along thylimbs, from all of these do we exorcise forth the poisons.
3. Adoration be to thee, O Rudra, as thou casteth (thy arrow);adoration to the (arrow) when it has been placed upon (the bow); adorationto it as it is being hurled; adoration to it when it has fallen down!

If we do consider Kala as another rupa of Rudra, we see that in section X of the Veda
(X. Cosmogonic and Theosophic Hymns) reference of the following:

XIX, 53. Prayer to Kâla (time), personified as a primordial power.

1. Time, the steed, runs with seven reins (rays), thousand-eyed, ageless, rich in seed. The seers, thinking holy thoughts, mount him, all the beings (worlds) are his wheels.
2. With seven wheels does this Time ride, seven naves has he, immortality is his axle. He carries hither all these beings (worlds). Time, the first god, now hastens onward.
3. A full jar has been placed upon Time; him, verily, we see existing in many forms. He carries away all these beings (worlds); they call him Time in the highest heaven.
4. He surely did bring hither all the beings (worlds), he surely did encompass all the beings (worlds). Being their father, he became their son; there is, verily, no other force, higher than he.
5. Time begot yonder heaven, Time also (begot) these earths. That which was, and that which shall be, urged forth by Time, spreads out.
6. Time created the earth, in Time the sun burns. In Time are all beings, in Time the eye looks abroad.
7. In Time mind is fixed, in Time breath (is fixed), in Time names (are fixed); when Time has arrived all these creatures rejoice.
8. In Time tapas (creative fervour) is fixed; in Time the highest (being is fixed); in Time brahma (spiritual exaltation) is fixed; Time is the lord of everything, he was the father of Pragâpati.
9. By him this (universe) was urged forth, by him it was begotten, and upon him this (universe) was founded. Time, truly, having become the brahma (spiritual exaltation), supports Parameshthin (the highest lord).
10. Time created the creatures (pragâh), and Time in the beginning (created) the lord of creatures (Prâgapati); the self-existing Kasyapa and the tapas (creative fervour) from Time were born.

XIX, 54. Prayer to Kâla (time), personified as a primordial power.

1. From Time the waters did arise, from Time the brahma (spiritual exaltation), the tapas (creative fervour), the regions (of space did arise). Through Time the sun rises, in Time he goes down again.
2. Through Time the wind blows, through Time (exists) the great earth; the great sky is fixed in Time. In Time the son (Pragâpati) begot of yore that which was, and that which shall be.
3. From Time the Riks arose, the Yagus was born from Time; Time put forth the sacrifice, the imperishable share of the gods.
4. Upon Time the Gandharvas and Apsarases are founded, upon Time the worlds (are founded), in Time this Angiras and Atharvan rule over the heavens.
5. Having conquered this world and the highest world, and the holy (pure) worlds (and) their holy divisions; having by means of the brahma (spiritual exaltation) conquered all the worlds, Time, the highest God, forsooth, hastens onward.

Alochana-Yajur Veda

We do find a complete Prapathaka on Rudra when we reach Yajur Veda. Apart from this, there is also mention of Rudra in Kanda II, Prapathaka 2 (verse 10).

The original Sanskrit text is not available with me and thus I had to rely on the translation of "Yajur Veda- The Veda of the Black Yajus School, entitledTaittiriya Sanhita by Arthru Berriedale Keith, 1914"

Kanda II, Prapathaka 2. The special sacrifices
10. Offerings to Soma, Rudra, and Agniii.
ii.2. 10.
Yonder sun did not shine, the gods sought an atonement for him, for him they offered this oblation to Soma and Rudra: verily thereby they bestowed brightness upon him. If he desires to become resplendent, he should offer for him this oblation to Soma and Rudra; verily he has recourse to Soma and Rudra with their own portion; verily they bestow upon him splendour; he becomes resplendent. He should offer on the full moon day of the month Tisya; Tisya is Rudra [1], the full moon is Soma; verily straightway he wins splendour. He makes him sacrifice on an enclosed (altar), to acquire splendour. The butter is churned from milk of a white (cow) with a white calf; butter is used for the sprinkling, and they purify themselves with butter; verily he produces whatever splendour exists. 'Too much splendour is produced', they say, 'he is liable to become a leper'; he should insert the verses of Manu's; whatever Manu said is medicine [2]; verily he makes medicine for him. If he fear, 'I shall become a leper', he should offer an oblation to Soma and Pusan; man has Soma as his deity, cattle are connected with Pusan; verily he makes him a skin by means of his own deity and cattle; he does not become a leper. He who desires offspring should offer an oblation to Soma and Rudra; Soma is the bestower of seed, Agni is the begetter of offspring; verily Soma bestows on him seed, Agni begets offspring; he obtains [3] offspring. He who practises witchcraft should offer an oblation to Soma and Rudra; man has Soma as his deity, Agni is this Rudra; verily ransoming him from his own deity he entrusts him to Rudra; swiftly he attains ruin. He who is long ill should offer an oblation to Soma and Rudra; the sap of him who is long ill goes to Soma, the body to Agni; verily from Soma he ransoms his sap, from Agni his body; even if [4] his life be gone, he yet lives. The Hotr loosens him that is swallowed by Soma and Rudra and he is liable to be ruined; an ox must be given by the Hotr; the ox is a carrier, the Hotr is a carrier; verily he saves himself as a carrier by means of a carrier. He who desires, 'In his own abode may I produce a foe for him', should offer an oblation to Soma and Rudra; selecting an altar he should dig up half, and half not, spread half the strew, and half not, pile on half the kindling-wood and half not; verily in his own abode he produces a foe for him.

Kanda IV, Prapathaka 5. The Offerings to Rudra

iv. 5. 1. The appeasing of Rudra
Homage to thy wrath, O Rudra,To thine arrow homage also;Homage to thy bow,And homage to thine arms.
With thy most kindly arrow,And kindly bow,With thy kindly missile,Be gentle to us, O Rudra.
That body of thine, O Rudra, which is kindly,Not dread, with auspicious look,With that body, most potent to heal,O haunter of the mountains, do thou look on us.
The arrow which, O haunter of mountains,In thy hand [1] thou bearest to shoot,That make thou kindly, O guardian of mountains;Harm not the world of men.
With kindly utterance theeWe address, O liver on the mountains,That all our folkBe free from sickness and of good cheer.
The advocate hath spoken in advocacy,The first divine leech,Confounding all the serpentsAnd all sorceries.
The dusky, the ruddy,The brown, the auspicious,And the Rudras which in thousandsLie around this (earth) in the quarters [2],Their wrath do we deprecate.
He who creepeth away,Blue-necked and ruddy,Him the cowherds have seen,Have seen the bearers of waterAnd him all creatures;May be, seen, be gentle unto us.
Homage to the blue-necked,Thousand-eyed one, the bountifulAnd to those that are his warriors I have paid my homage.
Unfasten from the two notchesOf thy bow the bowstring,And cast thou downThe arrows in thy hand [3].
Unstringing thy bow,Do thou of a thousand eyes and a hundred quivers,Destroying the points of thine arrows,Be gentle and kindly to us.
Unstrung is the bow of him of the braided hairAnd arrowless his quiver;His arrows have departed,Empty is his quiver.
O most bountiful one, the missileThat is in thy hand, thy bow,With it on all sides do thou guard us,Free from sickness.
Homage to thy weapon,Unstrung, dread;And homage to thy two hands,To thy bow.
May the missile from thy bowAvoid us on every side,And do thou lay far from us This quiver that is thine.

iv. 5. 2. The double offering of homage to Rudra
Homage to the golden-armed leader of hosts, and to the lord of the quarters homage!
Homage to the trees with green tresses, to the lord of cattle homage!
Homage to the one who is yellowish-red like young grass, to the radiant, to the lord of paths homage!
Homage to the brown one, to the piercer, to the lord of food homage!
Homage to the green-haired, wearer of the cord, to the lord of prosperity homage!
Homage to the dart of Bhava, to the lord of the moving world homage!
Homage to Rudra, with bent bow, to the lord of fields homage!h Homage to the minstrel, the inviolate, to the lord of the woods homage!
Homage [1] to the ruddy one, the ruler, to the lord of woods homage!
Homage to the minister, the trader, to the lord of thickets homage!
Homage to the extender of the world, the offspring of the maker of room, to the lord of plants homage!
Homage to the loud calling, the screaming, to the lord of footmen homage!
Homage to the wholly covered, to the running, to the lord of warriors homage!

iv. 5. 3. The double offering of homage to Rudra
Homage to the strong, the piercing, to the lord of assailers homage!
Homage to the leader, the holder of the quiver, to the lord of thieves homage!

Homage to the holder of the quiver, to the owner of the quiver, to the lord of robbers homage!d Homage to the cheater, the swindler, to the lord of burglars homage!

Homage to the glider, to the wanderer around, to the lord of the forests homage!

Homage to the bolt-armed destructive ones, to the lord of pilferers homage!

Homage to the bearers of the sword, the night wanderers, to the lord of cut-purses homage!

Homage to the turbaned wanderer on the mountains, to the lord of pluckers homage!

Homage [1] to you, bearers of arrows, and to you, bowmen, homage!

Homage to you that string (the bow), and to you that place (on the arrow), homage!

Homage to you that bend (the bow), and to you that let go the arrow) homage!

Homage to you that hurl, and to you that pierce homage!

Homage to you that art seated, and to you that lie homage!o Homage to you that sleep, and to you that wake homage!

Homage to you that stand, and to you that run homage!

Homage to you assemblies, and to you, lords of assemblies, homage!

Homage to you horses, and to you, lords of horses, homage!

iv. 5. 4. The double offering of homage to Rudra

Homage to you that wound, and to you that pierce homage!

Homage to you that are in bands, and to you that are destructive homage!

Homage to you sharpers, and to you, lords of sharpers, homage!

Homage to you hosts, and to you, lord of hosts, homage!

Homage to you troops, and to you, lords of troops, homage

Homage to you of misshapen form, and to you of all forms homage!

Homage to you that are great, and to you that are small homage!

Homage to you that have chariots, and to you that are chariotless homage!

Homage to you chariots [1], and to you, lords of chariots, homage!

Homage to you hosts, and to you, lords of hosts, homage!

Homage to you, doorkeepers, and to you, charioteers, homage!

Homage to you, carpenters, and to you, makers of chariots, homage!

Homage to you, potters, and to you, smiths, homage!

Homage to you, Puñjistas, and to you, Nisadas, homage!

Homage to you, makers of arrows, and to you, makers of bows, homage!

Homage to you, hunters, and to you, dog-leaders, homage!

Homage to you dogs, and to you, lords of dogs, homage!

iv. 5. 5. The single offering of homage to Rudra

Homage to Bhava and to Rudra.

Homage to Çarva and to the lord of cattle.

Homage to the blue-necked one, and to the white-throated.

Homage to the wearer of braids, and to him of shaven hair.

Homage to him of a thousand eyes, and to him of a hundred bows.

Homage to him who haunteth the mountains, and to Çipivista.

Homage to the most bountiful, and to the bearer of the arrow.

Homage to the short, and to the dwarf.

Homage to the great, and to the stronger.

Homage to him who hath waxed, and to the waxing.

Homage to the chief, and to the first.

Homage to the swift, and to the active.

Homage to the rapid, and to the hasty.

Homage to him of the wave, and to the roaring.

Homage to him of the stream, and to him of the island.

iv. 5. 6. The single offering of homage to Rudra

Homage to the oldest, and to the youngest.

Homage to the first born, and to the later born.

Homage to the midmost, and to the immature.

Homage to the hindmost, and to him in the depth.

Homage to Sobhya, and to him of the amulet.

Homage to him who dwelleth with Yama, and to him at peace.

Homage to him of the ploughed field, and to him of the threshing-floor.

Homage to him of fame, and to him at his end.

Homage to him of the wood, and to him of the thicket.

Homage to sound, and to echo [1].

Homage to him of the swift host, and to him of the swift car.

Homage to the hero, and the destroyer.

Homage to the armoured, and to the corsleted.

Homage to the mailed, and to the cuirassed.

Homage to the famous, and to him of a famous host.

iv. 5. 7. The single offering of homage to Rudra

Homage to him of the drum, and to him of the drumstick.

Homage to the bold, and to the cautious.

Homage to the messenger, and to the servant.

Homage to the quiver-bearer, and to the owner of the quiver.

Homage to him of the sharp arrow, and to him of the weapon.

Homage to him of the good weapon, and to him of the good bow.

Homage to him of the stream,' and to him of the way.

Homage to him of the hole,' and to him of the pool.

Homage to him of the ditch, and to him of the lake.

Homage to him of the stream, and to him of the tank

Homage to him of the cistern, and to him of the well.

Homage to him of the rain, and to him not of the rain.

Homage to him of the cloud, and to him of the lightning.

Homage to him of the cloudy sky, and to him of the heat.

Homage to him of the wind, and to him of the storm.

Homage to him of the dwelling, and to him who guardeth the dwelling.

iv. 5. 8. The single offering of homage to Rudra

Homage to Soma, and to Rudra.

Homage to the dusky one, and to the ruddy one.

Homage to the giver of weal, and to the lord of cattle.

Homage to the dread, and to the terrible.

Homage to him who slayeth in front, and to him who slayeth at a distance.

Homage to the slayer, and to the special slayer.

Homage to the trees with green tresses.

Homage to the deliverer.

Homage to the source of health, and to the source of delight.

Homage to the maker of health, and to the maker of delight.

Homage to the auspicious, and to the more auspicious.

Homage to him of the ford, and to him of the bank.

Homage to him beyond, and to him on this side.

Homage to him who crosseth over, and to him who crosseth back.

Homage to him of the crossing, and to him of the ocean.

Homage to him in the tender grass, and to him in foam.

Homage to him in the sand, and to him in the stream.

iv. 5. 9. The single offering of homage to Rudra
Homage to him in the cleft, and to him in the distance.

Homage to him dwelling in the stony and to him in habitable places.

Homage to him of braided hair, and to him of plain hair.

Homage to him who dwelleth in the cowshed, and to him of the house.

Homage to him of the bed, and to him of the dwelling.

Homage to him of the hole,' and to him of the abyss.

Homage to him of the lake, and to him of the whirlpool.

Homage to him of the dust, and to him of the mist.

Homage to him of the dry, and to him of the green.

Homage to him of the copse, and to him of the grass [1].

Homage to him in the earth, and to him in the gully.

Homage to him of the leaf, and to him of the leaf-fall.

Homage to him who growleth, and to him who smiteth away.

Homage to him who draggeth, and to him who repelleth.

Homage to you, sparkling hearts of the gods.

Homage to the destroyed.

Homage to the intelligent.

Homage to the unconquerable.

Homage to the destroyers.

iv. 5. 10. Reverses to Rudra

O chaser, lord of the Soma plants,O waster, red and blue,Frighten not nor injure(Any) of these people, of these cattle;Be not one of these injured.

That auspicious form of thine, O Rudra,Auspicious and ever healing,Auspicious and healing (form of) Rudra,With that show mercy on us for life.

This prayer we offer up to the impetuous Rudra,With plaited hair, destroyer of men,That health be for our bipeds and quadrupeds, And that all in this village be prosperous [1] and free from ill.

Be merciful to us, O Rudra, and give us delight;With honour let us worship thee, destroyer of men;The health and wealth which father Manu won by sacrifice,May we attain that, O Rudra, under thy leadership.

Neither our great, nor our small,Our waxing or what has waxed,Do thou slay, nor father nor mother;Injure not, O Rudra, our dear bodies [2].

Harm us not in our children, our descendants, our life;Harm us not in our cattle, in our horses;Smite not in anger our heroes, O Rudra;With oblations lot us serve thee with honour.

From afar to thee, slayer of cows, and slayer of men,Destroyer of heroes, be goodwill for us;Guard us and accord us aidAnd grant us protection in abundance.

Praise [3] the famous youth, mounted on the chariot seat,Dread and destructive like a fierce wild beast;Being praised, O Rudra, be merciful to the singer;Let thy missiles smite down another than us.

May the missile of Rudra spare us,May the wrath of the brilliant evil worker (pass over us);Unstring for the generous donors (thy) strong (bows);O bounteous one, be merciful to our children and descendants.

O most bounteous, most auspicious,Be auspicious and favourably inclined to us;Placing down thy weapon on the highest tree,Clad in thy skin, come,And approach us bearing the spear [4].

O blood-red scatterer,Homage to thee, O adorable one;May thy thousand missilesSmite down another than us.

A thousandfold in thousandsAre the missiles in thine arms;O adorable one, do thou turn away

The points of those which thou dost rule.

iv. 5. 11. Rc and Yajus verses to Rudra

The Rudras that are over the earthIn thousands by thousands,Their bows we unstringAt a thousand leagues.

The Bhavas in this great ocean,The atmosphere--

The Çarvas of black necks, and white throats,Who wander below on the earth--

The Rudras who abide in the sky,Of black necks and white throats--

Those who of black necks and ruddy,Grass green, are in the trees--

The overlords of creatures,Without top-knot, with braided hair--

Those that assault men in their foodAnd in their cups as they drink--

Those that guard the paths,Bearing food, warriors--

Those that resort to fords [1],With spears and quivers--

The Rudras that so many and yet more

Occupy the quarters, their bows we unstring

At a thousand leagues.

Homage to the Rudras on the earth, in the atmosphere, in the sky, whose arrows are food, wind, and rain, to them ten eastwards, ten to the south, ten to the west, ten to the north, ten upwards; to them homage, be they merciful to us, him whom we hate and him who hateth us, I place him within your jaws.

Alochana-Sama Veda

As we go on from the Rig Veda to the Sama Veda, we see that in the latter there is no direct verse relating to the praise of Rudra. However, his name does feature while in some of the hymns of other Gods and could be of academical interest in gathering more information about this Vedic God.

The Samaveda, or Veda of Holy Songs, third in the usual order of enumeration of the three Vedas, ranks next in sanctity and liturgical importance to the Rgveda or Veda of Recited praise. Its Sanhita, or metrical portion, consists chiefly of hymns to be chanted by the Udgatar priests at the performance of those important sacrifices in which the juice of the Soma plant, clarified and mixed with milk and other ingredients, was offered in libation to various deities. The Collection is made up of hymns, portions of hymns, and detached verses, taken mainly from the Rgveda, transposed and re-arranged, without reference to their original order, to suit the religious ceremonies in which they were to be employed. In these compiled hymns there are frequent variations, of more or less importance, from the text of the Rgveda as we now possess it which variations, although in some cases they are apparently explanatory, seem in others to be older and more original than the readings of the Rgveda. In singing, the verses are still further altered by prolongation, repetition and insertion of syllables, and various modulations, rests, and other modifications prescribed, for the guidance of the officiating priests, in the Ganas or Song-books. Two of these manuals, the Gramageyagdna, or Congregational, and the Aranyagana or Forest Song-Book, follow the order of the verses of part I, of the Sanhita, and two others, the Uhagana, the Uhyagana, of Part II. This part is less disjointed than part I, and is generally arranged in triplets whose first verse is often the repetition of a verse that has occurred in part I.

There is no clue to the date of the compilation of the Samaveda Hymns, nor has the compiler's name been handed down to us. Such a manual was unnecessary in the early times when the Aryans first came into India, but was required for guidance and use in the complicated ritual elaborated by the invaders after their expansion and settlement in their new homes.

There are three recensions of the text of the Samaveda Sanhita, the Kauthuma Sakha or recension is current in Guzerat, the Jaiminiya in the Carnatic, and the Ranayaniya in the Mahratta country. A translation, by Dr. Stevenson, of the Ranayaniya recension-or, rather, a free version of Sayana's paraphrase-was edited by Professor Wilson, in 1842; in 1848 Professor Benfey of Göttingen brought out an excellent edition of the same text with a metrical translation, a complete glossary, and explanatory notes; and in 1874-78 Pandit Satyavrata Samasrami of Calcutta published in the Bibliotheca Indicaa. most meritorious edition of the Sanhita according to the same recension, with Sayana's commentary, portions of the Song-books, andi other illustrative matter.

Unfortunately, I donot have the original text in Sanskrit with me at hand and so we may have to rely on this English translation. The work is translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith, 1895.

PART FIRST, BOOK I, CHAPTER I, DECADE II - Agni

1. O Agni, God, the people sing reverent praise to thee for strength: With terrors trouble thou the foe

2. I seek with song your messenger, oblation-bearer, lord of wealth, Immortal, best at sacrifice.

3. Still turning to their aim in thee the sacrificer's sister hymns Have come to thee before the wind.

4. To thee, illuminer of night, O Agni, day by day with prayer, Bringing thee reverence, we come.

5. Help, thou who knowest lauds, this work, a lovely hymn in Rudra's praise, Adorable in every house!

6. To this fair sacrifice to drink the milky draught art thou called forth: O Agni, with the Maruts come!

7. With homage will I reverence thee, Agni, like a long-tailed steed, Imperial lord of holy rites.

8. As Aurva and as Bhrigu called, as Apnavana called, I call The radiant Agni robed with sea.

9. When he enkindles Agni, man should with his heart attend the song: I kindle Agni till he glows.

10. Then, verily, they see the light refulgent of primeval seed, Kindled on yonder side of heaven.

PART FIRST, BOOK I, CHAPTER II, DECADE II - Agni

1. Present oblations, make him splendid: set ye as Hotar in his place the Home's Lord, worshipped With gifts and homage where they pour libations! Honour him meet for reverence in our houses.

2. Verily wondrous is the tender youngling's growth who never draweth nigh to drink his mother's milk. As soon as she who hath no udder bore him, he, faring on his. great errand, suddenly grew strong.

3. Here is one light for thee, another yonder: enter the third and, be therewith united. Beautiful be thy union with the body, beloved in the Gods' sublimest birthplace!

4. For Jatavedas, worthy of our praise, will we frame with our mind this eulogy as 'twere a car; For good, in his assembly, is this care of ours. Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm!

5. Agni Vaisvanara, born in course of Order, the messenger of earth, the head of heaven, The Sage, the sovran, guest of men, our vessel fit for their mouth, the Gods have generated.

6. Even as the waters from the mountain ridges, so sprang the; Gods, through lauds, from thee, O Agni. To thee speed hymns and eulogies, as horses haste, bearing him who loves the song, to battle.

7. Win to protect you, Rudra, lord of worship, priest of both worlds, effectual sacrificer, Agni, invested with his golden colours, before the thunder strike and lay you senseless!

8. The King whose face is decked with oil is kindled with homage offered by his faithful servant. The men, the priests adore him with oblations. Agni hath shone forth at the flush of morning.

9. Agni advanceth with his lofty banner: through earth and heaven the Bull hath loudly bellowed He hath come nigh from the sky's farthest limit: the Steer hath waxen in the waters' bosom.

10. From the two fire-sticks have the men engendered with thoughts, urged by the hand, the glorious Agni, Far-seen, with pointed flame, Lord of the Homestead.

PART FIRST, BOOK I, CHAPTER II, DECADE V -Agni

1. We in King Soma place our trust, in Agni, and in Varuna, The Aditya, Vishnu, Surya, and the Brahman-priest Brihaspati.

2. Hence have these men gone up on high and mounted to the heights of heaven: On! conquer on the path by which Angirasas travelled to the skies!

3. That thou mayst send us ample wealth, O Agni, we will kindler thee: So, for the great oblation, Steer, pray Heaven and Earth to come to us!

4. He runs when one calls after him, This is the prayer of him who prays. He holds all knowledge in his grasp even as the felly rounds the wheel.

5. Shoot forth, O Agni, with thy flame: demolish them on every side! Break down the Yatudhana's strength, the vigour of the Rakshasa!

6. Worship the Vasus, Agni! here, the Rudras and Adityas, all Who know fair sacrifices, sprung from Mann, scattering blessings down!

PART FIRST, BOOK II, CHAPTER I, DECADE II- Indra and others

1. Indra, with all thy saving helps assist us, Lord of power and might! For after thee we follow even as glorious bliss, thee, hero, finderout of wealth.

2. O Indra, Lord of light, what joys thou broughtest from the Asuras, Prosper therewith, O Maghavan, him who lauds that deed, and those whose grass is trimmed for thee!

3. To Aryaman and Mitra sing a reverent song, O pious one, A pleasant hymn to Varuna who shelters us: sing ye a laud unto the Kings!

4. Men with their lauds are urging thee, Indra, to drink the Soma first. The Ribhus in accord have lifted up their voice, and Rudras sung thee as the first.

5. Sing to your lofty Indra, sing, Maruts, a holy hymn of praise Let Satakratu, Vritra-slayer, slay the foe with hundred-knotted thunderbolt!

6. To Indra sing the lofty hymn, Maruts! that slays the Vritras best, Whereby the holy ones created for the God the light divine that ever wakes.

7. O Indra, give us wisdom as a sire gives wisdom to his sons Guide us, O much-invoked, in this our way: may we still live and look upon the light!

8. O Indra, turn us not away: be present with us at our feast For thou art our protection, yea, thou art our kin: O Indra, turn us not away!

9. We compass these like waters, we whose grass is trimmed and Soma pressed. Here where the filter pours its stream, thy worshippers round thee, O Vritra-slayer, sit.

10. All strength and valour that is found, Indra, in tribes of Nahushas, And all the splendid fame that the Five Tribes enjoy, bring, yea, all manly powers at once!

PART FIRST, BOOK V, CHAPTER I, DECADE V - Soma Pavamana

1. Flow forth, O Soma, flow thou onward, sweet to Indra's Mitra's, Pushan's, Bhaga's taste.

2. Run forth to battle, conquering the Vritras; thou speedest to quell the foes like one exacting debts.

3. Flow onward, Soma, as a mighty sea, as Father of the Gods, to every form.

4. Flow onward, Soma, flow for mighty strength, as a strong courser, bathed, to win the prize.

5. Fair Indu hath flowed on for rapturous joy, sage, for good fortune, in the waters' lap.

6. In thee, effused. O Soma, we rejoice ourselves for great supremacy in fight: Thou, Pavamana, enterest into mighty deeds.

7. Who are these radiant men in serried rank, Rudra's young heroes, too, with noble steeds?

8. Agni, with hymns may we now accomplish that which thou lovest, Strength, like a horse, auspicious strength with service.

9. The strong youths have come forth to view, to show their strength, God Savitar's quickening energy: Ye warrior horsemen, win the heavens.

10. Soma, flow splendid with thy copious stream in due succession through the ample fleece.

PART SECOND, BOOK VII, CHAPTER III, DECADE I - Indra

1. Men with their lauds are urging thee, Indra, to drink the Soma first. The Ribhus in accord have lifted up their voice, and Rudras sung thee as the first.

2. Indra, at sacrifice, increased his manly strength, in the wild rapture of this juice: And living men to-day, even as of old, sing forth their praises to his majesty.

PART SECOND, BOOK VIII, CHAPTER II, DECADE III - Agni

1. Help, thou who knowest lauds, this work, a lovely hymn in Rudra's praise, Adorable in every house

2. May this our God, great, limitless, smoke-bannered, excellently bright, Urge us to holy thought and wealth

3. Like soma rich lord of men, may he, Agni, the banner of the Gods, Refulgent, hear us through our lauds!

PART SECOND, BOOK VIII, CHAPTER III, DECADE XII - Asvins

1. To meet your treasure-bringing car, the car that is most dear to us, Asvins the Rishi is prepared, your worshipper with, songs of praise. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call

2. Pass, Asvins, over all away. May I obtain you for myself, Wonderful, with your golden paths, most gracious, bringers of the flood! Lovers of sweetness, hear my call!

3. Come to us, O ye Asvins twain, bringing your precious treasures, come Ye Rudras, on your paths of gold, rejoicing, with your store of wealth! Lovers of sweetness, hear my call!

Alochana-Rig Veda

The name Shiva does not feature in the Rig Veda. There is however, references of the God Rudra. In the 10 Books of the Rig Veda, there are only 5 verses dedicated to Rudra.

The Rudra of the Rigveda is a militant god of storms and lightening and a "provider of medicines". Though he did not enjoy the same status as Indra, Rudra definitely enjoyed his own importance in the Vedic pantheon because of his tempestuous nature, his association with storms and storm gods called Maruts and his ability to bring medicines to the people to prolong their lives.

He is a fierce looking god, well built and golden in color, with braided hair, "of firm limbs, multiform, strong, tawny, who adorns himself with bright gold decorations. The strength of Godhead never departs from Rudra." Father of Maruts, the Rigvedic hymns describe him eloquently, "Of your pure medicines ... those that are most wholesome and health bestowing, those which our father Manu hath selected, I crave from. Rudra for our gain and welfare."
He wields the thunder bolt, bow and arrow, and sends down streaks of lightening shaking the worlds, making people nervous with fear and trepidation and disturbing the cattle in the cow pens. Intelligent, and benevolent, he protects people from their enemies. We do not know whether the Rigvedic Rudra was a precursor to the Rudra of later times. But the resemblance in some fundamental traits between the two and the appeal to both in prayers and supplications not to harm the cattle and the people with their anger, is too evident to be ignored.

The following hymn is one such example, which in many ways sounds like a verse from the Svetavatara Upanishad, "O Rudra, harm not either great or small of us, harm not the growing boy, harm not the full-grown man. Slay not a sire among us, slay no mother here, and to our own dear bodies, Rudra, do not harm. Harm us not, Rudra, in our seed and progeny, harm us not in the living, nor in cows or steeds, Slay not our heroes in the fury of thy wrath. Bringing oblations evermore we call to thee. Even as a herdsman I have brought thee hymns of praise: O Father of the Maruts, give us happiness, Blessed is thy most favoring benevolence, so, verily, do we desire thy saving help."

Some times the hymns refer to not just one Rudra but a group of Rudras eleven in number. According to some this is a symbolic reference to the ten vital breaths and the mind or suggestive of his association with the Maruts.

I will present here the verses:

Rig Veda, Book 1

Verse 43

कद रुद्राय परचेतसे मीळ्हुष्टमाय तव्यसे

वोचेम शन्तमं हर्दे

यथा नो अदितिः करत पश्वे नर्भ्यो यथा गवे

यथा तोकाय रुद्रियम

यथा नो मित्रो वरुणो यथा रुद्रश्चिकेतति

यथा विश्वे सजोषसः

गाथपतिं मेधपतिं रुद्रं जलाषभेषजम

तच्छंयोः सुम्नमीमहे

यः शुक्र इव सूर्यो हिरण्यमिव रोचते

शरेष्ठो देवानां वसुः

शं नः करत्यर्वते सुगं मेषाय मेष्ये

नर्भ्यो नारिभ्यो गवे

अस्मे सोम शरियमधि नि धेहि शतस्य नर्णाम

महि शरवस्तुविन्र्म्णम

मा नः सोमपरिबाधो मारातयो जुहुरन्त

आ न इन्दो वाजे भज

यास्ते परजा अम्र्तस्य परस्मिन धामन्न्र्तस्य

मूर्धा नाभा सोम वेन आभूषन्तीः सोम वेदः

kad rudrāya pracetase mīḷhuṣṭamāya tavyase

vocema śantamaṃ hṛde

yathā no aditiḥ karat paśve nṛbhyo yathā ghave

yathā tokāya rudriyam

yathā no mitro varuṇo yathā rudraściketati

yathā viśve sajoṣasaḥ

ghāthapatiṃ medhapatiṃ rudraṃ jalāṣabheṣajam

tacchaṃyoḥ sumnamīmahe

yaḥ śukra iva sūryo hiraṇyamiva rocate

śreṣṭho devānāṃ vasuḥ

śaṃ naḥ karatyarvate sughaṃ meṣāya meṣye

nṛbhyo nāribhyo ghave

asme soma śriyamadhi ni dhehi śatasya nṛṇām

mahi śravastuvinṛmṇam

mā naḥ somaparibādho mārātayo juhuranta

ā na indo vāje bhaja

yāste prajā amṛtasya parasmin dhāmannṛtasya

mūrdhā nābhā soma vena ābhūṣantīḥ soma vedaḥ

Translation:

1 WHAT shall we sing to Rudra, strong, most bounteous, excellently wise,

That shall be dearest to his heart?

2 That Aditi may grant the grace of Rudra to our folk, our kine,Our cattle and our progeny;

3 That Mitra and that Varuna, that Rudra may remember us,

Yea, all the Gods with one accord.

4 To Rudra Lord of sacrifice, of hymns and balmy medicines,

We pray for joy and health and strength.

5 He shines in splendour like the Sun, refulgent as bright gold is he,

The good, the best among the Gods.

6 May he grant health into our steeds, wellbeing to our rams and ewes,

To men, to women, and to kine.

7 O Soma, set thou upon us the glory of a hundred men,

The great renown of mighty chiefs.

8 Let not malignities, nor those who trouble

Soma, hinder us.Indu, give us a share of strength.

9 Soma! head, central point, love these; Soma! know these as serving thee,

Children of thee Immortal, at the highest place of holy law.

Verse 114:

इमा रुद्राय तवसे कपर्दिने कषयद्वीराय पर भरामहे मतीः

यथा शमसद दविपदे चतुष्पदे विश्वं पुष्टंग्रामे अस्मिन्ननातुरम

मर्ळा नो रुद्रोत नो मयस कर्धि कषयद्वीराय नमसा विधेमते

यच्छं च योश्च मनुरायेजे पिता तदश्याम तवरुद्र परणीतिषु

अश्याम ते सुमतिं देवयज्यया कषयद्वीरस्य तव रुद्र मीढ्वः

सुम्नायन्निद विशो अस्माकमा चरारिष्टवीरा जुहवाम ते हविः

तवेषं वयं रुद्रं यज्ञसाधं वङकुं कविमवसे निह्वयामहे

आरे अस्मद दैव्यं हेळो अस्यतु सुमतिमिद वयमस्या वर्णीमहे

दिवो वराहमरुषं कपर्दिनं तवेषं रूपं नमसा निह्वयामहे

हस्ते बिभ्रद भेषजा वार्याणि शर्म वर्म छर्दिरस्मभ्यं यंसत

इदं पित्रे मरुतामुच्यते वचः सवादोः सवादीयो रुद्राय वर्धनम

रास्वा च नो अम्र्त मर्तभोजनं तमने तोकाय तनयाय मर्ळ

मा नो महान्तमुत मा नो अर्भकं मा न उक्षन्तमुत मान उक्षितम

मा नो वधीः पितरं मोत मातरं मा नः परियास्तन्वो रुद्र रीरिषः

मा नस्तोके तनये मा न आयौ मा नो गोषु मा नो अश्वेषुरीरिषः

वीरान मा नो रुद्र भामितो वधीर्हविष्मन्तःसदमित तवा हवामहे

उप ते सतोमान पशुपा इवाकरं रास्वा पितर्मरुतां सुम्नमस्मे

भद्रा हि ते सुमतिर्म्र्ळयत्तमाथा वयमव इत्ते वर्णीमहे

आरे ते गोघ्नमुत पूरुषघ्नं कषयद्वीर सुम्नमस्मे तेस्तु

मर्ळा च नो अधि च बरूहि देवाधा च नः शर्म यछद्विबर्हाः

अवोचाम नमो अस्मा अवस्यवः शर्णोतु नो हवं रुद्रो मरुत्वान

तन नो ...

imā rudrāya tavase kapardine kṣayadvīrāya pra bharāmahe matīḥ

yathā śamasad dvipade catuṣpade viśvaṃ puṣṭaṃghrāme asminnanāturam

mṛḷā no rudrota no mayas kṛdhi kṣayadvīrāya namasā vidhemate

yacchaṃ ca yośca manurāyeje pitā tadaśyāma tavarudra praṇītiṣu

aśyāma te sumatiṃ devayajyayā kṣayadvīrasya tava rudra mīḍhvaḥ

sumnāyannid viśo asmākamā carāriṣṭavīrā juhavāma te haviḥ

tveṣaṃ vayaṃ rudraṃ yajñasādhaṃ vaṅkuṃ kavimavase nihvayāmahe

āre asmad daivyaṃ heḷo asyatu sumatimid vayamasyā vṛṇīmahe

divo varāhamaruṣaṃ kapardinaṃ tveṣaṃ rūpaṃ namasā nihvayāmahe

haste bibhrad bheṣajā vāryāṇi śarma varma chardirasmabhyaṃ yaṃsat

idaṃ pitre marutāmucyate vacaḥ svādoḥ svādīyo rudrāya vardhanam

rāsvā ca no amṛta martabhojanaṃ tmane tokāya tanayāya mṛḷa

mā no mahāntamuta mā no arbhakaṃ mā na ukṣantamuta māna ukṣitam

mā no vadhīḥ pitaraṃ mota mātaraṃ mā naḥ priyāstanvo rudra rīriṣaḥ

mā nastoke tanaye mā na āyau mā no ghoṣu mā no aśveṣurīriṣaḥ

vīrān mā no rudra bhāmito vadhīrhaviṣmantaḥsadamit tvā havāmahe

upa te stomān paśupā ivākaraṃ rāsvā pitarmarutāṃ sumnamasme

bhadrā hi te sumatirmṛḷayattamāthā vayamava itte vṛṇīmahe

āre te ghoghnamuta pūruṣaghnaṃ kṣayadvīra sumnamasme teastu

mṛḷā ca no adhi ca brūhi devādhā ca naḥ śarma yachadvibarhāḥ

avocāma namo asmā avasyavaḥ śṛṇotu no havaṃ rudro marutvān

tan no ...

Translation:

1. To the strong Rudra bring we these our songs of praise, to him the Lord of Heroes with the braided hair,

That it be well with all our cattle and our men, that in this village all be healthy and well-fed.

2 Be gracious unto us, O Rudra, bring us joy: thee, Lord of Heroes, thee with reverence will we serve.

Whatever health and strength our father Manu won by sacrifice may we, under thy guidance, gain.

3 By worship of the Gods may we, O Bounteous One, O Rudra, gain thy grace, Ruler of valiant men.

Come to our families, bringing them bliss: may we, whose heroes are uninjured, bring thee sacred gifts,

4 Hither we call for aid the wise, the wanderer, impetuous Rudra, perfecter of sacrifice.

May he repel from us the anger of the Gods: verily we desire his favourable grace.

5 Him with the braided hair we call with reverence down, the wild-boar of the sky, the red, the dazzling shape.

May he, his hand filled full of sovran medicines, grant us protection, shelter, and a home secure.

6 To him the Maruts' Father is this hymn addressed, to strengthen Rudra's might, a song more sweet than sweet.

Grant us, Immortal One, the food which mortals eat: be gracious unto me, my seed, my progeny.

7 O Rudra, harm not either great or small of us, harm not the growing boy, harm not the full-grown man.

Slay not a sire among us, slay no mother here, and to our own dear bodies, Rudra, do not harm.

8 Harm us not, Rudra, in our seed and progeny, harm us not in the living, nor in cows or steeds,Slay not our heroes in the fury of thy wrath.

Bringing oblations evermore we call to thee.

9 Even as a herdsman I have brought thee hymns of praise: O Father of the Maruts, give us happiness,

Blessed is thy most favouring benevolence, so, verily, do we desire thy saving help.

10 Far be thy dart that killeth men or cattle: thy bliss be with us, O thou Lord of Heroes.

Be gracious unto us, O God, and bless us, and then vouchsafe us doubly-strong protection.

11 We, seeking help, have spoken and adored him: may Rudra, girt by Maruts, hear our calling.

This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

Rig Veda, Book 2

Verse 33

आ ते पितर्मरुतां सुम्नमेतु मा नः सूर्यस्य सन्द्र्षो युयोथाः

अभि नो वीरो अर्वति कषमेत पर जायेमहि रुद्र परजाभिः

तवादत्तेभी रुद्र शन्तमेभिः शतं हिमा अशीय भेषजेभिः

वयस्मद दवेषो वितरं वयंहो वयमीवाश्चातयस्वा विषूचीः

शरेष्ठो जातस्य रुद्र शरियासि तवस्तमस्तवसां वज्रबाहो

पर्षि णः पारमंहसः सवस्ति विश्वा अभीती रपसो युयोधि

मा तवा रुद्र चुक्रुधामा नमोभिर्मा दुष्टुती वर्षभ मासहूती

उन नो वीरानर्पय भेषजेभिर्भिषक्तमं तवा भिषजां शर्णोमि

हवीमभिर्हवते यो हविर्भिरव सतोमेभी रुद्रं दिषीय

रदूदरः सुहवो मा नो अस्यै बभ्रुः सुशिप्रो रीरधन मनायै

उन मा ममन्द वर्षभो मरुत्वान तवक्षीयसा वयसा नाधमानम

घर्णीव छायामरपा अशीया विवासेयं रुद्रस्य सुम्नम

कव सय ते रुद्र मर्ळयाकुर्हस्तो यो अस्ति भेषजो जलाषः

अपभर्ता रपसो दैव्यस्याभी नु मा वर्षभ चक्षमीथाः

पर बभ्रवे वर्षभाय शवितीचे महो महीं सुष्टुतिमीरयामि

नमस्या कल्मलीकिनं नमोभिर्ग्र्णीमसि तवेषं रुद्रस्य नाम

सथिरेभिरङगैः पुरुरूप उग्रो बभ्रुः शुक्रेभिः पिपिशेहिरण्यैः

ईशानादस्य भुवनस्य भूरेर्न वा उ योषद रुद्रादसुर्यम

अर्हन बिभर्षि सायकानि धन्वार्हन निष्कं यजतं विश्वरूपम

अर्हन्निदं दयसे विश्वमभ्वं न वा ओजीयो रुद्र तवदस्ति

सतुहि शरुतं गर्तसदं युवानं मर्गं न भीममुपहत्नुमुग्रम

मर्ला जरित्रे रुद्र सतवानो.अन्यं ते अस्मन नि वपन्तु सेनाः

कुमारश्चित पितरं वन्दमानं परति नानाम रुद्रोपयन्तम

भूरेर्दातारं सत्पतिं गर्णीषे सतुतस्त्वं भेषजा रास्यस्मे

या वो भेषजा मरुतः शुचीनि या शन्तमा वर्षणो या मयोभु

यानि मनुरव्र्णीता पिता नस्ता शं च योश्चरुद्रस्य वश्मि

परि णो हेती रुद्रस्य वर्ज्याः परि तवेषस्य दुर्मतिर्महीगात

अव सथिरा मघवद्भ्यस्तनुष्व मीढ्वस्तोकाय तनयाय मर्ळ

एवा बभ्रो वर्षभ चेकितान यथा देव न हर्णीषे न हंसि

हवनश्रुन नो रुद्रेह बोधि बर्हद व. व. स.

ā te pitarmarutāṃ sumnametu mā naḥ sūryasya sandṛṣo yuyothāḥ

abhi no vīro arvati kṣameta pra jāyemahi rudra prajābhiḥ

tvādattebhī rudra śantamebhiḥ śataṃ himā aśīya bheṣajebhiḥ

vyasmad dveṣo vitaraṃ vyaṃho vyamīvāścātayasvā viṣūcīḥ

śreṣṭho jātasya rudra śriyāsi tavastamastavasāṃ vajrabāho

parṣi ṇaḥ pāramaṃhasaḥ svasti viśvā abhītī rapaso yuyodhi

mā tvā rudra cukrudhāmā namobhirmā duṣṭutī vṛṣabha māsahūtī

un no vīrānarpaya bheṣajebhirbhiṣaktamaṃ tvā bhiṣajāṃ śṛṇomi

havīmabhirhavate yo havirbhirava stomebhī rudraṃ diṣīya

ṛdūdaraḥ suhavo mā no asyai babhruḥ suśipro rīradhan manāyai

un mā mamanda vṛṣabho marutvān tvakṣīyasā vayasā nādhamānam

ghṛṇīva chāyāmarapā aśīyā vivāseyaṃ rudrasya sumnam

kva sya te rudra mṛḷayākurhasto yo asti bheṣajo jalāṣaḥ

apabhartā rapaso daivyasyābhī nu mā vṛṣabha cakṣamīthāḥ

pra babhrave vṛṣabhāya śvitīce maho mahīṃ suṣṭutimīrayāmi

namasyā kalmalīkinaṃ namobhirghṛṇīmasi tveṣaṃ rudrasya nāma

sthirebhiraṅghaiḥ pururūpa ughro babhruḥ śukrebhiḥ pipiśehiraṇyaiḥ

īśānādasya bhuvanasya bhūrerna vā u yoṣad rudrādasuryam

arhan bibharṣi sāyakāni dhanvārhan niṣkaṃ yajataṃ viśvarūpam

arhannidaṃ dayase viśvamabhvaṃ na vā ojīyo rudra tvadasti

stuhi śrutaṃ ghartasadaṃ yuvānaṃ mṛghaṃ na bhīmamupahatnumughram

mṛlā jaritre rudra stavāno.anyaṃ te asman ni vapantu senāḥ

kumāraścit pitaraṃ vandamānaṃ prati nānāma rudropayantam

bhūrerdātāraṃ satpatiṃ ghṛṇīṣe stutastvaṃ bheṣajā rāsyasme

yā vo bheṣajā marutaḥ śucīni yā śantamā vṛṣaṇo yā mayobhu

yāni manuravṛṇītā pitā nastā śaṃ ca yoścarudrasya vaśmi

pari ṇo hetī rudrasya vṛjyāḥ pari tveṣasya durmatirmahīghāt

ava sthirā maghavadbhyastanuṣva mīḍhvastokāya tanayāya mṛḷa

evā babhro vṛṣabha cekitāna yathā deva na hṛṇīṣe na haṃsi

havanaśrun no rudreha bodhi bṛhad v. v. s.

Translation:

1. FATHER of Maruts, let thy bliss approach us: exclude us not from looking on the sunlight.

Gracious to our fleet courser be the Hero may we transplant us, Rudra, in our children.

2 With the most saving medicines which thou givest, Rudra, may I attain a hundred winters.

Far from us banish enmity and hatred, and to all quarters maladies and trouble.

3 Chief of all born art thou in glory, Rudra, armed with the thunder, mightiest of the mighty.

Transport us over trouble to well-being repel thou from us all assaults of mis. chief.

4 Let us not anger thee with worship, Rudra, ill praise, Strong God! or mingled invocation.

Do thou with strengthening balms incite our heroes: I hear thee famed as best of all physicians.

5 May I with praise-songs win that Rudra's favour who is adored with gifts and invocations.

Ne'er may the tawny God, fair-checked, and gracious, swifthearing, yield us to this evil purpose.

6 The Strong, begirt by Maruts, hath refreshed me, with most invigorating food, imploring.

As he who finds a shade in fervent sunlight may I, uninjured, win the bliss of Rudra.

7 Where is that gracious hand of thine, O Rudra, the hand that giveth health and bringeth comfort,

Remover of the woe that Gods have sent us? O Strong One, look thou on me with compassion.

8 To him the strong, great, tawny, fair-complexioned, I utter forth a mighty hymn of praises.

We serve the brilliant God with adorations, we glorify, the splendid name of Rudra.

9 With firm limbs, multiform, the strong, the tawny adorns himself with bright gold decorations:

The strength of Godhead ne'er departs from Rudra, him who is Sovran of this world, the mighty.

10 Worthy, thou carriest thy bow and arrows, worthy, thy manyhued and honoured necklace.

Worthy, thou cuttest here each fiend to pieces: a mightier than thou there is not, Rudra.

11 Praise him the chariot-borne, the young, the famous, fierce, slaying like a dread beast of the forest.

O Rudra, praised, be gracious to the singer. let thy hosts spare us and smite down another.

12 I bend to thee as thou approachest, Rudra, even as a boy before the sire who greets him.

I praise thee Bounteous Giver, Lord of heroes: give medicines to us as thou art lauded.

13 Of your pure medicines, O potent Martits, those that are wholesomest and healthbestowing,

Those which our father Manu hath selected, I crave from. Rudra for our gain and welfare.

14 May Rudra's missile turn aside and spare us, the great wrath of the impetuous One avoid us.

Turn, Bounteous God, thy strong bow from our princes, and be thou gracious to our seed and offspring.

15 O tawny Bull, thus showing forth thy nature, as neither to be wroth, O God, nor slay us.

Here, Rudra, listen to our invocation. Loud may we speak, with heroes, in assembly.

Rig Veda, Book 6

Verse 74

सोमारुद्रा धारयेथामसुर्यं पर वामिष्टयो.अरमश्नुवन्तु

दमे-दमे सप्त रत्ना दधाना शं नो भूतं दविपदेशं चतुष्पदे

सोमारुद्रा वि वर्हतं विषूचीममीवा या नो गयमाविवेश

आरे बाधेथां निरतिं पराचैरस्मे भद्रा सौश्रवसानि सन्तु

सोमारुद्रा युवमेतान्यस्मे विश्वा तनूषु भेषजानि धत्तम

अव सयतं मुञ्चतं यन नो अस्ति तनूषु बद्धं कर्तमेनो अस्मत

तिग्मायुधौ तिग्महेती सुशेवौ सोमारुद्राविह सु मर्ळतं नः

पर नो मुञ्चतं वरुणस्य पाशाद गोपायतं नः सुमनस्यमाना

somārudrā dhārayethāmasuryaṃ pra vāmiṣṭayo.aramaśnuvantu

dame-dame sapta ratnā dadhānā śaṃ no bhūtaṃ dvipadeśaṃ catuṣpade

somārudrā vi vṛhataṃ viṣūcīmamīvā yā no ghayamāviveśa

āre bādhethāṃ nirtiṃ parācairasme bhadrā sauśravasāni santu

somārudrā yuvametānyasme viśvā tanūṣu bheṣajāni dhattam

ava syataṃ muñcataṃ yan no asti tanūṣu baddhaṃ kṛtameno asmat

tighmāyudhau tighmahetī suśevau somārudrāviha su mṛḷataṃ naḥ

pra no muñcataṃ varuṇasya pāśād ghopāyataṃ naḥ sumanasyamānā

Translation:

1. HOLD fast your Godlike sway, O Soma-Rudra: let these our sacrifices quickly reach you.

Placing in every house your seven great treasures, bring blessing to our quadrupeds and bipeds.

2 Soma and Rudra, chase to every quarter the sickness that hath visited our dwelling.

Drive Nirrti away into the distance, and give us excellent and happy glories.

3 Provide, O Soma-Rudra, for our bodies all needful medicines to heal and cure us.

Set free and draw away the sin committed which we have still inherent in our persons.

4 Armed with keen shafts and weapons, kind and loving, be gracious unto us, Soma and Rudra.

Release us from the noose of Varuna; keep us from sorrow, in your tender loving-kindness.

Rig Veda, Book 7

Verse 46

इमा रुद्राय सथिरधन्वने गिरः कषिप्रेषवे देवाय सवधाव्ने

अषाळ्हाय सहमानाय वेधसे तिग्मायुधाय भरता शर्णोतु नः

स हि कषयेण कषम्यस्य जन्मनः साम्राज्येन दिव्यस्य चेतति

अवन्नवन्तीरुप नो दुरश्चरानमीवो रुद्र जासु नो भव

या ते दिद्युदवस्र्ष्टा दिवस परि कष्मया चरति परि साव्र्णक्तु नः

सहस्रं ते सवपिवात भेषजा मा नस्तोकेषुतनयेषु रीरिषह

मा नो वधी रुद्र मा परा दा मा ते भूम परसितौ हीळितस्य

आ नो भज बर्हिषि जीवशंसे यूयं पात ...

imā rudrāya sthiradhanvane ghiraḥ kṣipreṣave devāya svadhāvne

aṣāḷhāya sahamānāya vedhase tighmāyudhāya bharatā śṛṇotu naḥ

sa hi kṣayeṇa kṣamyasya janmanaḥ sāmrājyena divyasya cetati

avannavantīrupa no duraścarānamīvo rudra jāsu no bhava

yā te didyudavasṛṣṭā divas pari kṣmayā carati pari sāvṛṇaktu naḥ

sahasraṃ te svapivāta bheṣajā mā nastokeṣutanayeṣu rīriṣah

mā no vadhī rudra mā parā dā mā te bhūma prasitau hīḷitasya

ā no bhaja barhiṣi jīvaśaṃse yūyaṃ pāta ...

Translation

1. To Rudra bring these songs, whose bow is firm and strong, the self-dependent God with swiftly-flying shafts,

The Wise, the Conqueror whom none may overcome, armed with sharp-pointed weapons: may he hear our call.

2 He through his lordship thinks on beings of the earth, on heavenly beings through his high imperial sway.

Come willingly to our doors that gladly welcome thee, and heal all sickness, Rudra., in our families.

3 May thy bright arrow which, shot down by thee from heaven, flieth upon the earth, pass us uninjured by.

Thou, very gracious God, bast thousand medicines: inflict no evil on our sons or progeny.

4 Slay us not, nor abandon us, O Rudra let not thy noose, when thou art angry, seize us.

Give us trimmed grass and fame among the living. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

Technical Details to correctly view the Sanskrit Fonts:

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