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MANYU IN RIG VEDA. << PREVIOUS NEXT >>51.

RUDRA IN RIG VEDA: -

RUDRA : --- The name Rudra means "the Wild One" or "the Fierce God" or "Terrible". The word "Rudraksh" (Sanskrit: Rudrākşa = Rudra + Akşa "eye"), or "eye of Rudra", is used as a name both for the berry of the Rudraksha tree, and a name for a string of the prayer beads made from those seeds. Rudraksh is supposed to have medicinal value He is asked not to afflict children with disease [R.V. 7.46.2] and to keep villages free of illness [R.V. 1.114.1]. He is said to have healing remedies [R.V. 1.43.4], as the best physician of physicians [R.V. 2.33.4, and as possessed of a thousand medicines [R.V. 7.46.3]. This is described in Shiva's alternative name Vaidyanatha (Lord of Remedies). In the Rigveda Rudra's role as a frightening Devataa is apparent in references to him a "terrible",. He is "fierce like a formidable wild beast" [R.V. 2.33.11, R.V. 1.114] where he is referred to as "mighty Rudra, the god with braided hair." In [R.V.7.46], Rudra is described as armed with a bow and fast-flying arrows. Rudra discharges "brilliant shafts which run about the heaven and the earth" [R.V. 7.46]. The verse R.V. 2.33.9 calls Rudra as "The Lord or Sovereign of the Universe" (Iśānādasya Bhuvanasya) The verse [R.V. 6.49.10] calls Rudra as " The Father of the Universe" (bhuvanasya Pitara){Rudra by day, Rudra at night we honour with these our songs, the Universe's Father……} Rudra is used both as a name of Shiva and collectively ("the Rudras") as the name for the Surya. Rudra shines like Surya [R.V. 1.43.5]. Maruts acterizes the Maruts as "storm gods", associated with the atmosphere specially of the Surya/Sun. The number of Maruts varies from two to sixty (three times sixty in RV 8.96.8.). The Maruts are the”sons of Rudra" Rudra is referred to as "Father of the Maruts" in [R.V. 2.33.1] Rudra is mentioned along with a litany of other deities in [R.V.7.40.5]. There are eleven belonging to the set of Rudra. There names according to Shrimad Bhagwat (3-12.12,13 ) are as follows :--- Manyu, Manu, Mahinusa, Mahan, Shiva, Ritadhwaj, Ugrareta Bhava, Kaala, Vamadeva,and Ghratavrata,. The names of their Shakti/Rudrani is as under:--- Dhi, Vruti, Ushna, Umaa. Niyut, Sarpi, Ilaa, Ambika, Eraavati, Sudha and Dikshaa.

Sukta 1.43:---- Rudra, Mitraavaruna. Chhanda:Gayatri, Anushtup. 1) “Let us read the pleasing eulogies for the brilliant, giver of blessings and great Rudra. 2) “ Praise will inspire Prathivi to the grow medicinal plants related to Rudra for the welfare of animals, Manushya, cows, sons, etc. 3) “ Our praises should satisfy Mitra, Varuna and Rudra Devata and all other Devatas. 4) “We aspire from Rudra for good health free from diseases and happiness. He helps the growth of Yagna as its lord with medicines in the form of happiness. 5) “ Rudra Devata shines like Surya and glitters like gold and He is the owner of glory. 6) “ May Rudra provide welfare to our horses, sheep, cows etc. 7) “O Soma! Give Manushya glory hundred times inherent in them and strengthen the Yagna. 8) Those who obstruct the performance of Soma Yaaga should not fill us with sadness. The enemies should not trouble us, Hey Soma! Give us strength. 9) “Hey Soma! You are like our head seated on the best place in the world. We request you to express you love to the Prajaa(subjects) who praise you.” **************. Sukta 1. 114: --- Rudra. Chhand: Jagati Trishtup. 1) “ The great leader of the brave, incognizable Rudra is eulogized. Let the two footed and those having four foot be happy. Let the Pranies living in this village be free from disease. 2) “O Rudra! Pity us and give us happiness. We Salute you because you are the lord of the brave. The mental peace Manu attained by performing Yagna may give us peace. 3) “Hey Rudra! We aspire for grace in your worship of Devatas because you are the lord of the brave. We request you to give happiness to our progeny. 4) “We call upon Rudra for protection. Rudra provides the successful completion of Yagna and moves in a zigzag way, We request him to solve the cause of the anger of the Devataas. We desire his support. 5) “ We praise and salute Rudra who appears in a ferocious form of Aakash with red colored matted hair and is extremely brilliant. May he make us happy with Aushadhi in his hands and make us fearless by his protective powers. 6) “I (Rishi Kutsa Angirasah) pronounce this beautiful hymn for Rudra, the father of the Marut Ganas/storm devataas in the coronal atmosphere. Hey indestructible Rudra! Give us substances that we can eat. Be kind to us and our descedents. 7) “Hey Rudra! Let the old and child grow. Do not kill the youthful sons. Do not give afflictions to our bodies.

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8) “ Hey Rudra! Do not kill our sons, relatives, servants, cows and horses. Do not be angry to destroy our brave persons. We will offer Havies as ever and praise you. 9) “Hey father of the Maruts/storm Devataas of the coronal atmosphere! The protector of the Pashus/beasts hands them over to their owner. Similarly we have offered the hymns to you. Give us happiness Your intelligence always elevates. We beg for our protection. 10) “Hey lord of the brave! Let your weapon capable of killing Pashus/animals and Manushyaas be kept away. Be kind to us and taking our side give us protection. 11) “ Desiring protection salute Rudra with folded hands. We pronounce this as promise. May Rudra along with Marut Ganas listen to our entreaties. May Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, Oceans, Prathivi, and Aakash approve this.” [Rudra- the terrible is also called Shankar because he is ferocious.] ************* Sukta 2.33 : --- . Rudra Chhand: Anushtup,Pantihi 1) “O The creator of Marut Gana /Storm God of the coronal atmosphere! Let the happiness given by you be with us. We should not be deprived of viewing the Surya. Our brave sons should always be able to win the enemies. Let us have sons and grandsons. 2) “O Rudra! Let us live for 100 years because of the medicines given by your enemies. Destroy our enemies. Remove all our sins. Keep all the diseases that affect our bodies away from us. 3) “ Hey Rudra! You are glorious among the glorified. You carry a Vajra/thunderbolt in your arms. May you grow enormously and remove our sins and let the sins remain away from us. 4) “ You shower grace. We will not do any thing against your precepts and any thing that may annoy you. You are the benefactor and make us strong by your medicines. 5) ‘I will eulogize you with offerings to the Yagna where you are invited and thereby remove your anger. Rudra has soft stomach, having yellow color (like photosphere of the Sun in Aakash) and beautiful nose. We request you not to kill us. 9) He is ferocious, having different forms. He glows with extraordinary Tej/radiance. He is the lord of Bhuvanas.” Rudra is the chief of Vasus.”[7.35.7] **************** Sukta 7.46:--- Rudra. Chhand: Trishtup,Pantihi “The eulogizers are requested to praise Rudra, bearing the bow, the invincible and winner of all. May He listen to our prayers, “He is recognized by his physical and divine glory which can be felt. Rudra is requested to arrive for the protection of our Purush/people and protect us from disease and maladies. 3) “O Rudra! Ensure that the Vidhyut/electricity from Antariksh/space that moves on Prathivi/Earth fails to destroy us. You have thousands of Aushadhi/medicines and you should ensure that our sons and grandsons should not be harmed or destroyed. 4) “O Rudra! Do not kill us. Let us not fall pray to your anger. Allow us to participate in Yagna and we request that you look after us. ***************************************************************** MANYU IN RIG VEDA.

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