Sri Rudram Explained - Introduction

When you think of mantras of Lord Mahadeva, what comes to your mind are the Panchakshara Mantra and Sri Rudram. Panchakshara Mantra is his most important moola mantra, and Sri Rudram is his most important Veda mantra. Sri Rudram is part of Krishna Yajurveda. It is also called Rudra Prasna, Rudradhyaya, and Shata Rudreeyam.

Krishna Yajurveda is divided into Panchashatis. A Panchashati is a collection of 50 words. Panchashat means 50, and a Panchashati will have 50 words or terms in it. There are a total of 2,198 Panchashatis in Yajurveda. The middle of this is 1,099, which is exactly where Rudra Prasna begins.

Yajurveda is divided into Kandas—7 Kandas in total. Every Kanda is divided into Prasnas. Every Prasna comprises Anuvakas, and each Anuvaka is divided into Panchashatis. Rudra Prasna is one such Prasna. A Prasna is similar to a chapter. This is part of the 4th Kanda of Yajurveda. Rudra Prasna has eleven Anuvakas in it.

Why is it called Shata Rudreeyam?
शतं रुद्रा देवता अस्येति शतरुद्रीयम्
Every mantra has a Devata, to whom the mantra is addressed or whom the mantra represents. The Devata or Devatas of Rudra Prasna are Rudras. Shatam Rudras—Shatam here means numerous, not hundred. The Devatas of these Rudra mantras are the numerous Rudras.

Sri Rudram is also called Namakam because of the presence of Namaha throughout. Sri Rudram is very important. Throughout the scriptures, Shata Rudreeyam is recommended to achieve various results—as a means of success, salvation, and blessings of Mahadeva.

Results of Chanting Sri Rudram

मोक्षारोग्यायुष्य स्वर्ग मलक्षय वित्तादि फलाः
What cannot be achieved by chanting Sri Rudram? Longevity, health, relief from sins, wealth, and Moksha—every conceivable desire can be achieved by chanting Rudra Prasna. Rudra Prasna is for benefits both in Ihaloka (this world) and Paraloka (hereafter).

In Jabalopanishad, Sage Yajnavalkya's students ask him, 'How do we attain immortality?' The sage replies, 'Chant Sri Rudram.'

यः शतरुद्रीयमधीते सोऽग्निपूतो भवति (Kaivalyopanishad)
Fire purifies metals such as gold and silver. In the same way, Sri Rudram is a fire that purifies anyone who chants it.

सुरापानात् पूतो भवति, ब्रह्महत्यात् पूतो भवति
Even the gravest of sins, like consuming alcohol or committing Brahmahatya, are removed by chanting Sri Rudram.

अनेन ज्ञानमाप्नोति
You can attain Brahmajnana by chanting Sri Rudram alone. Nothing else is required. By chanting Rudra Prasna, one first destroys the shackles of Samsara—the worldly delusion (संसारार्णव नाशनम्).

Sage Shaatatapa states:
स्तेयं कृत्वा गुरुदारांश्च गत्वा मद्यं पीत्वा ब्रह्महत्यां च कृत्वा
भस्मच्छन्नो भस्मशय्याशयानो रुद्राध्यायी मुच्यते सर्वपापैः

Even someone who has committed the Pancha Maha Patakas can be relieved of all sins by chanting Sri Rudram. This is achieved by covering oneself in Bhasma and sprinkling it where one sleeps, while chanting Sri Rudram.

Sage Yajnavalkya emphasizes the power of Rudra Prasna:
वेदमेकगुणं जप्त्वा तदह्नैव विशुध्यति रुद्रैकादशिनीं जप्त्वा तत्क्षणादेव शुध्यति
By chanting the complete Veda, purity is attained on the same day. By chanting Sri Rudram, purity is achieved as soon as the chanting is complete.

Maharshis Atri and Angirasa state:
एकादशगुणान् वापि रुद्रानावृत्य धर्मवित्
महापापैरपि स्पृष्टो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
Chanting Sri Rudram 11 times is enough to be relieved even from the gravest sins (Maha Papas).

Vayu Puranas says:

यश्च रुद्रान्जपेन्नित्यं ध्यायमानो महेश्वरं
यश्च सागरपर्यन्तां सशैलवनकाननां सर्वरत्नगुणोपेतां सवृक्ष जलशोभितां विप्राय दद्यात् वसुधां
चामीकरतरूज्ज्वलां तस्मादप्यधिकं तस्य सकृत् रुद्रजपात् भवेत्

This is a comparison of two acts.

Someone performs Bhumi Daan—donating land that extends up to the seas. Such vast land, filled with mountains, forests, water bodies, gold mines, and diamonds, is given as a donation to a deserving person.

Someone else chants Sri Rudram just once, meditating upon Mahadeva. Between the two, the one who chants Sri Rudram gains more punya (merit).

मम भावं समुत्सृज्य यश्च रुद्रान् जपेत्सदा
स तेनैव च देहेन रुद्रः संजायते ध्रुवम्

You can become Rudra himself while being in this body.

• Saroopya: Attaining a form like him.
• Sarshti: Gaining his special powers and glory.
• Saayujya: Becoming one with him.

What is the method?

मम भावं समुत्सृज्य रुद्रान् जपेत

If you hold on to your own small self, this transformation will not happen. The feelings of 'I' and 'mine' must be discarded. Only then can you become like him.

Just as you must first remove old clothes to wear new ones, you must let go of your current identity. If you cling to thoughts like, 'I am so and so,' 'This is what I have,' or 'These are mine,' you can never become him.

With this attitude, discarding the concepts of 'I' and 'mine,' chant Rudram. Only then can you become like him.

चमकं नमकं चैव पुरुषसूक्तं तथैव च
नित्यं त्रयं प्रयुञ्जानो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

If you chant these three daily—Rudram, Chamakam, and Purusha Suktam—you will reach Brahmaloka.

भस्मदिग्धशरीरस्तु भस्मशायी जितेन्द्रियः
सततं रुद्रजाप्योसौ परां मुक्तिमवाप्स्यति

To attain Mukti (liberation), follow these four conditions:

1. Apply Bhasma all over the body.
2. Sleep on Bhasma or sprinkle it where you sleep.
3. Control your senses and resist worldly temptations.
4. Continuously chant Rudram.

By doing this, you can achieve liberation.

रोगवान् पापवांश्चैव रुद्रान् जप्त्वा जले स्थितः
रोगात् पापात् विनिर्मुक्तो महतीं श्रियमश्नुते

If someone who is ill or has committed sins chants Rudram while standing in water, they will be relieved of their illnesses and sins.

Why water?
Water purifies and heals, just like Rudram. Together, they create a double effect. This also leads to prosperity (महतीं श्रियमश्नुते).

If you are near a river or visiting a holy river during a pilgrimage, chant Rudram there. It has immense effects.

A sage called Shankha says:

रहसि कृतानां महापातकानामपि शतरुद्रीयं प्रायश्चित्तम्

Man is prone to making mistakes and committing sins. Sanatana Dharma considers making a mistake or committing a sin as natural. However, it is important to repent and come out of its effects.

Admitting to oneself and others that an act was improper and repenting for it is essential. When someone realizes they have committed a sin, they approach learned people and ask, 'What prayaschitta (atonement) should I do?' Whatever is prescribed is then performed as prayaschitta.

But there are sins one may not have the courage to confess openly. What does one do then? Even for such sins, chanting Shata Rudreeyam or Sri Rudram is the prayaschitta.

Parabrahma has three forms:

1. Karya Roopam
2. Purusha Roopam
3. Param Roopam

The Param Roopam of Parabrahma is:
परं रूपं निर्गुणं निरञ्जनं सत्यज्ञानानन्दलक्षणम्

In this form, the three gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—are absent. It is Niranjanam, devoid of any defect or shortfall. Its nature is Satya (truth), Jnana (knowledge), and Ananda (bliss). Parabrahma’s Param Roopam is Sri Rudra.

The Shwetashwatara Upanishad says:
निष्कलं निष्क्रियं शान्तं निरवद्यं निरञ्जनम्

Why does the Almighty have a form? It is for our benefit—to make it easier for us to understand the Almighty. Thus, the Almighty takes various forms, like the one with Trishoola, Jata, and three eyes:
उपासकानां कार्यार्थं ब्रह्मणो रूपकल्पना

The state of Parabrahma without a form is called Nishkala—actionless (Nishkriya), peaceful (Shanta), and without defects (Niravadya). This is Rudra as Parabrahma.

सर्वो वै रुद्रस्तस्मै...सर्वो ह्येष रुद्रस्तस्मै रुद्राय नमो अस्तु
Everything is Rudra alone. Everything you see—living or non-living, trees, animals, humans, stars, planets, sun, moon, rivers, mountains—are just different forms of Rudra. He is the Chaitanya (consciousness), the Purusha in everything.

कद्रुद्राय...हृदे

• He is Kadrudra—famous and praiseworthy.
• Prachetasa—full of knowledge (Jnana Yukta).
• Meedhushtama—giver of all desires.
• Tavyase—worthy of praise.

He lives in our hearts, and to him, we offer these praises.

Creation of the Universe

Creation of the universe is not a simple act, like waving a magic wand. Brahma undergoes severe tapas (penance) to create. His body heats up due to this tapas.

At the time of creation, Brahma kept performing this severe tapas, but nothing happened. He became sad and frustrated. Tears rolled down his cheeks, and from those tears, Bhutas and Pretas emerged.

Brahma decided to give up his life, allowing his Prana to exit. His Prana emerged from his mouth as brilliant as a thousand suns and as fierce as Pralayagni. That was Rudra.

Brahma’s Prana is Rudra.

As soon as Rudra emerged from Brahma’s mouth, he started shrieking loudly:
रुरोद सुस्वरं घोरं देवदेवः स्वयं शिवः
Brahma said:
रोदनात् रुद्रः इत्येवं लोके ख्यातिं गमिष्यसि
'Because you roar and shriek (Rodana), you will be known as Rudra.'

However, Mahadeva existed even before this. He is without a beginning and without an end. Brahma did not create Rudra. Rudra, as Prana Shakti, was already within Brahma, just as the Lord exists within every being as the Chaitanya.

पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम्
When Brahma’s Prana Shakti left him, Brahma did not die. The concept of '1 minus 1 is not zero; 1 minus 1 is still 1' applies here.

Meanings of the term Rudra

• रुत्या वेदरूपया धर्मादीन् बोधयतीति रुद्रः
• Rutya means sound or Shabda Brahma—Vedas. Rudra himself is the Vedas, which teach us Dharma (righteous living).
• रुत्या वाग्रूपया वाच्यं प्रापयतीति रुद्रः
• Mantras have the power of manifestation. Chanting a mantra enough times can manifest its intended result. Sound can transform into physical form, which is also the power of Rudra.

Every object originates from sound, which is contained in the Vedas. This means the Vedas are behind every manifested object in the universe, and the Vedas are Rudra himself.

• रुद्रः रौति
• Rudra screams.

In the Dhyana Shloka of Agni, it is said:
त्रिधा बद्धि वृषभो रोरवीति महो देवो मर्त्यान् आविवेश
Agni is described as a bull that screams (वृषभो रोरवीति). Rudra is Agni, and Agni is Rudra.

• रुत् तेजः
• Rudra is brilliance, as radiant as a thousand suns.
• रुतं द्रावयतीति रुद्रः
• Rudra removes all worldly sorrows, such as ill health, poverty, and fear. Hence, he is called Rudra.
• रुतिं वेदात्मानं शब्दं ब्रह्मणे कल्पादौ ददाति इति रुद्रः
• Objects arise from sound, contained in the Vedas. For creation, Brahma needs Shabda Brahma (the Vedas). This is given to Brahma by Rudra.

Knowledge Bank

What do Upanishads teach?

Upanishads are the essence of Vedic knowledge. They settle the apparent contradictions within the Vedas that a layman may find and also give a final shape to the Vedic principles. Upanishads emphasize the concept of Brahman as the one and only supreme truth.

Can Brahmin marry in same gotra?

Same gotra marriage is discouraged in Dharma shastra.