NIVEDANA

Sri Rudradhyaayam includes Namakam and Chamakam pertaining to Rudra. This is found in Krishna Yajurveda taittariya Samhita under the fourth chapter as the fifth (Namakam) and Seventh Sub Chapter as Chamakam.

The namakam will start with the Mantra Namaste Rudramanvava in the first chapter and ends in the eleventh Anuvakam (Chapter with Ojambhe dadhami.

It is called namaka due to the word “Nama” Sabda. Rudrasyedam Rudriyam relates to Rudra. This has another name Sata Rudriyam.

There are Several meanings to the word Rudra.

“Rtam (dam) Samsaara dukham draava yat iti Rudrah”.

He destroys the sorrows of the world i.e. (Rudra).

“Rodati Sarvamantakala” The one who makes one to suffer.

“Rtou Naadaante dravati – draavayateeti Rudrah. The end note of the musical sound i.e. (Rudra).

“Rtya – Vedarupaya, dharmadinava-loka yati praayateeti vaa Rudrah”. In the form of Veda Dharma is promoted i.e. (Rudra).

“Rtya-vaagrupaya, vaakyam, prapayateeti Rudrah”. In the form of Speech, brings out the importance of the meaning of words i.e. (Rudra).

Rtya-Pranava rupaya svatmanam prayateeti Rudrah”. In the name of pranava (OM) He makes one to realize him.

“Rudroroutiti satye rorupamaano dravati pravashati martyaaniti Rudrah”. In the form truth he enters humans.

“Rtam Sabdam Vedaatmaanam Brahmane dadati Kalpaadaaviti Rudrah”. Rudra presented Vedas to Brahma at the Commencement of kalpa.  Rudras also means the persons created by Rudra as Sadrusha.

“Rtim Raati is responsible for the sound. He is praana Svarupa. Granter of praana (life).

Rudram is i.e. light Teja and Ruth who binds and attracts.

“Taam bhakte draavayati). He is even capable of driving away hat Shakti (energy).

Veda meka gunam japtva tadahynva vishuddhyate |
Rudrai Kaadashini Japtva takshanaa Deva shuddhyati ||
                                                           (yamasmruti).

By reciting Veda once he becomes pure on that day. But by Rudradhyayam the very next moment he gets purified. The persons who wrote the treatises (meaning) of Rudradhyayam are Maha pandit Shayanacharya, Bhatta Bhaskara, Visnu suri. Shrimadabhinava, Shankaracharya. The present text contains the agreed views of all the four commentators. Rudra is (Shiva), Agni Svarupa. It is stated that “Shriyamieche ddhutaashanaat” people desirous of all auspicious things have to worship the Agni Svarupa Rudra through Japa, Homa, Abhiseka and Archana. In our Country persons born during the time of bad stars, and at such bad times of maturity of girls and during the intervening bad conjunction of stars as per horoscope and to get over the evil effects and difficulties and to obtain Shanti, Rudrabhishekam and Rudrarchana will be performed. Some others will conduct in an elaborate way Maha Rudram and Atirudram. Shrimadabhinava Shankara Bhagavadpada had written Commentary for Namakam and not for Chamakam.

It is essential to know the meaning of the mantras in Namakam and Chamakam in Rudradhyayam to obtain the desired results for the both persons who get it performed and the persons performs. The votary not only get the benevolence of God but also the divine ecstasy (Aananda).

Here is a modest attempt to bring home this knowledge of mantras and also for its chanting with intonation.

In the first Anuvaaka the prayer to Rudra Bhagan is given. In the Anuvaakas two to nine the all pervading (Sarvesvaratva), the omniscient (Sarvatmaka), the omnipotent (Sarvantaryamitva) qualities of Rudra are described.

In Rudradhyaayam there are eleven Anuvakams (Chapters). Shayanacharya has classified one sentence wise as Yajus and two sentence wise as Rk.

There are different Rudras like 1. Rudra 2. Laghu Rudra 3. Maha Rudra 4. Ati Rudra.

In Sata Rudriyam – Namakam Chamakam are included. This is known as Rudradhyayam with Shanti pattha at the end of them. Thus Namakam and Chamakam are essentially chanted during Abhisheka, Homa and Japa.

The Brahmacharis asked Rsi Yajnavalkya by which Mantra man gets liberation. He replied Sahovacha Yajnavalkyah sata Rudriyeti”. It is by reciting Shata Rudriyam.

Every mantra his its own Rsi, Chanda and Devata. Besides the entire Rudradhyayam has Rsi Bhagavan, Kanda Rsi – Agni, Chanda Mahavirat, Devata Shambhu.

Vrikshasyamula Sekena Shakhahpusyanti Vaiyatha |
Shive Rudre Japatprete prita Yevasya Devatah ||
                                                      (Suta Samhita)

By watering the tree at the base of the trunk all the parts of the tree including branches, leaves, fruits etc are strengthened. In the same way by worshipping shiva all his related Devas will be pleased and one will get both the earthly and heavenly benefits including liberation.

By regularly conducting Sandhyavandana followed by the recitation of Namakam and Chamakam all the evil manifestations in the neighbourhood and in the village premises will be driven of, continuing this practice with out interruption daily all worries sorrows will be removed in the entire area.

Just as the fungi in the water is removed by daily cleansing and thus the waters are kept clean and pure. Reciting Namakam and Chamakam is essential to absolute of all sins. If the waters are left uncleaned for a few days again fungi will invade and impurities set in hence Chanting of Rudradhyayam is insisted. This forms the best Vedic prayer. This is not only very popular but also highly sonorous, comprehensive and full of music metres.

Rudram and Chamakam are exclusively intended for three main classes of persons. Who are (1) afflicted with troubles and miseries (2) Seekers of knowledge (3) for pleasures of earth and heaven and for riches. These three are Sakama and these goals ultimately leads to the fourth goal, the highest form of mediation (Nishkaama) which leads to liberation.

Thus Rudram and Chamakam leads one from Sakama to Nishkaama.

Rudram is fire itself. He has tow forms one terrible and the other auspicious i.e. reflected in this Brahmana.

Rudro Vaa Esha yadagnih tasyante tanuvow Ghora Anya Siva anya |
Yacchatarudriyam Juhyeti yaivasya Ghora tanuh tam tena shamayati ||

By chanting Rudras he pacifies his terrific form. This is Karmakanda which is very efficacious and dictated in Veda Bhaga of Shata Rudriyam. The other is the regular worship in temples and houses i.e. upaasana khanda which stands on a high pedestal.

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10-18      Rituals Home