THE IMPORTANCE OF RUDRADHYAYAM

“Rudra Syedam Rudriyam” These are related to Rudra hence known as Rudriyam. Sri Rudra is self efflugent and he is Mahadeva.

Rudradhyaayam is the essence of Yajurveda. This is considered more eminent than Rigveda and others. Rudropanishat is very famous in shruti, Smruti, Itihasa and puranas. Hence it is excellent and considered as the most best and eminent and powerful. Shata Rudriyam is an instrument of Moksha Sadhana in the lore of upanishats. It is stated “Sarvopanisadam Saro Rudradhyaayam” The essence of all Upanishads is Rudropanishat. In Maha Bharata in Drona Anushasinika parva the Sata Rudropanishat is very much extolled.

“Surapa ssvarnahari Rudra Japi Yati sthatah |
Sahasra Sheersajapica Mucyate Sarva Kilbisaih” ||
                                                            (Yajnavalkya)

Person standing in the waters and reciting Namaka Chamaka Purasa Sukta will be absolved of all sins.

“Prayatah praruthaya ya dadheete vishmpate |
Pranjalih Satarudriyam Nashya kin cha na durlabham” ||

By Constant effort if a person standing opposite to Surya with folded hands and chants Shata Rudriyam there will be nothing impossible for him.

In Kurmapurana Krishna under took pasupata diksha for one year, Smearing ash on the entire body and recited Rudradhyam.

In Jabalopanishat yajnavalkya stated to the Brahmacharis that by performing Satarudriya Japa and also with homam all will become immortal. In Kaivalyopanishat it is stated that the person who studies Satarudriyam will be purified by Agni and in Smrutis it is stated that the person who regularly recites will obtain liberation.

Any one, in any State of his life, at any time if Satarudriyam is recited daily he will cross the ocean of worldly life or any time adorned with Bhasma (ash) and with great devotion recites Rudradhyanam he will get Jnana (knowledge) by the grace of Lord Shiva. For those desirous of worldly pleasures and for obtaining liberation and purification during repentance there is no refuge other than Shatarudriyam. One will get easily the knowledge of Taraka Brahma Vidya by he Japa of Rudradhyayam.

Rudradhyayaproktan RudraNisvara Vibhuti rupa dharan |
Namatam duritam hrtva bhadram dishato bhaje hrdaye ||

The persons who recite Rudradhyayam (Namakam and Chamakam), and adorns bhasma (Vibhuti on their heads, limbs and chest of the body) and absolved of all evil propensities, such pious Rudra rupa dharis are being worshipped in the heart of hearts.

Steyam Kritva gurudaramscha gatva madyampitva. Brahma hatyamcha kritva, Bhasmacchanno bhasma shayyashayano Rudra dhyayi muchyate sarva papaih”

Stealing the gold of a Brahmin and having illegal contact with the wife of his teacher (Guru) and addicted to liquor, murdered a brahmin such person if Smears Bhasma (Vibhuti) and sleeps on the bed adorned with bhasma and recites Rudradhyayanam he will be absolved of all sins and mukti (liberation) is assured.

“Rahasi Krutanam mahapatakanamapi Shata Rudriyam Prashchittam” (Shankha Rsi)

Any acts performed secretly will be absolved by reciting Shata Rudriyam. It is considered as a repenting act for purification.

“Ekadasha gunanvapi Rudra Navritya dharmavit,
Mahapapai rapi Sprusto muchyate naatra samshayah” (Angirasa)

Even a person committed grave acts of sins if he chants sri Rudram Eleven times he will be cleared of all such sins and gets purified.

“Yascha Rudraan, Japennityam dhyaaya maano Maheswaram, yascha Saagara paryantam Sashaila VanaKaananaam, Sarvannaadi gunopeta Suvriksha Jala Shobhitam, dadyat kaanchana Samyuktam bhumim choushadhi Samyutam, tasmadapyadhikam tasya sakru drudra Japadbhavet, mama bhavam Samutsujya yastu Rudraan Japet Sada, Sate Naiva Cha dehena Rudram Samjayate dhruvam” (Vayu Puranam).

One person regularly meditates on Rudra and recites his name (Rudra japa), another person gives in charity, lands full of forests, steeped with variety of crops and good trees, with Sumptuous waters, and several medicinal herbs. Such person who performs Rudrajapa is equivalent to the person who gives the entire universe. He gets punya much more than him.

Shiva is the Chief commander of pushti (Sumptuousness). He grants Vaakpushti (the capacity of Speech), Jnaanapushti (power of knowledge), Shareerendriya pushti (Strong and Sturdy body), Gruha kshetra pushti (Palatial Mansions and lands), Dhana dhaanya pushti (Abundant wealth and corps), Praja pushti (tremendous peoples following), Pashu pushti (cattle wealth) Gopushti (groups of Cows), Dharma Pushti (Enormous pious acts), Animaadi pushti (The eight siddhis). These pushtis are controlled by Rudra.

Hence we find the Namakam and Chamakam are used invariably for the Vedic and Agamic worship of Lord Shiva in all the household rituals and in the Sacred temples and also in Ayush Homa as per the Kalpa.

Yo Rudrou Agnou Yo Apsu ya osadhisu Yo Rudrou
Vishva bhuvana Vivesha tasmai Rudraya Namo Astu ||

We bow to Sri Rudra who is present in fire, in water, in trees and plants and in the entire universe, the all pervading.

Once the third pontiff of Sringeri Sarada Peetam Sri Narasimha Bharati Swamy during his travels of punya teerthas towards puna side was was passing through thick Jungles during night. Suddenly thieves surrounded him and his entourage. They threatened him to remove the entire Jewellery of the Deity Chandra moulisvara and hand it over to them.

Swamiji asked them to relieve the Jewellery if they can do it. At this instance the thieves were very happy because without any stiff encounter the Jewellery was asked to be taken away.

The thieves spread their black Shawl made of sheephair (Kambali) and collected all the golden ornaments on it. They caught hold of the black shawl on all the four sides, folded it and about to lift it. They found it to be extremely heavy. The shawl started giving away into several pieces and these pieces were being held by them. They found that wherever the Jewels were kept on the Shawl those places became burnt and black. They were afraid at that sight.

They prostrated at the feet of Acharya and begged his pardon.

Swamiji told them that God is also great for thieves too and stated he too is Taskaranam patih and reiterated them not to forget it and gave his protection.

Exactly in Namakam Taskaranam patih was told as an accomplishment and compliment to Lord Shiva while extolling in the prayer and while offering salutations.

Namakam is referred as Rudram.

Vidyasu Shruti rutkrsta Rudraikada Shini Shrtou |
Tatra panchakshari tasyam Shiva ityakshara Rudram ||

Vedas, the source of learning is supreme. Next is Rudra Ekadasi in Vedas. “Namashivaya” (the Shiva panchakshari in Rudram) is supreme and in this the two letter Shiva is par excellence.