Hari Om

Sri Rudram
Dr. Ananth Krishnan
Vedo Nithyam Adheeyatam [Practice the Vedas everyday] -Adi Sankara
Vedas form the foundation of our Hindu Religion and root of our Hindu Culture. Knowledge and Wisdom are enshrined in Vedas. Vedas are: 1) Anaadi, i.e. without a beginning in terms of time; 2) (Apourusheya), i.e. no human authorship; and 3) root of all creation. The Vedas constitute both the essential and sustaining knowledge, as vital as the breath of life. Our Acharyas have also been encouraging us to ensure that Veda mantras are propagated and sustained over generations. With this in mind, Sringeri Acharya Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Swamigal described perseverance in prayers to God as a panacea to counteract the ill effects in ones life [excerpted from the book on His Golden Words]. These ill effects manifest themselves as obstacles caused by ones past and present actions (karma). Thus, to overcome these obstacles that one faces in life, we consistently seek the blessings of the Lord by repeatedly reciting (persevere) His mantras. Sri Rudram is such a mantra and as the name implies it mitigates the obstacles one faces. These obstacles can be material, physical or spiritual. The word Rudram is derived from Ru to sound, Rud to shed tears as caused by obstacles in ones life, and Dru to flow [Rum Dravayati iti Rudraha]. If one understands the oneness with God, then that individual is responsible for all his actions and consequently also his bad actions. God as a chastiser corrects the person that is symbolically represented by Him making us cry. Also, Rudram etymologically has several meanings - it is interpreted as: one who removes all sins and melts in compassion; one who leads us to self-knowledge, one who removes all the miseries as caused by the obstacles of Samsara leading us towards liberation etc. In Yajur Veda, Sri Rudram is considered as the most important, as it is smack in the middle of the Veda like the core of a fruit it appears in the fourth Kanda within the seven Kandas of Yajur Veda Samhita. In the heart (center) of Sri Rudram is the powerful mantra known as Panchakshari the core essence describing the eternal truth in Godhood (Paramatma Swarupam).

[Vidyani Srutirutkrishta Rudraaikadashini Srutau, Tatra Panchakshari Tasyam Siva Ityakshara Divyam. (Among the sources pf learning the Vedas are supreme; in the Vedas Sri Rudram is supreme; in the Sri Rudram Panchakshari (five letters) mantra NamaSivaya is supreme; in the Panchakshari mantra the two letters Siva is supreme)]. Because of this Sri Rudram is used in daily prayers and special religious functions (poojas and homas). If nothing else it should be recited as often as you can (possible daily) and is given a special place by our learned Seers. [Swashakhaopanishad Gita Vishnornama Sahasrakam, Rudram cha PourushamSuktam Nityam Avartayet Bhudaha (One should repeatedly recite the Upanishads from ones own Veda Shakha, Gita, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Sri Rudram and Pursha Suktam)]. Sri Rudram is also called Rudropanishad and Shatarudriyam. It is considered as one of the primary instruments for attaining Mukti (liberation from this mundane cycle of births and deaths Samsara) and hence touted as an Upanishad. Because Sri Rudra appears in hundreds of places and in hundreds of forms within Yajur Veda Shaka, it is also called Shatarudriyam. Each mantra is replete with deep spiritual significance and is a great help for meditation. Because of the mental and spiritual significance our ancient Acharyas Adi Sankara, Bhatta Bhaskara, Vishnu Suri, to name a few have written elaborate commentaries on Sri Rudram. It is also said that all the Gods are pleased when one recites Sri Rudram and several repetitions will tantamount to a Prayaschittam (penance) against various sins committed by us. [Vrikshasya Moolasekena Shakhaha Pushyanthi Vai Sada, Siva Rudrajapat Preeta, Preeta Evasya Devataha ((Just like) Watering the roots of a tree helps the growth of the branches (of the tree), (similarly) praying to Sri Rudra pleases all Gods)]. [Sarvopanishadam Saraha Rudraadhyayaha (Sri Rudram contains the essential meanings of all Upanishads)]. All things in this world, that one visualizes, are nothing but a manifestation of His majestic form (Roopam). Sri Rudra (Siva the Auspicious One) appears in various forms, shapes, and poses within Sri Rudram to cite a few: as a runner, sleeping, awake, as an old person, as a young person, as a tree, as grass, as a thief, as a tall person, as a dwarf etc. etc.; nay, all things in the world are nothing but his various representations. Veda mantras are to be understood properly and the implied meaning is more important than the literary meaning. The recitation of Sri Rudram, while understanding its meaning and significance, leads one to experience Easwara Bhavam (to perceive God in everything and in everyone). The Veda mantras have to be recited with the proper phonetic intonations (Swarams). It is shown by our seers that with proper intonations, the sounds synchronizes and tunes up with the bodys nervous system and this benefits the physical, mental and intellectual aspirations of the devotee. Several scriptures expound these benefits of Sri Rudram and Shatarudriyam. [Yaha Shatarudriyamateete sa(ha) Atma poota bhavati, Brahmahatya poota bhavati, (Kaivalyopanishad) (By performing Shatarudriyam one gets rid of all the sins)]. [Tannamah Ityuapseeta, Namyantehsmai Kamaha Bhrigu Valli, Taittirya Upanishad (Whatever one wishes, these wishes are fulfilled (by repetition of Sri Rudram)]. This Vedic homage to Sri Rudra (Sri Siva) through recitation of Sri Rudram, is remarkable not only for its phonetic grandeur but also for its universality of approach to the Divine. Sri Rudra to

whom these prayers are addressed is the Supreme Being who is omnipresent (Aameevatkebyaha) and manifests himself in myriads of forms for the diverse spiritual aspirants. Sri Rudram is also known as Namakam because of the mantras carry the word Namaha or Namo Namaha appear in front of them (- appears 183 times in the Sri Rudram text). The word Namaha construes a total surrender to the Lord and thus saluting the Lord with the obeisance Namaha fulfills all of ones aspirations. Sri Rudram is is followed by Chamakam and is so referred because of the appearance of the words Cha Me (and for me). The Namakam and Chamakam are recited together to accrue various benefits and go by the name Rudra Adhyaya. [ ..Sarvada Sakrutva Japed Anena Gnanamapnoti (reciting this constantly one always attains the enlightment) Kaivalyopanishad]. Having thus expounded the benefits of Sri Rudram , we can now revert to Acharyas advice on repetition and perseverance. As Lord Krishna describes in Srimad Bhagavat Gita, if one performs continuous and unattached Karma it leads to Jnana. Similarly, if one perceives recitation of Sri Rudram as Karma, the process of repetition of the same leads to Jnana thus repetition of Sri Rudram helps one to improve the mental alacrity towards Atma Vicharam (inquiry of the Self). To ease the question of how many repetitions, the Sutrakaras (folks who standardize the way the mantras are to be recited) such as Bodhayana, Apasthamba, and others have prescribed a five-fold methodology or path called Panchanga Rudriya for the performance of Japa, Homa and Archana. They are called (1) Rupam, (2)Ekadasa Rudram, (3) Rudriyam, (4) Maharudram and (5) Athi Rudram. The recitation of Sri Rudram and Chamakam together once is called Rupam (or Swarupam shape) of Sri Rudra Adhyaya (Reading Sri Rudram). The recitation of Sri Rudram with one Anuvakam (paragraph) of Chamakam, and thus repeating eleven times to correspond to the eleven Anuvakas of the Chamakam is called Rudra Ekadasini or Ekadasa Rudram. Repeating this eleven times is called Laghu Rudram or Rudriyam. Eleven times of this is Maha Rudram and eleven times the last one is called Athi Rudram. Name Sri Rudra Rupam Ekadasa Rudram Laghu Rudram Maha Rudram Athi Rudram Number of Repetitions of Sri Rudram once eleven times 121 times 1331 times 14641 times

In writing this article I have borrowed unabashedly from the teachings and sayings of our Gurus and Acharyas. Therefore I claim no original authorship to this article except where there are omissions and errors they are entirely mine and I dedicate this to the lotus feet of our Acharyas. Finally, the essential message of the Vedas is to remind the human beings of their divinity and help them realize their true nature. With that in mind let us participate in this wonderful event (Maha Rudram) and seek the blessings of the Lord.

Vedaischa Sarvai Ahameva Vedyah [I am known through all the Vedas] says Krishna in
Bhagavat Gita.

Hari Om