THE CONCEPT OF RUDHRA EKADHASI: The vedic tradition, the cultural richness, of our country cannot be compared to any other country in the world. The Rishis and Maha-purushas made it a star, a crest-jewel in the crown of the Universe. Sri Rudram-Chamakamoccupies a very important place in Vedic literature and in the practice of Vedic Religion. It is the heart of Krishna Yajurveda. Sivapanchakshari Mantram is enshrined in it. Among the Vidyas, the Vedas are supreme; in the Vedas the Rudra Ekadasi is supreme; in the Rudram the Panchakshari Mantra NAMASHIVAYA is supreme; in the Mantra the two letters SHIVA is supreme. As by pouring water at the root of a tree, all its branches are nourished, so also by pleasing Rudra through Rudra Japa, all the Devas are pleased. This is the best atonement (Prayaschittam)for all sins and the foremost Sadhana for attainment of cherished desires. The importance: Rudra is Death and Homas are done to Him as Mrityave Swaahaa meaning I sacrifice unto the God of Death. But He is also the Mrityunjaya meaning the Conqueror of Death, the Lord of Immortality. Rudra is also Aashutoshin- one who is easily pleased. And the easiest method of pleasing Him is by the Rudram. A verse in the Vayu Purana says: “A person reciting and applying daily the Namakam, Chamakam and the Purusha Sooktam is honoured in the Brahma loka. The Namakam referred to in it is the Rudram, abounding in the word Namah. ü The word Rudra has got 4 root meanings: a) Dreadful, terrific angry. b) Great or large. c) Driving away evil. d) Fit to be praised.
Posted on: Sun, 04 May 2014 03:31:35 +0000