SRI RUDRA UPASANAM AND SRI RUDRA MAHATMYAM
Our culture is mainly based on certain values of life (or) rules of life (ethic) generally can be called as Dharma. The Central Point of Dharma is, there is only one Supreme Almighty and that is the ultimate Subtle Truth. Truth manifests itself in various diverse forms for the benefit of different people. By continuous attempt to know the truth we can solve or overcome all our life’s problems. Divinity is there in every person. To know about that, purity of mind, devotion, meditation, selfless action etc. are required. Vedic mantras are meant to help us in all these ways. Sri Rudram mantras are one of them. Because of the difficulties in understanding the real or inner meaning of the Vedic mantras the required level of attention seems to be missing. The Ultimate Truth- i.e the “Para Brahmmam”can be explained as follows:-
NIRGUNAM- NIRANJANAM- SANATHANA NIKETHANAM NITHYA SUDHA BUDHA MUKTHA NIRMALA SWARUPINAM- ATTRIBUTELESS- UNSULLIED-FINAL ABODE- ETERNAL- PURE ENLIGHTENED- FREE EMBODIMENT OF SACREDNESS.
Yaavath Jeevam Pranavam, Adhava Rudram Yajurvedakam,
Vasathi adhava Varanasyam,
Thyakthwa Lajjam Kalimala Vishayae, Japthwa Vishnor Namaani
Amuruthatwa Prapthireva Chaturthayam.
The following are four upayas to reach near God or to attain Mukthi.
By chanting of Pranavam through-out one’s life’s span or by chanting Sri Rudram as imbedded in Yajurveda or by spending the life with devotion in Kasi or by doing Nama Japa of one’s Ishta Devatha, after shedding ego and unrequired wordly pleasures.
Very clear message here is that those who are not eligible to chant Pranavam or Sri Rudram can also attain Mukthi by chanting Lord’s glories.
In Kali Santrana Upanishad- the shortest of all Upanishads, at the request of Saint Narada, Lord Vishnu Himself says, that in Kaliyuga chanting of the following Hymn regularly with devotion is enough to attain Mukthi.
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE.
For a devoted Brahmin daily chanting of the following are ordained:-
Swa Sakho Upanishad- Geetha- Vishnor Nama Sahasrakam
Rudram cha Pourusham Sooktham Nithyam Aavarthayet Dwija:
Sruthi,Smruthi, Ithihasas, Puranas all speak about the importance of Sri Rudra Mantras, which are enshrined in vedas.
Rishi Yajnavalkya states, in Jabala Upanishad, that by chanting of Sri Rudram one can attain “AMRUTATWA” (everlasting peace and Vedoktha Ayu:)
Kaivalya Upanishad states that those who chant Sri Rudram can acquire “Jnana” and obtain Mukthi, after getting relief from all sins.
By chanting a portion of the Veda Mantras one can attain purity of soul/mind on that day. Whereas one who chant Sri Rudram could attain the same immediately. Thus States Yaksha-Yama Dharma.
By Chanting Sri Rudram one could get relief from all sins,
relief from all diseases, apart from required wealth, mental peace, long, healthy, happy life etc. Thus states Rishi Bodhayana.
Sage Vyasa Quote in Mahabharatha that there is nothing equal to Sri Rudram even in Sruthi or in Smruthi.
Sri Rudram is considered as essence of all Upanishads. It can be seen from the above that for removal of Satru Baadha, other evil effects, diseases, apamruthyu, poverty and for getting all purusharthas, peace of mind, happiness, family unity etc. Sri Rudra Upasana is essential.
The essential details of the Sri Rudra Mantras are as under:-
In Krishna Yajurveda Taittareeya Samhitha in 7 Cantos there are 44 Prasnams. There are 2198 panchatees in this Samhitha. The total padams are 1,09,308.
A chapter called NAMAKAM is available in 4th Canto 5th Prasna. In 11 Anuvakams there are 27 panchatees containing 1234 padams ( Padam is one word and a Panchatee means a group of 50 words)
8th Anuvakam contain SIVA PANCHAKSHARI Mantra – “Nama Sivaya”. When one chants this mantra with pranavam and Sakthi Beejakshari Mantra “Hreem”
it becomes Siva Sakthi Panchakshari Maha Mantra. When Chanted as ‘OM NAMO BAGAVATHE RUDRAYA” it is called Rudra Dasaakshari mantra.
In Namakam the prostration or Namaskarams to Lord Siva is repeated 183 times. In the 7th Prasna there are 20 Panchatees; containing prayer for getting 371 dravyas essential for performance of a Yajna. This Chapter is called as CHAMAKA.
Namakam and Chamakam chapters put together is called Sri Rudram/Sata Rudreeyam/Rudra Upanishad etc.
In first Anuvakam of Namakam a set of prayers to Lord Siva to give up His anger find a place. From Second to Nineth Anuvakam contain Pranamams to Lord. In the 10th Anuvakam Prayer for prosperity and warding off from all evils find a place. Last i.e 11th is for thanks giving to Lord Siva and His attendants / Ganas.
In 11 Chamakam Anuvakams prayers for getting 371 dravyas are made.
Soothra Karakas like Rishi Bodhayana, Apasthamba have prescribed five-limbed Rudra ( Panchanka Rudra Nyasa for performing Japa,Homa,etc.)In Practice Shadanga Rudra Nyasam is generally used for doing Japa Homa and Abhisheka.
Many methods of Nyasas are in vogue as per different Desa/Kala aacharas. They are as prescribed by Rishi Bodhayana, Saataatapa Rishi,in “Maharnavam” of Maantaada, Ravanoktham etc.
Anyone who chants the name of the Lord becomes His Bandhu/Mitra. To reach near God one has to reach Him through “ Mantra” or by chanting of His “Nama”. For believers vedam is Pramanam. In another words Lord Himself is Veda. For each mantra there is a Devatha, Rishi, Chandas, and Viniyogam. Invoking of respective Devatha/Rishi for any particular mantra is a must. Similarly the purpose for which the particular Mantra is being used also should be stated before chanting the mantra.(Viniyogam)
Thereafter Kara Nyasam, Anganyasam, are followed by Lagu Nyasam, or Mahanyasam ( Contain more than 100 Nyasams) By Nyasa we are invoking respective devathas and preparing ourselves to be eligible to do the Pooja. Bhootha Sudhi is achieved by doing Nyasa. In Nyasa we attempt to control our Indriyas and surrender the same to the mind. Then the mind to the Aathma. Finally surrender our Aathma to the “Brahmmam”. After all Nyasams and invocations are over we seek from the God to return all Indriyas mind etc that we have surrendered to Him to perform Lords Pooja.
By completing Maha Nyasa before commencement of the Pooja One becomes Siva himself and get all eligibility to conduct the pooja.
For performing Sri Rudra Japa the Niyama is Trikarana Sudhi. They are Mind, Vaak and Sareera. Upasana Kramam also varies from place to place for different Veda/Soothra followers. Hence we can find different Kalpa Pooja Vidhanam in doing Siva Pooja.
Sri Rudram, like Eka Moolika Prayogam- one medicine for everything- can be used for Japa, Homa, Abhisheka, Archana, Yajna, etc. In general Purushasookhtham is also chanted after chanting Sri Rudram. In Sri Rudra Upasana the following methods are followed.
Namakam and Chamakam together when chanted once is called Roopam
Namakam followed by one Anuvakam of Chamakam in regular order from first to eleventh. Chanting 11 times as stated above is called. “RUDRA” (11 times)
11 times Rudra is called ‘RUDRI” (121 times)
11 times Rudri is called “MAHARUDRA” (1331 times)
11 times Maharudra is called ‘ATHIRUDRA” ( 14641 times)
Thus we can see that Sri Rudra padams are chanted 1,80,66,994 times in Athirudra.
Yo deva sarva deveshu Mahadeva ithi smrutha:
Thasmai namasthu kurvana: divi thishtanti devathaa:
Lord Siva is considered as the Lord of all Lords. Those who regularly worship Lord Siva, as ordained by Rishees, one can become one among Devas in Swarga Loka.
“Namyanthe Asmai Kamaa: As stated in the Upanishad one who surrender to God get everything in life. Let us start chanting Sri Rudram for obtaining Jnana and by obtaining jnana the ultimate Mukthi.
Note: “Abhisheka Priyo Siva:”: Lord Siva is very much pleased with Abhisheka. Bilwa Patra is also one of the essential items used for His pooja.
EKADASA RUDRAS ARE:
Mahadeva Sivo Rudro Sankaro Neelalohita:
Eesano Vijayo Bheema Devadevo Bhavatoth Bhava:
Aadhithyama: Rudro cha Rudro Ekadasa Smrutha:
EKADASA DRAVYAS ARE:
Gandha Thailam, Panchagavyam, Panchamrutham, Ghee, Cow’s Milk, Curd, Honey, Cane Juice Lemon Juice, Coconut water and Kumbha Jalam. Santhi/Peace by Sudha Jalam, Happiness in life by Gandha Thailam, Purity in mind and body by Panchagavyam, Victory by Panchamrutham, Moksham by Ghee, Long life by Milk, Wealth by Curd, Medicine for diseases by Honey, Strength by Cane Juice, Jnanam by Lemon Juice, Salokya Ananada in life by Coconut water etc are the effects or results that can be obtained by doing Abhisheka to Lord Siva with each one of the above Dravyas.
Sathyojatam (west), Vamadevam (north),Akhoram ( south)_Tatpusham (East) and Esanam ( Centre/above) are the five faces of Lord Rudra. While Lighting lamp with Panchamukha the same order can be followed ending with Esana direction.
Prayers should be made to all Siva ganas like Nandi, Chandeeswara, Bana, Ravana, Brungi, Siva- Sarpam etc while doing pooja.
Generally Pooja for Lord Siva is done along with Parivara Devathas: They are Lord Ganesa, Lord Surya Narayana, Godess Ambika, and Lord Vishnu. This system is called Siva Panchaayathana Pooja. Along with them Nandeeswaran ( Dharma Devatha) and Siva Sarpa Devatha are also worshipped. Some people also worship Lord Muruga along with above devathas. This system is called Shadmatham as advocated by Sri Aadi Sankaracharya.
While doing pooja Shodasa Upachara Pooja Vidhanam is used. Shodadam means Sixteen in Number. They are 1. Dhyanam 2. Aavahanam 3. Aasanam 4.Paadhyam 5.Arghyam 6.Aachamaneeyam 7.Maduparkam 8. Snaanam/Aachamaneeyam 9.Vastra/Uthareeyam 10.Yajnopaveetha Abharanani 11.Gandhaakshtaan 12. Archanam 13.Dhoopam 14. Deepam 15. Nivedhyam 16.Tamboolam
This is followed by Pancha Mukha Deepam and Mangala Neeranjanam. Chatra Chamarathee Upacharms that are Nine in Numbers are also followed while doing puna pooja or in concluding Pooja. Mangalam Bhavatu.
Om Tat Sat.
... a blogpost by sapthagiri @ brahmanasamskara
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