रुद्र
Rudra, a complex and multifaceted deity in Hindu mythology, is a god who belongs to the atmospheric group of gods, which includes Indra, ApamNapat, the Maruts, Vayu, Parjanya, and the ocean. In the Rig Veda, Rudra is described as a subordinate deity, with negative qualities that set him apart from other gods. However, in the Puranas and later texts, the name Rudra is often used as an appellation of Lord Shiva, the destroyer god.
In the Rig Veda, Rudra is also addressed as Shiva, which completes the association between the two deities. This dual identity of Rudra as both a subordinate deity and an appellation of Shiva highlights the complex and evolving nature of Hindu mythology.
Rudra’s wife is Prsni, who is often depicted as a cow or a storm-cloud. The Maruts, his sons, are a group of powerful gods who are either hundred and eighty or twenty-one in number, depending on the version of the myth. The Maruts are known for their fierce and stormy nature, and are often associated with the wind and the thunder.
Rudra’s attributes, such as his brown color, dazzling form, and braided hair, are also shared by Shiva, which further blurs the lines between the two deities. This similarity in attributes and characteristics highlights the close relationship between Rudra and Shiva, and suggests that Rudra may be an earlier form or manifestation of Shiva.
Some closely related entities in Hindu mythology include:
- Indra: The king of the gods, who is often depicted as a powerful and fierce warrior.
- ApamNapat: A god who is associated with the ocean and the fertility of the land.
- Maruts: A group of powerful gods who are the sons of Rudra and are often associated with the wind and the thunder.
- Vayu: The god of the wind, who is often depicted as a powerful and fierce deity.
- Parjanya: A god who is associated with the rain and the fertility of the land.
- Shiva: The destroyer god, who is often depicted as a powerful and complex deity with multiple attributes and forms.
- Prsni: Rudra’s wife, who is often depicted as a cow or a storm-cloud.
- Rig Veda: The oldest and most sacred text of Hinduism, which contains many references to Rudra and other gods.
- Puranas: A collection of texts that contain stories and legends about the gods and goddesses of Hinduism.
This mythological story highlights the complex and evolving nature of Hindu mythology, and the close relationship between Rudra and Shiva. It also highlights the importance of the atmospheric group of gods, who are often associated with the wind, the thunder, and the fertility of the land.