Origin of the Name Rudra

Origin of the Name Rudra

The name Rudra holds deep meaning in our texts and traditions. According to the Nirukta, Rudra is connected to the gods of the middle region, or the space between the earth and heavens. This space is where Rudra resides, making roaring sounds and moving through the clouds, causing rain to fall.

The word 'Ru' means to make a sound. Rudra's name is often linked to his crying or loud roar. In fact, crying is one of the key reasons why he is called Rudra. This is confirmed by ancient branches of knowledge like the Katha and Haridravika traditions. They tell us that Rudra’s 'cry' is what defines his name.

There is an interesting story that supports this idea. Rudra once saw his father, Prajapati, hurt by an arrow. In deep grief, Rudra cried. This crying, or 'rodana', is what gave him the name Rudra. Scholars see this as a historical reason for the name.

Rudra is a unique figure. Some texts say that there is only one Rudra, while others mention that there are countless Rudras on earth. The Nirukta scholars help us understand this better. They explain that each god has many names because of their greatness, but these names do not refer to different gods. Instead, they point to one god who is seen in many forms.

This is compared to a human nation. In a nation, people have different appearances, colors, and backgrounds, yet they all belong to one nation. In the same way, the gods may have different names and forms, but they are part of one divine reality. Even if one verse says "there is only one Rudra" and another says "there are thousands of Rudras," these do not contradict each other. They reflect the oneness within the many.

Additionally, the fire god Agni is also called Rudra. This shows that the name Rudra can mean different things in different contexts. According to the Nirukta scholars, Rudra can even be one of the names of the Supreme God. 

Rudra’s presence is not limited to one place. He is everywhere  on earth, in space, and in the higher worlds. Because of this unity of place, all the names of the gods in different places can refer to one unique Supreme God (Rudra).

Knowledge Bank

Definition of Bhakti

Listening to the qualities and greatness of Bhagavan melts the heart and makes the mind continuously focused on Bhagavan as the Supreme Lord. This unbroken, steady flow of thought fully centered on Bhagavan is called Bhakti.

How many days did Mahabharata war last?

Mahabharata war lasted for eighteen days.