Rudra Suktam: For Protection and Prosperity

Lyrics:

परि णो रुद्रस्य हेतिर्वृणक्तु परि त्वेषस्य दुर्मतिरघायो:।
अव स्थिरा मघवद्भ्यस्तनुष्व मीढ्वस्तोकाय तनयाय मृडय॥
स्तुहि श्रुतं गर्तसदं युवानम्मृगं न भीममुपहत्नुमुग्रम्।
मृडा जरित्रे रुद्र स्तवानो अन्यं ते अस्मन्नि वपन्तु सेना:॥
मीढुष्टम शिवतम शिवो न: सुमना भव।
परमे वृक्ष आयुधं निधाय कृत्तिं वसान आ चर पिना कं बिभ्रदा गहि॥
अर्हन्बिभर्षि सायकानि धन्व।
अर्हन्निष्कं यजतं विश्वरूपम्॥
अर्हन्निदं दयसे विश्वमब्भुवम्।
न वा ओजीयो रुद्र त्वदस्ति॥
त्वमग्ने रुद्रो असुरो महो दिवस्त्वँ शर्धो मारुतं पृक्ष ईशिषे।
त्वं वातैररुणैर्यासि शङ्गयस्त्वं पूषा विधतः पासि नु त्मना॥
आ वो राजानमध्वरस्य रुद्रँ होतारँ सत्ययजँ रोदस्योः।
अग्निं पुरा तनयित्नोरचित्ताद्धिरण्यरूपमवसे कृणुध्वम्॥

pari no rudrasya hetirvri'naktu pari tveshasya durmatiraghaayo:.
ava sthiraa maghavadbhyastanushva meed'hvastokaaya tanayaaya mri'd'aya..
stuhi shrutam gartasadam yuvaanammri'gam na bheemamupahatnumugram.
mri'd'aa jaritre rudra stavaano anyam te asmanni vapantu senaa:..
meed'husht'ama shivatama shivo na: sumanaa bhava.
parame vri'ksha aayudham nidhaaya kri'ttim vasaana aa chara pinaa kam bibhradaa gahi..
arhanbibharshi saayakaani dhanva.
arhannishkam yajatam vishvaroopam..
arhannidam dayase vishvamabbhuvam.
na vaa ojeeyo rudra tvadasti..
tvamagne rudro asuro maho divastvam' shardho maarutam pri'ksha eeshishe.
tvam vaatairarunairyaasi shangayastvam pooshaa vidhatah' paasi nu tmanaa..
aa vo raajaanamadhvarasya rudram' hotaaram' satyayajam' rodasyoh'.
agnim puraa tanayitnorachittaaddhiranyaroopamavase kri'nudhvam..

Meaning:

परि णो रुद्रस्य हेतिर्वृणक्तु परि त्वेषस्य दुर्मतिरघायो:।
अव स्थिरा मघवद्भ्यस्तनुष्व मीढ्वस्तोकाय तनयाय मृडय॥
May Rudra's wrath turn away from us, and may his fierce anger not reach us.
Grant us your blessings, O bounteous Lord, and shower mercy upon us, our children, and our descendants.

स्तुहि श्रुतं गर्तसदं युवानं मृगं न भीममुपहत्नुमुग्रम्।
मृडा जरित्रे रुद्र स्तवानो अन्यं ते अस्मन्नि वपन्तु सेना:॥
Praise Rudra, who dwells in caves, youthful and fierce as a wild beast, and of awe-inspiring power.
Be merciful to your worshiper, Rudra, and may your armies be directed elsewhere, away from us.

मीढुष्टम शिवतम शिवो न: सुमना भव।
परमे वृक्ष आयुधं निधाय कृत्तिं वसान आ चर पिना कं बिभ्रदा गहि॥
Most generous and kind Rudra, be auspicious and gracious to us.
Place aside your weapon on the highest tree, approach us clothed in skins, carrying your bow.

अर्हन्बिभर्षि सायकानि धन्व।
अर्हन्निष्कं यजतं विश्वरूपम्॥
You, worthy one, carry the arrows and the bow.
You are adorned with a sacred necklace and have a universal form.

अर्हन्निदं दयसे विश्वमब्भुवम्।
न वा ओजीयो रुद्र त्वदस्ति॥
You, worthy one, rule over this entire creation.
O Rudra, there is none more powerful than you.

त्वमग्ने रुद्रो असुरो महो दिवस्त्वँ शर्धो मारुतं पृक्ष ईशिषे।
त्वं वातैररुणैर्यासि शङ्गयस्त्वं पूषा विधतः पासि नु त्मना॥
You are Agni, you are Rudra, the great divine lord.
You lead the Maruts and control the winds; you are Pushan, the protector of all beings.

आ वो राजानमध्वरस्य रुद्रँ होतारँ सत्ययजँ रोदस्योः।
अग्निं पुरा तनयित्नोरचित्ताद्धिरण्यरूपमवसे कृणुध्वम्॥
We invoke Rudra, the king of sacrifices, the true priest of the universe.
Let Agni, of golden form, be established here for our protection, born from the primal thunder.

Listening to the Rudra Suktam bestows powerful blessings and protections. It invokes Lord Rudra’s grace, which shields devotees from negative forces, diseases, and dangers. Chanting or hearing these mantras purifies the mind, calms fears, and attracts Rudra’s compassion, transforming wrath into benevolence. It brings prosperity, health, and inner peace, filling the listener’s heart with strength and courage. The divine vibrations elevate spiritual awareness and help overcome obstacles on the path to liberation. Devotees experience a deep connection with Rudra, receiving his support for well-being, fulfillment, and spiritual growth.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi