Firstly & simply, what is the Sri Rudram? It is a Chapter from Yajur Vedam from which ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivaya) mantram originates.
Going a bit deeper, Sri Rudram is a revered Vedic hymn dedicated to Lord Rudra, an aspect of Lord Shiva, and it is found in the Krishna Yajurveda. Sri Rudram forms the heart of Shatarudriya, which means “hundred invocations of Rudra.” The hymn is not only a powerful invocation but also a philosophical treatise that explores the omnipresence of divinity in the universe, celebrating the destructive and protective aspects of Lord Shiva. Sri Rudram is chanted in several Vedic rituals and is believed to bring about spiritual transformation, peace, and prosperity to those who recite it with devotion.
So, what’s the Secret in Sri Rudram? – well all of us when we go to a Shiva Alayam, we get to listen to Sri Rudram, recited during the Abhishekam. Those mantras hold incredible meaning, depth & purpose. Yet, most of us aren’t aware of this open secret. Once we start to understand the meaning of Sri Rudram, it is a totally different experience & world-view that we develop…
Let’s break it down & understand Sri Rudram. The chanting of Sri Rudram is divided into two key sections: Namakam and Chamakam, each of which has a unique spiritual significance.
Sri Rudram’s Namakam and Chamakam are filled with profound meanings… but to keep it simple, Namakam is all about praising Shiva or Rudra – as the supreme being in this nature & cosmos. The meaning of mantras of Namakam gives us the world-view on the Core Philosophy of Bharat. Chamakam on the other side, is all about wants & wishes that people of Bharat have been asking for thousands of years. These mantras provide us certain interesting historical facts… let’s see all of these & more…
Few examples from Sri Rudram
नमो व्रातेभ्यो व्रातपतिभ्यश्च वो नमो
Namaskaram to you Rudra, who is in the form of various classes of persons in the society. Namaskaram to you who is the Chief of all classes of people.
Sri Rudram says that each and every human being – of which ever social class they are – all of them, each & everyone of them are manifestation of Shiva.
नमो अग्रियाय च प्रथमाय च
नमो दूताय च प्रहिताय च
Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in the King. Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in a Servant
Sri Rudram reveres each & every profession equally. What we all ‘Dignity of Labour’, Sri Rudram teaches just that – since thousands of years in Bharat. Today we might have such ill-mindset about physical labour jobs but Sri Rudram has a different world-view
नमस्तक्षभ्यो रथकारेभ्यश्च वो नमो
नमः कुलालेभ्यः कर्मारेभ्यश्च वो नमो
नमः पुंजिष्टेभ्यो निषादेभ्यश्च वो नमो
नमो महद्भ्यः क्षुल्लकेभ्यश्च वो नमो
Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in a Carpenter & is a maker of Chariots. Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in a Potter & in a Blacksmith. Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in a Hunter & in a Fisherman. Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in every Great Person & in every Weak Person.
Not just that, Sri Rudram even says that even the outlaws like – Thieves, Cheaters are also manifestation of Shiva. Yes, they must be punished according to Dhrama but as a human being, Sri Rudram sees Shiva even in such people…
नमः ककुभाय निषङ्गिणेस्तेनानां पतये नमो
नमो निषङ्गिण इषुधिमतेतस्कराणां पतये नमो
नमो वञ्चतेपरिवञ्चतेस्तायूनां पतये नमो
Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in a Thief & a Robber & a Cheater
Sri Rudram sees each and every spec of the Nature as a manifestation of Shiva and reveres even a blade of a grass as Shiva.
नमो वृक्षेभ्यो हरिकेशेभ्यो – नमस्तीर्थ्याय च कूल्याय च
नमः शष्प्याय च फेन्याय च – नमः पर्ण्याय च पर्णशद्याय च
Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in form of every Tree in this Nature. Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in every River & every water-body. Namaskaram to Rudra, who is in every blade of Grass & in every Foam of a River. Namaskaram to Rudra, in Green Leaves & in Dry Leaves.
Sri Rudram also says animals are a manifestation of Rudra…
नमः श्वभ्यः श्वपतिभ्यश्च वो नमः नमो अश्वेभ्योऽश्वपतिभ्यश्च वो नमः नमः शर्वाय च पशुपतये च
Namaskaram to Rudra, who is a Dog & also the protector of Dogs. Namaskaram to Rudra, who is a Horse & also the protector of Horses. Namaskaram to Rudra, who is a destroyer of sins and protector of all animals & living beings
I can go on…. but it is endless… hence made a short documentary on Sri Rudram, here below….
Project Shivoham 