In the Rig Veda, Lord Shiva is referred as Rudra and this is believed to be the earliest written record on Lord Shiva.
In the Rig Veda (Rigveda),
- the first reference of Rudra can be found in Book 1, Hymn 43.
- the second reference of Rudra can be found in Book 1, Hymn 114.
- the third reference of Rudra can be found in Book 2, Hymn 33.
- the fourth reference is dedicated to both Soma and Rudra and can be found in Book 6, Hymn 74.
- the fifth reference of Rudra can be found in Book 7, Hymn 46.
The destruction aspect associated with Shiva can be found in most of these hymns.
O Rudra, harm not either great or small of us, harm not the growing boy, harm not the full-grown man.
Slay not a sire among us, slay no mother here, and to our own dear bodies, Rudra, do not harm.
Harm us not, Rudra, in our seed and progeny, harm us not in the living, nor in cows or steeds,
Slay not our heroes in the fury of thy wrath. Bringing oblations evermore we call to thee.
Another interesting aspect is that Rudra is considered as the Supreme Healer. (Book 1, Hymn 114, Verse 7&8)
Another interesting aspect is that Rudra is considered as the Supreme Healer.
To Rudra Lord of sacrifice, of hymns and balmy medicines,
We pray for joy and health and strength. (Book 1, Hymn 43, Verse 4)
With the most saving medicines which thou givest, Rudra, may I attain a hundred winters.
Far from us banish enmity and hatred, and to all quarters maladies and trouble. (Book 2, Hymn 33, Verse 2)
Rudra was also equipped with bow and arrows and other weapons and his anger resulted in death and destruction.
May thy bright arrow which, shot down by thee from heaven, flieth upon the earth, pass us uninjured by.
Thou, very gracious God, hast thousand medicines: inflict no evil on our sons or progeny.
Slay us not, nor abandon us, O Rudra let not thy noose, when thou art angry, seize us.
Give us trimmed grass and fame among the living. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings. (Book 7, Hymn 46, Verse 3&4)
2 comments:
Shiv is a mystic figure. It is like one who makes the effort to and come and find an esoteric being in the middle of nowhere. Shiv resembles many folklore of the primitive time in human history when living on a subsistence diet, having a basic shelter and contemplating on what everything is was normal. Qualities are ascribed to many such beings with Shiv one of the chief amongst the ascetics and mystics. Shiv gives gifts to whoever requests it and is a source of power of which parts can only be experienced and not measured or understood.
Shiv is said to be psychic and many incidents are documented of supernatural acts performed by Shiv. Shiv represents the aspect of destruction and the nature of existence. From Shiv many types of spiritualities and philosophy can be inferred:
Tantra and the bliss that may accompany this.
Sexual symbolism spirituality and ritual arising from that.
Functions of creation and cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
Ascetism of taking measures to ensure the continuity of the spiritual path
Theory of deity in existing as a deity for others to seek inspiration from and aspire to.
Protection from evil entities by the use of incantations and spells on the object or conditions or by transforming oneself to do the task.
Symbolism such as the third eye that from time to time needs stimulation for aiding psychic work and divination.
Ornaments that have a plethora of meanings.
Environmentalism and living with nature.
The service of advice and succour.
Health and well being.
Using the physical aspect of nature.
Shamanism.
etc.
Shiv has appeared throughout the ages in different forms, no form or just the traditional form and has devotees who have gained powers from this source. They have by virtue of this become mystics themselves. There is much scripture and information associated with Shiv that is mystical.
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