A research journal exploring the evolution of Rudra & Śiva through the literary titles/concepts of Rig/Ṛg to Yajur to Atharva Vedā. Using this link we will find the destination of these concepts in the Upaniṣhads and consequently in the Itihāsa, both the Mahābhāratam and Vaśiṣṭha Ramayana. We will not use the Puráńas as the basis, but we will see if these concepts do happen to land in them. Please note: in Vedas, Rishis (Ṛṣi) use vocabulary in three variations based on the context of the hymn. These three variations are – first, the physical level, meaning the material plane of reality where all beings reside this is called adhibhautika; second, the divinity in association to a Deva called adhidaivika; and finally, the yogic level, meaning the union with consciousness (cit) called ādhyātmika. Yoga has two layers – the inquisitive layer, like the Vedantic synopsis, and the mechanics, like the kriyas (actions) used for Sadhana (practice). These mechanics are found both in Śiva Tantras and Patanjali Yoga Sutras, but we will not go into the details of these two literary works, as our primary focus will be on Vedas.
Please Note: RV = Rig Vedā Saṃhitā, KYV = Kṛṣṇa Yajur Vedā, TS = Kṛṣṇa Yajur Vedā Taittirīya Saṃhitā, VS = Sukla Yajur Vedā Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā TA = Kṛṣṇa Yajur Vedā Taittirīya Āraṇyaka, AV = Atharva Veda, AB = Aitareya Brahmāṇa, KA = Kaṭha Āraṇyaka, SB = Śatapatha Brahmāṇa, TB = Kṛṣṇa Yajur Vedā Taittirīya Brahmāṇa, MS = Maitrāyaṇī Saṃhitā, KB = Kausitaki Shankhyayana Brahmāṇa GS = Grihya Sutra of Paraskara Sukla Yajur Vedā
In this discussion let us talk about the following topics. Please note that this is a research paper, hence is not suitable for casual reading as it presents meticulous details.
1. Darshanas (view/witness) and how Rudra emulates from Rig Vedā to Yajur and Atharva Vedā and its lineage in Upaniṣhads and its destination in Itihāsa.
2. Rudras and Maruts of Vedas, their appearance, their association with immortality and liberation.
3. Why is Rudra a total contradiction? What is the difference between Rudra and Śiva of the Vedās?
4. Who are Soma, Uma, Rodasi, Agni, Mitra, and Varuna, and how are they associated with Rudra?
5. Who is the Dakshina Murti of Vedas?
6. The birth of Rudras and Gāyatrī. How many Rudras are there? What is Ashtamurti?
7. Why is Rudra/Śiva defined as the un-manifest or “that which is not”?
8. What is Śrī Rudram, Rudra Prashana & Śatarudrīya/Çatarudriya?
9. What is Liṅga? Who is īśvara? Why is Śiva considered the father of all and The Destroyer?
Om Namaḥ Śivāya 