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== Birth and Family ==

== Birth and Family ==

According to Vishnu Purana, [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma]] at the beginning of the kalpa created Sanatkumara and his brothers (Sanaka,  Sanandana and Sanatana). Being enlightened, these four rshis not desiring materialistic pleasures were not prepared to obtain progeny. Due to this Brahma became angry to such an extent that he was prepared to destroy the worlds. He became furious, and from his furrowed forehead and eyebrows emanated a figure, Rudra, shining with unbearable radiance like the mid-day sun.<ref>Gupta, Munilal. ''Sri Sri Vishnupurana (Slokas and Hindi Translation)'' Gorakhpur: Gita Press. (Pages 37-38)</ref> <blockquote>तस्य क्रोधात् समुदूभुतज्वालामालाविदीपितम् । ब्रह्मणोऽभूत् तदा सर्व्व त्रैलोक्यमखिलं मुने ।। ९ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>समुत्पन्नस्तदा रुद्रो मध्याह्रार्कसमप्रभः ।। १० ।।</blockquote><blockquote>अर्द्धनारीनरवपुः प्रचण्डोऽतिशरीखान् । विभजात्मानमित्युत्तवा तं ब्रह्मान्तर्दधे ततः ।। ११ ।। </blockquote><blockquote>तथोक्तोऽसौ द्रिधा स्त्रित्वं पुरुषत्वं तथाकरोत् । बिभेद पुरुषत्वं च दशधा चैकधा च पुनः ।। १२ ।। (Vish. Pura. 1.7.9-12)<ref name=":0">Vishnu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Amsha 1 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>Rudra, having a body, half-male and half-female, was terrific, was instructed by Brahma to "divide yourself". Instantly Rudra split himself into a man and a woman. And then he divided the male into one and ten parts.<ref name=":1">Vettam. Mani (1975). ''Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass. (Pages 654-655)</ref> These eleven figures are the eleven Rudras. The names of the eleven Rudras are given differently in different Puranas.  

According to Vishnupurana, [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma]] at the beginning of the kalpa created Sanatkumara and his brothers (Sanaka,  Sanandana and Sanatana). Being enlightened, these four rshis not desiring materialistic pleasures were not prepared to obtain progeny. Due to this Brahma became angry to such an extent that he was prepared to destroy the worlds. He became furious, and from his furrowed forehead and eyebrows emanated a figure, Rudra, shining with unbearable radiance like the mid-day sun.<ref>Gupta, Munilal. ''Sri Sri Vishnupurana (Slokas and Hindi Translation)'' Gorakhpur: Gita Press. (Pages 37-38)</ref><blockquote>तस्य क्रोधात् समुदूभुतज्वालामालाविदीपितम् । ब्रह्मणोऽभूत् तदा सर्व्व त्रैलोक्यमखिलं मुने ।। ९ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>समुत्पन्नस्तदा रुद्रो मध्याह्रार्कसमप्रभः ।। १० ।।</blockquote><blockquote>अर्द्धनारीनरवपुः प्रचण्डोऽतिशरीखान् । विभजात्मानमित्युत्तवा तं ब्रह्मान्तर्दधे ततः ।। ११ ।। </blockquote><blockquote>तथोक्तोऽसौ द्रिधा स्त्रित्वं पुरुषत्वं तथाकरोत् । बिभेद पुरुषत्वं च दशधा चैकधा च पुनः ।। १२ ।। (Vish. Pura. 1.7.9-12)<ref name=":0">Vishnu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Amsha 1 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>Rudra, having a body, half-male and half-female, was terrific, was instructed by Brahma to "divide yourself". Instantly Rudra split himself into a man and a woman. And then he divided the male into one and ten parts.<ref name=":1">Vettam. Mani (1975). ''Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass. (Pages 654-655)</ref> These eleven figures are the eleven Rudras. The names of the eleven Rudras are given differently in different Puranas.  

Vishnu Purana further explains in Adhyaya 8 of the same chapter about the creation of Rudra and his further role in creation.<blockquote>रुदन् वै सुस्वरं सोऽथ द्रवंश्च द्रिजसत्तम । किं रोदिषीति तं ब्रह्मा रुदन्तं प्रत्युवाच ह ।। ३ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>नाम देहीति तं सोऽथ प्रत्युवाच प्रजापतिम् । रुद्रस्त्वं देव नाम्नासि मा रोदीर्धैर्य मावह ।। ४ ।। (Vish. Pura. 1.8.3-4)<ref name=":2">Vishnu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Amsha 1 Adhyaya 8])</ref></blockquote>Brahma at the beginning of creation was thinking about a child resembling himself and then on his lap there appeared a child of blue complexion. When he was crying aloud, Brahma asked him "why are you crying"? He replied "I must be named", and because he was crying (rodana), Brahma named him "Rudra" (one who cries). He continued to cry further and since he cried so for seven more times Brahma gave him seven more names, described their forms, gave names of their wives and children.<ref>Gupta, Munilal. ''Sri Sri Vishnupurana (Slokas and Hindi Translation)'' Gorakhpur: Gita Press. (Pages 40-41)</ref> <blockquote>स्थानानि चैषामष्टानां पत्नीः पुत्रांश्च स प्रभुः । भवं सर्व्वमथेशानं तथा पशुपतिं द्विज ।। ६ ।। भीममुग्रं महादेवमुवाच स पितामहः । </blockquote><blockquote>सूर्यो जलं मही वायुर्वह्निराकाशमेव च । दीक्षितो ब्राह्मणः सोम इत्येतास्तनवः क्रमात् ।। ७ ।। (Vish. Pura. 1.8.6-8)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Pitamaha Brahma named them Bhava, Sarva, Ishana, Pasupati, Bhima, Ugra, and Mahadeva. They reside in Surya (Sun), Jala (water), Earth, Air, Fire, Space, Brahmana who took Diksha (in yajnas) and Soma (Moon) respectively. Suvarchala, Usha, Sukeshi, Shivaa, Svaha, Disha, Diksha, and Rohini respectively are the names of the wives of the eight forms of Rudras named Surya and others. Their offsprings, sons and grandsons have filled the universe. Sanaischara, Suka, Lohitanga, Manojava, Skanda, Sarga, Santana, Budha are respectively the sons of the eight forms of Rudras (Vish. Pura. 1.8.9-12).

Vishnu Purana further explains in Adhyaya 8 of the same chapter about the creation of Rudra and his further role in creation.<blockquote>रुदन् वै सुस्वरं सोऽथ द्रवंश्च द्रिजसत्तम । किं रोदिषीति तं ब्रह्मा रुदन्तं प्रत्युवाच ह ।। ३ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>नाम देहीति तं सोऽथ प्रत्युवाच प्रजापतिम् । रुद्रस्त्वं देव नाम्नासि मा रोदीर्धैर्य मावह ।। ४ ।। (Vish. Pura. 1.8.3-4)<ref name=":2">Vishnu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Amsha 1 Adhyaya 8])</ref></blockquote>Brahma at the beginning of creation was thinking about a child resembling himself and then on his lap there appeared a child of blue complexion. When he was crying aloud, Brahma asked him "why are you crying"? He replied "I must be named", and because he was crying (rodana), Brahma named him "Rudra" (one who cries). He continued to cry further and since he cried so for seven more times Brahma gave him seven more names, described their forms, gave names of their wives and children.<ref>Gupta, Munilal. ''Sri Sri Vishnupurana (Slokas and Hindi Translation)'' Gorakhpur: Gita Press. (Pages 40-41)</ref> <blockquote>स्थानानि चैषामष्टानां पत्नीः पुत्रांश्च स प्रभुः । भवं सर्व्वमथेशानं तथा पशुपतिं द्विज ।। ६ ।। भीममुग्रं महादेवमुवाच स पितामहः । </blockquote><blockquote>सूर्यो जलं मही वायुर्वह्निराकाशमेव च । दीक्षितो ब्राह्मणः सोम इत्येतास्तनवः क्रमात् ।। ७ ।। (Vish. Pura. 1.8.6-8)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Pitamaha Brahma named them Bhava, Sarva, Ishana, Pasupati, Bhima, Ugra, and Mahadeva. They reside in Surya (Sun), Jala (water), Earth, Air, Fire, Space, Brahmana who took Diksha (in yajnas) and Soma (Moon) respectively. Suvarchala, Usha, Sukeshi, Shivaa, Svaha, Disha, Diksha, and Rohini respectively are the names of the wives of the eight forms of Rudras named Surya and others. Their offsprings, sons and grandsons have filled the universe. Sanaischara, Suka, Lohitanga, Manojava, Skanda, Sarga, Santana, Budha are respectively the sons of the eight forms of Rudras (Vish. Pura. 1.8.9-12).

== Rudra - As form of Agni ==

== Rudra - As form of Agni ==

The 11th Kanda, sukta 2 of Adharvaveda pertains to Rudra.  In whom the Adityas, Rudras and Vasus are held together; in whom are set firm the worlds; that which was and that which shall be � tell me of that Support � who may He be? (Atharvaveda Samhita X.7.22)  

The 11th Kanda, sukta 2 of Adharvaveda pertains to Rudra.  In whom the Adityas, Rudras and Vasus are held together; in whom are set firm the worlds; that which was and that which shall be � tell me of that Support � who may He be? (Atharvaveda Samhita X.7.22)  

== Eleven Rudras ==

== Number of Rudras ==

Many texts depict the origin of Rudras, and dnscribe e of them.

Many texts depict the origin of Rudras, and describe eleven of them. However, Agnipurana mentions that apart from eleven Rudra forms there are <blockquote>महादेवप्रसादेन तपसा भाविता सती । अजैकपादहिर्ब्रघ्नस्त्वष्टा रुद्राश्च सत्तम(१) ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>त्वष्टुश्चैवात्मजः श्रीमान्विश्वरूपो महायशाः । हरश्च बहुरूपश्च त्र्यम्बकश्चापराजितः ॥१८.०४३</blockquote><blockquote>वृषाकपिश्च शम्भुश्च कपर्दी रैवतस्तथा । मृगव्याधस्य सर्पश्च कपाली दश चैककः । रुद्राणां च शतं लक्षं यैर्व्याप्तं सचराचरं ॥१८.०४४</blockquote>

 

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सावित्रश्च जयन्तश्च पिनाकी चापराजितः।

सावित्रश्च जयन्तश्च पिनाकी चापराजितः।

एते रुद्राः समाख्याता एकादश गणेश्वराः।। ५.३० ।।

एते रुद्राः समाख्याता एकादश गणेश्वराः।। ५.३० ।।

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