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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 - Form of Agni ==

== Rudra - As form of Agni ==

Rigveda mentions Rudra as Agni "तमग्नेरुद्रो" while Atharvaveda proclaims "तस्मै रुद्राय नमो अस्त्वग्नये"। Another version of the eight forms of Rudra representing the earthly materials are as follows<ref name=":22322222" />

Rigveda mentions Rudra as Agni "तमग्नेरुद्रो" while Atharvaveda proclaims "तस्मै रुद्राय नमो अस्त्वग्नये"। Another version of the eight forms of Rudra representing the earthly materials are as follows<ref name=":22322222" />

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|Aditya (Sun)

|Aditya (Sun)

|}

|}

In this way, Rudra represents Agni, which resides in every form of  the creation, as well as the Agni tejas with which he shines forth.  

In this way, Rudra represents Agni, which resides in every form of  the creation, as well as the Agni tejas with which he shines forth.

== Rudra in Vedas ==

== Rudra in Vedas ==

=== Rigveda ===

=== Rigveda ===

While the highest number of suktas in Rigveda pertain to Indra, Rudra has been exclusively praised in only three suktas and mentioned about 50 times in context with other devatas. In Rigveda Rudra occupies a place of lesser importance, however Atharvaveda Rudra plays a prominent role.<ref name=":22322222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University. (Pages 119-125)</ref>

While the highest number of suktas in Rigveda pertain to Indra, Rudra has been exclusively praised in three to five<ref name=":42">Pt. Suryanarayana Sastry Malladi. (1982) ''Samskruta Vangmaya Charitra, Volume 1, Vaidika Vangmayam.'' Hyderabad : Andhra Sarasvata Parishat (Page 134-137)</ref> suktas and mentioned about fifty times in context with other devatas. In Rigveda Rudra occupies a place of lesser importance, however in Yajurveda and Atharvaveda Rudra plays a prominent role.<ref name=":22322222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University. (Pages 119-125)</ref>

Rudra Sukta (1.1.43) of Rig Veda praises the qualities of Rudra that he is a Jnani (Knowledgeable), as one who gives good health and happiness along with longevity and as one who removes all the causes for ill-health. Along with Mitra, Varuna, Rudra aids in dispelling causes of diseases and ill-health.<ref>Pt. Sripada Damodar Satvalekar (1985) ''Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya, Volume 1 (Mandala 1).'' Parady : Svadhyaya Mandal (Pages 102-104)</ref>

Rudra Sukta (1.1.43) of Rig Veda praises the qualities of Rudra that he is a Jnani (Knowledgeable), as one who gives good health and happiness along with longevity and as one who removes all the causes for ill-health. Along with Mitra, Varuna, Rudra aids in dispelling causes of diseases and ill-health.<ref>Pt. Sripada Damodar Satvalekar (1985) ''Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya, Volume 1 (Mandala 1).'' Parady : Svadhyaya Mandal (Pages 102-104)</ref>

Rigveda (2.33.1) further describes Rudra as the father of Marutganas. He is extremely fierce in dealing with those on the wrong path, while he is very kind to his bhaktas.<ref name=":03">Raghunathacharya, S. B. (1982) ''[http://ebooks.tirumala.org/Product/Book/?ID=877 Arshavijnana Sarvasvamu, Volume 1 : Vedasamhitalu (Telugu)]'' Tirupati : Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (Page 53)</ref>

Rigveda (2.33.1) further describes Rudra as the father of Marutganas. He is extremely fierce in dealing with those on the wrong path, while he is very kind to his bhaktas.<ref name=":03">Raghunathacharya, S. B. (1982) ''[http://ebooks.tirumala.org/Product/Book/?ID=877 Arshavijnana Sarvasvamu, Volume 1 : Vedasamhitalu (Telugu)]'' Tirupati : Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (Page 53)</ref>

=== Yajurveda ===

=== Yajurveda ===