Among many other Mantras of Lord Shiva, ‘Om Rudraya Namah’ is one of the most familiar mantras that many loves to chant. Moreover, the Rudra Mantras is mainly a tribute to Lord Shiva in eleven different Rudra forms, which corresponds to a specific month. Hence, the effects are multiplied when we chant them accordingly.
If you wish to have peace and get a blessing from Lord Shiva, then this mantra is very useful.
Namakam and Chamakam
Sri Rudram occurs in Krishna Yajur Veda in the Taithireeya Samhita in the fourth and seventh chapters. This prayer to Rudra has two parts-the Namakam – verses ending with Nama and the Chamakam – verses ending with Cha May, each with eleven sections. It is also known as Satha Rudreeyam or Rudra Prasnam.
Namakam is a prayer to Rudra to forget about his avenging fierce, fearful, and horrendous form and turn himself into a peaceful form and do good to us. Chamakam, on the other hand, lists out the blessings we get from prayer to Rudra to regulate blessings in our life for a moment forgetting his anger. This also has eleven parts.
The Namakam is a prayer to Rudra to forget about his avenging fierce and fearful form. It consists of the peacefulness and blessings we get got from the prayer. We pray him to regulate blessings in life. This is considered best among the mantras in the Panchakshari Mantra. The second Anuvaaka, consists of two sukthaas of part of nature in the medicinal herbs. It consists of two Sukthaas and is identified with the personality over eons of time and the roles.
The Meaning of Om Rudraya Namah
The powerful mantras mean, ‘I bow to holy one, the Rudra‘, Obeisances to the Lord who is fit to be praised. This gives a majestic and mellifluous prayer that gives the best things in life. It actually depends on the soul life and gives peace in life when you say this Lord Shiva Mantra. This mantra has a powerful soul that mingles with nuances in the actual chanting process.
The Mantra
ॐ रूद्राय नमः॥
Om Rudraya Namah
The Origin of Rudra
According to Shiva Purana, once, the demons were able to defeat Indra and his army of gods and they forced Gods to flee from the city. The deities were full of fear and out of despair, they went to Maharishi Kashyap’s Ashram. He happened to be the father of Indra. Maharishi was known for his supreme knowledge and his ability to meditate. Thus, He consoled the god and promised that he would find a solution to the problem.
Maharishi meditated and seek an audience with the celestial entity Shiva himself. After meditating for quite some time, Shiva appeared in front of him. He seemed impressed by Kashyap’s meditation and asked the Maharishi to make a wish. He asked Shiva to be born as his son, to offer justice to the gods and take his place in the city as their protector. Shiva granted his wish by uttering the words, “Tathastu!” (So be it).
In time, Kashyap impregnated his wife, Surabhi, who then gave birth to 11 sons. These were the forms of the celestial entity Shiva and were known as Rudras. With their birth, the entire world, including the gods, Kashyap and his wife were pleased.
In Matsya Puran, the Rudras were the children of Kashyap and Surbhi, like Shiva Puran. However, different names for the Rudras have been used. The 11 Rudras as per this text is Nirriti, Shambhu, Aparajita, Mrigavyadha, Kapardi, Dahana, Khara, Ahirabradhya, Kapali, Pingala, and Senani.
In Vishnu Puran, quite contradictorily, the Rudras aren’t associated with Shiva, but Brahma (one of the three celestial entities believed to have created the universe). They’re said to have been created out of the rage of Brahma. The names of the Rudras according to this scripture were Manyu, Manu, Mahmasa, Mahan, Siva, Rtudhvaja, Ugraretas, Bhava, Kama, Vamadeva, and Dhrtavrata.
Benefits of Om Rudraya Namah
Chanting this mantra has overall effects in our life. It follows wide results and considers for peaceful life to lead without any hassles. The reading or chanting of Rudra Mantra takes complete only when you chant Om Rudraya Namah as a prayer to Rudra. This consists one of eleven Laghu Rudrams which makes one Maha Rudram.
Moreover, this mantra consists of effects that are multiplied when we chant it with specific to its month. In addition, the devotees normally practice this mantra during Shiva festivals or Yagnyas takes place. Also, by chanting this mantra, we can find forgiveness from Lord Shiva for all the sins and guilt in the past.