What is rudra?

Rudra: The Fierce God of Storms

Rudra is a prominent deity in Hinduism, particularly revered in the Vedic period. He is associated with https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/wind, storms, hunting, and medicine. He is often depicted as fierce, destructive, and unpredictable, but also as a healer and protector.

Key Aspects:

• Vedic Origins: Rudra is mentioned extensively in the https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Rig%20Veda, where he is praised for his strength, skill with a bow and arrow, and his ability to inflict disease but also to cure it.
• Associations: He is often linked to the https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Maruts (storm deities), and his name is etymologically related to the word "raudra," meaning "terrible" or "wild."
• Evolution into Shiva: Over time, Rudra's characteristics and attributes gradually merged with those of other deities, eventually leading to the development of https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Shiva in later Hindu scriptures. Shiva is considered the destroyer aspect of the Hindu Trinity.
• Healing and Protection: Despite his fierce nature, Rudra is also seen as a compassionate deity who can alleviate suffering and protect his devotees from harm. He is often invoked for healing and protection from diseases.
• Iconography: Rudra's depictions vary, but he is often shown as a hunter with a bow and arrow, adorned with animal skins, and with matted hair.

Rudra's complex and multifaceted nature makes him a fascinating figure in Hindu mythology and theology. His fierce power and compassionate nature reflect the duality of existence and the constant interplay between creation and destruction.