RUDRA IN THE BR?HMAN?A LITERATURE

Abstract

Vedas are the store house of knowledge. The word Veda comes from the root vid to know, with the suffix ac or gha Manu says in his book Manusm?ti that the Veda is the source of dharmas or religion (Manusm?ti, 2.6). There are four Vedas in number namely the ?gveda, the Yajurveda, the Atharvaveda and the S?maveda. Each Veda has been classified into four sub-divisionsthe Sa?hit?s, the Br?hma?as, the ?ra?yakas and the Upani?ads. The word Br?hma?ais derived from the root b?h. Br?hma?as are written in prose style. They deal in ritualistic performances, theological matters and various sacrificial rites, along with explanation of the mantras. Mention of many gods and goddesses is found in the Br?hma?a literature. Among the various gods and goddesses, this paper is an attempt to highlight the characteristic features of Rudra, his origin and stories related to Rudraas reflected in the Br?hma?a literature.