Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Agnisvishtakrit offering to Rudra’ of the study on the Rudra-Shiva concept in the Vedic and Puranic literature, starting with the concept of God as contemplated by the Rishis (Vedic sages). These pages further deal with the aspects, legends, iconography and eulology of Rudra-Shiva as found in the Samhitas, Brahamanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads Sutras and Puranas. The final chapters deal with descriptions of his greatness, various incarnations and epithets.
19. Agnisviṣṭakṛt offering to Rudra
In the context of Agnisviṣṭakṛt offering of the New-moon sacrifice of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, an account has been found. It is described that the gods ascended the heaven by performing the sacrifice. But the other gods left him who is the lord of paśu. He was left behind on the sacrificial ground by the gods. For that reason he was known as Vāstavya. Then the god who is the lord of paśu saw that the gods excluded him (lord of paśu) from the sacrifice. That god followed the deities and holding his weapon on his hands went to the north quarter. The deities requested him to not to injure them by his weapon. Afterwards the lord of paśu wanted an oblation for him in this sacrifice. According to the order of the deities, the Adhvaryu sprinkled ghee in the remaining sacrificial dishes and furnished those additional portions. Thereafter each of the portions was separated by Adhvaryu.
If the sacrificial food or havi is offered to any deity the Sviṣṭakṛt Agni is afterwards offered a share.
That offering is offered to Agni. Agni is that god. He is known by these names—Śarva, Bhava, Paśunāṃ Pati, Rudra, Agni.[1] The identification between Rudra and Agni is crystal clear by these references.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa, 1.7.3.1-8