Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rudra as Karmakrit’ 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.
2.28. Rudra as Karmakṛt
This is another name of Rudra in the Atharvaveda which suggests his supremacy.[1] This is a unique designation of Rudra because this name has not been mentioned in other texts except Atharvaveda. Sayaṇācārya states that he is called as Karmakṛt because he destroys the evil deeds of his adorers or he makes others do all the good and bad deeds.
He also said that Karmakṛt is one who makes five types of creations, i.e.
P.M. Rath also says that:
“He is the performer of all sorts of activities as well as all the activities end in him. Thus, as the impeller of activities, or as the dispeller of all the activities he is karmakṛt.”[3] Śiva is also known by this name, Karmakṛt.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
svopāsakānāṃ duṣkarmāṇi kṛntatīti karmakṛt | athavā sādhvasādhurūpāṇi karmāṇi kārayatīti karmakṛt | yadvā sṛṣṭyādīni pañca kṛtyāni karotīti karmakṛt | uktaṃ hi | pañcavidhaṃ tat kṛtyaṃ sṛṣṭiḥ sthitisaṃhṛtī tirobhāvaḥ | tadvad anugrahakaraṇaṃ proktaṃ satatoditasyāsya || Sāyaṇa, Ibid.
[4]:
bāṇādhyakṣo bījakartā karmakṛddharmasaṃbhavaḥ | Śiva-purāṇa, 4.35.97