by Swami Krishnananda
The translation of the Rudra Adhyaya presented herein is based on the famous Commentary of Acharya Sayana on the Veda. Many of the words of the Mantras of the Sri Rudra Prasna are difficult to understand from the point of view of classical Sanskrit grammar. In the appreciation of the significance of Veda Mantras, we have no other alternative than to follow the great Commentator.
We have a firm hope that the rendering of this great hymn to God in English will provide a necessary assistance in one's daily prayers to the Supreme Creator so majestically portrayed in this wondrous hymn of the Yajurveda.
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
30th June, 1988
OM, Prostrations to the Blessed Lord Rudra!
To Thee, O Rudra, prostrations,
Prostrations also to Thy Wrath,
And to Thy Arrow, to Thy Bow,
Prostrations to Thy Mighty Arms.
This Arrow Thine peaceful become,
Thy Bow which is auspiciousness,
And quiver Thine all blessedness,
With these, O Rudra, make us free.
Rudra, Thy form all benignant,
Which destroys trace of every sin,
With that Thy hallowed peaceful form,
O Mountain's Lord, reveal Thyself.
O Mount's Resident, that Thy hands,
The Arrow wield to end all foes,
May that benign become to us,
Protect us all, and harm us not.
Harm not the world, harm not any,
Who succour seek in benignance,
Which Thou art, Lord, Ruler of hills,
Redeemer of Thy supplicants.
Occupier of Mounts, we pray to Thee
With loving hymns to attain Thee;
Do deign to rid the world of ills
And peace and joy to rain on all.
Divine Physician, First of Gods,
Exalt me in Thy Being's Grace;
Cut off evil, within or out
Or from above, in all its forms.
Thou Rudra, shining as the Sun,
Thou blazing, ruddy, pink and brown,
Most blessed, enveloping all
In all directions with Thy rays,
Ranging in tens and thousand rays,
Rising to heal the woes of men,
And moving with the vitals lives',
These Rudras we propitiate.
This Blue-necked One who moves in sky,
The Reddened Glory of heavens,
Do behold all these unlettered,
And also all; Lord, bless us all.
Visible God Thou crossest skies,
Yet invisible remainest.
The high and low, the wise and fool
Do all behold this lord of day.
Nilagriva, we salute Thee,
As Indra Thou hast thousand eyes,
As rain Thou pourest on this earth,
Who attend Thee, to them we bow.
Lord, unfurl string with gracious eyes
From both the ends of Thy great bow,
These arrows Thine, set them aside,
Since foes no more can rise to life.
O Thousand-eyed Divinity!
Thou that hast endless quivers ranged,
Dismantle ends of Thy arrows
As their purpose is now fulfilled.
Setting aside Thy wrath-filled bow,
Now that it has its foes destroyed,
Be Thou auspicious to us
With charming mood to blessings rain.
May bow Kapardin's be unstringed,
May unarrowed be his quiver;
His arrows not now piercing look;
His bow be just their kind support.
Abundant Source of fulfilments!
Protect us Thou from every side
With Thy weapons and bow divine
Which now have ceased destruction's work.
Prostration to Thy great weapon
Which yet has not been fixed on bow,
But still is dread to opponents;
O Blessed Lord, may arrow Thine
And bow exclude us from all harm;
And that quiver Thine far from us
O Lord, prostrations be to Thee;
Great God, Ruler of universe;
Three-eyed One, Death of Tripuras,
Terror to fire of terrible Time,
Blue-necked One, O Thou Death of Death,
The Lord of worlds, all blessedness,
Prostrations to the golden-armed
Commander wielding all forces,
Of all directions Lord supreme,
Of all created beings Lord,
Master of everything that breathes,
Prostrations be to Thee, O Lord,
Rider on bull, we salute Thee,
Chastiser of opposing force,
Of all foodstuffs the only source,
To General ruling perfection,
And all those seeking perfection,
The sword to bondage rend at once,
To Rudra be our prostrations,
Who with outstretched bow all protects,
Ruler of every field of life,
Invisible One, of forests' Lord,
The Crimson-hued, protecting all,
Of trees and plants the ruler, friend,
Minister in the royal courts,
Thou art the merchant dealing goods,
Of living creatures breath and life,
Creator of this world, O Lord,
Of wealth the master, healing drugs'
The overlord, who thunders loud
Supreme Commander, quick in deeds,
All-enveloping Omniscience,
Refuge of all who surrender,
Confronter mighty, valiant one,
Who strikes all foes with divine strength,
Of enemies terrific uprooter,
Dharma's protector, prostrations.
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