What is Sri Rudram?

In this blog post, you will learn about Sri Rudram, a highly revered hymn from the Vedas.

‘Namah Shivaya’. This mantra is known to even those not very well versed in mantra sadhana. But, did you know that this potent five-lettered (Panchakshari) mantra of Lord Shiv is derived from a Vedic chant called Sri Rudram?
Sri Rudram chanting is part of daily prayers at many homes and Shiv temples across the country. It removes negativity and invokes Lord Shiv’s presence for well-being and prosperity.

Ancient Vedic Stotram
Sri Rudram, Shatrudriya, or Sri Rudraprasnah, is a stotram offered to the all-pervading Brahman (Rudra-Shiv). He assumes the fierce form (Rudra) at the time of the dissolution of the cosmos.
Sri Rudram occurs in the Taittiriya Samhita of the Kṛishna Yajurveda and consists of two hymns: Namakam and Chamakam. Let’s learn more about them.

Namakam
It appears in the 4th kanda (chapter), 5th prasna (topic), in 11 anuvakas (sections) of the Taittriya Samhita.
The first anuvaka (section) of Namakam is a prayer to Lord Rudra, to seek his kindness. From the second to the ninth anuvakas, He is offered salutations as, 

• Sarvatma (all forms constituting the world)
• Sarvantaryami (inner order sustaining everything), and
• Sarveshvara (the Lord of everything)

The 10th anuvaka consists of prayers, while in the 11th, Sri Rudra is prayed to in the form of many devatas that sustain different spheres.
In the first nine sections or anuvakas, the word ‘namah’ (salutations to Shiv) occurs around 300 times. Therefore, this section of Sri Rudram is called ‘Namakam.’

Chamakam
This is the second hymn of Sri Rudram, which appears in the Taittriya Samhita of the Yajur Ved after Namakam. Chamakam is also recited after Namakam chanting. The 11 anuvakas of Chamakam are found in the 4th kanda (chapter) and 7th prasna (topic). The syllables ‘cha me’ (meaning ‘with me’ or ‘to me’ are repeated at the end of every verse; therefore, this hymn is called ‘Chamakam.’
In other words, the devotee asks Lord Rudra to fulfill both material and spiritual wishes. Interestingly, the Chamakam lists over 300 blessings for those who chant or listen to the Sri Rudram.
Read More: What is the Significance of Sri Rudram?

Different Rudram Recitations
Sri Rudram can be chanted with different combinations of Namakam and Chamakam counts.

Ishvar Gita (an ancient philosophical text from Kurma Puran) considers Sri Rudram an Upanishad which reveals the truth of Jiva (the individual), Jagat (the world), and Ishvara (the Lord). The names of the Lord serve as an Upanishad, giving devotees profound knowledge. 

Wish to experience the grace and divine protection of Sri Rudra? Join the rare Maharudra Sadhana on Sadhana App today!
Perform this powerful sadhana with Mantra Jap, and Yagna (with Om swami ji) on the app. The yagna will be telecast Live at 5:00 AM (IST) everyday till 26 Feb.
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To learn more about Sri Rudra, do read our previous blog on this subject.