What is Sri Rudram?

Sri Rudram chanting is part of daily prayers at many homes and Shiva temples across the country. It removes negativity and invokes Lord Shiva’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-Shiva). He assumes the fierce form (Rudra) at the time of the dissolution of the cosmos. 

Sri Rudram, occurring in the Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajurved, 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 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 Bhagwan 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 Yajur Ved after Namakam. Chamakam is recited after Namakam. 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.

Different Rudram Recitations

Sri Rudram can be chanted with different count combinations of Namakam and Chamakam.

Ishwar Gita (an ancient philosophical text from Kurma Purana) 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 Upanishad, giving profound knowledge to the devotees.  

Invoking Sri Rudra from Kaal Bhairav Jayanti

Rudri Sadhana is a powerful practice to invoke this divine aspect of Lord Shiv. In this Sadhana, you will perform Abhishekam with Shri Rudram Stotram, and chant Dashakshari (ten-lettered) mantra in the evening. The next morning, you will do ya yagna and make offerings to Lord Shiv. 

Join the 6-day Rudri Sadhana from 12 Nov. 2025 - 17 Nov. 2025 on Sadhana App and progress on the path of self-transformation by overcoming all negativity. 

                                             It’s Possible with Sadhana!