The Śatarudriya

Abstract

The Śatarudriya, constituting the sixty-six subdivisions of chapter 16 of the Vājasaneyi-Samhitā, is a litany accompanying no less than 425 oblations and addressed to the hundred forms and powers of the god Rudra. This solemn and awful ceremony belongs closely to the preceding chapters which contain the formulas of the most important agnicayana, the piling of the great fireplace; because Agni, that is the fireplace, has on completion become Rudra, the representative of the unconquered, dangerous, unreliable, and hence much to be feared nature.¹ Compare ŚB. 9, 1, 1, 1 “He then performs the Śatarudriya sacrifice. This whole Agni has here been completed; he now is the deity Rudra”. The sacrifice is to avert the god’s wrath and to secure his favour.² After dealing with the performance the Samhitā proceeds to mention the mantras relating to the propitiatory and preparatory ceremonies in connexion with Agni. The mantras of the Śatarudriya are addressed to the various aspects and functions of Rudra who is regarded as a metamorphosis of Wrath (Manyu); “hundred-headed, thousand-eyed, hundred-quivered, with his bow strung and his arrow fitted to the string, Rudra being in quest of food was inspiring fear...” (ŚB. 9, 1, 1, 6).