“RUDRA” is one of the names of Lord Siva, the word overtly means anger or fury. However One can understand the subtle meaning of this word ‘Rudram’ by looking at its etymology. Rudram is derived from two words – ‘Rud’ and ‘Ra’. ‘Rud’ means dukham (sorrow) or paapam (sin, demerit). ‘Rud’ also means the cause of sorrows or sins. What is the cause of sorrow or sin? It is agnyanam (ignorance). ‘Ra’ means eliminator. So Rudram means eliminator of sorrows and sins. Lord Siva get the name Rudra because he removes sorrows and sins and also the cause of those which is ignorance. Sri Rudram talks about the glory of Siva.“ Sri Rudram is a vedic hymn describing Lord Siva’s several aspects, viz. His omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence etc.

Sri Rudram finds a place as the 4th Prashna in the 4th Khanda of Krishna Yajur Samhita. It is a Maha Mantra. It consists of 164 mantras. Their recital for a stipulated time yields good results and wards off all bad happenings. It is said that regular chanting of it leads to Jnana. The Kaivalyopanishad also echoes this fact. The Anusasanika Parva of Mahabharata mentions that Lord Krishna recited it several times and explained its great power and efficacy.
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