Introduction
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, dating back thousands of years. Rooted in the Vedic religion, Hinduism has evolved over the centuries, taking on a variety of forms. Central to Hinduism is the worship of the various Gods, each of which has a unique history and story associated with them. Among all of these deities, who is the oldest God in Hinduism?
Sage Rudra – The Oldest Hindu God
Sage Rudra is widely accepted as the oldest God in Hinduism. Described as a ‘Shivaite God’ – referring to the Shaivite sect of Hinduism that venerates the Lord Shiva – Rudra is believed to have been a ‘pre-Vedic God’. In this context, ‘pre-Vedic’ means prior to the Vedas – ancient Hindu sacred texts that are the oldest texts in the religious literature of India. Rudra is described in the Yajur Veda, an important Hindu religious text composed during the Vedic period (circa 1700-1100 BCE).
The hymns in the Yajur Veda are addressed to Rudra and portray him as a powerful and wrathful God of storms and wind – a role that would later be absorbed by Shiva in Hindu mythology. Rudra is associated with weapons and violence, as he is described as a ‘fearful bowman’ in one of the Yajur Veda hymns. It is believed that Rudra is derived from the root ‘rud’, which means ‘to cry’ in the Sanskrit language – referring to the roaring sound of the wind.
Ancestry of Rudra and the Origin of His Name
Scholars have debated on the lineage of Rudra. According to some, Rudra is the son of the Hindu God Brahma – the creator of the world. However, some believe that Rudra has a more distant ancestry, pointing to his name as evidence of this. Rudra is derived from the Vedic cative ‘Rudhyam’, which is an epithet for the ‘Storm-God’ – suggesting a connection to more primordial, pre-Vedic gods, and making him the oldest Hindu God.
Moreover, Rudra is also seen as the progenitor of the Shivaite sect of Hinduism, making him the oldest source of worship in the religion. This is supported by the Yajur Veda, which describes Rudra as the ‘first of the Gods’.
Encouragement to Worship Rudra
Despite this, worship of Rudra is not seen as prominent in mainstream Hinduism. This is likely because there is no single unified text that explicitly encourages worship of this God. Moreover, Rudra later evolved into Lord Shiva and Vishnu, two of the most popular Gods in Hinduism. Thus, worship of these archetypal figures is seen as more widespread.
Nonetheless, some Hindu texts – particularly the Shaivite literature such as the Shiva Purana – do encourage worship of Rudra. This includes rituals such as the chanting of mantras dedicated to him, as well as devotional offerings like flowers and incense. Doing this is believed to bring peace and prosperity, and in turn, a closer connection to the cosmic power that is Shiva.
Appearance and Characteristics of Rudra
Rudra is often depicted in Hindu artwork as a handsome figure, with an athletic build and four faces. He is said to have three eyes, representing the sun, moon and fire. He usually has a fair complexion, and is often shown carrying a bow and arrow or trident – symbols of his prowess. On his forehead is a third eye, representing his divine insight, and his hair is said to be knotted in a matted fashion – symbolizing his ascetic tendencies.
Aspects of Rudra in Shaivism
Rudra is viewed differently in the Shaivite sect of Hinduism. Here, Rudra becomes the fearsome, destructive aspect of the God Shiva. He is seen as the destroyer of evil, and is known as the ‘Lord of Tears’ due to the emotion of sorrow that pervades much of Shaivite worship. Moreover, a number of Hindu myths suggest that Rudra is a manifestation of the energy of Lord Shiva.
Rudra in Popular Culture and the Present Day
Rudra can be seen in a number of popular culture works today, including Hindu mythology- based films and television programs. Additionally, there is still worship of Rudra in the present day, primarily in a Shaivite context. Hindu temples dedicated to Rudra can be found in India, with devotees often honoring him as an aspect of Shiva.
Rudra’s Significance in Hinduism
It is clear that Rudra’s significance in Hinduism cannot be overlooked. As the oldest God in the religion, Rudra is believed to represent older, more primordial aspects of Hinduism that predate the Vedas. Rudra is associated with storms and wind, and his image persists in popular Hindu culture even today.
The Relationship Between Rudra and Shiva
The relationship between Rudra and Shiva is also a matter of debate. For some, Rudra is seen as a separate God to Shiva, a unique divine entity that predates the latter. However, for others, Rudra is seen as an aspect of Shiva, or merely another name for the same God. Regardless of the stance taken by Hindu scholars, both Rudra and Shiva remain integral parts of the same religion – Hinduism.
Interpretations and Connections to Other Deities
With the lack of unified texts, there are two main interpretations on Rudra in Hinduism. Firstly, he is seen as a separate God to the popular deities Shiva and Vishnu. This is mainly supported by the Shaivite sect of the religion, which considers Rudra to be the source of their worship. Alternatively, Rudra is also sometimes believed to be an aspect of Shiva, further connecting Rudra to the other well-known Gods in Hinduism.
The Mysteries of Rudra
Ultimately, the origin and significance of Rudra remains shrouded in mystery. With scant archaeological evidence and limited textual sources, his exact role and history are up for debate. What is certain, however, is that this ancient God remains an important figure in Hinduism – and the question of who is the oldest God in Hinduism will continue to remain.
