Rudri: Some remarks

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

It's always exciting to compare different translations of sacred

texts. This is the case with the Bible as well in our case with the Rudri.

 

I have before me a translation of the Namakam and the Chamakam with

transliteration from the Sanskrt plus marks on the sillables for

correct brahmanical chanting. You know - the typical vedic chanting on

three notes. On the accompanying record a brahmin from Maharashtra

chants the text. In the introduction they call these two chapters -

Namakam and chamakam - the "Shri Rudram". It is also said that this

"Shri Rudram" is from the Krshna Yajur Veda, not the Sukla Yajur Veda.

So this may explain differences in the Sanskrt text to our text - and

there are quite some variations and lacking - or added - verses.

In the foreword to my edition it says, I'll quote: "The rudram is fire

incarnate. There are 5 japa rituals and five yajnas that can be

performed based on the rudram mantras. The rudram recited eleven times

is called Rudri; 121 recitations of the Rudram is called a

Laghurudra..." and so on.

So there seems to be a different approach to the Rudri by Sadhus or by

Brahmins, but that is quite often the case in indian thought and

religious practices, I think.

Now, the translations: In this second translation I read the Namakam

as a pacifying chant to a fierce and maybe wrathful deity, Rudra.

Which, considering the origins of the vedas, would not be so

astonishing - pacyfying the natural elements in the form of gods.

Swamiji's translation appears to me much mellower, gentler. But I do

wonder the amount of freedom he applied in translating this text. This

actually seems to be the case with all his translations and I remember

having put a similar question referring to the Chandi Path.

The Chamakam: In my text it is a supplication to Rudra for all kinds

of favours - and again I think this is the original meaning. Swamji

has transported all these great stuff that is asked for into the inner

heart of man, as inner qualities. Which again I think is more

"spiritual", maybe closer to the hidden meaning of the text - but I

think it's not a translation, or a very free one.

Or - the Sukla Yajur Veda version is really very differnt in meaning.

Since I have no knowledge of Sanskrt I can't say.

 

Best wihes to all

 

D