Rudrastadhyayi

by Satyananda Saraswati

The Rudrashtadhyayi contains eight chapters that emanate from the Shukla Yajur Veda, which are especially beloved to Lord Shiva.  The 1st chapter requests Lord Shiva to bless us with His firm determination.  The 2nd chapter contains the famous “Purusha Shukta” in praise of the Supreme Being.  The 3rd chapter worships Shiva in the form of the spiritual warrior Indra, the Rule of the Pure.  Chapter 4 worships Shiva as Surya, the Light of Wisdom.  Chapter 5 is well known as the Namakam, where we bow to the many manifestations of Lord Shiva.  Chapter 6 we ask Shiva for blessings, chapter 7 we make offerings to his various manifestations.  The 8th chapter is famous as the Chamakam describing the divine characteristics of Shiva that are within us.  The final chapter asks for peace and offers peace. Presented in the Sanskrit, Roman phonetic and complete English translation. The Rudrashtadhyayi has been chanted for thousands of years, by millions of devotees.  The feeling and wisdom of these beautiful hymns of praise have been transmitted from generation to generation in the oral tradition of Guru Disciple relationship.  Those who chant the Rudrashtadhyayi can feel the vibrations of the many generations of sincere worshippers and can receive this transmission themselves.

150 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2002

About the author

Swami Satyananda Saraswati was a sannyasin, yoga teacher and guru in both his native India and the West. He founded the International Yoga Fellowship in 1956 and the Bihar School of Yoga in 1963. He has authored over 80 books, including the well-known Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, recognised internationally as one of the most systematic yoga manuals today. Since its first publication by the Bihar School of yoga in 1969 it has been reprinted seventeen times and translated into many languages.