PREFACE

Sanskrit holds a special place in my heart. From my very childhood, my

parents inspired me to study Sanskrit as a subject. Since then I started my
journey taking Sanskrit as a major in my graduation. I was attracted to the
beauty of this language. I was a student of the Veda-Group of the department of
Sanskrit, Gauhati University. During that time, I got the opportunity of studying
some Sūktas of the Ṛgveda which were in the syllabus of the Veda-Group in my
classes. Therefore, a keen interest arose in my mind regarding the concept of
Indian Mythology. When I went through the Vedic and Purāṇic texts and the
legends or mythology, I found some new concepts of many gods such as Agni,
Indra, Varuṇa, Pūṣan, etc. After studying these legends, I am interested to study
the concept of Rudra-Śiva and the various aspects of his personality that have
developed through the ages in a systematic and scientific way. Thus a humble
attempt was made to prepare a dissertation on the topic entitled “RUDRA-ŚIVA
CONCEPT IN THE VEDIC AND THE PURĀṆIC LITERATURE” for
Ph.D degree.

Many Indian and Western scholars have contributed a lot in the field of
mythological studies regarding the various appearances on the concept of Rudra-
Śiva. Through this thesis, the characteristic features and the development of
Rudra-Śiva in the Vedic and the Purāṇic age have been brought to light.

The present work comprises of seven chapters. The first chapter is the
Introductory chapter. At the very beginning of this chapter, the concept of god as
arising in the mind of the Vedic sages as well as the rise of the monotheistic idea
in the mind of the Vedic Āryans have been discussed. Then a discussion on the
prominence of Rudra-Śiva from Vedic to Purāṇic period takes place in this
chapter.

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 The second chapter contains information regarding the various
characteristic features of Rudra-Śiva in the Saṁhitā literature. The third
chapter deals with the various aspects and many legends regarding the birth of
Rudra- Śiva in the Brāhmaṇa literature. The fourth chapter depicts the
supremacy over other deities in the Āraṇyaka, the Upaniṣadic and the Sūtra
literature. Rudra-Śiva occupied an exalted position in the Upaniṣadic literature.
Rudra-Śiva is portrayed as the Supreme Reality and Ultimate Brahman in the
fourth chapter. The fifth chapter throws light on the origin of Rudra as Śiva in
the Purāṇic literature. Here, the greatness of Śiva as well as various incarnations
of him have been discussed thoroughly. Vedic Rudra is attributed by a new
appellation with is power and activities, namely Śiva in the Purāṇic literature. In
the sixth chapter, various epithets of Rudra-Śiva and the significance of these
epithets have been discussed. The seventh chapter consists of a concluding
remark on the work.

All the original and secondary sources, journals, papers, dictionaries

which were consulted during my research period are mentioned in the
bibliography.

In the stipulated period, I have completed this thesis under the supervision
of my revered guide Associate Professor Dr. Jagadish Sarma. I shall be highly
rewarded if this work could help the readers.

Place : Gauhati University, Guwahati (Maumita Bhattacharjee)

Date :

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