Shri Rudram consists of two chapters (
praśna) from the fourth
kāṇda (book) of
Taittiriya Samhita which is a part of
Krishna Yajurveda. The names of the chapters are
Namakam (chapter five) and
Chamakam (chapter seven) respectively. The
Namakam (chapter five) in
Shri Rudram describes the names or epithets of
Rudra, who is a fear-inducing/destructive aspect of
Shiva. The devotee asks for the benevolent and graceful aspect of Shiva to be invoked rather than the terrible and fierce aspect of
Rudra and requests for the forgiveness of sins. The
Chamakam (chapter seven) asks for the fulfillment of wishes. Each chapter consist of eleven
anuvākas or hymns. •
Namakam: The Namakam in particular enumerates the various epithets and names of Rudra. It recognises the violent aspects of Rudra and requests him to be benevolent and peaceful, rather than violent and destructive. It also acknowledges the presence of the deity in those from all walks of life, be they carpenters (TS 4.5.1.2) or thieves (TS 4.5.3.2). •
Chamakam: The Chamakam enumerates the various things one would want in life and requests Rudra to grant them to the devotee. It acknowledges both material and spiritual desires and requests the deity for both. Some verses invoke other deities such as Agni and Vishnu and request them to join in the devotee's prayers to Rudra. The
anuvākas or hymns of
Namakam correspond to the eleven hymns of TS 4.5, with the final hymn extended by an additional eight verses, including the
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. The mantra
Om Namah Shivaya is derived from the
Shri Rudram, in which it appears in the verses of TS 4.5.8 though without the syllable
Om. The
Chamakam consists of 11
anuvākas or hymns. The 11th anuvāka prayer (of the chamakam), brings out the long list of benedictions asked for in the odd divine number and even human numbering .The
anuvākas or hymns of
Chamakam correspond to TS 4.7 and they ask God for fulfillment of wishes. The earliest homage hymns to Rudra is the
Śatarudrīya found in the
Shukla Yajurveda (Vajasaneyi Samhita 16.1-66). C. Fuller maintains that
Shri Rudram is based on
Śatarudrīya. ==See also==