శ్రీ రుద్రమ్, also called the రుద్ర-ప్రశ్నః, is one of the most revered hymns of the కృష్ణ యజుర్వేద, found in the తైత్తిరీయ సంహిత (4.5). It is a Vedic salutation to రుద్ర - the power that can appear fearsome as the remover of ignorance and obstacles, and compassionate as the healer who restores harmony.
The recitation traditionally has two parts: నమకమ్ (the section centered on repeated నమః - "salutations / surrender") and చమకమ్ (the section centered on చ మే - "and to me"). Read together, they move from humility and appeasement, to praise of రుద్ర in every direction and form, to prayer for wellbeing, inner strength, and a complete, well-ordered life.
Meanings help the mind participate, but Vedic chanting is best learned from a teacher so the స్వర, pace, and pauses are correct. Even when you are only reading, go slowly and let the repeated నమః cultivate humility, steadiness, and the ability to respond (not react) in difficult situations.
Anuvaka 1
కృష్ణ యజుర్వేదీయ తైత్తిరీయ సంహితా
చతుర్థం-వైఀశ్వదేవ-ఙ్కాణ్డ-మ్పఞ్చమః ప్రపాఠకః
ఓ-న్నమో భగవతే॑ రుద్రా॒య ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
ఓం - auspicious syllable; a reverential opening
నమో - salutation; surrender
భగవతే - to the blessed Lord
రుద్రాయ - to రుద్ర
Translation (భావార్థ):
Om. Salutations to the blessed Lord Rudra.
నమ॑స్తే రుద్ర మ॒న్యవ॑ ఉ॒తోత॒ ఇష॑వే॒ నమః॑ ।
నమ॑స్తే అస్తు॒ ధన్వ॑నే బా॒హుభ్యా॑ము॒త తే॒ నమః॑ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
నమః తే - salutations to you
రుద్ర - O రుద్ర
మన్యవే - to మన్యు (fierce force; wrathful power)
ఇషవే - to the arrow
ధన్వనే - to the bow
బాహుభ్యామ్ - to the two arms
ఉత / ఉత ఉ - and; also
Translation (భావార్థ):
O Rudra, salutations to your fierce power and to your arrow; salutations to your bow and to your two arms.
యా త॒ ఇషు॑-శ్శి॒వత॑మా శి॒వ-మ్బ॒భూవ॑ తే॒ ధనుః॑ ।
శి॒వా శ॑ర॒వ్యా॑ యా తవ॒ తయా॑ నో రుద్ర మృడయ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ):
ఇషుః - arrow (projectile power)
శివాతమా - most auspicious; most benevolent
ధనుః - bow
శరవ్యా - quiver
మృడయ - be gracious; make us well
Translation (భావార్థ):
May your arrow, bow, and quiver become auspicious and benevolent; with that, O Rudra, be gracious to us.
యా తే॑ రుద్ర శి॒వా త॒నూరఘో॒రా-ఽపా॑పకాశినీ ।
తయా॑ నస్త॒నువా॒ శన్త॑మయా॒ గిరి॑శన్తా॒భిచా॑కశీహి ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
శి@వా తనూః - auspicious form
అఘోరా - not terrible; non-harmful
అపాపకాశినీ - revealing purity; removing sin/impurity
శన్తమయా - most peaceful
గిరిశ - Lord of the mountains
అభి చక్షీహి - look upon; behold; bless with your glance
Translation (భావార్థ):
O Rudra, with your peaceful, non-harmful, purifying form, look upon us graciously, O Lord of the mountains.
యామిషు॑-ఙ్గిరిశన్త॒ హస్తే॒ బిభ॒ర్ష్యస్త॑వే ।
శి॒వా-ఙ్గి॑రిత్ర॒ తా-ఙ్కు॑రు॒ మా హిగ్ం॑సీః॒ పురు॑ష॒-ఞ్జగ॑త్॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
ఇషుమ్ - the arrow
హస్తే - in (your) hand
గిరీత్ర - the mountain-roamer; Lord of the mountains
కురూ - make (it)
మా హింసీః - do not harm
పురుషమ్ - people
జగత్ - the moving world
Translation (భావార్థ):
O mountain-roamer, make the arrow in your hand auspicious; do not harm people or the world.
శి॒వేన॒ వచ॑సా త్వా॒ గిరి॒శాచ్ఛా॑ వదామసి ।
యథా॑ న॒-స్సర్వ॒మిజ్జగ॑దయ॒ఖ్ష్మగ్ం సు॒మనా॒ అస॑త్ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
శివేన వచసా - with auspicious, healing words
వద - we speak/pray
అయక్ష్మమ్ - free from disease/affliction
సుమనః - good-minded; well-disposed; cheerful and steady
Translation (భావార్థ):
O Lord of the mountains, we pray to you with auspicious words; may this whole world be free of affliction and may our hearts be well-disposed.
అధ్య॑వోచదధివ॒క్తా ప్ర॑థ॒మో దైవ్యో॑ భి॒షక్ ।
అహీగ్॑శ్చ॒ సర్వా᳚ఞ్జ॒మ్భయ॒న్-థ్సర్వా᳚శ్చ యాతుధా॒న్యః॑ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
అధివక్తా - supreme speaker/advocate (one who speaks for us)
ప్రథమః - foremost
దైవ్యః భిషక్ - divine physician (healer)
అహీః - serpents/poisons (outer and inner)
యాతుధాన్యాః - cruel, destructive forces/impulses
Translation (భావార్థ):
May the foremost divine healer speak on our behalf and subdue all poisons and destructive forces.
అ॒సౌ యస్తా॒మ్రో అ॑రు॒ణ ఉ॒త బ॒భ్రుస్సు॑మ॒ఙ్గలః॑ ।
యే చే॒మాగ్ం రు॒ద్రా అ॒భితో॑ ది॒ఖ్షు శ్రి॒తా-స్స॑హస్ర॒శో-ఽవై॑షా॒గ్ం॒ హేడ॑ ఈమహే ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
తామ్ర, అరుణ, బభ్రు - coppery/red/brown hues (many appearances)
సుమన్గలః - auspicious
దిఖ్షు - in the directions
రుద్రాః - forms/hosts of Rudra
హేడః - anger; fierce intensity
Translation (భావార్థ):
To the auspicious Rudra who appears in many hues, and to the Rudras established in all directions, we offer salutations to soften their fierce intensity.
అ॒సౌ యో॑-ఽవ॒సర్ప॑తి॒ నీల॑గ్రీవో॒ విలో॑హితః ।
ఉ॒తైన॑-ఙ్గో॒పా అ॑దృశ॒న్నదృ॑శన్నుదహా॒ర్యః॑ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ):
నీలగ్రీవ - blue-necked
విలోహిత - ruddy/red-hued
వసర్పతి - moves about; pervades
గోపాః - cowherds
ఉదహార్యాః - those who draw/carry water
Translation (భావార్థ):
That blue-necked, red-hued Rudra who moves about is seen by cowherds and by those who draw water.
ఉ॒తైనం॒-విఀశ్వా॑ భూ॒తాని॒ స దృ॒ష్టో మృ॑డయాతి నః ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
విశ్వా భూతాని - all beings
దృష్టః - being seen; perceived
మృడయాతి - becomes gracious; blesses
Translation (భావార్థ):
All beings see him; may he, being perceived everywhere, be gracious to us.
నమో॑ అస్తు॒ నీల॑గ్రీవాయ సహస్రా॒ఖ్షాయ॑ మీ॒ఢుషే᳚ ।
అథో॒ యే అ॑స్య॒ సత్వా॑నో॒-ఽహ-న్తేభ్యో॑-ఽకర॒న్నమః॑ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
నమో అస్తు - salutations be
నీలగ్రీవాయ - to the blue-necked one
సహస్రాక్షాయ - to the thousand-eyed one (all-seeing)
మీఢుషే - bountiful; generous
సత్వానః - attendants/hosts; embodied forms
Translation (భావార్థ):
Salutations to the blue-necked, thousand-eyed, bountiful Lord - and to all his attendant forms.
ప్రము॑ఞ్చ॒ ధన్వ॑న॒స్త్వము॒భయో॒రార్త్ని॑ యో॒ర్జ్యామ్ ।
యాశ్చ॑ తే॒ హస్త॒ ఇష॑వః॒ పరా॒ తా భ॑గవో వప ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
ప్రముఞ్చ - loosen; release
జ్యం - bowstring
ఉభయోః - on both sides
హస్త - hand
ఇషవః - arrows
పరా - away; aside
వప - cast off; set aside
Translation (భావార్థ):
Loosen your bowstring from both ends, and set aside the arrows in your hand, O Lord.
అ॒వ॒తత్య॒ ధను॒స్త్వగ్ం సహ॑స్రాఖ్ష॒ శతే॑షుధే ।
ని॒శీర్య॑ శ॒ల్యానా॒-మ్ముఖా॑ శి॒వో న॑-స్సు॒మనా॑ భవ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
ధనుస్ - bow
సహస్రాక్ష - thousand-eyed one
శతేషుధే - hundred-quivered one
శ@ల్యానాం ముఖాః - the sharp arrow-points
శి@వః - auspicious; benevolent
సుమనః - kindly disposed
Translation (భావార్థ):
Unstring the bow, blunt the arrow-points, and be benevolent and kindly disposed toward us.
విజ్య॒-న్ధనుః॑ కప॒ర్దినో॒ విశ॑ల్యో॒ బాణ॑వాగ్ం ఉ॒త ।
అనే॑శన్న॒స్యేష॑వ ఆ॒భుర॑స్య నిష॒ఙ్గథిః॑ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
కపఋదిన్ - the matted-haired Lord
విజ్యమ్ - without bowstring
విశల్యమ్ - without sharp points/bolts (non-harmful)
నిషఙ్గతిహ్ - quiver/arrow-holder
అశవః - arrows
Translation (భావార్థ):
May the bow of the matted-haired Lord be unstrung, the arrows harmless, and the quiver non-threatening.
యా తే॑ హే॒తిర్మీ॑డుష్టమ॒ హస్తే॑ బ॒భూవ॑ తే॒ ధనుః॑ ।
తయా॒-ఽస్మాన్, వి॒శ్వత॒స్త్వమ॑య॒ఖ్ష్మయా॒ పరి॑బ్భుజ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
హేతిః - weapon; missile-power
మీఢుష్టమ - most bountiful one
ధనుస్ - bow
విస్వతః - on all sides
అయక్ష్మయా - free from disease/affliction
పరి-బ్భుజ - encircle and protect
Translation (భావార్థ):
With that weapon-power and bow in your hand, protect us on all sides and keep us free from affliction.
నమ॑స్తే అ॒స్త్వాయు॑ధా॒యానా॑తతాయ ధృ॒ష్ణవే᳚ ।
ఉ॒భాభ్యా॑ము॒త తే॒ నమో॑ బా॒హుభ్యా॒-న్తవ॒ ధన్వ॑నే ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
నమస్ తే - salutations to you
ఆయుధాయ - to the weapon
ఆనతతాయ - made ready; stretched
ధృష్ణవే - to the strong one
బాహుభ్యామ్ - to the two arms
ధన్వనే - to the bow
Translation (భావార్థ):
Salutations to your readied weapon, to your strong arms, and to your bow.
పరి॑ తే॒ ధన్వ॑నో హే॒తిర॒స్మాన్ వృ॑ణక్తు వి॒శ్వతః॑ ।
అథో॒ య ఇ॑షు॒ధిస్తవా॒రే అ॒స్మన్నిధే॑హి॒ తమ్ ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ):
హేతిః - missile-power (from the bow)
వృణక్తు - may it turn away; pass around; protect
విస్వతః - on every side
ఇషుధిః - quiver
నిధేహి - place; keep
అరే - far away
Translation (భావార్థ):
May the missile-power of your bow not strike us but turn away on all sides; place your quiver far away from us. (End of Anuvaka 1.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
The opening anuvaka begins with an honest spiritual psychology: before asking for comfort, we first acknowledge the reality of power. రుద్ర is addressed along with మన్యు (wrath) and the instruments of harm (ఇషు, ధనుః, బాహు). But the prayer is not fear-mongering; it is transformation. The repeated request is that the same force become శివ - benevolent, healing, and protective. Notice how the hymn does not deny intensity; it asks intensity to become auspicious and guided by ధర్మ.
The mantra calls Rudra the దైవ్యః భిషక్, the divine physician. This is a deep Vedic idea: the Highest is not only the creator of the world's laws, but also the healer of what goes wrong in us - disease, fear, poison, and the "inner demons" of rage, cruelty, and confusion. The later prayer మృత్యుః మే పాహి ("protect me from death") echoes the Upanishadic longing to move from death to immortality - not as a denial of the body's limits, but as a turn toward the deathless awareness that steadies the mind even when life is uncertain.
In daily life, this anuvaka can be practiced as "turning మన్యు into శివ." When anger rises at home or work, first do what the mantra does: acknowledge it, don't pretend it isn't there. Then do what it asks: loosen the bowstring - pause before speaking, remove the "arrow" of a cutting message, and choose శివేన వచసా (kind, healing words). A simple exercise: before replying to a triggering message, take 10 slow breaths, repeat నమః mentally, and ask, "Can this same energy protect and repair instead of injure?"
The భగవద్గీతా names the danger of unexamined anger: క్రోధాత్ భవతి సమ్మోహః - it clouds discernment. Sri Rudram gives a practical counter-move: turn the "arrow" into vigilance and let నమః cool the urge to strike. The Upanishadic prayer మృఇత్యోర్ మా అమృతం గమయ is not only about the end of the body; it is also about outgrowing the small "deaths" of fear, shame, and reactive living. When మన్యు is offered into awareness, it becomes courage and protection, not harm.
Anuvaka 2
శ్రీ శమ్భ॑వే॒ నమః॑ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): శ్రీ - SrI (Vedic term); శమ్భవే - to the auspicious one; నమః - salutations
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the auspicious, wellbeing-giving rudra.
నమ॑స్తే అస్తు భగవన్-విశ్వేశ్వ॒రాయ॑ మహాదే॒వాయ॑ త్ర్యమ్బ॒కాయ॑ త్రిపురాన్త॒కాయ॑ త్రికాగ్నికా॒లాయ॑ కాలాగ్నిరు॒ద్రాయ॑ నీలక॒ణ్ఠాయ॑ మృత్యుఞ్జ॒యాయ॑ సర్వేశ్వ॒రాయ॑ సదాశి॒వాయ॑ [శఙ్క॒రాయ॑] శ్రీమ-న్మహాదే॒వాయ॒ నమః॑ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్తే - salutations to you; అస్తు - let it be; భగవన్ - O blessed Lord; విశ్వేశ్వరాయ - Lord of the universe; మహాదేవాయ - mahaadEvaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): O blessed Lord: salutations to you as viSvESvara, mahAdEva, tryambaka, tripurAntaka, kAla-agnirudra, nIlakaNTha, mRutyunjaya, sarvESvara, and sadASiva.
నమో॒ హిర॑ణ్య బాహవే సేనా॒న్యే॑ ది॒శా-ఞ్చ॒ పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; హిరణ్య - gold, metal/iron; బాహవే - baahavE (Vedic term); సేనాన్యే - sEnaanyE (Vedic term); దిశాం - diSaaM (object-form term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the golden-armed commander and Lord of the directions.
నమో॑ వృ॒ఖ్షేభ్యో॒ హరి॑కేశేభ్యః పశూ॒నా-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వృక్షేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); హరికేశేభ్యః - to these forms/aspects (plural); పశూనాం - paSoonaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the Lord in trees, to the "green/tawny-haired" one, and to the Lord of animals.
నమ॑-స్స॒స్పిఞ్జ॑రాయ॒ త్విషీ॑మతే పథీ॒నా-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సస్పిఞ్జరాయ - saspiMjaraaya (Vedic term); త్విషీమతే - tviSheematE (Vedic term); పథీనాం - patheenaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the radiant, tawny one, the guardian and Lord of travellers and paths.
నమో॑ బభ్లు॒శాయ॑ వివ్యా॒ధినే-ఽన్నా॑నా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; బభ్లుశాయ - babhluSaaya (Vedic term); వివ్యాధినే - vivyaadhinE (Vedic term); న్నానాం - nnaanaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the brown-hued hunter - even to the Lord who governs those who live by stealing, so that chaos is contained and corrected.
నమో॒ హరి॑కేశాయోపవీ॒తినే॑ పు॒ష్టానా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; హరికేశాయోపవీతినే - harikESaayOpaveetinE (Vedic term); పుష్టానాం - puShTaanaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the tawny-haired one wearing the sacred thread, the Lord of the well-nourished and the thriving.
నమో॑ భ॒వస్య॑ హే॒త్యై జగ॑తా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; భవస్య - bhavasya (Vedic term); హేత్యై - hEtyai (Vedic term); జగతాం - jagataaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the weapon/power of bhava, and to the Lord of the worlds.
నమో॑ రు॒ద్రాయా॑తతా॒వినే॒ ఖ్షేత్రా॑ణా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; రుద్రాయాతతావినే - rudraayaatataavinE (Vedic term); క్షేత్రాణాం - kShEtraaNaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to rudra as the vigilant guardian of fields and sacred spaces.
నమ॑స్సూ॒తాయాహ॑న్త్యాయ॒ వనా॑నా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్సూతాయాహన్త్యాయ - namassootaayaahaMtyaaya (Vedic term); వనానాం - vanaanaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord; నమో - salutations
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the Lord of the forests, who guides and also corrects.
నమో॒ రోహి॑తాయ స్థ॒పత॑యే వృ॒ఖ్షాణా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; రోహితాయ - rOhitaaya (Vedic term); స్థపతయే - to the lord; presiding guardian of; వృక్షాణాం - vRukShaaNaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to rOhita, the overseer and Lord of trees.
నమో॑ మ॒న్త్రిణే॑ వాణి॒జాయ॒ కఖ్షా॑ణా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; మన్త్రిణే - maMtriNE (Vedic term); వాణిజాయ - vaaNijaaya (Vedic term); కక్షాణాం - kakShaaNaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the Lord as counsellor and merchant, guiding the borderlands and pathways of life.
నమో॑ భువ॒న్తయే॑ వారివస్కృ॒తా-యౌష॑ధీనా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; భువన్తయే - to this form/aspect; వారివస్కృతా - vaarivaskRutaa (Vedic term); యౌషధీనాం - yauShadheenaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the Lord who "is", the giver of waters, and the Lord of herbs and medicines.
నమ॑ ఉ॒చ్చైర్ఘో॑షాయాక్ర॒న్దయ॑తే పత్తీ॒నా-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఉచ్చైర్ఘోషాయాక్రన్దయతే - uchchairghOShaayaakrandayatE (Vedic term); పత్తీనాం - patteenaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord; నమో - salutations
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the loud-voiced one who makes the battlefield roar, and to the Lord of armies and leaders.
నమః॑ కృత్స్నవీ॒తాయ॒ ధావ॑తే॒ సత్త్వ॑నా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమః॑ ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కృత్స్నవీతాయ - kRutsnaveetaaya (Vedic term); ధావతే - dhaavatE (Vedic term); సత్త్వనాం - sattvanaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the all-pervading one who moves swiftly everywhere, the Lord of all beings. (End of Anuvaka 2.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This anuvaka expands the mind. The first line salutes familiar names of శివ, but immediately the hymn moves into a radical Vedic teaching: the Divine is not confined to a temple or a single "holy" mood. రుద్ర is addressed as commander, forest-lord, path-guardian, healer of herbs, and even as the regulator of those who move in darkness. The prayer is not approving wrongdoing; it is acknowledging that no part of life is outside the reach of the cosmic order, and asking that the wild, frightening, or chaotic parts be brought back under ధర్మ.
The spirit of this anuvaka resonates strongly with the Upanishadic vision: ఈశావాస్యమిదం సర్వమ్ - "all this is pervaded by the Lord." When we truly see this, we stop dividing life into "spiritual" and "non-spiritual" compartments. Nature, society, work, travel, security, medicine, and governance all become arenas where ఈశ్వర can be served and remembered. That is why పతి (lord/guardian) repeats again and again: it trains the mind to recognize a single sustaining intelligence behind many roles.
In modern life, this anuvaka can be practiced as reverence plus responsibility. Reverence: look at a tree, a river, a medicine, or a busy street and remember that life is being held together by an order larger than your plans. Responsibility: if you work in "paths" (transport, logistics, policing, healthcare, education), treat your role as సెవ, not as ego. A simple exercise: once a day, choose one ordinary place - your commute, your desk, your kitchen - and mentally offer నమః there, reminding yourself that the same Divine presence is there too.
The శ్వేతాశ్వతర ఉపనిషద్ supports this expansive vision with ఏకో హి రుద్రో న ద్వితీయాయ తస్థుః - one రుద్ర stands without a second. If the same Presence is named as Lord of herbs, forests, leaders, and travellers, then spiritual growth also includes how we treat ecology, public spaces, and social roles. Try a practical "pati" reflection: once a week, ask what you are a పతి of - your time, your speech, your phone habits, your health - and lead that domain with care rather than negligence.
Anuvaka 3
నమ॒-స్సహ॑మానాయ నివ్యా॒ధిన॑ ఆవ్యా॒ధినీ॑నా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సహమానాయ - sahamaanaaya (Vedic term); నివ్యాధిన - nivyaadhina (Vedic term); ఆవ్యాధినీనాం - aavyaadhineenaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the enduring one, and to the Lord who governs hunters and attackers - so that violence is restrained and redirected.
నమః॑ కకు॒భాయ॑ నిష॒ఙ్గిణే᳚ స్తే॒నానా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కకుభాయ - kakubhaaya (Vedic term); నిషఙ్గిణే - sword-bearer; స్తేనానాం - thief; పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the one who lies in ambush, the sword-bearer; salutations to the Lord who rules over robbers.
నమో॑ నిష॒ఙ్గిణ॑ ఇషుధి॒మతే॒ తస్క॑రాణా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; నిషఙ్గిణ - sword-bearer; ఇషుధిమతే - quiver-bearer; తస్కరాణాం - thief; పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the one with sword and quiver; salutations to the Lord who governs thieves.
నమో॒ వఞ్చ॑తే పరి॒వఞ్చ॑తే స్తాయూ॒నా-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వఞ్చతే - vaMchatE (Vedic term); పరివఞ్చతే - parivaMchatE (Vedic term); స్తాయూనాం - staayoonaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the one who sees through deception; salutations to the Lord who controls deceivers and cheaters.
నమో॑ నిచే॒రవే॑ పరిచ॒రాయార॑ణ్యానా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; నిచేరవే - nichEravE (Vedic term); పరిచరాయారణ్యానాం - paricharaayaaraNyaanaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the stealthy wanderer; salutations to the Lord of wild forests.
నమ॑-స్సృకా॒విభ్యో॒ జిఘాగ్ం॑సద్భ్యో ముష్ణ॒తా-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సృకావిభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); జిఘాగంసద్భ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); ముష్ణతాం - one who steals; పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who kill and to those who steal - and to the One who ultimately disciplines such impulses.
నమో॑-ఽసి॒మద్భ్యో॒ నక్త॒ఞ్చర॑ద్భ్యః ప్రకృ॒న్తానా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; సిమద్భ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); నక్తఞ్చరద్భ్యః - to these forms/aspects (plural); ప్రకృన్తానాం - one who cuts; పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who roam at night, to those who cut and injure - and to the Lord who restrains them.
నమ॑ ఉష్ణీ॒షిణే॑ గిరిచ॒రాయ॑ కులు॒ఞ్చానా॒-మ్పత॑యే॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఉష్ణీషిణే - uShNeeShiNE (Vedic term); గిరిచరాయ - giricharaaya (Vedic term); కులుఞ్చానాం - kuluMchaanaaM (object-form term); పతయే - to the lord
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the turbaned mountain-roamer; salutations to the Lord of those who live by roaming hills and wild places.
నమ॒ ఇషు॑మద్భ్యో ధన్వా॒విభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఇషుమద్భ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); ధన్వావిభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to arrow-bearers and bow-bearers.
నమ॑ ఆతన్-వా॒నేభ్యః॑ ప్రతి॒దధా॑నేభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆతన్ - aatan (Vedic term); వానేభ్యః - to these forms/aspects (plural); ప్రతిదధానేభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who string the bow and those who take up the stance to act.
నమ॑ ఆ॒యచ్ఛ॑ద్భ్యో విసృ॒జద్భ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆయచ్ఛద్భ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); విసృజద్భ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who draw and to those who release.
నమో-ఽస్య॑ద్భ్యో॒ విద్య॑ద్భ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; స్యద్భ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); విద్యద్భ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who shoot and to those who strike the target.
నమ॒ ఆసీ॑నేభ్య॒-శ్శయా॑నేభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆసీనేభ్యః - to these forms/aspects (plural); శయానేభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who sit and those who lie down.
నమ॑-స్స్వ॒పద్భ్యో॒ జాగ్ర॑ద్భ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; స్వపద్భ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); జాగ్రద్భ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who sleep and those who wake.
నమ॒స్తిష్ఠ॑ద్భ్యో॒ ధావ॑ద్భ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్తిష్ఠద్భ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); ధావద్భ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO; నమో - salutations
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who stand and those who run.
నమ॑-స్స॒భాభ్య॑-స్స॒భాప॑తిభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సభాభ్యః - assembly / leader of assembly; సభాపతిభ్య - assembly / leader of assembly; చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to assemblies, and to leaders of assemblies.
నమో॒ అశ్వే॒భ్యో-ఽశ్వ॑పతిభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమః॑ ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; అశ్వేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); శ్వపతిభ్య - sitting, lying, sleeping, waking, standing, running; చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to horses and to their guardians. (End of Anuvaka 3.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
At first glance, this anuvaka can feel unsettling: why mention thieves, night-roamers, and violent doers inside a sacred hymn? The Vedic approach is pragmatic and deep: it does not pretend that darkness does not exist. Instead, it places even these forces under the gaze of ఈశ్వర, saluting the One who can restrain, correct, and transform them. In other words, the mantra is not praising wrongdoing; it is asking that every kind of power be brought back under ధర్మ.
There is also an inner meaning. In each of us there are "thieves" that steal attention, "hunters" that chase pleasure, and "night-walkers" that act impulsively when no one is watching. The hymn trains the mind to recognize these tendencies without denial, and to submit them to a higher order through నమః. This echoes the yogic principle that the mind's movements must be observed and guided rather than blindly followed.
In practice, use this anuvaka as a mirror and a commitment. When you notice deceit, manipulation, or aggression in yourself, don't rationalize it - name it, pause, and choose a cleaner action. In society too, it encourages a balanced view: compassion for people, but firmness against harmful behavior. A small daily exercise: identify one "small theft" you do (doom-scrolling, procrastination, cutting corners) and replace it with one disciplined act (study, honest work, or a helpful message). Let the chant become a training in integrity.
The yoga tradition frames this as mastery over inner impulses: యోగశ్ చిత్త-వృత్తి-నిరోధః. The "night-roamer" tendency is exactly what shows up when we act without mindfulness - anonymous cruelty, secret shortcuts, hidden addictions. Bringing these tendencies into the light of నమః is a form of inner policing: not harsh self-hatred, but honest responsibility. Over time, the mantra helps align private behavior with public values.
Anuvaka 4
నమ॑ ఆవ్యా॒ధినీ᳚భ్యో వి॒విధ్య॑న్తీభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆవ్యాధినీభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); వివిధ్యన్తీభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to hunters and those who pierce their targets - and to the Lord who governs such skill and power.
నమ॒ ఉగ॑ణాభ్యస్తృగ్ం-హ॒తీభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఉగణాభ్యస్తృగం - ugaNaabhyastRugM (object-form term); హతీభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to fierce bands and their leaders; may their strength be disciplined.
నమో॑ గృ॒త్సేభ్యో॑ గృ॒త్సప॑తిభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; గృత్సేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); గృత్సపతిభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to skilled fighters and their chiefs.
నమో॒ వ్రాతే᳚భ్యో॒ వ్రాత॑పతిభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వ్రాతేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); వ్రాతపతిభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to companies and their captains.
నమో॑ గ॒ణేభ్యో॑ గ॒ణప॑తిభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; గణేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); గణపతిభ్య - leader of a group; చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to groups and to the leaders of groups.
నమో॒ విరూ॑పేభ్యో వి॒శ్వరూ॑పేభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; విరూపేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); విశ్వరూపేభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the One who appears in strange forms and in countless forms.
నమో॑ మహ॒ద్భ్యః॑, ఖ్షుల్ల॒కేభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; మహద్భ్యః - to these forms/aspects (plural); క్షుల్లకేభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the great and to the small - the vast and the minute.
నమో॑ ర॒థిభ్యో॑-ఽర॒థేభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; రథిభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); రథేభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to chariot-warriors and to the chariots themselves.
నమో॒ రథే᳚భ్యో॒ రథ॑పతిభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; రథేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); రథపతిభ్య - chariot-warrior, chariot, chariot-lord; చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to chariots and their lords.
నమ॒-స్సేనా᳚భ్య-స్సేనా॒నిభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సేనాభ్యః - army / commander; సేనానిభ్య - army / commander; చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to armies and to commanders of armies.
నమః॑, ఖ్ష॒త్తృభ్య॑-స్సఙ్గ్రహీ॒తృభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; క్షత్తృభ్యః - to these forms/aspects (plural); సఙ్గ్రహీతృభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to guardians/administrators and to collectors/organizers - the machinery that keeps society running.
నమ॒స్తఖ్ష॑భ్యో రథకా॒రేభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్తక్షభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); రథకారేభ్య - chariot-warrior, chariot, chariot-lord; చ - and; వో - vO; నమో - salutations
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to carpenters and to chariot-makers.
నమః॒ కులా॑లేభ్యః క॒ర్మారే᳚భ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కులాలేభ్యః - to these forms/aspects (plural); కర్మారేభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to potters and to blacksmiths.
నమః॑ పు॒ఞ్జిష్టే᳚భ్యో నిషా॒దేభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; పుఞ్జిష్టేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); నిషాదేభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to forest-dwellers and to communities that live close to the wild.
నమ॑ ఇషు॒కృద్భ్యో॑ ధన్వ॒కృద్భ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఇషుకృద్భ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); ధన్వకృద్భ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to arrow-makers and to bow-makers.
నమో॑ మృగ॒యుభ్య॑-శ్శ్వ॒నిభ్య॑శ్చ వో॒ నమో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; మృగయుభ్యః - hunter, dog; శ్వనిభ్య - hunter, dog; చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to hunters and to dogs.
నమ॒-శ్శ్వభ్య॒-శ్శ్వప॑తిభ్యశ్చ వో॒ నమః॑ ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); శ్శ్వభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); శ్శ్వపతిభ్య - to these forms/aspects (plural); చ - and; వో - vO
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to dogs and to those who handle and lead them. (End of Anuvaka 4.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This anuvaka is strikingly grounded. It salutes not only lofty metaphysical ideas, but also the real infrastructure of life: leadership, armies, crafts, administration, and community roles. In a Vedic worldview, nothing is "outside religion" - even a chariot-maker or a potter can be part of యజ్ఞ when work is done with skill, honesty, and a sense of offering.
By naming both "great and small" (మహద్ and క్షుల్లక), the hymn also trains the mind away from arrogance. When you truly feel నమః, you stop looking down on people whose work seems ordinary or "low status." The Divine can be approached through any honest craft. This is a practical form of the teaching that the same Reality pervades everything.
In modern life, let this anuvaka deepen respect. Respect the people who build, fix, transport, protect, and organize - often invisibly. If you are in a position of authority, remember that power is sacred only when it protects. If you are a student or professional, take one skill you are learning and consciously treat it as సెవ: do it carefully, do it ethically, and do it with gratitude toward all the unseen workers whose labor supports your life.
This connects naturally with the గీతా ideal of worship through work: స్వకర్మణా తం అభ్యర్చ్య and acting for లోకసఙ్గ్రహ (the welfare and cohesion of society). When the potter, blacksmith, engineer, doctor, and teacher see their craft as offering, excellence becomes spiritual discipline. A practical step: choose one "invisible worker" you benefited from today (sanitation, transport, maintenance) and offer respect - a thank you, fair pay, or simply not wasting their effort.
Anuvaka 5
నమో॑ భ॒వాయ॑ చ రు॒ద్రాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; భవాయ - major Vedic names of Siva; చ - and; రుద్రాయ - major Vedic names of Siva
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to bhava and to rudra.
నమ॑-శ్శ॒ర్వాయ॑ చ పశు॒పత॑యే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శర్వాయ - major Vedic names of Siva; చ - and; పశుపతయే - to the Lord of all beings
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to Sarva and to paSupati, Lord of beings.
నమో॒ నీల॑గ్రీవాయ చ శితి॒కణ్ఠా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; నీలగ్రీవాయ - neelagreevaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; శితికణ్ఠాయ - SitikaMThaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the blue-necked one and to the white-throated one.
నమః॑ కప॒ర్దినే॑ చ॒ వ్యు॑ప్తకేశాయ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కపర్దినే - to the matted-haired Lord; చ - and; వ్యుప్తకేశాయ - with loosened/untied hair
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the matted-haired one and to the one with flowing/loosened hair.
నమ॑-స్సహస్రా॒ఖ్షాయ॑ చ శ॒తధ॑న్వనే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సహస్రాక్షాయ - sahasraakShaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; శతధన్వనే - to the bearer of many bows
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the thousand-eyed one and to the one with countless bows.
నమో॑ గిరి॒శాయ॑ చ శిపివి॒ష్టాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; గిరిశాయ - giriSaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; శిపివిష్టాయ - SipiviShTaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the Lord of the mountains and to the all-pervading one who is "clothed" in the world.
నమో॑ మీ॒ఢుష్ట॑మాయ॒ చేషు॑మతే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; మీఢుష్టమాయ - meeDhuShTamaaya (Vedic term); చేషుమతే - chEShumatE (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the most bountiful one and to the arrow-bearing one.
నమో᳚ హ్ర॒స్వాయ॑ చ వామ॒నాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; హ్రస్వాయ - hrasvaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; వామనాయ - vaamanaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the short one and to the dwarf - the Divine who can appear small.
నమో॑ బృహ॒తే చ॒ వర్షీ॑యసే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; బృహతే - to the vast/expanded one; చ - and; వర్షీయసే - varSheeyasE (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the great one and to the even greater one.
నమో॑ వృ॒ద్ధాయ॑ చ సం॒వృఀధ్వ॑నే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వృద్ధాయ - vRuddhaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; సంవృధ్వనే - saMvRudhvanE (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the ancient one and to the ever-growing one.
నమో॒ అగ్రి॑యాయ చ ప్రథ॒మాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; అగ్రియాయ - agriyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; ప్రథమాయ - prathamaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the foremost one and to the first one.
నమ॑ ఆ॒శవే॑ చాజి॒రాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆశవే - aaSavE (Vedic term); చాజిరాయ - chaajiraaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the swift one and to the one who moves with speed.
నమ॒-శ్శీఘ్రి॑యాయ చ॒ శీభ్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శీఘ్రియాయ - Seeghriyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; శీభ్యాయ - Seebhyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the fast one and to the quickly-rushing one.
నమ॑ ఊ॒ర్మ్యా॑య చావస్వ॒న్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఊర్మ్యాయ - oormyaaya (Vedic term); చావస్వన్యాయ - chaavasvanyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the wave-like, surging one and to the one whose sound resonates.
నమ॑-స్స్రోత॒స్యా॑య చ॒ ద్వీప్యా॑య చ ॥ 5 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; స్రోతస్యాయ - to the streaming current; చ - and; ద్వీప్యాయ - dveepyaaya (Vedic term); 5 - verse number marker
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the stream-like one and to the island-like one - the Divine as flow and as stability. (End of Anuvaka 5.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This anuvaka is a meditation on wholeness. The human mind loves labels: big/small, old/young, fast/slow, stable/moving. Sri Rudram refuses to trap రుద్ర in any one category. By offering నమః to both sides of each pair, the mantra breaks our habit of clinging to one pole and rejecting the other. It teaches that the Divine includes all powers, all moods, and all scales of existence.
The ఈశావాస్య ఉపనిషద్ expresses this same vision with a famous paradox: తదేజతి తన్నేజతి - "it moves and it moves not; it is far and it is near." When the mind can hold such apparent contradictions, it becomes less rigid and more truthful. నమః here is not just a ritual word; it is an inner training in surrendering our mental binaries and resting in a deeper unity.
In modern life, this anuvaka helps with balance. You may need to be gentle at home and firm at work; patient in one season and fast-moving in another. Instead of feeling "split," learn to integrate: ask, "What would ధర్మ look like in this context?" A practical reflection: write down one pair of opposites you struggle with (discipline vs. freedom, ambition vs. peace) and list one small action that honors both in a healthy way. Let the hymn's paired salutations train you to live with maturity, not extremes.
When we hold opposites together, we also become less judgmental about people. Someone can be strong and still gentle, strict and still compassionate, "stream" (స్రోతస్) and "island" (ద్వీప) depending on context. The Upanishadic insight నేహ నానాస్తి కిఞ్చన points to a unity behind diversity; in practice it reduces polarization - the urge to force every situation into a single label. Use this as a social practice too: listen for nuance before deciding "good/bad" in people, news, or ideas.
Anuvaka 6
నమో᳚ జ్యే॒ష్ఠాయ॑ చ కని॒ష్ఠాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; జ్యేష్ఠాయ - eldest / youngest; చ - and; కనిష్ఠాయ - eldest / youngest
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the eldest and to the youngest - the Divine present across generations and stages.
నమః॑ పూర్వ॒జాయ॑ చాపర॒జాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; పూర్వజాయ - poorvajaaya (Vedic term); చాపరజాయ - chaaparajaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the earlier-born and the later-born - the Lord of time's sequence.
నమో॑ మధ్య॒మాయ॑ చాపగ॒ల్భాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; మధ్యమాయ - middle; చాపగల్భాయ - chaapagalbhaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the middle one and to the one beyond measure - the order in the center and the freedom beyond it.
నమో॑ జఘ॒న్యా॑య చ॒ బుధ్ని॑యాయ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; జఘన్యాయ - lowest / rooted in depth (foundation); చ - and; బుధ్నియాయ - lowest / rooted in depth (foundation)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the lowliest and to the deep foundation - the Divine as what is "below" and what supports all.
నమ॑-స్సో॒భ్యా॑య చ ప్రతిస॒ర్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సోభ్యాయ - sObhyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; ప్రతిసర్యాయ - pratisaryaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to what is near and to what meets us face-to-face - and to what turns us back from danger.
నమో॒ యామ్యా॑య చ॒ ఖ్షేమ్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; యామ్యాయ - yaamyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; క్షేమ్యాయ - kShEmyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the southern quarter and to the peaceful, secure one.
నమ॑ ఉర్వ॒ర్యా॑య చ॒ ఖల్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఉర్వర్యాయ - urvaryaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; ఖల్యాయ - khalyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to fertile fields and to hard, barren ground - the Lord of abundance and scarcity.
నమ॒-శ్శ్లోక్యా॑య చా-ఽవసా॒న్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శ్లోక్యాయ - SlOkyaaya (Vedic term); చా - chaa (Vedic term); వసాన్యాయ - vasaanyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to what is celebrated and to what is hidden - the known and the unnoticed.
నమో॒ వన్యా॑య చ॒ కఖ్ష్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వన్యాయ - vanyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; కక్ష్యాయ - kakShyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to wilderness and to thickets/borderlands - the Lord of the untamed and the guarded.
నమ॑-శ్శ్ర॒వాయ॑ చ ప్రతిశ్ర॒వాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శ్రవాయ - sound / echo; చ - and; ప్రతిశ్రవాయ - sound / echo
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to sound and to echo - to hearing and to response.
నమ॑ ఆ॒శుషే॑ణాయ చా॒శుర॑థాయ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆశుషేణాయ - aaSuShENaaya (Vedic term); చాశురథాయ - chaaSurathaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to swift forces and swift chariots - the Divine as speed and momentum.
నమ॒-శ్శూరా॑య చావభిన్ద॒తే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శూరాయ - Sooraaya (Vedic term); చావభిన్దతే - chaavabhindatE (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the hero and to the one who breaks through obstacles.
నమో॑ వ॒ర్మిణే॑ చ వరూ॒థినే॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వర్మిణే - armored; చ - and; వరూథినే - varoothinE (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the armored one and to the one well-protected by defenses.
నమో॑ బి॒ల్మినే॑ చ కవ॒చినే॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; బిల్మినే - bilminE (Vedic term); చ - and; కవచినే - armored
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the helmeted/protected one and to the one who wears armor.
నమ॑-శ్శ్రు॒తాయ॑ చ శ్రుతసే॒నాయ॑ చ ॥ 6 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శ్రుతాయ - Srutaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; శ్రుతసేనాయ - SrutasEnaaya (Vedic term); 6 - verse number marker
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the renowned one and to the one with renowned forces. (End of Anuvaka 6.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This anuvaka continues the Vedic method of dissolving narrow identity. By saluting both ends of a spectrum, the hymn trains the mind to stop clinging to one side as "good" and rejecting the other as "bad." Life contains elders and youngsters, abundance and lack, fame and obscurity, sound and echo, protection and vulnerability. The prayer is: may all of these be held within ధర్మ, and may the Divine be recognized in every layer.
There is also a subtle lesson about humility. Many of our anxieties come from resisting a phase of life - not wanting to be "small," not wanting to be "unknown," not wanting to go through "scarcity." The mantra bows to the Lord of all phases, reminding us that growth is not linear, and that the foundation (బుధ్నియ) is as sacred as the visible peak. When we accept this, we become steadier and less resentful.
In practice, apply this anuvaka to transitions. If you are moving from student to employee, single to married, young to aging, or success to setback, let నమః soften resistance. Take one spectrum you are currently experiencing (for example, fast-paced days vs. slow days) and choose a grounding habit that works in both: a short daily prayer, a few minutes of breath, or a non-negotiable act of honesty. The hymn teaches: don't demand life be only one way; learn to live wisely in every season.
The గీతా gives a similar resilience lesson with శీతోష్ణ-సుఖ-దుఃఖ-దాః: life alternates between heat and cold, pleasure and pain. This anuvaka invites the same steadiness by honoring every phase as part of a larger order. A practical habit: when a day feels "barren" (ఖలా) rather than fertile (ఉర్వరా), don't waste it in self-complaint. Do one small duty well and one small kindness - that itself turns scarcity into strength.
Anuvaka 7
నమో॑ దున్దు॒భ్యా॑య చాహన॒న్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; దున్దుభ్యాయ - duMdubhyaaya (Vedic term); చాహనన్యాయ - chaahananyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the drum and to the one who cannot be resisted - power expressed as sound and command.
నమో॑ ధృ॒ష్ణవే॑ చ ప్రమృ॒శాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; ధృష్ణవే - to the strong one; చ - and; ప్రమృశాయ - pramRuSaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the bold one and to the one who strikes/removes obstacles.
నమో॑ దూ॒తాయ॑ చ॒ ప్రహి॑తాయ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; దూతాయ - dootaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; ప్రహితాయ - messenger / dispatched one
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the messenger and to the one sent forth.
నమో॑ నిష॒ఙ్గిణే॑ చేషుధి॒మతే॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; నిషఙ్గిణే - sword-bearer, quiver-bearer; చేషుధిమతే - chEShudhimatE (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the sword-bearer and to the quiver-bearer.
నమ॑స్తీ॒ఖ్ష్ణేష॑వే చాయు॒ధినే॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్తీక్ష్ణేషవే - namasteekShNEShavE (Vedic term); చాయుధినే - chaayudhinE (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the sharp arrow and to the wielder of weapons.
నమ॑-స్స్వాయు॒ధాయ॑ చ సు॒ధన్వ॑నే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; స్వాయుధాయ - svaayudhaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; సుధన్వనే - with a good bow
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the well-armed one and to the one with a good bow.
నమ॒-స్స్రుత్యా॑య చ॒ పథ్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; స్రుత్యాయ - srutyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; పథ్యాయ - track / path (way)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to tracks and to roads - to the ways by which people travel.
నమః॑ కా॒ట్యా॑య చ నీ॒ప్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కాట్యాయ - kaaTyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; నీప్యాయ - neepyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to hard ground and to soft/low-lying ground - to different terrains.
నమ॒-స్సూద్యా॑య చ సర॒స్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సూద్యాయ - soodyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; సరస్యాయ - lake, river
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to water in streams and to lakes and ponds.
నమో॑ నా॒ద్యాయ॑ చ వైశ॒న్తాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; నాద్యాయ - naadyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; వైశన్తాయ - vaiSaMtaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to rivers and to seasonal currents and flows.
నమః॒ కూప్యా॑య చావ॒ట్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కూప్యాయ - koopyaaya (Vedic term); చావట్యాయ - chaavaTyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to wells and to pits.
నమో॒ వర్ష్యా॑య చావ॒ర్ష్యాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వర్ష్యాయ - varShyaaya (Vedic term); చావర్ష్యాయ - chaavarShyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to rain and to the absence of rain - to the forces behind both.
నమో॑ మే॒ఘ్యా॑య చ విద్యు॒త్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; మేఘ్యాయ - mEghyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; విద్యుత్యాయ - rain, cloud, lightning
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to clouds and to lightning.
నమ ఈ॒ధ్రియా॑య చాత॒ప్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఈధ్రియాయ - eedhriyaaya (Vedic term); చాతప్యాయ - chaatapyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to burning heat and to sunlight.
నమో॒ వాత్యా॑య చ॒ రేష్మి॑యాయ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వాత్యాయ - vaatyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; రేష్మియాయ - rEShmiyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to wind and to rays/light.
నమో॑ వాస్త॒వ్యా॑య చ వాస్తు॒పాయ॑ చ ॥ 7 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వాస్తవ్యాయ - vaastavyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; వాస్తుపాయ - vaastupaaya (Vedic term); 7 - verse number marker
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to dwellings and to the protector of dwellings. (End of Anuvaka 7.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This anuvaka brings Sri Rudram into everyday geography. It salutes the things that determine whether life feels safe: communication (messengers), travel (paths), shelter (homes), and nature (water, rain, wind, lightning, sun). When these forces are supportive, life flows; when they are chaotic, we suffer. By offering నమః here, the Veda teaches that spirituality is not separate from climate, ecology, infrastructure, and community life.
There is also an inner echo. We have "storms" in the mind: flashes of మన్యు, waves of anxiety, droughts of motivation, lightning of sudden insight, winds of distraction. The same prayer that asks for balance in the outer world can be used to seek balance within: may the mind's energies become శివ - supportive, not destructive.
In practice, let this anuvaka inspire both reverence and stewardship. Respect water, reduce waste, and be mindful of the ecosystems that sustain your comfort. At a personal level, create a "home" within: a stable routine, a clean space, and a few minutes of daily quiet so the inner weather is not always chaotic. A simple reflection: today, notice one natural element (sun, wind, rain, or water) and offer a brief నమః with gratitude, remembering how much of your life depends on forces you do not control.
Vedic prayers often treat the elements as living blessings. For water, a famous line is ఆపో హి ష్ఠా మయోభువః - waters are the sources of wellbeing. Reading Sri Rudram this way naturally expands into environmental ethics: protect water, respect land, reduce reckless consumption. On the inner side, notice how your "weather" improves when your breath is steady: a few minutes of slow breathing can be like bringing gentle rain after a drought of anxiety.
Anuvaka 8
నమ॒-స్సోమా॑య చ రు॒ద్రాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సోమాయ - the soothing, lunar principle; చ - and; రుద్రాయ - to Rudra
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the soothing sOma-like aspect, and to rudra.
నమ॑స్తా॒మ్రాయ॑ చారు॒ణాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్తామ్రాయ - namastaamraaya (Vedic term); చారుణాయ - chaaruNaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the coppery-red one and to the rosy-red one.
నమ॑-శ్శ॒ఙ్గాయ॑ చ పశు॒పత॑యే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శఙ్గాయ - SaMgaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; పశుపతయే - to the Lord of all beings
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the gentle, auspicious one, and to paSupati, Lord of beings.
నమ॑ ఉ॒గ్రాయ॑ చ భీ॒మాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఉగ్రాయ - fierce / awe-inspiring; చ - and; భీమాయ - bheemaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the fierce one and to the awe-inspiring one.
నమో॑ అగ్రేవ॒ధాయ॑ చ దూరేవ॒ధాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; అగ్రేవధాయ - agrEvadhaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; దూరేవధాయ - doorEvadhaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the one who strikes nearby and the one who strikes from afar - the inescapable reach of cosmic law.
నమో॑ హ॒న్త్రే చ॒ హనీ॑యసే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; హన్త్రే - haMtrE (Vedic term); చ - and; హనీయసే - haneeyasE (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the destroyer, and to the one whose power to destroy is unsurpassed.
నమో॑ వృ॒ఖ్షేభ్యో॒ హరి॑కేశేభ్యో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వృక్షేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); హరికేశేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the Lord present in trees, the green/tawny-haired one.
నమ॑స్తా॒రాయ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్తారాయ - namastaaraaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the "one who helps us cross" - the saving, guiding power.
నమ॑శ్శ॒మ్భవే॑ చ మయో॒భవే॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమశ్శమ్భవే - namaSSaMbhavE (Vedic term); చ - and; మయోభవే - to the giver of delight and welfare
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to SaMbhava and mayO-bhava, the source of auspiciousness and wellbeing.
నమ॑-శ్శఙ్క॒రాయ॑ చ మయస్క॒రాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శఙ్కరాయ - giver of welfare / maker of wellbeing; చ - and; మయస్కరాయ - giver of welfare / maker of wellbeing
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to SaMkara and mayas-kara, giver and maker of welfare.
నమ॑-శ్శి॒వాయ॑ చ శి॒వత॑రాయ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శివాయ - auspicious / even more auspicious; చ - and; శివతరాయ - auspicious / even more auspicious
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to Siva and to the even more Siva.
నమ॒స్తీర్థ్యా॑య చ॒ కూల్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్తీర్థ్యాయ - namasteerthyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; కూల్యాయ - koolyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to sacred crossings (tIrtha) and to riverbanks.
నమః॑ పా॒ర్యా॑య చావా॒ర్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; పార్యాయ - paaryaaya (Vedic term); చావార్యాయ - chaavaaryaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the farther shore and to the nearer shore.
నమః॑ ప్ర॒తర॑ణాయ చో॒త్తర॑ణాయ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; ప్రతరణాయ - prataraNaaya (Vedic term); చోత్తరణాయ - chOttaraNaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to crossing and to crossing-over - to the passage beyond obstacles.
నమ॑ ఆతా॒ర్యా॑య చాలా॒ద్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆతార్యాయ - aataaryaaya (Vedic term); చాలాద్యాయ - chaalaadyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the one who helps us swim across and to the one who moves and guides in shifting waters.
నమ॒-శ్శష్ప్యా॑య చ॒ ఫేన్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శష్ప్యాయ - SaShpyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; ఫేన్యాయ - PEnyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to grass and to foam.
నమ॑-స్సిక॒త్యా॑య చ ప్రవా॒హ్యా॑య చ ॥ 8 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; సికత్యాయ - sikatyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; ప్రవాహ్యాయ - pravaahyaaya (Vedic term); 8 - verse number marker
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to sand and to the river's current/flow. (End of Anuvaka 8.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This anuvaka holds a beautiful tension: రుద్ర is both soothing like సోమ and fierce like ఉగ్ర; both gentle protector and uncompromising force of correction. That is why the hymn salutes the "near-striker" and "far-striker" - consequences can be immediate or delayed, but they are not escapable. In the same breath, the mantra salutes the saving, guiding power that helps us cross. The message is mature: reality is firm, and grace is real.
The repeated imagery of తీర్థ, banks, shores, and crossing-over can be read outwardly (rivers and pilgrim crossings) and inwardly (సంసార as a turbulent stream). To ask for ఉత్తరణ is to ask for the strength to move beyond confusion and fear. In many traditions, తారక means "that which ferries across"; this anuvaka hints at that liberating dimension of the Divine.
In modern life, think of "crossings" as transitions: exams, job changes, illness, grief, temptation, or moral dilemmas. This anuvaka teaches two practices: accept that actions have consequences (near or far), and lean on disciplined grace to cross. A simple exercise: when you face a difficult choice, write down (1) the near consequence and (2) the far consequence. Then ask: "What choice is శివ-తరా - more auspicious - for me and for others?" Let the idea of crossing-over turn into a concrete decision.
Upanishads describe liberation as crossing sorrow: తరతి శోకం ఆత్మవిత్ - the knower of the Self crosses grief. Sri Rudram uses the concrete language of banks, currents, and shores to make this memorable. In practice, treat each "crossing" as a chance to grow: move from panic to clarity, from blame to responsibility, from escapism to disciplined action. Even a small ritual helps: before a major transition, chant a few lines of this anuvaka and set one clear vow of అహింసా and honesty for the journey.
Anuvaka 9
నమ॑ ఇరి॒ణ్యా॑య చ ప్రప॒థ్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఇరిణ్యాయ - dry, open land; చ - and; ప్రపథ్యాయ - prapathyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the Lord present in wilderness and in public roads.
నమః॑ కిగ్ంశి॒లాయ॑ చ॒ ఖ్షయ॑ణాయ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కిగంశిలాయ - kigMSilaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; క్షయణాయ - dwelling
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to rocky ground and to dwellings/resting places.
నమః॑ కప॒ర్దినే॑ చ పుల॒స్తయే॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కపర్దినే - to the matted-haired Lord; చ - and; పులస్తయే - to this form/aspect
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the matted-haired Lord and to the ever-present one who moves among all places.
నమో॒ గోష్ఠ్యా॑య చ॒ గృహ్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; గోష్ఠ్యాయ - gOShThyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; గృహ్యాయ - gRuhyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to cowsheds and to homes.
నమ॒స్తల్ప్యా॑య చ॒ గేహ్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమస్తల్ప్యాయ - namastalpyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; గేహ్యాయ - gEhyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to beds and to households.
నమః॑ కా॒ట్యా॑య చ గహ్వరే॒ష్ఠాయ॑ చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; కాట్యాయ - kaaTyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; గహ్వరేష్ఠాయ - gahvarEShThaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to hard ground and to deep hollows and ravines.
నమో᳚ హ్రద॒య్యా॑య చ నివే॒ష్ప్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; హ్రదయ్యాయ - hradayyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; నివేష్ప్యాయ - nivEShpyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to lakes/ponds and to settlements.
నమః॑ పాగ్ం స॒వ్యా॑య చ రజ॒స్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; పాగం - paagM (object-form term); సవ్యాయ - savyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; రజస్యాయ - dust, dust-cloud
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to dusty paths and to dust-filled places.
నమ॒-శ్శుష్క్యా॑య చ హరి॒త్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; శుష్క్యాయ - SuShkyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; హరిత్యాయ - harityaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to dry lands and to green, thriving lands.
నమో॒ లోప్యా॑య చోల॒ప్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; లోప్యాయ - lOpyaaya (Vedic term); చోలప్యాయ - chOlapyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to ploughed lands and to cultivated fields.
నమ॑ ఊ॒ర్వ్యా॑య చ సూ॒ర్మ్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఊర్వ్యాయ - oorvyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; సూర్మ్యాయ - soormyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to broad earth and to fertile ground.
నమః॑ ప॒ర్ణ్యా॑య చ పర్ణశ॒ద్యా॑య చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమః - salutations; పర్ణ్యాయ - parNyaaya (Vedic term); చ - and; పర్ణశద్యాయ - parNaSadyaaya (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to leafy trees and to leaf-strewn resting places.
నమో॑-ఽపగు॒రమా॑ణాయ చాబిఘ్న॒తే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; పగురమాణాయ - paguramaaNaaya (Vedic term); చాబిఘ్నతే - chaabighnatE (Vedic term); చ - and
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the one who grows and spreads, and to the one who removes obstacles and breaks down ignorance.
నమ॑ ఆఖ్ఖిద॒తే చ॑ ప్రఖ్ఖిద॒తే చ॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆఖ్ఖిదతే - aakhkhidatE (Vedic term); చ - and; ప్రఖ్ఖిదతే - prakhkhidatE (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the one who pierces and to the one who pierces deeply - the cleansing force that uproots impurity.
నమో॑ వః కిరి॒కేభ్యో॑ దే॒వానా॒గ్॒మ్॒ హృద॑యేభ్యో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; వః - to you (plural); కిరికేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); దేవానాగ్మ్ - dEvaanaagm (Vedic term); హృదయేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to you, the hill-dwelling rudras; salutations to the Rudras who dwell in the hearts of the gods.
నమో॑ విఖ్షీణ॒కేభ్యో॒ నమో॑ విచిన్వ॒త్కేభ్యో॒
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; విక్షీణకేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); విచిన్వత్కేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who are spread everywhere, and to those who search and sift through all things.
నమ॑ ఆనిర్ హ॒తేభ్యో॒ నమ॑ ఆమీవ॒త్కేభ్యః॑ ॥ 9 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమ - nama (Vedic term); ఆనిర్ - aanir (Vedic term); హతేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); ఆమీవత్కేభ్యః - to these forms/aspects (plural); 9 - verse number marker
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who do not harm, and to those who remove disease and affliction. (End of Anuvaka 9.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This anuvaka makes the mantra's pervasiveness concrete by naming landscapes and habitats. It is easy to feel spiritual in a quiet corner; it is harder to carry that awareness into the dusty road, the crowded settlement, the rocky ground, or the remote wilderness. Sri Rudram deliberately includes all of them, teaching that the Divine is not confined to a "nice" environment.
The climax of the anuvaka is inward: it salutes the రుద్రs who dwell in the "hearts of the gods." This points to a layered spiritual vision: the same power that appears as nature and geography also exists as the inner center of consciousness. The request to the "spread-out" and "searching" Rudras can be read as a prayer that the searching light of awareness find and remove hidden disease - whether physical or moral.
In practice, use this anuvaka to expand where you remember the sacred. Bring a small awareness of నమః into ordinary places: the street, the bus stop, the office corridor, the supermarket, the doctor's clinic. Also apply it inwardly: when you feel an "అమీవ" (an affliction) such as anxiety or resentment rising, pause and ask for the "aameevat" power - the capacity to heal at the root, not just to suppress symptoms.
This is again the Upanishadic lens of pervasion: ఈశావాస్యం ఇదం సర్వమ్. If the Divine is present in roads and wilderness, then no place is "wasted time" for awareness. Try a modern experiment: pick one recurring location that normally triggers impatience (traffic, queues, waiting rooms) and treat it as a తీర్థ - a place to practice calm. One minute of steady breath and silent నమః there can change your whole day.
Anuvaka 10
ద్రాపే॒ అన్ధ॑సస్పతే॒ దరి॑ద్ర॒న్నీల॑లోహిత । ఏ॒షా-మ్పురు॑షాణామే॒షా-మ్ప॑శూ॒నా-మ్మా భేర్మా-ఽరో॒ మో ఏ॑షా॒-ఙ్కిఞ్చ॒నామ॑మత్ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): ద్రాపే - O remover of suffering and decay; అన్ధసస్పతే - andhasaspatE (key mantra term); దరిద్రన్నీలలోహిత - daridranneelalOhita (key mantra term); ఏషాం - of these; పురుషాణామేషాం - puruShaaNaamEShaaM (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): O blue-red Lord who rules even over what is feared and shadowy: do not frighten or destroy our people and animals; let none of them be lost.
యా తే॑ రుద్ర శి॒వా త॒నూ-శ్శి॒వా వి॒శ్వాహ॑భేషజీ । శి॒వా రు॒ద్రస్య॑ భేష॒జీ తయా॑ నో మృడ జీ॒వసే᳚ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): యా - which; రుద్ర - O Rudra; శివా - auspicious; తనూః - tanooH (key mantra term); విశ్వాహభేషజీ - universal healer
Translation (భావార్థ): O rudra, may that form of yours which is Siva, the universal medicine and the healing remedy of Rudra, bless us. With that auspicious form, be gracious to us so that we may live well.
ఇ॒మాగ్ం రు॒ద్రాయ॑ త॒వసే॑ కప॒ర్దినే᳚ ఖ్ష॒యద్వీ॑రాయ॒ ప్రభ॑రామహే మ॒తిమ్ । యథా॑ న॒శ్శమస॑ద్ద్వి॒పదే॒ చతు॑ష్పదే॒ విశ్వ॑-మ్పు॒ష్ట-ఙ్గ్రామే॑ అ॒స్మిన్ననా॑తురమ్ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): ఇమాగం - this (prayer/intention); రుద్రాయ - to Rudra; తవసే - to the mighty one; కపర్దినే - to the matted-haired Lord; క్షయద్వీరాయ - to the protector who overcomes hostile force
Translation (భావార్థ): To mighty rudra, the matted-haired one, the power that ends destructive pride, we offer our prayer. May all in this village - two-footed and four-footed - be nourished and free from illness.
మృ॒డా నో॑ రుద్రో॒త నో॒ మయ॑స్కృధి ఖ్ష॒యద్వీ॑రాయ॒ నమ॑సా విధేమ తే । యచ్ఛ-ఞ్చ॒ యోశ్చ॒ మను॑రాయ॒జే పి॒తా తద॑శ్యామ॒ తవ॑ రుద్ర॒ ప్రణీ॑తౌ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): మృడా - be gracious; రుద్రోత - rudrOta (key mantra term); మయస్కృధి - mayaskRudhi (key mantra term); క్షయద్వీరాయ - to the protector who overcomes hostile force; నమసా - namasaa (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Be gracious to us, O rudra; make us well. We worship you with salutations. Under your guidance, may we experience the wellbeing that manu, the ancient father, sought through yaj~ja.
మా నో॑ మ॒హాన్త॑ము॒త మా నో॑ అర్భ॒క-మ్మా న॒ ఉఖ్ష॑న్తము॒త మా న॑ ఉఖ్షి॒తమ్ । మా నో॑-ఽవధీః పి॒తర॒-మ్మోత మా॒తర॑-మ్ప్రి॒యా మా న॑స్త॒నువో॑ రుద్ర రీరిషః ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): మా - do not; మహాన్తముత - mahaantamuta (key mantra term); అర్భకం - arbhakaM (key mantra term); ఉక్షన్తముత - ukShaMtamuta (key mantra term); ఉక్షితం - ukShitaM (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Do not harm our great ones or our little ones; do not harm our young or our grown. Do not strike our father or mother. O rudra, do not injure our dear bodies.
మా న॑స్తో॒కే తన॑యే॒ మా న॒ ఆయు॑షి॒ మా నో॒ గోషు॒ మా నో॒ అశ్వే॑షు రీరిషః । వీ॒రాన్మా నో॑ రుద్ర భామి॒తో-ఽవ॑ధీర్హ॒విష్మం॑తో॒ నమ॑సా విధేమ తే ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): మా - do not; నస్తోకే - nastOkE (key mantra term); తనయే - descendants; ఆయుషి - lifespan; గోషు - cattle
Translation (భావార్థ): Do not harm our children, our lifespan, our cattle, or our horses. Do not slay our heroes. We, the offerers of oblations, worship you with salutations.
ఆ॒రాత్తే॑ గో॒ఘ్న ఉ॒త పూ॑రుష॒ఘ్నే ఖ్ష॒యద్వీ॑రాయ సు॒మ్నమ॒స్మే తే॑ అస్తు । రఖ్షా॑ చ నో॒ అధి॑ చ దేవ బ్రూ॒హ్యధా॑ చ న॒-శ్శర్మ॑ యచ్ఛ ద్వి॒బర్హాః᳚ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): ఆరాత్తే - let it be far away from us; గోఘ్న - cow-slayer; పూరుషఘ్నే - pooruShaghnE (key mantra term); క్షయద్వీరాయ - to the protector who overcomes hostile force; సుమ్నమస్మే - sumnamasmE (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): May the cow-slayer and man-slayer be far from us. O destroyer of destructive heroes, may there be favor for us. Speak protection over us, and grant us shelter and wellbeing, O bearer of the bow.
స్తు॒హి శ్రు॒త-ఙ్గ॑ర్త॒సదం॒-యుఀవా॑న-మ్మృ॒గన్న భీ॒మము॑పహ॒త్నుము॒గ్రమ్ । మృ॒డా జ॑రి॒త్రే రు॑ద్ర॒ స్తవా॑నో అ॒న్యన్తే॑ అ॒స్మన్నివ॑పన్తు॒ సేనాః᳚ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): స్తుహి - praise; శ్రుతం - SrutaM (key mantra term); గర్తసదం - gartasadaM (key mantra term); యువానం - yuvaanaM (key mantra term); మృగన్న - mRuganna (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Praise the famed one who dwells in the depths, youthful and formidable like a beast. O rudra, be gracious to the singer who praises you; may enemy forces not strike us.
పరి॑ణో రు॒ద్రస్య॑ హే॒తిర్వృ॑ణక్తు॒ పరి॑ త్వే॒షస్య॑ దుర్మ॒తి ర॑ఘా॒యోః । అవ॑ స్థి॒రా మ॒ఘవ॑ద్భ్య-స్తనుష్వ॒ మీఢ్వ॑స్తో॒కాయ॒ తన॑యాయ మృడయ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): పరిణో - around us/protect us; రుద్రస్య - rudrasya (key mantra term); హేతిర్వృణక్తు - hEtirvRuNaktu (key mantra term); పరి - pari (key mantra term); త్వేషస్య - tvEShasya (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): May Rudra's missile protect us on all sides; may the fierce, harmful intent pass away from us. Stay close and spread your protection; O bountiful one, be gracious to our children and descendants.
మీఢు॑ష్టమ॒ శివ॑తమ శి॒వో న॑-స్సు॒మనా॑ భవ । ప॒ర॒మే వృ॒ఖ్ష ఆయు॑ధన్ని॒ధాయ॒ కృత్తిం॒-వఀసా॑న॒ ఆచ॑ర॒ పినా॑క॒-మ్బిభ్ర॒దాగ॑హి ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): మీఢుష్టమ - most bountiful one; శివతమ - most auspicious one; శివో - SivO (key mantra term); నః - naH (key mantra term); సుమనా - kindly-minded
Translation (భావార్థ): O most bountiful and most auspicious one, be kindly disposed. Having placed your weapons on the highest tree, wearing your skin-cloth, come to us holding the pinAka bow - as a protector, not as a destroyer.
వికి॑రిద॒ విలో॑హిత॒ నమ॑స్తే అస్తు భగవః । యాస్తే॑ స॒హస్రగ్ం॑ హే॒తయో॒న్యమ॒స్మన్నివ॑పన్తు॒ తాః ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): వికిరిద - scatterer/disperser; విలోహిత - red-hued one; నమస్తే - namastE (key mantra term); అస్తు - astu (key mantra term); భగవః - bhagavaH (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): O braided-haired, red-hued Lord, salutations to you. May your thousand weapons fall away from us, not upon us.
స॒హస్రా॑ణి సహస్ర॒ధా బా॑హు॒వోస్తవ॑ హే॒తయః॑ । తాసా॒మీశా॑నో భగవః పరా॒చీనా॒ ముఖా॑ కృధి ॥ 10 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): సహస్రాణి - thousands; సహస్రధా - in countless ways; బాహువోస్తవ - baahuvOstava (key mantra term); హేతయః - weapons; తాసామీశానో - taasaameeSaanO (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Your arms are thousands; your weapons are thousands. O Lord, turn their faces away from us. (End of Anuvaka 10.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This anuvaka is where the tone becomes intensely personal. After saluting రుద్ర in many forms, the devotee now asks for direct protection: for family, cattle, livelihood, health, and peace in the community. The prayer is not "world-denying"; it is a prayer for a life in which ధర్మ can be lived without constant fear. The central insight is beautiful: the same power that can destroy is also the deepest medicine (విశ్వాహ-భేషజీ). What we fear can also become what heals, when aligned with the right order.
Notice how the hymn asks for both outer and inner safety. It asks for the village to be అనాతుర (not afflicted) and పుష్ట (thriving), and it asks for the "thousand weapons" to be turned away. These are images for all forms of harm: disease, violence, accidents, and also the sharpness of speech and thought. The request "place your weapons on the highest tree" is a powerful symbol: let the destructive potential be stored away; let the Lord approach as protector.
In modern life, this anuvaka can be practiced as a daily "safety and healing" prayer. Use it when you feel anxious about health, family, or community conflict. The practical application is also ethical: if you carry "weapons" (authority, sharp words, money, influence), learn to place them aside when they are not needed. Be firm when protection is required, but don't carry aggression into every conversation. A simple exercise: before difficult meetings, set an intention - "May my power become శివ - healing and fair" - and choose one action that reduces harm (listen first, speak calmly, refuse gossip, or offer help).
Many lines here are framed as "do not harm" - మా నో వధీః (may you not strike us) - and they quietly align protection with ethics. The closing of చమకమ్ will explicitly seal this with మా హింసీః, but the spirit is already here: ask for safety so you can live ధర్మ, not to enable arrogance. When you chant this anuvaka, consider offering it for someone else too: a sick friend, a stressed parent, a community in conflict. Turning prayer outward is one way to make the "universal medicine" (విశ్వాహ-భేషజీ) active through compassion.
Anuvaka 11
స॒హస్రా॑ణి సహస్ర॒శో యే రు॒ద్రా అధి॒ భూమ్యా᳚మ్ । తేషాగ్ం॑ సహస్రయోజ॒నే-ఽవ॒ధన్వా॑ని తన్మసి ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): సహస్రాణి - thousands; సహస్రశో - sahasraSO (key mantra term); యే - those who; రుద్రా - rudraa (key mantra term); అధి - abiding in
Translation (భావార్థ): There are countless rudras spread across the earth. Their bows are "a thousand yojanas away" - meaning: may their power be far from us in the sense of harm.
అ॒స్మిన్మ॑హ॒త్య॑ర్ణ॒వే᳚-ఽన్తరి॑ఖ్షే భ॒వా అధి॑ । నీల॑గ్రీవా-శ్శితి॒కణ్ఠా᳚-శ్శ॒ర్వా అ॒ధః, ఖ్ష॑మాచ॒రాః ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): అస్మిన్మహత్యర్ణవేన్తరిక్షే - asminmahatyarNavEMtarikShE (key mantra term); భవా - forms of Bhava; అధి - abiding in; నీలగ్రీవాః - blue-necked forms; శితికణ్ఠాః - white-throated forms
Translation (భావార్థ): In this vast ocean of antarikSha (mid-space), bhava abides; the blue-necked, white-throated Sarvas move on the earth and below it.
నీల॑గ్రీవా-శ్శితి॒కణ్ఠా॒ దివగ్ం॑ రు॒ద్రా ఉప॑శ్రితాః । యే వృ॒ఖ్షేషు॑ స॒స్పిఞ్జ॑రా॒ నీల॑గ్రీవా॒ విలో॑హితాః ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): నీలగ్రీవాః - blue-necked forms; శితికణ్ఠా - SitikaNThaa (key mantra term); దివగం - divagM (key mantra term); రుద్రా - rudraa (key mantra term); ఉపశ్రితాః - upaSritaaH (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Blue-necked and white-throated rudras dwell in heaven too; and those Rudras who reside in trees - tawny and red-hued - are also saluted.
యే భూ॒తానా॒మధి॑పతయో విశి॒ఖాసః॑ కప॒ర్దినః॑ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): యే - those who; who; భూతానామధిపతయో - bhootaanaamadhipatayO (Vedic term); విశిఖాసః - viSikhaasaH (Vedic term); కపర్దినః - kapardinaH (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the matted-haired, warrior-like lords of beings.
యే అన్నే॑షు వి॒విధ్య॑న్తి॒ పాత్రే॑షు॒ పిబ॑తో॒ జనాన్॑ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): యే - those who; who; అన్నేషు - annEShu (Vedic term); వివిధ్యన్తి - vividhyaMti (Vedic term); పాత్రేషు - paatrEShu (Vedic term); పిబతో - pibatO (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who move among food and among people who drink from vessels - present in everyday life and sustenance.
యే ప॒థా-మ్ప॑థి॒రఖ్ష॑య ఐలబృ॒దా॑ య॒వ్యుధః॑ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): యే - those who; who; పథాం - pathaaM (object-form term); పథిరక్షయ - pathirakShaya (Vedic term); ఐలబృదా - ailabRudaa (Vedic term); యవ్యుధః - yavyudhaH (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who guard paths upon paths - protectors of travellers.
యే తీ॒ర్థాని॑ ప్ర॒చర॑న్తి సృ॒కావ॑న్తో నిష॒ఙ్గిణః॑ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): యే - those who; who; తీర్థాని - teerthaani (Vedic term); ప్రచరన్తి - pracharaMti (Vedic term); సృకావన్తో - sRukaavaMtO (Vedic term); నిషఙ్గిణః - niShaMgiNaH (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to those who roam sacred crossings and holy places, carrying offerings and weapons - fierce yet sanctifying.
య ఏ॒తావ॑న్తశ్చ॒ భూయాగ్ం॑సశ్చ॒ దిశో॑ రు॒ద్రా వి॑తస్థి॒రే । తేషాగ్ం॑ సహస్రయోజ॒నే-ఽవ॒ధన్వా॑ని తన్మసి ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): య - ya (key mantra term); ఏతావన్తశ్చ - as many as these; భూయాగంసశ్చ - and even more; దిశో - in the directions; రుద్రా - rudraa (key mantra term)
Translation (భావార్థ): As many as these, and even more, the Rudras stand spread through all directions. May their bows (their capacity to harm) be kept far away from us.
నమో॑ రు॒ధ్రేభ్యో॒ యే పృ॑థి॒వ్యాం-యేఀ᳚-ఽన్తరి॑ఖ్షే॒ యే ది॒వి యేషా॒మన్నం॒-వాఀతో॑ వ॒ర్ష॒మిష॑వ॒స్తేభ్యో॒ దశ॒ ప్రాచీ॒ర్దశ॑ దఖ్షి॒ణా దశ॑ ప్ర॒తీచీ॒-ర్దశో-దీ॑చీ॒-ర్దశో॒ర్ధ్వాస్తేభ్యో॒ నమ॒స్తే నో॑ మృడయన్తు॒ తే య-న్ద్వి॒ష్మో యశ్చ॑ నో॒ ద్వేష్టి॒ తం-వోఀ॒ జమ్భే॑ దధామి ॥ 11 ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; రుధ్రేభ్యో - to these forms/aspects (plural); యే - those who; who; పృథివ్యాం - pRuthivyaaM (object-form term); న్తరిక్షే - MtarikShE (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the rudras on earth, in mid-space, and in heaven - whose food is wind and whose arrows are rain. Salutations to them in all directions (east, south, west, north, and upward). May they be gracious and bless us. And may the hostility we carry - and those who carry hostility toward us - be offered into Rudra's consuming power, so enmity is ended. (End of Anuvaka 11.)
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
This final anuvaka universalizes the prayer. The hymn has moved from pacifying anger, to saluting రుద్ర in society and nature, to asking for healing and protection. Now it expands into a cosmic map: earth, mid-space, heaven; oceans of space; trees; paths; sacred crossings; directions. The message is: there is no "outside" to the Divine. If we can remember that, fear reduces, because we stop imagining that we are alone in a hostile universe.
The challenging line is the closing: "the one we hate and the one who hates us - we place in your jaws." Taken literally, it sounds aggressive. Spiritually, it can be read as a surrender of ద్వేష itself. We offer our enmity into Rudra's fire so it is consumed and transformed. This is consistent with the larger movement of Sri Rudram: not denial of intense forces, but purification of them into శివ.
In daily life, this anuvaka is a practice of de-personalizing conflict. When someone hurts you, the mind wants to freeze them into "enemy." The mantra invites a different move: offer the heat of hatred to the Divine and let it burn as clarity, not revenge. A practical exercise: when you feel hostility, write one sentence describing the behavior (not the person) that upset you, and one sentence describing the boundary you need. Then act from that boundary calmly. Let Rudra "consume" the hatred, while you keep the discernment.
The శ్వేతాశ్వతర ఉపనిషద్ again supports this reading with ఏకో హి రుద్రో న ద్వితీయాయ తస్థుః. When the One is everywhere, holding on to hatred becomes self-poisoning. The anuvaka's cosmic sweep (earth, అన్తరిక్ష, దివ్, the ten directions) can be turned into a daily meditation: feel space around you, bow inwardly with నమః, and let the nervous system relax. From that calmer place, even difficult conversations become more possible.
Concluding Mantras 1
త్ర్య॑మ్బకం-యఀజామహే సుగ॒న్ధి-మ్పు॑ష్టి॒వర్ధ॑నమ్ । ఉ॒ర్వా॒రు॒కమి॑వ॒ బన్ధ॑నాన్మృ॒త్యోర్ము॑ఖ్షీయ॒ మా-ఽమృతా᳚త్ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): త్ర్యమ్బకం - three-eyed Lord (Siva); యజామహే - we worship; we offer; సుగన్ధిం - sugaMdhiM (object-form term); పుష్టివర్ధనం - increaser of nourishment and strength; ఉర్వారుకమివ - urvaarukamiva (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): We worship the three-eyed Lord, fragrant and life-nourishing. May we be released from the bondage of death like a ripe cucumber is freed from its stem - and may we not fall away from immortality.
యో రు॒ద్రో అ॒గ్నౌ యో అ॒ప్సు య ఓష॑ధీషు॒ యో రు॒ద్రో విశ్వా॒ భువ॑నా వి॒వేశ॒ తస్మై॑ రు॒ద్రాయ॒ నమో॑ అస్తు ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): యో - who; that; రుద్రో - rudrO (Vedic term); అగ్నౌ - in fire, in waters, in herbs; అప్సు - in fire, in waters, in herbs; య - we worship
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to that rudra who is in fire, in waters, in herbs - who has entered and pervaded all worlds.
తము॑ ష్టుహి॒ య-స్స్వి॒షుస్సు॒ధన్వా॒ యో విశ్వ॑స్య॒ ఖ్షయ॑తి భేష॒జస్య॑ । యఖ్ష్వా᳚మ॒హే సౌ᳚మన॒సాయ॑ రు॒ద్ర-న్నమో᳚భిర్దే॒వమసు॑ర-న్దువస్య ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): తము - tamu (Vedic term); ష్టుహి - ShTuhi (Vedic term); యః - who; that one; స్విషుస్సుధన్వా - sviShussudhanvaa (Vedic term); యో - who; that
Translation (భావార్థ): Praise that rudra with the excellent bow, the Lord of medicine. We worship him for wellbeing and clarity, honoring him with salutations - the Divine praised by all.
అ॒య-మ్మే॒ హస్తో॒ భగ॑వాన॒య-మ్మే॒ భగ॑వత్తరః । అ॒య-మ్మే᳚ వి॒శ్వభే᳚షజో॒-ఽయగ్ం శి॒వాభి॑మర్శనః ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): అయం - ayaM (object-form term); మే - to me; హస్తో - hastO (Vedic term); భగవానయం - bhagavaanayaM (object-form term); భగవత్తరః - bhagavattaraH (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): May this hand of mine be blessed; may it become even more blessed. May this be a universal medicine - a healing touch that is Siva.
యే తే॑ స॒హస్ర॑మ॒యుత॒-మ్పాశా॒ మృత్యో॒ మర్త్యా॑య॒ హన్త॑వే । తాన్ య॒జ్ఞస్య॑ మా॒యయా॒ సర్వా॒నవ॑ యజామహే ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): యే - those who; who; తే - to you; సహస్రమయుతం - sahasramayutaM (object-form term); పాశా - paaSaa (Vedic term); మృత్యో - from death / immortality
Translation (భావార్థ): Those thousand and ten-thousand nooses of death that bind mortals - by the power of yaj~ja and grace, we loosen and remove them all.
మృ॒త్యవే॒ స్వాహా॑ మృ॒త్యవే॒ స్వాహా᳚ ।
Meaning (పదార్థ): మృత్యవే - mRutyavE (Vedic term); స్వాహా - svaahaa (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Offerings are made, surrendering the fear of death into the sacred fire.
ఓ-న్నమో భగవతే రుద్రాయ విష్ణవే మృత్యు॑ర్మే పా॒హి ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): ఓం - auspicious seal of completion; నమో - salutations; భగవతే - to the blessed Lord; రుద్రాయ - to Rudra; విష్ణవే - viShNavE (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Salutations to the blessed rudra and viShNu: protect me from death.
ప్రాణానా-ఙ్గ్రన్థిరసి రుద్రో మా॑ విశా॒న్తకః । తేనాన్నేనా᳚ప్యాయ॒స్వ ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): ప్రాణానాం - praaNaanaaM (object-form term); గ్రన్థిరసి - granthirasi (Vedic term); రుద్రో - rudrO (Vedic term); మా - maa (Vedic term); విశాన్తకః - viSaaMtakaH (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): O rudra, you are the "knot" of the life-forces; do not sever me. Be nourished by this offering/food.
నమో రుద్రాయ విష్ణవే మృత్యు॑ర్మే పా॒హి ॥
Meaning (పదార్థ): నమో - salutations; రుద్రాయ - to Rudra; విష్ణవే - viShNavE (Vedic term); మృత్యుర్మే - mRutyurmE (Vedic term); పాహి - paahi (Vedic term)
Translation (భావార్థ): Again, a direct plea: protect me from death.
Commentary (అనుసన్ధాన):
These concluding mantras gather the heart of Sri Rudram into one intense prayer: freedom from fear and bondage. The famous త్ర్యమ్బక mantra is often chanted for health, but its deeper intention is liberation from the "bondage of death" - not only physical death, but the constant anxiety and clinging that make life small. The image of the ripe ఉర్వారుక naturally releasing is a reminder: true release is not violent; it is ripeness and letting-go.
The hymn also makes a profound ecological and spiritual claim: రుద్ర is in fire, waters, and herbs. That means the forces that sustain life - heat, fluids, medicine, growth - are sacred. When the hand is described as విశ్వభేషజ ("universal medicine"), it is a call to become a healer in the world: to use our abilities to reduce suffering, not to increase it.
In modern practice, these mantras can be used in three ways: (1) as a prayer for health and resilience during illness or stress, (2) as a meditation to release fear of loss and death, and (3) as an ethical reminder to live in a way that reduces harm. A simple daily application: before sleep, repeat the core intention in your own words - "May I act so that my life becomes a healing touch; may fear be loosened; may I live with courage and ధర్మ."
The imagery also invites a shift from self-protection to healing service. When we say అయం మే హస్తో భగవాన్, we are not only asking for personal blessing; we are consecrating action. This resonates with the Upanishadic ideal of fearlessness (అభయం) and the yogic ideal of non-harming: let your hands be helpful. In modern terms: volunteer, care for elders, support someone in crisis, and let speech become medicine. A life that becomes "universal remedy" is one of the deepest ways to honor Sri Rudram.
Concluding Mantras 2
సదాశి॒వోమ్ ।
ఓం శాన్తి॒-శ్శాన్తి॒-శ్శాన్తిః॑ ।
The triple శాన్తిః is traditionally understood as peace at three levels: within oneself (అధ్యాత్మిక), in the world of beings and relationships (అధిభౌతిక), and in the larger forces beyond our control like nature and fate (అధిదైవిక). Ending with threefold peace reminds us that prayer is incomplete if it does not settle the mind, heal relationships, and restore harmony with the world.
In daily use, this closing can be a short reset. Say శాన్తిః once for your body (tension, illness), once for relationships (conflict, misunderstanding), and once for the wider world (uncertainty you cannot control). If you end your Rudram recitation before sleep, let the last repetition be slower and softer, as if you are laying down the "weapons" of the day. That is how the ritual turns into rest and inner healing.
