Shiva in the Vedas

 Happy Shivratri

## Shiva in the Vedas

Every day in our Sandhyā worship, we recite the following mantra:

**“Namah Shambhavaya cha Mayobhavaya cha Namah Shankaraya cha Mayaskaraya cha Namah Shivaya cha Shivataraya cha.”**

— Yajurveda 16.41

### Meaning

We bow to the Supreme Being who is the giver of happiness (*Shambhu*), the source of bliss (*Mayobhava*), the benefactor (*Shankara*), the bestower of supreme joy (*Mayaskara*), the auspicious one (*Shiva*), and the most auspicious (*Shivatar*).

The names Shambhu, Mayobhava, Shankara, Mayaskara, Shiva, and Shivatar are all descriptive names of the one formless Supreme God, based on His attributes.

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## Shiva in the Vedas: According to Attributes and Actions

The Vedas describe God on the basis of His qualities, actions, and nature.

### 1. The Tryambaka Mantra

**“Tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam

Urvarukamiva bandhanan mrityor mukshiya maamritat.”**

— Yajurveda 3.60

We worship that all-knowing, all-nourishing Supreme Being who strengthens the soul. Just as a ripe fruit naturally detaches from its stem, may we be freed from the bondage of death and attain immortality (liberation).

Here, Shiva signifies the giver of liberation, the nourisher, and the benefactor.

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### 2. The Nature of Rudra and Shiva

**“Ya te Rudra Shiva tanur aghora apapakashini…”**

— Yajurveda 16.2

O Rudra! May Your benevolent, non-terrifying, sin-destroying form grant us peace.

**“Adhyavocad adhivakta prathamo daivyo bhishak…”**

— Yajurveda 16.5

Here, God is called *Daivya Bhishak*—the divine physician—who removes diseases and suffering.

**“Ya te Rudra Shiva tanuh Shiva vishvaha bheshaji…”**

— Yajurveda 16.49

Your auspicious power is the remedy for all ailments; grant us well-being and long life.

It is clear that the Vedic Rudra and Shiva are not merely deities of destruction, but the Supreme Being who removes suffering, destroys sin, heals, and grants life.

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## Shiva in the Upanishads

**“Sa Brahma sa Vishnuh sa Rudrah sa Shivah…”**

— Kaivalya Upanishad 1.8

He alone is Brahma, He is Vishnu, He is Rudra, He is Shiva—the Supreme, the Imperishable, the Independent Lord.

**“Prapanchopashamam shantam shivam advaitam…”**

— Mandukya Upanishad 7

Shiva here means the peaceful, blissful, non-dual reality—the transcendent fourth state (Turiya).

**“Sukshmatishukshmam… jnatva Shivam shantim atyantam eti.”**

— Shvetashvatara Upanishad 4.14

Knowing that subtle, all-pervading Creator—Shiva—one attains supreme peace.

**“Na tasya kashchit patir asti loke…”**

— Shvetashvatara Upanishad 6.9

He has no master in this world, nor any material symbol or form—indicating that He is formless.

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## God in the Yoga Philosophy

**“Klesha-karma-vipaka-ashayair aparamrishtah purusha-vishesha Ishvarah.”**

— Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1.24

God is a special Purusha, untouched by afflictions, actions, or their results.

**“Sa esha purvesham api guruh kalena anavacchedat.”**

— Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1.26

He is the teacher of even the earliest teachers, being beyond the limitations of time.

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## Interpretation by Swami Dayanand

Swami Dayanand Saraswati, in his book Satyarth Prakash, explains the meanings of the names as follows:

* **Rudra** — The One who makes the unjust weep; God punishes the wicked through justice.

* **Shankara** — The doer of good and bestower of happiness.

* **Mahadeva** — The great divine being, the illuminator even of the learned.

* **Shiva** — The embodiment of auspiciousness and the giver of welfare.

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## Conclusion

According to the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Yoga philosophy, and the interpretation of Swami Dayanand:

* Shiva is formless.

* He is omniscient and omnipotent.

* He removes suffering and disease.

* He is just and benevolent.

* He is peace and bliss incarnate.

Thus, the Shiva of the Vedas is not a limited, anthropomorphic deity of destruction, but the all-pervading, formless, benevolent Supreme Being—the source of universal welfare.

**“Namah Shivaya.”**

Dr. Vivek Arya