Learn the Rudrashtadhyayi in Sanskrit

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Rudrashtadhyayi, by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

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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.

About the Author

Swami Satyananda Saraswati is considered to be one of the foremost Vedic scholars and Sanskrit translators in the West. He is the author of nearly 60 books in nine different languages representing a significant contribution to the understanding of Hinduism and Vedic religious practices.

Swamiji comes from the Dashnami lineage of Adi Shankaracharya, and belongs to the Saraswati tribe of renunciates and scholars who are living the life of a teacher and a knower of wisdom, worshiping with both spiritual knowledge and devotion. His Guru, Swami Amritananda Saraswati, initiated him into the Vedic Knowledge, Sanskrit, and the Chandi Path and sacred fire ceremony as his primary system of spiritual discipline in 1971.

He practiced the recitation of the Chandi Path in the Himalayan snow and in the hot springs of Bakreswar. Through this rigorous penance, he became impervious to the influences of heat and cold. Through his experiences walking the length and breadth of the Himalayas over 15 years, Swamiji fell in love with Sanskrit and became proficient in numerous languages including Bengali and Hindi. Wherever he went he would learn the local systems of worship and inspire those around him to participate. Swamiji’s expertise and experience spans many different religious traditions. His realizations and teachings make him a living example of Ramakrishna’s Gospel, “as many as there are individuals, so many are the paths to God”.

In 1979, Swamiji met Shree Maa when he was performing a vow of worship in a small temple in the interior of West Bengal. They toured India, spreading their divine love and inspiration by performing pujas, homas, and sharing their realizations, and teaching their methods of spiritual practice. In 1984 they came to America and established the Devi Mandir, where he and Shree Maa shine their beacon of light from Napa, California. Today, they share all their resources to give every individual an opportunity to access these spiritual teachings.

Product Details

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Devi Mandir (January 10, 2002)
ISBN-10: 1877795534
ISBN-13: 978-1877795534
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces

Book Reviews of Rudrashtadhyayi

By Steven Newmark (Larkspur, California)

Swami Satyananda has done an excellent job of translating the Rudrasthadyayi. His rendition captures the passion and emotion of these inspired poems. Swami Satyananda has a knack for making ancient texts understandable and accessible to the western mind. This text can be read or chanted and is an important book for those who want to understand and worship Shiva.

By Kanti

This is such a difficult text to find, to read, to understand, to chant.Swamiji has made it ALL SO EASY…As with all of his books the transliteration is easy to read..The translation has made some of the hard to understand vagueness of this ancient text come to life with a new perspective that enlivens the reader as well as the reciter..Thank you Swamiji for your wonderful work !!

By Jason Carpenter, Sydney

I have been doing Shiva Puja for a while now and by chance happened to come across this scripture in praise of Lord Shiva. I recommend this translation highly for all devotees of Lord Shiva. Om Namaha Shivaya!

By Bill McDonald, Columbus

I love chapter 8 of this book just keep reading this book till you reach chapter 8 it is worth buying and reading again and again just for this one chapter!!!

By Shankar Subramaniam, Bangalore

We always heard the chanting of two chapters from Rudram (the Namakam and Chamakam) in Shiva temples. What a great delight to find them in this book and more importantly all the other chapters too, with translation! I can’t recommend this book enough.

By Arya Agrawal, New Delhi

The introduction says that Rudra is He who takes away tears and I find that reading this book and especially the translation fills me with joy! He does take away all tears. I strongly recommend this scripture to all who want eternal joy in their lives!

By Jonathan Fitzgerald, Suisun City

I received a copy of this book just a few weeks ago and started chanting it little by little. It is so beautiful and fun that I can say without a doubt that it is my favorite scripture to chant at this moment. I want to thank the authors for presenting this sacred hymn and translation.

By Sushil Choudhury, Department of Education,
Government of West BengalThe Rudrashtadhyayi is without doubt the most important Vedic text for the worship of Lord Shiva. Shree Maa and Swamiji have made a magnificent contribution, which empowers the entire Bengali community to enter into the Vedas.