Uvach in Rudri

Question:

Some of the scriptures progress/teach through a conversation between a God/Goddess and a devotee or Rishi. Why is there no particular conversation in the Rudrastadhyayi?

Swamiji Says:

The Rudrastadhyayi is Vedic. The Puranic scriptures occur in story form, but the Vedas are hymns of praise.

Purusha Suktam

Question:

Are there different versions of the Purusha Suktam? Are they derived from different sources?

Swamiji Says:

Yes, there are several versions. Primarily, there is one from the Rig Veda and one from the Yajur Veda. In addition, there is Chapter Two of Rudrasthadhyayi. They all have a different number of shlokas as well as many changes in the grammar.

Rudra Chandi

Question:

Please explain more about the Rudra Chandi and Her slokas. It is understood that Rudra Yamalam contains one short sloka on Rudra Chandi and her powerful protection.

Swamiji Says:

Rudra Chandi is a synthesis of Shiva Shakti. The two are one and cannot be separated.

Question:

What is the Rudra Chandi? Is it similar to the Chandi Path? Is it a book?

Swamiji Says:

Rudra Chandi is not a book, but rather, She is a Goddess, like Shiva-Shakti. It is a tradition of combining Rudrastadhyayi with Chandi Path.

Question:

Are there any specific slokas to recite to invoke Rudra Chandi’s divine grace.

Swamiji Says:

In our tradition, we read the entire Chandi Path and the entire Rudrashtadhyayi in one asana.

Harih Om

Question:

“Harih Om” in the Rudri is translated as “Praise to Om”. Is Harih Om different from the “standard” greeting “Hari Om” or are they the same thing?

Swamiji Says:

It is the same word but with different case endings. Harih Om means Vishnu, praise, and the three bodies: gross, subtle body, and causal.

Which Single Chapter to Recite

Question:

If one cannot recite the entire text of Rudrashtadhayi, then which one specific chapter is appropriate to recite?

Swamiji Says:

Chapters 5 and 8 are known independently as the Rudri. You can recite them both.

Chamakam

Question:

What is the significance of the Chamakam?

Swamiji Says:

“Me” is both genitive and locative case. I love the Chamakam because it describes the entire creation within me (locative case) as the conception coming from yajna, even more then the remembrance of my various qualities (genitive case).

Question:

Can you please let me know the significance of calling out the numbers in Chamakam – Eka ca me …. and goes on with a whole list of numbers.

Swamiji Says:

He is everywhere in every thing.