Varāha Mahā Purana
33 - The Origin of Rudra
Mahatapas said:
1. “Now you listen to another account of the first appearance of Rudra,” so said the great sage Mahatapas who had cut down the tree of Adharma (evil) and whose weapon was forbearance.
2. The creator with great prowess came into being and realising knowledge to be the greatest principle, was desirous or performing creation. But seeing that creation did not proceed forth, he got highly agitated in mind.
3. He was then performing penance, but there came out of himself a person reddish blue in colour with tawny eyes, valiant and free from Rajas and Tamas.
4. The person was crying (rudan) and Brahma asked him not to cry (ma ruda). He thus became Rudra (one who cries). He then said to him that he was competent to carry on extensive creation.
5. Told thus, he plunged himself in water. And Brahma then produced mentally his son Daksha who carried on the process of creation.
6. As it was proceeding, Indra performed a sacrifice to. Brahma and then Rudra came out of the water to create the world and gods.
7. He stopped the sacrifice and was very angry to sec Devas, Siddhas and Yakshas, and discarding even the beautiful damsel (Daksha’s daughter), asked who created the world without him.
8. ‘Ha, ha he said and there issued forth from his red face flames of fire and there appeared multitudes of ghosts, goblins and vampires.
9. When the sky, earth and quarters were densely covered by them, out of his omniscience he made a bow twenty-four cubits long.
10. He then made the bowstring three-fold and took up quiver and divine arrows. He then pulled down the teeth of Pusha, the eyes of Bhaga and the testicles of Kratu.
11. Stripped thus of his testicles, Kratu ran away through the north-western part of the sacrificial altar. Devas became like beasts and prostrated before him.
12. Brahma then came there and embraced gods who were thus prostrating before him, although they were offended by him.
13. Seeing Rudra he said, “O Rudra, enough of your anger, the sacrifice is obstructed”. Hearing the words of Brahma, Rudra spoke in anger.
Rudra said:
14. I was formerly created by you. These are also yours. Then why do they not give me a share in the sacrificial offering.” This form of mine which arose out of the sacrifice, made these bereft of knowledge.
Brahma said:
15. O Devas, for regaining your (lost) knowledge may you all propitiate Rudra by prayers. Let Asuras also do the same. Rudra will thus become pleased and will give you back your knowledge.
Thus instructed, Devas praised the great Rudra.
Devas said:
16. “Bow to the great god, three-eyed and red-eyed, wearing matted hair and crown.
17. Bow to him who is served by ghosts and goblins, who has the snake as his sacred thread (yajnopavita), who is sthanu (the permanent one) and whose mouth is with terrific laughter.
18. Bow to him who uprooted the teeth of Pusha and the eyes of Bhaga and who will have the bull as his emblem.
19. Bow to Bhairava whose matted hair is tied upwards, who wears the elephant’s skin and who resides in Kailasa and who will kill Tripuras and Andhaka.
20. Bow to him who is fierce with tongues of fire and who bears the moon on the head.
21. Bow to him the great Lord bearing the sharp trident who will undertake Kapalivrata and destroy Daruvana.
22. Who is blue-necked, holds trident, has serpents as bracelets, gives blows with his mighty hands and has a fiery face.
23. Who is the creator of the three worlds, who is the embodiment of sacrifice but destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice and who is known through Vedanta.
24. Bow to Mahadeva, Shiva, Shambhu, Bhava, Kapardin, Karala, Vishveshvara.”
25. Praised thus by Devas, Rudra the eternal, holding a fearful bow, told them that he was the god of gods and asked them to say what he could do for them.
Devas said:
26. Give us, O god, the knowledge of the Vedas and Shastras and also of the sacrifice and its secret, if you are pleased with us.
Mahadeva said:
27. “May you all be pashus (beasts) and I shall be the lord of beasts. Thereby you will attain moksha”.
28. The gods agreed and Rudra became Pashupati (lord of beasts).
Brahma then spoke O Pashupati with great pleasure.
29-30. “O Rudra, let Chaturdashi be the tithi for you. On that day those who worship you fasting, and later take in only wheat food, will get your pleasure and this will lead to their liberation”.
31. When thus said by Brahma, Rudra restored to Bhaga, and Kratu the teeth, eyes and testicles respectively.
32. He gave to Devas all knowledge.
33. Thus occurred the emergence of Rudra from Brahma. On account of what was detailed above, he came to be called the lord of gods.
34. The person who listens to this account early in the morning, becomes free from all sins and attains the world of Rudra.
Summary of chapter 33 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
The entire universe resounds with celestial music, Vedic chants, and shower of flowers as the glorious marriage ceremony of Parameśvara Śiva and Mother Umā takes place at the palace of King Himavān. Pitāmaha Brahmā serves as the chief priest officiating the sacred Vedic rites around the glowing sacrificial fire, while Bhagavān Vishṇu, Indra, and all the devas, gandharvas, and celestial maidens assemble to glorify the divine couple. King Himavān performs the sacred kanyādāna with tears of spiritual joy, bestowing his divine daughter upon the Supreme Yogi Parameśvara Śiva, establishing the eternal union of Purusha and Prakṛti for the eternal well-being of all creation.