Who is Rudra?
Rudra is one of the major deities of the Rig Veda.
The name Rudra is taken from the Sanskrit rootword "Rud" which means "to howl or to roar", therefore Rudra means the "One who howls or Roars".
He is described as having a thousand eyes and wearing golden ornaments. He is spoken as having braided hair while being surrounded with terrifying beings who are his attendants.
"A thousand eyes has he, a thousand powers, a thousand remedies and plans and magic arts."
Rig Veda (2.33.10)
He is also praised as a fierce warrior who is terrifying to behold, he wields bows and arrows as his weapons and rides on a chariot pulled by two swift horses.
Rudra is called the God of Roaring Storms, Thus, He is attributed with destruction and disease but interestingly also with healing and medicine. This dual nature would carry over to Shiva in the future.
He is the divine archer that shoots arrows of death and disease, He has to be implored not to slay or injure in his wrath.
Thus the verses praise him with great fear and respect. He is sung of as being unpredictable with a violent side.
"O Rudra, with your fierce and terrible form, you strike fear into the hearts of all who see you."
Rig Veda (2.33.7)
As a healer and a source of 1,000 remedies, he has also a beneficent aspect. This can be seen from the infamous Mahamrityunjaya Mantra dedicated to Rudra.
We worship Tryambaka, sweet augmenter of prosperity. As from its stem a cucumber frees itself without effort, may I be freed from the bonds of death, not reft of immortality.
Rig Veda (7.59.12)
He is also the father of the Storm Gods called Maruts.
His evolution into Shiva
The evolution of Rudra into Shiva was a gradual process that happened over the centuries.
After the vedic period ends, the old Rig Vedic gods would gradually loose their popularity to Gods such as Shiva, Vishnu, Surya and Devi. The Rig Vedic pantheon would be gradually absorbed into their theology as minor gods.
However the case of Rudra seems to be different. His popularity seems to grow over the centuries, Eventually metamorphosising into Shiva.
The name Shiva is not used in the Rig veda to refer to Rudra. This name seems to have evolved independently and became attributed to Rudra over time.
Most of Rudra's characteristics match the characteristics of Shiva including his name and appearance.
Some examples include his braided hair , his connection with terrifying beings and his title as a God of Destruction.
But the most noticeable trait is of course his dual nature as both destroyer and protector.
"Shiva is the ultimate reality, beyond all dualities, yet he appears in this world as both a peaceful ascetic and a fierce warrior."
(Shiva Purana)
Rudra's terrifying nature would eventually become a minor characteristics of the deity, revered with the same name.
Calm and kind is said to be the default nature of Shiva, but taking up the characteristics of Rudra when provoked.
What does this say about the evolution of Indian thought?
The gradual evolution of Rudra into the kinder and calmer Shiva could give us insights into how the thought purpose of the people changed over the centuries.
It symbolizes more than just a change in people's preference.
With the gradual advancement of Indian society, people no longer feared the elements as much. India had become rich and very rich.
This new found wealth coupled with progression in Ayurveda and other forms of medicine made it so that people were able to focus on more abstract things like philosophy and spirituality instead of worrying about their basic survival.
This new found sense of security would have lead to a shift in the mindset of people. This shift is visible in the fall in popularity of the ancient Rig Vedic Pantheon and rise of the modern interpretation of gods.
The ancient Rig Vedic pantheon were very much gods who represented the concept of nature and its phenomenon. With the advancement in science and spirituality, people got a better understanding of these concepts, Thus fearing them less.
Also with the advancements in spirituality, violence of all kinds was looked down upon, while non-violence was revered very highly.
The Yogis were seen as transcended people and this can be seen into Rudra being gradually transformed into Shiva, God of the Yogis.
Rudra had transcended his violent nature and achieved self discovery. He became Shiva, the one who is eternally "auspicious", likewise the Indian people had advanced themselves from violent tribesman during the Aryan Era to the wise scholars of Nalanda and Takshashila.
Thus, Shiva is more than a deity but the representation of India's unending pursuit of self discovery.
Conclusion
Rudra's journey into becoming Shiva is a classic example of the evolution of Indian thought over the millennia.
This transformation gives us insights into the gradual shift in the mindsets of the people as they progress in science and understanding.
The violent Rudra becoming the Ascetic Shiva is a historic metaphor of the journey that Indian society has been on since ancient times, the journey of self discovery!
Let us not take these aspects of our history for granted and understand the deep meaning that they symbolise.
Om nama shivaayaa...