|| OM NAMO BHAGAVATE RUDRAYA ||
Our Salutations to Omnipresent Lord Rudra
Sri Rudram, also known as Rudraprashna, is a hymn devoted to Bhagavan Shiva. Sri Rudram comprises of two parts. The first part known as Namakam is found in the Krishna Yajurveda, Taittariya Samhita in the fourth chapter. The second part known as Chamakam is found in the seventh chapter.
There are several mantras found in Sri Rudram that are used to bring great peace and enlightenment. Foremost among the mantras contained in Rudram are the Panchakshari Mantra; “Om namah Shivaya” (ॐ नमः शिवाय) and Mahaa Mrutyunjaya mantra
“Tryambakam yajamahe Sugandhim pushtivardhanam
Urvarurkamiva bhandhanan mrityor mukshiya mamirtaat.”
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् । उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ॥
“He who has divine fragrance, who makes men powerful and full of plenty; Him we worship, the three-eyed Rudra. As easily as a ripe berry falls from its stalk, release me from death, and let me not turn away from immortality and enlightenment.”
According to Vedic rituals, Ekadasha Rudra homam is a highly desired purification method, to seek the blessings of Sri Rudra. Rithviks recite Eleven recitations of Rudram followed by one Anuvaakam of Chamakam after each Avruthi, invokes the powers of eleven Sri Rudra forms, Pushtivardhanam, Sugandhi and Thryambaka, who are the most significant personalities, improves life longevity, good health and strength.