Rudra Ekadashini Stotram (Hymn) Intro

Rudra Ekaadashinee Stotram

- Vamshi Krishna Ghanapaathi, Mysore

How this emanated? 

As we performed the Archana and Abhishekam to Mallikarjuna Swamy Shiva Lingam at Sree Sailam, AP after Navaratri as part of the pilgrimage of Pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham, His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji; several thoughts swirled thru mind in the sanctum sanctorum. 

Flashes of past from the life of Sri Swamiji, who had obtained Avadhoota Deeksha (Vastram too) at this place in late 1960s; and vision of Sada Shiva as the Guru consolidated my imagination on 23rd October 2010.

It was further crystallised in the Ati Rudra Maha Yaaga ritual at  Mysore from November 12 through November 22 of 2010 (according to the Indian calendar Vikruti year, Kaartika month Friday the sixth day before full moon till the first day after the full moon). This sacred ritual was a part of the Silver jubilee celebration of the SGS Veda Pathaashaala which was established in 1985.

(Over one hundred Seventy five ritviks (vedic scholars) have participated in this. At every homa kunda (sacred firepit) a scholar who was appointed as Aacharya conducted the homa. Along with him ten others have performed the homa. The pundit overseeing their activity is known as ‘Brahma’.  With these, other helpers and those who performed the abhishekam were present also. Such sacred firepits were eleven in number. Each day the mantras from the Rudra adhyaya were chanted eleven times at each firepit. And this ritual took place like this for eleven days. This rare ritual was conducted by Sri Swamiji upon the humble request made by the devout family of Sri Radhakrishna Ramachandra Iyer of Chicago, USA, sponsors of the event. )

Style and Back Ground of Stotram (Hymn)

This Rudra Ekadashini Stotram Prayer is in praise of the Ekadasa Rudras or the eleven aspects of Rudra composed to attract the benediction of Lord Siva is a memento of this grand event.

The Yajur Veda mentions the following names of Rudra ganas – Prabhraajamaana, Vyavadaata, Vaasuki Vaidyuta, Rajata, Parusha, Shyaama, Kapila, Atilohita, Urdhva, Avapatanta, and Vaidyuta. 

The Saiva Agama mentions the names Shambhu, Pinaaki, Girisha, Sthaanu, Bharga, Sadaashiva, Shiva, Hara, Kapaali, and Bhava. This prayer correlates both these sets of names and extols Lord Parameswara as the Supreme Guru. These eleven verses composed in Sanskrit are known as the Rudra Ekadashini.

All these eleven shlokas follow the pattern of ‘muktaka’, which means that each verse stands alone independently. The Siva-Guru addressed here is none other than Sadguru Sri Ganapati Sachchidanand Swamiji. 

Perspective and Style

In these verses the devotee holds a direct conversation with Lord Siva Himself. He directly expresses his desire to the Lord. 

The lenience, affection, affinity and proximity,  the disciple/ devotee rarely enjoys with Guru, permeat the stanzas. The fatherly benevolence often overbears  the traditional relationship with Sadguru and highly reflective of the bond between composer and his Guru.  

He asks for what he wants without any hesitation or fear. He surrenders his mind to Lord Siva. He declares that the entire Creation is saturated by Lord Siva.  

This poetic prayer of eleven stanzas is similar to direct (face to face) communication with the Lord and comparable to the eleven sacred Poetic Bilva leaves offered in worship to Lord Siva .

The same is presented as holy Yaga prasadam to the devotees. 

Om Namasshivaaya

शम्भुः पिनाकी गिरिशः स्थाणु र्भर्ग स्सदाशिवः।
शिवो हर स्तथा शर्वः कपाली भव एव च।
रुद्रा एकादश प्रोक्ताः सृष्टि स्थित्यन्त कारकाः।।


śambhuḥ pinākī giriśaḥ sthāṇu rbharga s'sadāśivaḥ.

śivō hara stathā śarvaḥ  kapālī bhava ēva ca.

rudrā ēkādaśa prōktāḥ sr̥ṣṭi sthityanta kārakāḥ..


శంభుః పినాకీ గిరిశః స్థాణు ర్భర్గ స్సదాశివః.

శివో హర స్తథా శర్వః కపాలీ  భవ ఏవ చ.

రుద్రా ఏకాదశ ప్రోక్తాః సృష్టి స్థిత్యంత కారకాః..

To be continued: