Development of Hinduism

SR No.: 007303
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M M Ninan
Publisher: M M Ninan
Total Pages: 582
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 45 MB

Page 462

17. SAIVISM
In "The Concept of Rudra-Siva Through the Ages" By Mahadev Chakravarti gives probably another basic cult which merged into Rudra.
"The Satarudriya rendered homage to a plurality of Rudras, as ganapatis, or leaders or lords of tribes, to the non-vedic carpenters, potters, blacksmiths, fishermen, and Nisadas who belonged to the Proto-Australoid forest tribes. Rudras thus appear here as the leader of troops, called ganas and pramathas, of beings greatly inferior, yet similar to himself; and sometimes the host of Rudras have been blended in the conception of Rudra. He also appears here as the representative of a class of people and the followers of different professions found in him their own god. It might happen often that their own peculiar gods were identified with the Aryan Rudra"
Chakravarti in his excellent and very detailed study in the development of Saivism as a mixture of Pre-Aryan and Aryan traditions, points out D.R. Bhandarkar's theory that Saivism was developed out of the tribe in Magadha which had Vratya cult as their religion under the priest Eka-vratya who with all his followers immigrated to Indus valley. He also supports this conjecture since the Maruts associated with Rudra is called Saka in Rg Veda V.30.10 and VI.1.9.4. Vratyas were an obscure nonsacrificing ethnic group and were victims of Purushameda (human sacrifice) according to Yajurveda.
[See the references as given by Chakravarti Vaj Sam, XXX.8 and Tairr Brah. III 4,5,1 ; Mcdonnel and Keith Vedic Index, Vol. II 1958 p 342; Heidelberg, 1976 s.v."Vratah"; J.C.Heesterman, 'Vratya and Sacrifice' in IIJ, 6,(1962) p 18.; Walker B, Hindu World Vol II London 1968 p 583]
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