*Eleven Rudras of Lord Shiva*

                               Rudra Avatar of Lord Shiva is a well-known form of Shiva in Hindu Dharma. He is often associated with a mighty hurricane. Rudra literally means a tempest and is the term used by many as the other name of the entity Shiva, his most violent and furious form, to be specific. He is one of the three celestial beings believed to have created the universe.

                             Hindu scriptures like Shiva Purana, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, and Bhagavad Gita use the word Rudra to coin the eleven forms of Shiva (Ekadasha-Rudras) brought to life to end the cruelty and tyranny of rakshasas on earth and heaven. Different scriptures have different origin stories of these Rudras. 

*Shiva Purana*

                 Let us first look at the origin of the Rudras according to  Shiva Purana, Chapter 3 Shatrudra Samhita’s, Section 17.Indra, the god of thunder, ruled the deities in a city called Amaravati Puri. Back in those days, the devathas had to fight many a time with the rakshasas for justice.  In one such battle, the rakshasas defeated Indra and his army of gods, and forced them to flee from the city. The deities were scared and in despair, they went to Indra’s father, Maharishi Kashyapa’s Ashram. He was furious at the deeds of the rakshasas and promised that he would find a solution to the problem.

                             Maharishi went to Kashipuri with the motive to meditate and seek an audience with Shiva himself: he established a Shiva-Linga and started his meditation. Soon, Shiva appeared before him and asked him to make a wish. Kashyapa told Shiva that the rakshasas had defeated Indra and taken over Amravati. He requested Shiva to be born as his son and offer justice to the gods as their protector. Shiva uttered the words, “Tathastu!” (So be it), and disappeared.

                         In ecstasy, Kashyapa returned to his ashram and explained the entire incident to the gods who were immensely pleased. In course of time, Kashyapa’s wife, Surabhi, gave birth to 11 sons. These were the 11 forms of Shiva known as Rudras. The entire world were pleased with their birth. Their names were Kapali , Pingala ,Bheema,Virupaksha, Vilohita, Shastra, Ajapaada, Ahirbudhnya, Shambhu,Chanda  and  Bhava.

                 These 11 Rudras, meant for the protection of gods, were skilled in combat and warfare. They decimated the rakshasas and re-enthroned Indra as the rightful King of the Gods; since then, they have been permanently positioned in the city to protect it from rakshasas and aid the gods in their fight against  evil and darkness.

*Rudras in other Scriptures*

                             In Matsya Purana, the Rudras were the children of Kashyapa and Surabhi,  However, different names for the Rudras have been used : the 11 Rudras as per this text are Nirriti, Shambhu, Aparajita, Mrigavyadha, Kapardi, Dahana, Khara, Ahirabradhya, Kapali, Pingala, and Senani.

                 In Vishnu Purana, quite contradictorily, the Rudras aren’t associated with Shiva, but with Brahma. They’re said to have been created out of the rage of Brahma. The names of the Rudras, in this scripture, are Manyu, Manu, Mahmasa, Mahan, Siva, Rtudhvaja, Ugraretas, Bhava, Kama, Vamadeva, and Dhrtavrata.

                        Like any other deity or characters from an epic or ancient story, there exists ambiguity regarding the origin, names, and functions of these Rudras. However, it cannot be denied that they were fierce warriors forged to protect the Earth and the Gods and bring peace to the whole existence. Praying to the Rudras is worshipping and propitiating Shiva Himself.