What is Ati Rudram?

By Harihara Narayanan, Washington

 

Eleven recitations of the Sri Rudram (Namakam) followed by one recitation of the Chamakam is called the Ekadasa Rudram. This also constitutes one unit of the Rudra Homam.

 

Laghu Rudram:

Eleven Ekadasa Rudram recitations make one Laghu Rudram. (11x11=121 times of Namakam and 11 times recitation of Chamakam). This is achieved if 11 priests chant 11 times the Namakam and 1/11 of the Chamakam for every single recitation of the Namakam. [The Namakam and Chamakam are each divided into 11 anuvakyas or sections. Hence for each recitation of the Namakam they chant one anuvakya or 1/11 portion of the Chamakam].

Maharudram

Eleven Laghu Rudram recitations make a Maharudram

(11x11x11=1331 Namakams and 121 Chamakams).

This is achieved if everyday 11 priests chant 11 times for 11 days.

And eleven Maharudram recitations make an Ati Rudram! Thus, in an Athi Rudra Maha Yagnam, the Namakam will be recited 14,641 times and the Chamakam 1331 times, with the performance of 1331 Rudra Homams by 121 Ritvik priests. (121 priests x 11 times per day over 11 days).

The 121 priests are spread over 11 homa kundams (fire pits), with each kundam associated with 11 priests. Apart from these 121 priests there will be 14 other priests who will do pujas to various deities, thus totalling to 135 ritviks who will take part in this yagnam.

This really begs the question – why the fascination with the number 11? The answer is quite simple as there are 11 primary names of Lord Shiva. Hence the Yagya mantapa or the Yagya shala (the sanctified place where the yagya will take place) had 11 homa kundams, specially set up for the occasion.

Also, from the top view, all the homa kundams will neatly line up to form the number 11.

Each of the homa kundam is associated with a name of Lord Shiva. The Central or main pit (No 1) is associated with the name Mahadeva. The names associated with the other homa kundams numbered 2 through 11 in the figure are: (2) Devadeva, (3) Ishwara, (4)Vijaya, (5) Adityatmaka Rudra or Sri Rudra, (6) Bheema, (7) Shiva, (8) Rudra, (9) Neelalohita, (10) Bhavodbhava and (11) Shankara.

Now you can visualize the scale of the event!!!!!! Not an easy affair to organize and coordinate. Hats off to all sathsang members......