Life is filled with challenges, sufferings, and endless cycles of problems. The moment one issue is resolved, another arises. The root cause of these difficulties is none other than the karmic actions we have performed in the past. This is clearly stated in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras:
“Buddhih karmānusāriṇī” – The intellect follows the impressions of past karma.
However, what about the past sinful actions we have knowingly or unknowingly committed? Are we bound to suffer their consequences? The scriptures affirm that everything in creation, including happiness and suffering, operates under divine will. If we can invoke the grace of Lord Parameshwara through sincere prayers and praises, even the gravest sins, such as theft or harming others, can be cleansed. The Vedic texts emphasize the transformative power of Namakam—the chanting of the Shatarudriya (Rudram)—which has been glorified in the Shruti, Smriti, and Puranas.
This means that every action we take, every experience we undergo, leaves an imprint in our consciousness (chitta). When a similar situation arises again, even if we wish to act differently, our intellect compels us to act in accordance with past karma. This is why elders advise us to cultivate good company (satsanga), engage in virtuous deeds (punyakarma), and follow dharma.
Namakam in the Vedic Scriptures
The Jabala Upanishad extols the greatness of Namakam through a conversation between Brahmacharins (seekers of wisdom) and Sage Yajnavalkya:
“अथ हैनं ब्रह्मचारिण ऊचुः | किं जप्ये नामृतत्वम् अश्नुते इति | ब्रूहीति स होवाच याज्ञवल्क्यः शतरुद्रीयेणेति | एतानि ह वा अमृतस्य नामधेयानि भवन्ति एतैर्ह वा अमृतो भवतीति।”
“Atha hainaṁ brahmachāriṇa ūchuḥ | kiṁ japye nāmṛtatvam aśnuta iti | brūhīti sa hovācha Yājñavalkyaḥ śatarudrīyeṇeti | etāni ha vā amṛtasya nāmadheyāni bhavanti etair ha vā amṛto bhavatīti” (Jabala Upanishad)
Translation: The seekers asked Sage Yajnavalkya: “Which mantra should one chant to attain liberation?” Yajnavalkya replied: “The Shatarudriya (Namakam) grants liberation. The names of Lord Rudra in this sacred hymn are eternal and lead one to immortality.”
Similarly, the Kaivalya Upanishad states:
“यः शतरुद्रीयम् अधीते सोऽग्निपूतो भवति, सुवर्णस्तेयात् पूतो भवति, सुरापानात् पूतो भवति, ब्रह्महत्यायाः पूतो भवति, कृत्याकृत्यात् पूतो भवति, सर्वदा सकृद् वा जपेद् अनेन ज्ञानम् आप्नोति, संसारार्णव नाशनम्। तस्माद् एवं विदित्वैनं कैवल्यम् फलम् अश्नुते।”
“Yaḥ shatarudrīyam adhīte so’gnipūto bhavati, svarṇasteyāt pūto bhavati, surāpānāt pūto bhavati, brahmahatyāyāḥ pūto bhavati, kṛtyākṛtyāt pūto bhavati, sarvadā sakṛd vā japed anena jñānam āpnoti, saṁsārārṇava nāśanam | tasmād evaṁ viditvainaṁ kaivalyam phalam aśnute” (Kaivalya Upanishad)
Translation: The one who recites Shatarudriya (Namakam) becomes purified from sins associated with harming others, stealing gold, consuming intoxicants, committing brahma-hatya (killing a learned person), and engaging in malicious activities. Even chanting it once grants divine wisdom and helps one cross the ocean of samsara, leading to liberation.
Namakam and the Eradication of Sins
The Shatatapasmriti states that even after committing severe sins such as theft, adultery, intoxication, or even brahma-hatya, if a person applies sacred ash (bhasma), sleeps on an ashen bed, and recites Rudram, they can be absolved of all sins:
“स्तेयं कृत्वा, गुरुदारांश्च गत्वा, मद्यं पीत्वा, ब्रह्महत्यां च कृत्वा | भस्मच्छन्नो भस्मशय्याशयानो रुद्राध्यायी मुच्यते सर्वपापैः।”
“Steyaṁ kṛtvā, gurudārāṁścha gatvā, madyaṁ pītvā, brahmahatyāṁ cha kṛtvā | bhasmachanno bhasmaśayyāśayāno rudrādhyāyī muchyate sarvapāpaiḥ” (Shatatapasmriti)
Translation: If a person who has committed theft, adultery, intoxication, or even brahma-hatya applies bhasma (sacred ash), sleeps on an ashen bed, and chants Namakam, they will be freed from all sins.
Likewise, Yajnavalkya Smriti emphasizes the power of Namakam in purifying even those who have committed grave sins:
“सुरापः सुवर्णहारी च रुद्र जापी जले स्थितः | सहस्रशीर्षा जापी च मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषैः।”
“Surāpaḥ svarṇahārī cha rudra jāpī jale sthitaḥ | sahasraśīrṣā jāpī cha muchyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ” (Yajnavalkya Smriti)
Translation: A person who has committed sins such as drinking intoxicants or stealing gold can cleanse themselves by standing in water and chanting Namakam. The chanting of Purusha Sukta along with Rudram removes all sins.
Furthermore, Shankha Smriti proclaims:
“सुवर्णस्तेनो रुद्राध्यायी मुच्यते।” “Suvṛṇasteṇo rudrādhyāyī muchyate”
Translation: Even a person guilty of stealing gold can attain liberation through the regular chanting of Namakam.
The Power of Eleven Repetitions of Rudram
Sages such as Atri and Angirasa highlight the immense benefits of chanting Namakam eleven times:
“एकादशगुणान्वापि रुद्रानावृत्य धर्मवित् | महापापैरपि स्पृष्टो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः।”
“Ekādaśaguṇānvāpi rudrānāvṛtya dharmavit |
mahāpāpai rapi spṛṣṭo muchyate nātra saṁśayaḥ” (Atri & Angirasa Smriti)
Translation: If Namakam is recited eleven times, even a person afflicted with the greatest of sins can be liberated without a doubt.
Daily Recitation for Spiritual and Material Benefits
• Chanting Namakam daily purifies the mind, body, and soul.
• It removes karmic impurities and grants peace of mind.
• It bestows divine wisdom and leads one toward spiritual enlightenment.
• Even occasional chanting (Ekadasha Rudram – 11 recitations) ensures purification from all sins.
Conclusion:
Namakam – A Path to Liberation
In the previous part of this series, we explored the Tattvika meaning of Rudra, understanding 12 different meanings of the Rudra Nama. From the Vedic texts and Smritis, it is evident that Namakam is not merely a set of hymns but a direct means to absolve oneself of karmic sins and attain liberation. Whether chanted once or recited with devotion as a regular practice, it cleanses the mind, dissolves negative karmas, and paves the way for spiritual evolution.
As Shatarudriya is the essence of Lord Rudra’s names, it is a divine tool to invoke His grace. The one who chants it with sincerity and devotion transcends all limitations and ultimately attains Kaivalya—liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
“Namakam is not just a prayer; it is a powerful spiritual remedy that purifies, protects, and liberates!”
A Final Word
After reading this article, one might wonder, “Since chanting Shatarudriya destroys all sins, does that mean one can commit sins freely and then simply chant it for purification?”
This is a completely wrong understanding. The Vedic scriptures never encourage sinful actions. When they state that chanting Shatarudriya removes sins, it is only for those who have true repentance (pashchattapa).
The power of this sacred chant is meant for those who seek purification with a sincere heart and a desire to reform, not for those who deliberately commit sins thinking they can erase them later.
Therefore, this teaching should be understood correctly.
Rather than using it as an excuse for wrongdoing, one should see Shatarudriya as a path of spiritual purification, leading toward divine grace and inner transformation.