In the previous parts of this blog series, we explored the profound spiritual and scriptural importance of Namakam (Rudraprashnam). Continuing this discussion, we delve deeper into the Vayu Purana and other sacred texts that elaborate on the unparalleled benefits of chanting Namakam.
Namakam – The Supreme Act of Worship
The Glory of Namakam in Vayu Purana
The Vayu Purana extensively praises the greatness of the Rudram (Namakam and Chamakam) and its immense spiritual and material benefits. It asserts that the daily recitation of the Rudram yields results far superior to grand acts of charity and penance.
Shloka from Vayu Purana
“यः च रुद्रान् जपेन्नित्यं ध्यायमानो महेश्वरम् |
यश्च सागरपर्यन्तां सशैलवनकाननाम् ॥
सर्वान्नात्मगुणोपेतां सुवृक्षफलशोभिताम् |
दद्यात्काञ्चनसंयुक्तां भूमिं चौषधिसंयुताम् ॥
तस्मादप्यधिकं तस्य सकृद्रुद्रजपा द्भवेत् ॥”
“Yaś ca rudrān japen nityaṁ dhyāyamāno Maheśvaram |
Yaś ca sāgaraparyantāṁ saśailavanakānanām ||
Sarvān nātmaguṇopetāṁ suvr̥kṣaphalaśobhitām |
Dadyāt kāñcana saṁyuktāṁ bhūmiṁ cauṣadhisaṁyutām ||
Tasmād apy adhikaṁ tasya sakṛd Rudra japād bhavet ||Supreme Benefits of Chanting Namakam
🔹 Meaning:
A person who meditates upon Lord Maheshwara and chants Namakam daily attains greater merit than one who donates an entire landmass filled with mountains, forests, sacred trees, golden treasures, and medicinal herbs. Such is the supreme power of Rudra Japa.
This profound statement from the Vayu Purana highlights the unparalleled spiritual merit of Rudram recitation. Even if a person were to donate an entire kingdom with all its riches, forests, and life-sustaining resources, the fruits of Rudram chanting surpass such acts of charity.
Furthermore, it declares:
“ममभावं समुत्सृज्य यस्तु रुद्रान् जपे त्सदा ॥
स तेनैव च देहेन रुद्रः संजायते ध्रुवम् ॥”
“Mamabhāvaṁ samutsr̥jya yastu rudrān jape t sadā |
Sa tenaiva ca dehena rudraḥ sañjāyate dhruvam ||”
🔹 Meaning:
This verse reveals that Rudra Japa is not just a prayer but a transformative process that leads to self-realization and divine oneness.
“A person who chants Rudram with a selfless mind attains oneness with Rudra in the very same body. Upon departing from this world, he surely reaches the divine abode of Shiva.”
जपे नानेन विप्रेन्द्रा नृपा श्चान्ये द्विजातयः ॥
हित्वैवं केवलं पापं गता श्शिवपुरं पुरा |
अहं च परमेशस्य सामीप्यं लब्धवां स्थथा |
Jape nānena viprendraa nr̥pā śchānye dvijātayaḥ ॥
Hitvaivaṁ kevalaṁ pāpaṁ gatā śśivapuraṁ purā |
Ahaṁ ca parameśasya sāmīpyaṁ labdhavāṁ stathā |
🔹 Meaning:
“O foremost among Brahmins! Kings and other twice-born (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas) who regularly recite this mantra (Namakam) are freed from all their sins. They attain the divine abode of Lord Shiva (Shivapuri). I myself have attained the proximity of the Supreme Lord in the same way.”
The Significance of Namakam, Chamakam, and Purusha Sukta
The Purana further states:
“One who daily recites Namakam, Chamakam, and Purusha Sukta resides eternally in Brahmaloka.”
नमकं चमकं चैव पुरुषसूक्तं तथैव च |
नित्यं त्रयं प्रयुञ्जानो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते ॥
नमकं चमकं होतॄन् पुरुषसूक्तं जपेत्सदा |
प्रविशत्स महादेवं गृहं गृहपतिर्यथा ॥
Namakaṁ Chamakaṁ chaiva Purusha Sūktaṁ tathaiva cha |
Nityaṁ trayaṁ prayuñjāno Brahmaloke mahīyate ॥
Namakaṁ Chamakaṁ hotṝn Purusha Sūktaṁ japetsadā |
Praviśets Mahādevaṁ gṛhaṁ gṛhapatiḥ yathā ॥
🔹 Meaning:
- “One who regularly recites Namakam, Chamakam, and Purusha Suktam daily attains great honor and respect in Brahmaloka (the divine abode of Brahma).”
- “Those who constantly chant Namakam, Chamakam, and Purusha Suktam, along with offering sacrifices (homas), will ultimately enter the divine abode of Lord Mahadeva just as a householder enters his home.”
- It is also said that one who performs these recitations with faith and devotion gains divine grace and ultimately merges with Lord Shiva’s eternal abode.
- Additionally, it proclaims: “He who continuously chants Namakam, Chamakam, and the sacred hotṛu mantras shall enter the abode of Mahadeva just as a householder enters his own home.”
This indicates that regular chanting of these powerful Vedic hymns bestows divine proximity to Lord Brahma, elevating the soul to the highest spiritual realms.
“भस्मदिग्धशरीरस्तु भस्मशायी जितेन्द्रियः |
सततं रुद्रजाप्योऽसौ परां मुक्तिमवाप्स्यति ॥”“Bhasmadigdhāśarīras tu bhasmaśāyī jitendriyaḥ |
Satataṁ rudrajāpyosau parāṁ muktim avāpsyati ||”
🔹 Meaning:
A person who smears sacred ash (Vibhuti) on the body, controls the senses, and continuously chants Rudram will surely attain liberation (Moksha).
This verse indicates the importance of discipline, devotion, and the purifying power of sacred mantras in the journey toward liberation.
This metaphor illustrates that the devotee’s journey to Shiva’s abode becomes as natural and effortless as returning to one’s own home—a place of comfort, belonging, and eternal peace.
The Path to Liberation
Additionally, it assures:
रोगवान्पापवान्श्चैव रुद्रं जप्त्वा जितेन्द्रियः ॥
रोगात्पापाद्विनिर्मुक्तो ह्यातुलं सुखमश्नुते ॥
Rogavān pāpavānśchaiva Rudraṁ japtvā jitendriyaḥ ॥
Rogāt pāpād vinirmukto hy ātulaṁ sukham aśnute ॥
“Even a person afflicted with diseases (Rogavān) and burdened with sins (Pāpavān), By chanting Rudram with self-control (Jitendriyaḥ), Becomes free from ailments and sins (Rogāt Pāpāt Vinirmuktaḥ), And attains unparalleled bliss (Ātulaṁ Sukham Aśnute).”
- Sri Rudram, from the Yajurveda, is one of the most powerful hymns dedicated to Lord Rudra (Shiva).
- It has immense healing power and is often chanted for health, prosperity, and liberation from karmic afflictions.
- Even sinners and those suffering from chronic diseases can experience transformation through its regular recitation.
- The phrase “Jitendriyaḥ” emphasizes self-discipline and devotion, which enhance the results of chanting.
This highlights the therapeutic and purifying power of the Rudram, which eliminates physical suffering and past karmic burdens, leading to a state of bliss.
Namakam as an Ultimate Atonement
The revered sage Shankha affirms:
“रहसि कृतानां महापातकानामपि शतरुद्रीयं प्रायश्चित्तम् |”
“Rahasi kṛtānāṁ mahāpātakānām api Śatarudrīyaṁ Prāyaścittam |”
🔹 Meaning:
even the gravest sins committed in secrecy, the chanting of the Rudram serves as the ultimate atonement.”
Similarly, Apastamba declares:
“If Lord Rudra has inflicted suffering upon one’s family or livestock, the afflicted person should face north and chant the Rudram as an act of atonement.”
This reveals that the Rudram is not merely a chant but a divine remedy for misfortunes, capable of reversing negative karma and restoring harmony.
The Testimony of Ancient Sages
The Jabala Upanishad, Kaivalya Upanishad, and authoritative statements from sages like Shatatapa, Yajnavalkya, Shankha, Atri, and Angirasa, all unanimously declare that the glory of Namakam is beyond description.
These scriptures affirm that the Rudram removes all sins, sufferings, and obstacles while granting the highest spiritual fruits, including Moksha.
As a result, our ancestors and noble practitioners of Dharma followed the tradition of daily worship with Namakam and Chamakam, performing Abhisheka (sacred bathing of the deity) with these mantras.
Even those who do not perform elaborate deity worship should recite the Namakam daily or visit temples to offer Abhisheka with Namakam and Chamakam.
Conclusion:
Understanding the profound benefits of Rudram, our forefathers established temples in every village. They considered a village without a Shiva temple to be incomplete. (It is also called Kugrama)
Through daily Abhisheka and Rudra Parayana (recitation) in temples, they ensured prosperity, well-being, and spiritual upliftment for all residents. This practice continues even today, as temples remain centers of divine grace, preserving the tradition of chanting Rudram for universal welfare.
Thus, the Vayu Purana, along with various other scriptures, provides compelling evidence that the daily recitation of the Namakam (Rudram) is the most potent spiritual practice, capable of dissolving past karma, bestowing divine blessings, and ultimately leading to liberation.
By Hari Phanirajadtta Ghanapathi (Vedic and Sanskrit scholar)
