Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Rudra as Pinakapani’ of the study on the Rudra-Shiva concept in the Vedic and Puranic literature, starting with the concept of God as contemplated by the Rishis (Vedic sages). These pages further deal with the aspects, legends, iconography and eulology of Rudra-Shiva as found in the Samhitas, Brahamanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads Sutras and Puranas. The final chapters deal with descriptions of his greatness, various incarnations and epithets.
2.15. Rudra as Pinākapāṇi
Rudra carries in his hands a beautiful bow. In the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā, it is mentioned that the name of Rudra’s bow is Pināka.[1]
It is clear by the explanation of Mahīdhara—
In another mantra of this Veda, Rudra is described as Pinākāvasa.[3]
Here, Mahīdhara gives an explanation of the term pinākāvasa as:
pinākāvasaḥ pinākākhyaṃ tvadīyaṃ dhanu...[4]
Śiva is well known by the name Pinākapāṇi,[5] Pinākahasta[6] as well as Pinākin.[7] From these names, it is clear that lord Śiva is also the wielder of a bow, Pināka.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Mahīdhara, Ibid.
[3]:
avatatadhanvā pinākāvasaḥ kṛttivāsā ahiṃsannaḥ śivo’tīhi || Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā, 3.61
[4]:
Mahīdhara, Ibid.
[5]:
(a) pinākapāṇirbhūdevaḥ svastidaḥ svastikṛtsudhīḥ || Śiva-purāṇa, 4.35.17 (b) Kūrma-purāṇa, 1.25.90
[6]:
namaḥ pinākahastāya vajrahastāya vai namaḥ || Vāyu-purāṇa, 1.54.65
[7]:
(a) pinākine ceṣumate citrāya rohitāya ca || Ibid., 2.35.171 (b) Śiva-purāṇa, 4.35.7; Liṅga-purāṇa, 1.2.51; 18.16