Sri Rudram (also known as Rudra Prashna or Shatarudriya) is the most revered hymn to Lord Rudra-Shiva, drawn from the Krishna Yajurveda (Taittiriya Samhita, Kanda 4). Composed of 22 anuvakas across two sections - Namakam and Chamakam - it has been chanted for thousands of years for atonement, grace, and the unveiling of Shiva's all-pervading presence.
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Chanting Audio
Why Sri Rudram Is Chanted
Considered the very heart of the Yajurveda, Sri Rudram is chanted for the grace of Mahayogi Shiva and is regarded as the singular most important hymn for atonement in the Vedic tradition. It is the central chant of Rudra Abhishekam and Maha Rudra Yagna.
- Invokes Rudra in every form - fierce and auspicious, cosmic and intimate
- Namakam surrenders salutations; Chamakam seeks divine blessings
- Contains the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra (Anuvaka 11 of Namakam)
- Considered one of the oldest prayers in recorded human history
- Chanted for protection, healing, and self-purification
Credits
Executive Producer: Om Swami Ji
Chanted by: 7 Ghanapathi Vedabrahmas (precise swara-correct recitation)
Source: Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita, Kanda 4, Prapathaka 5
May this offering please Lord Rudra and purify all who encounter it.
Namakam - Salutations to Rudra
The first half of Sri Rudram. Across 11 anuvakas, it offers "namo namah" - bowing down - to every form and aspect of Rudra. From His wrath and weapons to His auspicious Shiva form, from lord of thieves to lord of sages, Namakam declares that nothing exists outside Him.
Chamakam - Prayer for Blessings
The second half of Sri Rudram. Across 11 anuvakas, it asks Rudra "cha me" - may it be granted to me - for every blessing worth desiring: food and progeny, health and long life, cosmic powers and inner knowledge, culminating in the sacred numerical sequences and the final peace invocation.
The Sages of Sri Rudram
How you feel about Sri Rudram changes entirely once you know the rishis who dedicated their lives to it. Each verse carries the weight of sages who chanted these exact syllables across yugas - for the world's welfare, for their own atonement, and to please Mahadev.
The Dhara - The Divine Current
How Sri Rudram Came to Us
Guided by Sri Vishnu, the Devas were the first to offer Sri Rudram to Mahadev after the completion of Samudra Manthan. Later, Lord Kartikeya questioned whether it was right that the Devas had taken all the amrit. Ma Parvati resolved his doubts by giving him the knowledge of Sri Rudram. From Kartikeya, the stotram was passed to sage Jaigishavya, and from there to the great rishis of the Vedic age.
Maharudra Sadhana - 11 Days, 11 Rishis
Under Om Swami ji's guidance, the rare Maharudra Sadhana was performed - going back to the Vedic era to learn which sages invoked which verses of Namakam, and for what purpose. Each day honors one rishi who invoked specific verses of Sri Rudram for a specific cause.
The 11 Forms of Rudra
Sri Rudram salutes Rudra in His 11 forms - the Ekadasha Rudra. Each form represents a facet of His cosmic presence. Maha Rudra is the practice of chanting Sri Rudram 11 times, one for each form.
Continuing the Practice
What is Sri Rudram
Sri Rudram (श्री रुद्रम्), also known as Rudra Prashna or Shatarudriya, is an ancient Vedic hymn addressed to Lord Rudra (an early form of Shiva). It appears in the Krishna Yajurveda in the Taittiriya Samhita (Kanda 4), and a closely parallel version exists in the Shukla Yajurveda. Many regard it as the oldest continuously chanted hymn to Shiva in recorded history.
- Source: Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita, Kanda 4
- Prapathaka 5 = Namakam - 11 anuvakas of salutations
- Prapathaka 7 = Chamakam - 11 anuvakas of invocations
- Considered the heart of the Yajurveda
- Central hymn in Rudrabhishekam
Namakam vs Chamakam
Namakam (the first 11 anuvakas) is a torrent of salutations. Every anuvaka repeats "namo" ("salutations") or "namah" - to Rudra in every conceivable form. He is saluted as lord of armies and lord of thieves, dwelling in mountains and in medicines, in the dust and in the hearts of the gods. The salutations declare that nothing in creation is outside Him.
Chamakam (the next 11 anuvakas) turns the prayer outward into request. Each line ends with "cha me" - "and may this be granted to me." The devotee asks for food, offspring, vitality, longevity, wisdom, all ritual instruments, the grace of every Vedic deity, and finally all the sacred numbers - a complete offering-list for a complete human life.
Rudra Gayatri
A sacred short mantra, traditionally chanted before and after Sri Rudram. It distills the essence of the hymn into a single invocation for inspiration and inner light.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
The most powerful Shiva mantra - the great "victory over death" mantra - is embedded within Anuvaka 11 of Namakam. Traditionally recited 108 times for healing, protection, and removal of fear of death.
- त्र्यम्बकं (tryambakaṃ) - the three-eyed one
- यजामहे (yajāmahe) - we worship
- सुगन्धिं (sugandhiṃ) - the fragrant
- पुष्टिवर्धनम् (puṣṭivardhanam) - nourisher, enhancer of wellbeing
- उर्वारुकमिव (urvārukamiva) - like a ripe cucumber
- बन्धनात् (bandhanāt) - from the bondage (stem)
- मृत्योर्मुक्षीय (mṛtyormukṣīya) - may I be liberated from death
- मा अमृतात् (mā amṛtāt) - not from immortality
Traditional Practice Flow
The complete traditional sequence of recitation, as followed in orthodox Vedic practice:
- Achamana & PranayamaPurification through sipping water and breath control
- SankalpaStatement of intent with date, place, purpose
- Ganapati PrarthanaInvocation of Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles
- Guru VandanaSalutations to the Guru
- Shivasankalpa SuktamPurvanga (preliminary invocation)
- Sri Rudram Namakam11 anuvakas of salutations
- Chamakam11 anuvakas invoking blessings
- Purusha SuktamVedic hymn to the Cosmic Being
- Maha Mrityunjaya JapaRecitation of the Mrityunjaya mantra
- Rudra GayatriRudra Gayatri recitation
- Mantra PushpamOffering of flowers with mantras
- Shanti MantraPeace invocation
Beginner's Path
Guidance for those new to Sri Rudram - a gradual, sustainable way to build the practice:
How to Chant - Etiquette
- Bathe (shower) before chanting. Wear clean clothes.
- Face east or north if possible. Sit on a clean asana.
- Chant from memory once comfortable; follow along with the audio while learning.
- The Ghanapathi recitation has precise swaras (udatta, anudatta, svarita) - do not guess; follow the traditional audio.
- Begin with a short prayer to Ganesha and your Guru. End with Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
- Do not skip anuvakas mid-recitation. If short on time, chant a single anuvaka fully.
- Women may chant Sri Rudram; only the traditional injunction against loud Vedic svara recitation during menstruation is observed in some lineages. Soft or mental recitation is always permitted.
Rudrabhishekam
The sacred ritual of bathing a Shiva Linga while chanting Sri Rudram. Each offering carries a specific intention and blessing.
- Monday - Shiva's day
- Pradosham - 13th tithi of each fortnight
- Mahashivaratri - 14th tithi of Krishna Paksha in Phalguna
- Shravan month - especially all Mondays
- Ekadasha Rudra - Chanting Sri Rudram 11 times, representing the 11 Rudras
- Maha Rudra - 121 times (11 x 11)
Om Swami's Sadhana App offers free Rudrabhishekam performed by priests on your behalf.
Open Sadhana AppSignificance in Shaivism and Vedic Tradition
Sri Rudram is central to Shaivite practice and is recited during:
- Rudra Abhishekam - the sacred bathing ritual of a Shiva Linga
- Maha Rudra Yagna and Ati Rudra Yagna - large multi-priest fire ceremonies
- Mondays and especially Maha Shivaratri
- Shraavan month - the lunar month dedicated to Shiva
- Daily sadhana for aspirants on the Shaiva path
Credits
Audio: Om Swami ji's production with 7 Ghanapathi Vedabrahma chanters
Text: Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita
Source YouTube: https://youtu.be/L4yT_UpfJdw
All Sanskrit text, IAST transliteration, and meaning-summaries are offered in devotion. Any error is mine; any grace is Shiva's.