Sri Rudram - With Chamakam Commentary

This scholarly commentary on Sri Rudram and Chamakam is unique; for every mantra it provides the Rishi, Chandas, Devata and Dhyana Sloka. It is entirely based on authoritative traditional Sanskrit commentaries.

The translator P.R.Kannan, a retired Civil/ Structural Engineer, has been writing religious books and delivering religious discourses. As instructed by Sri Kanchi Sankaracharya Swamiji, he has translated several books- Sri Rudram, Sama Veda- An Introduction, Brahmavid Asirvada Paddhati, Tula Puranam, Bala Bodha Sangraham, Sivagitimala (Siva Ashtapadi), Gita Sundaram, Venkatachala Mahatmyam, Aravindopanishad, Sri Lalita Trisati Stotram-Commentary, Narayana Bhattatri's Sripada Saptati, Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi - An Offering and Aurobindo's Bhavani Bharati. He has also published a compendium on Apara Kriyas and Sraaddham. His book 'Sri Jayendra Vijayam' in English was published by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham in 2015 during the Sahasradina Sathabhishekam celebrations.

Our lifestyle has turned into fast-paced days with quickly executed daily plans. We brahmanas are expected to chant Veda without expecting direct benefit; that too every day without fail! How? Is it practicable now? Even if possible, who will teach us Veda? Leaving aside big cities like Chennai, some small number of persons were prepared to chant and teach Veda till recently in certain villages at least. Now that too is rare. What occurs to us in this context? While speaking about Brahmayagnam, it is said that even a single Rik, Yajurvakya or Sama is adequate for Adhyayanam (Vedic study)! From this point of view, it does seem that we can at least study some important Vedic parts like Sri Rudram, Chamakam, Purushasuktam etc. Yes, it is fine! Even that will help in obtaining many benefits here and hereafter. It will also enable protection of the state of brahmana.

While considering Veda parts, we find that Sri Rudram occupies the prime position. This is because Srutis (Vedas), Smritis (Sastras), Itihasas and Puranas all eulogise Sri Rudram copiously.

Yajurveda, which covers many different Karmas, shines with Sri Rudram exactly in the middle in the fourth Kanda. As Sri Rudram has names of Siva with 'Namah' placed before and after each of them, it is glorified as 'Namakam' and it is a novel type of composition. Sri Rudram is also called by several other names, which help in training the mind for firm grasp of Sri Parameswara. They are: Satarudriyam, Rudropanishad, Rudradhyayam, Namakam. As many descriptions of Rudra are given, it is Satarudriyam. As it is considered to be the gathered essence of many Veda Sakhas (branches), it is called Rudropanishad. As this Satarudriyam occurs in many Veda Sakhas, it is the best Upanishad. Hence Suta Samhita states that merely by chanting this, one can get rid of all sins. Bhattabhaskara explains that this can be established in another way too. That is, there are 101 Sakhas of Yajurveda. Rudropanishad is covered in all of them. We can even say that as Rudra's names occur sequentially in large number, it is Satarudriyam.