Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.561

c9.561

(iii) In the beginning of Kalpa (Age of Brahmā) Brahmā meditated upon getting a child like himself and a child of blue complexion appeared on his lap. He ran here and there crying aloud. Brahmā asked him "Why are you crying?" He replied: "I must be named." Because he was crying (doing rodana) Brahmā named him Rudra (He who cries). He cried seven times more. Brahmā gave him seven more names. They were Bhava, Śarva, Īśāna, Paśupati, Bhīma, Ugra and Mahādeva. Thus there were eight Rudras. To each of them, Brahmā gave a position and wives and children.