Vedic Mythology c5.s2.t4.11

c5.s2.t4.11

Rudra is, however, not purely maleficent like a demon. He is also supplicated in the RV. to avert the anger or the evil that comes from the gods (1, 114⁴; 2, 33⁷). He is besought not only to preserve from calamity (5, 51¹³), but to bestow blessings (1, 114 1. 2; 2, 33⁶), and produce welfare for man and beast (1, 43⁶). His healing powers are mentioned with especial frequency. He grants remedies (2, 33¹²), he commands every remedy (5, 42¹¹), and has a thousand remedies (7, 46³). He carries in his hand choice remedies (1, 114⁵), and his hand is restorative and healing (2, 33⁷). He raises up heroes by his remedies, for he is the greatest physician of physicians (2, 33⁴), and by his auspicious remedies his worshipper hopes to live a hundred winters (2, 33²). He is besought to remove sickness from his worshippers' offspring (7, 46²) and to be favourable to man and beast, that all in the village may be well-fed and free from disease (1, 114¹). In this connexion Rudra has two epithets which are peculiar to him, *jalāṣa*, (perhaps) 'healing' and *jalāṣa-bheṣaja*, 'possessing healing remedies (1, 43⁴; AV. 2, 27⁶). These medicines against sickness are probably rains¹¹ (cp. 5, 53¹⁴; 10, 59⁹). That this attribute was essential to his nature, appears from a verse of a hymn in which various deities are characterized without being named (8, 29⁵): 'One bright, fierce, possessing healing remedies, holds a sharp weapon in his hand'. Rudra's lightning and his remedies are also mentioned together in another verse (7, 46³). The healing Rudra with the Rudras is invoked to be favourable (7. 35⁶). The Maruts are also in another verse associated with Rudra as possessing pure and beneficent remedies (2, 33¹³). The healing power of Rudra is sometimes referred to in the other Saṃhitās (VS. 3, 59; 16, 5. 49; AV. 2, 27⁶); but much less frequently than his destructive activity. In the Sūtras, sacrifices to him are prescribed for removing or preventing disease in cattle (AG. 4, 8⁴⁰; Kauś. S. 51, 7 &c.).