Rudra

What does Rudra mean?

Rudra names a Vedic deity associated with winds and storms and later closely identified with Shiva. Wiktionary and Monier-Williams also record adjective senses involving roaring, howling and fearsome force, supporting the interpretation ‘fierce’. The proposed connection with a root meaning ‘to roar’ may itself be a later explanation rather than a settled etymology. The deity is the central documented association, with the word's descriptive senses providing additional context.

Source: Wiktionary, रुद्र. How we use sources.

Spelling and pronunciation

रुद्र is read rud-ra, in two syllables with a short u like that in ‘put’. Keep d and r together rather than adding another vowel. Roodra also appears, but suggests a longer vowel than this form. The final a is retained in the pronunciation given here.

Rudra in tradition and story

Rudra is addressed in Rigvedic hymns and the Shatarudriya litany of the Yajurveda. Later texts connect the Rudras with forms of Shiva. Rudraksha beads used in Shaiva prayer also take their name from Rudra.