Who is kAlAgni Rudra?

Question

In Sri Rudram invocation AnuvAka 1 hymn 28, we get the following verse -

... Namaste astu bhagavanh vishveshvaraya mahadevaya tryambakaya tripurantakaya trikagni kalaya kalagnirudraya nilakanthaya mrutyunjayaya sarveshvaraya sadashivaya shrimanmahadevaya namah

Let my salutations be to that great God who is the Lord of the universe; the great God who has three eyes and who destroys Tripura, the three Asura cities. To that God who is the Dandhya time when the three sacred fires are lit; who is Rudra the fire that consumes the universe; whose throat is blue; who has conquered death; the Lord of all; the ever auspicious one; salutations to that glorious and great God.

Now, In Kashmiri Shaiva books, at many places he has been mentioned like this-

In Viravali also it is said: "Observe that divine consciousness present in the body which has the glow like that of kalagni Rudra and in which all things are dissolved and the multitude of the elements is burned."

Also from Vijnanabhairava tantra-

"One should think of one's body being burnt by kalagni4 arising from the toe of the right foot. At last there is the realization of light which is santa, i.e. in which there is not the slightest trace of difference.(Verse 52)

also, from the notes of Shiva Sutra by Jaidev Singh

Kalagni Rudra is the deity full of tejas i.e. burning light. In the human body, his place is supposed to be the toe of the right foot. One has to meditate that Kalagni is arising from that place and burning the entire body.

Also, he is said to be residing in Nivritti KalA

Kalagni: Kalagni-bhuvanesa - a particular Rudra in Nivrtti kala.

but I want some scriptural information on KAlAgni Rudra.

Answer 1

Kalagni Rudra is one of the name of Lord Shiva (Rudra) who resembled the fire of kala. . The name Kalagni Rudra also means " he who is burned the Kala" ( the time , who is cause of the perpetual destruction of objects). Shiva burnt the deity Kala with his "Third Eye" , who came to took away the life of " King Sveta" , who was great devotee of Lord Shiva , while worshiping him .

The story of Kalagni Rudra is in detail mentioned in Skanda Purana - Book one -Mahesvara khanda Section one - Chapter 32 -" Burning of Kala"Page no 273.

Here are the excerpts from Skanda Purana -:

King Sveta was constant and faithful devotee of Lord Shiva. He ruled his kingdom righteously . And he ruled the earth for many years. After many years , when time came Yama the god of death sent his messanger to that king , Chtragupta instructed the messengers.

18-19 Once yama sent his messengers to that king who was worshiping shankara , the bestower of the greatest aim in life (i.e salvation). At the instance of Chitragupta messengers were deputed and instructed " Let sveta be brought"

The messengers of Yama came to the temple , but they were unable to carry out the command of yama i.e dharma.Then Yama himself came there to carry out the job ,but he himself were unable to do so.

21-23 Then the messengers could not carry out the command of dharma. After knowing this , Yama himself came there. He suddenly lifted his baton and was desirous of taking the king away.The deity of great arms saw the king engaged in the meditation of shiva .

24-26 Immediately the king of dead ones became excessively agitate and remained (motionless) as though he was printed in picture.

Then at the scene arrived the mighty "kala" the time , who causes the destruction of all objects.The Yama was fearful after seeing the kala. Then Kala asked Yama why the king was not taken away and ordered yama to quickly follow his orders. Then the Yama replied.

29 I shall do according to your command. This devotee of shiva cannot be tackled by us.

Then the kala himself took the charge and rushed to kill king Sveta.

30 on hearing Yama's words , Kala became infuriated. Hurriedly he took up the sword intending to kill the king.

31-36 The king is thinking about the foot of Shiva who is of the nature of supreme being , and the cause of salvation and complete identity on form . Kala was rushing at him and was seen by Sadashiva , the slayer of kala. The rouge was approaching him undeterred arrogantly. When he was seen midway between himself and nandikeshwara by shiva , the lord of the universe , the affectionate kinsman of devotee , he was stared at with the Third eye by the great lord who wanted to protect his devotee. He became reduced to ash in an instant.

38-40 The king then regained consciousness and looked again and again at kala who had come to kill him and then was burnt by fire. Without being excited , who prayed to Rudra who resembled the fire of kala.

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The Brahmavaivarta Purana Brahma khand - Chapter -8 also mentions Kalagnirudra.Here its said that Rudra appeared from forehead of eraged Brahma.

अविर्भुता ललाटाच्च रुद्रा एकादशा प्रभो |
कालाग्निरुद्र: संहर्ता तेषामेक: प्रकीर्तित: ||19||

This enraged Brahma , the creator of the universe. O lord , on getting enraged , Brahma , a Rudra appeared out of hhis forehead he is said to be Kalagni Rudra.