What is the Vedic Origin of Lord Shiva?

Question

I am learning about Mount Kailash (Lord Shiva's abode).

Somewhere I read that before people came to India from Central Asia (bringing Vedas, Hinduism, etc), the natives in Indian subcontinent followed Shavism, or worship of Lord Shiva.

Two questions

1. Is this accurate?
2. Is Lord Shiva of Nepali descent, i.e. a Gurhka

I find this so fascinating ......

Please point me in the right direction

Answer 1

I think you are going through some western speculations. But whether there was Shaivism in a certain place doesn't matter at all. It's because Vedas are revealed scriptures and it's mantras are heard during deep meditation.

And Lord Shiva is revealed itself to Vedas through Vedic seers during their deep meditation. In Vedas Lord Shiva is called by the name Rudra mostly. As I discuss in my answer here, there are various types of Rudras:

1) Rudras who cry.
2) Rudras who makes other cry.
3) Rudra who removes the cry of Samsara.

And all three types of Rudras are described in Vedas. One has to distinguish to which Rudra is it addressed by looking at the meaning and context of the mantra.

There are various hymns dedicated to Lord Rudra itself in RigVeda. The most celebrated mantra Mahamrityunjaya mantra or Mokshadayani mantra is itself in RigVeda in 7.59.12:

त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ।।

We worship the Three-eyed Lord who is fragrant and who nourishes and nurtures all beings. As is the ripened cucumber freed from its bondage (to the creeper), may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality.

This mantra asks liberation or moksha from the three-eyed one and devata of this mantra is Lord Rudra. RigVeda 2.33.9 states Lord Rudra as eternal Ruler (never departing Godhead) of the World:

स्थिरेभिरङ्गै पुरुरूप उग्रो बभ्रुः शुक्रेभिः पिपिशे हिरण्यै ।
ईशानादस्य भुवनस्य भुरेर्न वा उ योषद्रुद्रासुर्यम् ।।

With firm limbs, multiform, the strong, the tawny adorns himself with bright gold decorations. The strength of Godhead never departs from Rudra, him who is Sovran of this world, the mighty.

Coming to YajurVeda, there is a celebrated hymn called Sri Rudram. It exists in both Vajasneya Samhita of Shukla YajurVeda [16th chapter] and Taittariya Samhita of Krishna Yajurveda[4.5.1-4.5.11].

It establishes omnipresent and omnipotency of Lord Rudra and it sings more than 300 names of Lord Rudra/Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the only one in Vedas who is hailed by many names. He is the one of which Vedas themselves sing Sahasranama.

The popular mantra

नमः शिवाय ।। (Namaha Shivaya)

is itself derived from the middle of this hymn, Sri Rudram.

Other names which are derived from this famous Sri Rudram hymn are:

Shiva, Shankara, Bhava, Sarva, Pasupati, Nilagriva, Sitikantha, Kapardin, Nilalohita, etc..

Also, most of the names of Lord Shiva used today are derived from Vedas, as I discuss in my answer here.

If we go in AtharvaVeda there are several hymns related to Lord Rudra/ Shiva. In Atharvaveda there is a famous Vratya-Rudra Sukta, which directly establishes Shiva [SadaShiva] who existed before Prajapati/Brahma and who is the creator of all.

व्रात्य आसीदीयमान एव स प्रजापतिं समैरयत् ।। स प्रजापति: सुवर्णमात्मन्नपश्यत्तत्प्राजनयत् ।। तदेकमभवत्तल्ललाममभवत्तन्महदभवत्तज्जेष्ठमभवत्तद्ब्रह्माभवत्तत्तपोऽभवत्तत्सत्यमभवत्तेन प्राजायत ।। सोऽवर्धत स महानभवत्स महादेवोऽभवत् ।। स देवानामीशां पर्यैत्स ईशानोऽभवत् ।। स एकव्रात्योऽभवत्स धनुरादत्त तदेवेन्द्रधनुः ।। नीलमस्योदरं लोहितं पृष्ठम् ।। नीलेनैवाप्रियं भ्रातृव्यं प्रोर्णोति लोहितेन द्विषन्तं विध्यतीति ब्रह्मवादिनो वदन्ति ।। [Atharva Veda 15:1]

There was Vratya . He roused Prajapati to action. Prajapati beheld gold in himself and engendered it. That became unique, that became distinguished, that became great, that became excellent, that became Brahman, that became Tapas, that became Truth: through that he (Vratya) was born. He grew, he became great, he became Mahadeva. He gained the lordship of the Gods. He became Ishana. He became Eka Vratya. He held a bow, even that Bow of Indra. His belly is dark-blue, his back is red (Nila Lolita). With dark-blue he envelops a detested rival, with red he pierces the man who hates him: so the knowers of Brahman say.

It further goes on telling how Lord Shiva created everything of this world in details from 15.1 - 15.15. Also, you can see my answer here regarding birth of Rudra.

Also Atharvaveda in 11.2.16 states Lord Shiva as the God who is to be saluted in morning, day and night ie. at every time:

नमः सायं नमः प्रातर्नमो रात्र्या नमो दिवा ।
भवाय च शर्वाय चोभाभ्यामकरं नमः ।।

Salutations in the morning, salutations in night and Salutations in the day. To Bhava and Sarva salutations through our hands.

Thus from above it is clear that Lord Shiva is celebrated through Vedic revelations. The above are part of only Samhitas ie. Heard mantras during meditation. If we go in Aranyakas, Brahmanas and Upanishads Lord Shiva is also most important there:

The Rudra hymns 10th chapter of Taittariya Aranyaka of Yajurveda establishes Rudra as everything and Rudra himself as the ParaBrahman. There are also various celebrated names of Lord Shiva in that hymn. For eg.

Sadyojata, Tatpurush, Vamadeva, Aghora, Ishana, Mahadeva, Sadashiva Kala, Pasupati, Ambikapati, Umapati, Ishwara, etc...

In the Upanishads, one of the most celebrated Upanishad, Svetasvatara Upanishad establishes Rudra as ParaBrahman and cause of everything. It also contains celebrated names like:

Rudra, Hara, Shiva, Maheswara, Ishana, Isa, etc..

Svetasvatara Upanishad in 3.11 Summarizes as:

सर्वानन शिरोग्रीवः सर्वभूतगुहाशयः ।
सर्वव्यापी स भगवांस्तस्मात् सर्वगतः शिवः ॥ ११॥

All faces are His faces; all heads, His heads; all necks, His necks. He dwells in the hearts of all beings. He is the all—pervading Bhagavan. Therefore He is omnipresent Shiva.

Also, Kailash is stated in Maitreyaopanishad [2.1] as:

अथ भगवान्मैत्रेयः कैलासं जगाम तं गत्वोवाच
भो भगवन्परमतत्त्वरहस्यमनुब्रूहीति ॥

Then the revered sage Maitreya went to Kailasa. Approaching him (the Lord) he said: ‘Lord, expound to me the secret of the supreme Truth’. The great god said to him:

There are also Upanishads describing Lord Shiva like Kaivalya Upanishad, AtharvaShira Upanishad, NilaRudra Upanishad, KalagniRudra Upanishad, etc...

Thus, Lord Shiva is revealed to Vedic seers itself through Vedas.

One may wonder if Lord Shiva is revealed through Vedas then,

why there are extensive hymns for Gods like Agni and Indra and others and relatively few hymns for Lord Rudra?

It's because every God are just manifestations of Lord Rudra.

“agnirvai sa devastasyaitāni nāmāni śarva iti yathā prācyā
ācakṣate bhava iti yathā bāhīkāḥ paśūnām patī rudro ‘gniriti
tānyasyāśāntānyevetarāṇi nāmānyagnirityeva śāntatamaṃ tasmādagnaya iti kriyate
sviṣṭakṛta iti ” (Shatapatha Brahmana 1:7:3:8)

“Agni is That god;–his are these names: Sarva, as the eastern people call him; Bhava, as the Bâhîkas (call him); Pasûnâm pati (‘lord of creatures Pasupati), Rudra, Agni. The name Agni, doubtless, is the most calm, and the other names of his are uncalm: hence it is offered to (him under the name of) ‘Agni,’ and to (him as) the Svishtakrit”.

Thus from above Vedic passage, it becomes clear that Agni is just form/ manifestation of Lord Rudra. So extensive hymns of Vedas related to Agni are finally addressed to Lord Rudra.

Similarly, Indra is also a manifestation of Lord Rudra. AtharvaVeda calls Rudra as slayer of Vritta which is actually Indra:

“sahasrākṣáu vr̥trahánā huveháṃ dūrégavyūtī stuvánn my ugráu |
yā́v asyéśathe dvipádo yáu cátuṣpadas táu no muñcatam áṃhasaḥ ||” (Atharvaveda 4:28:03)

“The thousand-eyed slayers of Vritra both do I invoke. I go praising the two strong gods (ugrau) whose pastures extend far. Ye who rule all these two-footed and four-footed creatures [Pasupati], deliver us from grief and trouble”.

And not only this, there is a famous chapter in Satapatha Brahmana of YajurVeda which states everything like fire, water, air, sun, moon, etc... gained their characteristics features because Lord Shiva manifested as Ashtamurti Rupa ie. He entered in all those 8 things as Purusha and made them active. Satapatha Brahmana of YajurVeda from 6.1.3.10 to 6.1.3.17 states:

Rudra is Agni.
Sarva is Water (Varuna).
Pasupati is Plants (Vanaspati).
Ugra is Air (Vayu).
Asani is Lightening.
Bhava is Raingod (Parjanya).
Mahadeva is Moon (Chandra/Soma/Mind).
Ishana is Sun (Surya/ Atman)

Thus, it is clear the whole world is pervaded by the forms of Lord Rudra. So as Rudra is actually Agni, Vayu, Varuna, Soma, Surya, etc.. as seen from above Shruti passage (of YajurVeda). So actually Vedic hymns to all these Gods are actually praying various forms and manifestations of Lord Rudra.

He himself also dwells as self in all. He is also situated in heart of Gods as their self. So, Sri Rudram of Yajurveda states:

देवानां ह्रदयभ्यो । who is situated in hearts of Gods.

As everything in this world is just manifestation of Lord Rudra only thats why YajurVeda 5.5.9 states in a single sentence as:

यो रुद्रो अग्नौ यो अप्सु य ओषधिषु । यो रुद्रो विश्वा भुवना विवेश तस्मै रुद्राय नमो अस्तु ।।

“The Rudra in the fire, in the waters, in the plants, the Rudra that hath entered the whole world, to that Rudra be homage”

As everything is just manifestation of Lord Rudra only, there is nothing second than Rudra, thats why Svetasvatara Upanishad in a single verse states:

एको हि रुद्रो न द्वितियाय
There is Rudra only, there doesn't exist a second.

Taittariya Aranyaka of YajurVeda states the same in 10.24

सर्वो वै रुद्रस्तस्मै रुद्राय नमो अस्तु । पुरुषो वै रुद्रसन्मह ।।
Everything is Verily this Rudra. Salutations to Rudra who is such. Rudra himself is the Purusha.

The same fact is also beautifully illustrated in Vajasena Samhita of Yajurveda chapter 16 (ie. Sri Rudram part):

रथेभ्यो रथपतिभ्यो नमो नमः नमः सुतायहन्ताय, रथकारेम्यो नमो नमः

Salutation to him who is chariot, who is rider of chariot, who is charioteer and who is maker of Chariot.

So he himself makes chariot. He himself is the chariot. He himself rides chariot. He himself drives chariot. So, everything is him everything is his Leela.

So, from above it is clear Lord Shiva is revealed through celebrated Vedic Hymns during meditation of Vedic seers.

Regarding your second question:

Is Lord Shiva of Nepali descent, i.e. a Gurkha ?

As established from above Vedic passages and mantras, Lord Shiva existed before creation itself ie. He was present when there were not the earth, sun, moon, time etc... So, he who is unborn and lord of the universe, how can he have the nationality of a specific country?

Regarding the name Gurkha, it comes from Gorkha district of Nepal. It was kept Gorkha in the remembrance of saint Guru Gorakhnath, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. There is also a famous place called Gorakh-Kali where Guru Gorakhnath and Goddesses Kali are worshiped.

Answer 2

Now let's answer the question: The Vedic origin of Lord Shiva: which means from Rudra to Shiva? Let's get some facts in place: Now, in the Rig Vedā, the word “Śiva” occurs more than 30 times, and all these are not personified names (swarūpa), they are various aspects of auspiciousness and pleasantness. For example, the hymn “Be Śiva with me” meaning be gentle with me. The first homage to Rudra calls Him pleasant or peaceful, then all the synonymous titles follow – such as benevolent, caring, prosperous, glowing, gentle, knowledge & eloquence, love, bond, friendly, pure, generous, compassionate, pure/pious, and many more. So your question should be, "All these above Siva-titles (adjectives) apply to Rudra, and if so give me the proof?" Sure, here we go:

Śiva = the auspicious RV10.92 , Mayaḥ = bestower of ananda/bliss RV1.114, Śreṣṭhaḥ = the foremost & pure RV1.43, Mīḍhvaḥ = generous RV1.114 , Mṛḷayākuḥ Hastaḥ = a compassionate hand, Shamtamam Hruday = pleasant or beneficent heart RV1.43, Sumna = pious/pure/forgiving RV2.33.7, śam-yoḥ sumnam = bliss/ānandamRV1.43.

Now your question should obviously be, does it specifically say Rudra possesses Siva in himself? Ofcourse, here you go: Opening of Krishna Yajur Veda Taittiriya-Samhita 4.5.1 says:

या ते॑ रुद्र शि॒वा त॒नूरघो॒रापा॑पकाशिनी

Meaning He Rudra in His auspicious form is the dispeller of our darkness and karmic remnants. (add to dispeller of darkness)

Can the above statement be justified that the fierce Rudra in His auspicious form will dispel our Paapa (karmic negative results)? Of course:

१५ यदात्मतत्त्वेन तु ब्रह्मतत्त्वं दीपोपमेनेह युक्तः प्रपश्येत्‌। अजं ध्रुवं सर्वतत्त्वैर्विशुद्धं ज्ञात्वा देवं मुच्यते सर्वपापैः॥ Svetasvatara Upaniṣhad 2.15 When the Yogin realizes the truth of Brahman, through the perception of the truth of Atman in this body as a self-luminous entity, then, knowing the Divinity as unborn, eternal and free from all the modifications of Prakriti, he is freed from all sins.

Why such contradiction in one Divinity? Why is Rudra an isolated and independent Divinity in Vedas? Why do only people look at Rudra's fierce side and not his Siva side?

Rudras being addressed as स्वयश, meaning self-majestic RV1.129.3, or सवधाव्ने (self supreme) RV7.46 and स्वतवसो ‘self-mightily’ RV1.166.2, independent Divinity holding the elixir of immortality RV5.58,TS4.5, a creator of Creation, and a ruler of all kinds of beings and groups TS4.5, made many western scholars consider Rudra to be an independent outsider. However, as we progress deeper into the relation with other Vedic divinities like Agni, Soma and Varuna, much clarity dawns. This independent sovereignty of Rudra is in line with His unique nature of being benevolent towards both nefarious and pious beings TS4.5 – like chthonic (beings of crude levels of consciousness) and Vrātyas RV3.26,5.53,AV15, and nomadic sages or wanderers, and many more, collectively addressed as bhuta-ganas, meaning various groups of beings belonging to different backgrounds, geographic locations, skills, age-groups, genders, physical attributes, both learned and immature, famous and unknown, rich and poor, of all professions, clans, and lineages, and not limited to those liked by the Devas, esp. Indra (Solar Deities). Hence the word Rudras refers to various groups or “ganas” who have the common leader īśhana or the father Rudra. The details of this fascinating multitude of groups are elaborated on both in Kṛṣṇa Yajur Vedā Taittirīya Saṃhitā 4.5 and Sukla Yajur Vedā Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā 16. By the time of the Atharva Vedā the stature of Vrātyas reached that of Brahman in the 15th kanda/chapter called Vrātya Suktam. Then comes the title “Asura”, which is used to describe a group of primordial beings alongside the Devas, with whom the Devas compete for Soma (amṛta) RV1.108. On many occasions, this word is used as a title to describe the strength and ferocious side of the Devas’ wrath, often associated with Mitra, Varuna, and Indra. Varuna, on many occasions, shares similarities with Rudra, but Rudra is called “The Asura of Mighty Heavens” RV2.1, and Maruts are addressed as the “Lord of Asuras” RV1.108/122. There is also the title Manyu SY10.20 and the title Ugra RV2.33,9.11, meaning a ferocious one. So, this Rudra who is ferocious, makes us weep, whose children (Rudras) are rustic, mountain dwellers, destroyers, who associates with Asuras and nefarious beings, is Ghora (terrible), Manyu (wrath), Vrātya (nomadic), Ugra (threatening); in total contradiction is Śiva (The Auspicious), He is bliss/ānandam, pure, generous, has a compassionate hand and a beneficent heart, is pious, and is the very bestower of bliss.

In this way Śiva: the auspiciousness pervades forever, hence the title “Sadaa:Śivam”. As the famous Tamil Poet Thirumular, composer of Tirumurai says, Anbe Sivam (அன்பு சிவம்), meaning “Compassion/affection itself is Sivam”. In this, the all-pervasive entirety is Viṣṇu/Hari who manifests beyond kālá (time). Viṣṇu is the canvas for creation, whereas the creative idea is called Brahmā. In this creation manifest countless beings with a mind, this mind becomes the ruler – which is Indra. Sri Aurobindo says, “the invisible force that propels creation from the lowest to the highest state of Viṣṇu is called Rudra”. Eventually, everything dissolves or assimilates back to the forever state of bliss that is Śiva. Hence, all these concepts are beautifully iconified into the spectacular realm of Puráńas and Itihāsa. Śiva means “auspicious”, “foremost”, “un-manifested”, “raw”, “that which is not”; we will cover each of these aspects one by one, so the definition of Śiva/Rudra will evolve in this discussion. Śrī Śankaracharya, in Nirvana Shatakam, addresses Śiva as cit:ānanda:rūpa – meaning the essence of ānanda (supreme bliss) in Cit (Supreme Infinite Consciousness). If Śiva is cit:ānanda then His forever companion Uma is cit:Śakti. Unlike sukha (happiness), which has a polar opposite called dukha (sadness), ānanda has no polar opposite, meaning it is a forever-state devoid of any polarity, irrespective of cit:Śakti being in action or repose (rest). Hence Śiva says to Uma: “I am the sea and you the wave, You are Prakṛti, and I Puruṣa“. This beautiful reference to Śiva/Śivā being both the wave and still water, both the hasty/active/rapid and yet calm and auspicious is described in Sukla Yajur Vedā Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā 16.31. Hence, the Rishis ask Rudra to bestow that Anandam.

If you want read more in detail, each aspect of Rudra then you can on this portal: http://sanatanadhara.com/ishwara/siva-rudra-linga/

Answer 3

Yajurveda period is when The Vedic god Rudra started to become Lord Shiva (as in more things were revealed about him to the Rishis)

So let's start

The appearance of Rudra

Krishna Yajurveda, Taittirīya Samhita states -

ए॒ष ते॑ रुद्र भा॒गस्त-ञ्जु॑षस्व॒ तेना॑व॒सेन॑ प॒रो मूज॑व॒तो-ऽती॒ह्य व॑ततधन्वा॒ पिना॑कहस्तः॒ कृत्ति॑वासाः

This is thy portion, O Rudra; rejoice in it; with it for food, do thou go away beyond the Mujavants. With unstrung bow, thy pinaka in thy hand, clad in skins.

TS.1.8.6.11

similar verses are present in Shukla Yajurveda,Vājasneyi Samhita, 3.61 and also in The Shatarudriya section of both samhitas.

So by this verse we know that

Rudra wears a skin as his attire & Rudra has the Pināka Bow as his weapon

So here we can see the idea of Rudra as Shiva starting to develop.

Now , more about Rudra's appearance is present in the Shatarudriya Samhita

Rudra is Kapardin (one with matted hair)

Rudra has a blue neck .

The Shatarudriya states-

असौ योऽवसर्पति नीलग्रीवो विलोहितः

नमो नीलग्रीवाय च शितिकण्ठाय च

Nīlagrīva means Nīla=blue and Grīva=neck hence one with the blue neck.

So we have the picture of this god who wears skin as his attire , has the pināka bow , has a blue neck and matted hair.

Shitikanttha is a popular epithet of lord Shiva in the Itihāsas and Purānas

now let's talk about popular Epithets of Rudra in the Vedas -

Bhava,Sharva, Pashupati, Nīlagrīva/Nīlakanttha, Shitikanttha,Kapardin , Pinakahasta , Krittivāsa , Girisha , Mahādeva , Īshāna , Shambhava, Shankara , Shiva , Tryamabaka, etc

The Taittirīya Āranyaka , 10th chapter, the Mahānārāyana Upanishad mentions more names like-

Umāpati , Ambikāpati

All these names represent something about Rudra , and all these names are popular epithets of Lord Shiva in the Itihāsas and Purānas.

**The Famous Panchākshara Mantra is derived from the Yajurveda, Shatarudriya **

नमः शिवाय च शिवतराय च

The Ashtamurti Manifestation of Lord shiva is -

-Bhava ,Rudra ,Pashupati ,Mahadeva , , ishaana , Ugra , Ashani ,Sharva

These are mentioned in

-Shatapatha Brāhmana -Taittirīya Samhita 1.4.36

"The five faces of Rudra have been described in Taittiriya Aranyaka, 10th chapter, the Mahānārāyana Upanishad Which are the faces of Sadāshiva"

-Sadyojāta -Vāmadeva -Aghora -Tatpurusha -Īshana

In the Itihāsas and Purānas Lord shiva is said to have five faces and he's called Panchavaktra.

Now let's discuss 3 popular legends associated with Lord Shiva and their Vedic Origin.

Destruction of Tripurasuras

This popular legend of Lord Shiva destroying The Tripurasuras is mentioned directly in the -

Taittirīya Samhita , 6.2.3

Also , in his Bhāshya of the Rigveda

In 6.16.39 , which is -

“You, Agni, who are like a fierce archer, or like a sharp-horned bull, have destroyed the cities (of the asuras).”

Shāyanacharya says -

"Agni is identified with Rudra as the destoyer of the cities of Tripura: rudro vā eṣo yad agniḥ"

Rudra's exclusion from the sacrifice

This is mentioned in -

Taittirīya Samhita , 2.6.8 Shatapatha Brāhmana , 1.7.3 Gopatha Brāhmana , 2nd chapter

These Vedic references are the origin of the Daksha Yajna story in the Itihāsas and Purānas.

Samudra Manthana

We already know that Rudra is Nīlagrīva and this is the origin of name Nīlakanttha . We know that Shiva drank poison during Samudra manthana and that's why his neck is blue.

the Rigveda , 10.136.7 ,states-

वा॒युर॑स्मा॒ उपा॑मन्थत्पि॒नष्टि॑ स्मा कुनन्न॒मा । के॒शी वि॒षस्य॒ पात्रे॑ण॒ यद्रु॒द्रेणापि॑बत्स॒ह ॥

"Vāyu churned for him, the inflexible (thunder) ground it when the radiant (Sun), along with Rudra,drank the poison with his cup."

Keeping in mind that Rudra has a blue neck , this reference from the rigveda can be interpreted as the origin of Shiva drinking Poison in the Itihāsas and Purānas.

So as we saw the character of Rudra-Shiva developing in the Vedic literature. This was just a basic idea about the Vedic origin of Shiva , there is alot more that can be discussed like Rudra being Pashupati and The Mahāmrityunjaya mantra.

Namah Shivāya.