Rudra is one of the most significant Vedic gods. There is uncertainty of the origin of the name Rudra, but the etymological meaning of Rudra is "the red one”. However in
Puranas, the god is called Rudra as he wept at birth. In some other versions, the word is used to indicate the remover of pain. In this line, Rudra is also a healer.
According to mythology, Rudra appears as bright as the sun riding on a boar. He is the supreme warrior, the divine fighter and the god of power. He is said to be an archer who shoots arrows of death and disease at gods, men and cattle. Even though he is the lord of terror, he is also considered as the lord of compassion. He has no time to spend with the dead, but he deals only with the living, the striving and the aspiring.
Rudra is identified with Lord Shiva as he is one of Shiva's many aspects.
