Rudra Avtar

Rudra Avtar is an epic poem under the title Ath Rudra Avtar Kathan(n), written by Guru Gobind Singh, present in Dasam Granth Sahib which is considered as the second most important scripture of the Sikhs. This composition covers the most important wars within Gurmat philosophy, such as the fight between Bibek Buddhi and Abibek Budhi, the fight between truth and false, and the fight between wisdom and ignorance.

This composition also covers the concepts of Gyaan (Wisdom) and Dhyana (Attention) and is against fake ritualism and practices.

Guru Gobind Singh sanctified and narrated the life history of the following two souls, which designated them with the title Rudra: Dattatreya - Hindu Monk and Parshvanatha - 23rd Tirthankar of Jainism.

About

• This poem was written in Anandpur Sahib, probably in 1698 CE (year 1755 in the traditional Vikram Samvat calendar).
• This text is part of Bachittar Natak Granth, as per rubrics at the end. Although modern interpretators believe that a portion of Guru Gobind Singh's life, which he refers to as Apni Katha is Bachittar Natak, the rest of the compositions are independent from it.
• This composition is present in all old manuscripts, i.e. Mani Singh's, Motibagh's, Sangrur's and Patna's Manuscripts.
• The language of the composition is Hindi with a mixture of Sanskrit words.
• The First six Chandds are introductory. 849 Chandds narrate Dattatreya, and 359 Chandds narrate about Paras Nath.
• Unlike Chandi Charitar and Krishna Avtar, the source of narration of Rudra Avtar are not any of the 36 Puranas.

Concept of Rudra in Sikhism

ਰੁਦ੍ਰ ਧਿਆਨ ਗਿਆਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਕਬਿ ਜਨ ਭਲ੍ਯ੍ਯ ਉਨਹ ਜ ਗਾਵੈ ॥

रुद्र धिआन गिआन सतिगुर के कबि जन भल्य उनह जो गावै ॥

With Rudra's attention and the spiritual wisdom of the True Guru, says BHALL the poet, these may be counted. (ਭਟ ਭਲ੍ਯ੍ਯ, ਅੰਗ 1396, ਸਤਰ 7, Guru Granth Sahib )

Guru Granth Sahib covers the concept of Rudra Dhyaan. Every living being's surt/dhyaaan (or attention) can be directed in two ways, one towards one's body (outer world), and the other towards one's own self (source of attention). As long as our attention stays only on our body, and we lose connection with ourselves, we are incomplete (half or daal as in Gurbani). That is why we remain tense, confused, and make wrong decisions, but for those who are complete (The one as in Gurbani), their attention is focused on the source of attention itself (self), and thus they are immune to any influence of outside world such as vices. Such a one-mindedness and focus is called Rudra Dhyaan. From such a dhyaan, the thoughts that sprout are all under divine hukam (and are not self-conceived). Consequently, Hukam itself is called Rudra.

In Dasam Granth, Rudra and Shiva are generic terms, while Mahadev is the name of one person, whom people call Rudra or Shiva. In Gurmat Philosophy, Mahadev was a Yogi who was a dweller of the Himalayas. In Hindu Myth, Mahadev is also called Shiv or Rudra, but in Gurmat philosophy, Shiv term does not come for Mahadev because Shiv is Nirankar (Formless). In Chopai, Guru Gobind Singh cleared it as: Mahadev ko kehat sada shiv, nirankar ka cheenat nahin bhiv. Guru Gobind Singh refers Mahadev/Shiva in the following lines:

ਸ਼ਿਵ ਸਹੰਸ ਬਰਖ ਲੌ ਜੋਗ ਕੀਨ ॥ ਤਜਿ ਨੇਹ ਗੇਹ ਬਨਬਾਸ ਲੀਨ ॥

शिव सहंस बरख लौ जोग कीन ॥ तजि नेह गेह बनबास लीन ॥
Shiva practiced yoga for thousands of years; he left his home and all attachment and resided in the forest;

ਬਹੁ ਕੀਨ ਜੋਗਿ ਤਹ ਬਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ॥ ਨਹੀ ਤਦਿਪ ਤਾਸ ਲਹਿ ਸਕਾ ਪਾਰ ॥੮੨॥
बहु कीन जोगि तह बहु प्रकार ॥ नही तदिप तास लहि सका पार ॥८२॥

He also practiced yoga in various ways, but still he could not know His end.82.