Rudra is a Rigvedic deity. The name is selected as a synonym for Lord Shiva. Both names, Rudra and Shiva are used conversely. Rudra is connected with the storm or wind and the hunt. The followers of Lord Rudra-Shiva are termed as Rudras and amount to the thirty three deities in the Hindu Pantheon.
Rudras are associated with the Maruts (sons of Rudra) and on other occasions they are termed distinct from the Maruts. Rudras are depicted as sons of Aditi and Kashyapa in the Vamana Purana, while the Maruts are presented as forty nine sons of Indra’s attendants and Diti (the sister of Aditi) thus being described recognizably different from the Rudras.
According to the Matsya Purana, the consort of Lord Brahma was the mother of all cows, Surabhi and she in union with Brahma produced eleven Rudras named, Aparajita, Nirriti, Kapardi, Mrigavyadha, Shambhu, Pingala, Dahana, Kapali, Khara, Ahirabradhya, Khara, Senani and Pingala.
Surabhi and Kashyapa are portrayed as parents of the Rudras in an appendix of the Mahabharata – Harivamsa. The Mahabharata in another occasion explain that Dharma has fathered the Maruts and the Rudras.
A ferocious Rudra was born from the anger of the Creator Deity – Brahma, according to the Vishnu Purana in which Rudra was born in half female and half male form called Ardhanari. Later the male half of his body divided forming the eleven Rudras. While some of the Rudras were fierce and dark, the rest were gentle and white.
Rudras are presented as messengers, friends, loyal companions and aspects of Rudra who are later identified with Lord Shiva, in Vedic mythology. In the Satapatha Brahmana, while Rudra is described as prince, his subjects are the Rudras.
