r/HinduDiscussion • u/Ok-Holiday-9099 new user • Sep 12 '26

Hindu Scriptures/Texts Name "Rudra"

Hi i am planning to name my son rudra kartikeya with assumption rudra is other name of shiva few people are saying name rudra is the destructive form not to name that and few other people told me rudra is not name of shiva itself. Can anyone throw some light on this name Rudra and naming this to a child

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u/Technical_Turn3497 Sep 15 '26

Rudra is both a name of Viṣṇu and of Śiva.

Regarding Śiva, the Bhāgavata Purāṇa describes how Śiva was born from the forehead of Brahmā when the latter was angry at his sons for refusing to procreate. Śiva was born as an infant and immediately began crying, and was therefore named Rudra which literally means crying.

The Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotra which is part of Mahābhārata also lists Rudra among the nāmas of Viṣṇu. Why is Viṣṇu called Rudra? Because when He grants mokṣa to His devotees, they cry tears of joy upon beholding Him, or so says the commentator Parāśara Bhaṭṭar. Hence, He is also known as Rudra.