Sri Rudram – Atirudram Booklet

The Sri Rudram to which the Chamakam  is added by scriptural tradition is a Vedic stotra dedicated to Sri Rudra, an earlier aspect or epithet of Lord Shiva. It is said that after killing the demon Bhasmasura with the help of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava dance and then the Sri Rudra homa for the betterment of humanity.

Sri Rudram Chamakam consists of two parts. The first part is the Sri Rudram also known as Namakam because of the repeated use of the word “Namo” in it.The text describes the aspects or epithets of Sri Rudra. The devotee asks the benevolent Lord Shiva to be invoked and not the terrible aspect and also for forgiveness of sins.

Sri Rudram includes the famous Shaivite Panchakshara mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' and the healing Mrutyunjaya Mantra.The second part, is known as Chamakam because of the repeated use of the words "Cha me" which literally means, "and to me (be this granted)". In this hymn, the devotee identifies himself as Lord Shiva himself and asks for fulfillment of wishes. Before each homa or puja is performed in Amma's Lalita Temple, a "sankalpa" is recited in Sanskrit, a divinely powerful language.