(could be a hurricane or tempest) or 'the most frightening one'. Rudra is identified with Shiva. Rudra is also one of the names of Lord Vishnu in Vishnu Sahasranama and is described as the lord who does total destruction at the time of great dissolution. The Shri Rudram hymn from the Yajurveda is dedicated to Rudra and is important in the Saivism sect.