| Virabhadra | |
|---|---|
 Virabhadra and Daksha | |
| Other names |
|
| Affiliation | Shiva |
| Abode | Mount Kailash |
| Planet | Angaraka (Mars) |
| Mantra |
|
| Weapon | Trident, sword, arrow, discus, conch, spear, staff, thunderbolt, two varieties of shields, bow, noose, goad, axe, and club. |
| Day | Tuesday |
| Mount | |
| Texts | Shiva Purana |
| Festivals | |
| Consort | Bhadrakali |
| Part of a series on |
| Shaivism |
|---|
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Virabhadra (Sanskrit: वीरभद्र, romanized: Vīrabhadra, lit. 'auspicious hero'),[1] also rendered Veerabhadra, Veerabathira, and Veerabathiran, is a fierce form of the Hindu god Shiva.[2] He is created by the wrath of Shiva, when the deity hurls a lock of his matted hair upon the ground, upon hearing of the self-immolation of his consort, Sati, at the Daksha yajna.[3][4][5]
He appears in the Puranas as a vengeful being, attacking the deities who had attended the Daksha yajna with Bhadrakali. In the ensuing melee, Bhaga's eyes are plucked out,[6] Agni, Mitra, and Chandra are also accosted.[7] The fate of Daksha himself varies from text to text: Virabhadra either decapitates him,[8] urges him to beg forgiveness from Shiva,[9] or is saved by Vishnu, who defeats Virabhadra.[10][11]
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (29 June 2012). "Virabhadra, Vira-bhadra, Vīrabhadra: 24 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ Wangu, Madhu Bazaz (2003). Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings, and Models. Abhinav Publications. p. 41. ISBN 978-81-7017-416-5.
- ^ the Horse-sacrifice of the Prajapati Daksha The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883–1896), Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. p. 315 Mahadeva created from his mouth a terrible Being whose very sight could make one's hair stand on its end. The blazing flames that emanated from his body rendered him exceedingly awful to behold. His arms were many in number and in each was a weapon that struck the beholder with fear. p. 317. “I am known by the name of Virabhadra’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess.”
- ^ Vishnu Purana SACRIFICE OF DAKSHA (From the Vayu Purana.) The Vishnu Purana, translated by Horace Hayman Wilson, 1840. p. 62, "In former times, Daksha commenced a holy sacrifice on the side of Himaván, at the sacred spot Gangadwara, frequented by the Rishis. The gods, desirous of assisting at this solemn rite, came, with Indra at their head, to Mahadeva, and intimated their purpose; and having received his permission, departed in their splendid chariots to Gangadwára, as tradition reports.” 62:2 The Linga Purana is more precise, calling it Kanakhala, which is the village still called Kankhal, near Haridwar.p. 66 Rudrakali. p. 68 Vírabhadra said, 'I am not a god, nor an Aditya; nor am I come hither for enjoyment, nor curious to behold the chiefs of the divinities: know that I am come to destroy the sacrifice of Daksha, and that I am called Vírabhadra, the issue of the wrath of Rudra. Bhadrakali also, who has sprung from the anger of Devi, is sent here by the god of gods to destroy this rite. Take refuge, king of kings, with him who is the lord of Uma; for better is the anger of Rudra than the blessings of other gods.'
- ^ "The story of Veerbhadra". Sadhguru Wisdom. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Williams, George M. (27 March 2008). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. OUP USA. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-19-533261-2.
- ^ Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (4 July 2013). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Routledge. p. 853. ISBN 978-1-135-96397-2.
- ^ Tapasyananda, Swami. Srimad Bhagavata – Volume 1. Sri Ramakrishna Math(vedantaebooks.org). p. 43.
- ^ Valmiki; Vyasa (19 May 2018). Delphi Collected Sanskrit Epics (Illustrated). Delphi Classics. p. 7301. ISBN 978-1-78656-128-2.
- ^ Books, Kausiki (24 October 2021). Siva Purana: Rudra Samhitha: 2 Sati Khanda: English Translation only without Slokas. Kausiki Books. p. 42.
- ^ Oriental Translation Fund. 1840. p. 68.