Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
असद्गतिं प्राप्नुवन्ति तेषां च निरयो धुवम् । वीरभद्रो हि विज्ञेयो न वाच्यस्ते कदाचन
asadgatiṃ prāpnuvanti teṣāṃ ca nirayo dhuvam | vīrabhadro hi vijñeyo na vācyaste kadācana
They fall into an evil course, and for them hell is indeed certain. Know that the power at work here is Vīrabhadra; therefore he should never be spoken of lightly at any time.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The verse warns that irreverence and wrong conduct lead to asadgati (spiritual downfall) and naraka, while affirming that Shiva’s fierce, protective justice operates through Vīrabhadra—teaching disciplined speech, humility, and fear of adharma.
Vīrabhadra represents Saguna Shiva’s active power that protects dharma and corrects arrogance; Linga-worship cultivates reverence toward all forms of Shiva, including fierce manifestations, preventing the disrespect and ego that cause downfall.
Practice restrained, truthful speech and daily Shiva-smaraṇa with Panchākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") as an atonement and protection; maintain devotional reverence, optionally supported by bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as Shaiva disciplines.