Shloka 14
वीरभद्रस्य गमनप्रस्थानम् — Vīrabhadra’s Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
भैरवाः क्षेत्रपालाश्च दक्षयज्ञविनाशकाः । निर्ययुस्त्वरितं वीराश्शिवाज्ञाप्रतिपालकाः
bhairavāḥ kṣetrapālāśca dakṣayajñavināśakāḥ | niryayustvaritaṃ vīrāśśivājñāpratipālakāḥ
The Bhairavas and the Kṣetrapālas—heroic destroyers of Dakṣa’s sacrifice—set out at once, swiftly, as steadfast executors of Lord Śiva’s command.
Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Kālabhairava
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī’s Kṣetrapāla is Kālabhairava, guardian of the sacred field; this verse’s kṣetrapāla motif resonates with the Kāśī tradition where entry/fruit of pilgrimage is sealed by Bhairava’s guardianship.
Significance: Invokes the principle that sacred space and sacred rite are protected by Śiva’s fierce guardians; spiritually, it signifies removal of obstacles and enforcement of dharma for devotees.
Offering: dhupa
Cosmic Event: Execution of īśvara-ājñā: the ‘samhāra’ function manifests as targeted destruction of an adharmic yajña.
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s role as the supreme regulator of dharma: when ritual becomes ego-driven (as in Dakṣa’s sacrifice), Śiva’s forces act swiftly to restore cosmic balance, teaching surrender to Pati (Śiva) over mere external rites.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva’s governance through His attendants (Bhairavas, Kṣetrapālas). In Linga worship, devotees honor Śiva as the living Lord who protects sacred space and corrects adharma, not as a distant abstraction.
A practical takeaway is disciplined obedience to Śiva through daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and protective devotion such as Bhairava/Kṣetrapāla remembrance, supported by traditional Shaiva observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa.