Shloka 6
वीरभद्रस्य गमनप्रस्थानम् — Vīrabhadra’s Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
गणैस्समेतः किलतैर्महात्मा स वीरभद्रो हरवेषभूषणः । सहस्रबाहुर्भुजगाधिपाढ्यो ययौ रथस्थः प्रबलोतिभीकरः
gaṇaissametaḥ kilatairmahātmā sa vīrabhadro haraveṣabhūṣaṇaḥ | sahasrabāhurbhujagādhipāḍhyo yayau rathasthaḥ prabalotibhīkaraḥ
Accompanied by the Gaṇas, that great-souled Vīrabhadra—adorned with Hara’s own attire and ornaments—set forth upon his chariot. Thousand-armed, richly decked with the lords of serpents, mighty and exceedingly terrifying, he advanced toward Dakṣa’s sacrifice.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Episode belongs to Dakṣa-yajña-bhaṅga: Vīrabhadra, emanated from Śiva’s wrath/grief after Satī’s self-immolation, proceeds to destroy Dakṣa’s sacrifice; not tied to a specific Jyotirliṅga in this verse.
Significance: Contemplation of Śiva’s protective justice (dharma-rakṣaṇa) and the peril of yajña performed with ego and disrespect to the Lord.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse portrays Vīrabhadra as Śiva’s empowered manifestation moving with the gaṇas to restore dharma by dismantling sacrificial pride. In Shaiva understanding, it teaches that ego-driven religiosity (mere outer ritual) is corrected by the Lord’s grace and discipline, guiding beings back toward humility and right devotion.
Vīrabhadra is a Saguna expression of Śiva’s protective and corrective power. Remembering him supports Linga-worship by emphasizing that true devotion is not only ritual performance but surrender to Śiva as Pati (the Lord), with reverence for his forms—peaceful and fierce—both serving liberation.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate fearlessness and humility through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while wearing Rudrākṣa and applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), remembering Śiva’s gaṇas as protectors of sincere devotion and destroyers of arrogance.