Shloka 9

वीरभद्र-भैरव-आह्वानम् — Invocation of Vīrabhadra/Bhairava for Cosmic Reabsorption

Devanagari script

वाद्यखण्डमखण्डाभ्यां भ्रामयंस्त्रिशिखं मुहुः । वीरभद्रोऽपि भगवान्वरशक्तिविजृम्भितः

Transliteration

vādyakhaṇḍamakhaṇḍābhyāṃ bhrāmayaṃstriśikhaṃ muhuḥ | vīrabhadro'pi bhagavānvaraśaktivijṛmbhitaḥ

Translation

Driven by the resounding instruments’ fractured and unfractured forces, he whirled the tri-pointed weapon again and again; and even the Lord Vīrabhadra surged forth, his might expanding through the boons of divine Śakti.

Word by Word

• वाद्य-खण्डम्: a piece/section of an instrument
• वाद्य-खण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + खण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अखण्डाभ्याम्: with two unbroken (things)
• अखण्डाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), द्विवचन (Dual)

• भ्रामयन्: whirling/causing to rotate
• भ्रामयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भ्रम् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• त्रि-शिखम्: the three-peaked (weapon/object)
• त्रि-शिखम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + शिख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; संख्यापूर्वक-समास (numeral compound)

• मुहुः: again and again/repeatedly
• मुहुः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुहुः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time/frequency)

• वीरभद्रः: Vīrabhadra
• वीरभद्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीरभद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Samuccaya/Api-artha (अप्यर्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: also/even)

• भगवान्: the Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वर-शक्ति-विजृम्भितः: empowered by excellent might
• वर-शक्ति-विजृम्भितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + विजृम्भित (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः—‘वरशक्त्या विजृम्भितः’ (expanded/empowered by excellent power)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Vīrabhadra
• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse highlights how Shiva’s grace manifests as dynamic Śakti: Vīrabhadra, a fierce yet protective form, expands in power to restore dharma, showing that divine energy acts decisively when righteousness is threatened.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Though the Linga is the supreme sign of Shiva’s transcendent reality, this verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva—Shiva taking a form (Vīrabhadra) through Śakti to accomplish cosmic purpose, guiding devotees to worship both the formless truth and its compassionate manifestations.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to steady the mind with japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while contemplating Shiva’s protective Rudra-forms; this supports inner courage and restraint rather than outward aggression.