Shloka 36
दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः
Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara
तं दृष्ट्वावस्थितं वीरभद्रं कालाग्निसन्निभम् । भद्रया सहितं प्राह भद्रमस्त्विति शंकरः
taṃ dṛṣṭvāvasthitaṃ vīrabhadraṃ kālāgnisannibham | bhadrayā sahitaṃ prāha bhadramastviti śaṃkaraḥ
Seeing Vīrabhadra standing there, blazing like the fire of Time’s dissolution, Śaṅkara—together with Bhadrā—addressed him, saying, “May auspiciousness be yours.”
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account; the quoted speech is by Lord Shiva/Śaṅkara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Part of the Vīrabhadra cycle (linked to Dakṣa-yajña destruction); not a Jyotirliṅga māhātmya passage.
Significance: Remembering Śiva’s ‘bhadra’ benediction even amid raudra manifestations teaches that saṃhāra serves dharma and culminates in auspicious restoration.
Mantra: bhadram astu
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: kālāgni imagery (time-fire) evoking pralaya
FAQs
The verse shows Śiva as the supreme Pati whose grace (anugraha) sanctifies even fierce, world-transforming power. Vīrabhadra appears as kālāgni—dissolution-fire—yet Śiva’s first gesture is “bhadram,” affirming that divine power is ultimately guided toward auspicious cosmic order and liberation.
Vīrabhadra’s terrifying radiance highlights Saguna Śiva’s manifest sovereignty—Śiva is both the source of fierce śakti and the giver of peace. In Linga worship, devotees approach the same Lord who can dissolve bondage (pāśa) and bestow auspiciousness, remembering that the Linga signifies Śiva’s transcendent yet present reality.
A practical takeaway is to begin japa or pūjā by invoking auspiciousness—e.g., steady recitation of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with the intention “bhadram astu,” praying for Śiva’s grace to transform inner anger and fear into dharma, clarity, and devotion.