Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 47
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
त्रिशूलं च समुद्यम्य वीरभद्रः प्रतापवान् । तारकं दितिजाधीशं जघान प्रसभं बली
triśūlaṃ ca samudyamya vīrabhadraḥ pratāpavān | tārakaṃ ditijādhīśaṃ jaghāna prasabhaṃ balī
Alors le vaillant et rayonnant Vīrabhadra, brandissant le trident, abattit Tāraka—suzerain des Dānavas—d’un coup impétueux, d’une force irrésistible.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: destructive
FAQs
It portrays Shiva’s śakti working through his fierce attendant Vīrabhadra to subdue adharmic power; symbolically, the Triśūla cuts the threefold bondage (āṇava, karma, māyā) that binds the soul, restoring dharma and inner order.
Though the Linga signifies Shiva beyond form, the narrative highlights Saguna Shiva’s protective governance through his energies and attendants; devotion to the Linga is complemented by remembering Shiva as the active Lord (Pati) who removes obstacles to liberation.
Meditate on Shiva’s Triśūla as the power that pierces the three impurities, and chant the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and surrender.