Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
स्वर्गे वा भुवि पाताले यत्र कुत्रापि वा यतः । श्रीवीरभद्रशस्त्राणां गमनं न हि दुर्ल भम्
svarge vā bhuvi pātāle yatra kutrāpi vā yataḥ | śrīvīrabhadraśastrāṇāṃ gamanaṃ na hi durla bham
Que ce soit au ciel, sur la terre ou dans le Pātāla—où que l’on se trouve—il n’est vraiment aucune difficulté pour que les armes du glorieux Vīrabhadra atteignent et frappent.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: Tri-loka pervasion of Śiva’s punitive force (mythic total reach)
FAQs
It asserts the inescapable reach of Śiva’s divine order (dharma) through Vīrabhadra—no realm is outside the sovereignty of the Supreme (Pati), reminding the soul (paśu) that ego and adharmic acts cannot hide from divine correction.
Vīrabhadra represents Saguna Śiva’s active, protective, and corrective power. Linga-worship centers the devotee in Śiva’s presence, cultivating surrender so one aligns with Śiva’s will rather than resisting it through pride or sacrilege.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and devotion, contemplating Śiva as the protector whose grace and discipline reach everywhere.