Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्
Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas
स्वचक्रमादाय महानुभावश्चुकोप चातीव भवैकभर्त्ता । महाबली तैर्युयुधे प्रवीरैस्सक्रुद्धनानायुधधारकोस्त्रैः
svacakramādāya mahānubhāvaścukopa cātīva bhavaikabharttā | mahābalī tairyuyudhe pravīraissakruddhanānāyudhadhārakostraiḥ
Saisissant son propre disque, ce seigneur à la grande âme—Bhava, l’unique souverain—s’emporta avec une colère extrême. D’une force immense, il combattit ces guerriers héroïques qui, dans leur fureur, brandissaient maintes armes et astras.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
The verse portrays Bhava (Śiva) as the eka-bhartā, the sole Lord whose fierce power arises to uphold dharma. In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, his wrath is not human passion but the Lord’s protective action that removes obstructive forces and re-establishes right order for the uplift of souls.
It supports Saguna Shiva worship by showing the Lord as an active, personal protector who takes up weapons for the world’s welfare. The Liṅga is the stable, worshipful symbol of that same Lord—who can be serene in grace and also terrible in power when dharma is threatened.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) to Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” coupled with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of the Lord’s protection and inner purification amid conflict.