Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
वीरभद्र उवाच । मुनिवर्य महाप्राज्ञ शृणु मे परमं वचः । तारकं च वधिष्यामि पश्य मेऽद्य पराक्रमम्
vīrabhadra uvāca | munivarya mahāprājña śṛṇu me paramaṃ vacaḥ | tārakaṃ ca vadhiṣyāmi paśya me'dya parākramam
Vīrabhadra berkata: “Wahai resi termulia, wahai yang amat bijaksana—dengarlah sabda tertinggiku. Hari ini aku pasti akan membunuh Tāraka; saksikan keberanian dan keperkasaanku.”
Vīrabhadra
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It presents the Shaiva theme that when adharma becomes dominant, Śiva’s śakti manifests through His emissaries to restore dharma—encouraging devotees to rely on Pati (Śiva) as the supreme protector and remover of obstacles to the soul’s right path.
Vīrabhadra embodies Saguna Śiva—Śiva’s manifest, active power in the world. Linga worship honors the same Lord as both transcendent (nirguṇa) and immanent (saguṇa), who protects devotees and subdues demonic forces like Tāraka.
A practical takeaway is to invoke Śiva’s protective presence through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady resolve; optionally support it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of surrender and inner courage.