Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
वीरभद्रोऽपि पतितो भूतले मूर्छितः क्षणम् । तच्छक्त्या परया क्रोधान्निहतो वक्षसि धुवम्
vīrabhadro'pi patito bhūtale mūrchitaḥ kṣaṇam | tacchaktyā parayā krodhānnihato vakṣasi dhuvam
Vīrabhadra pun rebah ke bumi dan seketika pengsan. Dipukul pada dadanya oleh kuasa tertinggi itu dalam amarah, maka sungguh ia ditumbangkan.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse underscores that even mighty divine agents like Vīrabhadra can be checked by a higher śakti; in Shaiva understanding, all power ultimately rests in Pati (Śiva), and spiritual maturity requires humility and surrender beyond anger-driven action.
As a Saguna (personal) narrative, it points back to Śiva as the supreme Lord whose will governs all forces; Linga-worship trains the devotee to recognize that the highest power is not personal prowess but Śiva’s abiding presence and authority.
A practical takeaway is to counter anger with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and to cultivate calm through bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of restraint, devotion, and surrender to Śiva.