Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 46
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
निमेषेण पुनर्विष्णुर्यावदुत्तिष्ठते स्वयम् । तावत्स वीरभद्रो हि तत्क्षणादागतोऽसुरम्
nimeṣeṇa punarviṣṇuryāvaduttiṣṭhate svayam | tāvatsa vīrabhadro hi tatkṣaṇādāgato'suram
Antes que passasse sequer um piscar de olhos e antes que Viṣṇu pudesse erguer-se por si mesmo, Vīrabhadra chegou naquele exato instante e investiu contra o asura.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights the immediacy of Śiva’s protective grace: when dharma is threatened, Śiva’s śakti manifests without delay—symbolized by Vīrabhadra’s instantaneous arrival to subdue asuric force (ego, violence, arrogance).
Though the Liṅga signifies Śiva’s transcendent (nirguṇa) reality, the Purāṇa also affirms Śiva’s saguna compassion and intervention; Vīrabhadra represents that active, manifest power which devotees approach through pūjā, mantra, and devotion.
Cultivate remembrance of Śiva’s swift refuge through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady bhakti; in practice, begin worship with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and a brief sankalpa for protection from inner ‘asuric’ tendencies.