Shloka 39
भैरवावतारवर्णनम् (Bhairavāvatāra-varṇanam) — “Description of the Descent/Manifestation of Bhairava”
प्रजज्वालाथ कोपेन ब्रह्मणः पञ्चमं शिरः । आवयोरन्तरे कोऽसौ बिभृयात्पुरुषाकृतिम्
prajajvālātha kopena brahmaṇaḥ pañcamaṃ śiraḥ | āvayorantare ko'sau bibhṛyātpuruṣākṛtim
அப்போது கோபத்தால் தீப்பற்றியவனாய், பிரம்மாவின் ஐந்தாம் தலையை எரித்தான். ‘நாம் இருவருக்கிடையில் மனித வடிவம் ஏற்று நடுவனாய் நிற்பவன் யார்?’
Lord Shiva (Rudra)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) who destroys pride and adharmic arrogance; Brahmā’s “fifth head” symbolizes inflated ego and false self-authority that must be purified for liberation.
It supports Saguna Shiva worship by portraying Rudra as the active, grace-bestowing Lord who corrects cosmic disorder; the Linga tradition emphasizes that Shiva is directly approachable without any ego-based ‘intermediary’ claims of superiority.
A practical takeaway is ego-purification through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and humble worship with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) or Rudrāksha, cultivating surrender to Shiva rather than self-importance.