Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 68
वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्
Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas
कृतकार्यं वीरभद्रं दृष्ट्वा संतुष्टमा नसः । शंभुर्वीरगणाध्यक्षं चकार परमेश्वरः
kṛtakāryaṃ vīrabhadraṃ dṛṣṭvā saṃtuṣṭamā nasaḥ | śaṃbhurvīragaṇādhyakṣaṃ cakāra parameśvaraḥ
เมื่อพระศัมภูผู้เป็นปรเมศวรทอดพระเนตรวีรภัทรผู้ทำภารกิจสำเร็จแล้ว ก็ทรงปีติยินดีในพระหฤทัย และทรงแต่งตั้งเขาเป็นจอมทัพแห่งหมู่คณะคณะวีรคณะ (คณะของพระศิวะ)
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it depicts Śiva’s lordly bestowal of office—anugraha through appointment within the gaṇa-hierarchy.
Significance: Models the Siddhānta principle that grace (anugraha) follows right execution of dharma under Śiva’s command; inspires devotion to Śiva as the giver of adhikāra (spiritual and cosmic authority).
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: Post-destruction re-stabilization: after saṃhāra-like action, Śiva reconstitutes governance by installing a gaṇa-leader (restoring niyama).
FAQs
It shows the Siddhāntic principle that the Supreme Lord (Pati) graciously acknowledges sincere service done in alignment with His will, and elevates the devotee to greater responsibility—turning action into a means of purification and divine proximity.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva’s active lordship: He responds, blesses, and appoints. Linga-worship similarly approaches Śiva as the accessible Lord who grants grace and orders the devotee’s life toward dharma and liberation.
A practical takeaway is sevā-bhāva with mantra: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while mentally offering one’s duties to Śiva, seeking inner satisfaction (saṃtuṣṭa-mānasa) through surrender rather than ego.