Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 52
निमेषमात्रात्सहसा महौजास्स वीरभद्रो द्विषतां निहंता । त्रिशूलमुद्यम्य तडित्प्रकाशं जाज्वल्यमानं प्रभया विरेजे
nimeṣamātrātsahasā mahaujāssa vīrabhadro dviṣatāṃ nihaṃtā | triśūlamudyamya taḍitprakāśaṃ jājvalyamānaṃ prabhayā vireje
Sa isang kisap-mata, ang makapangyarihan at maningning na Vīrabhadra—tagapagpuksa ng mga kaaway—ay biglang bumangon; at itinaas ang kaniyang trisula na nagliliyab sa kislap na parang kidlat, siya’y nagningning sa nag-aalab na kaningningan.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse portrays the instantaneous descent of Shiva’s protective power through Vīrabhadra: divine action is swift and decisive when dharma is threatened, and the Lord’s shakti removes hostile, ego-driven forces that obstruct righteousness and devotion.
Vīrabhadra is a Saguna expression of Shiva’s will—an embodied, worship-worthy form through which the formless Lord safeguards devotees and restores cosmic order; the blazing trident symbolizes Shiva’s active grace that cuts bondage and re-establishes dharma.
Meditate on Shiva as the swift protector by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and visualizing the trident’s radiance cutting inner hostility (anger, envy, pride); perform Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) with remembrance of Shiva’s purifying, protective power.