Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 38
देव-गण-समरः
Devas and Śiva’s Gaṇas Engage in Battle
ब्रह्मोवाच । एवमुक्त्वा सितैर्बाणैर्जघानाथ रुषान्वितः । निखिलांस्तान् सुरान् सद्यो वीरभद्रो गणाग्रणीः । तैर्बाणैर्निहतास्सर्वे वासवाद्याः सुरेश्वराः
brahmovāca | evamuktvā sitairbāṇairjaghānātha ruṣānvitaḥ | nikhilāṃstān surān sadyo vīrabhadro gaṇāgraṇīḥ | tairbāṇairnihatāssarve vāsavādyāḥ sureśvarāḥ
梵天说道：说罢，毗罗跋陀罗——湿婆众伽那的统领——怒火炽盛，以洁白耀目的箭矢顷刻射击诸天。那些箭矢之下，一切天界之主，自婆娑婆（因陀罗）起，尽皆被诛。
Brahmā
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: Rudra’s punitive irruption into Dakṣa-yajña (mythic ‘anti-yajña’ crisis)
FAQs
It depicts how even the highest devas fall when aligned with ego and adharmic intent; Śiva’s śakti, expressed through Vīrabhadra and the gaṇas, restores dharma and humbles pride, pointing seekers toward surrender to Pati (Śiva) rather than dependence on rank or power.
Vīrabhadra is a saguna manifestation of Śiva’s protective and corrective power; the episode teaches that ritual without devotion and right orientation to Śiva (often symbolized by the Liṅga) becomes hollow, while true worship aligns action with reverence, humility, and dharma.
Cultivate humility and Śiva-śaraṇāgati (taking refuge in Śiva) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and (where traditional) wear Rudrākṣa and apply Tripuṇḍra-bhasma as reminders to restrain anger/ego and keep devotion steady.