Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्
Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas
स्वचक्रमादाय महानुभावश्चुकोप चातीव भवैकभर्त्ता । महाबली तैर्युयुधे प्रवीरैस्सक्रुद्धनानायुधधारकोस्त्रैः
svacakramādāya mahānubhāvaścukopa cātīva bhavaikabharttā | mahābalī tairyuyudhe pravīraissakruddhanānāyudhadhārakostraiḥ
他执起自身的神轮（cakra），那位大德之主——婆伐（Bhava），唯一的至尊——勃然大怒。力大无比的他，与那些英勇战士交战；他们在嗔怒中挥舞诸般兵刃与神射之器（astra）。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
The verse portrays Bhava (Śiva) as the eka-bhartā, the sole Lord whose fierce power arises to uphold dharma. In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, his wrath is not human passion but the Lord’s protective action that removes obstructive forces and re-establishes right order for the uplift of souls.
It supports Saguna Shiva worship by showing the Lord as an active, personal protector who takes up weapons for the world’s welfare. The Liṅga is the stable, worshipful symbol of that same Lord—who can be serene in grace and also terrible in power when dharma is threatened.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) to Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” coupled with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of the Lord’s protection and inner purification amid conflict.