Virabhadra
Encyclopedia
According to Hindu mythology, Virabhadra or Veerabhadra was a super being created by the wrath of Rudra
(Shiva
), when he stepped in to destroy the Yagna (fire sacrifice) of Daksha
, after his daughter Dakshayani
(Sati) - consort of Shiva, self-immolated in yagna fire. Along with him was created, his consort Bhadrakali
, from the wrath of Devi.
Vīrabhadra is described as a warrior who eventually blinded Bhaga
and broke, among many other countless gods, Pushan
's teeth. Other gods fled the battle field unable to sustain his power. A temple dedicated to him, is situated in the town of Veerbhadra, near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand
and in Pasumbalur, near Perambalur
district, Tamil nadu
of Sati, Daksha invited all gods and princes except Shiva. Sati cast her wreath into air, calling upon Shiva to receive the garland; and behold he stood in midst of the court with the wreath about his neck. Daksha had no choice but to marry Sati with Shiva.
One day Daksha made arrangements for a great horse sacrifice, and invited all the gods omitting only Shiva. Sati, being greatly humiliated, went to the banquet. She requested her father to invite Shiva, but to no avail. Daksha then went on to insult Shiva, as Sati could not take such humiliation of her husband released the inward consuming fire and fell dead at Daksha's feet. Then Sarvajna Lord Shiva came to know about this incident through meditation and became furious at the non-righteous yagna. Shiva burned with anger, and tore a lock of hair , glowing with energy in Kailasa. At that moment, was born the son of lord shiva, lord Veerabhadra, the destroyer of ajnana, sprang from it, his tall body reached the high heavens, he was dark as the clouds, he had a thousand arms, three burning eyes, and fiery hair; he wore a garland of skulls and carried terrible weapons. Veerabhadra bowed at Shiva's feet and asked his will.
s, for thou art a portion of my very self". On this direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva's gana
s in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm and broke the sacrificial vessels, polluted the offerings, insulted the priests and finally cut off Daksha's head, trampled on Indra
, broke the staff of Yama
, scattered the gods on every side; then he returned to Kailash
. When confronted with Vishnu
, according to Skanda Purana, Vīrabhadra defeats Vishnu which seems improbable since Lord Vishnu is the killer of Demons.
The Srimad Bhagavatam makes a mention about this pastime according to Srila AC BV Swami Prabhupada.
Vīrabhadra is prominently worshiped today in South India. Most temples of Lord Shiva
will have a statue of Vīrabhadra.
He is one of the primary deity of Veerashaiva Lingayat, Pancha-acharyas mainly from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
and asked his counsel. Brahma advised the gods to make their peace with Shiva
. Brahma himself went with them to Mount Kailash
. Brahma prayed to lord Shiva to pardon Daksha and to mend the broken limbs of gods and rishis. The compassionate lord(Shiva) took pity on Daksha and restored the burnt head of Daksha with that of a goat's head, and the broken limbs were made whole. Then the devas including Vishnu and Brahma asked the forgiveness of lord Shiva and invited him to the yagna. There Daksha looked on him with reverence, the rite was duly performed, and there also Vishnu
appeared riding upon Garuda
. He spoke to Daksha, saying: "Nothing in the Universe survives without the mercy of Lord Shiva.Those who do not understand this will perish." Then all the gods and rishis saluted Shiva
and departed to their places.
, also known as the gentle Kali
, is generally an auspicious form of the goddess Kali, and the legend states that she came into being by Devi’s wrath, when Daksha
insulted Shiva
. It is believed that Bhadrakāli was a local deity, which was assimilated into the mainstream Hinduism
, particularly into Shaiva mythology. Sometimes, she assumes terrible aspect, and is represented with three eyes, and four, twelve or eighteen hands. She carries a number of weapons, with flames flowing from her head, and a small tusk protruding from her mouth.
Rudra
' is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "The Roarer", or "The Howler"....
(Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
), when he stepped in to destroy the Yagna (fire sacrifice) of Daksha
Daksha
In Hinduism, Daksha, "the skilled one", is an ancient creator god, one of the Prajapatis, the Rishis and the Adityas. Daksha is said to be the son of Aditi and Brahma...
, after his daughter Dakshayani
Dakshayani
Dākshāyani or Satī is a Hindu Goddess of marital felicity and longevity. She is worshipped particularly by Hindu women to seek the long life of their husbands...
(Sati) - consort of Shiva, self-immolated in yagna fire. Along with him was created, his consort Bhadrakali
Bhadrakali
Bhadrakāli , is one of the forms of the Great Goddess mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Sanskrit, the word Bhadra means "blessed", "auspicious", "fair", "beautiful", "good", "fortunate", "prosperous"....
, from the wrath of Devi.
Vīrabhadra is described as a warrior who eventually blinded Bhaga
Bhaga
Sanskrit is a term for "lord, patron", but also for "wealth, prosperity". The cognate term in Avestan and Old Persian is , of uncertain meaning but used in a sense in which "lord, patron" might also apply. A Slavic cognate is "god"...
and broke, among many other countless gods, Pushan
Pushan
Pushan is a Vedic solar deity and one of the Adityas. He is the god of meeting. Pushan was responsible for marriages, journeys, roads, and the feeding of cattle. He was a psychopomp, conducting souls to the other world. He protected travelers from bandits and wild beasts, and protected men from...
's teeth. Other gods fled the battle field unable to sustain his power. A temple dedicated to him, is situated in the town of Veerbhadra, near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
and in Pasumbalur, near Perambalur
Perambalur
Perambalur is a district headquarters and a taluk and municipality in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Perambalur District came in to existence after trifurcation of Tiruchirappalli district with effect from 30.09.1995.- Geography :...
district, Tamil nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
Origin
Sati was the youngest daughter of Daksha, the chief of the gods. When Sati grew up she set her heart on Shiva, worshipping him in secret. In the SwayamvaraSwayamvara
Swayamvara , in ancient India, was a practice of choosing a husband, from among a list of suitors, by a girl of marriageable age. Swayam in Sanskrit means self and vara means choice or desire ....
of Sati, Daksha invited all gods and princes except Shiva. Sati cast her wreath into air, calling upon Shiva to receive the garland; and behold he stood in midst of the court with the wreath about his neck. Daksha had no choice but to marry Sati with Shiva.
One day Daksha made arrangements for a great horse sacrifice, and invited all the gods omitting only Shiva. Sati, being greatly humiliated, went to the banquet. She requested her father to invite Shiva, but to no avail. Daksha then went on to insult Shiva, as Sati could not take such humiliation of her husband released the inward consuming fire and fell dead at Daksha's feet. Then Sarvajna Lord Shiva came to know about this incident through meditation and became furious at the non-righteous yagna. Shiva burned with anger, and tore a lock of hair , glowing with energy in Kailasa. At that moment, was born the son of lord shiva, lord Veerabhadra, the destroyer of ajnana, sprang from it, his tall body reached the high heavens, he was dark as the clouds, he had a thousand arms, three burning eyes, and fiery hair; he wore a garland of skulls and carried terrible weapons. Veerabhadra bowed at Shiva's feet and asked his will.
Destroyer of Daksha
Shiva directed Virabhadra: "Lead my army against Daksha and destroy his sacrifice; fear not the BrahmanaBrahmana
The Brāhmaṇas are part of the Hindu śruti literature. They are commentaries on the four Vedas, detailing the proper performance of rituals....
s, for thou art a portion of my very self". On this direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva's gana
Gana
The word ' , in Sanskrit, means "flock, troop, multitude, number, tribe, series, class" . It can also be used to refer to a "body of attendants" and can refer to "a company, any assemblage or association of men formed for the attainment of the same aims".In Hinduism, the s are attendants of Shiva...
s in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm and broke the sacrificial vessels, polluted the offerings, insulted the priests and finally cut off Daksha's head, trampled on Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
, broke the staff of Yama
Yama
Yama , also known as Yamarāja in India and Nepal, Shinje in Tibet, Yanluowang or simply Yan in China, Yeomla Daewang in South Korea and Enma Dai-Ō in Japan, is the lord of death, in Hinduism and then adopted into Buddhism and then further into Chinese mythology and Japanese mythology. First...
, scattered the gods on every side; then he returned to Kailash
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
. When confronted with Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
, according to Skanda Purana, Vīrabhadra defeats Vishnu which seems improbable since Lord Vishnu is the killer of Demons.
The Srimad Bhagavatam makes a mention about this pastime according to Srila AC BV Swami Prabhupada.
Temples
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
will have a statue of Vīrabhadra.
He is one of the primary deity of Veerashaiva Lingayat, Pancha-acharyas mainly from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
- Shri Veerabhadreshwar Temple - Anumanthapuram, Singaperumal kovil, Chengulpet (near Chennai)
- Shri Veerabhadreshwar Temple - Changaleri, Bidar - Karnataka
- Shri Veerabhadreshwar Temple - Humnabad - Bidar Karntaka
- Shri Veerabhadreshwara Temple - Ammanaghatta - Gubbi, Karnataka
- Shri Veerabhadreshwara Temple - Bettadahalli - Gubbi, Karnataka
- Sri Veerabhadra swamy temple, Perur,Coimbatore,Tamilnadu India
- Sri Kumara Veerabhadra Swamy temple, HossurHossurHossur is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka.-Demographics:As of 2001 India census, Hossur had a population of 6496 with 3366 males and 3130 females....
, Gowribidanur, Chikkaballapur District, KarnatakaKarnatakaKarnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava... - Sri Bhadrakali Sametha Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, BonthapallyBonthapallyBonthapally is a village in Jinnaram mandal of Medak District in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Bonthapally is about 40 km from the city of Hyderabad.-Bonthapally Temple:...
, Jinnaram mandal, MedakMedakMedak , is a municipality in Medak District in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 100 km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:Medak is located at . It has an average elevation of 442 metres .-Demographics:...
District, Andhra Pradesh - Veerabadrasamy temple, Pasumbalur, Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu
- LepakshiLepakshiLepakshi is a small village and Mandal headquarters located in the Anantapur District, in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is east of Hindupur and about north of Bangalore. From Bangalore, it can be reached by going west at Kodikonda checkpost on Hyderabad highway NH 7...
temple (Veerabhadra temple (Lepakshi)Veerabhadra temple (Lepakshi)Veerabhadra temple in Lepakshi is located near Anantapur which is 15 km east of Hindupur in the Anantapur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India...
) in Andhra PradeshAndhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third... - Racharaya temple (Veerabhadra temple (Rayachoty)) in Andhra PradeshAndhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
- Uddana Veerabhadra Temple in HampiHampiHampi is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other...
- Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, PattiseemaPattiseemaPattiseema is a village in Polavaram mandal of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located on the bank of the River Godavari. It is very famous for Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple.-Sri Veereswara Swamy Temple:...
- Sri Veerabhadra Periyadka Adi Temple , Hiriyadka, Udupi
- Sri Abhagadhaaraga Veerabhadra Saaparivaara and Sri Shaneshwara Temple, Kaadabettu, Udupi
- Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Ugniya, Kollegal, near Mysore
- Veerabhadra Temple, Alladupalle, ProddaturProddaturProddatur is the second largest town in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is renowned for its gold and cotton business...
- Ashtamudi Veera Bhadra Temple, Thrikaruva, KollamKollamKollam , often anglicized as ', is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram...
- Veerabhadra Temple, Santhekatte, KallianpurKallianpurKallianpur is a hamlet of Tonse-East village about six km from Udupi. It is a developed hamlet with all modern amenities like schools, college, hospital, good transport and communication facilities. The people of Kallianpur have survived many ages and still retain great positions with attachment to...
- Veerabhadra temple, Mulki, India
- Veerabhadra temple, HangalHangalHangal is a town in Haveri district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is 75 km away from Hubli-Dharwad.It is on the left bank of the Dharma river, and has ruins of some fortification on the...
- Sri Undabanda Veerabhadra Swamy Temple near Palthuru in Anantapur DistrictAnantapur districtAnantapur District , ) is one of the 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is Anantapur City. It is currently a part of the Red Corridor.- Geography :...
, Andhra PradeshAndhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third... - Sri Veerabhadra swamy temple ,(mahammadapoor, Mahaboobnagar dist, Andhra Pradesh)
- Sri Veerabhadraswamy temple at KuraviKuraviKuravi is a temple village and a mandal located in Warangal district of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh state in India. -Geography:Kuravi/Korvi is around 70 km away from Warangal by train and is around 11 km away from the Mahabubabad town. It comes under Dornakal Assembly segments....
(Village & Mandal) near MahabubabadMahabubabadThe city has a semi-tropical climate. Where the people from the city and its surroundings enjoy the pleasant climate. In summer, the temperatures of the city will soar to more than 45°C, and in winter temperatures range between 12°C and 27°C, which will be a pleasant weather to enjoy...
in Warangal DistrictWarangal districtWarangal District is located in the northern area in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The administrative seat is Warangal.Warangal District has an area of 12,846 km², and a population of 3,246,004 of which 19.20% was urban as of 2001...
, Andhra PradeshAndhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
. - Sri Veerabhadraswamy temple at Kothakonda(v) Bheemadevarapally mandal, Karimnagar district Andhra Pradesh
- Sri Veerabhadraswamy temple at BirurBirurBirur is a town located in Kadur Taluk in Chikkamagaluru district in the state of Karnataka, India.- Geography :Birur is located at . It has an average elevation of 833 metres . It is called as Gateway to Malnad region.- Transport :...
in Chickmagalur, KarnatakaKarnatakaKarnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava... - Sri Pralayakala Veerabhadraswamy Temple at Kempegowda Nagar (near Hanumanthanagar) Bangalore South
- Sri Rachoba Veerbhadraswamy Temple at Jangamwadi 10 KM from Amd Nagar towards paithan road TQ/DT:Ahmeadnagar (Maharastra state)
- Sri Rattihalli Veerabhadreshwar temple at Rattihalli villagae, Ranebennur, karnataka.
- Sri Veerabhadreswhara Temple, Godachi, Ramdurg, Belgaum, Karnataka
- Sri Pyati Veerabhadreshwar temple at Kamankatti,Dharawad,karnataka-580001.
- Sri Karadagi Veerabhadreshwar temple, Savanur, Haveri, Karnataka-580001.
- Sri Veerabhadraswamy temple at Aaladahalli Villege in Shimoga District, Karnataka (12km form Shimoga)
The compromise with Shiva
After the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice, the defeated gods sought BrahmaBrahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
and asked his counsel. Brahma advised the gods to make their peace with Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. Brahma himself went with them to Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
. Brahma prayed to lord Shiva to pardon Daksha and to mend the broken limbs of gods and rishis. The compassionate lord(Shiva) took pity on Daksha and restored the burnt head of Daksha with that of a goat's head, and the broken limbs were made whole. Then the devas including Vishnu and Brahma asked the forgiveness of lord Shiva and invited him to the yagna. There Daksha looked on him with reverence, the rite was duly performed, and there also Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
appeared riding upon Garuda
Garuda
The Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.From an Indian perspective, Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and...
. He spoke to Daksha, saying: "Nothing in the Universe survives without the mercy of Lord Shiva.Those who do not understand this will perish." Then all the gods and rishis saluted Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
and departed to their places.
Consort Bhadrakāli
Consort of Virabhadra was BhadrakaliBhadrakali
Bhadrakāli , is one of the forms of the Great Goddess mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Sanskrit, the word Bhadra means "blessed", "auspicious", "fair", "beautiful", "good", "fortunate", "prosperous"....
, also known as the gentle Kali
Kali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...
, is generally an auspicious form of the goddess Kali, and the legend states that she came into being by Devi’s wrath, when Daksha
Daksha
In Hinduism, Daksha, "the skilled one", is an ancient creator god, one of the Prajapatis, the Rishis and the Adityas. Daksha is said to be the son of Aditi and Brahma...
insulted Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. It is believed that Bhadrakāli was a local deity, which was assimilated into the mainstream Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, particularly into Shaiva mythology. Sometimes, she assumes terrible aspect, and is represented with three eyes, and four, twelve or eighteen hands. She carries a number of weapons, with flames flowing from her head, and a small tusk protruding from her mouth.