According to Hindu mythology, Virabhadra or veerabhadra was a super being created by the
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.
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 Swayamvara 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
“ | Maheshwara replied, 'Spoil the sacrifice of Daksha'. Then the mighty Virabhadra, having heard the pleasure of his lord, bowed down his head to the feet of Shiva; and starting like a lion loosed from bonds, despoiled the sacrifice of Daksha, knowing that this had been created by the displeasure of Devi. She too in her wrath, as the fearful goddess Rudrakali, accompanied him, with all her train, to witness his deeds. - Vayu Purana | ” |
Shiva directed Virabhadra: "Lead my army against Daksha and destroy his sacrifice; fear not theBrahmanas, for thou art a portion of my very self". On this direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva's ganas 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 onIndra, 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
Temples
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 North Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
The compromise with Shiva
After the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice, the defeated gods sought Brahma 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 uponGaruda. 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.
Consort Bhadrakāli
Consort of Virabhadra was Bhadrakali, 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.
