According to Hindu mythology,
Virabhadra or
Veerabhadra (
SanskritSanskrit is a historical Indo-Aryan language, one of the liturgical languages of Hinduism and Buddhism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. It is also declared as a classical language by the government of India....
: वीरभद्र, Kannada: ವೀರಭದ್ರ, Telugu: వీరభద్ర,
IASTThe International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration is a popular transliteration scheme that allows a lossless romanization of Indic scripts.-Popularity:IAST is the most popular transliteration scheme for romanization of Sanskrit and Pali...
:
Vīrabhadra) was a super being created by the wrath of
RudraRudra is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the wind, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "Roarer", "Howler", "Wild One", and "Terrible".Rudra is thought to be an early form of Shiva...
(
ShivaShiva , also known as Rudra is a major Hindu god and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God...
), when he stepped in to destroy the Yagna (fire sacrifice) of
DakshaIn Hinduism, Daksha, "the skilled one", is an ancient creator god, one of the Prajapatis , the Rishis and the Adityas, and a son of Aditi and Brahma...
, after his daughter
DakshayaniSatī or Dākshāyani 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
BhadrakaliBhadrakāli , is according to legends a fierce form of Kali. Bhadra in Sanskrit means blessed, auspicious; fair, beautiful; good; fortunate, prosperous....
, from the wrath of Devi..
Vīrabhadra is described as a warrior who eventually blinded
BhagaSanskrit 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,
PushanFor the port city in Korea, see PusanPushan, also known as Puchan, is the Hindu God of meeting. Puchan 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...
's teeth.
According to Hindu mythology,
Virabhadra or
Veerabhadra (
SanskritSanskrit is a historical Indo-Aryan language, one of the liturgical languages of Hinduism and Buddhism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. It is also declared as a classical language by the government of India....
: वीरभद्र, Kannada: ವೀರಭದ್ರ, Telugu: వీరభద్ర,
IASTThe International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration is a popular transliteration scheme that allows a lossless romanization of Indic scripts.-Popularity:IAST is the most popular transliteration scheme for romanization of Sanskrit and Pali...
:
Vīrabhadra) was a super being created by the wrath of
RudraRudra is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the wind, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "Roarer", "Howler", "Wild One", and "Terrible".Rudra is thought to be an early form of Shiva...
(
ShivaShiva , also known as Rudra is a major Hindu god and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God...
), when he stepped in to destroy the Yagna (fire sacrifice) of
DakshaIn Hinduism, Daksha, "the skilled one", is an ancient creator god, one of the Prajapatis , the Rishis and the Adityas, and a son of Aditi and Brahma...
, after his daughter
DakshayaniSatī or Dākshāyani 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
BhadrakaliBhadrakāli , is according to legends a fierce form of Kali. Bhadra in Sanskrit means blessed, auspicious; fair, beautiful; good; fortunate, prosperous....
, from the wrath of Devi..
Vīrabhadra is described as a warrior who eventually blinded
BhagaSanskrit 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,
PushanFor the port city in Korea, see PusanPushan, also known as Puchan, is the Hindu God of meeting. Puchan 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...
's teeth. Other gods fled the battle field unable to sustain his power. He is the head of Shiva
GanaThe 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...
or the followers of Shiva. A temple dedicated to him, is situated in the town of Veerbhadra, near Rishikesh in
UttarakhandUttarakhand , is a state located in the northern part of India. It was carved out of Himalayan and adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000, becoming the 27th state of the Republic of India...
.
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 , in ancient India, was a practice of choosing a life partner, among a list of suitors by a girl of marriageable age. Swayam in Sanskrit means Self and Vara means choosing or wanting....
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 and Sati 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 "Hey Shambho what is your order?"
Destroyer of Daksha
Shiva directed Virabhadra: "Lead my army against Daksha and destroy his sacrifice; fear not the
BrahmanaThe s 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
ganaThe 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...
s in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm wind and broke the sacrificial vessels, polluted the offerings, insulted the priests and finally cut off Daksha's head, trampled on
Indra' is the King of the gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology, and also he is the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall....
, broke the staff of
YamaYama , also known as Yamarāja in India, Shinje in Tibet, Yanluowang or simply Yan in China, and Enma Dai-Ō in Japan, is the lord of death, first recorded in the Vedas. The name Yanluo is a shortened Chinese transliteration of the Sanskrit term Yama Rājā, or "King Yama"...
, scattered the gods on every side; then he returned to
KailashKailash may refer to:*Kailash is the name of a sacred mountain: see Mount Kailash, considered by Hindus to be the home of Lord Shiva...
. Vīrabhadra takes the form of Sharabha, a giant bird with four legs and two heads.
----
Temples
Vīrabhadra is prominently worshiped today in South India. Most temples of Lord
ShivaShiva , also known as Rudra is a major Hindu god and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God...
will have a statue of Vīrabhadra.
He is one of the primary Pancha-acharyas (gurus) for Lingayats mainly from Karnataka.
- Lepakshi
Lepakshi is a small village located in the Anantapur District, in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 15 km east of Hindupur and about 120 km north of Bangalore. From Bangalore, it can be reached by going west at Kodikonda checkpost on Hyderabad highway NH7...
temple (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 Pradesh , abbreviated A.P., is a state situated on the south-eastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Hyderabad...
- Racharaya temple (Veerabhadra temple (Rayachoty)) in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , abbreviated A.P., is a state situated on the south-eastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Hyderabad...
- Uddana Veerabhadra Temple in Hampi
Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. Hampi is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, this village continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple. The village of...
- Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Pattiseema
Patti-seema 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
Udupi is a city and the headquarters of the Udupi District in the Indian state of Karnataka. Udupi is famous for the Krishna temple located here. It also lends its name to the Udupi cuisine which is famous across the world....
- Sri Abhagadhaaraga Veerabhadra Saaparivaara and Sri Shaneshwara Temple, Kaadabettu, Udupi
Udupi is a city and the headquarters of the Udupi District in the Indian state of Karnataka. Udupi is famous for the Krishna temple located here. It also lends its name to the Udupi cuisine which is famous across the world....
- Veerabhadra Temple, Alladupalle, Proddatur
Proddatur is the largest town in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh state in India and is known for its gold and cotton businesses.With a population of more than 100,000 people, it is a grade I municipal corporation located at a distance of from Kadapa town.It is famous for its celebrations...
- Ashtamudi Veera Bhadra Temple, Thrikaruva, Kollam
Kollam is a city and a municipal corporation in Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies 71 Kilometres north of the state capital Thiruvanathapuram . It is also the headquarters of the Kollam District, one among the 14 districts in the state of Kerala...
- Veerabhadra Temple, Santhekatte, Kallianpur
Kallianpur 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, Hangal
Hangal 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...
The compromise with Shiva
After the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice, the defeated gods sought
BrahmaBrahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. He is not to be confused with the Supreme Cosmic Spirit in Hindu Vedanta philosophy known as Brahman. Brahmā's consort is Saraswati, the goddess of learning...
and asked his counsel. Brahma advised the gods to make their peace with
ShivaShiva , also known as Rudra is a major Hindu god and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God...
. Brahma himself went with them to
KailashKailash may refer to:*Kailash is the name of a sacred mountain: see Mount Kailash, considered by Hindus to be the home of Lord Shiva...
. Brahma prayed to lord Shiva to pardon Daksha and to mend the broken limbs of gods and rishis. The the karunasagara Shiva took pity on Daksha and restored the burnt head of Daksha with that of 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
VishnuVishnu , , is the Supreme God in 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
GarudaThe Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology....
. He spoke to Daksha, saying: "Nothing in the Universe survives without the mercy of Lord Shiva.Those who donot understand this will perish." Then all the gods and rishis saluted
ShivaShiva , also known as Rudra is a major Hindu god and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God...
and departed to their places.
Consort Bhadrakāli
Consort of Virabhadra was
BhadrakaliBhadrakāli , is according to legends a fierce form of Kali. Bhadra in Sanskrit means blessed, auspicious; fair, beautiful; good; fortunate, prosperous....
, also known as the gentle
KaliKali , also known as Kalika , is a Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. The name Kali means "black", but has by folk etymology come to mean "force of time ". Despite her negative connotations, Kali is today considered the goddess of time and change...
, is generally an auspicious form of the goddess Kali, and the legend states that she came into being by Devi’s wrath, when
DakshaIn Hinduism, Daksha, "the skilled one", is an ancient creator god, one of the Prajapatis , the Rishis and the Adityas, and a son of Aditi and Brahma...
insulted
ShivaShiva , also known as Rudra is a major Hindu god and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God...
. It is believed that Bhadrakāli was a local deity, which was assimilated into the mainstream
HinduismHinduism is the predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is often referred to as ', a Sanskrit phrase meaning "the eternal law", by its adherents. Generic "types" of Hinduism that attempt to accommodate a variety of complex views span folk and Vedic Hinduism to bhakti tradition, as...
, 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.
Chronology
The historian Ram Swarup Joon has given the chronology of Virabhadra, obtained from the records of the Bards of
DholpurDholpur is a city in eastern most parts of the Rajasthan state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dholpur District.Dhaulpur was a part of Bharatpur district....
, in his book ‘History of the Jats’ (1938, 1967) as under:
In the branch of
PuruThe Pūrus are a tribe, or a confederation of tribes, mentioned many times in the Rigveda. RV 7.96.2 locates them at the banks of the Sarasvati River.There were several factions of Purus, one being the Bharatas...
there was ‘
SanyatiSanyati is a village in the province of Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe. It is located about 92 km north-west of Kadoma on the Sanyati River. It is the location of Sanyati Baptist Mission, which comprises Sanyati Baptist Hospital, Sanyati Baptist High School, and Sanyati Baptist Primary School....
’ whose son was Virabhadra. Virabhadra had four sons 1. Pon Bhadra 2. Kalhan bhadra 3. Atisur Bhadra and 4. Jakh Bhadra.
- Pon Bhadra is the originator of Punia
Punia or Poonia or Puniya is a clan or gotra of Jats in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are the descendants of Chandravanshi king Paunbhadra, son of Virabhadra.-Origin:...
gotra.
- Kalhan Bhadra is the originator of Kalhan
Kalhan is a gotra of Jats found in India.In the confederation of tribes called Puru, mentioned in the Rigveda, was Sanyati whose son was Virabhadra...
gotra.
- Atisur Bhadra had Ajanta Jata Shankar and his son Dahi Bhadra in the lineage. Dahi Bhadra is the originator of Dahiya gotra.
- Jakh Bhadra is the originator of Jakhar
Jakhar is a gotra or clan of Jats found in the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and in particular Rajasthan, and the Pakistani province of Punjab.- Etymology :...
gotra.
According to Ram Swaroop Joon, the descendants of above spread as under:
(a) Pon Bhadra’s descendants
PuniaPunia or Poonia or Puniya is a clan or gotra of Jats in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are the descendants of Chandravanshi king Paunbhadra, son of Virabhadra.-Origin:...
s to
HaryanaHaryana is a state in northern India. It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south. Eastern border to Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh is defined by river Yamuna. Haryana also surrounds Delhi on three sides, forming the northern, western and...
, Brij, and
GwaliorGwalior , is a city in Madhya Pradesh in India. It lies 76 miles south of Agra and has a population of over 1.2 million. Gwalior was the Capital City of Great Maratha Sardar & Warrior Maharaja Shrimant Madhavraoji Shinde - Sawstant Gwalior...
(b) Kalhan Bhadra’s descendants
KalhanKalhan is a gotra of Jats found in India.In the confederation of tribes called Puru, mentioned in the Rigveda, was Sanyati whose son was Virabhadra...
s to
KathiawarKathiawar or Kathiawad is a peninsula in western India. It is part of Gujarat state, bounded on the north by the great wetland of the Rann of Kutch, on the northwest by the Gulf of Kutch, on the west and south by the Arabian Sea, and on the southeast and east by the Gulf of Cambay.-Major...
and
GujratGujrat is a city in Pakistan and is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province. A person living in Gujrat is called Gujrati. The major sources of livelihood of Gujrat populace are agriculture and small industries.-Location:Gujrat is situated near the...
.
(c) Atisur Bhadra’s descendants to Malwa
(d) Jakh Bhadra’s descendants
JakharJakhar is a gotra or clan of Jats found in the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and in particular Rajasthan, and the Pakistani province of Punjab.- Etymology :...
s to
PunjabThe Punjab The Punjab The Punjab (pronounced or ; Punjabi: ਪੰਜਾਬ, The Punjab (pronounced or ; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: [[Gurmukhī script|ਪੰਜਾਬ]], The Punjab (pronounced or ; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: [[Gurmukhī script|ਪੰਜਾਬ]], [[Shahmukhi script|, ), also spelled Panjab ' onMouseout='HidePop("70161")' href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Kashmir">Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent...
(e) Dahi Bhadra’s descendants Dahiyas to
PunjabThe Punjab The Punjab The Punjab (pronounced or ; Punjabi: ਪੰਜਾਬ, The Punjab (pronounced or ; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: [[Gurmukhī script|ਪੰਜਾਬ]], The Punjab (pronounced or ; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: [[Gurmukhī script|ਪੰਜਾਬ]], [[Shahmukhi script|, ), also spelled Panjab ' onMouseout='HidePop("94218")' href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Central_Asia">Central Asia
Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east, and from southern Russia in the north to northern India in the south. It is also sometimes known as Middle Asia or Inner Asia, and is within the scope of the wider Eurasian continent.Various definitions of its...