History of Sri Virabhadra Swamy

Sri Kothakonda Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Kothakonda, Bheemdevarpalli Mandal, Karimnagar District.

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.

Virabhadra 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

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 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
Virabhadra with 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.

Shiva directed Virabhadra: “Lead my army against Daksha and destroy his sacrifice; fear not the Brahmanas, 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 wind 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.[3] When confronted with Vishnu, according to Skanda Purana, Vīrabhadra defeats Vishnu. The Srimad Bhagavatam does not make a mention about this.