Virabhadra's Origin

Narada said

After hearing this voice from the sky, what did ignorant Daksha do, and what did the others do? Shiva's ganas were defeated by the force of Bhrigu's mantras. What did they do and where did they go? Wise one, please tell me.

Brahma replied

Hearing the voice, the gods and the rest were astounded and said nothing, but stood confused. The brave remnant of Shiva's ganas, driven off by the force of Bhrigu's mantras, went and took refuge with Shiva. After lovingly bowing to the infinitely energetic Rudra, they told him all that had happened.

The ganas said

Lord of gods, Mahadeva, we have taken refuge in you; save us. Protector, listen kindly to everything about Sati. Mahesha, evil-souled Daksha was insolent. Without any unease he dishonoured Sati and showed her no affection. Wicked and proud, he gave the gods a share but gave you none, and spoke harsh words instead. Lord, seeing that you were given no share in the sacrifice, Sati became angry, censured her father in many ways and gave up her body. In shame ten thousand of the ganas died there, cutting off their limbs with weapons. We others were enraged. Armoured and fearful in look, we rushed forward powerfully to destroy the sacrifice. But Bhrigu, by his own powers, abused us and drove us back. Lord who holds up the universe, we have come to take refuge in you; grant us freedom from fear. We are afraid we will be killed. Great lord, we have especially seen the dishonour shown by Daksha and the others at the sacrifice, wicked, very proud and foolish. Do with them what you will.

Brahma said

So they told him everything about Sati, Narada. Hearing his ganas, the lord remembered you so that he could quickly hear all that had happened. Seer of divine sight, you went swiftly, bowed devotedly and stood with joined hands. The lord praised you and asked about Sati's account, what had happened after she went to Daksha's sacrifice. Asked by Shambhu, with Shiva in your atman, you told him everything that had happened at Daksha's sacrifice. Ishvara heard the truth from your mouth, and Rudra, terrible in valour, was angered at once. Rudra, destroyer of the worlds, pulled out a strand of his matted hair and, seething with rage, flung it on the mountain top. The strand split into two parts, with a mighty roar like the terrible sound at the great dissolution. From the first part arose Virabhadra, immensely strong, extremely terrible and foremost of the ganas. He covered the whole earth and rose ten angulas above it, standing tall like the fire of dissolution, with two thousand arms. As great Rudra sighed in rage, a thousand jvaras and thirteen sannipatas were generated. From the other part of the strand Mahakali arose, very fearful and surrounded by crores of bhutas. All these embodied forms were cruel and harsh, terrifying to the worlds, blazing in their own energy and burning everything.

Valiant Virabhadra bowed to Parameshvara and, skilled in words, joined his hands and spoke.

Virabhadra said

Great Rudra, extremely terrible one, whose eyes are the sun and moon, what is my task? Lord, command me quickly. Ishana, are the oceans to be dried up in an instant? Are the mountains to be crushed in an instant? Hara, is the universe to be reduced to ashes in an instant? Are the gods and lords among sages to be burned in a moment? Shankara, are all the worlds to be destroyed? Is my task to do violence to all beings? Maheshvara, by your favour there is nothing I cannot do. There has been no one my equal in valour, nor ever will be. Lord, instruct me in my task and send me, and by your favour I will accomplish it swiftly. Shankara, by your command even the lowly can cross the ocean of the world, so can I not cross an ocean of great adversity? Sent by you, even a blade of grass can easily accomplish a great task, no doubt. Shambhu, by your play any task succeeds, so send me by your favour. A strength like mine is obtained through your favours. Without your favour who can be strong? Without your command not even a blade of grass can be moved, and no one can do anything; that is the truth. Shankara, all gods and others are under Shambhu's control, and so am I; all embodied beings are. Mahadeva, I bow to you again and again. Hara, now send me swiftly to accomplish whatever you wish. Shambhu, my right limbs are throbbing again and again. Lord, dispatch me, and I will win today. For some reason there is a special joy and eagerness in me. My mind is fixed on your lotus feet, and something auspicious has happened at every step I have taken. If a person has firm devotion to Shambhu, refuge of everything auspicious, it brings auspiciousness and he is always victorious.

Brahma said

The lord of auspiciousness heard and was pleased. He pronounced a blessing, "Virabhadra, may you be victorious," and said:

Maheshvara said

Son Virabhadra, listen with a good mind and make the effort, which will satisfy me. Daksha, the crooked son of Vidhatri, is organising a sacrifice and opposes me in particular. He is very proud and has now become ignorant. Reduce that sacrifice to ashes with everything that goes with it. Then, foremost of ganas, return quickly to my abode. If there are gods, gandharvas, rakshasas or others there, swiftly reduce them to ashes too. If Vishnu, Brahma, Shachi's consort or Yama are there, try to bring them all down. If gods, gandharvas, yakshas or others are there, burn them quickly and violently as well. If anyone is there who crosses the pledge Dadhichi made about me, strive to blaze against him. The pramathas will go with you. In their confusion, if Vishnu and the others are present, they will be drawn in by mantras and quickly burned down. Those insolent ones who remain there, crossing the pledge made to me, act against me, and they will be blazed in garlands of fire. Blaze and burn to ashes those present at Daksha's sacrifice, with their wives and belongings. Then return swiftly. When you get there, the Vishvadevas may praise you lovingly; even then, blaze at them like a fire. If the gods have acted against me, surround them with garlands of flame. Meditate on me, your protector, and quickly blaze against them in fiery form. Brave one, blaze at Daksha and everyone else, their wives and relatives. Then, toying with Daksha, drink water.

Brahma said

With eyes coppery-red in rage, the protector of the Vedic ordinances, enemy of Kala and lord of all, said this to the valiant one and stopped.