Virabhadra, Vira-bhadra, Vīrabhadra: 24 definitions

Introduction:

Virabhadra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Shaktism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—One of the persons joining Śiva during the preparations of the war between Śankhacūḍa and the Devas, according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa (9.20.22-53). All persons attending were remained seated on beautiful aerial cars, built of jewels and gems. The war was initiated by Puṣpadanta (messenger of Śiva) who was ordered to restore the rights of the Devas. .

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) refers to one of the eight Servants (ceṭa-aṣṭaka) associated with Kāmākhya (corresponding to the eastern face of Bhairava), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—[...] The eight Servants (ceṭāṣṭaka): Śaṃkhapāla, Kaṃkāla, Viśālaka, Ajaya, Vijaya, Vīrabhadra, Raktākṣa, Kasmāla.

2) Vīrabhadrā (वीरभद्रा) refers to one of the eight Yoginīs (yoginī-aṣṭaka) associated with Nādapīṭha (identified with Kulūta), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra.—[...] The eight Yoginīs (yoginyaṣṭaka): Vīrabhadrā, Kālī, Kapālī, Vikṛtā, Kroṣṭāṅgī, Vāmabhadrā, Vāyuvegā, Hayānanā.

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Shaktism from relevant books on Exotic India

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Purana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Skanda-purana

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) is the name of a gaṇa (attendant of Śiva), mentioned in the Skandapurāṇa 4.2.53. In this chapter, Śiva (Giriśa) summons his attendants (gaṇas) and ask them to venture towards the city Vārāṇasī (Kāśī) in order to find out what the yoginīs, the sun-god, Vidhi (Brahmā) were doing there.

While the gaṇas such as Vīrabhadra were staying at Kāśī, they were desirous but unable of finding a weakness in king Divodaśa who was ruling there. Kāśī is described as a fascinating place beyond the range of Giriśa’s vision, and as a place where yoginīs become ayoginīs, after having come in contact with it. Kāśī is described as having both the power to destroy great delusion, as well as creating it.

The Skandapurāṇa narrates the details and legends surrounding numerous holy pilgrimages (tīrtha-māhātmya) throughout India. It is the largest Mahāpurāṇa composed of over 81,000 metrical verses, with the core text dating from the before the 4th-century CE.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र).—One of the guards of Śiva. Origin. There are two different opinions in the Purāṇas, regarding the origin of Vīrabhadra. There is no doubt that his birth was due to the anger of Śiva. When Śiva knew that his wife Pārvatī jumped into the fire and died at the sacrifice of Dakṣa, he struck his matted hair on the ground and from that, Vīrabhadra and Bhadrakālī came into being. This is the version given in Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 7. According to Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, Chapter 284, Vīrabhadra was born from the mouth of Śiva. From each of the hairpores of Vīrabhadra, who was born from the mouth of Śiva to destroy the sacrifice of Dakṣa a fearful monster was born, all of whom, formed a group of ghosts called the Raumyas. (See full article at Story of Vīrabhadra from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) was created by Śiva in order to destroy Dakṣa’s sacrifice, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.1.—“[...] On hearing that, lord Śiva became unbearably furious and pulling at his matted hair he created Vīrabhadra. When he was created along with attendants he began asking ‘what shall I do?’. The entire annihilation of Dakṣa’s sacrifice and the disgrace of every one present there was the order issued by Śiva. The lord of the Gaṇas (Vīrabhadra) accompanied by his soldiers reached the place immediately after receiving the orders. They worked a great havoc there. Vīrabhadra chastised everyone and spared none”.

Vīrabhadra is described as Śiva’s son, produced from Śiva’s matted locks or mouth or a drop of Śiva’s sweat, in order to spoil the sacrifice of Dakṣa. He is represented as having a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet and a thousand clubs. Clothed in a tiger’s skin dripping with blood, bearing a blazing bow and a battle-axe he is described as very fierce and terrific.

2) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) refers to an epithet of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.41.—Accordingly, as Viṣṇu and others eulogized Śiva:—“[...] obeisance to Vīra, Vīrabhadra, the protector of heroes, the trident-holder, the great lord of mankind. Obeisance to Him of the heroic soul of perfect learning, Śrīkaṇṭha, Pinākin, the endless, the subtle, the one whose anger is the cause of death”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र).—Created out of anger of Śiva on his hearing of Satī's self-sacrifice to destroy Dakṣa's yajña; seized Dakṣa, cut off his head and offered it to Dakṣiṇāgni, and then set out for Kailāsa. After reconciliation with Śiva, Viṣṇu was propitiated with Puroḍāśa to get rid of pollution due to Vīrabhadra's interference in the Yajña;1 after destroying the sacrifice was about to destroy the world; Śiva stopped him and blessed him to be the first of all grahas by name Aṅgāraka;2 hearing that he came out of the wrath of Paśupati Dakṣa appeased him by prayers. Śiva rose from the fire altar and granted him his request that his sacrifice be fruitful when Dakṣa praised him with 1008 names.3

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. ch. 5 (whole); 7. 17; Vāyu-purāṇa 30. 130-160; 101. 299.
  • 2) Matsya-purāṇa 72. 13-6; 192. 6.
  • 3) Vāyu-purāṇa 30. 161-180.

1b) One of the Śiva's attendants; the head of a Śiva gaṇa.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 32. 23; 41. 28; IV. 14. 8.
Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) was mentally created by Śiva in order to destroy Dakṣa’s sacrifice, as mentioned in chapter 3 of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, [...] Śrīdevī informed Lord Śaṅkara about the sacrifice of Dakṣa in which the later is not invited. She could not tolerate the insult of Siva and requested the latter to destroy the sacrifice. Immediately Śiva created Vīrabhadra of fierce appearance. The dreadful Bhadrakālī was born from the wrath of Śrīdevī. Lord Śiva then ordered Vīrabhadra with Bhadrakālī to destroy the sacrifice of Dakṣa. Vīrabhadra reached there and destroyed the sacrifice in no time. Seeing this Dakṣa was panic-striken and immediately sought refuge in Vīrabhadra. Then Vīrabhadra advised Dakṣa to go to Vārāṇasī and worship Śaṅkara by whose grace all his vices would be destroyed.

Note: Vīrabhadra is an aspect of Śiva and sometimes regarded as his son. In the Mahābhārata 12.285.34f. Vīrabhadra and other spirits were born of divas hair-pits.

Purana book cover
context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Purana from relevant books on Exotic India

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Shodhganga: Temples of Salem region Up to 1336 AD

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र).—Though Vīrabhadra is known since the Purāṇic period, the cult of Vīrabhadra became popular only during the Vijayanagara period. Therefore Vīrabhadra is adopted into worship in later temples. Iconographically, Vīrabhadra is supposed to hold bow and arrow and khadga and kheṭaka. But in the example from Thiruchengodu temple, Vīrabhadra holds, in his upper right hand, an unidentified lump-like object.

Vīrabhadra, in his ferocious fighting, is killing Dakṣa lying on ground. He is trampling him with his right foot and has pierced his chest with his sword. The ornaments of the god are the jaṭāmukuta, fillet, necklace, udarabandha, keyūra, kaṅkaṇa, upavītamāla, etc. The high-soled sandals Vīrabhadra wears are a regular feature of all the Vīrabhadra sculptures.

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Vastushastra from relevant books on Exotic India

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Shaivism glossary
Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) is the name of a deity who received the Vimalāgama from Sarvātmaka through the mahānsambandha relation, according to the pratisaṃhitā theory of Āgama origin and relationship (sambandha). The vimala-āgama, being part of the eighteen Rudrabhedāgamas, refers to one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgamas: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu.

Vīrabhadra obtained the Vimalāgama from Sarvātmaka who in turn obtained it from Sadāśiva through parasambandha. Vīrabhadra in turn, transmitted it to through divya-sambandha to the Devas who, through divyādivya-sambandha, transmitted it to the Ṛṣis who finally, through adivya-sambandha, revealed the Vimalāgama to human beings (Manuṣya). (also see Anantaśambhu’s commentary on the Siddhāntasārāvali of Trilocanaśivācārya)

Shaivism book cover
context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Shaivism from relevant books on Exotic India

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (shilpa)

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) or Vīrabhadramūrti refers to one of the twenty-eighth forms (mūrti) of Śiva mentioned in the Vātulāgama: twenty-eighth among the Siddhāntaśaivāgama. The forms of Śiva (e.g., Vīrabhadra) are established through a process known as Sādākhya, described as a five-fold process of creation.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Shilpashastra from relevant books on Exotic India

Kavya (poetry)

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Kavya glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) is the name of a Gaṇa (attendant of Śiva and/or Pārvatī), who intervened as the Devas and the Asuras were about to join the war between Śrutaśarman and Sūryaprabha, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 50. Accordingly: “... then a Gaṇa named Vīrabhadra, sent by Śiva, came and delivered this order of his to Indra and the other gods: ‘You came to look on, so what right have you to fight here? Moreover, your overstepping the bounds of propriety will produce other bad results’.”.

The story of Vīrabhadra was narrated by the Vidyādhara king Vajraprabha to prince Naravāhanadatta in order to relate how “Sūryaprabha, being a man, obtain of old time the sovereignty over the Vidyādharas”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Vīrabhadra, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

Kavya book cover
context information

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Kavya from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Hinduism glossary
Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र): Vīrabhadra was a demon that sprang from Shiva's lock of hair. Shiva burnt with anger when not invited in a sacrifice by Daksha and his wife Sati released the inward consuming fire and fell dead at Daksha's feet. Shiva burned with anger, and tore from his head a lock of hair, glowing with energy, and cast upon the earth. The terrible demon Vīrabhadra sprang from it. On the 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.

Source: Shodhganga: Historical setting of the vaisnava divyaksetras in the southern pandya country

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) is a terrific manifestation of Śiva. He was created from the matted locks of the Lord to destroy the sacrilegious sacrifice of Dakṣa. The Śrītattvanidhi presents this iconographical features under the heads Aghoramūrti and Vīrabhadra. The temples in the region around Śrīvilliputtūr accommodate a number of images in their sculptural-pillars and intere stingly many of these are in dancing mode.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Jainism glossary
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) is the son of Ṛṣabhadatta from Tāmralipti, according to chapter 6.2 [aranātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, as Sāgaradatta said to Kumbha:—“[...]. One day he [i.e., Ṛṣabhadatta] came to my house for some reason and looks at my daughter Priyadarśanā for a long time. He asked me, ‘Whose daughter is she?’ and I replied, ‘She is my daughter. Why do you look at her for a long time?’ Ṛṣabhadatta said: ‘Sheth, I have a son, named Vīrabhadra, grown-up, well-behaved. He surpasses Kandarpa in beauty, Kavi (Śukra) in skill in poetry, Vācaspati in eloquence, Vardhaki (Tvaṣṭṛ) in skill in crafts, Hūhū in song, Tumbaru on the lute, Bharata in drama, Nārada in sports. He changes his form like a god by the use of pills, et cetera. What is the use of saying more? [...]”.

General definition book cover
context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of General definition from relevant books on Exotic India

India history and geography

Source: Knowledge Traditions & Practices of India: Painting: A Survey (h)

Virabhadra temple (at Lepakshi) is an archaeologically important site containing ancient Indian mural paintings, from the Vijayanagara period.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Vīrabhadra.—(SITI), also called Vīramuṣṭi; member of a militant class of temple servants who diligently protected the properties and rights of the temples. Cf. Vīrakośa. Note: vīrabhadra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of India history from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Marathi glossary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र).—m S One of a class of attendants upon Shiva. 2 A particular dīkṣā of the Lingait-people. 3 Applied angrily to an obstinate and incorrigible boy.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Marathi from relevant books on Exotic India

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र).—

1) Name of a powerful hero created by Śiva from his matted hair; see दक्ष (dakṣa); महावीरोऽपि रे भद्र मम सर्वगणेष्विह । वीरभद्राख्यया हि त्वं प्रथितिं परमं व्रज । कुरु मे सत्वरं कर्म दक्षयज्ञं क्षयं नय (mahāvīro'pi re bhadra mama sarvagaṇeṣviha | vīrabhadrākhyayā hi tvaṃ prathitiṃ paramaṃ vraja | kuru me satvaraṃ karma dakṣayajñaṃ kṣayaṃ naya) || Kāśīkhaṇḍa.

2) a distinguished hero.

3) a horse fit for the Aśvamedha sacrifice.

4) a kind of fragrant grass.

Derivable forms: vīrabhadraḥ (वीरभद्रः).

Vīrabhadra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vīra and bhadra (भद्र).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र).—m.

(-draḥ) 1. A horse fit for the Aśwamed'ha sacrifice. 2. A distinguished hero. 3. A fragrant grass, “vīraṇa” 4. One of Siva'S attendants. 5. One of the Rudras. E. vīra a hero, bhadra auspicious.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—king, son of Bhadrendra, patron of Koṇḍabhaṭṭa (Tarkapradīpa). Hall. p. 79.

2) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—an author. Quoted in Tantrasāra Oxf. 95^b.

3) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—poet. [Sūktikarṇāmṛta by Śrīdharadāsa]

4) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—astronomer. Quoted by Utpala on Bṛhatsaṃ-hitā, by Lakṣmīdāsa Cambr. 54.

5) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—a medical author. Quoted in Ṭoḍarānanda W. p. 290.

6) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—Nīlakaṇṭhastotra.

7) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—king of Rājakoṭa, patron of Vidyādhara (Grahavidyādhara 1639).

8) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—Karpūrastava.

9) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—Vaiṣṇavasārasaṃgraha or Pāṣaṇḍadalana.

10) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—Tantrakośa.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—[=vīra-bhadra] [from vīra > vīr] m. a distinguished hero, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

2) [v.s. ...] a horse fit for the Aśva-medha sacrifice, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

3) [v.s. ...] Andropogon Muricatus, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

4) [v.s. ...] Name of a Rudra, [Yājñavalkya [Scholiast or Commentator]]

5) [v.s. ...] of an incarnation or form of Śiva (sometimes regarded as his son, and worshipped [especially] in the Marāṭha country; in the Vāyu-Purāṇa he is said to have been created from Śiva’s mouth in order to spoil the sacrifice of Dakṣa, and is described as having a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet, and wielding a thousand clubs; his appearance is fierce and terrific, he is clothed in a tiger’s skin dripping with blood, and he bears a blazing bow and battle-axe; in another Purāṇa he is described as produced from a drop of Śiva’s sweat), [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa; Kathāsaritsāgara] etc. ([Religious Thought and Life in India 79; 82])

6) [v.s. ...] of a warrior on the side of the Pāṇḍavas, [Mahābhārata]

7) [v.s. ...] of a king and various authors, [Catalogue(s)]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vīrabhadra (वीरभद्र):—[vīra-bhadra] (draḥ) 1. m. Horse fit for sacrifice; a hero; fragrant grass.

[Sanskrit to German]

Virabhadra in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Virabhadra in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Vīrabhadra (ವೀರಭದ್ರ):—[noun] name of a son of Śiva, who is the valour personified.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Discover the meaning of virabhadra in the context of Kannada from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Related products

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: