Veerabhadra

About Veerabhadra

Veerabhadra sprang from a lock of Shiva's matted hair that Shiva tore loose and struck against the ground when Sati died at Daksha's fire-sacrifice. Bhadrakali rose from the same act and rides at his side. Dark-skinned, three-eyed and fanged, he carries sword, bow and mace, and wears a garland of skulls. His own Bhujangam hymn lists the damage he did at the yajna: he knocked out Surya's teeth, blackened the moon, sliced Agni's tongue, stunned Indra and beheaded Daksha. His great shrine is Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh, and Lingayats honour him as a clan guardian.