PARAKUNNATH SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN PAYYAN KSHETHRAM (TEMPLE), AROLI, KANNUR, KERALA: Lord Shiva is said to have many Avatars.

Thursday 30 March 2017

Lord Shiva is said to have many Avatars.

Lord Shiva is said to have many Avatars. One such Avatar is that of Virabhadra. Virabhadra is said to have been born when Shiva grabbed a lock of his own hair and threw it upon the ground. He was a powerful being created by Shivas wrath to destroy Daskhas Yagna. Daksha was the son of Brahma and also regarded as a Prajapati, the king of all men. His daughter Sati grew up as a fiercely loyal devotee of Shiva and had a strong desire to marry him. Daksha never approved of this because his background of wealth and nobility. Whereas Shiva lived a very simple life, wearing a tiger skin, living in isolation on Mount Kailash and with no desire for wealth or material goods.

Daksha held a swayamvara for his daughter ; a ceremony where she would be able to choose her husband from many suitors. Daksha invited all the gods except Shiva. Sati threw the garland into the air and Shiva appeared to claim the garland. Furious Daksha had to accept that Sati and Shiva would be married.

Soon after, Brahma held a huge yagna, and invited all the Prajapatis, gods, emperors and kings. Daksha was invited, as were Shiva and Sati. When Daksha arrived everyone stood up to greet him except for Shiva. Daksha however believed Shiva was insulting him and vowed to insult him in the same manner as revenge.

Daksha arranged yagna, and invited everyone except Shiva and Sati. When Sati came to know about the yagna, She insisted to go. But Shiva wouldn't go. Daksha insulted Sati in front of all the guests and dignitaries. Unable to bear the humiliation, Sati threw herself into the sacrificial fire and immolated herself. Upon hearing this, Shiva got enraged and created Virbhadra from a lock of his matted hair. His tall menacing body had a thousand arms, 3burning eyes and fiery hair. He was draped in skulls and carried unfathomable weapon. Shiva instructed him to destroy Daksha’s army and kill him. Rudrakali was also born and assisted him during all this. Virbhadra destroyed anything that got in his way and decapitated Daksha. Virbhadra is said to be tremendous warrior causing other gods to flee the battlefield whenever he appears. No gods are a match to his fury and strength in battle!