A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2099

c5.2099

VĪRA-BHADRA. A son or emanation of Siva, created from his mouth, and having, according to the Vāyu Purāna, “a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet, wielding a thousand clubs, a thousand shafts; holding the shell, the discus, the mace, and bearing a blazing bow and battle-axe; fierce and terrific, shining with dreadful splendour, and decorated with the crescent moon; clothed in a tiger’s skin, dripping with blood, having a capacious stomach and a vast mouth armed with formidable tusks,” &c., &c. The object of his creation was to stop Daksha’s sacrifice, and harry away the gods and others who were attending. He is an especial object of worship in the Mahratta country, and there are sculptures of him in the caves of Elephanta and Ellora, where he is represented with eight hands.