Editing Virabhadra (section)

=== Daksha yajna ===
{{Main articles|Daksha yajna}}

The [[Skanda Purana]] states that ill-omens immediately started to surface when Shiva's forces started to march upon the Daksha yajna, describing a rain of blood and meteor showers. Finding these phenomena to be foreboding, Daksha sought the protection of [[Vishnu]], who agreed to offer it, while also according blame to the former for his disrespect. The forces consisted of the [[Navadurga]], [[rakshasa]]s, [[yaksha]]s, [[pishacha]]s, a host of [[Bhoot (ghost)|bhutas]], thousands of [[gana]]s, as well as [[yogini]]s and [[guhyaka]]s. These forces were commanded by the three-eyed Virabhadra, bearing a thousand arms, entwined with great serpents, with his chariot drawn by two thousand horses and a million lions. Indra and the devas were assisted by [[Bhrigu]] in routing the first wave of gana attacks. Angered, Virabhadra marshalled his forces in a counterattack, and wielding their battle-axes and iron clubs, they started to massacre the devas. The sages begged Vishnu to defend the sacrifice from the attackers, and the deity prepared to fight against Virabhadra. While Virabhadra offered his obeisance to the preserver deity, he accused him of seeking a share of the offerings of the sacrifice, and warned him against staying there. Vishnu laughed, and informed him that he had a duty to shield his devotees, and would leave after he had had his fill of Virabhadra's missiles. Indra chose to challenge Virabhadra, and struck him with his [[vajra]]. In retaliation, Virabhadra attempted to swallow Indra as well as his mount, [[Airavata]]. Vishnu intervened, saving Indra, and obstructing the assault of Virabhadra. He also summoned the [[Ashvins]], who healed the fallen devas with their medicine. Enraged, Virabhadra confronted Vishnu. The preserver deity employed his [[Sudarshana Chakra]] against Virabhadra, which the latter swallowed whole. After retrieving his celestial discus, satisfied that he had turned the tide of the battle, Vishnu returned to his abode.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-12-14 |title=A Fight between Vīrabhadra and Viṣṇu and Others [Chapter 4] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc365951.html |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> Not satisfied with the carnage, Virabhadra accosted Bhrigu, Pushan, and when he saw the terrified Daksha cowering beneath the altar, he beheaded him, offering his head to the fire as a sacrifice. The disturbed [[Brahma]] visited Shiva, and begged him to put an end to the bloodshed. Shiva arrived at the Daksha yajna, conversed with Virabhadra, and restored life to Daksha by placing the head of a deformed animal upon his neck. The resurrected Daksha offered his obeisance to Shiva, which ended the conflict.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bhatt |first1=G. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WndMEAAAQBAJ&dq=virabhadra+powerful&pg=PA23 |title=The Skanda Purana Part 1: Ancient Indian Tradition And Mythology Volume 49 |last2=Shastri |first2=J. L. |last3=Deshpande |first3=N. A. |date=1992 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0966-6 |pages=15–30 |language=en}}</ref>

Various scriptures, coloured by their traditions, offer variations of the conflict, and Virabhadra's role in the legend. The [[Kurma Purana]] has Virabhadra realise that Vishnu and Shiva are the same deity, and proclaim that the world was created by [[Narayana]]. In the [[Harivamsa|Harivamsha]] and Vamana Purana, Vishnu gains the upper hand in his fight against Virabhadra.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Arvind |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnCxH85Vra4C&dq=harivamsha+virabhadra&pg=PA126 |title=Essays on the Mahābhārata |date=2007 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |isbn=978-81-208-2738-7 |pages=126 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last= |url=http://archive.org/details/vamana-purana-vaishnava-upa-purana-sanskrit-english-ocr |title=Vamana Purana English Translation with Sanskrit Text |pages=16–17}}</ref>