As the sages watched, the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice unfolded, a calamity born from the wrath of the goddess. At Rudra’s command, she had assumed a lion’s form, playing out her fierce anger. Bhadrakali, the formidable Maheshvari, accompanied by her followers, stood witness to her own terrible deed, her fury joined with Rudra’s wrath. This wrath itself took shape—becoming the divine being known as Virabhadra, who made the abode of spirits his dwelling. Virabhadra, renowned for quelling the goddess’s anger, then summoned forth, from the very pores of his body, the lords of the hosts: fierce attendants of Rudra, each a manifestation of Rudra’s power and might. Hundreds and thousands of these Rudra followers descended swiftly, their arrival heralded by a tremendous clamor that seemed to fill the sky. The heavens shook with terror at the sound; mountains crumbled, the earth trembled, and the winds howled violently. Even Varuna’s domain was disturbed, fires would not burn, and the sun ceased to shine. Planets, stars, and constellations lost their radiance, as did sages, gods, and demons—all enveloped in darkness. In this gloom, the hosts of Rudra began to burn everything, breaking and uprooting the sacrificial posts with dreadful force. Some roared, others made strange noises, and many rushed about with the speed of wind and mind. The sacrificial vessels and altars shattered, vanishing like stars from the sky. Amid this chaos, heaps of celestial food and drink appeared, as massive as mountains—rivers of milk and ghee, sweet rice, and curds. Divine streams of honeyed water flowed, their sands made of crystal sugar, with delightful channels of molasses carrying all six tastes. Meats of every kind, high and low, and all sorts of celestial delicacies filled the scene, whatever could be licked or sucked. With many mouths, the hosts devoured, plundered, and scattered the food, their fury blazing like the fire of destruction. They consumed like mountains, terrifying all around, playing in countless forms, even hurling celestial women about. Surrounded by these fierce hosts, Virabhadra, empowered by Rudra’s wrath, was protected by all the gods. Near Bhadrakali, they swiftly destroyed the sacrifice, making dreadful sounds that struck terror into all beings. Some cut off the head of the sacrifice, uttering terrifying cries. Indra and the other gods, along with Daksha, the progenitor, joined their palms and asked, “Tell us, who are you?” Virabhadra replied, “I am neither god nor demon, nor have I come to partake. O lords of the gods, I am not here out of curiosity. I have come for the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice. I am known as Virabhadra, arisen from Rudra’s wrath. Bhadrakali, famed by that name, was born from the goddess’s anger, sent by the Lord of gods, and has come to this place of sacrifice. Seek refuge, O king of kings, in the Lord of gods, the husband of Uma; even the Lord’s anger cannot be withstood by his attendants.” Around them, sacrificial posts were torn up and scattered, vultures greedy for flesh leapt and swooped down, blown about by the wind of their wings, resounding with Shiva’s howls. The king’s sacrifice was harassed by the hosts. Then, the sacrifice itself took the form of a deer and leapt into the sky, attempting to flee. Perceiving this, the mighty Virabhadra took up his bow and arrow, his wrath boundless. From his forehead issued a terrible drop of sweat, and as it fell to the ground, a great fire appeared, blazing like the fire at the end of time. From this fire, a man arose—short yet immense, with blood-red eyes, a tawny beard, and fearsome appearance; his hair stood upright, his body covered in thick hair, and his ears were red as blood. Fierce and dark, clothed in red, this mighty being burned the sacrifice as fire consumes dry grass. All the gods, seized by fear, fled in all ten directions as he moved about with overwhelming force. The entire earth, with its seven continents, trembled as this being acted, terrifying even the world of the gods. At this moment, I honored the Great God and said, “O Lord, all the gods will indeed give you a share. Let there be withdrawal, O Lord of all gods, by your command; and these deities, along with thousands of sages…” I explained, “O great god, from your wrath this being was born, and because of your anger, they did not attain peace; this person is sweat-born.” “This being is known as Fever,” I said. “He will move among the worlds. When united, his energy cannot be contained. The entire earth is capable; let this one be created in many forms.” Thus I spoke to the god, and a portion was assigned. The blessed lord, god of gods, wielder of Pinaka, said to me, “So be it,” and he, the Pinaka-bearer, became supremely pleased.