After Sati Devi gave up her body, the followers of Mahadeva who had rushed towards Daksha were driven away by powerful beings created through Bhrigu's offerings. Some time later, Narada informed Mahadeva about Sati Devi's departure, the attack upon his attendants, and everything that had happened at Daksha's sacrifice.

Hearing these words, Mahadeva was overcome with great anger.

The Birth of Virabhadra

Biting his lips in wrath, Mahadeva pulled out one of his jata, blazing like fire, and hurled it upon the earth with a loud laugh.

From that jata appeared a mighty being.

Verse: tato'tikāyastanuvā spṛśandivaṃ sahasrabāhurghanaruk trisūryadṛk । karāladaṃṣṭro jvaladagnimūrdhajaḥ kapālamālī vividhodyatāyudhaḥ ॥ 3 ॥

Translation: "From it arose a mighty being whose body seemed to touch the heavens. He possessed a thousand arms, three eyes shining like suns, fearful fangs, blazing hair, a garland of skulls, and many uplifted weapons."

Folding his hands, the being asked Mahadeva what he should do.

Mahadeva replied:

Verse: dakṣaṃ sayajñaṃ jahi madbhaṭānāṃ tvaṃ agraṇī rudra bhaṭāṃśako me ॥ 4 ॥

Translation: "Destroy Daksha together with his sacrifice. You shall lead my attendants, for you have arisen from a part of myself."

Hearing these words, Virabhadra bowed before Mahadeva, walked around him in reverence, and departed.

Accompanied by countless attendants carrying many kinds of weapons, he raised his trident and let out terrible cries that echoed in every direction.

Fear at the Sacrifice

Soon a vast cloud of dust appeared in the northern sky. The priests and sages looked at one another in confusion. There was no strong wind, no invading army, and Daksha himself was still alive. Some wondered whether the world was approaching its end.

Prasuti and the other women became anxious and said that this misfortune had come because Daksha had allowed his innocent daughter to perish without protecting her. As they spoke, many frightening signs appeared in the heavens and upon the earth. Then Virabhadra arrived. Surrounded by hosts of attendants of Rudra, he swiftly surrounded the sacrificial grounds.

The Destruction of Daksha's Sacrifice

Some attendants tore down the sacrificial halls and pavilions. Others smashed the vessels used in the rites and put out the sacred fires. Some broke apart the altars and their boundaries. Others troubled the sages, frightened the women, and seized gods who tried to flee. 

Virabhadra bound Bhrigu. Chandesha seized Pushan. Nandishvara took hold of Bhaga.

Bhrigu had once laughed while showing his beard as Daksha insulted Mahadeva. Remembering this, Virabhadra tore away his beard. Bhaga had silently encouraged Daksha through approving glances. Therefore his eyes were plucked out. Pushan had laughed showing his teeth while Daksha spoke harshly against Mahadeva. In return, his teeth were broken. The sacrifice was thrown into complete disorder.

Daksha Meets His Fate

Virabhadra approached Daksha, placed his foot upon his chest, and raised a sharp weapon. He struck at Daksha's neck, but found that it could not easily be cut. Then he remembered how sacrificial animals were killed during a sacrifice. Seizing Daksha's head, he cut it off and threw it into the southern sacrificial fire. Some among Mahadeva's attendants praised what had been done, while others remained silent. After burning the sacrificial area, Virabhadra and the attendants departed.

The Gods Approach Mahadeva

The gods, priests, and sages who had survived the destruction went to Brahma and told him everything.

Brahma explained that Mahadeva had been deeply hurt by harsh words and by the loss of Sati Devi. Brahma advised everyone to approach him with sincere hearts, for Mahadeva was easily pleased and quick to forgive.

Together with the gods, sages, and Prajapatis, Brahma journeyed to Mount Kailasa. There they saw a mountain covered with forests, rivers, flowering trees, and fragrant groves. Beneath a great banyan tree sat Mahadeva, peaceful once more, surrounded by Siddhas and sages while instructing Narada. Brahma then spoke in praise of him.

Verse: na vai satāṃ tvatcaraṇārpitātmanāṃ bhūteṣu sarveṣvabhipaśyatāṃ tava । bhūtāni cātmanyapṛthagdṛkṣatāṃ prāyeṇa roṣo'bhibhavedyathā paśum ॥ 46 ॥

Translation: "Those who have offered themselves at your feet and who see all beings equally rarely become angry. If anger does arise, it is only towards one who behaves like an animal."

Brahma prayed that Daksha might live again, that Bhaga regain his sight, Bhrigu regain his beard, Pushan regain his teeth, and that Mahadeva receive his rightful share in the sacrifice.

Mahadeva Forgives 
Mahadeva held no anger in his heart. He agreed to restore the sacrifice and returned with everyone to Daksha's sacrificial grounds.Since Daksha's head had been offered into the fire, a goat's head was fixed upon his body.

Bhaga could see again. Bhrigu's beard grew back. Pushan was once more able to eat the sacrificial offerings. The injured gods and priests recovered. Daksha awoke and saw Mahadeva standing before him.

Filled with regret, he bowed down, praised Mahadeva, and accepted his own fault. Mahadeva accepted Daksha's prayers without anger. The sacrifice was then completed properly, and Mahadeva received his rightful share among the gods.

In this manner, Daksha's sacrifice came to an end, and peace was restored among gods and sages.

Note to Readers

This account principally follows the Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 4, Chapters 5–7. Only a few representative verses have been quoted, while the remaining events are narrated in prose based upon the surrounding passages of the sacred text. Since the Bhagavata Purana survives in several manuscript traditions and editions, minor variations in wording and chapter numbering may occasionally occur. Corrections and suggestions from learned readers are gratefully welcomed.