Veerabahu is a Hindu deity and the commander-in-chief of Murugan's army. Lord Muruga was born from the third eye of God

Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...

. To assist him from the ornaments of Goddess

Shakthi In Hinduism, especially Shaktism (a theological tradition of Hinduism), Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; lit. "Energy, ability, strength, effort, power, capability") is the primordial cosmic energy, female in aspect, and re ...

, nine commanders (''Navaveerargal'') were born. Among the nine commanders, Veerabahu is ranked the highest. The

Sengunthar Sengunthar (), also known as the Kaikolar and Senguntha Mudaliyar is a Tamil caste commonly found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and also in some other parts of South India and the neighboring country Sri Lanka. They were traditional weavers ...

Kaikolar Sengunthar (), also known as the Kaikolar and Senguntha Mudaliyar is a Tamil caste commonly found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and also in some other parts of South India and the neighboring country Sri Lanka. They were traditional weavers ...

community, a community of weavers and warriors in Tamil Nadu, claim descent from Veerabahu and other eight Navaveerargal. He is worshipped mostly in Tamil Nadu.

Legend

According to the

Skanda Purana The ''Skanda Purana'' (IAST: Skanda Purāṇa) is the largest ''Puranas#Mahapuranas, Mukyapurana'', a genre of eighteen Hindu religious texts. The text contains over 81,000 verses, and is of Kaumaram, Kaumara literature, titled after Kartikeya ...

, after the birth of Murugan, Shakti took her s''ilambu'' (anklet) nine shaktis were produced, and these were then transformed into the brothers of Murugan, called the ''Navaveeragal'' (lit. "nine warriors") in Tamil. When Murugan was sent to destroy Surapadman, Virabahu and the other ''Navaveeragal'' followed him south, at the head of a huge army. At the Vindhyas, the army saw two of Surapadman's brothers - Krauncha, in the form of a mountain, and Tarakasura. Virabahu and his army attacked Tarakasura, but he laid a spell on them that made them go into Krauncha. After news was brought to Murugan of the defeat, he fought Tarakasura and pierced him with his heart. He then threw his ''

Vel Vel ( ta, வேல், lit=Vēl) is a divine javelin or spear associated with Murugan, the Hindu god of war. Significance According to Shaiva tradition, the goddess Parvati presented the Vel to her son Murugan, as an embodiment of her shakti, ...

'' at Krauncha, who dissolved into dust. Afterwards, Virabahu and his army were restored to life. Virabahu arrived at Surapadman's capital, Mahendrapuri, to ask for the release of the devas who were imprisoned by him after he conquered their world, so that war would not occur. He entered the palace and spoke to the devas imprisoned, saying that they were imprisoned for their sins and they would be saved by Murugan soon. Virabahu then arrived in Surapadman's throne room, but was insulted in being ignored and not offered a seat, as the laws of messengers demanded. However, Virabahu conjured a magnificent throne, and delivered his message for Surapadman to release the followers of

Thirumal Perumal ( ta, பெருமாள் , translit=Perumāl) or Tirumal ( ta, திருமால், translit=Tirumāl) is a Hindu deity. Perumal is worshipped mainly among Tamil Hindus in South India, Sri Lanka, and the Tamil diaspora, who ...

. Surapadman refused and attempted to imprison Virabahu as well. During his escape, he killed many asuras, including some of Surapadman's relatives, and informed Murugan of what had occurred. Virabahu then fought in the war. One of Banukopan's weapons made him fall into a swoon along with much of the army, but after the astra was destroyed, he recovered. He accompanied Murugan on his return and during his weddings.

In popular culture

The

community, a community of weavers and warriors in Tamil Nadu, claim descent from Virabahu and other eight Navaveerargal.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Veerabaahu in Kantha Purana

Hindu gods Kaumaram Tamil deities