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{{Multiple issues|
{{More footnotes|date=February 2016}}
{{primary sources|date=February 2019}}}}
[[File:Kurunthamalai Temple Idumban, kadamban Veerabahu.jpg|thumb|Three of the ''Navaveeragal'' with Veerabahu in the centre]]{{Short description|Hindu deity}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}

'''Veerabahu''' is a Hindu deity and the commander-in-chief of [[Kartikeya|Murugan's]] army.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vijaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA231 |title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-53810-686-0 |page=231}}</ref> Lord Muruga was born from the third eye of God [[Shiva]]. To assist him from the ornaments of Goddess [[Parvati|Shakthi]], nine commanders (''Navaveerargal'') were born. Among the nine commanders, Veerabahu is ranked the highest. The [[Sengunthar]] [[Kaikolar]] community, a community of weavers and warriors<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mines |first=Mattison |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y089AAAAIAAJ&q=warrior+merchants+weavers |title=The Warrior Merchants: Textiles, Trade and Territory in South India |date=1984 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-26714-4 |location= |pages=11 |language=en}}</ref> in Tamil Nadu, claim descent from Veerabahu and other eight Navaveerargal.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ghose |first=Rajeshwari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ORwNmkDswqwC&q=Mucukuntan |title=The Tyāgarāja Cult in Tamilnāḍu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1996 |isbn=9788120813915 |page=78-82}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vijaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA231 |title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-53810-686-0 |page=231}}</ref> He is worshipped mostly in Tamil Nadu.

==Legend==
{{Hindu mythology}}
According to the [[Skanda Purana]], 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 [[Śūrapadmā|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 [[Tārakāsura|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]]'' 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]]. 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 (weapon)|astra]] was destroyed, he recovered. He accompanied Murugan on his return and during his weddings.

== In popular culture ==
The [[Sengunthar]] [[Kaikolar]] community, a community of weavers and warriors<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mines |first=Mattison |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y089AAAAIAAJ&q=warrior+merchants+weavers |title=The Warrior Merchants: Textiles, Trade and Territory in South India |date=1984 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-26714-4 |location= |pages=11 |language=en}}</ref> in Tamil Nadu, claim descent from Virabahu and other eight Navaveerargal.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ghose |first=Rajeshwari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ORwNmkDswqwC&q=Mucukuntan |title=The Tyāgarāja Cult in Tamilnāḍu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1996 |isbn=9788120813915 |page=78-82}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vijaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA231 |title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-53810-686-0 |page=231}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.chendurmurugan.com/page_e.htm Veerabaahu in Kantha Purana]
* [http://murugan.org/gallery/kanda_puranam/html/kp_13.htm Veerabaahu in Kantha Purana]
* [http://www.vidursury.com/2009/04/tales-of-muruga-part-1.html Veerabaahu as envoy]
* [http://www.dlshq.org/download/shanmukha.htm Veerabaahu as envoy]
* [http://murugan.org/research/belle_vel.htm Veerabaahu in Muruga's Army]

[[Category:Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Kaumaram]]
[[Category:Tamil deities]]

Veerabaahu - Revision history

ImportMaster: robot: Create/update articles in Category:Hindu gods.