Who is Kala Bhairava
Kalabhairava is one of the 64 manifestations of Lord Shiva. He is the controller and overseer of time.
The word ‘Bhairava’ originates from the Sanskrit term ‘Bhiru,’ meaning fearsome and frightful. Though the appearance of Bhairava is fierce, he is very considerate towards devotees who surrender to him. Bhairava is dark-complexioned and uses a dog as his mount. He is in a standing position and has four arms that hold drum, noose, trident, and skull.
Bhairava shields the devotees from evil forces and negativity. In Shiva temples, separate shrines for Bhairava are found in the north-south facing direction.
The Legend of Kala Bhairava
Initially, Both Shiva and Brahma had five heads. Brahma thought both he and Shiva were equal as both had the same number of heads. Shiva tried to prove his superiority over Brahma, but Brahma was not ready to concede and made fun of Shiva. He said that as he and Shiva have the same number of heads, they are equal, and he won’t accept him as superior.
Enraged Shiva created Bhairava and ordered him to punish Brahma. Kala Bhairava charged towards Brahma and cut off one of the heads of Brahma. Since then, Brahma has only four heads. But the act of cutting Brahma’s head brought trouble. The skull of the fifth head of Brahma stuck in his hand, and he roamed the entire world as a mendicant. Bhairava was at last absolved from the sin by performing worship at Varanasi. Even today, there is a famous temple for Bhairava at Varanasi. Bhairava is said to be the gatekeeper of Varanasi, and he is the one who is protecting Kashi Vishwanath, Goddesses Annapurna, and Visalakshi.
Different forms of Bhairava
Bhairava blesses his devotees in eight different forms. Each of these forms is unique and blesses the devotees with particular virtues. Hence, the eight Bhairavas are popularly known as Ashta Bhairavas.
The name and characteristics of the Ashta Bhairavas are below.
Asitanga Bhairava – He is the first form of Bhairava. Artisans, writers, and innovators worship Asitanga Bhairava. He blesses the devotees with creative skill and the ability to innovate new ideas.
Guru Bhairava is the second form of Bhairava and blesses the devotees with spiritual realization, knowledge, and success.
Chanda Bhairava – he is the third form of Bhairava. His blessings can eliminate evil and enemies. Those invoking Chanda Bhairava will turn fearless and attain the confidence to face any challenging situation.
Kroda Bhairava is the fourth form of Bhairava who blesses the devotees with the courage to accomplish big things. Kroda Bhairava worship helps to overcome hurdles and problems.
Unmatta Bhairava – this Bhairava blesses the devotees with psychological health. Unmatta Bhairava worship helps you get rid of depression, anxiety, stress, false ego, pessimism, etc.
Kapala Bhairava – he is the sixth form of Bhairava. His worship can help you to enjoy the fruits of your efforts. Kapala Bhairava puts an end to the excessive delays in projects and facilitates successful accomplishments.
Bhishana Bhairava – in his seventh form as Bhishana Bhairava, the lord eradicates evil spirits and negative energy. Continuous worship of this Bhairava shall bestow positivity upon you and provide a safeguard against evil forces.
Samhara Bhairava – this is the last form of Bhairava. Though this is a ferocious form, he showers benevolence upon his devotees and shows his rage in eliminating their bad karma. Worshipping Samhara Bhairava helps you to start a new chapter in your life.
Benefits of worshipping Kala Bhairava
Worship of Kala Bhairava bestows the following.
- Protection from fear or phobia.
- Removal of evil and negative energy.
- It helps to overcome hurdles and hindrances.
- Boost in health condition.
- Enhancement of wealth and prosperity.
- Better management of time.
How to Worship Kalabhairava
- Kala Bhairava is a fierce form of God, so you will have to adhere to the worship rules properly.
- Before commencing the Bhairava worship, have a bath to cleanse all sorts of impurities.
- He emerged during the Ashtami thithi, and so worshipping him on Ashtami is very special.
- His birthday is known as Maha Kalabhairava Ashtami and is an important day for his worship.
- Garlanding with urad dhal vadas pleases him.
- It is ideal to light lamps from white melons.
- Feeding dogs is an important custom that would bring his blessings.
- Feeding and donating to brahmins is also a popular custom associated with Bhairava worship.
Kala Bhairava Ashtakam
The Kala Bhairava Ashtakam is a popular stotram that is very effective in attracting the grace of Bhairava. Regular chanting of this would bestow the blessings of Bhairava upon a devotee.
Deva-Raaja-Sevyamaana-Paavana-Angghri-Pankajam
Vyaala-Yajnya-Suutram-Indu-Shekharam Krpaakaram |
Naarada-[A]adi-Yogi-Vrnda-Vanditam Digambaram
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||1||
Bhaanu-Kotti-Bhaasvaram Bhavaabdhi-Taarakam Param
Niila-Kannttham-Iipsita-Artha-Daayakam Trilocanam |
Kaala-Kaalam-Ambuja-Akssam-Akssa-Shuulam-Akssaram
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||2||
Shuula-Tanka-Paasha-Danndda-Paannim-Aadi-Kaarannam
Shyaama-Kaayam-Aadi-Devam-Akssaram Nir-Aamayam |
Bhiimavikramam Prabhum Vichitra-Taannddava-Priyam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||3||
Bhukti-Mukti-Daayakam Prashasta-Caaru-Vigraham
Bhakta-Vatsalam Sthitam Samasta-Loka-Vigraham |
Vi-Nikvannan-Manojnya-Hema-Kinkinnii-Lasat-Kattim
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||4||
Dharma-Setu-Paalakam Tva-Adharma-Maarga-Naashakam Karma-Paasha-Mocakam Su-Sharma-Daayakam Vibhum |
Svarnna-Varnna-Shessa-Paasha-Shobhitaangga-Mannddalam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||5||
Ratna-Paadukaa-Prabhaabhi-Raama-Paada-Yugmakam
Nityam-Advitiiyam-Isstta-Daivatam Niramjanam |
Mrtyu-Darpa-Naashanam Karaala-Damssttra-Mokssannam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||6||
Atttta-Haasa-Bhinna-Padmaja-Anndda-Kosha-Samtatim
Drsstti-Paata-Nasstta-Paapa-Jaalam-Ugra-Shaasanam |
Asstta-Siddhi-Daayakam Kapaala-Maalikaa-Dharam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||7||
Bhuuta-Samgha-Naayakam Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayakam
Kaashi-Vaasa-Loka-Punnya-Paapa-Shodhakam Vibhum |
Niiti-Maarga-Kovidam Puraatanam Jagatpatim
Kaashikaapuraadhinaathakaalabhairavam Bhaje ||8||
Kaalabhairavaassttakam Patthamti Ye Manoharam
Jnyaana-Mukti-Saadhanam Vicitra-Punnya-Vardhanam |
Shoka-Moha-Dainya-Lobha-Kopa-Taapa-Naashanam
Prayaanti Kaalabhairava-Amghri-Sannidhim Naraa Dhruvam ||9||
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