The manifestation of Lord Shiva, Kalabhairava is believed to be the God of Time and the God of Death. He is also called Bhairava which means fearful. Bhairava is the extremely fearful form of Lord Shiva. Once when Lord Brahma became egoistic and arrogant, Lord Shiva, in order to teach him a lesson and destroy his ego, created Kalabhairava out of his nail. In this form, he cut off the fifth head of Brahma and the skull got stuck to his hand. This image is depicted as the iconographic image of Lord Kalabhairava found in temples.
He rides on a black dog. He is easy to please and blesses the devotees with health, wealth and prosperity. Bhairava is known to destroy ego and fear. He protects the devotees from anger, lust, greed, and enemies, removes all obstacles and turns things favorable.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam is a holy mantra composed by Adi Sankara to describe the personality of the terrific form of Lord Shiva.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam
Below is the Sanskrit mantra in eight stanzas:
देवराजसेव्यमानपावनाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं
व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगंबरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे॥ १॥
भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं
नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम् ।
कालकालमंबुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे॥२॥
शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं
श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम् ।
भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥३॥
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं
भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम् ।
विनिक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥४॥
धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं
कर्मपाशमोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम् ।
स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाशशोभिताङ्गमण्डलं
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥ ५॥
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकं
नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरञ्जनम् ।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं कराळदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥६॥
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोशसन्ततिं
दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम् ।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकन्धरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥७॥
भूतसङ्घनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं
काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम् ।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥८॥
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठन्ति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम् ।
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं
ते प्रयान्ति कालभैरवाङ्घ्रिसन्निधिं ध्रुवम् ॥
इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं कालभैरवाष्टकं संपूर्णम् ॥
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Meaning
Deva-Raaja-Sevyamaana– Paavana-Angghri-Pangkajam
Vyaal- a-Yajnya-Suutram-Indu-Shekhara- m Krpaakaram
Naarada-[A]adi-Yogi– Vrnda-Vanditam Digambaram
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhin- aatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning:
I sing the praise of Kalabhairava who is the king of Gods and served by Indra. He is very compassionate and wears a sacred thread made using a snake. He has a moon on his forehead. He has been praised by Narad and other yogis. He is the supreme Lord of the city of Kashi and his clothes are the directions.
Bhaanu-Kotti-Bhaasvara- m Bhavaabdhi-Taarakam Param
Niila-Kannttham-Iipsita-A- rtha-Daayakam Trilocanam
Kaala-Kaalam-Ambuja– Akssam-Akssa-Shuulam-Akssaram
K- aashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaala- bhairavam Bhaje
Meaning:
I salute Kalabhairava who is resplendent like a million suns and who can redeem us from this cycle of rebirth. He has three eyes and a blue neck and bestows prosperity upon all. He is imperishable and his trident supports the three worlds. Bhairava has lotus-like eyes and he is the death of death. He is the supreme lord of the city of Kashi.
Shuula-Ttangka-Paasha– Danndda-Paannim-Aadi-Kaarannam-
Shyaama-Kaayam-Aadi-Devam-Akss- aram Nir-Aamayam
Bhiimavikramam Prabhum Vicitra-Taannddava-Priyam
Kaash- ikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhai- ravam Bhaje
Meaning:
I salute Kalabhairav who is the ruler of the city of Kashi. He carries a trident, noose, club, and hatchet. He is the source of the universe. He has a dark body. He is free from diseases and illness. He loves ecstatic dance and has supreme powers.
Bhukti-Mukti-Daayakam Prashasta-Caaru-Vigraham
Bhakta- -Vatsalam Sthitam Samasta-Loka-Vigraham
Vi-Nikvan- nan-Manojnya-Hema-Kingkinnii-L- asat-Kattim
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhi- naatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning:
Salutations to Kalabhairava who is the king of the city of Kashi. He is the giver of worldly desires and liberation. He has a pleasant appearance. He is benevolent to his devotees. He takes different forms and creates the world. Bhairava has a bell on his golden waist-thread and it makes a melodious sound.
Dharma-Setu-Paalakam Tvadharma-Maarga-Naashakam
Karm- a-Paasha-Mocakam Su-Sharma-Daayakam Vibhum
Svarnna-Varnna-Shessa-Pa- asha-Shobhitaangga-Mannddalam
K- aashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaala- bhairavam Bhaje
Meaning:
I salute Kalabhairava who is the guardian of righteousness and the destroyer of unrighteous paths. He frees us from the ties of deeds and liberates our soul. He is adorned with the beautiful golden colored serpent as his ornament. He is the supreme king of the city of Kashi.
Ratna-Paadukaa-Prabhaa- bhi-Raama-Paada-Yugmakam
Nityam- -Advitiiyam-Isstta-Daivatam Niramjanam
Mrtyu-Darpa-Naashana- m Karaala-Damssttra-Mokssannam
Ka- ashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalab- hairavam Bhaje
Meaning:
I sing the praise of Kalabhairava whose feet is adorned by sandals studded with gold. He is eternal and induplicable. He destroys the pride of death and liberates us from the fear of death. He is the supreme Lord of the city of Kashi.
Atttta-Haasa-Bhinna-Pa- dmaja-Anndda-Kosha-Samtatim
Drs- stti-Paata-Nasstta-Paapa-Jaala- m-Ugra-Shaasanam
Asstta-Siddhi– Daayakam Kapaala-Maalikaa-Dharam
Kaashik- aa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhaira- vam Bhaje
Meaning:
I salute Kalabhairava who is the king of the city of Kashi. His laughter dispels the delusion of the mind. His glance destroys the sins. Bhairava wears a garland made up of skulls and gives eight types of powers. He is the powerful ruler.
Bhuuta-Samgha-Naayakam- Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayakam
Kaashi- -Vaasa-Loka-Punnya-Paapa-Shodh- akam Vibhum
Niiti-Maarga-Kovidam Puraatanam Jagatpatim
Kaashikaapuraadhinaa- thakaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning:
Salutations to Kalabhairava, the ruler of the city of Kashi, the leader of ghosts and spirits. He showers immense glory and dispels the effects of our sins exposing us to our true self. He is the supreme lord of the world and is eternal. He shows us the righteous path.
Kaalabhairavaassttakam- Patthamti Ye Manoharam
Jnyaana-Mukti-Saadhan- am Vicitra-Punnya-Vardhanam
Shoka– Moha-Dainya-Lobha-Kopa-Taapa-N- aashanam
Prayaanti Kaalabhairava-Amghri-Sannidhim- Naraa Dhruvam
Meaning:
Those who read these eight verses about Kalabhairava would get the highest knowledge and liberation. It increases the righteousness of the chanter and destroys sorrows, troubles, anger, and depression and cures all diseases. The one who reads this Ashtakam would attain the lotus feet of Kalabhairava after death.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Benefits
Each stanza of Kalabhairava Ashtakam describes Bhairav, the fearful form of Lord Shiva, speaks of his glory and offers salutations. Regular recitation of the Kalabhairava Ashtakam is believed to make the chanter’s journey of life free of dangers and troubles.
Worshipping Kalabhairava by offering pujas and reciting this mantra on auspicious occasions like Kalashtami can bring great benefits to devotees. Some of the benefits of reading or listening to the Kalabhairava Ashtakam are:
- Guidance on the path of righteousness
- Freedom from the effects of sins and bad karma
- Mitigation of the harmful effects of Rahu, Ketu, and Shani doshas
- Getting rid of the effects of black magic
- Relief from old troubling problems
- Getting peace, prosperity, wealth and salvation
- Protection from enemies and dangers
- Overcoming diseases and getting good health
- Getting rid of anger, lust, greed, and ego
Kalabhairava Stotram
यं यं यं यक्षरूपं दशदिशिविदितं भूमिकम्पायमानंसं सं संहारमूर्तिं शिरमुकुटजटा शेखरंचन्द्रबिम्बम् ।
दं दं दं दीर्घकायं विक्रितनख मुखं चोर्ध्वरोमं करालंपं पं पं पापनाशं प्रणमत सततं भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥ १॥
रं रं रं रक्तवर्णं, कटिकटिततनुं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्राकरालंघं घं घं घोष घोषं घ घ घ घ घटितं घर्झरं घोरनादम् ।
कं कं कं कालपाशं द्रुक् द्रुक् दृढितं ज्वालितं कामदाहंतं तं तं दिव्यदेहं, प्रणामत सततं, भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥ २॥
लं लं लं लं वदन्तं ल ल ल ल ललितं दीर्घ जिह्वा करालंधूं धूं धूं धूम्रवर्णं स्फुट विकटमुखं भास्करं भीमरूपम् ।
रुं रुं रुं रूण्डमालं, रवितमनियतं ताम्रनेत्रं करालम्नं नं नं नग्नभूषं , प्रणमत सततं, भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥ ३॥
वं वं वायुवेगं नतजनसदयं ब्रह्मसारं परन्तंखं खं खड्गहस्तं त्रिभुवनविलयं भास्करं भीमरूपम् ।
चं चं चलित्वाऽचल चल चलिता चालितं भूमिचक्रंमं मं मायि रूपं प्रणमत सततं भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥ ४॥
शं शं शं शङ्खहस्तं, शशिकरधवलं, मोक्ष सम्पूर्ण तेजंमं मं मं मं महान्तं, कुलमकुलकुलं मन्त्रगुप्तं सुनित्यम् ।
यं यं यं भूतनाथं, किलिकिलिकिलितं बालकेलिप्रदहानंआं आं आं आन्तरिक्षं , प्रणमत सततं, भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥ ५॥
खं खं खं खड्गभेदं, विषममृतमयं कालकालं करालंक्षं क्षं क्षं क्षिप्रवेगं, दहदहदहनं, तप्तसन्दीप्यमानम् ।
हौं हौं हौंकारनादं, प्रकटितगहनं गर्जितैर्भूमिकम्पंबं बं बं बाललीलं, प्रणमत सततं, भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥ ६॥
var वं वं वं वाललीलंसं सं सं सिद्धियोगं, सकलगुणमखं, देवदेवं प्रसन्नंपं पं पं पद्मनाभं, हरिहरमयनं चन्द्रसूर्याग्नि नेत्रम् ।
ऐं ऐं ऐं ऐश्वर्यनाथं, सततभयहरं, पूर्वदेवस्वरूपंरौं रौं रौं रौद्ररूपं, प्रणमत सततं, भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥ ७॥
हं हं हं हंसयानं, हसितकलहकं, मुक्तयोगाट्टहासं, ?धं धं धं नेत्ररूपं, शिरमुकुटजटाबन्ध बन्धाग्रहस्तम् ।
तं तं तंकानादं, त्रिदशलटलटं, कामगर्वापहारं,भ्रुं भ्रुं भ्रुं भूतनाथं, प्रणमत सततं, भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥ ८॥
इति महाकालभैरवाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ।
नमो भूतनाथं नमो प्रेतनाथंनमः कालकालं नमः रुद्रमालम् ।नमः कालिकाप्रेमलोलं करालंनमो भैरवं काशिकाक्षेत्रपालम् ॥
Bhairav Mantra
Here are some other Bhairav Mantras which can be recited to please Kalabhairava.
Gayatri Mantra of Kaal Bhairav:
“Om Kaalakaalaaya Vidhmahey Kaalaatheethaaya dheemahi Thanno Kaala Bhairava Prachodhayaath”
“Swarnat Vijaya Vidmahe Sula Hastaya Dhimahi Tanno Kala Bhairavaya Prachodayat”
Kaal Bhairav Beej Mantra:
“Om aim hraam kleem shri batukbhairavaya”
“Om Hreem Bum Batukaya Apadudharanaya Kuru Kuru Batukaya Hreem Om Namaha Shiyaye”
“Om Hraam Hreem Hroom Hrime Hroum Ksham Kshetrapaalaaya Kaala Bhairavaaya Namaha”
“Om Jlong rahom Krom Uttarnath Bhairavay Swaha”
Kaal Bhairav Shabar Mantra:
“Bhairon Oochike Bhairon Koode Bhairon Shor Machave
Mere Kehna Na Karei To Kalikaa Ka Poot Na Kehve
Shabad Sancha Purho Mantra Eeshwaro Vacha”
How to Chant Bhairav Mantras
The most auspicious time to worship Kala Bhairav is the Rahukal (4.30 to 6 pm) on Sundays. Followers carry sacred items like flowers, coconut, sindoor, black sesame seeds, mustard oil and other material to please the Lord.
A Puja is performed in front of Kaal Bhairav yantra or idol and worshippers offer flowers, prayers, and offerings accompanied by the chanting of Bhairav mantras. It is recommended that the mantra should be recited for 1,25,000 rounds of rosary.
Regular recitation of Kalabhairava Ashtakam and Bhairav Mantras can easily please Kaal Bhairav. This daily practice can bestow infinite blessings on the devotee and Lord Kalabhairav blesses him with prosperity and final liberation at the end. People chant these mantras with great devotion and faith.
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