Kalabhairava Ashtakam with Meaning
Kala Bhairava
Kala Bhairava is a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. 'Kala' is 'time' and 'Kala Bhairava,' the 'Lord of Time.' Also, the term 'Bhairava' means the 'terrifying one.' Bhairava, the deity, is revered as the one who destroys fears and negative emotions like ego and anger. He is also hailed as the 'Lord of the Five Elements of Nature,' who dispels adversities, poverty, and misfortune.
Kala Bhairava Legend
Shiva Mahapurana speaks about the origin of Kala Bhairava, which is perhaps the most popular legend about him. Once, Brahma, the Creator, became arrogant and wanted everyone to worship him. So, in order to instill good sense in him, Shiva manifested as the fearful Kala Bhairava and chopped off one of Brahma's 5 heads, deflating his pride.
However, Kala Bhairava incurred a sin in the process and had to roam around with Brahma's severed head or skull stuck firmly to his hand, until he was expiated of the sin and freed of the burden.
Kala Bhairava Depiction
Kala Bhairava is usually portrayed as dark blue in color, with 3 eyes emitting anger, blazing hair, wearing a snake around his neck, and a garland of human skulls. He holds a trident, a small drum, and Brahma's severed head in his hands and is accompanied by his vehicle, the dog.
Kala Bhairava is believed to have appeared on Krishna Paksha Ashtami, the 8th Waning Moon, during the Margashirsha month (November-December). While devotees celebrate this day as Kala Bhairava Jayanthi and offer worship to Kala Bhairava, they observe the Waning 8th Moon as Kala Ashtami or Kalashtami, dedicated to his worship.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam
Kala Bhairava Ashtakam is a devotional poem or hymn composed by the great saint philosopher Adi Shankara in praise of Kala Bhairava. An 'Ashtakam,' that is, an octet consisting of 8 verses, it is considered a powerful prayer. Chanting the Kala Bhairava Ashtakam with devotion and faith, especially on Kalashtami and Kala Bhairava Jayanthi, can be highly efficacious in seeking the comprehensive protection and the beneficial blessings of the Mighty God.
Kala Bhairava Ashtakam in English with Meaning
Deva-Raaja-Sevyamaana-Paavana-Angghri-Pangkajam
Vyaala-Yajnya-Suutram-Indu-Shekharam Krpaakaram |
Naarada-[A]adi-Yogi-Vrnda-Vanditam Digambaram
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||1||
I pay obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava, whose lotus-feet is Served by Indra, the King of the Devas.
Who has a Snake as His Sacrificial Thread, Moon on His Head and who is extremely compassionate.
Who is Praised by sage Narada and other Yogis, and who is Digambara (clothed by the sky, signifying that he is ever-free).
Obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.
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||
I pay obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava, who has the brilliance of a million Suns, who rescues us from the ocean of worldly existence and who is supreme.
Who has a blue throat, who bestows us with worldly prosperity which we wish for and who has three eyes.
Who is the death of the death [that is, beyond death], who is lotus-eyed, whose trident supports the three worlds and who is imperishable.
Obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.
Shuula-Ttangka-Paasha-Danndda-Paannim-Aadi-Kaarannam
Shyaama-Kaayam-Aadi-Devam-Akssaram Nir-Aamayam |
Bhiimavikramam Prabhum Vicitra-Taannddava-Priyam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||3||
I pay obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava, who has trident, hatchet, noose and club in his hands and who is the primordial cause of the universe.
Whose body is dark, who is the primordial Lord, who is imperishable and who is beyond diseases [of the World],
Who is the Lord with terrific prowess and who loves the strange and vigorous Tandava Dance.
Obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.
Bhukti-Mukti-Daayakam Prashasta-Caaru-Vigraham
Bhakta-Vatsalam Sthitam Samasta-Loka-Vigraham |
Vi-Nikvannan-Manojnya-Hema-Kingkinnii-Lasat-Kattim
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||4||
I pay obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava, who is the giver of worldly prosperity and liberation and who has an auspicious pleasing form.
Who is kind and loving to his devotees and who stands firm as the deity of all the Lokas.
Who has shining golden bells around his waist which jingles creating a variety of pleasing sounds.
Obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.
Dharma-Setu-Paalakam Tu-Adharma-Maarga-Naashakam
Karma-Paasha-Mocakam Su-Sharma-Daayakam Vibhum |
Svarnna-Varnna-Shessa-Paasha-Shobhitaangga-Mannddalam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||5||
I pay obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava, who guards the established institution of the eternal Dharma and destroys the path of Adharma, which are averse to the eternal Dharma (by leading the devotee towards the Eternal Dharma).
Who is the Lord who frees us from the fetters of Karma (binding impressions of work on our minds accumulated during several births) thereby giving us [by revealing] the great joy [of the Soul].
Who is adorned with golden-colored serpents encircling his body.
Obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.
Ratna-Paadukaa-Prabhaabhi-Raama-Paada-Yugmakam
Nityam-Advitiiyam-Isstta-Daivatam Niramjanam |
Mrtyu-Darpa-Naashanam Karaala-Damssttra-Mokssannam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||6||
I pay obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava, whose charming beautiful pair of feet shine with sandals studded with gems.
Who is the eternal, non-dual, Ishtha Devata and who is stainless and pure.
Who destroys the pride of death (manifested as fear within us) and whose large terrible fangs liberate us (from the fear of death).
Obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.
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||
I pay obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava, whose loud terrific laughter shatters the continuity of the sheath of creation (delusion of our mind) of the lotus-born Brahma from the primeval egg.
Whose terrific glance destroys the net of the powerful and mighty rule of sins (in our mind).
Who bestows the eight Siddhis and who wear a garland of skulls.
Obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.
Bhuuta-Samgha-Naayakam Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayakam
Kaashi-Vaasa-Loka-Punnya-Paapa-Shodhakam Vibhum |
Niiti-Maarga-Kovidam Puraatanam Jagatpatim
Kaashikaapuraadhinaathakaalabhairavam Bhaje ||8||
I pay obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava, who is the ruler of ghosts and goblins and who bestows great glory to us (by revealing the glory of the self).
Who is the Lord who purges both the merits and the sins of the persons dwelling in Kashi (thus revealing the self in its pristine beauty).
Who is skilled in guiding us in the path of righteousness and who is the most ancient (i.e. eternal) Lord of the Universe.
Obeisance to Sri Kalabhairava who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.
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