Bhairava

Bhairava originates from the word bhīru, which means "fearsome". Bhairava means "terribly fearsome form". It is also known as one who destroys fear or one who is beyond fear.Hiltebeitel{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}}

File:Shiva Slaying Andhaka sculpture in Cave 1 of Elephanta Caves.jpg, mid-5th century]]

File:Shivalinga LACMA M.91.10 (6 of 8).jpg, 10th century]]

File:Ancient Indian stone sculpture Indian Museum Kolkata 20.jpg, 12th century]]

The legend of the origin of Bhairava is traced back to a conversation between Brahma and Vishnu described in the Shiva Purana.The Śiva Purana, Śatarudra Samhita, chapter 8, The Śiva Purana, part III (English translation), Motilal banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, reprint edition (2002), pp. 1097–1103.

Shiva manifested as a pillar of light to settle the dispute of superiority between Brahma and Vishnu. Brahma dishonestly proclaimed his victory, stating that he had discovered the higher end of the pillar of light. To punish him for his dishonesty and arrogance, Shiva produced Bhairava from the region between his brows. When Bhairava sought instruction from Shiva, the deity directed him to "worship Brahma with his sharp-pointed quick-moving sword". Bhairava decapitated the fifth head of Brahma for uttering the falsehood. Vishnu interceded on Brahma's behalf and sought mercy, and the two deities then worshipped Shiva.{{Cite book |last=Shastri |first=J. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4kbmDwAAQBAJ&dq=Dear%2C+here+is+Brahm%C4%81%2C+the+first+deity+of+the+universe&pg=PA58 |title=The Siva Purana Part 1: Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Volume 1 |date=2000-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-3868-0 |pages=57–60 |language=en}}

Having committed the sin of brahmahatya (the murder of a Brahmin) by decapitating Brahma, Bhairava was pursued by the terrible female personification of the sin. The skull of Brahma was still attached to his hand. To expiate himself of the sin, Bhairava roamed the three worlds. He visited Vaikuntha, where he was honoured by Vishnu and Lakshmi. When Bhairava visited Kashi, the city of the liberated, Brahmahatya left him, and the skull of Brahma was released from his hand.{{Cite book |last=Shastri |first=J. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bFbsDwAAQBAJ&dq=Under+this+pretext,+I+am+waiting+upon+the+bull-bannered+deity&pg=PA1103 |title=The Siva Purana Part 3: Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Volume 3 |date=2014-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-3870-3 |pages=1103–1109 |language=en}}

In another legend, Brahma is regarded to have stated to Vishnu to worship him as the supreme creator of the universe. Noting that both Shiva and he had five heads, Brahma came to believe that he was identical to Shiva and was equal to his powers. When his arrogance started to affect his role in the universe, Shiva threw a lock of his hair from his head. This assumed the form of Bhairava, who decapitated one of Brahma's heads. When the skull (kapala) of Brahma was held in the hand of Bhairava, the creator deity's ego was destroyed and he became enlightened. In the form of Bhairava, Shiva is said to guard each of the Shakti Pithas (A group of temples dedicated to the goddess Shakti). Each Shakti Pitha is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava, except Kamakhya Temple.{{cite Q|Q55879169|author= Johnson W. J.}}Chalier-Visuvalingam, Elizabeth. "Bhairava's Royal Brahmanicide: The Problem of the Mahābrāhmaṇa", pp. 157–229 in Hiltebeitel

File:Karnataka, periodo hoyasala, bhairava, xii secolo 01.jpg]]

File:KITLV A314 - Tjandi Singasari, KITLV 37877.tiff in East Java, Indonesia]]

In Kashmir Shaivism, Bhairava is the ultimate form of manifestation.

Trika or Kashmiri Shaivism names the Absolute Reality (Para Brahman) as Bhairava. The Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra is a key Tantra text of the Trika System. Cast as a discourse between the god Bhairava and his consort Bhairavi it briefly presents 112 Tantric meditation methods or centering techniques (Dharana). The text is a chapter from the Rudrayamala Tantra, a Bhairava Agama. Bhairavi, the goddess, asks Bhairava to reveal the essence of the way to realization of the highest reality. In his answer Bhairava describes 112 ways to enter into the universal and transcendental state of consciousness. References to it appear throughout the literature of Trika, Kashmir Shaivism, indicating that it was considered to be an important text in the schools of Kashmir Shaiva philosophy and Trika.{{cite book | last=Singh | first=J. | title=Vijnanabhairava, Or Divine Consciousness: A Treasury of 112 Types of Yoga | publisher=Motilal Banarsidass | series=Tantra Series | year=2002 | isbn=978-81-208-0820-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2R2iSiMbuVwC&pg=PA1 | page=1}}

File:Trikala Bhairava from Odisha, Eastern Ganga Dynasty, Clevelandart 1958.208.jpg

The list of manifestations of Shiva:{{cite web |title=Shaktipeeth Bhairava |url=http://zeenews.india.com/navratra2012/Shaktipeeth.html |access-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210250/http://zeenews.india.com/navratra2012/Shaktipeeth.html |archive-date=2016-03-03}}{{Unreliable source?|date=December 2022}}

{{Incomplete list|date=March 2020}}

{{Cleanup section|reason=The names of these manifestations are rendered in regional languages rather than the standard Sanskrit.|date=December 2022}}

{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Batuk Bhairava
• Abhiru
• Akshobhya Bhairava
• Amar
• Ambar
• Amritaksha
• Asitanga Bhairava
• Bagh Bhairava
• Baidyanath
• Bhadrasen
• Bhava
• Bhiruk
• Bhishan
• Bhoothnath Vetal / Betal Bhairava
• Chakrapani
• Chanda
• Chandrashekhar
• Ghanteshwar
• Jogesh
• Kala Bhairava
• Kapalbhairav
• Kapali
• Kapilambar
• Kramadishwar
• Krodhish
• Ksheer Kantak
• Kshetrapaala Bhairava
• Lambkarna
• Maharudra
• Mahodar
• Marthanda
• Matang Bhairava
• Nakuleshwar
• Nandikeshwar
• Nimish
• Pachali Bhairava
• Patal Bhairava
• Rakshaseshwar (Nayanair)
• Rudra Mahadev
• Ruru
• Sambaranand
• Samhaar Bhairava
• Sanhar
• Sanwart
• Sarvanand
• Sarvanand
• Shai Bhairava
• Shri Khutkuni Bhairava
• Sthanu
• Shwet Bhairava
• Swarnakarshan Bhairava
• Trayambak
• Tripuresh
• Trisandhyeshvara
• Tumbeswar
• Umananda or Bhayaanand
• Unmatta Bhairava
• Vakranath
• Vakratund
• Vamana
• Varaha (Baraha)
• Vatsnabh or Dandpani
• Vikrant Bhairava
• Vikritaksh
• Vimocanā
• Viśveśvara

{{Div col end}}

File:Thangka Depicting Vajrabhairava, ca. 1740, Sotheby's.jpg

Buddhism also adopted Bhairava (Tibetan: 'Jigs byed; Chinese: Buwei) as a deity and a dharmapala or dharma protector.{{cite book | last1=Buswell | first1=Robert E. Jr. | last2=Lopez | first2=Donald S. Jr. | title=The Princeton dictionary of Buddhism | publication-place=Princeton, NJ | date=2013 | isbn=978-1-4008-4805-8 | oclc=859536678 | chapter = Bhairava}} The various buddhist forms of Bhairava (variously called Herukas, Vajrabhairava, Mahākāla and Yamantaka) are considered fierce deities and yidams (tantric meditational deity) in Tibetan Buddhism. They also have their own set of Buddhist tantras, the Vajrabhairava tantras.Siklós, Bulcsu (1996) The Vajrabhairava tantras: Tibetan and Mongolian versions, English translation and annotations, Institute of Buddhist Studies. According to Tibetan tradition, these tantras were revealed to Lalitavajra in Oddiyana in the tenth century.Kapstein, Matthew (2009) Buddhism Between Tibet and China. Wisdom Publicationsv. p. 307. {{ISBN|0861715810}}

These texts play a particularly important role in the Sarma (new translation) traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, especially among the Gelug school where Vajrabhairava is one of the three central highest yoga tantra practices of the lineage.{{cite book|author=Skorupski, Tadeusz|url=https://www.academia.edu/15726724 |title=The Buddhist Forum|volume =4|pages=186–187}}

Bhairava - Mahakala is also popular in Mongolia as a protector deity and was also popular among the Manchus.

The deity is also central to Newar Buddhism. The tantric practices associated with Bhairava focus on the transformation of anger and hatred into understanding.Huntington, John C. and Bangdel, Dina (2003) The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art. Serindia Pubns. p. 468. {{ISBN|1932476016}}

{{See also|Bhairava Ashtami}}

File:Kala Bhairava in the night.JPG attended by devotees in Durbar Square, Kathmandu]]

Temples or shrines to Bhairava are present within or near most Jyotirlinga temples. There are also the sacred twelve shrines dedicated to Shiva which can be found all across India including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi and the Kal Bhairava temple, Ujjain. The Patal Bhairava and Vikrant Bhairava shrines are located in Ujjain as well.{{cite book |title=Hindu Pilgrimage: A Journey Through the Holy Places of Hindus All Over India|author= Bansal, Sunita Pant |publisher=Pustak Mahal|year= 2008|isbn=978-81-223-0997-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lzPCOVQGP3wC&pg=PT94 }}{{cite book |title=Banaras: City of Light|author=Diana L. Eck |author-link=Diana L. Eck|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1982|isbn=0-7102-0236-9 |pages=192–3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cM09AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA193 }}

Gorat Kashmiris are known to worship Bhairava during Shivratri.{{cite book |title=The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions, Vol. 1|author=Ul Hassan, Syed Siraj |publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=1920|isbn=81-206-0488-1 |page=482 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lYSd-3yL9h0C&pg=PA482 }} The renowned Hindu reformer, Adi Sankara composed a hymn on Kala Bhairava called "Sri Kalabhairava Ashtakam" in the city of Kashi.{{cite web|url=http://hindubhakti.blogspot.com/2011/08/kala-bhairava-ashtakam.html|title=Hindu Bhakti|work=hindubhakti.blogspot.com|date=27 August 2011|access-date=14 April 2015}}

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Bhairava Ashtami, commemorating the day Kala Bhairava appeared on earth, is celebrated on Krishna paksha Ashtami of the Margashirsha month of the Hindu calendar. It is a day filled with special prayers and rituals.{{cite book |title=Religious Basis Of Hindu Beliefs|author =Dwivedi, Bhojraj |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books |year= 2006|isbn=81-288-1239-4 |page=172 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7wmqKuHFWWgC&q=Kal+Bhairav&pg=PA172}}

Kalashtami, also known as Kaal Ashtami, is a significant Hindu observance dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav one of the forms of bhairava. This festival is celebrated every month on the Ashtami Tithi (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the moon. The day is marked by fasting, special prayers, and rituals aimed at seeking blessings from Lord Bhairav for protection and spiritual growth.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

• Devotion to Lord Kaal Bhairav: Kalashtami is primarily focused on worshipping Lord Kaal Bhairav, who is revered for his role as a protector against negativity and evil forces. Devotees believe that his blessings can help alleviate the effects of black magic and other malevolent influences.{{Cite web |title=Kalashtami 2025: Masik Kalashtami dates, timings, and rituals guide |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/religion/kalashtami-2025-masik-kalashtami-dates-timings-and-rituals-guide-article-12895350.html |url-status=live}}
• Spiritual Growth: Observing this day is thought to foster spiritual development, enabling devotees to connect more deeply with their spiritual selves and overcome fears related to death. It is also believed that worshipping Kaal Bhairav can lead to material and spiritual prosperity.{{Cite web |title=Kalashtami 2024: Date, time, rituals, significance and benefits of observing this fast in September |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/kalashtami-2024-date-time-rituals-significance-and-benefits-of-observing-this-fast-in-september-101727087545838.html |url-status=live}}
• Kaal Bhairav Jayanti: Among the various Kalashtami observances, the most significant is Kaal Bhairav Jayanti (or Bhairava Ashtami), celebrated in North India during the month of Margashirsha (December-January) and in South India during Kartik. This day commemorates the manifestation of Lord Shiva as Kaal Bhairav.{{Cite web |title=Kaal Bhairav Jayanti {{!}} Kalashtami Festival Celebration in 2025 |url=https://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/articles/kalashtami |url-status=live}}

{{More citations needed section|date=April 2025}}

The rituals for Kalashtami typically include:

1. Early Morning Rituals: Devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and clean their homes and puja areas.
2. Lighting a Diya: A diya (lamp) made with mustard oil is lit in front of Lord Kaal Bhairav's idol or picture, symbolizing the connection with divine energy.
3. Offering Prasad: Special offerings, including Meetha Rott (sweet bread), halwa, milk, and sometimes liquor, are made to Lord Bhairav during the puja.
4. Recitation of Mantras: Chanting specific mantras like the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam is recommended to invoke blessings and remove obstacles from life.
5. Visiting Temples: Many devotees visit temples dedicated to Kaal Bhairav to perform rituals and offer prayers collectively46.{{Cite web |title=Kalashtami February 2025: Date, Timings, Rituals and Significance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/rituals-puja/kalashtami-february-2025-date-time-puja-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/118355530.cms |url-status=live}}

Kalashtami serves as a vital occasion for devotees to reaffirm their faith in Lord Kaal Bhairav while engaging in practices that promote spiritual well-being and protection against negative energies.

File:Rakta Bhairava.jpg

Bhairava is depicted as being ornamented with a range of twisted serpents, which serve as earrings, bracelets, anklets, and sacred thread (yajnopavita). He wears a tiger skin and a ritual apron composed of human bones.[http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/singleObject.cfm?ObjectId=27267 Bhairava statuette] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130031628/http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/singleObject.cfm?ObjectId=27267 |date=30 January 2011 }} in copper from 15th–16th century Nepal, in collection of Smithsonian Institution. Accessed August 11, 2007. Bhairava has a dog (shvana) as his divine vahana (vehicle). Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Devi who is virtually indistinguishable from Kali, with the exception of her particular identification as the consort of Bhairava.Christ, Carol P. (1989). "Symbols of Goddess and God in Feminist Theology", in Carl Olson (Ed.) The Book of the Goddess: Past and Present. New York: Crossroads. {{ISBN|1577662733}}{{cite journal | last=Dalmiya | first=Vrinda | title=Loving Paradoxes: A Feminist Reclamation of the Goddess Kali | journal=Hypatia |jstor=3810514 | volume=15 | issue=1 | year=2000 | doi=10.1111/j.1527-2001.2000.tb01082.x | pages=125–150| s2cid=143596725 }}

Bhairava himself has eight manifestations called the Ashta Bhairava:{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/vdocuments.mx_the-kubjika-upanishad-egbert-forsten-56885839dd6b9 |title=vdocuments.mx_the-kubjika-upanishad-egbert-forsten-56885839dd6b9 |pages=7}}

• Asitāṅga Bhairava
• Ruru Bhairava
• Chaṇḍa Bhairava
• Krodha Bhairava
• Unmatta Bhairava
• Kapala Bhairava
• Bhīṣaṇa Bhairava
• Saṃhāra Bhairava

Kala Bhairava is conceptualized as the guru-natha (teacher and lord) of the planetary deity Shani (Saturn).[https://web.archive.org/web/20170907165306/http://m.dinamalar.com/temple_detail.php?id=2699 பைரவரைப் போற்றும் தேவாரப் பதிகம்][https://temple.dinamalar.com/Slogandetails.php?id=2062 பைரவர்]

Bhairava is known as Bhairavar or Vairavar in Tamil, where he is often presented as a grama devata or village guardian who safeguards the devotee in eight directions (ettu tikku). Known in Sinhalese as Bahirawa, he is said to protect treasures. He is the main deity worshipped by the Aghora sect.Harper, Katherine Anne, and Brown, Robert L. (Eds) (2002). The Roots of Tantra. Albany: State University of New York Press.

File:Swetabhairabadhkl.jpg|Dancer dressed as Shveta Bhairava from Bhaktapur, Nepal.

{{main|List of Bhairava temples}}

File:SwetaBhairav-Sfxr.jpg

Thennaga Kasi Bairavar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Bairavar, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. It is located in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is renowned for its unique architectural style and spiritual significance.

Bhairava is an important deity of the Newars of Nepal. All the traditional settlements of Newars have at least one temple of Bhairava. Most of the temples of Bhairava in Nepal are maintained by Tantric Newar priests. There are several Bhairava temples in the Kathmandu valley and other old newar settlements out of valley like Panauti,Banepa, Dhulikhel,Palpa and Pokhara.There are Different Jatras and chariot processions held each year in different newar towns and cities Dedicated to lord Bhairava and these Bhairava jatras are celebrated and continued from several hundreds of years in Nepal.Kalbhairava,Aakash bhairava, Shwet bhairava, Batuk bhairava, Pachali bhairava, aananda bhairava,Unmatta bhairava,mashaan bhairava,Baag bhairava, haygribha bhairava and Kritimukha Bhairava are Bhairavas widely worshipped and believed as the guardians of the Newar settlements.{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|chapter=Hindus in Nepal|page= 554|editor1=Cush, Denise |editor2=Robinson, Catherine |editor3=York, Michael |year=2012|publisher= Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-18979-2}}

In south Karnataka, Lord Sri Kalabhairaveshwara is present as Kshetra Palaka in Sri Adichunchanagiri Hills.{{cite web|url=http://shaligramrudraksha.com/?page_id=2024|title=Bhairav Temple – Lord Bhairo Baba|work=shaligramrudraksha.com|access-date=14 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315002356/http://shaligramrudraksha.com/?page_id=2024|archive-date=15 March 2015}}

Kala Bhairava temples can also be found around Shaktipeeths. It is said that Shiva allocated the job of guarding each of the 52 Shaktipeeths to one Bhairava. There are said to be 52 forms of Bhairava, which are considered a manifestation of Shiva himself. Traditionally, Kala Bhairava is the Grama devata in the rural villages of Maharashtra, where he is referred to as "Bhairava/Bhairavnath" and "Bairavar". In Karnataka, Lord Bhairava is the supreme God for the Hindu community commonly referred to as Vokkaligas (Gowdas). Especially in the Jogi Vokkaliga, he is considered the caretaker and punisher.{{cite book | title=Bhairava in Banaras: Negotiating Sacred Space and Religious Identity |author1=Chalier-Visuvalingam, Elizabeth |author2=Sunthar Visuvalingam |name-list-style=amp | year=2006 | place=Wiesbaden, Germany|publisher= Harrassowitz}} Shri Kala Bhairava Nath Swami Temple of Madhya Pradesh is also popular.

• Adichunchanagiri Hills
• Akash Bhairava
• Bhairab Naach
• Kshetrapala
• Muthappan
• Sirkazhi

{{cite book |last=Parry |first=Jonathan |title=Death and the Regeneration of Life |date=1982 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-24875-4 |pages=74–110 |chapter=Sacrificial death and the necrophagous ascetic |doi=10.1017/cbo9780511607646.004}}{{cite journal |last=Parry |first=J.P. |year=1981 |title=Death and cosmogony in Kashi |journal=Contributions to Indian Sociology |volume=15 |issue=1–2 |pages=337–365 |doi=10.1177/006996678101500118 |s2cid=143517233}}Erndl, Kathleen M. "Rapist or Bodyguard, Demon or Devotee: Images of Bhairo in the Mythology and Cult of Vaiṣṇo Devī", pp. 239–25 in HiltebeitelSukul, Kubernath (1977). Vārānasī Vaibhava. Patna, India: Bihar Rastrabhasa ParisadLorenzen, David (1972). The Kāpālikas and Kālāmukhas: Two Lost Śaiva Sects. Delhi: ThomsonEck, Diana L. (1983) Banaras: City of Light. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|ref=Hiltebeitel|editor=Hiltebeitel, Alf|year=1989|title=Criminal Gods and Demon Devotees: Essays on the Guardians of Popular Hinduism|place=Albany|publisher=State University of New York Press|isbn=0-88706-982-7}}

{{Commons category|Bhairava}}

• [http://www.npsin.in/mandir/Prachin-Kaal-Bhairav-Mandir Shri Kala Bhairava Mandir, New Delhi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129000042/http://www.npsin.in/mandir/prachin-kaal-bhairav-mandir |date=29 January 2017 }}

{{Shaivism}}

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