Kalabhairava Ashtakam

- composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya

कालभै र वाष् टकम ्

Kalabhairava Ashtakam

Sri Kalabhairava

Sri Kalabhairava

Sri Kalabhairava

दे वराजसे व् यमानपावनां घ्रि पङ् कजं

व् यालयज्ञ स ू त्र मि न् द ु श े ख रं कृ पाकरम ् ।

नारदादि योगि व ृ न् दवन्दि तं दि गं ब रं

काशि काप ु र ाधि नाथकालभै र वं भजे ॥१॥

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||

Meaning:

1.1: (Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava) Whose Lotus-Feet is Served

by Indra, the King of the Devas.

1.2: Who has a Snake as His Sacrificial Thread, Moon on His Head
and Who is Extremely Compassionate.

1.3: Who is Praised by sage Narada and other Yogis, and Who is
Digambara (Clothed by Sky, signifying that He is Ever-Free).

1.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of

the City of Kashi.

flowers
Sri Kalabhairava

भान ु क ोटि भास् वरं भवाब्धि तारकं परं

नीलकण् ठमीप्सि तार्थ दायकं त्रि लोचनम ् ।

कालकालमं ब ु ज ाक्ष मक्ष श ू ल मक्ष रं

काशि काप ु र ाधि नाथकालभै र वं भजे ॥२॥

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||

Meaning:

2.1: (Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava) Who has the Brilliance of a

Million Suns, Who Rescues us from the Ocean of Worldly
Existence and Who is Supreme.

2.2: Who has a Blue Throat, Who Bestows us with Worldly

Prosperity which we Wish for and Who has Three Eyes.

2.3: Who is the Death of the Death [i.e. beyond death], Who is
Lotus-Eyed, Whose Trident Supports the Three Worlds and Who is
Imperishable.

2.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of

the City of Kashi.

flowers
Sri Kalabhairava

श ू ल टङ् कपाशदण् डपाणि मादि कारणं

श् यामकायमादि दे वमक्ष रं नि रामयम ् ।

भीमवि क्र मं प्र भ ु ं वि चि त्र ताण् डवप्रि यं

काशि काप ु र ाधि नाथकालभै र वं भजे ॥३॥

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||

Meaning:

3.1: (Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava) Who has Trident, Hatchet,

Noose and Club in His Hands and Who is the Primordial Cause of
the Universe.

3.2: Whose Body is Dark, Who is the Primordial Lord, Who is

Imperishable and Who is beyond Diseases [of the World],

3.3: Who is the Lord with Terrific Prowess and Who Loves the
Strange, Vigorous Tandava Dance.

3.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of

the City of Kashi.
flowers

Sri Kalabhairava

भ ु क्ति म ु क्ति दायकं प्र शस् तचारु वि ग्र हं

भक् तवत् सलं स्थि तं समस् तलोकवि ग्र हम ् ।

वि नि क् वणन् मनोज्ञ हे मकि ङ् कि णीलसत् कटि ं

काशि काप ु र ाधि नाथकालभै र वं भजे ॥४॥

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||

Meaning:

4.1: (Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava) Who is the Giver of Worldly

Prosperity and Liberation and Who has an Auspicious Pleasing
Form.

4.2: Who is Kind and Loving to His Devotees and Who Stands Firm
as the Deity of All the Lokas.

4.3: Who has Shining Golden Bells around His Waist which Jingles
Creating a Variety of Pleasing Sounds.
4.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of
the City of Kashi.

flowers

Sri Kalabhairava

धर्म से त ु प ालकं त् वधर्म मार्ग नाशकं

कर्म पाशमोचकं स ु श र्म दायकं वि भ ु म ् ।

स् वर्ण वर्ण शे ष पाशशोभि ताङ् गमण् डलं

काशि काप ु र ाधि नाथकालभै र वं भजे ॥५॥

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||

Meaning:

5.1: (Salutations 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).
5.2: 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].

5.3: Who is Adorned with Golden-Coloured Serpents encircling His

Body.

5.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of

the City of Kashi.

flowers

Sri Kalabhairava

रत् नपाद ु क ाप्र भाभि रामपादय ु ग् मकं

नि त् यमद् वि तीयमि ष् टदै वतं नि रं जनम ् ।

म ृ त् य ु द र्प नाशनं करालदं ष् ट्र मोक्ष णं

काशि काप ु र ाधि नाथकालभै र वं भजे ॥६॥

Ratna-Paadukaa-Prabhaabhi-Raama-Paada-Yugmakam

Nityam-Advitiiyam-Isstta-Daivatam Niramjanam |

Mrtyu-Darpa-Naashanam Karaala-Damssttra-Mokssannam

Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||6||

Meaning:

6.1: (Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava) Whose Charming Beautiful

Pair of Feet Shine with Sandals Studded with Gems.

6.2: Who is the Eternal, Non-Dual, Ishtha Devata and Who is

Stainless and Pure.

6.3: Who Destroys the Pride of Death (manifested as Fear within

us) and Whose Large Terrible Fangs Liberate us (from the Fear of
Death).

6.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of

the City of Kashi.

flowers

Sri Kalabhairava

अट्ट हासभि न् नपद्म जाण् डकोशसं त ति ं

दृ ष्टि पातनष् टपापजालम ु ग्र शासनम ् ।

अष् टसि द्धि दायकं कपालमालि काधरं

काशि काप ु र ाधि नाथकालभै र वं भजे ॥७॥

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||

Meaning:

7.1: (Salutations 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.

7.2: Whose Terrific Glance Destroys the Net of the Powerful and
Mighty Rule of Sins (in our mind).

7.3: Who Bestows the Eight Siddhis and Who Wear a Garland of
Skulls.

7.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of

the City of Kashi.

flowers

Sri Kalabhairava

भ ू त सं घ नायकं वि शालकीर्ति दायकं

काशि वासलोकप ु ण् यपापशोधकं वि भ ु म ् ।

नीति मार्ग कोवि दं प ु र ातनं जगत् पति ं

काशि काप ु र ाधि नाथकालभै र वं भजे ॥८॥

Bhuuta-Samgha-Naayakam Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayakam

Kaashi-Vaasa-Loka-Punnya-Paapa-Shodhakam Vibhum |

Niiti-Maarga-Kovidam Puraatanam Jagatpatim

Kaashikaapuraadhinaathakaalabhairavam Bhaje ||8||

Meaning:

8.1: (Salutations 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).

8.2: 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).

8.3: Who is Skilled in Guiding us in the Path of Righteousness and

Who is the most Ancient (i.e. Eternal) Lord of the Universe.

8.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of

the City of Kashi.

flowers

Sri Kalabhairava

कालभै र वाष् टकं पठं ति ये मनोहरं

ज्ञ ानम ु क्ति साधनं वि चि त्र प ु ण् यवर्ध नम ् ।

शोकमोहदै न् यलोभकोपतापनाशनं

प्र यान्ति कालभै र वां घ्रि सन्नि धि ं नरा ध्र ु व म ् ॥९॥

Kaalabhairavaassttakam Patthamti Ye Manoharam

Jnyaana-Mukti-Saadhanam Vicitra-Punnya-Vardhanam |

Shoka-Moha-Dainya-Lobha-Kopa-Taapa-Naashanam

Prayaanti Kaalabhairava-Amghri-Sannidhim Naraa Dhruvam ||9||

Meaning:

9.1: (Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava) Those who Read the Eight

Verses on Sri Kalabhairava with Devotion which is Heart-Stealing
and Charming,

9.2: Will be Lead straight to the Goal of Knowledge and Liberation

and Will result in the Rise of Various Auspicious Qualities.

9.3: And Which Destroys (mental) Sorrows and Afflictions,

Delusions and Infatuations, Wretchedness and Depressions,
Passions and Anger and (mental) Heat and Burns.

9.4: And after Death the Devotee will Surely Attain the Feet of Sri
Kalabhairava.

flowers

Note: Click over each Sanskrit word to get the meaning.

Click here to open the meanings in a new window.

Bhairav Mantras & Yantra

1. Vatuk Bhairav Mantra

Om Hreem Aapaduddharanaay Kuru Kuru Swaha

2. Swarnakarshan Bhairav Mantra

Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Om Namo Bhagavate Swarnaakarshan

Bhairavaay Hiranyam Daapay Daapay Shreem Hreem Kleem

Swaha

3. Mahabhairav Mantra

Om Bram Bhairavaay Namah

4. Pratyaksh Siddhi Vatuk Bhairav Mantra

Om Hreem Vatukaay Aapaduddharanaay Kuru Kuru Vatukaay

5. Bhairav Mantra for Protection

Om Hreem Bhairav Bhayankar Har Maam Raksh Raksh Hum

Phat Swaha

6. Bhairav Mantra for Vashikaran

Om Namo Vatuk Bhairavaay Kaamdevaay Yasya YasyaDrushyo

Bhavaami Yashcha Yashcha Mam Sukham Tam Tam

Mohayatu Swaha

7. Bhairav Mantra for Happy Life

Om Hraum Hreem Hroom Hleem Hum Om

8. Bhairav Mantra for removal of all problems

Om Kleem Veem Room Dhrum Ghneem Hreem Vatuk Bhairavaay

Namah Swaha

9. Dakshinonmukhi Bhairav Mantra

Om Bhram Bhram Bhram Bhairavaay Namah:

10. Bhairav Mantra used by Karna

Om Bhram Bhram Bhram Kreem Bhram Bhram Bhram Phat

11. Krodh Bhairav Mantra

Om Hum Hraum Ram Jwaal Karaalyei Krodhashcha Kaal

Bhairavaay Namah
Lord Kalabairava is the form of Shiva and he is made responsible
for control of time i.e, the growth and management of time. (Kala
means time). Lord Shiva has manifested Himself as Adi Moola
Kaala Bhairava with many Bhairava avatars. From Adi Moola
Kaala Bhairava Ashta (eight) Bairavas manifested and they are:

1. Kala Bhairava,

2. Asitanga Bhairava,

3. Samhara Bhairava,

4. Ruru Bhairava,

5. Krodha Bhairava,

6. Kapala Bhairava,

7. Rudra Bhirava and

8. Unmatta Bhairava.
The Lord Kalabairava wears the tiger skin and human bones and
also wears the twisted serpents as his ornaments i.e, earrings,
bracelets, anklets, and sacred thread. The celestial vehicle of Lord
Bairava is the dog. The number 13 is auspicious for the Lord. The
Ashtami (eighth lunar day) thithi of each paksham (moon / lunar
phase fortnight), particularly in the waning phase (that is, Krishna
Paksha Ashtami), is important for Kalabairava worship. Kala
Bhairava Ashtami, which occurs in December/January is an
important day for worshipping the Lord. The Siddha secret that the
Kuligai time of each day is ideal for worshipping Kala Bhairava.

In Saivite legends and puranas Lord Kalabairava is considered as

the Kshetrapalaka or guardian of temples of Lord Shiva. . In honor
of this, all Shiva temple management will ceremonially submit the
temple keys to Lord Bairava after locking the temple complex at
temple closing time and are received from him at opening time.
The Lord safeguards the entire temple complex.

The worship of Kala Bhairava is very important for those living in

foreign countries. There's nothing more precious than time. Those
who are desirous to spend, manage or ration their time in a proper
manner should pray the Lord Kalabairava.

Lord Kalabairava is often presented as a folk deity or Grama

Devata who safeguards the devotee on all eight directions (ettu
tikku) and hi is also considered as the guardian of travelers. Those
who venture travel especially during night time should pray for the
blessings of the Lord and seek his protection during travel. The
Tamil Siddhas used to instruct the travelers to offer the garland of
cashew nuts and light ghee lamp before commencing the travel.
Lord Bhairava is also known as Vairavar in Tamil.

Kaala Bhairava Gayatri Mantra

Om Kaalakaalaaya vidhmahey

Kaalaatheethaaya dheemahi

Thanno Kaala Bhairava Prachodhayaath.

Chant this Gayatri mantra 108 times at sunrise and request Lord
Kala Bhairava to help you use your time effectively throughout the
day.

Kalabhairavashtakam with Meaning in English

Kalabhairavaashtakam = Kala + Bhairava + Ashtakam = 8 verses

on Kala Bhairava. Kalabhairavashtakam is compiled by Sri Adi
Sankara Bhagawath Pada.

Deva raja sevya mana pavangri pankajam,

Vyala yagna suthra mindu shekaram krupakaram,

Naradadhi yogi vrundha vandhitham digambaram,

Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. (1)

I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kasi,

Whose lotus like feet is being served by Devendra,

Who is merciful and wears the moon on his forehead,

Who wears a snake as his sacred thread,

Who wears the different directions as his cloth,

And who is worshipped by sages like Narada.

Bhanu koti bhaswaram, bhavabdhi tharakam param,

Neelakanda meepsidartha dayakam trilochanam,

Kalakala mambujaksha maksha soola maksharam,

Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. (2)

I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kasi,

Who shines like billions of suns,

Who helps us cross this miserable ocean of life,

Who is supreme and has a blue neck,

Who has three eyes and grants us our desires,

Who is the death to the God of death*,

Who has lotus flower like eyes,

Who has the undefeatable trident,

And who does not have decay.

Soola tanga pasa danda pani madhi karanam,

Syama kaya madhi devamaksharam niramayam,

Bheema vikramam prabhum vichithra thandava priyam,

Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. (3)

I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kasi,

Who has a spear, a chord and a stick as weapons,

Who is black in colour and the primeval cause,

Who is deathless and the first God,

Who is free from decay and ill health,

Who is the Lord who is a great hero,

And who likes the special vigorous thandava*

Bhukthi mukthi dayakam prasashtha charu vigraham,

Bhaktha vatsalam shivam* , samastha loka vigraham,

Vinikwanan manogna hema kinkini lasath kateem,

Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. (4)

I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kasi,

Who fulfills desires and also grants salvation,

Who is well known for his pretty mien,

Who is a form of Shiva, who loves his devotees,

Who is the God of the entire world,

Who assumes various forms,

And who has a golden waist thread,

On which jingling bells are tied.

Dharma sethu palakam, thwa dharma marga nasakam,

Karma pasa mochakam , susharma dayakam vibhum,

Swarna varna sesha pasa shobithanga mandalam,

Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. (5)

I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kasi,

Who maintains the bridge of dharma in life,

Who destroys paths which are not right,

Who saves us from the ties of Karma,

Who is the lord who makes us ashamed,

When trying to do wrong things,

Who has a shining body because of golden rope,

With bells tied in various places.

Rathna padukha prabhabhirama padayugmakam,

Nithyamadwidheeyamishta daivatham niranjanam,

Mrutyu darpa nasanam karaladamshtra mokshanam,

Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. (6)

I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kasi,

Who has feet adorned by the shine of gem studded sandals,

Who is eternal and does not have any one second to him,

Who is our favorite God who bestows everything,

Who takes away the fear of death from humans,

And who grants them salvation by his terrible teeth.

Attahasa binna padma janda kosa santhatheem,

Drushti pada nashta papa jala mugra sasanam,

Ashtasidhi dayakam kapala malikadaram,

Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. (7)

I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kasi,

Whose loud roar is enough to destroy all those created by Brahma,

Whose sight is sufficient to destroy all sins,

Who is crafty and strict ruler,

Who can grant the eight occult powers,

And who wears the garland of skulls.

Bhootha sanga nayakam, vishala keerthi dayakam,

Kasi vasa loka punya papa shodhakam vibum,

Neethi marga kovidham purathanam jagatpathim,

Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. (8)

I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kasi,

Who is the chief of the society of Bhoothas,

Who grants broad based fame,

Who is the lord who judges good and bad deeds,

Of those who live in Varanasi,

Who is an expert in the way of righteousness,

And who is eternally old and lord of the universe.

Kalabhairavashtakam patanthi yea manoharam,

Jnana mukthi sadhanam , vichithra punya vardhanam,

Soka moha dainya lopa kopa thapa nasanam,

Thea prayanthi Kalabhairavangri saniidhim druvam. (9)

Those who read this enticing octet on Kalabhairava,

Which is the source of eternal knowledge,

Which increases the effect of righteous deeds,

And which destroys grief, passion, poverty, want and anger,

Would surely reach the holy presence of Kalabhairava.

May Lord Kaala Bhairava help us use our time effectively on the
spiritual path.
Krodha Bhairava

| Trinethram Varadam Shantham Kumarancha Digambaram |

|| Gadam Shankam Cha Chakrancha Pada Pathrancha Dharinam ||

| Lakshmyacha Sahitham Vame Garudasana Susthitham |

|| Neela Varnam Maha Devam Vande Sri Krodha Bhairavam ||

Who has three eyes, blesses, peaceful, young and nude

Who is armed with mace, conch, wheel and a vessel

Who is near Goddess Lakshmi riding on Garuda the eagle

I salute the angry Bhairava, who is blue and a great God

Krodha Bhairava: Sri Krodha Bhairava is the fourth form of
Ashtabhairava Murthi, eight manifestations of Lord Bhairava.
Krodha Bhairava appears blue in colour and carries wheel,
mace,conch and vessel and rides on an eagle.