Lord Shiva has several forms and avatars (manifestation of a deity in physical body form). Although his original ascetic form is widely revered, his Pashupatinath and Vishwanath avatar are also quite famous. But, one of the most fearsome avatars of Lord Shiva is the Kalabhairava. This form of Shiva, described by Adi Shankaracharya in the Kalabhairava Ashtakam, is shown to be naked, black, entwined with a garland of skulls, three eyes, weapons of destruction in his four hands, and entwined with snakes.

The depiction of this form may seem at odds with the dispassionate, calm, and meditative form that many pray to every day, but there is a deep symbolism associated with Kalabhairava. Before finding out what it is, let us first read the lyrics of Kalabhairava Ashtakam.

Kalabhairava: Decoding the form

The vehicle of Kalabhairava is shvaana (a dog). It is the most fearsome depiction of Lord Shiva. Kalabhairava is the lord of death/time. In spirituality, the words ‘death’ and ‘time’ are symbolic. Shvaana is formed from two words shva and na. In Vedic literature, the meaning of shva is tomorrow as well as yesterday, and the meaning of na is not. So shvaana means something which is neither yesterday nor tomorrow, something which is only in the now, the present moment.

The spiritual symbolism behind Kalabhairava

So, Kalabhairava is someone who is neither yesterday nor tomorrow. He is ever-present in the now. Also, Lord Kalabhairava is the lord of the city of Kashi. This also has a symbolic meaning. In tantra, Kashi is recognized as Agya Chakra, which is located between the eyebrows..

The depiction of Kalabhairava is vikraala (large and fearsome). It signifies that time eats away everything. Anything that is present in this world will dissolve and perish with time. The kings and empires that were here thousands of years ago, the wonders that are present now, and anything that will come in the future - they will all perish as time passes.

And where is time? It is not in the past or the future. It is now. And when this realization of time and the present moment comes, our Agya Chakra (the seat of knowledge in our body) gets heightened, signifying the presence of Lord Kalabhairava in us. This leads us to the deepest state of samadhi (meditation) which is also called a state of bhairava.

In the Kalabhairava Ashtakam, where Adi Shankaracharya praised Lord Kalabhairava as the Lord of Kashi, he actually means the Agya Chakra – signifying total awareness of the present moment. This is also coveted by all the devatas (divine energies). Adi Shankaracharya says that even the lords, those divine energies, bow down at the feet of Kalabhairava, yearning for that state of bliss and samadhi.

Benefits of Chanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam

Just remembering the state of Kalabhairava, by chanting the Kalabhairava Ashtakam every day gives us knowledge of life and leads us to liberation. We are provided with merits that are unknown, incomprehensible, and intangible. Chanting this ashtakam frees us from shoka (grief), moha (attachment and delusion, the causes of misery), dainya (poverty or the feeling of lack), lobha (greed), kopa (irritability and anger), and tapa (sufferings).

Lord Kalabhairava is described as bhoot sangha nayaka - the lord of the pancha bhootas - which are earth, fire, water, air, and ether. He is the granter of all kinds of coveted excellence in life, all the knowledge that we desire. There is a difference between learning and excellence and this state of bliss gives a person all the coveted excellence. By remembering Kalabhairava, a person attains the bliss that is in the deepest state of Samadhi, where you are devoid of all worries - not bothered by nothing.

Kalabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics in Sanskrit & English

देवराजसेव्यमानपावनांघ्रिपङ्कजं
व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम् ।
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगंबरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥१॥

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||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, whose lotus feet are revered by Lord Indra, king of the devas; who has a snake as his sacrificial thread, a moon on his head and is very compassionate; who is praised by Narada, sage of the gods, and other yogis; who is a Digambara, wearing the sky as his dress, symbolizing his free being.

भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं
नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम् ।
कालकालमंबुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं 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||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, who has the brilliance of a million suns, who saves devotees from the cycle of rebirths, and who is supreme; who has a blue throat, who grants us our desires, and who has three eyes; who is death unto death itself and whose eyes look like a lotus; whose trident supports the world and who is immortal.

शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं
श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम् ।
भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥३॥

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||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, who holds the trident, mattock, noose, and club in his hands; whose body is dark, who is the primordial Lord, who is immortal, and free from the diseases of the world; who is immensely mighty and who loves the wonderful tandava dance.

भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं
भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम् ।
विनिक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥४॥

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||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, the one who bestows both desires and salvation, who has a pleasing appearance; who is loving to his devotees, who is stable as the god of all the worlds; who wears a golden belt around his waist with bells that make a melodious sound when he moves.

धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं
कर्मपाशमोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम् ।
स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाशशोभिताङ्गमण्डलं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥५॥

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||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, who ensures that dharma (righteousness) prevails, who destroys the path of adharma (unrighteousness); who saves us from the bonds of karma, thereby freeing our soul; and who has golden-hued snakes entwined around his body.

रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकं
नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरंजनम् ।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं 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||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, whose feet are adorned with two golden sandals with gems; who is the eternal, non-dual Ishta devata (god who grants our desires); who destroys the pride of Yama (God of Death); whose terrible teeth liberate us.

अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोशसंततिं
दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम् ।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं 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||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, whose loud roar destroys the sheaths of creations (meaning the delusions of our mind) of the lotus-born Brahma; whose very glance is enough to destroy all our sins; who gives us the eight siddhis (accomplishments); and who wears a garland of skulls.

भूतसंघनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं
काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम् ।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥८॥

Bhuuta-Samgha-Naayakam Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayakam
Kaashi-Vaasa-Loka-Punnya-Paapa-Shodhakam Vibhum |
Niiti-Maarga-Kovidam Puraatanam Jagatpatim
Kaashikaapuraadhinaathakaalabhairavam Bhaje ||8||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, who is the leader of ghosts and goblins, who bestows glory; who frees the people of Kashi from their sinful and righteous deeds; who guides us on the path of righteousness, who is the most ancient (eternal) lord of the universe.

कालभैरवाष्टकं पठंति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम् ।
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं
प्रयान्ति कालभैरवांघ्रिसन्निधिं नरा ध्रुवम् ॥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||

Salutations to Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi. Those who read these eight verses of the Kalabhairava Ashtakam, which is beautiful, which is a source of knowledge and liberation, which increases the various forms of righteousness in a person, which destroys grief, attachment, poverty, greed, anger, and heat - will attain (after death) the feet of Lord Kalabhairava (Lord Shiva).

With inputs from Swami Harihara, Director, Sri Sri Gurukul.

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