Kalabhairava Anugraham
Kala Bhairava is a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva and is highly revered across the Indian subcontinent. He is depicted in an aggressive form with angry eyes shaped like lotus blossoms, blazing hair, tiger’s teeth, snake coiled around his neck or crown, and an eerie garland of human skulls. Often terrifying, Kala Bhairava carries a trident, a drum and the severed fifth head of Brahma. The deity is blue throated from swallowing poison to save the world. Hence, he is considered to be the vanquisher of death. His third eye represents eternal supreme wisdom.
There are many interesting legends surrounding Kala Bhairava, one of the eight avatars of Lord Shiva. The origin of the mighty god is attributed to a tale in the Shiv Mahapurana, wherein Lord Brahma commands Lord Vishnu to worship him, as he is the creator of the universe. This angers Lord Shiva, who is incarnated as Kala Bhairava to punish him and beheads one of Brahma’s five heads. Since then Brahma has four heads while Bhairava carries the fifth. But chopping off Brahma’s head amounted to the killing of a Brahman.
The name Bhairava itself is replete with deep meaning. The first syllable ‘Bhai’ means fear and also lustrous light. It is said to endow one with material wealth. ‘Rava ’ means echo. While ‘Ra’ casts off negativity and restricted consciousness, ‘Va’ keeps creating opportunities. In totality Bhairava denotes that by using fear we can attain ‘aseem anand’ or extreme delight.
Worshipped by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists alike, daily prayer offerings to Bhairava helps in achieving success, defeating enemies and attaining all materialistic comforts. He helps devotees fruitfully utilize their time in securing their goals. This is the reason why he is known as the Lord of Time. Wasting time in trivial pursuits can be diverted towards a constructive purpose, if one offers prayers and chants the name of Bhairava. He purifies souls with his sheer power and makes odds favorable for believers. Almost miraculously, one is at the right place at the right time for the best of opportunities.
Lord Bhairava is also known as ‘Kotwal’ or ‘Kshetpalaka’, the guardian of the temple. The keys to Shiva and Shakti temples are ceremonially submitted to Bhairava at closing time and received from him at the opening time in the morning. There is generally a shrine dedicated to him in the temple premise itself. He is also a guardian of the travellers and blesses those who visit on pilgrimage. The Siddhas state that before embarking on a journey, especially while travelling at night, one must light diyas (lamps) and garland Lord Bhairava with cashew nut wreaths. This assures protection and safety. For those abroad away from the blessed shores, the worship is equally important.
Despite being one of the most feared deities, he is essentially one of the most rewarding and protective gods. In tantric practices he is sacred as Batuk Bharav. Being a rudra, the Lord is said to be very knowledgeable in tantra-mantra.
Kala Bhairava is also famous for his dog vahana or vehicle. The dog is usually seated on one side, ready to taste the dripping blood from the executed Brahma head. Looking after and feeding dogs is thus considered to be another way of displaying devotion. Bhairava can bestow incredible blessings and the boon of auspicious time to devotees. According to myths, if one feeds hungry dogs with ‘halwa puri’ (sweet bread), then automatically all problems can be overcome.
People have always been worshipping Kala Bhairava from the days of yore. But according to the sacred texts the 60 years from the Chirtabhanu Year i.e. April 2002 to the next Chirtabhanu Year i.e. April 2062, is the most important time. The Ashtami after Poornima (the eighth day after full moon) is said to be the most ideal day for puja rituals. Practitioners celebrate Kala Bhairavashtami or Kala Bhairava Jayanti commemorating the day Kala Bhairava appeared on earth in the Margashirsha month of the Hindu calendar. There are elaborate ceremonies in the 12 Jyotirlinga Shiva shrines in Kasi, Tiruvannamalai, Ujjain and others, which have special rites and sacraments on this day.
Kala Bhairava has 8 manifestations, namely Asithaanga Bhairava, Ruru Bhairava, Chanda Bhairava, Krodha Bhairava, Unmattha Bhairava, Kapaala Bhairava, Bheeshana Bhairava and Samhaara Bhairava. He also guards the 52 Shaktipeethas and hence there are said to be 52 forms of Bhairava across the sacred spots. Protecting Shakti is significant for everlasting peace amidst the scenarios of wrath, violence and animosity. Prayers to Lord Kala Bhairava as well as Sarabeswara and Amruta Mrityunjaya are necessary for this safeguarding.
From the Aghoris and Kapalika sect to Gorat Kashmiris, from Assamese tantric practitioners to the Gowdas of Karnataka, from worshippers in Kathmandu to those in Sri Lanka, across diverse communities Kala Bhairava is venerated. The Kashi (Benares) Bhairava is accorded much reverence. Hindu reformer Adi Sankara once wrote a beautiful hymn titled ‘Kala Bhairav Ashtakam’ in honor of the Kashi deity. In the rural milieu of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and others, he is believed to be the village protector. The villagers erect decorative statues of ‘grama devata’ at the village entrance.
The word Bhairava itself has considerable prominence in invocations. Chanting the three syllables ‘bhai’, ‘ra’ and ‘va’ is said to create a bounty of benefits. The sacred sound is said to be a reminder that each second is precious and that one should not procrastinate and disrespect time. Instead one must polish oneself by chanting and sharpen ones focus by chanting.
According to many gurus devotees must chant the syllables 8 times a day for a 1 minute each, anytime day or night. One can even chant the mantra more than 108 times or by writing 1008 or 10008 times for great outcomes and protection.
Thus, this fearful manifestation of Lord Shiva is believed to be one of the most protective powers blessing for humanity.
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