Kaal Bhairav , a fierce manifestation of God Shiva.

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Lord Kaal Bhairava – is a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. He is depicted in an aggressive form with angry eyes shaped like lotus blossoms, blazing hair, tiger’s teeth, a 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.
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Lord Kala Bhairava is widely worshipped by tantriks and yogis to gain various siddhis. Bhairava is regarded as the protector and the kotwal. In astrology Lord Bhairava is the Lord of star (graha) Rahu so to attain the maximum benefits of Rahu, people worship Lord Bhairava. Bhairava is a fierce form of Shiva. It is believed that Bhairava is connected to the Mahavidya goddess named Bhairavi who gives Lagna Shuddhi (purification of the follower). This purifies and protects the body, character, personality and other qualities associated with the follower. Worship of Lord Bhairava is very useful to win over your enemies, success and all materialistic comforts. It is very easy to please lord Bhairav by doing normal worship daily. Coconut, Flowers, Sindoor, Mustard oil, black til, etc are offered to God to get God’s Blessings.
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Bhairava himself has eight manifestations:
Kala Bhairava,
Asitanga Bhairava,
Samhara Bhairava,
Ruru Bhairava,
Krodha Bhairava,
Kapala Bhairava,
Rudra Bhirava
Unmatta Bhairava.
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Bhairava originates from the word bhīru, which means “fearful”. Bhairava means “terribly fearful form”. It is also known as one who destroys fear or one who is beyond fear. The right interpretation is that he protects his devotees from dreadful enemies, greed, lust, and anger. Bhairava protects his devotees from these enemies. These enemies are dangerous as they never allow humans to seek God within. There is also another interpretation: Bha means creation, ra means sustenance and va means destruction. Therefore, Bhairava is the one who creates, sustains and dissolves the three stages of life. Therefore, he becomes the ultimate or the supreme .
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The origin of Bhairava can be traced to a conversation between Brahma and Vishnu which is recounted in the Shiva Mahapuranam, In it, Vishnu inquired of Brahma, “Who is the supreme creator of the Universe?” Arrogantly, Brahma told Vishnu to worship him as Supreme Creator. One day, Brahma thought “I have five heads. Shiva also has five heads. I can do everything that Shiva does and therefore I am Shiva.” Brahma became a little egotistical as a result of this. Additionally, he began to forget the work of Shiva and also started interfering in what Shiva was supposed to be doing. Consequently, Mahadeva (Shiva) threw a small nail from his finger which assumed the form of Kala Bhairava and casually went to cut off one of Brahma’s heads. The skull (Kapala) of Brahma is held in the hands of Kala Bhairava, Brahma’s ego was destroyed and he became enlightened. From then on, he became useful to himself and to the world, and deeply grateful to Shiva.
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Lord Shiva directed Bhairav to go around various holy places (teerths) to get rid of Brahma Hatya. Kala Bhairav, with Brahma’s head in his hand, started took bath in various holy places (Teerths), worshipped various Lords, nevertheless saw that Brahma Hatya Dosh was following him all along. He could not get rid of that affliction. Finally, Kaal Bhairava reached the Moksha Puri, Kashi. The moment Kaal Bhairav entered Kashi, Brahma Hatya Dosha disappeared into the netherworld. The head of Brahma, (Kapal) fell at a place which was called Kapal Mochan and there was a Teerth which was later called Kapal Mochan Teerth. Then onwards Kaal Bhairav stationed himself permanently in Kashi, giving shelter to all his devotees. Those living in or visiting Kashi must worship Kaal Bhairav and he grants protection to all his devotees. In the form of the Kala Bhairava, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shaktipeeth (Shakti temples). Each Shaktipeeth is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava
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There is another school of thought which says that Shiva himself created Bhairava. There was one demon by name Dahurāsuraṇ who got a boon that he could be killed only by a woman. Kali was invoked by Parvati to kill him. The wrath of Kali killed the demon. After killing the demon, her wrath metamorphosed as a child. Kali fed the child with her milk. Shiva made both Kali and the child merge with him. From this merged form of Shiva, Bhairava appeared in his eight forms (Aṣṭāṅga Bhairavas). Since Bhairava was thus created by Shiva, he is said to be one of the sons of Shiva.
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Puranas too give different versions of Bhairava. In this version, there was a war between gods and demons. To eradicate the demons, Shiva created Kala Bhairava from whom Aṣṭāṅga Bhairavas were created. These Ashta Bhairavas got married to Ashta Matrikas. These Ashta Bhairavas and Ashta Matrikas have dreadful forms. From these Ashta Bhairavas and Ashta Matrikas, 64 Bhairavas and 64 Yoginis were created .
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Normally in Shiva temples, idols of Bhairava are situated in the north, facing southern direction. He is also called Kṣhetrapāla. He appears in a standing position with four hands. His weapons are drum, pāśa (noose), trident and skull. In some forms of Bhairava, there are more than four hands. He appears without dress and with a dog. His weapons, the dog, protruding teeth, terrifying looks, and a garland with red flowers all give him a frightening appearance.
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Ashtami day (eighth day after Poornima) in the month of Margashirsha is an important day for worshipping Kala Bhairav. Besides, Sundays, Tuesdays, Ashtami and Chaturdasi days are very important for worshipping Kaal Bhairav. A person who circumambulates Lord Kaal Bhairav eight times will be absolved of all the sins committed by him. A devotee who worships Kala Bhairav for six months will attain all types of Siddhi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 31).
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Another story of the origin of Bhairava is the tale of Shiva and Shakti. Shakti, the daughter of the king of gods, Daksha chose Shiva for marriage. Her father disapproved the marriage because he alleged that Shiva resides in jungles with animals and ghosts and hence has no equality with him. But Shakti decides otherwise and marry Shiva. After some time King Daksha held a Yagana and invited all the gods, but not Shiva. Shakti came to the Yagna alone, where Daksha publicly spoke in a belittling manner about Shiva. Shakti could not bear to hear her husband insult and jumped in the holy fire of Yagna and sacrificed her.
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On hearing this Lord Shiva invoked Kaal Bhairava from his Jata to destroy the Yagna and kill Daksha by beheading him. Then Shiva carried Shakti’s corpse on his shoulders and ran uncontrollably all around the world for days. Since this would eventually destroy all creation, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Shakti’s body into pieces, which then fell all around. These spots where Shakti’s body parts fell are now known as Shakti Peethas. In the form of the frightful Bhairava, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shaktipeeths. Each Shaktipeeth temple is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava .
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Bhairava is the ultimate form of manifestation or pure “I” consciousness. This form is called Svarṇākarṣṇa Bhairava. He has red or blue complexion and is clothed in a golden dress. He has the moon over his head. He has four hands, one of which he holds a golden vessel. He gives wealth and prosperity. Performing pūja on Tuesdays gives quick results. In some of the ancient texts, he is said to have thirty-two hands, the shape of a bird, golden complexion, terrible teeth, and a human form above the hip. Worshipping him destroy enemies
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Some forms of Bhairava are guardians of the eight cardinal points. There are 64 Bhairavas. These 64 Bhairavas are grouped under 8 categories and each category is headed by one major Bhairava. The major eight Bhairavas are called Aṣṭāṅga Bhairavas. The Ashta Bhairavas control the 8 directions of this universe. Each Bhairava has seven sub-Bhairavas under him, totaling 64 Bhairavas. All of the Bhairavas are ruled and controlled by Maha Swarna Kala Bhairava is otherwise known as Kala Bhairava, who is the supreme ruler of time of this universe as per some Śaiva tantric scriptures (āgamas). Bhairavi is the consort of Kala Bhairava. The eight Bhairavas are said to represent five elements viz. ākāś, air, fire, water and earth and the other three being the sun, moon, and ātman. Each of the eight Bhairavas are different in appearance, have different weapons, different vāhanas (vehicles) and they bless their devotees with eight types of wealth representing Ashta Lakshmis. Continuous worship of Bhairava leads the worshiper to a true Guru. There are separate mantras to all the eight Bhairavas.
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Bhairava is also called upon as a protector, as he guards the eight directions of the universe. In Shiva temples, when the temple is closed, the keys are placed before Bhairava. Bhairava is also described as the protector of women. He is described as the protector of the timid and in general women who are timid in nature
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It is generally believed that worshiping Bhairava gives prosperity, success, and good progeny prevents premature death and solution to debts and liabilities. Different forms of Bhairava evolve only from Śiva, who is called the Mahā Bhairava .
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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 Bhairav temple, Ujjain. The Patal Bhairav and Vikrant Bhairav shrines are located in Ujjain as well.
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One of the ancient temples of Kaal Bhairava is situated in Dhuri city (District Sangrur), Punjab. The idol of Kaal Bhairava in the temple was found hundreds of years ago. The temple has been managed by “Baba Shri Pritam Muni Ji” for many years. It is believed that Kaal Bhairava Ji resides here.
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Kala Bhairava is also famous for his dog vahana or vehicle.
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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.
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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.
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Wishes on Kal Bhairav Jayanti to all, may the Merciful Bhairav protect us and bless us always!

Adyatma….

Compiled By Advaita