Lord Bhairav – An Incarnation of Lord Shiva

Lord Bhairav or Bhairon is an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Shiva. Lord Bhairav is widely worshipped by tantriks and yogis to gain various siddhis. Bhairon is regarded as the protector and the kotwal. In astrology Lord Bhairav is the Lord of star (graha) Rahu so to attain the maximum benefits of Rahu, people worships Lord Bhairav. Bhairav is a fierce form of Shiva. It is believed that Bhairon 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 Bhairon 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 the God to get God’s Blessings. Bhairava himself has eight manifestations, Kala Bhairava, Asitanga Bhairava, Samhara Bhairava, Guru Bhairava, Krodh Bhairava, Kapala Bhairava, Rudra Bhairava and Unmatta Bhairava.

Origin of Lord Bhairav

The origin of Bhairava or Bhairon can be drawn from the conversation between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu described in “Shiv Maha-Puran” where Lord Vishnu asks Lord Brahma who is the supreme creator of the Universe. Lord Brahma proclaimed himself to be that superior person.  On hearing this, Lord Vishnu chided Lord Brahma for his hasty and overconfident words.  After the debate they decided to seek the answer from the four Vedas.  Rig Veda designated Lord Rudra (Shiva) as supreme as He is the omnipotent deity who controls all living beings.  Yajur Veda replied that He, whom we worship through various Yajnas (Yagna) and other such rigorous rituals, is none other than Shiva, who is supreme.  Sam Veda stated that the respected figure who is worshipped by various Yogis and that Person who controls the entire world is none other than Triambakam (Shiva).  Finally, Atharva Veda said, all human beings can see the Lord through Bhakti Marg and such a deity who can remove all the worries of human beings is indeed Shankar (Shiva). But both Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu started laughing in disbelief.

Then Lord Shiva appeared as a powerful divine light.  Lord Brahma stared at Him furiously with his fifth head.  Lord Shiva immediately created one living being and stated that he will be King of Kaal and will be known as Kaal (Death) Bhairav. Meanwhile, Lord Brahma’s fifth head was still burning with fury and Kaal Bhairav pulled that head from Brahma. Lord Shiva directed Bhairav to go around various holy places (teerths) to get rid of Brahma Hatya.  Kaal 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 Bhairav 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.

Ashtami day (eighth day after Purnima) in the month of Margashirsha is an important day for worshipping Kaal 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 Kaal Bhairav for six months will attain all types of Siddhi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 31).

Another story of the origin of Bhairava is the tale of Shiva and Shakti. Shakti, the daughter of the king of gods, Daksha chosen 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 Yagna 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.

On hearing this Lord destroyed the yagna and killed 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 Shakti Peeths. Each Shaktipeeth temple is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava (Bhairon).

Lord KaalaBhairav is the Lord of Time

Kal Ashtami, or Maha kala Bhairav Ashtami, is the most auspicious day dedicated to Lord Kala Bhairava. Lord kala Bhairava is a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Kala Bhairava is the God of Time – Kal means ‘time’ and ‘Bhairava’ the manifestation of Shiva. Ashtami after Purnima, the eighth day after full moon, is considered the ideal day to propitiate Kala Bhairava. Lord Kala Bhairava is also known as Kshetrapalaka, the guardian of the temple. In honor of this, keys to the temple are ceremonially submitted to Lord Kala Bhairava at temple closing time and are received from him at opening time.

There’s a shrine for Lord Kala Bhairava in most Siva temples. The Bhairava shrine in the Arunachala temple (Tiruvannamalai) is very special. The Kala Bhairava temple in Kasi (Benares) is a must see for Bhairava devotees. Lord Bhairav has the knowledge of Tantra-mantra and is himself a Rudra.

To get the protection Shakti that is necessary for a peaceful life amidst the violence, anger and hatred that have become so common, the worship of Lords Kala Bhairava, Sarabeswara and Amruta Mrityunjay is very important. The worship of Kala Bhairava is very important for those living in foreign countries.

The vahana (vehicle) of Lord Kala Bhairava is the dog. Feeding and taking care of dogs is another way of showing our devotion to Lord Kala Bhairava. Lord Kala Bhairava is also the guardian of travelers. The Siddhas advise us that before embarking on a journey, especially one that involves travel during the night, we should make a garland of cashew nuts and decorate Lord Kala Bhairava with it. We should light jothi lamps in His honor and request His protection during our travel.

Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar

There are eight types of Bhairava and they are called ashta Bhairava. They are Asithanga Bhairavar, Ruru Bhairavar, Chanda Bhairavar, Krodh Bhairava, Unmatta Bhairavar, Kapala Bhairavar, Bhishana Bhairavar and Samhara Bhairavar. Apart from these eight forms there is yet another form called Swarna akarshana Bhairavar. Maha Bhairavar is said to be Shiva himself.

He is also the “Aapaduddhaarana murti” – the one who uplifts us in times of crisis. He averts all kinds of dangers. The one who worships Swarna akarshana Bhairava gets everything. He gets all the wealth and richness in his life and also is constantly protected from all the perils in his life. Above all, because Swarna akarshana Bhairava is the one of the Bhairava – the terrifying ones – he liberates us from all the patterns and karmas causing the cycle of birth and death.

Offering Dhan akarshana Bhairava Homa not only makes you successful in your efforts to gain abundance, but also makes you fulfilled in life, which is ultimately the living Enlightenment.

Swarna akarshana Bhairava Tantra depicts Him to be seated under the wish-fulfilling Kalpavriksha on a gem-studded golden throne in Sripuram – the city of Devi Maha Tripurasundari. Mahalakshmi is stationed there to serve Him. The Swarna akarshana Bhairava Tantra says that once due to the curse of the sage Durvasa, Mahalakshmi lost her powers. Then Mahalakshmi had to worship Swarna akarshana Bhairava to regain her powers.

In the Dhan akarshana Bhairava Homa, the moola mantra that is chanted awakens the ‘wealth consciousness’ in you. By chanting Swarna akarshana or Dhan akarshana Bhairava mantra 108 times or writing mantra for 1008 or 10,008 times will be blessed with well enough of assets and wealth.

There is also the benevolent form called Swarna Akarshana Bhairava (Golden Attracting Bhairava) who will bring gold from heaven instantly. The Swarna akarshana Bhairavar has red complexion and clothed in golden dress. He has moon in his head. He has four hands. In one of the hands he carries a golden vessel. He gives wealth and prosperity.

Dhan akarshana Bhairava is also called Swarna akarshana Bhairava. Dhan akarshana Bhairava Homa is also the Homa performed to earn the grace of Sri Swarna akarshana Bhairava.

Bhairav Mantras

(i) “OM BATUK BHAIRVAYE NAMHA”

(ii) “OM HREEN BUM BATU-KAYE APAD-UDDHA-RANAYE KURU KURU BATU-KAYE HREEN OM NAMAH SHIVAYE”