ASHTA BHAIRAVA

Ashta Bhairavas (“Eight Bhairavas”) are eight manifestations of the Hindu god Bhairava, a ferocious aspect
of the god Shiva. They guard and control the eight directions. Each Bhairava has eight sub Bhairavas under
him. All of the Bhairavas are ruled and controlled by Maha Kala Bhairava, who is considered the supreme
ruler of time of the universe and the chief form of Bhairava. In total, sixty four Bhairavas exist.

Ashta Bhairava with their consort, vahana (mount), direction he guards are given below. Also given the
consecrated temples in Tamil Nadu, India, where people born on the listed nakshatras get his favours, Dosha
Nivritti (remedy for problems) and their lucky stones.

The Ashta Bhairavas, all 8 of them, can be seen at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi
& Aragalur Sri Kamanada Eswar Temple.

Sri Asitanga Bhairava

Devanagari: शश्री अशशितताङ्ग भभैरव

Consort: Brahmi

Vahana: Swan

Direction: East

Temple: Sattanathar Temple, Sirkazhi and Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple, Thirukandiyur.

Nakshatram/ Birth Star: Punarpoosam, Visakam, Purattadhi

Stone: Yellow Sapphire

Sri Ruru Bhairava

Devanagari: शश्री रुरु भभैरव

Consort: Maheshwari

Vahana: Ox

Direction: Southeast

Temple: Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Thirumarugal

Nakshatram/ Birth Star: Karthikai, Uthiradam, Uthiram

Stone: Ruby

Sri Chanda Bhairava

Devanagari: शश्री चचंड भभैरव

Consort: Kaumari

Vahana: Peacock

Direction: South

Temple: Vaitheeswaran Koil

Nakshatram/ Birth Star: Mrgaseersham, Chithirai, Avittam

Stone: Coral

Sri Krodha Bhairava

Devanagari: शश्री कक्रोध भभैरव

Consort: Vaishnavi, Lakshmi

Vahana: Eagle

Direction: South-West

Temple: Thiruvisanallur, Thirunaraiyur[3]

Nakshatram/ Birth Star: Rohini, Astham, Thiruvonam

Stone: Pearl

Sri Unmattha Bhairava

Devanagari: शश्री उन्मत्त भभैरव

Consort: Varahi

Vahana: Horse

Direction: West

Temple: Thiruveezhimizhalai
 Sri Kapala Bhairava
Devanagari: शश्री कपताल भभैरव

Consort: Indrani

Vahana: Elephant

Direction: North-West

Temple: Thiruvirkudi, Thirupanthuruthi

Nakshatram/ Birth Star: Bharani, Pooram, Puradam

Stone: Diamond

Sri Bheeshana Bhairava

Devanagari: शश्री भश्रीषण भभैरव

Consort: Chamundi

Vahana: Lion

Direction: North

Temple: Rameswaram, Piranmalai

Nakshatram/ Birth Star: Thiruvadhirai, Swati, Sadayam, Ashwini, Magha, Mula

Sri Samhara Bhairava

Devanagari: शश्री सचंहतार भभैरव

Consort: Chandi

Vahana: Dog

Direction: Northeast

Temple: Thiruvenkadu, Kolli Malai, Vairavanpatti, Hosur

Nakshatram/ Birth Star: Ayilyam, Ketai, Revathi

 Description of Bhairava Forms
Kshethra Pala Bhairava

[Guard of Earth Bhairava]

Raktha jwalaa Jada dharam, sasi dharan, Rakthanga thejo mayam,

Dakka Shoola kapala pasa gadha dharam Bhairavam,

Nirvanam Gathavahanam Trinayanamcha Ananda kolahalam,

Vande bhootha pisacha natha vadukam Kshethrasya palam Shubham.

Translation: I salute the leader of ghosts and Ghouls, Lord Bhairava,

Who wears the red flame as his matted hair,

Who wears the moon, who shines in red colour,

Who holds a drum, spear, skull, rope and mace in his hands,

Who is nude, who rides on a dog, who has three eyes,

Who is always happy and exuberant and is the guard of the temple.

Asithanga Bhairava

[Dark Bodied Bhairava]

Trinethram, varadam shantham, munda mala bhooshitham,

Swetha varnam, krupa murthim, Bhairavam Kundalojjwalam,

Gada kapala samyuktham, kumarsya digambaram,

Banam pathrancha sankham cha Aksha maalaam kundalam,

Naga Yagnopaveetham cha dharinam suvibhooshitham,

Brahmani shakthi sahitham, hamsaroodam suroopinam,

 SArvabheeshta dharam nithyam asithangam Bhajamyaham.

Translation: I pray the dark Bhairava who fulfills all desires,

Who is forever, who has three eyes, who blesses and is peaceful,

Who wears a skull garland, who is white, who is the Lord of mercy,

Who shines in his ear globes, who holds mace and the skull,

Who is young and nude, who holds arrow, vessel, conch, bead chain and ear globes,

Who wears snake as sacred thread, who is well ornamented,

Who is with Goddess Brahmani, rides on a swan and is good to look at.

Krodha Bhairava

[Angry Bhairava]

Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

Gadam shankam cha Chakrancha pada pathrancha dharinam,

Lakshmyacha sahitham vame garudasana susthitham,

Neela varnam maha devam Vande Sri Kroda Bhairavam.

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

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

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

Who is near Goddess Lakshmi riding on Garuda the eagle.

Unmatha Bhairava

[Frantic Bhairava]

Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

Hema Varnam, maha devam, hastha vahana susthitham,

Gadgam, kapalam, musalam, dathantham, kedagam thadha,

Varahi shakthi sahitham Vande Unmatha Bhairavam.

Translation: I salute that Frantic Bhairava who is with power called Varahi,
Who has three eyes, blesses, peaceful, young and nude,

Who is of golden colour, great God and rides on a swan,

And who holds sword, skull, Pestle and also the shield.

Ruru Bhairava

[Teacher Bhairava]

Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

Dangam krisna mrugam pathram bibranam chakru panakam,

Maheswaryayudham devam vrusharoodam smitha vahanam,

Shudha sphatikam sankaram, namami Ruru Bhairavam.

Translation: I salute the Bhairava with the deer, who is like pure crystal and a destroyer,

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

Who holds a hatchet, deer, drinking goblet and a sword in his hands,

Who has the armed Maheswari by his side and who is smiling and rides on a bull.

Kapala Bhairava

[Skull Bhairava]

Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

Pasam, Vajram, thadha Gadgam pana pathranch dharinam,

Indrani shakthi sahitham Gaja vahana susthitham,

Kapala Bhairavam Vande padma ragha prabham Shubham.

Translation: I salute the Bhairava of the skull, who has a shining body,

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

Who holds rope, Vajrayudha, Sword and Drinking Goblet,

Who has with him Indrani Shakthi, is being well praised and rides on an elephant.

Chanda Bhairava

[Fierce Bhairava]
 Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

Dhanur banancha bhibranam, Gadgam Pathram Thadaiva cha,

Koumari shakthi sahitham, Shikihi vahana sthitham,

Gowri varnayudham Devam Vande Sri Chanda Bhairavam.

Translation: I salute the Chanda Bhairava who is pure white in colour,

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

Who holds rope, Vajrayudha, Sword and Drinking Goblet,

Who has with him Kaumari Shakthi and rides on a peacock.

Bheeshana Bhairava

[Terriffic Bhairava]

Trinethram, varadam, santham, kumarancha digambaram,

Gadgam soolam Kapalancha darinam musalam thadha,

Chamunda shakthi sahitham pretha vahana susthitham,

Raktha varnam maha devam Vabde Bheeshana Bhairavam.

Translation: I salute the Terriffic Bhairava who is a great God of blood red colour,

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

Who holds sword, trident, skull and pestle in his hand,

Who has with him Chamunda Shakthi and rides on a corpse.

Samhara Bhairavam

[Annihilator Bhairava]

Dasa bhahum trinethram cha sarpa yagnopaveethinm,

Damishtra karala vadanam ashtaiswarya pradhayakam,

Digambaram kumarancha simha vahana samsthitham,

 Soolam damarugam shankam, gadam chakrancha darinam,

Gadgam pathram cha Gadwangam pasa mangusa meva cha,

Ugra roopam madonmathamam bada vaalai,

Chandika shakthi sahitham dyayeth samhara Bhairavam.

Translation: I meditate on Bhairava the destroyer, who is with Chandika Shakthi,

Who has ten hands, three eyes and snake as sacred thread,

Who has protruding teeth, fearful look and grants eight type of wealth,

Who is nude, a youth and rides on a lion,

Who holds trident, drum, conch, mace and wheel in his hands,

Who holds sword, vessel, Gadwangam, rope and goad.

Sources of the PDF file
And who has fearful looks, wears skull garland and greatly exuberant.
(i) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashta_Bhairava

(ii) http://www.dharmavidya.net/description-and-forms-of-bhairava.html

Benefits Of Worshipping the Astha Bhairava

(iii) http://bhajanradio.com/forms-of-kaal-bhairava/#prettyPhoto

1. Asithanga Bhairava – Gives Creative Ability

2. Ruru Bhairava – Divine Educator

3. Chanda Bhairava – Gives incredible energy, cuts competition and rivals

4. Kroda Bhairava – Gives You the Power to Take Massive Action

5. Unmatta Bhairava – Controls Negative Ego and Harmful Self Talk

6. Kapala Bhairava – Ends All Unrewarding Work and Action

7. Bhishana Bhairava – Obliterates Evil Spirits and Negativity

8. Samhara Bhairava – Complete Dissolution of Old Negative Karma.

 Lord Kaal Bhairava
The Lord Of Kashi

Bhairava is Lord Shiva in His Fiercest Manifestation.

It may be worth mentioning that Shiva is different from Rudra, which is yet another
manifestation of Shiva.

Kaal Bhairava is an fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva. The term Bhairava means “Terrific”.

He is often depicted with frowning, angry eyes and sharp, tiger’s teeth and flaming hair, stark
naked except for garlands of skulls and a coiled snake about his neck.

In his four hands he carries a noose, trident, drum, and skull. He is often shown accompanied by
a dog. Kaal Bhairav is the Rudra Avatar of Shiva who is the omnipresent time or Kaal. Kaal or
time is the fearsome face of Shiva as time stops for none. Each and every living being is afraid of
time as it spares none. Hence Kaal is feared by one and all.

Once Brahma insulted Lord Shiva and his fifth head teasingly laughed at Lord Shiva. From Lord
Shiva came out the Kalabhairava (Black Bhairava) who tore off the fifth head of Lord Brahma.

On the entreaties of Lord Vishnu, Shiva pardoned Lord Brahma. But the sin (in the form of a lady)
of beheading Lord Brahma followed Kalabhairava everywhere. Also the head of Brahma stuck to
him. To keep away the sin and punishment which were chasing him, Kalabhairava entered the
city of Benaras (now Varanasi). The sin could not enter the city. Kalabhairava was made as the
Kotwal (Inspector) of the city of Varanasi. Bhairava rides on a dog.

A pilgrimage to Kashi (Benares) is not supposed to be complete without visiting the temple of
Lord Kalabhairava.

।। कताशशिकतापपुरताधधनताथ कतालभभैरवचं भजजे ।।