|
About
Bhairava |
|
Bhairava sometimes known as Kaala Bhairava, Kal Bhairab,
Annadhaani Bhairava (In Karnataka), Bhairo or Bhairon or
Bhairadya or Bheruji (In Rajasthan), Kaal Bhairava, Kaala
Bhairavar or Vairavar (In Tamil), is the violent manifestation
of Lord Shiva connected with annihilation. He is one of the
most important deities in Nepal, Rajasthan, Karnataka,
Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu, who originated in Hindu mythology
and is sacred to Buddhists Jains, and Hindus alike.
Iconography
Bhairavi is a violent and terrifying aspect of the Devi who is
virtually identical from Kali, with the exception of her
particular identification as the consort of Bhairava. Bhairava
is portrayed decorated with a range of twisted serpents, which
serve as bracelets, anklets, earrings, and sacred thread (yajnopavita).
He wears a tiger skin and a ritual apron which is composed of
human bones. Bhairava has a dog (Shvan) as his celestial
vahana (vehicle).
Bhairava himself has eight manifestations i.e. Ashta Bhairava:
• Asithaanga Bhairava
• Ruru Bhairava
• Chanda Bhairava
• Krodha Bhairava
• Unmattha Bhairava
• Kapaala Bhairava
• Bheeshana Bhairava
• Samhaara Bhairava
Lord Bhairava is the main deity worshipped by the Aghora sect.
Kala Bhairava is conceptualized as the Guru of the planetary
deity Shani (Saturn). Bhairava is known as Vairavar or
Bhairavar in Tamil where he is often presented as a Grama
devata or village guardian who preserves the devotee on all
eight directions (ettu tikku). Known in Sinhalese as Bahirawa,
he protects treasures. |
|
| |
|
Worship |
|
His
temples or shrines are present within or near most Jyotirlinga
temples, the sacred twelve temples dedicated to Shiva across
India, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi and the
Mahakaleshwar Temple at Ujjain, where at the Kal Bhairav Temple,
he is worshipped by the Kapalika and Aghori sects of Shaivism,
here one can also find the Vikrant Bahirav and Patal Bhairav
temples.
Kaal Bhairava temples can also be found around Shakti Peethas,
as it is said Shiva assigns the job of guarding each of 52
Shakti Peethas to one Bhairava. As such it is said there are 52
forms of Bhairava, which are in fact considered as sign of Shiva
himself.
Traditionally Kal Bhairav is the Grama devata in the rural
villages of Tamil Nadu Maharashtra and Karnataka, where he is
referred to as "Bhaivara/Annadhani"Vairavar. In Karnataka, Lord
Bhairava is the supreme God for the Vokkaliga community usually
referred as "Gowdas", especially for the Gangadikara Gowda caste
he is considered as the care taker and punisher.
Also another set of people in Kashmir that have their origin
from Gorat, or the minister of Mata Sharika worship Bhairava
during Shivratri.The Hindu reformer Adi Sankara has written a
song on Kala Bhairava of Kashi which is called as Kala Bhairav
Ashtakam. |
|
| |
|
Legends Associated with Bhairava |
|
The
origin of Bhairava can be traced to the conversation between
Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma recounted in "Shiv Maha-Puran" where
Lord Vishnu asks Lord Brahma who is the supreme creator of the
Universe. Arrogantly, Brahma tells Vishnu to worship him because
he (Brahma) is the supreme creator. This angered Shiva who then
personified in the form of Bhairava to punish Brahma. Bhairava
executed one of Brahma's five heads and since then Brahma has
only four heads.
When portrayed as Kala Bhairava, Bhairava is shown carrying the
severed head of Brahma. Cutting off Brahma's fifth head made him
guilty of the crime of killing a Brahmin(Brahmahatyapap), and as
a result, he had to carry around the spiritual skull for twelve
years and roam as Bhikshatana, a mendicant, until he had been
absolved of the sin.In the form of the frightful Bhairava, Shiva
is said to be protecting each of these Shaktipeeths. Each
Shaktipeeth temple is linked by a temple dedicated to Bhairava. |
|
|
|
Observances |
|
Bhairava Ashtami commemorating the day Kal Bhairav which emerged
on earth and is celebrated on Krishna paksha Ashtami of the
Margashirsha month of Hindu calendar with a day special prayers
and rituals. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chat
