Bhairava, the Almighty Lord and Protector (Part- II)

     

In many Shaivite temples one sees a shrine for Bhairava in Northeastern corner. Bhairava is regarded as the guardian or Kshetrapalaka of the main temple. Our trip to Kashi is incomplete if we do not visit Kala Bhairava’s temple. He is the sole guardian of Kashi and the sixty-four ghats are under the protection of Bhairava. The manifestation of Bhairava from the angry fierce third eye of Shiva happened when Lord Brahma became very much proud of his power and declared Himself as the Supreme Brahman without paying heed to Lord Vishnu’s warnings. Bhairava subdued Brahma’s ego and illusion by cutting off his fifth head. Brahma realized his mistake and worshipped Shiva with humility. This episode clearly reveals that Bhairava removes our false ego and illusion or maya. But the use of violence causes evil effect even on gods. So Lord Bhairava wandered through various worlds carrying Brahma’s skull which stuck to his left palm. He visited various Punya Khetras (holy places) and bathed in various rivers to get rid of Brahma Hatya Dosha. Ultimately when he entered the sacred city of Kashi, he was freed from his sin. Bhairava stayed there as the guardian of that holy city. Here he resides in his eight manifestations.

 In Vriddha Kaleshwara temple Ashitanga Bhairava is seen in the premises of Maha Mritunjay temple in front of the Amritha Kundam. In the Durgakund temple, Chanda Bhairava is seen. Krodha Bhairava is seen in Kamaccha. Kapala Bhairava is seen at Alaipur, Varanasi. Ruru Bhairava is seen near Hanuman Ghat. Unmattha Bhairava is located near Sadak Deora Village, Panchakoshi Road. Samhara Bhairava is located near Gai Ghat. Bhishana Bhairava or Bhootha Bhairava is located near Kashipura, Maidagin, Varanasi. Kaala Bhairava is located at Bharonath near Vishehwara Ganj,Varanasi.The place where brahma's skull fell down from His palm is called Kapalamochan Thirtha.

The presence of Bhairava is seen in all fifty one Shakti Peethas where the parts of Sati’s body fell when Lord Vishnu cut off her body to distract Shiva from his grief and anger. Shrines for Bhairava are also seen in twelve Jyothirlinga Kshetras. There are eight manifestations of Bhairava to give protection from evil forces and bless good people with success, wisdom, strength, victory and supernatural powers or Siddhis. Worship of Bhairava gives prosperity, prevents apamrityu (premature death), removes harmful effects of evil spirits,  prevents the bad effects of Lord Saturn, relieves debts, and gives good progeny.From each of the eight Bhairavas eight more subordinate Bhairavas emerged as protectors of creation making the total number of them as sixty-four. Kashi is the Bhairava kshetra where all sixty four Bhairavas stay protecting the ghats and holy shrines. Bhairava as the Lord of Time and Space controls evil spirits, devils and black magic.

Ruru Bhairava

Asitanga Bhairava

                      

Chanda Bhairava

Krodha Bhairava

                      

Kapala Bhairava

Unmathha Bhairava

                    

Bheeshana Bhairava

 Samhara Bhairava

       

 Asitanga Bhairava (gives creative ability) in eastern direction with blue complexion is seated on a swan. His consort is Brahmi.  Ruru Bhirava (gives divine knowledge) is seen in south east direction with white complexion riding on a bull and his consort is Maheshwari. Chanda Bhairava(gives energy and defeats rivals)  with golden complexion  in the south is seen riding on a pea-cock with Koumari. Krodhana Bhairava (gives power to do great things), black in complexion, is seen riding on an eagle with Vaishnavi in southwest direction. Unmattha Bhairava (controls negative ego), with golden complexion is seen riding on a horse with Varahi in western direction. Kapala Bhairava (ends all unrewarding work and actions) with pink complexion is seen with Indrani riding on an elephant in the northwestern direction. Bheeshana Bhairava (obliterates evil spirits and negativity) with red complexion is seen riding on a lion along with Chamundi in the north while Sarva Shatru Samhara Bhairava (complete dissolution of negative karmas) with white complexion is seen in northeast riding on a dog with Chandi as His consort. Generally there are no separate shrines for these eight consorts as they are considered as different forms of Bhadra Kali or Bhairavi.

                   

                                 Swarnakarshana Bhairava

    

In Tiruvisainallur one can see the shrine of Swarnaakarshana Bhairava built by the great master Sri Vembu Sidhar. Swarnakarshana Bhairava with golden complexion and golden hair is seen here with a crescent moon holding lotus flowers in his two upper hands and holding a Kalash (pot) with nectar in his lower right hand and embracing his consort seated on his left thigh and with his other hand showing Abhaya Mudra (sign of protection).Worshipping this Lord gives wealth and prosperity. He is also known as Dhanakarshana Bhairava.

  In the Southern India one can see many Bhairava shrines in many ancient temples. In Chidambaram Nataraja temple, Swarna Bhairava shrine is seen just a step below the main hall (Chitra Sabha) of Sri Nataraja temple. In olden times the priests used to keep a brass plate at the feet of the Lord Bhairava and chant Bhairava mantra sixty four thousand times. The next morning they found the brass plate turned into a plate of gold. They used to sell that plate and divide the amount among themselves. According to some legends, Bhairava plucked off the fifth head of Lord Brahma in Myladuturai (Kutulam) .After twelve years of wandering Bhairava visited Khetrapalakapuram where he was relieved of his Brahmahatya  dosham. Lord Ganesh with white complexion (Sveta Vinayagar) asked Him to leave His trident there. Lord Ganesh threw that trident into a pond called Shoola Theertham. So here the Lord is seen withojut holding a trident. Lord Kala Bhairava here was worshipped by Brahma, Indra, nine planetary deities and Pandavas.

In Nagapattinam of Karyayoganar temple,  Samhara Bhairava’s shrine is seen in north facing south. The pond here is called Pundarika Theertham which was formed by the flow of Ganges from Shiva’s matted locks and from waters of many temples. So it is called Sarva Theertham. In the months of November and December devotees take their holy bath here to get rid of their sins. In Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleshwara temple, inside the Rajagopuram Kala Bhairava with eight arms is seen. In Seergazhi Sattainathar temple located in Sirkali, Tamilnadu, Ashtabhuja Bhairava with eight hands is seen in the northern part of the  Hall. In Tanjavur Brihadeeswara temple Lord Bhairava with eight hands is seen facing east close to the big Nandi at the entrance to the Garbhagriha (Inner sanctum). In Yogasivanaadhar temple at Kumbhakonam there are four Bhairavas called “Chaturyuga Bhairavas”. In Patteswaram one can see one of the biggest Bhairava idols. In Cholapuram, at a distance of twelve kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam to Tirupanadal route, there is Bhairaveswara Linga which was worshipped by sixty-four Bhairavas.  In Arullolinadhar temple in Vairavanpatti, Karaikudi, Lord Bhairava has a separate sanctum and is named as “Marthanda Bhairava.” In Sri Thygaraja temple at Thiruvarur and in Sri Bhuvanagirishwara temple at Thiruchirapalli, one can see shrines for Bhairava. In Sringeri (Karnataka) Bhairava with three legs is seen. In Adichunchangiri Mutt there is a shrine for Kala Bhairava. 

                        

              Kalabhairava temple, Ramareddy

                       

In Karnataka Lord Bhairava is the supreme deity for the community called Vokkaligas who consider Bhairava as caretaker and punisher. In Maharashtra Kala Bhairava is regarded as a guardian deity of the Village (Grama devata) and referred as Bhairavnath.  In Panagal Pachchala (Telengana), Bhairava is seen in Someshwara temple. In Isannapalli (also called Ramareddy, Kamareddy District, Telengana State) there is a famous Kalabhairava temple established in 18^th century during the rule of Rajanna Chowdari who ruled Domakonda and Ramareddy with Bikanoor as his capital town. The statue is smeared with sindoor  and decorated with a five-hooded serpent over His crown. The water in this temple pond never dries and has medicinal properties. There is a well (called Moola Bhavi) nearby and devotees after taking bath in the temple pond enter the shrine with wet clothes and perform abhishekam to the Lord with the water drawn from this well. The gigantic peepal trees around provide a shady shelter and fresh air to pilgrims. Previously the main deity was installed under the shade of the peepal tree without any roof. But later the temple was built with tower and mandapas. Many devotees having family troubles, incurable physical ailments and mental complaints come here to worship the Lord and obtain His grace.  People of this area regard this holy temple as holy as Kashi Kshetra. Previously there used to be eight shrines of Bhairava set up in nearby places. But except this shrine all others went out of existence.

  Thus Bhairava, the fierce manifestation of Tatpurusha form of Rudra, bestows protection from malefic effects of planets, nullifies the negative effects of black magic and removes Pitru Dosha and other other adverse conditions. As the Lord of Time and space he blesses his devotees and punishes the vicious people who try to harm them. He is Yoga Bhairava for ascetics, Gnana Bhairava for Yogis, Ugra Bhairava for warriors and Bhoota Bhairava (Lord of five elements) for protecting people from natural calamities. As Vatuka Bhairava He killed Mundakasura who tortured Brahma. As Maha Bhairava along with his consort Pratyangira he killed Andhakasura.  So one should understand Bhairava tatwa as the omnipotent divine timless consciousness that protects devotees and punishes the sinners and evil spirits.

               Namo Bhootha natham Namo Prethanadham

               Namo Kala Kalam Namo rundamalam

               Namo Kalika prema lolam Karalam

               Namo Bhairavam Kashika Kshetrapalam.       

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        28th September, 2019                            Somaseshu Gutala            

 

Bhairava, the Almighty God and Protector (Part --I)

Akasha Bhairava, Nepal

                                                               

Kala Bhairava, Varanasi

  Bhairava is considered as a powerful and fierce manifestation of Rudra who appeared from the angry third eye of Shiva to subdue the arrogance and pride of Lord Brahma when he declared himself as the supreme Brahman. In many Shaivite temples a shrine for Bhairava is seen in Northeastern or Northern direction. He is regarded as the guardian and protector of the holy temples from evil spirits and ghosts. We find shrines for Bhairava in fifty two Shakti peethams and twelve Jyotirlinga Kshetras. There are eight forms of Bhairava guarding the universe from eight directions. Out of each Bhairava eight forms emerged further and so there are sixty-four Bhairavas protectimng the universe along with sixty-four Yoginis. The main eight forms of Bhairavas have eight corresponding consorts who are considered as eight forms of Bhairavi or Bhadra Kali. They are Brahmi, Vaarahi, Chamundi, Koumari, Maheshwari, Vaishnavi, Chandi and Indrani.

 Bhairava is generally portrayed with blue-colored naked body with a garland of skulls around his neck. He has protruding teeth and large bulging eyes. In his upper pair of hands he has a trident and a drum with a snake (Nagadhamarukam). In his lower pair of hands he has a skull and a mace. He wears a bright crown of blazing flames (Jwala Kireeta) adorned with a crescent moon. He has three eyes and rides on a dog. Of course in his various forms he has different weapons and Vahanas (mounts). To drive away evil spirits and dreadful adversaries, worship of Bhairava is very effective. He should not be regarded just as a tantric God worshipped only by sadhus and Kapalikas to acquire occult powers. Just like Narasimha, the most powerful incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Bhairava and Veera Bhadra are the fierce manifestations of Lord Shiva to give protection to the virtuous people and to punish the cruel and greedy sinners.

             

 In Tibetan Buddhism he is worshipped as Vajra Bhairava (also called Herukas, Mahakala and Yamantaka) as per Vajrabhairava Tantras. In Vajrayana Buddhist sect, Mahakala Bhairava is the fierce emanation of Bodhisattva and is also called Heruka .

 In Vignana Bhairava tantra, a chapter from Bhairava Agama called Rudrayamala tantra) of trik system, Bhairava explains various tantric ways or meditation methods of attaining transcendental state of consciousness. In Kashmiri Saivism Bhairava is considered as the absolute reality. In Nepal there are many Bhairava temples maintained by Newar priests. In Srilanka Bhairava is called Bahirawa and is regarded as a guardian of treasures. Kapalikas, a tantric sect, worship Bhairava offering animal sacrifice and liquor. They try to get siddhis or supernatural powers by doing various tantric rituals.

 In “Sankara Digvijaya” we come across an episode of a certain Kapalika who tried to kill Sankaracharya to receive supernatural powers. But Sankara’s disciple Sri Padmapada possessed by the power of Narasimha slayed the cruel Kapalika who killed so many people with the selfish motive of acquiring Siddhis. This story clearly reveals that Bhairava does not help persons who commit vicious sins. They have to pay for their cruel karmas.

 Sri Sankaracharya’s beautiful and memorable poem “Kalabhirava Ashtaka” brings out the true essence of Lord Bhairava’s greatness. As the Guardian of Kashi city followed by spirits and ghouls, he grants material as well as spiritual welfare to his devotees. Though he appears fierce looking with protruding teeth and roaring voice, he judges people by their virtuous acts and showers grace to remove evil karmas accrued from base feelings of anger, greed, sorrow and lust and gives them salvation. He revels in his blissful dance and destroys unrighteous people who follow illegal and unjust ways. As the conqueror of death he gives protection to his devotees from evil eyes, black magic and fiends. He is the epitome of all virtues, the most primeval Sanatana Brahman and lord of all worlds. He bestows salvation and gives due merit to those who seek his protection with true devotion and righteous conduct. The hounds which follow Bhairava are really the four Vedas and symbolize true devotion, self-restraint, faithfulness, obedience and loyalty.

The meaning of Bhairava has got many connotations. According to Shiva Purana the syllable “Bha” indicates creation, the syllable “Ra” indicated sustenance and the syllable “Va” suggests destruction. Another interpretation is that “Bha” stands for material wealth, “Ra” stands for dissipation of pessimism, and “Va” stands for continuous progress. Bhairava also means one who has a “terribly fearful form". It also means as one who destroys fear. Bhairava protects his devotees from dreadful enemies, greed, lust and anger. Lord Bhairava as the controller of time and space is regarded as timless supraconsciousness beyond any change and illusions. Sage Markandeya who was destined to die at the age of sixteen worshipped Bhairava Linga and transcended the limits of time and space. So he remained immortal and always looked young like a lad of sixteen years. Shani, son of Surya and Chaaya, was ill-treated by his stepmother, Sandhya. When he was in a depressed mood, his mother advised him to worship Lord Bhairava. Accordingly he worshipped Bhairava and accepted Him as his guru or teacher. Bhairava made him the most powerful planetary god and gave him the honour of being named as Shaneeswara.

 People suffering from Shani Doshams (malefic effects of Shani) should worship Bhairava to get rid of harmful effects of Shani Dev. Tuesday, Saturday and Bahula Ashtami, Amavasya (New Moon) and Poornima (Full Moon) are favorable days for worship of Bhairava. Purified Butter (Ghritabhishekam), red flowers, yellow flowers, ghee lamps, unbroken coconuts, fries made of black lentil paste (vadas), honey, butter pumpkin (small red pumpkin), Water mixed with jiggery, cardamom ad pepper (panakamu) are some of the pooja items used in the worship of Lord Bhairava.  Lighting a clay lamp filled with sesame oil will neutralize the bad effects of Shani Dosha. To receive Lakshmi’s blessings worshipping Bhairava with Bilva leaves chanting the thousand names of Bhairava should be done. Lighting ghee lamps in broken coconut halves on Tuesdays and Fridays will remove sorrow. 

To obtain success Abhishekam should be done to Bhairava and then red clothes, red oleander flowers, red bananas, and a garland of vadas (Vada Mala) should be offered. To avert the bad effects of Pitru Dosha (neglecting rites to be done to forefathers) Rudrabhishekam should be done on Sunday during Rahu Kalam (4.30 to 6.00 p.m.) and Bhairava should be worshipped with a garland made of lemons. Vadas, sesame rice, and panakam (water mixed with jiggery, cardamom powder and pepper powder) should be offered as naivedyam. Poor people should be fed and dogs should be fed with vadas, puris and sweets. Bhairava Jayanti is celebrated on Margaseersha Bahula Ashtami with great pomp in all Bhairava Kshetras.

                                “OM Shwana Dwajhaya Vidhmahe  

                                  Shoola hasthaya Dheemahi

                                  Thanno Bhairavah prachodayath.”

     

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     15th September, 2019                         Somaseshu Gutala     

THE TALE OF CAEDMON

  

                                                       

               

                          

                      Translated version of Caedmon's Hymn in modern English

                      

      

                                    

                                             Whitby Abbey, Norfolkshire

                       

           “Like tongueless Philomel or drunken sot

            With foolish brain and soul here I retire

             A proper place for me this stable

            Where jades and palfreys perk their fine-cut ears

             And hear in thrill the twang of lyre and harp

             Attuned to pleasant paeans and prayers meet;

             While I like a lamb with low-bent shame

             Came here to escape my turn in feast, to strum

             And sing among the Northumbrian friars

             And monks: how ignorance downright derides

             My human form? Thoughts! Come like ocean waves

             And dash my solid ignorance to pieces and light

             My heart with sparkling colors of harmony!

             Let my expression stretch like Aeolian lyre

             Upon which feelings dance with elfin ease;

             No hope; here let me rest alone with these beasts

             Till the ceremony ends with blessings great

             Till all guests go to their cells with serene looks.

             Peace! Close my eyes in soft-bedded slumber.”

             So spake Caedmon with passion-stricken tone

             And slept like a babe tired with weeping cries;

             An angel appeared with starry shining crown

             Beating her wings that shimmered with opal shades

             Her feet hovered in air with heavenly fragrance;

            “Caedmon! She whispered, “Sing me a song.”

             Music flowed from her lips as Caedmon’s eyes

              Like anxious crystal goblets caught them fresh

              As tears swelled with joy as from Pamphian wells;

              Dumb with surprise and wonder he stared; nothing

              He sensed, a living soul wrung from this mortal coil

              Absorbing the melodious voice with rapt attention.

             “Caedmon!” she said, “Be of good cheer, despair thou not

              Wake up thy soul, the gay lark of eternal melodies

              That slumbered long and feast thy heart with pious thoughts

              Sweeter than dryads' and the music of the spheres

              Thou wilt sing of God’s wonderful creation ;

              Sing of heaven and created beings on earth

              Sing of Adam and Eve whom God loved most

              Sing of devil’s temptation and gospels divine

              Sing of the prophet who trod on the Red sea

              Sing of Noah, Abraham, David and Jacob great

              Sing of Joseph’s son and his benevolent promise

              Sing of Lord’s divine healing acts and deeds

              Who walked through dry desert and fasted forty days

              Who journeyed through Jordan and Galilee

              And healed the sinners that sought his refuge

              From Judea, Jericho, Tyre and Sidon;

              Sing of the holy bread and wine and betrayal gross

              Sing of Lord’s passion and pity on Calvary cross;

              The Savior in blood-soaked robes with thorned crown

              Sing of Lord rising again with lightning-clothes

              Like a dove soaring towards His highest abode;

              Rise, Caedmon, rise! Distill thy thoughts

              To sweetest spicy celestial springs

              Still many more ages will take to see

              A seer like thee to sing of glories divine

              In people’s tongue with native melodies mixt

              In organic numbers to illumine noble truths.”

              Wonder-struck by this vision or celestial dream

              Clearly imprinted the angel’s voice and words

              Caedmon hastened to meet his patroness and guide

              The gentle Hilda to convey the blessed gift he got

              To be the singer of sacred verse and praise the Lord

              His ever flowing mercy, glorious acts and deeds.

                    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

   Note : Caedmon was the earliest writer of Old English literature who lived in seventh century according to Bede’s “Ecclesiastical History of the English people” written in Latin. He translated “Caedmon’s Hymn” from Northumbrian into Latin and praised him as the most inspiring writer of the sacred verse. Unfortunately most of the poems written by Caedmon are not found. But according to Bede Caedmon wrote on Christian themes like creation of the world, origin of Man, Exodus, Jesus’ incarnation, Resurrection, preaching of apostles, terrors of future judgment, pains of hell and delights of heaven. Francis Junius published “Caedmon’s Manuscript”(1655) which contains many poems on themes mentioned above. Probably some of these poems might be the work of Caedmon. Caedmon became a lay member of the monastery in his later life and he was not well-educated. But in his vision an angel appeared and blessed him with the gift of composing songs. Caedmon later became a monk and spent the rest of his life in  Whitby monastery till he passed away peacefully in 680 A.D.

     

       

   Philomel = A princess of Athens who was raped by her sister’s husband, Tereus, king of Thrace. To prevent her from speaking about his act, he cut off her tongue. But Philomela took revenge on him and transformed herself into a nightingale by the intervention of gods.

   Sot= a habitual drunkard.

   Palfrey= a saddle horse

   Aeolian lyre= a harp whose strings produce music when wind

   passes over them.

   Pamphian wells = wells in the ancient region of Aetolia

   near Corinth.

   Noah= A devotee of Lord who built a ship and saved mankind and

   all living creatures from extinction during the floods.    

   Abraham= a Jewish prophet who led his countrymen from

   Mesopotamia to the promised land of Canaan.

   David= second king of ancient Israel. He was the father of

   King Solomon who expanded the empire that David built.  

   Jacob = son of Issac and father of the twelve patriarchs of Israel  

   Who trod on Red Sea= Moses who led Jews from Egypt through

    Red Sea.

   Joseph’s son= Jesus Christ   

  

  Sidon and Tyre= cities located in modern Lebanon. Crowds from

  Tyre and Sidon came to listen to Jesus’ preachings (Mark 3:7-8)  

  Passion= suffering of Christ on the cross.       

  Jericho= a Palestian city on the West Bank in the Jordan valley. 

  Judea= the Biblical name for the region of Bethlehem in the

  West bank.

  Calvary= the hill near Jerusalem on which Jesus was crucified.   

 

   Gentle Hilda = A Christian saint (614-680 A.D.) who founded the

   monastery at Whitby.

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   10th september, 2019                                                Somaseshu Gutala