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| Akasha Bhairava, Nepal |
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| 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
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