![\"ramakant-tiwari\"](\"https:\/\/patriotsforumindia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/ramakant-tiwari.jpg\")
<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Bhagavana Kala Bhairava<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 is a deity whose name implies terribly frightful,\u00a0Rudra Avatara<\/i>\u00a0 of\u00a0Siva<\/i>\u00a0 associated with annihilation. He is depicted aggressivly with angry eyes shaped like lotus blossoms, blazing hair, tiger\u2019s teeth, snake coiled around neck or crown and an eerie garland of human skulls.\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0carries a trident, drum and severed fifth head of\u00a0Brahma<\/i>. His throat is blue in colour due to poison swallowed by Him to protect the world from annihilation. He masters\u00a0Yama<\/i>, deity of death,\u00a0Moksa\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0and entire\u00a0Tantra<\/i>\u00a0 while His third eye represents supreme eternal wisdom.\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0originated in\u00a0Sanatana<\/i>\u00a0 legends, worshipped by\u00a0Hindu<\/i>-s,\u00a0Buddhist<\/i>-s, Sikhs, Jains throughout\u00a0Bharata<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0and Nepal as the wandering manifest of\u00a0Siva<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0guarding cardinal points.<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
The name\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0has it\u2019s roots in the word\u00a0Bhiru<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0meaning fearful.\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0literally means terribly fearful manifest. He protects his devotees from dreaded foes like greed, lust, anger etc. These are foes that never allow us seek the Supreme Absolute within our innermost realm.\u00a0Bha<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0also means creation while\u00a0Ra<\/i>, sustenance and\u00a0Va<\/i>, dissolution. Therefore,\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0is the one who creates, sustains and dissolves in three stages of life. Therefore He is regarded as the Ultimate and Supreme. Origin of\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0can be traced to a dialogue between\u00a0Brahma\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0Visnu<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0recounted in\u00a0Siva Mahapurana<\/i>. When\u00a0Visnu\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0inquired of\u00a0Brahma<\/i>\u00a0 about the Supreme Creator of Universe,\u00a0Brahma\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0responded Himself to be the Supreme Creator and aspired to be worshipped by Him.\u00a0Brahma<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0too had five heads as with\u00a0Siva<\/i>\u00a0 hence, declared Himself to be the real\u00a0Siva<\/i>\u00a0!! He also began interfering and questioning\u00a0Siva<\/i>\u00a0 for His divine responsibilities. Angered by His tantrums,\u00a0Siva<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0flung a nail from His finger that transformed into\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0who beheaded\u00a0Brahma<\/i>\u00a0 to restrain Him. Thus,\u00a0Brahma Kapala<\/i>\u00a0 is held in hands of\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>, His\u00a0Ahamkara<\/i>\u00a0 was destroyed to become enlightened. Beheading\u00a0Brahma<\/i>\u2019s head amounted to slaying a\u00a0Brahmana<\/i>. Consequently,\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0had to wander carrying the gory head with Him for 12 years like a vagabond till He was liberated of the\u00a0Karma<\/i>.<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
In the manifest of\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>,\u00a0Siva\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0guards all\u00a0Saktipitha<\/i>-s. Each\u00a0Saktipitha Mandira<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0has a\u00a0Mandira<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0dedicated to\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>. Another version narrates\u00a0Siva<\/i>\u00a0 Himself created\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 by transforming\u00a0Kali<\/i>\u2019s wrath into\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 after successful slaying of demon\u00a0Dahur\u0101sura\u1e47<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0by\u00a0Kali<\/i>. Thereafter,\u00a0Kali<\/i>\u00a0 and\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 merged into\u00a0Siva<\/i>. After the merger,\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0appeared as\u00a0Astanga Bhairava<\/i>. Yet another\u00a0Puranic<\/i>\u00a0 version states,\u00a0Siva\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>created\u00a0Bhairava\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0to destroy demons in a battle with\u00a0Deva<\/i>-s.\u00a0Astanga Bhairava<\/i>-s were created from\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 subsequently who married\u00a0Asta Matrika<\/i>-s. From\u00a0Asta Bhairava<\/i>-s and\u00a0Asta Matrika<\/i>-s, 64\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>-s and 64\u00a0Yogini<\/i>-s were created. Normally\u00a0Siva Mandira<\/i>-s have\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>, also known as\u00a0Ksetrapala<\/i>, facing north-south direction in a standing position with four hands armed with drum, noose, trident and a skull. Some manifests of\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 have more than four hands. His weapons, dog as His mount, protruding teeth, garlanded with red flowers, all these impart a terrifying appearance. His regular\u00a0Puja<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0begins with\u00a0Surya<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0concluding with\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>.\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0likes\u00a0Abhi\u1e63eka\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>with red flowers, Ghee lamp, coconut, honey, boiled food, fruits etc. Friday midnight is the auspicious moment to pray to\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 as it is believed, devotees may have\u00a0Darsana<\/i>\u00a0 of both,\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 and\u00a0Bhairavi<\/i>.<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Svarnakarsna Bhairava<\/i><\/b>, the ultimate manifest, is red complexioned, golden attired with a lunar crescent on His Crown and four hands. One of His hands carry a golden vessel assuring prosperity and wealth with\u00a0Mangalavara<\/i>\u00a0 being preferred day of His worship. Ancient texts also describe Him having thirty-two hands, bird shaped with golden complexion, terrible teeth and human form above the hip. He is also worshipped to destroy adversaries. Eight\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>-s represent five\u00a0Bhuta<\/i>-s viz.\u00a0Akasa<\/i>,\u00a0Vayu<\/i>,\u00a0Agni<\/i>,\u00a0Jala<\/i>,\u00a0Prthvi\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0and other three being\u00a0Surya<\/i>,\u00a0Candra<\/i>\u00a0 and\u00a0Atma<\/i>. They all have different appearances, weapons,\u00a0Vahana<\/i>-s, bless their devotees with eight types of wealth representing\u00a0Asta Laksmi<\/i>. Regular worship of\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0leads worshippers to his\u00a0 \/ her pre-determined\u00a0Guru<\/i>. Eight individual\u00a0Mantra<\/i>-s invoke eight\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>-s separately.\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0worshiping begets prosperity, success, superior progeny, prevents premature death, eradicates debts and liabilities. All manifests of\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0evolve only from\u00a0\u015aiva<\/i>\u00a0 alone who is also adored as\u00a0Mah\u0101 Bhairava<\/i>.<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Every\u00a0Jyotirlinga<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0has a\u00a0Mandira<\/i>\u00a0 dedicated to\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 too. Visit to every\u00a0Jyotorlingesvara<\/i>\u00a0 must be preceded by adoration of\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 in His exclusive\u00a0Mandira<\/i>\u00a0 too. Shrines of\u00a0Patala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0Vikranta Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0are located in Ujjain as well. The deity in\u00a0Kala Bhairava Mandira<\/i>\u00a0 at Ujjain accepts liquor in a flat silver bowl offered by\u00a0Pujari<\/i>-s and leaves a bit for devotees as\u00a0Prasada<\/i>. That constitutes\u00a0Tamasika\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0worship, also known as\u00a0Vammargiya Puja<\/i>.\u00a0Avanti<\/i>\u00a0Khanda<\/i>\u00a0 of\u00a0Skanda Purana<\/i>\u00a0 mentions\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>, thus being older than even\u00a0Mahabharata<\/i>. Historically, the temple dates back to Parmar dynasty during 8th<\/sup>\u00a0to 10th<\/sup>\u00a0century AD with the original one constructed by King Bhadrasen. However, present temple building reveals Maratha influence with a conical tower studded with stone lampholders. This\u00a0Mandira<\/i>\u00a0 is central to\u00a0Tantric<\/i>\u00a0Sadhana<\/i>\u00a0 with the deity being a huge stone smeared with vermillion with two eyes created on it.\u00a0Murty\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0is purported to be\u00a0Tantric<\/i>\u00a0 in origin, not in human form but as a\u00a0Vighraha<\/i>\u00a0 i.e. embodiment of\u00a0Param Brahmatma<\/i>\u00a0 with no contours at all being\u00a0Nirakara<\/i>.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Jagadguru Adi<\/i><\/b>\u00a0Samkaracarya<\/i>\u00a0 composed a poetic adoration dedicated unto\u00a0Bhagavana Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 known as\u00a0Kala Bhiravastakama<\/i>.\u00a0Bhairava Astami\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>commemorating the day\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0appeared, is celebrated on\u00a0Krsna Paksa Astami<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0Margasirsa<\/i>, as a day of prayers and rituals.\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0is adored with ornaments ranging from twisted serpents as earrings, bracelets, anklets to sacred\u00a0Yajnopavita<\/i>. He wraps tiger hide and an apron of human bones. He has a\u00a0Svana<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0as His divine mount.\u00a0Devi Bhairavi<\/i>\u00a0 is a fierce and terrifying aspect of\u00a0Sakti\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0almost indistinguishable from\u00a0Kali\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0except that of Her being His consort. Like\u00a0Jyotirlinga<\/i>-s,\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 shrines exist in\u00a0Saktipitha<\/i>-s too.\u00a0Bhagavana Siva<\/i>\u00a0 is believed to have allocated responsibility of guarding all 52\u00a0Saktipitha<\/i>-s to one\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 each. Thus emerged 52 manifests of\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>, all directly from\u00a0Siva<\/i>\u00a0 Himself. Eight\u00a0Bhairava\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0manifests collectively known as\u00a0Asta Bhairava<\/i>, happen to be \u2013<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Asitanga Bhairava<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Ruru Bhairava<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Canda Bhairava<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Krodha Bhairava<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Unmatta Bhairava<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Kapala Bhairava<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Bhisana Bhairava<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Samhara Bhairava<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sixty four\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>-s are grouped in eight categories and each category is headed by one\u00a0Astanga Bhairava<\/i>. Eight\u00a0Astanga Bhairava<\/i>-s together monitor eight directions of the universe. Each\u00a0Astanga Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0has one sub\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0under Him totalling sixty four\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>-s. All\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>-s are governed by\u00a0Maha Swarna Kala Bhairava<\/i>, also known as\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>, Supreme Master of Time of the universe.\u00a0Bhairavi\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0is His consort and\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0is also known as protector who guards eight directions of the universe.\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0guards every\u00a0Mandira<\/i>\u00a0 wherein He is established and consecrated. In\u00a0Siva Mandira<\/i>-s, keys are placed before\u00a0Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 when locked for the day at night. He is also protector of women and the weak.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Kala Bhairava<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0is conceptualized as\u00a0Guru<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0Sani<\/i>\u00a0 and known as\u00a0Bhairavara<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0or\u00a0Vairavara<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0in Tamil where He is often adored as\u00a0Grama Deva<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0or guardian of the village who safeguards devotees in eight directions; known as\u00a0Bahirawa\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0in Sinhalese, said to protect treasure. He is the deity worshipped by\u00a0Aghora<\/i>\u00a0 sect.\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0is an important deity of Newars. All traditional settlements of Newars have a\u00a0Kala Bhairava Mandira<\/i>. Majority of\u00a0Kala Bhairava Mandira<\/i>-s in Nepal are maintained by\u00a0Pujari<\/i>-s of Newar community. Kathmandu valley is dotted with\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0 shrines while in\u00a0Sri Adichunchanagiri<\/i>\u00a0 of Karnataka,\u00a0Sri Kalabhairaveswara\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0is adored as\u00a0Ksetra Palaka<\/i>. Traditionally,\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0is\u00a0Grama Deva<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0in rural Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu where He is also described as\u00a0Bhaivara<\/i>\u00a0\/\u00a0Annadhani<\/i>\u00a0Vairavara<\/i>. In Karnataka,\u00a0Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0is the supreme deity for community referred to as\u00a0Gowda<\/i>-s.\u00a0Gangadikara Gowda\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0community adores Him as their caretaker and protector.\u00a0Sri Kala Bhairava<\/i>\u00a0Nath Swami Mandira<\/i>\u00a0 in Madhya Pradesh is also widely known.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" RUDRA AVATARA\u00a0\u00a0OF\u00a0KALA BHAIRAVA By Ramakant Tiwari \u00a0 Bhagavana Kala Bhairava\u00a0 is a deity whose… more