Hindu prayer

Kala Bhairava Ashtakam

Kala Bhairava Ashtakam in the original Sanskrit and with its meaning.

37 lines
Under a minute to recite
Kala Bhairava Ashtakam

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1
देवराज्यसेव्यमानपावनाघ्रिपंकजम्
Whose holy lotus feet are served by the king of the gods,
2
व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिंदूशेखरं कृपाकरम्|
Who wears a serpent as his sacred thread and the moon upon his head, the source of compassion,
3
नारदादियोगिवृंद वंदितं दिगंबरम्
Who is revered by Narada and the hosts of yogis, who is clothed in the directions,
4
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.
5
भानुकोटिभास्करं भवाब्दितारकं परं
Who shines like ten million suns, who carries us across the ocean of worldly existence, the Supreme,
6
नीलकण्ठमीप्सिथार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम|
The blue-throated, three-eyed one, who grants desired blessings,
7
कालकालमम्बुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं
The death of death, the lotus-eyed, imperishable one, who bears a rosary and trident,
8
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.
9
शूलटंकपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं
Who holds a trident, axe, noose, and staff in his hands, the primordial cause,
10
श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम|
The dark-bodied, primordial deity, imperishable and free from affliction,
11
भीमविक्रम प्रभुं विचित्र तांडवप्रियं
The Lord of fearsome valor, who delights in the wondrous Tandava dance,
12
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.
13
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तलोकविग्रहं
Who grants worldly enjoyment and liberation, whose form is praised throughout the worlds,
14
भक्तवस्तलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहं|
Who is loving toward his devotees, who abides as the embodiment of all the worlds,
15
विनिकण्वन्मनोज्ञ्हेम्किंकिणीलस्तकटिं
Whose waist is adorned with lovely golden bells that ring out,
16
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.
17
धर्मसेतूपालकं त्वधर्ममार्ग्नाशकम्
Who guards the bounds of dharma and destroys the path of unrighteousness,
18
कर्मपाशमोचकम् सुशर्मदारकम् विभुम्|
Who releases us from the bonds of karma, the all-pervading one who bestows blessed well-being,
19
स्वर्णवर्णशेष्पाशशोभितांगमण्डलं
Whose body is adorned with the coils of the golden-hued serpent Shesha,
20
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.
21
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकम्
Whose two feet are beautiful with the radiance of jeweled sandals,
22
नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्ट दैवतं निरंजनम्|
The eternal, peerless, beloved deity, the stainless one,
23
मृत्यु दर्प नाशनं करालदंष्ट्र मोक्षणम्
Who destroys the pride of death, whose fearsome fangs bring release,
24
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.
25
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्ड्कोशसंततिं
Whose thunderous laughter shatters the multitude of cosmic eggs of the lotus-born Brahma,
26
दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनं
Whose glance destroys the web of sins, whose rule is stern,
27
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं
Who bestows the eight siddhis and wears a garland of skulls,
28
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.
29
भूतसंघनायकं विशालकिर्तीदायकं
Who leads the hosts of spirits and bestows great renown,
30
काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम्|
The all-pervading one, who sifts the merits and sins of those who dwell in Kashi,
31
नितिमार्गकोविदम् पुरातनम् जगत्पतिं
Who knows the path of righteousness, the ancient one, the lord of the universe,
32
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.
33
कालभैरवाष्टकम् पठन्ति ये मनोहरं
Those who recite this enchanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam,
34
ज्ञानमुक्ति साधनम् विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम्|
A means to knowledge and liberation, which increases manifold merit,
35
शोकमोह्दैन्यलोभकोपताप्नाशनम्
Which destroys sorrow, delusion, misery, greed, anger, and suffering,
36
प्रयान्ति कालभैरवांघ्रिसन्निधिम् नरा धृवम्
Surely attain the presence of Kalabhairava’s feet.
37
काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम् भजे|
I worship Kalabhairava, the sovereign lord of the city of Kashi.

Text: Kala Bhairava Ashtakam, Sanskrit text. Copied word for word from the edition named here

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When it is recited

Many Hindu devotees recite Kala Bhairava Ashtakam during worship of Shiva or Bhairava, or as part of regular personal devotion. It is also recited on Kalabhairava Jayanti and during visits to Bhairava temples. In the tradition, the hymn expresses reverence and seeks protection, guidance and freedom from fear.

Daily devotion
Bhairava worship
Kalabhairava Jayanti
Temple visits

Where it comes from

Kala Bhairava Ashtakam is a Sanskrit devotional hymn traditionally attributed to Adi Shankara. It praises Kala Bhairava, a fierce form of Shiva closely associated with Kashi, also known as Varanasi. The hymn describes Bhairava's attributes and honours him as the lord of Kashi.

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Questions about Kala Bhairava Ashtakam

Who is Kala Bhairava?

Kala Bhairava is a fierce form of Shiva associated with time and protection. He is especially revered as a guardian of Kashi.

Who wrote Kala Bhairava Ashtakam?

The hymn is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankara.

What language is the hymn in?

Kala Bhairava Ashtakam is in Sanskrit. The text is presented in its original form alongside its meaning.

How many lines does this text have?

The text presented here has 37 lines.

When is Kala Bhairava Ashtakam recited?

Many devotees recite it during Bhairava worship, on Kalabhairava Jayanti or as part of daily devotion. It may also be recited when visiting a Bhairava temple.