Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam Meaning — Line by Line
काल भैरव अष्टकम्
Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi
Meaning — Line by Line
Every verse of Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.
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- Verse 1. Devarajasevyamana Pavananghrpankajam
- Verse 2. Bhanukotibhasvaram Bhavabdhitarakam Param
- Verse 3. Shoolatanka Pashadanda Panimadikaranam
- Verse 4. Bhuktimuktidayakam Prashastachaaruvigrahm
- Verse 5. Dharmasetupaalakam Tvadharmamarganashakam
- Verse 6. Ratnapaduka Prabha Abhirama Padayugmakam
- Verse 7. Attahasabhinna Padmajanda Kosha Santatim
- Verse 8. Bhootasanghanayakam Vishalakeertidayakam
Devarajasevyamana Pavananghrpankajam
देवराजसेव्यमानपावनाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्। नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगम्बरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Devarajasevyamana Pavananghrpankajam Vyalayagyasutram Indushekharam Kripakaram Naradadi Yogivrinda Vanditam Digambaram Kashikapuradhianatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje
MeaningI worship Kaal Bhairav, the lord of Kashi — whose purifying lotus feet are served by Indra king of gods, who wears serpents as sacred thread, the moon as crown, who is compassionate, worshipped by Narada and all yogis, who is sky-clad.
Bhanukotibhasvaram Bhavabdhitarakam Param
भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम्। कालकालमम्बुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Bhanukotibhasvaram Bhavabdhitarakam Param Neelakantham Eepsitarthadayakam Trilochanam Kalakalam Ambujakshm Akshashulamaksharam Kashikapuradhianatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje
MeaningI worship Kaal Bhairav of Kashi — blazing like a billion suns, who helps cross the ocean of existence, the supreme one, blue-throated, three-eyed, granter of desires, death of death itself, lotus-eyed, imperishable.
Shoolatanka Pashadanda Panimadikaranam
शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम्। भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Shoolatanka Pashadanda Panimadikaranam Shyamakayam Adidevam Aksharam Niramayam Bheemavikramam Prabhum Vichitratandavapriyam Kashikapuradhianatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje
MeaningI worship Kaal Bhairav of Kashi — holding trident, axe, noose and staff, the primordial cause, dark-bodied, the first god, imperishable, free from disease, of terrifying valor, who loves the wondrous cosmic dance.
Bhuktimuktidayakam Prashastachaaruvigrahm
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम्। विनिक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Bhuktimuktidayakam Prashastachaaruvigrahm Bhaktavatsalam Sthitam Samastalokavigrahm Vinikvanmanojnya Hemakinkini Lasatkantim Kashikapuradhianatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje
MeaningI worship Kaal Bhairav of Kashi — who grants worldly enjoyment and liberation, whose form is beautiful and praised, who is compassionate to devotees, established in all worlds, whose waist shines with golden bells.
Dharmasetupaalakam Tvadharmamarganashakam
धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं कर्मपाशमोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम्। स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाशशोभिताङ्गमण्डलं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Dharmasetupaalakam Tvadharmamarganashakam Karmapasamochakam Susharmadayakam Vibhum Swarnavarneshesha Pasha Shobhitanga Mandalam Kashikapuradhianatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje
MeaningI worship Kaal Bhairav of Kashi — protector of the bridge of dharma, destroyer of paths of unrighteousness, who frees from the noose of karma, who grants happiness, all-pervading, whose body shines adorned with golden serpents.
Ratnapaduka Prabha Abhirama Padayugmakam
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकं नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरञ्जनम्। मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Ratnapaduka Prabha Abhirama Padayugmakam Nityam Adviteeyam Ishtadaivatam Niranjanam Mrityudarpanashanam Karaladamshtra Mokshanam Kashikapuradhianatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje
MeaningI worship Kaal Bhairav of Kashi — whose pair of feet shine with gem-studded sandals, eternal, unique, the chosen deity, pure, destroyer of death's pride, who liberates with his fierce fangs.
Attahasabhinna Padmajanda Kosha Santatim
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोशसन्ततिं दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम्। अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Attahasabhinna Padmajanda Kosha Santatim Drishtipata Nashtapapajaalam Ugrashashnam Ashtasiddhidayakam Kapalamalikaadharam Kashikapuradhianatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje
MeaningI worship Kaal Bhairav of Kashi — whose thundering laughter shattered Brahma's cosmic eggs, whose mere glance destroys the web of sins, fierce ruler, granter of eight supernatural powers, who wears a garland of skulls.
Bhootasanghanayakam Vishalakeertidayakam
भूतसङ्घनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम्। नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Bhootasanghanayakam Vishalakeertidayakam Kashivasaloka Punyapapa Shodhakam Vibhum Neetimargakovidam Puratnam Jagatpatim Kashikapuradhianatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje
MeaningI worship Kaal Bhairav of Kashi — leader of the hosts of spirits, bestower of vast fame, who purifies the sins and merits of all who dwell in Kashi, all-pervading, knower of the path of righteousness, ancient lord of the universe.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Origin & History
Source: Composed by Adi Shankaracharya
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Period: 8th century CE
Shankaracharya composed this ashtakam in Kashi (Varanasi) at the Kaal Bhairav temple, one of the most ancient and powerful temples in the holy city. Kaal Bhairav is considered the fierce guardian deity of Kashi — tradition says no one can live in Kashi without his permission, and he judges the karma of all who die there, determining their fate in the afterlife.
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