Introduction to Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam
The Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam काल भैरव अष्टक is a revered Sanskrit hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya to honor Lord Kaal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. This Ashtakam invokes Kaal Bhairav’s power to protect devotees from fear, obstacles, and negative forces, making it a powerful prayer for those seeking spiritual strength and fearlessness. Known as the protector of Kashi (Varanasi), Lord Kaal Bhairav is believed to safeguard devotees on the spiritual path, guiding them towards liberation (moksha).
Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam – Complete Lyrics with Word-by-Word Meaning and Detailed Explanations
अथ श्री शङ्कराचार्य विरचितम् काल भैरवाष्टकम्
Atha Shri Shankaracharya Virachitam Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam
Translation: “Now begins the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.”
Verse 1
देव राज सेव्यमान पावन अङ्घ्रि पङ्कजम्
व्याल यज्ञ सूत्र मिन्दु शेखरं कृपाकरम् ।
नारद आदि योगि वृन्द वन्दितं दिगंबरम्
काशिका पुराधिनाथ काल भैरवं भजे ॥ १॥
- Deva (देव): Lord or God
- Raaja (राज): King, referring to Indra, the king of gods
- Sevyamaan (सेव्यमान): Worshipped
- Paavana (पावन): Pure, sacred
- Anghri (अङ्घ्रि): Feet
- Pankajam (पङ्कजम्): Lotus
- Vyaala (व्याल): Serpent
- Yajnya (यज्ञ): Sacrificial thread
- Suutram (सूत्र): Thread
- Indu (इन्दु): Moon
- Shekharam (शेखरं): Crest, adornment on the head
- Krpaakaram (कृपाकरम्): Embodiment of compassion
- Naara-Daadi-Yogi-Vrnda-Vanditam (नारद आदि योगि वृन्द वन्दितं): Worshipped by sages like Narada
- Dig-Ambaram (दिगंबरम्): Clothed by the directions (meaning unclothed or free)
- Kaashikaapura-Adhinaatha (काशिका पुराधिनाथ): Lord of Kashi
- Kaal Bhairavam (काल भैरवं): Fierce aspect of Lord Shiva as the master of time
- Bhaje (भजे): I worship
“I worship Lord Kaal Bhairav, the fierce protector of Kashi, whose lotus feet are worshipped by Indra and other gods. He is adorned with a serpent as his sacred thread, with the moon as his crown, and is filled with compassion. Sages like Narada venerate him, and he is unclothed, symbolizing freedom from worldly attachments.”
Verse 2
भानु कोटि भास्वरं भवाब्धि तारकं परम्
नील कण्ठ मीप्सितार्थ दायकं त्रिलोचनम् ।
काल काल अंबुजाक्ष मक्ष शूल मक्षरं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ काल भैरवं भजे ॥ २॥
- Bhaanu (भानु): Sun
- Koti (कोटि): Million
- Bhaasvaram (भास्वरं): Shining, radiating
- Bhava (भव): Worldly existence
- Abdhi (अब्धि): Ocean
- Taarakam (तारकं): Savior, guide
- Param (परम्): Supreme
- Neela (नील): Blue
- Kantha (कण्ठ): Throat
- Ipsita (इप्सित): Desired
- Artha (अर्थ): Goal, purpose
- Daayakam (दायकं): Giver
- Trilochanam (त्रिलोचनम्): Three-eyed
- Kaala (काल): Time, also death
- Ambuja (अम्बुज): Lotus-eyed
- Aksham (अक्ष): Imperishable
- Aksharam (अक्षरम्): Eternal, unchanging
- Shulam (शूलम): Trident
- Kaashiikaapura-Adhinaatha (काशिका पुराधिनाथ): Lord of Kashi
- Kaal Bhairavam (काल भैरवं): Fierce form of Shiva
- Bhaje (भजे): I worship
“I worship Lord Kaal Bhairav, who shines like millions of suns, illuminating all directions. He is the supreme savior, helping his devotees cross the ocean of worldly existence. His throat is blue, he grants the desired goals of his devotees, has three eyes, and holds a trident. He is eternal and unchanging, the fierce lord of Kashi, embodying the power of time.”
Verse 3
शूल टंक पाश दण्ड पाणिमादि कारणम्
श्याम काय मादि देव मक्षरं निरामयम् ।
भीम विक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्र ताण्डव प्रियं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ काल भैरवं भजे ॥ ३॥
- Shuula (शूल): Spear or trident
- Tanka (टंक): Axe
- Paasha (पाश): Noose
- Danda (दण्ड): Staff
- Paanim (पाणिम्): Hands
- Aadi (आदि): Primordial, original
- Kaaranam (कारणम्): Cause
- Shyaama (श्याम): Dark
- Kaaya (काय): Body
- Madi (मदि): First, original
- Deva (देव): God
- Aksharam (अक्षरम्): Eternal, undestroyable
- Niraamayam (निरामयम्): Free from disease or affliction
- Bhiima Vikramam (भीम विक्रमं): Fierce and powerful
- Prabhum (प्रभुं): Lord
- Vichitra (विचित्र): Wonderful, unique
- Taandava (ताण्डव): The cosmic dance of destruction
- Priyam (प्रियं): Beloved
- Kaashiikaapura-Adhinaatha (काशिका पुराधिनाथ): Lord of Kashi
- Kaal Bhairavam (काल भैरवं): Fierce form of Lord Shiva
- Bhaje (भजे): I worship
“I bow to Lord Kaal Bhairav, the original cause of all creation. He holds a spear, axe, noose, and staff in his powerful hands, symbolizing his mastery over creation, preservation, and destruction. His complexion is dark, and he is the first god, eternal, free from any affliction. Fierce in his actions, he loves the cosmic dance of Tandava and embodies strength and fearlessness.”
Verse 4
भुक्ति मुक्ति दायकं प्रशस्त चारु विग्रहम्
भक्त वत्सलं स्थितं समस्त लोक विग्रहम् ।
विनिक्वणत् मनोज्ञ हेम किंकि णी लसत् कटिं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ काल भैरवं भजे ॥ ४॥
- Bhukti (भुक्ति): Material enjoyment
- Mukti (मुक्ति): Liberation
- Daayakam (दायकं): Giver
- Prashasta (प्रशस्त): Praised
- Charu (चारु): Beautiful
- Vigraham (विग्रहम्): Form or appearance
- Bhakta (भक्त): Devotee
- Vatsalam (वत्सलम्): Compassionate, loving
- Sthitam (स्थितम्): Established
- Samasta (समस्त): All, entire
- Loka (लोक): World, universe
- Vigraham (विग्रहम्): Form or manifestation
- Vin (विन): Sound
- Manojna (मनोज्ञ): Delightful, pleasing
- Hema (हेम): Gold
- Kinki (किंकि): Bells
- Nii-Lasat-Kattim (णी लसत कटिं): Adorning the waist
- Kaashiikaapura-Adhinaatha (काशिका पुराधिनाथ): Lord of Kashi
- Kaal Bhairavam (काल भैरवं): Fierce form of Shiva
- Bhaje (भजे): I worship
“I bow to Lord Kaal Bhairav, who bestows both material prosperity and spiritual liberation. His form is praiseworthy, beautiful, and compassionate towards his devotees. He is established as the manifestation of the entire universe and wears a golden belt adorned with small bells around his waist, which tinkle delightfully as he moves.”
Verse 5
धर्म सेतु पालकं त्वधर्म मार्ग नाशनम्
कर्म पाश मोचकं सुशर्म दायकं विभुम् ।
स्वर्ण वर्ण शेष पाश शोभित अङ्ग मण्डलं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ काल भैरवं भजे ॥ ५॥
- Dharma (धर्म): Righteousness, moral path
- Setu (सेतु): Bridge, symbolizing the path to liberation
- Paalakam (पालकं): Protector
- Tvadharma (त्वधर्म): Unrighteousness, adharma
- Maarga (मार्ग): Path
- Naashanam (नाशनम्): Destroyer
- Karma (कर्म): Actions, karma
- Paasha (पाश): Bondage or chains
- Mocakam (मोचकं): Liberator, one who frees
- Su-Sharma (सुशर्म): Supreme happiness, bliss
- Daayakam (दायकं): Giver
- Vibhum (विभुम्): The all-pervading Lord
- Swarna (स्वर्ण): Golden
- Varna (वर्ण): Color or hue
- Shesha (शेष): Serpent
- Paasha (पाश): Noose or snare
- Shobhita (शोभित): Adorned, shining
- Anga-Mandalam (अङ्ग मण्डलम्): Limbs or body
- Kaashiikaapura-Adhinaatha (काशिका पुराधिनाथ): Lord of Kashi
- Kaal Bhairavam (काल भैरवं): Fierce form of Lord Shiva
- Bhaje (भजे): I worship
“I worship Lord Kaal Bhairav, the divine protector of the bridge of Dharma, who leads his devotees on the righteous path. He is the destroyer of the path of Adharma (unrighteousness) and frees devotees from the chains of karmic bondage. As the giver of supreme bliss and the all-pervading Lord, his body is adorned with the golden-hued serpent and shines with radiant energy.”
Verse 6
रत्न पादुका प्रभाभि राम पाद युग्मकम्
नित्य मद्वितीय मिष्ट दैवतं निरंजनम् ।
मृत्यु दर्प नाशनं कराल दंष्ट्र मोक्षणम्
काशिका पुराधिनाथ काल भैरवं भजे ॥ ६॥
- Ratna (रत्न): Gem or jewel
- Paduka (पादुका): Sandals
- Prabhaabhi-Raama (प्रभाभि राम): Beautiful with shining radiance
- Paada-Yugmakam (पाद युग्मकम्): Pair of feet
- Nitya (नित्य): Eternal
- Adwaitiya (अद्वितीय): Without a second, unique
- Mishta-Daivatam (मिष्ट दैवतं): Beloved deity
- Niranjanam (निरंजनम्): Pure, without blemish
- Mrityu (मृत्यु): Death
- Darp (दर्प): Pride, arrogance
- Naashanam (नाशनं): Destroyer
- Karaala-Damshtra (कराल दंष्ट्र): Fierce teeth, symbolizing power
- Mokshanam (मोक्षणम्): Liberation
- Kaashiikaapura-Adhinaatha (काशिका पुराधिनाथ): Lord of Kashi
- Kaal Bhairavam (काल भैरवं): Fierce form of Lord Shiva
- Bhaje (भजे): I worship
“I bow to Lord Kaal Bhairav, whose feet, adorned with gem-studded sandals, radiate divine beauty. He is eternal, unmatched, and revered as the beloved deity of his devotees. Pure and blemishless, he destroys the arrogance of death with his fierce fangs, symbolizing his power over mortality and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.”
Verse 7
अट्टहास भिन्न पद्मजाण्ड कोश संततिं
दृष्टि पात नष्ट पाप जाल मोग्र शासनम् ।
अष्ट सिद्धि दायकं कपाल मालिका धरं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ काल भैरवं भजे ॥ ७॥
- Atta-Haasa (अट्टहास): Loud laughter
- Bhinna (भिन्न): Shattering
- Padmaja (पद्मज): Lotus-born, referring to Brahma
- Anda (अण्ड): Cosmic egg
- Kosha (कोश): Sheath, covering
- Samtatim (संततिं): Continuity
- Drishti (दृष्टि): Glance
- Paat (पात): Fall, destroy
- Nashta (नष्ट): Destroyed
- Paapa-Jaalam (पाप जाल): Net of sins
- Ugra (उग्र): Fierce
- Shaasanam (शासनम्): Discipline, governance
- Ashta-Siddhi (अष्ट सिद्धि): Eight supernatural powers
- Daayakam (दायकं): Giver
- Kapala (कपाल): Skull
- Maalika (मालिका): Garland
- Dharam (धरं): Wearing
- Kaashiikaapura-Adhinaatha (काशिका पुराधिनाथ): Lord of Kashi
- Kaal Bhairavam (काल भैरवं): Fierce form of Shiva
- Bhaje (भजे): I worship
“I bow to Lord Kaal Bhairav, whose fierce laughter shatters the cosmic egg of Brahma, symbolizing the creation and dissolution of the universe. His mere glance destroys the dense web of sins, and he governs with fierce discipline. He is the bestower of the eight Siddhis (supernatural powers) and wears a garland of skulls, representing his mastery over life and death.”
Verse 8
भूत संघ नायकं विशाल कीर्ति दायकं
काशि वास लोक पुण्य पाप शोधकं विभुम् ।
नीति मार्ग कोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ काल भैरवं भजे ॥ ८॥
- Bhoota (भूत): Spirit, ghost
- Sangha (संग): Group, assembly
- Nayakam (नायकं): Leader
- Vishaala (विशाल): Great, immense
- Kirti (कीर्ति): Fame
- Daayakam (दायकं): Giver
- Kaashi-Vaasa (काशि वास): Resident of Kashi
- Loka (लोक): World, people
- Punya (पुण्य): Virtue
- Paapa (पाप): Sin
- Shodhakam (शोधकं): Purifier
- Vibhum (विभुम्): The all-pervading one
- Neeti (नीति): Morality
- Maarga (मार्ग): Path
- Kovidam (कोविदं): Expert, wise
- Puraatanam (पुरातनं): Ancient
- Jagat-Patim (जगत्पतिं): Lord of the Universe
- Kaashiikaapura-Adhinaatha (काशिका पुराधिनाथ): Lord of Kashi
- Kaal Bhairavam (काल भैरवं): Fierce form of Shiva
- Bhaje (भजे): I worship
“I bow to Lord Kaal Bhairav, the mighty leader of ghostly beings, who bestows great fame and purifies the residents of Kashi, removing their sins and enhancing their virtues. He is the all-pervading Lord, the ancient one, and the master of the universe, possessing deep wisdom in matters of morality and the righteous path.”
Phalashruti (Benefits of Chanting Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam)
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठंति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञानमुक्ति साधनं विचित्र पुण्यवर्धनम् ।
शोक मोह दैन्य लोभ कोप ताप नाशनं
प्रयान्ति काल भैरव अङ्घ्रि सन्निधिं नरा ध्रुवम् ॥
- Kaalabhairava-Ashtakam (कालभैरवाष्टकं): Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam
- Patthanti (पठंति): Recite
- Ye (ये): Those who
- Manoharam (मनोहरं): Beautiful, captivating
- Jnana (ज्ञान): Knowledge
- Mukti (मुक्ति): Liberation
- Saadhanam (साधनं): Means, path
- Vicitra (विचित्र): Wonderful
- Punya (पुण्य): Virtues
- Vardhanam (वर्धनम्): Increase
- Shoka (शोक): Sorrow
- Moha (मोह): Delusion
- Dainya (दैन्य): Misery
- Lobha (लोभ): Greed
- Kopa (कोप): Anger
- Taapa (ताप): Suffering
- Naashanam (नाशनं): Destruction
- Prayaanti (प्रयान्ति): Reach
- Kaal Bhairava-Anghri-Sannidhim (काल भैरव अङ्घ्रि सन्निधिं): Proximity of Kaal Bhairav’s feet
- Naraa (नरा): People
- Dhruvam (ध्रुवम्): Certainly
“Those who recite this captivating Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam as a path to knowledge and liberation experience the wonders of accumulating virtues. This hymn destroys sorrow, delusion, greed, and anger, leading the devotee to the sacred presence of Lord Kaal Bhairav.”
इति श्री शङ्कराचार्य विरचितम् काल भैरवाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम्
Translation: “Thus concludes the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.”
Benefits and Significance of Chanting Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam
- Provides Protection from Negativity: Kaal Bhairav guards devotees from dark forces, evil intentions, and misfortune.
- Instills Fearlessness and Strength: Chanting this Ashtakam cultivates inner strength and helps face life’s challenges with courage.
- Destroys Obstacles and Past Karma: Kaal Bhairav helps remove karmic obstacles, purifying devotees’ lives and freeing them from negative influences.
- Fosters Spiritual Growth: Regular chanting connects the devotee with the divine, bringing inner peace and liberation from attachments.
How to Chant for Maximum Benefits
- Best Time: Early morning or evening is ideal for chanting the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam.
- Focus and Devotion: Sit calmly, focus on each word, and chant with dedication to invoke the blessings of Lord Kaal Bhairav.
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