Kalabhairava Ashtakam

A hymn for the guardian of Kashi

Every verse of this ashtakam ends with the same line: Kashika-puradhinatha Kalabhairavam bhaje, "I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of the city of Kashi." That refrain places the hymn exactly. In Varanasi, Shiva is Vishwanath, the lord of the universe, but it is Kaal Bhairav, his fierce form, who is the city's Kotwal, its guardian, keeping watch over who lives there and settling their karma. The stotra is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, and it is one of the most widely chanted of his hymns. Its quick, marching metre suits the god it praises.

Who the verses describe

The eight verses build up a full picture of Bhairav. He is gentle and terrifying at once:

• Worshipped by the gods (1). Indra serves his lotus feet; he wears a snake as his sacred thread and the moon on his head; Narada and the yogis bow to him; he is digambara, clothed only by the directions.
• Shiva himself (2). Bright as ten million suns, blue-throated, three-eyed, the one who carries us across the ocean of samsara, and kala-kala, the death of Death.
• Armed and dancing (3). Holding trident, axe, noose and staff, dark-bodied, of terrible valour, fond of the wild tandava dance.
• Kind to devotees (4). Giver of both worldly enjoyment and liberation (bhukti-mukti), with golden bells chiming at his waist.
• The keeper of dharma (5). Protector of the bridge of dharma, destroyer of the paths of adharma, and karma-pasha-mochaka, the one who frees us from the noose of karma.
• The breaker of death's pride (6). His feet shine with jewelled sandals; he destroys mrityu-darpa, the arrogance of death.
• Fierce in judgement (7). His laugh shatters the cosmic egg; one glance of his destroys a net of sins; he wears a garland of skulls and grants the eight siddhis.
• The judge of Kashi (8). Leader of the bhutas, purifier of the merits and sins of all who live in Kashi, wise in the ways of right conduct.

What the phalashruti promises

The ninth verse says that those who read this lovely ashtakam, which leads to knowledge and liberation and increases merit, are freed from grief, delusion, poverty, greed, anger and suffering, and surely reach the presence of Kalabhairava's feet. It is a hymn for overcoming fear, especially the fear of death, which is what "Kaal" Bhairav, lord of time, stands for.

When to recite it

Its special days are Kalashtami, the Ashtami of every waning moon, and Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, the Kalashtami of Margashirsha. Many also recite it on Sundays and Tuesdays, at night, in front of a mustard-oil lamp. Pilgrims to Varanasi often recite it at the Kaal Bhairav temple before their darshan of Vishwanath. Follow it with the Bhairav Chalisa and the Bhairav Aarti, and feed a dog afterwards if you can. Versions differ very slightly in a few words; the text here follows the source it was checked against.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote the Kalabhairava Ashtakam?

It is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, and its colophon names him. It is said to have been composed in Kashi, which fits its refrain.

Is it safe to recite at home?

Yes. Although Bhairav is a fierce deity, this ashtakam is a devotional hymn of praise, not a tantric mantra, and needs no initiation.

What is the best time to recite it?

At night on Kalashtami or Kaal Bhairav Jayanti is traditional, but morning or evening recitation on any day is fine.

How many times should I recite it?

Once a day is enough. On Kalashtami some recite it eight or eleven times, or every day for forty days during a difficult period.

Does it help with fear and negativity?

That is its traditional purpose. The phalashruti speaks of freedom from grief, delusion and anger, and Bhairav as lord of time is prayed to for freedom from the fear of death.

Can women recite it?

Yes. There is no restriction on who may recite it.