Kala Bhairava, the most aggressive form of Lord Shiva, is the supreme controller of time for the entire universe. He is the God of dissolution who can dissolve all kinds of negativity, hurdles and grant success in endeavors. There are a total of 64 Bhairava forms that are grouped into 8 and ruled by 8 main forms called Ashta Bhairava.
Bhairava is usually depicted in a standing position with four hands holding weapons like drum, noose, trident, and skull. His appearance is fierce with protruding teeth, unclothed, wearing a garland of red flowers, and has a dog as his vehicle. Swarna Akarshana Bhairava is the gold-attracting form of Bhairava who is portrayed with a red complexion, dressed in golden attire, a crescent moon on his head, and four hands with one carrying a golden vessel.
Story Behind Kala Bhairava
The advent of Kala Bhairava is described in the Shiva Mahapurana. Once there was an argument between Vishnu and Brahma as to who is supreme among them. Shiva wanted to end this duel, took the form of a massive pillar of fire, and asked them to find the top and bottom of the fire column. Brahma took the form of a swan and flew to find the start of the fire, and Vishnu took the form of a boar and went underground to find the bottom of the fire column. Vishnu accepted his defeat to Shiva, whereas Brahma made a Ketaki fire to falsely testify for him to have witnessed the top of the fire. Shiva became furious at Brahma’s egotistic behavior and created Bhairava from his third eye to pluck out Brahma’s fifth head, which actually made the false claim. Then Brahma repented for his mistake and surrendered to Shiva.
Thus, the advent of Bhairava was to put an end to falsehood and uphold good virtues. Bhairava then wandered with Brahma’s fifth head in his fingernail for many years and finally got relieved of his Brahmahatya Dosha after getting food from Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. Hence, Bhairava is also called as the wandering form of Shiva.
Bhairava and Shani (Saturn)
Kala Bhairava is regarded as the Guru or preceptor of Shani (Saturn). According to Vedic Astrology, Saturn is the karmic planet, who delivers results based on an individual’s past deeds. The placement of Saturn in a person’s birth chart and the transit of Saturn can have a significant impact on a person’s life events. Shani is a tough taskmaster who teaches life lessons through trials and tribulations. Worshiping Kala Bhairava can lessen the adverse effects of the malefic planet Saturn and also impart strength to face the tough times during Saturn’s affliction period.
Kala Bhairava Ashtami
Kala Bhairava Jayanthi or Kala Bhairava Ashtami is the birthday of Kala Bhairava and is celebrated on the eighth waning Moon of the lunar month, Kartik (Nov-Dec). Kaal Bhairav Ashtami is an ideal day to worship the God of time to learn the ability to master time, gain confidence and success in all endeavors. On this auspicious day, devotees begin the day with an early bath and perform special Poojas for ancestors in the morning. Later, the Kala Bhairava story is narrated in temples, and rituals are performed for Kala Bhairava. Devotees observe a Vrat or fasting on this day to invoke his blessings. After the Poojas, they break the fast by feeding dogs, the vehicle of Bhairava, with milk and sweets.
Benefits Of Worshiping Kala Bhairava
Propitiating Kala Bhairava can bestow the following benefits:
Destroy ignorance and bestow deep knowledge
Destroy all negative forces around you
Give job opportunities and career growth for prosperity and material gains
Offer safety during travel and prevent unforeseen dangers
Help overpower enemies and fear
Offer timely help and victory in litigations
Pacify Saturn and Rahu in the birth chart
Remove bad karma and help attain Moksha (Liberation)
