📜 Ashtakam · Bhairava
Kalabhairava Ashtakam
Adi Shankaracharya's 8-verse hymn to Kala Bhairava.
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Best occasion
Kalashtami, Bhairava Ashtami, visits to Kashi
🕉️ Sanskrit / Devanagari
देवराजसेव्यमानपावनांघ्रिपङ्कजं। व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्॥ नारदादियोगिबृन्दवन्दितं दिगम्बरम्। काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥
Roman Transliteration
Devaraja-sevyamana-paavana-anghri-pankajam Vyaala-yagna-sootram-indu-shekharam kripaakaram Naaradaadi-yogi-brinda-vanditam digambaram Kaashikaa-puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam bhaje
English
Whose lotus-feet are served by the king of the gods; Whose sacred thread is a snake, whose crown is the moon, who is compassion itself. Whom Narada and the assembly of yogis worship, who wears the directions as clothing; I worship Kala Bhairava, the guardian of Kashi.
Meaning & Significance
An 8-verse hymn to Bhairava, the fierce form of Shiva who guards Kashi (Varanasi). Chanted on Kalashtami (8th day of Krishna paksha).
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