Bhairava

Shiva is also known as Bhairava. There are different interpretations for Bhairava. Shiva is worshiped in 25 forms as per agama sastra. The important ones are Lingothbhavar, Arthanadeswarar, Somaskanthar, Dakshinamurthy, Kalasamharamurthy, Sarabeshwarar, Neelakantar, Bhairavar, rishabarudar, Chandrasekarar, Natarajar and Gangadharar. Out of the 25 forms of Shiva, Bhairava form is considered as important. Abhat- tuth- tharanar, Vadugar, Kshetrabalar, Brahma-sira-chethar are said to be the other names of Bhairava. There was once demon by name Dahruhasuran who got a boon that he could be killed only by a woman. Kali was created by Shakthi to kill him. The wrath of Kali killed the demon. After killing the demon, the wrath became a child. Kali fed the child with her milk. Shiva made both Kali and the child to merge with Him. From this merged form of Shiva, Bhairava appeared in his eight forms (ashta Bhairavas). Since Bhairava was thus created by Shiva, he is said to be one of the sons of Shiva, others being Ganesha, Muruga or Skanda, Iyanaar (said to be the God of villages) and Virabhatrar.

Bhairava is the ultimate form of manifestation or pure I consciousness. This form is called Maha Bhairava or Shiva the Supreme. Others give Him terrifying forms.Bhairava means terribly fearful form. The right interpretation is that He protects His devotees from dreadful enemies. Who are the dreadful enemies? They are greed, anger and lust. Bhairava protects His devotees from these enemies. These enemies are dangerous as they never allow us to seek Him within. There is also another interpretation. Bha means creation, ra means sustenance and va means destruction. Therefore Bhairava is the one who creates, sustains and dissolves the three stages of a life. In this context He becomes the Ultimate or the Supreme.

Bhairava is also called the protector. If Bhairava is manifested as a form of Shiva, He becomes the protector of the universe. In all the temples, there will be a Bhairava statue. This Bhairava is the protector of temples. In Shiva temples, when the temple is closed, the keys are placed before Bhairava. In some of the ancient texts, Bhairava is described as the protector of women. He is described here as the protector of the timid and in general women are timid in nature, hence this description.

Puranas (epics) too give different versions of Bhairava. Brahma is the lord of creation. He thought that He is the Supreme and abused Shiva. Shiva created Bhairava who removed one of the five heads of Brahma and took away his skull. There is yet another version. There was a war between gods and demons. To eradicate the demons, Shiva created Bhairava from whom ashta Bhairavas were created. These ashta Bhairavas got married to ashta matas. These ashta Bhairavas and matas have dreadful forms. From these ashta Bhairavas and ashta matas, 64 Bhairavas and 64 yoginis were created.

The eight Bhairavas are Asithanga Bhairavar, Ruru Bhairavar, Chanda Bhairavar, Krodha Bhairavar, Unmatta Bhairavar, Kapala Bhairavar, Bhishana Bhairavar and Samhara Bhairavar. Apart from these eight forms there is yet another form called Swarna Akarshana Bahiravar. Maha Bhairavar is said to be Shiva himself. Normally in Shiva temples idols of Bhairava are situated in the north, facing southern direction. He is also called Keshetrabalar. He appears in a standing position with four hands. His weapons are drum, pasam, trine and skull. In some forms of Bhairava, there are more than four hands. He appears without dress and with a dog. His weapons, dog, protruding teeth, terrifying looks, garland with red flowers all these give him a frightening appearance.

In all Shiva temples, regular pooja rituals begin with Sun and ends with Bhairavar. Bhairavar likes ghee bath (abhishekam), red flowers, ghee lamp, unbroken coconut, honey, boiled food, fibrous fruits etc. If a Bhairavar idol is facing west it is good; facing south is moderate; facing east is not good. The right time to pray to Bhairava is midnight. During midnight it is said that Bhairava and his consort Bhairavi (Lalitha Sahasranamam 276) are together and will give darshan to their devotees. The most appropriate time is Friday midnight. There are eight types of flowers and leaves used in archana to Bhairavar.

The eight Bhairavas are said to represent five elements viz. Akash, air, fire, water and earth and other three being sun, moon and atman. Each of the eight Bhairavas are different in appearance, have different weapons, different vahanas (vehicles) and they bless their devotees with eight types of wealth representing ashta Lakshmis. Continuous worship of Bhairava leads the worshipper to a great Guru. There are separate dhyan slokas (verses) and moola mantras to all the eight Bhairavas.

Apart from the ashta Bhairavas there is one more important Bhairava called Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar. He has red complexion and clothed in golden dress. He has moon in his head. He has four hands. In one of the hands he carries a golden vessel. He gives wealth and prosperity. Performing pooja on Tuesdays gives quick results. Akasha Bhairavar is called Sarabeshwarar. In some of the ancient texts he is said to have 32 hands, shape of a bird, golden complexion, terrible teeth, and human form above the hip. Worshipping Him destroys enemies. It is generally believed that worshipping Bhairavar gives prosperity, success and good progeny, prevents premature death and solution to debts and liabilities. Different forms of Bhairava evolve only from Shiva, who is called the Maha Bhairava.