Lord Shiva and His story of Kalabhairava

Lord Shiva and His story of Kalabhairava

                                

Kalabhairava is the manifestation of Lord Shiva. He is also known as the Lord of Time. He controls the growth and management of time. Time is the most precious gift to mankind which once lost is lost. It is because of him that march of time is implacable. 

It is also believed that wasting time or disrespecting its value means disrespecting the deity himself. He is also the Guru of the planetary deity named Shani. 

Bhairava's forms

Bhairava himself further has eight manifestations named Asithaanga, Ruru, Chanda, Krodha, Unmatta, Kapaala, Bheeshana and Sanhaara. The name ‘Bhairava’ is the compound of two words, ‘Bhaya’ which means fear and ‘Ravayati’ which means one who pervades the entire universe. Therefore Bhairava is a fierce deity associated with annihilation.

 It is believed that with the blessings of Kalabhairava, one can manage time so well that one can catch hold of the right opportunity at the right time. Kalabhairava is depicted as the fearsome aspect of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva VS Lord Brahma

 Legend says that once Lord Brahma insulted Lord Shiva and his fifth head laughed teasingly. Seeing this Lord Shiva took the form of Kalabhairava and tore apart Lord Brahma’s fifth head. Lord Vishnu appealed to Lord Shiva to forgive Lord Brahma. But in spite of forgiving Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva had to bear the sin of beheading Lord Brahma. 

It followed him everywhere in the Universe. Lord Shiva then came down to Varanasi where it is believed that the sin and punishment couldn’t enter the city. Thus the temple of Kalabhairava is very popular in Varanasi.

A Trip to Kashi 

 A pilgrimage to Kasi is incomplete without visiting this temple. Kalabhairava is the Kotwal (leader of the fort) of Lord Shiva’s abode. Kalabhairava has a Dog as the divine vehicle. Another legend says that after being insulted by Daksha( the father of Sati), Lord Shiva took the form of Kalabhairava and chopped off his head. 

After the death of Sati, Shiva was devastated and began terrible tandav with the body of Sati, creating havoc and destruction all around. Seeing this Vishnu cut off the body of Sati into 55 pieces and strewn all over India giving rise to 55 Shakti Peethas. The important part is, outside every Shakti Peethas, there is a temple of Kalabhairava.

Benefits of Worshipping Bhairava

 Though people from various castes are the followers of this deity, Aghora sect worships him as their main deity. They smear their foreheads with the ashes of the burnt dead bodies and pray to Bhairava with utmost dedication and devotion. 

Worshipping Bhairava can bestow success and all kinds of materialistic pleasures. Winning over enemies can also be done by praying to this deity. He is regarded as the protector and thus saves his devotees from all kinds of troubles and problems. 

He cleanses their soul of all the negativity and ego and help them turn in a better human being. Devotees celebrate a festival named Bhairava Ashtami in his honour commemorating the day Bhairava came on the earth.

Temples

 Some of the most famous temples dedicated to Bhairava are Kalabhairava temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Sri 32 Kala Bhairava Swamy temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and Sri Bhairava Moorthy temple in Thazhathu Kulakkada, Kerala.