Sri Kala Bhairavashtakam

• Verse 1: I worship Kala Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, whose sacred lotus feet are served by Indra (king of devas), who wears serpents as his sacred thread, bears the crescent moon on his brow, showers immense grace, is praised by Narada and assemblies of yogis, and is sky-clad (unbound by directions).

• Verse 2: I worship Kala Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, who radiates with the brilliance of millions of suns, who ferries devotees across the ocean of worldly existence, the blue-throated, three-eyed Lord who grants desired boons, who is death unto death itself (Kāla-kāla), lotus-eyed, and immutable.

• Verse 3: I worship Kala Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, who holds the trident, chisel, noose, and punishing staff in his hands, the primordial cause of creation, dark-complexioned, free from all afflictions, possessor of terrifying valor, and lover of the cosmic Tandava dance.

• Verse 4: I worship Kala Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, who grants both worldly enjoyment (bhukti) and spiritual liberation (mukti), possessing a gracious form, deeply loving toward his devotees, omnipresent throughout the cosmos, his waist adorned with chiming golden bells.

• Verse 5: I worship Kala Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, the protector of the bridge of righteousness (dharma) and destroyer of unrighteous paths, who unties the bonds of past karmas, bestows supreme peace, and is radiant with golden serpent ornaments on his pure form.

• Verse 6: I worship Kala Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, whose pair of feet shines with the radiance of gem-studded sandals, the eternal, non-dual, unstained chosen deity who destroys the pride of death and frees devotees through his formidable fangs.

• Verse 7: I worship Kala Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, whose terrifying laughter shatters the cosmic egg of creation, whose mere glance destroys webs of sins, who rules with stern authority, wears a garland of skulls, and grants the eight mystical accomplishments (ashta-siddhis).

• Verse 8: I worship Kala Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, the leader of spirit assemblies who confers expansive renown, who purifies the merits and sins of all who dwell in Kashi, the ancient sovereign of the universe, skilled in the eternal ways of truth and justice.

• Phalashruti: Those who recite this captivating Kalabhairavashtakam—the primary instrument of wisdom and liberation, which multiplies rare spiritual merits and destroys sorrow, delusion, poverty, greed, and anger—verily attain the eternal presence of Kala Bhairava’s lotus feet.

The Sri Kalabhairavashtakam was composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya during his stay in the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi). In Puranic tradition—detailed extensively in the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana—Kala Bhairava was manifested by Lord Shiva to sever the fifth head of Brahma, which had become intoxicated with pride. To atone for the sin of Brahmahatya, Bhairava wandered until the severed skull fell from his hand upon entering the sacred borders of Kashi at Kapalamochana Tirtha. Shiva then ordained Kala Bhairava as the eternal guardian, magistrate, and police chief (Kotwal) of Kashi, tasking him with the duty of maintaining the city's spiritual order. Shankaracharya structured the hymn around the surrender "Kāśikāpurādhinātha-kālabhairavaṁ bhaje", presenting Bhairava as the ultimate dispeller of time (kāla), fear, and the painful karmic purification process known as Bhairava Yatana, enabling devotees to attain direct liberation (Kashi Mukti).

• Chanted during evening sandhya, pradosham, or nightly prayers to ward off fear, nightmares, psychological distress, and negative influences.

• Recited regularly on Tuesdays and Sundays, as well as on Kala Bhairava Ashtami (Bhairav Jayanti) and Kala Ashtami (Krishna Paksha Ashtami of each lunar month).

• Used by pilgrims upon entering or leaving Varanasi (Kashi), seeking permission and protection from the city’s celestial protector.

• Practiced by tantric and yogic practitioners during Rahu/Saturn afflictions in Vedic astrology to alleviate malefic planetary energies and dissolve deep-seated karmic blocks (bhairava yātana).