Kalabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics, Meaning and Significance

Kal Bhairav, considered a fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva, is known as the "Kotwal of Kashi" (the guardian or protector of Kashi). It is believed that Lord Shiva entrusted Kal Bhairav with the responsibility of protecting Kashi. According to the Skanda Purana, Kal Bhairav came to Kashi to rid himself of a sin. Upon arriving, he experienced such profound peace that his anger subsided. One of the most powerful devotional compositions dedicated to this fierce form is the Kalabhairava Ashtakam, written by Adi Shankaracharya.

Why Kal Bhairav Severed Lord Brahma’s Head

According to a story from the Skanda Purana, once a dispute arose among the Trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—over who was the greatest. When the sages, seers, and wise beings were asked, they declared Lord Shiva as the supreme. Hearing this, Lord Brahma became furious and insulted Shiva. In response, Kal Bhairav manifested from Shiva’s rage and severed Brahma’s head.

Kal Bhairav Came to Kashi for Liberation from the Sin of Brahmahatya

After being accused of the sin of Brahmahatya (killing Brahma), Kal Bhairav wandered through all three realms, but found no redemption. Despite roaming endlessly, liberation eluded him. Finally, Lord Shiva instructed him, saying, “Go to Kashi — only there will you find salvation.” Following Shiva’s command, Kal Bhairav arrived in Kashi and took a holy dip in the Ganga. Afterward, he chose to stay in Kashi and became the guardian of Shiva’s sacred city. Today, he is worshipped as Kal Bhairav.

Kalabhairava Ashtakam meaning and Significance

Kalabhairava Ashtakam, a remarkable composition by the revered Adi Shankaracharya, consists of eight stanzas, a traditional format commonly used in Sanskrit shlokas. The Ashtakam praises the attributes of Kalabhairava, referring to him as the glorious one who resides in Kashi, one of the most sacred cities in India. Kalabhairava is depicted as the supreme being whose power and grace can help an individual transcend the boundaries of life and death. Even for those who may not understand the language, the soothing and uplifting sounds of the Ashtakam offer a deeply spiritual experience.

Adi Shankaracharya who was instrumental in disseminating Advaita Vedanta across the Indian subcontinent. He travelled extensively throughout the land, debating and giving discourses wherever he went. Such was his fame and impact on the culture of the time that he has become an indelible icon in the spiritual ethos of the land. Adi Shankaracharya is also credited with organizing the Dashnami monastic order, which still exists as ten akharas or unique spiritual sects.

Kaal Bhairava Ashtakam Lyrics

देवराजसेव्यमानपावनांघ्रिपङ्कजं व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्। 
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगंबरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥१॥
Deva-Raaja-Sevyamaana-Paavana-Angghri-Pankajam
Vyaala-Yajnya-Suutram-Indu-Shekharam Krpaakaram |
Naarada-[A]adi-Yogi-Vrnda-Vanditam Digambaram
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||1||

भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम्।
कालकालमंबुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥२॥
Bhaanu-Kotti-Bhaasvaram Bhavaabdhi-Taarakam Param
Niila-Kannttham-Iipsita-Artha-Daayakam Trilocanam |
Kaala-Kaalam-Ambuja-Akssam-Akssa-Shuulam-Akssaram
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||2||

शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम्।
भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥३॥
Shuula-Tanka-Paasha-Danndda-Paannim-Aadi-Kaarannam
Shyaama-Kaayam-Aadi-Devam-Akssaram Nir-Aamayam |
Bhiimavikramam Prabhum Vichitra-Taannddava-Priyam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||3||

भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम्।
विनिक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥४॥
Bhukti-Mukti-Daayakam Prashasta-Caaru-Vigraham
Bhakta-Vatsalam Sthitam Samasta-Loka-Vigraham |
Vi-Nikvannan-Manojnya-Hema-Kinkinnii-Lasat-Kattim
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||4||

धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं कर्मपाशमोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम्।
स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाशशोभिताङ्गमण्डलं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥५॥
Dharma-Setu-Paalakam Tva-Adharma-Maarga-Naashakam 
Karma-Paasha-Mocakam Su-Sharma-Daayakam Vibhum |
Svarnna-Varnna-Shessa-Paasha-Shobhitaangga-Mannddalam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||5||

रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकं नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरंजनम्।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥६॥
Ratna-Paadukaa-Prabhaabhi-Raama-Paada-Yugmakam
Nityam-Advitiiyam-Isstta-Daivatam Niramjanam |
Mrtyu-Darpa-Naashanam Karaala-Damssttra-Mokssannam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||6||

अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोशसंततिं दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम्।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥७॥
Atttta-Haasa-Bhinna-Padmaja-Anndda-Kosha-Samtatim
Drsstti-Paata-Nasstta-Paapa-Jaalam-Ugra-Shaasanam |
Asstta-Siddhi-Daayakam Kapaala-Maalikaa-Dharam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||7||

भूतसंघनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम्।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥८॥
Bhuuta-Samgha-Naayakam Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayakam
Kaashi-Vaasa-Loka-Punnya-Paapa-Shodhakam Vibhum |
Niiti-Maarga-Kovidam Puraatanam Jagatpatim
Kaashikaapuraadhinaathakaalabhairavam Bhaje ||8||

कालभैरवाष्टकं पठंति ये मनोहरं ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम्।
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं ते प्रयान्ति कालभैरवांघ्रिसन्निधिं नरा ध्रुवम्॥९॥
Kaalabhairavaassttakam Patthamti Ye Manoharam
Jnyaana-Mukti-Saadhanam Vicitra-Punnya-Vardhanam |
Shoka-Moha-Dainya-Lobha-Kopa-Taapa-Naashanam
Prayaanti Kaalabhairava-Amghri-Sannidhim Naraa Dhruvam ||9||