Talk:Bhairava
By Swami Harshananda
Bhairava literally means ‘one with a frightening cry’.
Different Names of Bhairava[edit]
Bhairava is regarded as one of the terrible aspects of Rudra-Śiva. This form of Lord Śiva is associated with his fights against the asuras or demons. During his fight with Andhakāsura, eight emanations came out of him, called Aṣṭa-bhairavas. They are :
- Vidyārāja
- Kāmarāja
- Nāgarāja
- Svacchandarāja
- Lambitarāja
- Devarāja
- Ugrarāja
- Vighnarāja
Other lists give the other set of names as :
- Mahābhairava
- Samhārabhairava
- Asitāṅgabhairava
- Rurubhairava
- Kālabhairava
- Krodhabhairava
- Tāmracuda or Kapālabhairava
- Candracṅḍa or Rudra-bhairava
Origin of Bhairava[edit]
Bhairava is sometimes mentioned as one of the five leaders of Śiva’s troops. The Rudrayāmala-tantra provides a list of 64 bhairavas in eight groups. The groups are distinguished by the color of their bodies, and their ornaments and weapons.
Description of Bhairava[edit]
Iconographical works generally describe the Bhairava as of a dark or reddish complexion and having four arms in which he carries a mace, lotus, spear and discus. The number of arms may be increased to eight and the other objects carried in the hands may include a sword, axe, small drum (ḍamaru), bell, fire and so on. Other texts describe him as having a flabby belly, round yellow eyes, side-tusks, wide nostrils, and wearing a garland of skulls. Snakes are his ornaments. A dog is often shown as his companion.
Followers of Bhairava[edit]
It is quite likely that the Bhairava was the deity of the people of the other caste groups. In some parts of the country, he is the protecting deity of the farmers. Bhairava is also the deity of some obscure religious cults like the Nātha Cult and the Kāpālika Cult. The Kāpālikas are sometimes referred to as ‘Bhairava-yogīs.’
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore