Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam
Introduction to Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam
The Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam beginning with "Devarajasevyamanapavanan" is a powerful eight-verse hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya that glorifies Lord Kalabhairava, the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva and the supreme lord of time. "Kala" means time, and "Bhairava" means the terrifying one — together signifying the deity who transcends and controls the very fabric of time itself.
This ashtakam celebrates the awe-inspiring form of Lord Kalabhairava — adorned with serpents, wielding a trident, accompanied by His divine dog, and residing in the sacred city of Kashi (Varanasi). Each verse describes His cosmic powers, His role as the destroyer of sins, and His supreme authority over death and time, while also revealing His compassionate nature toward sincere devotees.
Reciting this ashtakam with devotion invokes the fierce grace of Lord Kalabhairava, dissolving karmic bonds, removing all time-related fears, and granting spiritual liberation. It is especially beneficial for those seeking protection from evil forces, freedom from the cycle of birth and death, and the awakening of higher consciousness beyond the limitations of time.
Watch Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam
Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ अथ श्रीकालभैरवाष्टकम् ॥
शिवरहस्यान्तर्गते महादेवाख्ये
शिवपार्वतीसंवादे
ईश्वर उवाच।
देवराजसेव्यमानपावनाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं
व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्।
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगम्बरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥1॥
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं
नितान्तभक्तवत्सलं समस्तलोकपालकम्।
निक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥2॥
भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं
नीलकण्ठनीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम्।
कालकालमम्बुजाक्षकन्धराहरं शिवं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥3॥
शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं
श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम्।
भीमवक्रिमभ्रुवं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥4॥
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाविरामपादयुग्मकं
नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरञ्जनम्।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालं दंष्ट्रभीषणं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥5॥
धर्मसेतुपालनमधर्ममार्गनाशनं
कर्मपाशमोचनं सुकर्मदायकं प्रभुम्।
सुवर्णवर्णकेशपाशशोभिताङ्गनिर्मलं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥6॥
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्द्मजाण्डकोटिसन्ततिं
दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम्।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥7॥
भूतसङ्घनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं
काशिवासकोकपुण्यपापशोधनप्रभुम्।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्प्रभुं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥8॥
॥ फलश्रुतिः ॥
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठन्ति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं पवित्रपुण्यवर्धनम्।
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं
ते प्रयान्ति कालभैरवादि सेवितं प्रभुं हरम्॥9॥
॥ इति शिवरहस्यान्तर्गते कालभैरवाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Atha Shri Kaalabhairavashtakam ॥
Shivarahasyaantargate Mahaadevaakhye
Shivapaarvateesamvaade
Ishvara Uvaacha.
Devaraajaasevyamaanapaavanaaghriapankajam
Vyaalayajnasuutramindhushekaram Kripaaakaram.
Naaradaadiyogivrindavanditam Digambaram
Kaashikaa Puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam Bhaje॥1॥
Bhuktimuktidaayakam Prashastachaaruvigaiham
Nitaantabhaktavatsalam Samastalokpaalkam.
Nikvanmanojnaahemakinkineelasatkatim
Kaashikaa Puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam Bhaje॥2॥
Bhaanukotibhaaswaram Bhavaabdhitaarakam Param
Neelakanthanipsitaarthadaayakam Trilochanam.
Kaalakaalambujaakshakandharaaharam Shivam
Kaashikaa Puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam Bhaje॥3॥
ShuulatankaapaashaDandapaanimaadikaaranam
Shyaamakaayamaadidevamaksharam Niraamayam.
Bheemavakrimabhravum Vichitratandavpriyam
Kaashikaa Puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam Bhaje॥4॥
Ratnapaadukaaprabhaaviraamapadayugmakam
Nityamadwiteeeyamistadhaivatam Niranjanam.
Mrityudarpanaashanam Karaalam Damshtrabhishanam
Kaashikaa Puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam Bhaje॥5॥
Dharmaistupaalanmadharmmaarganaashanam
Karmapaashamochanam Sukarmadaayakam Prabhum.
Suvarnavarnakeshapaashshobhitaanganirmalam
Kaashikaa Puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam Bhaje॥6॥
Attahaasabhinnapadmjaandakotisantatim
Drishtipaatnaashtapaapjaalamugrashaasanam.
Ashtasiddhidaayakam Kapaalamaalikadharam
Kaashikaa Puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam Bhaje॥7॥
Bhootasanghanayakam Vishaalkirtidaayakam
Kaashivaasalokpunyapaapshodhanprabhum.
Neetimaargakovidam Puraatanam Jagatprabhum
Kaashikaa Puraadhinaatha Kaalabhairavam Bhaje॥8॥
॥ Phalashrutih ॥
Kaalabhairavashtakam Pathanti Ye Manoharam
Jnaanamuktisaadhanam Pavitrapunyavardhanam.
Shokmohdainyalobhkoptaapanaashanam
Te Prayaanti Kaalabhairavaadi Sevitam Prabhum Haram॥9॥
॥ Iti Shivarahasyaantargate Kaalabhairavashtakam Sampurnam ॥
॥ அத ஶ்ரீகாலபைரவாஷ்டகம் ॥
ஶிவரஹஸ்யாந்தர்கதே மஹாதேவாக்யே
ஶிவபார்வதீஸம்வாதே
ஈஶ்வர உவாச।
தேவராஜஸேவ்யமானபாவனாங்க்ரிபங்கஜம்வ்யாலயஜ்ஞஸூத்ரமிந்துஶேகரம் க்ருபாகரம்।
நாரதாதியோகிவ்ருந்தவந்திதம் திகம்பரம்காஶிகாபுராதிநாதகாலபைரவம் பஜே॥1॥
புக்திமுக்திதாயகம் ப்ரஶஸ்தசாருவிக்ரஹம்நிதாந்தபக்தவத்ஸலம் ஸமஸ்தலோகபாலகம்।
நிக்வணன்மனோஜ்ஞஹேமகிங்கிணீலஸத்கடிம்காஶிகாபுராதிநாதகாலபைரவம் பஜே॥2॥
பானுகோடிபாஸ்வரம் பவாப்திதாரகம் பரம்நீலகண்டனீப்ஸிதார்ததாயகம் த்ரிலோசனம்।
காலகாலமம்புஜாக்ஷகந்தராஹரம் ஶிவம்காஶிகாபுராதிநாதகாலபைரவம் பஜே॥3॥
ஶூலடங்கபாஶதண்டபாணிமாதிகாரணம்ஶ்யாமகாயமாதிதேவமக்ஷரம் நிராமயம்।
பீமவக்ரிமப்ருவம் விசித்ரதாண்டவப்ரியம்காஶிகாபுராதிநாதகாலபைரவம் பஜே॥4॥
ரத்னபாதுகாப்ரபாவிராமபாதயுக்மகம்நித்யமத்விதீயமிஷ்டதைவதம் நிரஞ்ஜனம்।
ம்ருத்யுதர்பநாஶனம் கராலம் தம்ஷ்ட்ரபீஷணம்காஶிகாபுராதிநாதகாலபைரவம் பஜே॥5॥
தர்மஸேதுபாலனமதர்மமார்கநாஶனம்கர்மபாஶமோசனம் ஸுகர்மதாயகம் ப்ரபும்।
ஸுவர்ணவர்ணகேஶபாஶஶோபிதாங்கநிர்மலம்காஶிகாபுராதிநாதகாலபைரவம் பஜே॥6॥
அட்டஹாஸபின்னபத்த்மஜாண்டகோடிஸந்ததிம்த்ருஷ்டிபாதநஷ்டபாபஜாலமுக்ரஶாஸனம்।
அஷ்டஸித்திதாயகம் கபாலமாலிகாதரம்காஶிகாபுராதிநாதகாலபைரவம் பஜே॥7॥
பூதஸங்கநாயகம் விஶாலகீர்திதாயகம்காஶிவாஸகோகபுண்யபாபஶோதனப்ரபும்।
நீதிமார்ககோவிதம் புராதனம் ஜகத்ப்ரபும்காஶிகாபுராதிநாதகாலபைரவம் பஜே॥8॥
॥ பலஶ்ருதிः ॥
காலபைரவாஷ்டகம் படந்தி யே மனோஹரம்ஜ்ஞானமுக்திஸாதனம் பவித்ரபுண்யவர்தனம்।
ஶோகமோஹதைன்யலோபகோபதாபநாஶனம்தே ப்ரயாந்தி காலபைரவாதி ஸேவிதம் ப்ரபும் ஹரம்॥9॥
॥ இதி ஶிவரஹஸ்யாந்தர்கதே காலபைரவாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ అథ శ్రీకాలభైరవాష్టకం ॥
శివరహస్యాంతర్గతే మహాదేవాఖ్యే
శివపార్వతీసంవాదే
ఈశ్వర ఉవాచ।
దేవరాజసేవ్యమానపావనాంఘ్రిపంకజంవ్యాలయజ్ఞసూత్రమిందుశేఖరం కృపాకరం।
నారదాదియోగివృందవందితం దిగంబరంకాశికాపురాధినాథకాలభైరవం భజే॥1॥
భుక్తిముక్తిదాయకం ప్రశస్తచారువిగ్రహంనితాంతభక్తవత్సలం సమస్తలోకపాలకం।
నిక్వణన్మనోజ్ఞహేమకింకిణీలసత్కటింకాశికాపురాధినాథకాలభైరవం భజే॥2॥
భానుకోటిభాస్వరం భవాబ్ధితారకం పరంనీలకంఠనీప్సితార్థదాయకం త్రిలోచనం।
కాలకాలమంబుజాక్షకంధరాహరం శివంకాశికాపురాధినాథకాలభైరవం భజే॥3॥
శూలటంకపాశదండపాణిమాదికారణంశ్యామకాయమాదిదేవమక్షరం నిరామయం।
భీమవక్రిమభ్రువం విచిత్రతాండవప్రియంకాశికాపురాధినాథకాలభైరవం భజే॥4॥
రత్నపాదుకాప్రభావిరామపాదయుగ్మకంనిత్యమద్వితీయమిష్టదైవతం నిరంజనం।
మృత్యుదర్పనాశనం కరాలం దంష్ట్రభీషణంకాశికాపురాధినాథకాలభైరవం భజే॥5॥
ధర్మసేతుపాలనమధర్మమార్గనాశనంకర్మపాశమోచనం సుకర్మదాయకం ప్రభుం।
సువర్ణవర్ణకేశపాశశోభితాంగనిర్మలంకాశికాపురాధినాథకాలభైరవం భజే॥6॥
అట్టహాసభిన్నపద్ద్మజాండకోటిసంతతిందృష్టిపాతనష్టపాపజాలముగ్రశాసనం।
అష్టసిద్ధిదాయకం కపాలమాలికాధరంకాశికాపురాధినాథకాలభైరవం భజే॥7॥
భూతసంఘనాయకం విశాలకీర్తిదాయకంకాశివాసకోకపుణ్యపాపశోధనప్రభుం।
నీతిమార్గకోవిదం పురాతనం జగత్ప్రభుంకాశికాపురాధినాథకాలభైరవం భజే॥8॥
॥ ఫలశ్రుతిః ॥
కాలభైరవాష్టకం పఠంతి యే మనోహరంజ్ఞానముక్తిసాధనం పవిత్రపుణ్యవర్ధనం।
శోకమోహదైన్యలోభకోపతాపనాశనంతే ప్రయాంతి కాలభైరవాది సేవితం ప్రభుం హరం॥9॥
॥ ఇతి శివరహస్యాంతర్గతే కాలభైరవాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam
1 First Verse
देवराजसेव्यमानपावनाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं
व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्।
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगम्बरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥1॥
व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्।
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगम्बरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥1॥
Word Meanings: देवराज (devarāja) = king of gods (Indra); सेव्यमान (sevyamāna) = being served; पावन (pāvana) = sacred/purifying; अङ्घ्रि (aṅghri) = feet; पङ्कजम् (paṅkajam) = lotus; व्याल (vyāla) = serpent; यज्ञसूत्रम् (yajñasūtram) = sacred thread; इन्दु (indu) = moon; शेखरम् (śekharam) = crest-jewel; कृपाकरम् (kṛpākaram) = mine of compassion; नारदादि (nāradādi) = Narada and others; योगिवृन्द (yogivṛnda) = group of yogis; वन्दितम् (vanditam) = worshipped; दिगम्बरम् (digambaram) = sky-clad; काशिकापुराधिनाथ (kāśikāpurādhinātha) = lord of the city of Kashi; कालभैरवम् (kālabhairavam) = Kalabhairava; भजे (bhaje) = I worship
Translation: I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi — whose sacred lotus feet are served by Indra (the king of gods), who wears serpents as His sacred thread, who bears the moon upon His crest, who is a mine of compassion, who is worshipped by Narada and other hosts of yogis, and who is sky-clad (digambara).
2 Second Verse
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं
नितान्तभक्तवत्सलं समस्तलोकपालकम्।
निक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥2॥
नितान्तभक्तवत्सलं समस्तलोकपालकम्।
निक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥2॥
Word Meanings: भुक्ति (bhukti) = worldly enjoyment; मुक्ति (mukti) = liberation; दायकम् (dāyakam) = bestower; प्रशस्त (praśasta) = praiseworthy; चारु (cāru) = beautiful; विग्रहम् (vigraham) = form; नितान्त (nitānta) = exceedingly; भक्तवत्सलम् (bhaktavatsalam) = affectionate toward devotees; समस्त (samasta) = all; लोक (loka) = worlds; पालकम् (pālakam) = protector; निक्वणन् (nikvaṇan) = tinkling; मनोज्ञ (manojña) = pleasing; हेम (hema) = golden; किङ्किणी (kiṅkiṇī) = small bells; लसत् (lasat) = shining; कटिम् (kaṭim) = waist
Translation: I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi — who bestows both worldly enjoyment (bhukti) and liberation (mukti), whose form is praiseworthy and beautiful, who is exceedingly affectionate toward His devotees, who is the protector of all the worlds, and whose waist shines with pleasing tinkling golden bells.
3 Third Verse
भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं
नीलकण्ठनीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम्।
कालकालमम्बुजाक्षकन्धराहरं शिवं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥3॥
नीलकण्ठनीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम्।
कालकालमम्बुजाक्षकन्धराहरं शिवं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥3॥
Word Meanings: भानुकोटि (bhānukoṭi) = millions of suns; भास्वरम् (bhāsvaram) = radiant; भवाब्धि (bhavābdhi) = ocean of worldly existence; तारकम् (tārakam) = one who ferries across; परम् (param) = supreme; नीलकण्ठ (nīlakaṇṭha) = blue-throated (Shiva); नीप्सितार्थदायकम् (nīpsitārthadāyakam) = bestower of desired objects; त्रिलोचनम् (trilochanam) = three-eyed; कालकालम् (kālakālam) = death of death itself; अम्बुजाक्ष (ambujākṣa) = lotus-born (Brahma); कन्धराहरम् (kandharāharam) = one who severed the head/throat; शिवम् (śivam) = auspicious
Translation: I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi — who is radiant like millions of suns, who ferries beings across the ocean of worldly existence, who is supreme, who as the blue-throated Lord grants all desired blessings, who is three-eyed, who is the death of death itself, who severed the head of the lotus-born Brahma, and who is ever auspicious (Shiva).
4 Fourth Verse
शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं
श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम्।
भीमवक्रिमभ्रुवं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥4॥
श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम्।
भीमवक्रिमभ्रुवं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥4॥
Word Meanings: शूल (śūla) = trident; टङ्क (ṭaṅka) = axe; पाश (pāśa) = noose; दण्ड (daṇḍa) = staff; पाणिम् (pāṇim) = in hands; आदिकारणम् (ādikāraṇam) = the primal cause; श्यामकायम् (śyāmakāyam) = dark-bodied; आदिदेवम् (ādidevam) = primeval deity; अक्षरम् (akṣaram) = imperishable; निरामयम् (nirāmayam) = free from ailments/faultless; भीम (bhīma) = terrible; वक्रिम (vakrim) = twisted; अभ्रुवम् (abhruvam) = eyebrows; विचित्र (vichitra) = wondrous; ताण्डव (tāṇḍava) = cosmic dance; प्रियम् (priyam) = lover of
Translation: I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi — who holds the trident, axe, noose, and staff in His hands, who is the primal cause of all creation, whose body is dark-hued, who is the primeval deity, who is imperishable and faultless, whose eyebrows are fearfully twisted, and who delights in the wondrous cosmic dance (tandava).
5 Fifth Verse
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाविरामपादयुग्मकं
नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरञ्जनम्।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालं दंष्ट्रभीषणं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥5॥
नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरञ्जनम्।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालं दंष्ट्रभीषणं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥5॥
Word Meanings: रत्न (ratna) = gem; पादुका (pādukā) = sandals; प्रभा (prabhā) = radiance; विराम (virāma) = resting; पादयुग्मकम् (pādayugmakam) = pair of feet; नित्यम् (nityam) = eternal; अद्वितीयम् (advitīyam) = without a second; इष्टदैवतम् (iṣṭadaivatam) = chosen deity; निरञ्जनम् (nirañjanam) = untainted; मृत्यु (mṛtyu) = death; दर्प (darpa) = pride; नाशनम् (nāśanam) = destroyer; करालम् (karālam) = terrifying; दंष्ट्र (daṁṣṭra) = fangs; भीषणम् (bhīṣaṇam) = fearsome
Translation: I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi — whose pair of feet rest upon gem-studded sandals radiating brilliant light, who is eternal and without a second (non-dual), who is the chosen deity of Kashi, who is untainted and pure, who destroys the pride of death itself, and who is terrifying with fearsome fangs.
6 Sixth Verse
धर्मसेतुपालनमधर्ममार्गनाशनं
कर्मपाशमोचनं सुकर्मदायकं प्रभुम्।
सुवर्णवर्णकेशपाशशोभिताङ्गनिर्मलं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥6॥
कर्मपाशमोचनं सुकर्मदायकं प्रभुम्।
सुवर्णवर्णकेशपाशशोभिताङ्गनिर्मलं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥6॥
Word Meanings: धर्मसेतु (dharmasetu) = bridge of dharma; पालनम् (pālanam) = maintenance; अधर्ममार्ग (adharmamārga) = path of unrighteousness; नाशनम् (nāśanam) = destroyer; कर्मपाश (karmapāśa) = bondage of karma; मोचनम् (mochanam) = liberator; सुकर्म (sukarma) = good deeds; दायकम् (dāyakam) = bestower; प्रभुम् (prabhum) = the Supreme Lord; सुवर्णवर्ण (suvarṇavarṇa) = golden-colored; केशपाश (keśapāśa) = locks of hair; शोभित (śobhita) = adorned; अङ्ग (aṅga) = body; निर्मलम् (nirmalam) = pure/spotless
Translation: I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi — who maintains the bridge of dharma (righteousness), who destroys the path of adharma (unrighteousness), who liberates from the bondage of karma, who bestows the ability to perform good deeds, who is the Supreme Lord, and whose pure spotless body is adorned with beautiful golden locks of hair.
7 Seventh Verse
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्द्मजाण्डकोटिसन्ततिं
दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम्।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥7॥
दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम्।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥7॥
Word Meanings: अट्टहास (aṭṭahāsa) = thundering laughter; भिन्न (bhinna) = shattered; पद्मज (padmaja) = lotus-born (Brahma); अण्डकोटि (aṇḍakoṭi) = millions of cosmic eggs; सन्ततिम् (santatim) = creation/lineage; दृष्टिपात (dṛṣṭipāta) = a mere glance; नष्ट (naṣṭa) = destroyed; पापजालम् (pāpajālam) = web of sin; उग्रशासनम् (ugraśāsanam) = fierce ruler/authority; अष्टसिद्धि (aṣṭasiddhi) = eight supernatural powers; दायकम् (dāyakam) = bestower; कपाल (kapāla) = skull; मालिका (mālikā) = garland; धरम् (dharam) = wearer
Translation: I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi — whose thundering laughter shatters millions of Brahma's cosmic eggs, whose mere glance destroys the entire web of sins, who rules with fierce authority, who bestows the eight supernatural powers (ashta siddhis), and who wears a garland of skulls.
8 Eighth Verse
भूतसङ्घनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं
काशिवासकोकपुण्यपापशोधनप्रभुम्।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्प्रभुं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥8॥
काशिवासकोकपुण्यपापशोधनप्रभुम्।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्प्रभुं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥8॥
Word Meanings: भूतसङ्घ (bhūtasaṅgha) = host of beings/spirits; नायकम् (nāyakam) = leader; विशाल (viśāla) = vast; कीर्ति (kīrti) = fame; दायकम् (dāyakam) = bestower; काशिवास (kāśivāsa) = residents of Kashi; लोक (loka) = people; पुण्यपाप (puṇyapāpa) = merits and sins; शोधन (śodhana) = purifying; प्रभुम् (prabhum) = Lord; नीतिमार्ग (nītimārga) = path of ethics/justice; कोविदम् (kovidam) = expert; पुरातनम् (purātanam) = ancient; जगत्प्रभुम् (jagatprabhum) = lord of the universe
Translation: I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi — who is the leader of the hosts of beings (bhutas), who bestows vast fame, who is the Lord who purifies the merits and sins of the residents of Kashi, who is an expert in the path of righteous conduct, who is the most ancient, and who is the lord of the entire universe.
✦ Phala Shruti (Fruit of Recitation)
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठन्ति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं पवित्रपुण्यवर्धनम्।
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं
ते प्रयान्ति कालभैरवादि सेवितं प्रभुं हरम्॥9॥
ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं पवित्रपुण्यवर्धनम्।
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं
ते प्रयान्ति कालभैरवादि सेवितं प्रभुं हरम्॥9॥
Word Meanings: कालभैरवाष्टकम् (kālabhairaavāṣṭakam) = this eight-verse hymn to Kalabhairava; पठन्ति (paṭhanti) = recite; ये (ye) = those who; मनोहरम् (manoharam) = enchanting; ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनम् (jñānamuktisādhanam) = means to knowledge and liberation; पवित्र (pavitra) = sacred; पुण्यवर्धनम् (puṇyavardhanam) = increaser of merit; शोक (śoka) = grief; मोह (moha) = delusion; दैन्य (dainya) = misery; लोभ (lobha) = greed; कोप (kopa) = anger; ताप (tāpa) = suffering; नाशनम् (nāśanam) = destroying; ते प्रयान्ति (te prayānti) = they attain; सेवितम् (sevitam) = served by; प्रभुं हरम् (prabhuṁ haram) = Lord Shiva
Translation: Those who recite this enchanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam — which is a means to knowledge and liberation, which increases sacred merit, and which destroys grief, delusion, misery, greed, anger, and suffering — they attain Lord Shiva (Hara), the Supreme Lord who is served by Kalabhairava and all celestial beings.
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam
- Destroys Time-Related Fears: Eliminates anxiety about death, aging, and the passage of time
- Removes Sins: Purifies accumulated karmic debts and past transgressions
- Grants Fearlessness: Bestows supreme courage and freedom from all fears
- Protects from Evil Spirits: Shields devotees from negative entities and dark forces
- Bestows Moksha: Opens the path to liberation and freedom from the cycle of rebirth
- Removes Kala Sarpa Dosha: Mitigates the effects of adverse planetary influences
- Grants Spiritual Awakening: Awakens higher consciousness and inner wisdom
- Dissolves Karmic Bonds: Frees the soul from the chains of accumulated karma
Chanting Instructions
- Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
- Light a lamp and incense before the image of Lord Kalabhairava
- Offer black sesame seeds, flowers, or mustard oil to the Lord
- Chant with devotion, meditating on the fierce yet liberating form of Kalabhairava
- Ideal times: Kalashtami, Bhairava Ashtami, Saturdays, midnight
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with surrender to the lotus feet of Lord Kalabhairava
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam
What is Kalabhairava Ashtakam and who composed it?
Kalabhairava Ashtakam is one of the most celebrated hymns in Hindu tradition, composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya. It consists of eight verses (ashtakam) plus a phala shruti, each ending with the refrain "Kashikapuraadhinatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje" (I worship Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi). It glorifies Lord Kalabhairava, the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva who is the supreme lord of time (Kala) and the presiding deity of the sacred city of Kashi (Varanasi).
What are the spiritual benefits of chanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam?
The phala shruti declares that this ashtakam is "jnanamuktisadhanam" (means to knowledge and liberation) and "pavitrapunyavardhanam" (increaser of sacred merit). Regular chanting destroys grief (shoka), delusion (moha), misery (dainya), greed (lobha), anger (kopa), and suffering (tapa). It also removes the fear of death, dissolves karmic bonds, protects from evil forces, bestows the eight supernatural powers (ashta siddhis), and ultimately leads the devotee to Lord Shiva.
When is the best time to recite Kalabhairava Ashtakam?
The most auspicious times are Kalashtami (the eighth day of the dark fortnight, sacred to Kalabhairava), Bhairava Ashtami, Saturdays, and midnight (the hour of Bhairava). It is also powerfully chanted during Maha Shivaratri and at twilight. For daily practice, Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn) or late evening are ideal. Reciting it while visiting Kashi (Varanasi) is considered supremely meritorious.
Who is Lord Kalabhairava and what is His significance?
Lord Kalabhairava is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva whose name combines "Kala" (time/death) and "Bhairava" (the terrifying one). He is the supreme lord of time who transcends and controls the very fabric of time itself. He is the presiding deity (Kotwal) of Kashi (Varanasi), the sacred city of liberation. According to Shaiva tradition, Bhairava manifested when Lord Shiva severed the fifth head of Brahma to curb his ego, and His worship is essential for spiritual progress and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
What does "Kashikapuraadhinatha" mean in the refrain?
"Kashikapuraadhinatha" is a compound Sanskrit word meaning "the supreme lord (adhinatha) of the city (pura) of Kashi (Kashika)." Kashi (modern-day Varanasi/Benares) is considered the most sacred city in Hinduism, and Lord Kalabhairava is its protector and presiding deity. Every verse ends with this epithet followed by "Kalabhairavam Bhaje" (I worship Kalabhairava), anchoring the devotee's mind in the supreme lordship of Kalabhairava over the holiest city of liberation.
Can Kalabhairava Ashtakam remove the fear of death?
Yes, this is one of the primary purposes of this ashtakam. Verse 5 specifically describes Kalabhairava as "mrityudarpanashanam" — the destroyer of the pride of death. Since Kalabhairava is "Kalakala" (the death of Death itself, as stated in verse 3), His worship transcends the fear of mortality. The phala shruti confirms that this hymn destroys all forms of suffering (tapa) and leads the devotee to Lord Shiva, thereby conquering the very cycle of birth and death.
Is Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam available in Tamil lyrics?
Yes. This page includes Shri Kalabhairava Ashtakam in Tamil (தமிழ்) script along with Sanskrit and English transliteration for easier recitation.