Home > Stotras > Shiva > Kalabhairava Ashtakam

Kalabhairava Ashtakam - In sanskrit with meaning

- Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya

कालभैरवाष्टकम्
Kalabhairava Ashtakam

Sri Kalabhairava
Sri Kalabhairava

Sri Kalabhairava

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

Meaning:
1.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Whose Lotus-Feet is Served by Indra, the King of the Devas.
1.2: Who has a Snake as His Sacrificial Thread, Moon on His Head and Who is Extremely Compassionate.
1.3: Who is Praised by sage Narada and other Yogis, and Who is Digambara (Clothed by Sky, signifying that He is Ever-Free).
1.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.

flowers



Sri Kalabhairava
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||

Meaning:
2.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Who has the Brilliance of a Million Suns, Who Rescues us from the Ocean of Worldly Existence and Who is Supreme.
2.2: Who has a Blue Throat, Who Bestows us with Worldly Prosperity which we Wish for and Who has Three Eyes.
2.3: Who is the Death of the Death [i.e. beyond death], Who is Lotus-Eyed, Whose Trident Supports the Three Worlds and Who is Imperishable.
2.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.

flowers



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

Meaning:
3.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Who has Trident, Hatchet, Noose and Club in His Hands and Who is the Primordial Cause of the Universe.
3.2: Whose Body is Dark, Who is the Primordial Lord, Who is Imperishable and Who is beyond Diseases [of the World],
3.3: Who is the Lord with Terrific Prowess and Who Loves the Strange, Vigorous Tandava Dance.
3.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.

flowers



Sri Kalabhairava
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-Kingkinnii-Lasat-Kattim
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||4||

Meaning:
4.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Who is the Giver of Worldly Prosperity and Liberation and Who has an Auspicious Pleasing Form.
4.2: Who is Kind and Loving to His Devotees and Who Stands Firm as the Deity of All the Lokas.
4.3: Who has Shining Golden Bells around His Waist which Jingles Creating a Variety of Pleasing Sounds.
4.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.

flowers



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

Meaning:
5.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Who Guards the Established Institution of the Eternal Dharma and Destroys the Path of Adharma which are averse to the Eternal Dharma (by leading the devotee towards the Eternal Dharma).
5.2: Who is the Lord who Frees us from the Fetters of Karma (binding impressions of work on our minds accumulated during several births) thereby Giving us [by Revealing] the Great Joy [of the Soul].
5.3: Who is Adorned with Golden-Coloured Serpents encircling His Body.
5.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.

flowers



Sri Kalabhairava
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||

Meaning:
6.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Whose Charming Beautiful Pair of Feet Shine with Sandals Studded with Gems.
6.2: Who is the Eternal, Non-Dual, Ishtha Devata and Who is Stainless and Pure.
6.3: Who Destroys the Pride of Death (manifested as Fear within us) and Whose Large Terrible Fangs Liberate us (from the Fear of Death).
6.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.

flowers



Sri Kalabhairava
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||

Meaning:
7.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Whose Loud Terrific Laughter Shatters the Continuity of the Sheath of Creation (delusion of our mind) of the Lotus-Born Brahma from the Primeval Egg.
7.2: Whose Terrific Glance Destroys the Net of the Powerful and Mighty Rule of Sins (in our mind).
7.3: Who Bestows the Eight Siddhis and Who Wear a Garland of Skulls.
7.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.

flowers



Sri Kalabhairava
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||

Meaning:
8.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Who is the Ruler of Ghosts and Goblins and Who Bestows Great Glory to us (by revealing the Glory of the Self).
8.2: Who is the Lord who Purges both the Merits and the Sins of the Persons Dwelling in Kashi (thus revealing the Self in its pristine beauty).
8.3: Who is Skilled in Guiding us in the Path of Righteousness and Who is the most Ancient (i.e. Eternal) Lord of the Universe.
8.4: Salutations to Sri Kalabhairava Who is the Supreme Lord of the City of Kashi.

flowers



Sri Kalabhairava
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठंति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम्
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं
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||

Meaning:
9.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Kalabhairava) Those who Read the Eight Verses on Sri Kalabhairava with Devotion which is Heart-Stealing and Charming,
9.2: Will be Lead straight to the Goal of Knowledge and Liberation and Will result in the Rise of Various Auspicious Qualities.
9.3: And Which Destroys (mental) Sorrows and Afflictions, Delusions and Infatuations, Wretchedness and Depressions, Passions and Anger and (mental) Heat and Burns.
9.4: And after Death the Devotee will Surely Attain the Feet of Sri Kalabhairava.


flowers

Note: Click over each Sanskrit word to get the meaning.
Click here to open the meanings in a new window.

Translated by greenmesg

Kashi Kshetra - Moksha Puri, Created by Lord Shiva, Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga and Varanasi Shakti Peetha:

Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Devi Vishalakshi - Kashi (Varanasi) (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha)
(Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)

Shiva: Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga, Kalabhairava
Devi: Devi Vishalakshi , Devi Annapoorna, Devi Durga, Yogini
Vishnu: Bindu Madhava
Ganesha: Dhundiraj Vinayaka & others (56 Vinayakas)
Hanuman: Sankat Mochan Hanuman
Surya: Lolarka & others (12 Adityas)
Others: Dandapani Temple

- Kashi is the place created by Lord Shiva and where Lord Shiva abides as Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga.
- Kashi is the place where Devi abides as Varanasi Shakti Peetha.
- Kashi is the place where Lord Vishnu abides as Bindu Madhava.
- Kashi is the place where Sri Ganesha abides in 56 forms, the most famous of which is Dhundiraj Vinayaka.
- Kashi is the place where Surya deva abides in 12 forms, the most famous of which is Lolarka.

Sages: Agastya, Jaigishavya, Agnibindu, Shukracharya

- Kashi is the place where sage Agastya had his hermitage and from where he migrated towards the South to supress the rising Vindhya mountain.
- Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva gave darshan to sage Jaigishavya for his austerity of devotion towards Him.
- Kashi is the place where Lord Vishnu gave darshan to sage Agnibindu for his penance (Bindu Madhava form).
- Kashi is the place where sage Shukracharya performed penance and got the Mritasanjeevani Vidya from Lord Shiva.

Saints: Adi Shankaracharya, Trailanga Swami (Trailanga Swami Ashram), Baba Lokenath, Ramakrishna Paramahamsha

- Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva appeared before Sri Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?) as a chandala with four dogs in order to test him.
- Kashi is the place where Sri Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE) lived for many years and performed many miraculous deeds.
- Kashi is the place where Baba Lokenath (1730 - 1890 CE) lived for sometime as a disciple of Sri Trailanga Swami.
- Kashi is the place where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsha (1836 - 1886 CE) visited during his pilgrimage and met Sri Trailanga Swami. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsha also had a vision of Lord Shiva imparting the Taraka mantra.

▬ River Ganga flows → Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat (Aarti)
▬ River Varana flows
▬ River Asi flows

Related Festivals:
- Maha Shivaratri: Celebrates the cosmic union of Shiva and Shakti (Kashi Vishwanath)
- Bhairava Ashtami: Celebrates the manifestation of Lord Kalabhairava (Kashi Kalabhairava)
- Sharadiya Navaratri: Celebrates the victory of Devi Durga over demon Mahishasura (Good over Evil) (Kashi Vishalakshi) (Kashi Durga)
- Devi Annapoorna Puja and Annakut: Worships Devi Annapoorna; Large amounts of food (Annakut) are offered to Devi Annapoorna and free food is distributed to people (Kashi Annapoorna)
- Shayani Ekadasi: Marks the day when Lord Vishnu enters in the Yogic slumber; Marks the beginning of Chaturmasa (Kashi Bindu Madhav)
- Prabodhini Ekadasi: Marks the day when Lord Vishnu awakens from the Yogic slumber; Celebrations are held in Vaishnava temples (Kashi Bindu Madhav)
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrates the appearance of Sri Ganesha (Kashi Vinayakas)
- Chhath Puja: Gratitude is expressed to Surya deva (Sun God), the visible manifestation of divinity, for the various life-sustaining blessings on Earth
- Ganga Dussehra: Celebrates the descent of river Ganga from Heaven to Earth (Ganga)
- Kartik Poornima: Holy Bathing in Sacred River (Ganga) (Dev Deepavali)

(Shiva Purana) (Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka
Creation of Kashi
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 26)
Creation of Manikarnika in Kashi (Manikarnika Ghat)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 26)
Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga - Lord Shiva creating Kashi and abiding there as Avimukteshwara Linga (Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga)
(Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 22 to 23)
Varanasi Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Varanasi Shakti Peetha where the Kundala (Ear-Ring) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Vishalakshi and the Bhairava is called Kalabhairava. (Devi Vishalakshi Temple)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 30)
Advent of river Ganga in Kashi
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 30)
Creation of Kalabhairava in Kashi (Kalabhairava Temple)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 31)
Appearance of Dandapani in Kashi (Dandapani Temple)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 32)
Appearance of 64 Yoginis in Kashi (Yogini Temple)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 45)
Appearance of 12 Adityas in Kashi (Lolorka Temple & others)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 46)
Appearance of Lord Brahma in Kashi (Yagnas in Dashashwamedh Ghat)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 52)
Appearance of Shiva Ganas in Kashi
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 53 to 54)
Appearance of 56 Vinayakas in Kashi (Dhundiraj Vinayaka Temple & others)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 55 to 57)
Appearance of Lord Vishnu in Kashi (Bindu Madhav Temple)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 58, 60 to 61)



Lord ShivaStotras of Lord Shiva

Form - Qualities of Lord Shiva

Incarnations - Deeds of Lord Shiva

Scriptures of Lord Shiva

Pilgrimages of Lord Shiva

Mountains - Forests - Rivers - Trees of Lord Shiva

Festivals of Lord Shiva

Devotees - Penances of Lord Shiva

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

Stotras

Scriptures

Pilgrimages

Sacred Geography - Mountains - Rivers

Festivals

Sages - Hermitages - Penances

Saints - Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana

Sadhana

Sanskrit

Nature

Arts and Sciences

Bharatavarsha - Puranic History - Puranic Lineage

Meditations on Earth, Life and Dharma: >>



Om, May there be Peace in Heaven,
May there be Peace in the Sky,
May there be Peace in the Earth,

(Shanti Mantra of Upanishad)

Preserve Nature and Nature will Preserve Us,
Simplify Life and help Nature Thrive,
Plant Trees and make the Planet Green,
Connect with Earth, Connect with Dharma, Connect with Being.

Next >>

Green Message: The Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature

Last updated on Apr-2026

Site Map    Search    Contact    Updates