Kalabhairava Ashtakam — Lyrics with Meaning

Verse 1

Devarajasevyamanapavananghripankajam vyalayajnasutramindushekharam kripakaram | Naradadiyogivrindavanditam digambaram kashikapuradhinathakalabhairavam bhaje ||1||

His holy lotus feet are served by Indra, king of the gods; he wears a serpent as his sacred thread, the moon on his head, and is full of mercy; Narada and hosts of yogis bow to him; he is sky-clad — I worship Kalabhairav, Lord of Kashi.

Verse 2

Bhanukotibhasvaram bhavabdhitarakam param nilakanthamipsitarthadayakam trilochanam | Kalakalamambujakshamakshashulamaksharam kashikapuradhinathakalabhairavam bhaje ||2||

Bright as millions of suns, the supreme one who carries us across the ocean of worldly life, blue-throated, giver of what we seek, three-eyed, death even to Death, lotus-eyed, bearing the trident, imperishable — I worship Kalabhairav, Lord of Kashi.

Verse 3

Shulatankapashadandapanimadikaranam shyamakayamadidevamaksharam niramayam | Bhimavikramam prabhum vichitratandavapriyam kashikapuradhinathakalabhairavam bhaje ||3||

Holding trident, axe, noose and staff, the first cause of all, dark of body, the primal God, imperishable, free of all ills, of fearsome valour, the Lord who loves the wondrous Tandav — I worship Kalabhairav, Lord of Kashi.

Verse 4

Bhuktimuktidayakam prashastacharuvigraham bhaktavatsalam sthitam samastalokavigraham | Vinikvananmanojnahemakinkinilasatkatim kashikapuradhinathakalabhairavam bhaje ||4||

Giver of both worldly joy and liberation, of beautiful and praiseworthy form, loving to his devotees, whose form is all the worlds, with charming golden bells tinkling at his waist — I worship Kalabhairav, Lord of Kashi.

Verse 5

Dharmasetupalakam tvadharmamarganashakam karmapashamochakam susharmadayakam vibhum | Svarnavarnasheshapashashobhitangamandalam kashikapuradhinathakalabhairavam bhaje ||5||

Guardian of the bridge of dharma, destroyer of the paths of adharma, who frees us from the bonds of karma, gives true happiness, is all-pervading, his body adorned with golden serpents — I worship Kalabhairav, Lord of Kashi.

Verse 6

Ratnapadukaprabhabhiramapadayugmakam nityamadvitiyamishtadaivatam niranjanam | Mrityudarpanashanam karaladamshtramokshanam kashikapuradhinathakalabhairavam bhaje ||6||

His two feet are lovely with the glow of jewelled sandals; he is eternal, one without a second, the beloved deity, spotless; he crushes the pride of death and, though fierce-fanged, grants release — I worship Kalabhairav, Lord of Kashi.

Verse 7

Attahasabhinnapadmajandakoshasantatim drishtipatanashtapapajalamugrashasanam | Ashtasiddhidayakam kapalamalikadharam kashikapuradhinathakalabhairavam bhaje ||7||

His thunderous laughter splits open the shells of the universes made by Brahma; a single glance destroys the web of sins; his rule is stern; he grants the eight siddhis and wears a garland of skulls — I worship Kalabhairav, Lord of Kashi.

Verse 8

Bhutasanghanayakam vishalakirtidayakam kashivasalokapunyapapashodhakam vibhum | Nitimargakovidam puratanam jagatpatim kashikapuradhinathakalabhairavam bhaje ||8||

Leader of the hosts of spirits, giver of great renown, who weighs and purifies the merit and sin of those who live in Kashi, all-pervading, master of the path of right conduct, ancient, Lord of the world — I worship Kalabhairav, Lord of Kashi.

Verse 9

Kalabhairavashtakam pathanti ye manoharam jnanamuktisadhanam vichitrapunyavardhanam | Shokamohadainyalobhakopatapanashanam prayanti kalabhairavanghrisannidhim nara dhruvam ||9||

Those who read this charming Kalabhairava Ashtakam — a means to wisdom and liberation that increases merit and removes grief, delusion, misery, greed, anger and distress — surely reach the feet of Kalabhairav, so tradition says.