Bhairav

Bhairav

(Sanskrit: भैरव, ("Terrible" or "Frightful",[1]), sometimes known as Kaala Bhairava, Kal Bhairab, Annadhaani Bhairava (In Karnataka)( ಭೈರವ) Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya or Bheruji (In Rajasthan), Kaal Bhairava, Kaala Bhairavar (கால பைரவர்) or Vairavar (In Tamil), is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with annihilation.[2] He is one of the most important deities in Nepal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, who originated in Hindu mythology and is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains alike.

Legends

Bhairava with his consort, Bhairavi
The origin of Bhairava can be traced to the conversation between Brahma and Vishnu recounted in the Shiv Mahapuran where Vishnu asks Brahma who is the supreme creator of the Universe. Arrogantly, Brahma tells Vishnu to worship him because he (Brahma) is the supreme creator. One day Brahma thought, "I also have five head, Shiva also has five head. I can do everything whatever Shiva does and I am Shiva" Brahma has become little egoistic. Not only he had became egoistic, he started doing forgery work of Shiva. Whatever Shiva is supposed to do and Brahma started interfering; just Mahadeva threw a small nail from His finger and that nail assumed the form of Kala Bhairava, went and cut the head of Brahma, just like that casually. And that skull only is in the hands of Kala Bhairava; Brahma Kapala in the hands of Kala Bhairava and Brahma’s ego was destroyed and he became enlightened. Then onwards he became useful to himself and to the world and deeply grateful to Shiva. In the form of the Kaala Bhairava, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shaktipeeths. Each Shaktipeeth temple is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava.