Study guide
Kalabhairavashtakam Guide - Eight Verses to Lord of Kashi
Guide to Kalabhairavashtakam: eight verses to Kalabhairava, fierce lord of Kashi, with English meaning and how to read Shankaracharya's hymn to the city's sovereign.
Kalabhairavashtakam (कालभैरवाष्टकम्) is a celebrated hymn attributed to Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Kalabhairava, the fierce form of Shiva who is lord of Kashi. Each verse closes with kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje: salutation to the sovereign of the city of Kashi. Bhairava stands at the threshold between worldly life and liberation, guarding dharma and cutting the bonds of karma.
The hymn praises Bhairava as protector of dharma, destroyer of sin, giver of enjoyment and liberation, and master of the cosmic dance. His lotus feet are served by Indra; serpents form his sacred thread and the moon his crest. He is bright as millions of suns, boat across the ocean of samsara, and destroyer of the pride of death. The eighth verse gathers his role as purifier of merit and sin for those who dwell in Kashi.
Place in the Kashi hymns
Kalabhairavashtakam belongs to the Bhairava collection and the sacred-places hymns to Kashi. Pair it with Vishwanathashtakam and Manikarnikashtakam. Read the Vishwanathashtakam guidefor praise of Vishvanatha, and the travel and compositions guide for pilgrimage context.
Verse by verse
- Verse 1 - lotus feet served by Indra; serpent thread and moon crest
- Verse 2 - bright as suns; boat across samsara; Lord of time
- Verse 3 - trident, sword, noose; lover of the cosmic dance
- Verse 4 - giver of enjoyment and liberation; golden anklets ring sweetly
- Verse 5- protector of dharma; frees beings from karma's bonds
- Verse 6 - jewelled sandals; destroys pride of death; terrible fangs
- Verse 7- laughter splits Brahma's egg; glance destroys sins; grants siddhis
- Verse 8 - purifies merit and sin of Kashi dwellers
How to use this edition
Open the Kalabhairavashtakam hub for synopsis and verse grid. Chant mode supports uninterrupted recitation. Study mode provides editorial focus notes on each verse. The hymn is widely chanted in Kashi and on Kalabhairava Jayanti.
Common questions
- What is Kalabhairavashtakam?
- Kalabhairavashtakam is an eight-verse hymn attributed to Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Kalabhairava, the fierce form of Shiva who is lord of Kashi. Each verse closes with salutation to the city's sovereign.
- When is Kalabhairava Jayanti?
- Kalabhairava Jayanti falls on the eighth day after full moon in the month of Margashirsha. Devotees chant this ashtakam widely on that day and during Kashi pilgrimage.
- What does Bhairava protect?
- The hymn praises Bhairava as protector of dharma, destroyer of sin, giver of enjoyment and liberation, and master of the cosmic dance. His glance destroys the web of sins.
- How long does it take to chant?
- Most devotees complete all eight verses in about five minutes at a moderate pace.