Complete · ~5 min chant
Kalabhairavashtakam
Kālabhairavāṣṭakam
Eight verses to Kalabhairava, lord of Kashi, each closing with salutation to the city's sovereign.
All verses
About this stotra
Kalabhairavashtakam 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*.
The hymn praises Bhairava as protector of dharma, destroyer of sin, giver of liberation, and master of the cosmic dance. It is widely chanted in Kashi and on Kalabhairava Jayanti.