Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 276: Shri Bhairavi (OM bhairavyai namaH)

In Namams 275 to365, the Divine Mother’s  many forms providing benefits to Her devotees in great details are discussed. 

The Divine Mother is the consort of Lord Bhairava. 

Bhiru represents fear in souls. Bhiravas are forms of Lord Shiva. Likewise Bhiravis are forms of the Divine Mother. The devotees assume themselves to be Bhairava or Bhairavi to praise, worship and serve the Divine Mother; they seek elimination of their fears. The Divine Mother helps the devotees with Her grace to eliminate their fears. 

Bhairava does three tasks; he dances in cremation grounds; he looks fearful to others; the Divine Mother is His consort; She has the fearful qualities similar to Bhirava. The girls worship the Divine Mother to have their fears removed. The Divine Mother is like those girls worshipping Her. Being the consort of Bhairava, She creates fear in people; and later She eliminates the fear of Her devotees. 

Nithya deities are worshipped one each day from new moon day to full moon day and again back to new moon day. The deity on 12 th night in moon’s growing phase is called Bhairavi; she is 12 years old girl. According to Dhaumya, a girl of twelve years is known as Bhiru, The Divine Mother is in that form and is called Bhairavi. 

Bhairavi, is a mantra’s name, which is obtained by removing “ra” syllable from the Tripuracakresvari mantra. She is Bhairavi mantra rupini.

 

The Divine Mother as Goddess Mahavidya Bhairavi (Kali/Durga).

Lord KalaBhairava


C N Nachiappun          

Singapore, 27 October 2020.

 

References:

1.       The Thousand Names of the Divine Mother published in English by Mata Amritanandamayi Center, San Ramon, California, USA, with Commentary by T. V Narayana Menon

2.       Shri Lalitha Sahasranama Stostram published in Tamil by N. Ramaswami Iyer charities’ societies, Trichirapalli, India, with Commentary by C. V. Radhakrishna Sastry.

3.       The Lalitha Sahasranamam published in Tamil by Shri Ramakrishna Thapovanam, Thiruipparaithurai, Trichy District, Tamilnadu, India with commentary by Shrimath Swami Sithbavandar.

 

 

4.       Bhairava originates from the word bhīru, which means "fearful". Bhairava means "terribly fearful form". It is also known as one who destroys fear or one who is beyond fear. One interpretation is that he protects his devotees from dreadful enemies, greedlust and anger. Bhairava protects his devotees from these enemies. These enemies are dangerous as they never allow humans to seek God within. There is also another interpretation: Bha means creation, ra means sustenance and va means destruction. Therefore, Bhairava is the one who creates, sustains and dissolves the three stages of life. Therefore, he becomes the ultimate or the supreme.

The origin of Bhairava can be traced to a conversation between Brahma and Vishnu which is recounted in the Shiva Mahapuranam. In it, Vishnu inquired of Brahma, "Who is the supreme creator of the Universe?" Arrogantly, Brahma told Vishnu to worship him as Supreme Creator. One day, Brahma thought "I have five heads. Shiva also has five heads. I can do everything that Shiva does and therefore I am Shiva." Brahma became a little egotistical as a result of this. Additionally, he began to forget the work of Shiva and also started interfering in what Shiva was supposed to be doing. Consequently, Mahadeva (Shiva) threw a small nail from his finger which assumed the form of Kala Bhairava and casually went to cut off one of Brahma's heads. The skull (Kapala) of Brahma is held in the hands of Kala Bhairava, Brahma's ego was destroyed and he became enlightened. From then on, he became useful to himself and to the world, and deeply grateful to Shiva. In the form of the Kala Bhairava, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shaktipeeth (Shakti temples). Each Shaktipeeth is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava.

 

There is another school of thought which says that Shiva himself created Bhairava. There was one demon by name Dahurāsura who got a boon that he could be killed only by a woman. Parvati took the form of Kali to kill him. The wrath of Kali killed the demon. After killing the demon, her wrath metamorphosed as a child. Kali fed the child with her milk. Shiva made both Kali and the child to merge with him. From this merged form of Shiva, Bhairava appeared in his eight forms (Aṣṭāga Bhairavas). Since Bhairava was thus created by Shiva, he is said to be one of the sons of Shiva.

The Puranas also give a version of Bhairava. In this version there was a war between gods and demons. To eradicate the demons, Shiva created Kala Bhairava from whom Aṣṭāga Bhairavas were created. These Ashta Bhairavas married Ashta Matrikas. These Ashta Bhairavas and Ashta Matrikas have dreadful forms. From these Ashta Bhairavas and Ashta Matrikas, 64 Bhairavas and 64 Yoginis were created.

Normally in Shiva temples, idols of Bhairava are situated in the north, facing southern direction. He is also called Khetrapāla. He appears in a standing position with four hands. His weapons are drum, pāśa (noose), trident and skull. In some forms of Bhairava, there are more than four hands. He appears without dress and with a dog. His weapons, the dog, protruding teeth, terrifying looks, and a garland with red flowers all give him a frightening appearance.

In all Shiva temples, regular puja (reverence) rituals begin with Surya and end with Bhairava. Devotees offer what is understood to be favored by Bhairava: a ghee bath (abhieka), red flowers, ghee lamp, unbroken coconut, honey, boiled food, fibrous fruits etc. If a Bhairava idol is facing west, it is good; facing south is moderate; facing east is not good. The right time to pray to Bhairavi is midnight. AT midnight it is said that Bhairava and his consort Bhairavi will give darśana (appearance) to their devotees. The most appropriate time is a Friday midnight. There are eight types of flowers and leaves used in archana (अर्चन) to Bhairava.

In Kashmir Shaivism, Bhairava is the ultimate form of manifestation or pure "I" consciousness.
One of his forms is called Svar
ākarṣṇa Bhairava ; In this form, he has red or blue complexion and is clothed in golden dress. He has the moon over his head. He has four hands, one of which he holds a golden vessel. He gives wealth and prosperity. Performing pūja on Tuesdays gives quick results. In some of the ancient texts he is said to have thirty two hands, the shape of a bird, golden complexion, terrible teeth, and a human form above the hip. Worshipping him destroys enemies.

Some forms of Bhairava are guardians of the eight cardinal points. There are 64 Bhairavas. These 64 Bhairavas are grouped under eight categories and each category is headed by one major Bhairava. The major eight Bhairavas are called Aṣṭāga Bhairavas. The Ashta Bhairavas control the eight directions of this universe. Each Bhairava has seven sub Bhairavas under him, totaling 64 Bhairavas. All of the Bhairavas are ruled and controlled by Maha Kala Bhairava otherwise known as Kala Bhairava, who is the supreme ruler of time of this universe as per some Śaiva tantric scriptures (āgamas). Bhairavi is the consort of Kala Bhairava. The eight Bhairavas are said to represent five elements viz. ākāś, air, fire, water and earth and the other three being sun, moon and ātman. Each of the eight Bhairavas are different in appearance, have different weapons, different vāhanas (vehicles) and they bless their devotees with eight types of wealth representing Ashta Lakshmis. Continuous worship of Bhairava leads the worshiper to a true Guru. There are separate mantras to all the eight Bhairavas.

Bhairava is also called upon as protector, as he guards the eight directions of the universe. In Shiva temples, when the temple is closed, the keys are placed before Bhairava. Bhairava is also described as the protector of women. He is described as the protector of the timid and in general women who are timid in nature.

It is generally believed that worshiping Bhairava gives prosperity, success and good progeny, prevents premature death and gives solution to debts and liabilities. Different forms of Bhairava evolve only from Śiva, who is called the Mahā Bhairava.

List of Bhairavas The list of manifestation of Shiva: This list is incomplete;.

1.                   1.  Trisandhyeshwar

  1. Vishvesh
  2. Bhiruk
  3. Vakranath
  4. Lambkarna
  5. Vaman
  6. Varaha (Baraha)
  7. Rudra Mahadev
  8. Chakrapani
  9. Vikritaksh
  10. Bhimlochan
  11. Kramadishwar
  12. Chanda
  13. Unmatta Bhairav
  14. Nakuleshwar
  15. Umananda or Bhayaanand
  16. Ruru]
  17. Nimish
  18. Abhiru
  19. Sanwart
  20. Ghanteshwar
  21. Ambar]
  22. Amar]
  23. Sarvanand
  24. Mahodar
  25. Rakshaseshwar (Nayanair)
  26. Kapali]
  27. Chandrashekhar
  28. Maharudra
  29. Vakratund
  30. Bhava
  31. Sthanu
  32. Nandikeshwar
  33. Vatsnabh or Dandpani
  34. Krodhish
  35. Bhadrasen
  36. Sambaranand
  37. Sanhar
  38. Trayambak
  39. Tripuresh
  40. Kapilambar
  41. Marthanda
  42. Kaal bhairav
  43. Sarvanand
  44. Amritaksha
  45. Bhutesh
  46. Bhishan
  47. Baidyanath
  48. Ksheer Kantak
  49. Batuk Bhairav
  50. Kapalbhairav
  51. Tumbeswar
  52. Jogesh
  53. Kanpur Kaal Bhairava Mandir(Bhairava Ghat)
  54. Ruru bhairav
  55. Shri Khutkuni Bhairav
  56. Shai Bhairav
  57. Matang bhairav

 

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