sarvam sivamayam

Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव, "Terrible" or "Frightful", sometimes known as Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya, is the fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.

Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव, "Terrible" or "Frightful", sometimes known as Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya, is the fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.
 

Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव, "Terrible" or "Frightful", sometimes known as Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya, is the fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.

[2] He is one of the most important deities of Nepal, sacred to Hindus alike.He is depicted ornamented with a range of twisted serpents, which serve as earrings, bracelets, anklets, and sacred thread (yajnopavita). He wears a tiger skin and a ritual apron composed of human bones.

[3] Bhairava has a dog as his divine vahana (vehicle).Bhairava himself has eight manifestations: Kala Bhairava, Asitanga Bhairava, Samhara Bhairava, Ruru Bhairava, Krodha Bhairava, Kapala Bhairava, Rudra Bhirava and Unmatta Bhairava. Kala Bhairava is conceptualized as the Guru of the planetary deity Saturn. Bhairava is known as Vairavar in Tamil where he is often presented as a Grama Devata or folk deity who safeguards the devotee on all eight directions (ettu tikku). Known in Sinhalese as Bahirawa, he protects treasures. 

Lord Bhairava is the main deity worshipped by the cannibalistic Aghora sect.Legends. 

The origin of Bhairava can be traced to the conversation between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu recounted in "Shiv Maha-Purana" where Lord Vishnu asks Lord Brahma who is the supreme creator of the Universe. Arrogantly, Brahma tells Vishnu to worship him because he (Brahma) is the supreme creator. This angered Shiva who in reality is the creator of all. Shiva then incarnated in the form of Bhairava to punish Brahma. Bhairava beheaded one of Brahma's five heads and since then Brahma has only four heads. When depicted as Kala Bhairava, Bhairava is shown carrying the decapitated head of Brahma. Cutting off Brahma's fifth head made him guilty of having slain Brahma, and as a result, he was forced to carry around the head for years until he had been absolved of the sin. 

Another story of the origin of Bhairava is the tale of Shakthi, wife of Shiva. Shakthi, the daughter of the king of gods, Daksha, had chosen to marry Shiva. Her father disapproved the alliance because he perceived Shiva as an ascetic associated with a frugal lifestyle, forest animals and ghosts. Eventually, Daksha held a yagna (a ritualistic sacrifice) and invited all the gods, but not Shakthi and Shiva. Shakthi came to the yagna alone, where Daksha publicly spoke in a belittling manner about Shiva. Shakthi could not bear to hear her husband insulted and offered herself to the sacrificial fire.When Shiva learned of this, he destroyed the yagna and killed Daksha by beheading him. Shiva carried Shakthi's corpse on his shoulders and ran uncontrollably all around the world for days. Since this would eventually destroy all creation, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra (divine discus) to cut Shakthi's body into pieces, which then fell all around. These spots where Shakthi's body parts fell are now known as Shakthi Peethas. 

In the form of the frightful Bhairava, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shaktipeeths. Each Shaktipeeth temple is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava.

Temples Kal Bhairava Temple, near Purana Qila, New Delhi. Said to be established by the Pandava brothers during the building of their capital Indraprastha. Purana Qila is sometimes said to be their castle and the temple is situated in its backyard.

Ashta Bhairava at Sri Kamanada Eswar temple, Aragalur, Tamil Nadu.

Bhairavar Temple, Vairavan Patti, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu.

Bhairaveswarar Temple, Cholapuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.

Kal Bhairav Temple at Ujjain, M.P.

Kalabhairaveshvara Temple at Adichunchanagiri, Karnataka

Kalabhairaveshvara Temple at Jogi Mutt, Kadri, Mangalore, Karnataka

Kalabhairav Temple at Adhiyaman Kottai, Dharampuri district, Tamil Nadu

Sri Kalabhairava Swamy Temple at Ramareddy, Nizamabad district, Andhra Pradesh

Bhairava Kona, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 

Bhairava is an important deity of the Newars. All the traditional settlements of Newars have at least a temple of Bhairava. 

Most of the temples of Bhairava in Nepal are maintained by Newar priests. There are several Bhairava temples in the Kathmandu valley. Some of them are: The Kala Bhairava temple in Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square) has a 12-foot (3.7 m) high stone image of Kala Bhairava sculpted in the 17th century CE. It was believed that people die if they speak false in front of this sculpture. So, this temple served as the supreme court of Nepal for a long time.[citation needed]

Akash Bhairava (Sava Bhakku Deva or Wanga Dya)

Swet Bhairava

Shanta Bhairava (Majipa Lakhey Dya)

Kirtimukha Bhairava

Unmukta Bhairava (inside the Pashupatinath Temple)

Bagh Bhairava temple of Kirtipur

Batuk Bhairava temple, Lagankhel

The Kaal Bhairav Nath Mandir temple is in "Varne Goan" - {Satara-Maharastra}.

"Kaal Bhairicha Navane Changbhale"

Crescent- Lord Shiva-- 'Chandrasekhara' meaning "Having the moon as his crest"

Crescent- Lord Shiva-- 'Chandrasekhara' meaning "Having the moon as his crest"

Crescent: Lord Shiva is typically pictured as wearing a crescent-shaped ornament on one side of his head. This is why he is often called 'Chandrasekhara' meaning "Having the moon as his crest". 

The Crescent is actually the moon in its fifth day phase and symbolizes the time cycle through which creation evolves from the beginning to the end. The moon is a measure of time. The Lord is the Eternal Reality and He is beyond time. Thus, the crescent moon is only one of His ornaments, and not an integral part of Him.

Dakshinamurthy or Jnana Dakshinamurti (Sanskrit: दक्षिणामूर्ति ((Dakṣiṇāmūrti))

Dakshinamurthy or Jnana Dakshinamurti (Sanskrit: दक्षिणामूर्ति ((Dakṣiṇāmūrti))

[1] is an aspect of Shiva as a guru (teacher) of all type of knowledge, particularly the jnana. This aspect of Shiva is his personification as the supreme or the ultimate awareness, understanding and knowledge.

[2] This form represents Shiva in his aspect as a teacher of yoga, music, and wisdom, and giving exposition on the shastras.

[3] He is worshipped as the god of wisdom, complete and rewarding meditation.

[4]Dakshinamurti literally means 'one who is facing south (dakṣiṇa)' in Sanskrit. South is the direction of Death, hence change.

[5] In every Siva temple the stone image of Dakshinamurthy is installed, facing south, on the southern circumambulatory path around the sanctum sanctorum. Perhaps, of all Hindu Gods, he is the only one sitting facing south. The great seer Ramana Maharshi, has interpreted the name as "Dakshina-amurty", meaning one who is capable but without form.In his aspect as Jnana Dakshinamurti, Shiva is generally shown with four arms. He is depicted seated under a banyan tree, facing the south. Shiva is seated upon a deer-throne and surrounded by sages who are receiving his instruction.

[7] He is shown as seated with his right foot on mythical apasmara(a demon which, according to Hindu mythology, is the personification of ignorance) and his left foot lies folded on his lap. Sometimes even the wild animals, are depicted to surround Shiva. 

In his upper arms, he holds a snake or rosary or both in one hand and a flame in the other; while in his lower right hand is shown in vyakhyanamudra, his lower left hand holds a bundle of kusha grass or the scriptures. 

The index finger of His right hand is bent and touching the tip of his thumb. 

The other three fingers are stretched apart. This symbolic hand gesture or Mudra is the Gnana Mudra (or Jnana Mudra or Jana Mudra), a symbol of knowledge and wisdom.

Sometimes, this hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, a posture of assurance and blessing.Dakshinamurthy is portrayed as being in the yogic state of abstract meditation - and as a powerful form brimming with ever flowing bliss and supreme joy. Variations of this iconic representation include Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy (holding a Veena), Rishabharooda Dakshinamurthy (mounted on a Rishabha - the bull) etc.Indian tradition accords a special reverence to the Guru or the teacher.

Dakshinamurthy, in the Saivite system of beliefs is regarded as the ultimate Guru - the embodiment of knowledge and the destroyer of ignorance (as represented by the demon being crushed under the feet of the deity). 

The Jnana Mudra is interpreted in this way:- The thumb denotes the God and the index finger denotes the man. The other three fingers stand for the three congenital impurities of man viz. arrogance, illusion and bad deeds of the past births. 

When man detaches himself from these impurities, he reaches God. 

The Abhaya Mudra, a gesture with the hand lifted above thigh with palm facing out, fingers pointing, is interpreted as His grace upon His students. 

The rosary or the snake signifies Tantric knowledge. 

The fire represents illumination, removing the darkness of ignorance.

The fifth day of the week, Thursday is associated with the planet Jupiter and is referred to as Guruvar (or Guruvaaram). Thursdays are considered auspicious to start any educational endeavours. It is on Thursdays that special worship services are offered to Dakshinamurthy in many Saivite temples. Some temple traditions hold full moon nights, particularly the night of the Guru Poornima as the appropriate time for worship services to Dakshinamurthy.

Even though the idol of Dakshinamurthy is installed in every Shiva temple, there are only a few temples where Dakshinamurthy is the chief deity. 

Only one of the twelve Jyotirlingas is Dakshinmurthy, The Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain. Being the only Dakshinmurthy Jyotirlinga, 

It holds special importance for Shaivites as a site of learning. 

Other notable temples are the Vaikom Mahadevar temple in Kerala, where the deity enshrined in the form of a Shivalingam is considered as Dakshinamurthy, and Alangudi (Kumbakonam) in Tamil Nadu. In the Sivanandeswarar temple in Thirupanthurai, (Tanjore) Tamil Nadu, He is depicted in the Ardhanari form. 

In Thirupulivanam, we can find Dakshinamurthy in the form of Ardhanariswara. This temple is on the Uthiramerur-Kanchipuram road, 5 km from Uthiramerur, near Chennai. [1] In March 2007, a big temple of Lord Dakshinamurty (the first in Maharashtra) was created in the Shrutisagar Ashram, about 30 km from Pune.Dakshinamurthy Ashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya is a laudatory hymn for this form of Siva.

ॐ नमः शिवाय

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Hari OM Shiva Hara Shankara Gaurisham

Hari OM Shiva Hara Shankara Gaurisham
 

Hari OM Shiva Hara Shankara Gaurisham,
Vande Ganga Dhara Misham Shiva, Rudram Pashupati Mishanam
Kalve Kashi Pura Natham Bhajo Bhala Lochna Parmananda
Shree Neelkantha Tavm Sharnam,
Shiv Asura Nikandana Bhave Dukh Bhanjana
Sevak ke Partipala Bam Avagamana Mithao Bole Shankara Bhaje Shiva Barambaara,
Bam Jai Shiv Shambhu Sada Shiv Shambhu Hari Hara Sada Sada Shiv Shambh.

 

To Shiv Shankar, the Swami of Gauri, we bow to him who has the Ganga in his dreadlocks. To Rudra Pashupati, the Swami of all beings, to the God of Kashi Banarus, has the three eyes, and is always in bliss. The God with the blue throat, we bow to his feet.

To You the slayer of all the demons, putting an end to all the sufferings.
you are the protector of your devotees. Please finish the circle of birth and rebirth. Always sing and praise his name, Shiv Hare Shambh.

NAMAMI SHANKARA BHAWANI SHANKARA UMA MAHESHWARA TAVA SHARANAM NAMO NAMO SHIVA GURU MAHADEVA Parvati Maheshvara Namo Namah Aum Namah Shivaya OMKARESHWARA TAVA SHARANAM NAMAMI SHANKARA BHAWANI SHANKARA UMA MAHESHWARA TAVA SHARANAM OM SHIVA OM SHIVA PARATPARA SHIVA OMKARESHWARA TAVA SHARANAM I bow down to Lord Shiva Shankara (doer of good), The Lord of Bhawani; Lord of Uma, I surrender to you (I take refuge in Thee) I bow down to the Lord Shiva Shankara, The Lord of Bhawani; Lord of Om Shiva, Om Shiva, the Supreme of the most Supreme, Shiva, the personification of Om, I surrender to you

Om Shiva, Om Shiva, the Supreme of the most Supreme, Shiva, the personification of Om, I surrender to you
 

NAMAMI SHANKARA BHAWANI SHANKARA

UMA MAHESHWARA TAVA SHARANAM
NAMO NAMO SHIVA GURU MAHADEVA
Parvati Maheshvara Namo Namah
Aum Namah Shivaya


OMKARESHWARA TAVA SHARANAM
NAMAMI SHANKARA BHAWANI SHANKARA
UMA MAHESHWARA TAVA SHARANAM
OM SHIVA OM SHIVA PARATPARA SHIVA
OMKARESHWARA TAVA SHARANAM

 

I bow down to Lord Shiva Shankara (doer of good), The Lord of Bhawani; Lord of Uma, I surrender to you (I take refuge in Thee) I bow down to the Lord Shiva Shankara, The Lord of Bhawani; Lord of Uma, I surrender to you. I bow down to the Lord Shiva Shankara, The Lord of Bhawani; Lord of Uma, I surrender to you. Om Shiva, Om Shiva, the Supreme of the most Supreme, Shiva, the personification of Om, I surrender to you.