Lord Kalabhairava, the fierce form of Lord Shiva, is the ruler of time (Kala) and the eternal protector of Kashi (Varanasi). The Kalabhairava Ashtakam composed by Adi Shankaracharya is one of the most powerful stotrams for seeking protection, destroying fear, removing obstacles, and attaining spiritual liberation.
Regular chanting of Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam on Kalashtami or daily offers fearlessness, destroys negative energies, and purifies karma.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics in Roman Transliteration (Easy Pronunciation)
Verse 1
Devarāja sevyamāna pāvanāṅghri paṅkajaṃ
Vyāla yajña sūtram indu śekharaṃ kṛpākaram |
Nārada ādi yogi vṛnda vanditaṃ digambaraṃ
Kāśikā pura adhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje ||1||
Verse 2
Bhānu koṭi bhāsvaraṃ bhavābdhi tārakam paraṃ
Nīlakaṇṭham īpsitārtha dāyakaṃ trilocanam |
Kāla kālam ambujākṣam akṣa śūlam akṣaraṃ
Kāśikā pura adhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje ||2||
Verse 3
Śūla ṭaṅka pāśa daṇḍa pāṇim ādi kāraṇaṃ
Śyāma kāyam ādi devam akṣaraṃ nirāmayam |
Bhīma vikramaṃ prabhuṃ vicitra tāṇḍava priyaṃ
Kāśikā pura adhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje ||3||
Verse 4
Bhukti mukti dāyakaṃ praśasta cāru vigrahaṃ
Bhakta vatsalaṃ sthitaṃ samasta loka vigraham |
Vinikvaṇan manojña hema kiṅkiṇī lasat kaṭiṃ
Kāśikā pura adhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje ||4||
Verse 5
Dharma setu pālakaṃ tvadharma mārga nāśakaṃ
Karma pāśa mocakaṃ suśarma dāyakaṃ vibhum |
Svarṇa varṇa śeṣa pāśa śobhitāṅga maṇḍalaṃ
Kāśikā pura adhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje ||5||
Verse 6
Ratna pādukā prabhābhirāma pāda yugmakaṃ
Nityam advitīyam iṣṭa daivataṃ nirañjanam |
Mṛtyu darpa nāśanaṃ karāla daṃṣṭra mokṣaṇam
Kāśikā pura adhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje ||6||
Verse 7
Aṭṭahāsa bhinna padma jāṇḍa kośa santatiṃ
Dṛṣṭi pāta naṣṭa pāpa jālam ugra śāsanam |
Aṣṭa siddhi dāyakaṃ kapāla mālikā dharaṃ
Kāśikā pura adhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje ||7||
Verse 8
Bhūta saṅgha nāyakaṃ viśāla kīrti dāyakaṃ
Kāśi vāsa loka puṇya pāpa śodhakaṃ vibhum |
Nīti mārga kovidaṃ purātanaṃ jagat patiṃ
Kāśikā pura adhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhaje ||8||
Phalashruti Kālabhairavāṣṭakaṃ paṭhanti ye manoharaṃ
Jñāna mukti sādhanaṃ vicitra puṇya vardhanam |
Śoka moha dainya lobha kopa tāpa nāśanam
Prayānti kālabhairavāṅghri sannidhiṃ narā dhruvam ||
Prayānti kālabhairavāṅghri sannidhiṃ narā dhruvam ||
Prayānti kālabhairavāṅghri sannidhiṃ narā dhruvam ||
Table of Contents
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Meaning in English (Verse-wise)
Every verse ends with: “I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the Lord of Kashi.”
- Whose holy lotus feet are served by Indra, who wears serpent as sacred thread and moon on head, merciful, worshipped by Narada and yogis, sky-clad.
- Radiant as millions of suns, supreme ferry across ocean of samsara, blue-throated, fulfiller of desires, three-eyed, beyond time and death.
- Holding trident, hatchet, noose and staff, primordial cause, dark-bodied, eternal, fearless, lover of cosmic dance.
- Bestower of enjoyment and moksha, beautiful form, loving towards devotees, adorned with golden bells on waist.
- Guardian of dharma, destroyer of unrighteousness, liberator from karmic bonds, giver of supreme bliss, adorned with golden serpent.
- Feet beautified with shining gem-studded sandals, eternal and matchless, destroyer of death’s arrogance, with fearsome fangs.
- Whose laughter shatters universes, whose glance burns sins, fierce ruler, giver of eight siddhis, wearer of skull garland.
- Leader of spirits, bestower of great fame, purifier of sins and merits for Kashi residents, ancient lord of righteousness.
Phalashruti Meaning: Those who chant this enchanting Ashtakam gain knowledge and liberation, increase merit, and destroy sorrow, delusion, poverty, greed, anger and suffering. They surely attain the feet of Lord Kalabhairava.
Powerful Benefits of Chanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam
- Complete protection from fear, enemies, evil eye and black magic
- Removal of all obstacles in life, career and relationships
- Destruction of sins and negative karma
- Grants courage, confidence and fearlessness
- Bestows eight spiritual siddhis and material prosperity
- Purifies mind and leads to moksha
- Special blessings for those visiting or living in Kashi
Chant this Kalabhairava Ashtakam daily or on Kalabhairava Ashtami with full devotion for maximum benefits.
Om Kalabhairavaya Namah 🕉️🙏
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