Kalabhairava, Kala-bhairab, Kala-bhairava, Kālabhairava: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Kalabhairava means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Kālabhairava is the name of a deity depicted in the Jambukeswarar Temple in Tiruvānaikoyil (Thiruvanaikaval) which is one of the Pañcasabhā or “five halls where Śiva is said to have danced”.— Kāla Bhairava is found in standing posture with four arms. The upper right hand holds paraśu in kaṭaka-hasta,and the upper left hand holds ḍamaru with a snake on it (in kaṭaka-hasta). The lower right hand holds triśūla in kaṭaka,and the lower left hand is in vismaya-hasta, holding kapāla (skull). All these are the usual attributes of Bhairava. However there is no dog seen near the feet of Kāla Bhairava.
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Kālabhairava (कालभैरव) is the name of a deity who had plucked off the fifth head of Brahmā, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.35. Accordingly, as Viṣṇu said to Dakṣa:—“[...] whether it is heaven or earth, Pātāla or any where else, it is not difficult for the weapons of Vīrabhadra to gain access there. Such is the power of everyone of the attendants of the trident-bearing Rudra. Formerly at Kāśī, Kālabhairava had plucked off the fifth head of Brahmā playfully with the tip of his nail”.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Kālabhairava (कालभैरव) (or Āmardaka) is another name for Kālarāja, one of the “seven Bhairavas”, and is associated with Vārāṇasī, according to the Vārāṇasīmāhātmya 1.53-54.—Cf. The “eight Bhairavas” (originating from the blood of Andhaka when Śiva strikes him correspond with a set of eight Bhairavas), according to the Vāmanapurāṇa 44.23-38ff.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
India history and geography
Kālabhairava (कालभैरव) refers to one of the various Ghats of Varanasi (Benares) mentioned in the Gīrvāṇapadamañjarī authored by Varadarāja (A.D. 1600-1650), a pupil of Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita.—Varadarāja in his Gīrvāṇapadamañjarī refers to several works which ought to be studied by a Pandit. In the same text are listed some Ghats of Benares (Varanasi) [e.g., kālabhairava]. This contemporary list of Ghats would be useful for the history of Benares topography.
Kālabhairava (कालभैरव) or Kālabhairavatantra is the name of a Tantra categorized as “Rathakrānta”, and is mentioned in a (further unknown) book in the possession of Kamlesh Punyark [=Śrī Kamaleśa Puṇyārka or श्री कमलेश पुण्यार्क].—This book contains a detailed discussion of the basics of Tantra and opens with a list of three times sixty-four Tantras. One such text is the कालभैरव-तन्त्रम् [kālabhairava-tantram] or काल-भैरव [kāla-bhairava].
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
kāḷabhairava (काळभैरव).—m A deity at Benares, an incarnation of Shiva. Called also kāśīcā kōtavāla q. v.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Kālabhairava (कालभैरव).—an epithet of Śiva.
Derivable forms: kālabhairavaḥ (कालभैरवः).
Kālabhairava is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms kāla and bhairava (भैरव).
1) Kalabhairava (कलभैरव):—[=kala-bhairava] [from kala] m. or n. (?), Name of a deep ravine in the mountain between the rivers Tāpī and Narmadā.
2) Kālabhairava (कालभैरव):—[=kāla-bhairava] [from kāla] m. a form of Bhairava.
Kalabhairava (कलभैरव):—(kala + bhai) Nomen proprium eines Abgrunds in den Gebirgen zwischen der Tāpī und der Narmadā [Colebrooke I, 173,] [Nalopākhyāna]
--- OR ---
Kālabhairava (कालभैरव):—m. eine Form Bhairava's [Oxforder Handschriften 25,b, Nalopākhyāna 5. 69,b,42. 285,a,11.] [WILSON, Sel. Works 1,4.]
Kalabhairava (कलभैरव):—Nomen proprium eines Abgrundes in den Gebirgen zwischen der Tāpī und der Narmadā.
--- OR ---
Kālabhairava (कालभैरव):—m. eine Form Bhairava's.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Kālabhairava (ಕಾಲಭೈರವ):—
1) [noun] Śiva, in a formidable form, as the destroyer of the universe.
2) [noun] a man causing fear or dread.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Bhairava, Kala.
Starts with: Kalabhairavanatha, Kalabhairavapancanga, Kalabhairavasahasranaman, Kalabhairavasana, Kalabhairavashtaka, Kalabhairavastotra, Kalabhairavatantra.
Full-text: Amardaka, Papabhakshana, Kalashtaka, Kalabhairavasana, Kalabhairavastotra, Kalabhairavatantra, Kalabhairavanatha, Bhairavá, Dhulimakala, Mahakalabhairavatantresharabhakavaca, Kalapairavar, Kashica Kotavala, Mahavidya, Kalaraja, Kshetrapala.
Relevant text
Search found 37 books and stories containing Kalabhairava, Kala-bhairab, Kala-bhairaba, Kāḷa-bhairaba, Kala-bhairava, Kāḷa-bhairava, Kāla-bhairava, Kalabhairab, Kalabhairaba, Kāḷabhairaba, Kālabhairava, Kāḷabhairava; (plurals include: Kalabhairavas, bhairabs, bhairabas, bhairavas, Kalabhairabs, Kalabhairabas, Kāḷabhairabas, Kālabhairavas, Kāḷabhairavas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)
Jnaneshwari (Bhavartha Dipika) (by Ramchandra Keshav Bhagwat)
Verse 6.44 < [Chapter 6 - Dhyana-yoga]
Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 8 - Bhairava incarnation < [Section 3 - Śatarudra-saṃhitā]
Chapter 9 - The sports of Bhairava < [Section 3 - Śatarudra-saṃhitā]
Chapter 10 - Sūta’s instruction < [Section 6 - Kailāsa-saṃhitā]
Kailash: Journal of Himalayan Studies
Part 17 - Guide to Kala Bhairab < [A Buddhist Guide to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley]
Introduction to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley < [A Buddhist Guide to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley]
Part 32 - Guide to the Boudhnath Stupa < [A Buddhist Guide to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Rudra-Shiva concept (Study) (by Maumita Bhattacharjee)
17. Kālabhairava incarnation < [Chapter 5 - Rudra-Śiva in the Purāṇic Literature]
2. Rudra-Śiva in the Upaniṣadic Literature < [Chapter 4 - Rudra-Śiva in the Post-Brāhmaṇic Literature]
Related products
