Chapter 64 - The Pilgrimage to Kālabhairava Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sanatkumāra said:

1. Henceforth I shall describe Vīreśvara Tīrtha. Listen. By taking the holy ablution in that Tīrtha, one shall attain Vīraloka.

2. There is an excellent Tīrtha of Nāgas that bestows the boon of all desired objects. That Tīrtha which is called Kālabhairava, is known as a great Tīrtha.

3a. Merely by its sight, one shall transcend all miseries.

Vyāsa said:

3b-4. At what time did this Tīrtha called Kālabhairava become renowned, O excellent sage; narrate this in great detail.

Sanatkumāra said:

5-6. Formerly this Yogin Bhairava caused great fight to Yoginīs. There were Kṛtyās created by Kālacakra (Time-cycle). Among them the Yoginī called Kālī is well-known as the greatest and most excellent. The pure Bhairava was brought up like her son by that Yoginī.

7. O excellent one, all the three types of defects and calamities well-known in the world as the causes of all types of great obstacles, were destroyed by him.

8-10a. Kālakṛtyās also were dislodged by that noble-souled one. They are nine and are known as Mātṛkās, viz. Mahāmārī, Pūtanā, Kṛtyā, Śakunī, Revatī, Khalā, Koṭari, Tāmasī and Māyā. They are vicious and bring in calamities to the wicked ones. They cause great terror to all living beings. That pious-souled one (i.e. Bhairava) brought them under control and made (them) bestowers of boons of all desires.

10b-11a. He is stationed in the splendid northern bank of Śiprā. He is also stationed in the far east of the Ūṣara (desert land) forever.

11b-15. Men should be of steady mind. They should retain great concentration of the mind. On the eighth, ninth, and fourteenth days of the bright half of Āṣāḍha, especially when it coincides with a Sunday, they should perform special Pūjās to bring in auspiciousness at the time of marriage, birth of a son and other auspicious occasions. They must worship (Bhairava) in the form of the bestower of boons, with leaves, flowers, excellent scents, Naivedyas (food offerings) of various kinds, betel leaves, incense etc. They should propitiate Brāhmaṇas with meals and the great Lord with Homas. This brings a great welfare. This is the great auspiciousness. After bowing down to that Lord, they should eulogize thus for the achievement of all desired objects:

Bhairavāṣṭakam (Verses 16-23):

16. “May that Bhairava who attracts (our) feelings (bhāva) be the cause of happiness; he is the remover of all sins; he destroys rogues and the wicked; his conduct is excellent and he moves on for a long time; he wears garlands of skulls and wears Muñja grass (round the waist); in his hand he holds a skull; he wears earrings and holds a staff in the hand.

17. I remember the foot of Bhava forever, forever. It gracefully adorns different kinds of Rāsa dances with maidens of fresh youth. He sets at nought the exploits (of others). At every Goṣpada (pits made by cow’s hoofs) he remains moving to and fro with inebriation.

18. O people, worship Bhairava, the Lord of goblins; he is the form of Śiva; he is the cause of the destruction of Ḍākinīs; he avoids (wards off) all disasters. His eyes are like a pure lotus. He is adorned with the beautiful moon. He is the greatest due to all good qualities. He has the form of Kāma in reagard to women.

19. O people, worship Bhairava, the Lord of goblins; he is the form of Śiva; he destroys the strength of the mighty; he is the sole protector of the Kṣetrapālas. He appears hideous with the big and broad hips. He laughs boisterously. He holds a sword in the hand. Serpents constitute his sacred thread.

20. O people, worship Bhairava, the Lord of goblins; he is in the form of Śiva. He wards off the fear of worldly existence (Saṃsāra). He causes fright in Yoginīs. He is the Lord of all the groups of Suras. The moon and the sun constitute his beautiful eyes. His forehead is beautiful with a crown. He wears a necklace of pearls. He is large and huge.

21. I worship the Lord, the bestower of good habits. He is the protector of Śaṅkara. He has four arms. He holds a conchshell and a club as his weapons. He is clad in yellow garment. He is beautiful like a thick cloud. The Śrīvatsa mark adorns him. The Kaustubha jewel shines round his neck.

22. I seek refuge in that Lord of goblins who is fascinating unto the world, charming to the universe, enchanting to all beloveds; he is charming due to his renown and glory; he is beautiful due to his penance.

23. I bow unto Bhairava who is resorted to by good people, who is the primordial eternal Brahman; who is devoted to those who are pure; who bestows Siddhis and desires; who is worthy of being served with due devotion by good people like Hari and Hara along with all created beings; who is befitting; who is pondered over by the Yogic lore (texts); who holds (controls) the Yuga; whose countenance is befitting; who is a Yogin; who has attributes and is devoid of stigmas.”

24-26. This Bhairavāṣṭaka is meritorious. This should be read in the morning. It destroys bad dreams. He will get the desired benefit. At the king’s threshold, during arguments, during difficulties and times of war, when the king has angrily ordered his punishment and when one is held as a prisoner by the enemy, this should be read, for the destruction of poverty by people with great concentration. None of their desired things on the earth will be inaccessible to them.

Thus the Bhairavāṣṭaka ends.

27. In this Tīrtha, Snāna, Dāna etc., should be performed by men who are afraid of worldly existence. When worshipped, Bhairava is the most excellent one. Hence with all efforts the Tīrtha of great excellence should be resorted to.