Thursday 7 July 2011

Lord Bhairav - The Guardian

Lord Bhairav - The Guardian

by Mantra & shlokas on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:17am


The literal meaning of ‘Bhairava’ is ‘Terrific.’ The fiery Lord Bhairav is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Often he is displayed accompanied by a dog symbolizing dharma.

Lord Bhairav is easily pleased by following the regular worship. The worshiper will be always protected, his all obstacles will be removed; the soul will be cleansed with intense meditation and thus helps turning the wheel of fortune in his favor.

His imagery shows him a fierce character whose stark naked body is covered with blue or black skin, his face has frowning, angry bulging eyes, sharp, tiger like teeth and long mustache with flaming hair.

 He is festooned with skulls garland and a snake is coiled around the neck. The four hands bear a noose in one, trident in another, drum in the third and skull in the fourth. He rides ona dog.

Bhairon is the god responsible for Southern direction. He is believed to be related to the goddess Bhairavi who is responsible for purification of the Disciple.

Dogs rather black dogs are supposed as the form of Bhairava. The devotion to Lord Bhairav can be shown by feeding and taking care of dogs every Saturday. All problems will be sorted by doing this simple act.

Lord Bhairav is also called “kotwal” for guarding the Lord Shiva temple. The worship of Lord Bhairav will grant his follower triumph over rivals, worldly comforts and success.

Bhairava’s statue is placed outside every temple for he is known as “Kshetrapalaka” or the guardian of the temple. After the closure of temple the keys are surrendered to Lord Bhairava with a firm belief that he will take care of the place and are received from him at opening time.

Lord Bhairava protects travelers so before getting on a journey, especially at night, a garland of cashew nuts and decorated Lord Bhairava is taken along with them.

The meat of goat and wine is his favorite food. Thus many a times people offer a bali of goat and bottles of wine as Prasad.

Bhairon as the Lord of Rahu

Bhairav is the god to worship in case of transition of malefic planets in birth lagna. As per the Indian astrology, Rahu plays an important role in the life of a creature.

So people are often suggested to worship Bhairav for reducing the evils caused by the malefic positioning of Rahu in the horoscope by the Indian astrologers.

Bhairon and Yogis

The pooja of lord Bhairav is Tantrik pooja. Most worshiped form of Bhairav in tantra is Batuk Bharav. Yogis and Tantriks worship him to gain Siddhis.

Legend

The origin of Lord Bhairav can be traced to the legend of Shiva and Sati.

Legend says Lord Shiva's consort, Sati’s father Daksha held a yajna which all gods attended. But as a matter of envy he didn’t invited Shiva to this. Sati took it as insult of his husband and immolated herself in the yajna fire.

Lord Shiva became furious of the incident. He killed Daksha, and carried Sati's inert body around the Universe performing the 'tandava'. Lord Vishnu to protect the end of the world cut Sati's body with his Sudarsana chakra, the pieces of that fell in various parts in and around India.

These places later became famous as shakti peethas or places of worship of the Mother goddess. Since that day Lord Shiva protects these temples in the form of Lord Bhairav.

Bhairav Mantra

"OM BATUK BHAIRVAYE NAMHA"
                                   or
"OM HREEN BUM BATU-KAYE APAD-UDDHA-RANAYE KURU KURU BATU-KAYE HREEN OM NAMAH SHIVAYE "

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