Ashta Bhairava

Eight manifestations of Bhairava From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Ashta Bhairavas (Sanskrit: अष्टभैरवः, romanized: Aṣṭabhairavah, lit. 'eight Bhairavas') are the eight manifestations of the Hindu god Bhairava,[1] a ferocious form of Shiva. They are regarded to guard and control the eight cardinal directions. Each of the Ashta Bhairavas is regarded to preside over eight subordinate Bhairavas, totalling 64 Bhairavas.[2] The Ashta Bhairavas are described to be subordinate to Kālabhairava, who is considered the supreme ruler of time in the universe and the chief form of Bhairava.

A sculpture of Bhairava, Tamil Nadu, early 13th century

Description

More information Form, Attributes ...
Form Attributes Consort Direction Planet Mount Shrine Asterism Deity
Asitāṅga[3] White-complexioned; four arms; japamala, kamandalu, sword, and skull cup Brahmani[4] East Jupiter Swan Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi,[5] Kandeeswarar Temple, Kandiyur[6] Pushya Vishnu[7]
Ruru Light blue-complexioned; four arms; deer, axe, sword, and bowl Maheshvari Southeast Venus Bull Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Thirumarugal Krttika, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Phalguni Brahma
Caṇḍa White-complexioned; four arms; bow, arrow, sword, and bowl Kaumari South Mars Peacock Vaitheeswaran Koil Mrigashirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta Surya
Krodha Dark blue-complexioned; four arms; conch, discus, mace, and bowl Vaishnavi Southwest Saturn Eagle Thiruvisanallur, Thirunaraiyur[8] Rohini, Hasta, Shravana Shiva
Unmattha Golden-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, pestle, and shield Varahi West Mercury Horse Thiruveezhimizhalai Punarvasu, Vishakha, Anuradha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada Indra
Kapāla Shining yellow-complexioned; four arms; thunderbolt, noose, sword and bowl Indrani Northwest Moon Elephant Thiruvirkudi, Pushpavaneswarar temple Bharani, Purva Ashadha, Purva Phalguni Chandra
Bheeṣhāna Blood red-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, trident, and pestle Chamunda North Ketu Preta Rameswaram, Piranmalai Ardra, Svati, Shatabhisha, Ashvini, Magha, Mula Yama
Saṃhāra Lightning-yellow-orange-complexioned; ten arms; trident, drum, conch, mace, discus, sword, bowl, skull-topped staff, noose, and goad narasimhi Northeast Rahu Lion Thiruvenkadu, Kolli Hills, Vairavanpatti,[9] Hosur Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati Hindu deities
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Temples

All eight of the Ashta Bhairavas are featured at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi, Sri Kamanada Ishwarar Temple, Aragalur, Sri Mahabhairavar Rudra Alayam, Chengalpattu.

References

See also

External links

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