Bhairava

Bhairava

Bhairava is a name used for more than one being in the Purāṇas and Itihāsas. Each is listed below with where it is told; choose the one you are looking for.

Devatās

• Bhairava: the terrible form of Bhagavān Śiva who cut off the fifth head of Brahmā, was freed from Brahmahatyā at Kāśī, and guards that city. Śiva Purāṇa, Śata Rudra Saṃhitā, Chapters 8–9, 17, 21; Skanda Purāṇa, Kāśī Khaṇḍa, Chapter 31; Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 44; Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 52, 63, 85, 123, 125, 133, 138, 142–144, 146, 313, 315, 348; Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 1, Chapter 2; Skandha 4, Chapter 27; Skandha 10, Chapter 36; Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapter 62

People

• Bhairava of the Aghora Path: a yati of the Kali Yuga, born without a womb at Kāśī from the aṃśa of Bhagavān Kapālī Śiva, who established the Aghora mārga and became a śishya of Śaṅkarācārya. Bhavishya Purāṇa, Pratisarga Parva, Khaṇḍa 4, Chapter 13