There is a form of Lord Shiva that does not calm; it conquers. A form that does not console; it protects and liberates. That form is Kalabhairava, and the sacred hymn composed in his praise is the Kalabhairava Ashtakam. Here, we bring you Kalabhairava Ashtakam lyrics in English and Hindi.
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Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam Lyrics in Hindi
Suggested Puja
Shree Kaal Bhairav Mahapuja
Victory over enemies and success in legal matters
देवराजसेव्यमानपावनांघ्रिपङ्कजं
व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम् ।
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगंबरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥१॥
भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं
नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम् ।
कालकालमंबुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥२॥
शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं
श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम् ।
भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥३॥
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं
भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम् ।
विनिक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥४॥
धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं
कर्मपाशमोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम् ।
स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाशशोभिताङ्गमण्डलं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥५॥
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकं
नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरंजनम् ।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥६॥
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोशसंततिं
दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम् ।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥७॥
भूतसंघनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं
काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम् ।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥८॥
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठंति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम् ।
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं
प्रयान्ति कालभैरवांघ्रिसन्निधिं नरा ध्रुवम् ॥९॥
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics in English
Deva-Raaja-Sevyamaana-Paavana-Angghri-Pankajam
Vyaala-Yajnya-Suutram-Indu-Shekharam Krpaakaram |
Naarada-[A]adi-Yogi-Vrnda-Vanditam Digambaram
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||1||
Bhaanu-Kotti-Bhaasvaram Bhavaabdhi-Taarakam Param
Niila-Kannttham-Iipsita-Artha-Daayakam Trilocanam |
Kaala-Kaalam-Ambuja-Akssam-Akssa-Shuulam-Akssaram
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||2||
Shuula-Tanka-Paasha-Danndda-Paannim-Aadi-Kaarannam
Shyaama-Kaayam-Aadi-Devam-Akssaram Nir-Aamayam |
Bhiimavikramam Prabhum Vichitra-Taannddava-Priyam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||3||
Bhukti-Mukti-Daayakam Prashasta-Caaru-Vigraham
Bhakta-Vatsalam Sthitam Samasta-Loka-Vigraham |
Vi-Nikvannan-Manojnya-Hema-Kinkinnii-Lasat-Kattim
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||4||
Dharma-Setu-Paalakam Tva-Adharma-Maarga-Naashakam Karma-Paasha-Mocakam Su-Sharma-Daayakam Vibhum |
Svarnna-Varnna-Shessa-Paasha-Shobhitaangga-Mannddalam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||5||
Ratna-Paadukaa-Prabhaabhi-Raama-Paada-Yugmakam
Nityam-Advitiiyam-Isstta-Daivatam Niramjanam |
Mrtyu-Darpa-Naashanam Karaala-Damssttra-Mokssannam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||6||
Atttta-Haasa-Bhinna-Padmaja-Anndda-Kosha-Samtatim
Drsstti-Paata-Nasstta-Paapa-Jaalam-Ugra-Shaasanam |
Asstta-Siddhi-Daayakam Kapaala-Maalikaa-Dharam
Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje ||7||
Bhuuta-Samgha-Naayakam Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayakam
Kaashi-Vaasa-Loka-Punnya-Paapa-Shodhakam Vibhum |
Niiti-Maarga-Kovidam Puraatanam Jagatpatim
Kaashikaapuraadhinaathakaalabhairavam Bhaje ||8||
Kaalabhairavaassttakam Patthamti Ye Manoharam
Jnyaana-Mukti-Saadhanam Vicitra-Punnya-Vardhanam |
Shoka-Moha-Dainya-Lobha-Kopa-Taapa-Naashanam
Prayaanti Kaalabhairava-Amghri-Sannidhim Naraa Dhruvam ||9||
Also Read: Why Kaal Sarp Nivaran Puja Is Important?
Kalaabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics Meaning
The following are the complete Kalaabhairava Ashtakam lyrics with Sanskrit text, transliteration, and meaning for each verse.
Verse 1
देवराजसेव्यमानपावनांघ्रिपङ्कजं व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्। नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगंबरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥१॥
Deva-Raja-Sevyamaana-Paavana-Anghri-Pankajam Vyaala-Yajnya-Sutram-Indu-Shekharam Kripaakaram Naarada-Aadi-Yogi-Vrinda-Vanditam Digambaram Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning: I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi — whose lotus feet are served by Lord Indra, king of the gods; who wears a serpent as his sacred thread and the moon on his head; who is the very embodiment of compassion; who is praised by Narada and all great yogis; and who is a Digambara — clothed only by the infinite sky.
Verse 2
भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम्। कालकालमंबुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥२॥
Bhaanu-Koti-Bhaasvaram Bhavaabdhi-Taarakam Param Niila-Kanttham-Iipsita-Artha-Daayakam Trilocanam Kaala-Kaalam-Ambuja-Aksham-Aksha-Shoolam-Aksharam Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning: I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, who blazes with the brilliance of a billion suns; who carries devotees across the ocean of worldly existence; who has a blue throat and grants every cherished desire; who has three eyes that see all; who is death unto death itself; whose eyes are like lotus petals; whose trident upholds the universe; and who is immortal and imperishable.
Verse 3
शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम्। भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥३॥
Shuula-Tanka-Paasha-Danda-Paanim-Aadi-Kaaranam Shyaama-Kaayam-Aadi-Devam-Aksharam Nir-Aamayam Bheema-Vikramam Prabhum Vichitra-Taandava-Priyam Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning: I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi — who holds the trident, mattock, noose, and staff in his hands; whose dark body is the primordial cause of all creation; who is the first among all gods, immortal and untouched by disease; who is immensely powerful and fearsome; and who delights in the magnificent and wondrous Tandava dance.
Verse 4
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम्। विनिक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥४॥
Bhukti-Mukti-Daayakam Prashasta-Chaaru-Vigraham Bhakta-Vatsalam Sthitam Samasta-Loka-Vigraham Vi-Nikvanat-Manojnya-Hema-Kinkinii-Lasat-Kattim Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning: I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, who gifts both worldly pleasures (Bhukti) and final liberation (Mukti); who has a pleasing and beautiful divine form; who is deeply loving and tender toward his devotees; who is the steady, unwavering god of all worlds; and who wears a golden belt adorned with small bells that chime melodiously as he moves.
Verse 5
धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं कर्मपाशमोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम्। स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाशशोभिताङ्गमण्डलं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥५॥
Dharma-Setu-Paalakam Tva-Adharma-Maarga-Naashakam Karma-Paasha-Mocakam Su-Sharma-Daayakam Vibhum Svarna-Varna-Shesha-Paasha-Shobhita-Anga-Mandalam Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning: I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi, who upholds and protects the bridge of dharma; who completely destroys all paths of adharma; who liberates devotees from the bondage of karma; who offers great peace, well-being, and safety upon all; and whose divine body is decorated with golden-hued serpents entwined around him in all their radiance.
Verse 6
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकं नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरंजनम्। मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥६॥
Ratna-Paadukaa-Prabhaa-Bhi-Raama-Paada-Yugmakam Nityam-Advitiyam-Ishta-Daivatam Niranjanam Mrityu-Darpa-Naashanam Karaala-Damshtra-Mokshanam Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning: I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi; whose two feet are adorned with radiant gem-studded golden sandals; who is eternal, without a second, and the beloved deity of all sincere devotees; who is free from all taint and impurity; who destroys the pride of Yama, the god of death; and whose fearsome teeth are the very instruments of liberation.
Verse 7
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोशसंततिं दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम्। अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकाधरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥७॥
Atta-Haasa-Bhinna-Padmaja-Anda-Kosha-Samtatim Drishti-Paata-Nashta-Paapa-Jaalam-Ugra-Shaasanam Ashta-Siddhi-Daayakam Kapaala-Maalikaa-Dharam Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning: I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi; whose thunderous laughter shatters the entire creation of lotus-born Brahma, dissolving all illusions of the mind; whose single glance is enough to annihilate the entire web of sins accumulated across lifetimes; who grants all eight divine Siddhis to sincere devotees; and who wears a garland of skulls representing all cycles of time.
Verse 8
भूतसंघनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम्। नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥८॥
Bhoota-Sangha-Naayakam Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayakam Kaashi-Vaasa-Loka-Punya-Paapa-Shodhakam Vibhum Niiti-Maarga-Kovidam Puraatanam Jagatpatim Kaashikaa-Pura-Adhinaatha-Kaalabhairavam Bhaje
Meaning: I worship Lord Kalabhairava, the supreme lord of Kashi; who is the commander of all spirits and divine beings; who bestows great and lasting fame upon his devotees; who purifies the people of Kashi from all their accumulated sins and merits; who is the most ancient and eternal lord of the universe; who is deeply versed in the path of righteousness; and who is the ultimate master of all creation.
Verse 9 – Phala Shruti (The Fruit of Chanting)
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठंति ये मनोहरं ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम्। शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं प्रयान्ति कालभैरवांघ्रिसन्निधिं नरा ध्रुवम्॥९॥
Kaalabhairava-Ashtakam Patthanti Ye Manoharam Jnaana-Mukti-Saadhanam Vichitra-Punya-Vardhanam Shoka-Moha-Dainya-Lobha-Kopa-Taapa-Naashanam Prayaanti Kaalabhairava-Anghri-Sannidhim Naraa Dhruvam
Meaning: Those who sincerely chant this beautiful Kalabhirava Ashtakam, which is a means to knowledge and liberation, which multiplies righteousness in all its forms, and which destroys grief, delusion, poverty, greed, anger, and suffering, shall certainly attain the divine feet of Lord Kalabhairava.
Significance of the Kalabhirava Ashtakam
The Kalaabhairava Ashtakam, composed by the great Adi Shankaracharya, is not an ordinary hymn. Each of its eight verses is a precisely structured meditation, addressing a different dimension of the devotee’s liberation.
- Verse 1 invokes Kalabhairava’s compassion and his revered status among gods and yogis
- Verse 2 addresses his role as the liberator from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
- Verse 3 establishes him as the primordial cause, which is the source from which all creation emerges
- Verse 4 assures devotees of both worldly fulfilment and final liberation
- Verse 5 invokes him as the protector of dharma and the destroyer of karma’s bondage
- Verse 6 reveals him as the one who shatters even the pride of Yama — the god of death
- Verse 7 promises the eight Siddhis to sincere devotees and the destruction of sins through his mere gaze
- Verse 8 establishes his eternal, cosmic sovereignty as the lord of all creation
Together, these eight verses form a complete map of spiritual liberation from the invocation of grace, through the dissolution of karma, to the attainment of the highest state of consciousness.
Benefits of Chanting Kalabhirava Ashtakam
Chanting the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam daily, especially during the Brahma Muhurta, on Ashtami Tithi, or on Sundays and Tuesdays, delivers the following powerful benefits:
1. Liberation from Grief and Suffering
The Phala Shruti of this ashtakam explicitly states that chanting it destroys shoka (grief), moha (delusion and attachment), dainya (poverty of spirit), lobha (greed), kopa (anger), and tapa (suffering). These are the six roots of all human misery — and this single hymn addresses all of them.
2. Protection from Enemies and Negative Forces
Kalabhairava is the supreme protector of Kashi. His fierce form and his command over all spirits and energies make him an unparalleled shield against enemies, evil eye, black magic, and negative forces. Devotees who chant this ashtakam regularly report a dramatic reduction in external opposition and conflict.
3. Attainment of the Eight Siddhis
Verse 7 specifically mentions that Kalabhairava grants the eight divine Siddhis — the supernatural accomplishments described in ancient texts. These include Anima (the ability to become infinitely small), Mahima (infinitely vast), Laghima (infinitely light), and five others — all pointing to the mastery of consciousness over matter.
4. Dissolution of Karmic Bonds
Verse 5 reveals Kalabhairava as Karma-Paasha-Mocaka, the one who frees devotees from the noose of karma. Chanting the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam with sincere devotion dissolves the accumulated karmic debts that are causing present-life suffering and blockages.
5. Destruction of Fear
Since Kalabhairava is Mrityu-Darpa-Nashana – the one who destroys the pride of death – his worship dissolves the deepest fear that humans carry: the fear of death, loss, and the unknown. Devotees experience a deep fearlessness and calm that permeates all areas of life.
6. Awakening of the Ajna Chakra
The Ajna Chakra, the third eye, is the seat of divine knowledge, intuition, and inner vision. Since Kalabhairava presides over Kashi, which symbolises the Ajna Chakra in Tantric tradition, his worship directly activates this energy centre, sharpening intuition, perception, and spiritual awareness.
7. Access to Deep Samadhi
The ultimate promise of the Kalabhirava Ashtakam is the state of Bhairava itself; the deepest Samadhi. It is a state where the mind is completely still, untouched by past or future, resting entirely in the present moment. Regular chanting moves the devotee progressively toward this state.
8. Fame, Knowledge, and Liberation
Verse 8 describes Kalabhairava as Vishaala-Kiirti-Daayaka, the giver of great fame and renown. Combined with his role as the lord of divine knowledge, chanting this ashtakam brings both worldly recognition and the highest spiritual wisdom.
How to Chant the Kalabhirava Ashtakam?
1. Take a bath and wear clean clothes, preferably dark blue or black, Kalabhairava’s sacred colours.
2. Sit facing North or East in a clean, quiet space.
3. Light a mustard oil lamp, traditionally associated with Kalabhairava’s worship.
4. Place an image or idol of Lord Kalabhairava or Lord Bhairava before you.
5. Offer black sesame, red flowers, and coconut as Naivedyam (Food offering).
6. Chant the Kalaabhairava Ashtakam lyrics clearly and slowly, one verse at a time, with complete awareness of the meaning.
7. Complete one full recitation (all 9 verses including Phala Shruti) – this takes approximately 10–12 minutes.
8. For deeper benefit, complete 3, 9, or 11 recitations in a single sitting.
9. After chanting, sit in silence for a few minutes and allow the vibration of the mantra to settle within.
What is the Best Time to Chant Kalabhirava Ashtakam?
- Brahma Muhurta (4 AM): Most powerful window for mantra chanting – the veil between the material and divine is thinnest.
- Ashtami Tithi (8th lunar day): The most sacred day for Kalabhairava; both Shukla and Krishna Paksha Ashtami are powerful.
- Sundays: Sunday is associated with Lord Shiva’s solar energy, especially during Sawan month.
- Tuesdays: This day is traditionally auspicious for Bhairava worship
- Kaal Bhairav Jayanti: The most powerful day of the year for this ashtakam – falls on Krishna Paksha Ashtami in the month of Margashirsha
- Mahashivratri: All Shiva-related chanting carries exponential power on Mahashivaratri.
- Midnight: In some traditions, Kalabhairava is specifically invoked at midnight – the hour when his energy is at its peak.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam And Shree Kaal Bhairav Mahapuja
Chanting the Kalabhairava Ashtakam is a deeply personal act of devotion, but its power multiplies when it becomes part of a complete, authentic Shree Kaal Bhairav Mahapuja. This is where the stotram moves from a personal chant to a full invocation of Lord Bhairava’s transformative grace.
The most sacred place for this complete experience is Shri Vikrant Bhairav Mandir, Ujjain — one of the most spiritually powerful Bhairav shrines in India, situated in the city of Mahakaleshwar, one of the seven Moksha-puris of Hinduism.
When the Kalabhairava Ashtakam is recited by trained pandits within this sacred space, the vibrations carry a force that no personal chanting practice alone can replicate. Devotees who have had the Shree Kaal Bhairav Mahapuja performed here report profound shifts — in courage, clarity, legal matters, enemy resolution, and spiritual strength.
How InstaAstro Helps You To Gain Kalabhairava Blessings?
For those who wish to experience this complete puja without travelling to Ujjain, InstaAstro Puja makes it possible to have the Shree Kaal Bhairav Mahapuja performed on your behalf at Shri Vikrant Bhairav. Not just that, you get a personal Sankalp, personal Ashtakam recitation, and energised Prasad delivered to your home.
Conclusion
The Kalabhairava Ashtakam is more than a hymn. It is a transmission, from Adi Shankaracharya’s realisation of Lord Kalabhairava to every devotee who chants it with sincere awareness. So, chant the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam lyrics every day and let the lord of time dissolve what is false in you and reveal what is lasting.
