The Ashta Bhairava (Sanskrit: अष्टभैरव, romanized: Aṣṭabhairava, lit. 'eight Bhairavas') are the eight manifestations of the Hindu god Bhairava,[1] a ferocious aspect of Shiva. They are regarded to guard and control the eight cardinal directions. Each of the Ashta Bhairava is regarded to preside over eight subordinate Bhairavas, totalling 64 Bhairavas.[2] The Ashta Bhairva are described to be subordinate to Kālabhairava, who is considered the supreme ruler of time in the universe and the chief form of Bhairava.
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Description edit
| 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 | Sattanathar Temple, Sirkazhi[5] and Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple, Thirukandiyur[6] | Pushya | Vishnu[7] |
| Ruru | Light blue-complexioned; four arms; deer, axe, sword, and bowl | Maheshvari | Southeast | Venus | Ox | Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Thirumarugal | Kṛttikā/Uttarada/Uttara | Brahma |
| Caṇḍa | Fair-complexioned; four arms; bow, arrow, sword, and bowl | Kaumari | South | Mars | Peacock | Vaitheeswaran Koil | Mrigashīrsha/ | Surya |
| Krodha | Dark blue-complexioned; four arms; conch, discus, mace, and bowl | Vaishnavi | Southwest | Saturn | Eagle | Thiruvisanallur, Thirunaraiyur[8] | Rohini/Hasta/Shravana | Rudra |
| Unmatta | Golden-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, pestle, and shield | Varahi | West | Mercury | Horse | Thiruveezhimizhalai | Indra | |
| Kāpāla | Shining yellow-complexioned; four arms; thunderbolt, noose, sword and bowl | Indrani | Northwest | Moon | Elephant | Thiruvirkudi, Thirupanthuruthi | Bharani/
Pūrva Phalgunī |
Chandra |
| Bhīṣaṇa | Blood red-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, trident, and pestle | Chamunda | North | Ketu | Lion | 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 | Chandi | Northeast | Rahu | Dog | Thiruvenkadu, Kolli Malai, Vairavanpatti,[9] Hosur | Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati | Para Brahman |
Temples edit
All eight of the Ashta Bhairava are featured at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi, Aragalur Sri Kamanada Eswar Temple, the Shri Mahabairavar Rudra Aalayam, and Chengalpattu.
References edit
- ^ Payne, Richard K.; Witzel, Michael (2015-10-22). Homa Variations: The Study of Ritual Change across the Longue Durée. Oxford University Press. p. 330. ISBN 978-0-19-935159-6.
- ^ Saravanan, V. Hari (2014-01-01). Gods, Heroes and their Story Tellers: Intangible cultural heritage of South India. Notion Press. ISBN 978-93-84391-49-2.
- ^ vdocuments.mx_the-kubjika-upanishad-egbert-forsten-56885839dd6b9. p. 7.
- ^ Singh, Rana (2009-10-02). Cosmic Order and Cultural Astronomy: Sacred Cities of India. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-4438-1607-6.
- ^ Kanniks Kannikeswaran. "Sirkali Bhramapureeswarar -Thoniappar Temple - Shivastalam". Templenet.com. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
- ^ "Thiru Kandiyur". Temples of Tamilnadu. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
- ^ Gopinatha Rao, T. A. (1914). Elements of Hindu iconography. Cornell University Library. Madras : Law Printing House. p. 28.
- ^ "Navagraha Temples|Tamilnadu Temples Information website|". Kumbakonam-temples.blogspot.sg. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
- ^ Krishnan, Shamala (2009-02-10). "Ancient Temples of India: kundrakudi and Vairavan temple, Thirupathore, Madurai". Ancientindiantemple.blogspot.sg. Retrieved 2012-09-01.