Are you looking for the Kalabhairava Ashtakam? Here you will find the complete Kalabhairava Ashtakam lyrics, along with its meaning, benefits, best time to read, and simple information. You can read it online or download the PDF for daily recitation.
What is Kalabhairava Ashtakam?
Kalabhairava Ashtakam is a famous Sanskrit hymn dedicated to Lord Kalabhairava, a powerful form of Lord Shiva. It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya.
The prayer describes Lord Kalabhairava as the protector of devotees, the guardian of Kashi (Varanasi), and the remover of fear and ignorance. It consists of eight verses followed by a concluding verse (Phalashruti).
Many devotees read Kalabhairava Ashtakam during their daily worship. It is especially popular on Sundays, Mondays, Kalashtami, during the month of Shravan, and on Maha Shivaratri.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics
Here is the complete Kalabhairava Ashtakam for daily read.
कालभैरव अष्टकम्
(श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितम्)
॥१॥
देवराजसेव्यमानपावनाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं
व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम्।
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगम्बरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥१॥
॥२॥
भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं
नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम्।
कालकालमम्बुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥२॥
॥३॥
शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं
श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम्।
भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥३॥
॥४॥
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं
भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम्।
विनिक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥४॥
॥५॥
धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं
कर्मपाशमोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम्।
स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाशशोभिताङ्गमण्डलं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥५॥
॥६॥
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकं
नित्यमद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरञ्जनम्।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं कराळदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥६॥
॥७॥
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोशसन्ततिं
दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम्।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकन्धरं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥७॥
॥८॥
भूतसङ्घनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं
काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम्।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं
काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे॥८॥
॥फलश्रुतिः॥
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठन्ति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम्।
शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं
ते प्रयान्ति कालभैरवाङ्घ्रिसन्निधिं ध्रुवम्॥९॥
॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं कालभैरवाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Meaning
Kalabhairava Ashtakam praises Lord Kalabhairava as the fearless and compassionate form of Lord Shiva. Each verse describes His divine qualities, His role as the protector of righteousness, and His power to remove fear, ignorance, and negative influences.
The hymn also glorifies Him as the Lord of Kashi, the giver of wisdom, liberation, and inner strength. Its verses encourage devotion, discipline, courage, and spiritual growth.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Benefits
Many devotees include Kalabhairava Ashtakam in their daily worship. Commonly mentioned benefits include:
- Helps improve concentration.
- Encourages courage and confidence.
- Supports self discipline.
- Helps reduce fear and anxiety.
- Promotes inner peace.
- Inspires positive thinking.
- Strengthens devotion to Lord Shiva.
Career Benefits
- Improves focus at work.
- Encourages better decision-making.
- Supports consistency.
- Helps reduce stress.
- Improves productivity.
Relationship Benefits
- Encourages patience.
- Helps reduce anger.
- Improves communication.
- Supports emotional balance.
- Promotes understanding and harmony.
Why Do People Read Kalabhairava Ashtakam?
Many devotees read Kalabhairava Ashtakam to remember Lord Kalabhairava and get his blessings. The Ashtakam is known for inspiring courage, discipline, devotion, and mental strength. It is also read during Shiva worship and on special occasions dedicated to Lord Bhairava.
Best Time to Read
There is no compulsory time to read the Kalabhairava Ashtakam. However, many devotees prefer:
- Early morning after bathing.
- During daily Shiva worship.
- On Sundays.
- On Mondays.
- On Kalashtami.
- During Shravan month.
- On Maha Shivaratri.
How to Read Kalabhairava Ashtakam
If you are reading it for the first time, follow these simple steps:
- Sit in a clean and quiet place.
- Keep the text in front of you.
- Read slowly and clearly.
- Try to understand the meaning.
- Stay focused while reciting.
- Practice regularly if possible.
Precautions While Reading
Many devotees follow these simple practices:
- Read in a peaceful place.
- Avoid unnecessary distractions.
- Maintain concentration.
- Be regular in your practice.
- If you miss a day, continue the next day without worry.
There are no strict rules. Read it with devotion and try to read it regularly
Conclusion
Kalabhairava Ashtakam is a well known prayer dedicated to Lord Kalabhairava, a form of Lord Shiva. It describes His qualities and His role as a protector. Many people read it regularly to improve focus, build confidence, and feel more peaceful.