Bhairava
thumb|right|Muthappan, Kaalabhairavan worshipped in ancestral form through [[Theyyam form, in the northern region of Kerala, South India. ]] Bhairava (, ), or Kāla Bhairava, is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva. In the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, Bhairava represents the Supreme Reality, synonymous to Para Brahman. Generally in Hinduism, Bhairava is also called Daṇḍapāni ("[he who holds the] danda in [his] hand"), as he holds a rod or danda to punish sinners, and Śvāśva, meaning, "he whose vehic
Key facts
- Deity.type
- Hindu
- Deity.image
- Shiva as Bhairava LACMA M.70.42.4 (2 of 7).jpg
- Deity.caption
- South Indian depiction of Bhairava riding on his vahana (dog), 12th century
- Deity.affiliation
- Shiva
- Deity.weapon
- Trishula, Khaṭvāṅga, Sword, Kapala, Sickle, Vajra, Noose, Pinaka bow, Pashupatastra arrow, Pestle and Damaru
- Deity.consort
- Bhairavi, Kali
- Deity.mount
- Dog
- Deity.festivals
- Bhairava Ashtami
- Deity.number
- 33
- Deity.day
- Monday, Tuesday, or Sunday
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
17 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Hinduism
- Legend
- Depiction
- Trika System
- List of Bhairavas
- Buddhism
- Worship
- Observances
- Significance of Kalashtami
- Rituals and practices
- Iconography
- Temples
- See also
- References
- Cited sources
- External links
thumb|right|Muthappan, Kaalabhairavan worshipped in ancestral form through [[Theyyam form, in the northern region of Kerala, South India. ]] Bhairava (, ), or Kāla Bhairava, is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva. In the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, Bhairava represents the Supreme Reality, synonymous to Para Brahman. Generally in Hinduism, Bhairava is also called Daṇḍapāni ("[he who holds the] danda in [his] hand"), as he holds a rod or danda to punish sinners, and Śvāśva, meaning, "he whose vehicle is a dog". In Vajrayana Buddhism, he is considered a fierce emanation of boddhisatva Mañjuśrī, and also called Heruka, Vajrabhairava, Mahākāla and Yamantaka.
Bhairava is worshipped throughout India, Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Japan, as well as in Tibetan Buddhism.