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Yogīśa Bhairava (Saṃhāra group)

योगीश भैरव

yo-GEE-sha BHAY-ra-va

#subordinate#samhara-group#lord-of-yogis

Introduction

Yogīśa Bhairava, "lord of yogis," is the second occurrence of this name in the 64, here within the Saṃhāra group (the name authentically appears in both the Kapāla and Saṃhāra groups).

Detailed Understanding

Yogīśa means "lord/master of yogis" (yogin + īśa). In the canonical 64-name list this name legitimately appears twice, once in the Kapāla group and once here in the Saṃhāra group, an authentic duplication in the tradition, not an error. As a Saṃhāra-group Bhairava he shares that group's iconography. Reflection: the master of yoga standing at the point of dissolution, union realized precisely where all forms end.

Iconography & Symbolism

Traditional Attributes (of the Saṃhāra group)

Direction: North-East
Śakti (Mātṛkā): Mahālakṣmī (also Yogeśvarī)
Vāhana: Dog
Complexion: dazzling, lightning-white
Held objects: the fierce weapon-set of the group

Source: Rudrayāmala tradition (secondary, nathas). In the Rudrayāmala 8×8 structure the 64 sub-forms share their group-leader's traditional depiction.

Appearance

No individual iconography is given in the source; as a Saṃhāra-group Bhairava he shares the group description: dazzling/lightning-white complexion, bearing the fierce weapon-set (Rudrayāmala / Śilpaśāstra).

A contemplative description; the sourced depiction is the group's Traditional Attributes above.

Vehicle (Vahana)

Dog (Saṃhāra group)

Sacred Attributes

Lightning-white complexion (group)
Fierce weapon-set (group)

Spiritual Significance

Invoked as one of the 64 Bhairavas within the Saṃhāra group; the master of yogic union at the threshold of dissolution.

Also Known As

Yogisha Bhairava (Samhara)

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