Sri Batuk Bhairava Ashtakam (Maha Bhairava Ashtakam)
श्रीबटुकभैरवाष्टकस्तोत्रम् / महाभैरवाष्टकम्
Sanskrit
अस्य श्रीबटुकभैरवाष्टकस्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य ईश्वर ऋषिः । गायत्री छन्दः । बटुकभैरवो देवता । ह्रीं बीजम् । बटुकायेति शक्तिः । प्रणवः कीलकम् । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षार्थे पाठे विनियोगः ॥ अथ करन्यासः । कं अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः । हं तर्जनीभ्यां स्वाहा । खं मध्यमाभ्यां वषट् । सं अनामिकाभ्यां हूम् । गं कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां वौषट् । क्षं करतलकरपृष्ठाभ्यां फट् ॥ अथ हृदयादिन्यासः । कं हृदयाय नमः । हं शिरसे स्वाहा । खं शिखायै वषट् । सं कवचाय हूम् । गं नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट् । क्षं अस्त्राय फट् ॥ अथाङ्गन्यासः । क्षं नमः हृदि । कं नमः नासिकयोः । हं नमः ललाटे । खं नमः मुखे । सं नमः जिह्वायाम् । रं नमः कण्ठे । मं नमः स्तनयोः । नमः नमः सर्वाङ्गेषु ॥
Transliteration
asya śrībaṭukabhairavāṣṭakastotramantrasya īśvara ṛṣiḥ | gāyatrī chandaḥ | baṭukabhairavo devatā | hrīṃ bījam | baṭukāyeti śaktiḥ | praṇavaḥ kīlakam | dharmārthakāmamokṣārthe pāṭhe viniyogaḥ || atha karanyāsaḥ | kaṃ aṅguṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ | haṃ tarjanībhyāṃ svāhā | khaṃ madhyamābhyāṃ vaṣaṭ | saṃ anāmikābhyāṃ hūm | gaṃ kaniṣṭhikābhyāṃ vauṣaṭ | kṣaṃ karatalakarapṛṣṭhābhyāṃ phaṭ || atha hṛdayādinyāsaḥ | kaṃ hṛdayāya namaḥ | haṃ śirase svāhā | khaṃ śikhāyai vaṣaṭ | saṃ kavacāya hūm | gaṃ netratrayāya vauṣaṭ | kṣaṃ astrāya phaṭ || athāṅganyāsaḥ | kṣaṃ namaḥ hṛdi | kaṃ namaḥ nāsikayoḥ | haṃ namaḥ lalāṭe | khaṃ namaḥ mukhe | saṃ namaḥ jihvāyām | raṃ namaḥ kaṇṭhe | maṃ namaḥ stanayoḥ | namaḥ namaḥ sarvāṅgeṣu ||
Translation
Viniyoga: Of this Sri Batuk Bhairava Ashtaka Stotra mantra, the seer (rishi) is Ishvara, the meter is Gayatri, the deity is Batuk Bhairava, the seed (bija) is Hrim, the power (shakti) is "Batukaya", the pin (kilaka) is the Pranava; it is applied in recitation for dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. Then the Kara-nyasa (hand-placement): Kam on the thumbs (namah), Ham on the index fingers (svaha), Kham on the middle fingers (vashat), Sam on the ring fingers (hum), Gam on the little fingers (vaushat), Ksham on the palms and backs of the hands (phat). Then the Hridaya-adi-nyasa: Kam to the heart, Ham to the head, Kham to the tuft, Sam to the armor, Gam to the three eyes, Ksham to the weapon. Then the Anga-nyasa: Ksham at the heart, Kam at the nostrils, Ham on the forehead, Kham at the mouth, Sam on the tongue, Ram at the throat, Mam at the breasts, and "namah namah" on all the limbs.
Deep Meaning
The stotra opens with its full ritual preface, the viniyoga (declaring rishi, chhandas, devata, bija, shakti, kilaka, and purpose) and the three nyasas that install the mantra-syllables into the hands, the six deity-limbs, and the body. This preparation transforms the reciter into a fit vessel before the Kshetrapala verses. (Restored from source; previously omitted from the site.)
Sanskrit
तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्र महाकाय कल्पान्त दहनोपम । भैरवाय नमस्तुभ्यमनुज्ञां दातुमर्हसि ॥१॥
Transliteration
tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭra mahākāya kalpānta dahanopama | bhairavāya namastubhyamanujñāṃ dātumarhasi ||1||
Translation
O sharp-fanged one, of mighty body, resembling the fire of cosmic dissolution, salutations to you, O Bhairava! Please grant me permission to proceed.
Deep Meaning
The opening verse is an "aajna" (permission prayer), seeking Bhairava's consent before beginning the recitation. This protocol acknowledges that tantric stotras require divine permission. Bhairava is compared to the apocalyptic fire (kalpanta-dahana) that dissolves the universe.
Sanskrit
करकलितकपालः कुण्डलीदण्डपाणि- स्तरुणतिमिरनीलो व्यालयज्ञोपवीती । क्रतुसमयसपर्या विघ्नविच्छेदहेतु- र्जयतिबटुकनाथः सिद्धिदः साधकानाम् ॥२॥
Transliteration
karakalitakapālaḥ kuṇḍalīdaṇḍapāṇi- staruṇatimiranīlo vyālayajñopavītī | kratusamayasaparyā vighnavicchedahetu- rjayatibaṭukanāthaḥ siddhidaḥ sādhakānām ||2||
Translation
Victorious is Batuka Natha, skull-cup in hand, holding the kundali staff, dark as youthful night, wearing serpents as sacred thread. He who removes all obstacles during sacred rituals, the granter of siddhis to practitioners!
Deep Meaning
The dhyana (meditation verse) establishes the iconic visualization: Batuka holds a skull-cup (kapala) and kundali-danda (coiled staff), is deep blue-black in color like fresh darkness, wears serpents as yajnopavita. His specific function is vighna-vichchheda (cutting obstacles) during rituals. He is siddhi-da (granter of attainments) to sadhaks.
Sanskrit
पूर्वे आसिताङ्गभैरवाय नमः पूर्वदिशि मां रक्ष रक्ष कालकण्टकान् भक्ष भक्ष आवाहयाम्यहमत्र तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हूं फट् स्वाहा । आग्नेय्यां रुरुभैरवाय नमः आग्नेय्यां मां रक्ष रक्ष कालकण्टकान् भक्ष भक्ष आवाहयाम्यहमत्र तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हूं फट् स्वाहा । दक्षिणे चण्डभैरवाय नमः दक्षिणे मां रक्ष रक्ष कालकण्टकान् भक्ष भक्ष आवाहयाम्यहमत्र तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हूं फट् स्वाहा । नैरृत्ये क्रोधभैरवाय नमः नैरृत्यां मां रक्ष रक्ष कालकण्टकान् भक्ष भक्ष आवाहयाम्यहमत्र तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हूं फट् स्वाहा । प्रतीच्यां उन्मत्तभैरवाय नमः प्रतीच्यां मां रक्ष रक्ष कालकण्टकान् भक्ष भक्ष आवाहयाम्यहमत्र तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हूं फट् स्वाहा । वायव्ये कपालभैरवाय नमः वायव्ये मां रक्ष रक्ष कालकण्टकान् भक्ष भक्ष आवाहयाम्यहमत्र तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हूं फट् स्वाहा । उदीच्यां भीषणभैरवाय नमः उदीच्यां मां रक्ष रक्ष कालकण्टकान् भक्ष भक्ष आवाहयाम्यहमत्र तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हूं फट् स्वाहा । ईशान्यां संहारभैरवाय नमः ईशाने मां रक्ष रक्ष कालकण्टकान् भक्ष भक्ष आवाहयाम्यहमत्र तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हूं फट् स्वाहा । ॥ नमो भगवते भैरवाय नमः क्लीं क्लीं क्लीम् ॥
Transliteration
pūrve āsitāṅgabhairavāya namaḥ pūrvadiśi māṃ rakṣa rakṣa kālakaṇṭakān bhakṣa bhakṣa āvāhayāmyahamatra tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hūṃ phaṭ svāhā | āgneyyāṃ rurubhairavāya namaḥ āgneyyāṃ māṃ rakṣa rakṣa kālakaṇṭakān bhakṣa bhakṣa āvāhayāmyahamatra tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hūṃ phaṭ svāhā | dakṣiṇe caṇḍabhairavāya namaḥ dakṣiṇe māṃ rakṣa rakṣa kālakaṇṭakān bhakṣa bhakṣa āvāhayāmyahamatra tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hūṃ phaṭ svāhā | nairṛtye krodhabhairavāya namaḥ nairṛtyāṃ māṃ rakṣa rakṣa kālakaṇṭakān bhakṣa bhakṣa āvāhayāmyahamatra tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hūṃ phaṭ svāhā | pratīcyāṃ unmattabhairavāya namaḥ pratīcyāṃ māṃ rakṣa rakṣa kālakaṇṭakān bhakṣa bhakṣa āvāhayāmyahamatra tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hūṃ phaṭ svāhā | vāyavye kapālabhairavāya namaḥ vāyavye māṃ rakṣa rakṣa kālakaṇṭakān bhakṣa bhakṣa āvāhayāmyahamatra tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hūṃ phaṭ svāhā | udīcyāṃ bhīṣaṇabhairavāya namaḥ udīcyāṃ māṃ rakṣa rakṣa kālakaṇṭakān bhakṣa bhakṣa āvāhayāmyahamatra tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hūṃ phaṭ svāhā | īśānyāṃ saṃhārabhairavāya namaḥ īśāne māṃ rakṣa rakṣa kālakaṇṭakān bhakṣa bhakṣa āvāhayāmyahamatra tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hūṃ phaṭ svāhā | || namo bhagavate bhairavāya namaḥ klīṃ klīṃ klīm ||
Translation
The eight-direction invocation (digbandhana): In the East, salutations to Asitanga Bhairava, protect, protect me in the eastern quarter; devour, devour the thorns of Time; I invoke you here, abide, abide! Hum Phat Svaha. In the Southeast, to Ruru Bhairava; in the South, to Chanda Bhairava; in the Southwest, to Krodha Bhairava; in the West, to Unmatta Bhairava; in the Northwest, to Kapala Bhairava; in the North, to Bhishana Bhairava; in the Northeast, to Samhara Bhairava, each with the same prayer: protect me in that quarter, devour the thorns of Time, abide here! Hum Phat Svaha. Salutations to the Lord Bhairava, Klim Klim Klim!
Deep Meaning
This is the digbandhana, the sealing of the eight directions with the eight Ashta Bhairavas (Asitanga E, Ruru SE, Chanda S, Krodha SW, Unmatta W, Kapala NW, Bhishana N, Samhara NE). Each is asked to guard his quarter and "devour the thorns of Time" (kala-kantaka), building a fortress of protection around the sadhaka before the main ashtaka verses. The tradition prescribes reciting the root mantra 108 times here. (Restored from source; previously omitted.)
Sanskrit
यं यं यं यक्षरूपं दिशिचकृतपदं भूमिकम्पायमानं सं सं संहारमूर्तिं शिरमुकुट्जटा भालदेशेऽर्धचन्द्रम् । दं दं दं दीर्घकायं विकृतनख मुखं चोर्ध्वरोमं करालं पं पं पं पापनाशं नतिरिह सततं भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥३॥
Transliteration
yaṃ yaṃ yaṃ yakṣarūpaṃ diśicakṛtapadaṃ bhūmikampāyamānaṃ saṃ saṃ saṃhāramūrtiṃ śiramukuṭjaṭā bhāladeśe'rdhacandram | daṃ daṃ daṃ dīrghakāyaṃ vikṛtanakha mukhaṃ cordhvaromaṃ karālaṃ paṃ paṃ paṃ pāpanāśaṃ natiriha satataṃ bhairavaṃ kṣetrapālam ||3||
Translation
Yam Yam Yam, in Yaksha form, feet placed in all directions, making the earth tremble! Sam Sam, the destroyer form, with matted locks crowned upon the head, half-moon on the forehead! Dam Dam Dam, tall-bodied, with fierce nails and distorted face, hair standing upward, terrifying! Pam Pam Pam, destroyer of sins! Prostration here always to Bhairava, guardian of the field!
Deep Meaning
This version of the Kshetrapala stotra uses "natir-iha satatam" (prostration here always) instead of "pranamata satatam", making it a personal prostration rather than an instruction to others. The half-moon on the forehead (ardha-chandra) is a distinctive iconographic detail connecting to Shiva.
Sanskrit
रं रं रं रक्तवर्णं कटिनतनुमयं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं च भीमं घं घं घं घोरघोषं घ घ घनघटितं घुर्घुरा घोरनादम् । कं कं कं कालपाशं ध्रिकि ध्रिकि चकितं कालमेघावभासं तं तं तं दिव्यदेहं नतिरिह सततं भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥४॥
Transliteration
raṃ raṃ raṃ raktavarṇaṃ kaṭinatanumayaṃ tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭraṃ ca bhīmaṃ ghaṃ ghaṃ ghaṃ ghoraghoṣaṃ gha gha ghanaghaṭitaṃ ghurghurā ghoranādam | kaṃ kaṃ kaṃ kālapāśaṃ dhriki dhriki cakitaṃ kālameghāvabhāsaṃ taṃ taṃ taṃ divyadehaṃ natiriha satataṃ bhairavaṃ kṣetrapālam ||4||
Translation
Ram Ram Ram, blood-red in color, of hard sturdy body, with sharp fangs, terrifying! Gham Gham Gham, with terrible roar, producing dense gha-gha-gha sounds, cascading ghurghura of fearsome noise! Kam Kam Kam, holding time's noose, with dhriki-dhriki startling sounds, shining like a dark thundercloud! Tam Tam Tam, of divine body! Prostration here always to Bhairava, guardian of the field!
Deep Meaning
The "dhriki-dhriki" sound is unique to this version, mimicking the rhythmic sound of Bhairava's damaru drum. "Kala-meghava-bhasa" (shining like dark thunderclouds) gives his body the appearance of monsoon clouds, simultaneously dark and luminous with inner lightning.
Sanskrit
लं लं लं लम्बदन्तं ल ल ल लितल ल्लोलजिह्वा करालं धूं धूं धूं धूम्रवर्णं स्फुट विकृतनखमुखं भास्वरं भीमरूपम् । रुं रुं रुं रूण्डमालं रुधिरमयतनुं ताम्रनेत्रं सुभीमं नं नं नं नग्नरूपं नतिरिह सततं भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥५॥
Transliteration
laṃ laṃ laṃ lambadantaṃ la la la litala llolajihvā karālaṃ dhūṃ dhūṃ dhūṃ dhūmravarṇaṃ sphuṭa vikṛtanakhamukhaṃ bhāsvaraṃ bhīmarūpam | ruṃ ruṃ ruṃ rūṇḍamālaṃ rudhiramayatanuṃ tāmranetraṃ subhīmaṃ naṃ naṃ naṃ nagnarūpaṃ natiriha satataṃ bhairavaṃ kṣetrapālam ||5||
Translation
Lam Lam Lam, with protruding fangs, la-la-la playful, with a lolling tongue, fearsome! Dhum Dhum Dhum, smoke-colored, with clearly distorted nails and face, radiant, of terrible form! Rum Rum Rum, wearing a garland of severed heads, body drenched in blood, copper-eyed, most terrifying! Nam Nam Nam, in naked form! Prostration here always to Bhairava, guardian of the field!
Deep Meaning
The "rudhira-maya-tanu" (body made of blood) and "runda-mala" (garland of severed heads) are peak fierce iconography representing total dissolution of ego and physical attachment. Copper-red eyes (tamra-netra) symbolize both divine wrath and the fire of transformation. Nakedness (nagna-rupa) is pure existence without coverings of maya.
Sanskrit
वं वं वं वायुवेगं ग्रहगणनमितं ब्रह्मरुद्रैस्सुसेव्यं खं खं खं खड्गहस्तं त्रिभुवननिलयं घोररूपं महोग्रम् । चं चं चं व्यालहस्तं चालित चल चला चालितं भूतचक्रं मं मं मं मातृरूपं नतिरिह सततं भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥६॥
Transliteration
vaṃ vaṃ vaṃ vāyuvegaṃ grahagaṇanamitaṃ brahmarudraissusevyaṃ khaṃ khaṃ khaṃ khaḍgahastaṃ tribhuvananilayaṃ ghorarūpaṃ mahogram | caṃ caṃ caṃ vyālahastaṃ cālita cala calā cālitaṃ bhūtacakraṃ maṃ maṃ maṃ mātṛrūpaṃ natiriha satataṃ bhairavaṃ kṣetrapālam ||6||
Translation
Vam Vam Vam, swift as wind, honored by planetary hosts, served by Brahma and Rudra! Kham Kham Kham, sword in hand, dwelling in all three worlds, of fierce form, supremely terrible! Cham Cham Cham, serpent in hand, shaking and trembling, setting the wheel of beings in motion! Mam Mam Mam, in the form of the Mother! Prostration here always to Bhairava, guardian of the field!
Deep Meaning
This version adds "graha-gana-namita" (honored by planetary hosts) and "matri-rupa" (form of the Mother), unique details connecting Bhairava to astrology and the divine feminine. Even Brahma and Rudra serve him (brahma-rudrais-susevyam), establishing absolute supremacy. The "chalita-chala-chala" mimics the trembling of the cosmos.
Sanskrit
शं शं शं शङ्खहस्तं शशिशकलधरं सर्पयज्ञोपवीतं मं मं मं मन्त्रवर्णं सकलजननुतं मन्त्र सूक्ष्मं सुनित्यम् । भं भं भं भूतनाथं किलिकिलिकिलितं गेहगेहेरटन्तं अं अं अं मुख्यदेवं नतिरिह सततं भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥७॥
Transliteration
śaṃ śaṃ śaṃ śaṅkhahastaṃ śaśiśakaladharaṃ sarpayajñopavītaṃ maṃ maṃ maṃ mantravarṇaṃ sakalajananutaṃ mantra sūkṣmaṃ sunityam | bhaṃ bhaṃ bhaṃ bhūtanāthaṃ kilikilikilitaṃ gehageheraṭantaṃ aṃ aṃ aṃ mukhyadevaṃ natiriha satataṃ bhairavaṃ kṣetrapālam ||7||
Translation
Sham Sham Sham, conch in hand, bearing the crescent moon, wearing serpents as sacred thread! Mam Mam Mam, the embodiment of mantra syllables, praised by all people, subtle as a mantra, eternally auspicious! Bham Bham Bham, lord of all beings, making ki-li-ki-li sounds, wandering from house to house! Am Am Am, the foremost deity! Prostration here always to Bhairava, guardian of the field!
Deep Meaning
The detail "geha-gehe-ratantam" (wandering from house to house) reveals Bhairava as the divine guardian who patrols neighborhoods, the Kshetrapala walking his beat. His kili-kili-kilita childlike sounds and house-to-house wandering connect to the folk tradition of Bhairava as the village/city protector who personally watches over every home.
Sanskrit
खं खं खं खड्गभेदं विषममृतमयं कालकालं सुकालं क्षं क्षं क्षं क्षिप्रवेगं दहदहदहनं तप्तसन्तप्तमानम् । हं हं हं कारनादं प्रकटितदपातं गर्जितां भोपिभूमिं बं बं बं बाललीलं नतिरिह सततं भैरवं क्षेत्रपालम् ॥८॥
Transliteration
khaṃ khaṃ khaṃ khaḍgabhedaṃ viṣamamṛtamayaṃ kālakālaṃ sukālaṃ kṣaṃ kṣaṃ kṣaṃ kṣipravegaṃ dahadahadahanaṃ taptasantaptamānam | haṃ haṃ haṃ kāranādaṃ prakaṭitadapātaṃ garjitāṃ bhopibhūmiṃ baṃ baṃ baṃ bālalīlaṃ natiriha satataṃ bhairavaṃ kṣetrapālam ||8||
Translation
Kham Kham Kham, cleaving with his sword, filled with both poison and nectar, death of death, auspicious time! Ksham Ksham Ksham, of instant velocity, burning-burning-burning with fire, blazing with scorching heat! Ham Ham Ham, with the resonant Ha-kara sound, revealing his power, making the earth roar! Bam Bam Bam, all this is but a child's play! Prostration here always to Bhairava, guardian of the field!
Deep Meaning
The final main verse reaches its climax: "vishama-amritamaya", simultaneously containing poison and nectar (destruction and liberation). He is kala-kala (death of death) and su-kala (auspicious time). The earth itself roars (garjitam bhopibhumim) from his power. Yet again, "bala-lila", all cosmic terror is merely a child's game for the absolute consciousness.
Sanskrit
भैरवस्याष्टकं स्तोत्रं पवित्रं पापनाशनम् । महाभयहरं दिव्यं सिद्धिदं रोगनाशनम् ॥
Transliteration
bhairavasyāṣṭakaṃ stotraṃ pavitraṃ pāpanāśanam | mahābhayaharaṃ divyaṃ siddhidaṃ roganāśanam ||
Translation
This eight-verse hymn of Bhairava is sacred and destroys all sins. It is divine, removes great fear, grants spiritual powers, and destroys all diseases.
Deep Meaning
The phala-shruti succinctly promises five benefits: purity (pavitram), sin-destruction (papa-nashanam), fear-removal (maha-bhaya-haram), siddhi-granting (siddhi-dam), and disease-destruction (roga-nashanam). This version's special power comes from the directional invocations of all eight Bhairavas preceding the verses.
Benefits of Recitation
- ✦Protection from all eight directions through the Ashta Bhairavas
- ✦Destroys all sins and great fears
- ✦Grants spiritual powers (siddhis)
- ✦Cures diseases and removes suffering
- ✦Combines bija mantra power with directional protection
- ✦Activates the protective energy of Kshetrapala Bhairava
- ✦Sacred purification from negative influences
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