Shri Bhairav Chalisa
श्री भैरव चालीसा
Sanskrit
दोहा श्री गणपति गुरु गौरि पद प्रेम सहित धरि माथ । चालीसा वन्दन करौं श्री शिव भैरवनाथ ॥ श्री भैरव संकट हरण मंगल करण कृपाल । श्याम वरण विकराल वपु लोचन लाल विशाल ॥
Transliteration
dohā śrī gaṇapati guru gauri pada prema sahita dhari mātha | cālīsā vandana karauṃ śrī śiva bhairavanātha || śrī bhairava saṃkaṭa haraṇa maṃgala karaṇa kṛpāla | śyāma varaṇa vikarāla vapu locana lāla viśāla ||
Translation
Doha: Placing on my head, with love, the feet of Shri Ganapati, the Guru, and Gauri, I offer this Chalisa in praise of Shri Shiva Bhairavanatha. Shri Bhairava, remover of calamity, doer of auspiciousness, compassionate one, of dark complexion and fearsome form, with large red eyes.
Deep Meaning
The opening dohas invoke Ganapati, the Guru, and Gauri before praising Bhairava as Kripala (compassionate) despite his fierce (vikarala), dark-complexioned, red-eyed form, the paradox of fierce grace that runs through the whole chalisa.
Sanskrit
जय जय श्री काली के लाला । जयति जयति काशी-कुतवाला ॥ जयति बटुक-भैरव भय हारी । जयति काल-भैरव बलकारी ॥ जयति नाथ-भैरव विख्याता । जयति सर्व-भैरव सुखदाता ॥ भैरव रूप कियो शिव धारण । भव के भार उतारण कारण ॥
Transliteration
jaya jaya śrī kālī ke lālā | jayati jayati kāśī-kutavālā || jayati baṭuka-bhairava bhaya hārī | jayati kāla-bhairava balakārī || jayati nātha-bhairava vikhyātā | jayati sarva-bhairava sukhadātā || bhairava rūpa kiyo śiva dhāraṇa | bhava ke bhāra utāraṇa kāraṇa ||
Translation
Victory, victory to the darling son of Shri Kali! Victory, victory to the Kotwal (guardian) of Kashi! Victory to Batuk Bhairava, remover of fear! Victory to Kala Bhairava, giver of strength! Victory to the renowned Natha Bhairava! Victory to Sarva Bhairava, giver of happiness! Shiva assumed the form of Bhairava for the purpose of lifting away the burden of worldly existence.
Deep Meaning
The chaupais open by hailing Bhairava as the son of Kali and the Kotwal of Kashi, then salute his forms, Batuk (fear-remover), Kala (strength-giver), Natha, Sarva, and state his purpose: Shiva took Bhairava-form to lift the burden (bhava-bhara) of samsara from beings.
Sanskrit
भैरव रव सुनि ह्वै भय दूरी । सब विधि होय कामना पूरी ॥ शेष महेश आदि गुण गायो । काशी-कोतवाल कहलायो ॥ जटा जूट शिर चंद्र विराजत । बाला मुकुट बिजायठ साजत ॥ कटि करधनी घूँघरू बाजत । दर्शन करत सकल भय भाजत ॥
Transliteration
bhairava rava suni hvai bhaya dūrī | saba vidhi hoya kāmanā pūrī || śeṣa maheśa ādi guṇa gāyo | kāśī-kotavāla kahalāyo || jaṭā jūṭa śira caṃdra virājata | bālā mukuṭa bijāyaṭha sājata || kaṭi karadhanī ghūṃgharū bājata | darśana karata sakala bhaya bhājata ||
Translation
Hearing Bhairava's roar, fear flees and desires are fulfilled in every way. Shesha, Mahesha, and others have sung his virtues; he is called the Kotwal of Kashi. Upon his matted locks the moon shines; a crown and ornaments adorn him. A jewelled belt with tinkling bells sounds at his waist; at his mere sight, every fear runs away.
Deep Meaning
These verses describe the form and glory of the Kashi-Kotwal: even Shesha and Mahesha sing his praise. The moon on his matted hair, his crown, and his bell-hung waistband are painted, and the promise is given, his darshan alone scatters all fear.
Sanskrit
जीवन दान दास को दीन्ह्यो । कीन्ह्यो कृपा नाथ तब चीन्ह्यो ॥ वसि रसना बनि सारद-काली । दीन्ह्यो वर राख्यो मम लाली ॥ धन्य धन्य भैरव भय भंजन । जय मनरंजन खल दल भंजन ॥ कर त्रिशूल डमरू शुचि कोड़ा । कृपा कटाक्श सुयश नहिं थोडा ॥
Transliteration
jīvana dāna dāsa ko dīnhyo | kīnhyo kṛpā nātha taba cīnhyo || vasi rasanā bani sārada-kālī | dīnhyo vara rākhyo mama lālī || dhanya dhanya bhairava bhaya bhaṃjana | jaya manaraṃjana khala dala bhaṃjana || kara triśūla ḍamarū śuci koṛā | kṛpā kaṭākśa suyaśa nahiṃ thoḍā ||
Translation
He granted the gift of life to his servant; when he showed grace, the Lord was recognised. Dwelling on the tongue as Sharada and Kali, he gave a boon and preserved my honour. Blessed, blessed is Bhairava, breaker of fear! Victory to the delighter of hearts, destroyer of the host of the wicked! Trident, damaru, and the sacred whip in his hands, his gracious sidelong glance and fair fame are not small.
Deep Meaning
The devotee testifies to grace received, the gift of life, protection of honour, the goddess of speech (Sharada-Kali) dwelling on the tongue. Bhairava is hailed as bhaya-bhanjana (fear-breaker) and destroyer of the wicked, bearing trident, damaru, and whip, his glance itself a blessing.
Sanskrit
जो भैरव निर्भय गुण गावत । अष्टसिद्धि नव निधि फल पावत ॥ रूप विशाल कठिन दुख मोचन । क्रोध कराल लाल दुहुँ लोचन ॥ अगणित भूत प्रेत संग डोलत । बं बं बं शिव बं बं बोलत ॥ रुद्रकाय काली के लाला । महा कालहू के हो काला ॥
Transliteration
jo bhairava nirbhaya guṇa gāvata | aṣṭasiddhi nava nidhi phala pāvata || rūpa viśāla kaṭhina dukha mocana | krodha karāla lāla duhuṃ locana || agaṇita bhūta preta saṃga ḍolata | baṃ baṃ baṃ śiva baṃ baṃ bolata || rudrakāya kālī ke lālā | mahā kālahū ke ho kālā ||
Translation
Whoever fearlessly sings Bhairava's virtues obtains the fruit of the eight siddhis and nine treasures. Of vast form, releaser from the hardest sorrow, of fearsome wrath, both eyes red. He roams with countless ghosts and spirits, calling "Bam Bam Bam Shiva, Bam Bam!" Of Rudra-body, the darling of Kali, he is the Kala (death) even of Mahakala.
Deep Meaning
The fruits of praise are stated, the eight siddhis and nine nidhis. Bhairava is the releaser from the hardest grief, red-eyed and wrathful, roaming with his ghostly hosts sounding the "Bam Bam" of Shiva, and, the supreme claim, he is the death even of Mahakala (time itself).
Sanskrit
बटुक नाथ हो काल गँभीरा । श्वेत रक्त अरु श्याम शरीरा ॥ करत नीनहूँ रूप प्रकाशा । भरत सुभक्तन कहँ शुभ आशा ॥ रत्न जड़ित कंचन सिंहासन । व्याघ्र चर्म शुचि नर्म सुआनन ॥ तुमहि जाइ काशिहिं जन ध्यावहिं । विश्वनाथ कहँ दर्शन पावहिं ॥
Transliteration
baṭuka nātha ho kāla gaṃbhīrā | śveta rakta aru śyāma śarīrā || karata nīnahūṃ rūpa prakāśā | bharata subhaktana kahaṃ śubha āśā || ratna jaṛita kaṃcana siṃhāsana | vyāghra carma śuci narma suānana || tumahi jāi kāśihiṃ jana dhyāvahiṃ | viśvanātha kahaṃ darśana pāvahiṃ ||
Translation
You are Batuka Natha and grave Kala; your bodies are white, red, and dark. Manifesting all three forms, you fill your good devotees with auspicious hope. On a jewel-studded golden throne, on a tiger-skin, pure and gentle of face. Those who go to Kashi and meditate upon you obtain the darshan of Vishwanatha.
Deep Meaning
Bhairava's three-fold form is praised, white, red, and dark (the three gunas / three aspects). Enthroned on gold and tiger-skin, gentle-faced, he fills devotees with hope; and in Kashi, meditating on Bhairava the Kotwal leads to the darshan of Vishwanatha himself.
Sanskrit
जय प्रभु संहारक सुनन्द जय । जय उन्नत हर उमा नन्द जय ॥ भीम त्रिलोचन स्वान साथ जय । वैजनाथ श्री जगतनाथ जय ॥ महा भीम भीषण शरीर जय । रुद्र त्र्यम्बक धीर वीर जय ॥ अश्वनाथ जय प्रेतनाथ जय । स्वानारुढ़ सयचंद्र नाथ जय ॥
Transliteration
jaya prabhu saṃhāraka sunanda jaya | jaya unnata hara umā nanda jaya || bhīma trilocana svāna sātha jaya | vaijanātha śrī jagatanātha jaya || mahā bhīma bhīṣaṇa śarīra jaya | rudra tryambaka dhīra vīra jaya || aśvanātha jaya pretanātha jaya | svānāruṛha sayacaṃdra nātha jaya ||
Translation
Victory, Lord destroyer, blissful one! Victory, exalted Hara, delight of Uma! Victory, fearsome three-eyed one with the dog at your side! Victory, Vaijanatha, Lord of the world! Victory, greatly fearsome one of terrifying body! Victory, Rudra, three-eyed, steadfast and heroic! Victory, Lord of horses, Lord of spirits! Victory, dog-mounted Lord crowned with the moon!
Deep Meaning
A cascade of "jaya" (victory) salutations naming Bhairava's many epithets, Samharaka (destroyer), Hara, delight of Uma, three-eyed dog-companion, Vaijanatha, Jagannatha, Rudra Tryambaka, lord of spirits, dog-mounted and moon-crowned, building devotional momentum.
Sanskrit
निमिष दिगंबर चक्रनाथ जय । गहत अनाथन नाथ हाथ जय ॥ त्रेशलेश भूतेश चंद्र जय । क्रोध वत्स अमरेश नन्द जय ॥ श्री वामन नकुलेश चण्ड जय । कृत्याऊ कीरति प्रचण्ड जय ॥ रुद्र बटुक क्रोधेश कालधर । चक्र तुण्ड दश पाणिव्याल धर ॥
Transliteration
nimiṣa digaṃbara cakranātha jaya | gahata anāthana nātha hātha jaya || treśaleśa bhūteśa caṃdra jaya | krodha vatsa amareśa nanda jaya || śrī vāmana nakuleśa caṇḍa jaya | kṛtyāū kīrati pracaṇḍa jaya || rudra baṭuka krodheśa kāladhara | cakra tuṇḍa daśa pāṇivyāla dhara ||
Translation
Victory, sky-clad in an instant, Lord of the discus! Victory, Lord who takes the hand of the orphaned! Victory, Lord of the trident, Lord of spirits, moon-adorned! Victory, dear one of wrath, delight of the immortals' lord! Victory, Shri Vamana, Lord Nakuleshvara, fierce Chanda! Victory, of terrible renown and mighty deeds! Rudra, Batuka, lord of wrath, bearer of Time; holding discus, with ten arms bearing serpents.
Deep Meaning
The victory-salutations continue with more forms, sky-clad Lord of the discus, protector who takes the orphan's hand, Lord of the trident and of spirits, fierce Chanda, Nakuleshvara, culminating in the ten-armed, serpent-bearing, Time-wielding Rudra-Batuka.
Sanskrit
करि मद पान शम्भु गुणगावत । चौंसठ योगिन संग नचावत ॥ करत कृपा जन पर बहु ढंगा । काशी कोतवाल अड़बंगा ॥ देयँ काल भैरव जब सोटा । नसै पाप मोटा से मोटा ॥ जनकर निर्मल होय शरीरा । मिटै सकल संकट भव पीरा ॥
Transliteration
kari mada pāna śambhu guṇagāvata | cauṃsaṭha yogina saṃga nacāvata || karata kṛpā jana para bahu ḍhaṃgā | kāśī kotavāla aṛabaṃgā || deyaṃ kāla bhairava jaba soṭā | nasai pāpa moṭā se moṭā || janakara nirmala hoya śarīrā | miṭai sakala saṃkaṭa bhava pīrā ||
Translation
Having drunk the intoxicating draught, he sings Shambhu's praises and makes the sixty-four Yoginis dance with him. He shows grace to his people in many ways, the wayward Kotwal of Kashi. When Kala Bhairava strikes with his staff, sins of the very greatest are destroyed. The devotee's body becomes pure, and every calamity and worldly pain is erased.
Deep Meaning
Bhairava the intoxicated dancer leads the sixty-four Yoginis in dance, showing grace in countless ways as the "adabanga" (unconventional/free) Kotwal. His staff (sota) destroys even the greatest sins, purifying the devotee's body and erasing all calamity and worldly suffering.
Sanskrit
श्री भैरव भूतोंके राजा । बाधा हरत करत शुभ काजा ॥ ऐलादी के दुःख निवारयो । सदा कृपाकरि काज सम्हारयो ॥ सुन्दर दास सहित अनुरागा । श्री दुर्वासा निकट प्रयागा ॥ श्री भैरव जी की जय लेख्यो । सकल कामना पूरण देख्यो ॥
Transliteration
śrī bhairava bhūtoṃke rājā | bādhā harata karata śubha kājā || ailādī ke duḥkha nivārayo | sadā kṛpākari kāja samhārayo || sundara dāsa sahita anurāgā | śrī durvāsā nikaṭa prayāgā || śrī bhairava jī kī jaya lekhyo | sakala kāmanā pūraṇa dekhyo ||
Translation
Shri Bhairava, king of the spirits, removes obstacles and accomplishes auspicious works. He removed the sorrows of Ailadi and others, ever graciously setting their affairs in order. Sundaradasa, filled with devotion, near Shri Durvasa (ashram) at Prayaga, has written this praise of Shri Bhairava, and has seen all his desires fulfilled.
Deep Meaning
The chaupais close with Bhairava as king of spirits who removes obstacles and accomplishes good, and with the poet's signature: Sundaradasa, composing near the Durvasa ashram at Prayaga, records that praising Bhairava fulfilled all his desires, the traditional phalashruti of a chalisa.
Sanskrit
दोहा जय जय जय भैरव बटुक स्वामी संकट टार । कृपा दास पर कीजिए शंकर के अवतार ॥
Transliteration
dohā jaya jaya jaya bhairava baṭuka svāmī saṃkaṭa ṭāra | kṛpā dāsa para kījie śaṃkara ke avatāra ||
Translation
Closing Doha: Victory, victory, victory to Lord Batuka Bhairava, remover of calamity! O incarnation of Shankara, bestow your grace upon your servant.
Deep Meaning
The concluding doha seals the chalisa with a final threefold "jaya" and a plea for grace, addressing Bhairava as the very avatar of Shankara (Shiva).
Sanskrit
आरती भैरव जी की जय भैरव देवा प्रभु जय भैरव देवा । जय काली और गौरा देवी कृत सेवा ॥ जय॥ तुम्ही पाप उद्धारक दुःख सिन्धु तारक । भक्तों के सुख कारक भीषण वपु धारक ॥ जय॥ वाहन श्वान विराजत कर त्रिशूल धारी । महिमा अमित तुम्हारी जय जय भयहारी ॥ जय॥
Transliteration
āratī bhairava jī kī jaya bhairava devā prabhu jaya bhairava devā | jaya kālī aura gaurā devī kṛta sevā || jaya|| tumhī pāpa uddhāraka duḥkha sindhu tāraka | bhaktoṃ ke sukha kāraka bhīṣaṇa vapu dhāraka || jaya|| vāhana śvāna virājata kara triśūla dhārī | mahimā amita tumhārī jaya jaya bhayahārī || jaya||
Translation
The Aarti of Shri Bhairava: Victory to Lord Bhairava Deva, Lord, victory to Bhairava Deva, served by the goddesses Kali and Gauri! You alone are the redeemer from sin, the ferry across the ocean of sorrow, the cause of devotees' happiness, bearer of a fearsome form. Riding the dog you shine, trident in hand; boundless is your glory, victory, victory, remover of fear!
Deep Meaning
The Aarti begins: Bhairava is served by Kali and Gauri, redeems from sin, ferries devotees across sorrow, and, dog-borne and trident-bearing, is hailed as the boundless-in-glory remover of fear.
Sanskrit
तुम बिन सेवा देवा सफल नहीं होवे । चौमुख दीपक दर्शन सबका दुःख खोवे ॥ जय॥ तेल चटकि दधि मिश्रित भाषावलि तेरी । कृपा करिये भैरव करिये नहीं देरी ॥ जय॥ पाव घूंघरु बाजत अरु डमरु डमकावत । बटुकनाथ बन बालकजन मन हरषावत ॥ जय॥ बटुकनाथ की आरती जो कोई नर गावे । कहे धरणीधर नर मनवांछित फल पावे ॥ जय॥
Transliteration
tuma bina sevā devā saphala nahīṃ hove | caumukha dīpaka darśana sabakā duḥkha khove || jaya|| tela caṭaki dadhi miśrita bhāṣāvali terī | kṛpā kariye bhairava kariye nahīṃ derī || jaya|| pāva ghūṃgharu bājata aru ḍamaru ḍamakāvata | baṭukanātha bana bālakajana mana haraṣāvata || jaya|| baṭukanātha kī āratī jo koī nara gāve | kahe dharaṇīdhara nara manavāṃchita phala pāve || jaya||
Translation
Without you, O Deva, no worship bears fruit; the darshan of the four-faced lamp takes away everyone's sorrow. With crackling oil mixed with curd, this is the language of your offering; show grace, O Bhairava, make no delay! Anklets sound at your feet and the damaru resounds; becoming Batuka Natha, you gladden the hearts of children and simple folk. Whoever sings this Aarti of Batuka Natha, says Dharanidhara, obtains the desired fruit of his heart.
Deep Meaning
The Aarti concludes: no worship succeeds without Bhairava; the four-faced lamp (chaumukha deepak) and offerings of oil and curd are described; and the poet Dharanidhara gives the phalashruti, whoever sings this aarti with devotion obtains the desire of the heart.
Benefits of Recitation
- ✦A simple, devotional daily praise of Bhairava as the Kotwal of Kashi
- ✦Removes fear, calamity, and worldly suffering (sankata harana)
- ✦Grants the eight siddhis and nine treasures to sincere reciters
- ✦Purifies the body and erases even the greatest sins
- ✦Connects the devotee to Kashi and the darshan of Vishwanatha
- ✦Accessible Awadhi Hindi, ideal for beginners and daily household worship
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