Kala Bhairava Stuti
कालभैरवस्तुतिः
Sanskrit
देवा ऊचुः - नमस्ते कालनाथाय नमस्ते कालरूपिणे । नमो भीमाय चोग्राय नमस्ते शूलपाणये ॥ २६२॥
Transliteration
devā ūcuḥ - namaste kālanāthāya namaste kālarūpiṇe | namo bhīmāya cogrāya namaste śūlapāṇaye || 262||
Translation
The Devas said: Salutations to the Lord of Time, salutations to the one whose form is Time. Salutations to the fearsome and fierce one, salutations to the trident-bearer.
Sanskrit
नमस्ते कालकण्ठाय नमस्ते कालभक्षक । नमो दिगम्बरानन्त नमः परमपूरुष ॥ २६३॥
Transliteration
namaste kālakaṇṭhāya namaste kālabhakṣaka | namo digambarānanta namaḥ paramapūruṣa || 263||
Translation
Salutations to the black-throated one, salutations to the devourer of Time. Salutations to the infinite sky-clad one, salutations to the Supreme Being.
Sanskrit
नमो विश्वात्मक श्रीमन् नमो विश्वैकजीवन । नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्राक्ष सहस्रकर ते नमः ॥ २६४॥
Transliteration
namo viśvātmaka śrīman namo viśvaikajīvana | namaste'stu sahasrākṣa sahasrakara te namaḥ || 264||
Translation
Salutations to the Soul of the universe, O glorious one, to the sole life of the universe. Salutations to the thousand-eyed one, salutations to the thousand-armed one.
Sanskrit
सहस्रचरणामेय नमस्ते भैरवप्रभो । नमस्ते रुद्र रुद्रात्मन्नमस्ते रुद्रसम्भव ॥ २६५॥
Transliteration
sahasracaraṇāmeya namaste bhairavaprabho | namaste rudra rudrātmannamaste rudrasambhava || 265||
Translation
O immeasurable one with a thousand feet, salutations to you, O Lord Bhairava. Salutations to Rudra, O Rudra-souled one, salutations to the one born of Rudra.
Sanskrit
नमस्ते शाम्भवानन्द नमस्ते भूतभावन । नमस्ते सर्वलोकेश सर्वाधारामरार्चित ॥ २६६॥
Transliteration
namaste śāmbhavānanda namaste bhūtabhāvana | namaste sarvalokeśa sarvādhārāmarārcita || 266||
Translation
Salutations, O bliss of Shambhu, salutations, O nourisher of all beings. Salutations, O lord of all worlds, the foundation of all, worshipped by the immortals.
Sanskrit
नमस्ते दिक्स्वरूपाय नमस्ते भूस्वरूपिणे । नमस्ते सूर्यरूपाय चन्द्ररूपाय ते नमः ॥ २६७॥
Transliteration
namaste diksvarūpāya namaste bhūsvarūpiṇe | namaste sūryarūpāya candrarūpāya te namaḥ || 267||
Translation
Salutations to the one whose form is the directions, salutations to the one whose form is the earth. Salutations to the sun-formed one, salutations to the moon-formed one.
Sanskrit
नमस्ते ग्रहरूपाय रूपातीताय ते नमः । नमः सकलकल्याणभाजनायामृतात्मने ॥ २६८॥
Transliteration
namaste graharūpāya rūpātītāya te namaḥ | namaḥ sakalakalyāṇabhājanāyāmṛtātmane || 268||
Translation
Salutations to the one whose form is the planets, to the one who transcends all forms. Salutations to the vessel of all auspiciousness, to the immortal Self.
Sanskrit
नमः परमवीराय नमः परशुधारिणे । नमो डमरुहस्ताय नमः खट्वाङ्गधारिणे ॥ २६९॥
Transliteration
namaḥ paramavīrāya namaḥ paraśudhāriṇe | namo ḍamaruhastāya namaḥ khaṭvāṅgadhāriṇe || 269||
Translation
Salutations to the supreme hero, to the axe-bearer. Salutations to the damaru-handed one, to the bearer of the khatvanga staff.
Sanskrit
नमोऽनन्तगुणाधार नमोऽनन्तस्वरूपिणे । नमो विभूतिकवच व्योमकेश नमोऽस्तुते ॥ २७०॥
Transliteration
namo'nantaguṇādhāra namo'nantasvarūpiṇe | namo vibhūtikavaca vyomakeśa namo'stute || 270||
Translation
Salutations to the foundation of infinite qualities, to the one of infinite form. Salutations to the one armored with sacred ash, O sky-haired one, salutations to you.
Sanskrit
नमस्त्रिशूलहस्ताय नमस्ते मुण्डमालिने । नमः प्रेतासनासीन जपावर्ण नमोऽतु ते ॥ २७१॥
Transliteration
namastriśūlahastāya namaste muṇḍamāline | namaḥ pretāsanāsīna japāvarṇa namo'tu te || 271||
Translation
Salutations to the trident-handed one, to the wearer of the skull garland. Salutations to the one seated on the corpse, of hibiscus-red complexion, salutations to you.
Sanskrit
नमो ब्रह्मण्यरूपाय विधिनाशकृते नमः । अशैवशैलवज्राय शिवद्रोहिविनाशक ॥ २७२॥ शिवभक्तप्रिय श्रीमन्नमः श्रीकालभैरवम् । शरण्यमूर्ते सर्वात्मन्नमस्ते भक्तवत्सल ॥ २७३॥
Transliteration
namo brahmaṇyarūpāya vidhināśakṛte namaḥ | aśaivaśailavajrāya śivadrohivināśaka || 272|| śivabhaktapriya śrīmannamaḥ śrīkālabhairavam | śaraṇyamūrte sarvātmannamaste bhaktavatsala || 273||
Translation
Salutations to the brahmanical form, to the destroyer of Brahma (who cut his fifth head). A thunderbolt to those mountains of anti-Shiva forces, destroyer of those hostile to Shiva. O beloved of Shiva's devotees, O glorious one, salutations to Sri Kala Bhairava. O embodiment of refuge, O Self of all, salutations, O lover of devotees.
Sanskrit
शिवनेत्रानल श्रीमन्नमस्ते शिवपूजक । नमो रक्ताम्बर श्रीमन्नमस्ते रक्तचन्दन ॥ २७४॥ नमस्ते रक्तकेशाय नमस्ते रक्तबाहवे । नमस्ते रक्तभालाय नमो रक्तनखाय ते ॥ २७५॥
Transliteration
śivanetrānala śrīmannamaste śivapūjaka | namo raktāmbara śrīmannamaste raktacandana || 274|| namaste raktakeśāya namaste raktabāhave | namaste raktabhālāya namo raktanakhāya te || 275||
Translation
O fire born from Shiva's eye, O glorious worshipper of Shiva. Salutations, O red-garmented one, salutations, O red-sandal-adorned one. Salutations to the red-haired one, to the red-armed one. Salutations to the red-foreheaded one, to the red-nailed one.
Sanskrit
निर्विकार निरीहेश निरञ्जन निराश्रय । निरुपद्रव निर्द्वन्द्व निरामय निरञ्जन ॥ २७६॥ व्यालोपवीतिन्नुग्रात्मन्महाप्रलयकारण । अनेकसोमसूर्याग्निगणाकार नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ २७७॥
Transliteration
nirvikāra nirīheśa nirañjana nirāśraya | nirupadrava nirdvandva nirāmaya nirañjana || 276|| vyālopavītinnugrātmanmahāpralayakāraṇa | anekasomasūryāgnigaṇākāra namo'stu te || 277||
Translation
O changeless one, O desireless lord, O stainless one, O self-dependent one. O undisturbed one, O beyond-duality, O disease-free one, O immaculate one. O serpent-garlanded one, O fierce-souled one, O cause of the great dissolution. O one whose form encompasses countless moons, suns, and fires, salutations to you.
Benefits of Recitation
- ✦Spoken by the assembled Devas, carries the devotional power of all celestial beings
- ✦Reveals Kala Bhairava's cosmic vishvarupa (universal form), thousand arms, eyes, feet
- ✦Connects to Bhairava as the fabric of existence: directions, earth, sun, moon, planets
- ✦Destroys enemies of Shiva bhakti and protects devotees
- ✦From the Shiva Rahasya, one of the deepest Shaiva philosophical texts
- ✦Culminates in the realization of Bhairava as beyond duality, change, and disease
- ✦The red-form description (rakta) connects to Bhairava's warrior-protective aspect
🕉️ How to Recite
This stuti from the Shiva Rahasya (Ugra section, Chapter 11, verses 262-277) is a devotional gem. It moves from specific attributes to the universal, starting with Kala Bhairava as Lord of Time and ending with him as the cause of cosmic dissolution itself. The progression mirrors the spiritual journey from form-worship to formless realization. Recite with devotion, especially on Kalashtami (Krishna Paksha Ashtami). The repetitive "Namaste" structure makes it excellent for meditative recitation. Pairs beautifully with the Kalabhairava Ashtakam for a complete Kala Bhairava worship session.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of reciting Kala Bhairava Stuti?
Spoken by the assembled Devas, carries the devotional power of all celestial beings. Reveals Kala Bhairava's cosmic vishvarupa (universal form), thousand arms, eyes, feet. Connects to Bhairava as the fabric of existence: directions, earth, sun, moon, planets. Destroys enemies of Shiva bhakti and protects devotees. From the Shiva Rahasya, one of the deepest Shaiva philosophical texts. Culminates in the realization of Bhairava as beyond duality, change, and disease. The red-form description (rakta) connects to Bhairava's warrior-protective aspect.
How do you recite Kala Bhairava Stuti?
This stuti from the Shiva Rahasya (Ugra section, Chapter 11, verses 262-277) is a devotional gem. It moves from specific attributes to the universal, starting with Kala Bhairava as Lord of Time and ending with him as the cause of cosmic dissolution itself. The progression mirrors the spiritual journey from form-worship to formless realization. Recite with devotion, especially on Kalashtami (Krishna Paksha Ashtami). The repetitive "Namaste" structure makes it excellent for meditative recitation. Pairs beautifully with the Kalabhairava Ashtakam for a complete Kala Bhairava worship session.
What is Kala Bhairava Stuti?
The Kala Bhairava Stuti from the Shiva Rahasya (Ugra section, Chapter 11), spoken by the assembled Devas praising Kala Bhairava's cosmic, universal form. The stuti progresses from saluting his temporal power (Kalanatha, Kalarupa) through his cosmic dimensions (thousand-eyed, thousand-armed, thousand-footed) to his universal pervading nature as directions, earth, sun, moon, and planets. It includes a striking description of his red-clad, red-sandal-adorned, red-haired warrior form, and concludes with philosophical declarations of his nature as beyond-change, beyond-desire, and the ultimate cause of cosmic dissolution.
What is the source of Kala Bhairava Stuti?
Kala Bhairava Stuti comes from Traditional (from Shiva Rahasya, spoken by the Devas). It has 13 verses.
📚 Sources & Citations
Kala Bhairava Stuti - Sanskrit Documents
From Shiva Rahasya, Ugra section, Chapter 11, verses 262-277
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