Bhairav Stava — The Hymn of Fierce Grace

The Bhairav Stava is a powerful hymn dedicated to Lord Bhairav, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. This ancient chant captures the intense energy and protective grace of Bhairav, who is revered as a guardian and destroyer of evil. The hymn’s words evoke a deep sense of awe and devotion, blending strength with spiritual wisdom. For those seeking courage, protection, or a connection to divine power, the Bhairav Stava offers a profound spiritual experience.

The Origin and Significance of Bhairav Stava

Bhairav Stava originates from Hindu scriptures and is traditionally recited to honor Lord Bhairav. Bhairav represents the fierce aspect of Shiva, embodying destruction that clears the way for renewal and transformation. The hymn praises Bhairav’s qualities, invoking his energy to overcome fear and obstacles.

This chant is often used in rituals and meditation practices to invoke protection and spiritual awakening. It is believed that reciting the Bhairav Stava with devotion can help dispel negative energies and bring clarity to the mind.

Understanding the Themes in Bhairav Stava

The hymn’s verses describe Bhairav’s terrifying yet compassionate nature. It portrays him as a guardian who fiercely protects devotees while guiding them toward enlightenment. The duality of Bhairav’s character—both fierce and graceful—is central to the hymn’s message.

Key themes include:

• Destruction of evil: Bhairav is called upon to remove ignorance and negativity.

  
  

• Divine protection: The hymn seeks Bhairav’s shield against harm.

  
  

• Spiritual transformation: Bhairav’s fierce energy helps break attachments and illusions.

  
  

• Fearlessness: Devotees are encouraged to face life’s challenges with courage.

  
  

These themes resonate deeply with those on a spiritual path, offering both strength and hope.

 
भैरवस्तवः 

(भैरवस्तोत्रम्)
व्याप्तचराचरभावविशेषं चिन्मयमेकमनन्तमनादिम् ।
भैरवनाथमनाथशरण्यं त्वन्मयचित्ततया हृदि वन्दे ॥ १॥

त्वन्मयमेतदशेषमिदानीं भाति मम त्वदनुग्रहशक्त्या ।
त्वं च महेश सदैव ममात्मा स्वात्ममयं मम तेन समस्तम् ॥ २॥

स्वात्मनि विश्वगते त्वयि नाथे तेन न संसृतिभीतिकथास्ति । (संसृतिभीतिकथाऽस्ति)
सत्स्वपि दुर्धरदुःखविमोहत्रासविधायिषु कर्मगणेषु ॥ ३॥

अन्तक मां प्रति मा दृशमेनां क्रोधकरालतमां विनिधेहि ।
शङ्करसेवनचिन्तनधीरो भीषणभैरवशक्तिमयोऽस्मि ॥ ४॥

इत्थमुपोढभवन्मयसंविद्दीधितिदारितभूरितमिस्रः ।
मृत्युयमान्तककर्मपिशाचैर्नाथ नमोऽस्तु न जातु बिभेमि ॥ ५॥

प्रोदितसत्यविबोधमरीचिः प्रेक्षितविश्वपदार्थसतत्त्वः ।
(प्रोदितसत्यविबोधमरीचिप्रेक्षितविश्वपदार्थसतत्त्वः ।)
भावपरामृतनिर्भरपूर्णे त्वय्यहमात्मनि निर्वृतिमेमि ॥ ६॥

मानसगोचरमेति यदैव क्लेशदशा तनुतापविधात्री ।
(क्लेशदशाऽतनुतापविधात्री, क्लेशदशा तनुतामविधाय)
नाथ तदैव मम त्वदभेदस्तोत्रपरामृतवृष्टिरुदेति ॥ ७॥

शङ्कर सत्यमिदं व्रतदानस्नानतपो भवतापविदारि ।
तावकशास्त्रपरामृतचिन्ता स्यन्दति चेतसि निर्वृतिधाराम् ॥ ८॥

नृत्यति गायति हृष्यति गाढं संविदियं मम भैरवनाथ ।
त्वां प्रियमाप्य सुदर्शनमेकं दुर्लभमन्यजनैः समयज्ञम् ॥ ९॥

वसुरसपौषे कृष्णदशम्यामभिनवगुप्तः स्तवमिममकरोत् ।
येन विभुर्भवमरुसन्तापं शमयति (स्व)जनस्य झटिति दयालुः ॥ १०॥

(पौषरसाष्टगकृष्णदशम्यामभिनवगुप्तः स्तवमिमकरोत् ।
येन विभुर्भवमरुसन्तापं नाशयति स्वजनस्य झटिति दयालुः ॥ १०॥)

॥ इति श्रीअभिनवगुप्तपादाचार्यकृतः भैरवस्तवः सम्पूर्णः ॥

(॥ समाप्तं स्तवमिदमभिनवाख्यं पद्यनवकम् ॥)

 bhairavastavah' 

(bhairavastotram)
vyaaptacharaacharabhaavavishesham' chinmayamekamanantamanaadim .
bhairavanaathamanaathasharanyam' tvanmayachittatayaa hri'di vande .. 1..

tvanmayametadasheshamidaaneem' bhaati mama tvadanugrahashaktyaa .
tvam' cha mahesha sadaiva mamaatmaa svaatmamayam' mama tena samastam .. 2..

svaatmani vishvagate tvayi naathe tena na sam'sri'tibheetikathaasti . (sam'sri'tibheetikathaa'sti)
satsvapi durdharaduh'khavimohatraasavidhaayishu karmaganeshu .. 3..

antaka maam' prati maa dri'shamenaam' krodhakaraalatamaam' vinidhehi .
shankarasevanachintanadheero bheeshanabhairavashaktimayo'smi .. 4..

itthamupod'habhavanmayasam'viddeedhitidaaritabhooritamisrah' .
mri'tyuyamaantakakarmapishaachairnaatha namo'stu na jaatu bibhemi .. 5..

proditasatyavibodhamareechih' prekshitavishvapadaarthasatattvah' .
(proditasatyavibodhamareechiprekshitavishvapadaarthasatattvah' .)
bhaavaparaamri'tanirbharapoorne tvayyahamaatmani nirvri'timemi .. 6..

maanasagocharameti yadaiva kleshadashaa tanutaapavidhaatree .
(kleshadashaa'tanutaapavidhaatree, kleshadashaa tanutaamavidhaaya)
naatha tadaiva mama tvadabhedastotraparaamri'tavri'sht'irudeti .. 7..

shankara satyamidam' vratadaanasnaanatapo bhavataapavidaari .
taavakashaastraparaamri'tachintaa syandati chetasi nirvri'tidhaaraam .. 8..

nri'tyati gaayati hri'shyati gaad'ham' sam'vidiyam' mama bhairavanaatha .
tvaam' priyamaapya sudarshanamekam' durlabhamanyajanaih' samayajnyam .. 9..

vasurasapaushe kri'shnadashamyaamabhinavaguptah' stavamimamakarot .
yena vibhurbhavamarusantaapam' shamayati (sva)janasya jhat'iti dayaaluh' .. 10..

(pausharasaasht'agakri'shnadashamyaamabhinavaguptah' stavamimakarot .
yena vibhurbhavamarusantaapam' naashayati svajanasya jhat'iti dayaaluh' .. 10..)

.. iti shreeabhinavaguptapaadaachaaryakri'tah' bhairavastavah' sampoornah' ..

(.. samaaptam' stavamidamabhinavaakhyam' padyanavakam ..)

Meaning of Bhairav Stava

1.

I bow to You, O Bhairava —Endless, beginningless, radiant One,You who fill all that moves and stills,Shelter of the shelterless,Light of pure awareness within my heart.

2.

By Your grace, this world shines as You.Every form, every breath is filled with Your being.You are my Self —And so all that I see is nothing but You.

3.

When You dwell in my heart, O Lord,How can fear of birth or death remain?Even when sorrow and karma rise like storms,Your presence keeps me untouched —Unbroken, unafraid.

4.

O Death! Turn not your burning gaze toward me.For I am steady in the thought of Shiva,Fearless in the fire of devotion —I am woven with the power of Bhairava Himself.

5.

When the light of awareness dawns,All darkness flees.Even the ghosts of fear and fateVanish before You, O Lord —In Your radiance, I am unafraid.

6.

When true knowledge rises like the morning sun,All things reveal their essence.Dissolved in Your nectar of stillness,I rest at peace —Complete in You, who are my very soul.

7.

When pain and restlessness visit my mind,I remember our oneness —And at once, a rain of sweetness falls within.The storm is washed awayBy the hymn that praises You.

8.

O Shankara — truly,No vow or ritual can cool this world’s heatLike the remembrance of You.Your teaching flows within meAs a gentle stream of peace.

9.

My heart dances and sings,Drunk with Your nearness, O Bhairava.To see You — radiant, rare,Is the joy beyond all worlds,The secret known only by the awakened.

10.

In the month of Pausha, on the dark tenth night,Abhinavagupta composed this hymn —A song of fierce compassion,That swiftly ends the desert of sorrowFor those whom Bhairava calls His own.

॥ iti śrī Abhinavagupta kṛtaṁ Bhairava Stavaḥ samāptaḥ ॥

Thus ends the Bhairava Stava —A hymn not of worship alone,But of awakening —From fear into freedom,From sound into silence.

Kaal Bhairav Sahastranaamavali

Batuk Bhairav Sahastranaamavali

How to Use Bhairav Stava in Daily Practice

Incorporating the Bhairav Stava into daily spiritual routines can bring a sense of calm and empowerment. Here are practical ways to include the hymn:

• Morning recitation: Starting the day with the Bhairav Stava can set a tone of fearlessness and focus.

  
  

• Meditation aid: Chanting or listening to the hymn during meditation helps deepen concentration.

  
  

• Protection ritual: Recite the hymn before important events or when facing challenges to invoke Bhairav’s protection.

  
  

• Group chanting: Participating in collective recitations can amplify the hymn’s spiritual energy.

  
  

Consistency is key. Even a few verses daily can gradually build inner strength and resilience.

The Spiritual Impact of Bhairav Stava

Many practitioners report feeling a shift in their mindset after regular engagement with the Bhairav Stava. The hymn’s intense energy encourages letting go of fear and embracing change. It also fosters a connection to a higher power that watches over and guides.

For example, devotees often share stories of overcoming personal struggles after dedicating time to this chant. The fierce grace of Bhairav inspires courage to face difficult situations and transform them into growth opportunities.

Bhairav Stava in Cultural and Ritual Contexts

The Bhairav Stava holds a special place in various Hindu festivals and ceremonies. It is commonly recited during Bhairav Ashtami, a day dedicated to Lord Bhairav. Temples devoted to Bhairav often include this hymn in their daily worship.

The hymn’s presence in rituals emphasizes the balance between destruction and creation, reminding devotees that endings lead to new beginnings. This cyclical understanding is a cornerstone of Hindu philosophy.

Temple altar prepared for Bhairav worship with traditional lamps and floral decorations

Tips for Beginners Learning Bhairav Stava

Starting with the Bhairav Stava can feel overwhelming due to its intense nature and Sanskrit verses. Here are some tips to ease into the practice:

• Learn the meaning: Understanding the hymn’s words helps deepen connection.

  
  

• Start with small sections: Recite a few verses at a time before attempting the full hymn.

  
  

• Use transliterations: If unfamiliar with Sanskrit script, transliterations can assist pronunciation.

  
  

• Listen to recordings: Hearing the chant performed by experienced practitioners can guide rhythm and tone.

  
  

• Create a sacred space: A quiet, clean area enhances focus during recitation.

  
  

Patience and respect for the tradition will enrich the experience.

The Bhairav Stava’s Relevance Today

In modern life, many face stress, fear, and uncertainty. The Bhairav Stava offers a spiritual tool to confront these challenges with strength and clarity. Its message of fierce grace encourages embracing change rather than resisting it.

Whether used in personal meditation or community worship, the hymn connects individuals to a timeless source of courage. This connection can inspire positive action and inner peace in daily life.

The Bhairav Stava remains a living tradition, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary spiritual needs.

The hymn invites everyone to experience the balance of power and compassion, reminding us that true strength comes from facing life’s trials with an open heart.