Ashta Bhairava
A sculpture of Bhairava, Tamil Nadu, early 13th century
Eight manifestations of Bhairava
The Ashta Bhairavas (Sanskrit : अष्टभैरवः , romanized : Aṣṭabhairavah , lit. 'eight Bhairavas') are the eight manifestations of the Hindu god Bhairava ,[ 1] a ferocious form of Shiva . They are regarded to guard and control the eight cardinal directions. Each of the Ashta Bhairavas is regarded to preside over eight subordinate Bhairavas, totalling 64 Bhairavas.[ 2] The Ashta Bhairavas are described to be subordinate to Kālabhairava, who is considered the supreme ruler of time in the universe and the chief form of Bhairava.
Description
Form
Attributes
Consort
Direction
Planet
Mount
Shrine
Asterism
Deity
Asitāṅga[ 3]
White-complexioned; four arms ; japamala , kamandalu , sword , and skull cup
Brahmani [ 4]
East
Jupiter
Swan
Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi ,[ 5] Kandeeswarar Temple, Kandiyur [ 6]
Pushya
Vishnu [ 7]
Ruru
Light blue-complexioned; four arms; deer , axe , sword, and bowl
Maheshvari
Southeast
Venus
Bull
Rathnagiriswarar Temple , Thirumarugal
Krttika , Uttara Ashadha , Uttara Phalguni
Brahma
Caṇḍa
White-complexioned; four arms; bow , arrow , sword, and bowl
Kaumari
South
Mars
Peacock
Vaitheeswaran Koil
Mrigashirsha , Chitra, Dhanishta
Surya
Krodha
Dark blue-complexioned; four arms; conch , discus , mace , and bowl
Vaishnavi
Southwest
Saturn
Eagle
Thiruvisanallur , Thirunaraiyur [ 8]
Rohini , Hasta , Shravana
Shiva
Unmatta
Golden-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, pestle , and shield
Varahi
West
Mercury
Horse
Thiruveezhimizhalai
Punarvasu , Vishakha , Anuradha , Purva Bhadrapada , Uttara Bhadrapada
Indra
Kāpāla
Shining yellow-complexioned; four arms; thunderbolt , noose , sword and bowl
Indrani
Northwest
Moon
Elephant
Thiruvirkudi , Pushpavaneswarar temple
Bharani , Purva Ashadha, Purva Phalguni
Chandra
Bhīṣaṇa
Blood red-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, trident , and pestle
Chamunda
North
Ketu
Lion
Rameswaram , Piranmalai
Ardra , Svati , Shatabhisha , Ashvini , Magha , Mula
Yama
Saṃhāra
Lightning-yellow-orange-complexioned; ten arms; trident, drum , conch, mace, discus, sword, bowl, skull-topped staff , noose, and goad
Pratyangira
Northeast
Rahu
Dog
Thiruvenkadu , Kolli Hills , Vairavanpatti ,[ 9] Hosur
Ashlesha , Jyeshtha , Revati
Hindu deities
Temples
All eight of the Ashta Bhairavas are featured at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple , Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi , Sri Kamanada Ishwarar Temple, Aragalur , Sri Mahabhairavar Rudra Alayam, Chengalpattu .
References
See also
External links