Kala Bhairava is the most fierce manifestion of Bhairava or Lord Shiva. There are hundreds of thousands of devotees of Kala Bhairava who worship him in different ways. In this article, we are going to talk about the method through which you can worship Kala Bhairava in your house. We are also going to give a few pointers on how to progress in your spiritual journey, and the benefits of worshipping Kala Bhairava.
Introduction
Kala Bhairava is a fierce form of the Hindu deity Shiva, associated with time, destruction, and transformation. The name “Bhairava” is derived from the Sanskrit words “bhīru,” which means “fearful,” and “vā,” which means “to destroy.” Kala Bhairava is often depicted as a fearsome deity with a dark complexion, sharp teeth, and a crown of skulls. He is usually shown holding a trident, drum (damaru), and a skull in his hands.
Kala Bhairava is considered the guardian of time and is believed to control the cosmic cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees also worship him as a remover of obstacles, and it is believed that invoking his blessings can help overcome various challenges.
There are several manifestations of Bhairava, and Kala Bhairava specifically is associated with the aspect of time and the transient nature of life. Temples dedicated to Kala Bhairava can be found in various parts of India, and special rituals and festivals are held in his honor. The worship of Kala Bhairava is also prevalent in certain Tantric traditions within Hinduism.
Dangers Associated with Praying to Different Forms of Bhairava
Bhairava is one of the fierce manifestations of Lord Shiva, and in the tantric system, worshipping Bhairava often involves being in the vicinity of cremation grounds. For people living a normal social life, worshipping the different forms of Bhairava can be dangerous and should always be done after consultation of experienced practitioners. Batuk Bhairava, is one form of Lord Bhairava that is considered to be safe for normal householders to worship.
The worship of the form of Kala Bhairava can be done in a safe manner, and the method of doing it, is given below. One should always remember to not casually start any other practice, or mix any other practice with the one mentioned below. The below method is safe for people living in normal social situations.
Preparatory Steps for Praying To Kala Bhairava
Before we start praying to kala bhairava in our houses, we must keep a few points in our mind. Following the below steps is crucial for a beneficial experience and results:
- Always remember to take a bath before starting to worship Kala Bhairava
- Wear clean clothes while worshipping Kala Bhairava
- Try to keep the stomach empty, or be on a light stomach while praying to Kala Bhairava
- Whenever praying to Kala Bhairava, always be facing east or north.
- Always keep your intentions clean, and clear while beggining to worship Kala Bhairava. The main aim should always be spiritual progress.
- Always be honest with Kala Bhairava. Kala Bhairava demands honesty, and failing to do so results in your connection with the deity weakening.
- Start this method from any Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi. You can start from Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi as well, or any Friday, or any Sunday. Krishna Paksha Ashtami is the best tithi to start this method of worship. Do not start the method on any day except the days mentioned.
Required Items for Praying To Kala Bhairava
Below are the items which would be required for worshipping Kala Bhairava through the method that this article offers:
Diya (Oil Lamp): An oil lamp is necessary for this method of worship. The fire that you light acts as a witness to the act that you’re performing. (The fire element is said to be a means of connecting you with the energy of Kala Bhairava)
Agarbatti (Incense Stick): An incense stick, preferably of Loban, helps in purification of the air element around you when you worship Kala Bhairava. It creates the necessary ambience for you to connect with the energy of Kala Bhairava.
Aachman Patra / Lota (Copper Pot With Water): A copper pot is necessary for holding water. In worshipping Kala Bhairava through the below method, water is used to purify your body, and the environment around you. It is also used in other steps mentioned below.
Gud (Jaggery): If jaggery is not available, any sweet edible, or Vada can be used as a substitute. The edible item must be vegetarian in nature.
DO NOT USE NON-VEGETARIAN ITEMS as that can have a negative effect. This edible is used as an offering to be given to Kala Bhairava.
Aasan (Cloth for Seating): A red colored asan or cloth specifically for Pooja or worshipped can be purchased very easily. We require an aasan as it is believed that during the process of worshipping any deity, one should not be in contact with the direct earth element of the planet. Putting an aasan between you and the planet results in the energy that you gather during the worshipping process not dissipating away.
Rudraksha Mala: A rudraksha mala is recommended for the mantra chanting process described below. If unavailable, one can proceed with digital japa counters, phone apps, or even mentally counting and remembering. The mala should have 108 beads, excluding the Meru or the Guru bead.
How To Pray To Kala Bhairava At Home
The below steps should be followed as it is, without any changes, for receiving the maximum benefits. Worshipping Kala Bhairava everyday is the key to progress spiritually faster, and connecting to the energy of Kala Bhairava. Be seated on an aasan and facing east or north while performing the below steps. Remember to start the method from a Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi for maximum benefits:
Step 1 – Aachman: You can watch any video on how to perform aachman on YouTube. Put your right hand’s ring finger inside the copper pot, touching the water. Chant the given mantra with clear and correct enunciation: “Ganga chaye Yamunay Chaiva, Godavari Saraswati, Narmade Sindhu Kaveri, Jalesmin San nidhin Kuru”. Put water from the copper pot into your left hand, and drop it to the ground.
Do the same with your right hand. After cleaning both your hands, take some water into your right hand, and chant “Om Keshavaya Namah”. Sip the water. Clean your hand by putting water and dropping it to the ground again. Repeat this process with the mantras “Om Narayane Namah”, and “Om Madhavaye Namah”, in this order.
Finally, after cleaning your hand again, pour water into your right hand, chant “Om Govindaye Namah”, and drop it to the ground. Pour water into your left hand this time, chant “Om Vishnuve Namah”, and drop the water to the ground.
After completing this process, mentally pray and request Lord Vishnu to purify your body and your surroundings so that you can begin worshipping Kala Bhairava. Always remember to follow the process correctly as it is. Do not change the order of the mantras, and do not enunciate the mantras wrongly.
Step 2 – Ganesha Invocation: Mentally pray to Lord Ganesha to remove all obstacles from the worshipping process that you are about to start. Chant “Om Ganpataye Namah”. If unclear about the enunciation, check out YouTube videos for correct enunciation.
Step 3 – Lighting the Diya: Mentally chant “Om Deepa Devtabhyo Namah” while lighting the oil lamp in front of you. Pray to the fire to stay lit throughout the process.
Step 4 – Meditation: Meditate on Kala Bhairava, and mentally seek his permission to start his worship.
Step 5 – Lighting the Incense Stick: Light the incense stick for purification of the air element around you.
Step 6 – Offering Bhog/Prasad to the Deity: Keep the jaggery, or the item that you have selected in front of you, and offer it to Kala Bhairava. Mentally ask him to receive it.
Step 7 – Chant the Kala Bhairava Ashtakam: The Kala Bhairava Ashtakam is a hym consisting of 8 verses dedicated to the brilliance of Kala Bhairava. Learn its enunciation before you start this method of worship. It is always beneficial to learn the meaning of the verses for better results while chanting. You can read the Ashtakam if you have not memorized the verses.
Step 8 – Begin his Worship through the Mantra Chanting Method: “Om Bhairavaay Namah”. Chant this mantra in a soft, whispering tone, while using your right hand and the Rudraksha Mala to count the number of times you have chanted the Mantra. You can continue this process for as many Malas as you want, be it 1, 2, 5, 7, 11, 14, or more.
Remember to not use your index finger while performing the japa (Japa refers to the act of chanting the mantra continuously). If unsure, watch videos on how to use a rudraksha mala for chanting or japa. Remember to chant the mantra correctly, and complete a whole number of malas, do not stop mid-mala.
Also, after about 2-3 weeks of continuing with this practice, fix a minimum number of malas to be done everyday. Do not break this minimum number for 2-3 years for achieving good results, and being able to connect with the energy of Kala Bhairava.
Step 9 – Offer your Worship to Kala Bhairava: After you are done with the mantra chanting, pour some water into your right hand. Mentally offer the worshipping act, and its benefits to Kala Bhairava, the ruler of time. Pour the water on the ground.
Step 10 – Asking for Forgiveness: After completing the above steps, mentally ask for forgiveness from Kala Bhairava for any mistakes, both intentional, or unintentional, that you did during the practice.
Final Thoughts
The above method is one of the most basic, and one of the best methods for one to start if he or she wishes to start worshipping Kala Bhairava. It is important to keep your intentions clear, and to be truthful to Kala Bhairava. Stay consistent and you will be able to progress a lot in this path!