Kal Bhairav Ashtakam is a powerful devotional hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya praising Lord Kal Bhairava, the fierce form of Shiva and the divine guardian of Kashi (Varanasi). This sacred stotra describes Bhairava as the destroyer of fear, protector of dharma, and bestower of liberation.
देवराज सेव्यमान पावनाङ्घ्रि पङ्कजं व्यालयज्ञ सूत्रमिन्दु शेखरं कृपाकरम् । नारदादि योगिवृन्द वन्दितं दिगंबरं काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥
भानुकोटि भास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं नीलकण्ठम् ईप्सितार्थ दायकं त्रिलोचनम् । कालकालम् अंबुजाक्षम् अक्षशूलम् अक्षरं काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥
शूलटङ्क पाशदण्ड पाणिमादि कारणं श्यामकायम् आदिदेवम् अक्षरं निरामयम् । भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम् । विनिक्वणन् मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणी लसत्कटिं काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥
धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं कर्मपाश मोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम् । स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाश शोभिताङ्गमण्डलं काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥
रत्नपादुका प्रभाभिराम पादयुग्मकं नित्यम् अद्वितीयम् इष्टदैवतं निरञ्जनम् । मृत्युदर्पनाशनं कराळदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥
अट्टहास भिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोश सन्ततिं दृष्टिपातनष्टपाप जालमुग्रशासनम् । अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपाल मालिकन्धरं काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥
भूतसङ्घनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं काशिवासलोक पुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम् । नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥
I worship Kal Bhairava, the Lord of Kashi, whose sacred lotus feet are served by the king of the gods. He wears a serpent as his sacred thread, bears the crescent moon on his head, and showers compassion upon his devotees. Great sages like Narada constantly praise this sky-clad divine form.
I worship Kal Bhairava, radiant like millions of suns, who helps beings cross the ocean of worldly existence. The blue-throated Lord with three eyes grants the wishes of devotees and destroys the power of time itself.
I worship Kal Bhairava, who holds the trident, sword, noose, and staff in his hands. His dark and majestic form represents the primordial divine being who performs the cosmic Tandava dance with immense power and fearlessness.
I worship Kal Bhairava, the compassionate protector of devotees who grants both worldly prosperity and spiritual liberation. His waist shines with golden bells that produce enchanting sounds as he moves.
I worship Kal Bhairava, the guardian of righteousness who destroys the path of adharma. He frees devotees from the bondage of karma and grants peace, happiness, and protection.
I worship Kal Bhairava whose radiant feet shine with jewel-studded sandals. He is the eternal, pure, and incomparable deity who destroys the pride of death and frees devotees from fear.
I worship Kal Bhairava whose thunderous laughter shattered the cosmic shell created by Brahma. His glance destroys the sins of devotees and he grants the eight spiritual powers (Ashta Siddhis).
I worship Kal Bhairava, the leader of all spiritual beings and the Lord who purifies the merits and sins of those living in Kashi. He is the ancient ruler of the universe and the guide of the righteous path.
Those who recite Kal Bhairav Ashtakam with devotion gain wisdom, liberation, and spiritual merit. The hymn destroys sorrow, attachment, greed, anger, and suffering, ultimately bringing the devotee closer to the sacred feet of Lord Kal Bhairava.