Bhairava
| Bhairava | |
|---|---|
South Indian depiction of Bhairava riding on his vahana (dog), 12th century | |
| Affiliation | Shiva |
| Mantra | Oṁ Bhairavāya Namaḥ |
| Weapon | Trishula, Khaṭvāṅga, Sword, Kapala, Sickle, Vajra, Noose, Pinaka bow, Pashupatastra arrow, Pestle and Damaru |
| Day | Monday, Tuesday, or Sunday |
| Number | 33 |
| Mount | Dog |
| Festivals | Bhairava Ashtami |
| Consort | Bhairavi, Kali |
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Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव, lit. 'frightful'), or Kāla Bhairava, is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva. In the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, Bhairava represents the Supreme Reality, synonymous to Para Brahman. Generally in Hinduism, Bhairava is also called Daṇḍapāni ("[he who holds the] danda in [his] hand"), as he holds a rod or danda to punish sinners, and Śvāśva, meaning, "he whose vehicle is a dog". In Vajrayana Buddhism, he is considered a fierce emanation of boddhisatva Mañjuśrī, and also called Heruka, Vajrabhairava, Mahākāla and Yamantaka.
Bhairava is worshipped throughout India, Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Japan, as well as in Tibetan Buddhism.