Kabandha Bhairava, a formidable aspect of Lord Shiva, is revered in the Tantric tradition as a powerful and awe-inspiring deity. His fierce form symbolizes the ultimate destruction of ego and ignorance, leading to spiritual liberation and supreme protection. Kabandha Bhairava is the fourth of Dasa Maha Bhairava and the consort of Devi Chinnamasta also known as Vajra Vairochani.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Kabandha Bhairava
- Kabandha Bhairava Stotra: Sanskrit and Meaning
- Benefits of Worshiping Kabandha Bhairava
- Conclusion
Introduction to Kabandha Bhairava
Kabandha Bhairava, known as the Headless Lord, is a unique and potent form of Bhairava, one of the fierce manifestations of Lord Shiva. His imagery and symbolism are deeply rooted in the concepts of fearlessness, power, and the annihilation of negative forces. Kabandha Bhairava is often depicted without a head, representing the transcendence of ego and the embrace of the divine consciousness. In various Tantric texts, Todala Tantra and Shakti Sangama Tantra he is described as a deity who grants ultimate protection and bestows all siddhis (supernatural powers) to Chinnamasta sadhaka.
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Kabandha Bhairava Stotra: Sanskrit and Meaning
Verse 1
छिन्नमस्ता महापतिं चतुर्थ भैरवं हरं । वीरभद्र स्वरूपकं भद्रकाळीकबंध भैरव प्रियं भजे ।।
Meaning:
I worship Kabandha Bhairava, the consort of Bhadra Kali, who manifests as the fourth Bhairava and takes the form of Veerabhadra.
Verse 2
रुद्र जटोद्भवाय च सर्व शक्ति स्वरूपिणे । भयानकाय घोराय कबंधाय नमो नमः ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, who emerged from the matted locks of Rudra, embodying all powers and taking a fearsome and terrifying form.
Verse 3
दक्षशिरो विखंडिने दक्ष यज्ञ विनाशिने । दक्ष गर्व विमर्दिने श्री कबंधाय ते नमः ।।
Meaning:
Salutations to Kabandha Bhairava, who severed Daksha’s head, destroyed his yagna (sacrifice), and crushed his pride.
Verse 4
सहस्रभुज शूराया अनन्ताय च रौद्रिने । रुद्रादेशानुवार्तिने कबंधाय नमो नमः ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, the thousand-armed warrior, infinite and fierce, who follows the commands of Rudra.
Verse 5
रुद्रगण महाद्यक्षः भद्रकाळी महापतिः । विराट् पुरुष देवशः कबंधः परमेश्वरः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava, the supreme lord, is the chief of Rudra’s ganas and the consort of Bhadra Kali. He is the cosmic being and the divine lord.
Verse 6
श्री विष्णुचक्र स्तंभनः विष्णुगर्व निवारकः । विष्णुमोह विनाशकः कबंध भैरवो शिवः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava, the embodiment of Shiva, halted Vishnu’s chakra, removed Vishnu’s pride, and dispelled his delusion.
Verse 7
नीलमेघ शरीराय अनन्त देहारूपिणे । सूर्य चंद्राग्नि नेत्राय कबंधाय नमो नमः ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, whose body is like a dark cloud, who has an infinite form, and whose eyes are the Sun, Moon, and Fire.
Verse 8
श्री नरसिंह गर्वघ्नः तत्वज्ञान प्रदायकः । नरसिंह शिरच्छेदः महोग्ररूप भीकरः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava destroyed the pride of Narasimha, imparted true knowledge, severed Narasimha’s head, and took a terrifying and fierce form.
Verse 9
रुद्र हृदय संतुष्टः रुद्र प्रशंसितो महान् । रुद्र गण महाश्रेष्टः लोक भयंकरो हरः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava, who pleased Rudra’s heart, praised by Rudra, is the greatest among Rudra’s ganas and is the terrifying destroyer of the world.
Verse 10
भृगु महर्षि गर्वघ्नं इंद्र मद विमर्दनं । लोकपालक मोहघ्नं श्री कबंधं स्मरामितं ।।
Meaning:
I remember Kabandha Bhairava, who destroyed the pride of sage Bhrigu, crushed the arrogance of Indra, and dispelled the delusion of the guardians of the world.
Verse 11
खड्गधरः गदाधरः सर्वसिद्धि सुशोभितः । सर्वायुध समाश्रितः कबंध भैरवो शिवः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava, who wields a sword and mace, is adorned with all siddhis (supernatural powers) and is equipped with all weapons, embodying Shiva.
Verse 12
परमशंत रूपाय महाक्रोध स्वरूपिणे । प्रसन्न वदनाय च भयानकाय ते नमः ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, whose form is the epitome of supreme peace and intense anger, whose face is serene, yet terrifying.
Verse 13
मौन विग्रह रूपिणे शिवध्यान तपस्विने । निर्विकार स्वरूपिणे शिवानंदाय ते नमः ।।
Meaning:
Salutations to Kabandha Bhairava, whose form embodies silence and who meditates on Shiva with intense austerity, who is beyond all change and revels in Shiva’s bliss.
Verse 14
सर्व शास्त्र विशारदं सिद्धारूढेश्वरो गुरुं । सर्वदेव सुकीर्तितं श्रीकबंधं नमामितं ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, the master of all scriptures, the guru of accomplished beings, and the one praised by all deities.
Verse 15
सर्व सद्गुण शोभितं दुष्ट दुर्गुण नाशकं । अपराजित शूरं च श्रीकबंधं नमामितं ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, who embodies all virtues, destroys evil qualities, and is an invincible hero.
Verse 16
भूतप्रेत समाश्रितं सर्व पिशाच नायकं । दुष्ट शक्ति विमर्दनं श्रीकबंधं सदा भजे ।।
Meaning:
I always worship Kabandha Bhairava, who is surrounded by spirits and ghosts, the leader of all pishachas, and the destroyer of evil forces.
Verse 17
नमस्ते शरभाय च नमस्ते वरदायिने । नमस्ते देवदेवाय कबंधाय नमो नमः ।।
Meaning:
Salutations to Kabandha Bhairava, who is also revered as Sharabha, the granter of boons, and the god of gods.
Verse 18
अभयंकर वीर्यवान् सर्व शुभंकरः शिवः । भक्तभय विनाशकः सर्वपीडा निपातकः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava is the fearless, valorous form of Shiva, who bestows auspiciousness, destroys the fears of devotees, and removes all suffering.
Verse 19
सदाभक्त सुरक्षकः सदाशिष्य प्रमोदकः । सदाभक्त सुखंकरः सदाशिष्य सुवर्धकः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava always protects his devotees, brings joy to his disciples, grants happiness to his devotees, and ensures the prosperity of his disciples.
Verse 20
महा वीरेश्वरेश्वरं महा शूरेश्वरेश्वरं । महा शक्तीश्वरेश्वरं श्रीकबंधं नमामितं ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, the supreme lord of great heroes, the supreme lord of great warriors, and the supreme lord of immense power.
Verse 21
बलवान् बलदायकः शक्तिमान् शक्तिवर्धकः । वीर्यवान् वीर्यदायकः शौर्यवान् शौर्यवर्धकः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava is powerful and the bestower of strength, mighty and the enhancer of power, courageous and the granter of valor, heroic and the increaser of bravery.
Verse 22
युद्धकौशल्य ज्ञानवान् मंत्र तंत्र महामतिः । शत्रुनाशक बुद्धिमान् कबंध भैरवो शिवः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava, who is wise in the art of war, possesses great knowledge of mantra and tantra, is intelligent in destroying enemies, and embodies Shiva.
Verse 23
बहुरूपाय दिव्याय विश्वनायक रूपिणे । साक्षात् रुद्र स्वरूपाय कबंधाय नमो नमः ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, who takes many divine forms, embodies the leader of the universe, and is the very form of Rudra.
Verse 24
शतवृष्ण्यं सुवर्चसं विश्वदाव्यं सहस्वतं । लोकजितं प्रचेतसं श्रीकबंधं नमाम्यहं ।।
Meaning:
I bow to Kabandha Bhairava, who possesses hundreds of strengths, is highly radiant,
the protector of the universe, and the victor over all beings.
Verse 25
बृहद्दिवश्च तपस्वान् कवितरः वाचस्पतिः । शिवतमः विश्वदृष्टः कबंधः परमेश्वरः ।।
Meaning:
Kabandha Bhairava is vast and ascetic, eloquent and wise, the most auspicious, the one who witnesses the universe, and the supreme lord.
Benefits of Worshiping Kabandha Bhairava
Worshiping Kabandha Bhairava is believed to bring numerous spiritual and material benefits, including:
- Protection from Negative Energies: Kabandha Bhairava is a powerful guardian who protects his devotees from evil forces and malevolent energies.
- Destruction of Ego and Ignorance: His fierce form symbolizes the eradication of ego, helping devotees transcend their limitations and attain higher states of consciousness.
- Granting of Siddhis: Devotees who sincerely worship Kabandha Bhairava are blessed with supernatural powers and the ability to overcome obstacles.
- Success in Worldly Endeavors: His blessings lead to success in all aspects of life, including career, health, and relationships.
Conclusion
Kabandha Bhairava is a profound deity in the Tantric tradition, representing the ultimate power and protection. His worship is not only a means to overcome negative forces but also a path to spiritual enlightenment. By venerating Kabandha Bhairava, devotees can achieve a deep connection with the divine, leading to the destruction of ignorance and the attainment of spiritual and worldly success. The Kabandha Bhairava Stotra serves as a powerful tool for invoking his blessings and experiencing his transformative energy.
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