Today is Kaalbhairava Ashtami.

Today is Kaalbhairava Ashtami.

One of our members, Saksham Mittal has sent this pic alongwith the following write up:

As we know Shiva has taken many avatars to bless his bhakts and kill evil. One of the most famous traits of Shiva, is that he gets extremely ferocious when he finds people being into some sort of vain glory. To obliterate Prajapati Daksha's extreme arrogance he took the form of Shri Veer Bhadra, similarly, to teach Lord Bhrama a lesson and remind him of something absolutely basic - Shiva is the actual creator and only Shiva is the ultimate destroyer - he took the form of Bhairava (Bha = Bharan, Ra = Ravan, Va = Vaman). Bhairava is the most terrifying version of Shiva who is said to have mastered even time. Shiv Maha Puran describes Bhairava, who is called Kaal Bhairav, as someone who even all three kaals - bhoot, vartaman, bhavishya - are scared of. The origin of Bhairava can be traced to the conversation between Brahma and Vishnu recounted in the Shiv Mahapuran where Vishnu asked Brahma who is the supreme creator of the Universe. Arrogantly, Brahma told Vishnu to worship him, he being the supreme creator. One day Brahma thought, "I have five heads, Shiva also has five heads. I can do everything that Shiva does and therefore I am Shiva" Brahma had become a little egoistic. Not only had he became egoistic, he started to forge the work of Shiva. Brahma started interfering in what Shiva was supposed to do. Then Mahadeva (Shiva) threw a small nail from His finger, which assumed the form of Kala Bhairava, and casually went to cut the head of Brahma. The skull of Brahma is held in the hands of Kala Bhairava; Brahma Kapala in the hands of Kala Bhairava and Brahma’s ego was destroyed and he became enlightened. Then onwards he became useful to himself and to the world and deeply grateful to Shiva. Also n the form of the Kaala Bhairava, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shaktipeeths. Each Shaktipeeth temple is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava. Today its Kalashtami, day when Bhairava was born. Let us all bow to Shiva's this fearsome aspect. Om Shri Kaal Bhairavaye Namah!

Note from Net postings: Kaal Bhairav is also called Kshetra Pala, the guardian deity of the abode of Lord Shiva. He is also known as Dandapani, the one who punish sinners. Kaal Bhairav is often depicted as one who rides a dog.Kaal Bhairav Ashtami or Kaal Bhairava Jayanti is specifically done for success, wealth, and health and removal of obstacles.Kaal Bhairava is also considered as the Guru of the planetary deity Shani, planet Saturn.

Shail Gulhati's Note:

While it is very difficult to decipher some of the deeper meanings that are to be conveyed in the stories of the ancient literature, what impresses me most is the compilation of the word Bhairava. It is correctly described as the Acronym for Sustainer (Bharan- to fill), Dissoluter ( ravana- to take away) , and Creator. ( Vaman- to project). This is in consonance with God as master of all time, Mahakaal.
It may interest you to know that whilst Bhairav is thought of as fearsome in some understandings, however the Kashmir Shaiv Darsana : Kashmir Shaivism has always called Shiva in His highest form as Para Bhairav!
My own learning of Bhairav, therefore is all based on the Kashmir Shaivism that i learn, and here Bhairava is the absolute essence of all consciousness, therefore the Master of all meditations. In fact, the most important scripture of Shiva's revelations to Devi , which expound 112 Yoga dharanas( ways to reach Self realisation) are recorded in a conversation called the Vigyan Bhairava( science of Shiva)

How to Reconcile the Fearsome aspect of Bhairav with the Master teacher?
The answer lies in understanding gently the simple fact:
THAT GOD CONSCIOUSNESS IS BEYOND EVEN TIME.
That is what Shiva wanted to teach Brahmaji and also Daksha: God remains even when the Time of the world itself is over; because .God is the one who 'creates' even time ....

Aum Namah Shivaye.