tīkṣṇa daṃṣṭra kālabhairava aṣṭakam (mahā kālabhairava stotraṃ)

He who manifests in the form of a Yaksha, known in all ten directions, causing the earth to tremble; He who is the embodiment of destruction, adorned with matted locks, a crown, and the crescent moon; He who is vast in stature with sharp fangs, distorted face, and terrifying, erect hair; He who is the destroyer of sins—bow constantly to that Bhairava, the guardian of the sacred field.

He who is blood-red in color, with a slender waist and terrifying sharp teeth; He who creates a thundering, roaring sound, making a deep, fearful noise; He who holds the noose of time, flaming with power, and burns away desire; He who possesses a divine form—bow constantly to that Bhairava, the guardian of the sacred field.

He who makes the sound "lam," with a long, lolling, terrifying tongue; He who is smoky-colored, with a wide, gaping mouth and a radiance as bright and fearsome as the sun; He who wears a garland of skulls, with unblinking copper-colored, terrifying eyes; He who is adorned with nothing but his own form—bow constantly to that Bhairava, the guardian of the sacred field.

He who possesses the speed of the wind, who is compassionate to those who bow, the essence of Brahman, and the conqueror of all; He who holds a sword in his hand, the destroyer of the three worlds, radiant and fearsome; He who, by his very movement, causes the entire earth to tremble and shake; He who is the master of illusion—bow constantly to that Bhairava, the guardian of the sacred field.

He who holds a conch in his hand, white as the rays of the moon, possessing the full brilliance of liberation; He who is the Great One, the essence of all lineages and secret mantras, the Eternal One; He who is the Lord of spirits, delighting in playful shouts like a child; He who pervades the vast expanse of space—bow constantly to that Bhairava, the guardian of the sacred field.

He who splits through ignorance with his sword, who is both the poison and the nectar, the destroyer of time itself; He who is swift in movement, like a burning, raging fire, glowing with intense heat; He who utters the "Hau" sound, revealing the mysteries, causing the earth to quake with his roars; He who is eternally playful—bow constantly to that Bhairava, the guardian of the sacred field.

He who is the embodiment of perfected yoga, the possessor of all virtues, the Lord of gods, and ever-gracious; He who is the lotus-naveled, the union of Hari and Hara, with the sun, moon, and fire as his eyes; He who is the Lord of supreme power, the eternal remover of fear, the primordial divine form; He who is the fierce and wrathful one—bow constantly to that Bhairava, the guardian of the sacred field.

He who rides the swan, laughing amidst the conflict, his laughter echoing the joy of liberation; He who is the embodiment of the divine vision, adorned with matted locks and hands raised in grace; He who emits the twanging sound of the bow, who makes the gods tremble, and destroys the pride of desire; He who is the Lord of all beings—bow constantly to that Bhairava, the guardian of the sacred field.

Whoever regularly recites this eight-fold hymn to Bhairava with devotion will find all obstacles removed, sorrows destroyed, and fears caused by spirits like Dakinis and Shakinis dispelled. Tigers, snakes, fire, and water will cause no harm, and all dangers will vanish; through constant meditation upon Him, one attains all perfections.

The person who recites this octet of Bhairava for a period of six months attains the supreme abode, the very place where the Great Lord Maheshwara resides.

I bow down to Lord Bhairava, whose body is radiant like crimson vermillion, who cleanses the karmas accumulated over all births, and who wears a magnificent crown; I offer my salutations to the Lord of all beings, the Lord of spirits, the destroyer of time, the wearer of the garland of Rudras, the one who is passionately devoted to Mother Kalika, the fierce-formed one, and the guardian of the sacred city of Kashi.