Some prayers carry a deep power that is felt even before they are fully understood. The Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam is one such sacred hymn. Devotees across generations have turned to this prayer to find courage, protection, and inner discipline.
Bhagwan Kaal Bhairav, the fierce yet compassionate protector of Kashi, is worshipped as a form of Mahadev who removes fear, delays, and negative influences from life. Many beginners feel drawn to this Ashtakam but hesitate because Sanskrit appears difficult.
This page is created to make chanting simple, calm, and accessible, so every devotee can connect with Bhairav Baba with confidence and devotion.
This page is created as a simple chanting and reading reference for devotees. The complete Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam is presented first for continuous chanting, followed by a line-by-line section with Hinglish transliteration and meanings for understanding.
The original verses are kept unchanged, as they have been preserved for generations. The intention is not to modify the prayer, but to help beginners, youth, and modern devotees chant with clarity, devotion, and inner connection.
देवराज सेव्यमान पावनाङ्घ्रि पङ्कजं व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम् ।
नारदादियोगिवृन्दवन्दितं दिगम्बरं काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥1॥
भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम् । कालकालमम्बुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥2॥
शूलटङ्कपाशदण्डपाणिमादिकारणं श्यामकायमादिदेवमक्षरं निरामयम् ।
भीमविक्रमं प्रभुं विचित्रताण्डवप्रियं काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥3॥
भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं प्रशस्तचारुविग्रहं भक्तवत्सलं स्थितं समस्तलोकविग्रहम् । विनिक्वणन्मनोज्ञहेमकिङ्किणीलसत्कटिं काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥4॥
धर्मसेतुपालकं त्वधर्ममार्गनाशकं कर्मपाशमोचकं सुशर्मदायकं विभुम् । स्वर्णवर्णशेषपाशशोभिताङ्गमण्डलं काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥5॥
रत्नपादुकाप्रभाभिरामपादयुग्मकं नित्यद्वितीयमिष्टदैवतं निरञ्जनम् ।
मृत्युदर्पनाशनं करालदंष्ट्रमोक्षणं काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥6॥
अट्टहासभिन्नपद्मजाण्डकोशसन्ततिं दृष्टिपातनष्टपापजालमुग्रशासनम् ।
अष्टसिद्धिदायकं कपालमालिकन्धरं काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥7॥
भूतसङ्घनायकं विशालकीर्तिदायकं काशिवासलोकपुण्यपापशोधकं विभुम् ।
नीतिमार्गकोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं काशिकापुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥8॥
कालभैरवाष्टकं पठन्ति ये मनोहरं ज्ञानमुक्तिसाधनं विचित्रपुण्यवर्धनम् । शोकमोहदैन्यलोभकोपतापनाशनं ते प्रयान्ति कालभैरवाङ्घ्रिसन्निधिं ध्रुवम् ॥9॥
Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam Line-by-Line Meaning (Hinglish, Hindi & English)
देवराज सेव्यमन पवनंघ्री पंकजम
व्यालयज्ञ सुत्रमिन्दु शेखरम कृपाकरम
नारदादि योगीवृन्द वन्दितम दिगंबरम
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरम भजे ॥1॥
devraj Sevyaman Pavananghri Pankajam
vyalayagya Sutramindu Shekharam Kripakaram
Nardadi Yogivrind Vanditam Digambaram
kashika Puradhinath Kalbhairam Bhaje ॥1॥
भानुकोटि भास्वरम भवब्धि तारकम परम
नीलकंठ मिप्सितार्थ दायकम त्रिलोचनम
कालकाल मंबुजाक्ष मक्ष शूल मक्षरम
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम भजे॥2॥
Bhanukoti Bhaswaram Bhavabdhi tarakam Parm
nilakantha mIpsitarth Dayakam Trilochanam
Kaalkal mambujaaksha maksha shula maksharam
kaashika Puradhinath Kalabhairavam Bhaje॥2॥
शूल टंक पाश दण्ड पाणि मादि कारणम
श्याम काया मादि देव मक्षरम निरामयम
भीम विक्रमम प्रभु विचित्र तांडव प्रियम
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम भजे ॥3॥
Shool tank Paash dand Paani madi Karanam
shyam kaya madi dev maksharam Niramayam
Bhim vikramam Prabhu Vichitara tandav Priyam
kaashika Puradhinath Kalbhairavam Bhaje ॥3॥
भुक्ति मुक्ति दायकं प्रशस्त चारु विग्रहं
भक्त वत्सलं स्थितं समस्त लोक विग्रहं।
विनिक वनन मनोज्ञ हेम किंकिणी लसत कटिम
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥4॥
Bhukti Mukti Dayakam Prashasta Charu Vigraham
Devotee Vatsalam Stitham Samast Loka Vigraham.
Vinik vanan Manogya Hem Kinkini Lasat katim
Kashika Puradhinath Kalbhairavam Bhaje ॥4॥
धर्म सेतु पालकं त्व धर्म मार्ग नाशकं
कर्म पाश मोचकं सुशर्म दायकं विभुम् ।
स्वर्ण वर्ण शेष पाश शोभिताङ्ग मण्डलं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥ ५॥
dharma setu kam tva dharma marga nashakan
Karma pash mochakan susharma dayam vibhum.
swarn varn shesh Pash Shobhitang Mandalam
Kashika Puradhinath Kalbhairavam Bhaje. 5॥
रत्न पादुका प्रभा भीराम पाद युग्मकम
नित्य मद्वितीय मिष्ट दैवतं निरंजनम।
मृत्यु दर्प नाशनम कराल दंष्ट्र मोक्षनम
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवम भजे ॥6॥
Ratna Paduka Prabha Bhiram Pada yugmakam
Nitya Madvitiya Misht daivatam Niranjanam.
mrityu darpa nashanam karal danshtra mokshanam
Kashika Puradhinath Kalbhairavam Bhaje ॥6॥
अट्टहास भिन्न पद्म जाण्ड कोश सन्ततिं
दृष्टि पात नष्ट पाप जाल मुग्र शासनम् ।
अष्ट सिद्धि दायकं कपाल मालि कन्धरं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥७॥
Attahaas bhinn padma jaand kos santatim
Drishti paat nasht paap jaal mugra shaasanam
Asht siddhi daayakam kapaal maali kandharam
Kaashikaa puraa dhinath kaalbhairavam bhaje ||7||
भूत सङ्घ नायकं विशाल कीर्ति दायकं
काशि वास लोक पुण्य पाप शोधकं विभुम् ।
नीति मार्ग कोविदं पुरातनं जगत्पतिं
काशिका पुराधिनाथ कालभैरवं भजे ॥८॥
Bhoot sangh naayakam vishaal keerti daayakam
Kaashi vaas lok punya paap shodhakam vibhum
Neeti maarg kovidam puraatanam jagatpatim
Kaashikaa puraa dhinath kaalbhairavam bhaje ||8||
काल भैरवाष्टकं पठन्ति ये मनोहरं
ज्ञान मुक्ति साधनं विचित्र पुण्य वर्धनम् ।
शोक मोह दैन्य लोभ कोप ताप नाशनं
ते प्रयान्ति काल भैरवाङ्घ्रि सन्निधिं ध्रुवम् ॥९॥
Kaal Bhairava ashtakam pathanti ye mano haram
Gyaan mukti saadhanam vichitra punya vardhanam
Shok moh dainya lobh kop taap naashanam
Te prayaanti Kaal Bhairava anghri sannidhim dhruvam ||9||
Why Devotees Chant Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam
Many devotees share that chanting the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam brings courage and inner stability. Fear slowly softens, confusion reduces, and the mind feels protected.
Some people chant during difficult phases involving delays, legal matters, or emotional stress. For many, Bhairav Baba feels like a silent guardian, walking beside them and guiding them with discipline and strength.
When to Chant Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam
Many devotees prefer chanting on Ashtami, Sundays, or Tuesdays, especially before visiting a Bhairav temple. However, there is no strict rule. This Ashtakam can be chanted on any day, in the morning or at night.
What matters most is devotion, respect, and regularity, not timing.Many devotees prefer chanting on Ashtami, Sundays, or Tuesdays, especially before visiting a Bhairav temple.
However, there is no strict rule. This Ashtakam can be chanted on any day, in the morning or at night. What matters most is devotion, respect, and regularity, not timing.
How to Chant Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam
Sit calmly in a quiet space and take a few deep breaths. If possible, light a diya and focus your mind. Chant slowly and clearly, allowing the words to settle in your heart.
If pronunciation feels difficult, listening once and chanting along is perfectly fine. Bhairav Baba values sincerity more than perfection.
Benefits Felt by Devotees
Devotees often experience a sense of protection, courage, and emotional strength. Regular chanting brings mental clarity, discipline, and calmness.
Many feel reduced fear, improved focus, and better emotional balance. Over time, the practice supports inner stability and confidence in facing life’s challenges.
Final Thought
Even chanting a few lines of the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam daily with sincerity is enough. When devotion is pure, every prayer reaches the divine. May Bhagwan Kaal Bhairav bless your path with courage, stability, and protection.
Jai Kaal Bhairav
Related Devotional Readings
Devotees who enjoy calm and focused chanting may also feel connected to the Gayatri Mantra, known for clarity and inner light, and the Hanuman Chalisa, which inspires courage, devotion, and strength through bhakti.
FAQs
What is Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam and who wrote it?
Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam is an eight-verse hymn dedicated to Kaal Bhairav, a fierce form of Shiva.
It is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya and extols Kaal Bhairav’s power to protect, destroy fear and bestow spiritual strength.
What are the benefits of chanting Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam regularly?
Reciting this hymn is believed to remove fear and negativity, provide protection from evil influences, bring courage and clarity, and help in spiritual cleansing and inner peace.
Can Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam help overcome obstacles and problems in life?
Yes. Many devotees believe that chanting it helps overcome difficulties like stress, fears, delays, karmic burdens, and even astrological or negative energy problems.
When is the best time to chant Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam?
It’s good to chant in the early morning or evening. Many prefer chanting on auspicious days like Ashtami or on days when they visit a temple of Kaal Bhairav. Devotion and focus matter more than strict timing.
s chanting Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam safe for beginners who don’t know Sanskrit?
Absolutely. Even if you don’t know Sanskrit, you can chant with Hinglish transliteration or listen to an audio. The effect depends on devotion and sincerity, not just perfect pronunciation.
Does chanting Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam grant spiritual growth and moksha (liberation)?
Yes. The hymn is believed to guide devotees on the path of dharma, inner transformation, and spiritual wisdom, helping remove ignorance and ego, and bringing one closer to liberation.