Bhairava (The Wrathful) is one of
the more terrifying aspects of Shiva. He is often depicted with
frowning, angry eyes and sharp, tiger's teeth and flaming hair;
stark naked except for garlands of skulls and a coiled snake
about his neck. In his four hands he carries a noose, trident,
drum, and skull. He is often shown accompanied by a dog. Bhairava is Shiva at his most terrifying, at his most fearful.
He may be understood as a particular manifestation, or emanation
of Shiva, or as Shiva displaying himself at a very high level. In
some myths, Shiva created Bhairava as an extension of himself, in
order to chastise Brahma. Bhairava is the embodiment of fear, and
it is said that those who meet him must confront the source of
their own fears. His name describes the effect he has upon those
who behold him, as it derives from the word bhiru, which
means to become fearful - of feeling great fear. In some sources,
Bhairava himself is said to have eight manifestations, including Kala
(black), Asitanga (with black limbs), Sanhara
(destruction), Ruru (hound), Krodha (anger), Kapala
(Skull), Rudra (storm) and Unmatta (raging). Dogs
(particularly black dogs) were often considered the most
appropriate form of sacrifice to Bhairava, and he is sometimes
shown as holding a severed human head, with a dog waiting at one
side, in order to catch the blood from the head. Copyright © 2002 [R.Shiva Raj]. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 13, 2002 11:31 PM