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Ashta Bhairava

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A sculpture of Bhairava, Tamil Nadu, early 13th century

The Ashta Bhairavas (Sanskrit: अष्टभैरवः, romanized: Aṣṭabhairavah, lit. 'eight Bhairavas') are the eight manifestations of the Hindu god Bhairava,[1] a ferocious form of Shiva. They are regarded to guard and control the eight cardinal directions. Each of the Ashta Bhairavas is regarded to preside over eight subordinate Bhairavas, totalling 64 Bhairavas.[2] The Ashta Bhairavas are described to be subordinate to Kālabhairava, who is considered the supreme ruler of time in the universe and the chief form of Bhairava.

Description

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Form Attributes Consort Direction Planet Mount Shrine Asterism Deity
Asitāṅga[3] White-complexioned; four arms; japamala, kamandalu, sword, and skull cup Brahmani[4] East Jupiter Swan Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi[5], Kandeeswarar Temple, Kandiyur[6] Pushya Vishnu[7]
Ruru Light blue-complexioned; four arms; deer, axe, sword, and bowl Maheshvari Southeast Venus Bull Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Thirumarugal Krttika, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Phalguni Brahma
Caṇḍa White-complexioned; four arms; bow, arrow, sword, and bowl Kaumari South Mars Peacock Vaitheeswaran Koil Mrigashirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta Surya
Krodha Dark blue-complexioned; four arms; conch, discus, mace, and bowl Vaishnavi Southwest Saturn Eagle Thiruvisanallur, Thirunaraiyur[8] Rohini, Hasta, Shravana Shiva
Unmatta Golden-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, pestle, and shield Varahi West Mercury Horse Thiruveezhimizhalai Punarvasu, Vishakha, Anuradha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada Indra
Kāpāla Shining yellow-complexioned; four arms; thunderbolt, noose, sword and bowl Indrani Northwest Moon Elephant Thiruvirkudi, Pushpavaneswarar temple Bharani, Purva Ashadha, Purva Phalguni Chandra
Bhīṣaṇa Blood red-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, trident, and pestle Chamunda North Ketu Lion Rameswaram, Piranmalai Ardra, Svati, Shatabhisha, Ashvini, Magha, Mula Yama
Saṃhāra Lightning-yellow-orange-complexioned; ten arms; trident, drum, conch, mace, discus, sword, bowl, skull-topped staff, noose, and goad Chandi Northeast Rahu Dog Thiruvenkadu, Kolli Hills, Vairavanpatti,[9] Hosur Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati Hindu deities

Temples

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All eight of the Ashta Bhairavas are featured at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi, Sri Kamanada Ishwarar Temple, Aragalur, Sri Mahabhairavar Rudra Alayam, Chengalpattu.

References

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  1. ^ Payne, Richard K.; Witzel, Michael (2015-10-22). Homa Variations: The Study of Ritual Change across the Longue Durée. Oxford University Press. p. 330. ISBN 978-0-19-935159-6.
  2. ^ Saravanan, V. Hari (2014-01-01). Gods, Heroes and their Story Tellers: Intangible cultural heritage of South India. Notion Press. ISBN 978-93-84391-49-2.
  3. ^ vdocuments.mx_the-kubjika-upanishad-egbert-forsten-56885839dd6b9. p. 7.
  4. ^ Singh, Rana (2009-10-02). Cosmic Order and Cultural Astronomy: Sacred Cities of India. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-4438-1607-6.
  5. ^ Kanniks Kannikeswaran. "Sirkali Bhramapureeswarar -Thoniappar Temple - Shivastalam". Templenet.com. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  6. ^ "Thiru Kandiyur". Temples of Tamilnadu. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  7. ^ Gopinatha Rao, T. A. (1914). Elements of Hindu iconography. Cornell University Library. Madras : Law Printing House. p. 28.
  8. ^ "Navagraha Temples|Tamilnadu Temples Information website|". Kumbakonam-temples.blogspot.sg. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  9. ^ Krishnan, Shamala (2009-02-10). "Ancient Temples of India: kundrakudi and Vairavan temple, Thirupathore, Madurai". Ancientindiantemple.blogspot.sg. Retrieved 2012-09-01.

See also

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