Details about the deity Bhairava with reference to the scripture

Question

The question I have is about the deity Bhairava.

Lord Sri Kala Bhairava is mentioned in The Shiva Maha Purana as one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva.

But there are many different swarupas of Sri Bhairava in the tradition and literature. What is the origin and background of the Lord Bhairava and His manifestations (other than what Shiva Purana says)? In which text / scripture can one find all the information?

The various swarupas of Bhairava include -

Sri Kala Bhairava, V(b)atuka Bhairava, Swarnakarshana Bhairava, and Marthanda Bhairava (the name occurs in Sri Subrahmanya Trisati).

In addition to this, some Sankara Vijayam texts also allude to Samhara Bhairava, Unmattha Bhairava (ferocious / angry manifestations) invoked by Kalamukhas and Kapalikas.

Despite what the name means, Sri Kala Bhairava, and Swarnakarshana Bhairava, Vatuka Bhairava forms can be taken as peaceful forms.

So what is the story behind different forms of Bhairava?

Is there tantric text that goes deep into the details about Lord Bhairava, and His manifestations? If any one has such information, please share.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

In Kashmiri Shaivism, The self realization is termed as Bhairava or Bhairava consciousness. In Svacchanda Tantra, One of the primary text of Trika Philosophy(Kashmiri Shaivism), in one of the verse, it says:

आत्मनो भैरवं रूपं भावयेद्यस्तु पूरुषः ।
तस्य मन्त्राः प्रसिद्धयन्ति नित्ययुक्तस्य सुन्दरि ॥

"Oh beautiful one (i.e. Parvati, consort of Siva), of the man who realizes his Bhairava nature by an apprehension of an inner emergent divine nature and is thus united with the Eternal, all the mantras become effective, being charged with power."

In Shiva Sutra, definition of Bhairava goes like:

Bhairava is an acrostic word. The letter "bha" of this word indicates bharana or maintenance of the world, "ra" indicates ravana or withdrawal of the world, and "va" indicates vamana projection of the world. Thus Bhairava is one who brings about the srsti, sthiti and samhara of the universe.

Shiva Sutras, Section I, Verse 5:

उद्यमो भैरवः॥५॥
"a sudden flash or opening out of transcendental consciousness is Bhairava or Siva. That is, since this sudden flash is the means to Bhairava-consciousness, it may be called Bhairava."

In same Shiva Sutras, there is mentioning of Bhairava Shastras:

Saiva Philosophy has been expounded from three standpoints viz. (l) from the predominantly abheda or non-difference point of view. The sastras of this stand-point are known as Bhairava sastras. These are also called mahamnayas (great scriptures). These are 4 in number; (2) from the predominantly bhedabheda point of view (from the standpoint of identity in difference). The sastras of this standpoint are known as Rudra Sastras. They are 18 in number; (3) from the predominantly bheda (difference) point of view. The sastras of this standpoint are known as Siva Sastras. They are 10 in number.

So to conclude, Bhairava is not an incarnation as mentioned in other texts, but is highest realization as per Kashmiri Shaivism.

Answer 2

The most ancient prototype of the Hindu Kalabhairava was undoubtedly the Vedic God Kala. In the Atharvaveda, two personal spells are dedicated to him.

http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/atharvaveda-samhitas/shaunaka-samhita/kanda-19-sukta-053/

http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/atharvaveda-samhitas/shaunaka-samhita/kanda-19-sukta-054/

In other three Vedas, there may simply be references to this mighty God.

As for astrology. The SRI SRINGERI SHARADA PEETHAM official website states that Kalabhairava corresponds to Rahu in astrology. Also in the Grihya Sutras it is written that Kala corresponds to Rahu, and not Saturn.

Answer 3

Here is the detailed story of the Kalabhairava. Unfortunately, I do not know much about other Bhairavas.

Kalabhairava was created from Siva's forehead to punish Brahma. Once Siva manifested himself as a column of fire. Brahma and Vishu could not see the ends of the column. They became curious. Brahma went upwards and Vishu downwards to check. Both of them could not see the ends. However, Brahma lied, and he later told Vishnu that he had seen the top of the column. Siva was enraged, and he came out of that fiery column. (to know more, see Siva Purana, Vidyeshvara Samhita, Ch 7).

"Mahadeva then created a wonderful person, Bhairava, from the middle of his brows to quell the pride of Brahma. - Siva Purana, Vidyesvara Samhita 8.1

Also,

"O sage, on hearing the haughty words of the lotus-born Brahma, Siva became angry as if out for destruction.

"Angrily, he created a Purusa Bhairava blazing in great brilliance. Then he spoke lovingly."

"O Kalabhairava, at the outset, this Lotus-born Brahma shall be chastised by you. You shine like the god of death, hence you are Kalaraja."

"You are called Bhairava because you are of terrifying features, and you are capable of supporting the universe. Since even Kala is afraid of you, you are called Kalabhairava."

-Siva Purana, Satarudrasamhita, 8.44-47

Later, Kalabhairava chopped off Brahma's fifth head.

"After receiving all these boons, Kala-Bhairava, in a trice, cut off Brahma's head with the tip of the nails of the fingers of his left hand." - Siva Purana, Satarudrasamhita, 8.52

However, he had to roam in many places with the skull in his hand due to this sin. To cut a long story short, finally, when Kalabhairava entered the city of Kasi (Varanasi), then and there, the skull of Brahma fell on the ground. This tirtha is known as the Kapalamocana.

"The skull of Brahma fell on the ground suddenly from the lotus-like hand of Bhairava. The holy centre then became Kapalamocana." - Siva Purana, Satarudrasamhita, Ch 9.56

Since then, Kalabhairava has governed the city of Kasi.

"O Kalaraja, you will have the suzerainty forever over my city Kasi, the city of liberation, which is greater than all other cities." - Siva Purana, Satarudrasamhita, 8.50