Kaal Bhairav Aarti
श्री काल भैरव आरती
Origin & Story
Traditional Hindi devotional aarti · Signed 'Dharanidhar' · Devotional era
When Brahma grew proud, Shiva manifested as Kaal Bhairav — time and death personified — and humbled him, then took up residence in Kashi as its eternal Kotwal, the guardian before whose permission none may claim the city's liberation. Fierce in form yet tender to the devout (worshipped also as the child Batuk Bhairav), he is the swift destroyer of fear. This aarti, signed by the poet Dharanidhar, closes his worship.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said no pilgrimage to Kashi is complete without the darshan of Kaal Bhairav, its Kotwal, who keeps the ledger of every soul. Devotees facing fear, enemies, legal troubles or black magic light his four-faced lamp on Kalashtami, sing this aarti, and feed a dog in his name — and report obstacles and dread melting swiftly away.
Complete Text with Meaning
जय भैरव देवा प्रभु जय भैरव देवा । जय काली और गौर देवी कृत सेवा ॥
Jaya bhairava deva prabhu jaya bhairava deva Jaya kali aura gaura devi krita seva
Meaning:Victory to Lord Bhairava, O Lord, victory to Bhairava; whom Kali and the fair Goddess Gauri themselves serve.
तुम्ही पाप उद्धारक दुःख सिन्धु तारक । भक्तों के सुख कारक भीषण वपु धारक ॥
Tumhi papa uddharaka duhkha sindhu taraka Bhaktom ke sukha karaka bhishana vapu dharaka
Meaning:You alone are the redeemer from sin, the ferryman across the ocean of sorrow; the giver of joy to your devotees, though you bear a fearsome form.
वाहन श्वान विराजत कर त्रिशूल धारी । महिमा अमित तुम्हारी जय जय भयहारी ॥
Vahana shvana virajata kara trishula dhari Mahima amita tumhari jaya jaya bhayahari
Meaning:Riding upon your mount the dog, the trident held in your hand; boundless is your glory — victory, victory, O remover of fear!
तुम बिन देवा सेवा सफल नहीं होवे । चौमुख दीपक दर्शन दुःख खोवे ॥
Tuma bina deva seva saphala nahim hove Chaumukha dipaka darshana duhkha khove
Meaning:Without you, O Lord, no act of worship bears fruit; the sight of your four-faced lamp drives every sorrow away.
तेल चटकी दधि मिश्रित भाषावाली तेरी । कृपा कीजिये भैरव करिए नहीं देरी ॥
Tela chataki dadhi mishrita bhashavali teri Kripa kijiye bhairava karie nahim deri
Meaning:Oil, a pinch of vermilion and curd mixed together are your offering; show your grace, O Bhairava, and make no delay.
पाँव घुँघरू बाजत अरु डमरू दमकावत । बटुकनाथ बन बालक जन मन हरषावत ॥
Panva ghungharu bajata aru damaru damakavata Batukanatha bana balaka jana mana harashavata
Meaning:Anklets ring at your feet and the damaru drum resounds; as Batuk Nath in the form of a child, you gladden every heart.
बटुकनाथ जी की आरती जो कोई नर गावे । कहे धरनीधर नर मनवांछित फल पावे ॥
Batukanatha ji ki arati jo koi nara gave Kahe dharanidhara nara manavamchhita phala pave
Meaning:Whoever sings this aarti of Batuk Nath — says Dharanidhar — obtains the fruit his heart desires.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Kaal Bhairav Aarti
Sung to invoke Kaal Bhairav, the fierce protective form of Shiva and Kotwal (guardian) of Kashi, for protection from fear, enemies and negative forces.
Believed to remove obstacles, black magic, untimely death and the troubles of an afflicted Rahu/Ketu and Saturn.
Traditionally performed on Bhairav Ashtami, Kalashtami (the eighth lunar day), and on Sundays and Tuesdays.
Recited after the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam to complete his worship; lighting a four-faced lamp is central to the aarti.
Grants courage, fearlessness, justice and the swift fulfilment of sincere wishes (manvanchit phal).
How to Chant Kaal Bhairav Aarti
In the evening, light a chaumukha (four-faced) lamp of mustard or sesame oil before an image of Kaal Bhairav. Offer curd, vermilion, and traditionally a portion to a dog (Bhairava's mount). Recite the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam, then perform this aarti while circling the lamp. Bhairav Ashtami and Kalashtami are the most auspicious days.