श्री काल भैरव आरती — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्री काल भैरव आरती
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
भैरव
Bhairava
The fierce, protective form of Lord Shiva; guardian (Kotwal) of Kashi
बटुकनाथ
Batuk Nath
Batuk Bhairava — the gentle boy-form of Bhairava
श्वान
Shvan
The dog — the vahana (mount) of Bhairava
त्रिशूल
Trishul
The trident borne by Bhairava
भयहारी
Bhayhari
Remover of fear
Complete Translation
भगवान भैरव की जय हो, प्रभु भैरव की जय; जिनकी सेवा स्वयं काली और गौरी देवी करती हैं।
आप ही पापों से उद्धार करने वाले और दुःख-सागर से तारने वाले हैं; भक्तों को सुख देने वाले, यद्यपि आप भीषण रूप धारण करते हैं।
श्वान (कुत्ते) पर विराजमान, हाथ में त्रिशूल धारण किए हुए; आपकी महिमा अपार है — जय हो, जय हो, हे भयहारी!
हे देव! आपके बिना कोई सेवा-पूजा सफल नहीं होती; आपके चौमुखी दीपक के दर्शन से दुःख दूर हो जाते हैं।
तेल, चुटकी (सिंदूर) और दही का मिश्रित भोग आपको अर्पित है; हे भैरव! कृपा कीजिए, देर न कीजिए।
आपके चरणों में घुँघरू बजते हैं और डमरू डमकता है; बटुकनाथ बनकर बाल-रूप में आप सबके मन को हर्षित करते हैं।
जो कोई भी बटुकनाथ जी की यह आरती गाता है, धरनीधर कहते हैं, वह मनवांछित फल पाता है।
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Hindi devotional aarti
Author: Signed 'Dharanidhar'
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kaal Bhairav Aarti?▼
'Jai Bhairav Deva' is the traditional Hindi aarti of Lord Kaal Bhairav (also worshipped as Batuk Bhairav), the fierce protective form of Shiva and guardian of Kashi (Varanasi). It is sung at the close of his worship to seek protection and the fulfilment of wishes.
Who is Kaal Bhairav?▼
Kaal Bhairav is a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva, the Kotwal (police chief) of Kashi who rides a dog and carries a trident. He is the lord of time (kaal) and the swift remover of fear, enemies and negativity for those who worship him.
When should the Bhairav Aarti be performed?▼
Kalashtami (the eighth day of the waning moon), Bhairav Ashtami, and Sundays and Tuesdays are most auspicious. It is performed in the evening with a four-faced oil lamp.
What is offered to Kaal Bhairav?▼
As the aarti mentions, oil, vermilion (sindoor) and curd are offered, and a four-faced lamp is lit. Feeding a dog — Bhairava's vahana — is considered especially pleasing to him.
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