Here are the Kalabhairava Ashtakam lyrics in English. You can read them, chant them, or learn them by heart. Below the lyrics, I explain each verse in simple words.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics in English (Full Text)
🙏 **॥ १ ॥**
✨ dēvarāja-sēvyamāna-pāvanāṅghri-paṅkajaṃ
vyāḻayajña-sūtramindu-śēkharaṃ kṛpākaram ।
nāradādi-yōgibṛnda-vanditaṃ digambaraṃ
🌺 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 1 ॥
🙏 **॥ २ ॥**
☀️ bhānukōṭi-bhāsvaraṃ bhavabdhitārakaṃ paraṃ
nīlakaṇṭha-mīpsitārtha-dāyakaṃ trilōchanam ।
kālakāla-mambujākṣa-makṣaśūla-makṣaraṃ
🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 2 ॥
🙏 **॥ ३ ॥**
🔱 śūlaṭaṅka-pāśadaṇḍa-pāṇimādi-kāraṇaṃ
śyāmakāya-mādidēva-makṣaraṃ nirāmayam ।
bhīmavikramaṃ prabhuṃ vichitra tāṇḍava priyaṃ
🔥 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 3 ॥
🙏 **॥ ४ ॥**
🌺 bhukti-mukti-dāyakaṃ praśastachāru-vigrahaṃ
bhaktavatsalaṃ sthiraṃ samastalōka-vigraham । [sthitaṃ]
nikvaṇan-manōjña-hēma-kiṅkiṇī-lasatkaṭiṃ [vinikvaṇan]
🕉️ kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 4 ॥
🙏 **॥ ५ ॥**
⚖️ dharmasētu-pālakaṃ tvadharmamārga nāśakaṃ [nāśanaṃ]
karmapāśa-mōchakaṃ suśarma-dāyakaṃ vibhum ।
svarṇavarṇa-kēśapāśa-śōbhitāṅga-maṇḍalaṃ [śeṣapāśa, nirmalaṃ]
🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 5 ॥
🙏 **॥ ६ ॥**
💎 ratna-pādukā-prabhābhirāma-pādayugmakaṃ
nitya-madvitīya-miṣṭa-daivataṃ nirañjanam ।
mṛtyudarpa-nāśanaṃ karāḻadaṃṣṭra-mōkṣadaṃ [bhūṣaṇaṃ]
🌺 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 6 ॥
🙏 **॥ ७ ॥**
🔥 aṭṭahāsa-bhinna-padmajāṇḍakōśa-santatiṃ
dṛṣṭipāta-naṣṭapāpa-jālamugra-śāsanam ।
aṣṭasiddhi-dāyakaṃ kapālamālikā-dharaṃ
🕉️ kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 7 ॥
🙏 **॥ ८ ॥**
🐾 bhūtasaṅgha-nāyakaṃ viśālakīrti-dāyakaṃ
kāśivāsi-lōka-puṇyapāpa-śōdhakaṃ vibhum । [kaśivāsa]
nītimārga-kōvidaṃ purātanaṃ jagatpatiṃ
🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 8 ॥
🕉️ ॥ फलश्रुति ॥
🌺 kālabhairavāṣṭakaṃ paṭhanti yē manōharaṃ
jñānamukti-sādhanaṃ vichitra-puṇya-vardhanam ।
śōkamōha-lōbhadainya-kōpatāpa-nāśanaṃ [dainyalōbha]
🙏 tē prayānti kālabhairavāṅghri-sannidhiṃ dhruvam ॥
🔱 ॥ समापन ॥
iti śrīmatparamahaṃsaparivrājakāchāryasya
śrīgōvindabhagavatpūjyapādaśiṣyasya
śrīmachChaṅkarabhagavataḥ kṛtau
🕉️ śrī kālabhairavāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam ॥
What Is Kalabhairava Ashtakam?
Kalabhairava Ashtakam is a prayer to Lord Kalabhairava. He is a fierce form of Lord Shiva. People call him the lord of time. He is also the guardian of Kashi (Varanasi).
“Ashtakam” means a hymn of eight verses. This hymn also has a ninth verse. It tells you the gains of chanting it.
Who Wrote Kalabhairava Ashtakam?
Adi Shankaracharya wrote this hymn. He was a great saint and teacher. He wrote many prayers to Shiva, Vishnu and the Goddess. This is one of the most loved.
Kalabhairava Ashtakam Meaning in English (Verse by Verse)
Here is what each verse says in short.
- Verse 1: Indra serves his holy feet. He wears a snake as a sacred thread and the moon on his head. Saints like Narada praise him.
- Verse 2: He shines like millions of suns. He helps you cross the sea of birth and death. He has a blue throat and three eyes.
- Verse 3: He holds a trident, a noose and a staff. He is the first cause of all. He is strong and fearless.
- Verse 4: He gives both joy and freedom. His devotees love him. He is kind and has a lovely form.
- Verse 5: He guards the bridge of dharma. He ends the path of adharma. He frees you from the ties of karma. Golden snakes wrap his body.
- Verse 6: His feet wear jewelled sandals. He is eternal and has no equal. He breaks the pride of death.
- Verse 7: His loud laugh shakes all creation. He gives great powers. He wears a garland of skulls.
- Verse 8: He is the lord of all beings. He gives great fame. He clears the sins of those who live in Kashi.
- Verse 9: Whoever reads these verses with love gains wisdom and peace. In the end, they reach his feet.
Benefits of Chanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam
The last verse names the gains. Devotees believe this hymn helps you let go of:
- Grief
- False attachment
- Fear of loss
- Greed
- Anger
- Pain of the mind
Many people also chant it to feel calm and safe.
How to Chant Kalabhairava Ashtakam?
Many devotees chant it on Sundays or on Kalabhairava Ashtami. You can chant it any day, though. Sit in a quiet place. Read slowly. Say each word with care. If you can’t read Sanskrit, the English lyrics above will help you.
Read: Ye Rate Mausam Nadi Ka Kinara Lyrics | Dilli Ka Thug 1958
FAQs
How many verses does Kalabhairava Ashtakam have?
It has eight main verses and one closing verse on the benefits.
Can I read Kalabhairava Ashtakam in English?
Yes. Devotion matters most. English lyrics help you say the words right.
Who is Kalabhairava?
He is a fierce form of Lord Shiva. He is the lord of time and the guardian of Kashi.