Shloka-by-Shloka English translation of the Śrī Kālabhairavāṣṭakam, along with meanings of each verse as composed by Ādi Śaṅkarācārya: Indian mythology stories. curse & boon stories. Shiva's shloka in English. Shiva's shloka meaning in English. Kaal Bhairava Mantra in English
Śrī Kālabhairavāṣṭakam
Verse 1:
Devarāja-sevyamāna-pāvana-aṅghri-paṅkajaṁ
Vyāla-yajña-sūtra-mindu-śekharaṁ parātparaṁ।
Nārada-ādi-yogi-vṛnda-vanditaṁ
Kāśikā-purādhinātha-Kālabhairavaṁ bhaje॥
Translation:
I worship Kālabhairava, the Lord of Kāśī,
Whose sacred lotus feet are eternally served by the King of Devas (Indra),
Who wears snakes as sacred threads and the moon as a crown,
Who is supreme among the supreme,
And venerated by sages and yogis like Nārada.
Meaning:
Kālabhairava is revered by celestial beings and ascetics alike. He adorns serpents and the moon, indicating his transcendence over nature and time. His divine feet are purifying and adored even by Indra.
Verse 2:
Bhānu-koṭi-bhāsvaraṁ bhavābdhi-tārakaṁ
Nīlakaṇṭhamīpsita-artha-dāyakaṁ।
Kāla-kālaṁ-ambujākṣa-makṣa-śūlam-akṣaraṁ
Kāśikā-purādhinātha-Kālabhairavaṁ bhaje॥
Translation:
I worship Kālabhairava, Lord of Kāśī,
Who shines like millions of suns,
Who helps beings cross the ocean of existence?
Blue-throated, bestower of desired boons,
Time’s own destroyer, lotus-eyed,
Bearer of rosary and trident, eternal and indestructible.
Meaning:
Kālabhairava’s brilliance outshines countless suns. He is both benevolent and fearsome, guiding souls to liberation while wielding cosmic power.
Verse 3:
Śūla-ṭaṅka-pāśa-daṇḍa-pāṇim-ādikāraṇaṁ
Śyāma-kāyam-ādi-devaṁ-akṣaraṁ kṛpākaraṁ।
Digambaraṁ parāṁ trilocanaṁ bhaje
Kāśikā-purādhinātha-Kālabhairavaṁ bhaje॥
Translation:
I worship Kālabhairava, Lord of Kāśī,
Who holds a trident, hook, noose, and rod in his hands,
The primal cause, dark-complexioned, the primordial deity,
Imperishable and compassionate,
Clad in directions (naked), and the supreme three-eyed One.
Meaning:
Kālabhairava’s appearance is fearsome, symbolizing destruction of ego and evil. He is the source of everything and stands beyond worldly illusion.
Verse 4:
Bhukti-mukti-dāyakaṁ praśasta-cāru-vigrahaṁ
Bhakta-vatsalaṁ sthitaṁ samasta-loka-vigraham।
Vinikvaṇan-manojña-hema-kiṅkiṇī-lasa-tkaṭiṁ
Kāśikā-purādhinātha-Kālabhairavaṁ bhaje॥
Translation:
I worship Kālabhairava, Lord of Kāśī,
Granter of enjoyment and liberation,
Of beautiful, praiseworthy form, protector of devotees,
Who embodies the whole universe,
Adorned with golden tinkling bells on his waist.
Meaning:
He is both graceful and awe-inspiring, granting worldly prosperity and spiritual freedom. His form encompasses all existence.
Verse 5:
Dharma-setu-pālakaṁ tvadharma-mārga-nāśakaṁ
Karma-pāśa-mocakaṁ suśarma-dāyakaṁ vibhum।
Svarṇa-varṇa-śeṣa-pāśa-śobhitāṅga-maṇḍalaṁ
Kāśikā-purādhinātha-Kālabhairavaṁ bhaje॥
Translation:
I worship Kālabhairava, Lord of Kāśī,
Protector of righteousness, destroyer of unrighteous paths,
Liberator from the bondage of karma,
Giver of supreme bliss, pervading all,
Whose form is adorned with golden-hued serpents.
Meaning:
He upholds dharma and leads beings out of karmic cycles. His radiant body signifies his divinity and transcendent nature.
Verse 6:
Ratna-pādukā-prabhābhirāma-pāda-yugmakaṁ
Nityam-advitīyam-iṣṭa-daivataṁ nirañjanam।
Mṛtyu-darpa-nāśanaṁ karāla-daṁṣṭra-mokṣaṇaṁ
Kāśikā-purādhinātha-Kālabhairavaṁ bhaje॥
Translation:
I worship Kālabhairava, Lord of Kāśī,
Whose feet shine with the radiance of jeweled sandals,
The ever-unique, immaculate, and beloved deity,
Destroyer of death’s pride,
Whose terrifying fangs grant liberation.
Meaning:
Kālabhairava’s presence dissolves fear of death and grants liberation. His terrifying form is a shield for the righteous.
Verse 7:
Aṭṭahāsa-bhinna-padma-jāṇḍa-kośa-santatiṁ
Dṛṣṭipāta-naṣṭa-pāpa-jālam-ugra-śāsanam।
Aṣṭa-siddhi-dāyakaṁ kapāla-mālikā-dharaṁ
Kāśikā-purādhinātha-Kālabhairavaṁ bhaje॥
Translation:
I worship Kālabhairava, Lord of Kāśī,
Whose thunderous laughter splits the cosmic eggs of Brahmā,
Whose mere glance destroys all sins,
Whose commands are fierce,
Granter of the eight siddhis, wearer of a garland of skulls.
Meaning:
His divine laughter shatters the illusion of creation. He grants supernatural powers and absolves sins with a glance.
Verse 8:
Bhūta-saṅgha-nāyakaṁ viśāla-kīrti-dāyakaṁ
Kāśi-vāsa-loka-puṇya-pāpa-śodhakaṁ vibhum।
Nīti-mārga-kovidaṁ purātanaṁ jagat-patiṁ
Kāśikā-purādhinātha-Kālabhairavaṁ bhaje॥
Translation:
I worship Kālabhairava, Lord of Kāśī,
Leader of all beings and spirits,
Bestower of immense fame to his devotees,
Purifier of merits and sins for those residing in Kāśī,
Knower of righteousness, ancient, and Lord of the universe.
Verse 9 (Phalaśruti – Benefits):
Kālabhairavāṣṭakaṁ paṭhanti ye manoharaṁ
Jñāna-mukti-sādhanaṁ vicitra-puṇya-vardhanam।
Śoka-moha-dainya-lobha-kopa-tāpa-nāśanaṁ
Te prayānti Kālabhairavāṅghri-saṁnidhiṁ dhruvam॥
Translation:
Those who recite this beautiful Kālabhairava Aṣṭakam,
Which is a means to knowledge and liberation,
Which enhances great merit,
Destroys grief, delusion, poverty, greed, anger, and suffering—
They undoubtedly attain the divine presence of Kālabhairava.
Meaning:
Regular recitation of this hymn blesses one with wisdom, liberation, and the removal of all sufferings, bringing them closer to Lord Kālabhairava’s divine feet.
Conclusion:
॥इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं श्रीकालभैरवाष्टकस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
