Shri Bhairav Chalisa

Bowing lovingly at Ganapati, Guru, Gauri’s feet,

I salute Shri Shiv Bhairavnath in this Chalisa.

Shri Bhairav, remover of distress, gracious maker of blessing,

dark-hued, dread-formed, wide red eyes.

Hail, hail, Kali’s beloved son; hail, hail, Kashi’s guardian.

Hail fear-ending Batuk-Bhairav; hail mighty Kaal-Bhairav.

Hail famed Nath-Bhairav; hail joy-giving Sarva-Bhairav.

Shiva took Bhairav’s form to lift existence’s burden.

Hearing Bhairav’s call, fear flees; every wish is fulfilled.

Shesha, Mahesha and the rest sang his virtues; he was called Kashi’s kotwal.

The moon shines in his matted locks; child-crown(?) adorns him.

Waist-belt bells ring; beholding him, all fear flees.

He granted his servant life’s gift, gracing and marking him as his own.

Dwelling on the tongue as Saraswati-Kali, he blessed and kept my honour.

Blessed, blessed fear-breaking Bhairav; hail heart-delighting crusher of villains.

Trident, drum, pure whip in hand; his side-glance grace brings no little glory.

Whoever fearlessly sings Bhairav’s virtues gains eight siddhis, nine treasures.

Vast-formed, releaser from harsh woes; wrathful, both eyes red.

Countless ghosts and spirits roam with him, chanting Bam Bam Bam Shiv Bam Bam.

Rudra-bodied son of Kali; even great Death’s death.

Batuk Nath, solemn as Death; white, red and dark-bodied.

Revealing all three forms, filling good devotees with fair hope.

Jewel-studded golden throne; pure soft tiger-skin, fair-faced.

Going to Kashi, devotees meditate on you, beholding Vishwanath.

Hail gracious destroyer Lord; hail exalted Hara, Uma’s joy.

Hail Bhima, three-eyed, dog-attended; hail Vaijanath, world-lord.

Hail greatly dread, fearsome-bodied; hail Rudra Tryambaka, steadfast hero.

Hail Ashvanath, hail Pretanath; hail dog-mounted moon-crowned lord.

Hail instant sky-clad Chakranath; hail lord grasping orphans’ hands.

Hail ...-lesha, Bhutesha, Chandra; hail wrath-calf(?), Amaresha’s joy.

Hail Shri Vamana, Nakulesha, Chanda; hail fierce famed Krityau(?).

Rudra, Batuka, Krodhesha, time-bearer; discus-beaked, ten serpent-handed.

Drinking deep, singing Shambhu’s virtues, dancing with sixty-four yoginis.

Showering grace on devotees in many ways, Kashi’s steadfast kotwal.

When Kaal Bhairav strikes his staff, even the grossest sins perish.

Devotees’ bodies turn pure; all worldly peril and pain end.

Shri Bhairav, king of beings, ends snares, doing auspicious deeds.

He ended Ailadi’s(?) woes, ever graciously ordering their affairs.

Sundar Das, with devotion, near Shri Durvasa at Prayaga.

He wrote “hail to Shri Bhairav”, beholding every wish fulfilled.

Hail, hail, hail Bhairav Batuk, Lord, avert distress; show mercy to your servant, O Shankar’s avatar.