Kalabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics in English (Full Text)

Kalabhairava Ashtakam is a short Sanskrit prayer to Lord Kalabhairava. It has eight verses. People chant it for courage, peace, and protection from fear. Below, you’ll find the full lyrics in English, plus a quick look at what they mean.

Who Is Kalabhairava?

Kalabhairava is a fierce form of Lord Shiva. His name means “the one who scares even time.” He guards the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Devotees see him as the protector of dharma and the ruler over life and death.

Who Wrote Kalabhairava Ashtakam?

The great sage Adi Shankaracharya wrote this hymn. He also wrote many other prayers and texts on Hindu philosophy. This ashtakam is one of his most loved works.

Kalabhairava Ashtakam Lyrics in English

🕉️ श्री कालभैरवाष्टकम् 🕉️
🔱 Śrī Kālabhairavāṣṭakam 🔱

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🔱 ॥ 1 ॥ 🔱

dēvarāja-sēvyamāna-pāvanāṅghri-paṅkajaṃ
vyāḻayajña-sūtramindu-śēkharaṃ kṛpākaram ।

🌙 nāradādi-yōgibṛnda-vanditaṃ digambaraṃ
kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 1 ॥

🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē 🔱

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🔱 ॥ 2 ॥ 🔱

bhānukōṭi-bhāsvaraṃ bhavabdhitārakaṃ paraṃ
nīlakaṇṭha-mīpsitārtha-dāyakaṃ trilōchanam ।

👁️ kālakāla-mambujākṣa-makṣaśūla-makṣaraṃ
kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 2 ॥

🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē 🔱

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🔱 ॥ 3 ॥ 🔱

śūlaṭaṅka-pāśadaṇḍa-pāṇimādi-kāraṇaṃ
śyāmakāya-mādidēva-makṣaraṃ nirāmayam ।

⚔️ bhīmavikramaṃ prabhuṃ vichitra tāṇḍava priyaṃ
kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 3 ॥

🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē 🔱

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🔱 ॥ 4 ॥ 🔱

bhukti-mukti-dāyakaṃ praśastachāru-vigrahaṃ
bhaktavatsalaṃ sthiraṃ samastalōka-vigraham । [sthitaṃ]

✨ nikvaṇan-manōjña-hēma-kiṅkiṇī-lasatkaṭiṃ [vinikvaṇan]
kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 4 ॥

🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē 🔱

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🔱 ॥ 5 ॥ 🔱

dharmasētu-pālakaṃ tvadharmamārga nāśakaṃ [nāśanaṃ]
karmapāśa-mōchakaṃ suśarma-dāyakaṃ vibhum ।

🕉️ svarṇavarṇa-kēśapāśa-śōbhitāṅga-maṇḍalaṃ [śeṣapāśa, nirmalaṃ]
kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 5 ॥

🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē 🔱

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🔱 ॥ 6 ॥ 🔱

ratna-pādukā-prabhābhirāma-pādayugmakaṃ
nitya-madvitīya-miṣṭa-daivataṃ nirañjanam ।

💀 mṛtyudarpa-nāśanaṃ karāḻadaṃṣṭra-mōkṣadaṃ [bhūṣaṇaṃ]
kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 6 ॥

🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē 🔱

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🔱 ॥ 7 ॥ 🔱

aṭṭahāsa-bhinna-padmajāṇḍakōśa-santatiṃ
dṛṣṭipāta-naṣṭapāpa-jālamugra-śāsanam ।

🔥 aṣṭasiddhi-dāyakaṃ kapālamālikā-dharaṃ
kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 7 ॥

🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē 🔱

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🔱 ॥ 8 ॥ 🔱

bhūtasaṅgha-nāyakaṃ viśālakīrti-dāyakaṃ
kāśivāsi-lōka-puṇyapāpa-śōdhakaṃ vibhum । [kaśivāsa]

🕉️ nītimārga-kōvidaṃ purātanaṃ jagatpatiṃ
kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē ॥ 8 ॥

🔱 kāśikāpurādhinātha kālabhairavaṃ bhajē 🔱

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🕉️ ॥ फलश्रुति ॥ 🕉️

kālabhairavāṣṭakaṃ paṭhanti yē manōharaṃ
jñānamukti-sādhanaṃ vichitra-puṇya-vardhanam ।

🙏 śōkamōha-lōbhadainya-kōpatāpa-nāśanaṃ [dainyalōbha]
tē prayānti kālabhairavāṅghri-sannidhiṃ dhruvam ॥

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🔱 ॥ पूर्णम् ॥ 🔱

iti śrīmatparamahaṃsaparivrājakācharyasya
śrīgōvindabhagavatpūjyapādaśiṣyasya
śrīmachChaṅkarabhagavataḥ kṛtau

🕉️ śrī kālabhairavāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam । 🕉️

🔱 हर हर महादेव 🔱
🕉️ ॐ नमः शिवाय 🕉️

What Do the Lyrics Mean?

Each verse praises a different quality of Kalabhairava. The verses talk about his fierce look, his kindness to devotees, and his power over fear and death. They end with the same line each time: a call to worship the Lord of Kashi.

When to Chant Kalabhairava Ashtakam

Many people chant this hymn:

• Every morning, as part of daily prayer
• On Kalabhairava Ashtami, his special day
• Before starting something new, to remove fear and blocks
• During Shiva pujas and temple visits

Read: Bairan Lyrics – Banjaare | Haryanvi Song Lyrics

Benefits of Chanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam

• It helps calm fear and worry
• It is said to remove bad energy
• It brings a sense of protection
• It helps build focus during meditation

FAQs

Is Kalabhairava Ashtakam hard to chant?
No. The verses are short. With daily practice, most people learn it in a few days.

What is the best time to chant it?
Early morning or evening works well. Many devotees also chant it at night, since Kalabhairava is linked with the night hours.

Can anyone chant Kalabhairava Ashtakam?
Yes. Anyone can chant it with respect and an open heart.