Bhairava A Nepali devotee performing rituals at Kala Bhairava temple, Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal. (more) Bhairava Hindu deity Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bhairava Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica. Charles Preston Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Dec 12, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who is Bhairava in Hinduism? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Bhairava is a fearsome Hindu deity closely associated with Shiva, who is worshipped in various Tantric traditions and within Shaivism as a protector from demonic forces." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the significance of Bhairava in Tantric practices? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In Tantric practices Bhairava is associated with rituals that would be taboo for the majority of Hindus, such as living on cremation grounds, eating meat, and engaging in sexual practices. Various Tantric ascetic groups worship Bhairava and attempt to imitate him." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " According to the Puranas, why did Shiva create Bhairava? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "One of Brahmau2019s five heads insulted Shiva, who then created Bhairava as a ferocious form that chopped off Brahmau2019s offending head with this thumbnail." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How is Bhairava depicted in iconography? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Bhairava is depicted as a frightful figure with fangs, dark coloring, bulging eyes, and a necklace of skulls. He carries weapons, an alms bowl made of a skull, and a severed head." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What roles does Bhairava play in Buddhism and Jainism? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In Vajrayana Buddhism, Bhairava is central in Tantric mandalas, often in sexual union with his consort Bhairavi. In Jainism he is a protector deity found in some temples where he is worshipped for boons." } } ] } Top Questions Who is Bhairava in Hinduism? Bhairava is a fearsome Hindu deity closely associated with Shiva, who is worshipped in various Tantric traditions and within Shaivism as a protector from demonic forces.

　　What is the significance of Bhairava in Tantric practices? In Tantric practices Bhairava is associated with rituals that would be taboo for the majority of Hindus, such as living on cremation grounds, eating meat, and engaging in sexual practices. Various Tantric ascetic groups worship Bhairava and attempt to imitate him.

　　According to the Puranas, why did Shiva create Bhairava? One of Brahma’s five heads insulted Shiva, who then created Bhairava as a ferocious form that chopped off Brahma’s offending head with this thumbnail.

　　How is Bhairava depicted in iconography? Bhairava is depicted as a frightful figure with fangs, dark coloring, bulging eyes, and a necklace of skulls. He carries weapons, an alms bowl made of a skull, and a severed head.

　　What roles does Bhairava play in Buddhism and Jainism? In Vajrayana Buddhism, Bhairava is central in Tantric mandalas, often in sexual union with his consort Bhairavi. In Jainism he is a protector deity found in some temples where he is worshipped for boons.

　　Bhairava, fearsome Hindu deity worshipped throughout Asia who is important primarily in Hinduism as well as Buddhism and Jainism. Bhairava’s name means “horrific” in Sanskrit, and the deity is closely associated with the Hindu god Shiva. He is venerated in various Tantric traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism as well as within Shaivism—the branch of Hinduism that worships Shiva as the supreme god. Bhairava has been part of Hindu mythology since at least the 5th century ce. He is closely related to the cremation ground, where his worship likely began, as the lord of demons and the dead, although in later ...(100 of 1739 words)

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