Kaal Bhairav Aarti
श्री काल भैरव जी की आरती
What is the Kaal Bhairav Aarti?
Kaal Bhairav Aarti The Kaal Bhairav Aarti is a Hindi devotional hymn to Bhairav, the fierce guardian form of Shiva known as Kashi Kotwal, praising his power to remove fear and protect his devotees.
The Kaal Bhairav Aarti honours Bhairav, the fierce guardian form of Lord Shiva who watches over Kashi (Varanasi) as its Kotwal, or divine police chief. Sung to the familiar tune of the Om Jai Jagdish Hare aarti, its verses picture Bhairav with his trident, his dog mount, and the sound of his damaru, and ask him to lift fear and sorrow from those who call on him.
Kaal Bhairav Aarti Lyrics (English)
Roman transliteration for easy chanting. Tap “Meaning” under any verse for the English translation.
Refrain
Jai Bhairav Deva, Prabhu Jai Bhairav Deva
Jai Kaali aur Gaur Devi krit seva
Tumheen paap uddhaarak dukh sindhu taarak
Bhakton ke sukh kaarak bheeshan vapu dhaarak
Meaning
You lift away sin and carry devotees across the ocean of sorrow. You bring them joy even while wearing a form that looks terrifying.
Vaahan shwaan viraajat kar trishool dhaari
Mahima amit tumhaari jai jai bhayahaari
Meaning
A dog serves as your mount and a trident rests in your hand. Your greatness has no limit, remover of fear, and we hail you again and again.
Tum bin Deva seva safal naheen hove
Chaumukh deepak darshan dukh apne khove
Meaning
Without your blessing no act of worship reaches its fruit. Beholding the four-faced lamp waved before you, a devotee loses their grief.
Tel chatki dadhi mishrit bhaashaavaali teri
Kripa keejiye Bhairav, kariye naheen deri
Meaning
The offerings placed for you carry oil and curd in the traditional way. Show your grace, Bhairav, and do not keep us waiting.
Paanv ghunghroo baajat aru damroo damkaavat
Batuknaath ban baalak jan man harshaavat
Meaning
Anklet bells ring at your feet while the damaru drum sounds out. As Batuknath, appearing in a young boy's form, you gladden every devotee's heart.
Batuknaath ji ki aarti jo koi nar gaave
Kahe 'Dharanidhar' nar manvaanchhit phal paave
Meaning
Whoever sings this aarti to Batuknath, says the poet Dharanidhar, receives the fruit their heart has longed for.
Meaning & Significance
This aarti addresses Bhairav in his role as protector rather than destroyer. The imagery is deliberately fierce, the dog mount, the trident, the drum, because Bhairav guards the boundaries where ordinary devotion feels unsafe: fear, danger, untimely trouble, and the pull of wrongdoing. Calling him the one who lifts sin and carries people across sorrow places his ferocity in service of the devotee.
Bhairav is closely tied to Kashi (Varanasi), where he is honoured as the Kotwal, the city’s divine guardian. The hymn’s final verse names Batuknath, the gentle boy form of Bhairav, showing that the same deity who appears frightening also answers with kindness. The closing line, in the voice of the poet Dharanidhar, promises that sincere singing brings the outcome a devotee truly seeks.
How Do You Perform the Aarti?
- Choose the time. — Bhairav is traditionally worshipped on Sunday and Tuesday evenings, and especially on Kaal Bhairav Ashtami. Light a lamp after sunset for the aarti.
- Set up a simple offering. — Keep a mustard-oil lamp, incense, and Bhairav's customary offerings such as oil, curd, and sometimes a portion for a dog, since the dog is his mount.
- Invite his presence. — Fold your hands, remember Bhairav as Kashi's guardian, and briefly ask for protection from fear and harm before you begin.
- Sing the aarti with the lamp. — Circle the lit lamp gently in a clockwise motion in front of the image while singing all the verses, returning to the 'Jai Bhairav Deva' refrain between them.
- Close with the offering and prayer. — Set the lamp down, offer the prepared items, take a moment of silent prayer, and share any prasad with family.
What Are the Benefits of Singing This Aarti?
Devotees turn to the Kaal Bhairav Aarti mainly for protection and courage in difficult times.
- Relief from fear: The verses call Bhairav the remover of fear, and singing them is a way to steady the mind when facing anxiety, danger, or uncertainty.
- Sense of protection: As Kashi's guardian, Bhairav is invoked to shield the home and family from harm and ill intent.
- Freedom from obstacles and negativity: Regular recitation is believed to clear away troubling influences and the residue of past wrongs.
- Focus and discipline: A fixed evening practice on Sunday or Tuesday builds a steady rhythm of devotion and quiet reflection.
- Comfort and reassurance: The gentle Batuknath image at the end reminds devotees that the fierce guardian is also caring and approachable.
Who Wrote This Aarti?
The aarti is a traditional Hindi devotional composition and is sung across North India to the well-known Om Jai Jagdish Hare tune. Its final verse carries the signature name Dharanidhar, the poet’s mark left in the closing line, though little is documented about him and the text has passed down mainly through temple and household worship. Because it circulated orally for generations, small differences in wording appear between printed versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kaal Bhairav Aarti?
The Kaal Bhairav Aarti is a Hindi devotional hymn to Bhairav, the fierce guardian form of Shiva known as Kashi Kotwal, praising his power to remove fear and protect his devotees.
Who is Kaal Bhairav?
Kaal Bhairav is a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. He is revered as the Kotwal, or divine guardian, of Kashi (Varanasi), with a dog as his mount and a trident as his emblem.
When should the Kaal Bhairav Aarti be sung?
It is usually sung on Sunday and Tuesday evenings, which are associated with Bhairav, and especially on Kaal Bhairav Ashtami, his dedicated festival day.
What are the benefits of singing this aarti?
Devotees sing it seeking protection, courage, and relief from fear, obstacles, and negative influences, trusting Bhairav as a guardian in difficult times.
Why is a dog associated with Kaal Bhairav?
The dog is Bhairav's vahana, or mount. Feeding and respecting dogs is considered a way of honouring him, which is why the aarti describes him seated upon a dog.
॥ जय भैरव देवा ॥