Kaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi
– Legends
Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord
Brahma are the three main Gods of Hinduism. Once, Lord Brahma
and Lord Vishnu got into a fight regarding who is the supreme among all
three. Both, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu went to the four Vedas for the answer
of same question. All the Vedas pronounced Lord Shiva as the supreme power.
Both Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma laughed at this conclusion.
Lord Shiva got angry and went
into a rage that created a ferocious light. Lord Vishnu surrendered but Lord Brahma continued to stare at the light, which caused one
of his heads to burn out. Lord Shiva has instantly created the new being
Bhairava or Kaal Bhairav, who decapitated Brahma's fifth head. However, the
head stuck to Kaal Bhairava’s hand.
Lord Shiva then ordered Kaal
Bhairav to go to various places but Brahmana
Hatya, the sin of beheading Brahma personified as a gory woman,
followed him until he reached Varanasi where Brahma's head fell on the ground.
The place is called Kapal Mochan Teerth. He was freed of the sin of Brahmana Hatya
as he entered Varanasi.
Lord Shiva then pronounced that
Kaal Bhairav will forever be in Varanasi in order to remove sins of his
disciples. He also came to be called as Paap Bhakshak. The Kaal Bhairav is said
to be the Inspector of Kashi. It is believed if he gets angry on someone, the
person cannot leave Varanasi for his entire life.
Bhairav is considered a fearsome
manifestation of Shiva. He wears a garland of skulls and carries a club of
peacock feathers. Kaal Bhairav, whose name, Kaal means both Death and Fate, in
addition to meaning Black. He is the black one who has also assumed the duties
of the God of Death in Kashi. Even Death, it is said, is afraid of Kaal
Bhairava.
Varanasi and its temple have immense significance for India and the Hindus. Though the Kashi is Shiva-nagari but is protected by Lord Bhairav, the Kotwal of Varanasi. The most important aspect of Varanasi and its holy attractions is the prevalence of numerous legends. Naturally, it can also be observed in case of Kaal Bhairav Temple. Your article is really brilliant because you have incorporated some of those legends. Keep it up.
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