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Lyrics with meaning
The complete Kaal Bhairav Chalisa – two opening dohas, forty chaupais, and a closing doha. A short English meaning sits below every verse. Toggle the script to read in Devanagari, romanized, or both side-by-side.
चालीसा वन्दन करों, श्री शिव भैरवनाथ। श्री भैरव संकट हरण, मंगल करण कृपाल॥
Chalisa vandan karon, Shri Shiv Bhairavnath. Shri Bhairav sankat haran, mangal karan kripal.
I bow to the Chalisa, to Shri Shiv Bhairavnath. Shri Bhairav, destroyer of trouble, doer of welfare, compassionate one.
श्याम वरण विकराल वपु, लोचन लाल विशाल।
Shyam varan vikaral vapu, lochan lal vishal.
Dark-skinned, fearsome body, with great red eyes.
जय जय श्री काली के लाला। जयति जयति काशी-कुतवाला॥
Jai jai Shri Kali ke lala. Jayati jayati Kashi-kutwala.
Hail, hail, beloved son of Kali. Hail, hail, kotwal of Kashi.
जयति बटुक भैरव जय हारी। जयति काल भैरव बलकारी॥
Jayati Batuk Bhairav jay hari. Jayati Kaal Bhairav balkari.
Hail Batuk Bhairav, destroyer of fear. Hail Kaal Bhairav, the mighty one.
जयति सर्व भैरव विख्याता। जयति नाथ भैरव सुखदाता॥
Jayati Sarv Bhairav vikhyata. Jayati Nath Bhairav sukh-data.
Hail Sarv Bhairav, the renowned one. Hail Nath Bhairav, giver of joy.
भैरव रूप कियो शिव धारण। भव के भार उतारण कारण॥
Bhairav roop kiyo Shiv dharan. Bhav ke bhar utaran karan.
Shiva took on the Bhairav form. To lift the burden of existence.
भैरव रव सुन है भय दूरी। सब विधि होय कामना पूरी॥
Bhairav rav sun hai bhay duri. Sab vidhi hoy kamna puri.
Hearing the cry of Bhairav, fear flees. In every way, every wish is fulfilled.
शेष महेश आदि गुण गायो। काशी-कोतवाल कहलायो॥
Shesh Mahesh aadi gun gayo. Kashi-kotwal kehlayo.
Sheshnaag, Mahesh, and the great gods sing your virtues. You are called the kotwal of Kashi.
जटाजूट सिर चन्द्र विराजत। बाला मुकुट बिजायठ साजत॥
Jatajut sir chandra virajat. Bala mukut bijayath sajat.
Matted locks on the head, the moon shines there. A young crown adorns you.
कटि करधनी घुंघरू बाजत। दर्शन करत सकल भय भाजत॥
Kati kardhani ghunghru bajat. Darshan karat sakal bhay bhajat.
On the waist, a girdle with bells. Taking your darshan, all fear flees.
जीवन दान दास को दीन्हो। कीन्हो कृपा नाथ तब चीन्हो॥
Jivan daan das ko dinho. Kinho kripa Nath tab chinho.
You gave the gift of life to your servant. The Lord showed grace and recognised them.
वसि रसना बनि सारद-काली। दीन्यो वर राख्यो मम लाली॥
Vasi rasana bani Sarad-Kali. Dinyo var rakhyo mam lali.
Becoming Saraswati-Kali, you reside on the tongue. You gave the boon, preserving my life-blood.
धन्य धन्य भैरव भय भंजन। जय मनरंजन खल दल भंजन॥
Dhanya dhanya Bhairav bhay bhanjan. Jai man-ranjan khal dal bhanjan.
Blessed, blessed Bhairav, breaker of fear. Hail to the heart-delighter, breaker of the wicked army.
कर त्रिशूल डमरू शुचि कोड़ा। कृपा कटाक्ष सुयश नहिं थोड़ा॥
Kar trishul damru shuchi koda. Kripa kataksh suyash nahin thoda.
Trident, damaru, and pure whip in hand. Your glance of grace, your fame – not little.
जो भैरव निर्भय गुण गावत। अष्टसिद्धि नवनिधि फल पावत॥
Jo Bhairav nirbhay gun gavat. Ashtasiddhi navnidhi phal pavat.
Whoever fearlessly sings Bhairav's virtues. Receives the eight siddhis and nine treasures.
रूप विशाल कठिन दुख मोचन। क्रोध कराल लाल दुहुं लोचन॥
Roop vishal kathin dukh mochan. Krodh karal lal duhun lochan.
Vast form, lifter of difficult sorrow. Fierce in anger, with both eyes red.
अगणित भूत प्रेत संग डोलत। बं बं बं शिव बं बं बोलत॥
Aganit bhoot pret sang dolat. Bum bum bum Shiv bum bum bolat.
Countless ghosts and spirits move with you. 'Bum bum bum Shiv bum bum' they speak.
रुद्रकाय काली के लाला। हा कालहू के हो काला॥
Rudra-kaay Kali ke lala. Ha kaalhu ke ho kaala.
Rudra-bodied, beloved son of Kali. Indeed, you are the time of Mahakaal himself.
बटुक नाथ हो काल गंभीरा। श्वेत रक्त अरु श्याम शरीरा॥
Batuk Nath ho kaal gambhira. Shvet rakt aru shyam sharira.
You are Batuk-Nath, deep as time. With white, red, and dark forms.
करत तीनहू रूप प्रकाशा। भरत सुभक्तन कहं शुभ आशा॥
Karat tinhu roop prakasha. Bharat subhaktan kahan shubh asha.
You make all three forms manifest. You fill the auspicious hopes of devotees.
रत्न जड़ित कंचन सिंहासन। व्याघ्र चर्म शुचि नर्म सुआनन॥
Ratn jadit kanchan sinhasan. Vyaghra charm shuchi narm su-anan.
On a jewelled golden throne. With pure tiger-skin, soft and beautiful-faced.
तुमहि जाई काशिहिं जन ध्यावहिं। विश्वनाथ कहं दर्शन पावहिं॥
Tumhi jai Kashihin jan dhyavahin. Vishvanath kahan darshan pavahin.
Going to Kashi, devotees meditate upon you. They receive the darshan of Vishwanath. (The traditional rule: Bhairav darshan first, then Vishwanath – at both Kashi and Ujjain.)
जय प्रभु संहारक सुनन्द जय। जय उन्नत हर उमानन्द जय॥
Jai Prabhu sanharak Sunand jai. Jai unnat har Uma-nand jai.
Hail Lord, destroyer Sunand, hail. Hail to the rising, the lifter, son of Uma, hail.
भीम त्रिलोकन स्वान साथ जय। बैजनाथ श्री जगतनाथ जय॥
Bhim trilochan svan saath jai. Baijanath Shri Jagatnath jai.
Bhim, three-eyed, with the dog-companion, hail. Baijanath, Shri Jagatnath, hail.
महाभीम भीषण शरीर जय। रुद्र त्र्यम्बक धीर वीर जय॥
Maha-bhim bhishan sharir jai. Rudra Tryambak dhir vir jai.
Hail to the great-fearsome body. Hail to Rudra Tryambaka, steady and brave.
अश्वनाथ जय प्रेतनाथ जय। श्वानारुढ़ सयचन्द्र नाथ जय॥
Ashvanath jai Pretanath jai. Svanarudh saychandra Nath jai.
Ashvanath, hail; Pretanath, hail. Hail to the dog-mounted, with-the-moon Nath.
निमिष दिगम्बर चक्रनाथ जय। गहत अनाथन नाथ हाथ जय॥
Nimish digambar Chakranath jai. Gahat anathan Nath hath jai.
Hail to the moment-clad-in-space Chakranath. Hail to the Lord whose hand grasps the helpless.
त्रेशलेश भूतेश चन्द्र जय। क्रोध वत्स अमरेश नन्द जय॥
Treshlesh Bhutesh Chandra jai. Krodh vats Amaresh Nand jai.
Hail to Treshlesh, Bhutesh, Chandra. Hail to the wrathful son, Amaresh-Nand.
श्री वामन नकुलेश चण्ड जय। कृत्याऊ कीरति प्रचण्ड जय॥
Shri Vaman Nakulesh Chand jai. Krityau kirat prachand jai.
Hail Shri Vaman, Nakulesh, Chand. Hail to your vehement deeds and powerful fame.
रुद्र बटुक क्रोधेश काल धर। चक्र तुण्ड दश पाणिव्याल धर॥
Rudra Batuk Krodhesh kaal dhar. Chakra tund dash pan-vyaal dhar.
Rudra, Batuk, Krodhesh, time-bearer. With chakra-mouth and ten serpent-hands.
करि मद पान शम्भु गुणगावत। चौंसठ योगिन संग नचावत॥
Kari mad paan Shambhu gun-gavat. Chaunsath yogin sang nachavat.
Drinking madhu, you sing Shambhu's virtues. You make the sixty-four yoginis dance with you. (The verse explains the Bhairavgarh liquor-offering tradition.)
करत कृपा जन पर बहु ढंगा। काशी कोतवाल अड़बंगा॥
Karat kripa jan par bahu dhanga. Kashi kotwal adabanga.
You show grace to devotees in many ways. The kotwal of Kashi, the unique one.
देयं काल भैरव जब सोटा। नासै पाप मोटा से मोटा॥
Deyan Kaal Bhairav jab sota. Nasai paap mota se mota.
When Kaal Bhairav strikes with his staff. Even the heaviest sins are destroyed.
जाकर निर्मल होय शरीरा। मिटै सकल संकट भव पीरा॥
Jakar nirmal hoy sharira. Mitai sakal sankat bhav pira.
The body of the devotee becomes pure. All worldly trouble and pain is wiped away.
श्री भैरव भूतों के राजा। बाधा हरत करत शुभ काजा॥
Shri Bhairav bhuton ke raja. Badha harat karat shubh kaja.
Shri Bhairav, king of the bhutas. Lifter of obstacles, doer of auspicious work.
ऐलादी के दुःख निवारयो। सदा कृपा करि काज सम्हारयो॥
Eladi ke dukh nivaryo. Sada kripa kari kaaj samharyo.
You lifted the sorrows of Eladi. Always with grace, you accomplish work.
सुन्दरदास सहित अनुरागा। श्री दुर्वासा निकट प्रयागा॥
Sundardas sahit anuraga. Shri Durvasa nikat Prayaga.
Sundardas, with devotion. Near Shri Durvasa, near Prayag. (The composer's signature line.)
श्री भैरव जी की जय लेख्यो। सकल कामना पूरण देख्यो॥
Shri Bhairav ji ki jai lekhyo. Sakal kamna puran dekhyo.
I have written 'hail to Shri Bhairav.' I have seen all wishes fulfilled.
जय जय जय भैरव बटुक, स्वामी संकट टार। कृपा दास पर कीजिये, शंकर के अवतार॥
Jai jai jai Bhairav Batuk, swami sankat taar. Kripa das par kijiye, Shankar ke avtar.
Hail, hail, hail Bhairav Batuk, lord, lift away trouble. Show grace upon your servant, avatar of Shankar.
जो यह चालीसा पढ़े, प्रेम सहित सत बार। उस घर सर्वानन्द हों, वैभव बढ़े अपार॥
Jo yah Chalisa padhe, prem sahit sat baar. Us ghar sarvanand hon, vaibhav badhe apaar.
Whoever recites this Chalisa with love a hundred times. That home becomes filled with all-joy and great prosperity.
Why this chalisa
What the Kaal Bhairav Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Anchor for Mahakaleshwar and Kashi-Vishwanath darshan
Verse 20 of the Chalisa anchors the most important traditional rule: "Tumhi jai Kashihin jan dhyavahin, Vishvanath kahan darshan pavahin" – 'going to Kashi, devotees meditate upon you, then receive the darshan of Vishwanath.' The same rule applies at Ujjain – Kaal Bhairav darshan at Bhairavgarh first, then Mahakaleshwar darshan. Many pilgrims recite the Chalisa during the journey from one shrine to the other.
Centrepiece of Kaal Bhairav Jayanti at Bhairavgarh
Kaal Bhairav Jayanti on Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami (November-December) draws lakhs of pilgrims to Bhairavgarh in Ujjain. The day-long puja includes the famous liquor-offering ritual where the murti is held to consume liquor directly from the bowl. Many devotees recite the Chalisa eleven or twenty-one times during the pilgrimage.
For deliverance from severe difficulty and supernatural disturbance
Verses 31-32 are the central practitioner-facing verses: "Deyan Kaal Bhairav jab sota, nasai paap mota se mota; jakar nirmal hoy sharira, mitai sakal sankat bhav pira" – 'when Kaal Bhairav strikes with his staff, even the heaviest sins are destroyed; the body becomes pure, all worldly trouble and pain is wiped away.' Many devotees recite the Chalisa daily during stretches of severe difficulty, sustained injustice, supernatural disturbance, or any phase where ordinary household worship feels insufficient.
Companion to the wider Bhairav and Bhairon tradition
Verse 2 names all four Bhairav forms: Batuk Bhairav, Kaal Bhairav, Sarv Bhairav, Nath Bhairav. Pair with the Bhairav Chalisa (the wider Bhairav form, daily anchor), the Batuk Bhairav Chalisa (the youthful form for child-protection and sister-brother matters), and the Shiv Chalisa (Bhairav as Shiva's avatar).
Companion to Kali and the wider Shakta tradition
Verse 1 establishes Kaal Bhairav as "Shri Kali ke lala" – the beloved son of Kali. Pair with the Kali Chalisa on Krishna-paksha Ashtami nights. Verse 29 names the chaunsath yogini – the sixty-four yoginis who dance with Kaal Bhairav. The Bhairav-Kali-Yoginis triad is the central Shakta-Tantric grouping.
For Sundays after sunset
Sunday is the major Kaal Bhairav day. Many devotees recite the Chalisa after sunset on Sundays, often as part of a vow undertaken for severe difficulty. The Chalisa's force-tone is suited to evening recitation – verses 11-15 carry the warrior energy, verses 31-32 the practitioner-facing protection promises.
Origin
The Kaal Bhairav Chalisa shares its core verses with the wider Bhairav Chalisa – both signed by Sundardas (chaupai 35: "Sundardas sahit anuraga, Shri Durvasa nikat Prayaga") – the same 17th-century saint-poet of the Dadu Panth from Rajasthan whose colophon also closes the Krishna and Ganga Chalisas. The Kaal Bhairav version is differentiated by its opening doha (which directly invokes the Kaal-form: "Shyam varan vikaral vapu" – 'dark-skinned, fearsome body') and by the framing emphasis on the time-form across the chaupai sequence.
Kaal Bhairav himself is the fierce time-form of Shiva. The classical legend (preserved in the Shiva Purana): when Brahma claimed superiority over Shiva, Shiva manifested as Bhairav and severed Brahma's fifth head. To atone, Bhairav wandered the earth carrying Brahma's skull until he reached Kashi, where the skull fell from his hand at Kapal-mochan-tirth. Shiva then made Bhairav the eternal kotwal of every Shaiva site. Verse 16 of this Chalisa names directly: "ha kaalhu ke ho kaala" – 'indeed, you are the time of Mahakaal himself' – establishing Kaal Bhairav as the form that even the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is the eternal partner of.
Kaal Bhairav's most famous shrines are at Kashi (the Kaal Bhairav Mandir in Varanasi, where every Vishwanath pilgrim must take darshan first) and at Bhairavgarh in Ujjain (just outside the Mahakaleshwar precinct, where the ancient liquor-offering ritual continues – the murti is held to consume liquor directly from the bowl placed at the lips). Both shrines preserve the Sundardas-tradition Bhairav Chalisa as the central recitation. Iconographically Kaal Bhairav is depicted dark-skinned (verse 17), with the trident-damaru-whip-skull-bowl (verse 12), riding the dog (the kotwal's vehicle), with the tiger-skin and vyaaghra-charm (verse 19).
The Chalisa's wider companions are the Bhairav Chalisa (the wider form, daily anchor), the Batuk Bhairav Chalisa (the youthful form), the Shiv Chalisa (Bhairav is Shiva's avatar), and the Kali Chalisa (Kaal Bhairav is Kali's son, verse 1).
How to recite
A simple, sustainable approach. Nothing here is a hard rule – devotion shapes the form, not the other way around.
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Preparation
Bathe and wear clean clothes – traditionally black or red. Sit facing south or before the home Kaal Bhairav murti / photograph (the standard image is the dark-skinned form with trident, on the dog vehicle). Traditional offerings: til (sesame), urad dal, jaggery, kumkum, single ghee diya, a piece of sweet, and (in some Tantric traditions) a small bowl of liquor placed at the murti for the duration of the recitation – verse 29 names this practice. Most household devotees do not actually offer liquor; the bowl is replaced with milk or kheer. Bhairav's vehicle is the dog – many homes feed a stray dog as part of the puja.
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Posture and start
Sit cross-legged with your spine straight. Bow once. Take a moment of silence. If reciting on Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, on Krishna-paksha Ashtami, or before a Mahakaleshwar/Kashi-Vishwanath darshan, offer a brief sankalp.
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Recitation
Move through the 36 chaupais without rushing. Verses 1-3 establish the four Bhairav forms (Batuk, Kaal, Sarv, Nath). Verses 16-19 are the time-form verses ('Mahakaal kalon ke kala'). Verse 20 is the Kashi-Vishwanath darshan rule. Verses 31-32 are the protection-promise verses. Verse 35 is the Sundardas signature. End with the two closing dohas.
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After
Sit quietly with eyes closed. Many people end with the bija mantra Om Hreem Bham Kaal-Bhairavaya Namah recited 11 or 21 times. Offer the bhog and feed a stray dog if possible.
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Daily practice and special days
Sundays are auspicious. Krishna-paksha Ashtami of every fortnight is the monthly Kaal Bhairav night. Kaal Bhairav Jayanti on Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami (November-December) is the year's biggest single Kaal Bhairav night.