In this episode of “5 Minutes”, Dr. Robert Svoboda explores Bhairav, a fierce and powerful form of Shiva.

The name Bhairav is a significant name. It means fearful, terrifying, or formidable, and comes from the word bhīru, which means fearful or frightened. Bhairav is a form of Shiva, and he is terrifying because he represents one of the extreme forms of Shiva. He is extreme because sometimes extreme situations require extreme actions.

The origin story of Bhairav has several versions. The version Dr. Svoboda prefers begins with Brahma, the Creator, and Vishnu, the Preserver, arguing over who was supreme.

Suddenly, a gigantic column of light appeared between them, extending infinitely in both directions. They wondered where it had come from and where it could possibly end. They decided that Brahma would go upward and Vishnu would go downward to find the limits of this endless column.

Vishnu traveled downward but could not find the end, no matter how far he went. Brahma traveled upward and also could not find the end. However, during his journey, Brahma saw a small screw pine flower falling and asked it where it had come from.

The screw pine flower replied that it did not know, but that it had been falling for an infinitely long time. Brahma then asked the flower to become his witness and claim that he had found the top of the column of light.

The screw pine flower agreed, and they returned. Vishnu admitted that he could not find the bottom, but Brahma claimed that he had found the top and presented the flower as his witness.

At that moment, Shiva appeared and said that Brahma was lying and that the screw pine flower was also lying. Shiva declared that the screw pine flower should never again be offered to him.

Shiva became so angered by this dishonesty that from Shiva emerged Bhairav, his extremely terrifying form. At that time, Brahma had five heads, but Bhairav cut off the top head of Brahma, leaving him with four heads.

The problem was that Brahma was the Creator, and this act was considered a kūrma or serious transgression. Even the gods are subject to the law of karma. As a result, Brahma’s head remained attached to Bhairav’s hand, and Bhairav had to wander throughout the universe carrying it.

During this wandering, he was pursued by a terrifying female figure called Brahmahatyā, who constantly disturbed and threatened him. Bhairav continued searching for the place where he could finally become free from the skull.

Eventually, when he reached Kashi, also known as Varanasi or Banaras, the skull dropped from his hand. He became free at a place known as Kapala Mochana, meaning freedom from the skull.

Although the exact location of Kapala Mochana is uncertain today, people have come to understand the entire city of Varanasi as sacred in this context. To acknowledge this and to meet Bhairav, which is always considered beneficial, visitors traditionally go first to Bhairav when they arrive in Banaras.

They ask Bhairav to ensure that their visit does not face serious obstacles, illness, accidents, or difficulties.

Because Bhairav became free in Kashi, he became the Kotwal, or guardian and sheriff, of Banaras. He is responsible for determining how much suffering a person may experience if they die in Varanasi.

Bhairav is also a protective deity. Dr. Svoboda keeps an image of Bhairav above the front door of his house because Bhairav provides protection. Nobody would dare to approach Bhairav carelessly, because he represents a force that removes obstacles and cuts away what is harmful.

It is also important to understand that in the more transcendent understanding of reality, Bhairav represents the Supreme Reality, but in an intense and powerful form.

There is an excellent text called the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra, which presents 112 different meditation techniques designed to help the mind move toward the Supreme Reality.

Therefore, it is always beneficial to maintain a respectful and positive attitude toward Bhairav.