Ashtottar Bhairav Namavali: 108 Names of Lord Bhairava
Ashtottar Bhairav Namavali - Sanskrit Text
Shri Bhairava Ashtottara-shatanamavali - the 108 names of Lord Bhairava, recited as 'Om … namah'.
ॐ भैरवाय नमः ॐ भूतनाथाय नमः ॐ भूतात्मने नमः ॐ भूतभावनाय नमः ॐ क्षेत्रज्ञाय नमः ॐ क्षेत्रपालाय नमः
ॐ क्षेत्रदाय नमः ॐ क्षत्रियाय नमः ॐ विराजे नमः ॐ श्मशानवासिने नमः ॐ मांसाशिने नमः ॐ खर्वराशिने नमः
ॐ स्मरांतकाय नमः ॐ रक्तपाय नमः ॐ पानपाय नमः ॐ सिद्दाय नमः ॐ सिद्धिदाय नमः ॐ सिद्धिसेविताय नमः
ॐ कंकालाय नमः ॐ कालशमनाय नमः ॐ कलाकाष्ठाय नमः ॐ तनये नमः ॐ कवये नमः ॐ त्रिनेत्राय नमः
ॐ बहुनेत्राय नमः ॐ पिंगललोचनाय नमः ॐ शूलपाणये नमः ॐ खड्गपाणये नमः ॐ कपालिने नमः ॐ धूम्रलोचनाय नमः
ॐ अभीरवे नमः ॐ भैरवीनाथाय नमः ॐ भूतपाय नमः ॐ योगिनीपतये नमः ॐ धनधाय नमः ॐ धनहारिणे नमः
ॐ धनवते नमः ॐ प्रीतीवर्धनाय नमः ॐ नागहाराय नमः ॐ नागपाशाय नमः ॐ व्योमकेशाय नमः ॐ कपालभर्ते नमः
ॐ कालाय नमः ॐ कपालमालिने नमः ॐ कमनीयाय नमः ॐ कलानिधये नमः ॐ त्रिलोचनाय नमः ॐ ज्वलनेन्राय नमः
ॐ त्रिशिखने नमः ॐ त्रिलोकेषाय नमः ॐ त्रिनेत्रतनयाय नमः ॐ डिम्भाय नमः ॐ शान्ताय नमः ॐ शांतजनप्रियाय नमः
ॐ बटुकाय नमः ॐ बहुवेशाय नमः ॐ खट्वांगधारकाय नमः ॐ भूताध्यक्षाय नमः ॐ पशुपतये नमः ॐ भिक्षुकाय नमः
ॐ परिचारकाय नमः ॐ धूर्ताय नमः ॐ दिगम्बराय नमः ॐ शराय नमः ॐ हरिणे नमः ॐ पांडुलोचनाय नमः
ॐ प्रशांताय नमः ॐ शांतिदाय नमः ॐ सिद्दाय नमः ॐ शंकरप्रियबांधवाय नमः ॐ अष्टमूर्तये नमः ॐ निधीशाय नमः
ॐ ज्ञानचक्षुये नमः ॐ तपोमदाय नमः ॐ अष्टाधाराय नमः ॐ षडाधाराय नमः ॐ सर्पयुक्ताय नमः ॐ शिखिसखाय नमः
ॐ भूधराय नमः ॐ भूधराधीशाय नमः ॐ भूपतये नमः ॐ भुधरात्मज्ञाय नमः ॐ कंकालधारिणे नमः ॐ मुण्डिने नमः
ॐ नागयज्ञोपवीतवते नमः ॐ ज्रम्भणाय नमः ॐ मोहनाय नमः ॐ स्तंभिने नमः ॐ मारणाय नमः ॐ क्षोभणाय नमः
ॐ शुद्धनीलांजनप्रख्याय नमः ॐ दैत्यघ्ने नमः ॐ मुंडभूषिताय नमः ॐ बलिभूजे नमः ॐ बलिभूतनाथाय नमः ॐ बालाय नमः
ॐ बालपराक्रमाय नमः ॐ सर्वपत्तारणाय नमः ॐ दुर्गाय नमः ॐ दुष्ट भूषिताय नमः ॐ कामिने नमः ॐ कलानिधये नमः
ॐ कांताय नमः ॐ कामिनीवश कृद्वशिने नमः ॐ सर्वसिद्धिप्रदाय नमः ॐ वैद्याय नमः ॐ प्रभवे नमः ॐ विष्णवे नमः
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
Oṁ bhairavāya namaḥ | Oṁ bhūtanāthāya namaḥ | Oṁ bhūtātmane namaḥ | Oṁ bhūtabhāvanāya namaḥ | Oṁ kṣetrajñāya namaḥ | Oṁ kṣetrapālāya namaḥ | … | Oṁ viṣṇave namaḥ ||
(All 108 names follow the salutation pattern "Oṁ … namaḥ" - "Om, salutations to …".)
Meaning
This namavali of 108 names invokes Lord Bhairava - the fierce, guardian form of Shiva. The names salute him as Bhairava and Lord of all beings (Bhutanatha), the guardian of sacred ground (Kshetrapala), dweller of the cremation-ground (Shmashana-vasin), three-eyed and tawny-eyed, bearer of the trident, sword, skull-bowl and khatvanga, lord of yoginis, giver of wealth and of all accomplishments (sarva-siddhi-prada), conqueror of demons, remover of time and fear, and finally Shankara, Prabhu and Vishnu - affirming his identity with the supreme. Together the names portray Bhairava as both terrifying destroyer of evil and compassionate protector of his devotees.
About this Namavali
Bhairava is the fierce manifestation of Shiva, revered as Kshetrapala (guardian of holy places) and Kotwal (divine watchman) of Kashi and other sacred cities. The Bhairava Ashtottara-shatanamavali - 108 names recited with "Om … namah" - is used in his worship, particularly by those seeking protection, the removal of obstacles and fear, and tantric accomplishment. Many shrines keep a Bhairava at the threshold; his namavali is chanted on Bhairava Ashtami and on the Tuesdays and Sundays sacred to him.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
The 108 names are recited for protection from enemies, evil spirits, black magic and untimely danger, for the clearing of obstacles, courage, and success in difficult undertakings. Bhairava is the swift remover of fear (bhaya-nashana) - devotees turn to this namavali in times of crisis, threat or persistent misfortune. The closing names linking him to Shankara and Vishnu remind the worshipper that the fierce guardian and the supreme benefactor are one.
Astrological Relevance
Bhairava governs Rahu and is a foremost remedy for the shadow planet Rahu and for malefic Shani (Saturn) - the karakas of sudden danger, hidden enemies, occult affliction, delays and untimely loss. As the lord of time (Kala-shamana) and guardian of thresholds, his worship is prescribed where charts show severe Rahu-Ketu axis affliction, Shani dasha hardship or threat from concealed forces. Kala Bhairava worship is also a classical remedy to overcome fear of death and to remove obstacles before any major venture.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit before an image of Bhairava, ideally in the evening. Light a lamp (mustard or sesame oil), offer black sesame, urad, and flowers; some devotees offer to the dog, Bhairava's vahana. Begin with Ganesha and Shiva prayers, then recite the 108 names, offering a flower or akshata at each as archana. Conclude with a prayer for protection and welfare. Maintain a respectful, fearless attitude.
Best Day & Time
Tuesday and Sunday are sacred to Bhairava, and Kala Bhairava Ashtami (Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami) is the principal day. Rahukala and dusk are traditionally favoured for his worship; recite after bathing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bhairava the same as Shiva?
Yes. Bhairava is the fierce, guardian manifestation of Lord Shiva. The namavali's closing names, identifying him with Shankara and even Vishnu, affirm his supreme, unified nature.
Why is Bhairava worshipped for Rahu and Saturn?
As lord of time, thresholds and the cremation-ground, Bhairava commands exactly the domains - sudden danger, hidden enemies, occult affliction, fear and untimely loss - that Rahu and malefic Saturn signify, making his worship a classical remedy for their afflictions.
Is this namavali safe for householders to recite?
Yes. The 108-name namavali is a devotional salutation, not a tantric initiation rite. Recited with respect and clean habits, it is a protective practice suited to ordinary devotees.
Bhairava as guardian and liberator in sadhana
Lord Bhairava is among the most awe-inspiring manifestations of Shiva - not merely a deity of fear, but a profound guardian who strips away what is false and protects what is true. The Ashtottar Namavali, by moving through 108 names, draws the mind into an ever-deepening contemplation of his nature: as Kshetrapala, he guards sacred land and the body itself; as Bhutanatha, he commands the unseen; as Kalabhairava, he is the master of time who dissolves the anxiety that time generates. Devotees traditionally recite this namavali on Sundays and especially on the eighth tithi (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight, when his energy is believed to be most accessible.
In the Jyotish tradition, Bhairava is associated with Rahu and Shani - the two shadow or karmic forces that most often manifest as sudden obstacles, hidden enemies, and deep psychological fear. Devotees believe that sincere, disciplined recitation of the 108 names creates a field of protection around the worshipper and gradually dissolves the hold of past karmas. The cremation-ground imagery that pervades his iconography is not morbid but deeply liberating: it reminds the seeker that clinging to impermanence is the root of all suffering, and that Bhairava alone stands undaunted at that threshold.