Bhairav

Bhairav

Paramar Dynasty,11th Century AD, Indore Museum

        Lord Shiva was furious at the sudden death of Sati, his wife. She had gone uninvited to her father's home. Hearing the insults about her husband, Lord Shiva, she had jumped into the sacrificial fire. When Lord Shiva realised that his wife had committed suicide he rushed to his father -in- laws palace. It is said there he plucked two hair strands from his head; from the hair strands arose Bhairav--a violent form of Lord Shiva. He had eight arms, each carrying arms or drums (symbol of time), he has a belt of bells ( symbol of eternal vibrations in Nature), he is naked (symbol of total detachment ) has a dog as his vehicle (symbol of attachment that mortals have). 

        In Hindu iconography it is easy to recognise an image of Bhairav. He is naked, at times bearded, has dishevelled hair--or hair protruding like a halo in the back of the head as in this sculpture ), carries weapons and at times a skull or a bowl (the bowl of fire), at times has bulging eyes and even fangs. The sculpture is supposed to depict the violent side and is thus meant to look ferocious in appearance.

      Interestingly in order to appease Him, the devotee is to offer him alcohol or drugs. The most famous temple of Bhairav is in Ujjain where the image drinks liquor!