Bhairava ,Hadkai mata
Bhairava
Bhairava (frightful or Kala Bhairava, is a Shaivite and Vajrayana deity worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva, associated with annihilation.In the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, Bhairava represents the Supreme Reality, synonymous to Para Brahman.Generally in Hinduism, Bhairava is also called Dandapani bhe who holds thedanda in his hand), as he holds a rod or danda to punish wrongdoers, and Svasva, meaning, he whose vehicle is a dog.In Vajrayana Buddhism, he is considered a fierce emanation of boddhisatva Mañjuśrī, and also called Heruka, Vajrabhairava, and Yamantaka.Bhairava is worshipped throughout India, Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Japan, as well as in Tibetan Buddhism.
Etymology: Bhairava originates from the word bhiru, which means fearsome. Bhairava means terribly fearsome form. It is also known as one who destroys fear or one who is beyond fear. One interpretation is that he protects his devotees from dreadful enemies, greed, lust, and anger. These enemies are dangerous as they never allow humans to seek God within. There is also another interpretation: Bha means creation, ra means sustenance and va means destruction. Therefore, Bhairava is the one who creates, sustains and dissolves the three stages of life. Therefore, he becomes the ultimate or the supreme.
