Kalabhairava Mantra

ॐ कालभैरवाय नमः

ॐ ह्रीं वटुकाय आपदुद्धारणाय कुरु कुरु वटुकाय ह्रीं

Transliteration

Om Kalabhairavaya Namah

Om Hreem Vatukaya Apaduddhaaranaya Kuru Kuru Vatukaya Hreem

Mantra Type	Kalabhairava Mula Mantra and Tantric Mantra
Deity	Lord Kalabhairava — the fierce temporal form of Shiva, Kotwal (guardian) of Kashi
Japa Count	108 times. Especially powerful on Ashtami nights and Sundays.

Meaning

Salutation to Kalabhairava. Om — O young Bhairava, with the power of Hreem, rescue me from all calamities — do it, do it! O Vatuka (young Bhairava), Hreem.

Word-by-Word Meaning

कालभैरवाय (Kalabhairavaya) — To Kalabhairava: Kala = time/death, Bhairava = the terrifying one
ह्रीं (Hreem) — Shakti/Maya Beeja — cosmic power energy
वटुकाय (Vatukaya) — To the young Bhairava (Vatuka = young boy/student form of Bhairava)
आपदुद्धारणाय (Apaduddhaaranaya) — The one who rescues from all calamities (Apada = calamity, Uddharana = rescue)
कुरु कुरु (Kuru Kuru) — Do it! Do it! — urgent divine command for immediate action
नमः (Namah) — Salutation / I bow

Benefits

Kalabhairava is the Kotwal (divine police chief) of Kashi — invoking him grants instant protection
Destroys all time-bound fears, including fear of death and aging
Removes the effects of malefic Saturn (Shani) — Bhairava governs Saturday
Powerful protection from enemies, black magic, and legal troubles
Rescues from sudden calamities, accidents, and emergencies
Grants fearlessness and fierce courage in adversity
Activates the Ajna (third eye) chakra — bestows sharp intuition
Clears karmic debts and time-related obstacles (Kala Dosha)

When to Chant

Ashtami (8th lunar day), Sundays, and Bhairava Ashtami (Kartik Krishna Ashtami). During Tantric sadhana. At midnight for advanced practice.

Historical & Scriptural Significance

Kalabhairava is the manifestation of Shiva as the lord of time (Kala) and the fierce guardian of Varanasi (Kashi). According to the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana, no one can enter or leave Kashi without Kalabhairava’s permission — he holds the keys to the city. He is the chief of the Ashta Bhairava (eight Bhairavaas) and grants liberation to those who die within the boundaries of Kashi.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairava