How To Pray To Kāla Bhairava

For the auspicious occasion of the Kāla Bhairava Jayanti which also happens to be Mā Siddheśvarī Jayanti, we offer a  rather free and somewhat loose translation of the Kāla Bhairavashtakam, the 8 Verses Praising Bhairava attributed to Sri Shankaracharya to explore some of the non-dual implications of certain phrases in the hymn.

We make a few observations of Rāga Bhairava and how this hymn is connected to Mahishasura Mardini and also to Ravana, the famed antagonist of the Ramayana. We make some passing remarks about Abhinava Gupta's Bhairava Stava and also Kshemarāja's verse to Bhairava in his commentary on the Vijñāna-Bhairava Tantra.

But most importantly, we talk about what it means to "pray". All prayer, all approaches to God are wonderful and valid, suiting different devotees of different temperaments who are all equally great! Having said that, I make a case for "self-less prayer" that cares for neither worldly nor even spiritual reward which I argue, can be accomplished through chanting hymns like the Kālabhairavāshtakam with fervor!

Here's the hymn:

कालभैरवाष्टकम्

To him whose holy feet is worshipped by the king of the Gods
Who wears a serpent as a sacrificial thread and who is adorned with the crescent moon, who is the giver of grace
Who is praised by a retinue of yogis and sages like Nārada
To Him who is the Supreme Lord of the city of Kāshi, I offer my praise!

To Him who is resplendent with the radiance of innumerable suns! 
Who is transcendent and who rescues us from the ocean of worldliness!
Whose throat is blue and who is quick grant all wishes!
Who is imperishable, the Death of Death with lotus eyes who upholds the three worlds with His trident! 
To Him who is the Supreme Lord of the city of Kāshi, I offer my praise!

To Him who holds in His hands the trident, axe, noose and club! 
Who is the Primordial Cause of the Universe!
Who is the imperishable void that is prior to all the Gods! 
Who is the Terrifying Lord who delights in the strange Tandava dance! 
To Him who is the Supreme Lord of the city of Kāshi, I offer my praise!

To Him who gives both worldly happiness and final liberation! 
Whose form is most auspicious!
Who loves his devotees! Who is the immovable Lord of the Worlds!
Who is adorned with shining jingling golden bells around his waist!
To Him who is the Supreme Lord of the city of Kāshi, I offer my praise!

To Him who  protects the bridge of Dharma and destroys the path of Adharma, 
Who destroys the fetters of Karma! 
Whose limbs are adorned with circles of golden serpents! 
To Him who is the Supreme Lord of the city of Kāshi, I offer my praise!

To Him whose two feet are adorned with sandals studded with shining gems
Who is eternal, non-dual, who is the stainless and pure essence of all divinity!
Who humbles death and liberates us! Who has terrifying fangs!
To Him who is the Supreme Lord of the city of Kāshi, I offer my praise!

To Him whose terrible laughter destroys the universe emanation forth from Brahma!
Whose terrible glance rends asunder the net of illusion! 
Who bestows the eight occult powers, Who is garlanded in skulls!
To Him who is the Supreme Lord of the city of Kāshi, I offer my praise!

To Him who is the Lord of Ghosts! Who bestows great glory! 
Who frees all the residents of Kāshi from karmas good and bad!
Who is the Lord of the Universe, the Ancient One and in the innermost guide in every being!
To Him who is the Supreme Lord of the city of Kāshi, I offer my praise!