Ashta Bhairava

The Ashta Bhairavas (Sanskrit: अष्टभैरवः, romanized: Aṣṭabhairavah, lit. 'eight Bhairavas') are the eight manifestations of the Hindu god Bhairava,^[1] a ferocious form of Shiva. They are regarded to guard and control the eight cardinal directions. Each of the Ashta Bhairavas is regarded to preside over eight subordinate Bhairavas, totalling 64 Bhairavas.^[2] The Ashta Bhairavas are described to be subordinate to Kālabhairava, who is considered the supreme ruler of time in the universe and the chief form of Bhairava.

^ Payne, Richard K.; Witzel, Michael (2015-10-22). Homa Variations: The Study of Ritual Change across the Longue Durée. Oxford University Press. p. 330. ISBN 978-0-19-935159-6.
^ Saravanan, V. Hari (2014-01-01). Gods, Heroes and their Story Tellers: Intangible cultural heritage of South India. Notion Press. ISBN 978-93-84391-49-2.

[1] Payne, Richard K.; Witzel, Michael (2015-10-22). Homa Variations: The Study of Ritual Change across the Longue Durée. Oxford University Press. p. 330. ISBN 978-0-19-935159-6.

[2] Saravanan, V. Hari (2014-01-01). Gods, Heroes and their Story Tellers: Intangible cultural heritage of South India. Notion Press. ISBN 978-93-84391-49-2.

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