Batuka Bhairava (Vaduka Bhairava) is the most peaceful and affectionate child form of Lord Shiva. While the usual Bhairava idols are fierce, Batuka Bhairava appears as a child with a sweet voice. Vaduka Bhairava is seen carrying a mace and a bowl in his hand, and with a dog as his vehicle. Since he is the confluence of the three qualities of the universe, Batuka Bhairava is also known as the Gunatrayaswarupa.
Three Aspects of Batuka Bhairava
According to Tantra Shastra, Batuka Bhairava has three aspects. The first is the Sattvic aspect: He gives peace and long life to the devotees. The Rajasic aspect gives material success, wealth and prosperity. The Tamasic aspect helps in destroying enemies and protecting against ghosts and demons.
Weapons, Ornaments & Vehicle
The weapons and ornaments of Batuka Bhairava are associated with the goddesses of the Dashamahavidyas. The Lord has the Poonul (a bowl of skull) given by Ugrathara, the Kapala (a bowl of skull) given by Chinnamasta, and the dominion over time given by Kalidevi. The Lord also holds a trident in his hand, which represents the powers of the goddesses Kali, Tara, and Chinnamasta. The dog, which is always seen with Bhairava, is the Lord's vehicle. However, in Tantric texts, it is said that dogs of nine different colors serve the Lord, which represent the nine types of divine chains and planets in the universe.
Batuka Bhairava is the five-year-old child form that Shiva took to kill the demon 'Apad', who had attained immortality through penance, when he was harassing the gods. Hence, he is also known as 'Apaduddharaka Bhairava'.
Another scenario for the Batuka Bhairava incarnation is as follows. According to the Linga Purana, Shiva adopted a trick to pacify Bhadrakali, who was determined to destroy the universe with unquenchable anger after the murder of Darika. On the way to Kali, the Lord lay down as a small child (Bala Bhairava) and cried loudly. Legend has it that the goddess, who was awakened by maternal affection on seeing the child, forgot her anger and took him and breastfed him. Through this breast milk, the child absorbed all of Kali's ferocity.
According to Tantra, the eight Bhairavas (Asitanga, Ruru, Chanda, Krodha, Unmatta, Kapala, Bhishana, and Samhara) are the guardians of the eight directions. However, the origin or original form of these eight is believed to be Batuka Bhairava.
Being the lord of time, the Lord helps one to achieve success in life without wasting time. It is believed that Batuka Bhairava Puja or Japa is the most effective way to remove the evils of Saturn and Rahu-Ketu in the horoscope. Batuka Bhairava is worshipped to remove obstacles, ward off evils of enemies, and get rid of fear. Pujas performed on Sundays during Rahu are very special.
The eighth day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Margashirsha (Vrischikam - Dhanu) is celebrated as Batuka Bhairava Jayanti. Worshipping the Lord on this day is good for removing all kinds of poverty and misery.
Read about: Hindu Gods & Goddesses
No comments:
Post a Comment