Kālabhairava | Lord of Kāśī Canvas Art Print

Kālabhairava is the fierce form of Śiva revered as the guardian and lord of Kāśī (Varanasi). He is called Bhairava because he bears (bharaṇa) the universe, and Kālabhairava because even Kāla, Time itself, fears him.

This canvas art print by Swaroop is based on his dhyāna: three-eyed, with staff, skull and begging bowl, and his dog at his side.

“He is an ocean of compassion and nectar, the three-eyed one, holding a staff — the supreme ruler. The source of all knowledge, the seer of the greatest mantras, the giver of liberation to the world. Meditate on him holding a skull and begging bowl, seated with a dog by his side, united with his consort — the Guru and Lord of Kāśī, Kālabhairava.”

The Skanda Purāṇa tells how Brahmā and Nārāyaṇa, deluded by ego, each claimed supremacy, until the Vedas declared Rudra the ultimate reality. A great light appeared and Śiva manifested as Kālabhairava, who removed Brahmā’s fifth head for its arrogance.

To atone, Bhairava undertook the Kāpālika vow, wandering the worlds with Brahmā’s skull as his begging bowl, followed by Brahmahatyā, the personified sin, which released him only in Kāśī. This is why Kāśī is held to be the city where even the gravest sins are absolved, and why Kālabhairava is entrusted with its protection and governance.

• Form: fierce form of Śiva, three-eyed
• In his hands: a staff (daṇḍa), a skull and a begging bowl
• Companion: a dog, seated by his side
• Role: Guru, and guardian lord of Kāśī

On the eighth lunar day of the dark half of Mārgaśīrṣa, devotees observe a fast and keep vigil in the presence of Kālabhairava. The Skanda Purāṇa says such a devotee is freed even of great sins committed in Kāśī, since sins committed elsewhere are already destroyed on entering the city.

• Medium: cotton canvas, matte finish, 300–350 GSM
• Sizes: 12 × 18″, 24 × 18″, 24 × 20″, 30 × 20″, 36 × 24″, 30 × 40″, 36 × 48″ and 40 × 60″ (canvas size; the blank border adds 4″ to each side measurement, e.g. 12 × 18″ becomes 16 × 22″ outer)
• Border: a blank border on all sides, ready for stretching or framing
• Proportions: the artwork keeps its original proportions — it is never cropped or stretched; any extra space is left blank
• Format: unframed, shipped rolled in a protective tube
• Made to order: printed in 2 working days, dispatched on the 3rd working day
• Artist: Swaroop

The print arrives rolled and unframed. Any local framer can stretch it on a wooden frame (gallery stretch) or mount it under glass; the border gives them room to work. Hang it away from direct sunlight and damp walls, and dust it gently with a soft, dry cloth.