Kapāla Bhairava | Aṣṭa Bhairava Canvas Art Print

Kapāla Bhairava is the sixth of the eight Aṣṭa Bhairavas, the consort of the Mātṛkā Aindrī (Indrāṇī). In the dhyāna of the Bhairava Tantra he rides the elephant (Airāvata), holds a noose (pāśa), a thunderbolt (vajra), a sword and a drinking vessel, and is three-eyed, youthful and digambara, peaceful and boon-giving.

This canvas art print by Swaroop is based on the dhyāna of Kapāla Bhairava, and is one of a series of all eight Aṣṭa Bhairavas.

त्रिणेत्रं वरदं शान्तं कुमारञ्च दिगम्बरम् ।
पाशं वज्रं तथा खड्गं पानपात्रञ्च धारिणम् ॥
इन्द्राणीशक्तिसहितं गजवाहनसुस्थितम् ।
कपालभैरवं वन्दे पद्मरागप्रभं शुभम् ॥

“I bow to the auspicious Kapāla Bhairava — three-eyed, boon-giving, peaceful, youthful and unclothed — who holds a noose, a thunderbolt, a sword and a drinking vessel. Accompanied by Indrāṇī Śakti and seated on an elephant, he is radiant like a ruby.”

Source: Bhairava Tantra.

• Place in the series: 6 of 8 Aṣṭa Bhairavas
• Consort (Śakti): Aindrī (Indrāṇī)
• Vāhana: elephant (Airāvata)
• Complexion: radiant like a ruby (padmarāga)
• In his hands: a noose (pāśa), a thunderbolt (vajra), a sword and a drinking vessel
• Form: three-eyed, youthful and digambara, peaceful and boon-giving

The Aṣṭa Bhairavas are the eight forms of Bhairava, each paired with one of the Mātṛkā goddesses and, in most forms, sharing her vāhana. They hold a major place in both Śākta and Śaiva worship — in tradition, the worship of any deity is considered incomplete without honouring Bhairava in some form.

1. Asitāṅga Bhairava — with Brāhmī, on the swan
2. Ruru Bhairava — with Māheśvarī, on the bull
3. Caṇḍa Bhairava — with Kaumārī, on the peacock
4. Krodha Bhairava — with Vaiṣṇavī, on Garuḍa
5. Unmatta Bhairava — with Vārāhī, on the horse
6. Kapāla Bhairava — with Aindrī (Indrāṇī), on the elephant (Airāvata)
7. Bhīṣaṇa Bhairava — with Cāmuṇḍā, on the preta
8. Saṃhāra Bhairava — with Caṇḍikā, on the lion

• 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.