Bhairava (The Wrathful) is one of the
more terrifying aspects of Shiva, the
Hindu creator god. He is often depicted
with frowning, angry eyes and sharp,
tiger's teeth and flaming hair; stark
naked except for garlands of skulls and
a coiled snake about his neck. Often
represented with multiple limbs, he most
frequently carries a noose, trident,
drum, and skull. Bhairava is Shiva at
his most terrifying, at his most
fearful. He may be understood as a
particular manifestation, or emanation
of Shiva, or as Shiva displaying himself
at a very high level. In some myths,
Shiva created Bhairava as an extension
of himself, in order to chastise Brahma.
Bhairava is the embodiment of fear, and
it is said that those who meet him must
confront the source of their own fears.
His name describes the effect he has
upon those who behold him, as it derives
from the word “bhiru,” which means to
become fearful - of feeling great fear.
This wooden sculpture is a perfect
representation of Bhairava. Intricately
carved by a master sculptor, he has a
fierce expression with three bulging
round eyes. Stylized flames wrap around
his head, also representing his fiery
eyebrows and moustache. A hole has been
pierced through his mouth in between his
sharp fangs. His jewelry is composed of
serpents: two coiled snakes represent
his earrings while he wears a snake as a
necklace. Perhaps even more intimidating
is the diadem that crowns his head. A
central head of a bodhisattva watches
over from above, his peacefulness
opposed to the series of skulls entwined
with a snake. Represented from his torso
up, he forms a mudra with one hand while
holding either a drum or a decapitated
skull in his other. Bhairava is a vision
extracted from our worst nightmare; he
plays with our fears and taunts our
innermost weaknesses. However, even in
his dread, he offers us hope, such as
the hope for rebirth after the
destruction of the world.
- (PF.5792)
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