Batuk Bhairav Chalisa
श्री बटुक भैरव चालीसा
Forty-verse hymn to Batuk Bhairav, the gentle five-year-old child form assumed by Lord Shiva to protect his devotees from ghosts, black magic, court cases, debt and untimely death. While Kala Bhairav is fierce, Batuk is approachable — he accepts simple offerings of milk, jaggery and white flowers, and is said to grant boons that adult forms of Shiva would judge as worldly.
Significance
Recitation is regarded as the fastest shield in the entire Shaiva canon — Aghori tradition holds that 21 daily readings for 40 days create an invisible boy-warrior who circles the devotee and turns away every negative influence. Practitioners in Kashi recite it nightly at Batuk Bhairav Temple on Kamachha for protection during cremation-ground sadhana and to dissolve karmic debts.
When recited: Kala Bhairav Ashtami (Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami), every Sunday and Tuesday midnight, before tantric sadhana, at the start of a new endeavour or when fearing legal or occult trouble
Benefits
- Protection from black magic, tantric attacks and evil eye
- Resolves prolonged court cases and unjust accusations
- Removes debts and unblocks stuck money
- Guards children from disease and untimely accidents
- Grants courage during exams, interviews and surgeries
- Awakens the inner child-energy needed for innocent surrender
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Batuk Bhairav Chalisa — the most-recited opening section.
जय जय बटुक भैरव बाला, काल भयंकर त्रिशूल विशाला।
श्वान सवारी सिर पर मुकुटा, नग्न शरीर डमरू कर लूटा।
काशी में तुम कोतवाल कहाये, शिव की आज्ञा पाप मिटाये।
जो नर तुमको नित्य ध्यावे, भूत प्रेत ग्रह दूर भगावे।
कोर्ट कचहरी विजय दिलावो, ऋण मुक्ति धन धान्य बढ़ावो।
बालक रूप दया के सागर, दीन हीन के तुम हो आगर।
Meaning
Victory, victory to the boy-Bhairav, wielder of the great trident that terrifies even Time. Mounted on a dog, crowned upon your head, naked-bodied, with the damaru drum dancing in your hand. In Kashi you are honoured as the Kotwal — the chief of police — and by Lord Shiva's command you wipe away sins. Whoever meditates upon you daily, you drive away ghosts, spirits and malefic planets. Grant victory in courts and tribunals; release debts and multiply wealth and grain. O ocean of compassion in the form of a child, you are the storehouse of refuge for the poor and the helpless.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: