A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.235

c5.235

BHAIRAVA (mas.), BHAIRAVĪ (fem.). ‘The terrible.’ Names of Siva and his wife Devī. The Bhairavas are eight inferior forms or manifestations of Siva, all of them of a terrible character:—(1.) Asitānga, black limbed; (2.) Sanhāra, destruction; (3.) Ruru, a dog; (4.) Kāla, black; (5.) Krodha, anger; (6.) Tāmra-chūdā, red crested; (7.) Chandra-chūdā, moon crested; (8.) Mahā, great. Other names are met with as variants: Kapāla, Rudra, Bhīshana, Un-matta, Ku-pati, &c. In these forms Siva often rides upon a dog, wherefore he is called Swāswa, ‘whose horse is a dog.’