Re: Bhairava
bhairava (from
bhIru) means “frightful, terrible, horrible, or formidable”.
I like most others often have wondered why in our dharma and buddhism to an extent depicts the same god (or just God) as both the most kind and peaceful in one incarnation while most terrible and frightful in another.
While philosophic answers, (which have been provided in this forum before) as to how creation and destruction are both part of this universe and are 2 aspects of God, make intellectual sense, it does not answer why we need at all to worship a God in his/her terrible aspect ?? Why can't we just worship his sweet form only and attain liberation ??
While many will say that it is not required to worship the terrible aspects of Gods to attain liberation ~ this is not the case if one follows any of the tantric / agamic paths of sadhana. Whether shakta or saiva, wrath of the divine is an unavoidable object of worship. Why?
I believe the iconography of terrible aspects of divine has more to do with secrets of sadhana than just making a theological point. Those of us who have not worshipped both sweet and terrible aspects of the divine for many many eons would perhaves never grasp true significance of bhairava beyond an intellectually satisfying idea. Others like christians will find it demonic and anti-god and we can hardly blame them (in a way!).
What is Here, is Elsewhere. What is not Here, is Nowhere.
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