Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 8
भैरवाकारमास्थाय कल्पान्ते स हरेद्यतः । विश्वं समग्रं देवेशि तेनासौ भैरवः स्मृतः
bhairavākāramāsthāya kalpānte sa haredyataḥ | viśvaṃ samagraṃ deveśi tenāsau bhairavaḥ smṛtaḥ
O Herrin des Herrn, weil Er am Ende eines Äons die Gestalt Bhairavas annimmt und das ganze Universum in sich zurückzieht, wird Er daher als „Bhairava“ erinnert.
Īśvara (Śiva) (deduced; addressing Devī as “deveśi/mahādevi” in surrounding verses)
Tirtha: Bhairaveśvara (within Prabhāsa-kṣetra)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Devī (Pārvatī; addressed as Deveśī)
Scene: At the edge of cosmic night, Shiva assumes a terrifying Bhairava form; the universe folds back into him like sparks into fire, while Devī listens in awe.
FAQs
Śiva’s Bhairava aspect represents sovereign power over time and dissolution, teaching awe, surrender, and reverence for cosmic order.
The teaching occurs within Prabhāsakṣetra-māhātmya, linking Bhairava’s greatness to the Prabhāsa sacred landscape.
No explicit ritual; it provides a theological etymology and praise of Bhairava.