Shloka 63
भैरवावतारलीलावर्णनम् (Bhairava-avatāra-līlā-varṇanam) — “Narration of the Divine Play of Bhairava’s Descent”
कृष्णाष्टम्यान्तु मार्गस्य मासस्य परमेश्वरः । आविर्बभूव सल्लीलो भैरवात्मा सताम्प्रियः
kṛṣṇāṣṭamyāntu mārgasya māsasya parameśvaraḥ | āvirbabhūva sallīlo bhairavātmā satāmpriyaḥ
On Aṣṭamī, the eighth lunar day of the dark fortnight (Krishna-pakṣa) in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, the Supreme Lord manifested Himself—playfully revealing His Bhairava-nature—beloved of the virtuous and devoted.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: This verse functions as a kāla-nirdeśa (sacred calendrical marker): on Kṛṣṇa-Aṣṭamī of Mārgaśīrṣa, Parameśvara manifests in Bhairava-bhāva for the protection of dharma and the uplift of the sādhus; it is not tied here to a specific Jyotirliṅga origin narrative.
Significance: Establishes the sanctity of Mārgaśīrṣa-kṛṣṇāṣṭamī for Bhairava-upāsanā; remembrance/observance is framed as grace-bearing (anugraha) for the virtuous.
Cosmic Event: Sacralization of a specific lunar tithi: Mārgaśīrṣa kṛṣṇa-aṣṭamī as Bhairava’s āvirbhāva-kāla.
FAQs
It marks a sacred time when Parameśvara reveals His Bhairava-nature—Shiva as the awe-inspiring protector and remover of fear—showing that divine grace can manifest within time (tithi and month) for the uplift of sincere devotees.
Bhairava is a Saguna revelation of Shiva—approachable through form, name, and observance. Such appearances support devotees in focusing the mind and heart on Shiva, which culminates in inner purification and steady devotion to the Supreme.
Observing Krishna Aṣṭamī with Shiva-bhakti—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), simple vrata/fasting, and reverent worship of Shiva/Bhairava (with vibhūti and Rudrākṣa if customary)—is the practical takeaway implied by the verse’s timing and theme.