Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 71
भैरवावतारलीलावर्णनम् (Bhairava-avatāra-līlā-varṇanam) — “Narration of the Divine Play of Bhairava’s Descent”
श्रुत्वाख्यानमिदम्पुण्यम्ब्रह्महत्यापनोदकम् । भैरवोत्पत्तिसंज्ञं च सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
śrutvākhyānamidampuṇyambrahmahatyāpanodakam | bhairavotpattisaṃjñaṃ ca sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate
इस पुण्य आख्यान को सुनकर—जो ‘भैरवोत्पत्ति’ नाम से प्रसिद्ध है और ब्रह्महत्या के पाप को भी हरने वाला है—मनुष्य समस्त पापों से मुक्त हो जाता है।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The phalaśruti declares that hearing the Bhairava-utpatti narrative purifies even brahmahatyā; in Kāśī, such śravaṇa is framed as a direct means of kṣetra-anugraha under Viśvanātha’s dispensation through Bhairava.
Significance: Elevates śravaṇa (hearing) as a primary purificatory act in Kāśī: narrative-contact with Bhairava is itself a grace-channel removing heavy sins.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva principle of śravaṇa-bhakti: devoted hearing of Shiva’s līlā, especially Bhairava’s manifestation, purifies karmic impurity and loosens pāśa (bondage), leading toward inner freedom.
Bhairava is a Saguna form of Shiva; hearing His origin-story strengthens devotion and reverence to Shiva’s manifest grace, which is commonly approached through Linga-worship, mantra, and Purāṇic kathā.
Regular śravaṇa (hearing/recitation) of Shiva Purana—especially Bhairava-kathā—along with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) is the implied practice for purification and steadiness of mind.