Introduction to Maharshi Kashyap

             Kalbhairav is a fierce form of Shiva. Kalbhairav is portrayed as the 'punisher of sinners'. "He has a Trident in one hand, a rod in one hand, a head in one hand and a blessing in the other." Kalbhairab's vehicle is a 'black dog'. There is a temple of Kalbhairav in 'Tirtharaj Prayag'. Kalbhairav is considered to be the god of the Aghoris.

             Now let's come to the story of Kalbhairav's birth, according to 'Shiva Purana and Linga Purana', when 'Bramha' created the world's first woman 'Shatarupa', Bramha himself became fascinated by her form and moved towards her. Realizing that, Shatarupa fled from Brahmaloka to earth and Shatarupa began to take the form of various creatures to hide from Bramha, then Bramha also followed him in that form. Then Shiva saw Bramha in this way and created Kalbhairav ​​from his 'nails' to protect 'Shatarupa' from 'Bramha' and "Kalbhairav ​​cut off the fifth head of Bramha". The four heads of Bramha are endowed with the knowledge of the four Vedas but  the fifth head was amorous. The moment the lust is suppressed, the knowledge is revealed. For that reason as soon as the fifth head of Bramha was cut off, Bramha realized his mistake and apologized.

              There is another story in ‘Vaman Purana’. According to the Vaman Purana, "Bramha originates from the navel of Lord Vishnu and Shiva originates from the forehead". After that Lord Vishnu created “arrogance”. As a result, both Bramha and Shiva came under the influence of arrogance and claimed to be the best, and this led to a heated argument between the two. "Shiva was defeated in this argument, so Shiva cut off the fifth head of Bramha with his fingernails in the form of Kalbhairav." Due to this,  Bramha became very angry and in anger he created a 'bright white man' as bright as the sun. "That mighty deity was holding a quadrangular idol and holding a bow, a arrow, a sword and a shield in his four hands". It is a sin to kill Bramhana and Bramha curses him that "this severed head of Bramha will remain in Shiva's hands". Shiva is saddened by this and leaves Kailasa and continues to wander in the guise of a beggar, and the deity takes possession of Kailash, the glorious deity created by Bramha.

               Thus one day he went to 'Badrikashram' (Badrinath Dham) and begged. In his prayer ‘Narayan’ comes out to give alms. Narayan said, "If you want to beg, first strike your finger on my finger with your trident." When Shiva struck his finger at Narayan's direction, three streams of blood appeared from there. Two rivers named 'Mandakini and Shipra' originate from its two streams and 'The third stream is later on the hands of Mahadev'. In this the head of Bramha is separated from the hand of Shiva and the sin of killing Bramhana is also washed away. From that stream is born "a man as bright as fire and a quadrangle". "He was holding a bow, a arrow, a sword and a shakti astra in his four hands." He forcibly bowed to Narayana and said, "Give orders, Lord." Narayana commanded, "Kill the man created by Bramha." At the command of Narayana, he travels to Kailash and after a fierce battle with the deity created by Bramha, kills the two of them. Then both Bramha and Shiva realize their mistake and both of them apologize to each other.

              The head in his hand in the idol of Kalbhairav is believed to be the head of Bramha. In each of the 51 Sati Peeths, Shiva guards one Bhairab.