13'' Lord Shiva as Bhairava | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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The fierce manifestation of Shiva as Bhairava is starkly portrayed in this bronze ‘panchaloha’ sculptural image. As the primal symbol of death, the frightful bloodlust that Bhairava unleashes onto the world is witnessed in the bare iconography of the image here – Bhairava is standing naked, in his four-armed form, while wearing a skullcap, and holds the ‘damru,’ a sword, a cup for alms, and the ‘pasha’ or noose. A large garland is thrown over Bhairava’s left shoulder, and his ‘vahana’ or mount, the dog, is shown behind him. The inauspicious destructive energies that the dog represents remain symbolic with the icon of Bhairava. However, it is also noteworthy that Bhairava’s form is benevolent. While he is usually presented with his teeth bare in a fearsome manner, this image presents him with a graceful facial expression of ‘ananda’ or bliss. Moreover, holding the noose, Bhairava as the god embodiment guides the devout on the path of righteousness.

Bhairava’s legends are aplenty; the most popular one coming from the Shiva Mahapurana, which details how Brahma’s ego was humbled by Shiva. As the legend goes, Brahma’s egoism incurred the wrath of Shiva, who saw the creator of the universe meddling in his business. In Shiva’s fury, he gave birth to Bhairava, who chopped off Brahma’s fifth head, and bestowing a humble sense of enlightenment over the latter’s presence. Bhairava therefore is also visually manifested holding the fifth head of Brahma.