Magnificent Nepal Wooden Big Bhairab Mask – the “Mask of Annihilation", 36" For Sale

Bhairab (or Bhairav), refers to Bhairava – a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with annihilation. He is one of the most important deities of Nepal, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. Bhairab is invoked in prayers to destroy enemies.
The origin of Bhairab can be traced to the conversation between Lord Bramha and Lord Vishnu recounted in “Shiv Maha-Purana” where Lord Vishnu asks Lord Bramha who is the supreme creator of the Universe. Arrogantly, Bramha tells Vishnu to worship him because he (Bramha) is the supreme creator. This angered Shiva who in reality is the creator of all. Siva then incarnated in the form of Bhairab to punish Bramha. Bhairab beheaded one of Bramha’s five heads, and since then Bramha has only four heads. When depicted as Kala Bhairab, Bhairab is shown carrying the amputed head of Brahma. Cutting off Brahma’s fifth head made him guilty of Brahmanicide, and as a result, he was forced to carry around the head for years until he had been absolved of the sin.

Another story of the origin of Bhairab is the tale of Sati, wife of Shiva. Sati, the daughter of the kind of gods, Daksha, had chosen to marry Shiva. Her father disapproved the alliance because he perceived Shiva as an ascetic associated with animals and ghosts and a frugal lifestyle. Eventually Daksha held a yagna (a ritualistic sacrifice) and invited all the gods, but not Sati and Shiva. Sati came to the yagna alone, where Daksha publicly spoke belittlingly about Shiva. Sati could not bear to hear her husband insulted and offered hereself to the sacrificial pyre. When Shiva learned of this, he destroyed the yagna and killed Daksha by beheading him. Shiva carried Sati’s corpse on his shoulders and ran uncontrollably all around the world for days. Since this would eventually destroy all creation, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra (divine discus) to cut Sati’s body into pieces, which then fell all around. These spots where Sati’s body parts fell are now known as Shakti Peethas. In the form of the frightful Bhairab, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shaktipeeths. Each Shaktipeeth temple is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairab.

Additionally, Bhairab Naach (Bhairab’s Dance) is an ancient masked dance performed by the Newar community annually in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal as part of the Indra Jatra festival and named after Bhairab.