Tripura Bhairavi

Bhairavi specifically means “terrifying” and is the powerful, awesome, or energetic form of the Goddess. She represents transforming heat or radiance, Tejas, which is the primal power or Divine energy. This we experience as a frightening thing because it burns away and destroys all the limitations and illusions of egocentric existence.

Bhairavi represents Divine anger and wrath. Yet her wrath is directed towards the impurities within us, as well as to the negative forces that may try to interfere with our spiritual growth. Though a difficult force to bear, her activity is necessary both to guide and protect us.

Bhairavi is known as Durga, the Goddess who saves us from difficulties. Durga rides a lion, a symbol of fire or solar energy, from which she wields her weapons of light to destroy all demons or negative forces. She helps take us beyond disease, sorrow, darkness and death.

Bhairavi is the woman as warrior, who with her power of divine speech and spiritual fire eliminates all obstacles to the unfoldment of true awareness. As Chandi or the destroyer of opposition, she can be invoked for removing obstacles to allow us to attain any of the four goals of life – enjoyment, wealth, recognition or liberation.