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Nakoda is a place in Rajasthan and here you can find a much revered deity of Bhairava. Known always as Nakoda Bhairava.

It is a tradition amongst Jains to attach regional prefixes before the names of certain deities. For example, Shankheshwara Parshwanath is a form of Parshwanath – the 23rd Jain tirthankar of this age, Parshwanath & Shankheshwara, is the place of a very prominent idol of this deity. So where ever that idol is consecrated then the deity is called Shankheshwara Parshwanath. Similarly, Nakoda Bhairava is so named.

Coming back to the topic, Yes, Nakoda Bhairava is a Jain deity. The idol is usually of a small, sturdy man with a captivating face and a prominent mustache. Often holding a trident, damru and some other items in his many hands. You must be surprised because an idol of Bhairava with trident and damru – but of course it is of Shiva, isn’t it? Calling it Nakoda Bhairava is why people may think it is a different deity. But Nakoda only signifies the original region of the deity.

Know more in my Nakoda Jain Bhairava video:

Bhairava, the Fierce Form of Shiva is also in Jainism?!

Shiva is one of the main deities of Hinduism. As per Hindu understanding, Jainism is an outcrop from Hindiusm. However, as per Jain history, Jainism is the older religion and Hinduism was an outcrop from it.

Either case, both religions are closely associated, yet the trinity – Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma find no place in the Jain tradition as far as I have known. So, when I heard my family discussing visiting Nakoda Bhairava – I was struck and starting asking a lot of questions. What is the story behind Nakoda Bhairava? Why is it called Bhairava?

Searching online got me no stories on the same. I asked my old aunty who is steeped in Jainism and knows way too many stories and tales. She said, “there was a man called Bhairava. This guy helped Jain religion flourish, built temples blah blah… so the people deified him as a Yaksha. Yakshas are helpers of the main god“. However, this is only a few Jains I think. When I visited Nakoda, all the locals do agree that this is indeed the same Bhairava deity that is found in Hindus also. But in Jainism, he is a Sattvic Bhairava.

I have just returned from Kashi – one of the major deities there is Kaal Bhairava. I must admit that I am very intrigued by the fierce forms of Shiva, specifically Kaal Bhairava. So already my head is full of a lot of research on this Hindu god.

Lately, I have been noticing Yakshas and Yakshinis in the Jain temples very closely. I have also done some online research, where many reliable sources suggest that many of these Yaksh-as/inis are a part of Hindu history as well. On one of my jain temple visits I actually came across Nakoda Bhairava himself – trident, damru and all. After this I am really convinced that Nakoda Bhairava is Bhairava – fierce form of Shiva!

And on deeper research and chatting with a lot of folks in Nakoda – including Jain monks, pujaris and locals – definitely Nakoda Bhairava is seen as the same Hindu Bhairava – albeit the method of worship is more sattvic and in tune with Jain practices.

Nakoda Bhairava, a Form of Shwet Bhairava

Nakoda Bhairava is considered a form of Shweta Bhairava. Shwet Bhairava is considered to be the brother of Kala Bhairava. I will be putting up more content on the exact nature of these two Bhairava’s so please stay tuned!

Nakoda Bhairava Mantra

The Nakoda Bhairava Mantra can be easily found in any Jain temple that has a Nakoda Bhairava murti. There is an aarti song and mantra to chant. More details on exact sadhana for Nakoda Bhairava, one should talk to a Jain monk.

In Jainism, these yakshas or demi-gods are considered to be serving the tirthankar. In this case, the main tirthankar of Nakoda is Nakoda Parshwanath. And so, Nakoda Bhairava’s are said to be serving Nako Parshwanath.

Pic Credit: http://www.nakodabhairav.com/p/songs.html#axzz3HGCaaEEZ

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